After being on the receiving end of some harsh treatment for countless years, Junior football in Louth seems to be hitting back after undergoing a transformation in recent times, writes Eunan Whyte. In the past, Junior football had a lot of players who were over the hill, playing out the twilight of their careers. O Raghallaigh's, this season, along with Annaghminnon Rovers and Sean McDermotts last year, have proved that the younger players have taken over and teams with the emphasis on playing good football have been rewarded. Other challengers for top honours are also following that pattern, such as Young Irelands and Westerns, and this year Dowdallshill can be added to that list. The St. Brigid's Park club have put the emphasis on youth this year at all levels of the club - committee, management and players - and it certainly seems to have paid dividends. The pattern began at the start of the year when two stalwarts of the club, Plunkett Maguire (Chairman) and Patsy Mulholland (Secretary) stepped down from the committee after years of service. They were replaced by Michael Kerley and Tommy McEvoy, whose youth and enthusiasm has certainly benefitted all at the club. Not long afterwards, a new management team of Gerard and Declan Roe, along with Hugh McParland was appointed. The Roe brothers are still very much part of the playing staff, while it isn't that long since Hugh hung up his boots. It is not surprising then, that this trio put the emphasis on bringing through the younger members of the club to the first team. Gerard Roe explains that this policy has already seen its reward this season and the signs are good for a bright future. "Last year Hill O'Mahonys won the Andy Rogers U-18 Cup and four of that team have come through to play very important roles in the Division 3 league, Peadar Toal, Niall McShane, John Kerr and Donal Sheridan. "Aside from that, most of the players are still under 25, and to help them along the veterans, such as Liam O'Hagan, John Savage and Dixie Quinn still have had plenty to offer", explained Gerard who took when the club was at a low ebb. "In the year 2000 we didn't win a single league game, which I suppose made us the worst team in Louth. We knew that things weren't as bad as that suggested, and when we took over we expected an improvement in the attitude of players, which we certainly got, both on and off the field. "We suffered a blow before the start of the year with the loss of Ciaran O'Callaghan and Vincent McKevitt, who travelled to Australia for a year, but the great thing was that instead of feeling sorry for themselves, all the players upped their performance. Last year we might have been depending on them, but this season the young fellas have had to stand up and do it for themselves. It is good that we were able to get something positive from their absence, but that is not to suggest that we didn't miss them, as it would have been great to have them playing in the Junior Championship." That attitude on the pitch was matched in the general approach to the club and Gerard, a former Roche player, feels the players responded well to the changes in the club. "We decided at the start that we would always try to talk to the players, rather than treat them like children, and I think they have all responded to that. It seems to get the best out of players, and now, rather than fellas just turning up for a match, there is a great response to training. One of the main reasons for that is that Hugh has done a great job; the training has been varied and interesting, while it includes 70% ballwork, which is great. "One of the most encouraging things this year was that players were really working hard to get into the team and stay in it. I got calls from all over Europe from lads on holidays asking about results of games, which illustrates the desire for success at this club. "As a result, we have had a good year, but the important thing is to build on it. We know that a lot of our players are capable of playing at a higher level, but one of the main tasks was making them believe that. I think now they are beginning to realise that the club can move forward, but it is now up to them to prove it", continued Gerry. Dowdallshill's new management team hoped that move forward would start with a successful run in the Junior Championship, and their campaign began with a difficult task when they were drawn against 2000 runners-up, Glen Emmets. Although the Tullyallen men hadn't been enjoying the best of fortune in the league, they were expected to be among the challengers for the title. However, on the day, Dowdallshill had the edge and emerged deserving winners on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-8. The winners had the slight edge over the hour, but the Tullyallen men battled until the end and always posed a threat. In fact, had their finishing been of a higher quality in the second half, they might well have taken more from the game. A tally of nine wides in the second period reflects how much possession they enjoyed, but were unable to make their opponents pay. Stephen Martin was the man in form for Dowdallshill in the early stages as he opened the scoring with a well taken point before latching on to a Gerard Roe pass and firing the ball to the net. Glen Emmets enjoyed a period of dominance and kicked five points in succession to take the lead. Before the break, Dowdallshill regained control and another well-taken goal from Gerry McShane had his side leading 2-3 to 0-5 at the break. The Tullyallen side enjoyed good possession in the second half but the 'Hill defence held strong to prevent their opponents producing the goal they needed to get back into the game. Despite having Eamon Duffy sent-off late in the game for a second bookable offence in the closing minutes, the St. Brigid's Park men went on to win by seven points. Best were Peadar Toal, Eddie McArdle, Colin O'Hare and Gerry McShane. Scorers: Gerry McShane (1-1), Stephen Martin (1-2), Colin O'Hare (0-2, 1 free, 1 '45'), Donal Sheridan (0-2, 1 free), Gerard Roe, Donal O'Callaghan 0-1 each. Dowdallshill: Fra Agnew, Liam O'Hagan, Eddie McArdle, Peadar Toal, Eamonn Duffy, Donal O'Callaghan, Niall McShane, Declan Roe, Colin O'Hare, Donal Sheridan, Gerry McShane, John Savage, John Brady, Gerry Roe, Stephen Martin. Subs: Kevin McParland for Savage (45 mins), Peter Hughes for O'Hagan (54 mins). That win set up a semi-final meeting with O'Raghallaighs and hopes were high that the green-and-reds would be back in a championship final for the first time in many years. However, against a very well organised Drogheda side, Dowdallshiil's dreams were crushed when they lost out on a 1-12 to 1-8 scoreline. Their efforts weren't helped by an injury to Colin O'Hare, picked up in the quarter-final, which meant the supply to the forward line was limited. O' Raghallaigh's were first off the mark, finding the net after just five minutes. The Hill did fight back and at the break were trailing by just 1-2 to 0-4. The Drogheda men took command early in the second half and kicked five unanswered points, with Dowdallshill never looking like threatening that lead. Only a goal from Gerry Roe with the final kick of the game to add respectability to the scoreboard. On a disappointing night, Dowdallshill had their best in Declan Roe, Donal O'Callaghan, Niall McShane and substitute, John Savage. Scorers: Gerard Roe (1-0), Donal Sheridan (0-3, 2 frees), Declan Roe (0-3, 1 '45'), Gerry McShane and Stephen Martin 0-1 each. Dowdallshill: Fra Agnew, Liam O'Hagan, Eddie McArdle, Peadar Toal, Eamonn Duffy, Donal O'Callaghan, Niall McShane, Declan Roe, Colin O'Hare, Donal Sheridan, Gerard Roe, Kevin McParland, John Brady, Gerry McShane, Stephen Martin. Tweet

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