Tony Dunne assesses Magheracloone's present situation at the end of an epic season that almost yielded ultimate glory. In a year that promised much Magheracloone were left wondering what it is they have to do to win their first ever Mickey Duffy senior championship trophy. Reflection will be a valuable tool if used wisely by cool heads not looking for a quick fix but the long-term goal of a club that has the resources to solidify itself as one of the kingpins of Monaghan football. It took two pulsating encounters between the vastly more experienced Clontibret O'Neills to eventually dispatch the new boys on the block, and this by the narrowest of margins to deprive them of imprinting their name on the championship cup for the first time in the history of the south Monaghan club. While disappointment was immense among the players and supporters, they should hold faith with the panel of players they have and measure the success of the club who have only entered senior ranks some six years ago. Two Owen Ward cups, two junior championship titles, and two under-21 titles will all play their part in moulding the necessary experience to help bring this talented bunch of players to their true destiny. Magheracloone who this year lost three of their most valuable and talented players with the retirement of Jessie Kearns, Noel OHerbie; Farnan and Gerry Jones were always going to be in a transition with the loss of such experience. All three were players of great talent and club commitment and their loss is not easily replaced overnight. The experience gathered through many years of playing with the Mitchells was a valuable asset in helping the South Monaghan side to their present position. These players exuded confidence and a calming influence on younger heads. Magheracloone are a very young side with many of the players still playing either at U-21 or minor level. It is a side rich in football talent but sadly short in the essential ingredients of experience but these year's epic final encounters will only serve to blood this group of players into a more formidable force for the next couple of seasons. The "old men" of the squad are inter county stars, Damian Freeman and Colin McCaul, both in their early twenties. Freeman along with his brother, Tommy, are probably two of the county's most exciting forwards and if playing with a more high profile county would be household names throughout the land. The Freemans have been the lifeblood of the Mitchells forward division, with both brothers instrumental in many of the club's victories. Damian has proven himself to be a prolific scorer and his commitment and dedication to the club have to be both admired and respected. Tommy captained the club's under 21 side to championship glory last year and alongside them are county minor stars Fintan Kindlon and Paudie Finnegan. Both Finnegan and Kindlon are prospects with a great future ahead of them at club and inter-county level. Natural forwards, they will hopefully mature into a striking force that will bring many successes to the club over the coming years. Also in a forward division that sparkles with talent are inter county under-21 players, Gerard Finnegan. Gerard, older brother of Paudie, is a talented player, big and strong and could be the future midfielder for the club. Gerard lost out last year when he broke his ankle while training with the county under-21 squad but has recovered sufficiently to play a key role in the destiny of the Mitchells. Paul Jones has proven over the years to be a rich talent and having been a member of the Monaghan senior panel for a number of years is a versatile player equally at ease in attack or defence. Keith Gilsenan given the opportunity can be a lethal corner forward but his recent absence through emigration to United States has taken its toll. The midfield sector has a healthy mixture with the talented ex county star, Colin McCaul, who on his day is capable of playing anyone in the country while the workrate of committed clubman, Francie Jones is unquestionable. The Mitchells boast a strong defence with the present custodian, U21 Monaghan keeper and senior panellist, Shane Duffy proving the cornerstone for solidity. In a full back line that is tough and uncompromising Paudie Kelly at fullback is a player who possesses many talents. Quick over the ground, Kelly is a player with inter county potential and is ably flanked by the teak tough Donal Kindlon, older brother of Fintan who has proven himself to be a solid defender over the past number of seasons. Bernard Freeman has the football ability to grace most squads. In a halfback line that has proved to be the mainstay of the Mitchells' strong challenge this season for the O'Duffy Cup, none other than the big centre half back Frankie Doogan has proven to be a tower of strength and encouragement. Taking over from Jessie Kearns, Doogan has shown that he is worthy of his intercounty U21 centrehalf back position and will have further inter-county honours bestowed upon him in the near future. His display in the drawn game in the county final was the main reason why the Mitchells earned their replay. His towering, commanding performance against the O'Neills dangermen proved nearly to be a winning formula. Doogan had a similar performance last year at centre half back against the same opposition in the Owen Ward Cup final when the Mitchells gave a faultless display on the day to dispatch the Clontibret favourites. Big and strong and possessed with a good football brain, Frankie has all the ingredients to prompt new Monaghan football manager Colm Coyle to take a serious look at this prodigious talent. Flanked by the energetic Eddie McCabe, the Mitchells would indeed seem to have the raw material necessary to lift the elusive O'Duffy Cup. This Magheracloone defence proved unpierceable in both the final and the replay with the north Monaghan side, Clontibret, having to be content to pick off their long-range points. Waiting in the wings are the 'pretenders' to the throne in the guise of John McMahon (nephew of Cavan's unsung hero, Jim Reilly - Kingscourt) and James Ward, whose dramatic introduction into the drawn final game was instrumental in helping the Mitchells grab a replay with his opportunistic goal. The 16 year old is just one of the many talented youngsters at the disposal of the south Monaghan side. Also in contention are Gerry McCaul, Mark Gilsenan, Mickey Jones, Fergal Monaghan, Ciaran McCaul, Paul Farnan, Noel Tuite and his younger brother, Peter. While the club is rich with football talent, much work has taken place in the background. The club which is guided by an energetic and committed chairman, Tom Freeman, father of Damian and Tommy, has focused its efforts to try and lift the elusive O'Duffy Cup. As Chairman, Tom Freeman is a realist and is only too well aware of the lack of experience throughout many members of the squad, he will be quick to point out that the club's good run in the championship this season will help bring them that step further down the road to success at championship level. Tom philosophically stated: "It is only last year that Magheracloone ever got past the first round of the senior championship when they reached the quarter-finals only to lose to county champions, the famed Blayney Faughs by the narrowest of margins. Blayney went on to retain their fourth consecutive title that year. We have progressed from last year reaching the final this year and once again had to swallow the bitter pill of disappointment when losing by a single point in the replay. We felt that in the first game as time was ticking away the club was on the verge of a great victory but it was not to be as Clontibret, and all credit to them, came back to snatch a draw and subsequently win the replay in another thrilling epic. No doubt the Mitchells' time will come but we must have patience and belief in all our players and work towards that goal no matter what it takes." Tom is unstinting in his praise for the players and team management and acknowledges the great work done by the executive officers of the club. Unseen work by the tireless Kathleen Tuite as Secretary and Ann Kindlon as Treasurer has proved to be invaluable. Gerry Boyle Over the course of the year, the club lost one of its legendary members in the form of the affable Gerry Boyle. Gerry, a true Mitchells man, was deeply interested in all facets of club activities and would have been a very proud man in Clones as the Mitchells trouped out on championship final day against Clontibret. Gerry was a devout follower of football and was forever looking at ways of improving the format of the game. His deep analysis of games and strategies were always incisive and informative. His great love for his own club was unquestioned and sympathy is extended to both his wife and family. His death removes one of the great Mitchells from the club but his presence and spirit will live long in the history of the South Monaghan club. Ladies football The Mitchells can look back on a year that had many ups and downs and will look upon the great contribution the Magheracloone ladies made to the county in their magnificent run which culminated in them making it to the Ladies All -Ireland final. Once again, the Kindlon name was to the fore with Niamh and Fiona along with clubmates Edel Byrne, Ciara McGuinness and Christina Reilly wearing the Monaghan colours. Niamh was further honoured as captain of the county side which was playing in an All-Ireland final at Croke Park. These five players are testimony to the great work done at club level by stalwarts, Jim McMahon and Gene Cauldwell. Both men have given undivided attention to this section of the club and it is just reward that so many of the Magheracloone panel were representing their county on All-Ireland final day. Jim and Gene can be seen at training sessions, regardless of the weather, imparting an enthusiasm that has been infectious among the ladies of the club. The women also had a promising season shattered just like their male counterparts, when they lost out in the ladies championship final. In a game which was well into injury time, they had victory snatched from their grasp with a late winner by the Harps. They had to suffer a double disappointment as they also lost to Aghabog in the senior league final. Unfortunately success is measured by victory, but their progress this season to both league and championship finals should be a solid platform to progress to greater things. Tommy Freeman The club will remember this year not only for the narrow defeat in the county final at the hands of Clontibret but also for the honour bestowed on their talented young forward, Tommy Freeman, who was selected to play for his province Ulster in the recent Railway Cup deciders. Tommy etched his name into the annals of provincial football history when he netted a superb goal in the final against Leinster. Tommy is the first Mitchells man to don the provincial jersey and with his talent, can make it an annual appearance so long as the competition remains in operation. Club Magheracloone for their part can look back on a championship to which they contributed so much but coming within a whisker of taking their first ever title will be scant consolation to the team and the club that was on the verge of the breakthrough. The true measure of the club will be to see what they have learned from a year that promised so much but provided the bitter pill of disappointment. However, like all true champions, much can be learned from defeat when analysed properly and no doubt the cool heads around the Mitchells club will see just how close they are to taking their first senior championship title. The management team led by Dudley Farrell should have the confidence of the players and club to give it another go next year. Selectors, Tony Kelly, P. J. Lambe, and chairman Tom Freeman all have played their parts in taking the Mitchells to the 'Holy Grail' of championship football and given the backing can take them to the 'promised land'. While the season wasn't quite over at the time of writing, Chairman Tom Freeman has shown great delight with the progress of their reserve junior squad who reversed the senior defeat at the hands of Clontibret when the Mitchells accounted for their more illustrious counterparts to give them a place in the championship final. "It was a great victory for the club, beating the much-fancied and stronger Clontibret side, in yet another pulsating encounter. The Mitchells showed all the qualities that the club are renowned for . . . a battling performance from all was sufficient to overcome the home side." Player's View Damien Freeman, who captained the Mitchells to a league title last season, feels that with so much young talent at the disposal of the club it is only a matter of time before they make the breakthrough. Damien added: "The two final games will help bring on young players, like James Ward, John McMahon, Fintan Kindlon and Paudie Finnegan. Along with Gerard McCaul, this young bunch of minors are among the most talented prospects in the county. If we can bring them along and with the majority of the side still at under-21 level then I see the future as bright in football terms. In the short time we have been in senior ranks, we have captured two senior league titles, and were beaten last year in the quarter-finals of the championship by the county champions, 'Blayney by just one point. This year, it took Clontibret, who have a strong pedigree at championship level, two games to dispatch us and it wasn't until the final seconds of the replay that we lost out. We have to learn from these games and no doubt the 'older players' like myself, Colin McCaul, Paul Jones, Frankie Doogan and Tommy Freeman have to step up another gear to help the young lads settle into the cauldron of championship football. Next year will be an acid test for us having nearly won the title this season . . . . .. so the expectations will be all the greater, but I feel we have the talent and ability and with the necessary bit of luck could write our names into the history of Monaghan football." Tweet

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