2003 was a year to forget for Cullion intermediate hurlers as they failed to regain their senior status, although long serving player and dedicated clubman Gerry Gillen points out that success in the Under-14 B championship was a major bonus for the club. Having contested the senior hurling championship final in 2001, relegation loomed the following year after an epic battle with Raharney in the match to see who made the drop. A replay and extra-time were needed to separate the sides but the Deelsiders held on by the skin of their teeth and thus condemning Cullion to the intermediate ranks. Many believed that they would bounce straight back up at the first attempt but someone forgot to give a very enthusiastic Delvin side a copy of the script as the hungrier men from the Valley snatched a historic win. "Our lads were over confident, it's as simple as that. We went in to that match thinking we had nothing to do and paid the price," said Gerry. "But credit to Delvin they were really up for the match and deserved to win." Qualifying for the knockout stages of the intermediate championship was more or less a formality with Cullion paired with Lough Lene Gaels in the last four. The maroon and whites lived up to their tag of being favourites as they had eight points to spare over the Gaels' second string. Sharp shooter Robbie Galvin was on top form as he registered 1-8 with only three points from frees. It was certainly a game of two halves as the Mullingar border club had a commanding 3-8 to 0-4 lead at half time, their goals coming from Galvin, Wayne Gilhooley and John Bagnall. Collinstown did their best to claw their way back into the match in the second period and to their credit they did close the gap within eight points but their disastrous start to the game left them with a mountain to climb. Apart from Robbie Galvin, county star Frank Shaw was impressive in midfield while Wayne Gilhooley, J.P Reynolds, John Bagnall and Ollie Fay all played their part in the win. Cullion were to meet Delvin in the final after they convincingly beat Southern Gaels in the semi-final. Having been beaten in the 1996, 1998 and 1999 deciders and not contesting the senior championship since the late sixties, it was no surprise that Cullion entered the match as favourites. Cullion started the brighter and raced into a two-point lead when Wayne Gilhooley and J.P Reynolds fired over but Delvin soon settled into their stride. Delvin took the lead when they scored three unanswered points, Cullion replied through Robbie Galvin, who was causing havoc in the Delvin defence but the men from the Valley went in leading 0-4 to 0-3 when they scored in injury time at the end of the first half. The second half saw Delvin stretch their lead to three points early on with Cullion needing inspiration from somewhere and they got it when Galvin fired over a point from a free and the same player narrowed the gap to the minimum moments later. Another three unanswered points for Delvin saw the scores stand at 0-9 to 0-5 with ten minutes remaining. Once again it was Galvin who was his side's saviour as he rifled in a goal to set up a grandstand finish. Although Delvin had failed to deliver in previous years, they were not about to falter this time around as two points gave them some breathing space. It was all out attack for Cullion for the remaining few minutes but despite piling on the pressure on the Delvin defence, it was not to be Cullion's day and they would have to languish in the intermediate ranks for another year. "It was very disappointing to lose the final, especially as it will be very tough to win this year with St Oliver Plunkett's being relegated from the senior," said Gerry. "The majority of this team is over 30 now and if we can't win promotion in the next year or so, it may be a while before we're senior again because it will be a few years before the next batch come through." Well known county referee Terry O'Dowd will train the side for this year's intermediate championship and with such players as the Robbie and Philip Galvin, Frank Shaw, Wayne Gilhooley and Ollie Fay among their ranks, they will once again be one of the favourites for the title. Last year saw the Feile na Gael competition held in the Midlands with the finals being played in Cusack Park. Cullion were the pride of the county when they made it to the Division 5 final. In the group stages Cullion defeated Kilcock (Kildare), Coolera/Strandhill (Sligo) and Ringtown to earn a place in the semi-final where they met English side Warwickshire. The final proved to be one step to far for the youngsters as Cavan side Mullahoran were too strong for the maroon and whites but they had done the county proud by reaching the final. The club has suffered misfortune in the Under-14 B championship in the past couple of years, losing the finals in both 2001 and 2002 and they once again made it to the decider last year where they met St Brigid's as part of a triple header in Cusack Park last September. It looked bleak for Cullion with just five minutes to go as they trailed by a point as the St Brigid's defence stood firm despite being under severe pressure, but it was to be a case of third time lucky for the side. Cullion had the first chance of the match when Damien Golden's long range free drifted narrowly wide, but they did register the first score shortly afterwards with corner forward Darren Creighton raising a white flag. Goalkeeper Scott Hogan was then called into action as St Brigid's went on the attack before they equalised with a point from a '65. Cullion responded immediately and were unlucky not to have two goals before Damien Golden scored his side's second point of the afternoon. St Brigid's hit back straight away with a goal to give them a two point lead as half time approached but Golden once again pointed to leave the half time score 1-1 to 0-3. Man-of-the-match Golden levelled matters just after the interval and the same player put Cullion in front by point shortly afterwards while St Brigid's hit three consecutive wides in between. The next two scores were to come from St Brigid's to edge them in front with only five minutes remaining. Cullion needed a goal and they duly got one when James Kelly's shot low and hard into the corner of the net to push them two points in front. The Dalystown outfit narrowed the gap to a point although when Cullion substitute Shane Walsh fired over the bar, time ran out for the Saffron's and the title was Cullions'. "Having lost in the final the previous two years, it was great to win. There a good bunch of lads who had a great year and hopefully we can keep them together right up through the ranks," said Gerry. "We don't have the vast numbers at underage level that some of the stronger clubs seem to have and it is very hard for us to field at some levels, but we will continue to pick from our own area. Some clubs feel they can go beyond their catchment area for players and in my opinion this is wrong and we won't be doing the same." For a club that have struggled with numbers all down through the years, Cullion have still had their fair share of success and there is no doubt that this small rural club will continue promote the game for many years to come. With men like Gerry Gillen dedicating their time and energy to the club, it is no great surprise that the seldom go a year without silverware. Tweet

Most Read Stories