For the second year running, Tubberclair narrowly avoided relegation from the senior ranks by virtue of a play-off victory over St. Mary's, Rochfortbridge. According to key player James Martin, the club is determined to show a big improvement this year and avoid getting dragged into another relegation dogfight. For a team that promised such much after winning the 2002 intermediate football championship, Tubberclair have so far failed to deliver on their potential and have come perilously close to surrendering their senior status in each of the past two seasons. After reaching the senior championship quarter-final in 2003 and comfortably consolidating their position among the big boys in 2004, the last two years have been an almighty struggle for the underperforming Glasson outfit. In 2005, they were forced to stage a late comeback to edge out Ballymore in a relegation play-off and while last year's play-off victory over St. Mary's was achieved with far greater comfort, it was not a position they had intended to find themselves in. "We can't afford to keep going the way we have been or else we'll be relegated," says Tubberclair defender James Martin. "We've been living dangerously over the past two years and have only avoided relegation by winning play-offs. Every team has only so many lives and we've used up two of ours already. If we end up in another relegation battle this year, we might not be so lucky." Martin, who missed a big chunk of last year's campaign due to work commitments, acknowledges that Tubberclair's performances since 2004 simply haven't been good enough. "We've got good players, but we're not showing it. We've got four lads on the county panel (Gary Connaughton, Fergal Wilson, Jeffrey Farrell and Francis 'Brolly' Spollen) and there are plenty of other talented players in the club as well. "After we won the intermediate championship in 2002, big things were expected of us and reaching the quarter-final in our first year up senior was a great achievement. But for some reason or other, we haven't lived up to expectations since then and it goes without saying that we'll need to show a big improvement this year." The current Tubberclair team is backboned by players who figured in the minor 'A' championship success of 2000. Most of that side went on to win intermediate medals in 2002 and played in the 2003 under 21 'premier' championship final which ended in an agonising defeat to St. Loman's. It's no surprise then that supporters are becoming increasingly impatient at the team's apparent lack of progress. "Maybe a few years ago we could have made excuses because the team was so young. But we can't make excuses anymore. Most of us are now 24 or 25 and the time has come to start delivering. We have great facilities, but sadly we don't have a successful team to go along with that at the moment," the 2000 Leinster minor championship medalist remarks. Under the management of Jim Byrne and his selectors Tom Slevin and former top referee Carthage Conlon, Tubberclair suffered four straight defeats in last year's championship before finally securing their first victory over St. Mary's to preserve their top flight status. They opened their campaign with a 0-8 to 0-14 defeat to south county rivals Castledaly, whose margin of victory would have been greater but for their tally of 12 wides. Tubberclair endured a torrid first half, at the end of which they trailed by 0-1 to 0-9. Indeed, they had to wait until the 42nd minute for their first score from play from the boot of Francis Spollen. With Fergal Wilson making an impression around midfield, Jim Byrne's charges enjoyed their best spell in the final quarter and four unanswered points from Wilson (two), Thomas Doogan and David Cassells saw them reduce Castledaly's lead to five with three minutes remaining. However, Damien Doyle had the final say for Castledaly. That defeat consigned the green and golds to the losers' group where they first faced the challenge of 2005 champions The Downs, who suffered a shock defeat to Killucan in the first round. But despite showing a big improvement on their Castledaly display, a wasteful Tubberclair slipped to a 1-5 to 1-7 defeat. The sides were level on 0-3 apiece at half-time, but The Downs took control after the restart and Luke Folan's goal enabled them to open up a five-point lead. Tubberclair got themselves back into contention when Francis Spollen booted the ball to the net following a goalmouth scramble, but The Downs held on for a victory they scarcely deserved. Tubberclair's hopes of reaching the knock-out stages were emphatically ended when they suffered a crushing 11-point loss to St. Malachy's in their next outing at Moate. The teams were level four times in the first 23 minutes, but the growing supremacy of Paddy Corcoran and Tommy Carey in the St. Malachy's midfield didn't bode well for the southerners who trailed by three points at the interval. Early second half points from Carey, Alan Mangan and Blaine Lahart had extended Malachy's advantage to six points before Sean Whelan beat All-Star nominee Gary Connaughton to put the result beyond doubt. Bernard 'Beano' Cassells goaled for Tubberclair late on, but the final score of 1-16 to 1-5 still made for grim reading on Shannonside. Tubberclair were now officially involved in a relegation dogfight and a 1-6 to 0-10 defeat to Coralstown/Kinnegad condemned them to their second successive relegation play-off final. Jim Byrne's men were totally off the pace in the first half and trailed by 0-2 to 0-7 at the break. Tubberclair responded by relieving Gary Connaughton of his goalkeeping duties and placing him at full forward for the start of the second half. The county netminder scored two points and used his considerable frame to instigate several attacks. A fortuitous goal from Fergal Wilson brought Tubberclair back from the brink in the 47th minute, but despite subjecting the Kinnegad defence to intense pressure after that, the team in red hung on for a narrow victory. Tubberclair avoided a championship whitewash when they easily overcame St. Mary's weak challenge to salvage their senior status. The south county outfit looked to have a battle on their hands when St. Mary's led by 0-3 to 0-2 after 14 minutes. However, they gradually got on top and registered six points without reply to establish a commanding interval lead. A Robbie Kenny free after the resumption raised hopes of a St. Mary's revival, but Tubberclair remained in the driving seat and with David O'Brien and Jeffrey Farrell excelling at centre back and midfield respectively, they eased to a 0-16 to 0-7 victory. 2006 was notable for the ongoing improvements to St. Claire's Park. A few years ago, the club installed a state-of-the-art floodlighting system, bringing night-time football to the area for the first time. Last year, Tubberclair upgraded their facilities further by building a new clubhouse. The next phase of the development will include the provision of parking facilities, an improved entrance and driveway, and a lighted walking track around the perimeter of the adult and underage pitches. The walking track will cater for local people who wish to take walks, but can't due to the danger on the roads. Another highlight was Shannon Gaels' victory in the under 16 'premier' championship. Shannon Gaels is an amalgam of Tubberclair, Maryland and Tang, and this success should augur well for the future of the three clubs involved. At Tubberclair's recent AGM, a new management team for 2007 was installed with Danny Sammon replacing Jim Byrne in the hot-seat. Sammon's selectors will be Alan Keegan and Seamus 'Bomber' Greene. "Danny was in charge when we won the intermediate championship in 2002 and hopefully his return to the manager's position will prove to be a successful one. Our aim is to win our first game and kick on from there," James concludes. Tweet

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