The Millennium year may have seen Eire Og relegated from the Intermediate grade to Junior football for 2001, but the season just concluded sees them back where they truly belong - in Division two of Monaghan football where they will compete against some of the better clubs in the county in 2002, writes Seamus McCluskey. On the form they have shown throughout 2001 they should be a match for the best in Intermediate ranks and they will certainly prove themselves a tough nut to crack in that particular game. There is absolutely no question of them not being able to hold their own in the more exalted setting, and the likelihood of them being relegated again is totally remote. In fact, it will come as no surprise if they succeed in qualifying for one of the semi-final positions in the Fr Hackett Cup competition at the end of the incoming year. With a county player of Pauric McKenna's ability to lead their forward division, and a veteran of the calibre of Raymond Leonard in the midfield area, they should fear no one, certainly none of the other nine clubs they will be competing against in 2002. A 'Top Four' billing at the end of the year is certainly more of a probability than a possibility. Eire Og looked impressive even at the beginning of the year when they opened with a series of great wins, the second of them against Doohamlet, a team that would later go on to capture the Junior Championship, being particularly impressive. At Railway Park the blue and gold brigade won decisively by 0-15 to 1-6, an indication of what was to follow later in the year. Two more wins followed, the second of which was a close encounter with neighbours Killeevan but Eire Og survived by 2-9 to 1-10. The team on that occasion was Eddie Johnston, Enda McCluskey, Aidan Hurson, James Croarkin, Colm Casey, Damien Mullen, Mickey Bell, Stephen McGorman, Eamonn Brady, Joe Leonard, Pauric McKenna, Kevin Skeath, Paddy Croarkin, Raymond Leonard and Kieran McKenna. Sub used: Jason Boyle. And the scorers were - Raymond Leonard (1-3), Paddy Croarkin (1-0), Pauric McKenna (0-2), Damien Mullen, Mickey Bell, Joe Leonard and Kieran McKenna (0-1 each). This left Eire Og sitting pretty at the top of the Dr Ward Cup League table with eight points from four games. The championship then intervened with Eire Og again in fine scoring form, notching up fifteen points to Toome's seven. Back to the league and a big 4-18 to 0-1 win over Currin followed. In the return game with Doohamlet, Eire Og again came out on top, and, after seven series of games they were still sitting proudly at the top of the league table, prior to a 1-15 to 0-8 win over Killeevan in the championship. A good 1-12 to 0-6 win over Aughnamullen came next and on this occasion the scorers were: - J Leonard (0-1), E Brady (0-1), P McKenna (0-1), D Mullen (1-0), S Bell (0-1), R Leonard (0-5) and C McKenna (0-3). More excellent wins followed and after twelve series of games it was: - played 12, won 12, points 24. Surely one of the most impressive positions any Eire Og team had occupied in long years of endeavour. A certain amount of disappointment followed shortly afterwards when Doohamlet rather surprisingly knocked them out st the semi final stage of the Junior Football Championship, particularly so as they had defeated the same opposition twice in the league, but the Dr Ward Cup was still there for the taking and Eire Og were not going to fail, such was the determination of their players and mentors. They were still undefeated after thirteen series of games - twenty six points for all thirteen games played. In the last game of the league competition Eire Og had a resounding 2-8 to 0-7 victory over Cremartin at the latter venue on Sunday 14th October to wind up a truly magnificent league campaign, having won all their sixteen games. This was the first time in their history that Eire Og had gone undefeated, and without dropping as much as a single point in a league campaign, and ending up with full points from their sixteen outings. Even if they were never to go any further, it was a privilege to see Eire Og finishing proudly on top of the Dr Ward Cup League Table the following weekend in the local newspapers. In the semi-final they would meet Killeevan who had finished fourth on the league table. Eire Og had home advantage in this semi-final and the game, played at Railway Park, Smithboro, on Sunday 28th October proved a red-letter day for the home side. Veteran Raymond Leonard led by example and scored a massive 1-8 of his sides total in their comprehensive 1-12 to 0-6 victory over their near neighbours. Eire Og had trained hard for this one and they were an extremely fit bunch that entered the fray. The first half was even enough with Eire Og drawing first blood when Ciaran McKenna sent over in the very first minute. Killeevan drew level but Damien Mullen again put the home side ahead and Raymond Leonard then had the first of his eight points. He followed with two more and Kevin Skeath had one to leave Eire Og in front at the break - Eire Og 0-7, Killeevan 0-5. Leonard was again to the fore for Eire Og in the second half and his goal from a free really put paid to any chances the visitors had of making it a close finish. The team had lined out as follows: E Johnston, J Croarkin, A Hurson, E McCluskey, C Casey, D Mullen 0-1, M Bell, S McGorman, E Brady 0-1, J Leonard, P McKenna, K Skeath 0-1, P Croarkin, C McKenna 0-1, R Leonard 1-8. Subs used: M Holohan, S Bell and E Maguire. Eire Og were now in the final and, in this, they would meet Cremartin at Gavan Duffy Park, Monaghan on Sunday 4th November. It was 1986 that Eire Og had last won the Dr Ward Cup and one of their stars on that memorable occasion was Raymond Leonard. He would again play a remarkable role in the final of the 2001 competition. Truly an inspiration to Eire Og teams, this evergreen footballer leads by example and certainly has the potential to lead Smithboro to even further success in Intermediate ranks in 2002. Eire Og may have been relegated from the Intermediate grade at the end of 2000 but it was only fitting that they should make an early return to the second division of Monaghan football. Against Cremartin they recovered from an indifferent start but a goal by Eamonn Brady settled them and from there to the end they never looked back. They also had numerical advantage for most of the hour as the losers had a player sent off midway through the first half. Raymond Leonard had Eire Og's first point from a free and then Eamonn Brady had the goal that proved to be the difference between the teams at the close. They still trailed by two points at the interval: - Cremartin 0-6 Eire Og 1-1. Raymond Leonard's switch to midfield for the second half proved a master stroke and he brought his team back to level terms, 1-4 to 0-7, by the three quarter stage. The match winning points were superbly slotted over by Leonard, and Eire Og finished clear leaders on a 1-7 to 0-7. The team that did duty for Eire Og on this glorious occasion was: Eddie Johnston, Enda McCluskey, Aidan Hurson, James Croarkin, Colin Casey, Damien Mullen, Mickey Bell, Stephen McGorman, Kevin Skeath, Joe Leonard, Pauric McKenna, Eamonn Brady, Ciaran McKenna, Raymond Leonard and Paddy Croarkin. Sub used: Seamus Bell. The scorers were: Eamonn Brady 1-1, Raymond Leonard 0-4, Joe Leonard and Ciaran McKenna 0-1 each. There were wild scenes of enthusiasm at the conclusion when the Dr Ward Cup was presented to the winning captain, Ciaran McKenna, by Mr Gary Carville, chairman of the Monaghan County Board, who congratulated Eire Og on their fully deserved success and wished them well in Intermediate ranks in the year ahead. Needless to say, there were tremendous celebratory scenes in the Smithboro area on the Sunday evening, with every player acclaimed as a hero, but special plaudits were reserved for their veteran sharp-shooter Raymond Leonard, a player who simply refuses to lie down. This latest Eire Og success is certainly very welcome in Smithboro, as major titles have not come that frequently to the area since their first success in 1973. On that occasion they won the Junior Championship for the first time, but that ended the flow of major trophies for the 'seventies. The 'eighties brought probably their best ever decade as they took the Junior Championship again in 1984, when they defeated Emyvale in the final, and in 1988 when they defeated Latton in the final. In between they won the Dr Ward Cup for 1986. Promoted senior, they won the Fr. Hackett Cup in 1989, probably the highest accolade ever to go to Smithboro way. Unfortunately the 'nineties proved barren as no major honour was forthcoming although some secondary success was achieved. With a barren end to the twentieth century it is heartening to begin the twenty first century with a major success, and hopefully this can be built upon with the name Eire Og inscribed on a few more important trophies in the near future. U12's capture Garda Cup Eire Og's U12's won a tournament held in Clones in May. Currin, Clones, Killeevan and the victors played a round robin league, with the top two qualifying for the final. Eire Og and Clones togged out for the decider. Under the guidance of John McEniff and Mickey Tierney, the Smithboro lads emerged victors after a close encounter. The cheers could be heard back in Connolly Park as Mark McBride received the trophy. U13's win McArdle Cup What an achievement by this team. Seven league games without dropping a point. Drumhowan overcame in the semi final with Toome coming to the sword in the final. Guided by Jim O'Rourke and Dermott Connolly, victories over Tyholland, Doohamlet, Carrickmacross, Drumhowan, Toome, Monaghan and Scotstown in the league stages set them up for a convincing win over Drumhowan in the semi-final. Played in Ballybay, the final was a lot closer affair with Toome on top in the first period. A strong second half display saw them run out winners on a 2-11 to 3-5 scoreline. Panel: Patrick Sweeney, Gearoid Sheridan, Aidan McElvaney, Mark McBride, Philip Flynn, James Sheridan, Jonathan McMahon, Christopher McElvaney, Darren Quigley, Niall Flynn, Declan Doran, Christopher McCluskey, Darren McMahon, Darren Murtagh, Fiona Leonard, Niall McDonald, Eamon McElroy, Laura Tierney, Martina Tierney, Eilish Kane, Olly Treanor. U14's win Division 3 title Under the management of Eamon Brady, the U14 team won the league title when they defeated Latton in a keenly contested final played at a superbly appointed Aghabog venue. Earlier on at the start of the campaign it wasn't looking too rosy, but they turned things around to finish in third place. Currin were defeated in the semi-final by a comfortable margin, leading to the Thursday evening victory over Latton, with Mark McCaffrey holding aloft the Marron Cup. Squad - Gavin Watters, Gerard Sheridan, Christopher Flynn, Darrach McCluskey, Christopher McCluskey, Darren Toal, Gary Toal, Mark McBride, Christopher McElvaney, Aiden McElvaney, Oliver Treanor, Darragh Quigley, Niall McDonald, Patrick Sweeney, Declan Doran, James Sheridan, Cathal Ward, Aidran Connolly, Philip Flynn, Niall Flynn, Sean McMahon. Eire Og ladies U12 and U14 teams Our Under 12s and U14s teams did very well this year. From the very first match they went straight at it with both hands. U12's The U12s reached the semi finals against their local rivals the 'Seans'. It was a highly entertaining game with end to end stuff. Although our team was slightly younger and lighter they did very well and but unluckily lost out. Then we took our U12 ladies to Truagh for the County blitz. They reached the final. But on their way to final they came up against very strong opposition. In the final we were unlucky not to win. At half time we were 13 points behind. But from the start at the second half they went straight at it. And within two minutes to go they were level and there were missed chanced and the game went to extra time. Aghabog went on to win. Laura Tierney got player of the match. U14's For a very young team the girls did brilliantly. In the final we came up against Aghabog. But they had an older and stronger team and went on to win the final. But next year we will have the same team and hopefully will learn alot from this. Hope to see all girls out next year again. New players welcome. Team Manager Anne Croarkin Tweet

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