Keeping the flag flying
December 31, 2000
Slane GFC haven't enjoyed too much success at underage level in recent times but the likes of Peter O'Brien continue to persevere.
If the only accurate barometer to gauge a successful underage policy was the amount of silverware in the trophy cabinet at the end of the year, the members of Slane GFC wouldn't have too much to smile about this winter.
But, as the cliche says "winning isn't everything, it's the participation that counts" and the nurturing of young, raw talent should be the main aim of all underage coaches. After all, a smooth operating underage section is essential to the growth of every GAA club in the country.
One individual who is keeping the underage flag flying in Slane is former player Peter O'Brien.
"By times it is a battle to field teams," remarks Peter, "but there is a handful of people keeping it going. I suppose it seems to be the same in a lot of other clubs but it seems an achievement most times to actually just field a team.
"While we have not had any success in a long time, we field teams in all competitions and a lot of boys and girls give it their all and get great enjoyment out of playing. And, at the end of the day, that's what it's all about."
There was high hopes for this year's U12 Slane batch as two years ago they reached the final of a Syddan-organised U10 tournament where they were narrowly beaten by St Cuthbert's. Peter and Colm Naughton were over the team but things didn't transpire according to plan.
"Unfortunately we won just one match and that was against Drumconrath who subsequently went on to win the competition. That's gives a clear indication of how much better we should have done. The interest levels amongst kids at this age group doesn't seem to be as high as it used to be and many were choosing to play soccer rather than gaelic.
"Myself and Jim Harding were involved with the U14s and they actually surpassed expectations by reaching the semi-final of the league were they were beaten by Moynalty. We were quite happy with their performances this year," adds the affable O'Brien.
Another team which Peter and co were "quite happy" with during 2000 was the U16s. Once again Peter was a mentor and he was assisted with this team by John Mongey. Their championship aspirations perished at the quarter-final stages when St Mary's defeated them by two points.
"That team was always particularly good. St Mary's went on to reach the final and were beaten by four points. Who knows, with a little bit of luck we could have reached that far."
The only Slane underage team which Peter had no direct involvement was the minors. Anthony Harding and Oliver Carolan were the men at the helm of this particular bunch and the duo guided them to a quarter-final meeting with Ballinabrackey but, unfortunately, they suffered a similar fate as to that of the U16s.
So, overall, how does Peter assess 2000? "The year wasn't too bad," he replied. "We had training every week and fulfilled all our matches, a fact we have to be very pleased about.
"Success is not the be all and end all of underage football. If three or four players from each team can move up through the ranks and play adult football with the club than that has to be our job done."
In the 12 months just coming to an end, young up and coming Slane players such as Stephen Gough, Willie Clarke and Keith Harding sampled their first taste of adult championship action.
"The like of that is very encouraging. Another one of our younger players, Rory Finnegan was on the Meath U14s last year while two of our girls, Edel Carolan and Grainne Nulty, played for Meath in the All-Ireland U16 ladies final. Declan Kearns, one of our best Intermediate players, is only 20 and was on the Meath minor and U21 teams in recent years."
Peter is fulsome in his praise of the help he and the other underage mentors receive from the club's executive committee.
"The Executive gives us great support and if there's ever anything we need it always helps us out. Patricia Harding, who is chairperson of the Executive committee, is brilliant. If its new footballs or bus expenses were never have any trouble getting the money.
"There's a lot of the players' mothers, too many to mention, who are always on hand to help us out with transport whenever we need it. I would be hopeful, though, that more parents would get involved and ease the burden on the rest of us."
For his own part, Peter donned the blue and white jersey from 1977 to 1995, collecting an Intermediate and two Junior B souvenirs in that period.
He represented the county minors in the Leinster final of 1978 when the Royals were defeated by the "auld enemy" Dublin. Peter was corner forward on a team which featured future All-Ireland senior medal winners Liam Hayes, Finian Murtagh and Mattie McCabe.
The O'Brien family has a strong association with the village club. Peter's brothers, Fr John, current PP in Duleek, and Mattie, who's now living in Germany, were also on the Slane Intermediate winning team of 1984. Indeed, Mattie grabbed many a headline in his juvenile playing days with Slane.
What prompted Peter to become involved with the underage in the club? "My own son, Paul, started playing with the club when he was nine and Jimmy Mooney, who did tremendous work for years with the juvenile team, asked me to help out. Paul is now 15 and I have two other children, Keith (12) and Ann-Marie (9) playing with the club.
Slane's Intermediate team didn't fare out much better that their underage counterparts during the course of the year but, nonetheless, Peter believes it won't be too long before the the Flogas sponsored side reclaim their place in the upper echelons of the Royal County club football.
"Unfortunately I didn't get to see too many of their games as I do a lot of weekend work. I went to all the games I could and I think they did reasonably well. Eventual winners St Pat's only beat them by two points so I think that must augur well for the future.
"I think it will take another year or two but with all the young lads coming on there's no reason why we can't win the Intermediate championship soon."
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