Doohamlet's destiny?
June 19, 2009
In 2008 Doohamlet GFC made history when the club captured its first ever football titles at under 12 and under 13 grades. Here's how the young fellas wrote themselves into the annals of their club.
Somehow it almost seems as if there was a distinct sense of inevitability about Doohamlet's ascent to the summit of underage football in 2008.
The club has been constructing an enviable record of achievement at juvenile level now for many years and the fact that it broke new ground during the year surprised nobody.
In fact, astute observers of the big ball game at juvenile level in the Oriel County could scarcely believe that the club had to wait 'till '08 before scooping U12 and U13 titles.
2008 proved to be a veritable red-letter year for Doohamlet at underage level with the first outward signs of the club's progress being showcased, big-time, in early September.
It was then that the Doohamlet starlets at Under 12 level locked horns with Corduff in Aughnamullen for the right to land the Under 12 Division Three League crown.
On the basis of results in the league earlier in the year, it was obvious to even the most casual observer of underage football in the county that Corduff would have it all to do.
Doohamlet were clearly the stand-out team in the league over the course of the year, boasting a 100% record in the competition ahead of the county decider.
They reached the county decider by delivering sound beatings to Ballybay, Scotstown, Aughnamullen, Clones, O'Hanlons, Rockcorry, Carrickmacross and Monaghan Harps.
Significantly they overwhelmed would-be co-finalists Corduff by 10-10 to 4-10 when they met en route to the semi-finals. It seemed like the dye had already been cast.
Indeed when Doohamlet took their place in the last four, Doohamlet delivered their intent in no uncertain manner, showing no mercy as they hammered Ballybay by 12-24 to 1-3.
For their part Corduff defeated Monaghan Harps, Fergal O'Hanlons, Scotstown, Clones, Ballybay, Carrickmacross and Rockcorry and Aughnamullen at the penultimate round mark. Doohamlet's troupe boasted the better form in '08. They had a fine pedigree, reaching the U12 Division Four (Magill Cup) decider in 2007 only to lose out to Fergal O'Hanlons.
For their part, Corduff did well to reach last year's Under 12 semi-finals but failed to make the decider. They travelled to the final determined to make amends though.
However on the day, Doohamlet - managed by Michael McEneaney, Gerry McGinn, PJ Marray and Joanne Loughman - proved much too potent a bunch for their opponents.
In what was a real goalfest, Doohamlet powered their way to an emphatic 5-15 to 2-9 victory with the final scoreline not in the least bit flattering to the winners.
Doohamlet's dynamic young guns created history with a swagger, comprehensively defeating overwhelmed, albeit gallant opponents who never looked likely to triumph.
Both sides started brightly and after Doohamlet were off target in their first two attacks Corduff opened the scoring with a pointed free kick by Mark Traynor in the opening minute.
Within four minutes Barry McGinn equalised for the would-be winners after Patrick Crossan was fouled and then M.J. O'Connor added another fine point from play.
The sides exchanged points and by the end of the opening quarter, the scores were level at 0-4 apiece after Corduff replied with another pointed free.
Doohamlet's superiority at midfield - with Barry McGinn and Conor Marray on top - began to open up the Corduff defence.
The Blues hit a purple patch midway through the half when Barry McGinn netted twice in the 16th and 17th minute and Conor Marray added a third goal in the 27th minute which was added to by points from Jamie Walsh and Damian Ward, thus catapulting Doohamlet into a healthy 3-5 to 1-4 lead at the interval.
In the second half Doohamlet were again the most impressive side with Matthew Byrne, Mark Connolly and Ryan Ingram outstanding in defence.
In addition, Barry McGinn and Connor Marray supplied the forwards with quality ball and Jamie Walshe and Damian Ward who were magnificent both finished with a tally of 1-3.
A string of points from Doohamlet in the 10th, 11th, 14th and 15th minutes by Hugh McGinn, Conor Marray and Barry McGinn later saw Doohamlet forge their way into a comfortable 4-12 to 2-6 lead.
Credit to Corduff for battling to the end. But as hard as Corduff tried to effect a Lazarus-like recovery, they simply couldn't overturn Doohamlet's massive advantage.
For the record, the victorious Doohamlet squad for the final was as follows:
Sean Loughman, John Duffy, Matthew Byrne, Mark Connolly, Ryan Ingram, Barry McGinn 2-4, Conor Marray 1-3, Damian Ward 1-03, Jamie Walshe 1-03, Hugh McGinn 0-01, M.J. O'Connor 0-01. Subs used: Pauric Malone, Ryan McManus.
Reflecting on the team's title-winning heroics, team mentor Michael McEneaney says the win over Corduff was the culmination of a lot of hard work, time and effort by all concerned.
"Our under 12s normally play out of division four so we didn't really think we'd go the whole way in division three in 2008," the long-time coach explains.
"We began to think we had a good chance of winning out after the first few rounds though because we had been winning the matches by some big margins with our smallest winning margin being something like 13 points.
"I wasn't personally surprised about the way things eventually worked out because we had the bulk of the 2007 squad still playing and we were unlucky last year.
"We knew the lads had all the skills and they had the experience to know what it took to get them to where they wanted to go.
"A lot of them were on the parish community games under 10 team, along with fellas from Cremartin and Clontibret, that won the county and Ulster titles.
"The two under 12 midfielders for the community games team were also our midfielders so we had a good base to begin with.
"The Corduff game (final) was probably our best game of the year with every single player doing their bit on the day.
Had Michael any concerns at all during the under 12 final?
"There were a couple of periods in the match when things weren't exactly going our way but the lads didn't panic and, instead, lifted their game to pull away again.
"I remember Corduff showed their worth by getting a goal early in the second half and then forcing our goalkeeper to make a very good save shortly afterwards.
"Our lads showed a steady improvement in every match and in the final showed just how good a team they are. It was all about a team effort with us all year."
Fast-forwarding the tap to the following November and it was a case of deja vu for the gaels of Doohamlet as their U13 crop landed the Division Three title in great style.
Two superby-taken first half goals proved pivotal as Doohamlet handed a 4-9 to 2-10 defeat to a brave Aughnamullen side in what was an exciting county decider in Blackhill.
Doohamlet were full value for their victory as they held the edge the whole way through the game and rebutted Aughnamullen's best efforts to seal the win.
The game was an evenly-matched affair throughout but Barry McGinn's goal in the 7th minute did give Doohamlet a more than useful leg-up as it put them 1-1 to 0-1 in front at that juncture.
Aughnamullen were then hit with a sucker punch shortly afterwards when Barry McBennett also goaled and when Barry McGinn followed up with a point, the writing was on the wall for the Sarsfields.
Brian McGeough gave the chasing team a much needed lift with a point but Doohamlet remained in control and points from Barry McGinn and Gavin Clerkin strengthened their position as they proceeded to lead by 2-5 to 0-5 at the interval.
The second half was only on a few minutes when Doohamlet's Barry McBennett struck for a real killer blow and while impressive sub Michael Bannigan replied with a similar score, it remained a huge task for Aughnamullen.
Young Bannigan was to find the net some eight minutes later after a Barry McBennett point to leave just the minimum between the sides.
However that was as good as it got for Aughnamullen with Doohamlet simply not for turning with Barry McGinn again goaling in supreme style to keep his side in pole position.
The final minutes were a nip and tuck affair but, in what was an excellent sporting game, Aughnamullen just couldn't manage to pull the fat from the fire, thus leaving Doohamlet comfortable and impressive five point winners.
Doohamlet's heroes were as follows:
Andrew Casey, Matthew Byrne John Duffy, Mark Connolly, Sean Loughman, Ryan Ingram (0 -1); Barry Mc Ginn (2 - 3), Conor Marray, Damien Ward (0 - 1), Jamie Walsh (0 - 1), Hugh McGinn (0 - 1), Barry McBennett (2 - 3) MJ O'Connor.
"It was very pleasing that the Under 13s won because they lost the Under 12 Division Four final in 2007 so beating Aughnamullen saw them get what they deserved," says Michael.
"They also won all their games in the competition but, in fairness to Aughnamullen, it looked as if the title could have went their way at times.
"Luckily our lads' experience told a lot on the day, especially when Aughnamullen got it back to a point. We finished strongly though and our fitness was a great help."
So what sort of potential is inherent in Doohamlet's title winning Under 12 and Under 13s?
"It's hard to know because it's a huge step up from juvenile to adult football but I'd be optimistic that a good few of them will make the grade.
"A lot of the lads on our current senior team won a lot of county medals at under 15, 16 and minor levels and they've shown what they're made of by getting to senior league semi-final.
"Hopefully we can continue to keep the players together as they go up through the grades and we'll take it from there."
Doohamlet juveniles win historic treble
On the first Saturday in November, the playing season ended on a most satisfying note for Doohamlet juveniles when the under 13 side won the division three league. When added to the earlier success in the under 12 and school league competitions it was the completion of an historic treble in competitions never previously won by the club. All three teams enjoyed the distinction of going through the respective competitions unbeaten.
Teamwork
The first leg of the treble was landed by the under 12s when they defeated Corduff 5-15 to 2-9 in the final at Aughnamullen in early September. In an game featuring many passages of fine football it was Doohamlet's greater teamwork that held sway over gallant opponents. To the joy of a large Doohamlet following, team captain Barry McGinn was presented with the Conlon Cup by a proud Doohamlet man Brendan Farrell, currently assistant treasurer of the county committee.
Four easy wins had earned Dohamlet's school team a passage through to the final against Lisdoonan. A closely fought encounter went into extra-time. A couple of late goals put Doohamlet in winning mode on a score of 5-15 to 4-10. Captain Conor Marray accepted the O'Rourke Cup from county star Conor McManus.
Late rally
The under 13 team defeated a gallant Corduff 2-6 to 0-9 at the semi-final stage. In the final at Blackhill a late rally was needed to counter a resurgent Aughnamullen side. Doohamlet eventually triumphed on a score of 4-10 to 2-10.
Once again Brendan Farrell had the honour of presenting the cup, the winning captain this time being Barry McBennett who received the McArdle Cup.
Effective
Barry McGinn and Conor Marray formed a most effective midfield pairing on all three teams. Sean Loughman was outstanding in goals for the under 12 final. He was fronted by excellent defenders in John Duffy, Matthew Byrne, Mark Connolly and Ryan Ingram, with all four displaying a canny knack of making timely interceptions to overturn possession. The under 12s had lively attackers in Damien Ward, Jamie Walshe and Hugh McGinn. M.J. O'Connor and Matthew McKenna were never found wanting when called upon. Other members of the panel were Ryan McManus, Pauric Malone and Jack Ingram. The bulk of the under 12 panel formed the nucleus of the under 13 and school teams. In addition to the aforementioned a further three players held key roles on the under 13s. Andrew Casey was a sound keeper being particularly outstanding in the final. Nathan Connolly was a star player at half back while Barry McBennett used his strength with telling effect up front.
Potential
All the teams were managed and coached by Michael McEneaney, Gerry McGinn, PJ Marray and Joanne Loughman. In the local national school, principal Margaret McQuillan and staff deserve mention for fostering a love of gaelic football in their pupils. While all the players involved have to be commended for their enthusiasm and dedication, Doohamlet folk will be hoping they strive to make every effort to fulfil their potential in the future.
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