Carnaross exited the race for the Mattie McDonnell Cup at the last eight hurdle in 2007, but they were eliminated one step earlier this year when Syddan ended their dream of a first title in the intermediate grade since 1993 in a preliminary quarter-final. They finished second in their group last year behind eventual champions Donaghmore/Ashbourne after achieving two victories and a draw and losing once, but they then lost to neighbours Gaeil Colmcille by 0-7 to 1-9 in a quarter-final. It was disappointing, but there were sufficient signs during the campaign to suggest that they could make further progress this year. However, that's not how it turned out. The team was coached by David Farrelly, with Gavin Murphy and Tony Morris acting as selectors, and they again won twice, drew once and lost once during the divisional campaign, but that form wasn't good enough to put them directly into the quarter-finals as they finished third in group C. Instead, they would have to make further progress via a preliminary match and that's where Syddan spoiled the party. Carnaross' opponents in their group included the side that ended their campaign last year, Gaeil Colmcille, as well as Ballivor, Dunderry and junior champions Clann na nGael and it was against Dunderry that they commenced their bid for honours. The match at Carlanstown represented a tough early test of their credentials, but Carnaross responded with a 2-7 to 1-7 victory to get their qualification ambitions up and running in the best possible fashion. The foundations for success were laid in the opening period when they built up a commanding 2-4 to 0-1 half-time advantage and there was never going to be any way back for Dunderry after that. Killian Porter and Ollie Murphy scored the first half goals and with John L. McGee notching three points and Murphy also splitting the uprights they were looking good. Dunderry did improve in the second half, but it took a late goal from TJ Garry to put a more favourable appearance on the score board from their point of view. Murphy and McGee shared the scoring honours for Carnaross with 1-2 and 0-5, respectively. After that very bright start, Carnaross must have fancied their chances when they travelled to Bohermeen to meet Clann na nGael who included Graham Geraghty at midfield. This was the Athboy/An Gaeltacht combination's first game at intermediate level and they made it a hugely successful one when winning by 1-14 to 0-11. Carnaross fell behind in the early stages, then rallied, but still found themselves adrift by 0-5 to 0-9 at the break. They battled back again to cut the deficit to two points, but when Gary Woods scored the only goal of the match for Clann na nGael, last year's junior kingpins were well on their way to an historic win. Paddy Nugent, Declan Reilly and McGee all contributed three points for Carnaross, but it wasn't enough. Motivation was never going to be an issue when Carnaross made the short journey across to Moynalty to play Gaeil Colmcille in the third round. Not alone are they their town neighbours, but they had also beaten them at the quarter-final stage last year. This proved to be a hugely entertaining encounter which finished all square (Carnaross 2-10, Gaeil Colmcille 1-13). McGee got the first Carnaross goal after he linked up with Ollie Murphy and Gavin Murphy gave them a huge boost with a second which helped to open up a very healthy 2-6 to 0-6 interval lead. They were looking good to secure a second win of the group campaign, but the Kells side came back well in the second period when they outscored Carnaross by 1-7 to 0-4. Gary Arkins got the town team's goal in that period, but their country rivals still looked set for victory until Brian Hanlon equalised from a brilliantly taken free. Carnaross had a mixed bag of results after three rounds of the group campaign and their future in the 2008 championship was hanging in the balance as they headed to Athboy for a meeting with struggling Ballivor who had only survived in the intermediate grade last year by virtue of a relegation play-off victory over Ratoath. Three points from McGee helped Carnaross to lead by 0-6 to 0-2 at the interval, but Ballivor kept themselves very much in the contest when they scored a goal. However, Declan Reilly steadied the Carnaross ship with a goal at the other end and they went on to win by 1-11 to 1-7. McGee finished with a highly significant personal tally of seven points and Reilly got 1-2. That victory gave Carnaross a chance of prolonging their campaign into the knockout stages with games in the section still to be played by the other teams and Clann na nGael, Gaeil Colmcille and Dunderry also in contention. When everybody had completed their programme the news was good - if only just. Dunderry finished on top of the pile with six points and they went straight into the quarter-finals along with runners-up Gaeil Colmcille on five. Carnaross also had five points, but because they had an inferior score difference to the Kells team they had to content themselves with a place in the preliminary quarter-final. And there to meet them at Meath Hill were Syddan who rocked them by racing into a 1-5 to 0-0 advantage inside the opening quarter. However, a point from Reilly and McGee's goal revived Carnaross hopes, though they were still playing a game of catch-up after that disastrous opening to the contest. Ollie Murphy scored their second goal after impressive approach play by McGee and Nugent and with the deficit standing at just two points at the change of ends it was all to play for in the second half. Carnaross battled well in that period, but Syddan did most of the scoring and were five points clear when the final whistle sounded. It was a disappointing conclusion to the championship for Carnaross, but they will hope to strengthen their panel for next year's campaign. St Ciaran's victory in the MFL Div. 3B this year was a significant boost because the team was made up by a majority of Carnaross players who will be fighting for positions on the intermediate panel over the next couple of years. UNDER-16s WIN THRILLING FINAL The extent of the work being carried out in the under-age ranks by the Carnaross club was evident when they defeated great rivals St Michael's by 2-10 to 1-8 in a thrilling U-16 FL Div. 3 final at Martry in July. A goal from a free by Charles Brogan helped Carnaross to open up a wind-assisted 1-3 to 0-0 lead and they were in front by 1-6 to 0-2 at the interval. Another goal from Dean Connell early in the second period helped them push the advantage out to 2-9 to 0-3 with 15 minute remaining and they were hot favourites to go on and win the title. However, tiredness started to be a factor for Carnaross, which was understandable considering they had taken two games in the space of five days to get the better of Rathkenny at the semi-final stage, and St Michael's began to rally. They scored a goal to close the deficit, but Brogan settled Carnaross with a late point to bring his overall tally for the evening to an impressive 1-7 and they were safe. The Carnaross team in the final was - J Ward; M Brogan, C Gillic; C Peate, G McDermott, S Casserly; C Brogan (1-7), C Dillon; I Donoghue, P Donoghue, J Carpenter; D Connell (1-1), B O'Connor (0-2). Sub - P Carpenter for O'Connor. CARNAROSS YOUNGSTERS TRIUMPH Carnaross enjoyed an under-age success in late summer when they defeated Drumconrath / Meath Hill by 4-17 to 1-5 in the U-14 Summer FL Group F final at Moynalty. There wasn't a lot between the teams in the first quarter, but Carnaross took command with goals from HJ Muldoon, Paddy Dillon and Colm McDonagh to open up a comprehensive 3-6 to 0-2 advantage at the break. There was no way back for the Drumconrath/Meath Hill side after that and when Muldoon scored his second goal it copper-fastened Carnaross' position of supremacy. The Carnaross team in the final was - K Ward; T Plunkett, C Yore; A Bridge, P Carpenter, L Brogan; M Brogan, P Fleming; P Dillon, C McDonagh, S McEnroe; HJ Muldoon, C Carpenter. Subs - L Ward for McEnroe, J Yore for C Yore. ST CIARAN'S TAKE MINOR TITLE It's doubtful if any trophy has ever been presented in the county as late as the Minor Football League Div. 3B Shield at Pairc Tailteann on a September night this year. But none of the St Ciaran's players, mentors or supporters were complaining when it was eventually handed over to joint captains Stephen Flattery and Sean Lynch coming up to 10.30 pm. The earlier final between Ballinabrackey and Rathkenny went to extra time and as a result the final between St Ciaran's and Moynalvey that followed it commenced well behind schedule. That's the real beauty about having floodlights available these days. The Carnaross/Moynalty combination opened the contest in encouraging style when Niall McDonnell slotted over a point, but with the wind favouring them Moynalvey hit a purple patch and moved into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead. St Ciaran's had reduced the deficit slightly by the interval when they trailed by 0-3 to 1-4 and with wind advantage to come in the second period they certainly had room for optimism. They made the best possible start to the second half when top marksman McDonnell scored a brilliant goal and when he found the net again soon after following a fine cross from Flattery, St Ciaran's were looking good for victory. Damien Smith and Flattery tagged on points to strengthen their position even further, but this was a good Moynalvey team and they recovered well to trail by 1-7 to 2-6 with five minutes to play. With the excitement intensifying, the Carnaross/Moynalty lads and their supporters were sweating as Moynalvey's Mark O'Sullivan went for a goal from a late free. But the ball went just over the crossbar and when the final whistle sounded St Ciaran's were ahead by the minimum (2-6 to 1-8) and were champions. Three players were sent off in the closing stages, including two from the winners, who were particularly well served by goalkeeper Cillian Comaskey, defenders Michael Lynch and Steen Carpenter, midfielders Richard Mulvey and Joseph Curley and forwards Sean Lynch and Niall McDonnell. McDonnell's contribution to the victory was highly significant as he finished with a superb personal tally of 2-4. The St Ciaran's team in the final was - C Comaskey; S Carpenter, M Lynch; K Gillic, C Allen, P Farrelly; J Curley, R Mulvey; C Cahill, D Smith (0-1), S Lynch; N McDonnell (2-4), S Flattery (0-1). Subs - C Brogan for Gillic, C Donegan for Flattery. Also - S McNiff, T Clinton, S McGrath, A Brady, B O'Reilly, G Lynch, E Farrelly, P Lynch, O Sheridan, D Lynch. Tweet

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