It was a magnificent year for the Scotstown minor footballers, who completed a superb league and championship double. Gerald Robinson caught up with Dermot Maguire, part of the management triumvirate completed by brothers Gerard and Michael Caulfield, to discuss the wonderful accomplishments of the club's U18s. On Friday November 14, Scotstown defeated the Ballybay/Drumhowan amalgamation, St Patrick's, in a thrilling 2008 Monaghan MFC final played under lights at Inniskeen. As this clash paired the Division One minor league winners with the Division Two minor league victors, it would determine who held ultimate bragging rights in the U18 grade come the season's end. In the final analysis, it was Scotstown who prevailed on a 1-9 to 1-8 scoreline. Kieran Hughes and Aaron McCarey were particularly outstanding for the victors, but it was an excellent all-round team display in a match littered with county minor and Vocational Schools stars. Scotstown had the benefit of the treacherous elements in the first half and built up a six-point interval cushion. They led by nine points at one stage and had to withstand a strong St Patrick's fightback to retain the county crown in style. Scotstown, 2008 Monaghan minor football champions: Sean Gilheaney,; Kieran Treanor, Kieran Hughes (0-1), Michael McPhillips; Padraig Sheehan, Damien McArdle, Adrian Carbin; Gavin Turley, Peter O'Hara; Shane Carey, Mark Treanor (1-2), Orin Heaphey (0-1); Paul Sherlock (0-1), Aaron McCarey (0-4), Conor Caulfield. Subs: Kieran Beggan, Donal McCague, Ronan Shannon, Mark Corrigan, Cian Mohan, Conor Boylan, Joseph Carroll, Daniel Mc Carey, James Hamill, David Caulfield, Stephen Sherry, Niall Corrigan, Luke McDermott, Mark Clerkin, Myles Treanor, Padraig Clerkin, Rory Beggan. The league final had been played at Clones as curtain-raiser to the county SFC decider on Sunday October 12, with Scotstown overwhelming Donaghmoyne in the second half to take the title for the second time in three years on a 3-9 to 0-7 verdict. With Hughes giving yet another exhibition in the No.3 shirt, Paul Sherlock landed two first-half goals in the 22nd and 29th minutes. Mark Treanor added the third major in stoppage time. Scotstown, 2008 Monaghan Division One minor football league winners: Sean Gilheaney; Kieran Treanor, Kieran Hughes, Michael McPhillips; Padraig Sheehan, Damien McArdle (0-1), Adrian Carbin; Gavin Turley (0-1), Peter O'Hara; Shane Carey, Mark Treanor (1-1), Orin Heaphey (0-1); Paul Sherlock (2-0), Aaron McCarey (0-5), Conor Caulfield. Subs: Donal McCague, Kieran Beggan, Mark Corrigan, Rory Beggan. Considering that minor would be regarded as the second-most important grade after senior, co-manager Dermot Maguire was happy with the historic double: "It was 26 years since Scotstown last won the minor double, so we're pleased," he confirms. "Aaron McCarey's Dad, Kevin, was on that team, so time doesn't be long slipping by. That was also our last back-to-back minor championship success. It's not every year any team wins a double at any level, so the lads deserve great credit. Clontibret were the last team to win the minor double in Monaghan and many of those players have gone on to win senior championships and have played with Monaghan at the highest level. Hopefully, we'll experience something similar." How good is this crop of players? How many of them will go on to represent Scotstown at senior level? "Obviously, we hope 15 of them will, but that's not realistic. It's the same as any minor team - you hope they will all make the breakthrough but there's a big gap up to senior football. The main thing for Scotstown is to keep competing in Division One and to bring two or three minors through each year. Then you're happy." The management team couldn't have asked more from their players, who gave of their all over the duration of a protracted and testing season. "Three of them were with the county minors this year and nine or ten of them are eligible for minor again next year, so it's a young enough team," Dermot continues. "It was a very competitive panel of players. They started in February and only finished in November and there were times in between when there were no games for weeks. For example, we went 14 weeks with only one game at one stage during the summer. You start in the cold and the wet and the dark, and you ending up playing in the same conditions "Of course, it takes a bit of luck to win any Cup and we had that bit of luck at the end of the year, but the lads deserved it because they had worked very hard. They earned those breaks. We finished the season with 30 lads, after taking in four or five from the U16 team to keep them training etc. and to give them an idea of what minor will be like next year. They were a great help because we could play proper matches in training every Friday night and those lads contributed to the success." Over the course of the season, the panel trained together every Tuesday and Friday and also met up at the weekends in the run-up to major games. It was an extremely long year - and difficult to peak at the end of it all! "You go from February to September with very few games and then the last couple of months define your whole season," says Dermot, who was at the helm alongside Gerard and Michael Caulfield for a third successive season. "We won the league the first year, the championship the second year, and the double this year. Eamon O'Hara came in to freshen things up a bit this year as well and he added to the training and contributed a lot." At the time of writing, the management and players were still in training, preparing for a second consecutive crack at the Ulster minor club championship, in which they would face Armagh Harps on December 7. This emphasises once more the long, long year these lads endured - remembering too that most of them play colleges football with either St Macartan's or Beech Hill. "We work closely with the schools to make sure they don't get overworked," Dermot notes. All in all, it was a memorable year for Scotstown. Three of the minors were on the U21 team that contested the league final replay against Castleblayney; the first team reached a Division One semi-final and a SFC quarter-final; and the club excelled at juvenile level: "Both our U12 teams won cups, the U13s lost their final to Monaghan Harps by a point, the U14s got to a semi-final, the U15s won the Emyvale Tournament, the U16s won the league, and the minors did the double. We're competing at every level. "Behind the scenes, a lot of hard work goes on that isn't seen but is greatly appreciated. Somebody had to take these lads through from U12 level and those guys deserve a lot for credit for the work they did. Without all that work, which is done away from the spotlight, we wouldn't have anything. There were a lot of very strong teams coming through at minor level this year and our championship semi-final and final against Aughnamullen and St Patrick's respectively were our two hardest games of the year. We saved our best for last, though, and won those two tough games by a point. "The minor league final was played before the SFC final and, when you win a big game like that before a big crowd, there's a worry that it could take a bit of the hunger off you. We had to get them back down to earth, and they probably dropped their guard a little against Aughnamullen, but they held strong and it stood to them in the end." It's all part of the learning process and - in their minor class of 2008 - Scotstown appear to have unearthed a crew that learns very quickly indeed. The future for the Blues appears to be exceptionally bright. Sherry sweet on President's award Scotstown clubman Peter Sherry couldn't believe his ears when he was told he had been chosen for a President's award. A case of mistaken identity? Hardly. When Peter Sherry got the call from Croke Park to say that he had been chosen to receive a GAA President's award, he was sure it was a case of mistaken identity. The Scotstown clubman couldn't fathom out why the powers-that-be at Headquarters would single him out for services rendered to the Association. "When the phone rang and a girl came and told me this story about awards, I told her that I thought she had the wrong person but she went onto convince me otherwise," Peter says. "It was a big surprise to get such a prestigious award. I didn't think they'd even have heard of me, never mind know anything about what I did in my time in the GAA." Peter had been heavily involved in the local Group Water Scheme and did indeed receive a lot of plaudits for his work in that regard but the GAA? If the truth be told, his endeavours on behalf of Scotstown GAA and Monaghan GAA down the years are well documented by those au fait with his innings to date. And so the stage was set for his receipt of the rare but distinguished personal award from the GAA's hierarchy and with due notice, Peter looked forward to the awards' night. Sadly, he was to be hospitalised and while the good and the great of the GAA assembled on Jones' Road on March 17th last, Peter was otherwise engaged. He was, in fact, lying on the broad of his back in Cavan General Hospital when Donegal GAA legend Brian McEniff and a host of other proven gaels were duly honoured. A raft of hurling and football enthusiasts at Croke Park were present as Peter's son, Peadar, accepted the President's award on behalf of the well-liked 75 year old true blue gael. "I was disappointed not to be able to be on hand myself to receive the award but I was happy to get the operation over me and, as they say, your health is your wealth. "But I have to say, I feel very honoured to get the award because awards don't come much higher than a President's award. There was nothing like it when I was on the county board." Of course, it's not today or yesterday that the bold Peter's efforts on behalf of the GAA were acknowledged even if they weren't exactly honoured in a formal way. Truth to tell, Peter cut his teeth at the coalface of GAA affairs a long time ago when it was neither fashionable nor rewarding to hold office at high level in administration circles. Between 1976 and '83, Peter - a trustee at Scotstown GAA - served as Chairman of Monaghan County Board during which time Francie McAtavey served as Secretary. These days, Peter confines his GAA work to helping to man the gates for the county board at the various matches that take place in St. Tighernach's Park, Clones. In times past his gra for Gaelic games manifested itself in his togging out with Emyvale (where he attended Corracrin National School) in 1951 at minor level. Later in the mid-fifties, Peter played for his native Tydavnet - winners of their first JFC title in 1935 - and has fond memories of lining up alongside his brother Jimmie on the team. Moves to cement the future of Gaelic football in the parish were afoot though and soon the gaels of Tydavnet, Knockatallon and Scotstown were in talks. "The likes of Sean Hegarty of Scotstown, Jimmy Corr from Knockatallon and myself along with a few others came together to unite all the strands within the parish," Peter recalls. "We wanted to amalgamate the three clulbs in the parish and I remember in November 1957 - fifty years ago now - Tydavnet and Scotstown came together for the first time." In 1958, Peter featured as a corner-forward on the first ever Scotstown team to land the JFC title when Toome were overwhelmed in Pearse Park, Ballybay. Two years later, Peter poached the goal for Scotstown that put them through to the SFC final, the club's first ever blue riband decider, and a win over 'blayney followed. "I think everyone realised at that time that we would have struggled individually for numbers at different levels and that we'd have strength in numbers." The meeting of heart and minds then formed the genesis of the club that is the behemoth known countrywide as Scotstown GAA, defeated All-Ireland club finalists in 1979. "I was chairman of the county board at that time ('79) and it would have been fantastic for Monaghan, as well as Scotstown, if we had beaten Nemo Rangers and won the title. "Looking back though, considering there was a snow storm at Croke Park for the final, I thought the game should really have been cancelled and that's not just sour grapes. "I remember some supporters found it hard going on the road at Slane Hill because of the conditions, it was so bad. Who knows what would have happened on a better day. "We didn't do too badly all the same considering we won three Ulster club titles but that was when we had a great batch of footballers in the club - top class individuals." Peter is delighted at the progress made by his native club over the years, on and off the field of play. He is fulsome in his praise of the collective effort of all concerned at Scotstown: "Down the years there's been a lot of good committees. I remember we were the first club in the county to have hot and cold showers which was a great innovation at that time. "We've probably more playing fields than any other club in the county with a top class facility out at Kilmore which is a credit to everyone who helped put it in place. "It's a long time since any player had to tog out in a ditch or an out-house and that's just as well because there was no comfort back in those days." On the county front, Peter understandably cites Monaghan's triumph in the 1979 Ulster SFC title as the highlight of his time as chairman of the county board. "It was a tremendous year made all the more memorable because it was the first time we had won the Anglo-Celt Cup in 41 years. "There was an unbelievable buzz generated in the county at that time. I don't think we've seen the same sort of passion surrounding football in the county since that year. "I think the win in '79 laid the basis for the great county teams that followed in the 'eighties. I think we learned from the bad defeat Kerry handed us in the 1979 All-Ireland semi-final." And his highlights from his time on the county administration front? "When I was chairman (of the county board) we ensured that all of the GAA's deeds were updated concerning all the grounds that were vested in the Association. "It's a huge tribute to all the clubs in Monaghan that their facilities are so good. I don't think you'd get such good facilities in too many other counties. "But it's not before time that the facilities were improved because for all the time and effort players put into the game, they deserve nothing less. "We also saw to it that all the trustees were re-appointed before I left office as chairman in 1983." Peter is convinced that football in county Monaghan has never been in such rude good health and he enthuses at the immense pride evident among grass roots supporters. A man who seldom misses a game involving the county's premier football team, the long-time ardent gael believes the native game is just as attractive as it has ever been. Interestingly he has become a fan of the International Rules series and took particular pleasure in watching Ireland's last quarter display in their second test this year with the Aussies. "I know the Rules game has got its detractors but when it's played in a sporting fashion and the players stick to playing the ball, it's a good spectacle and well worth seeing." And the future for Scotstown and Monaghan football fraternities? "I think the structures are there at both club and county levels to ensure that a fair bit of success can be achieved over the coming years. "The talent is there too and with a bit of luck Scotstown can go close to getting on the top of the pile next year and I don't see why Monaghan can't recapture the Ulster title." Tweet

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