Not content with revelling in their provincial-title winning ways on the football scene, Clontibret O'Neills delighted their supporters by regaining the senior hurling championship crown. Words: Kevin Carney For years the debate raged on. Across the bows of Monaghan's slim but passionate hurling belt, the question of whether Castleblayney's domination of Monaghan's blue riband hurling crown was good for the small ball game in the county ricocheted from one gathering of gaels to another. However, in 2003 that debate was dramatically made redundant when perennial pretenders to that very crown, Clontibret, eventually came good to knock the Faughs off their lofty perch. After a five year period of frustration and thwarted desire, the good and the great of Clontibret's hard core hurling fraternity eventually had their day in the sun when the club annexed the SHC title, after a replay, last August in Scotstown. There would be no five-in-a-row for 'Blayney. Clontibret stood a proud bunch upon the medals podium. "It was a sweet win, very sweet and really welcome because years ago, hurling titles used to come to the club fairly regularly so it was nice to get our hands on some championship silverware again," reflects Clontibret hurling supremo John Sullivan. In hindsight though, perhaps we should have seen the change in the status quo lingering above the horizon. After all, rumours had abounded in the county at the start of the year about how Clontibret had gotten all the support structures in place with messrs. Sullivan, Willie Connolly and Paul Ward determinedly leaving nothing to chance as the O'Neills prepared for the 2003 season. By the time the championship season came around though, the aforementioned Sullivan wasn't too sure how his charges rated in relation to the Carrickmacross lads who lay in waiting in the opening round. "We had done a lot of indoor hurling in January and out in the field on Sunday mornings and concentrated on working with the sliothar at all times but come the championship we didn't really know much about Carrick although we were led to believe that they were a good team. "We operated a two man full-forward line against them (Carrick) and went ten or eleven points up in the first 20 minutes or so but then lost a goal just before half-time which gave them a bit of a lift. We introduced a few subs for the second half to freshen things up and on the day that decision worked well and showed up the strength in the squad as well." And so to Clontibret's predictable clash with defending champions Castleblayney. One wonders what the feeling in the Clontibret camp was in the run-up to the decider? "We knew they'd be highly motivated in going for the five-in-a-row. 'Blayney were always going to be the team to beat but we felt we had a good chance if we hurled to our potential," John explains. And with such leaders of men as Ned McCann on board, starlets such as Noel Morgan and Eoin Greenan in place and the experience of Mick O'Dowd and countymen John McConnell and Arthur Hughes on hand, Clontibret had every reason to be confident of toppling the champions. First time around, the meeting of the would-be champions and the long-time powerbrokers produced a thrilling 2-9 to 2-9 draw at Scotstown on August 17th. In a game which proved to be an excellent advertisement for the ancient game in Monaghan, the town team was forced to stage a late, dramatic fightback to retain their crown. In a first half noted for the fluidity of the play and the full-blooded nature of the exchanges, 'Blayney produced some of their best hurling of the campaign to sail into an eight point lead at the interval. Clontibret had struggled to find their best form in the opening moiety. "We had some problems in the first 15 to 20 minutes in particular but we made a number of switches at half-time which thankfully worked out," John recalls. Indeed. The challengers didn't open their account until the 12th minute when Cormac Connolly converted a free but thereafter a two goal blast by 'Blayney a couple of minutes either side of the quarter-hour mark left the O'Neills threading deep water as they faced into an eight point deficit. Even a third converted free from the aforementioned Connolly failed to ease Clontibret's worries as they went in at the break trailing by 0-3 to 2-5. Initially things got even worse for Clontibret when their opponents made it a nine point game just a couple of minutes after the restart. Amazingly though Michael McHugh's point for 'Blayney was to be his team's only score for an incredible 22 minute period. In contrast, the would-be winners went on a scoring spree, notching 2-6 without reply to really put the cat amongs the pigeons. A John Greene point kick-started the Clontibret comeback and then a goal by Ned McCann in the sixth minute added to the O'Neills' momentum. A McCann free and a Mick O'Dowd point in the next three minutes suddenly left just three points between the sides. Then a Greene gem made that two points and a lovely free by Ned McCann in the 19th minute embellished the fightback as Clontibret dramatically levelled matters. Then came the O'Neills' second goal from starlet Noel Morgan who scooped the ball to the net from a prone position. Clontibret were, by now, fully entitled to eye up the winning post but 'Blayney showed their mettle by coming back strongly and Paul Curran had to be at his best to prevent a third goal for the champions. As things panned out, the Faughs tagged on a hat-trick of points to once again place the spoils in the melting pot. It was helter-skelter stuff from there to the close of play with Clontibret 'keeper Curran again to the fore in scooping the ball off his goal-line to prevent the concession of a crucial major to 'Blayney. In the end, Clontibret conceded alright, but just a point - via a 65 metres free by Michael McHugh - which meant that the teams stood toe to toe on Thursday, August 21st, again at the well-appointed Scotstown venue. This time around, it was goals that counted as Clontibret romped to a 4-4 to 1-7 victory in a thrilling encounter. "We were determined not to put ourselves in a position whereby we'd have to try and claw our way back into the match from a nine points or so deficit," John remembers. As things transpired, three second half goals made all the difference as Clontibret regained the SHC title they last held in 1997. Once again the big crowd got full value for their money as both sides gave it their all in their bid for glory, making little of the adverse weather conditions which prevailed on the evening. Powered forward by team-captain John McConnell from midfield, Clontibret enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the early stages of the match but laboured somewhat to convert their clear advantage in open play into scores. Once again the winners' netminder Curran had to be sharp to keep 'Blayney from notching uplifting goals as the champions sought to retrieve the lead after Brian McArdle banged the ball to the 'Blayney net in the 23rd minute. Still, for all their energy at close quarters in what was a pulsating opening half, Clontibret were asked to play catch-up on the restart as they sought to overturn the Faughs' 0-5 to 1-1 interval lead. Things didn't look pretty for Clontibret early on in the second half as Peter Clerkin volleyed home a goal for 'Blayney to really ask some searching questions off the Clontibret men. But how they responded! Despite a handful of wides in subsequent minutes, a goal from a sideline puck by the just-introduced Cormac Connolly in the 11th minute sparked a Clontibret resurgence. Two minutes later the O'Neills were back in front when Krish McEntee pulled on a loose ball to find the net. "I think Cormac's puck was a turning point. We had been getting a fair bit of possession but not getting the scores - his goal was the bit of luck we had been short of up to that time. The lads showed their character in a big way in that final quarter," Clontibret mentor Sullivan insists. Approaching the final quarter, Clontibret were most definitely on a roll. A point from Ned McCann left them five points in front. And then the dismissal of a 'Blayney player left all sorts of question marks hanging over the champions' ability to wrestle free from their downward spiral. As things panned out, Blayney were bowled over before they could regroup with the wily Mick O'Dowd blasting the sliothar to the 'Blayney net to leave his side six points in front with less than ten minutes remaining. That lead was stretched to seven points with a Brian McArdle point in the 21st minute and from that juncture a cloak of inevitability covered the game. Clontibret were not to be denied their long-awaited trophy. "The lads deserved their success. They had shown great commitment all year and I think they can carry on from here and achieve similar results in the coming years," O'Neills' think-tank chief Sullivan concludes. The following is the Clontibret team, scorers and substitutes, that featured in their team's 4-4 to 1-7 victory over 'Blayney in last August's county SHC decider; Paul Curran; Fintan Brennan, Arthur Hughes, Lorcan Ward; John Greene, Aidan Kerr, Shane Magennis; Gareth Sullivan, John McConnell; Ned McCann (0-3), Darren Mulligan, Kris McEntee (1-0); Noel Morgan, Mick O'Dowd (1-0), Brian McArdle (1-1). Sub; Cormac Connolly (1-0) for Noel Morgan. Clontibret conquer Ulster Making history was the Clontibret way of things in minor football circles in 2003. Kevin Carney reports Aside from their historic achievement of winning their third county minor championship in a row, the Clontibret's Under 18 brigade showcased their talent in brilliant fashion by scooping the Ulster minor club for the first time ever last January. In doing so, the O'Neills became the first Monaghan club to boast such success. While the all-conquering gaels from Cavan town were touted as potential winners of the competition but those pundits hadn't quite allowed for the determination and pure skill inherent in the Clontibret side. In addition the character shown by the young O'Neills against Cavan Gaels' finest at the St. Paul's grounds in Belfast fairly indicated that any team wishing to down the Monaghan champions would have to play out of their skins. Mid-December isn't the most appropriate time to rate youngsters on the excellence of their skills or their fitness levels either but for all that Clontibret's young guns were deserving of top marks for their gutsy victory over the Breffni Blues. That said, the Monaghan ambassadors did struggle somewhat in the first half to make the most of a fair degree of possession garnered. In fact, it didn't look that promising at the interval for Clontibret as their opponents stole a march on them to lead by 1-4 to 0-1. And things didn't look any more promising as the second half began with the Cavan lads maintaining the pressure on Clontibret. However with the wind at their backs, Clontibret, slowly but surely, came more into the match as the second half progressed. In addition, with the aid also of a couple of key switches by the management team, the O'Neills began to gradually eat into their opponents' lead. In this respect the accuracy of Paul McGuigan from dead ball situations was vital in Clontibret's bid to steadily reduce Cavan Gaels' seven point lead. As the gap between the sides diluted, the tension of the occasion palpably increased. With five minutes left to play, Clontibret had the blues on the ropes and, inevitably, the tide turned in favour of the would-be tournament winners. The turning point came when Daithi McKeown collected the ball and cleverly sidestepped a couple of defenders before placing the ball in the corner of the Cavan Gaels' net for a wonder goal. Clontibret were now in front and there was simply no catching them. Paul McGuigan drove forward shortly afterwards to help put the icing on the Clontibret cake and, in the process, book a place in the semi-final where Tyrone champions Killeeshill lay in-waiting. Given the pedigree sported by underage football teams in the O'Neill County, nobody in Clontibret believed that their favourites were about to sleep walk their way into the tournament final. For their part, Killeeshill booked their place in the final by disposing of the challenges of Ballinderry and Newry Bosco. The Tyrone team were newcomers to the competition but had in their ranks some quality footballers including no less than four county minors. In fact some of their countymen featured on the Tyrone minor team which beat their Monaghan counterparts in the Ulster MFC semi-final in 2002. The game was fixed for St. Stephen's Day at St. Paul's ground on Belfast's Shaw Road and those au fait with both sides predicted that a cracker was on the cards. Too true, as things turned out! In easing their way to their second Dale Farm Ulster club minor football final, Clontibret were full value for their hard-earned 3-3 to 0-9 victory. The Monaghan kingpins had to pull out all the stops though to win through. But, in the end, their more direct style of play, better tackling and greater efficiency in front of goal served the O'Neills well. The game was a predictably close affair throughout and niggly at that too with ten yellow cards being issue in total by the referee. At the death, Clontibret full-back Jonathan McGuigan received a second yellow card leaving the O'Neills desperately fighting a rearguard battle to hold onto their slender lead. Killeeshill had been in very impressive form in the opening half with Martin Hughes and Marc Cunningham giving their side a turbo-charged start with a point apiece inside the first two minutes. The Red Hand county lads continued to power forward thereafter and really ought to have bagged a couple of goals. In one instance the Tyrone lads were awarded a penalty but the shot ricocheted to safety off the post. Clontibret came under some more pressure but got some relief when Paul McGuigan pointed a free after eight minutes. Then a minute later, the O'Neills hit the jackpot when Brendan Og Magennis fired home a penalty after Rodney Gorman was fouled in the box. The aforementioned McGuigan later saw his speculative punt gathered by Dessie Mone who fairly rifled in a cracking shot to give his side a valuable 2-3 to 0-6 lead at the half-time break. The second half was a real nip and tuck affair with Killeeshill denied a goal yet again when Clontibret 'keeper Darren Rooney brought off a super save from Marc Cunningham after just three minutes. Rooney and co. proceeded to perform wonders to keep their goal intact. At the other end of the field meanwhile, Clontibret's success in baggin a third goal became all-important. Five minutes after Cunningham was denied, Clontibret banged home what was to be their only score of the second half, coming around after Dessie Mone's lobbed delivery was finished to the Killeeshill net by Noel Morgan. Ahead now by 3-3 to 0-6, Clontibret proceeded to be asked some searching questions but they proved their mettle to hold their stylish opponents to just a further three points with James Greenan cutting out a dangerous situation near the close of play to deny Killeeshill a match-saving goal. Losers in the Ulster minor club final in 2002, Clontibret approached the corresponding 2003 decider in determined mood although the camp insisted that their Armagh Harps opponents would not be taken for granted. But even the most partisan O'Neills supporter could scarcely have forecast such a comprehensive 2-12 to 0-4 victory as that achieved by the Monaghan lads in becoming their county's first Ulster club minor champions. From early on in the match, it was quite obvious where the silverware was going to end up. Despite the poor overhead and underfoot conditions pertaining on the day, Clontibret produced some really flowing, cohesive and quality football to bowl over their game but overwhelmed opponents. Ironically the Orchard County champions had the best of the exchanges in the opening ten minutes but thereafter it was all Clontibret with a rather fortuitous Sean Hughes goal on the quarter hour mark giving Clontibret a lead (1-1 to 0-3) they never subsequently looked like losing. Clontibret grew in confidence as the half progressed and their dominance was, in truth, scarcely reflected in the 1-4 to 0-4 half-time scoreline. However the second half saw Clontibret assume total control, hitting a goal and eight points without reply with Paul McGuigan notching four of those points and Noel Morgan chipping in with a brace. Although the Harps never threw in the towel, their cause was well beyond redemption and even Lady Luck wasn't on their side when Gareth Swift saw his goal effort in the 23rd minute bounce off the bottom of the Clontibret upright and again at the death when Peadar Toal drove a penalty wide. In contrast, Clontibret were the epitome of efficiency in almost every respect with Paul McGuigan putting an extra shine on Clontibret's historic win by adding a second goal for the champions-elect on the hour mark. 'Kings of Ulster' never had such a dulcet ring about it! Hats off then to the management team of Damien Mone and his assistants Ciaran Leonard and Shane Magennis and, of course, not forgetting the Clontibret team, and subs, that made history by overcoming Armagh Harps in January last; Darren Rooney; Eoin Greenan, Jonathan McGuigan (0-1), Kevin Ward; Marius McGarrell, Brendan Og Magennis, James Greenan; Daithi McKeown, Thomas Greenan (1-0); Shane Gorman, Paul McGuigan (1-6, four frees), Darren Murphy; Noel Morgan (0-3), Dessie Mone (0-2), Rodney McGorman. Subs; Darach Mooney for Noel Morgan; Conor McManus for Rodney Gorman. Clontibret hurlers secure league title The senior hurlers of Clontibret underpinned their claim to be inarguably the best of the bunch in Monaghan in 2003 by adding the league title in late October to their earlier championship success. After a consistently good league programme by the would-be double champions, the county decider boiled down to a head-to-head clash between Clontibret and a determined Carrickmacross side. The final was played on October 18th last at Castleblayney and proved to be a fine advertisement for the small ball game in Monaghan. Clontibret shaded the exchanges in the opening half and a goal by Brian McArdle in the 18th minute helped his side edge into a two point lead. McArdle and co. proceeded to tag on another two points in the minutes after the goal but Carrick struck for a vital goal one minute into stoppage time to cut Clontibret's lead to just one point, 1-5 to 1-4, at the interval. The second half was a veritable nip and tuck affair and a draw always looked the likely outcome as one side and then the other sought to put clear water between themselves but to no avail. In the end though both sides could have sneaked a win as both enjoyed a one point lead inside the final, dying minutes. As things panned out, Carrick ultimately gained parity when an injury-time free was converted, leaving the teams deadlocked at 1-9 apiece - a result which neither team, in fairness, could have been too unhappy with. It was back to Castleblayney for the replay but this time around, Clontibret made no mistake in careering to an emphatic 4-13 to 0-13 victory. Ironically it was Carrick who opened the scoring after just 30 seconds but that, significantly, was the only time Clontibret were to be headed in the entire contest. In what turned out to be another highly absorbing contest, Clontibret wasted no time in countering Carrick's double-quick opener and points from Gareth Sullivan and Cormac Connolly had Clontibret in front after seven minutes. Carrick did manage to draw level a couple of minutes later but the pattern of the game took on a distinct direction once Clontibret smacked home their first goal. It was Kris McEntee who nabbed Clontibret's opening major; a goal which helped propel Clontibret back into a clear lead. Clontibret did have to work hard at the back to stymie some gritty Carrick play but by the end of the first quarter, Clontibret's four point lead was telling and ominous for the Emmets. Still, the second quarter turned out to be a pretty close affair with the exchanges being tigerishly fought out by the combatants with real championship-like fervour. Carrick hung in there and there was only two points between the sides when Clontibret struck for a morale-boosting second goal just two minutes into added-on time at the end of the first half. Good approach work by Brian McArdle and John McConnell formed the backdrop to an excellently opportunist strike by Noel Morgan which ensured that Clontibret went in at the interval with a well-cushioned 2-5 to 0-6 lead. And despite some gritty, passionate play by Carrick in the second half, the tide continued to carry Clontibret closer and closer to their target of yet another senior county title. Pushing forward at every opportunity and visibly growing in confidence, the Clontibret players were determined to keep Carrick on the backfront and to kill any attempted comeback at source. Within seven minutes of the restart, Clontibret managed to extend their lead to seven points with scores by John Greene and Noel Morgan adding to the team's impetus. There seemed nothing Carrick could do to halt Clontibret's momentum as the second half gathered pace. The Emmets desperately needed a goal for inspiration and to provide them with a lifeline. Instead, Clontibret looked hugely solid as the third-quarter stage came and went with the winners-elect looking extremely comfortable on the back of a tidy seven point advantage with a fine Darren Mulligan point highlighting Clontibret's greater efficiency and potency. All credit to Carrick though for fighting to the last and when they reduced their deficit to five points with just over ten minutes left to play, one wondered whether a grandstand finish from the town team was in store. However any hope Carrick had of stealing Clontibret's thunder was firmly put to bed with the concession of two goals. Firstly, Clontibret's top-scorer Kris McEntee smashed home his side's third goal after Noel Morgan did the spadework. And before Carrick could muster a response, they fell further behind when Ned McCann hit the back of the net after substitute Mick O'Dowd had created the opening and delivered the telling final pass to goalscorer McCann. It was now all over bar the shouting and although Carrick refused to throw in the towel, they went further behind in the 27th minute when Ned McCann rifled over a neat point. From there to the finish, the champagne beckoned and although Carrick had the last word with a late, late point, it was undoubtedly Clontibret's day . . . and year. The Clontibret team, subs and scorers, that did the business against Carrick in the league final replay was as follows; Paul Curran; David Morgan, Arthur Hughes, Fintan Brennan; John Greene (0-1), Aidan Kerr, Shane Magennis; John McConnell, Gareth Sullivan (0-2); Ned McCann (1-3), Darren Mulligan (0-1), Brian McArdle; Cormac Connolly (0-5), Kris McEntee (2-0), Noel Morgan (1-1). Subs; Mick O'Dowd for Brian McArdle; Lorcan Ward for Aidan Kerr; Stephen McArdle for David Morgan. Tweet

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