Lannleire made an encouraging start to the 2004 season but lost the plot around the midway point, failing to escape intermediate ranks and suffering relegation to Division 2B. The good news from the Dunleer camp was that they recorded their first championship win in four years and enjoyed a decent year at juvenile level. Having held a very successful AGM in January, Lannleire GFC went into 2004 full of high hopes. After suffering relegation at the end of the previous season, the club was hopeful of regaining senior status through either the league or championship. When the championship draws were made in February, the Dunleer men were pitted in Group A of the IFC against O'Raghallaighs, St Nicholas, St Fechins and arch rivals Naomh Fionnbarra. The club had failed to win a championship match since way back in 2000, so such a victory was long overdue, even if it was in the IFC rather than the SFC. It arrived, but unfortunately in one of the most meaningless games of the year… Training commenced early and there was a sense of confidence in the air that Lannleire could negotiate a path back to the top flight. The attitude was good and the players were upbeat and enthusiastic. Victories over St Fechins, Naomh Fionnbarra, Dreadnots, Hunterstown Rovers and the Geraldines consolidated the club's position at the top of the Div 2A table by the end of April, with ten points from a possible twelve. Things were looking good. It was the best possible start to the league campaign and laid down a marker for the championship. Everyone in the club was upbeat going into the premier competition. The opening game was against St Fechins in Drogheda on May 13. Lannleire raced into an early lead but as the game progressed the Fechins clawed their way back to take the lead towards the end. But Lannleire showed great resolve and came back with injury-time points from Richard Kieran and John Boylan to earn a deserved draw, 0-11 apiece. Disappointing as it may have been, a draw was a fair result. The second game in the championship was against O'Raghallaighs at Castlebellingham on June 13. Carlos Lambe scored four points in the first half and Nicky Malone levelled for the Dunleer men early in the second half, having come on as a substitute. Lannleire could have stamped their authority on the game but for some poor shooting, and it was the Drogheda side that prevailed by a goal in the end, 1-8 to 0-8. Next up were arch rivals Naomh Fionnbarra, again at The Grove in Castlebellingham. With players away on holidays, Lannleire fielded a somewhat weakened side on July 4 and Finbarrs ran out narrow winners, 2-10 to 2-8. Three late points from the Togher men effectively ended Lannleire's involvement in the 2004 IFC. Things were on a downward spiral with hopes of advancing to the knockout stages already dashed by the time of the last group outing against St Nicholas at The Grove on July 22. While the game would have no bearing whatsoever on the outcome of the group, the only consolation was that the Dunleer representatives won their first championship match in four years by virtue of a 1-12 to 1-7 victory. With the championship over for another year, Lannleire again switched their attention to the league. However, at this vital juncture in the season, the commitment of all concerned would have to be questioned. Attitudes changed dramatically and, as a result, Lannleire surrendered a promising position to finish second from bottom of the table. Unbelievably, they lost their remaining seven league games and were relegated to 2B for 2005. It was a thoroughly disappointing end to a year that had started well and promised so much. But a massive improvement in attitude is needed if Lannleire are to return to senior ranks, or even to Division 2A ... While the first team's end-of-season collapse was a source of much consternation, there is better news on the juvenile front. The club has been making enormous strides at underage level, placing a lot of emphasis on developing underage structures in recent years. Two-thousand-and-four was a reasonably good year in this regard as juvenile teams were fielded at under 8, U10, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16 and U18 grades. This season was the first year that Lannleire fielded under 8s, girls and boys. With no official competitions to participate in, the club succeeded in getting a few challenge matches with other local clubs. They were also invited to the Monasterboice Blitz, where a great day was had by all. The under 10s, U12s and U14s also had a successful year, and great enthusiasm was shown by all concerned. Lannleire held a highly successful Leinster Summer Camp in 2004, with 115 boys and girls between the ages of six- and 13-years-old taking part. Sincere thanks to Leinster coach John Byrne and his able assistants, as this was an invaluable experience for the club's young members, who learned many additional skills and techniques which should serve them and the club well in the future. The U16 team was without question the most successful of 2004. They U16s competed in the Division Three league and were only beaten in one game (by O'Mahonys). Thus, they qualified for the final. Opposition herein was again provided by O'Mahonys, only for Lannleire to be beaten by the narrowest margin. The club also entered the U16 'B' championship, suffering defeat to St Marys in the first round. However, all was not lost as Lannleire also entered a special B championship and had a successful run, going on to win the competition outright. They faced a Kilkerley/Naomh Malachi combination in the final and both sides played excellent football as the game ended in a draw. The replay was in Haggardstown and it was nip and tuck throughout but the Dunleer lads finished the stronger on a scoreline of 5-11 to 5-9. Andrew Dowd received the cup and a lot of praise has to go to this talented bunch of players. Thanks also to their mentors - Gerry McEvoy, Eugene Lane and Thomas O'Hare. Off the field, the club is constantly trying to develop its grounds at Páirc Uí Mhuírí, having purchased the Dunleer Recreation Centre a few years ago. Its main purpose is to facilitate the people of the town and surrounding areas in sporting and recreational activities. This is turning out to be a huge success as it is being utilised every night of the week. A lot of praise has to go to a few men for envisaging the potential of the centre. Behind the scenes, there are a select few people who get no credit for their endless help. The club's thanks goes to Bernard Dunne for assisting in preparing the pitch for games and also to club registrar Emma Lynch for having the teams kitted out in clean gear for every game at such short notice. Thanks also to all the mentors at intermediate and junior levels and especially the underage mentors who worked hard to bring success to the club. Thanks also to anyone who helped the club in any way during the year. Lannleire GFC acknowledges John McCullough and the Fás workers for their great and diligent work in keeping Páirc uí Mhúirí in such good shape, not to mention the club's main sponsor Dunleer Credit Union as well as all the people who sponsored the club in any way during the year. Sincere thanks are offered and the club looks forward to continued support in 2005. Credit is also due to chairman Padraig Bolger and secretary Declan Dowd for keeping the show on the road. Lannleire have been a force in recent years and anyone who thinks, on the back of a couple of poor years, that they are a thing of the past had better reconsider. Step 1 in 2005 is to start the rebuilding process and in the next few years the club will continue that process and take things closer to achieving the goal of returning to senior football in the not-too-distant future. Tweet

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