No going back for Aghabog
December 31, 2009Going into the 2009 campaign all at the club were fully aware that it would take the same fighting spirit, combined with their undoubted talent, to ensure they didn't suffer the disappointment of an immediate return to Junior football.
As a result, team captain, Gary McBride, pointed out that this year's targets were not so much about silverware, but firstly to make sure they stayed in the Intermediate ranks for the sake of both the short-term and long-term future of the club.
Nobody was in any doubt that it would take a considerable effort to achieve this goal in what is a very competitive league. While at times some felt the challenge was beyond Aghabog, they stuck to their task in impressive fashion and after showing great improvement over the course of the year, deservedly secured their place at intermediate level for 2010.
The captain was thrilled with the outcome as not only does he see it as a reward for the current team's efforts, but feels that playing at a higher grade is important for bringing through some of the club's young stars.
"We began training at the start of the year on the back of earning promotion from the Junior league and the simple target we set for ourselves was to stay up. For the sake of the team we wanted to be playing at that level, but also we knew that it would be the best place to develop the young players rather than in Junior football."
With the success of 2008 still fresh in their minds, Emmets were reasonably optimistic about their prospects for the year, but according to Gary doubts were beginning to emerge after a disappointing start.
The campaign commenced on April 6th with a trip to Eire Og but despite some encouraging signs, it was the home side who collected the points. A heavy defeat at home to Tyholland was followed by another reverse at Rockcorry, and at that stage Gary reveals that his team were struggling to find their feet.
"After losing the first three games in the league, things were certainly looking bleak for us and we were starting to be written off in many quarters.
"I think the problem at that stage was that we were finding it difficult to adjust to the step up to Intermediate football once again. In those early games we were learning how to cope with the higher standard and there is no doubt that it takes a while to readjust with the faster pace of the game.
"Everyone knows that Junior football in Monaghan is strong and you just have to look at the performances of teams in the provincial club championship to see this, but there is not doubt that the Intermediate grade is a definite step up.
"I think it is more competitive because teams are more evenly balanced and it just seemed to take us a couple of games to get back into it again," explained Gary.
With the pressure on to pick up points, Aghabog responded in superb fashion and a one-point victory at home to Corduff in early May helped them get back on track. When they followed up with wins over Donaghmoyne and Aughnamullen the signs were that the confidence was returning to the team.
Despite losing to Monaghan Harps in the league, the good run of form had the team in good spirits ahead of a championship meeting with the same opposition. However, a disappointing display against the eventual champions resulted in a heavy defeat which the captain felt knocked their confidence back.
"We were drawn against Monaghan Harps in the first round and that was always going to be a difficult tie for us and although they went into the match as favourites we went in thinking we had a chance. Unfortunately it didn't go very well for us as they blew us off the field and I think the manner of that defeat was a big blow to our confidence and morale. We went into the game thinking that this was an opportunity to show people and ourselves that we could cope at this level, so it was a big blow to suffer a heavy defeat," revealed Gary.
There was some pride restored in the back door section when Aghabog drew with Donaghmoyne and were unlucky to lose in extra time after the replay finished level.
"I think those games were important for us in that although the championship overall was disappointing, we proved that we were not as bad as the result of the first game suggested and we took a lot of heart from that."
Looking back, those performances were important for the team as they helped restore some of the belief that had taken a battering at the hands of Monaghan Harps, and this was evident in the crucial run-in to the league.
After losing to Drumhowan and Cremartin in June, McBride's team had to lift themselves once again and they did so by recording three successive wins against Eire Og, Tyholland and Cremartin.
That good run of results didn't make the team safe from relegation just yet, but at the same time it opened up the prospect of a play-off place and Gary feels the team deserve great credit for the manner in which they finished the league and achieved their objective for the year.
"Right up to the second last game we were still not safe from relegation but were always looking to making the play-offs and the way we finished by getting a draw against Drumhowan to get into the top four showed what this team is capable of.
"I think the fact that we have achieved our ultimate goal of avoiding the drop back down to Junior football represents a successful season overall. We are definitely on a good footing for next year and with players growing in ability and confidence I hope we can build on that for the coming season.
"For a small rural parish we have excellent numbers at training and there is no doubt that the commitment exists among the players to succeed and we will need that passion to be evident if we are going to push on next year.
"We have a lot of young players who are great prospects such as Shane O'Brien, along with the Smith twins, Damien and Dermot who are pushing for places on the first team. The only down side is that we have lost a couple of lads due to emigration with Declan and Michael Dolan heading to Australia," explained the captain.
However, there is no doubt that the emerging talent exists in the squad at present and if Aghabog can continue to show the passion of recent seasons, they will certainly be in a position to set and achieve higher goals for themselves over the coming years. Tweet
