While memories of their agonising senior final defeat continue to haunt Castletown-Geoghegan, the year was by no means a failure with the success of the under 16 and minor teams providing plenty of hope for the future. Don't talk to Castletown-Geoghegan about heartbreak. In an astonishing finish to last September's senior hurling final, the black and ambers had one hand on the Examiner Cup, only to have it snatched away in the cruellest of circumstances by a wily Lough Lene Gaels outfit. Even now, Castletown players and supporters continue to be haunted by that devastating loss. A point up in stoppage-time, Castletown somehow finished on the wrong end of a five-point defeat. Where did it all go wrong? Followers of the black and ambers can only assume that Houdini was a Collinstown man. The blow was softened somewhat by the club's historic victory over St. Oliver Plunkett's in the preceding minor decider. Later in the year, Castletown also retained the under 16 'premier' title with a fine win over a Delvin/Brownstown amalgamation. The fact that the club also contested the under 21 and junior finals suggests that the wait for senior championship glory may be nearing an end. Castletown's minor championship triumph was the first in the club's history, though they were a part of the O'Raghallaigh's amalgamation which won the title 40 years earlier. Few had expected the black and ambers to get the better of a St. Oliver Plunkett's side that had beaten them in the under 16 decider of 2000. But, producing a wonderful display of hurling, the charges of Finbar Clarke, Sean Keegan, Padraig Bohan and Eamon Clarke powered to a memorable 2-12 to 0-8 victory. Plunkett's, who were chasing their third minor title on the trot, opened the scoring through Sean Maguire, but the challengers soon settled with a goal from Ger Linnane giving them the lead. The Mullingar side restored parity after 11 minutes and the scores remained level until the 25th minute when Maguire edged Plunkett's back in front. But Castletown began to exert dominance as the half drew to a close with points from Blaine Lahart, Eamon Og Clarke (two) and Ciaran Carey helping them to a three-point cushion at the interval. Plunkett's reduced the gap on the restart, but a brace of points from Shane Fennell and another from Lahart had Castletown five clear by the 38th minute. Despite their dominance, it wasn't until the 53rd minute that the black and ambers copperfastened victory when Shane Fennell and substitute Eddie O'Neill combined to set up Ger Linnane for his second goal. O'Neill and Clarke followed up with late points to the delight of the large Castletown following in Cusack Park. Encouragingly, all but four of last season's 35-strong minor panel are eligible for the grade again this year. The quartet who are not underage in 2003 are Ger Linnane, Shane Fennell, Ciaran Carey and last year's captain Michael Maloney. Nine of the minor panel were also members of the Castletown under 16 team that completed a two in-a-row of championship successes last November. Under the guidance of Eamon Clarke, Sean Keegan and Finbar Clarke, Castletown recovered from a one point interval deficit to run out 0-11 to 1-3 victors over Delvin/Brownstown at Robinstown. A key factor in Castletown's success was the superb goalkeeping of Patrick Maloney. The young netminder produced a number of important saves, none more crucial than that from Delvin/Brownstown wing forward Daniel Smyth with nine minutes remaining. Physically stronger, the challengers from north Westmeath got off to the better start with Kenny Higgins' fortuitous goal helping them to a 1-2 to 0-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. Eamon Og Clarke and Christy Maloney pulled back points, but Castletown still trailed by 0-4 to 1-2 at the half-way stage. Castletown turned the game on its head on the restart with unanswered points from Clarke (two), Maloney and Sean Whelan putting them three clear. Kenny Higgins replied with Delvin/Brownstown's only point of the second half as Castletown went on to clinch victory with further scores from Clarke and Robbie Jackson. Castletown were denied an underage treble when they lost to a more experienced Clonkill by 0-5 to 2-11 in the under 21 championship final in December. The Loughegar side laid the foundations for victory in the first half when a brace of goals from Gerard Fagan helped them to a 2-5 to 0-3 lead at the break. The black and ambers improved in the second half, but the Clonkill defence was in unyielding form and they only conceded two further scores. Clonkill also proved Castletown's masters in the junior championship final, defeating them by 1-10 to 1-8 to claim a third title in succession. En route to the under 21 final, Castletown had beaten Ringtown by 4-10 to 1-5 and St. Oliver Plunkett's by 4-5 to 1-12 after extra-time. With just two of last year's panel overage this season, expect Castletown to mount an even greater challenge for under 21 honours. After a couple of disappointing seasons, Castletown showed a vast improvement at senior level in 2002. They topped Division 1 of the league section of the senior championship by virtue of victories over St. Oliver Plunkett's (0-16 to 0-12), Cullion (2-11 to 2-8) and Brownstown (2-15 to 1-7). In the semi-final against holders Clonkill, Pat Connaughton scored a hat-trick of goals to inspire Castletown to a 4-6 to 0-11 triumph. In what was a repeat of the 1996 final, Ger Jackson's charges squared up to Lough Lene Gaels in the decider. Castletown were bidding for their first senior crown in 12 years, and they looked like bridging that gap until the Gaels staged a remarkable injury-time rally which gave them victory by 4-11 to 2-12. The Collinstown men made a dream start with John Kennedy's early goal propelling them to a 1-2 to 0-1 lead. But Castletown eventually found their feet and, as half-time approached, were on level terms, 1-6 to 0-9. However, Michael Cosgrove's side ended the half as they had started it with a second goal from Gary Briody and a point from team captain John Gavigan leaving them four points clear, 2-7 to 0-9. With John Brennan and Pat Clarke gaining the upperhand at midfield, Castletown roared back into contention when Ronan Whelan crashed a penalty to the net in the 38th minute. But their chances were dealt a severe blow two minutes later when substitute Gary Jackson was sent off just moments after being introduced. The Gaels failed to take advantage of this, however, and when Pat Connaughton's scrambled goal was followed by Clarke's lead point in injury-time, defeat was staring them in the face. But the seasoned Collinstown outfit refused to panic and they went on to claim victory in the most dramatic circumstances imaginable. Daniel Carty first-timed the all-important third goal through a mass of Castletown bodies after Brendan Williams' '65' had dropped short of the target. Then, before Castletown could recover, John Kennedy netted for a second time to break the hearts of a shell-shocked Castletown faithful. Perhaps the Gods will look upon Castletown-Geoghegan more favourably in the coming season. Tweet

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