Who will claim the football championship silverware this year? Here, we examine the credentials of each club. Senior Athlone: After losing the 2003 decider to The Downs after a replay, the Shannonsiders had set their sights on atoning for that disappointment last year, but a dreadful first half performance against Mullingar Shamrocks in the quarter-final ultimately proved their downfall. Last season's failure means that Athlone have gone six years without winning a senior championship and supporters are becoming increasingly impatient. Dubliner John Foley has been replaced as manager by former Mayo ladies boss Finbar Egan and if he's half as successful as he was with the Westerners, there could be some exciting times ahead for Athlone. But their continued absence from Division 1 of the league is a big drawback and a major improvement will be required if they are to better last year's effort. Ballymore: After capturing the intermediate title in 2003, many had predicted a quick return to the intermediate ranks for the green and golds just as in 1999 when they were relegated after just one year in the top flight. And while their fate was in the balance for much of the season, they avoided the dreaded drop by virtue of a 1-5 to 0-3 victory over Moate All-Whites. Having achieved what they set out to achieve last season, Ballymore won't just be happy with survival this year. New manager Gearoid Fay will be expecting more from his team, but last year's narrow escape, combined with their relegation to Division 3, suggests that they could struggle again. Castledaly: That they were the most consistent team in the county last season and ended it as Division 1 champions won't be much consolation to Castledaly who, for the second time in three years, suffered the bitter disappointment of defeat to Garrycastle in the county final. The south county outfit played some great football en route to the final but, crucially, they failed to perform when it mattered most. With Vincent Henry committed to the club for another year, Castledaly will be hell-bent on making amends for last year's county final heartbreak. Castledaly have many strengths but it goes without saying that JP Casey needs greater assistance in attack if the breakthrough is to be made. Coralstown/Kinnegad: In contrast to 2003 when the club captured titles in four different grades and also reached the semi-final of the senior championship, 2004 was a disappointing year. Defeats to Athlone, Castledaly and St. Loman's meant that for the first time since 2001, they failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the senior football championship. The Meath-border outfit have been in transition for the past number of years and despite boasting the talents of Eamonn Fleming, David and Niall Kilmartin and Fergal Dardis, it's difficult to see them being contenders this season. Having said that, the appointment of Coralstown/Kinnegad legend Larry Giles as manager should bring about an improvement. Garrycastle: Following their shocking championship exit at the hands of Mullingar Shamrocks in 2003, the Athlone side answered their critics in the best possible fashion last season by capturing their third county title in four years. And, for good measure, they got their hands on the Feis Cup for the first time. With their array of talent, Garrycastle have proven themselves to be a cut above the rest in recent seasons and they are perhaps the only club in the county who can win crunch games without playing to their potential. Ominously for their rivals, the majority of their big-name players are only coming into their prime and even allowing for a change in management (Dessie Dolan Snr has replaced Martin McCabe), they will be the team to beat once again in 2005. Mullingar Shamrocks: Despite the team's youthful appearance, Shamrocks had high hopes of bringing the Flanagan Cup back to Springfield for the first time since 2000 last season. But for the second time in three years, they succumbed to Castledaly in the semi-final, this time after a replay. 2004 was a disappointing year overall for Shamrocks, who failed to win a major trophy for the first time in many moons. But it's difficult to see them having such a poor season again and with Mayo man Sean Finnegan remaining at the helm, they are sure to have a major say in the destination of this year's championship. Look out also for their junior team who will be fancied to go a step further than in 2003 when they were pipped in the final by Milltown. St. Loman's, Mullingar: After capturing their first under 21 football championship in 2003, the Delvin Road outfit were expected to mount a serious challenge for senior honours last year. But after qualifying from the group stages, they bowed out at the quarter-final stage after losing to eventual champions Garrycastle by four points in a forgettable encounter. Meath native Tom Keigue has taken over the managerial duties from Robbie Kenny and will be hoping to guide Loman's back to the stage they were are in 2001 and 2002 when they reached successive semi-finals and were unlucky to lose to Garrycastle in both. They've plenty of talent, but converting it into success has proven difficult. St. Malachy's: Despite securing just one championship win at Tubberclair's expense last season, the 2001 intermediate champions avoided relegation trouble by virtue of Moate's inferior record. And while some supporters will be disappointed that they didn't build on the progress made in 2003, consolidating their senior status wasn't a bad achievement considering the number of players who were also involved in Castletown-Geoghegan's hurling championship success. St. Malachy's have some exceptional young players among their ranks and will fancy their chances of beating Ballymore and St. Mary's in this year's championship. But once again, a place in the knock-out stages would appear to be beyond them. St. Mary's, Rochfortbridge: Twelve months after they were sent through the relegation trapdoor by Tyrrellspass, St. Mary's regained their place in the top flight by winning last year's intermediate championship. After coasting through the group stages and then surviving a major scare from Rosemount in the semi-final, the green and whites sealed their return to the senior ranks with a three-point victory over Bunbrosna in the decider. While St. Mary's were a cut above most of the teams in the intermediate championship, they are sure to find victories much harder to come by this season. They still depend of county players Damien Healy, David Mitchell and Damien Gavin to a large extent and consolidation is probably the best they can hope for. The Downs: After the high of 2003 when they celebrated their first senior championship triumph in 23 years, Frank Mescall's charges were brought crashing down to earth last season. A poor performance against Ballymore in their opening game didn't bode well and three successive defeats followed before pride was salvaged with an emphatic final round victory over Athlone. Needless to say, the black and ambers will be hoping to rediscover the form of 2003 when their success was built on a high level of fitness and wonderful work ethic. But there are no easy games in their group and a big improvement will be required if they are to reach the knock-out stages. Tubberclair: Despite being handed a favourable draw last season, the Glasson men were threatened by relegation until their victory over Moate in their final game. All in all, it was a disappointing campaign for a club that had reached the quarter-final on their return to the top flight the previous year. However, it would be foolish to write off Tubberclair's chances in the coming season. They remain one of the most promising teams in the county and, even allowing for the fact that they've been drawn in a tougher group this year, they should be pushing hard for a place in the knock-out stages. Tyrrellspass: Surprise relegation candidates in 2003, the Tidy Town showed a welcome return to form last year, qualifying directly for the semi-final where they were narrowly beaten by Garrycastle after extra-time. Tyrrellspass will have taken a great deal of encouragement from last year's performances and will be hoping that new manager Pat Flanagan can give them an extra edge in their first title since 1999. While the likes of John O'Brien, John Corcoran and John Hyland aren't getting any younger, Tyrrellspass have an enviable crop of young players at their disposal, most notably the Glennon brothers, Denis and David. Add in the return of Martin Flanagan - who missed all of last year - and you have a team capable of going a long way. Intermediate Ballynacargy: Regarded as potential intermediate champions at the outset of 2004, they never looked like living up to that billing and such was their indifferent form that they found themselves in a relegation dogfight at the end of the season. But much to the relief of their supporters, Bal' preserved their intermediate status with a play-off victory over Tang and can only improve this year. Bunbrosna: Despite losing last year's intermediate football final to St. Mary's, the Longford-border outfit enjoyed one of their most successful years and now have their sights firmly set on achieving senior status in 2005. They have some of the best young players in the county at the disposal and, while the surprise element may be gone, they will be there or thereabouts again this year. Castletown- Finea/Coole/Whitehall: After a disappointing 2003, the county's most northerly club showed something close to their true form last season when achieving league promotion and also qualifying for the quarter-finals of the intermediate championship where they suffered a narrow defeat to Rosemount. Former manager Jim Mahon leaves them in a healthy state and they will be expected to at least equal last year's achievement. Caulry: After struggling to find their feet on their return to the intermediate ranks in 2003, the Mount Temple men were a much improved outfit last year with the highlight being their capture of the All-County League Division 3 title. A narrow championship defeat to Shandonagh cost them their place in the knock-out stages and they will keen to atone for that disappointment under new manager John Foley. Kilbeggan Shamrocks: When Mattie Kerrigan was unveiled as their new manager last spring, it was taken that they would be serious contenders for intermediate championship success. But despite the presence of the former Westmeath and Cavan boss on the sideline, Kilbeggan failed abysmally to live up to expectations with their championship interests not extending beyond the group stages. Coralstown/Kinnegad clubman Joe Giles is now charged with the task of reviving the club's fortunes and, with John Brennan showing great form for the county, they cannot be discounted. Killucan: Under the guidance of former Railway Cup player Dermot Brady, the Saffrons produced a late surge to qualify for the knock-out stages last year before losing to surprise packets Bunbrosna in the quarter-final. With players of the calibre of Padraig Leavy, John Shaw and Paul Greville, they should be good enough to reach the knock-out stages again but it's difficult to see them going the whole way. Maryland: Were a major disappointment in last year's championship and needed to beat Mullingar Shamrocks in a relegation play-off to preserve their intermediate status. Manager Tommy McCormack will be hoping they can rediscover the form of 2003 when they reached the semi-final, but a tough draw will make victories difficult to come by. Moate All-Whites: After lucky escapes in 2000 and 2002, relegation finally became a reality for Moate All-Whites last year when they lost to neighbours Ballymore in a play-off. Having operated at senior level for 43 years, it was certainly the end of an era and they have a lot of rebuilding to do before the glory days can be revived. Will be hard pushed to make an instant return to the senior ranks. Milltown: Marked their return to the intermediate ranks last year with a series of commendable displays, yet had the threat of relegation hanging over them until they beat Mullingar Shamrocks in their final group match. A young team that's only going to get better, the Rathconrath outfit will hope to ruffle a few more feathers in the season ahead. Milltownpass: Despite their achievement in winning Division 2 of the All-County League, the 'Pass were a huge disappointment in the intermediate championship. Manager Jim Whelehan was rightly frustrated with their Jekyll and Hyde performances and will be demanding greater consistency this year. Need to deliver on their potential. Rosemount: Since relinquishing their senior status in 2000, the black and ambers have appeared in four intermediate semi-finals and two finals. However, their consistency hasn't been rewarded and their supporters are becoming increasingly impatient. Mossy Collins has handed over the managerial reins to Longford under 21 selector Declan O'Flaherty who will be hoping to give them that extra push. St. Joseph's: After years of knocking, the door to intermediate football finally opened up for the Streamstown/Horseleap outfit last season when they captured their first junior championship. And while consolidation will be their main objective for 2005, they have the potential to make a considerable impact. Shandonagh: The Kilpatrick club's quest for a first intermediate championship success goes on after they beaten by Bunbrosna's in last year's championship semi-final replay. A physically strong team with plenty of young talent, they will be a force to be reckoned with again this season. Tang: 2004 was another poor year for the Longford-border outfit who only avoided the dreaded drop by virtue of a play-off victory over Ballinagore. That they continue to rely on the same few players, most notably Paul Conway, suggests that they could have another tough year ahead of them. Junior (exclusive junior clubs only) Ballinagore: Their dramatic slide continued last year when they were relegated back to junior level for the first time since 1994. But despite being in heavy transition at the moment, the Brosnasiders will be confident of making an instant return to the 'middle' grade under new manager Sean Robinson. Ballycomoyle: Hit rock bottom last year by failing to win a championship match. Traditionally one of the stronger junior clubs, they can only improve in the season ahead. Delvin: Endured another difficult year in 2004, recording just one championship win at the expense of Ballycomoyle. Difficult to see them improving with hurling so strong in the area. Loughnavalley: Showed a return to form last year by reaching the quarter-final where they lost to St. Loman's. Having also pushed St. Joseph's all the way in the Junior Cup final, they have plenty to build on this year. St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham: After a few difficult years, the Streete/Multy combination showed signs of a revival last year by reaching the knock-out stages of the junior championship where they succumbed to Athlone. Have done great work at underage level and will be expected to show further improvement this year. St. Paul's: Alongside Ballinagore, the Clonmellon men will be expected to figure at the business-end of the championship. After their heartbreaking defeat to St. Joseph's in last year's decider, they will be desperate to make amends although the loss of Graham Dillon is a considerable blow to their hopes. Predictions Senior: Difficult to look beyond Garrycastle again, although Tyrrellspass, Castledaly, Athlone and a youthful Mullingar Shamrocks are capable of pushing them all the way. Intermediate: A very open championship with any one of a number of teams capable of winning it. Moate will be hoping to bounce back from last year's relegation, but the likes of Bunbrosna, Rosemount, Shandonagh and Kilbeggan look better bets. Junior: With the second teams of senior clubs entering again this year, it would appear that the only exclusive junior clubs in with a chance of taking the silverware are Ballinagore and St. Paul's. Tweet

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