Many observers feel that small clubs are in danger of becoming insignificant in the overall scheme of things in the GAA world, but for St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham the ambition remains as strong as ever. By Damien Maher Undeterred by another frustrating year in the junior football championship, the ambitious Westmeath club is focusing on strengthening its underage structure and developing its already impressive facilities in Multyfarnham, as well as making a renewed drive to lift itself out of the junior grade. Last year saw them earn just one draw in the championship, but they are keen to do better and have installed the vastly experienced Des Doolin as junior team manager for 2006. Doolin brings a wealth of knowledge to the club, having previously trained teams like Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall, Granard in Longford and Westmeath minor footballers. In fact, Doolin was only narrowly pipped for a second stint with the Lake County minors this year, while his recent achievements with Inny Gaels and St. Michael's underage clubs have impressed many. Naturally, St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham are thrilled with the appointment and hope it will coincide with a renewed drive from the players, and an improved showing in the championship. "Des Doolin will be a massive help to us and we're delighted to have secured the services of a coach of his calibre," said St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham Chairman, Dinny Kelly. With 2006 representing the 50th anniversary of Multyfarnham's only junior championship triumph, there's sure to be a renewed drive. Last year Derry native Tony McGreevy, proprietor of local establishment The Covert Bar, was training the team, but work commitments meant he couldn't remain at the helm. St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham didn't have a bad start, drawing with Ballycomoyle in Shandonagh (1-8 apiece). They headed for Springfield in Mullingar for the second round against championship favourites, and eventual winners, Ballinagore. They competed very well, but lost by a goal, 3-8 to 2-8. "We ran Ballinagore very close and could have snatched a result," recalled Dinny, "but after that things went bad for us." They met county finalists St. Paul's in the third round and suffered a seven points defeat, 1-13 to 1-6. St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham were now starting to struggle and Loughnavalley enjoyed a two points win (1-7 to 1-5) when the sides met in the fourth round of the championship. Delvin were their opponents in the final game in Division 1 (section 1) and St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham suffered another seven points defeat, 3-7 to 1-6. "I'm not making excuses, but it was a very difficult year with younger players away in college," remarked Dinny Kelly. "We will have about 10 players in college this year also, but we're hoping that players will make every effort under the new trainer. We have a very young team, with the oldest player 29 and some lads still only 17." League football failed to hold anything other than disappointment for the combination side. They lost to Ballynacargy and Killucan and faced a lengthy 11-week period without games. However, they are hopeful that the new junior league system will have greater continuity. In the Junior Cup, Ballycomoyle proved too strong and this is another bad memory for St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham. "Had we won our games in the cup, we could have had the final at home and we're very disappointed that this didn't inspire an extended run," said Dinny Kelly. Having reached the quarter final of the championship in 2004, St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham are now keen to put in another bold showing. This year's Club Secretary is John Moran, while Mick Kiernan is Treasurer. "It will be a tough championship, with Milltown and Caulry coming back from intermediate, but Des Doolin has a good track record and we're confident he can get the very best out of what is a very young team," said Dinny. At the time of writing, the club is still in the process of finalising the full management team, but, initially, Dinny Kelly and John Moran are likely to act as selectors with the new manager. Michael Feerick is the team coordinator. At underage level, St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham are making strides. While U16 and minor footballers are thin on the ground, they have been focussing their efforts on U10 and U12 level, as they attempt to build up a strong nucleus of players for the challenging times that lie ahead. Sean Kelly was manager of the U12 team in 2005 and he oversaw significant progress. "It was an excellent year, we had big numbers and got four or five wins under our belt for the first time in years," beamed Sean, who's determined to build on the progress. St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham met every Saturday from 11am to 12 midday. The season started in mid-March and ran until mid-September, and there was massive interest shown. "We have a great group of players at U8, U10 and U12 level and we're dong very well," explained Sean. "We have a system in place that we've stuck to for the last number of years. There are specific tournaments that we enter at U10 level and we have committed people involved." At U14 level, St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham competed in all games, while their U16 and minor footballers linked up with St. Michael's for the year. The minors reached the semi-final of the championship and finished third in the league. "They're difficult grades for us, U16 and minor, because we never had the players," explained Sean. "It wasn't a case of losing them at any stage, but what we are trying to do now is develop our U10 and U12 sides so has to have sufficient numbers further down the road." It will continue in the same manner this year, with the U16 and minor footballers plying their trade with St. Michael's, while Sean is hoping that last year's U12 side will progress to form a capable U14 team. "We registered 78 players at underage this year and I remember we had about nine only five years ago, so that's some difference," said Sean. "We have been concentrating on U10 and U12 players for the last number of years, trying to build them up, and it's paying off." The U12 side enjoyed good victories over Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall, Bunbrosna, Ballycomoyle and St. Loman's 'B'. They competed well against St. Loman's 'A' and Mullingar Shamrocks. Having opened their new grounds in Multyfarnham in 2003, the club is now developing a new juvenile pitch, equipped with floodlighting, to cater for the growing interest. The St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham U12 panel in 2005 was: Brendan Saunders, Daniel Loughrey, Ciaran McCabe, Ian McGovern, Rory Hogan, James Pierce, David Stell, Aaron Orme, Evan McGibney, Kevin Duffy, Anthony Kelly, Danny Newman, Paul Kelly, Adam O'Keefe, Lorcan Savage, Padraig Moran, Colm Hogan, Shane Kellegher, Dylan Maxwell, Keith Maxwell, Niall Feerick, James Murtagh, Peter Murtagh. One younger member of the St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham set-up is making eye-catching progress. Max Brady was a prominent member of the Westmeath U16 team two years ago and is part of Dermot Brady's minor panel this year. Michael Feerick and Nuala Moran, the underage Chairman and Secretary respectively, will be hoping that other stars emerge in the coming year as St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham seek to make further strides. Tweet

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