Expectations were high in Scotstown that success in 2010 would continue after the club won their first senior title in 16 years twelve months ago. However, as Alan Gunn finds out, the season highs were hard to come by at adult level even though at underage the club continues to flourish.  

Having claimed the Owen Ward Cup last year, many throughout the county felt this was the year Scotstown could finally end their championship famine and get their hands on the Mick Duffy Cup again for the first time since 1993. However, it was not to be as not only did the senior team miss out on silverware, all the club's adult sides were left empty-handed. That said, the underage sides continued to blossom and the future is looking good.
Understandably, like the rest of his team-mates, senior player Donal Morgan is bitterly disappointed that the team didn't leave their mark on the 2010 season, but being able produce success after success each year is difficult to achieve.
"Scotstown have been consistently winning adult competitions every year for as long as I can remember," explained Donal. "Between minors, U21's and junior B's and C's there is always plenty of medals won. Our minors won three championships in a row before this year and our U21's won something like two out of the last three championships before this year. So although disappointing not to win anything this year, it is hard to keep that sort of success going every year."
However, there were many promising displays with the senior side reaching the championship semi-final before only losing out after a replay, the U21 side lost out in the final to Monaghan Harps, the Junior B side also made the last four of the league while the Minor side reached the last four of both the league and championship before going down to narrow defeats to both the eventual winners.
With expectations high, Scotstown began their senior championship campaign with an opening round victory over last year's runners-up Latton 1-9 to 0-10, but defeat to Castleblayney by two points the next day out was to send them through the qualifying route. The Blues bounced back to overcome Carrickmacross with two points to spare and booked their place in the last four against Magheracloone.
The semi-final turned out to be a very entertaining encounter with both sides very evenly matched throughout. In the end they could not be separated and were level on no less than eight occasions in the 60 minutes. Nicolas Corrigan tapped over a free to send it to a replay. Poor finishing was to be Scotstown's downfall in the replay when they hit 16 wides, eight coming in each half. The Blues dominated the opening period but were unable to turn their possession into scores and at the break found themselves two points adrift. Magheracloone put further daylight between the sides with three unanswered points after the resumption and with Scotstown continuing to waste chances they never looked like pulling this deficit back. In the end they bowed out on a score line of 0-11 to 0-4.
The failure to turn the possession into scores has been a problem for the club, one that Morgan acknowledges.
"This has been our stumbling block for the last number of years. With Frank Caulfield playing the way he has been over the last few years, and with the likes of Darren Hughes, James Turley, David McCague and Peter O'Hara around the middle of the field also, we are always going to have at least our fair share of possession," said Donal.
"Not being able to turn this possession into scores affected us badly. The way our defence played this year also meant that any team was going to get it hard to beat us, but our inability to kick the 14 or 15 points needed to win most game definitely costs us."
In the league for long periods a last four spot looked on the cards. They got off to the perfect start with victories over Truagh and Drumhowan. Indeed in their opening eight games they tasted just the one defeat, that coming away to Magheracloone while they had two draws also in that period. In the end it was to be a poor finish with just two wins in their last eight games that was to see them fail to make the semi-finals. A final day defeat to Latton saw them miss out by a single point and finish the league in fifth place with eight victories, six defeats and four draws from their campaign.
Morgan, who made his senior club debut in 2004, agreed that it was difficult to lift themselves after their championship exit.
"Interest and motivation definitely faded after we were put out of the championship, and that is fairly understandable. We were badly hit with injuries towards the end of the year and with boys starting and going back to college, it was hard to keep the numbers up at training and so we ended up not qualifying for the league semi-finals as a result."
Looking back over the year, the UUJ student said: "After winning the club's first senior title in almost 20 years last year, anything other than winning another title of some sort this year was probably going to be a disappointment. At the start of the year we all said we wanted to build on last year's success, so the way things finished up for us was definitely a let down."
However, there are always positives to be taken at the end of every footballing year and for the Jordanstown Sigerson Cup team captain there are plenty to be taken despite the lack of silverware.
"We were beaten in the semi-final of the championship after a replay, albeit pretty comprehensively, so there has to be some positives to take form 2010. One thing we can possibly take from this year is that when we perform somewhere close to our best, we are more than capable of competing with the best teams in the county. This should hopefully inspire us to come back stronger next year.
"Individually there are loads of positives to take from 2010. Some of our lads had absolutely exceptional years for us this year. Boys like, Philly Maguire, Padraig Keenan, Mark Duffy, James Turley and David McCague who don't normally get much recognition, really stood up to the plate. Some of the younger boys like Conor Caulfield and Shane Carey can also be very happy with how their first season with us went as well. We also had three men who played championship football for Monaghan this year, so some of the boys can be really happy with how their year went as individuals."
Looking ahead to 2011, Morgan and his side hope they can improve on this year and make progress as a team.
"All we can hope for any year is an improvement on the previous year. If the effort put in by most of our players this year is repeated next year by our whole squad, and we as players and a club do everything we possibly can to improve, we can certainly hope to make more progress."
Scotstown have had plenty of joy at underage and Morgan is one that has plenty to show for his days at that level having won U12, U-3, U14, U14 Feile, U15, U16 league, minor league, and U-21 championship. While many continue to wait for this underage success to make its way into the senior side, Morgan would not agree that this is not already beginning to show.
"To say the underage success enjoyed by the club has not filtered through to senior level is possibly a wee bit unfair," commented Donal.
"Certainly in terms of trophies won it hasn't, but we would now consider ourselves as perhaps being in the top three or four teams in the county. We certainly haven't been in this position before in the last number of years, so maybe with the players who have won so many medals at underage level beginning to mature and form the backbone of our senior team, we might be beginning to see it filter through now."
Maybe 2011 will see silverware and possibly the Mick Duffy Cup returning to Scotstown.

Things far from blue for the blues

Scotstown's underage renaissance continues unabated. 2010 saw a bevy of cups and shields replenish the club's trophy cabinet.

The hands-on gaels of Scotstown have long since closed the book which was bookended by top notch successes at senior level undermined by barren days at underage level.
These days, it's very much a case of onward and upward at both ends of the football spectrum with the seniors making steady progress and the underage crews hoovering up a string of trophies.
A majestic monument to all things potent and positive about Monaghan Football Inc. An Bhoth used to play second fiddle at underage level on a consistent basis. Not anymore though as 2010 proved.
The club's massive army of underage mentors got stuck in, rolled their sleeves up and helped steer their charges to an abundance of titles during the past year.
In truth, in reviewing Scotstown's outings in 2010 at underage level, it would arguably be easier to list the prizes which eluded the club rather than detail the bounty garnered by it some months ago.
To some degree, we can safely say that in 2010 Scotstown's shoulder-to-the-wheel merchants at juvenile level fairly embellished the club's bid to build a new future at senior level in the not to distant future.
There were many success stories at underage level for Scotstown in 2010. Pressed, Youth Officer Dermot Maguire cites the success of the club's under 16s as the stand-out achievement for him personally:
"The under 16s won the division one championship which was a hell of an achievement considering that it came after they lost out a wee while before that in the league final," Maguire explains.
"2010 was the first time in about ten years that we had won the under 16 division one championship and it was the first time that group of players had won anything since they played under 12 football.
"Monaghan Harps beat us by four points in the league final and the formbook would have had them down shortly after that as strong favourites to beat us again in the first round of the championship.
"In a way meeting the Harps again in the first round of the championship was the best thing that could have happened for our lads following the disappointment of losing out to them (Harps) in the league final."
And the factors which swung the pendulum back to Scotstown at under 16 level and away from the county town side?
"In fairness to the management team of Fergie Caulfield, Gerard McGuirk, Gene Sherry and Tom Moyna, they did a great job in motivating the lads and getting them focussed and in the right frame of mind.
"As well as that, I think the Harps lost a bit of their edge. They had beaten us twice in the league and then in the league final so it looked to me as if they lost a bit of their hunger and got a bit complacent too.
"The management team did a lot of work with the lads, physically and mentally, and it showed in the championship 'cause they were the more hungry, more determined team against the Harps.
"It was a great turnaround for the squad 'cause they had been beaten by double scores in one of the league games but then you could sense the tide was turning a bit when they only lost by five points in the league final.
"I thought the last ten minutes of the under 16 final told a tale 'cause we were that bit more determined to get over the line first. We wanted it more and that's why it turned out to be a case of fourth time lucky."
For the record, the all-conquering Scotstown under 16 championship county final winning (4-9 to 1-7) squad was: Conor Forde; Ryan Caulfield, Michael McCrarren, Cian Deery, Mark Fox, Conor McCarthy (0-1), Brian Harraghy, Evan Murray, Paul Byrne, Rory Sheehan (1-3), Tommy Moyna, Emmett King, Michael McCarville, Donncha Dolan (1-1), Sean Mohan (1-5). Subs; Colin Murray, Jack McDevitt, Calum Maguire, Fintan Blacklock, Ronan Treanor, Francis Maguire, Conor McKenna, John Caulfield, Caolan McElwain, Jason Carey, David Stirrat, Aaron McKenna, Aaron McCrudden.
At the same time the club's under 16s were losing the league final, Scotstown's under 12s (first team) were preparing for a league semi-final duel with Donaghmoyne while the club's second under 12 team were preparing for a semi-final tilt with Tyholland in the Shield semi-final.
Meanwhile the club's third under 12 team awaited a Shield semi-final duel with Rockcorry.
Confused? Just a tad? Well, in simple terms, here's how the raft of underage teams representing Scotstown in 2010 got on.
The aforementioned under 12s won the division one league (beating Monaghan Harps); the under 12s also reached the division five Shield final; the under 14s won the division one championship and reached the division one league final; the under 14 division four team won the championship (beating Blackhill in the final); the under 15s won the McElroy tournament in Emyvale; the aforementioned under 16s won the division one championship (beating Carrick in the final) while, as stated, reaching the league final.
"It was a very good, very successful, year for underage football in Scotstown," Dermot adds. We had around 30 adults looking after about 200 youngsters from under 8 up to minor level.
"We were the only club in the county to have three under 12 teams. We also had two under 14 teams, an under 15 team, the under 16s and the minors (who lost out in both the league and championship semi-finals).
"It was good to see the under 15s getting some competitive games under their belts too. They did very well to win the McElroy Cup beating some quality teams from Tyrone, Armagh as well as Cootehill Celtic.
"Playing in the likes of that kind of competition gives everyone involved with the under 15s a good gauge as to how the team is doing and what the players are capable of achieving.
"The players love playing in the McElroy Cup; they've won it twice out of the last three years and it's a good way to wind up the year without the pressure that you normally associate with leagues and championships."
Dermot is patently pleased with the way things went at all grades for Scotstown GFC in the past 12 months.
He talks up the club's under 14s also and how they too rebounded from losing out in the league final to come good in the championship.
"They were neck and neck with Killanny in the league and did well to get to the final but unfortunately slipped up at the final hurdle.
"It was a great league campaign 'cause they drew with unbeaten Killanny twice and were unlucky to just lose out to 'blayney.
"They played their best football in the championship though and got a boost when Killanny suprisingly lost their semi-final to Emyvale.
"We beat Donaghmoyne in our semi and played some great stuff to beat Emyvale with a bit to spar (4-14 to 1-8) in the county final."
The championship-winning under 14s (who also represented the county in the 2010 All-Ireland Feile na nOg) were; Finton Sherlock; Cian McGonnell, Jack Turley, Ultan Sherry, Caolain McElwain, Philip O'Connell, John Caulfield, Brendan Boylan, Kieran Treanor, Kevin Treanor, Kieran Treanor, Conor McKenna, Francis Maguire, James Sherry, Enda McAloon, Garbhan Harraghy, Kieran Toal, Kieran McGuirk, Mark Stirrat, Conor Bogue, Caolain McCarney, Leonard McDermott, Jamie McCarey.
Congrats also to the under 14 team-management of Sean McKenna, Gerard Sherry, Macartan McKenna and Sean Sherry.
Making sure that their season finished on a real high, the club's under 12 starlets won an intercounty blitz staged by Cavan club Cuchullains in late October.
Scotstown played five games in what was a nine-a-side competition and promptly emerged with an unblemished record, beating St. Brigids (Dublin), Round Towers (Meath), Bellaghy (Derry), Wolfe Tones (Meath) and Gael Colmcille (Meath) in the decider.
The players on duty in Mullagh were: Ruairi McKenna, Jamie McKenna, Ben McDevitt, Leonard McDermott, Fergal Sherlock, Tiarnan McGonnell, Adrian Grew, Eanna Deery, Lorcan Murray, Padraig Meehan and Ronan King.
Congrats also to under 12 team-management of John Meehan, Gary McQuaid and Paddy Sherlock.
Reflecting on the year past, Dermot pays due tribute to the county board for the efficiency and organisation of the many competitions staged.
"Our idea at underage is to have as many youngsters playing as many games as possible and, fair play to Cathal Hand and the county board for doing a brillant job to facilitate us in that respect.
"The games were excellently run, well spaced out and there was always a referee in place to take charge of the games."
And with upwards of 80 six to eight year olds turning out at Kilmore during the year for training, it looks like more and more quality teams will be lighting up the county scene for quite a while to come.

Scotstown ladies bag the junior crown
 
The Blues bounced back from the disappointment of last year to go one step further this time around when they were crowned county Junior champions in August writes Alan Gunn.  
Losing to Corduff in the final last year was a blow for the side but they were now to be stopped two years in a row as they stormed through the championship. They quickly stamped their mark on it with a comfortable victory over Sean MacDiarmada to send out a warning to the other teams that they meant business.
After overcoming Aughnamullen in the quarter final their place in the decider was achieved with a hard fought victory over neighbours Emyvale 'B' in a closely contested encounter. It took the introduction of Martina Larmer, Abbey McCarey and Pamela Carey to finally see Scotstown overcome the challenge after the sides were locked together at the break. However, after the break aforementioned trio made a major impact and the home side pulled clear. A Michelle Treanor goal at the start of the second half sent them on their way and they never looked back with a Pamela Carey goal wrapping up the contest 11 minutes from time on a score of 2-9 to 1-3.
All roads led to Drumhowan for the final and a meeting with the experienced Inniskeen, a side Scotstown had defeated in the 2009 league final. Led by team captain Lisa Morgan the Blues again came out on top but in the end they had their goalkeeper and Player of the Match Edel Corrigan to thanks for a string of fine saves at vital stages in the game. The eventual winners hit the net five times, three of which came in the opening period as they built up a five point lead. Those first half majors came from Siobhan McCarra, Patricia Moyna and Michelle Treanor. Their fourth goal came six minutes into the second period when Treanor was again on target to open an eight point lead. Inniskeen fought hard but could find no way past the excellent Corrigan and a second goal from Siobhan McCarra completed the victory, 5-8 to 1-9.
Antrim side Tir NaNog were visitors to St Mary's Park for the opening round of the Ulster championship in September. Michelle Treanor was the star of the show hitting 4-4 to send the Blues safely through to the quarter finals. Treanor hit two of those goals in the first half while both Rhona Heekin and Orla McCarville also found the net to open up a 4-4 to 0-2 lead at the interval. Treanor struck her other two majors and one from Pamela Carey completed the comfortable 7-9 to 1-4 victory.
Following a 2-12 to 0-5 win over Cavan champions Belturbet, the Blues then made the trip to Healy Park to face the hotly fancied Tyrone champions Omagh St Enda's. It was to be a low scoring and tough clash but in the end disappointment for the Scotstown girls. The home side had the better of the opening period but some fine saves and poor shooting from the Tyrone side left just a single point between the sides at the break. Omagh stretched that lead to three entering the final quarter and Scotstown's hopes were all but ended four minutes from time when the home side found the net. Michelle Treanor give the Blues a glimmer of home with a goal soon after but in the end they went down 1-7 to 1-3. Omagh went on to lift the Ulster title and reach the All Ireland final. 

Scotstown ladies JFC
winners 2010 

Scotstown ladies achieved their long awaited goal this August when they proved too potent a crew for a fancied Inniskeen outfit in a cracking ladies junior championship final.  

The north county side were full value for their victory in a game which proved to be a fine advertisement for ladies' game in Monaghan. It was the Grattans who threatened most early on and it took a great save by Scotstown keeper Edel Corrigan from Voreen Quigley to prevent the Farneysiders from stealing into an early lead. Seven minutes later, Scotstown had better luck at the other end with Siobhan McCarra finding the net with aplomb in the 10th minute. Inniskeen followed up with a point and a free from Linda Callan, then netminder Corrigan pulled off another great save to keep a clean sheet.
Catherine McCarron pointed twice for Scotstown before Inniskeen were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute when Voreen Quigley was fouled in the square. After dusting herself down the aforeamentioned Quigley firmly planted it in the back of the net. Shortly afterwards Scotstown resumed their place in the drivers seat when Patricia Moyna goaled. Michelle Treanor pointed from a free to leave Scotstown four points ahead and then Siobhan McCarra made it a five point game moments later. It was all action stuff as Linda Callan pointed a free for Inniskeen but Michelle Treanor broke Inniskeen hearts with another goal. Inniskeen tried hard to stem the tide in the run in to the interval and Linda Callan's pointed free and another one from play by Voreen Quigley late on hinted at an Inniskeen resurgence.
Scotstown took a firm grip on the game on the restart and Michelle Treanor goaled once again in the 6th minute to really put the Grattans under the cosh. Voreen Quigley and Linda Callan kept Inniskeen's spirits up though by knocking over a point a piece only for Michelle Treanor to counter with a neat effort for Scotstown. Edel Corrigan proved her mettle on several occasions thereafter as Inniskeen threw everything forward in a bid to pull the fat from the fire. Bronagh Duffy added a point from a free but less than five minutes later Siobhan McCarra nabbed another goal when her long range free dropped in under the crossbar. Inniskeen tried desperately to get back in on the game but instead only managed another single point from Quigley. Scotstown went on to score another three points from Michelle Treanor, Lisa Treanor and Catherine McCarron to put the icing on the cake right and proper.
Scotstown - Edel Corrigan, Deirdre Mullen, Lisa Morgan, Helena Mullarkey, Tara McCarville, Siobhan McCarra (2-1), Lisa Treanor (0-1), Edel McCarville, Orla McCarville, Riona Heekin, Michelle Treanor (2-3), Louise McPhillips, Martina Larmer, Patricia Moyna (1-0) Catherine McCarron(0-3). Subs - Catherine Corrigan, Sinead McCarra, Abbey McCarey, Pamela Carey, Hannah Long. 
Scotstown then continued into their Ulster campaign taking on the Cavan champions Belturbet and overcoming then with little difficulty they then travelled to Omagh to take on the Tyrone champions in the Ulster semi-final and fell at what proved to be a tough hurdle.
With a good balance of youth and experience on this Scotstown side watch this space for what promises to be the up and coming team of the future. Tweet

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