Donaghmoyne back in the senior ranks
December 30, 2005
The strain on Inniskeen's resources finally took its toll as they were out fought and out gunned by a very determined Donaghmoyne in a cracking intermediate league final in Emyvale.
The result means that Donaghmoyne now join Inniskeen in senior ranks next year and it also means that the Fontenoys prevented their next door neighbours and long standing rivals from completing what would have been an unique treble, writes John P. Graham.
Donaghmoyne certainly where the fresher team and it showed in vital areas with Inniskeen showing the effects of their recent run of tough matches and on the day they just simply could not match the hunger, commitment and determination of a Donaghmoyne team that has been starved of success for so long.
The game in all probability might be the last senior match for Donaghmoyne's Peter McLoughlin and it would be a fitting exit for such a great servant of the club that his career finished on a winning note with him contributing an excellent point to Donaghmoyne's tally. Donaghmoyne's ability to get men behind the ball quickly repeatedly frustrated Inniskeen's attempts at building attacking moves but at times they needed a little bit too long on the ball and suffered as a consequence. Another feature of this contest was that Donaghmoyne were not relying exclusively on the scoring ability of Rory Woods with five of the six starting forwards all getting on the score sheet.
Woods was certainly one of their playmakers and as well as registering a number of fine points himself he was involved in most of their attacking moves particularly the excellently crafted goal just before half-time when his pass placed Seamus Markey for a shot on target. Donaghmoyne dominated the aerial exchanges and they made their greater physical presence count in key areas. Kieran Daly and Peter McLoughlin got a hand on most things out around the middle while Francis Mackey, Rory Woods, Seamus Markey and James Connolly all caused Inniskeen numerous problems. Connolly's aerial ability threatened Inniskeen all through and he took off some excellent catches in front of goal. Donaghmoyne were never headed in this particular contest with the best that Inniskeen could do was draw level on two occasions in the first half.
Thereafter they were chasing the match and when Donaghmoyne crashed in a goal a minute into stoppage time at the end of the first half it gave them a cushion for what was always going to be a hectic second period.
The game was switched to the north Monaghan venue because of the unavailability of a number of pitches and Emyvale's new look facilities provided the perfect setting for what turned out to be an absorbing contest.
Rory Woods got Donaghmoyne off the mark in the first minute with a point from a free after he himself had been fouled by Michael Fitzpatrick. Paul Meegan equalised a minute later but Donaghmoyne's response was swift and they might well have had the ball in the Inniskeen net but Gregory O'Rourke deflected James Connolly's effort out for a 45 that was converted by Rory Woods. There then followed a period of high endeavour with both sides missing chances before Seamus Markey fired over an excellent point in the 13th minute to put his side two points in front. Michael Fitzpatrick broke up a Donaghmoyne attack, sent a good ball in to Michael Lennon who picked out Ronan Meegan and he reduced the deficit to the minimum on 15 minutes. Within a minute Donaghmoyne were back to a two points lead when an Inniskeen attack broke down and Niall Kelly finished well on the counter for a two points lead.
Two points in quick succession had Inniskeen level by the 22nd minute but the final 10 minutes of the first half though belonged to Donaghmoyne as they increased the tempo considerably to register a goal and three points without reply between the 26th and 32nd minutes to go from being level at four points apiece into a lead of six. Rory Woods who had the first point from a free in the 26th minute was central to this flurry and despite the close attention of two Inniskeen defenders, got a good pass away the Seamus Markey who crashed the ball to the roof of the net for a five points lead. Two minutes into stoppage time Barney Kelly converted a free to put Donaghmoyne six points in front at the break, Donaghmoyne 1-7, Inniskeen 0-4.
Donaghmoyne were first on the attack in the second half but it was Inniskeen who eventually registered the first score when Niall Lennon got on the end of a long ball in from Gary Lynch. They had a chance to reduce the deficit further a couple of minutes later but Pat Meegan's effort was off target after he had robbed possession as Donaghmoyne built a counter attack.
Eight minutes into the second half Peter McLoughlin restored Donaghmoyne to a six points lead after excellent work by John Cumiskey out along the line. Despite the fact that everything was not going according to plan for them Inniskeen continued to be dangerous going forward and a good period saw them register two points in as many minutes by Michael Lennon and Paul Meegan. That little flurry brought the margin down to four points and it might well have been reduced further had another effort from Paul Meegan not drifted wide while Thomas Deery in the Donaghmoyne goals was off his line to clear up another dangerous situation.
The final minutes of the third quarter saw Barney Kelly put Donaghmoyne five in front again when he converted a free for a foul on Rory Woods. A good move by Inniskeen involving Michael Lennon, Niall Lennon and Paul Meegan saw the latter reduce the deficit to four again on eighteen minutes. Donaghmoyne increased their lead to five in the 22nd minute when Francis Mackey picked off a good point but Inniskeen now responded with a very spirited period of play that saw them register three points in quick succession from Michael Lennon, Martin Dooley and Tommie Mulholland, and they might well have had a couple more but for a few things just not going according to plan. Despite tiring limbs on what was a bitterly cold afternoon both sides continued to contrive openings but as time ticked away scores became very difficult to come by although there were near misses at both ends.
James Connolly was very unlucky to see his goal bound effort come off the bottom of the Inniskeen crossbar and Inniskeen themselves began to search for a repeat of the finish they fashioned in Enniskillen the previous Sunday but the Donaghmoyne citadel remained intact and the final score was a point from a free by Rory Woods to give the Fontenoys a three points margin at the final whistle.
Donaghmoyne: Thomas Deery, Declan Lynch, Sean McLaughlin, Barney Kelly 0-2, Eugène Finnegan, John Cumiskey, Seamus Meehan, Ciaran Daly, Peter McLoughlin 0-1, Tommy Marron, Francis Markey 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1, Rory Woods 0-4, James Connolly 0-1, Seamus Markey 1-1. Subs: Maurice Cumiskey for S McLoughlin, Fergal McMahon for T Marron, Raymond Marron for N Kelly.
Kelly's eye is on senior
Donaghmoyne dynamo Bernard Kelly is eager to put a disastrous 2005 season behind him and help the Fontenoys, who will compete in the top flight in the coming year.
For many people with an eye on affairs at Donaghmoyne, Bernard Kelly represents the future of the Fontenoys.
Ambitious, talented and totally focussed on improving himself as a footballer and Donaghmoyne's ranking in Monaghan football.
His performances in 2004 fairly reflected his potential and his commitment to the Donaghmoyne cause.
Little wonder then that by season's end, he was hailed as the club's Player of the Year.
Of course, like anyone whose focus is more on the collective than the subjective, Bernard says that while he was delighted with the honour, he'd much prefer if Donaghmoyne had been declared the team of the year in the county.
That would have signified major progress for the club and would have been a signpost to the future well-being of the club as suggested by its 2001 Hugh Brady Cup triumph.
And, most significantly, would, presumably, have reflected the fact that the Farney County stalwarts had, at the very least, regained their senior status.
Overall, 2004 was a disappointing year for Donaghmoyne. No harm to the fairer sex but it's the Donaghmoyne ladies who seem to be still flying the flag for the most part.
However, on the personal front, 2004 a year though when young Kelly cemented his growing reputation as one of the most promising club footballers in Monaghan.
In fact Bernard's outstanding displays for the red and whites in 2004 was one of the few stand-out aspects of the club's innings in '04.
A solid performer at senior club level since he was 18, Bernard says that 2004 was his best year in football to date in terms of his own performances.
Sadly Donaghmoyne didn't quite crack it in either the league or championship two seasons ago with a league semi-final defeat to Tyholland a particularly sore point.
Young Kelly, the club's ace utility player has been an integral part of the club's senior set-up for the past three years and more and looks to have a huge future at club and county levels.
Unlike 2004 though, 2005 did nothing to bolster either his reputation or his own personal morale.
In simple terms it was a year best forgotten by Bernard himself.
The most frustrating element of the past year for Bernard was that he had to sit out practically the entire season due to a quite serious injury.
"It was very annoying for most of the year to have to look at the lads playing and not be able to play yourself or help the club out," Bernard explains.
"I was only around at the start of the year for a couple of league rounds and then I got injured which really made a mess of my whole season from there on."
Bernard's tale of woe regarding his non-involvement with Donaghmoyne in 2005 kicked off as he was doing his damndest to help the cause of the county under 21s.
Not one to have been known as injury-prone or suspect under a heavy challenge, Bernard takes up the story of how he incurred his injury:
"I was playing for the (county) under 21s against Cavan in Clones last March in the Ulster championship when it happened.
"I sort of side-stepped one of their lads but as I was going past him, he connected with me a bit and the left shoulder shot out of its joint.
"It wasn't clear to me at the time that I had disclocated it and, to be honest, I didn't know what kind of damage at all had been done.
"It wasn't long though before the physios and the doctor that was with Cavan were talking about me needing an operation.
"It settled down a bit after that game but later on it shot back out in a game against Aghabog, near the end of the game, when I was coming out with the ball and stumbled.
"There was hardly any contact with the other player that time but a wrong turn and the shoulder was gone again . . .so easily."
Most players don't ever, thankfully, suffer a disclocation but it is apparently one of the most unlucky and most sore injury around. Bernard doesn't disagree.
"It's a very severe pain and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. You're not fit to stand up with the pain for a while at first but then after five minutes or so it eases back into place."
Bernard struggled on with regular instances of the shoulder shooting out until, finally, he went under the knife in the middle of May. And that was that really for 2005.
The former Monaghan under 21 star was basically out of the 2005 intermediate championship after having his operation and that was all Donaghmoyne needed.
"We had a lot of injuries during the year, apart from myself, and then Rory (Woods) got his three months suspension which tore the heart out of things too."
Needless to say, Bernard wasn't a bit enamoured by the severity of the sentence handed out to ace attacker Woods after his offence in the Ulster SFC tie with Armagh.
"It was a disgrace what he got, especially compared to what other fellas got in championship games during the year, when worse was done.
"Rory was harsh done by for what was just a trip while other fellas got anyway with just yellow cards for hitting out with their fists and some got nothing at all.
"The injuries in the club hit us hard too with the likes of Francis Markey out from the start of the year; Eugene Finnegan was out for the start of the championship."
Talk of the championship evokes memories for Bernard of what have been for himself personally and for the team as a whole.
A victory in the opening round of the IFC against Rockcorry in Clontibret hinted at a good and successful year for the Fontenoys' premier team but dark clouds gathered.
"It was a good win, especially because we went into that game so understrength and they have always given us a good match.
"Then the lads played well enough too against Eire Og in Drumhowan to get a second win," Bernard recalls.
The wheels were to fall off the wagon though when Inniskeen triumphed in the championship semi-final. As has been the case in recent years, Donaghmoyne just fell short.
"The team played well enough, tried hard and stuck with them for a lot of the game and it was a big pity that we didn't just stick it out to the finish.
"In fairness I think they were that bit more hungry and they went in that bit harder for the ball. They took their chances too.
"We might have won had we used the ball a bit better and had a bit more self-belief about ourselves," opines the popular bricklayer.
Needless to say, the dynamic half-back 'cum half-forward is in no doubt which roles he'd like to assume for the rest of his playing career, spectator or man in the trenches.
"There's no comparison and I don't want to have to sit out so many matches through injury again because it's not too nice.
"It's completely different being a spectator and very frustrating because all you want to do is be out there on the pitch and help the team out.
"It's far harder to have to watch a match than play in it, no matter what knocks you might pick up.
"You're watching the match and you're thinking that maybe you could have made a bit of a difference, seeing everything that's happening in the match.
Did he learn anything from his time watching from the sidelines in 2005?
"You look at the match and see sometimes how we're slow at getting the ball up the pitch with a bit of speed, how the deliveries don't go in to the forwards quickly enough."
Bernard is upbeat though about the future for the current Donaghmoyne seniors, especially after they claimed the intermediate league title in 2005.
The fact that approximately a dozen of the first-teamers are aged between 20-24 is a big plus, Bernard says, and a very positive sign for the future well-being of the club.
Three's a good mix though, all told, with the likes of the experienced Raymond Marron plus Peter and Sean McLaughlin on hand and not forgetting minor Seamus Markey.
The former county minor who played under team-manager Eamon O'Hara and alongside such notables as James O'Hara (Scotstown) and James Ward (Magheracloone), among others, Bernard suffered no injuries in 2004 and was able to give his club and the game itself the best of his talent.
Donaghmoyne lose out In All-Ireland decider
By Alan Gunn
Donaghmoyne came to within a whisker of winning their first ever All-Ireland Senior Club Title back in November after yet another wonderful year for the south county club.
Their great championship journey began back in may when they made the trip to Tyholland for the opening round of the county championship. It was expected to be a tough battle but the holders made no mistake hammering in seven goals and with it an easy passage in the last four.
Next up was neighbours Magheracloone in Latton and again they stream rolled past the opposition to advance to a meeting with Monaghan Harps in the decider. Once again the Fontenoy's had little trouble and eased to their third successive county title with another top class performance. The Harps caused very few problems for this ever improving Donaghmoyne side.
With the county title safely retained it was now into the Ulster campaign and the tough task of retaining the Provincial crown. In the their first outing they made the trip to Gowna to face the Cavan champions Erne Valley. Like they had done in the Monaghan championship, Donaghmoyne once again just blew away the opposition and with it only conceding a single point.
Back into the Ulster final for the second year in a row went the Monaghan girls and facing them was to be Letterkenny side St Eunan's. A game that was to turn out their toughest encounter on the road so far but one they came through without many major scares. Just a single point separated the sides at the midway point after a very evenly matched opening period.
The winning of the game came inside the opening five minutes after the resumption when Donaghmoyne pulled clear by six points thanks to Majella Woods finding the net. Although St Eunan's fired everything at the eventual winners Donaghmoyne had too much on the day and ran out winners 1-12 to 0-08.
The next step was into the All-Ireland series and a meeting with Galway side St Brendan's. After being defeated at this stage twelve months ago the feeling in the Donaghmoyne camp was to make sure the same was not to happen again.
Helped with home advantage they made sure it didn't happen this time around with a stunning performance all over the field and in particular in defence where they stood firm against the mighty Galway girls. With the wind at their backs the home side led by a Majella Woods goal at the break.
Immediately after the resumption they struck for an all important second major with a slice of luck as Catriona McConnell found the net. From there to the finish the Donaghmoyne defence were outstanding as the visitors tried to get back into contention but that goal they craved never looked on against a rock solid home defence.
A place in their first ever All-Ireland Senior club final was achieved on a final score of Donaghmoyne 2-07 St Brendan's 0-09.
That dream was now just sixty minutes away as all roads led to Drogheda on Sunday 27th November. Standing in the way was the reigning champions Ballyboden St Endas of Dublin. The Monaghan girls made the trip with very few outside the club expecting them to take the title back home as the Dublin side came into the final as raging hot favourites.
The difference on the day was to be just one kick of the ball as the final whistle sounded. That little rub of the green and bit of luck everyone needs to win games was not to fall on the Monaghan girls and the more experienced Ballyboden secured the crown 1-06 to 0-06.
Donaghmoyne opened the encounter in storming fashion with major shouts for a penalty inside a minute waved away. Majella Woods did open their account soon after and with further points from Angela Lennon, Aine Gilsenan and Catriona McConnell they enjoyed a 0-04 to 0-03 interval lead. A period that also seen Lennon take a point blank save out of the Dublin net minder.
While on the back foot early in the second half Donaghmoyne still held firm and almost on their first attack of the half struck for the opening goal after five minutes. That little piece of luck was to desert them as Angela Lennon did everything right but only to see her goal bound shot rattle back off the upright.
How cruel the game can be as minutes later 'Boden were awarded a penalty at the other end that was converted by player of the match Louise Kelly. It was the score that was to be the difference at the end despite Donaghmoyne giving it their all. This was another great year for the south Monaghan club and after their display in the All-Ireland decider despite defeat they can hold their heads high and be very proud.
Its like the old saying you have to lose one before you win one. There is no reason why this bunch of talented footballers cannot be basking in All-Ireland glory this time next year or if not very soon as they are up there with the very best at the moment.
They can look back on another great year that seen them do the county double with the league also coming their way. The Ulster title retained and also the Abbey Fanning Memorial seven's was also retained yet again.
Donaghmoyne Team and Panel (v Ballyboden St Endas): Lynda Martin, Joanne Geoghegan, Michelle Grimes, Niamh Lynch, Sharon Courtney, Aine Gilsenan (0-01)(Capt), Joanne Courtney, Amanda Casey, Fiona Courtney, Annette O Toole-Duffy, Majella Woods (0-02), Karen Hall, Catriona McConnell (0-02), Angela Lennon (0-01), Hazel Kingham
Subs Used: Lisa Kingham, Cora Courtney, Fiona Daly
Rest of Panel: Ann Marie Burns, Maria Daly, Sheila Burns, Laura Burns, Lorraine Daly, Niamh McCarthy, Ciara Malone, Zita McBride, Lorna Rooney, Ciara O Gorman, Breda Finnegan, Louise Ruddy
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