Hurlers take limelight
November 30, 2004
The pain carried over from 2003 was there for all to see in mid-June last as 'Blayney's senior hurlers set about wrenching both the league and championship crowns from Clontibret. Achieving their targets fairly exhibited the character and talent of the squad.
It was nothing personal of course. Just a matter of restoring the natural order of things as perceived through Faughs' eyes, a case of re-claiming what was rightfully theirs if you like.
Ironically, the would-be 2004 county kingpins had a bye on the opening day of the new season.
A few months later, holders Clontibret would be forced to say bye, bye to both their crowns.
And yet even the most optimistic 'Blayney club member knew only too well that the race for silverware would be tough, go the distance and, likely, be contested principally between the holders and the pretenders to the crown(s).
By the time the teams had played three-quarters of their league games, the identify of the end-of-season blue riband finalists was well and truly signposted with 'Blayney one point adrift of Clontibret in the senior league, albeit with one less game played. '
Blayney's last game in the opening tranche of matches had seen them run out convincing 2-20 to 0-2 winners over Cavan side Mullahoran with Kieran Connolly bagging the two goals for the champions-elect.
In between storming their way to the league decider though, there was a greater scalp to be collected.
After a lapse of just one year, 'Blayney showed they had everything in place to regain the Mick Quigley Cup as they showed immense determination and ambition to overcome holders Clontibret by 3-8 to 1-9 in their semi-final duel last July in Clones.
Vying for the right to meet Monaghan Harps, conquerors of Carrickmacross in the other semi-final, both 'Blayney and Clontibret put in rivetting performances.
But, in truth, 'Blayney looked likely winners from very early on as they proceeded to lead from pillar to post.
The town team was, in fact, never headed over the hour-plus.
The Faughs opened the scoring with a point from Mark Kelly in the 5th minute and with Gary Boyd and David Bolger in inspirational form at midfield, 'Blayney's forwards received a decent supply of the sliotar and the fact that five of the 'Blayney attack made the scoresheet bore testimony to their fine form on the day.
Meanwhile at the back, the town team's defence had generally the better of the exchanges against Clontibret's attack.
'Blayney led by two points approaching the end of the first quarter but then a 1-1 tally in the space of five minutes provided them with just the cushioned lead they needed to forge a winning run with Rory Woods crashing a free all the way to the net.
Michael McHugh kept up the pressure with a point one minute later to leave six points separating the sides.
Another goal some four minutes before the interval by Brian McGuigan helped copper-fasten 'Blayney's ascendancy as they went in at half-time leading by 2-6 to 0-5.
And while Clontibret put on a spurt at the start of the second half and notched 1-1 to put the cat amongst the pidgeons.
But 'Blayney refused to be knocked out of their stride and points by Michael McHugh and Brian McGuigan extended the town team's lead once again to six points and that was that as the game meandered to its inevitable finish.
In the weeks preceding the championship final, training went extremely well for 'Blayney and a challenge game with Louth's Knockbridge club resulted in a morale-boosting victory characterised by an especially vibrant second half display.
August 15th was D-day for 'Blayney.
Or should that be W-day as in Woods for it was a simply scintillating performance by Rory Woods which did most to propel the Faughs to a highly-impressive 3-14 to 1-7 victory over Monaghan Harps - conquerors (2-8 to 1-10) in dramatic fashion of Carrickmacross - at the Clontibret venue.
'Blayney went into the final as the clear favourites having overthrown the holders in the semi-final.
In addition, the Faughs were clearly the more experienced and forceful of the two finalists.
But the Woods factor cannot be over-estimated in determining the destination of the spoils.
Man of the match Woods finished with a personal tally of 2-6 in a game which saw the Harps struggle throughout to get a foothold in the proceedings.
The county town side was always on the backfoot with Woods firing over an exceptional sideline cut after less than one minute of play to put the Faughs on their way.
But while the Harps replied in the 3rd minute to level matters, that was the one and only time that 'Blayney didn't head their opponents.
The Faughs rolled up their sleeves and went into overdrive and it took some heroics from the Harps' 'keeper to keep his goal intact as the first half gathered pace.
As things panned out a fourth minute point by Michael McHugh eased 'Blayney into a lead they never really looked like relinquishing thereafter.
And when Woods banged in the opening goal of the game in the 14th minute - after good work by Paddy Kelly - the message rang out loud and clear; there was to be no upset on the cards.
The Harps later went into overdrive to hit seven points without reply between the 18th and 27th minutes as the Harps backpeddled furiously.
The flow of the play continued to be dictated by 'Blayney and by half-time the Harps had a huge mountain to climb as they faced into a 0-3 to 1-10 deficit on the restart. 'Blayney showed the panache and power of true champions though to continue to keep their opponents under the cosh.
That underpinning of their early advantage was first manifest in the sixth minute of the second half when Rory Woods gathered a pass from Jim McHugh and carried some 15 metres as the Harps' defence advanced frenetically.
But when the ball broke loose, the county town defence were outwitted though by Mark Kelly who fired the ball to the net to leave 'Blayney 12 points to the good.
'Blayney had little difficulty in maintaining their sizeable lead and indeed extended it courtesy of another fine goal by Rory Woods in the 16th minute that all but killed off the game as a realistic contest.
To their credit, the Harps kept fighting to the bitter end and managed to notch some consolation scores, including a goal in the 18th minute.
However they were merely token scores and fine points by team-captain Kieran Connolly and Brian McGuigan suitably added further lustre to 'Blayney's highly-efficient title win.
With part one of their twin track approach cemented, the newly-crowned championship winners now set their sights on clinching the double by lifting the Heiton Cup.
In between times, the Quigley Cup victors put in a gutsy display in the Ulster Club Shield semi-final against Donegal champions Burt but went down at home by 0-14 to 3-7, after leading by four points at the interval.
Almost a month later, the club's bid for the Heiton Cup re-focussed minds.
Clontibret had posted notice of their intention to hold onto their league crown by actually beating 'Blayney by two points.
By late August, 'Blayney trailed Clontibret by three points, albeit with a game less played.
Predictably, the same two teams went onto contest the league decider at the Carrickmacross venue on October 17th.
Predictably, 'Blayney's greater cutting edge and a greater consistency of effort combined to catapult them to a deserved 4-10 to 0-8 win over their chief rivals.
Once again Rory Woods was on fire and with good assistance from Kieran Connolly, Clontibret's defence had to work overtime to keep their side in the hunt for the spoils. A ninth minute goal by Connolly and another one thereafter by Woods - after Michael McHugh did the spadework - left 'Blayney leading by nine points by the 12th minute. Yet another goal by team-captain Connolly subsequently steered the town team into a healthy 3-8 to 0-3 lead by half-time.
The game was all but done and dusted just two minutes after the restart when Rory Woods fired a free to the net to put 17 points between the sides.
Clontibret dug deep and kept the deficit to a respectable degree but it was a major damage limitation exercise for most of the second half for the defending champions. 'Blayney couldn't really have underpinned their dominant position in Monaghan hurling circles in 2004 in a more emphatic manner.
The Faughs team, and subs, that overcame Clontibret in the league decider was as follows:
Hugh Cullen; Jimmy Bates, Jim McHugh, Paul Murphy; Padraig Kelly, David Connolly, Declan Crowe; David Bolger (0-1), Gary Boyd; Martin Hanratty, Rory Woods (2-2), Peter Clerkin; Mark Kelly, Ciaran Connolly (2-0), Michael McHugh (0-6). Subs; Barry Reilly (0-1) for M. Hanratty; Steven Lambe for M. Kelly; Noel McGuigan for P. Murphy; Paul Murphy for J Bates.
'Blayney minors signpost major times ahead
Ahead of the club's centenary celebrations in the coming year, the achievement of the Faughs' minor squad in winning the county championship title last September was acknowledged by local Gaels as a timely boost.
Not all clubs who adopt a twin track approach to fine-tuning the skills of their underage starlets enjoy a fair degree of success on both fronts in the same season.
But that was the way of things for the Faughs during the past season at minor level when the club's finest romped to the blue riband championship title while also reaching the league decider too only to lose out to Monaghan Harps.
Once again, the embellishment of 'Blayney's underage pedigree in 2004 served to underpin and reflect the great work being done by mentors and administrators alike at the club in bringing out the best from the youngsters around the town.
Ironically, it was the team that denied 'Blayney the double of league and championship title wins last Autumn that formed the opposition in the championship semi-final, and therein may lie one reason why the Faughs fell to a shock defeat in the league final.
The Faughs decisively beat Monaghan Harps in the penultimate round of the championship and a touch of complacency might have crept into the psyche of the players. Either way, everything was exactly right and in place for the blue riband competition where the Faughs came up against the other half of the Old Firm, Scotstown, in the county decider.
As the undercard to the meeting of Scotstown and Magheracloone in the SFC final, the minor final had all the ingredients of being a tasty appetiser, one which would be served up by, arguably, the two finest sets of under 18 footballers in Monaghan.
Both sides had reached the decider on merit. 'Blayney mixed grit and determination all year with performances of poise and no little skill to book their place, centre stage, on county finals day.
Having had to really roll up their sleeves to beat Clontibret, after a replay, the 'Blayney youngsters showed all their class and confidence in careering to a tremendously spirited win over the Harps in the semi-final.
For their part, Scotstown showed their worth in disposing of a vaunted Emyvale side and the aforementioned Carrick Emmets in the semi-final.
Having notched a clear-cut league victory over Scotstown earlier in the year, the 'Blayney lads went into the championship final as slight favourites but nobody in the Faughs camp was taking anything for granted as preparations wound down for the September 19th duel at St. Tighernach's Park, Clones.
As things panned out, the duel was a veritable mis-match on the day with the town team much too potent, much too cohesive and spirited a force for the north Monaghan side.
Indeed, 'Blayney's dominance over the hour was amply reflected in the final scoreline which proclaimed the Faughs as 1-11 to 0-5 victors.
Indeed but for a few periods in the first half when over-elaboration and procrastination seemed to afflict the winners-elect, the margin at the death between the sides might have been even more emphatic.
The writing was well and truly on the wall after just two minutes when the Faughs found the Scotstown net. Mark McElroy took the plaudits of the vocal 'Blayney supporters with his strike coming after a great break forward by Alan Donnelly.
McElroy, Donnelly and co. remained on the forefoot in the five minutes that followed but some stubbord Scotstown defence and a tendency by 'Blayney to try and overly garnish their impressive approach work served to undermine the Faughs' efforts at consolidating their early, quick-fire lead.
At the other end, Scotstown pushed forward with intent as they tried to make the most of their all-too rare bouts of decent possession and in the 9th minute, they managed to cut 'Blayney's lead to two points.
The town team continued to largely dictate the exchanges however and force the pace with some gusto.
Things didn't quite fall into place initially though and Alan Donnelly was slightly unlucky to see his long-range effort fall short before being cleared by the Scotstown 'keeper. 'Blayney had better luck moments later though when Ciaran Hanratty converted a free after Chris Callan was fouled.
The game proceeded to mirror a see-saw effect for the next five minutes and 'Blayney's defence came under a more sustained type of pressure than at any other stage in the match.
Ironically, 'Blayney seemed almost more dangerous in launching sporadic counter-attacks and after the Faughs' defence were forced to effect some timely clearances, they reaped a timely dividend when Alan Donnelly converted a free in the 16th minute.
'Blayney seemed to sense that their opponents were 'there for the taking' at that juncture and they duly proceeded to go for the jugular.
At first, Scotstown lived a charmed existence as 'Blayney saw Chris Callan's goal-bound shot turned away by the Scotstown 'keeper and then Niall Duffy, following up, just failed to make hay from the rebound.
Still, the Faughs increasingly began to look at ease on the ball and threatening going forward and in the 23rd minute they duly added to their lead when Aidan Warden pointed on the run.
Scotstown dug deep though in the run-up to the interval and hit back with a brace of points to match similar efforts by 'Blayney's Alan Donnelly (30th min) and Ciaran Hannify (32nd mind), the latter from a placed ball.
Leading by 1-5 to 0-3 on the restart, 'Blayney came under renewed pressure in the early minutes of the second half and the would-be winners' defence had to be alert on a couple of occasions before Alan Donnelly converted a free to turn the tide once again.
Scotstown continued to look lively but they had a real let-off when Ciaran Hannify saw his goal ruled out because of an infringement in the square.
Undeterred, the Faughs kept their feet on the gas and poured forward to make it a seven point game courtesy of a fine Gerry Brady point after Aidan Ward and Ciaran Hughes did the spadework.
Young Hannify then rubbed further salt into Scotstown's wound moments later after taking possession of an inviting delivery from Martin McElroy.
With just under ten minutes left to play, it was obvious that the blues needed at least one goal to unhinge 'Blayney's apparent inexorable march to the county title as they looked hugely comfortable on the back of a nine point lead.
However, there was to be no get-out clause gifted to the Fermanagh-border side by the Faughs even if a Scotstown point in the 22nd minute did offer them a glimmer of hope.
That glimmer of hope was firmly extuinquished though by a subsequent Keith Hill pointed after Scotstown failed to cut out a dangerous centre by Patrick Collins. And that was that as 'Blayney fairly cantered their way past the finishing post with nine points to spare.
Castleblayney (versus Scotstown, MFC final, Sept. 19th):
Padraig McBennett; Patrick Collins, Patrick Conlon, Keith Hill (0-1); Cormac Brady, Kealan Duffy, Mark McHugh; Aidan Ward (0-1), Ciaran Hughes; Gerry Brady (0-1), Niall Duffy, Alan Donnelly (0-3); Ciaran Hannify (0-4), Martin McElroy (1-1), Chris Callan.
Subs; Peter Treanor for Chris Callan; Colm Keenan for Patrick Collins; Eoghan McTiernan for Martin McElroy; Mark McManus for Alan Donnelly.
50 years of hurling
In 2004 Castleblayney Hurling Club celebrated its Golden Anniversary, 50 years since its formation. On this day (Sunday 24th October) we had a juvenile match v Keady, a past players match with many players past and present playing on the day, a mass for deceased members and to round it up, a celebration dance in the Glencarn Hotel with photographic display and a history booklet on night.
It is important firstly that we are aware that hurling was played in the town from the early 1900's
Records show that Castleblayney Hurling Club won championships in 1913, 1917, 1919, 1920 and 1943. After which the club was disbanded and was re-established in 1954.
The Committee in 1954 consisted of
Chairman Paddy McEneaney
Vice Chair Eddie Murphy
Secretary and PRO Terry Connolly
Ass. Secretary Mick Finn
Treasurer Tom Hughes
Ass. Treas Edmond McCreesh
Committee
Maurice Drumm
Tommy Nolan
Hughie McKenna
Tommy Farrell
John (The Corker) Daly
In later years the club was joined by two other stalwarts in Frank Marron and Frank McQuaid.
In 1969 the committee were Paddy McEneaney, Eddie Murphy, Terry Connolly, Frank Marron, Frank McQuaid, Tommy Joe Murphy and Noel McGuigan.
Every week we sold the hurling club pools at 6 pence a line and at a meeting every Sunday morning in the market house Frank Marron, who was treasurer, held the pools draw.
Frank, Eddie and Terry looked after the senior teams and a great debt of gratitude is owed to these men for their long service in keeping the game of hurling alive and well in the town, they also had strong connections with the running of the county teams.
Frank McQuaid looked after the juveniles. Frank was coach in 1969. He always had a station wagon with a hatch back to hold all the lads and the equipment. And always coming behind him, was his good wife Marrionette pulling a bag of hurleys or even acting as first aid, but always there to help. It has to be said that the success of a lot of our victorys in the late 70's and early 80's were due to the dedicated efforts and foundations laid by these two people.
Later Frank was helped to the winning of the National Feile by Kevin Maloney who also put a great deal of time and effort into the juvenile teams and the boys national school. The help and assistance of the late Joe Brennan, Gerry Gilanders and Mrs. Con Byrne was vital. Mrs. Byrne hand made our club banner which has been paraded all over the country at Ulster and National Feile's since 1971.
Over the years we have been fortunate in that many players from other counties have come to work in our town and have worn the green and gold with distinction. A few people in particular stand out in my mind, who while working and living in this town put their heart and soul in to this club. They are Joe Brennan (senior) R.I.P., Mick McCormack, Pat Bolger, Jimmy Cunningham, Sean Clearly, Mick Curran, Martin Rafter, Kevin Maloney, Tom Russell, Hugh Cullen and Philip Mone.
The Club was also fortunate to enjoy the support of all of the local cubs who allowed their players to play hurling with us. Clubs such as Toome, Oram, Cremartin, Blackhill, Doohamlat and Aughnamullen. Aughnamullen in particular came to our aid when the club was finding it difficult to field a team. Kieran Lonergan was the chairman of the club in 1988/89, which was re-named Clan na Gael for those two years. This was enough to help us get back on our feet and the club has gone from strength to strength to this day.
In all great clubs there are families who through combined efforts help to keep things going, in our club we had the
The Connolly's Dundalk Road
The Murphy's The Cresent
The Marron's The Cresent
The McQuaid's York Street
The Denny's Laurel Hill
The Byrne's York Street
The Hughes York Street
The Forde's Drumillard
The Kellys Drumillard
The Bolgers Drumillard
Also our honoury president Hughie Brennan.
In particular we would like to pay tribute to the ladies of this club who over the years have supported their men in the time that they spent away from home training, coaching, games, etc.
In most houses hurling came first, religion second and family third. We might laugh at this statement but this was a fact and we would like now on behalf of the club to thank most sincerely all the ladies of the club. Also our previous lady secretaries, Kathleen Byrde, Mary Brown McArdle, Josephine Mone and currently Sheila Forde.
Also Josie Marron who looks after our jerseys on a day and night basis
Because we have no field of our own we are indebted to the Faughs football club for the continued use of their field and also all the other local football clubs who allowed us to use their facilities.
Without Money you don't survive. We take this opportunity to thank all of our local sponsors who have been very generous to the club over the years. The names of who are too numerous to mention.
We would like to thank the county board and in particular John Graham for the work he puts into hurling in this county. Also there has been no better supporter to the hurling cause than our current County Chairman Gary Carville.
We want to pay tribute to Maura Stokes McQuillan and David Connolly for the dedicated work they are doing in our boys national school, also to Gerry Murphy for the enormous work he has put in to juvenile hurling in this county for a long number of years and to Gerry Murphy for the great work he has done through out the county to promote hurling.
In recent years the club has been lucky to have such people as Jarlath Denny, Pat Bolger, Paul Forde, Martin Rafter, Ciaran "Sid" Connolly, Michael Byrne, David Connolly, Stephen Marron, Paddy Forde, Martin Rafter, Philip Mone, David Bolger, Hugh Cullen and Declan Connolly. These people are the back bone of this club and if we can keep them together the club can look forward to a very bright future.
Over the past few years our juveniles have been very successful. This has been due to hard work and dedication and we take this opportunity to thank Michael Byrne. Mr. Reliability himself. Thank you Michael. Thanks to all the other people who helped out in any way with the juvenile teams, people like Paddy Treanor who would quietly leave in minerals and crisps for the lads, no big fuss. Paddy Forde - who jumps to the call, again no fuss - expects no thanks, just get things done.
Lads, these things don't go un-noticed.
Please forgive us if we have left anyone out a it is not easy to remember everything over 35 year period.
Castleblayney HC
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