Since the Westmeath senior hurling championship became a two-group format, Brownstown have failed to make an impact. They have struggled to avoid relegation on almost an annual basis, which was the case once again in 2003. But their victory over an emerging Oliver Plunkett's side was the biggest shock of the year. By Stephen Reilly. At the start of the 2003 championship Brownstown were in the same group as Castletown Geoghegan, Raharney and Ringtown with three teams progressing to the knockout stages of the Westmeath Examiner Cup. Hopes were high that the blues could at least match the previous year's achievement of reaching the quarterfinals, although they won only one match to do so when defeating Cullion in their first match. A new management team was put in place at the beginning of the year with the committee deciding that a manager and trainer would come from within the club. Former players and loyal servants to the club Jim Davis, Johnny Daly, Jody Davis, John Leonard and Eugene Dolan were elected as selectors with Jim in place as manager of the team. Between them these five have amassed over 40 senior hurling championship medals, so their experience and knowledge of the game was not to be frowned upon. The club has struggled in the past decade, their last championship win coming back in 1993 when they defeated Castletown in Collinstown by a solitary point. Having been the kings of Westmeath hurling throughout the eighties and early nineties, it is hard for a club like Brownstown to accept these baron years and especially for those who have seen the good times. The SHC Roll of Honour sees the Archerstown based club sit on top with 15 titles to their credit with Castlepollard their nearest rivals with 13 wins, having annexed this year's championship. As with any club going through a difficult patch, motivation of the players is a big problem with the Brownstown hurlers being no exception to the rule. There is no question that the Archerstown based club have some of the most talented players in the county with the likes of Maurice Quinn, Johnny McGuinness, Philip Gilsenan and veteran Pat Clancy. All of whom are good enough to take their place on any side within the borders of Westmeath. Training began in February with large numbers turning out at first but as per usual this dwindled down to the usual ten or twelve that put in the effort every year. For the past number of years the same few have gave their all for the club be it at training or in a match, while there is a significant few players that seem content to let the others carry the can. Until all the squad unites and puts in an equal amount of effort, the club will be struggling in the senior ranks for many years to come with the reality of intermediate hurling being a distinct possibility. Their first outing in the championship was against Raharney in June. Preparations for the match did not go according to plan as a draw and a defeat in Division two of the hurling league against St Brigid's and Turin respectively did nothing for moral among the team. Raharney like Brownstown have a strong tradition in Westmeath hurling but have also struggled in recent years with their side going through a transition period. The game itself was keenly contested in the opening half with the Deelsiders having the edge in the opening period. In the second half a fortuitous goal for Raharney gave them the momentum and at the same time seemed to knock the confidence out of Brownstown. The Joristown side went on to claim a five-point victory on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-9. For Jim Davis' side it was a case of de ja vous as what has been the case some many times in recent years is their failure to last pace for the full hour. Time and time again Brownstown have been a match for any side in the opening half of a match but their poor showing in the latter stages of a game is a cause for concern. Concentration has been blamed on many occasions but one cannot look past the below average fitness levels of some of the players. Next up was Castletown Geoghegan, with the match being played in the unusual venue of the Downs football grounds. These sides have had some fierce battles down through the years with the black and ambers having the upper hand in recent encounters. The first half began with both sides creating chances but neither capable of converting them to scores. Pointed frees from Johnny McGuinness cancelled out Castletown's early two points. Pat Clancy then pointed for the blues to give them the lead before Pat Clarke and Ronan Whelan edged the South Westmeath side in front again. Clancy once again showed all his experience by pointing a free from a long way out to tie the scores at half-time 0-4 apiece. During the first half Brownstown lost centre back Maurice Quinn and although they coped without his experience for the remainder of the half, his loss was to prove decisive in the second period. Clancy has without question been the top marksman in the club for almost two decades now and it was left up to him to almost single handily keep Brownstown in the match. He pointed a 20 metre free in the opening minute of the second half before Castletown levelled from a '65. Another pointed Clancy free, this time from 40 metres, edged his side in front and he doubled that lead when he pointed from play. Castletown regained the advantage when Pat Clarke scored his sides first goal from close range, while Alan Mangan added a second shortly after from distance. Philip Gilsenan got Brownstown's last score of the afternoon but it was the same old story of a second half collapse, as Castletown were victorious on a scoreline of 2-11 to 0-9. The low moral of the team was evident in their last group match against Ringtown when the suffered their heaviest defeat against the Whitehall based club for many years when they went down by 4-18 to 0-11, even though only two points separated the sides at half time. The Archerstown based side now had to play an St Oliver Plunkett's side that could count themselves unlucky not to have made the knockout stages of the championship. Having been placed in a group with three of the favourites for the title, it took a play-off against eventual winners Castlepollard to condemn the Mullingar side to the doldrums of a relegation final. Plunkett's were overwhelming favourites to win this match with ease with many neutrals believing that Brownstown's reign in the senior ranks was about to come to an end, indeed people involved with the club and players themselves felt that a win was beyond them. But tradition counts for something and that is what Brownstown have by the truckload. To be honest the biggest spur that drove the players on was the fear of being part of a side that was relegated and having to listen to so-called supporters and former players tell you that you were a disgrace to the club. The club has a small following of die-hard supporters who attend every match, hail, rain or snow, but like every other club in the country there are those who take great privilege in knocking the confidence out of the younger players instead of encouraging them. In the play-off against Plunkett's, the physical strength of Brownstown was evident as they tore in to their lighter opponents from the start and never let the Mullingar side settle in to their game at all. Half forward Johnny McGuinness continued his quest to be the club's top scorer and indeed one of the top three scorers' in the county when he pointed a free after two minutes. Almost 15 minutes elapsed before another score was recorded as both sets of defences dominated the early exchanges. Plunkett's levelled from a free before two more points from McGuinness stretched Brownstown's lead and then on the stroke of half-time Barry Davis scrambled the ball over the line for a goal after Georgie Beggan's initial effort had cannoned off the crossbar. The second half saw McGuinness add to his tally once again from a placed ball before Plunkett's replied with a much needed goal that brought the game come to life. Referee James McGrath had restore order on a number of occasions throughout the match as both sides battled desperately to secure their senior status for 2004 and when man-of-the-match McGuinness saw his long range effort sail into the Plunkett's net, Brownstown were brimming with confidence. The Robinstown based club did do their best to claw their way back into the match but points from McGuinness and Graham Dillon ensured the blues survived for another year. There is no doubt that surviving another year in the senior ranks was a major achievement for Brownstown but this annual occurrence could be avoided if the players to a larger extent put in a reasonable effort and not leave it to same nine or ten that give it their all every year. For the record the team that played St Oliver Plunkett's was: Stephen Reilly, Cormac Reilly, Maurice Quinn, Michael Murphy, Jimmy McQuaid, Seamus Reilly, Philip Gilsenan, Graham Dillon (0-1), James Henry, Johnny McGuinness (1-6), Pat Clancy, Dara Brady, Ollie Henry, Georgie Beggan, Barry Davis (1-0). Subs used: Kenneth Reilly for D Brady, David Dolan for J Henry. Tweet

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