For the third time in four years, Milltownpass' interests in the intermediate championship ended at semi-final stage. Defender Joe Loran believes 2002 was a lost opportunity for the black and whites. After faltering at the semi-final stage in three of the last four years, Milltownpass must be wondering what they have to do to reach an intermediate championship decider. In each of the past two years, they have qualified automatically for the last four after topping their league section. In 2001, St. Malachy's sent them packing while last year it was Tang's turn to deny them a place in the final. That the outcome was only decided after extra-time in a replay made the defeat all the more difficult for Milltownpass to accept. "It was a bitter pill to have to swallow," admits Milltownpass defender Joe Loran. "When you include last year's replay, we have appeared in four semi-finals in as many years and it's frustrating to think that we haven't managed to win one of them. Everything seemed to be going according to plan last year until we played Tang. "I wish I knew why we haven't been able to get past the semi-final - maybe we haven't been putting enough effort in. It could also be argued that we have been at a disadvantage in that the teams that have beaten us over the past two years have played quarter-finals," he adds. Under the management of Mick Mulroy, Milltownpass made a disappointing start to the championship when they succumbed to Shandonagh by 0-8 to 0-13 on April 27. Facing into the wind in the first half, the black and whites immediately found themselves on the backfoot and were playing catch-up for the game's remainder. That defeat obviously served as a wake-up call for Milltownpass who won their next five matches to finish top of the group. The winning run began with a 1-7 to 0-7 triumph over Rosemount. Further wins over Killucan (3-9 to 1-8) and Bunbrosna (1-6 to 0-8) had them in a confident frame of mind going into their fifth round game against Kilbeggan Shamrocks. Having just come down from the senior ranks, Kilbeggan were expected to provide a severe test, but Milltownpass produced a dominant performance to run out 1-13 to 1-5 winners. Despite struggling to see off Mullingar Shamrocks by 0-9 to 1-4 in their final group game, Milltownpass' earlier performances suggested that they were capable of landing their first intermediate crown since 1981. But after a 140-minute tussle with Tang, their championship hopes lay in ruins. Milltownpass had entered the tie as favourites with Tang, amazingly, having managed just one win on the field of play prior to then. Played on September 14 at Rochfortbridge, the game bore witness to an early spell of Tang pressure which saw them lead by 0-7 to 0-3 after 27 minutes. But a couple of shrewd positional changes saw Milltownpass battle back to restore parity at the interval (0-7 each). The 'Pass hit the front on the restart when Eamonn Gorman fisted the opening goal after Dessie Gorman had delivered a high centre. But Tang soon regained the lead courtesy of a goal from substitute Seamus Keenan. Michael Tumelty shot two further points in the closing stages to keep Tang noses in front, but an injury-time free by Emmett Brennan earned Milltownpass a second bite at the cherry on a 1-12 to 1-12 scoreline. The sides renewed rivalries at Rochfortbridge on September 28 and Tang made no mistake at the second of asking, triumphing by 2-10 to 0-8 after extra-time. Milltownpass opened brightly with scores from Shane Donoghue and Dermot Gorman (three) giving them a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes. During the same period, Tang 'keeper TJ Galvin pulled off a brilliant save to deny Eamonn Gorman a certain goal. Following that let-off, the men in maroon and white came more into the game and points from Tumelty and Padraig Reilly left just the minimum between the sides at the break. An injury to Tumelty didn't bode well for Tang's chances, but Joe Conlon proved an able replacement, almost immediately earning his side a penalty which Denis Bannon expertly converted to give the southerners a 1-4 to 0-5 lead. Milltownpass didn't lose heart, however, and with five minutes remaining, Dermot Gorman notched the equalizing point to force the game into extra-time. But there was only really one team in it in the additional 20 minutes as Tang stamped their authority on proceedings. The clinching goal was scored in the final minute by Denis Bannon who showed a wonderful presence of mind to lob the ball over Paul Brady after the Milltownpass goalkeeper had mis-directed his kick-out. "We were bitterly disappointed afterwards, to collapse like we did in extra-time was very disappointing," Loran says. "We had got off to a great start, but the concession of the penalty just after half-time brought Tang right back into it. They seemed to draw inspiration from that goal and, for some reason, we weren't able to compete with them in extra-time. "I think if we had gotten over Tang, we would have given a good account of ourselves in the final. We seem to be jinxed when it comes to semi-finals. Until we win one, it's something that's going to remain at the back of our minds," he adds. The year was by no means a disappointment for Milltownpass as the club could feel proud of its contribution to Clann Braonain's under 16 'premier' championship success. Hughie Burke, Kevin Reid, Darragh O'Connor and Andy Devine started the drawn an replayed finals, while Dean Gammell, Fintan and Paddy Reilly, and David Wright saw action as substitutes. Faced with the challenge of St. Earnan's in the decider, the Milltownpass/Tyrrellspass/St. Mary's amalgamation had trailed by 0-3 to 2-4 at half-time, but outscored their opponents by 0-8 to 0-1 on the resumption to earn a replay. Clann Braonain were much quicker out of the starting blocks in the replay, with David Glennon's goal helping them to a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at the break. But St. Earnan's refused to give up the fight and with only minutes remaining, they had cut the deficit to the minimum. However, a late point from Drew Morgan copperfastened a 1-9 to 1-7 victory for Clann. "The under 16 success was a great boost for the club because it has been a long time since Clann Braonain had won anything. It's important to have the young lads coming through because the current intermediate team isn't getting any younger," Loran points out. Mick Mulroy has been reappointed team manager for the coming season, but there has been a slight change to his backroom team with Frank O'Hara taking over a selector from Mick Flanagan. Jay Faulkner continues as the other selector. Despite losing Philip O'Hara and Eamonn Gorman to retirement, Loran expects Milltownpass to be a stronger unit this year in their quest for that elusive intermediate title. "Philip and Eamonn are big losses and won't be easy to replace. But we have Adriel Farrell, Ray Geoghegan and the two Earleys, Kevin and Brian, back with us after missing all of last year which has to be a major plus. "Another plus is that Jim Whelehan has decided to give it another year. I'm sure one or two of last year's under 16s will also be challenging for starting places. I have no doubt that we have the talent to win an intermediate championship. Maybe with a bit more effort, we could at last achieve our goal," he concludes. Tweet

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