For Castleblayney Faughs, Senior Championships are as much a part of the club as St Mary's Park or the famous green and gold jersey.

The trophy awarded each year is named in honour of a Faughs man - Mick Duffy, and Blayney have won the competition more times (37) than any other team in Monaghan.
Add to that three Ulster titles and 15 Senior leagues and you have an honour roll enviable to any club in the country.
Their list of achievements is a long one, but it is a list which has begun to look stagnant in recent times.
The Mick Duffy Cup hasn't taken up residence at St Mary's Park since 2003.
It will be seven long years before Blayney have a chance to address that fact and add title number 38, and that's the earliest possible date.
Scotstown's success in the late 70's meant a similar drought afflicted the club.
The Championship returned to the other St Mary's Park five years on the bounce between 1977-1981, before Blayney finally broke the sequence a year later.
Declan Loughman's side have now exceeded that time span, but there is plenty to suggest the Mick Duffy Cup won't remain a forgotten friend for too long more.
The current management are in the process of rebuilding the side. It is a system not best suited for reward in the short-term, but long-term is a different story entirely.
By putting his faith in the next generation, Declan Loughman hopes to return not just the Senior Championship, but the glory days when year-on-year success and trophies were matter of fact for the club.
The Faughs manager gives his overview on a testing campaign, albeit one sure to be constructive for his emerging side.
"We had a young team this year, so it was important to go out and try win as many games as possible. Winning builds confidence, but really it wasn't until the end of the year when we were able to put a run together. From our point of view it was important we stayed in the top half of the table. We definitely didn't want to be in a situation of thinking about survival towards the end of the year. A relegation battle puts a lot of pressure on players."
As it turned out, Blayney were far from the trapdoor by year's end. Finishing on a respectable 22 points, one behind leaders Clontibret, the Faughs secured second spot in the table. A sure sign of progress, but as Declan Loughman admits, there's only one trophy this club overly concerns itself with.
"In Blayney the target every year is to win the Championship. You're nearly expected to win it; that hasn't happened in the last six years, but it doesn't mean expectations have lowered. That's the way it is, and the way it always will be for this club. We haven't been that far off in the past few years, and it has fairly levelled out at Senior level. Clontibret were that bit stronger this season, but you have Scotstown, Latton, Magheracloone, Carrick and ourselves who all could win the Championship."
Before the competition began in May, Blayney had a mixed start to the Senior league. A slender opening day victory over Inniskeen at St Mary's was followed by a loss away to Scotstown and two draws with Latton and Clontibret. The meeting with Scotstown was the first encounter in what would become a four game series with their old rivals.
Another foe from years gone by, Ballybay, lay in wait in the next game - a contest Blayney ultimately ended up losing. So, were these anxious times for Declan Loughman?
"We had struggled to score any more than eight or nine points in those games. That was a concern. Truagh was totally different, and we scored 2-18 that day. Ever since that putting up high scores hasn't been a problem, but conceding has. The first five games didn't go that well for us, but there's no cups handed out in April or May. I remember Latton losing five in a row a few years ago; then they ended up winning the Championship."
The Truagh game at O'Neill Park was Blayney at their devastating, high-scoring best. An example of what could be in the club's future if the younger players fulfil their massive potential. Scotstown in the next round of the Championship told a different story, as the more experienced north-Monaghan side prospered. The teams would meet a further two times before the season's end, but in contrast to the great battles of the past - the rivalry was somewhat one-sided in 2009. That might not be the case next time round according to the Blayney manager.
"The rivalry is coming back because the two clubs are coming back. Scotstown are a strong team, and it wasn't a surprise to see them win the league. Physically they're very strong; I think that's their biggest asset. They would feel they're on their way back and ready to win a Championship; we would feel something similar. I don't know who's closer, but time will tell. Scotstown are a different type of team to us; they are big and physical, whereas we aren't really. There are two different styles there, and we have had trouble with them. Playing four times and losing them all shows that. They have had a few younger players really step up to the plate - Darren and Kieran Hughes in particular. In The Championship game we struggled round midfield, and if you're not winning that battle then your forwards aren't getting enough of the ball. I think we have more scoring threat than Scotstown, but their game - simple and direct, is very hard to cope with."
Another team with a similar sort of hard-hitting approach is Clontibret O'Neills. In the league there wasn't much between the teams in terms of points total, as well as their respective meetings during the year. This carried through into the Championship when the Faughs pushed the eventual champions to their limit.
"The difference between us and Clontibret this year was Conor McManus; I think that's the same for most of the other teams at Senior too. Cormac Brady was marking him for us and did well, but eventually if you get enough ball into Conor McManus then generally he'll do the right thing. He's the best forward in Monaghan at the minute, and I don't think we can afford to play him in defence for the county."
One of the Clontibret ace's rivals for a spot in Banty's full-forward line next year was playing that day also. Ciaran Hanratty had a nightmare year with injuries, missing practically all of the season with a hamstring problem. His return should have a significant impact on Blayney's Championship hopes in 2010; something his manager is only too aware of.
"Ciaran missed about three quarters of our matches throughout the year. Having him there for the Championship was more our concern, but it was a struggle to get him fit for those games too. He did play a role, especially in the replay against Clontibret when he came on. His return to full fitness next year will be a boost for us, so hopefully he'll be back fresh and well rested after a few months break."
The 1-18 to 1-16 extra-time loss to the O'Neills must have been a bitter pill for the players to swallow. It was in their response to defeat that Declan Loughman finds hope for next season, however.
"The strong finish we had in the league is a good sign for the club going forward. Years ago if Blayney went out of the Championship we struggled to even field a team in some games. That left us in dangerous territory on a number of occasions. This year, even though we exited the Championship, players were still interested and we went on to finish second in a really competitive league. We finished in the top four with 16 points before, so the table in '09 shows how competitive the league has got. Give or take an inch and you'll either win or lose by a point on most days. We were comfortable enough in the table this year, and finishing in the top four was a bonus. League matches are all about developing the team for the Championship. You can't do that when you're worrying about staying up, so this year we were reasonably happy with how it went for us."
Reasonably happy for 2009, but what will next year bring for Declan Loughman, in what will be his third year as manager? He concludes with some of the reasons why Faughs supporters can expect number 38 sooner rather than later.
"Nine of the team who played against Clontibret in the Championship were U21, and 11 or so were under 23. There are also a few more boys just out of minor, and hopefully I can give them a run next year. It has been a learning process for the team this year. We have certainly taken the heavy knocks and had some near misses. We are learning the hard way, but hopefully that stands to us in the future."

Another double for Castleblayney's proud hurlers

Winning a senior double, a minor hurling league title and some silverware at underage level would be regarded as a highly successful year in most clubs but in the Castleblaney hurling club they still want to achieve more and there was disappointment that there was success on the bigger stage in the provincial club championship.

That is not to say that they were not pleased to win the senior double and in doing so complete a six-in-a-row of senior hurling championships, but Castleblayney has always been a club that has tried to push out the boundaries, to continually raise the bar so that they can test themselves against higher opposition and thereby develop their own game. This is not something new or a new philosophy in the club as the Castleblayney hurling club has always been at the heart of and indeed been the instigator of schemes that would help broaden the base of club hurling because they have always believed that playing matches is the best way to develop players. In times gone by they were very much part of the setting up of a mid Ulster league that was made up of teams from Monaghan, Louth, Armagh and South Down and they were always anxious to take part in tournaments where they would meet new opposition. They have developed relationships too with a number of strong clubs in the stronger hurling counties down south and regular exchanges afford their players the chance of meeting and learning from top-class opposition. As well as that they are regular partakers in the Kilmacud sevens that take place on the eve of the All-Ireland senior hurling championship final and indeed have come away with divisional honours on a number of occasions. More recently they have been competing in the Armagh league and took part in a number of other initiatives that were designed to develop robust cross county club competitions but on occasions too geographery just simply worked against that.
They experienced little difficulty in completing six senior hurling championship titles in a row this when they cruised to an almost facile victory over Latton in a very one-sided county final in Clontibret on Saturday September 19th last.
"That match was originally fixed for Sunday August 23rd but was rained off as Gavan Duffy park was water logged so that was a bit of an upset for us too as we had all our preparations done and then the game called off about ten minutes before the start," team manager Declan Connolly said.
"The game was refixed for Saturday September 19th but as a contest it was practically over by the halfway stage when we led by 2-6 to three points. Dermot O'Beirne and Barry Reilly got the goals and they underlined our overall superiority. By the end of the third-quarter we were ahead by 15 points and really it was a no contest for the rest of the game. That is not to say though that it was a faultless performance because it wasn't and the game did underline a number of areas where we had a little bit of work to do before the Ulster intermediate club campaign.
"It was an emphatic victory but we didn't get carried away. We were probably expected to win but we could not take that for granted before the match started because we knew that Latton would be very strong and physical on the day. You cannot take anything for granted going into any match and we were right because it was a tough, hard battle all through. On the final score line we did have a bit to spare at the finish but Latton never gave up and they kept going to the last."
The essential difference between the sides was in Castleblayney's levels of skill and the streetwise approach that they had particularly in their forward division and Declan Connolly put that down to the work that has been done over the years.
"Those lads have all been working on their game since they were very young and a lot of our players have built up experience because they have been playing for a long time. In fact a lot of this current team have actually played in all six senior championships that we have won since 2004 and as well as that most of them have experienced some good competitive matches in Ulster as well as playing for the county at different levels and all that certainly stood to us this year."
Declan was quick top point out though that with the Monaghan championship being limited to only a few teams Castleblayney have pulled ahead of the rest but he knew it was going to be a much more level playing field in Ulster where things would be more competitive and they were.
"There is no doubt about that. We knew we faced a tough match when we were meeting the Down champions Liatroim Fontenoys back in October," said Declan. "They won the Down championship again this year, they defeated us in the Ulster intermediate semi-final last year and they are a good outfit but I was hopeful we would get over them this year."
That wasn't how it worked out though and the Down team were C'Blayney's undoing again.
"They defeated us last year and they repeated the dose again this time around and I have to say they deserved it. They were superior in most departments and we never really established a foothold at any stage in what was a fairly one-sided contest that was played under lights in Newry on Bank Holiday Monday. They played some great first time hurling and their teamwork was excellent. They hit some great scores and quite honestly they carried the game to us all through. It was only the free taking of Mickey McHugh, I think he scored all but three points of our total from frees, and only for that they would have won by far more.
"We learned a lot, they dominated midfield and were very compact in defence and their keeper also took off two brilliant saves in the first half which could have made a difference to us but that's they way it goes. David Connolly, Paul Murphy and Gordon Coleman played their hearts out in defence to try and contain them (the Fontenoys) but to be honest too many of our better known just simply failed to two impress on the day. I was disappointed afterwards but I had to admit that I could have few complaints about the result.
"They were the better team but what was most disappointing was that we didn't win one ball in second phase play, they won every break. They were sharper and much quicker to the ball. We knew it was a big step up and we were second best there. We had come through the Monaghan championship without any real difficulties and that probably didn't help our preparations for the Ulster club championship. Monaghan hurling is at a good level but when you go into Ulster it is like going up two divisions.
"Those boys are sharper and you could see the difference between us, we were only in the game up to half time but then we were hit with a goal in injury time. I thought we were okay and would go in just a point behind and we hadn't played well and then the next thing we conceded a bad goal but that's Ulster hurling again, you have to keep your concentration.
"We have to now sit down and have a serious think about things for next year. We won the league but I think maybe we need to go back into the Armagh league or get tougher challenges, we'll have to see, but we have to do something. We were the more economical and more streetwise and clinched the senior hurling double when we won the league with a comfortable victory over Truagh but as a game it didn't really test us.
"Truagh did well and made us work in the outfield play but we needed a closer game. They have come on well and will be in the silverware soon but we have aspirations to win an Ulster club title and to do that we will need more competitive matches."
Declan Connolly's aspirations though are still well founded as the work that is going in at underage level saw Castleblayney win the minor hurling league and reach the final of the under 14 and under 16 hurling competitions.
"We have some very dedicated people who are all working with these young lads and there are some very good young players coming through. It is hard work to keep it all going all the time but we cannot afford to take anything for granted because there are so many other attractions for young people now and for that reason we have to make it attractive for them to play hurling. Hurling does enjoy a very high-profile nationally and we all admire the Corks and the Kilkennys and the Tipperarys of this world but they have only got there by working at their game and improving their skills level and that's what we are trying to do and will continue to do.
"Our minors were very impressive in winning the minor hurling league when we defeated Clontibret in a game where Fergal Rafter scored 10 points and we came very close to adding the under 16 hurling league but Clontibret got their revenge on us that day in Blackhill.
"Still the experience will help to bring these lads on and they will be playing senior hurling with the club and trying to push us on that little bit further in the not too distant future."
The C'Blayney minor team that defeated Clontibret in the MHL Final: Fintan Finnegan, Brian Flanagan, Eoin Leonard, Cormach McNally, Daire Morris, Mark Treanor, Jack Deasy, Ronan McAteer, Fergal Rafter 0-10, (10f), Niall garland, Kieran Sheridan 0-2, Kieran McBride, Liam McCooey. Subs: Barry Duffy for D Morris, Brendan McElroy for R McAteer.

Senior Hurling
Championship glory

Castleblayney experienced little difficulty in completing six senior hurling championship titles in the row when they cruised to an almost facile 3-17 to 1-5 victory over Latton in this very one-sided final in Clontibret. The game as a contest was practically over by the halfway stage when Castleblayney led by 2-6 to 0-3, the goals by Dermot O'Beirne in the sixth minute and Barry Reilly in the 13th underlining Castleblayney's overall superiority. Approaching the end of the third-quarter Castleblayney had extended their lead to 15 points and while Latton pulled back a goal from a penalty by Bernard O'Brien, whose long-range striking was a feature of the game, they simply could not engineer anything by way of a recovery against a Castleblayney side that were on top in every position.
Latton brought plenty of honest endeavour to the final but they lacked the slickness and the streetwise approach that Castleblayney have built with years of experience. That said though James Connolly at full-back impressed throughout as did Patrick Conlon and Karl Conlan while up front Bernard O'Brien and Kieran Duffy worked hard throughout. Paul Murphy was soundness personified at full-back for C'Blayney with team captain David Connelly anchoring the side from the centre back berth. Jim McHugh and Declan Crowe worked hard in midfield with Crowe in particular driving forward to set up numerous counter attacks. Up front, the pace, skill and guile of the likes of Barry Reilly, Stephen Lambe, Brian McGuigan and Michael McHugh underlined the gap in class between the sides.
A strong run by Declan Crowe set up Stephen Lambe for the opening point after two minutes and four minutes later Castleblayney were four in front when Dermot O'Bernie got the vital touch for their opening goal. Jim Lacy added a point in the seventh minute with Deaglan Connolly then taking off a great save to deny Barry Reilly before Brian McGuigan put Castleblayney six in front after 10 minutes. Bernard O'Brien was just off target with a long-range free in the 12th minute before Castleblayney found the net for the second time with a well crafted goal as Declan Crowe placed Brian McGuigan who in turn placed Michael McHugh whose unselfish cross left Barry Reilly with the easiest of chances. Michael McHugh added a point in the 17th minute to put Castleblayney 10 points in front and their defence was now seem to good effect particularly full-back Paul Murphy as Latton raised their game considerably entering the final 10 minutes of the first half.
With four minutes of normal time remaining Michael McHugh converted a free for a late tackle on Stephen Lambe with Latton then getting off the mark in the 27th minute when Bernard O'Brien converted a long-range free. He floated over two further excellent points from long-range efforts in the 28th and 30th minutes to reduce the margin to eight with Declan Crowe then setting up Michael McHugh for the final score of the half to leave the half-time score Castleblayney 2-6, Latton 0-3. On the resumption Castleblayney picked up where they had left off at the break and by the 11th minute Michael McHugh had added four further points, two from frees and Stephen Lambe had added two, one from a free to put Castleblayney in an almost unassailable position at that stage. Latton got something of a shot in the arm when Colm McElroy was grounded on the way through and Bernard O'Brien converted the penalty to reduce the deficit to 12 points entering the final quarter.
Castleblayney's response was to mount a period of pressure but a combination of near misses and some last-ditch defending by Latton saw them held at bay until the 18th minute when they found the Latton net for the third time, Dermot O'Bernie again getting the vital touch when a centre by Gordon Coleman broke loose. Things became a little untidy at this stage and tempers threatened to flare but referee Malachy Treanor kept a tight rein on proceedings. Michael McHugh added points in the 22nd and 25th minutes with Bernard O'Brien then converting another long-range free for Latton in the 28th minute to leave 16 points between the sides. Stephen Lambe and Damien Duffy exchanged points in the 29th and 32nd minutes, Lambe had another from a free in the 33rd and Brian McGuigan had the last say for the champions four and a half minutes into stoppage time to clinch the six in a row and captain David Connolly dedicating the win to his late father Terry who passed away earlier in the year. Castleblayney now play Down champions, Leitrim, in the Ulster intermediate club hurling championship in two weeks time.
C'Blayney - Hugh Byrne, Mark Treanor, Paul Murphy, Patrick Collins, Gordon Coleman, Declan Connolly, Barney Connor, Jim McHugh, Declan Crowe, Jim Lacey 0-1, Stephen Lambe 0-5 (2f), Barry Reilly 1-0, Brian McGuigan 0-2, Michael McHugh 0-9 (3f), Dermot O'Beirne 2-0. Subs: Peter Treanor for B Connor, Alan Lambe for J Lacey, Wayne Funcheon for G Coleman, Danny Duffy for D Beirne, Jerry Brady for M McHugh. Tweet

Most Read Stories