This coming summer marks the 25th anniversary of Cremartin's glorious Junior Football League and Championship triumphs. Here Shamrocks old boy Sean Mulligan reflects on those heady times. Sean Mulligan is a mine of information on the triumphs, trials and tribulations which Cremartin Shamrocks experienced back in the seventies. So much so that there's the stuff of a book there to be written. An honest, fair and positive tome, mind you. The former ace defender takes an obvious delight in teasing out his by now strained memory of those halcyon days when Cremartin's finest ruled over all they surveyed at junior and intermediate levels, a dominance which saw them win back to back blue riband county titles and a double in the process. It's now approaching 25 years since Sean et al romped to intermediate league and championship successes. Time flies but at least a percentage of the memories banked once upon a time stays put. After all, how many players, how many clubs can boast of careering to junior and senior championship successes in consecutive years. Unsurprisingly when asked to plump for his most prized memory of his time with Cremartin, the popular schoolteacher unhesitatingly fingers the Shamrocks intermediate league and championship success of 1977. Having caused something of an upset in winning the county junior championship in '76 by dint of a storming win over county town side Monaghan Harps, Cremartin made good their growing reputation by beating all and sundry the following year at intermediate level. Cremartin had the distinction also that year of having gone through both their league and championship campaigns unbeaten. And it wasn't as if those at the top of the intermediate pile in 1977 hadn't been warned about Cremartin's prowess. Apart from careering to glory at junior level the year before, the Shamrocks had also distinguished themselves at several high-profile tournaments during that purple spell. Indeed from 1973 onwards, Cremartin were, as they say in the vernacular, a 'coming' team. Such was the strength of character and commitment demonstrated by those up and coming Cremartin teams that even county junior final defeats suffered at the hands of the likes of Eire Og and Currin didn't result in anyone jumping ship or throwing the towel into the ring. "The players back then were tremendously dedicated and committed. Football was the number one thing for everybody in the parish - for the players and the supporters. "There was hardly anyone playing who you could describe as a drinker and so the success was well-deserved and well appreciated by people in the area who ended up putting the football team first in importance before the milking of the cows!" And then, as Sean acknowledges, was the arrival of Tony Loughman from nearby Castleblayney. Loughman's transfer to Cremartin in 1975 came at a time when the former county star's career was coming to an end. His inclusion on the Cremartin team was wholly significant though: "I'd say his arrival was the missing piece in the jigsaw. He made the jigsaw complete what with his experience, his great physical presence at full-forward and his ability to act out the targetman role to a tee." Loughman brought a much needed degree of experience and maturity to Cremartin's ranks and his influence was instrumental in the Shamrocks taking the junior and intermediate ranks by storm. There were, of course, other important pieces in the jigsaw. Like the guidance and respect afforded the players by long-time team-manager Jim Clarke. It was the self-same Clarke who, ironically, was responsible for relocating the young Mulligan from a forward berth - where he had starred on successive St. Macartan's Colleges' teams - to centre-back on the Cremartin all-conquering junior and intermediate teams. The success achieved by Cremartin in the late seventies was a story of dreams realised for only six years prior to conquering the best of the rest at junior level, Cremartin gaels have to roll up their sleeves to ensure the very survival of their club after fellow parishioners Doohamlet decided to go their separate way. A lot of work installing better facilities and structures in place followed that watershed development of 1970. Prestige tournament wins and several county final defeats preceded the triumphs of '76 and '77. Such is the evolution of a typically resolute rural club. Cremartin made a big name for themselves in romping to those back-to-back junior and intermediate championship wins. There is some comparison to be made with the current Ballybay team which has created quite a stir in achieving the same feat this past two years. So how would Sean's Cremartin team compare with Ballybay's class of 2000/2001? "It's always very difficult to compare footballers and football teams from different eras. I do think though that Ballybay have a very good team right now. They have some very good ball players in their ranks but so too had we. Players like Gerry Brannigan, Enda McNally, Phil Brannigan and Cathal Carragher were all very skilful and all went on to play with the county seniors for years afterwards. "The type of football we played in the seventies wasn't that far removed from the type played nowadays. We weren't noted for our physical attributes but instead we had a name for our combination and support play," the former tigerish centre-back opines. For his own part, Sean 'made' the county senior team in the aftermath of Cremartin's intermediate double. Sadly, he was only a part of the county scene for less than a year as a serious hand injury wrecked his career and he was forced to quit the game he loved in 1979. Mindful of the great tussles he had with the likes of Ballybay's Paddy Kerr, Dessie Mulligan of 'Blayney and Seamus McCarville of Scotstown - a Scotstown team he rates as Monaghan's best team over the course of the last 30 years - the Clontibret National School principal still enjoys following the big ball game. Having been secretary of the Cremartin club for some ten years in the seventies - in tandem with his rip-roaring displays in helping conjure up those title wins - and having been involved in tutoring generations of young kids in the ways of academia and football at school for many years at Clontibret N.S., Sean has, predictably, not cut his ties with the native game. Indeed, he has since passed on his gra for football to his children. His two sons Darren and Shane are regular players on current Clontibret senior and minor teams respectively. It's no coincidence that Sean continues to coach the underage footballers at his school, Scoil Mhuire. Significantly the school has won numerous county Cumann na mBunscol titles over the years, including this year's title. But is football still the main event in areas like Clontibret parish? "I think so. Maybe years ago you had a greater percentage of the local community involved in the local club whereas nowadays there aren't quite as many who take a serious interest in the club. Having said that, those who are at the forefront of the promotion and development of the game are as committed as anyone was in past times." So we can expect a few championship titles to be arriving in the Clontibret parish in the next season or so? "I don't see why not. Cremartin have better days ahead of them. They may have lost the semi-final of the championship and got beaten in the league final but in reaching the latter stages of those competitions, they have demonstrated that they are there or thereabouts and with a bit of luck they can hit the jackpot. I know that they have some very good juveniles coming through so they'll not be short of material in the years ahead. "Clontibret have to get back on track. They have underperformed since winning the senior championship in 1994 and '97 and it's really a mystery how they can dominate so many competitions at underage level yet fail to consistently deliver at adult level. I think that pattern has to change sometime and maybe 2002 will be the club's year in that respect." And if blue riband silverware does come to the parish of Clontibret in 2002, there'll be no happier gael than Sean Mulligan for, as the saying goes, he's been there, done that! U16s and the Double When Pete Farrell and Ciaran McVicar took the U16s this year, they were reflecting on years gone past. Would they get a team to train or even play in this years competition? But at the first training session the players were talking of the double. This was no ordinary team as they had won U12s and U13s. Who is dreaming? After the first league game against Aghabog, the management were left with a dilemma in regards to the future line out of the team, due to the full back Padraic Kerr sustaining a heavy injury. This problem disappeared during training sessions afterwards, as Pete and Ciaran came to realise how versatile their squad was. In later matches in league and championship, it was not surprising to find Damien Burke starting as a defender, was seen finishing the match in an attacking role. Simon Mullen, Ronan Marray and Philip Markey were likely to figure in the line out, in various positions during the season. Ciaran Brennan and Gary Boyd were other players who were virtually impossible to pin down in any position on the field of play. Progress and the dream of the double remained steady in both league and championship, until the home game in the league against Drumhowan where we received our first setback losing this game by five points. This defeat increased the pressure on the team, as they were meeting the same opposition in the championship semi final in a weeks time. However, the management had a trump card up their sleeve. Although, still missing the services of Andrew Corr (who was in the Gaeltacht) they restructured their panel, and lined out a team against Drumhowan that the most loyal supporter could not have predicted and despite conceding three penalties, two of which were saved, won the match by a single point. The dream was alive again. The final of the championship against Rockcorry, played in Drumhowan in white jerseys, was Donal Boyd's day, as he scored four goals. Players like Aiden Brennan, Kevin McNally, Enda McNally (and Andrew Corr who was back in the squad) all played a vital part in a glorious victory. Although Rockcorry started well, when Cremartin got going it was captain Padraic Kerr who lifted the Noel Duffy Cup on a scoreline Cremartin 7-8, Rockcorry 2-8. When we arrived back at the complex that evening, even Pete and Ciaran were talking of the double, with just two more games in the league left. Now it was going to take 100% from every player to achieve this. In the semi-final against Oram, in a hard physical game, although being behind all through the game, the Cremartin defence, most notably Declan Mulligan and Aiden Brennan, withstood the Oram pressure valiantly, and were rewarded with a goal late in the second half by Padraic Kerr, which earned us a final against ... yes, you have guessed it, Drumhowan! Drumhowan, holders of the Curley Cup from last year, had no intention of surrendering their trophy easily. Subs like Ciaran Carragher, Mark Brennan, Darren Bishop and Seamus Traynor, along with all other players, trained very hard for this final which even the most neutral supporter was calling the final of finals. Cremartin started slowly, as they did in every game this season, but with six points down ten minutes into the second half, it was time to get going. The never say die attitude of this panel showed, when Raymond Carragher netted their second goal and management made some vital switches (unseen before) when Cremartin finished the game and won by three points. It was sometimes confusing to pinpoint where anyone was playing, for example Damien Burke who originally started as a defender, later on was moved up to attack and in the closing stages as Drumhowan made their final burst, was seen to be back in defence clearing his lines. Likewise Ronan Murray and Ciaran Brennan, who were moved around until the management were satisfied that they had a winning combination put in place. The dream of the double which had never left the minds of Pete and Ciaran all season, now became a reality, when man of the match, team captain Raymond Carragher hoisted the Curley Cup into the air before an enthusiastic crowd of Cremartin supporters. The level of success achieved by Pete and Ciaran this year, comes in for a huge amount of respect and praise, as under 16 teams have been a grey area in Cremartin's recent past. Once leaving juvenile ranks, the going gets tougher for management, with the transition from children to young men. This team speaks for itself with regards to discipline and commitment shown to the dual management, which resulted in an unforgettable year for everyone in Cremartin. Sometimes even good things come to an end, but one could hope that this combination would gel together sometime in the future, and bring a senior success to Cremartin. Surely this outfit deserve no less. Another dream perhaps. Who knows? Tom Reilly Treble Winners Once again this year green and white ribbons hang from the Tom Reilly Cup, not alone this year have they adorned the Cup, but also last year and the year before. This unique achievement began in 1999, when the management team of Enda Atkinson and Declan Bishop initially brought the trophy to Cremartin with the makings of a great team for the future. A hard act to follow! But in the following year 2000, under the guidance of Micky Carragher, Declan Bishop and Eddie Carragher the boys put in a trojan effort and retained their trophy for the second time. This season of 2001 a new management team of Declan Bishop, Tony Brennan and assisted by Paddy McMahon knew the task in front of them was no easy one, but they had full faith in their team that faced Sean McDermotts in the final at Tyholland in the Mackie Moyna U12 Division Two Final. That Saturday afternoon they had one thing on their minds - bringing home the Tom Reilly Cup! The young team on duty did not give them to much to worry about, coming up the road with green jerseys blowing in the wind, car horns blowing, Tom Reilly Cup safely in the captains arms, it was on a scoreline, Cremartin 5-4 Sean McDermotts 0-6, that made their treble dream become a reality. This year management suffer the same problems as every other team; just as soon as a player peaks, next thing his is overage at that level. However, these three men were on the ball at grassroots level and due to the Monday evening training sessions at Annyalla School pitch, as soon as talent appeared to show itself on the pitch, Tony Brennan and Co. had him under their wing! We owe these men the gratitude and praise they deserve. On a closing note, clubman Gerry Carragher took over an U12 team in 1997 and won the Magill Cup. That U12 team provides the backbone of the Cremartin team which has just won the U16 double this year. Could there be a message hidden there somewhere. Thanks to all our sponsors, loyal parents and fans for a memorable year. Cremartin best in Curley Cup Cremartin made it a year to remember at under 16 level in 2001 by storming past the challenge of a gritty Drumhowan side in the final of the Curley Cup at Aghabog in late September. In careering to their second under 16 title of the year, the Shamrocks had to do it the hard way though as their opponents fairly flew out of the blocks in the first half to really put it up to the would-be champions. That said, the Shamrocks shot into the lead with a goal after just four minutes when Raymond Carragher showed a fine streak of opportunism to find the Drumhowan net. And when Kieran Brennan added a further point for the Shamrocks, it looked as if the winners-elect were going to have it all their own way. However, Drumhowan came storming back to dominate the last quarter of the opening half. Played in perfect conditions, the game was a fascinating contest but Drumhowan really stole a march on their opponents in a blistering nine minute spell during which they recorded a goal and three points from the boot of Aidan Duffy. Another goal by Damien Duffy had Cremartin rocking. At half-time serious questions were being asked of the Ciaran McVicar/Pete Farrell Shamrocks as they trailed by 1-2 to 2-4. Like true champions though, Cremartin proceeded to roll up their sleeves to great effect but not before Drumhowan had added on further points from Damien Duffy and Aidan Duffy at the start of the second half. With a few tactical switches and a double substitution, Cremartin were soon back in the hunt though and when Raymond Carragher bagged a second goal, Drumhowan suddenly began to look vulnerable. It was all Cremartin at this stage and points from Carragher, Damien Burke, Simon Mullen and Donal Boyd served to catapult the team into a 2-9 to 2-7 lead. The game was now pitched on a knife-edge but then Donal Boyd wrapped matters up for Cremartin with a glorious point two minutes from time. Another wonderful day for Cremartin's underage brigade. The following is the Cremartin team, and scorers, that won the day in the Curley Cup final against Drumhowan: Enda McNally, Donal Boyd (0-2), Declan Mulligan, Andrew Corr, Raymond Carragher (2-3), Gary Boyd (0-1), Pauric Kerr, Ciaran Brennan (0-1), Aidan Brennan, Damien Burke (0-3), Kevin McNally. Subs; Philip Markey, Ronan Murray, Mark Brennan, Simon Mullan (0-1), Seamus Treanor, Darren Bishop, Ciaran Carragher. Boyd stars in final A five-star display by emergency full-forward Donal Boyd was the stand-out feature of Cremartin's impressive win over Rockcorry in the Noel Duffy Cup final at Drumhowan on September 9th last. In winning the Under 16 11-a-side competition, the young Shamrocks demonstrated a level of skill and endeavour way above their years and were clearly the better team over the course of an interesting hour's football against a gutsy Rock team. Team-managers Pete Farrell and Ciaran McVicar must take a lot of credit for their work with their all-conquering charges over the year and also their decision to relocate rising star Donal Boyd to full-forward where he wrecked havoc on the Rock defensive line. Young Boyd ended up with a tremendous personal tally of 4-3 as his side careered to an emphatic 7-8 to 2-8 win. His first goal though was arguably the most important of all his scores. That first goal arrived in timely fashion just as Rockcorry were playing some fine football and were boasting a 0-5 to 0-2 lead. Cremartin's opening major got them on level terms by the 15th minute and when the ace full-forward goaled shortly afterwards, there was always going to be only one winner. Cremartin maintained their momentum as the first half gathered pace and further scores by the aforementioned Boyd plus Aidan Brenna, Kevin McNally and Raymond Carragher helped catapult the winners-elect into a commanding 4-2 to 0-7 lead by half-time. It was a similar story in the second half with Cremartin again forcing the pace. A Gary Boyd point shortly after the restart had Rock in trouble and although the village team hit back in brave fashion with a fine goal in the 35th minute, it had consolation written all over it. A Pauric Kerr penalty shortly afterwards compounded Rock's troubles. Meanwhile goal number six was added by Andrew Corr and a hat-trick of points thereafter by Donal Boyd sandwiched a Rock goal and Cremartin's seventh goal scored by that man Boyd. The all-conquering Cremartin under 16s lined out against Rock as follows: Enda McNally, Damien Burke, Declan Mulligan, Andrew Corr, Raymond Carragher, Gary Boyd, Pauric Kerr, Ciaran Brennan, Aidan Brennan, Donal Boyd, Kevin McNally. Subs; Ronan Marry, Philip Markey, Mark Brennan, Simon Mullan, Seamus Treanor, Darren Bishop, Ciaran Carragher. Dream year for O'Neill Shamrocks What a dream year 2001 was for the novel O'Neill Shamrocks combination! Indeed if the team had been shown a bit more favouritism by Dame Fortune, they could well have added the All-Ireland title to their provincial title. Despite playing in their first year of junior football - having only featured at underage previously - the O'Neill Shamrocks belied their relative inexperience to conquer Monaghan and Ulster before failing narrowly to beat the best of the rest nationwide. In a fairytale campaign, the championship rookies sped to the county title with a meritorious 5-8 to 3-8 win over Tyholland in late August. Rachel McNally, at just 13, was the heroine for the winners in the county decider. Her 5-2 tally represented the jewel in the crown of what was a thoroughly convincing display by the new champions. Not surprisingly it took a great goal by the aforementioned McNally to level matters, 2-6 to 3-3, for the Clontibret parishioners at the interval. Thereafter, the unrivalled player of the match - helped by the strong Doohamlet contingent within the O'Neills Shamrocks ranks - inspired a fitting flourish to seal victory. The newly crowned county champions opened their Ulster Junior Championship campaign with a home game against Armagh side Grange in Clontibret in mid-September with the hosts cruising to a 3-23 to 0-6 victory. Another hat-trick of goals by young McNally was a feature of the O'Neill Shamrocks win and, in truth, an air of inevitability hung over the tie from the moment Kathy McManus got the Monaghan ladies up and running with a point in the opening minutes. Another feature of the win was that all the forwards got their names on the scoresheet. Next up were Derry champions Doire Colmcille - replete with four county minors - in a match which was played at Rooskey in late September. As things transpired the Oak Leafers were no match for their hosts who impressed in notching up a 4-11 to 1-5 win, having led by 2-2 to 1-1 at the interval. Rachel McNally was once again top scorer with a 3-1 tally. Fermanagh kingpins Lisnaskea were all that now stood between O'Neill Shamrocks and a place in the Ulster decider. The two teams met in Lisnaskea in mid-October and in a nail-biting climax, the Monaghan ladies had to come from behind on two occasions in the last ten minutes to clinch victory. In the end it took a 35 metres pressure kick by Kathy McManus on the stroke of full time to seal a dramatic 4-5 to 3-7 victory for O'Neill Shamrocks. And so to the provincial decider at foggy Clones and a meeting with Moneyglass of Antrim at St. Tiernach's Park, Clones. The Monaghan champions had all the look of Ulster champions in the opening exchanges, powering into a 2-3 to 0-0 lead, with goals by Helen Hughes and Nicola Finnegan, before Moneyglass came back with gusto to make a real match of it. At half-time, O'Neill Shamrocks led by 3-6 to 1-7 but the second half was to be a really high tempo affair with Rachel McNally popping up with a timely goal after good work by Helen Hughes and Ann Kerr. Then Kathy McManus stormed forward to point before Dervla Duffy followed up with a similar score to put the Monaghan champions six points to the good. Moneyglass ace Aine McElroy cracked home a fine goal thereafter to keep the pressure on the Clontibret-based side but a crucial point by Ann Kerr restored her side's three point lead. Moneyglass poured forward with intent right to the bitter end but O'Neill Shamrocks held firm in a great team peformance to seal an historic Ulster title win in their maiden season. While there was to be no joy in the All-Ireland final against Galway kingpins St. Brendans (2-4 to 4-11), the O'Neill Shamrocks girls could hold their heads high. They had done their parish proud and the experience gained in 2001 will surely be drawn upon as they bid to go one step further in 2002. For the record the following is the O'Neill Shamrocks team, subs, and scorers which featured in the win over Moneyglass in the provincial decider: Pamela Craven; Caroline Corey, Donna Finnegan, Pamela McDermott, Shauna McElvaney, Edel McNally, Charlotte Malone, Laura McManus, Dervla Duffy (0-1), Kathy McManus (0-4), Ann Kerr (0-2), Melissa Boylan, Nicola Brennan (1-0), Helen Hughes (1-1), Rachel McNally (2-2). Subs used; Rosie Hughes, Michelle Carragher Tweet

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