Two-thousand-and-two was a roller coaster ride for Carrickmacross but ended on a satisfactory note as the Emmets booked an instant return to senior ranks - and some hard-earned silverware to go with it (in the shape of the all-new McAviney Cup). Ironically, Carrick's sojourn in intermediate football appears to have done them no harm - they return to the top table in as healthy a state as ever they've been. At times it appeared as if 2002 wasn't going to be Carrickmacross' year. The Emmets and Sean McDermotts were the county's two outstanding intermediate teams over the course of the season, but that alone doesn't bring an automatic guarantee of success. The obvious target was to secure a return to the top flight and Carrick' set about their task accordingly. They blazed a trail to the county IFC final, where opposition was provided by none other than the Seans (the year would develop into a real toe-to-toe with the Threemilehouse men). The championship decider ended in controversial fashion and it was the Carrickmacross boys who felt hard done by. It went to a replay; then extra time. There was a dispute over exactly how much extra time should be played. Carrick felt that ten minutes a half was the requisite amount. Others said 15. The '15 camp' won and half an hour of additional time was played. Carrickmacross pointed out that this was in clear contravention of a ruling passed at Congress in April. Their protests fell on deaf ears. Just when it looked like a second replay would be required to separate the sides, the Seans struck with a winner three minutes into injury time (the referee had signalled for just two additional minutes). The 'infringement' for which that late free was awarded was questionable to say the least... Defeat left a decidedly bitter taste in Carrick mouths. The main ramification of the result was that Carrickmacross now had to turn to the league to assure themselves of promotion. True to form, they and the Seans finished the season locked at the summit of Division Two. They faced Aghabog and Rockcorry respectively in the semi-finals. If both championship finalists made it through to the final, then Carrick would be guaranteed promotion. They kept their side of the bargain, seeing off Frank Brady's team in their 'semi'. In the other match the Seans were almost caught on the hop by a gutsy Rock' effort. But the Threemilehouse men forced a draw. Carrick were left holding their breath for the replay. While they would fancy their chances in the final regardless of who came through, a hint of anxiety hung in the air. Was it going to be a hoodoo year? Were they going to finish the season empty-handed, without their goal of promotion attained? Would the spectre of that controversial late, late, late point in the IFC final replay haunt them forever? As it transpired, the apprehensive amongst the Carrickmacross faithful needn't have worried. The Seans duly despatched Rock' to set up a mouth-watering final. The Emmets were now assured of promotion but they wanted to do it on their own terms, with some silverware to show for their stellar efforts. They had a point to prove too. They felt hard done by in the championship and yearned for vindication. Not only did they seek to deny the Seans the double; they wanted to set the record straight. And vengeance was theirs! The 2002 Carvilles Maxol Gala Intermediate Football League final was played at Ballybay on Sunday November 24th and Carrickmacross avenged their contentious championship reversal with a tremendous one-point defeat of Sean McDermotts, 2-7 to 0-12, to become the first ever winners of the McAviney Cup. Outgoing club chairman Seamus Kelly (who is stepping down after seven years in the chair) says everyone associated with the club feels that justice was eventually done: "Victory in the league final eased the pain and offered us some consolation. The way things went in the championship was a huge disappointment. Had we been defeated fair and square there would have been no problem. But it's great credit to the panel of players, the management and everyone involved with the team that they regrouped, focused on the league and went about the task of securing promotion." Which - let us not forget - was the club's over-riding objective at the start of the year. Seamus affirms: "We sat down in January and we set the objective for the year of regaining our senior status. The whole panel and the manager Donal McKenna and his crew applied themselves to that objective and they achieved it. They deserve the greatest of credit for that." Do Carrickmacross feel that senior football has become their rightful place? "Absolutely. We went up in the early 'nineties and we held our own before going on to contest the senior final in 1999. Things became difficult thereafter, culminating in relegation at the end of 2001. In hindsight, the year in intermediate can now be seen as a good thing. It gave us a chance to rebuild and bring in some new players and we are now returning to senior grade much stronger than we were." One gets the distinct impression that Carrick won't be happy merely to consolidate. They're looking way beyond that, eyeing a senior championship: "The potential we have now is tremendous. We have a great panel of talented footballers. I remember in the past going up to senior with a panel of 18 or 19 players . . . we had in excess of 30 lads togged out for all our games in 2002. We are now in a very strong position, with superb strength in depth "There's great talent in the club and I see no reason why we can't win a senior championship in the next two or three years." The choice of venue for the intermediate league final was apt as the new trophy for the competition (replacing the 'retired' Hackett Cup) was presented to the County Board in memory of the late Vincent McAviney, who was a great Ballybay clubman. As inaugural winners of the cup, Carrick' have carved a unique niche for themselves in the history of Monaghan GAA. The decider was always going to be a close, competitive affair, not just because of the recent history between the teams but also because they were generally so evenly matched over the duration of a protracted season. The prolonged nature of the season didn't help either ... the fact that the final was played in mid-winter wasn't exactly conducive to exhibition football! Still, the teams gave it their all and, to their credit, served up some excellent football over the hour. It was a tense and nervy occasion at times, particularly in the second half when the game was in the melting pot and it was a question of who wanted it most. That team was Carrickmacross Emmets, who retained their composure at the crucial moments and picked off telling scores when it mattered most. Inspired by the sublime skills of ace attacker Andy Callan (who supplied 1-7 of their 2-7 tally), the Emmets edged into a six-point advantage. Even though the Seans came back at them towards the end, they held out for a most satisfactory triumph. Victory meant that they would return to senior ranks in style, as holders of a major trophy. Having already won the IFC for the first time in their history, the Seans were hoping to round off a dream year with a wonderful double. The first half ended all square. It was an absorbing affair and the winners eventually got on top after an impressive start from the Seans, which yielded an early two-point advantage. The unstoppable Callan opened Carrick's account in the sixth minute and menacing full forward John O'Connor added a goal in the 12th following useful approach play from Callan and Steven Gollogly. But four unanswered points from the Seans saw the Threemilehouse side re-establish their two-point cushion. Three more points from Callan and an injury-time effort from the Seans left the combatants tied at half time: Carrickmacross 1-4, Sean McDermotts 0-7. Carrick 'keeper John Fitzgerald did brilliantly to deny Seans sharpshooter Damien Larkin what looked a certain goal in the opening exchange of the second period and Carrick went on to build a five-point lead as the match ebbed into its final quarter. The crucial score was Andy Callan's goal: the corner forward weaved his way past two defenders before slamming accurately to the net to set his team on their way... Despite a late rally from the double chasers, Carrick held out for the victory their efforts over the year merited. Victory on November 24th made amends for the heartbreaking manner of their championship final replay defeat of exactly five weeks earlier. Carrick had qualified for the business end of the competition with a powerful showing in the league stage. They finished their programme of Division Two fixtures with 26 points from 18 games - twelve wins, two draws and only four defeats. This was enough to earn a semi-final meeting with Aghabog at Emmet Park on Sunday November 10th, a game that Carrick had to win to keep their promotion hopes alive. But Aghabog didn't arrive to make up the numbers and they made Carrick fight every inch of the way for a 2-11 to 1-10 win. The rural club battled right to the death and Carrick were hanging on for dear life until Andy Callan put the game beyond their reach with a late insurance point. Carrickmacross made the brighter start and led by seven points before Aghabog opened their account in the 15th minute. By then, Carrick had registered four points as well as a goal from the boot of Stephen Gollogly in the 10th minute. Callan was exerting a massive influence on proceedings and it was no surprise when John O'Connor cut loose to add his side's second goal and give the winners a commanding nine-point interval lead, 2-6 to 0-3. When Aghabog came at them in the opening stages of the second half, Carrick replied with three unanswered points from Callan to restore their nine-point cushion. Aghabog continued to rally and Carrick had a lucky escape when Gary McBride's penalty effort flew over the bar. The margin was reduced to just three points with a full ten minutes remaining, but Carrick held firm in their relentless quest for a return to senior football. The contingency plan had worked. Carrickmacross had targeted the intermediate championship as their preferred route to glory and had come agonisingly close to working the oracle on that front. After accounting for Clones (1-7 to 0-7) and Doohamlet (0-18 to 1-8), they progressed to the semi-final wherein they put paid to Drumhowan's prospects on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-12. Meanwhile, in the other 'semi' Sean McDermotts served notice of their intentions with a 3-24 to 1-5 defeat of Clones. Carrick infamously lost the final after a replay + extra time aplenty + injury time galore. But all's well that ends well... Carrickmacross Emmets, 2002 intermediate football league winners: John Fitzgerald; Eoin Sherry, James Kiernan, Noel Swinburne; Padraig Rafferty, Dennis Connolly, Terry Kiernan; James Conlon, John Conlon; Oisin Gartlan, Declan Smyth, Diarmuid Kelly; Andrew Callan (1-7), John O'Connor (1-0), Steven Gollogly. Subs used: Gordon Finnegan, Stephen Conlon Closing the books After 21 years, Terry Kiernan's association with the Monaghan County Minor Board came to an end last autumn when the board ceased to exist. Some people are simply synonymous with some GAA clubs. You may not know the name but you know the club, sort of way. For example, cries of "Come on Carrick," or "Up the Emmets" can be heard when a stand-in salute is required. The name of the recipient temporarily escapes the dispatcher of the greeting but there's no mistaking the warmth or intimacy of the address. Terry Kiernan suits the bill to a tee in this regard. While there are people involved at the coalface of Gaelic games in Monaghan who wouldn't necessarily know him by name - whether that be his real name or his oftimes mistaken Kieran version - Terry is recognised countywide as a member of Carrick Emmets' inner circle. Mention of Carrick Emmets GAA and the name Terry Kiernan is likely to be juxtaposed, caught up in the same breath. Part and parcel, the marrow of the bone and all that. Yet Emmets stalwart Terry is also very well known for his contribution to county football affairs. In particular, his long-time, erstwhile service to the now defunct county minor board gained him widespread recognition among his peers in Monaghan GAA. In their wisdom, Monaghan GAA's decision makers decided to amalgamate their Bord na nOg with the Minor Board. The new Bord na nOg will look after underage football affairs in the county from under 12 up to minor level. Since last autumn, Terry's association with Monaghan GAA at county level has been done and dusted. His stint lasted all of 21 years, all served with the latter-day Minor Board as Registrar. So months and months later, one wonders does Terry miss being out his long-term post? "I have other irons in the fire as far as my involvement in the GAA goes so I'm still kept fairly busy but I have to say that I was disappointed that the Minor Board was done away with. "For the likes of myself, Peadar Markey and Sean McKenna who were on the Minor Board for quite a long number of years, the decision to do away with the board meant a lot but that's progress for you." And the things he misses about being so closely identified with the Minor Board? "Well you'd go to the meetings and there'd always be something interesting discussed. The club delegates weren't slow about expressing their views and there was seldom a dull moment at those meetings," Terry explains. And the highlight of his 21 years with the board? "Reaching the Ulster minor championship final in 1983 was a great achievement and a memorable one even though we actually lost to Derry that day. "I've often wondered what would have happened if we had been able to play the full game with 15 players because Val Forde got sent off that day. "It's difficult to know whether we would have beaten then (Derry) with Val on board for the full match but it would have been interesting to see how things would have worked out." Monaghan underage football lost a good administrator when Terry decided to call a halt to his time with the county at underage affairs. The Carrick GAA stalwart caught a few people unawares by not standing for election to the new body. "It wasn't that I felt burnt-out or anything like that. I just felt that I had served my time, had really done the job long enough and it was time for someone new to step in. "I feel it's good and important to see new blood getting a chance to hold down office because you then h ave new ideas being expressed and sometimes a greater level of energy being given over to the job," the Bailieboro Co-Op employee explains. Twenty-one years is a long time in anyone's book. And that's the length of time that Terry soldiered on in the position of Registrar, having succeeded his brother Pat in the post. Pat Kiernan was Registrar of Monaghan Minor Board for just a single year. It wasn't that he was shy of the work which the post entailed - more a case of having to make more time to enable him to complete his highly acclaimed history of the Carrick Emmets club, "The wearing of the green" which was published in 1983. So was Terry in anyway apprehensive about taking on the job of Registrar ? "Not really. I had been working over the years with my club at all levels and so I had gotten a taste of what was involved on the administration front and I felt that I had something to contribute. "I never thought I would be doing the job for such a long time though. Having said that you'd wonder where the years went to," adds Terry. Monaghan Minor Board was indeed fortunate to have him on board for so long, as one contemporary of Terry's admits: "Terry gave a hell of a lot of attention to detail and even though he often came under pressure from the clubs during the busy months of January and February, I never heard of him falling out with anyone. He was always very helpful and I think if you ask any minor board delegate about Terry, they'd have nothing but praise for him." However, while Terry's work as Registrar for Monaghan County Minor Board was a veritable labour of love, the Shercock Road, Carrick resident actually first made an impact on the domestic Gaelic games scene as a player of no little ability. Terry's playing career kicked off in 1966 and for the following 26 years he gave off his best on the playing fields of Monaghan and further afield for his club and county. Terry thoroughly enjoyed his football career, he tells us, benefiting from a blissful start when figuring on the illustrious Carrick under 14 teams which triumphed in the county finals of 1961/62/63. Terry was a half-forward in his underage days for the most part and was keen, skilful and "not a fella to stand back", club colleagues testify. In addition, the young Kiernan had potential. While not sporting a tremendously illustrious football pedigree, he had the game in his blood. On his mothers side of the family, Pete Jones was an Emmets star from the 'forties and Terry showed that he had inherited some of the Carrick legend's football talent. Aside from the early underage success, Terry also achieved merit at adult level when starring for the Emmets as they triumphed over Killeevan and Oram in the 1971 and '76 intermediate football championships. Unsurprisingly, Terry rates the two aforementioned intermediate successes as being highlights of his time as a player with the Emmets. Similarily he remembers with great fondness playing his part in helping Carrick notch two junior reserve league titles in 1989 and '92 - the latter when he was aged 43. Much earlier he had caught the eye of the Monaghan football faithful at large when he represented his county at minor, under 21, junior and senior in 1968. Terry recalls the Monaghan under 21 team of that year as being particularly rich in talent and highly promising. "We had a good squad then but came up against a very good Derry team which included the likes of Seamus Lagan and Mickey Niblock. "Derry were just two good for us on the day and it didn't surprise me that they went on and done so well that year." Currently Chairman of Carrick's handball club - a position he has held for the last six years - Terry holds court as often as he physically can and as often also as his roles of umpire and referee allows him. Father of four boys - including Terry junior, captain of the current Carrick intermediates - and four girls, Terry Kiernan is a busy man and doesn't court the spotlight. In this respect he was more than glad to have been officiating at the other end of the field when the infamous row between Mayo and Meath broke out in the All-Ireland final of 1996. Although naturally very disappointed to witness Carrick's demotion to intermediate ranks, Terry is optimistic that there is enough talent coming up through the ranks in the town to see that the Emmets' stay outside the premier ranks isn't prolonged too much. Either way one suspects that Terry Kiernan will remain very much a high-profile figure on the local GAA landscape which ever way matters pan out. Indeed, the feeling locally is that he not so much as waved goodbye to county football affairs last autumn as bid au revoir. Indeed, football, and Monaghan football in particular, is so ingrained in the man that one cannot discount his re-entry to the coalface of county affairs in the not too distant future. Tweet

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