Many people believe that Castlepollard's chances of winning the senior championship may be gone for a few years, but try telling that to new chairman Johnny McCormack. The general consensus is that they are an ageing team and currently the senior squad is going through a transition period, but look at the facts and the club has competed very well at underage level right up to under-21 throughout 2008. Many of these players are starting to make the breakthrough in the top flight and Johnny told the Maroon and White that he had high hopes for the club over the coming year. As expected, Pollard made a swift return to the senior ranks for last year's campaign and there was a determination in the squad to prove that their relegation to the intermediate ranks was just a fluke. On paper, they still have some of the most talented hurlers in the county and the likes of Darren McCormack, Barry Kennedy and Andrew Dermody would grace any side in Westmeath and indeed, beyond. However, they are a side in a rebuilding stage and it remains to be seen how long they can adjust to a new era. In the league, they were firing on all cylinders and many believed that they could make a real impact on the championship. They were drawn against old rivals and neighbours Lough Lene Gaels in the opening round. The fact that the Collinstown outfit were missing a number of players through emigration and injury plus the fact that Pollard comprehensively beat them in a league outing only a few weeks beforehand meant that the 'Town' entered the match as favourites. However, favourites are there to be knocked and whether it be over-confidence or whatever, Castlepollard failed to perform on the day as a youthful Gaels team went into the 'winners' group. This meant that the side enter the 'losers' group along with Ringtown, St Oliver Plunkett's and Crookedwood. The top two emerged to the knockout stages and following wins over Ringtown and Crookedwood, it was Pollard and Plunkett's that went on. The 2006 champions were faced with a quarterfinal tie against Castletown Geoghegan and in conditions less than favourable for hurling, it was Castletown that weathered the storm better to earn a place in the last four and leave Pollard pondering what might have been. "Last year was disappointing and we would hope that the lads can go further in this year's championship. It is true that a few of the lads on the team are getting that bit older, but they still have a role to play yet," said Johnny. "We know that we have the players to win a championship and with the right amount of hard work and effort, I can see no reason why that can't happen this year." Johnny revealed that the club's underage structure is very strong at the moment and the senior squad is beginning to see the benefits of that now. "Although I haven't been involved directly with the club for a few years until I took on the role as chairman, I know that there has been a lot of work done at underage level. Last year, all the sides held there own, with the minors winning the 'B' championship and all other sides reaching the knockout stages of their respective championships. Our under-12's reached the final, where they narrowly lost out to Raharney in the decider. "We have young lads from under-8 up down in the field and in all honesty the numbers are there, which is a massive boost to any club. As we all know, if you can bring a few off each team through, then you are a doing a decent job. "There is a group of people who deserve great credit for the work that they have done with the underage and I'm not going to start naming lads, because I'll surely forget someone, but the work that they've done has seen some of those young lads come through to the senior ranks." Players like Andrew Dermody, Stephen Bardon and Paul Dermody have already made names for themselves in the senior championship, while Johnny believes that with more games these players and other lads making the breakthrough can compete at the business end of the campaign. "There is a grand panel of players coming through and we have a good mix of youth and experience there now. The young lads need games and this will help them settle in and give them the confidence needed to play at that level. "You need to have a positive outlook and that is what we will be approaching the year with, the core of the side is very experienced and they will help the young lads along the way. I believe that if the team reach the knockout stages then they will be a match for anyone in the county." For the coming year, confidence is high that a major impact can be made on the championship and prove too many detractors that there is still life left in the club. Johnny also revealed that the club is currently in discussions over development work at their grounds with a hurling wall high on the list of priorities. "There are plans in place for the coming year, but they are still being discussed among the committee members. We would hope to build a hurling wall to help develop the underage talent coming through. That is probably our main aim for the year, along with a few other projects that are in the pipeline." "As I said, we are hopeful for the coming year. I see no reason why we can't do well. We now have the management team in place and we're looking forward to the year ahead both on and off the field." 'Pollard land under 21 spoils Alan Devine was the star of the show as Castlepollard claimed the under 21 13-a-side hurling title following an impressive 4-15 to 1-10 victory over Crookedwood in the delayed 2008 final on February 7 last. From the moment Stephen Bardon put the blue and golds in front after 90 seconds, the result never looked in any doubt. Full forward Devine proved a real thorn in the side of the 'Wood defence by pilfering 2-7 in a man of the match display. Team captain Shane Egan and Devine had both found the net before a similar score from Barry O'Meara gave the 'Wood hope. But another major by Simon Ryan had 'Pollard perched on a 3-6 to 1-4 lead at half-time. The losers scored three unanswered points early in the second half, but they could never get close to 'Pollard who wrapped up the win with a fourth goal from Devine. Castlepollard's under 21 championship winning line-up was: Stephen Boylan; Paul Dermody, Gerry Rynne; Jamie Ward, Chris Harte, Brian Melia; Shane Egan, Stephen Bardon; Andrew Dowdall, Simon Ryan, Ian Kennedy; Alan Devine, Graham Rynne. Tweet

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