One step left to take
December 31, 2009In mathematics we frequently encounter sequences, and when teaching maths, it's always better to give an example.
So for those still paying attention, a sequence could be something like: quarter-final - semi-final - final.
The above is Toome's Championship return for the past three seasons.
If that set of related events continues its logical progression into next year, then the Packie Boylan Cup should be returning to St Victor's Park.
The last time Toome secured the Junior Championship was in 1961. The club won't come much closer to ending that run than this season - a season where Jim McConville's team lost out to Emyvale by just two points in the decider.
In a campaign of replays, extra-time, injury crisis and floodlight failures, Toome dispatched of Currin, Fergal O'Hanlons. Oram and Killany on route to the final.
Gerry McCarville's side would ultimately end their Championship aspirations in Drumhowan, but it was an inspired Championship run nonetheless.
Apart from the senior team's exploits, Toome also saw three of its juvenile sides reach finals. The U-12 Division 2 and U-14 Division 3 deciders saw defeat for the club against Sean McDermotts and Inniskeen respectively, but the U-13 side would have more luck in Division 3 showpiece against Ballybay.
Coming on the back of an undefeated season, it was a great achievement for the youngsters - the victory given even more value with the passing of the Mickey McArdle Cup.
The trophy in question was named in honour of a lifelong Toome man, and father of current chairman Brendan.
The past 12 months also saw the official opening of the new 3-G all-weather pitch at St Victor's Park. The ceremony back in March was attended by a number of visiting dignitaries, including GAA Director General Paraic Duffy.
2009 was a year and season which will live long in the memory for Toome St Victors. Club Chairman Brendan McArdle gives his account of the campaign, beginning with the opening Championship tie with Currin.
The border side may not have been everyone's favourites heading into the competition, but those at the club had different ideas.
"We reached the semi-finals the year before, so we were confident going in about our chances in the Championship. We missed a lot of scores in the first-game against Currin, and they ended up four points up with five minutes to go. The team showed a lot of character to come back and get the draw, and it was the same in the replay. That match went to extra-time, but the boys never gave up and got their reward. Over the two games I thought we deserved to go through."
Reward for their 0-11 to 0-10 replay victory was a meeting with Emyvale. Keen to bounce back to Intermediate level at the first attempt - the North Monaghan men provided a stern assessment of Toome's Championship credentials.
"The Emyvale game was a bit of a disaster for us. Francis Lambe and Stephen Quinn ran into each other after 10 minutes, and both had to go off with injuries. That was two of our best players gone, so I think the heads dropped a bit and we ended up being beaten well. We didn't do ourselves justice that day at all - it was very disappointing."
It wasn't the last occasion the two sides would meet in 2009, but were Emyvale the best team in the division in Brendan McArdle's view?
"They probably were the strongest team this year - the best footballing side anyway. Coming down from Intermediate they had that extra bit of class in the panel, and that made them a tough team to beat."
After a disheartening 3-12 to 0-7 loss in the last round, Toome needed a return to winning ways in the backdoor. That they achieved with a 4-13 to 1-05 victory over Fergal O'Hanlons. The scoreline was somewhat flattering towards Toome in their chairman's view.
"We didn't take them lightly. Fergal O'Hanlons have improved a lot recently, and it was close enough in the first-half. There were only two or three points in it at the break, but after that we took our scores much better and won comfortably enough in the end. Fergal O'Hanlons aren't the same team as a few years back - they're getting there."
Toome are one club whose advice the emerging O'Hanlons best heed. After all, St Victors have jumped from losing all their Championship games three years ago, to contesting the final in 2009.
Reaching that stage took plenty of blood, sweat and tears - the quarter-final meeting with Oram a case in point.
The game would become notorious for other reasons than efforts on the field, however. Brendan McArdle gives his recollection.
"You could say we were lucky that day I suppose, but there's another side to the argument. Oram were winning by six points with 15 minutes to go, but then we got a goal. I thought at that stage we would go on and win it. Gary Wilson had just come on as a substitute, and with his first kick he got the goal. Gary is one of our best players, so I thought he might have had a few more goals before the end. The floodlights went out with about 12 minutes to go; Oram were three points in front, but we were well on top when it happened. I don't think it was to our benefit that the floodlights failed."
In the rescheduled game Toome prevailed 2-08 to 0-8, setting up a south-Monaghan derby in the semi-final with Killany. Again replay would be required to separate the teams, and again Toome were the team standing on top after 120 minutes of football. The drawn match was a fortunate one for the club in Brendan McArdle's opinion.
"Killany probably feel a bit hard done by with that game. We probably should have been beaten, but we lived to fight another day and won the replay. Killany are a very good team, and I can't see them being in Junior for much longer."
A narrow 2-06 to 1-08 victory over Killany put Toome into a Championship final for the first time in 25 years. That monkey off their back, an even longer and unwanted stigma needed to be eliminated. Having not won the Junior Championship since 1961 - the motivation to do so was clear. Standing in their way were Emyvale, a team who earlier in the year had humbled Toome in Pearse Park. Bloodied, but unbowed, the club looked forward to the final with relish.
"We didn't do ourselves justice in the first game, so we were confident going into the final. There's no way we are a 12 points worse team that Emyvale, so we knew we could put it up to them. Not many people expected us to reach that stage, and I saw predictions of 10-12 point loses for us. We never felt that way - we fully expected to win."
In the end the result did not favour the underdogs, but it was a performance to suggest great promise in the side. Club chairman Brendan McArdle certainly saw the game as something to take great pride from, despite the 1-08 to 0-08 loss.
"They got the goal early on, and that ended up being the difference between the two teams. As far as quality of players - Toome proved they were a match for anyone at Junior that day. We just couldn't claw the goal back."
He continued: "In the last four years we have went from winning no Championship games, to reaching the quarter-final in 07, semi-final in 08 and final this year. If the trend keeps going then hopefully we will win the Championship next year. There has been a lot of progress here."
This year's Championship was most definitely a step in the right direction for Toome. The league was a somewhat different story, and a finish of six points from 16 games played doesn't make happy reading.
The Dr Ward and Packie Boylan Cups were night and day for Toome; and the reasons for this are clear according to Brendan McArdle.
"Injuries played a large part in our poor league form. Shane Moore, Gary Casey, Gary Wilson were all missing at certain stages, and they're all important players for us. They weren't the only ones out. Any man who wasn't fully fit, we wouldn't risk them in the league. I would hope we'll have the same group back for next year, and maybe even add a few more boys. Our panel is very small - 26 for senior and reserve football. With the injuries this year there was nearly too much football for the numbers we had. Hopefully next season we can get one or two minors to come in. Stephen McCooey, Gavin Connolly and Sean Byrne came in recently, and they're all good prospects for the club. It was good experience for them reaching the Championship final."
League form notwithstanding, Toome St Victors appear in rude health heading into the second decade of the new millennium. Progression on the pitch has been obvious, but just as significant has been the development off the field.
March 7th 2009 was a date when the club's importance to the local community was shone up in lights.
These ties are Toome's reason for being, much more than Championship or league trophies. Paraic Duffy stated as much in his address at St Victor's Park. And it is with this truth the club can expect a prosperous future in the years to come.
"That was as big a day for the club as the Championship final. The fact we finished the development shows Toome are moving with the times. The new pitch is being used every night by people from Toome and even those from outside the area. That could lead to new players coming into the club. People see we are up with the best of them. There has been a lot of work done over the past few years - both with the new facilities and the senior and juvenile players. We are confident we can compete at the highest level and have success at Junior next year," concluded Brendan McArdle Tweet
