Cremartin young gun Gary Boyd is one of the hottest properties on the Monaghan GAA scene right now. Kevin Carney reports. Every club should have a Gary Boyd on board. It would make for a terrificly fair and even world and a more exciting one at that. Lucky Shamrocks, Cremartin that is. Young Boyd has a lot going for himself, not least his level-headedness and his seemingly innate ability to keep his feet on terra firma. Of course, he's nobody's property but the mind boggles as to what transfer fee his talents would command if plied on the open market. One hopes it never comes to that. Fact is, Gary doesn't appeal as the sort of fella who could ever flog his loyalty and commitment for manna. Gary is one of a rare breed in that he commands great time on the ball, the respect of foes and friends alike and scores for fun . . . .in both Gaelic football and hurling. Cremartin GAA is Gary's native club and is the vehicle by which he can exhibit his football skills. Meanwhile Castleblayney Faughs provide the medium for his expression of his hurling skills. In recognition of his talent and the consistency of his play over the course of the year, Gary was accorded the 2004 Young Hurler of the Year award by the county board Typically, Gary was non-plussed by the singularly prestigious county award. His attitudegoes against the grain of the stereotypical image of the self-obsessed teenager. "I just go out and play the games, do my best. It was nice to get it but I don't really care about awards," explains the Lady of Lourdes, Castleblayney student. 2004 was a fine year for Gary, a fine year too for his hurling comrades at 'blayney as the town team sweeped to a senior league and championship double triumph. In the senior hurling championship, Gary and co. overcame the challenge of Clontibret in the decider while in the corresponding league final, Monaghan Harps were denied. Amazingly, Gary was on his maiden voyage with the Faughs' senior troupe in 2004. It was his debut season and a brillant baptism into the claustrophobic, intense scene. "Hurling's a real team game and it's great to play alongside a bunch of lads who'd put themselves about to the utmost extent to win the ball for the team." Gary took to the game of hurling like the proverbial duck to water and as a primary school pupil in Annyalla was greatly encouraged by school principal, Kevin Maloney N.T, a native of Clare whose passion and interest for the most quinntessential Gaelic game was nothing less than contagious. Meanwhile he got no less encouragement in the 'blayney club where coaches such as Noel McGuigan worked hard to help him hone his bristling skills. Gary had a natural appetite for the small ball game and he bagged a whole host of underage hurling medals when he was at primary school. From those all-conquering underage days, Gary have since gravitated to senior hurling ranks. "I'd say at least six of the players from under 12 then have come up through the ranks and they've all at least one All-Ireland medal either at under 16 or at Minor C levels "A lot of hurling talent has been nurtured at underage in over the years and I think the benefitis of that work has been shown this year in particular." Over the years, the strapping 6'3" dual starlet has made a notable impression on all who have witnessed his skills at first hand and county recognition has followed in tow. Given the range of his skills, his dynamic play, stamina and physique, it's hardly surprising that Gary has been more often than selected by various mentors at midfield. Like a lord to the manor born, the ambitous Cremartin Shamrocks clubman player has found a natural home in the centre of the field in both codes. He, has of course, figured at times on the 'forty, like on the occasion in mid-September last when he performed the role of playmaker in the championship against Rock'. "The less said about that match the better," Gary warns us of the unfortunate 0-9 to 0-10 qualifying round defeat in Drumhowan. "We went behind by two points with just a little less than ten minutes to go and we had plenty of time to come back at them. "But we were poor in front of goal and missed too many chances, including a penalty early on in the first half. "It was a bad day all-round because Ciaran Lavelle suffered a bad knee injury and had to go off," Gary recalls. Aside from the Rockcorry disappointment, the midfielder 'cum forward delights in being given a relatively free rein. "I've more or less been played in midfield for as long as I remember and that's really where I'm happiest to be selected there in either hurling or football," Gary tells us. "Playing in midfield allows you to wield a certain more control over the game than you'd be able to do if, say, you were playing as a corner-forward. "Midfield is where a lot of the action takes place and it's at the hub of the game and you've a lot more freedom of movement and can play your own game to a large extent." And despite admitting that the Boyd clan boasts no hurling pedigree, Gary has proven himself to be a 'natural' concerning his penchant for picking up the skills of hurling. Son of well-known Cremartin Shamrocks stalwart Paul Boyd, the younger Boyd has developed his hurling and football skills to an inordinate degree over the years. He explains his 'gra' for Gaelic football and hurling is of equal measure but one wonders which game is the best in his view? "I can't honestly say because they're both fast, brillant games when played well. "Players who play both games at the very highest level are very skilful, equally skilful and if I had to quit one, I'd probably quit both of them. "Of course, football has a much bigger following in the county and hurling hasn't nearly got the same profile which is a pity," Gary says. Does he believe that hurling is on the up and up in Monaghan or is it stagnant? "It's definitely on the way up and you only have to look at how well Castleblayney did in the Ulster junior championship this year to see how much things are improving "From what I have heard, the club only won a couple of Ulster club matches over the last eight years or so before this year's run which tells you about the progress made. "Hopefully hurling will continue to increase in the county and that new clubs will spring up because it's a great game." Gary accepts that spreading the gospel of hurling isn't an easy task in such a predominately football-orientated county but he's more optimistic than pessimistic overall. One wonders will 'blayney continue to hold the upper hand or even copper-fasten their current dominance of the domestic hurling scene? "We'll be doing our best to stay on top because the club was very disappointed with losing the title in 2003 after a string of title wins. "There seems to be a bit of a gap there at the minute between us and the rest of the clubs but I'd expect a tough challenge next year. "Inniskeen are an up and coming team and they gave us a very tough game during the year and they, along with Clontibret, will probably be gunning for the title in 2006. "I'm surprised Latton aren't doing that bit better at senior level because they were our arch rivals at underage level when I was playing at under 12 upwards." Regardless of the opposition, Gary hopes to be still swinging the caman with purpose and due effect in the coming year(s) but he's not sure about retaining his 'dual' status "I'm hoping to go to college to study Art and while I'd like to mix my studies with playing both games, I think I might have to make a choice between the two. "I know that keeping up both games will be a bit of a battle but sometimes you have to make a decision but I know that if I quit hurling, I'd be letting some people down. "All the mentors I have worked with have been great to me and the other lads who play both games in terms or re-arranging matches and making sure there's no clashes. "I'll be playing both hurling and football for the forseeable future but I'll have to think about it," ponders the Leaving Certificate student. A member of the Monaghan minor football team which crashed out to Derry in last summer's Ulster MFC at Clones - "we froze on the day" - Gary won't complain if the coming year delivers more of the joy he experienced in 2005. The ace midfielder lined up alongside such other promising talents as 'blayney pair Mark McHugh and Kieran Hanratty in helping steer Our Lady of Lourdes, to the All-Ireland schools Under 18 title, winning the McLarnon Cup on the way. In addition, Gary took his place on the St. Colman's (Cremartin-Clontibret combo) side which annexed the MFC Division One title. Despite going two years now at full pelt with scarcely a break from togging out, Gary hopes he has a lot more in the tank and tiredness or staleness haven't kicked in. "It's a bit early for that," he comments. Lucky Shamrocks, lucky Faughs, lucky school, lucky Monaghan. ST. COLMAN'S - AN AMALGAMATION THAT PAID OFF Amalgamations are not everybody's 'cup of tea' and the history of such joining up of clubs has had a very chequered history in Monaghan's football competitions. The main objection to such 'unions' obviously comes from the clubs who prefer to 'go it alone' and field only their own players rather than linking up with other clubs in the hope that success will come to a limited few. Such arguments, for and against, have persisted every time the word 'amalgamations' is mentioned and, while a lot may be said both in favour and in opposition, it is a fact of life in GAA games that will simply not go away. By Seamus McCluskey. Several years back, during the chairmanship of the late Mickey Duffy, an attempt was made to introduce amalgamations to the Senior County Championship, but it died a sudden death when senior officers of the Co. Board regarded their introduction as a major threat to the progress of their own clubs in the county's premier competition. Amalgamations, however, have been permitted in many of the under-age competitions down the years and, during the past year, a record number of such link-ups were given the nod to compete despite some opposition at Board level. During 2005 no less than seven amalgamations took part in the Under 16 and minor competitions in the county. These were - St. Colman's, St. Patrick's, Na Fianna, Patrick Sarsfields, St. Mary's, Shamrocks and Killcloone, involving at least fourteen clubs. It was a very noticeable fact that three of these combinations contested the semi final pairing of the Minor Football Championship - the Clontibret and Cremartin amalgamation called St. Colman's, the Ballybay and Drumhowan combination named St. Patrick's and the Tyholland and Eire Og pairing fielding under the name Na Fianna. By far and away the most successful amalgamation during 2005 was St. Colman's, the minors and U16s of a senior club (Clontibret) and their parochial neighbours from an Intermediate club (Cremartin). With two county minors, Gary Boyd and Darren Bishop, both from Cremartin, to backbone and inspire the side, their hopes were high even from the earliest stage of the season and they certainly lived up to all expectations. The Under 16s were first in the field and this combination did remarkably well in both league and championship. Their main achievement was in reaching the final of the Under 16 league, in which they met Monaghan Harps at St. Oliver Plunkett Park in Emyvale where they gave the county town lads a rare fright before going under by a narrow margin, after a thrilling contest. The minors were pitted against such strong clubs as Castleblayney, Scotstown, Monaghan Harps, Truagh, Carrickmacross and three of the other amalgamations, St Patricks, Killcloone and Sarsfields yet they came through with colours flying. In the ensuing championship series they again prevailed and qualified for the semi-final in which they ran up against the Tyholland and Eire Og combination, Na Fianna, and again came out on top. Their opponents in the County Final would be the Ballybay and Drumhowan under eighteens, playing in the St. Patrick's colours. A minor football correspondent for the 'Northern Standard' local newspaper wrote in his column on Thursday 6th October - "The curtain raiser to the big event on Sunday is the Final of the Minor Football Championship, which sees two of the amalgamated sides that were allowed to play in this year's competition, as St Colman's and St. Patrick's battle it out to see who takes home the Fergal O'Hanlon Shield. While there may have been reservations about some of the amalgamations that were allowed for minor and underage competitions this year, both sides are in the Final on merit and the game should provide a fitting aperitif to the main event." The 'main event' referred to in the above was, of course, the Senior County Final where the contestants were Latton and the outgoing champions Magheracloone. The venue was St. Tiernach's Park in Clones and the date was Sunday 9th October. What an occasion for the teenagers of four clubs - getting the opportunity to show off their football skills and playing before the largest crowd of the year in club football. Probably, if they had not been involved in amalgamations, they might never have got such a great opportunity and this is surely one of the strongest arguments for those in favour of such 'club unions.' Many of the players from both teams had already been involved in Ulster Colleges competitions, playing for the secondary schools in Castleblayney, Ballybay and Monaghan town, and so had plenty of football experience under their belts in preparation for the most important outing of the year. Their training at school level, and again at club level, would show itself in the enthralling encounter that ensued in this curtain raiser to the senior event. St Colman's had the better of the exchanges for the greater part of the hour and looked to be heading home with the title when they led by a clear six points midway through the second period, but that margin was reduced to the minimum with time running out, and then they saw victory snatched from their grasp by a late point from Ritchie Reilly that shared the spoils and meant that the sides would have to meet again for the second time to decide the destination of title and trophy. The game had been played at a real hectic pace throughout as all thirty players were obviously 'fit as fiddles' and trained to perfection. County player Darren Bishop from Cremartin was the dominant figure at midfield all through for the Colman's side and led by example right from the throw in. His goal after twelve minutes of the second half was a real gem and the foundation stone for what appeared to be victory. Other players on the side to show up well in this thrilling encounter were Colm Greenan at centre-half, Gary Boyd, playing at left half back, Conor McManus in corner forward, and Ronan Marray and Liam McVicar in the half forwards. Despite their apparent dominance St. Colman's still trailed at the half way stage by 0-5 to 1-4, but that situation was soon remedied when play resumed for the second period. Brilliant points from Darren Bishop and Conor McManus, not only cancelled the deficit, but put Coleman's in front and very much in the driving seat. In that period of dominance they recorded 1-5 without reply from St. Patrick's. For some reason they then took their foot off the pedal and the Ballybay-Drumhowan lads got very much into the game with some well taken scores, and Ritchie Reilly's equaliser in injury time was probably well deserved for St. Pats. It ended level at 1-12 each, and there were very friendly hand-shakes all round as both sides knew each other so well and relished the fact that they would meet again on a date to be arranged. St. Colman's had lined out for that one as follows - Arthur Morgan, Phillip Rooney, Liam Atkinson, John Tomany, Phillip Markey, Colm Grennan, Gary Boyd, Darren Bishop, Francis McNally, Kevin Brennan, Ronan Marray, Liam McVicar, Conor McManus, Ryan Carragher and Ronan Murphy. Sub used: - Shane McMahon. Their scores came from - Darren Bishop 1-5, Conor McManus 0-4, Liam McVicar, Kevin Brennan and Ronan Murphy 0-1 each. And so the replay which was fixed for the following Saturday 15th October at the Blackhill venue, a tremendously well developed rural venue that should get more important games than it normally receives. Following the great entertainment that both sides had served up in the drawn game, this was obviously going to be yet another thriller, and the supporters from all four clubs involved turned up in huge numbers to cheer on their young heroes. This one opened at a tremendous pace and there was again little between the sides until St Colman's came up with as stunning a goal as was ever witnessed on a Gaelic field. Nineteen minutes had elapsed when this vital score came and, when Colman's added another five points without reply, it was obviously that the trophy and title would be theirs on the day. Darren Bishop was again the anchor man in the middle of the field and with Gary Boyd, Conor McManus, Shane McMahon and Ronan Murphy all adding their full support, the eventual winners pilled on the pressure and led at the break by 1-8 to 0-4. That lead was increased even further and by the three-quarters stage they were a comfortable eleven points ahead of their rivals. St. Patrick's tried their best to make a come-back but their frustration only led to a couple of players being side-lined, and St. Colman's ended comfortable winners on a final scoreline of St. Colman's 1-13, St Patricks 0-6. As comprehensive win as one could have hoped for, and there were very enthusiastic scenes of approval at the conclusion when the trophy was presented to the winning captain and vice-captain, Ronan Murray and Conor McManus by Mr Patsy Boyle, representing the sponsors of the tournament 'Boyle and Curran Wood Design.' It was a day to remember and the team that did duty for that successful St. Colman's side was: Arthur Morgan, Phillip Rooney, Liam Atkinson, John Tomany, Phillip Markey 0-1, Colm Greenan, Gary Boyd 0-1, Darren Bishop 0-3, Francis McNally, Kevin Brennan, Ronan Marray, Liam McVicar 0-1, Conor McManus 0-5, Shane McMahon 0-1 and Ronan Murphy 0-1. Subs used: Christopher Fanning and Cathal Atkinson. Our juvenile year Once again our juveniles competed in all competitions this year with great enthusiasm and determination to succeed. Our Under 12s competed in Division 4 of the league and succeeded in reaching the semi-final of this group. Killeevan were our opposition for this game but they were too strong for this very young U12 team. Michael McGuigan, Emmet Flanagan and Ciaran McNally guided this group of boys and girls. Under 14 This team also competed in Division 4 of the league and had set out their stall early in this competition with full intentions of reaching a semi-final. Our semi-final opponents were Eire Og and the game itself was right down to the wire but thankfully we had our nose in front at the final whistle. This lead us to a Co. Final with Killanny our opponents. On the day all players showed great character with brilliant defence work, some very powerful runs from midfield and excellent scores from our forwards. A great display of grit and determination brought us to victory and the Farney Cup rests safely in the Cremartin Club for 2005. Mentors: Harry Leonard, Ciaran McNally and Gerard Mulligan. U16s and U18s Following a number of changes both in League and championship structures by the Co. Juvenile Board, clubs were encouraged to participate in one championship both at U16 and U18 levels. This automatically brought about a number of club amalgamations throughout the county. And following a number of discussions and meetings it was decided to amalgamate at both levels with our neighbours Clontibret. Our U16 St. Colmans team participated in the Division 1 league and championship of 2005. They succeeded in qualifying for the U16 championship final against Monaghan Harps. This team was made up of a majority of U15 players and the Harps proved too strong for them on the day. Nevertheless this team gained a lot of experience that will certainly stand to them in the future. Mentors: Paul Curran and Declan Bishop. U18s St Colmans Minor Team also participated in Division 1 of the League and Championship. Great work was done by the mentors and trainers of this team in order to have players well prepared for the challenge that lay ahead. St Colmans had accumulated enough points to qualify for the semi-final of the league in which they met a very strong Monaghan Harps team on their home ground, they were unlucky to falter in this game. At this stage of the year all focus was on the Minor Championship in which we had accounted for Clan na Gael, Donaghmoyne and Na Fianna in the semi-final. With these victories under our belt we travelled to Clones to play a very strong St. Patrick's team in the County Championship final. The spectators on day were served up a great hours football from two very determined teams and at the final whistle both lived to fight another day, hence two weeks later the replay was fixed for Blackhill. A very large crowd attended the replay in great anticipation in the hope of another good championship game of football. St Colmans duly served up a very good display right from the first whistle and had clearly returned to this battle with their sights set firmly on victory. They succeeded in taking the game to St. Pats and with an outstanding team display from beginning to end they secured a comfortable championship win. Great praise is due to this minor team and their mentors for successfully reaching the top in this competition in which 19 teams had initially participated. An unenviable task had been taken on by the team mentors Sean Mulligan, Noel Marry and Enda Brennan at the beginning of the year but when joint captain Ronan Marry and Conor McManus raised aloft the Minor championship trophy all was well worthwhile. Supplied by Cremartin GAC Tweet

Most Read Stories