Young Irelands came within a minute of promotion to Division 2 to go along with their Intermediate Championship status achieved following the 2007 junior final win over St. Mochtas. It wasn't to be however as Naomh Fionnbarra clinched the Macardle Cup and Division 3 title with a last minute goal from William Woods to finish 2-10 to 2-8 winners over Young Irelands in the Play-off Final at Dromiskin. This was the second occasion that Fionnbarrs got the better of Young Irelands in Division 3. Irelands only needed a point from their last game against the Togher men to clinch the title however Fionnbarrs won a low scoring game in Ballygassan to leave three teams - Fionnbarrs, Irelands and Dowdallshill - all tied on 20 points at the top. Young Irelands had a +50 score difference that in normal circumstances would have settled the issue however as walkovers were given during year, the rules stipulated that play-offs would decide promotion. Naomh Fionnbarra and Dowdallshill were drawn to meet with winners playing Young Irelands in the final. The Ballygassan team accounted for the 'Hill 0-10 to 0-06 to book another game with the Irelands in Dromiskin in early November. Irelands had a nervous first half and it took a 21st minute penalty from Simon Flynn to give Irelands a 1-3 to 0-5 half-time lead. Full-back Simon Flynn was called upon again in the second half when Graham Carr was upended inside the small square. Once again Simon dispatched the resulting spot-kick to the Fionnbarrs net to give Irelands a valuable four point lead entering the last quarter. Fionnbarrs rallied but with Aaron Rogers, Andrew and Peter Nixon and Ciaran Conlon driving them on, Irelands appeared to have done enough in the closing stages. They will however rue a few missed opportunities in the following minutes to kill the game off. With a two point lead entering injury time it was left to young Woods to inflict the cruellest blows to Irelands with his pointed free was followed by the decisive goal. Dundalk Young Irelands - Craig McKenna, Shane O'Connell, Simon Flynn (2-0), Ryan Moran, Robbie Farrell, Aaron Rogers, Peter Flynn, Peter Nixon (0-1), Gerard Nixon, Nicholas O'Connor, Alan Haughey, Sean Rafferty (0-1), Ciaran Conlon (0-5)2f, Andrew Nixon, Mark Savage (0-1). Subs used: David Lally and Graham Carr All-in-all the Irelands players and management can be very proud of a good season, maintaining their Intermediate Championship status and going so close to League success. The IFC did not start well with a heavy defeat from town neighbours Clans, however the Irelands settled in better as Group A progressed taking a point from a draw against eventual winners Dreadnots followed by an excellent four point win over St. Josephs. Irelands finished IFC Group A on three points, the same total as O'Connells however the 'Bellinghams side better score average ensured it was Irelands who played Sean McDermotts in the relegation play-off. It took a replay and a Mark Savage hat-trick to see off the McDermotts challenge and retain IFC status for 2009. Irelands didn't have the best start to Division 3 losing to Stabannon however their form was solid thereafter winning ten consecutive games before the final round defeat to Fionnbarrs. At the end of the season manager Pat Conlon finished off three successful years with Irelands and there is no doubt that the enthusiastic and affable Cregganduff man will be fondly remembered by all in the club. Having arrived for the 2006 season, Pat turned around a few barren years to land the Macardle Cup in his first season. Irelands only missed out on promotion as the County Board changed the league structures. Pat's greatest hour with Young Irelands came on 14th September 2007 when the Junior Championship was captured with a 1-7 to 0-7 win over St. Mochtas in the Clans field. In 2008 having steered the club to the top of the league with a big score advantage, Pat was denied a clean sweep because other teams received walkovers thereby nullifying the score advantage and leading to play-offs. All in Dundalk Young Irelands GFC express thanks to Pat for his undivided loyalty to the club and the club wish the Conlon family all the best for the future. Over his three years Pat became a true friend to Dundalk Young Irelands and he has certainly left his mark on a chapter of the clubs 125 year history. Throughout 2008, the ladies group provided food every night after training and the players and management are also extremely grateful for their commitment to the club. Dundalk Young Irelands 2008 Div 3 Panel - Aaron Rogers (c), David Bailey, John Boland, Graham Carr, Ciaran Conlon, Donal Duffy, Robbie Farrell, Joey Flynn, Peter Flynn, Simon Flynn, Gerard Hanratty, Alan Haughey, Kevin Keelan, David Lally, Sean Laverty, Derek Maguire, Barry McDermott, Craig McKenna, Michael Mone, Ryan Moran, Andrew Nixon, Conor Nixon, Gerard Nixon, Peter Nixon, Shane O'Connell, Nicholas O'Connor, Martin O'Reilly, Sean Rafferty, Tom Rogers, Mark Savage, Michael Shields, Sean Watters, Ryan Whyte. Dundalk Young Irelands 2008 Div 4C Panel - Conor Mc Crory (c), Robert Agnew, David Bailey, John Boland, James Byrne, Ian Campbell, Stephen Coburn, Gavin Coleman, David Corbally, Donal Duffy, Colin Farrell, Robert Farrell, Niall Fergus, Joey Flynn, Shane Greene, Anton Hande, Gerard Hanratty, Alan Haughey, Dermot Keelan, Kevin Keelan, David Lally, Sean Laverty, Johnny Mc Ardle, Paul McArdle, Noel Mc Conville, Paul Mc Donald, John Mc Gahon, Joseph Mc Grath, Craig Mc Kenna, Dermot Mone, Miceál Mone, Paddy Mone, Sam Mulligan, Ciaran Murray, Sean Newberry, Conor Nixon, Gerard Nixon, Nicholas O Connor, Cian O Naraigh, MartinO Reilly, Tom Rogers, Eoin Whearty, Ryan Whyte The year will also be remembered for Dundalk Young Irelands GFC celebrating the 2007 Junior Championship win with a Dinner Dance in Ballymascanlon Hotel on Saturday 9th February. MC for the evening was LMFM's Colum Corrigan while also present were Louth County Board Chairman Paddy Oliver and Secretary Pat Hamilton. The club were delighted that eight of the club's Honorary Presidents were also in attendance, including Fr. Kieran Butler S.M, Club President from 1974-78 and now based in Coolock, Dublin. The evening started with traditional music in the lounge by the clubs young players Sean Newberry and Kevin Keelan. Chairman John Laverty welcomed the large attendance to the banquet. He noted the regrettable absence of Club President Fr. John Mulligan S.M., asking all present to keep Fr. John in their thoughts and prayers. During the meal Colum Corrigan kept the guests attention with a few interviews while a photo compilation of the club's history and a successful 2007 was displayed on the big screen. The guests also enjoyed DVD highlights of the junior semi-final and final displayed before the presentations commenced. In his address, County Board Chairman, Paddy Oliver thanked the club for the invitation stating that he was very encouraged by the work that is being carried out by Young Irelands at club and county level. He congratulated the club on the Junior Championship win, along with reaching the Minor Final and wished the club well in their endeavours during 2008. He then presented the Christy Bellew Cup to winning captain Aaron Rogers and medals to the victorious panel: Craig McKenna, Shane O'Connell, Graham Carr, Simon Flynn, Peter Nixon, Peter Flynn, Andrew Nixon, Gerard Nixon, Sean Rafferty, John McArdle, Ryan Moran, David Bailey, Derek Maguire, Mark Savage, Ciaran Conlon, Conor Nixon, Kevin Keelan, Joe Hoey, Donal Duffy, Gerard Hanratty, Alan Haughey, Paul McDonald, Tom Rogers, Michael Mone, Sean Laverty, Philip McArdle, Robert Agnew, Niall Fergus, Colin Farrell, Stephen Coburn, Gavin Coleman, Robbie Farrell, Ryan Whyte, Noel McConville, Michael Shields The players made presentations to the winning managers Pat Conlon, Adrian O'Donoghue and their wives while Secretary Tony Hande presented the 2007 club awards: Player of the Year U-16 Nicholas O'Connor, U-18 Derek Maguire/Peter Nixon, Junior 2 Conor Nixon, Junior 1 (selected by fellow players) Mark Savage and Club Person of Year Paul McArdle. The formalities were rounded off by John Laverty congratulating the award winners while expressing the hope that there will be more success to come. He thanked the various speakers and guests, MC Colum Corrigan and the Dinner Dance committee for their splendid organisation of the night. He also paid special mention to the club's sponsors, particularly main sponsors Brubakers Bars and Sony Playstation for their continued support. He concluded by reminding all to be proud to be a part of the great tradition that is Dundalk Young Irelands. The party went on long into the night with The Urge providing the entertainment. Mean while, the club has continued its excellent work at juvenile level as they look to produce the talent that will see the club progress at adult level over the coming years. Club chairman, John Laverty, it delighted with the effort being made from U7s upwards where there is a dual objective - to let the young players have fun and to develop their Gaelic football skills. "We really put in a big effort into the Og Sport section of the club. We have training every Monday night during the season and it is brilliant to see so many young lads turning out," said John. "The club is focusing on the youth and the future of the club so at present we are putting a lot of time into player development. We start at U7 with just the basics skills and then gradually build it up from there. It is all about the young players having fun and new members are always welcome to come along. "We will be looking to get more girls involved at the U7 age group and hopefully we will be able to field a ladies team in the near future," revealed the chairman. With some many young players joining the club, John reveals that it would not be possible to manage them all without the help of the respective coaches, and he admits it is very pleasing to see many former players coming back to help out at this level. Taking charge of the U7 squad are Aid O'Hagan and Coamhin O'Callaghan, while Clive Friary, Michael Bent and John Laverty look after the U9s. The U11 players are coached by Paul O'Hare and Peter Hoey, along with current adult players, Donal Duffy and Paul McDonnell, while Ciaran Maguire and Adrian O'Donoghue are in charge of the U13 panel. It certainly has been a busy year with the club taking part in the various blitz competitions, while John admits the highlight was undoubtedly the players taking part in an U8 competition in Croke Park. "We were invited to play in Croke Park and it was a brilliant experience for all involved. We came up against teams from Carlow and Meath and our players really gave a good account of themselves. At the end, all the players had their names called out and they climbed up the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift a cup, so it was a very special day that they will never forget." The efforts of all involved with the underage set-up were rewarded with the juvenile presentation night which took place on Saturday 1st March in JJB Sports. Special guests were current Louth players John O'Brien and Brian White and Minor Board Secretary Liam O'Neill. Also present were the clubs current Louth minors Kevin Keelan and Peter Flynn and U21s Peter Nixon and Derek Maguire. There was plenty of activity for all on the astro-turf pitches including a novelty penalty kick competition. Afterwards all headed for the buffet and the 2007 awards presentations. Chairman John Laverty welcomed the large attendance of guests, players, parents and club members before acknowledging the hard work carried out by club members over the last year organising football activities. In 2007, Young Irelands had big numbers participating in Gaelic football every week and the young players got great benefit and enjoyment from the weekly coaching sessions. John O'Brien and Brian White presented each player with a medal for their efforts. In 2008, there was a slight change with U7, U9 and U11 coaching now taking place on Monday evenings at 6.45pm, starting 31st March Club Awards presented were U9 Most Improved Brian McCarragher, U11 Most Committed: Dylan O'Hanlon, U11 Most Improved: Golden Benigoze and U11 Most Skilful: Fergal Sheekey. Young Irelands Players of the Year awards were presented to U13 Conor McMenamin, U14 Aaron Conway and U-15 Peter McCourt. There was also a presentation to each of the Penalty Kick competition winners - Peter McStravick, Josh Bailey, Jordan O'Donoghue and Mark O'Hanlon. 2008 Og Sport Teams U13 - Colin Carragher, Aidan McDonnell, Jason Reddy, Darren Reid, Ciaran Newberry, Ryan Malone, Golden Chighije, Ronan O'Reilly, Dean Maguire, Jordan O'Donaghue, Ryan O'Hanlon, Sean McLoughlin, Stephen Bellew, Stephen Boothman, Dylan O'Hanlon, Fergal Sheekey, Brian O'Hagan, Sean McGill, Oannes Reine. Alan Minto, Tiernan Shields. U11 - Dylan O'Hanlon, Fergal Sheekey, Brian Madden, Tadhg McGrory, Harold Chigozie, David Osadebe, Jordan O'Hare, Jamie Ryan, Daniel Mullen, Michael Mullen, David Grimes. U9 - Eoin Murphy, Sean Laverty, James Prendergast, Sean Bellew, Ryan Conophy, Padraig Lynch, Conor Byrne, Lukas Trenauskas, Cian Crosby, Adam Friary, Mark Kilgallan, Peter McStravick, Cian O'Donoghue, Liam McStravick, Daniel Mullen, Ryan O'Hanrahan, Jamie Ryan, Aaron Lee, James Quigley, Shauna Cooney, Mark Clifford, Dylan Mulligan, Conor Mc Kenna, Aoibhinn, Garreth Lynch, Andrew Laverty-Bent, U7 - Sean Byrne, Sean Flanagan, Paddy O'Callaghan, Caolon McCabe, Ruairi O'Connor, Kate O'Connor, Liam Stravick, Jake McKeown, Ciaran Dullaghan. Off the field of play, Young Irelands continue to upgrade their facilities at Upper Marshes and in 2008 there was a lot of ground and drainage work carried out along with further development of the juvenile pitch. Groundsman Jimmy Maguire has played an important role in the upkeep of the grounds Not going to settle on laurels and further developments are being planned for next few years. A perimeter fence on main pitch, extension of clubhouse and covered accommodation for spectators is all part of the plan to provide a top class sporting venue for future generations of Young Irelands. The club always welcome young members of any age, anybody who wishes to get times of training should leave details with Secretary, Tony Hande (086) 8174083 while all club information including fixtures /results/ reports/ photos/lotto/news is also available on club website www.dundalkyoungirelands.com Tweet

Most Read Stories