Two-thousand-and-four represented a definite step in the right direction for the Toome St Victor's club, who gave a very favourable account of themselves on and off the field of play. The season witnessed a new wave of enthusiasm sweep through the club and Toome are in a good position to progress even further in the forthcoming year. Looking back upon the events of the season that was 2004, the gaels of Toome have every reason to be content. It was a marked improvement on recent years and the club is clearly moving in the right direction. If they continue to apply themselves with a similar level of conviction in coming years, it should be only a matter of time before this small rural club begins to challenge for junior honours. Toome took a long hard look at themselves over the winter of '03 and decided that the time had come to act. A concerted effort was made by all concerned in 2004, and the result was mightily impressive. Make no mistake: Toome are on the up! At the start of the 2004 season, Toome opted to appoint an outside manager, which was a radical departure from tradition. However, something had to be done to stop the rot and, in hindsight, the committee's decision to bring in Mullaghbawn man Colin Quinn has proven an inspired move. Vice-chairman Michael O'Reilly takes the story up: "It was a new thing for Toome because all of our previous managers had been appointed from within the club, but we wanted to bring in fresh ideas and we felt that the introduction of an outside influence would be beneficial. "Colin was the ideal man for the job. We knew he'd bring some great ideas into the club and that his approach to training and playing would give the players a real lift. Colin's arrival had the desired effect. It gave everybody a real boost and we managed to maintain that positive outlook throughout the season." An effort was also made - successfully - to entice players (who hadn't played for a few years) back into the fold. It took these reborn clubmen a while to rediscover their bearings and get back into the swing of things but, gradually, as the season progressed, they found their rhythm and Toome took on a more solid look. Some very worthwhile sponsorship was also secured from a couple of local businesses, who were generous enough to row in behind the club with much-needed and greatly-appreciated financial assistance - the kind of support that keeps things ticking over for a small club. Colin Quinn took immediate charge of all team affairs, with Michael O'Reilly and his brother PJ, Padraig Watters and [club chairman] Gene Cumiskey providing back-up. The Armagh man started training on January 11 and had great turn-outs from the word go, as Michael confirms: "The players responded brilliantly to the new management set-up from the start and we had 35-40 lads out training on the field, between the 'A' team and the 'C' team. That kept going right up to our first junior 'C' game of the season, which was against Donaghmoyne on February 22." It was a tough opener for Toome as the Fontenoys had been relegated from intermediate at the end of the previous season and were a more experienced outfit, but the underdogs gave a fair account of themselves nonetheless. Things remained upbeat and training continued to attract encouraging numbers. The reserve side got a couple of victories under their belts before the 'A' team was called into action for the first time. The first junior 'A' league game of the season was against local rivals Oram and Toome made a super start with a deserved one-point victory. Michael continues: "There was a great buzz in the club at this stage. We lost our second game to Killanny by 1-14 to 1-6 but then picked up by winning our next couple of matches." All in all, Toome enjoyed a decent league campaign. They beat Cremartin (who went on to win the county JFC) in the league and also enjoyed a home victory against Aughnamullen, a massive win over a team that had played at a higher grade in 2003. There were other notable results too: the 'C' team beat none other than Castleblayney by 1-7 to 0-7 in the first round of the championship before losing to Scotstown. Things were going well in the run-up to the JFC but unfortunately a few injuries sustained at a crucial period in the season damaged Toome's prospects in the main competition. It was a huge blow when inspirational centre half back Francis Quinn broke his collar bone, an injury that ruled one of Toome's most important players out for ten weeks. The setback wreaked havoc with the club's championship chances. The 2004 championship opener was against Killanny at Carrickmacross and the Toome men put up one hell of a fight before losing by a point. On the day, a lack of firepower proved their downfall as a number of presentable opportunities went abegging. The backs played exceptionally well over the hour and Toome might well have recorded a famous win had they demonstrated a bit more economy or composure in front of the posts. Coming in the back door, Toome took on Aughnamullen. Again they gave a good account of themselves, only to lose narrowly. The team's comparative lack of experience told against them on the day, while some of their big players failed to fire on all cylinders. Still, there was no shame in defeat to a team that had competed at intermediate level twelve months earlier. Toome kept plugging away in the league and finished just outside the top four, with nine points. Another couple of wins would have made a big difference, but it was wholly apparent that the club was moving onwards and upwards. "It wouldn't take a huge improvement to turn it around from here," Michael O'Reilly notes. "We held the ship very steady in 2004 and if we keep the same mentality we could achieve bigger things. Our aim next year will be a semi-final spot in the league and a couple of wins in the junior championship." Toome have had no success since scooping the Crawley Cup in the mid-nineties, but they're going the right way about rectifying that situation. "We have the players, if they believe in themselves, show a bit more confidence and put in the effort. Colin will step in up again next year. He's a very good manager and we have great faith in him. He managed Mullaghbawn in 2003, so he knows what it's all about. Once he gets to know the players a bit better, things should really take off." The average age of the team is 23/24, with some good minors also coming through. There is no shortage of playing potential in the club. Boasting a healthy juvenile section, Toome field teams at U10, U12, U13, U14, U16 and minor levels. The U16s reached the eleven-a-side league semi-final in 2004, as did the U14s, who ran Killanny close and were unfortunate not to earn passage to the decider. Michael continues: "There's a lot of work being done at U10 and U12 levels. We're lucky to have so many volunteers putting in such a great effort, which is very much appreciated. Of course, we're always looking for more helpers and anybody who wants to get involved should contact a member of the committee. All are welcome." Toome St Victor's also re-sodded their pitch in October and carried out some remedial work around their goals. Advertising signs are being erected around the pitch as we speak - a new departure for the club - and things are looking promising on and off the field of play. The signs provide businesses with an ideal opportunity to advertise their services as the Toome pitch attracts a lot of high-profile matches these days. Added to that the club launched a new crest which appears on their jerseys. The crest represents different elements of the area and its history. Also the players were provided with club tops to make sure everybody looked well. "Everything is very positive and there's a buzz about the place," the vice-chairman concludes. "The lads are keeping themselves in shape by playing soccer at Aclint on Wednesday evenings over the winter, and the enthusiasm is definitely there. We're hoping to build on 2004 in the coming months and take it a step further." Tweet

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