Following their exploits on the field of play in 2002 Na Piarsaigh began the season in good spirits. Victory in the Junior Championship Final meant that the Rock Road club would be back in the intermediate ranks after just one season. By Eunan Whyte. The minor team also made an appearance in the decider after an excellent season, only to be narrowly defeated in a tense championship final at the hands of a strong Valley Rangers side. A measure of the strength of the winners on that day is the fact that captain, Paddy Keenan, went on to become a regular with Louth in the National League and championship, and along with the likes of Dessie Finnegan and Owen Zamboglou played in a Senior Championship Final against St. Mary's this season. Although Na Piarsaigh knew there would be difficult moments as they attempted to adjust to the higher grade, there was a good degree of confidence that the younger players would come through from the minor ranks to carry the side forward. However, it didn't work out as planned as the black-and-ambers got off to a slow start and were hampered by the loss of key players. Alan McCartney, who played a major role in the side's championship success, was to play no part this season after signing for Dundalk FC where he had a fine campaign despite the Oriel Park team's difficulties. Also missing for much of the year was last year's winning captain, Barry Magill, with a knee injury forcing to watch from the sidelines. Luck wasn't always on Na Piarsaigh's side as the league season commenced and with a number of changes from last term, they found it hard to get a settled side. Hopes of a good start quickly evaporated as just one point was gained from the opening stages of the campaign, leaving the Rock Road men facing an uphill struggle. The championship season offered some respite and the club were looking forward to reviving their fortunes by recapturing the form that brought them glory last term. However, after the highs of 2002 and the celebrations following the capture of the Christy Bellew Cup, the return to the intermediate championship turned out to be a largely forgettable affair. Na Piarsaigh's AGM in January to review events of 2002 coincided with the Championship draws for 2003 and during a recess in the meeting club members learned via LMFM broadcast that their team would be pitted against St. Kevin's, St. Nicholas and Dundalk Gaels, where former clubman Patrick Hearty is now plying his trade, in Group C of the Intermediate Championship. The Rock Road side kicked off their Championship campaign on the 30th May against St. Kevin's. Despite starting with just seven of the victorious Junior Championship winning fifteen, the Holy Family Parish team were in contention for much of the game but after a series of missed chances in a strong closing quarter, they found themselves on the wrong side of a 1-9 to 0-7 score line. The Phillipstown side would go on to contest the semi-final. Next on the agenda were the Dundalk Gaels. It was always going to be difficult against a side that were playing senior football the previous year and to add to the pressure, it was a game Na Piarsaigh needed to win to remain in contention for a place in the play-offs. However, the Rock Road men faced their neighbours with the panel even further depleted due to injury and holidays. A stronger and more experienced Gaels side proved much too strong and scored a comprehensive 2-14 to 0-2 win to secure their place in the quarterfinal. Gaels would go on to reach the Intermediate Championship Final. Although purely academic as the Dundalk Gaels and St. Kevin's had already qualified for the quarter finals, Na Piarsaigh met St. Nicholas in their final group game with both teams trying to salvage some pride and provide a springboard for the league campaign. This time Na Piarsaigh put up a better showing but despite their best efforts they lost out to their Drogheda Division 2B rivals in a closely contested game on a 2-9 to 1-10 scoreline. While other teams continued to chase championship glory, Na Piarsaigh began to focus on securing their place in the intermediate ranks through the league. Although they faced a difficult task, their hopes were revived by two wins in quick succession to leave them with a fighting chance of avoiding the drop. After eight games played, Na Piarsaigh had closed the gap at the bottom and were battling it out with St. Nicholas', St. Mochta's and St. Kevin's to stay clear of the relegation zone. With the proposed changes to adult football structures in the pipeline, whatever grade Na Piarsaigh find themselves playing football next year, the future of the club lies in the underage players. Although success was limited enough this year at underage level, Na Piarsaigh's strength at under-age level is under lined by the fact that U-13, U-14, U-15 and U-16 teams all competed in the Division 1 league. At U-14 level, Na Piarsaigh were defeated by St. Brigid's, eventual winners, in the first round of the U-14 championship. Having exited the championship at the first round stage, Na Piarsaigh took part in the Secondary Competition, which they won defeating Baile Talun after a replay in the semi-final and Oliver Plunkett's in the final. The U-14 team were defeated in the Division 1 league final by Dundalk Young Irelands. At U-16 level Na Piarsaigh defeated O'Raghallaigh in the first round of the Championship before losing out to eventual winners Cooley Kickhams at the quarter-final stage. Cooley Kickhams again proved too strong in the U-16 Division 1 league semi-final. The Minor team competing in Division 2 league competition, failed to emulate the achievement of the previous year team, who reached the Minor final for the first time in the club's history, losing by the narrowest of margins to Valley Rangers. They easily defeated a fancied Kilkerley Emmet's / Naomh Malachi combination in the first round, before losing out to Oliver Plunkett's by two points in the quarter final. Although there is a large group of tireless clubmen working at under age level in the club, special tribute needs to be paid to Sean McGee and Peter Begley who are beacons for under age football in Na Piarsaigh. One of the highlights of a sometimes difficult year was undoubtedly the presentation dinner dance, held jointly with Pearse Og. The Holy Family Parish celebrated in style when Na Piarsaigh and Pearse Og came together for the function to celebrate their 2002 Junior Football Championship and Senior Hurling Championship victories on Friday, March 14th in The Fairways Hotel. Club chairmen, Damien Callan (Pearse Og) and Jack Malone (Na Piarsaigh), addressed the very well attended function and both recalled the most unforgettable day in their memory when both Na Piarsaigh and Pearse Og won their respective Championship finals and brought the trophies back to the Holy Family Parish. They congratulated and thanked the respective teams, mentors and club workers for the efforts during the year and appealed to all clubmen to allocate time to helping out with juveniles, as they would be the future of the clubs. Michéal O'Broin, the Officer for Irish Language and Culture and Coiste Iomana was in attendance and presented the medals to the victorious Pearse Og team. Sean Conroy was awarded the Senior Player-of-the-Year award and Donagh Callan was rewarded for his efforts when he was selected as Clubman-of-the-Year. Special presentations were then made to Damien Callan and Paul Callan on behalf of the Pearse Og players for their tireless work and dedication to Pearse Og Hurling club. Louth county board chairman, Paddy McMahon was on hand to present the medals to the victorious Na Piarsaigh team. The Na Piarsaigh player of the year awards were voted on by the players and Robert Nash was awarded the Junior I Player-of-the-Year and Paul Roddy was awarded the Junior II Player-of-the-Year. Marc Wynne was rewarded for his immense work for the club when he was selected as Clubman-of-the-Year. Tweet

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