Once again we have come to the end of another season, which has been quite successful and enjoyable for the Rockcorry Club. Here we reflect on how the club have performed over the year and assess the prospects facing 'Rock' over the next twelve months. This years Intermediate Football Championship really epitomised the spirit of the club. Having gained promotion for the Junior ranks in 2000, there was a feeling that Rockcorry really didn't have what it takes to "mix-it" with the bigger clubs. Nothing could have been further from the truth. In '83 and again in '97 the club had also been promoted and their stay in the Intermediate League and their campaign in the championship ended almost before it had begun on both occasions. But the team of 2001 was determined that they would not follow a similar path and indeed history was made on the 3rd June in O'Neill Park in Doohamlet when its first ever Intermediate Championship success came by defeating the much fancied Corduff side on a scoreline of Rockcorry 3-11 Corduff 2-5. Such a victory would prove to be a catalyst for the next round against their old rivals Ballybay on the 12th August. Still smarting from a heavy defeat in the junior ranks of the previous year against the same opposition, hopes were high that things could be put right. Sadly, a series of missed chances and simple errors allowed the Ballybay lads in to secure victory on a scoreline of Rockcorry 1-7 Ballybay 2-7. The introduction of the 'back-door' system gave the team an opportunity to put themselves back in the frame, but sadly on the day Drumhowan proved too strong and ran out comfortable winners on a scoreline of Rockcorry 0-7 Drumhowan 2-11. The exit from the championship was a sore blow, but the team has rallied and their commitment and determination to survive in the intermediate ranks is all too evident in their league form. Currently the league is nearing the semi-final stages and while Rockcorry is safe in the knowledge that we have survived in the Intermediate ranks there is still a chance that we can make the semi-final. It would be unfair to single out anyone of the players for special praise as all played a big role in achieving the aim of retaining our status in Intermediate ranks. In addition, the team management of Pascal Smyth and Gerry McKeown have worked tirelessly to achieve the current position. The future of the team looks very bright with the U21 squad performing well and narrowly missed out on a final spot when a strong Blackhill side in the semi-final defeated them. Our U16 team despite being unlucky to loose the final of the Special Knockout Championship Competition played some very exciting football throughout the year. Their performances have been very encouraging and one can assume that the future will be very bright indeed. Under 12 success - fourth time in a row The U12 squad under the guidance of Dan Connolly and Ben Duffy created their own bit of history when on July 21st they captured their fourth consecutive title after a very successful campaign. This is no mean feat for a small club like Rockcorry and great credit must go to Dan and Ben who worked tirelessly with this group throughout the campaign and thoroughly deserved the success they achieved. The campaign began on Saturday April 21st with an away game to Emyvale, which the lads won comfortably. They eased through the remaining league games dropping only one point on route to the semi-final. On May 26th they had to share the spoils with a much-fancied Monaghan Harps side who were to also go on to contest the final. The semi-final paired Rockcorry with the Smithboro Club, Eire Óg and after an exciting and nail biting affair the sides remained dead locked at the final whistle at 1-8 a piece. The replay was staged on July 14th and once again a great game was enjoyed by the large crowd of spectators at Aghabog. Rockcorry emerged victorious on a scoreline of 2-4 to 1-3 and a place in the final was ensured. Rockcorry were under no illusions going into the final. They knew that a big game was needed to capture the title as the Harps were much fancied and had earlier in the campaign forced Rockcorry to share the spoils. The work was completed as each and every one of the boys and girls had prepared to the very best of their ability and the management and team knew they could not have done more so now it was down to the gods and what might happen on the day. Aghabog was the venue and on Saturday July 21st the boys and girls of Rockcorry produced the game of the young lives to comprehensively beat the Harps 1-10 to 0-6 and lift their fourth consecutive Conlon Cup. There was a great buzz as the cavalcade made the journey from Aghabog back to the village amidst a sea of green and white and the young hero's received a tremendous welcome. The club are very proud of their achievement and look forward to yet more silverware from these talented youngsters. Dinner Dance Earlier in the year we held our Annual Dinner Dance in the Riverdale Hotel, Ballybay, which was once again a huge success. We were very privileged to have as guest of honour for the evening Uachtaran CLG, Mr Seán Mac Tháidhg, and the newly elected Cathaorileach Coisti Chointae Munieacháin, Mr Gary Carville. During the proceedings the annual awards were presented: Hall of Fame: Jack Walls Senior Player: Keith Daly Reserve Player: Pauric Carroll U21 Player: Garry Calvert Referee This year also, Nickey Calvert, one of the clubs loyal supporters and referee brought further honour to himself and Rockcorry when he refereed the County Senior Football Championship Final. The Ladies The club caters for the needs of the entire parish. The Ladies Club is one of the leading teams in the county and the girls Minor Team won the 2000 Championship Cup. But of course there is always much more to a successful football club than simply the team. Behind the scenes great work is ongoing. The club boasts one of the finest playing fields and dressing room complexes in the County. Their participation in the Scór competition has also brought success and their determination to co-operate with any other organisation within the area is something to be justly proud of. Their commitment to the ideals of the GAA was rightly rewarded in 2000 when this small club won the County AIB Club of the Year Award. To achieve such recognition involves a spirit of togetherness and co-operation and both these traits are found in abundance in the Rockcorry GAA Club. While the population of the parish is small, the spirit of those within it is resilient. The club survives financially on the generosity of those who buy and sell their weekly Top 4 lotto envelopes and while the harvest may not always be plentiful, the dedication of the labourers is unquestionable. To conclude, it is of course impossible to forecast the future with any degree of accuracy. The only thing we can say with reasonable confidence is that the oncoming years hold many challenges both on and off the field. Even so, the club contains many dedicated club officers, members, players and supporters who will confront these challenges in order to promote and develop the interests of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Here hoping for a successful and enjoyable 2002 Tweet

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