Despite his side's achievement in winning Division 2 of the All-County League, Milltownpass manager Jim Whelehan found it difficult to come to terms with what was a hugely disappointing intermediate championship campaign. In a year when they failed abysmally to live up to expectations in the championship, Milltownpass at least had the consolation of capturing the All-County League Division 2 title. After losing their opening match of the Division 2 campaign to Ballynacargy, they bounced back to win their remaining games and earn their place among the big guns of Westmeath football this season. But despite his side's league promotion, Milltownpass manager Jim Whelehan was disappointed with how 2004 panned out. "The league success was great, but it doesn't make up for how we played in the championship," the former Westmeath player reflects. "Our main goal at the start of the year was to win the intermediate championship so you could imagine how disappointed we were not to even reach the knock-out stages. "Things looked to be according to plan after we beat Ballinagore and Milltown-Rathconrath in our first two matches, but then came the long break caused by the county team's extended championship run and we weren't the same team after that. We didn't win another game and that is something that still rankles with me," he adds. Whelehan refuses to blame the long break for Milltownpass' championship demise. Instead, he cites a lack of discipline on the players' part. "I would put our poor run of results in the championship down to too much socialising," he says. "During the long break, we had two weddings for which four stag parties were organised. As a result, our discipline went out the window and this was reflected in our performances. It was a pity that our championship should end like that because the lads had put in a huge effort for the first six months of the year." One of the form teams in the county in the early part of last year, Milltownpass opened their championship campaign with an impressive 3-10 to 0-9 victory over Ballinagore at The Downs. The 'Pass led by 2-3 to 0-4 at the interval and although Ballinagore reduced the deficit to three points shortly after the resumption, the black and whites then hit an unanswered 1-2 to end the game as a contest. Jim Whelehan's charges made it two wins from two when they edged past Milltown by 0-9 to 0-7 at Springfield in early July. With Kevin Kelly, Emmett Brennan, David Wright and Ciaran Wright all getting on the scoreboard, Milltownpass led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break but they had to withstand a determined Milltown rally in the second half before making victory safe. However, a 0-8 to 1-8 defeat to Rosemount in late August marked a major turning point in Milltownpass' season. A goal by All-Star John Keane after 10 minutes left the black and whites chasing the game thereafter. Before half-time, Andy Devine brought them level but Rosemount replied with two quick points to lead at the break and despite Milltownpass' best efforts, Rosemount kept their noses in front throughout the second half. A poor second half display saw Milltownpass lose their second game in-a-row to neighbours St. Mary's at Tyrrellspass a week later. The 'Pass led at the interval thanks to a Kevin Burke penalty but despite having wind advantage in the second period, they added just one further point to their tally as St. Mary's came storming back to claim a 0-10 to 1-5 victory. Milltownpass' hopes of reaching the quarter-finals were ended when they suffered a third straight defeat to Bunbrosna in their penultimate match of the group stages at Shandonagh. Bunbrosna never looked back after Padraig Tighe slotted home an early penalty to help them to a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at the break. It continued to be all Bunbrosna in the second half and they had opened up a 10-point lead before Kevin Burke scored a late consolation goal to leave the final score reading 1-5 to 2-9. In their final outing, Milltownpass could only manage a draw (0-11 each) with Mullingar Shamrocks' second team, making for a disappointing end to the championship. "The defeat to Bunbrosna was a killer blow. There was no way back after that," rues Whelehan, who made regular appearances for Milltownpass during 2004 but intends to concentrate exclusively on managing the team this year. While disappointed with Milltownpass' championship performances, Whelehan was encouraged by the form which swept them to Division 2 success. "I was delighted with our form in the league - it would have been great if we could have reproduced it in the championship. It was no mean feat to win Division 2 because there was a lot of good teams in that division. We beat Athlone, St. Malachy's and Moate who were all senior teams last year. It just goes to show what we are capable of." Whelehan also takes heart from the great strides the club has made at underage level in recent times. Last year, Milltownpass were unlucky to lose the minor club 3 championship final to The Downs after extra-time, while many of the same players also experienced disappointment with Clann Braonain in the minor 'premier' final when they lost to St. Finian's after a replay. "The quality of players coming through gives me plenty of hope for the future," he says. "The likes of Andy Devine, Hughie Burke, Kevin Reid, David Wright, Shane Gleeson, Vincent Reilly and the Faulker brothers have big futures ahead of them in my opinion. Gaelic football has become a young man's game and these lads are all capable of making the step-up over the next few years." After making a sluggish start to the minor club 3 final against The Downs in late November, Kevin Reid and Andy Devine plundered goals to give the 'Pass a 2-2 to 0-5 lead at the interval. But The Downs fought back to take a two-point lead before David Wright levelled with a brace of points. With time almost up, The Downs had edged in front again, but Andy Devine forced extra-time with a last-gasp free. Tempers boiled over in extra-time and this seemed to have an unsettling effect on Milltownpass who trailed by five points at the end of the first period. Despite being reduced to 13 players, Milltownpass reduced the deficit to the minimum when Devine scored his second goal. But a late point from substitute Simon O'Donnell saw The Downs prevail on a 2-12 to 3-8 scoreline. Whelehan will continue as manager in the coming season, working alongside selectors Jimmy O'Connor and Sean Moran (Eamon Gorman has opted out after being involved last year). And assuming he can get the full commitment from everyone, Whelehan is confident of success. "If the lads can sustain the effort they put in for the first six months of last year for the whole year, they would have no reason to fear anyone. I took the job again on the basis that they will get their attitude right and I'm hoping I would be left disappointed. "Our aim once again is to win the intermediate championship which won't be easy because I think we've been drawn in a very tough group. I'm also hoping that we can retain our Division 1 status - playing against the best teams should stand us in good stead for the championship," he concludes. The Milltownpass minor team which lost the club 3 championship (13-a-side) final to The Downs was: Gary Brady; Hughie Burke, Darren Devine; Paddy O'Reilly, Fintan Reilly, Paul Kehoe; Shane Gleeson, Kevin Reid; Gavin Carey, Darragh O'Connor, Ricky Byrne; Andy Devine, David Wright. Subs used: Stephen Conway, Robert Reid, Tommy Gorman and Gavin Carey. Tweet

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