Two-thousand-and-two will not be remembered in the Emyvale GAA Club with any great delight as the performances of the senior squad were far from impressive, departing from the Intermediate championship at the very first hurdle and finishing up in the bottom half of the league table (Fr. Hackett Cup). Although there were four other clubs below us in the final shake-up, a better placing had been expected and, with a little bit of luck, could and should have been achieved, writes Seamus McCluskey. Despite that gloomy picture, however, there is a very bright silver lining to the dark cloud and the team entering the 2003 competitions is made up of the finest squad of up-and-coming young players that Emyvale had produced in a long time. Not since the days of Eamonn Murphy, the McCormacks, Martin McAree, the Hughes, etc. etc., has there been such a promising bunch of youthful budding stars on the way up and which, despite the disappointment of the past season, must surely raise hopes of a great revival of the Emyvale club in the years ahead. The 2002 intermediate championship proved a dreadful disappointment. Originally fixed for Scotstown on Sunday May 26th the clash with Monaghan Harps fell victim of the terrible weather conditions, but eventually took place at St. Mellan's Park, Truagh, on Saturday evening June 15th , but the change of date and venue proved of no benefit whatsoever to an Emyvale team that simply 'threw it away' on the occasion. It turned out to be the proverbial 'game of two halves' with Emyvale the totally dominant force in the opening half. Emyvale had 1-2 on the scoreboard before the Harps had their first score in the twelfth minute. Indeed, the Emyvale score-sheet could have been much greater even at that early stage had the forwards made any use of the countless chances that came their way. Shortly before halftime, Emyvale's chances were given an even bigger boost when Monaghan were reduced to fourteen players, one of their forwards being sent off for an off-the-ball incident. Yet, all this advantage was lost in a second half that Emyvale will want to forget for as long as they live. At half-time it was Emyvale 1-5, Monaghan 0-3, but the introduction of Stephen Creighan proved a masterstroke for the Harps, and the substitute began to send over a string of points that gradually reduced the deficit, then levelled the score, and eventually took the deciding score shortly before the end. Emyvale still had chances to equalise but, try as they might, the equaliser simply was not forthcoming and they ended up losers on a final score-line of Monaghan Harps 0-12, Emyvale 1-8. Emyvale lined out: Glen Murphy, Brendan Keenan, Niall Callery, Gerard O'Brien, Emmet Colleran, Paddy O'Brien, Shane McKenna, Martin O'Brien, Paddy Kelly, Robert McHugh, Marty McAree, Paddy McAreavey, Cathal McKenna, Paul Kelly and Fergal Colton. Subs used: Darren Farmer and Aidan Fields. Despite defeat, this was an encouraging performance by the youngsters on the side - Niall Callery, Gerard O'Brien, Emmet Colleran, Shane McKenna, Robert McHugh, Paddy McAreavey and Cathal McKenna. Most of them still on the minor team, it was the first championship in many, many years that Emyvale had fielded such a young team and they surely have been well and truly 'blooded' by the games of the past year. Exit at this stage meant that Emyvale still had a chance to come back into the Championship by the 'back door' and they duly met Rockcorry at Scotstown in July, when the result was yet another one point defeat, to end our championship hopes for 2002. Emyvale had been expected to do better on this occasion than they had done against the Harps, particularly since they had already disposed of Rockcorry in the league, and at the Rockcorry venue into the bargain. But it was again the old story of Emyvale simply 'throwing it away' as they literally beat themselves. The 'Northern Standard' headed their report of the game - "Emyvale's exit is marred by missed chances" while the 'Dungannon Observer' in its report, remarked "when a team notches up as many wides as they (Emyvale) did in both halves, they must expect the consequences. Indeed, they had three golden opportunities in the closing minutes to level the score, or indeed take the victory, but those chances were sent wide of the target." Emyvale, on this occasion, had lined out as follows: Glen Murphy, Brendan O'Brien, Niall Callery, Brendan Keenan, Emmet Colleran, Paddy O'Brien, Gerard O'Brien, Paddy Kelly, Cathal McKenna, Robert McHugh, Martin McAree, Fergal Colton, Brendan McNally, Darran Farmer and Brian Finn. Subs used: Paddy McAreavey and Eamonn Murphy. Yet another youngster, Brendan O'Brien, had joined the other teenagers for this particular test, while Emyvale were also unlucky in having to line out without the influential Paul Kelly. Brendan O'Brien, the youngest of the four O'Brien brothers on the team was also unfortunate during the year, being plagued by a series of injuries that kept him out of many important games. The latest of these was a broken collar bone in one of the league games towards the end of the season, but with the winter break now in full swing, it is hoped that Brendan will be fully recovered for the start of the new season in February next. Disappointing league campaign Emyvale's first outing in the intermediate league was against Sean McDermotts at Threemilehouse on Sunday April 7th . This was a game Emyvale should have won 'hands down' as they dominated the play from the very throw-in, so much so that the ball barely crossed the half way line for the first fifteen minutes, yet Emyvale had only two points to show for all their obvious ascendancy. It was level (0-5 each) at the half-way stage, but when the home side scored a goal six minutes from the end, the roof fell in on Emyvale's challenge. Their series of wides in this game was incomprehensible and it was no surprise that a Sean McDermotts' official actually queries at the end of the game - "how did Emyvale manage to lose that game?" A true indication of the dominance of the Emyvale team, yet they ended up on the losing side, 1-9 to 0-7. The story would be repeated several more times during 2002. They overcame this reverse, however, when they then scored two fine wins in quick succession and both at away venues. They travelled to Smithboro to take on Eire Og and deservedly triumphed by 0-10 to 0-8, and then went to Rockcorry where they again took full points, winning on a scoreline of Emyvale 2-8, Rockcorry 0-9. A goal in each half proved the deciding factor in this particular clash when Emyvale lined out as follows: Glen Murphy, Brendan Keenan, Niall Callery, Martin O'Brien, Emmet Colleran, Paddy O'Brien, Enda Fields, Paddy Kelly, Cathal McKenna, Robert McHugh, Martin McAree 0-6, Aidan Fields 1-0, Stephen McAree, Paul Kelly 0-1, Fergal Colton 1-1. Subs used: Shane McKenna and Paul McKenna. Things were looking good for Emyvale at this stage and they went to the top of the league table when they recorded their third win 'on-the-trot', defeating Clones by 2-12 to 2-6 at St. Tiernach's Park. Emyvale were playing all their games away at this stage as the home ground at Tully was under re-construction. The good run came to an end, however, when they travelled to Emmet Park in Carrickmacross and were defeated by two points on a final scoreline of Carrickmacross 0-14, Emyvale 1-9. The rot seemed to set in at this stage and this was followed by a home defeat, again by the very narrowest of margins by Aghabog. This was the first game on the newly-developed second pitch at Tully, which was to prove one of the driest pitches in the county for the rest of a very wet summer. Second game at the 'new' pitch was a victory over Monaghan Harps. But then followed a dreadful run of eight games without a single win - two draws and six defeats. The defeats were all the more heart breaking as, with one exception, they were all by the narrowest of margins. A draw with Carrickmacross, 1-8 each, was one particular game that was 'thrown away', while in two other games Emyvale scored 1-17 in each, yet only managed to take a single point from the two games. That was more or less the story of Emyvale's year - narrow heart breaking defeats and games lost that should have been won. They finished sixth in the league table - played 18, won six, drew three and lost nine. Total points - 15, fifth from the bottom, with Drumhowan, Eire Og, Monaghan Harps and Clones all below us. Secondary grades Emyvale also did reasonably well in the Hugh Brady Cup with the 'B' team and for the first time ever, the club entered a 'C' team which played in the Kieran Cup. Although not blessed with much success, this was a new venture and one well worth trying as it gave games to fringe players and the many hopefuls who turn up regularly for training. Deaths During the year the club lose three of its greatest and most devoted members - Patsy Forde, a former player, who died in the early part of the year; Frank McCormack, one of the founding members of the juvenile section; and Vincent McAreavey, committee and executive member, and one of the club's greatest ever supporters, who died towards the end of the season. Ar dheis De go raibh an an-amacha uaisle. The Club Year The year 2002 has been a very busy one for Emyvale GAA club both on and off the field. A decision was taken early in the year that major development work was needed on the main pitch at Tully as more often than not, it was unplayable in wet weather. A local contractor, Wattersons was appointed to carry out the work and this began in early April. They put in a complete new drainage system, levelled and reseeded the field and hopefully it will be available for games in June or July 2003. To raise funds for this development, the club organised a Lotto Syndicate Draw and this has been very successful. So successful in fact that the club now plans to extend the existing club rooms and provide extra dressing rooms and a physio room. One of the main sources of income for the club is Emylott and recently the jackpot reached a staggering £9,200 before it was won by Anna Treanor, Davagh, Emyvale. The club is very lucky to have the services of Gerard McQuaid who organises competitors for both Scor na nOg and Scor Sinsear. The Ceili Dancing Team reached in the Ulster Final of Scor na nOg this year and they also won the award for Club of the Year. The Scarna Inn celebrated it's first anniversary in April under the ownership of the Emyvale GAA Club and has proved a fruitful venture for the club. A very active committee oversees the running of the Inn and they have recently appointed Eddie Masterson as Bar Manager. Eddie is no stranger to GAA circles as he is goalie for Sean McDermotts and is more than capable in his new role. Bingo recommenced in October after a break for the summer months and is drawing in the crowds. On the field of play, the club was not idle either. This year an extra team competed at senior level in Division 4. The idea was to give players games that would not make it on the Intermediate or 'B' team. A few players came out of retirement to play and seemed to enjoy their reinstatement. The 'B' team got off to a great start but then faded as the competition went on but they gave some great displays. The Intermediate Team finished their league campaign mid September so they should be well refreshed for the start of next year's season. This year was a building process in which they introduced some younger players and it seemed to work so we look forward to next year with optimism. The U21 team played in Division 2 and were unlucky not to make the play offs. At Juvenile level, teams were entered in U10, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16 and minor. Two teams competed at U12 level in Division 1 and Division 3. The U12's and U15's reached the semi-final stages of their competitions but the most successful Juvenile team had to be the U16s. Their commitment, dedication, and eagerness was an example to all the other teams and it's a pity that they have nothing to show at the end of the year for all their hard work. They got to the final of the League and were beaten by Monaghan, the only team to beat them in the county all year. Monaghan also beat them in the quarter final of the championship but this is a team with a great future and one to be proud of. Corracrin NS won the Northern Standard Cup for the first time since 1997. They met old rivals, Urbleshanny in the final and at full time the sides were level. Corracrin was lucky to still be there because with five minutes to go their trailed by six points but they slotted home two goals to live to fight another day. In the replay they made no mistake and won by a five point margin. Handball is also very active in the club with a Senior Team entered in the GAA League and a new batch of young lads recently taking up the sport. The Ladies Club had one of their most successful years in which they won the U12 and U14 leagues and reached the final of the U16 league. They captured players of the match in all three, Aoife McAnespie, U12; Ciara McAnespie, U14 and Nicola Sherry, U16 so the future looks bright for the ladies. Emyvale GAA Tweet

Most Read Stories