Clan's first season outside the Senior grade since 1954 proved to be another year of disappointment to follow the previous two, with no trophies to display for their efforts at adult level writes Peter Brannigan. The club won an Intermediate title as far back as 1946, however the current status of Intermediate football is a whole lot different than back then. It was very much hoped that having lost senior status at the end of 2006 that the club might bounce back. This was not to be, as mediocre performances in the championship and a loss of form in the latter stages of the league determined that nothing is given as of right. The championship began in exciting fashion when our tussle with O'Connells produced a superb game which finished all square, two points in added time brought Clans level on 1-13 each. The club's second tie in the group would see the side involved in an even more dramatic finish when a goal in added time left the final score Clans 1-10 and Oliver Plunkets 2-6, the Drogheda side having pressed the lead just a few minutes previous. This tie was played on 26th April. It would be 27th July before the club would field for its next outing in the championship. This tie produced a good win over Geraldines by 4-12 to 2-7. It is worth pointing out that the delay to championship fixtures was due to Louth's run in the Leinster grade and then the qualifiers. Victory over Sean McDermotts by 1-11 to 1-5 on 9th August guaranteed the club a place in the knockout stages, whether at the semi-final or quarter-final would be determined by the result of the match against Na Piarsagh on 26th August. This was an exciting tie in which the team from the Holy Family parish triumphed 1-10 to 1-8. Clans held the upper hand in the first half, however Na Piarsagh upped their game in the second half and soon levelled the match. Clans rallied as a goal and a point gave them what looked like a winning lead. However, a storming finish by the black and amber stripes securing 1-3 gave them passage to the semi-final. A week later Clans chances of a return to the upper grade disappeared when O'Raghallaigh's gave an impressive display to overcome a five point deficit to gain their semi-final spot by 1-10 to 0-11, Successive weekends saw winning leads vanish in disappointing fashion. It was back to league fare with still some hope of at least gaining entry into the Division one league. This competition saw Clans begin in reasonably good form with early victories over O'Connells 2-7 to 0-5 then Na Piarsagh 3-8 to 2-9 followed by a dropped point at home to Sean McDermotts 1-7 each the final score. Success returned with an 0-10 to 0-5 win against St Kevins however a loss to Gaels 1-8 to 0-5 put a dent in the club's aspirations even with six games to go. This defeat at the hands of Gaels took place on 31st March, it would be 19th June before league fare would return. A loss to Hunterstown Rovers 2-13 to 3-9 in a very well contested tie was a further set back. Four days later the club would record their best display of the league campaign with 4-11 to 0-5 win over O'Raghallaighs in Drogheda. Oliver Plunketts were overcome 2-9 to 1-7 in the following encounter. Chances of catching the league leaders Gaels were very slim with just three games remaining. The final round against Geraldines resulted in a loss 1-8 to 1-5 this followed by a draw in Clogherhead against Dreadnots 3-9 each, and finally a loss to Roche Emmetts 3-9 to 2-7 at Clan na Gael park to complete a very disappointing end to the campaign. The A.C.C. cup competition was run to include Senior and Intermediate teams. Clans managed to come through their group. Early successes over Naomh Martins, O'Raghallaighs and Sean McDermotts was followed by defeats to Cooley Kickhams and Niamh Malachi to end participation in this special league. The junior A team had a successful run in the league competition qualifying for the semi-finals where unfortunately they went under to Newtown Blues in a well contested tie by 2-14 to 1-13 which needed extra time to decide the issue. The semi-final stage was also reached in the junior championship, victories over Geraldines and Kilkerley paved the way for a tie versus St Patricks. The Lordship outfit came out on top by two points in this semi-final encounter. The under 21s failed to make progress in their section and the minor team went out to Newtown Blues. The club had some measure of success at Under 14 level where they won the Division 2 final with victory over the St Mochta's combination at Stabannon on 10th July. On the way to the final they accounted for Niamh Martin and Mellifont in the semi-final; Mellifont were the only team to beat Clans in competition this year. Clans best players were Ciaran Clinton, Conal McKeever, Conor Mackin, Kieran Taaffe, Ryan Taaffe. Gerry McKeever managed this side with assistance from Paul Grey, Andrew O'Carroll and Paddy McKeever. At Under 13 level the club's hopes of representing the county at the All Ireland Feile na Nog competition in Clare during 2008 are still alive as they await their final opponents at the time of writing. Louth Competition sponsored Cullen Autoparts, Dundalk. Paddy McKeever manages this side and has had a successful season at the Under 13 Blitz competitions. In June the side won the grade one final when after successfully coming through five rounds in Darver they played St Mochtas in the final. On the way they accounted for Wolfe Tones, Oliver Plunketts, Niamh Finbarra, St Patricks and St Fechins in a very exciting semi-final. The final produced a very tight game with Clans coming out on top by 2-7 to 2-4. Two early goals set the tone for Clans success and although the Mochtas fought back before half time with two goals, the break came with Clans leading 2-3 to 2-1, the action flowed from end to end in the second period with Clans retaining their grip on the match to the finish. Clan na Gael panel, Paddy Savage; Shane Grey; Emmett Cooney; Craig Long; Conal Cooney; Brendan O'Carroll; Conor Noonan; Stephen Cooney; Wayne O'Shaughnessy; Paraic McKeever; Mark Newell; Captain Conal Cooney received the winners trophy from former Louth and Stabannon Parnells midfield star Ken Reilly on behalf of Cumann Lu. Others to figure throughout the series were Jason Murphy; John Clarke; Ralwan Kadiri; Andrew Cooper; Robert Curran; Ian Carr; Daniel English; Aiden Heslin; Dylan Thornton; Conor Boland; Joseph Bankole; Paul Agnew; Aiden Lynch, Paddy Finn. The clubs mentors and teams had a very busy year, involved in the under 11; 9 and 7 age groups which took place throughout the summer months. Fergus Byrne and Andrew McAlester worked hard at under 11s and under 9s. Under 11 players, Ryan Kavanagh; Martin Lee; Michael Grey; Cody McGuill; Dean O'Donnell; Con Hoey; Craig McAlester; Craig Kavanagh; David McGeown; Kevin Carroll; Conor McCrave; Kate Curran; Gerard Curran; Ciaran O'Connor; Michael O'Callaghan; At Under 9 some of the more prominent players included Stephen Maguire, Sean O'Hanlon and Tiernan Reilly. At the Under 7 event in Darver Clans were in the same group as Mattock Rangers and Newtown Blues and were best served by Jason Cullen Ronan Bailey and Gerard Curran. It was a very eventful year with full use being made of the counties tremendous new facilities in Darver. The club also participated in Ladies football and it is hoped that this area will grow in strength in the coming years. Clans Award winners for 2006 Clubman of the year - Barry Cullen Senior Footballer - Paul Gore Junior Footballer - Keith Cunningham Minor Footballer - Derek Moran A presentation was made to the following Junior Selectors; Fergus Byrne. Andrew O'Carroll and the late Gary Gray. A special presentation was made to Frank McDermott for his management of Clans junior teams over many years Under 16 awards went to James Clarke 2006 Paddy Smith and Michael McAlester joint under 16 winners 2005 Management committee 2007. Chairman Barry Cullen Vice chairman Pat Cunningham Secretary Peter Brannigan Treasurer Fra Byrne Registrar Aiden Kirk Frank McDermott; Paddy McKeever; Patsy Kelly; all sub committee chairmen, Finance; Juvenile football and facilities. Barry O'Connor Players representative Executive; Mary Curran; Jim McArdle; Maurice Harrison; Johnny Duffy; Christy Robinson; Fra Kieran. Tweet

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