Down, but not for long
December 31, 2009And so the Gaels' status as a middle tier club came to an end in 2009. .A final points tally of 14 after four wins and six draws would have ensured survival in most other years. This season proved different, with Cremartin on 16 points also falling through the trapdoor.
The final day of the season saw no less than five clubs standing on the precipice.
Corduff faced Donaghmoyne in what was a straight shoot-out for Intermediate football in 2010.
By the game's end it was the Fontenoys left standing with a two-point victory.
The defeat condemned Corduff to Junior football for the first time since 2005. It has been a difficult campaign for the Gaels, and one with an unhappy ending.
Despite that, those at the club are not getting too dispirited.
In a league where the difference between relegation and a semi-final spot was marginal, a wise man is he who holds a sense of perspective.
Corduff drew six games this year, and of their eight loses, three were by a single point. An extra ten scores or so spread out over those games and Corduff could have been thinking of league finals, rather than relegation.
Also to take into consideration are Emyvale. Their success this year shows the value in making the drop down. In the less pressurised environment of Junior football, clubs can take the time to evaluate things and regroup.
Club captain Declan Larkin is obviously disappointed with how the season panned out. Regardless, he remains positive on the general well-being of the club.
"We had a lot of very close games over the course of the year. Most of our defeats were only by a point or so, and then with the draws we had - winning just a few of them would have made a big difference. A lot of times we were leading going at half-time, but we just couldn't get over the finish line. It was disappointing, but you can't really blame anyone in particular. We didn't take our chances when we should have, and that's why we were relegated."
When analysing the reasons for Corduff's decline this year, it is hard to look past their listless start to the campaign. Three defeats and two draws from their first five games left them playing catch-up right from the get-go. A win needed to come sooner rather than later, but finally the team managed to pick up their first victory against Rockcorry.
"The match against Rockcorry stands out because it was our first win. It was a tough away game, the conditions were poor, so we had to work hard to pick up the victory. We also beat the Harps at their ground when they had close to a full team, and Eire-Og and Cremartin after that," said the Corduff captain.
Those where the occasions when Corduff garnered maximum points for their efforts. What then of the six occasions when the points had to be shared? Turning some of those draws into wins would have made a huge impact on this particularly fearsome relegation scrap. Declan Larkin finds himself in total agreement on this point.
"The Aghabog game was definitely one we should have taken the full points. I think the facilities we have here in Corduff have spoilt us a bit, because we struggled with their pitch. Again that was a case of not taking our chances when we should have."
With the league proving a tough taskmaster, the Championship offered Corduff a chance to prove their Intermediate credentials. The change in competition did little to alter the fortunes of Jody Clarke's side, however.
A single point victory over Cremartin offered the club a brief respite, but subsequent defeats to Tyholland and Eire-Og brought Corduff crashing unceremoniously back down to earth.
The campaign won't be remembered with any great fondness by Corduff Gaels. Acknowledging that, those at the club remain confident relegation will prove just a minor blip. Captain Declan Larkin gives his thoughts on why those in the gold and black should remain positive heading into the new year.
"We are at Junior next year, so it's a new beginning for us. With a few of the minor boys coming through, hopefully we'll go straight back up. Drumhowan went up last year and now they're in Senior. That's what we have to aim for. Our minor team won the double this year, so I'm looking forward to seeing some them coming into the senior panel next season. I think we have been lacking a few forwards this past while; our scoring tally was pretty low this year. With the likes of Keith McEnaney and Brendan McNally coming through, hopefully they'll give us more of a scoring threat next year."
If the present doesn't fill your heart with joy, then the future may cure your ills. That appears the sentiment this year anyway.
The minor Division 3 double offered the perfect tonic for the senior team's relegation blues. Guided by manager Patrick McEnaney, the U-18 boys enjoyed an almost flawless campaign. This saw them promoted to Division 2, and the higher level will provide a challenge their manager is looking forward to with relish.
He talks through a fantastic campaign for the young Gaels, starting with the league.
"Our first game was against Rockcorry in April - we won 1-7 to 1-4. We were missing one our best players that day in Keith McEnaney, so it was good to get the result. After that we beat Inniskeen easily, and had victories over Clones and Tyholland. The Tyholland game was close, but we came out on the right side 3-16 to 3-10. We beat Magheracloone in our next match, before losing to Rockcorry 2-12 to 2-9. That ended up being our only defeat of the year - we also lost John McEnaney in that game with a knee injury that ended his season."
The injury to John McEnaney was a considerable blow, and especially so considering the small size of the panel. This led the management to draft in a number of u-14 players, but the change did little to dent Corduff's prospects - both in league and championship.
"We had a walkover with Inniskeen in our next league game; then beat Clones and Tyholland. Those wins saw us finish top of the table, which automatically put us into the league final. We played Rockcorry and there wasn't much in it until the last 10 minutes or so. We got a late goal though and ended up winning 4-10 to 2-8. Stephen McEnaney was outstanding that day for us in goals; he saved us on more than one occasion. Keith McEnaney at centrefield and Jason Hand also had great performances."
He added: "After the Rockcorry defeat we had our first Championship game against Magheracloone. We won that 2-13 to 1-7. The semi-final was supposed to be against Inniskeen, but they pulled out. That gave us a bye straight into the final with Tyholland.
At half-time we led by three points, but they managed to bring it level in the second-half. Tyholland had a man sent off soon after that, and we pulled away to win 3-11 to 1-7. Stars of the show that day were Ben Woods at full-back, Paraic Keenan, Cathal Cooney and Keith McEnaney. It was our best performance of the year - all the team played well that day."
The double suggests a bright future for the team. The group is a small one in number, but large in application and talent. It is also a relatively young one, meaning Patrick McEnaney can expect the vast majority of his players back at minor again in 2010. He concludes with his ambitions for the coming season.
"The commitment shown by the boys this year has been excellent. I've also had great help from Frank McEnaney as trainer, and Gerry Murphy the selector. We only had 17 players in the panel at the start of the year, and that fell to 16 after John McEnaney's injury. Three of the panel were playing with the senior team too - Charles Cooney, Keith McEnaney and Ben Woods. We would be expecting five or six to move into the senior team for next year. It is a small group, but we'll have 13 of those back eligible for minor football next season. We'll be hoping to give Division 2 a good go in 2009."
Historic year for ladies
The ladies of Corduff made the breakthrough this year when they claimed their first county championship title on September 6 followed by the Ulster title on October 24 writes Alan Gunn.
The girls in black and amber began their quest for glory with an easy outing against St Brigid's before securing the county junior championship when they overcame Scotstown in a tough and hard fought clash in bitter conditions in Aughnamullen (2-4 to 0-6). With the elements at their backs Corduff led 1-3 to 0-1 at the break, Coleen Callan hitting the all important goal. It was backs to the wall for long periods after the resumption but with 11 minutes remaining Laura McEnaney struck for their second goal and with it clinched the title.
With the county title safely in the trophy cabinet, Corduff now set off on their Ulster championship campaign which began with a home clash with Cavan's St Finbarrs. Yet again conditions were from ideal but Corduff easily advanced on a scoreline of 5-10 to 2-2. Louise Byrne hit a hat-trick of goals while both Laura McEnaney and Colleen Callan rowed in with one a piece.
At the semi final stage they were again on home soil when they welcomed the hotly fancied Ardtrea from Derry to Gaelic Park. A strong wind yet again greeted the sides and with the aid of the wind at their backs Corduff built up a lead at half time 1-9 to 1-5, with Laura McEnaney hitting the home sides goal and also some wonderful points.
The visitors enjoyed much more of the possession in the second half and it took a strong defensive display from Corduff to keep them at bay. However, the girls from Derry did edge in front before Louise Byrne, who had gone off injured during the first half returned and almost immediately was called into action when a foul on her twin sister Emma saw Corduff awarded a penalty. Louise kept her cool to fire Corduff back in front and with it send them into the Ulster decider by the minimum 2-9 to 2-8.
The Monaghan champions were now within touching distance of a provincial title. Standing in their way was Tyrone side Cappagh and not surprisingly conditions were yet again atrocious for the decider which took place in Crossmaglen. Playing with the wind at their backs Corduff laid the foundation for victory in the opening half and led at the break 3-7 to 1-1.
Emma Byrne found the net twice, while player of the match Laura McEnaney struck for their third as the game entered the second quarter. After the break, Corduff stood firm despite having a player dismissed early in the second half. Solid defending kept their opponents at bay and a jubilant Frances Patton raised aloft the cup as Corduff landed the Ulster title (3-7 to 1-8).
There was little rest for the champions with the All Ireland quarter final taking place the following Sunday in London against Kingdom Kerry Gaels. Corduff made the trip with many expecting them to have little trouble. That was the case and they returned with a comfortable 4-11 to 2-3 victory and a place in the last four.
In the semi final, it was another road trip, this time to Clonakilty in Cork the following Saturday afternoon. The Cork champions started as firm favourites and had Corduff on the back foot from the start as the home side led at the break by 2-4 to 0-2. To their credit this battling Corduff side fought hard in the second half and outscored their opponents by a point in the second thirty with Louise Byrne finding the net twice.
However, it was to be the end of the road but Corduff can look back on a fantastic year and look forward to 2010 with plenty of confidence as they now make the step up to Intermediate ranks.
Corduff Panel 2009: Kerrie Quigley, Aisling Callan, Leone Callan, Christine Connolly, Frances Patton (Capt), Aine Marron, Fiona Marron, Fiona Patton, Ciara McEnaney, Louise Byrne, Kate Brennan, Emma Byrne, Sinead Clarke McEnaney, Laura McEnaney, Colleen Callan, Naomi Coogan, Bernice McNally, Amanda Cooney, Amy Treanor, Rosie Fox, Claire Connolly, Nora Hegarty, Siobhan Brennan, Claire McKenna, Barbara Ward. Tweet
