Dundalk Gaels weren't setting a precedent when they appointed Leslie Toal as senior team manager at the beginning of the season, writes Joe Carroll. Admittedly, there were a few raised eyebrows when the decision became public knowledge; the former county and provincial player was, after all, a member of Clan na Gael, who, of course, have been among Gaels' fiercest rivals in recent years. However, no later than a few years ago, Gaels recruited another Clansman to train the senior side, and as is well known, Michael Heeney, like Toal, once had charge of the Clans side, and in 1992 guided them to a championship win, beating none other than Gaels in a final that went to two matches. But even before this dual switch of allegiance from Castletown to The Ramparts, there was another inter-change of a kind, this one working the other way. As they prepared for the Leinster Championship after beating St. Mary's in the '93 final, Clans called on the services of Paul Kenny, a former Gaels and Louth player, who by then had chalked up quite a few significant wins with Meath underage sides. Kenny was called in to provide the low-down on the Westmeath champions, Mullingar Shamrocks, whom he had seen in action in the opening round; but it proved to be a a brief association. Despite having home advantage, Clans went down to a side inspired by former Meath star, Bernard Flynn. Anyway, Gaels were hoping that Leslie Toal could, perhaps, achieve as much as he had done with Clans in a stint as manager back in the 'Eighties, and failing that, at least prevent the team from being relegated. The Ramparts crew would be going to war without two of their most influential players, Peter McGinnity and Padraig Gollogley, and that would put a huge responsibility on, among others, long-serving Davy McDonnell and Packie O'Connor, who, as far back as the mid-'Eighties formed the Louth midfield partnership. They again teamed up in this vital area, and as Gaels took off in a season, the early part of which was badly interrupted by the foot-and-mouth crisis, the two high fielders weren't by any means the team's weakest link. Quite the opposite, in fact. Gaels didn't fare too well in the early part of the league, and for a number of rounds kept company with teams in the lower reaches. However, things began to improve after a very good run in the new-style championship, and at one point they were within striking distance of a place in the top two. As the competition drew to a close, Gaels found themselves requiring four points from their last three matches to be guaranteed promotion to Division One A. The first of those games was against Mattock Rangers, just three days after the Collon side had been ousted by Newtown Blues in the championship final. An easy one for Gaels, given that Mattock were likely to be on a low after turning in a disappointing performance in the final? No, it wasn't like that at all. In danger of being relegated, Rangers came to The Ramparts with all guns blazing, fielding fourteen of their championship side, and building an early lead, ran out the easiest of winners. Next up for Gaels was a meeting with Lannleire; and once again the points were lost. So, instead of challenging for promotion, the blue-and-whites found themselves trying to fight off relegation when they took on the already-crowned champions, St. Bride's, at Pairc na nGael. Bride's had nothing to play for; the McShane Cup was ready to be presented to them, and a place in the top division was assured. They went seven points down early on, and were never really a factor after that. Gaels, despite being without several regulars, took nothing for granted, and after turning over with a 2-7 to 0-2 lead, ran out the most convincing of winners. Senior football would again be played at The Ramparts next season. Gaels began their championship campaign against a Roche Emmets side who were among the contenders for the title having reached the semi-final the previous two years. However, the Dundalk side with nineteen-year-old, Cormac McArdle and veterans, Packie O'Connor and Davy McDonnell, in impressive form, proved too strong and came out on top by 0-10 to 1-6. It didn't look too good at the break as Gaels trailed 0-4 to 0-1, but they rallied early in the second half to edge ahead. Roche grabbed the only goal of the game in the third quarter, but the Ramparts side finished the stronger to claim both points. Scorers: C. McArdle 0-5, P. O'Kane 0-2, C. Culligan, K. Gorhan, R. Rooney 0-1 each. Their second outing saw them take on Naomh Mairtin at Stabannon in a game that saw both sets of forwards have an off-day. Noel Mahon was the hero for Gaels, landing a point from 40 meters to level matters, but the game was to end in controversy when Ciaran Culligan had a goal disallowed in the last minute for 'square ball'. That meant that victory in their last game against Kilkerley Emmets would ensure qualification for the knock-out stages from what was turning out to be the tightest group in the competition. In what turned out to be an incident-packed game, Kilkerley came good late on to snatch victory and ensure that both sides made it through to a play-off. In a game that saw four players sent-off, including Gaels' Peter O'Kane and Noel Mahon, the Dundalk side had a 1-2 to 0-3 advantage at the break, and looked to be in firm control when they extended that gap to six points. However, they were unable to build on that lead and Kilkerley, inspired by two goals from Shane Lennon, hit back to claim victory on a 2-10 to 3-5 scoreline. Scorers: C. McArdle 2-1, D. Coleman 1-3, P. O'Kane 0-1. The result from the other game in the group meant that Gaels and Kilkerley had to meet again to decide who would join Naomh Mairtin in the quarter-finals. That game took place at Haggardstown and this time the Dundalk men came out on top on a 1-12 to 1-8 scoreline. David Coleman was the man to grab the headlines as he signalled his return from injury with a total of 1-8. His side had the edge throughout and after leading 0-6 to 0-3 at the break, Coleman's goal ensured his side made it through to the last eight. Scorers: D. Coleman 1-8, C. McArdle 0-3, K. Gorham 0-1. Gaels' reward for that victory was a meeting with Mattock Rangers in the quarter-final at Castlebellingham. Hopes were high that the Dundalk side would advance a step further, but despite a splendid start to the game, they eventually went down on a 2-12 to 1-8 scoreline. Kevin Gorham's well-taken goal helped Gaels to a 1-2 to 0-0 lead after 20 minutes. However, they were made pay a heavy price for some missed chances as Mattock hit back to lead 1-3 to 1-2 at the break. The Dundalk men did regain the lead early in the second half, but on the night Mattock proved the stronger and went on to score a deserved victory. Scorers: Kevin Gorham (1-0), David Coleman (0-3, 1 free), Peter O'Kane (0-2), Cormac McArdle (0-2), Martin Harvey (0-1). Dundalk Gaels: David Keane, Billy Curran, Conor Delaney, Noel Mahon, Niall McCabe, Robbie McCrave, Ray Rooney, Martin Harvey, Packie O'Connor, Cormac McArdle, Kevin Gorham, Ciaran Culligan, David Coleman, Peter O'Kane, Aidan Cosgrove. Subs: Anthony McSorley for Cosgrove (half-time), Aidan Delaney for Curran (38), Aidan Cosgrove for Rooney (42 mins) and Paul Grier for R. McCrave (58 mins). Gaels had, overall, a reasonable season. They played five matches in the championship, reaching the quarter-finals, and did enough in the league to stay senior. At the time of writing, the juniors are preparing for an appearance in the league semi-finals, having, it must be said, failed to have lined out in the championship. And it was the same for the under-18s, a far cry indeed, from a few years ago when the team captained by Peter McGinnity took the Fr. Murray Cup at the expense of Cooley Kickhams. The club's structures, however, are strong, and those who look after underage affairs are very excited about some of the young players coming along. Away from football, Joe McNally, who was for years synonymous with the running of the club's underage sides, was presented with the Louth Supporters' Club award for services to the GAA, while Peter McGinnity received the U-21 Player-of-the-Year award. Danny Culligan was named by new county team manager, Paddy Carr, as one of his assistants, along with Glyde Rangers; Gerry Sheridan. Carr got the job on the strength of a fine showing with the county's Vocational Schools' side, with which he had the assistance of Davy McDonnell, a teacher at O'Fiaich College. Tweet

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