What a performance it was from Clontibret's essentially young team to regain the Monaghan SFC. By John P. Graham. Clontibret are back at the top in Monaghan club football, crowned senior champions for the 11th time when they held out for the narrowest of victories in a thrilling county final replay against Magheracloone in Clones. It was a close call for the new champions (who last held the title in 1997) with Magheracloone throwing everything forward in a last-ditch effort to salvage the situation and setting the game up for a frenetic finish when Tom Freeman crashed in his second goal of the afternoon a minute into stoppage time. Two weeks earlier they had ended it stalemate with Clontibret in the end probably counting themselves fortunate to have come away with a draw. Such, however, are the fortunes of war and championship football that they were lucky to get the equaliser after they had led for the longer periods during a fascinating contest that saw the newcomers to the county final stage almost sneak a dramatic and history-making victory. Magheracloone were on the verge of a major breakthrough to become the first club other than Ballybay, Castleblayney, Clontibret and Scotstown to win the senior championship since 1948, Inniskeen taking the title that year; but overall few in the Clontibret camp would quibble with a replay. Team manager Kevin Carragher looks back on the game as one where "we had the advantage and definitely shaded the possession for long periods but we conceded too many free kicks at certain times that helped keep Magheracloone in touch. We led by three points after nine minutes and went ahead by two again on 28 minutes after they came back level in the early minutes of the second quarter. It was nip and tuck all through and we fell behind five minutes into the second half but then hit a good period that saw us open a three points gap on 21 minutes only to again see that lead evaporate as Magheracloone struck back in dramatic fashion for their second goal." It was all up in the air at that stage with all hands to the pump in the Clontibret camp after Gerard Finnegan had put Magheracloone in front two minutes from the end of normal time and they looked as if they might just hold out but again Clontibret had enough in the tank to salvage the situation and it was back to Clones the following Saturday week. The replay was another cracker, like the drawn game a match of differing periods although Clontibret were probably that little bit more consistent over the 60 odd minutes but as a championship final and replay both games produced over two hours of absolutely rivetting football and even the most ardent Clontibret supporter could not fail to feel some sympathy for Magheracloone who had come so close on both occasions. So no new name added to the roll of honour for the Monaghan senior football championship and the county still has to go back to 1948 for the last time that anyone other than Ballybay, Castleblayney, Clontibret or Scotstown won the senior title. It is a tribute however to Clontibret that in the five years since they last won the senior championship they are now fielding almost a completely new side with only a couple of players who were involved in that successful run lining out on Saturday last, the benefit of a good under age programme and a great commitment by a lot of people to the O'Neill cause. It was a point that was not lost on team manager Kevin Carragher who saw the winning of the championship by his young Clontibret side as "capitalising on the structures that have been put in place in the club at underage level by people like Sean Hughes and Brendan Magennis along with invaluable work done by previous managers like Declan Brennan. I am merely facilitating players who have come through that system and a testament to the work done was our ability to keep going and responding to any initiative by Magheracloone and we played right to the final whistle. It's only when I hear the whistle that I know a game is definitely over and I have been drumming that into the players". Goals played an important part for Magheracloone in both matches and Carragher was quick to acknowledge that their ability to strike for goals was something that everyone in Clontibret was aware of. "It's often said that goals win matches especially championships but I always believe that scores win matches and we showed that we could score at every opportunity, which left us very hard to beat". Anthony Rooney was a man apart in the replay and the manager felt that "his contribution from the midfield perspective, from the centre half forward perspective and from the defensive perspective was simply brilliant, he was awesome, and I hope that Rooney will be called up for county team duty when the occasion arises along with several more Clontibret players". For team captain John Paul Mone it was an emotional occasion both from a club and family point of view. "It's a great honour for me personally and a great honour for my family and the club, we have our 11th championship and I am the first from the Mone family to lift the Mick Duffy Cup which in a footballing family is a tremendous honour. The GAA causes great emotion at times like this, we saw great emotion in Armagh and it was the same for Clontibret". There was no room for emotion in the game however and particularly as the replay built to its great climax with the closest finish to a final for many years. "You can't take it for granted that it's over at any time particularly against a team like Magheracloone and they showed us in the drawn game that they are dangerous, even when we were four points up they came back for goals and it was the same again in the replay. When we went four up I thought we might be okay but they almost snatched it and they did have a chance to put it to extra time but their final effort was just wide. I think it was probably me and all the Clontibret players and the supporters in the stand helping to blow the ball wide of the post". The win was Clontibret's first championship for five years; they last won the championship in 1997 when the current captain was a sub. "This was a whole new team this year, myself and a couple of the other players were subs when we won it in 1997 and five years later we are on the winning side. It's great for the club and the people who are working so hard to get players to come through from underage ranks. Our minors won the championship this year as well and the U16's got to the final of their competition It was great to see the young children out there wearing the club jersey and waving the flags and this championship will give them the desire for winning that will help to keep the future of the club strong". For Clontibret and John Paul the tactical battles went well, John Paul in the half backs had another excellent game, although he later moved to full back to police Damien Freeman, while midfielder Anthony Rooney, for many in the near 4,000 crowd, the man of the match, put in an absolutely superb performance and was the main driving force behind Clontibret's victory. His influence was seen to its best effect in the second half when Clontibret needed a response to Magheracloone's best period when they hit a goal and two points in quick succession and it was Rooney who showed the way back with two excellent solo points. If there was a major difference between the two sides it was in the fact that five of the Clontibret forwards who started the game got on the score sheet while substitute Mark Rooney also got in on the act as well after being introduced in the second half. So a great year, made all the better by the defeat of C'blayney in the semi-final as it was the Faughs who had thwarted their plans for the last two years. No joy in the Ulster club championship however but Clontibret lost nothing there in defeat. Inexperience cost them on the day in Breffni Park but it is a steep learning curve for a young team although there were many that felt that they would have acquitted themselves better against Enniskillen than the team that defeated them (Gowna) did. There's always next year but then club secretary, Frank McManus counselled caution when that was suggested to him; "you cant say that, you can't say you'll be back next year, there are so many things that can influence that", but despite defeat in Cavan, it was a memorable year for the O'Neills. CLONTIBRET: Michael Thompson, Paraic McGuigan, Damien McKenna, Brian McSkeane, Martin Corey, John Paul Mone, Cathal Leonard, John Hughes, Anthony Rooney, Niall Malone, Vincent Corey, Gregory Leonard, Fergal Mone, Michael Hughes, Dessie Mone. Sub: Mark Rooney for D. Mone. MINOR HAT TRICK Who could have imagined it? 2002 was a dream year for Clontibret O'Neills, who recorded on historic treble of minor titles The future for Clontibret looks very bright indeed. They are the reigning senior football champions and their minors have just completed a three-in-a-row of championship titles, the first time the treble has been done since Scotstown did it back in 1980-1982. The manner in which they achieved the treble was also fitting as they put in a storming final quarter to overcome a very enthusiastic and impressive Inniskeen in a skillful and exciting minor championship final in Carrickmacross. Clontibret in the end were full value for their victory in that it was fashioned out of a situation that saw them staring defeat in the face but they refused to capitulate and grabbed a couple of crucial chances that came their way with both hands to turn the game around at a vital stage. Team manager Damien Mone along with selectors Shane Magennis and Ciaran Leonard have put in a mountain of work and deserve the plaudits that came their way with this historic achievement. "We knew Inniskeen would not be easy meat in the final and they really put it up to us but we talked to the boys at half time and told them to keep doing the simple things, win the ball and use it to good effect and when the chances came to put them away. We went into the game without Daithi McKeown who had been sent off in a schools game and he was a big loss to us out around the middle and we struggled to come to terms in that central sector. "It took us a bit of time to get to grips there but we swung it in the end and Jonathan McGuigan's winning point was a direct result of our improved form in midfield. "Inniskeen controlled the game for long periods in the first half but we defended well and did not allow them to reflect that on the scoreboard and it ultimately paid off. Five minutes before half time Inniskeen had opened a four points gap and probably could have extended that to at least five or six but we broke up a good move to then sweep down field for a point on a counter attack that literally brought us back into the game." That was a vital score and Clontibret shaved another point off Inniskeen's advantage before the break to reduce the gap to two and throw the issue wide open. "We knew going in at half time only two points down that the game was there for the taking, we had taken their best and were poised to strike in the second half." In the second half Clontibret grew in stature and indeed went on to take complete control in the final ten minutes to strike for victory with five unanswered points in the run-up to the final whistle. "Inniskeen had been strong in that central diamond with Trevor Meegan breaking up a number of our attacks and turning defence into attack to keep us under pressure. We knew Paul Meegan would have a big influence and he was outstanding early on but ultimately it was their attempts to get him more involved in a midfield role late in the game that provided us with the platform for victory." Experience too played a part in the final outcome as some of the Clontibret boys were collecting their third minor championship medal and had taken part in the senior championship and that told in the end. "Captain Jonathan McGuigan, Brendan Og Magennis, Paul McGuigan, Noel Morgan and Dessie Mone all stormed forward for the vital scores that helped us complete not only the three in a row but this year's senior and minor double". Noel Morgan who also collected Ulster and All Ireland medals U16 hurling medals finished top scorer for the champions with five points, the first of which he got to open the scoring in the fourth minute with Paul Meegan bringing Inniskeen level three minutes later. That was the only time that Inniskeen were in arrears until the 27th minute of the second half and it was Noel Morgan again from a free who provided the finish to put Clontibret in front for only the second time in the game. Following Meegan's equaliser Inniskeen took the lead twice through John Crawley and Pat Meegan with Clontibret playing catch up through Paul McGuigan from two well converted free kicks. Inniskeen regained the lead in the 18th minute when Paul Meegan converted another free and they might well have been further in front but for the intervention of the woodwork to deny Ronan Meegan and another timely interception by Clontibret centre back Darren Murphy. Inniskeen were now on top in most sectors and as they drove forward in numbers to hit three further points from Paul Meegan, with a great score in the 22nd minute, Michael Fee a minute later and Meegan again from a free in the 25th minute to go four in front, Clontibret looked in trouble. Another promising attacked saw the Clontibret rearguard breached with Pat Meegan and John Crawley combining to put Crawley clear but his attempted pass went astray and Clontibret cleared the danger to break down-field for Brendan Og Magennis to pick off a good point on a counter attack. Inniskeen had now moved Paul Meegan in to full forward and they had another chance from a free but the effort fell short and was cleared with Clontibret again making the most of the counter attack to earn a free at the other end that was well converted by Noel Morgan to leave the half time score; Inniskeen 0-7, Clontibret 0-5. The early minutes of the second half saw matters continue more or less as they had been for most of the first half with Inniskeen on the attack, although Clontibret were beginning to show signs of the resurgence that was to eventually emerge. Six minutes into the second half, Paul Meegan converted another three to restore Inniskeen to a three points lead but they were not to score again for the remainder of the game as Clontibret gradually took control to turn the game around completely by the finish- and indeed they might well have been in a more comfortable position before that but for some missed chances that saw their tally of wides for the entire match reach fourteen. Following Paul Meegan's opening score of the second half there was a barren sixteen minutes spell during which both sides created a number of chances but defences were on top before Noel Morgan reduced Inniskeen's lead to two points in the 22nd minute from a free following a foul on Rodney Gorman. Further Clontibret pressure saw Brendan Og Magennis wide of the mark before Dessie Mone fielded a kick out in the 23rd minute and burst forward for a good point to leave the minimum between the sides. Two minutes later Clontibret were level, Noel Morgan converting another free kick and all the pressure was now on Inniskeen. Clontibret continued to drive forward, Jonathan McGuigan who had manned the centre at the back from where his long deliveries kept the Inniskeen defence under pressure had now moved out to shadow Paul Meegan and in the 27th minute Inniskeen conceded another free that was converted by Noel Morgan to put Clontibret in the lead for only the second time in the game. Inniskeen continued to battle away but too often they did not capitalise on good possession although Clontibret were also profligate at this stage. Jonathan McGuigan however had other ideas and driving forward he struck a brilliant point from out on the right wing to put two between the sides with one minute of normal time remaining. It was an inspirational score and Clontibret might well have made it three of a lead just on the hour when Paul McGuigan had a chance and they were off target again as the game went into stoppage time. Inniskeen tried to the end and finished the game on the offensive winning an abortive '45 but Clontibret now had the scent of victory and they liked it. For some of their players it was a first minor medal, for some a second and for a few 'specials' a third with those players also adding this year's minor medal to the senior championship and Owen Ward Cup medals that they also won in another foray into the victory zone. CLONTIBRET TEAM AND SCORERS: Darren Rooney, Eoin Greenan, Jonathan McGuigan 0-1, Kevin Ward, Marius McGarrell, James Greenan, Darren Murphy, Brendan Og Magennis 0-1, Thomas Greenan, Shane Gorman, Paul McGuigan 0-2, Rodney Gorman, Noel Morgan 0-5, Dessie Mone 0-1, Colin Duffy. Sub: Darragh Mooney for T. Greenan. DOUBLE COMPLETED With the championship under their belts Clontibret then advanced onto the provincial stage where the took on Cavan champions Gowna in the quarter-final of the Ulster club football championship and it was only their inexperience that cost them on the day as they failed to capitalise on a number of chances at vital times that could have seen them through to the semi-final in a close, tough, hard-hitting contest in Breffni Park. Clontibret were due to play the Donegal champions in the preliminary round but that game did not take place due to internal disputes in the Donegal championship which saw them ruled out and Clontibret given a bye into the quarter-final. Clontibret more than vindicated their Monaghan championship form in that they did play the better football over the hour but ultimately physical power and experience saw Gowna through. It was bitterly disappointing for this young Clontibret team with club secretary Frank McManus summing it up perfectly when he spoke of the disappointment, (made all the keener by the fact that they knew they had not done themselves justice and that the chance might not come around for some time again). "Chances like that only happen every so often, you can say you're going to be back again next year but that's often not the way it works out". Clontibret, to their credit, did not allow that defeat to sap at the morale as they had some unfinished business to do in the Monaghan senior football league and team manager Kevin Carragher told them that getting over that disappointment and completing the double was their final hurdle for the season. "We had been quite consistent in the league all through and were always in the semi-final placings but it does take a good effort to sustain that over the long season we had. People will tell you that the championship is the thing and it is very important but winning the league title is also a great tribute to a team's consistency over a season". Following their defeat in Breffni Park,Clontibret were in action in the semi-final of the Owen Ward Cup and a meeting with another team that had been very consistent during the league, Latton. Latton had also reached the semi-final of the senior championship but were defeated by Magheracloone so they certainly would not lack in motivation in their attempt to win some silverware for their efforts during the year. Clontibret just shaded it over Latton to book a place in the final and stay on course to complete the double but they had a close call in a keenly contested semi-final at their own venue with just one point in it at the finish. Overall Clontibret owed their victory to their defence who worked hard throughout but especially in the second half as Latton built in momentum. Damien McKenna put in a very good hour. Gregory Leonard with four points from frees also made a big contribution while Niall Magennis showed that he was getting back to his best. Latton led at half time by 0-4 to 0-3 and were not helped by being reduced to fourteen men in the second half but it was very late in the day when a point from substitute John Hughes sealed it for Clontibret, leaving it 0-9 to 0-8 at the finish. "That victory put us into the final against Donaghmoyne who had defeated Gaeil Triucha by a point in their semi-final so no one expected that there would be very much in it". Over the hour though Clontibret vindicated their favourites tag. They took the lead from early on and were never headed and while Donaghmoyne did manage to keep in touch right up to the last quarter the O'Neills then broke loose and effectively put the game out of the reach of the gallant Fontenoys. This double winning achievement ranks with the best Clontibret have produced in the past and certainly marks them down as the team that can dominate senior football in Monaghan for the foreseeable future. But then such claims can often be proved spurious by subsequent events as Clontibret have found to their cost in the past. Victory over Donaghmoyne gave them the double for the fourth time in their history and their tenth senior league title in all. Clontibret last achieved the double in 1997 and overall they looked the sharper and more effective side, again the defence showing up well when needed and the forwards possessing far greater penetration, their two late goals underlining that aspect of their play. "Donaghmoyne pushed us all the way and made every effort to break down our defence which was marshalled very effectively by captain John Paul Mone in the half back line". Clontibret were only a point in front about ten minutes into the second half and Donaghmoyne looked quite threatening at that stage but the county champions stepped up a gear and pulled away and always looked to have a little more in the tank when it was needed. Midfield was a real battle and Donaghmoyne never allowed Clontibret to dominate this sector but against that they never really managed to put the shackles on a number of Clontibret's forwards who had the edge in speed and experience. Dessie Mone belied age in relation to his experience and impact on the game as the youthful forward wrecked havoc with two goals, both excellent strikes that gave Clontibret not just a big advantage on the scoreboard but psychologically as well. Along with Mone, Mickey Hughes, Niall Malone and substitute Mark Rooney were constant thorns in the side of the Donaghmoyne defence and it turned out to be another historic day for the Mone clan with three members of the family lining out in the final. "It was another very proud day for me and the family and Dessie in particular as he completed a great treble by winning senior championship, senior league and minor championship medals in the same year" said elder brother John Paul who now ranks along with the great Clontibret captains of the past. "It wasn't all easy going against Donaghmoyne and it wasn't until the last quarter when the tide truly shifted towards us as we opened up a ten points lead. Donaghmoyne kept going and managed to narrow that gap to six points but I always believed that it was never going to be closed completely." The game itself was never an edge-of-the-seat affair being for the most part a tough, hard hitting game with some periods of entertaining football. There was a propensity from both sides to use the short passing game and this often caused difficulties for both teams. "Donaghmoyne's short passing sometimes helped us to put them under pressure at the back as they tried to short pass their way out of trouble and on a number of occasions this approach yielded good results for us." "Donaghmoyne got off to a good start and opened the scoring in the first minute but two minutes later we replied and in the fifth minute we went in front when Fergal (Mone) put Dessie (Mone) through for his first goal of the match and that score was to stand between us for the rest of the first half. We traded points after that but some time later we were lucky not to concede a goal which would have given them the lead. It was a good move but our keeper, Paul McElroy, got a foot to the ball to first-time it away." Before the end of the first half the sides swapped points once more with Gregory Leonard sending over a well struck free in the 19th minute and within three minutes Rory Woods was to do likewise for Donaghmoyne to end the first half scoring and leave the score at the break; Clontibret 1-3 Donaghmoyne 0-3. A free for Donaghmoyne in the opening minute of the second half saw Rory Woods narrow the gap to two points but as was the case throughout, Clontibret hit back quickly with Dessie Mone sending over two on the trot, the first from a free in the fifth minute and the second a minute later to open up a four points lead. But the ninth minute was to see Donaghmoyne dramatically narrow the gap to a single point when in an aerial scramble, the ball was tipped across to the in-running Sean McLoughlin who did well to break clear and drive a low shot to the right corner of the net. However, as before when danger signalled, Clontibret quickly orchestrated a comeback with a two- point reply to lift the siege. Dessie Mone took the first of these from a free in the tenth minute and Mickey Hughes sent over the second a minute later. A free from Rory Woods brought Donaghmoyne's deficit back to two points and this was when the Fontenoys looked most dangerous. They were now on a roll with the momentum of the game behind them. Then suddenly things changed dramatically. "They were pushing forward when there was a mix- up in a close passing movement, we intercepted and Mark Rooney sent over the bar to put us three points in front again. That point acted as a wake up call for us and a couple of minutes later Mark was on the ball again and extended our lead with another lovely point. We continued to pile forward to put them under pressure and there was a goalmouth scramble. "The ball came out of the ruck of players and Mickey Hughes made the most of the opportunity for a goal that gave us some breathing space. People said afterwards that Donaghmoyne were in real trouble at this stage and that they were struggling to get themselves back into the game but it didn't seem like that out there. Sean McLoughlin was doing well around the centre of the park and sending them on attacks that kept our backs on their toes. I suppose time was on our side but it wasn't until the final minutes that we could breathe easily. "Mark Rooney had dome very well after he came on as a sub and he was well involved in the move a few minutes before the end that killed it off completely for us. He took possession on the run and hit a great cross to put Dessie (Mone) through for his second goal and put the game out of their reach. That was our last score of the game but we were now ten points in front and time was on our side I think there was just four or five minutes of normal time left at that stage. "Donaghmoyne to their credit fought to the very last as we would expect them to do. They narrowed the gap with a Francis Markey point in the 28th minute and two minutes later a goal by Rory Woods, who was now playing at full forward, reduced our lead to six but we had done enough and the two-goal salvo effectively wrapped up the double for us. There was great excitement, it was a bit like the championship all over again and a great boost after losing out in the Ulster club championship. Everyone worked hard this season from Kevin (Carragher) and Danny (Clerkin) down and all the disappointments will be forgotten. TEAM AND SCORERS V DONAGHMOYNE: Paul McElroy, Paraic McGuigan, Damien McKenna, Brian Morgan, Martin Corey, John Paul Mone, Cathal Leonard, John Hughes, Anthony Rooney, Niall Malone 0-1, Vincent Corey, Gregory Leonard 0-1, Fergal Mone, Michael Hughes 1-2, Dessie Mone 2-3. Subs: Mark Rooney 0-2 for F Mone. Brian McSkeane for B. Morgan, Niall Magennis for G. Leonard, Sean McSkeane for N. Malone, Declan Mone for P. McGuigan. Tweet

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