Getting the most out of what you have: The creed of every small rural club the length and breadth of this island. Rockcorry GFC are no different in that respect, and 2008 has seen the principle gain even greater resonance. By David Keelaghan. With Latton, Drumhowan, Doohamlet and Ballybay all occupying the same airspace as the Rock, clearly something has to give. Unfortunately, given the success of their neighbours this year, it appears that something is located at Pairc Mhuire. It has not been a year to remember for Rockcorry's juvenile sides. The U-21 and minor teams both failed to complete their league campaigns. Added to this was the withdrawal of the Junior B and U-13 sides altogether. The reason - numbers. Playing the numbers game is nothing new for Rockcorry, and it is not restricted to their juvenile teams either. Senior manager Mark McCormack hasn't had the luxury of a full bench this season, far from it in fact. Taking that into consideration, the performance of Rockcorry in the Intermediate League and Championship is all the more impressive. Rock finished fifth in the Harte Peat league with a final total of 20 points - that's a damn sight closer to Ballybay at the summit than Sean McDermotts at the bottom. Undisputed highlight of the campaign was an impressive purple patch where Rockcorry picked up six wins from their final seven games. A last day defeat to Eire-Og precluded any further involvement from Mark McCormack's side, but the season left supporters with plenty to stew over heading into next year. Rockcorry have ambition way and beyond the relative comfort and security of annual mid-table placings. The question is - do they have the raw materials to match their ambition. Manager Mark McCormack believes he has the basis of a panel to achieve success; but a few more faces wouldn't go amiss in solidifying that belief. Forthright in his views regarding the future of the club and the problems it faces, he reflects on a temperamental season for Rockcorry. " Initially we had a good start, and picked up a win over Aughnamullen in the first game. Then as the season progressed we were affected badly by injuries and suspensions and had a poor run of form. Mark Daly was missing for a month after getting sent off against Donaghmoyne, and Noel Carroll had went to Australia. He returned midway through the campaign and that was a huge boost for us, and after that we started to pick up a number of wins. After an impressive 3-10 to 1-8 victory over newly promoted Aughnamullen to begin the season, the garden was looking decidedly rosy for the boys from Pairc Mhuire. Playing Intermediate football means a thorn in your side is never far away, however, and that opening day win was followed by three loses on the bounce. "We played well against Ballybay but were narrowly beaten, and then we lost to Corduff, which was deserved. Another poor performance followed against Sean McDermotts, in what was their only win of the year. That was three loses in a row and left us near bottom of the table, so the next game against Emyvale was a big one for us, and I think that showed in the performance," said the Rockcorry boss. He added: "It's all about having the right attitude. At certain points during the season it wasn't there, and the results reflected that. Other times the attitude was spot on, and I think we showed in those games what we're capable of. One such occasion where player focus maybe called into question was the Championship opener against Emyvale. The contest doesn't hold happy memories for Mark McCormack, a feeling compounded by Rockcorry's subsequent poor form in the league. "The low point for me was the Championship game against Emyvale where we lost by four, but it should have been at least ten. Soon after that was the league game against Truagh, and I thought we were a disgrace that day. We were beaten by 12 points, but easily could have lost by 20." The Rockcorry manager is not one to mince his words with regards to his team. A poor performance is not going be called anything but; likewise a good one. "The high point was obviously getting back on track in the Championship, and then putting together a decent run at the end of the summer. We had six out of seven wins in a row in the league, and for a small panel who only have one or two subs for a lot of games, that's an impressive statistic. Noel Carroll came back during that period in our win over Emyvale in the league; then we had two wins in succession over Corduff and Seans heading into the Championship game." Eire-Og surprised everyone with how well they adapted to life in the Intermediate Division this year; it was a challenge not to be dismissed for Rockcorry's make or break Championship game. In a contest where defensive solidity made the difference, Rock emerged with a hard-fought but well earned 0-11 to 0-5 victory. "That was a good display from us. We were really solid at the back and kept them to five points for the entire game. We dominated possession and controlled the play really well, so I don't think there were any arguments from either side as to who deserved the win that day. I was happy with the way we did the simple things right, played the percentages, and crucially - didn't concede any goals." That led to a match-up with last year's beaten finalists, and many people's favourites for this year's title - Truagh. Again Rockcorry were not easily bowed, but in this case the result did not favour them. "We started very well against Truagh and were four points up after 15 minutes. After that they dominated, and to be fair the two point difference at the end wasn't a fair reflection on the game. We had a late goal from Pauric Reilly, and were competitive throughout, but really Truagh were much the better team in that game. That being said, it was a huge improvement from our previous meeting in the league." That 0-4 to 2-10 loss against the North Monaghan side had particularly aggrieved Mark McCormack; some form of redemption came when they met next in Rockcorry's penultimate game on August 31st. "The second league game with Truagh was probably our best performance of the year in terms of determination and attitude. That was there in abundance, and meant we beat one of the top two sides in the division." The victory left Rockcorry on 20 points, and still with an outside chance of reaching a play-off to see who would contest the semi-finals. Their final game would come away to Eire-Og - a team they had beaten already this year. This time victory would elude the Rock, a fact manager Mark McCormack attributes to some poor finishing on the day. "That was a really competitive game. We had the upper hand after they had a man sent off, but instead Eire-Og were able to get some crucial goals and that proved the difference. We had three good goal chances in the last five minutes, but unfortunately we couldn't hit the net." So it was disappointing end to a season where trying to predict the next game was a perilous pursuit. Rockcorry could compete with and beat the best in the Division at times, while entering performances that defied their Intermediate status in others. In the end their points total was greater than their manager's original target, set back in February, but less than his late summer recalibration. "The loss to Eire-Og left us fifth in the table on 20 points, 22 would have got us into a play-off and 24 one of the top places, so we weren't that far off. At the start of the season our plan was to win at least eight or nine of our games and get 18 points, and anything else after that would be a bonus. In the end we beat that target, but were still very disappointed we didn't reach 22 points. Halfway through the year I would have taken 18, but as results improved our target went up." So, with thoughts already turned to next season, what can we expect from the club in 2009? "We will have a similar target for next year. Overall I'm very happy with the attitude of the players this season. We had a small panel and our preparations for games weren't always ideal, but we gave it our best shot. We have a real problem with getting the numbers here. We don't have a B-team, and our U-21's and minors didn't finish their respective competitions, so we have huge challenges as a club heading into next year." Seamus Tate honoured By Michael Carroll During my involvement in the club I have had the pleasure to present the Hall of Fame award to some great legends that have worked tirelessly for the club. Most recently, Pat Brannigan and my father Bosco Carroll. This year I was again honored when I had the privilege to present the Hall of Fame award to Seamus Tate. Better known to everyone in the area as "big chief", he became involved in the club in the early sixties and has continued with tremendous loyalty to this day. He is a tireless worker and is ever present at many functions and his contribution towards the club is immeasurable. In his early years he was a prominent playing member and featured on many teams through-out the sixties. He returned in 1975 along with other "veteran footballers" to open Dartrey sports field. He also tried his hand at team management and was part of the selection team in 1982 and 1996 when the club enjoyed success winning the junior double and the Dr. Ward Cup respectively. After completing his playing career he continued to take an active interest in the club. He turned his interests to the administration affairs and is better known as one of the clubs longest serving administrators. He became treasurer in 1981 and held that position for the next twenty one years as he took care of the club finances with great interest and in a meticulous manner. During that time he was a major figure in the development of Pairc Mhuire working tirelessly ensuring all receipts were taken care off. He has not been directly involved on the committee for the last couple of years, but he is ever present at our Top 4 lotto draws every Monday night and continues to raise funds for the club each week and you will always notice him at training sessions where you see him keeping an account of footballs, training gear and equipment and indeed helping out with tea and sandwiches afterwards and is more often than not the last man leaving the clubrooms after tidying up. Another aspect of his involvement includes lining out the playing field for games, doing the gate, and whenever he is asked to do an umpire or lineman he carries out the duty with no questions asked. From my point of view - it is very reassuring when you ask him to do something the man simply doesn't know how to say "no". He's has an inherent love for the Rockcorry football club and, in terms of service it is a remarkable achievement and a testament to his unselfish work over the last five decades. I would like to express my personal appreciation and the appreciation of the club for his valuable contribution. He has and will always be a "true Gael". Thank you Seamus. Tweet

Most Read Stories