Since amalgamating with Fr Dalton's at underage level a few years ago, Southern Gaels have become accustomed to success in the 'A' and 'B' grades. But as under 14 team mentor Martin Carey explains, they are now setting higher goals for themselves and won't feel satisfied until they achieve similar success in the 'premier' competitions. For the first time in a number of years, Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's didn't win an underage championship in 2006. But what must be taken into account is the fact that both the under 14 and under 16 teams were competing at 'premier' level for the first time. "We've been very successful in the 'A' and 'B' championships over the last few years, and we're now at a stage where we not only want to compete in the 'premier' competitions, but where we want to win them," says Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's under 14 team mentor Martin Carey. "Don't get me wrong, the 'A' and 'B' championship successes we've had have been great and have laid a solid foundation for us. But there comes a time when you want to test yourself against the best and that's what we're doing at the moment." For newcomers to the 'premier' grade, Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's acquitted themselves very well last year. The under 14s reached the championship semi-final, while the under 16s went a step further by qualifying for the final. In both instances, they were beaten by Clonkill. Under the management of Fergal Ormsby and his co-selectors Mick Kincaid and Martin Carey, the under 14 team played six games in the round-robin series of the championship. They suffered losses to Lough Lene Gaels and Castletown-Geoghegan, but defeated Raharney, St. Brigid's, Crookedwood and St. Oliver Plunkett's to qualify for the semi-final. However, their hopes of reaching the final were dashed by Clonkill. Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's quickly put that disappointment behind them by winning out their section of the new Westmeath/Offaly hurling league. "The day after we lost the championship semi-final, we won our division in the Westmeath/Offaly league which was a great achievement for the lads. We had wins over Shamrocks, Clara and Kinnitty, but lost to Ballinamere/Durrow. However, we avenged that defeat with a hard-earned victory over the same opponents in the final in Athlone," Martin remembers. The Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's under 16s, who were managed by John Landy and Donie Glynn, created history by becoming the first team from the club to reach a 'premier' championship final in November. However, they were denied a famous victory by Clonkill in atrocious conditions at Loughegar. Yet, despite the heavy rain and strong wind, the final was quite a contest. The visitors led by 1-3 to 1-2 at half-time with their goal coming from Enda Kincaid. But favoured by the elements in the second half, Clonkill gradually took control and Southern Gaels didn't score again after Ken Kincaid pointed in the 35th minute. Despite a strong defensive display, the southerners couldn't prevent scores from Anhtony Price, Niall Dowdall, Gary Moran and Alan McGrath as Clonkill ran out winners by 1-11 to 1-4. Most unusually, Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's also contested the under 16 'A' championship final which, at the time of writing, had yet to be decided. This follows the abandonment of the original fixture against Lough Lene Gaels in January. Despite having a man sent off as early as the fifth minute, Southern Gaels had battled back to force extra-time and the sides were level on 0-6 apiece when referee Michael Riggs decided to call a premature halt to proceedings after he was subjected to verbal abuse. Kevin Jordan's minor side reached the 'B' championship semi-final where they were beaten by Delvin in an extra-time thriller in Athlone. They away side had much the better of the opening exchanges, but an Eoin Jordan goal brought Southern Gaels back into contention and further scores from Luke Kelly and Robbie Vaughan helped them to a two-point interval lead. Delvin regained the lead with four unanswered points following the restart, but back came the home side once again with Andrew Slevin's goal being followed by the equalizing point from Alan McManus. Neal Rattigan then edged Southern Gaels ahead before Robbie Vaughan hit a late Delvin point to force extra-time. A goal from substitute Ronan Walker left the southerners a point up at the end of the first period of extra-time and when Noel Mulligan extended their lead just after the restart, it looked as though it was going to be their day. But Delvin had other ideas and hit 1-2 in the remaining time to claim a 2-16 to 3-11 victory. Despite their heartbreaking loss, the home side could take solace from the fact that the majority of the team is eligible for the grade again this year and with the right application, could mount a serious challenge for the minor 'premier' title. Minus eight of the side that captured the 'A' championship in 2005, Mickey O'Connell's under 12 team faced a tall order last year, but they could still take satisfaction from reaching the Division 4 league final. Encouragingly, Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's have big numbers at under 8 and under 10 level and on one particular Saturday last year, they sent two different under 10 teams to blitzes in Mullingar and Castlerea. "We have a huge bunch of youngsters coming through from the under 8s and under 10s. People like Kevin Farrell and Donie Glynn are doing unbelievable work with these age groups," Martin explains. Carey, who is a native of Thurles and was involved in a coaching capacity with the Westmeath under 13 development squad last year, believes Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's best chance of 'premier' championship glory in 2007 lies with the under 16 team. "After reaching the final last year, the under 16s will fancy their chances of getting back into the final and winning it this year. About half of last year's team is underage again and then you have the younger lads coming through from last year's under 14 team. I'll be surprised if they don't do well." Southern Gaels have just one intermediate championship to their credit, that coming in 1986 when they defeated Raharney in a replay. They spent three years in the senior grade before slipping back and every effort since have ended in frustration. Their fortunes didn't change in 2006. Only one championship win and a draw was never going to be enough to see their interests extend beyond the round-robin stage. The tone for a disappointing campaign was set when they lost their opening game to Delvin. They were also beaten by St. Brigid's, but bounced back to secure a draw with Turin in their next outing at Cusack Park. The Athlone side looked set for victory after Pascal Farrell's injury-time goal, following by an Alan Kennedy point, had given them the lead. But a last-gasp free from Derek Hourihane rescued a draw (2-10 to 3-7) for Turin. A third defeat to Brownstown left the Gaels down and out but, to their credit, they ended the campaign on a high by recording a 2-13 to 2-11 victory over Cullion at Castletown-Geoghegan. Crucial to the Southern Gaels win were the potent half forward line combination of Paddy Divilly, Pascal O'Farrell and Robert English, who contributed all but two points of the Shannonsiders' total. Free-taker Divilly chalked up eight points, while Westmeath football panelist English hit 1-3 from play in an outstanding performance. The Gaels led by 2-3 to 1-5 at half-time with English and O'Farrell scoring their goals. A Robbie Galvin major early in the second half gave Cullion every chance, but the Athlone men were not to be denied and they made sure of their first win with points from Divilly, English and Eoghan Cronin. "The lads were disappointed not to have done better, and you couldn't fault the team management (Denis Cronin and Gerry Brennan) for the way things turned out. They were unlucky in a number of their games, but that probably had as much to do with their lack of killer instinct as anything else. "I'd like to see some of our players take the games more seriously, especially when it comes to the championship. The fellas on the intermediate team need to set a good example for the minors that are starting to break through," Martin concludes. The Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's team that contested the under 16 'premier' championship final was: Ciaran Martin; James Larkin, Daniel Qualter, Joe Crampton; Howard Costello, Trevor Farrell, Donal Glynn; Kenneth Kincaid, John Gilligan; Enda Kincaid, Ronan Farrell, Callum McCormack; Brian Finnerty, Sean Egan, MJ Kelly. Sub used: Alan Stone. Tweet

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