Even the least observant visitors to Fr McEvoy Park in 2002 will have noticed a lot of activity therein, as arguably the Wee County's busiest club undertakes an ambitious three-phase redevelopment that will enable it to cater adequately for its burgeoning numbers. Gerry Robinson gets the latest news from club chairman Adrian Sheelan. Cooley Kickhams are expanding rapidly. The thriving peninsula club is busier than a swarm of bees, sowing seeds of the literal and metaphorical variety. In order to safeguard their future, they must move now to install facilities that can sustain their swelling numbers. To this end, a three-tier plan is in place, and definite progress was made during the 2002 calendar year. The three-phase development comprises: a new all-weather playing surface; the acquisition of additional land for a second pitch; and a clubhouse extension. The all-weather surface to the rear of the sports complex is finished and will be made available to schools and other groups during daytime hours (bookings can be made through John Savage at 042-9373828). To offset some of the enormous cost, the club's development committee has organised a monster draw, to take place on December 12th. There are 22 prizes to be won, worth a combined value of 40,000 euro. First prize is a Renault Clio but the second prize would surely be of more interest to readers of this tome: two five-year All-Ireland tickets worth 7,500 euro. As well as raising its own funds, the club is also making an application for funding under the Sports Capital Programme of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation Funding is crucial. All in all, the project is estimated at 800,000 euro . . . not to mention all the usual unseen hidden extras! Adrian explains how the redevelopment has come to pass: "It's something we'd been talking about around the club for a long time and at last year's [2001] AGM it was decided to go ahead. It got to the stage where enough was enough. You could have anything up to 130 or 140 people turning up to use the field on any given night between adults, girls and boys, and camogie. The demand was there - we have the numbers but didn't have the facilities to cater for them." To say that Cooley are progressive would be an understatement. Even last year, after the Foot & Mouth outbreak, a lot of money was spent putting new showers and a referee's room into the existing clubhouse. Upon completion, the new facilities at Monksland, Carlingford will be the envy of every club in the county. The all-weather synthetic grass surface will be fully floodlit and enclosed by a four-metre fence. Imitating real grass (with a sand and rubber infill), it will be capable of hosting a number of sports. Phase II involves the erection of an extension to the existing complex, to include changing rooms, sauna, offices, creche, playgroup, gymnasium, social club and function room (with a viewing stand incorporated). To complement the existing building, the extension will comprise two storeys. It will have a lift installed, which will be completely wheelchair accessible. The social club/function room will include a viewing gallery of the main playing pitch, the all-weather surface and the main sports hall of the complex. The development is a direct result of the increased usage of club facilities, with Cooley fielding twelve teams throughout the various grades: ladies, camogie, Cumann Peile Cuchulain, Bush Vocational School and the primary schools. A second pitch became essential. The complex is used by numerous organisations within the community - Cooley Kickhams GFC, Cooley Camogie Club, Cooley Youth Club, Cooley Badminton Club, Cooley Bowling Club, Cooley Gun Club and Cooley Vintage Festival to name but some. The driving force behind the redevelopment is the development committee that was established early in 2002. (When devising this committee, it was imperative to ensure that there would be an input from all quarters of the community.) The committee consists of Adrian Sheelan, Peter McCarthy, Enda Rafferty, Kieran Murphy, Michael Rogan, Elaine Rogan, Eamonn Carroll, Paul Rogan, Anne Callan, Robert Marks, PJ McGivern, Hugh Brennan, Alo McGrath, Derek Malone, James Hanlon and Patricia Campbell. On the actual field of play itself, 2002 was another typically busy year for the Kickhams, who reached the knock-out stages of the senior championship again but once more failed to deliver silverware. "This was my fourth year as chairman and I'm very disappointed that this team hasn't made a breakthrough yet. "We've been coming through and building up at underage level for a long time. When I was manager of the team in '97, we got to an ACC Cup final. We won the ACC Cup the following year under John McDonald, but Peter McCarthy was beaten in two ACC Cup and two senior league finals [in 1999 and 2000]. "In 2000, Stabannon beat us in a semi-final, following one of our best ever footballing performances. I genuinely felt that if we'd got to the final that year, we could have beaten the Blues because we had a confident young team and they were playing good football. "The following year, the Blues beat us at Haggardstown in another semi-final, when we froze in the first half." It's frustrating, because Adrian is convinced that with the rich crop of players in the 20-25 category that Cooley have at their disposal at the moment, they could go a long way: "There's definitely a Louth championship there for them if they want to put in the effort. Unfortunately, I think those two semi-final defeats had an awful effect on the team - they put so much effort into those campaigns and didn't seem to get anything back out of it. "But it's still a very young side and we also had a good minor team this year. We won the U16 championship last year and reached the semi-final against the Gaels this year, losing by three points. We've reached a number of underage finals in recent years. "Next year we'll be going all out to win the U16 and minor championships and I believe we have more good talent coming through again, which has to be encouraging." The senior championship in Louth has never been more wide open. In 2002, Cooley never even got into their stride - and they could still have won it! They drew with St Marys, lost to Mattock and then beat Stabannon to set up a play-off with St Marys, which they won. In the quarter-final, Dundalk Gaels emerged victorious after a replay (by a point). "We were lucky to get out of the group because we only had three points and we stole the draw against Ardee the first day," Adrian concedes. "When we beat them in the play-off, I thought we might go on to improve. We got off the hook against the Gaels the first day as well with two late goals and we really should have picked it up after that. "We had so many lucky escapes that it looked like it had to be our year . . . then we failed to score in the second half of the quarter-final replay. At the end of the day, if you can't score, you can't win." Cooley will be much stronger next year, with some new talent coming in to supplement that which they already have. Westmeath star David Hughes is joining the club, as is Gerry Craven from Roche Emmets. Darren White returns from America, while John Kane will be back from injury. Adrian enthuses: "The age profile of the team is perfect. I believe firmly that if they put in the effort that's required, then we could be talking about a lot more than just a Louth championship. A big, traditional club like Cooley with so much talent at our disposal, could make a big impression in Leinster. "Watch this space next year! There will be a concerted effort. A lot of these fellas are 22/23 and they know that they have to seize the moment. It was the same with the 1989/90 team [which Adrian played on]: once they realised they had to put the effort in, they got their rewards in the end." Finally, Adrian is keen to pay tribute to two of Cooley's most famous sons: "Jimmy Magee lived 500 yards from the pitch and JP McManus is another with Cooley roots. His mother was a neighbour of mine and he even called a horse Kickham. The club appreciates what both men have achieved and recognises the tremendous service they have given the GAA and sport in general." Cooley Kickhams have a proud tradition. It's surely only a matter of time before they add further to their impressive legacy. Cooley Kickhams GFC Roll of Honour Louth senior football champions: 1935, 1939, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1989, 1990 Leinster club finalists: 1974, 1977 Louth SFC finalists: 1917, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1981 Cardinal O'Donnell Cup: 1936, 1937, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1989 ACC Cup: 1984, 1987 Old Gaels Cup: 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1974 Louth intermediate football champions: 1907 Louth junior football champions: 1916, 1934, 1947, 1964 Same Page, different story? Twenty-two year old Alan Page has been touted by some as one of the Wee County's football stars of the future. The not too-distant future, more suggest. Kevin Carney reports. Cooley Kickhams and Louth senior player Alan Page carries with him the zest and ambition redolent of a player determined to make something of his football career. His enthusiasm for the native game is positively infectious and he appears ready and able to take on the best and beat the rest in his pursuit of his goals. And while he admits that last year was yet another valuable learning exercise for him, he is optimistic that this coming year will be a different if not altogether completely different story. He may recognise the need to learn the ropes of Gaelic football as played at the highest level, but he fervently hopes the learning curve he's pursuing will ultimatley lead him in the coming year to where the glittering prizes hang out. Already he's enjoying the preparatory work with his county colleagues for the forthcoming national league season. In Page's book there shouldn't be any need for Mr. Motivator to have to get a fella turned on to the idea of toning up mentally and physically even if it is the anadine side of Christmas. "Football has gone so professional at this stage that you're nearly training all-year round, especially if you're involved with a county team and you have aspirations to hold down a regular place on the team. If you're realistic about playing football at the highest level, you've no choice but to give it your absolute full commitment. The demands placed on players nowadays are immense and you either have to go with it or bow out. "Even in the four seaons I've been part of the county set-up, the intensity of everything to do with Louth has more or less doubled in that time. The county team has been back training since the first week of October and I'm looking forward to the new season." How much? " A lot. Playing against Armagh in the GOAL charity match in Crossmaglen really helped to whet my appetite for the upcoming league, especially after the way the team played at times last year." And according to the top-notch Cooley defender, all others in Leinster - and maybe further afield - had better watch out 'cause Louth mean business in 2003. The Wee County is thinking big. "The general feeling in the camp is that last year's performances could be a good foundation to really put together some top-class results together in the coming year. Competition for places is very good - which is important - and there's a great bond between the players. All the players have faith in their own ability and those of their team-mates, a few of whom are new which is good for morale and team-spirit." And the support structures are in place too? "Most definitely. The County Board are right behind us and Paddy Carr is a very good manager and he and his backroom team know exactly what's required, they how to go about getting us to play to the best of our ability and after last year, they know what we are capable of achieving," enthuses Alan who joined the Louth senior panel in 1999 and who looks likely to command a permanent spot in the aforementioned Carr's full-back line in the months ahead. Although razor-keen and ordinarily as fit as the proverbial fiddle, Alan admits that the 'step-up' from playing club football in Louth to featuring on the inter-county stage is massive. "It's a huge difference. The game at county level is much more physical and there's just no comparison in the speed of the game between club and county level. You have to be a lot quicker, both mentally and physically, when you're playing for your county and if you're not prepared in every sense for a game at county level, you will suffer," adds Colm who is expecting competition for places on the team to be "very tough" in 2003. "There are a few new lads on the panel this time around. My own clubmate Jimmy Clerkin is back on the panel plus a couple of fellas from Mattock and Lordship so there'll be a few players under pressure to hold onto their places on the team." A cousin of former countyman and current Cooley Kickhams clubman Sean O'Neill, Alan, a network technician with the ESB, says he intends to give it his all in the coming year on both club and county fronts although he accepts that it is becoming increasingly difficult to combine both rigourous involvements."It's not getting any easier but the club has given me great support and backing and the members are delighted to see local players getting a run with the county, at whatever level. At the end of the day though, it's down to the individual as to whether or not he can give it 100 percent to both club and county." Mention of Alan's club career and memories of 2002 aren't so good. He has no hesitation in saying that the past year turned out to be a disappointing one for him and his club colleagues and pre-season expectations were a long way off being realised. "It was a very disappointing year. We expected to go a lot further than just the quarter-finals of the championship. It didn't help that we weren't always at full strength for the matches. We didn't have Sean O'Neill or Johnny Clerkin around for all of the games and that counted against us. I had a shoulder injury too and wasn't able to play for the full game against the 'Marys in the first round." First up for Cooley in the blue riband competition were St. Mary's of Ardee. The sides were destined to meet twice overall. At the start of June, Cooley's 2-6 was matched by Ardee's 0-12. Fortunately for Alan and co. David Thornton banged home a goal late in each half to secure the draw - the second one being flashed through a crowd of St. Mary's defenders. "We got the draw when it seemed we were going to get nothing out of the game. We played okay in the first half and led at the end of the half but they had the better of things after that and we were glad enough of the draw at the end of the day. Traditionally things have been 50/50 between us so it was no surprise that it was a close match," reflects Alan who, ironically, four years ago captained the Cooley minor championship team (a side that included the likes of Alan's brother Emmet, Brendan O'Neill and Ambrose Kane) which lost to St. Mary's in the county final. Round two of the championship saw Cooley go under by 1-4 to 1-8 to Mattock Rangers. It was a game that saw the Kickhams go 28 minutes without scoring even though Sean O'Neill garnered a bevy of possession around the middle of the field. "I thought we were in the toughest group of them all and the game against Mattock only re-inforced that opinion. We struggled in several departments, not just in attack, against Mattock and our inexperience showed up that day too." Still, Cooley did make it into the play-offs by subsequently accounting for Stabannon in early July on foot of a comprehensive 1-14 to 0-8 victory. Having forged ahead by seven points at the interval, the Kickhams proceeded to canter past the finishing post. Thereafter a 0-10 to 0-9 win over St. Mary's, Ardee was just what the doctor ordered. Cooley had trailed by 0-3 to 0-6 at half-time but six unanswered points after the restart saw them home and dry. The end of July saw Cooley draw with Dundalk Gaels in the quarter-final (2-4 to 0-10). Minus Alan, and Sean O'Neill Kickhams trailed at the break by 0-6 to 0-2. Both players subsequently entered the fray along with Cormac McCarthy and helped turn things around with a Darryl Bailey goal and a similar score by Leo McGuigan getting the border side out of jail. Unfortunately for the Kickhams, the replay saw the Gaels triumph by 1-5 to 0-7 in a proverbial game of two halves. Cooley had the better of the first half in clear-cut fashion and led by 0-7 to 0-4 but sadly failed to score in the second half while, in contrast, the Gaels finished with a flourish and, helped by a David Coleman goal in the 8th minute, went onto secure the spoils. "Overall the championship was a major disappointment for us. We've been knocking on the door for a few years now but it hasn't opened as yet. We're lacking a bit of leadership on the field and experience too but we should have beaten the Gaels having said that." Formerly based in Finglas but now living in Dundalk, Alan says his relocation should help his football career at both club and county levels. He feels that "there isn't much in the difference between any of the top teams at senior level and we have the potential to give the championship a real go next year." Meanwhile, Louth weighs heavily on his mind but light on his shoulders. He is still haunted by Meath's escape against them in last summer's provincial championship but he prefers to look ahead nonetheless. "The current panel has the potential to win the Leinster championship, I've no doubt about that. I know we've a lot of work to put in but I know the lads are prepared to give it their full commitment. I wouldn't like to have to use the back-door again." Tweet

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