2006 will live long in the memory of the Donaghmoyne people as their ladies produced a number of stunning performances to end the year with the tag of Vhi Healthcare All Ireland Senior Club Champions. By Alan Gunn Twelve months ago Ballyboden piped them at the final hurdle. Indeed in all this was the clubs fourth year to make an All-Ireland decider after loosing previous finals at junior, intermediate and of course last year at senior. That bridesmaids tag has now been lifted as Donaghmoyne got over that hoodoo on the 26th November this year. The long winding journey started against neighbours Inniskeen. Catriona McConnell showed us what was to follow for the year contributing a personal tally of 1-12 that day. Also outstanding were Amanda Casey who notched 1-2 along with Cora Courtney who also hit the same score in a convincing 4-24 to 0-5 victory. Next up was a meeting with Monaghan Harps at the semi-final stage in Rooskey. The south county side came away with a 3-13 to 1-5 win after an exciting encounter. The home side matched the visitors very much in the opening twenty minutes and led by a single point. However Donaghmoyne raised their game in the final ten minutes of the opening half and took a 3-7 to 2-1 lead in at the interval with their goals coming from Hazel Kingham (2) and from Catriona McConnell who finished with 1-7 to her name. The reigning champions held firm after the break and were never in any danger and progressed to the final. Standing in their way of a fourth consecutive county title were Aghabog in Clontibret on the 12th of August. At the finish they had little trouble in collecting the Hope Castle sponsored championship with a sixteen point victory 2-12 to 0-2. By the interval they led 2-5 to 0-1 with both goals coming on the stroke of half time from Cora Courtney. The champions continued to dominate after the break with some wonderful points by Catriona McConnell and Hazel Kingham. Fiona Courtney collected the cup off chairman Jim Shannon while McConnell was awarded the player of the match award. The attention was now turned towards retaining the Ulster title and a three in a row. Their first journey took them to Donegal town and a meeting with Four Masters. Yet again the Monaghan champions proved a class above their opposition running out comfortable winners 1-18 to 1-2. It was already a foregone conclusion by the interval as a goal from Majella Woods helped them lead 1-8 to 0-1 at half time. The dominance continued after the resumption McConnell, Woods, Kingham and even corner back Niamh Lynch driving forward to score. The bandwagon moved on towards the Mourne mountains for a semi-final meeting with down side Clonduff in Hilltown at the beginning of October. Like before Donaghmoyne cruised to victory with a final score of 2-9 to 0-3. Top scorer yet again was full forward Catriona McConnell who again had too much to offer for her opponents. Although it was a convincing scoreline this was a tougher contest for the Monaghan girls. After playing with the strong wind Donaghmoyne only led at the interval by six points and the home side had shown glimpses they could well turn that around. It was not to be with the Donaghmoyne defence superb and in particular players like Niamh Lynch and Michelle Grimes. Despite facing the wind Donaghmoyne were still able to outscore their opponents in the second half 2-2 to 0-2. Majella Woods and Eileen Murtagh fired in the all-important goals. It was now on to Fintona in Co Tyrone for the Vhi Ulster final and a clash with Tyrone side Carrickmore. Like what had gone before Catriona McConnell was to torment the opposition and give a display of the highest quality and with it fired over ten points. However the victory was not all about the contribution of McConnell as each and every player produced a top drawer performance. Their only goal of the match came courtesy of midfielder Amanda Casey after just ten minutes - a score that put them six clear. When the interval arrived the lead was 1-8 to 0-3. After the resumption we were not to witness the same stunning show from Donaghmoyne. They had done in enough in the opening period to ease off on the gas and play out time. Yet we were to be entertained by the outstanding McConnell as she added a further six points to her tally with some wonder scores. Meanwhile at the other end the Fontenoy's defence were easily coping with what Carrickmore threw at them. They did have a momentary lapse in concentration and let the Tyrone side in for two late goals but the title was already heading to Donaghmoyne for a third time in a row. McConnell was again the recipient of the player of the match award for the second major final in succession. With the Ulster title safely wrapped up and in the hands of captain Fiona Courtney the action was now moved onto the All Ireland series. This young and ever improving side had a bigger catch in mind. Awaiting them was the side that had defeated them in the decider twelve months before, Ballyboden St Enda's. They don't come much tougher then the reigning champions and to have to face them on their own patch made it even more difficult. The Dublin side were also aiming to collect their third All-Ireland title in succession but Donaghmoyne were out to spoil the party. The opening quarter saw Donaghmoyne possibly produce some of their best ever football. At the end of that period they had built up a 0-8 to 0-1 lead with McConnell the main provider with five points. However they had to hold tight as 'Boden' came back strongly and reduced the deficit to just two points as we entered the final quarter. But back came Donaghmoyne with a storming finish that also saw them miss a penalty from McConnell. The victory was wrapped up with points from Niamh Lynch, McConnell and Amanda Casey to record a memorable 0-12 to 0-7 victory. Not only did it pave the way into another All-Ireland final but also avenged last years defeat. This wonderful journey that had began against Inniskeen was now moving to Pairc na nGael, Dromard in Co Longford for the All-Ireland decider against Carnacon of Mayo. A large following from Donaghmoyne made the trip for the historic day. After winning the toss their team captain led her troops into battle with the strong wind at their backs. The games was to turn out a real thriller and in particular between McConnell and Carnacon's Cora Staunton. The first half belonged to the Monaghan champions as they built up a 1-8 to 0-4 lead at the break. McConnell was the star with 1-7 in that half including the opening three points of the game. However it was the goal five minutes before the break that really was to be a massive contribution to this wonderful day. Cora Courtney placed the danger women clear and McConnell made no mistake with a cracking strike into the top corner of the net. Entering the second period the Fontenoy's knew it was going to be a different story. Facing the strong wind things were not going to be as simple and just 18 seconds elapsed when Carnacon split the posts to begin the comeback. Inspired by Staunton they battled their way back to level terms and just nine minutes remaining. Worse still was Donaghmoyne were going to have to play out the remainder with just fourteen players when captain Fiona Courtney was sin binned. However they dug deep and grinded out a winner seven minutes from time. It came from one of the many inspiration players throughout the year in mid fielder Amanda Casey with a wonderful score against the wind. There were to be some nervy moments to follow but as they have done all year the defence stood firm and held out. The clock ticked down and finally the hooter sounded and Donaghmoyne were crowned All Ireland Senior club Champions for 2006 on a final score of Donaghmoyne 1-11 Carnacon 0-13. A jubilant Fiona Courtney collected the title from Ladies president Geraldine Giles and Vhi representative Declan Moran as wonderful scenes of joy surrounded her. The years of previous heartbreaks had been forgotten and finally this wonderful bunch of girls and club had been rewarded. The player of the match award went to Catriona McConnell who scored 1-9 in total and in all her championship games she notched a massive and unbelievable personal tally of 3-66. She was also the recipient of the player of the match award in all three major finals - county, provincial and All Ireland. The following is the Donaghmoyne All-Ireland winning panel and scores for the final: Linda Martin, Joanne Geoghan, Michelle Grimes, Niamh Lynch, Hazel Kingham, Fiona Courtney (Capt), Joanne Courtney, Sharon Courtney, Amanda Casey (0-1), Lorraine Daly, Majella Woods, Eileen Murtagh (0-1), Cora Courtney, Catriona McConnell (1-9,7f), Lisa Kingham, Anne Marie Burns, Aine Gilsenan, Maria Daly, Sheila Burns, Danielle McMahon, Fiona Daly, Laura Burns, Elaine Martin, Niamh McCarthy, Louise Ruddy, Francis Finnegan, Ciara O'Gorman, Breda Finnegan, Zita McBride, Aine Finnegan The Road to glory 25th June: beat Inniskeen 4-24 to 0-5 C McConnell 1-12; A Casey 1-2; C Courtney 1-2; S Courtney 1-1; L Daly 0-3; H Kingham 0-2; E Murtagh and J Courtney 0-1 each 26th July beat Monaghan Harps 3-13 to 3-5 C McConnell 1-7; H Kingham 2-0; E Murtagh 0-4; J Courtney and S Courtney 0-1 each 12th August: beat Aghabog 2-12 to 0-2 C McConnell 0-8; C Courtney 2-0; E Murtagh 0-2; H Kingham and L day 0-1 each 24th September: beat Four Masters (Donegal 1-18 to 1-2 M Woods 1-7; C McConnell 0-6; C Courtney 0-2; N Lynch, A Casey and H Kingham 0-1 each 8th October: beat Clonduff (Down) 2-9 to 0-3 C McConnell 0-7; M Woods and E Murtagh 1-1 each; 22nd October: beat Carrickmore (Tyrone) 1-14 to 2-3 C McConnell 0-10; A Casey 1-2; M Woods 0-2 12th November: beat Ballyboden St Enda's (Dublin) 0-12 to 0-7 C McConnell 0-7; M Woods 0-2; N Lynch, A Casey, E Murtagh 0-1 each 26th November: beat Carnacon (Mayo) 1-11 to 0-13 C McConnell 1-9; A Casey and E Murtagh 0-1 each Fontenoys' Winter(s) of content Gerry Winters is the kind of Youth Officer every club should have. Lucky Donaghmoyne Fontenoys It's a case of not do what I say but do what I do with Gerry Winters. In plain language, the Donaghmoyne clubman is a doer. As idealism increasingly becomes a threatened species in the world of Gaelic games, it's the likes of our man Winters who boldly upholds everything that the GAA's founding fathers held dear. Simply put, by and large, they're not making the likes of the Lisgall native any more. Gerry's commitment to the cause of his beloved Fontenoys is well documented and known countywide. Hardly surprising then that he was his afforded the singular honour of clubman of the year for 2005 for his efforts. As a youth officer par excellence and a bundle of energy and knowledge on the coaching front, Gerry's worth his weight in gold to the ambitious Farneysiders. Interestingly, about the only time he's far from siver-tongued is when he's asked to wax lyrical on just why he received the award. "I don't know. I've no notion. I was very surprised I got it," comes the genuine reply. When it comes to speaking about a raft of other things associated with the Fontenoys and the GAA in Monaghan generally, Gerry isn't afficted with lockjaw to nearly the same degree. He speaks eloquently, passionately and and with obvious knowledge about gaelic matters close and not so close to home. Gerry was coming to the end of his third year as Donaghmoyne's Youth Officer when he received his gong for '05. His coaching careers extends further back in time though. He reveals that he's happiest out on the field, coaching the local youngsters. One gets the impression though that acting out the role of Youth Officer is quite a labour of love too. "You're kept busy and you do get to keep in touch with all that's happening with the different teams in the club," Gerry informs us. And the general routine of the job? "Basically keeping all the team-managers of the teams from under 12 up to minor aware of their fixtures, dates and opposition and attending the county board's monthly meetings and carrying back any relevant information to the club. "At the end of each year, there's special meetings to discuss proposals for league structures for the following year and they're probably the most important of the year." In fulfilling what is arguably one of the most influential or demanding posts in the club, Gerry carries the responsiblity lightly on his shoulders. "There might be times when you're rushing around at the last minute trying to sort out things when clubs ring up looking to get games cancelled, or have them put back to Saturday or Sunday or whatever. "But that's what's involved in the job. I don't consider any of the work I do to be a big burden. "We've all our part to play in the running of the club. I was delighted to get the clubman of the year award but I accepted it on behalf of the whole club. "There's a lot of people doing a lot of work during the year for the betterment of the club." Although most of the man hours that Gerry puts into the club would be generated via his work as Youth Officer, his initial immerson into all things Fontenoy began in the more personal coaching arena. A former underage player with the club, the personable plasterer has been an integral member of the underage coaching staff at Donaghmoyne for the past five years. Fuelled by the gra for football shown by his younger brother Kevin, Gerry's interest in underage football mushroomed in the years that followed his graduation from the High School in Carrick. "I played 'till I left school and the minors," he explains. A born star? "Far from it. I was only an average footballer but I was on some very good teams. "As time went on, I realised that it was off the field instead of on it that I could be of most use to Donaghmoyne." And thus is the story of how Gerry's football career was quillotined on the altar of a fledgling coaching/administrative portfolio. Years on and Gerry is still entrenched at the heart of coaching and affairs of the pen, paper and mobile. Some in Donaghmoyne would tell you that the now 24-year old made a wise career move, GAA-wise for he's been along the sideline as the Donaghmoyne minors surprised all and sundry by skipping to the minor division one championship final. And while things didn't quite work out against Monaghan Harps in the county decider, Gerry was more than philosophical about the final outcome. "The Harps are a great team and beating us gave them the five-in-a-row which just shows the kind of side we were up against. "We've traditionally been a division two side at under 16 level so I think we made great work in getting to the division one final." And the well of underage talent at the club? "There's a lot of good stuff coming through. Our under 14 league team won the division one title - the first team from the club to win such a cup in 24 years. " I've helped out with the training of those players, alongside Dermot Boylan, for the last four or five years and I think they're a great bunch - more or less the same lads who won the under 12 division two title in 2003." Gerry appears to be a born optimist but such is his pride and genuine interest in football matters in Donaghmoyne that he readily states that he's in for the long haul. Unlike so many GAA club members, countrywide, he's no fly-by-night. But he accepts that having such talented players with a proven track record around makes hanging in there so much easier. "I think we can keep winning things at underage level. In the next two or three years, we'll be looking to win the minor championship. That's our long term goal anyway. "They're a great bunch of lads to work with, the best I've worked with anyway. "Eight or nine of them are on the 2006 under 16 county development squad - that's the kind of talent we have at the minute." Add in the fact that some 12 of the club's under 16 panel of 2006 are again eligible for the same grade next year and it's not difficult to understand just why it's a case of Great Expectations Donaghmoyne-way. Gerry is a born optimist but he's a realist as well and he accepts that the Fontenoys have been fortunate to see a stream of very talented youngsters come onto the production line in the same era. He believes too though that the club has made it's own 'luck' in that regard by sticking rigidly to a consistent and high quality coaching regime. When fellas are looked after well from under 10 upwards, success tends to follow, he suggests. Gerry is anxious that Donaghmoyne progresses to the stage at underage level whereby the club becomes recognised as primarily a division one club. If that can be engineered then Gerry sees no reason why an all too rare SFC title triumph can't be chiselled out within a decade. "One of the biggest challenges we have is holding onto the lads when they get to around 19 or 20. "Sometimes fellas who are at that age and who don't break into the senior team can be lost to the club altogether and that's a problem we have to overcome." So what does his crystal ball suggest to him about the current array of starlets at the club? Will they keep their noses to the grindstone long enough to perhaps deliver a blue riband senior title? "I think so. I'd be surprised if practically all of them don't go on to make an impression at senior level. "They've seen themselves, by getting to the minor final, that they're not far away from being the best within their own age group and if they can keep improving, who knows what they can achieve. "They didn't play to their potential on the day but they will have learned an awful lot from the final and that experience will definitely stand to them." As ever in a rural parish, even one as big as Donaghmoyne, a lot of what can be achieved boils down to the numbers game. Gerry is quite happy that in that regard the Fontenoys' underage brigade is well endowed. For instance, both the club's under 12 and under 14 squads can boast of 24 players while the under 16 mentors can call upon 22 as can the under 18 management. However, as in life itself, nothing is guaranteed in the world of Gaelic games. "There is always the question of whether promising players will decide to put Gaelic football on the back burner, either for a period or on a long-term basis. In recent years, a handful of Donaghmoyne's young guns have lined out with Monaghan United. "The soccer issue hasn't hurt us so far but we need to be aware of the challenge that poses and be all the more determined to see that our playrs are well looked after. "We need to make sure they keep coming to training. But we have a very good juvenile committee and it won't be for lack of effort that some lads might prefer to go to the soccer. "We have just as good facilities as most clubs in the county and once we provide the coaching and the matches, I think the young fellas will stick with us." Whatever about duality taking root among the cream of the crop at underage level and spawning some difficulties for Donaghmoyne mentors, expect Gerry Winters to stick with the Fontenoys like glue. Tweet

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