For the past two years Summerhill have faltered at the quarter-final stage. Jarlath Hughes talks about the need to move on a step. It's not unusual in the Meath Yearbook for a club to soften the blow of a disappointing season with positive talk of the future, of young players coming nicely through the ranks etcetera. It's almost par for the course in fact. The reason for this, partly, can be accounted for by the kind of questions posed by the interviewer. It would be called, in courtroom parlance, "leading the witness", and at times it can hardly be avoided, less an entire article about a down-at-the-mouth club is littered with tales of woe and capitulation and no hope. Readers are aware of this, of course, that many of these assertions are mere soothers, balms to floundering ambition. Sometimes though they possess a real essence, an undeniable relevance. In Summerhill, that's certainly the case. There, they are disappointed at the way the year 2000 turned out. Great hope had greeted its arrival. In 1999 the club reached the quarter final of the senior championship with a team of mainly fresh-faced youngsters. Surprising it may have been, but it was an achievement that raised expectations, amplified ambitions. They sought to go one, or perhaps two or three, better last season, but they didn't. Another quarter final defeat, at the hands of Trim this time, left many players, including veteran Jarlath Hughes, feeling that 2000 was a "backward step" for Summerhill. Maybe a harsh assessment. But Meath senior football is a harsh environment. Summerhill possess such an amount of successful young players that the future would appear to be effulgently bright. But in the tough present something more might just be needed, says Jarlath Hughes. When the interviewer attempts to lead the witness, the witness, who is honest and candid, refuses to indulge the easy answer. There are no offhand remarks about glorious futures. We know nothing about the future; only the past and present can be spoken of with conviction. "The season in general was disappointing because we were going so well early on in the championship," says 34 year old Jarlath Hughes. "The problem was not that we peaked too early but rather that we have a lot of young players who haven't fully matured yet." The club has enjoyed huge success at underage level in recent times: an U21 championship in '97 and, two seasons later, appearances in the minor and U21 championship finals. The principal protagonists of those campaigns have found themselves playing senior football rather quickly. With Jarlath Hughes missing the quarter final through injury, all six backs against Trim were 21 or under; also three forwards. "That's what happens when you enjoy great success at underage level," the full back points out. "But we don't have enough experienced lads to balance the influx of young players. There has been a fall-off in the number of older players in Summerhill in recent years. Mark O'Reilly, for example, would be regarded as one of the old heads now." The championship started so well for the 'Hill. From a tough group that included Walterstown, Kilmainhamwood, Seneschalstown and Moynalvey, they came out on top to book their place in the quarter final against near neighbours Trim. Trim beat them by four points. "We didn't really perform on the day but from the league section there is a considerable step-up to the knock-out stage. The two don't bear comparison. And it's in the knock-out stages that we've been found wanting for the last two seasons. You sometimes need experience to cope with that kind of intensity." Along with Padraig and Terry Lyons, Jarlath is the only surviving member of the Summerhill squad that captured the club's last Keegan Cup in 1986. He had just turned 21 and was a sub; it was his first year with the seniors. The team's age profile was different back then. "The team in '86 was a lot older and stronger than the current one. Back then, in general, there weren't many under 21s in senior teams. Now, if they prove themselves good enough, players can be regulars at 18. "Because teams are not as big as they used to be, the game has changed to an extent. That's why a lot of teams play the possession game nowadays. More thought goes into things. If a full back is good in the air teams aren't going to kick high balls into him. They'll use the low ball or the short pass. If an opponent has a weakness teams will try to exploit it." Hughes likes the set up Mick Lyons has got at the 'Hill. "Youth brings a lot of enthusiasm to a club. Our lads are a great bunch and I really enjoy working with them. They'll only get better as well but at the moment I still think we're a year or two off from making a big impression." In 1987, having firmly established himself in the Summerhill side, Jarlath Hughes was voted Club Player of the Year. He was a half back in those days and recalls, not quite with fondness, running around after Finian Murtagh in the 1990 senior championship final against Navan O'Mahony's. Summerhill lost that final after a replay but even still, it's an occasion which Hughes ranks as the highlight of his career. Despite missing through injury Summerhill's most vital game of the season, that career is still going strong. "People often ask me how long I intend to keep playing," says the former Meath minor, "and I always say the same thing: if I can steer clear of injury I'll play for as long as I can. "I picked up a knee injury in July and I was getting physio in the hope of playing in the semi-final but unfortunately it wasn't to be. But my main ambition now is to be part of another championship-winning Summerhill side. That's what's driving me on." Hughes is happy with his lot in general but there is one outstanding cause for concern for everybody, he feels. And that's the structure of the club season, or lack of it thereof. "Basically," he says, "the GAA must establish a proper structure so each player knows when each game is. Players should not be in the dark, wondering when they're next going to be playing, because it's de-motivating. It's difficult for coaches too. "You can't plan to peak for a particular period because, for all you know, you could still be involved in the championship come November, depending on how Meath do. So you must always hold that bit in reserve. It's difficult to hold a fella's interest in a potential six month campaign. Holiday plans as well go up in smoke. Only that Trim and Summerhill came to an agreement themselves, the quarter final would have been played with players from both sides away on holidays." That's one for the GAA authorities to think about. In the meantime in Summerhill, a great determination says farewell to the year 2000. Tweet

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