Castleblayney are the all-time masters of domestic senior football championship matters, not only in Monaghan but in all-Ireland. That proud boast was further embellished last September when Truagh were defeated for the second year in a row in the county final at Scotstown. Blayney's appearance in the 2001 blue riband decider marked the club's seventh such appearance in a row - surely the mark of an outstanding unit. The final against Gaeil Triucha also, more importantly, presented the Faughs with the opportunity of winning their fourth consecutive senior championship title, something that hadn't been achieved in Monaghan since the Faughs own success in putting back to back titles together between 1970 and 1973. Thus the question some commentators posed in the run-up to the September 16th decider was, would that attendant pressure wreak havoc in unsettling the players battling to equal their predecessors from the early seventies? In the event, the answer was an emphatic no. Of course there was no diminution in the sense of expectancy that enveloped the town of Castleblayney as the county final drew near. However, having suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Latton, there was a sense among the club members and players of their own fragility. Ensuring that their spirit was unbroken was the key post-Latton though and this having been successfully engineered meant that the Latton experience would, if anything, serve to steel the 'Blayney players' resolve and intensify their focus. But what of the opposition? Truagh were deemed to be a much more potent, more ambitious and certainly more experienced outfit. At the very least, most pundits concurred that in bidding for their first ever senior football championship title, the Gaels would offer a much more concerted effort than in the corresponding fixture in 2000. Castleblayney won their first Monaghan senior football championship title in 1907. In 2001, the famous Faughs set out to win a record-breaking 36th blue riband title - a figure no other club in any other county has come close to equalling. Predictably, the defending champions began the championship season as clear favourites to go the distance once again. But would the new championship format offer increased hope among 'Blayney's most potent rivals of being able to usher in the new guard? The introduction of a losers' element to all three football championships was an innovative and brave decision by the county board and it is to their credit that the experiment certainly added much needed spice and excitement all round. Unfortunately for those seniors heading the chasing pack, even the machinations of the county board were never intended to simply dethrone the kingpins. Predicably, the new structure didn't alter the status quo. That said, as things transpired only for the introduction of the new system the same finalists from 2000 wouldn't have emerged out of the qualifying rounds having suffered defeat in an earlier round. The champions' surprise second round defeat to Latton was their first championship defeat in almost four years in county circles. After their hard-fought and narrow win over Donaghmoyne first time out, the Blayney lads could hardly have been accused of slipping into a complacent mode for the meeting with the O'Raghaillaighs. Ironically, Truagh were later to beat Latton in their semi-final clash. In contrast to their lethargic display against Latton, the would-be champions were a different proposition against potential dark horses Magheracloone. In a game which saw the town team's tactics of shackelling the Freeman brothers to a tee, 'Blayney did all they needed to do to edge home even if they allowed their opponents the latitude to engineer a late rally which didn't help the blood pressure of the Blayney faithful in attendance. However, it was in their semi-final clash with Clontibret that the Faughs showed their real champions pedigree. Inspired by the strength, football nous and skill of Declan Loughman, each of the 'Blayney players worked diligently as individuals while also combining to often electrifying effect as a unit. Amazingly, the meeting of 'Blayney and Truagh at the Scotstown venue last September (Clones being ruled out because of a clash with the Blessing of the Graves ceremony) marked only the eighth time the two clubs met in championship football since they first clashed back in 1973. Of less surprise though is the fact that in all their meetings, the town team were able to boast a 100% record against their opponents. Of course, statistics count for nothing once the ball is thrown in and players are asked critical questions of their appetite, desire, determination and preparation. Sadly for the legions of Gaeil Triucha fans, the defending champions led the way in most of these departments to eventually triumph by 0-12 to 0-7 and so lift the Mick Duffy Cup for a record 36th time. Five points separated the sides at the death but the sounding by referee Nicky Calvert of the final whistle brought a disappointingly low-key decider to a climax. Once again, Truagh seemed to lack the necessary self-belief to allow them play to their full potential. In contrast to the red and black clad players, the 'Blayney lads played with a typical swagger that only comes with a series of championship title wins. In truth the hoped-for enthralling battle never did materialise and, instead, for long periods of the game, it looked as if 'Blayney were already eyeing up a crack at either Crossmaglen Rangers or Enniskillen Gaels in the Ulster club championship. The simplicity and thoroughness of 'Blayney's style of play was there for all to behold from the moment the game commenced. It was even manifest in the manner of the winners' very first score. Peter Duffy, operating on the 'forty, intercepted a breaking ball from the throw-in and in trademark style floated a long delivery in the direction of full-forward Declan Loughman. The former county ace instinctively broke the ball into the path of the inrushing Eddie Murphy who had all the time and space to calmly tap the ball over the bar for the opening point of the game. The scene had thus been set. And as things transpired, matters proceeded to unfold as per the script even if Truagh hit back to go 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after ten minutes of patent sparring by both teams. 'Blayney looked the more fluid team even in those early, slightly hesitant minutes and by the end of the third quarter they had managed to regain the lead by the odd point in five when Colm Donnelly fed Kieran Tavey for a neat and efficient point. Tavey was once more in the thick of the action when his attempt for a goal saw Truagh defender penalised by referee Calvert for a foot-block. However, Tavey's penalty was subsequently saved in excellent fashion by Truagh 'keeper Damien McKenna much to the delight of their big following. McKenna's agility didn't, however, prevent 'Blayney from proceeding to exercise a firm grip on proceedings thereafter. The Truagh defence began to come under intense and consistent pressure. Even the loser's midfielders and forwards were forced to dovetail back to help try and stem 'Blayney's forward movement. Truagh could have been forgiven that they had the Gods on their side when Declan Loughman was dismissed for an off-the ball incident in the 22nd minute but that episode was to only suggest a false dawn to Truagh. For all Loughman's wily, creative play, 'Blayney's game plan remained unaltered as a mere two minutes after the dismissal, good support play between the McArdle brothers saw a pass from Ray to brother Dermot result in Blayney rising the white flag for the fourth time. A Kieran Tavey converted free thereafter served to compound Truagh's anxieties as the interval beckoned. However, Truagh finished the half in fine style although a solitary point from Noel Clerkin hardly reflected their increased share of possession. 'Blayney ended the half with a similar flourish, mirroring their sprightly movements of the opening minutes. A clever Ray McArdle fisted point closed the scoring to leave the champions 0-6 to 0-3 to the good at half-time. It was frenetic, see-saw football for the opening minutes of the second half with neither side managing to gain a firm grip on proceedings. However a quick piece of thinking by Kieran Tavey presented Paul O'Connor with the opportunity to fire over which he did without fuss but within three minutes of that score, Martin Owens narrowed the deficit for Truagh with a neat effort. A pointed free by Noel Clerkin further ate into 'Blayney's lead but eleven and fourteen minutes into the half, 'Blayney stretched their lead again with a brace of Tavey frees to leave Truagh already eyeing up a goal chance to keep them in the game but they were unable to penetrate the 'Blayney defence. Instead the losers-elect had to rely on the free-taking expertise of Gary Meehan to stay in the hunt but when, three minutes later, Peter Duffy send over a typical point it looked as if Truagh's bid for glory was ebbing away. Truagh struggled to put together any meaningful passages of play. For 'Blayney's part, it was a case of consolidation. In this regard, a fine point - 'Blayney's eleventh of the day - in the 49th minute from Kieran Tavey after he helped break down a Truagh move was just what was required. In the best tradition of sporting cliches, it really was all over bar the shouting at that stage. A Gary Meehan converted free was a welcome addition to Truagh's tally but it had consolation written all over it. A similar effort from Kieran Tavey less than a minute later had record written all over it - it was that kind of game, that kind of result. The celebrations among the 'Blayney players thereafter was manifest in the way they kept the ball 'till the death in a way in which arguably not other team in Monaghan is capable of doing. The following in the 'Blayney contingent which brought further glory to the Faughs in 2001 by overcoming Truagh by 0-12 to 0-7: Derek Sullivan; Emmett Brennan, Stephen McGeough, Martin Hanratty; Colm Donnelly, Edwin Murphy, Ray McArdle (0-1); Dermot Duffy, Paul O'Connor (0-1); Dermot McArdle (0-1), Declan Loughman, Adrian Irwin; Eddie Murphy (0-1), Peter Duffy (0-1), Kieran Tavey (0-7, five frees). Subs; Jason Hughes for Martin Hanratty; Aidan Tavey for Eddie Murphy; Ryan Tracey for Adrian Irwin. Not so old McDonald In an ideal world, every club would have the likes of Pat McDonald on their side, in good times and bad. Lucky 'Blayney though. Pat and the Faughs have been a partnership for 40 years now. 'Ask not what your club can do for you, but rather what you can do for your club.' A mongrel of an adage maybe, but one which sums up a lot about those who give of their time unselfishly and for no reward to their local GAA club. In this respect, talk to anyone involved with the football scene in Castleblayney and they'll all have a good word to say about the the commitment and loyalty shown by Pat McDonald to the local Faughs over many years. Michael Cusack, one of the co-founders of the GAA, would be proud of Pat's record at club level. In fact, he could well be described as the archetypal clubman. Pat is currently on a sabbatical as far as his mainstream involvement with the Faughs is concerned. Such a statement has to be qualified with the explanation though that while he is no longer treasurer of the club, he is still one of the major players in the club's drive to keep their weekly bingo session as financially fruitful and as enjoyable (for the punters) as possible. In fairness though, the bold Pat could do with a holiday from the hurly-burly that comes with being involved at the coalface of such a hugely successful club. After all, with some 35 years as treasurer to his name, there aren't many who would begrudge the man a bit of a break right now! Pat held the purse strings at the famed Monaghan club for two separate periods over the course of the last 40 years. He first became treasurer in 1962. That stint lasted for 20 successive years. A stint as Chairman in '83 was followed up swiftly by another shift in the treasurer's chair between the years, 1985 and 2000. So was there any major difference in the workings of the job in those two different spells? "Not really, although we were dealing with an awful lot more money the second time around. The club's expenses in more recent years have increased a lot and with each success we had there seemed to be more expense involved. "Funnily enough, it was a bit easier to raise money back in the sixties and seventies than it has been in latter times. I remember even when we were selling the £100 tickets in the mid-eighties there wasn't as much difficulty as we'd probably have now in trying to do the same work." Still, Pat admits that he always had the benefit of a good team around him while he was treasurer. The club was never lacking for good workers who were willing to let the 'action speaks louder than words' maxim hold true. Pat is still identified with all that is resolute and resourceful about 'Blayney's ability to raise money and use the receipts thereafter wisely. From the time of the Ciste Gael draw right through to the aforementioned £100 tickets and then onto the bingo and lately the lotto, the Faughs have pursued a prudent financial policy. "It was a pity that the Ciste Gael draw didn't continue. It was very popular in its day but then the public seemed to lose interest and we were left with the bingo and then in more recent years, the lotto. Fortunately, the club has always been able to raise whatever funds were needed to keep things ticking over." Inveigled into holding the purse strings at the first time of asking by club colleagues Liam McGrath and Tony Loughman, Pat remembers warning the pair of them and the club members in general that his stint was going to be a short one. A one year term was even mentioned, Pat recalls. Those who welcomed Pat's graduation to one of the hottest jobs on the local GAA front could have been forgiven though for feeling that Pat was a rather unusual choice to hold such a key position at the club. After all, he hadn't played the game and didn't sport the traditional GAA pedigree usually associated with holding such office. He hadn't any previous experience of administration either. However, like all true romances, the McDonald/Faughs relationship would run, run and run. Rather than just the one year deal that Hugh thought he was striking, the McDonald/Faughs association lasted for a cumulative period of 35 years with him as treasurer and a further year's stint in the chair. So how did Pat reconcile himself to being just an onlooker in 1984? "It was strange and a peculiar feeling. I found myself with having very little to do on a Sunday afternoon but I did enjoy the break that year. I think I got my batteries recharged," admits Pat, father of erstwhile 'Blayney and Monaghan star Paraic McDonald - now a Kilmacud Crokes clubman. Reflecting on his deep involvement with the club, Pat says that the success achieved by the Faughs on the field of play was tremendous to behold and made all the work done by so many people at the coalface well worth it. "All the county championship wins stand out but winning the Ulster club championship on two occasions is an achievement the club can feel especially very proud about. "It's just unfortunate that we couldn't have added another title having done so well to beat Crossmaglen in the last competition. "I think the game against Errigal Ciarain came around too quickly after the win over Cross - I don't think the lads were settled fully. "Beating the reigning All-Ireland club champions was one hell of a scalp and maybe our lads had their eyes on an All-Ireland title of their own when they went in against Errigal Ciarain." Now very much a seasoned veteran of the Monaghan GAA club scene, Pat says that the Faughs are as well positioned to maintain their pre-eminent place in the county's pecking order as they've ever been. "There's still the same high level of interest in football in the town as there was twenty or thirty years ago and with the various developments that have gone on at the park in recent years, the club has a sound future. "There's definitely a lot of talent in the club at the present time and if the current team can stick together, I'm sure there'll be a lot more trophies in the pipeline." And what of the county team? "It was disappointing to lose out to Cavan after having done so well against Fermanagh in the previous round. I think the team surprised a lot of people by how well they did in the 2001 championship. "I'd have to say that in the run-up to the semi-final, I didn't expect them to beat Cavan but they came very close to causing an upset and if they had taken their chances, they might have booked a place in the final." And the missing pieces in the jigsaw? "I don't think the team is that far off the pace. There's a lot of good, young players on the current panel and if they can get a bit more of a cutting edge up front, they'll be a match for any of the teams in Ulster." Exciting win for under 16s Not content with dominating the football scene at senior level, the underage brigade in 'Blayney continues to add to the trophy cabinet. The success of the club's under 16 footballers in 2001 merely adds to the belief that the mighty Faughs will exert huge influence on the local football scene for many years to come. However, in winning the Under 16 Championship the Faughs had to show great heart and ambition to overcome a gallant effort from their Monaghan Harps counterparts in a terrific county final last September. Indeed the final scoreline of 0-15 to 2-8 fairly reflects the closeness of the exchanges over the hour and it required a very resolute last quarter display by 'Blayney to secure the silverware as Monaghan came storming back into the game. With the aid of a swirling breeze in the first half, the Faughs had things very much their own way. Some terrific work at midfield by Aidan Ward and Sean Baylon helped set up their colleagues up front for some consistently high quality possession. It was more or less one-way traffic for the winners-elect in that opening 30 minutes and 'Blayney weren't in the least bit flattered by their 0-9 to 0-2 half-time lead such was their near total domination of the exchanges, especially around the vital diamond area of midfield. Good points from the likes of Declan Mooney, Sean McGeough, Ciaran Hanratty, Damien Hughes and Niall Duffy all added to the Faughs' momentum. Playing some brilliant, open football, 'Blayney left their opponents with a mountain to climb in the second half but, predictably, the trailing team came back into the match and it took some great saves by goalkeeper Ronan Hobbs to deny the Harps an early couple of goals. However, the county town side did eventually breach the Blayney rearguard with two goals which brought the sides on level terms with some ten minutes remaining. The remainder of the game was very tense and exciting with opportunities to win the tie being afforded both combatants. However, it was the Blayney lads who nipped in for the winning point to the delight of their supporters. Hats off then to all the players, team-manager Pete McMahon and selectors Brian Sherry, David Funcheon and Philip Brady for what was a wonderful success and a pointer to the ongoing success of the Faughs. 'Blayney hurl their way to U16 success Castleblayney's under 16 hurlers posted notice of their intentions to embellish the club's hurling pedigree with a fine double scores victory over Latton in the final of the U16 hurling league in 'Blayney in late November. In what was the first ever hurling game to be played under lights in Monaghan, the match was played at a cracking pace throughout with the exchanges never less than intense over the hour. Even though the O'Raghaillaighs were that bit more impressive in the opening minutes during which they raced into a two point lead, Blayney proceeded to dominate most sectors of the field and it was no real surprise when they took the lead for the first time in the 20th minute when Sean McGeough found the Latton net. And when Kyle McArdle added a further goal four minutes later to help 'Blayney jump into a 2-3 to 1-2 interval lead, the writing was already on the wall for the Latton lads. In the second half, it was pretty much stalemate for the most part with both defences invariably coming out on top in the close-quarter exchanges. In the end, Blayney easily won their game of consolidation leaving them 2-6 to 1-3 victors at the final whistle. The winning 'Blayney team, scorers and subs, was as follows: Eoin McTiernan, Jimmy Bates, Damien Hughes, Ronan Hobbs, Patrick Collins, Alan Lambe, Richard Smith, Steven Duffy, Gary Boyd (0-1), Kyle McArdle (1-0), Brian McGuigan (0-2), Declan Crowe (0-1), Sean McGeough (1-0), Colm Mulligan (0-1), Steven Lambe (0-1). Sub used; Donal Boyd. SHC Three-in-a-row 2001 was a red letter year for the 'Blayney senior hurlers as they secured the senior hurling championship title for a record third year in a row by dint of a 2-11 to 1-10 win over Clontibret in the county final at Scotstown. A five star display by Peter Clerkin who contributed 2-1 of his side's tally was one of the outstanding features of 'Blayney's win. Indeed, Clerkin's second goal just 10 minutes from time effectively wrapped up the title for the Faughs In conditions which were far from ideal for hurling, the defending champions got off the mark first through Barry Reilly but found themselves having to work very hard thereafter as Clontibret battled gamely to remain tied at 0-3 apiece after 13 minutes of the first half. In an evenly matched contest, the tempo of the game was unremitting but Castleblayney struck for home in the 17th minute when Mark Kelly converted a free - it was to be the beginning of the end for Clontibret thereafter as the Faughs never relinquished the lead for the remainder of the match. Two great strikes by Mark Kelly helped catapult the Faughs into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead by the 21st minute but when Peter Clerkin pounced for the first of his two goals in the 25th minute, Blayney were already tempted to eye the winning post. By half-time, the favourites and defending champions led by 1-8 to 0-5. Clontibret proved worthy finalists though and they really rolled up their sleeves to put in a cracking third quarter by the end of which Blayney's lead was cut to just the minimum. However, Blayney set about reasserting their erstwhile dominance for the remainder of the tie. The town team fairly hit the jackpot by recording a goal and three points between the 21st and 28th minutes with Barry Reilly, Rory Woods, and Peter Clerkin bagging the points and then Clerkin coming good with his second goal of the match just two minutes from the death to set up an exciting win for the champions. Clontibret did battle to the end though and a goal by Mick O'Dowd on the stroke of full-time set the scene for a cracking injury time period. Fortunately for the Faughs fans, time ran out on Clontibret as Sean McKenna's whistle signified the return of the Mick Quigley Cup to 'Blayney for the third year in succession. Meanwhile just a week later, 'Blayney sealed a fantastic double success with 2-11 to 2-8 victory over Mullahoran in an exciting league final at Gavan Duffy Park. Even without the services of Hugh Cullen and Rory Woods, 'Blayney proved too strong for their Cavan opponents on the day. A fine opportunist goal by Michael O'Gorman towards the end of the first quarter helped set 'Blayney on their way to a deserved 1-6 to 1-2 lead at the interval and although Mullahoran reduced the Monaghan champions lead to the minimum by the 41st minute, 'Blayney dug deep and responded with gusto. However Mullahoran weren't going to lie down and a goal by Peter Kelly gave them a one point lead entering the final moments of the third-quarter. By the 48th minute, Blayney were on level terms when Mark Kelly converted a free. The crucial score of the match came four minutes later when Mark Kelly found the net after receiving a nice pass from Barry Reilly. Mullahoran came back again though and it took a fine save from David Bolger to deny them a certain match-saving goal. In the end, vital points by Michael McHugh and Mark Kelly thereafter sealed a fully deserved win for the all-conquering Faughs. The following is the team, and scorers, that sealed the double for Faughs with their win over Mullahoran: David Bolger, Tom Byrne, Jim McHugh, Noel McGuigan, Paul Murphy (0-1), David Connolly, Paul Callan, Pauric Kelly, Martin Hanratty, Peter Clerkin, Sean McKearney, Paddy McArdle, Mark Kelly (1-6), Michael McHugh (0-2), Barry Reilly (1-2). Tweet

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