There was a time when it would be a surprise if Walterstown did not reach the closing stages of the Meath SFC. However, there was a different scenario this year with the Blacks finishing at the bottom of their group and having to win a relegation play-off in order to avoid the drop to intermediate ranks. Before a ball was kicked in the latest Keegan Cup competition manager Ian Kearney was talking very positively. "We will be going into the championship with the target of winning it out and I would not be happy with any other kind of approach," he remarked. In 2006 Walterstown were the only team to beat winners Wolfe Tones and after winning six of their seven group games, they bowed out with a quarter-final loss to Simonstown Gaels in extra-time. Kearney was happy that his charges were capable of mixing it with the best in the county and was hoping to build on the efforts of the previous year. But after six successes in 2006, there was just one group win this year. After disappointing defeats to Seneschalstown and Rathkenny Trim were trounced by 12 points to revive hopes of reaching the last eight or nine. But then a draw with St Patrick's was the difference between advancing to the closing stages and finishing last of the five. Walterstown were without the suspended Paddy Reynolds and the injured Charles McCarthy when outpointed 0-14 to 0-8 by their Yellow Furze neighbours in an opening round Sunday evening tussle at Pairc Tailteann. The losers were forced to play three quarters of the game with 14 men after Sean Callaghan was sent off apart two yellow card offences. Callaghan had put over two of his side's first three points before leaving the action and Seneschalstown had not scored at the time of the dismissal. Matters got darker for the Blacks after that they did not score again until early in the second half. They trailed by 0-3 to 0-7 at the break and although John Davis raised the white flag four times, three frees, the winners outscored them by 0-4 to 0-1 in the last quarter. 'Rathkenny heap gloom on Blacks' was the headline in one of the local papers following Rathkenny's 0-8 to 0-6 third round win back at the Brews Hill venue in June. It was a sweet success for Eamonn O'Brien as his charges toppled the club with whom he had won so many honours as a player in the '70s and '80s. The losers served up an awful display which must have left some older supporters yearning for a return of those glory days. Remarkably they registered half of their total in the last five minutes and threatened to take something from the tie. Charles McCarthy was back for this game but Walterstown did not manage to go into the lead. Two Ronan Barry points, play and free, were all that they managed in the first period and they trailed by 0-2 to 0-5 at the break. After falling five points in arrears, the Blacks decided to play a bit at the end with John Davis pointing and McCarthy putting over two but it was a case of too little too late. Walterstown scored a bit more in their third SFC outing than in the first two put together when reviving their flagging hopes with a 2-15 to 1-6 victory over Trim at Kilmessan. Ian Kearney shuffled his pack around for this game with Charles McCarthy being moved from midfield to full forward and John Geoghegan from corner back to centre forward. McCarthy kicked seven points, five from frees, and Geoghegan netted his side's goal in the last quarter. Sean Callaghan scored their first goal after 12 minutes and with the attack much sharper than before, they led by 1-7 to 1-2 at the break. All of the six starting forwards in black scored and they were back in contention. However, a 0-12 to 1-9 draw with St Patrick's at Duleek in the last round of the group stages was not enough as the Stamullen side claimed third place in Group C. The Blacks conceded the goal in the first minute and did not manage to get their noses in front after that. It was 1-4 to 0-5 at the break and despite some fine efforts from John Geoghegan and Alban Crosbie, there was to be only frustration for the Blacks. They fell two points in arrears on the run to the line and late scores from substitute Ronan Barry and Christopher Reynolds were not enough for them to stay in the title race as Pat's claimed third place. Walterstown were strongly fancied to account for Kilmainhamwood in the first of the relegation play-offs and while they saved their premier grade status, there was 20 minutes extra-time before safety was assured with a 2-14 to 1-13 win at Kilberry. The additional periods looked highly unlikely when Walterstown were nine points to the good at the first break, leading by 2-8 to 0-5. Christopher Reynolds and Charles McCarthy grabbed the goals and John Geoghegan, put over three points. The Blacks had a great opportunity to find the net for a third time immediately after the restart but opposing 'keeper Michael Clarke denied Ronan Barry with a terrific save. Although the 'Wood's top forward Ray McGee did not take any part after the opening half hour because of a knee injury, Ian Kearney's side only managed to add two points in the second period. It was 2-10 to 1-13 at the end of regulation time. Walterstown took up the running again in extra-time and Sean Callaghan and Tom Walsh sent over points in the first period. It was two points to one in favour of the Blacks in the last ten minutes with Alban Crosbie and McCarthy completing the winning total. Manager Ian Kearney, who was in his second year at the helm, stepped down from the position following that game. He had given tremendous service to the club, having been a player with them for close on 20 years. He was obviously disappointed that his charges did not build on their efforts of 2006, remarking, "Obviously it was disappointing not to get out of the group, the team underachieved but there was a very thin line between getting through to the closing stages and finishing up in a relegation play-off. After starting well in the opening championship game against Seneschalstown, we then had Sean Callaghan sent off and were second best after that. Then we had to wait seven weeks before the next outing against Rathkenny in which our performance was poor. "But later in the year the team started to show some useful form and scored good league winds over Skryne and Wolfe Tones. The win over Trim revived our championship hopes and I thought we were coming good at the right time. However, the display against St Patrick's was quite flat although there was not much between the teams in our group. "We were without Charles McCarthy for the first round and Paddy Reynolds was out for the first two games. Also John Davis, hobbled by an ankle injury, did not play as well as in 2006. But I am not making excuses as we still could have qualified had we won against Pat's," said Kearney. The manager reluctantly opted out after the win over Kilmainhamwood. "It was a huge commitment and took up a huge amount of my time. I have been involved with Walterstown, as a player and then as manager, for about 20 years and want to have more time to spend with my family. I have a young lad playing under 10 football and want to go to more of his games. "I may go back to team management some time in the future but at the moment I am looking forward to the break from it. Walterstown have plenty of good footballers and this year they got to a minor final and to the semi-finals of the Junior B Championship. Some of those will be challenging for places on the senior team," he said. Walterstown's second string, managed by Ian Reilly, had a good run in the Junior B FC before losing by the minimum margin to Trim in a semi-final clash at Dunsany. In the group stages the Blacks recorded wins over Moynalty, Seneschalstown, Bellewstown and Dunshaughlin and there was also a draw with Blackhall Gaels. This team included past seniors like Mark Farrelly, Paddy O'Brien and Alan Browne. Browne has given notable service to Walterstown over the years and was on the county squad for the marathon championship campaign in 1991. He came on as a substitute in the second game against Dublin and also in then closing stages of the All-Ireland final against Down. In this year's junior B semi-final against Trim, Browne, operating at full forward, scored 1-5. After trailing by 0-5 to 0-6 at the break, the Blacks went five points in arrears before battling back to get on level terms and being just edged out of a final place. Blacks to build on underage success Walterstown may not have the best of years in the SFC, but the club has continued to produce exciting underage teams and there was success obtained at two levels to leave the club with something to build on next year. The Blacks have dedicated huge resources so that their underage structure is the envy of many of the clubs in the county and the Royal County Yearbook takes a look at the behind the scenes running of the club. The fact that Walterstown can field teams at all grades is a testament to the hard work and dedication that certain club members demonstrate on a weekly basis. Anyone involved in the GAA will tell you that looking after an underage team or indeed any team can be time consuming and sometimes frustrating, but the GAA is built on passion and in Walterstown they have that in abundance. Their year began on a high note as the 2006 under-17 Division 2 final against Round Towers was played last March and following a titanic battle, it was the Blacks that came out on top. Some great defensive play by the Blacks full back line of Barry O'Dowd, Brian McGrane and Andrew Daly kept the Kells outfit at bay. Centre back Stephen O'Keeffe was a tower of strength all through and with Aaron McLoughlin and Colm Reilly attacking from half back the Blacks pressed forward at every opportunity, while up front Mark McCormack and Stefan McDonnell were in outstanding form to leave the final scoreline 1-6 to 1-5. The success was brought about by the commitment of the players, while the management team of John Kennedy, Mick O'Keefe and John Barry deserve great credit for the work they have done. A feature of why the club has been claiming silverware at underage level is the fact that the boys and girls are introduced to Gaelic football at a very young age as there is an under-6 side that is looked after by Mark Davis, Bobby McCann and Padraig Freeman. Playing at such a young age means that by the time the kids start to play competitive matches at under-12, their basic skills are ahead of some teams. On any give Saturday, the Walterstown pitch will be crammed with up to 100 children right from under-6 upwards. Each team is looked after by a group and the under-8's are trained by Enda McDonnell, Breffni Gordan and Ray Connelly, while former Meath footballer Martin O'Connell and Vinny Moran are in charge of the under-10 side. This year's under-12 team reached the semi-final of the championship under the guidance of Mick Dunphy and Vinny Moran, only to be beaten by near neighbours Seneschalstown. The under-14 squad who were trained by Derek McDonnell with the help of Declan and Norman Donnellan. Expectations were high that this side could do well in the league and championship even though three of the side were still under-12. In the league, Walterstown laid down a marker by defeating all opposition apart from Ratoath, who they would meet in the final having defeated Dunboyne at the penultimate stage. The final itself was played in Pairc Tailteann in early May. Ratoath looked to be cruising at half time when they lead by 1-17 to 0-5 albeit with the aid of a strong breeze, but not many could have predicted Walterstown's second half comeback. However, the Blacks started the second half strongly with two well-taken points by Davy Donnellan and the same player set up Stefan McDonnell for a goal, before Donnellan knocked over his third point of the match to reduce the deficit to nine points. Ratoath came back with two goals, but the impressive McDonnell responded with two of his own to complete his hat-trick to ensure that this match went right to the wire, but it was to be Ratoath's day, (3-19 to 3-10) despite the best efforts of Donnellan, McDonnell, Paul Donnellan, John Davis and Akalque Khan. The sides would meet once again in the championship final and it was a case of the same old story as Ratoath's physical presence was too much for the young Walterstown outfit, although they had some outstanding performances from David Donnellan and Stefan McDonnell. Both these players have an excellent future in the game and it would not be surprising to see both don the green and gold of Meath at some stage. It was not all to be heartache for some of the under-14 side as many were fortunate enough to be involved with the under-16 squad that won the Division 3A League final at the expense of St Pat's. St Pats did start better and led 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes, but with Mark McCormack and Mark Reynolds beginning to dominate in middle of the field and Stefan Mc Donnell causing a lot of problems in the full forward line, the Blacks led 1-5 to 0-3 after twenty minutes. The goal was scored by Kevin Barnwall after a blistering run by Diarmuid Murphy. Further points by David Donnellan (2) and Reynolds pushed Walterstown further ahead and a brilliantly taken goal by Murphy gave them a 2-8 to 0-3 half time lead. Midway through the second half McDonnell blasted in the blacks' third goal to restore their eleven point advantage. To their credit St Pats never gave up and scored another goal from there best player Donal Landy. However, Walterstown finished strongly with both Kevin Barnwall and Diarmuid Murphy scoring their second goals. For Walterstown this was great team performance from goalie John Davis who made forty yard solo run in second half, Andrew Daly and Colin McGrane never put a foot wrong, centre back Richard Ellis was a tower of strength and got great support from Adam Daly and Eamonn Clery on the wings. Midfielders the two Marks (McCormack and Reynolds) had excellent games and gave great supply to their forwards. The half forwards Cormac Madden, David Donnellan and Diarmuid Murphy worked extremely hard to provide ammunition for inside forwards Stefan McDonnell and Kevin Barnwall who scored 3-8 between them. This win was made all the more special as the Blacks had been defeated by St Pat's in an earlier round, while Dunsany were also victorious against Derek McDonnell's charges. Nonetheless, they showed great character to defeat both in the final and semi final respectively with the penultimate stage of the competition being particularly satisfying as the clash with Dunsany was of the robust nature. In the minor, Round Towers gained revenge for their narrow defeat in the previous year's under-17 final, by coming away with the title following a one-point win. So all in all, it was not a bad year for Walterstown at underage level and their season was boosted by the fact that three of their underage stars, David Maguire, Mark McCormack and Stefan McDonnell who all attend St Pat's College in Navan were named the Player of the Year for the school's Senior, Junior and Juvenile teams respectively. A unique achievement to say the least. Despite having reached the SFC quarterfinals in 2006, Walterstown failed to improve on that feat in this year's campaign and indeed with only one win under their belt in the campaign, were forced into the prospect of a relegation play-off. However, the Blacks dug deep to see off the challenge of Kilmainhamwood after extra-time to preserve their senior status for another year. A major drive to recruit more players from the parish and in particular the Johnstown area this year has proven to be a relative success and although it may take a few years for the fruit of their labours to be fulfilled, it will only be a matter of time before the club are winning senior championships once again. The Walterstown U16 side that saw off St. Pat's - John Davis, Andrew Daly, Colin McGrane, Adam Daly, Richard Ellis, Eamonn Clery, Mark Reynolds 0-1, Mark McCormack 0-3, Cormac Madden 0-1, David Donnellan 0-2, Diarmuid Murphy 2-0, Stefan Mc Donnell 1-8, Kevin Barnwall 2-0. Subs - Matthew Clarke, Aaron Gavin. The side that went under to Ratoath in the U14 FC decider was - S. Kennedy; E. McGuinness, A. Khan (1-0), C. McGrane; J. Davis, P. Donnellan, M. Clarke; D. Donnellan, R. O'Dowd; D. Aloba, C. Madden, R. Carolan; R. McDonnell, S. McDonnell (2-5, 4 frees), C. Farrelly. The Blacks' combination that was beaten in the U14FL final - Steven Kennedy, Eoghan McGuinness, Aklaque Khan, Colin McGrane, John Davis, Paul Donnellan, Matthew Clarke, David Donnellan 0-3, Ruairi O Dowd, Dare Aloba, Cormac Madden 0-1, Ruairi Carolan, Robbie McDonnell, Stefan McDonnell 3-6, Andrew Woods. Subs - Christopher Farrelly David Carolan Mark O Meara Darren Mc Mahon The U17 winning side that beat Round Towers in the 2005 competition March - Devin Cummins, Barry O'Dowd, Brian McGrane, Andrew Daly, Aaron McLoughlin, Stephen O'Keeffe (captain) Colm O'Reilly, David Maguire, Daniel Burke, Mark Reynolds (0-1), Richie Barry (0-1), Mark McCormack (1-1), Anwar Khan (0-1), Stefan McDonnell (0-2), Colm McMahon. Sub - Richard Ellis for C. McMahon. Tweet

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