There's growing pressure on dual clubs nowadays and in Westmeath the challenge is no different than any other county. One such club that probably felt the pressure more than others in 2007 was St. Malachy's, whose footballers failed to produce the type of form that took them to the business end of the senior championship in previous years. By Damien Maher. The Castletown-Geoghegan/Dysart men found the going very tough in Division one of the championship and they managed to get just one draw in the group stages against Killucan, meaning they faced a battle for survival against Tubberclair. It was then that they showed the type of character, resilience and no little skill that has won many admirers in recent years to defeat the southerners and consolidate senior status. It was a performance that pleased former Kildare footballer, Cormac Davey, who was coach of St. Malachy's side, working alongside manager, Seamus Cassidy. Davey also had spells as a manager and player with Shandonagh and was part of the Westmeath panel in 2006. "It appears as if we've had a bad year, but I think a lot of lessons were learned. It was difficult but I don't know how St. Malachy's ended up where they did. You could say that they won the game that mattered most, though, and are back in senior football again, where I think they still have a future," remarked the Kilcock footballer. "It's not easy for dual clubs and there were times when we had to settle for training once a week. However, they played well against Tyrrellspass and were close to The Downs for a long time. We lost Johnny Tuite through injury at a vital stage against Tyrrellspass and that was a big factor, while The Downs seemed to overpower us physically as the game wore on. "Against St. Loman's, things went badly wrong for us and St. Loman's seemed to score at every opportunity. That's not making any excuses because they were much better on the day," he added. St. Malachy's took on defending county champions, Tyrrellspass, in round one of the senior football championship and, after a fine effort, lost by just four points on a 0-11 to 0-7 scoreline. The first half was a bitterly disappointing one from a St. Malachy's perspective and they trailed by six points (0-8 to 0-2) at the interval. Their prospects looked bleak to say the least, but they re-emerged for the second half a different team as the introduction of Kieran Favier at centre half forward helped them lift their game considerably. However, Tommy Carey was denied a goal when Tyrrellspass 'keeper, Darren Quinn, produced a vital save and the defending champions were strong enough to grind out a four-point victory. Round two saw St. Malachy's pitted against The Downs in Rochfortbridge and this was a disappointing day for the Castletown Geoghegan men. After a one-sided affair, St. Malachy's were on the end of a heavy drubbing, losing in the end by eight points on a 1-10 to 0-5 scoreline. Playing against a string wind in the first half certainly didn't help St. Malachy's cause and they trailed by eight points at the break, having failed to raise a flag in the opening half hour's play. The second half brought about an improved showing, but they had, quite simply, left themselves with too much ground to make up. It was back to Cusack Park for the third round, but it brought no major change for St. Malachy's, who were overwhelmed by Mullingar side, St. Loman's. The final score showed a 15-point gap between the sides (2-16 to 0-7) and there was much work to be done. Not even a spirited display at midfield from Ronan Whelan could help turn this game for the St. Malachy's men, though they weren't exactly out of contention at half time when they trailed by six points (1-8 to 0-5). The concession of the opening goal in the early stages is something they would surely have been hoping to avoid and things were now getting serious. It was a rejuvenated and gutsy St. Malachy's side that took on Mullingar Shamrocks at Rochfortbridge in round four, however. They competed very well, scoring 12 good points, but it was the concession of three goals which proved their downfall as Shamrocks won by 3-8 to 0-12. Furthermore, because of a surprise win for Killucan over Tyrrellspass, St. Malachy's were now facing the prospect of a relegation battle. It was the concession of two goal late in the first half that proved St. Malachy's undoing in this match, though. They were in control heading into the last five minutes of the half, but trailed 0-6 to 2-3 at the interval and, despite a spirited second half, never quite recovered. And the concession of a third goal in the 58th minute destroyed any chances of victory. The final game in the group series saw St. Malachy's tackle Killucan and, rather predictably, it ended in a draw (St. Malachy's 0-8, Killucan 1-5). It was a game St. Malachy's could have won, but their defence creaked again and they conceded a second half goal. That said, they were a little unfortunate not to have found the net themselves when Joe Clarke was denied, but despite the efforts of Ronan Whelan, Shane Carey, Ronan Corcoran and Clarke, victory proved elusive. On a Saturday evening in late September at Hogan Park, Moate, St. Malachy's finally produced a winning performance in the championship to deny Tubberclair and secure senior status for 2008. It was an entertaining and wholehearted contest, with St. Malachy's showing that they are determined to ply their trade in the top flight of Westmeath football. Despite the concession of a penalty goal in the second half, St. Malachy's were the better side and some fine scores from the likes of Alan Mangan, Sean Whelan, Shane Carey and Joe Clarke saw them through in the end by three points on a 0-15 to 1-6 scoreline. "Tubberclair are a very good side, with the likes of Fergal Wilson, Jamie Farrell and Francis Spollen, so that was a tough match for St. Malachy's. We also played well against Mullingar Shamrocks, who reached the county final. "The concession of two goals late in the first half cost us, though," recalled Davey. "The dual club issue is a live one, but Eamon Gallagher proved with Killucan and Raharney that it can be overcome. It's all about everyone pulling in the right direction. "Joe Clarke was a big loss to us and Eamon Og Clarke was also absent. But Joe was back for the Tubberclair game and the lads really worked hard for that one. Paddy Corcoran is a great servant and he produced some fine displays. But St. Malachy's have some fine footballers and Alan Mangan was immense against Tubberclair when the chips were down. "I can see St. Malachy's coming on from this and getting back to the business end of the senior championship. They have the players capable of doing it. The likes of Sean Whelan and Shane Carey have come through nicely from underage and can now help make a difference," he added. St. Malachy's also had a disappointing run in Division 1 of the All County League and were eventually relegated. However, they were in Division 2 before the league was re-jigged last year, so this is not viewed as a disaster and they are still well placed to rebuild. At underage level, St. Malachy's/Ballinagore continued to make strides. They won the under 12 Division 1 final against Tubberclair, while they were also successful in Division 2 of the under 14 football. They reached the under 16 Division 2 final, but at minor level things proved more demanding and they failed to make much of an impact. The St. Malachy's team which defeated Tubberclair to consolidate senor status was: Gary Jackson; Johnny Tuite, Ronan Corcoran, John Gallagher; Barry Whelan, Joe Clarke, Liam Corcoran; Paddy Corcoran, Ollie Kirby; Derek Gallagher, Shane Carey, Ronan Whelan; Tommy Carey, Alan Mangan, Sean Whelan. Subs used: Pat Clarke, Robbie Jackson. Tweet

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