Placed in a group of death
December 30, 2010When the draw was made for the group phase of the 2010 Louth JFC in February, Westerns found themselves in Group A, where they would come up against Glen Emmets and winners-elect Naomh Fionnbarra. It was a difficult draw, to say the least, especially for a club that had been struggling for a few years. The competition format dictated that the top two teams would progress to the quarter-finals, while the third team would bow out. Unsurprisingly, Westerns finished third.
Their first outing was against Glen Emmets at Ardee on Sunday July 4th and the Tullyallen men eased to a comfortable 2-20 to 1-6 win. Westerns had the breeze at their backs in the first half but trailed by 1-8 to 0-4 at the break. Anthony Durnin's second-half goal had the gap back down to seven after Emmets had bagged four of the first five points of the second half, but in the end the south county side were much too strong. A late red card for full back and team captain Francis McArdle compounded a miserable day for the Reaghstown outfit.
Westerns, 2010 Louth JFC V Glen Emmets: Jonathan Brennan; John Murray, Francis McArdle, David Rogers; Colin Martin, Trevor Baylon (0-1), David Donnelly; Dermot McArdle, Terence Sweeney (0-1); Thomas Durnin (0-2), Anthony Durnin (1-1), Andrew Kerr; Shane Matthews, James Ward, Paul Beirne. Subs: Brendan McMahon, Aidan McGarrell, Ciaran Campbell, PJ Marron, Sean McGuinness.
Westerns' hopes of a place in the last eight were scuppered when they lost their second group game to Naomh Fionnbarra by 3-12 to 0-7 a fortnight later. The following personnel were on duty for that one: Jonathan Brennan; David Donnelly, John Murray, PJ Marron (0-1); Colin Martin, Trevor Baylon, James Ward; Dermot McArdle, Anthony Durnin; Andrew Kerr, Paul Byrne (0-2), Thomas Durnin (0-3); Paul Barnes, Aidan McGarrell (0-1), Terence Sweeney.
Certainly, there was no shame in either defeat as most junior clubs would have struggled to compete with Glen Emmets or Naomh Fionnbarra on championship day. But the disappointing aspect of the year as far as Westerns' management trio of Padraig Brennan (manager), Jim Clifford (trainer) and MJ Martin (selector) were concerned was that they never really did themselves justice over the course of the season as a whole. There was little or nothing by way of consistency from the players and, in truth, the commitment and application of the players wasn't all it might have been.
Padraig Brennan, who served the club for 20 years as a player (up until 2009), takes the story up: "We started back training in January. We did a month indoors in the Community School hall in Ardee and then went out on the pitch. We had 30+ lads out every night, which went down to about 21 or 22 by April. It was a difficult year. We were working off a small squad and maybe some of the players didn't show the dedication required and there was a lack of effort overall."
What was the target for the team? How high can a club like Westerns set their sights? "We'd had a few bad years so realistically there was no point in saying we were going to win the championship. We just wanted to find a level of consistency, to win more league games than we lost and hopefully make it out of the group in the championship. Unfortunately we were drawn in a really difficult group against two of the top four teams, so the draw definitely wasn't kind to us."
Looking at the group, was it hard to be confident? Was it a foregone conclusion that Glen Emmets and Naomh Fionnbarra would progress or did Westerns have a fighting chance of causing an upset? "It was a tough order but you would always be hoping that you could beat one of them. We had beaten the Finbarrs in the Shield and we had a couple of good performances in the league, so we were optimistic that we could get a result. But you need things to go right for you on the day and you need everyone to produce a big performance, and unfortunately that didn't happen."
Westerns appear to have fallen upon hard times in the past few years - to what extent is this down to the small numbers at the club's disposal? Are they losing the battle to keep the flag flying in what is essentially a rural area? "I suppose small clubs will always struggle to field teams," says Padraig. "In fairness, we have lost good players through transfers and that has been very disappointing. You would hope that the County Board would step in and try to help small clubs in these circumstances, but that hasn't been the case and we have lost players that we could ill-afford to lose. We also lost two of our most loyal servants - Brendan McMahon and Martin Kane - both of whom retired. Both men were strong members of the team and brilliant clubmen. It's extremely difficult to replace men like that on the playing field.
"We've also lost a few experienced committee men over the past few years and I would be hoping that some of them will return and get involved again."
What were the positives that can be drawn from the year? "There were some good performances, but they were isolated. We started with a draw away to Dunleer in the league and that was a good start, but we didn't build on that. We lost a lot of games we should have won and I don't think we managed to string together two wins in a row at any stage. We are a better team than the results show and we also have a few good young lads coming through, which is a welcome development."
What will be an achievable goal for 2011? "Regardless of who's in charge next year, the players will have to show more commitment over the year. It's not going to happen all by itself - it's up to the players to make things happen and improve things. They have to put the work in. They are being well looked after in terms of gear and facilities etc., so it's a question of them going out and taking the bull by the horns.
"We've developed a new training pitch and are upgrading the floodlights, so there's plenty of effort being invested off the pitch. Jimmy Drumgoole is a committed chairman and we are financially sound. Francis Scriven is doing great work with the juveniles and we have a few good U16s coming through.
"The JFC is a truer test now. There's a bit of a gulf there at the moment, with some teams going well and others struggling but, long term, hopefully the quality of junior football in Louth will improve and all the clubs will get stronger."
Padraig lined out for the Westerns for two decades and is, of course, another player who has recently hung up his boots after years of service - another who will be sorely missed in a playing capacity but who is remaining involved in the club. He made his championship debut in 1989 and played right through until 2009. During his playing days, he won a Macardle Cup in 2001, a Kevin Mullen Shield in 2006 and contested JFC finals in 1997, 2003 and 2006.
Westerns heading in the
right direction
After a few years when they have been ranked among the top junior teams and also competed successfully at Intermediate level for a number of seasons, Westerns GFC have slipped down the pecking order. However there is no sense of doom and gloom in Reaghstown as the team is already showing signs of moving in the right direction. By Eunan Whyte.
That team contested three junior championship finals without getting the reward their efforts deserved and inevitably as players began to retire, the club set about putting their faith in a new crop of players.
That policy has resulted in a 2010 campaign that was not the most memorable in terms of success on the field of play or in terms of silverware, but according to team captain, Francis McArdle, the club can look back with a lot of satisfaction on the past year.
The emphasis has been on rebuilding the team by introducing some new blood and that has allowed the club to establish a sound basis for looking forward to the future with confidence.
"The 2009 season was a very poor one for us so we decided it was time to plan for the future. Padraig Brennan came in as manager with the aim of improving on the previous season and it was felt the best way to do this was to bring the young lads through," explained Francis.
"After the successful team of the past few years, we had a lot of retirements so there was the opportunity for the likes of Thomas Durnin, Ciaran Carroll, Andrew Murray and John Murray to come into the team.
"We have a small area to pick from so when you lose players such as Martin Kane, Stephen Boylan and Johnny Lynch it is going to take a lot away from the team and any young players you bring through have to be looked after.
"The young players had performed very well at minor level and although it was a big step up, they performed very well and were in the team for the whole year, so in that regard it has been a good year," added Francis.
However, with so many young players coming through, it was no great surprise that the Westerns were not able to compete for the major honours but there were some very encouraging signs over the course of the year.
In most games the Reaghstown men gave a good account of themselves, and some of their best results came against the top sides which suggests that with a bit more experience under their belts, this team has the potential to improve.
"On our day we had the ability to be as good as anyone but we just weren't consistent or didn't have the experience when it came to close games.
"We started off the season with victory in the Kevin Mullen Shield over a Naomh Fionnbarra side that went on to qualify for the junior championship final, while we drew with Lannleire in the first game of the league and later in the summer finished level with Glen Emmets in a game we should have won.
"Unfortunately, we couldn't put a run together but when you have a team where the average age is under 23, it is going to be difficult and that is why it is important that we have some of the more experienced players such as Dermot McArdle and Trevor Baylon to help the young lads come through.
"However, I think that overall it was a relatively good year for us as we have shown that there is something there to build on and we are looking to be back competing for junior honours in two or three years time.
"We can accept the fact that we are a club in transition at the moment, but that is not something we will be satisfied with for long and it is important that we can establish ourselves once again," stated the captain.
While the Westerns enjoyed some good moments in the Kevin Mullen Shield and the Division 3 League this year, the Avonmore Junior Championship was less memorable as they were given a very unkind draw having come up against two of the favourites.
"The Championship draw was a very tough one and we knew from the outset that we were up against it, so our aim was to compete as best we could.
"The first game was against the Glen Emmets and that came just a couple of weeks after we drew with them in the league so we weren't overawed by them. Unfortunately we just didn't play well on the day and suffered a very disappointing defeat.
"In the second game against Naomh Fionnbarra we gave a good account of ourselves but they had more quality and experience in their team which saw them through in the end," he added.
Looking ahead to the 2011 season, Francis believes it is essential to build on this year's progress and he is hoping that Padraig Brennan will continue to manage the team.
"Hopefully Padraig will be in charge again next year as he is a great man to be over the team. He is a brilliant club man and shows great commitment, so everybody responds to that leadership. He is held in very high regard by all at the club and is the ideal man to bring the young lads through.
"Despite the results not going our way it has been an enjoyable year in many ways, with Jim Clifford coming in as coach and he has also done a very good job," continued Francis.
Another reason to be optimistic is that the Westerns competed very well in the Division 4 League and reached the semi-final only to lose out to Dowdallshill.
"A lot of the younger players were on that team and it was important for them to be part of a winning side which will help them learn and encourage them to keep going.
"Next year is going to be a big year for us and hopefully we can continue to make progress," concluded Francis.
Division 3 Shield success a fitting
end to the year
Silverware came to Westerns at the end of the year as the Division3 Shield was claimed with a minimum margin win over St Kevin's on the first Sunday in November.
Behind by a goal at the interval, that same deficit separated the sides as the game entered the final quarter. Dermot McArdle then grabbed a crucial equalising goal and Westerns edged in front and held on for the full time whistle.
Westerns (Division 3 Shield winners) - Jonathan Brennan; PJ Marron, Francis McArdle, John Murray; Seamus Peppard 0-1, Trevor Baylon, Colin Martin; Dermot McArdle 1-1, Anthony Durnin; Tommy Durnin 0-4, Terence Sweeney 0-1, Paul Byrne; Andrew Kerr, Aidan McGarrell, Paul Barnes 0-1. Subs - Ciaran Campbell for Byrne, James Woods for Barnes. Tweet
