There is nare a trace of doom or gloom to be observed in Togher these days - despite the fact that Naomh Fionnbarra have been demoted back to intermediate level. Two-thousand-and-two first team manager Pat Hand is adamant that the season gone by was a mere blip and expects the Finbarrs to bounce back stronger than ever in '03. There is no doubting that 2002 developed into something of an anti-climax for Naomh Fionnbarra. They had reached Elysium in 2001, finally regaining the IFC after years of frustration (they lost three intermediate deciders during the course of the 'nineties). They had to dig deep to overcome Sean McDermotts in the final, but replay victory earned them the rewards they thoroughly deserved. It was predicted that the Togher men would hold their own in senior fare. And they probably would have had all things remained equal. But a spate of unavoidable defections from the championship-winning team left them fighting an uphill battle . . . one they were never likely to win. Pat Hand oversaw team affairs for the second successive year. While he was disappointed to see his club make an instant return to the middle grade, he realises only too well that - under such trying circumstances - precious little could have been done to prevent the descent. And, significantly, Pat is convinced that the Finbarrs are more than adequately equipped to rebound back to the top table next year. Furthermore, he believes they possess the credentials to consolidate themselves as a senior force thereafter. Reflecting on the unfortunate events of 2002, Pat notes: "It wasn't a case of us finding ourselves out of our depth in senior football. We were definitely good enough to go senior and we could have stayed there, but we had to play the season without seven of the team that won the intermediate championship in 2001. "We don't have a big enough squad to cope with losing so many players, so it was always going to be very difficult and we fell short." Of the 'Togher Seven', four had emigrated, two had long-term injuries and the other was suspended for the season. The injured duo had begun to return towards the end of the season and should be back to full fitness for the 2003 term. Assuming they're not dogged by bad luck again, Pat says that the Finbarrs will be much stronger this coming season: "Hopefully, next year things will work out better for us again. "We were virtually down to half a team last year. It would be very difficult for any club to cope with that. John Osbourne and John Doyle are two key players - you can't afford to lose guys like that. We were missing our top scorer from the previous year! We really were up against it." Thus it was hardly a major surprise that Naomh Fionnbarra failed to make an impression in the senior championship and finished bottom of Division 1B, freefalling back into the dense, suffocating quagmire of intermediate football. A definite setback, but hardly a fatal blow. As Pat Hand points out, there were some notable positives to be gleaned from the events of 2002: "The bright side was that we got to blood a few young players, who acquitted themselves well and the experience will have brought them on no end. They are much better positioned now for the challenges of the coming season. They did fairly well for us and they know what it's all about. That's a big plus for us." Before the start of the '02 campaign, Naomh Fionnbarra - like every other club in the Wee County - set their targets. It wasn't long, however, before it became wholly apparent that they would have to re-assess the situation. As Pat relates: "We were full of enthusiasm going into the season and we knew we deserved the chance to play senior football. We knew we would do well in senior football, all things being equal. "But as the year progressed, we soon realised it wasn't going to work out like that. Our new target was to survive. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to stay up, but we've learned from it." Circumstance conspired against the Finbarrs. Sometimes these things happen. The players could hardly be faulted for their effort. Those who remained available gave of their all, as Pat explains: "The players gave it their best shot. They can hold their heads up high; they gave it everything they had. In one or two games the breaks didn't go our way and that more or less set the tone for our entire season." And, of course, it doesn't rain but it pours: "Once a few things start to go against you, suddenly everything goes wrong. When you're chasing things from early on in the season, it makes it very difficult. You're losing games by a point or two that you would win under normal circumstances." The team was managed and trained by Pat, alongside selectors Frank Reynolds and David Woods. The trio have all played for Naomh Fionnbarra, Pat Hand lining out for the club for 15 years. Pat gives the current side every chance of making an immediate return to the top flight, insisting: "As I said, if we had been at full strength, we would have more than held our own. And if the lads are prepared to give it their best again next year, they will be back up. "We've made a great signing in Brendan Healy from the Plunketts and have also brought in one or two others. I think we can establish ourselves in senior football, especially the way our own young teams are coming through. We [Sean Treacys] have been successful at U12, U14 and U16 levels and we contested a county minor final in 2001, so the future is bright for the club." Is there not a danger that they will become stuck in a rut at intermediate level, where a lot of fine teams seem to become disorientated and lose their way? "I don't think so. I know the lads are disappointed over what happened and they will be very keen to make amends. "The euphoria of the previous year died away very quickly and they got a real slap in the face. They'll want to put that right. There was a huge difference between how this year ended and how the previous year ended. "If things go well for us next year to the same extent that they went wrong for us last year, then I've no doubt Naomh Fionnbarra will be back in senior football." While, on the face of it, relegation must always be viewed as a step in the wrong direction, Naomh Fionnbarra are certainly not in crisis. To the contrary, they currently find themselves in a very strong position. In 2002, the underage arm of the club was beaten in the U14 A championship final, won the U16 C championship and also took the mid-Louth U12 title. "We have a very healthy underage set-up," confirms Pat. "We had three players in pivotal positions on the Louth U14 team in 2002 - full back, centre half and midfield. That can only be good for the club. "We also undertook a big development last year with new dressing-rooms and larger meeting rooms, which is another positive move. "I believe that the seeds for success are sown at schools level and we're doing well there also. Dillonstown won the Louth schools league this year, while there is also a second school in the parish, Tullydonnell. "All in all, there are a lot of positives. The club's future is in safe hands. Obviously, we're disappointed about losing our senior status but we are more than capable of bouncing back..." Tweet

Most Read Stories