Castletown-Geoghegan enjoyed its most successful year ever at underage level, claiming championship honours in the under 12, under 14 and under 16 grades. Long-serving secretary Christy Hickey is greatly encouraged by the young talent at the club's disposal. In a year when Castletown-Geoghegan failed to make an impact on the senior hurling championship, the club's underage teams enjoyed tremendous success with county titles being garnered in the under 12, under 14 and under 16 grades. 'Premier' championships were annexed at under 14 and under 16 level while the under 12s were victorious in the 'A' championship. Of the three, the under 16 success was the most significant as it represented Castletown's first ever triumph at that level. "This club has won a lot of things down the years but the under 16 'premier' championship had eluded us until last year," says long-serving secretary Christy Hickey. "It was a very special win but so too were the wins at under 12 and under 14 level. It was the first time in the history of the club that we managed to win three underage championships in the same year which was a wonderful achievement." All three successes came within five weeks of each another. The under 12s were first to taste glory, followed by the under 14s and under 16s. The under 14 team also contested the Feile Shield final earlier in the year but were beaten by Lough Lene Gaels in a remarkable encounter. It was a case of third time lucky for the under 16 team who had lost the previous two finals to St. Oliver Plunkett's. Under the management of Sean Keegan, Finbar Clarke and Padraig Bohan, they defeated Clonkill, Cullion/St. Brigid's/Fr Dalton's and bogey side Plunkett's to reach the decider. The final was played on November 10 at Cusack Park with Raharney providing the opposition for the Castletown lads. Sean Whelan gave the black and ambers a dream start when scored an early goal but Raharney were in front by the end of the first quarter courtesy of points from Conor Jordan (two) and a goal from Alan Doyle. Blaine Lehart quickly restored parity before the same player added two further points from frees to give Castletown-Geoghegan a 2-8 to 1-3 lead at the interval. Sean Keegan's charges stamped their authority on the game early in the second half when a Lehart goal was followed by a point from Eddie O'Neill. Raharney threw everything at Castletown in the minutes that followed but stouted-hearted black and amber resistance restricted them to just one point. Castletown raised their game in the closing stages with points from Joe Clarke, Eamonn Og Clarke and Eddie O'Neill sealing an historic 2-8 to 1-3 victory. Afterwards, Castletown captain Liam Corcoran received the JJ Lynch Memorial Cup from Mrs Marion Sharry, sister of the late JJ Lynch, amid scenes of great joy and excitement. Coincidentally, the final was doubled up with the new club championship competition so, in reality, Castletown had double reason to celebrate. Castletown's dominance of the under 14 'premier' championship continued on October 19 at Robinstown when they demolished St. Oliver Plunkett's in a one-sided final. It was Castletown's fourth under 14 championship win in five years, with Raharney the only club to deny them (in the 1999 final) during that time. The black and ambers qualified for the final courtesy of a 4-9 to 5-4 triumph over Lough Lene Gaels. Heavy rainfall made conditions difficult but with team captain Paul Kirby proving an inspiration, the charges of Sean Keegan and Eamonn Clarke romped to a hugely impressive 6-5 to 0-2 victory. The game was effectively over as a contest at half-time with Castletown a massive 17 points (5-3 to 0-1) in front. The sides were level after 11 minutes but goals from Kirby (two) and Mark McDermott (three) gave the winners an unassailable lead at the break. Another goal from the outstanding Kirby made it very easy for Castletown in the second half. The championship success atoned for the disappointment of defeat in the Feile Shield final earlier in the year when Castletown were forced to give second best to Lough Lene Gaels on an amazing scoreline of 4-13 to 8-3. "Even though we lost to Lough Lene Gaels, I would have to say that it was one of the best games of underage hurling I have ever seen," opines Christy Hickey. "When you score 4-13 and still lose, you can't really have any complaints. Our lads were very disappointed after that but they came back stronger and won the championship, beating the Gaels along the way." The under 12 team, under the guidance of Cristoir Dalton, Kieran Kirby, Pat O'Brien and John Cassidy, were also confronted with the challenge of Lough Lene Gaels in the 'A' championship decider. Played at St. Loman's on October 7, this proved to be another thrilling contest with Castletown emerging victorious on a 2-10 to 4-1 scoreline. At senior level, Castletown-Geoghegan weren't so successful. After reaching the championship semi-final the previous year, hopes were high that the club could at least repeat that feat. But they never got motoring and only managed one win from their three outings. Castletown were facing an uphill battle following their 2-7 to 0-15 defeat to Clonkill in their opening game on May 27. Clonkill made the brighter start and were 0-4 to 0-1 in front after 15 minutes. But a goal from Pat Conway had reduced the deficit to two points at the break. When Colm Geoghegan gave Castletown the lead with a second goal just after the resumption, it appeared that the black and ambers were gaining the upperhand. But Clonkill immediately equalized through Enda Loughlin and went on to finish the stronger. Castletown's only win of the campaign came at the expense of Brownstown on June 19. A Jonathan Melligan goal gave Brownstown an early advantage but Castletown hit back with goals from Alan Mangan and Keith Gorry to take a 2-4 to 1-1 lead into the interval. They maintained their six-point cushion in the second half to run out 2-8 to 1-5 winners. A place in the semi-final was at stake when Castletown met Castlepollard in their final group game at Cusack Park on July 1. The black and ambers were facing an uphill battle from the moment Adrian Smyth scored a Castlepollard goal in the opening minute. Pat Conway pulled back a goal for Castletown but 'Pollard were 2-9 to 1-4 to the good at half-time. Castletown rallied strongly in the second half but, despite restricting 'Pollard to only one point, were defeated on a 1-10 to 2-10 scoreline. As the third placed team in the group, Castletown were pitted against Cullion in the quarter-final. Despite their indifferent form up until then, the black and ambers were favourites to progress. Cullion, however, had other ideas and, with Colin Whyte contributing nine points, went on to record a shock 1-13 to 0-13 win. Hickey, who is a virtual ever-present at Castletown-Geoghegan matches (he informs us that he attended all but two of the 84 games played by the club during 2001), is keeping his fingers crossed that the Examiner Cup will make its return to the village in the near future. "With all the underage success we've had over the past few years, I think we are going about it the right way. But fellas have got to be prepared to put in the effort in order to make it happen," he concludes. The Castletown-Geoghegan team that captured the under 16 'premier' championship for the first time was: Christy Maloney; Michael Garvin, Pat Ryan, Shane Herity; Shane Carey, Brian Garvin, David Langan; Liam Corcoran, Michael Bohan; Blaine Lehart, Niall Kenny, Joseph Clarke; Eamonn Og Clarke, Eddie O'Neill, Sean Whelan. Subs used: Michael Dillon, Michael Kirby, John Gallagher and Paul Kirby. The Castletown-Geoghegan team which retained the under 14 'premier' championship was: Padraig Maloney; Graham Jackson, Michael Dillon, Alan Garvin; David Deegan, Adam Bouabbsse, Michael Maloney; Ian McDonnell, Paul Kirby; David Clarke, Keith Scally, Robert Burge; Robbie Jackson, Mark McCormack, Mark McDermott. Subs used: Gerry Clarke, Diarmuid Kirby, Ciaran Deegan and Gary Fallon. Castletown win Division 2 title Castletown-Geoghegan can look forward to senior league hurling this year after their 1-15 to 1-10 victory over Ringtown in the All-County League Division 2 final last November. Played at Castletown-Geoghegan, this final was keenly contested but the home side's greater all-round strength gave them the win. The victory atoned for the disappointment the black and ambers experienced after losing the previous year's final to Southern Gaels. The Castletown-Geoghegan team which captured the All-County Hurling League Division 2 title was: John Jackson; Pat Conway, Ronan Corcoran, Kevin Jackson; Fintan Clarke, Derek Gallagher, Johnny Corcoran; Ian Corrigan, Adrian Austin; Barry Whelan, Keith Gorry, Alan Mangan; Pat Clarke, Cristoir Dalton, Ronan Whelan. Subs: Joe Fagan, Emmet Dalton, Conor Daly, Michael Maloney, Sean Fallon, Joe Clarke, Ollie Dalton, Blaine Lehart, Eddie Bouabbse, Ger Linnane, Willie Corcoran, Padraig Dalton and Colm Geoghegan. Tweet

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