It's not so long ago that Slane GFC were competing against the cream of the crop in Meath GAA circles. Nothing would give club members more satisfaction than to reclaim their spot amongst the Skryne's, Dunshaughlin's and Dunderry's of this world. Club secretary Jim Mullery spoke with Royal County and outlined the club's ambitions for the future. Since being relegated from the senior grade in 1999, Slane GFC have struggled to make an impact in the Intermediate championship. There were, however, some encouraging signs in 2001 to suggest that a return to the top flight may be just around the corner. The injection of some young talent combined with the commitment of the players, for example, has club secretary Jim Mullery excited about their future prospects. Their ambitions of qualifying for the knock-out stages of this year's Intermediate championship came to an end in the final group game when they lost out to Blackhall Gaels by two points in Skryne in early October. "It was very disappointing," recalled Jim. "The Blackhall game was always going to be the one which would decide our fate. Out first half performance wasn't what we would have hoped for and at half-time we found ourselves trailing by 0-7 to 0-2. We did come back in the second half and managed to reduce the deficit to just one point but, unfortunately, it just didn't happen for us on the day." Slane's championship report sheet for 2001 reads like this: four wins, one draw and two defeats. The wins came at the expense of St Paul's, Duleek, Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Carnaross, the draw against St Colmcille's and the defeats to Drumree and Blackhall Gaels. "Overall there was a lot for us to be happy about this year. For instance, the high level of commitment and enthusiasm given by both the players and the backroom team was one very pleasing aspect. "We had a change of management this year with Jim Harding coming in as manager along with selectors Fergus Woodward and Eamonn Hoey and they worked very well together. "We also blooded a number of young players into the intermediate team. Our good underage policy over the last five years or so has meant that our adult panel now includes a significant number of U-21 players. They combined well with the older members of the panel so we have a good mixture of youth and experience at the moment. "We are certainly confident that we have the resources and commitment to win an Intermediate championship in the not too distant future. We were very disappointed to have lost our senior status a couple of years ago so regaining that would certainly be our ambition now." Jim doesn't need reminding that the Intermediate championship in Meath is not easily won. "It's a very difficult competition, with the way that it is structured now you are really under pressure to win all your games. And with the relegated senior teams entering the equation it's always going to be tough. "All we can do, however, is keep plugging away and fingers crossed everything will come right for us in the future." Jim Mullery will be one of many Slane people channelling all his efforts towards helping the village side make a return to the upper echelons of the Meath GAA fraternity. He has occupied the position of secretary for the past four years now and according to one Slane player is one of the main driving forces behind the club alongside chairperson Patrica Harding. It may come as a surprise to some to learn that Jim isn't actually a native of Slane or Meath; he was, in fact, born and raised in Horeswood in Co. Wexford. He played both hurling and football with the local club in his youth and won a county minor hurling championship medal. He arrived in Meath twenty years ago and continued playing the small ball code with Kilmessan with whom he garnered Meath junior and senior hurling championship medals in 1977 and '78 respectively. His interest in Slane GFC was aroused when his two sons, Paul (24) and Owen (19), began playing underage football with the east Meath outfit. "Initially I was helping out with some of the underage teams and then I became involved at committee level. From there I was elected secretary," Jim explained. Since becoming secretary, the Carrickdexter resident has sought to identify and remedy some of the afflictions hampering the club's progress. A priority, as far as he is concerned, is the attraction of young children. Slane GFC is not an exception in this regard of course. "Like all rural clubs in the GAA these days we are experiencing difficulties in attracting younger players to the club. One of the club's objectives at the moment is to encourage more parents to point their children in our direction to play gaelic football. "Getting young people interested and committed to gaelic football is a big problem. We, as a club, realise that we have to take the initiative on that at a local level but the County Board and the GAA at national level should sit down and examine what assistance they can give to rural clubs like ourselves to help rectify this problem." Fundraising is another facet of club activity which Jim and Slane's hard-working committee have addressed in the past year. At the time of writing, for instance, they are preparing for a fundraising Race Day in Fairyhouse on December 1st and the proceeds will help swell the club's coffers substantially. "Like all clubs you do need to have a substantial fundraising drive at least two or three times a year or else you can't simply survive. Swelling the club's trophy cabinet is next on the agenda for Jim and Co.! Tweet

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