After reaching the intermediate hurling final in 2002 and the semi-final last year, Kilskyre were expected to be in the shake-up for honours this year. But they failed to live up to expectations with full back Barry Smyth citing a lack of commitment as the reason for their disappointing year. Barry Smyth is convinced that Kilskyre have the ability to win the intermediate hurling champiosnhip. But for that to happen, he believes a far greater commitment from everyone is required. "We're definitely good enough, but the commitment just wasn't there this year," the full back says. "We weren't getting a consistent turn-out at training and that was reflected in our results. One day, we'd have 26 or 27 down training but the next we'd only have eight or nine. If we're to be successful, the attendances at training will have to improve. Hurling is the sort of game which requires a lot of time and effort. You have to be practicing the skills all the time." Smyth, whose father Christy is chairman of the North Meath club, reckons the involvement of promising stars Derek and Padraig Muldoon with the county minor and under 21 sides didn't help Kilskyre's prospects either. "It was difficult for the two Muldoons to give the full commitment because they were tied up with the county for a good part of the year. But you can't blame them for putting in the effort with Meath - there's no greater honour than representing your county." After losing to Wolfe Tones in the 2002 intermediate championship final and Drumree in last year's semi-final, Kilskyre were shortlisted for championship honours this year. But a one-point defeat to neighbours Gaeil Colmcille in their opening assignment set the tone for a disappointing season. The Kells defeat was followed by a second loss to eventual champions Clann na nGael. And whatever hopes they had of reaching the knock-out stages were all but dashed when they suffered another one-point defeat to Wolfe Tones in their third outing. Ned Howley's charges finally secured their first win when they overwhelmed Navan O'Mahony's by 1-17 to 2-5 at Kilberry. The Brew's Hill side made much of the early running and reaching half-time leading by 1-5 to 0-7. But the second half witnessed a much improved showing by the North Meath club. Derek Muldoon accounted for 0-11 of the Kilskyre tally while another youngster, Darren Morgan, scored their goal. A strong finish by Na Fianna cost Kilskyre victory in their fifth outing at Longwood. Despite first half goals from Paddy Nugent and Padraig Muldoon, the black and ambers trailed by 2-3 to 2-6 at the interval. Kilskyre had wind advantage in the second period and were well in contention until Na Fianna produced a late scoring burst to take victory. Against Blackhall Gaels at Boardsmill, Kilskyre looked to have snatched a thrilling victory when veteran Francis Tunney pointed in the fifth minute of injury-time, but Fintan Power replied three minutes later to earn the Gaels a 1-12 to 1-12 draw. Kilskyre led by 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time and when Paddy Nugent extended their advantage to four points shortly after the restart, they looked to be in a strong position. But a Darren O'Loughlin goal brought Blackhall back into contention and despite the best efforts of Tunney who finished with 0-9 to his credit, Kilskyre were forced to settle for a share of the spoils. Despite only have pride to play for, Kilskyre produced a fine display to overcome Donaghmore/Ashbourne in their final championship outing. The result was significant in that it put paid to Donaghmore's hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals. "After coming close to winning the championship in 2002 and 2003, we were hoping that it would be a case of third time lucky this year," Smyth explains. "We felt we had a great chance of finally making the breakthrough at the start of the year, especially as the younger members of the panel were that bit more mature. But unfortunately it didn't turn out as would have liked and that's why it was such a disappointing year. "Having said that, we were competitive in all of our games and the only team that could claim to have beaten us well was Athboy. In the other games which we lost to Na Fianna, Wolfe Tones and Kells, there was only a puck of a ball in it. It's frustrating to think that we could have won those games if the effort had been put in on the training pitch." At the time of writing, Kilskyre were still in contention for Division 2 honours, but Smyth wasn't holding out much hope of the league being concluded this side of Christmas. "We've been unbeaten in the league this year, but there's a fair chance of it not being finished this year. Unfortunately, we have a situation in this county where hurling is treated as the poor relation. There would often be years when the league wouldn't be finished at all," he says. Smyth is one of Kilskyre's longest serving players, having played on the teams which beat Trim to win the junior championship in 1991 and the intermediate championship at Longwood's expense two years later. The black and ambers survived just one season in the senior ranks and have been operating in the 'middle' grade ever since. "We're due another intermediate championship win at this stage," he opines. "The likes of Johnny Speight, Francis Tunney, Donie Geraghty and myself aren't getting any younger and we'll only get so many more cracks at winning an intermediate championship. We need everyone pulling together because we're a small rural club with limited playing resources." Smyth isn't in the least bit disheartened by this year's disappointing campaign and is confident that Kilskyre can bounce back stronger than ever in 2005. "If everyone is prepared to put in the effort, we won't be far away from winning the intermediate championship next year. We have a good squad of players and four of the lads - Padraig Muldoon, Ronan McGuinness, Alan Smyth (Barry's brother) and Peadar Byrne - were actually called into the county senior set-up earlier this year. "I watched this year's intermediate final between Athboy and Kells and from what I saw, there is no reason why we can't reach next year's final. We wouldn't fear any of the other intermediate teams, but first of all we'll need to get our act together if we're to be in with a chance of winning the championship outright," he concludes. Tweet

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