After reaching the semi-final of both league and championship at intermediate level, Corduff can be optimistic about next season as corner-forward Mark Gilsenan explains to Cian O Raghallaigh. 2005 had been a successful year for the Corduff senior team. Despite losing the junior championship semi-final, Corduff had recovered to win the Dr Ward Cup. Victory in that league final against Drumhowan was enough to secure promotion. This season under Michael McEnaney, Paddy Martin and Pat Keenan, consolidation was important from the outset. As Mark Gilsenan explains, they went a little further than that even if the penultimate stages of both league and championship proved a bridge too far. "At the start of the year if you had told us that we'd get to a league semi-final and a championship semi-final, we'd have taken it. As it happened, it proved to be a disappointment when it turned out like that. "Our first target was to get enough points to stay away from the relegation zone and after that we started pushing for a semi-final place," he says. "After we had enough league points built up, we decided to start focusing on the championship and that became our priority as it's always the main one to win." Corduff were beaten at the first stage of the championship. However as Mark explains, they made an excellent recovery from there to progress to the semi-final. where they were narrowly defeated by Monaghan Harps. "We lost the Intermediate championship game against Carrick even though we started well. We were in the game at half-time and we knew we had a chance if we kept it going. In the second half, Carrick got the goal and from then on we were fighting an uphill battle. "The game of the year was probably against Cremartin in the championship. The backs got on top early in the game and the forwards also played well. "We knew it was always going to be tough but we knew we could be fit for them if we focused in on the game." After winning that match, Corduff then had a job to do against Eire Og. They won that match by a few points even though the performance was "disappointing". Monaghan Harps provided the opposition in the semi-final and although Corduff had beaten the 'Harps in the league, Mark was aware of the task facing them. "Even though we had beaten them in Monaghan (in the league), we knew it would be difficult. We got two goals in the first half but they brought on Peter Coyle and that made a big difference to the game. "It was close the whole way through but maybe we didn't quite play to our potential that day. We were beaten by the better team on the day really." In the league campaign, Corduff hit peak form during the summer when their new pitch opened. The development consists of two full-sized Prunty Pitches with a running track to be completed for next season. There are also two floodlit pitches with a dressing room complex to be built along with a gym and conference room. The club are due to officially open their new facility at some stage in 2007. They have already hosted both the Senior League final and the Intermediate League final and the club, he says, are grateful to the development committee under Seamus McEnaney for all the work they invested into this project. Doohamlet were their first opponents on the new pitch. Corduff won that game by eight points. It was in this game that Corduff wanted to make a mark on their new field. "We wanted to make our ground a fortress. Before the Doohamlet game we had a team meeting and in the game, a team effort brought about the win. Everyone contributed to it and the new pitch spurred us on to greater efforts." "We went on a winning streak at one stage winning five or six games at home. I think the holiday break in August put us back a bit. However we were very fit and the extra space on the new pitch suited the kind of football that we played. We've got good footballing forwards and that space suited them." By the time of the Doohamlet game away from home later in the season, Corduff were still perfectly-placed to gain a top-four spot. That game would decide who would finish second in the table. Doohamlet won that encounter comfortably. Defeats against Carrick and Monaghan Harps meant that Corduff finished joint third with the 'Harps. Tossing a coin would decide who would finish third or fourth. The toss of a coin meant that Corduff finished fourth and faced Carrick away from home in the league semi-final. An away game, Corduff again put it up to their rivals but in the second half, the eventual double winners raised their game to win well. Nonetheless Mark is optimistic about Corduff's chances next season. He believes that although they may have things to learn, there is much that can be taken out of the season as a whole. "We have that bit more experience to bring with us for next year. One thing we probably need to do is learn how to finish teams off and play for 60 minutes. But we'll learn from our mistakes and work on them," he says. "I'd say players will be eager to get back training next season. We wouldn't really have had that much trouble getting people out to training. Towards the end of the year it was getting harder but players were very committed and it helped us having new facilities. There was more of an emphasis placed on ballwork and that moved things on for us. "We got 22 points in the league this season and got to the semi-finals of both competitions. We know we have work to do but we can take heart from the fact that we beat all teams in the two competitions except Carrick." Mark, whose brother Colm and father Peter are former Corduff players, says that several Corduff players impressed this season. Raymond Byrne caused much trouble at full-forward all year. Others such as Declan Larkin, Gerry Mee and some of the younger players like Colm Marronn, Shane McNally and Shane Connolly also had good years. So how would he assess the standard of intermediate football in Monaghan? "Looking at it the standard is really excellent and that was proven by Inniskeen going on to win the All-Ireland Intermediate final in 2005," he says. This year Corduff managed to hold their own at Intermediate level. The challenge now is to go that bit further and make senior football a reality. Paric Gaelach, Corr Dubh After a two year absence, football returned to the Corduff grounds on Monday June 19th 2006. The club was absolutely delighted to be returning to its greatly extended and much enhanced facilities which boasts two full size playing pitches, floodlighting and a running track. Opponents on the night were Doohamlet in the Harte Peat Intermediate League and honours on the night went to Corduff in what was an absorbing encounter. Referee Martin McGinn (Aughnamullen) took charge of proceedings. Corduff Gaels are deeply appreciative of all the clubs in the county, particularly Donaghmoyne who allowed us to use their pitches while our own was being transformed. Thanks also to near neighbours, the Shercock club in Co. Cavan. Since that opening in June, Pairc Gaelach had also hosted their Senior and Intermediate League finals. The new facilities are second to none and should ensure the future of gaelic games in Corduff for many decades to come. . Tweet

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