When they reflect on 2008, St. Malachy's will surely heave a big sigh of relief. For long spells they seemed to be heading for a relegation battle as they struggled with a depleted team for crucial games in the senior championship, but in the end they had the character to come through a gripping local derby joust against Ballinagore. By Damien Maher. That victory ensured they avoided the pitfalls of a relegation play-off and now they're keen to produce a renewed effort in 2009. They have installed former footballer, Mick Lowry as the team manger for the year ahead and St. Malachy's will be hoping that one of the heroes of that historic 1981 senior success can inspire a winning attitude. Last year's captain, Johnny Tuite reckons Lowry's arrival could be start of something significant for the team. "We're very excited about it and already looking forward to the year ahead. Obviously, the big aim is to have an improved run in the championship and Mick Lowry is sure to command huge respect," said Tuite, one of the finest corner backs in the business. Competing out of Division 2 of the senior football championship, St. Malachy's began their 2008 campaign with a narrow victory over Killucan at Kinnegad in May. Their one-point win (1-7 to 0-9) was achieved in controversial circumstances as Killucan were reduced to 14 players following an unsavoury incident in the second half. An Alan Mangan goal in the first half proved the crucial score and at half time, the teams retired level (1-4 to 0-7). Mangan scored 1-3 on the evening and that proved a significant contribution. Despite a second half rally by Killucan, St. Malachy's hung on for a gritty victory. If their first round win was encouraging, St. Malachy's were poor in their second outing as they suffered a heavy defeat against The Downs at Cusack Park. The final score, 2-12 to 1-5, was a major disappointment, but the absence of players like Ronan Whelan, Pat Clarke, Joe Clarke, Derek Gallagher and Blaine Lehart meant they faced an uphill task against one of the most determined sides in club football. It was the first half performance which left St. Malachy's floundering and they were 14 points adrift at the interval, having scored just a solitary point in the opening half hour's play. The concession of two goals left them with the proverbial mountain to climb and although Sean Whelan swooped for a goal in a much improved second half performance, the damage had been done and defeat was their lot. There was no joy either in the third round as St. Malachy's suffered another demoralising defeat against Mullingar side, St. Loman's, at Rochfortbridge. St. Malachy's had two players sent off in the second half of this forgettable encounter and suffered a 12-point reversal (1-16 to 0-7). Alan Mangan was their main threat, scoring five points, but this game is not one they'll remember when it comes to writing the annals of the club. St. Malachy's were not quite as depleted for their fourth round tie, where they clashed with Coralstown/Kinnegad at St. Loman's GAA grounds. For much of the first half the match was evenly poised and just three points separated the teams entering the last five minutes, but the concession of a penalty goal left the Castletown Geoghegan men seven adrift at the break (1-6 to 0-2). A Paddy Corcoran goal early in the second half brought St. Malachy's back into contention and the big midfielder was proving an inspirational figure. However, St. Malachy's failed to build on that goal and in the end were seven points adrift of their opponents (1-13 to 1-6). The Castletown Geoghegan men now faced a serious test of resolve. In their final match in Division 2, they encountered neighbours Ballinagore, in a game they simply had to win in order to avoid the clutches of relegation. Played in Kinnegad, this was one of the games of the championship, with both sides producing quality football. St. Malachy's really battled when their backs were to the wall and for that they must be lauded. At half time, St. Malachy's held a three-point lead (1-6 to 0-6), with the crucial goal coming from an Alan Mangan penalty in the sixth minute. It remained a gripping contest in the second half and, with 11 minutes remaining, just two points separated the sides, though crucially it was St. Malachy's who had their nose in front. At the end of normal time, the sides were on level terms and it seemed as if they would have to settle for a share of the spoils, but in the eighth minute of injury time, Mangan pointed a free to give the Castletown Geoghegan men a precious victory. It ensured them of senior football again in 2009. "It was a difficult year, no doubt about that, but I suppose we won the game that mattered," admits Johnny Tuite. "Being short some key players was a definite factor. Ronan Whelan was abroad for much of the year, while Shane Carey had to return home for games and, against The Downs, for example, we were badly depleted. "That's not to make excuses. There were disappointing performances from us and the game against St. Loman's in the championship was definitely a low point. We have to improve and that will require a renewed effort." Johnny and his team mates recognize that relegation would have been disastrous. "It wasn't looking good for us, but the lads showed great character in the last game against Ballinagore and we were delighted to come through it in the end," he said. "The fact that we played Ballinagore probably brought the best out of us in the sense that they're our neighbours, but we had Colm Geoghegan (a former footballer) in charge for that game and he certainly inspired the players. We prepared well for it and it was the one game where things went right." While the senior footballers were battling, St. Malachy's were also busy competing at underage level and, ironically, it was their combination with Ballinagore which helped them produce a satisfactory year. Pat Clavin's under 12 footballers enjoyed a tremendous run to the league final where they defeated Athlone, while the under side reached the league semi-final. Unfortunately, though, the game was never played as fixtures ran too late. The under 16 footballers, under the guidance of Ciaran Kirby also made impressions and, along with Kilbeggan/St. Joseph's (a group team known as Ennell Shamrocks) they reached the Premier Championship semi-final. Alas, St. Loman's proved too strong, but the Mullingar side were the only team to turn over Ennell Shamrocks during the year. The minor footballers of St. Malachy's/Ballinagore made clear progress also, reaching the league (division 3) final against Millmore Gaels and the Division 2 championship decider, where they lost to The Downs. As for the year ahead, St. Malachy's will definitely be aiming to reproduce the form which took them to the senior quarter-final a few years' ago. "The senior championship is very competitive and, like a lot of clubs, we will be affected by emigration, but we are determined to make a bigger impression," he concludes. Tweet

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