When you are knocked out it takes character to get up and face another challenge. Tyholland certainly bounced off the ropes in 2004 as Seamus McCluskey describes. Only a few short years ago, Tyholland astounded the Monaghan football fraternity by proving supreme in Intermediate ranks and earning their first ticket ever into Senior Grade Football in county competitions. It was an experience that delighted an awful lot of people, and not all of them from Tyholland, as everyone is always delighted with a success of the underdog and to see a new face in our premier competitions. The sojourn 'up there' may have been of short duration and the fall backwards may have come after only one year, but the experience was both educational, from the 'learning process' point of view, and was a truly magnificent experience. That valuable experience has now been brought to full fruition, as Tyholland have returned to Senior Football for the second time in their history, and what a return it was, as they have just completed one of the most historical and most rewarding twelve months in their already very successful life-time. Reaching the Intermediate Championship Final and giving it such a close call (they were only beaten by the minimum margin - and only on a replay) may have given rise to some disappointment, but success just had to come in the form of a most successful League campaign, ending with victory in the League Final, that saw them join Ballybay in the 'Promotional Honours List' to Senior ranks for 2005. Relegated from senior at the end of 2003, Tyholland used the valuable experience gained during the previous year to a very good effect when they opened their Intermediate League campaign in February. An initial 0-10 to 0-7 victory over Monaghan Harps, was followed by some brilliant performances in wins over Ballybay, Donaghmoyne and Doohamlet during the March-April period, to leave them joint leaders with Ballybay in the Vincent McAviney Cup competition. A slight slip-up followed when they were surprisingly held to a draw by Eire Og, and then something of a disappointment when they lost to Rockcorry on Saturday 24th April. But all that was soon put behind them as they now prepared for the Championship in which they would be pitted against their next-door neighbours, Emyvale. The Championship clash took place at Scotstown on the second week-end in May and it proved a real tough one, but Tyholland eventually prevailed on a 1-8 to 0-9 score-line, Gregory Ronaghan's goal proving the deciding factor in a closely fought game. Tyholland had lined out as follows:- Dwayne McCarey, Kevin Kavanagh, Kevin McQuaid, Brendan McQuillan, Owen Roe Kavanagh, Gary McQuaid, Ian Treanor, Gregory Ronaghan, Cyril Ronaghan, John McConnell, Paul Askin, Paddy Hughes, Peadar Farrelly, Raymond Ronaghan and James McQuaid. Sub used;- Sean McQuaid. Following that victory it was back to the League and we met Emyvale again the very next weekend, when they held us to a draw at St. Patrick's Park on a score-line of Tyholland 2-5, Emyvale 1-8. We looked to be in dire straits in that one when we trailed by seven points with just as many minutes to play, but what a superb final effort we put in, and secured the equaliser just as time was running out. A win over Clones followed and then another victory, this time over Drumhowan, completed the half-way stage in the Intermediate League series. The second half of the campaign began on 16th June when we had Ballybay as visitors, and they certainly proved our bogey team during 2004 as they won on a 1-10 to 1-7 score-line. It was back to winning ways, however, when we travelled to Donaghmoyne and impressed with a 4-7 to 0-10 victory, to be followed by a 0-11 to 0-7 win over Monaghan Harps. The Championship now beckoned and we had a clear-cut victory over Clones in the 'winners section' to qualify for a semi-final spot. Back to the League again, and despite a series of slip-ups to Doohamlet, Eire Og, Rockcorry and Emyvale, which was our worst patch during the entire season, mainly because we were missing a couple of our leading lights, who were sojourning in America at that time, but we got back to winning ways with a win over Clones. We then had the semi-final of the Championship again at Scotstown, and again against our neighbours from Emyvale. This time we had a more comprehensive victory, winning by 1-12 to 0-9, but we really left it late as it was only in the second half that we really got on top in this one. The line-out on this occasion was;- Dwayne McCarey, Kevin Kavanagh, Kevin McQuaid, Brendan McQuillan, Paddy Hughes, Gary McQuaid, Ian Treanor, Cyril Ronaghan, Gregory Ronaghan and James McQuaid. Subs used:- Arthur Hughes and John McConnell. Our final fixture in the Intermediate League was successful, with full points from Drumhowan. This meant that we had won ten and drawn two of our eighteen league games, finishing with a total of 22 points, and a semi-final clash with Donaghmoyne, who finished level with us, and whom we now had 'at home' for this penultimate clash. This again proved successful and we now found ourselves in the Finals of both Championship and League - quite an achievement for one year, in any man's language. The final of the Championship came first and we met Ballybay in the decider at Clontibret on Sunday 3rd October. What a clash that proved to be as the sides finished all square - Tyholland 1-11, Ballybay 0-14. Tyholland had lined out:- Dwayne McCarey, Kevin Kavanagh, Kevin McQuaid, Brendan McQuillan, Paddy Hughes (0-6), Gary McQuaid, Ian Treanor, Cyril Ronaghan, Gregory Ronaghan (1-2), Sean McQuaid, Peadar Farrelly, Owen Roe Kavanagh, Paul Askin, Raymond Ronaghan (0-2) and James McQuaid (0-1). Subs used:- Arthur Hughes and Cathal Quinn. The replay took place at the same venue the following Sunday, 10th October, and this time we were most unfortunate to lose, a late strike from a free snatching the title from our grasp on a score-line of Ballybay 0-9, Tyholland 0-8. Nevertheless, it was a magnificent performance by Tyholland and, had they taken their chances, the result would have been so different. The Tyholland players did not get much time to regain their breath as the Intermediate League Final was scheduled for just three weeks later, Sunday 31st October. The venue was Scotstown and, for the fifth time this year, our opponents would be neighbours Emyvale. Naturally, there was tremendous interest in this clash and the crowd that turned up to support both sides was a truly magnificent sight and a credit to the clubs involved. Tyholland took some time to settle, but once they found their rhythm, they set about their task in superb style, and a string of unanswered points put them 1-7 to 0-2 ahead, with the interval approaching. Then disaster struck our opponents' rearguard and, in a two minutes spell right before half-time, Tyholland rocked them completely with two opportunist goals that gave our men an unassailable lead of 3-7 to 0-2 as they headed for the dressing-rooms and a well earned rest. There was no way we were going to lose this one, however, and the confidence gained from having a fourteen points lead certainly stood to them in the second period. As would be expected, Emyvale would put in a much greater effort than usual into their second half performance in an effort to reduce the big lead and, fair play to them, the out-scored Tyholland by 2-2 to 0-4 in that second half. The issue was never in doubt, however, and the Intermediate League title was well and truly on its way to Tyholland. It was a superb performance right through the squad and, on hindsight, was probably the best Tyholland showing of the entire year. The disappointment of losing the Championship Final was obviously the spur, and the players were determined that they would gain recompense for that defeat and win their way back to senior football, which they justifiably felt was their 'true football home'. The team that put Tyholland back into senior grade football by taking the Vincent McAvinney cup for 2004 will be recorded with Pride in the Tyholland history books and read as follows;- Dwayne McCarey, Kevin Kavanagh, Kevin McQuaid (captain), Brendan McQuillan, Ian Treanor, Gary McQuaid, Paddy Hughes, Cyril Ronaghan, John McConnell, Paul Askin (0-6), Arthur Hughes, Gregory Ronaghan, Peadar Farrelly (0-4), Raymond Ronaghan (3-1) and James McQuaid. Subs used:- Sean McQuaid, Mark Finnegan, Cathal Quinn and Conor McCoy. There were tremendous scenes of excitement as the trophy was presented to the winning captain, Kevin McQuaid, while the team manager, Cathal McAnenly, was loud in his praise of all his charges as they had given a truly breath-taking performance. 'Every man was a hero', was his proud comment, and it certainly was richly deserved by everyone concerned. Selector Jimmy Askin and team trainer Fergal McCann also came in for well deserved praise and adulation. Tyholland ladies It was almost another fantastic year for Tyholland Ladies as they came within sixty minutes of repeating their All-Ireland success of 2002. Yet in the end it wasn't to be as they went down in the All-Ireland Intermediate final to St Brigid's of Roscommon. By Alan Gunn As 2004 turned out it was somewhat of a roller coaster year for the North Monaghan side. Playing in Division one of the league Tyholland got off to a nightmare start losing their first seven matches and it didn't look great for the year ahead. However when it mattered they started to come good and get results. They wrapped up their final three games in the league with two victories over Magheracloone and Monaghan Harps and just one defeat. At the right time Tyholland were beginning to find the right results as we headed into the summer months and championship time. After being defeated twelve months ago in the county decider, Tyholland were out to put that right this year and in their way was a Rockcorry side who claimed the Junior title last year. The final was played in O'Neill Park Clontibret and they made no mistake, claiming the crown by 3-10 to 1-04 with the goals coming from Therese McNally, Sinead McCooey and Catherine West. With the first hurdle crossed without any problems Tyholland began their move in on an Ulster crown with a home game against Donegal side Glenfin. This was expected to be a good tough test for the locals but it turned out the opposite as they blew their visitors away. They riffled in six goals in all with Therese McNally finishing the game with a personal tally of 2-05. The other four girls to find the net were Brenda McNally, Sinead McCooey and twins Catherine and Maureen West. Their reward was another home clash against Moneyglass of Antrim in the last four. Once again goals were the name of the game. While Sarah Fullerton and her defence were keeping the Antrim girls out at the other end they saw their forwards fire another five goals. Therese McNally again the top scorer with 3-04 to her name. That victory look the Tyholland machine on the short trip to Clones and a game with Fermanagh side Newtownbutler in the decider. This was to turn out the first tough obstacle on Tyholland's path to Ulster success but one they crossed in the end. Once again star of the show was Therese McNally as she contributed 2-06 to her sides 4-07 to 2-08 winning margin. Just two points separated the sides at the break and as the clock ticked into the final five minutes the sides were separated by the bare minimum. The important score arrived with just two minutes remaining when McNally slotted in her second goal and with it the title was on its way to Tyholland. Tyholland (v Newtownbutler): Sarah Fullerton, Josephine Hughes, Christina McMahon, Grainne Treanor, Jacinta Treanor, Pamela Treanor, Nuala Mohan, Rynagh McNally, Una McNally, Grainne McNally (1-00), Sinead McCooey (1-01), Lisa Sherry, Catherine West, Therese McNally (2-06), Brenda McNally Subs Used: Maureen West, Ciara Cassidy Thoughts of 2002 and All Ireland glory re-visiting Tyholland came to mind as they entered into the big stage. First on the list was a tough quarter final encounter with Leinster and Kildare champions Sarsfields. However, they produced an opening thirty minutes of wonderful football to all but secure a semi-final spot. As they had done in the previous games the Tyholland girls kept their opponents out with great defensive play and at the other end the lethal forward line rattled the net on four occasions. A lead of 4-07 to 0-04 was accomplished by the break, Sinead McCooey (2), Grainne and Therese McNally notched the goals. Their defence continued to hold firm after the restart and it was onto Dublin and to face London side Parnell's in the last four. Going in as strong favourites Tyholland were made to fight to the very end before securing a place in the decider. The London girls had four points on the board before Tyholland got off the mark. But once they found the range they began to assert themselves on the game and led by five points at the interval. The second half continued to be very tight and the Tyholland defence of Josephine Hughes, Christina McMahon, Grainne Treanor, Jacinta Treanor, Pamela Treanor and Nuala Mohan were outstanding. With them solid at the back, the hard working midfield pairing of Rynagh and Una McNally and their forwards hitting important scores, they progressed by 2-11 to 2-06. So it was onto their second All Ireland Final in two years for this talented young Tyholland side. The venue was Pearce Park, Longford on December 5th and waiting in the opposite dressing room was St Brigid's of Roscommon. The question was could they take back that second All Ireland crown but it was going to be far from easy against the Connaught champions. Excellent through the campaign to date with a solid rearguard and a free scoring forward line they entered with confidence. Yet only twenty seconds of the decider had elapsed and they were rocked as Sarah Fullerton was picking the ball out of her net. They were not to find the target until the nineteenth minutes and by that stage they were 1-04 down. Outplayed and out foxed Tyholland trailed by 1-06 to 0-02 at the break. Major talking to be done in the dressing room as they came out to attempt to climb the mountain. It wasn't to be their day as this Roscommon side were in no mood to hand out any early Christmas presents. Both sides could only notch two points a piece after the break but it was enough to end Tyholland's dream on a final score of 1-08 to 0-04. It was a disappointing end to the year, which started badly only to brighten as the year went on and then to darken again in the winter month of December on their biggest day. Yet they can look back with pride on their achievements and this side will sure to be back in the year's to come. Tyholland (v St Brigid's): Sarah Fullerton (Capt), Josephine Hughes, Christina McMahon, Grainne Treanor, Jacinta Treanor, Pamela Treanor, Nuala Mohan, Lisa Sherry, Una McNally, Grainne McNally (0-01), Sinead McCooey (0-02), Rynagh McNally, Catherine West, Therese McNally (0-01), Brenda McNally Subs Used: Maureen West Rest of Panel: Joanne Treanor, Ciara Cassidy, Caroline Kavanagh, Claire McKenna, Shauna McMahon, Eimear McStravog, Amy Mullen, Angela Treanor, Fiona Askin, Lynsey Askin, Nicola Rodgers, Geraldine McGarry Tweet

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