After being relegated to intermediate football for the first time in their history, Moate All Whites sought an immediate return to the premier grade in 2005, but found the championship an uncompromising competition. And a lack of killer instinct proved very costly. Defeat to Shandonagh in a play-off for the quarter final eventually ended their interest in their first ever tilt at intermediate football. Naturally, it hasn't satisfied their cravings and the senior champions of 1997 remain mad keen to get back to top-flight football. Manager Eamon Mahon from Shannonbridge has been reinstalled and must have been impressed with the response from the Moate players as the year progressed. Selectors Nick Linnane and Tony McDermott will work with Mahon and club P.R.O. Derek Claffey feels that if the same level of commitment continues this year, Moate are capable of avenging that untimely championship exit. "We had a great chance to beat Shandonagh the first day and didn't do it," he pondered. "However, when one considers that the two finalists came from our division of the championship, and we drew with both of them in the group stages, it shows that we weren't that far off the mark. "Although we were knocked out of the championship, the attitude of the players was good and there were excellent attendances at training for the league games we had remaining. We'll be looking to keep that going because we know it's a competitive championship." Many observers in Westmeath have expressed surprise at the decline of underage football in Moate, but there's a determination to alter that trend. And while 2005 failed to produce silverware for the intermediate footballers, progress at minor level is something Moate folk are really heartened by. The All Whites intermediate championship campaign began with a joust against their neighbours and keen rivals St. Joseph's. In what was a close, keenly contested affair, Moate emerged with a three points victory, 1-10 to 1-7. The second round pitted Moate All Whites against another neighbouring team, Caulry. The Mount Temple side really tested Mahon's charges for long spells, but the All Whites fended off their opponents' attempted resurgence and, despite the concession of a late goal, had four points to spare at the final whistle, 1-11 to 1-7. "It was definitely an improvement on our first round showing and to have two wins under at belts at that stage left us well placed," reflected Derek Claffey. However, Moate All Whites' failure to kill off opponents really came back to haunt them in round three. They faced Ballynacargy at Cusack Park and seemed in control of the match, but a late equalizer meant they were forced to settle for a share of the spoils (0-12 to 1-9). If Moate's failure to capitalise on their superiority was a factor in the third round, it proved disastrous in their fourth championship outing. They encountered Castletown/Finea/Coole/Whitehall and held a seven points lead at half time, 0-8 to 0-1. An early second half point put them eight ahead and they remained on course to make amends. But 'Finea produced a spirited fight back, scoring two goals and, in a dramatic finish, pipped Mahon's men for what Derek Claffey felt was a deserved win (2-5 to 0-9). "In fairness to 'Finea they showed a good bit of skill when their position looked impossible in the second half," admitted the P.R.O. Next up for Moate was a meeting with eventual intermediate champions Killucan. It was a tough, tight match and the sides were inseparable at the final whistle (1-9 apiece) as Moate recorded their second draw of the campaign. Moate All Whites' final group game was against Shandonagh, a team that had reached the championship semi final the previous year and was being touted as one of the leading contenders. It was another case of Mahon's men failing to finish the job, though. While the game was finely balanced in the second half, Moate took control near the end, but five wides cost them and Shandonagh held on for a precious draw (1-7 to 0-10). It meant the sides had to meet again to decide who would progress to the last eight. It was back to Castletown-Geoghegan for Moate's second clash with Shandonagh and, on a forgettable evening, the All Whites exited the championship, losing by tthree points (1-8 to 0-8) having conceded a vital goal. "While it was a disappointing end to our championship campaign, there were a lot of positives," said Derek Claffey. "Most encouraging was the number of younger players who stepped in. We had five 17-year-olds involved and, despite the loss of the likes of Michael Broder and John Deehan, we came mightily close to qualifying. "Ultimately what cost us was our failure to kill off teams and finish out matches. Against Killucan we were in front and let it slip, allowing them to grab a draw, and it was the same against Ballynacargy. Losing an eight-point lead to 'Finea was a disaster." "We still had a few league games to play when we were knocked out of the championship and the attendance at training at that stage will have pleased Eamon Mahon. We'll be looking to keep that going this year." Moate finished mid-table in Division 2 of the league, with victories over Tang, Caulry and Kilbeggan, and draws with Athlone and Rosemount. They suffered a heavy defeat to Maryland and also had a home reversal against Ballynacargy. The All Whites' intermediate cup campaign ended early as they lost to Rosemount after a replay. "The first game (a league and cup double up) was our best game of the year," reflected Derek Claffey. "The replay was another great contest, but we lost after extra-time." Moate's second string team played in Division 5 of the league and recorded a few good victories. They missed out narrowly on a play-off in the Junior 'B' Championship, despite victories over Kilbeggan and Caulry. Among the leading members of the younger brigade were Conor Hynes and Brendan Arigho and Moate All Whites are delighted with the performances of their minor footballers in 2005. They lost to The Downs having reached the championship semi-final. "We have a new strategy in Moate at the moment and we're keen to reverse improve dramatically at underage level," said Derek Claffey. And there is plenty for Jody Duffy, Liam Claffey and Jody Kelly to be pleased about with the minor side of 2005. Moate have a lot of coaching experience in the club, with Jimmy Brady, Cyril Gillivan, Liam Claffey and Michael Heffernan among those who are qualified as Level 1 coaches. "We're hoping that will stand to us," admits Derek Claffey." Off the field, work on Moate All Whites' club house is almost complete and there will be a gala opening in the Summer. They now boast four new dressing rooms, full public toilets, meeting rooms and a referees' room, having received a grant from the National Lottery. They also held successful fund-raisers in 2005, including a race night in the Auld Sheeben for the underage and a Golf Classic at the Moate Golf Club. They are also planning their own newsletter this year and have launched their own website. Club Chairman is Seamus McLoughlin, while Joe Whelan is Secretary and Danny Cochrane Treasurer. The committee is planning to launch their five year development plan with the County Board's Development Officer, having already completed the Pre-AGM Course. And that will all coincide with a concerted drive to get back to senior level. "Last year consolidation was important, but while it's a very competitive championship, we have ambitions on doing better this year," admits Derek Claffey. "We were in a tough group last year and drew with both finalists before failing narrowly to get to the quarter finals. If we make the knockout stages we know that anything is possible." The Moate team which lost to Shandonagh in the intermediate championship quarter final play-off was: David Mackey; Paul McLoughlin, Peter Tuohey, Damien Phelan; Brendan Arigho, Peter Gillivan, Kevin Deehan; Lar Gillivan (0-1), Dermot Browne; Conor Hynes (0-1, free), Anthoiny Malone, Eamon McDermott; Kit Gillivan (0-2), Alan Claffey (0-1), Nigel Adamson (0-2). Subs: Declan Costello, Conor Costello (0-1, free), James Kinihan. Tweet

Most Read Stories