Two-thousand-and-five will long be remembered as a truly momentous year for Geraldines. The Haggardstown/Blackrock club excelled on all fronts, returning to senior football by virtue of a spectacular IFC success and also celebrating numerous notable juvenile victories. The glory days are back. Geraldines enjoyed remarkable levels of success in 2005, winning trophies and medals like there would be no tomorrow! The U10s did the club proud with a famous double, the U16s made a historic championship breakthrough and the first team booked a return to the top table. All in all, it was exhilarating, unbelievable stuff. As for a review of the year's activities, it's difficult to know where to start… Two-thousand-and-five was a very successful year for the Geraldines club at U10 level, where a league and championship double was secured in addition to two other notable successes. The advent of the club's new floodlights provided a massive lift for the starter group and the months of November, December, January and February bore witness to at least 25 under 10s training regularly on Thursday nights. With the commencement of the local Cumann Peil Ui Fhiaich league in April, the Gers were raring to go. After winning seven league matches on the trot, they qualified for a final meeting with holders St Michaels in Kilkerley at the end of May. This was a vintage final, epitomising everything that's so wonderful about juvenile football. The Stabannon/Castlebellingham combo led going into the last quarter but brilliant goals from Dylan Kresa, Josh Arrowsmith and Jack Traynor propelled Gers into an unassailable lead. When the long whistle sounded, a very proud Conor McDonald was on hand to accept the trophy on behalf of his team-mates. That wasn't the end of the road for this talented bunch. Over the summer, they enjoyed further successes in the Oliver Plunketts tournament and Cumann Blitz in Louth village. The Michaels provided opposition once more in the Blitz decider and, unsurprisingly, it was Geraldines and St Michaels who went at it for the third time in the U10 championship final, in Dromiskin on the eve of the All-Ireland football final in late September. The teams produced yet another thriller, if anything surpassing previous matches. On a windy day, the sides were level at full time. Despite playing with wind advantage, Gers led by only two points at half time in extra time. But a Robert Lynch goal turned the game in Gers' favour and the defence held firm with sterling displays from Nathan Slowey, Dara Hamill, Chris Reenan and Aisling Dunne. The U10s, who were managed by Eamonn Dunne with help from Lonan McDonald and Padraig Hamill, did the club proud. The U12s also had a very eventful and enjoyable season, taking part in both league and championship as well as Blitzes in Drogheda, Louth village and Lordship. Although no trophies were garnered, the participation and gradual improvement of 24 players over the course of the season is a source of great satisfaction to the management team of Bernie Murray, Thomas McNamee, Diarmaid McAdam and Seamus McDermott. The highlight of the year at U12 level was the team's performance in the St Patricks Blitz, where they recorded excellent victories over Wolfe Tones, Clans and Cooley before losing to the Clans in a close and exciting final. Gers won four of their seven outings in the league, but were beaten by an impressive Knockbridge side in the championship. Team management is deeply appreciative of the input and commitment of players and parents over the year. This crop should continue to progress and develop as U13s next year and the club is confident that they'll continue to enjoy playing gaelic football. Geraldines had a 21-strong panel of U13s in 2005. This comprised 15 13-year-olds and six from the U12 panel. The team won two of their three championship matches against St Fechins, Dreadnots and Baile Talun but missed out on a semi-final place on scoring averages. There was no league and therefore a thin line between success and failure at this level. Fechins went on to lose the final to Cooley - Gers had beaten Cooley in a friendly earlier in the year. This crop is looking forward to increased participation at U14 level in '06, when they will be playing in both league and championship competitions. Though silverware proved elusive this time around, the U14s enjoyed a successful league campaign, winning six of their seven games only to lose the final to Oliver Plunketts. The Drogheda side also accounted for Gers at the semi-final stage of the U14 championship. But this team also enjoyed a memorable trip to Feile Peile na nOg in Limerick, which capped a memorable year for the team. The club's exceptional U15 crop were beaten for the first time in six years in a competitive match in Louth when they narrowly lost the Division One final to Wolfe Tones/St Nicholas on a scoreline of 4-8 to 2-12. Gers led by 1-9 to 0-3 at half time but were caught cold by a succession of goals from the amalgamated side in the second half. It was an exciting game and there was no shame in defeat at the hands of a strong amalgamation. En route to the final, Geraldines accounted for Na Piarsaigh (0-17 to 2-5), St Josephs (4-13 to 4-7), Dundalk Gaels (4-14 to 1-2), Cooley (4-8 to 1-7), Young Irelands (6-8 to 2-5) and St Brigids (1-18 to 1-11). The players who represented Geraldines in the U15 campaign were Conor Murray, Michael McKevitt, Patrick Hoey, Kevin Pepper, Robert McKeown, Paudie Gallagher, Sean Watters, Tomas Cotter, Stephen Reidy, Jim McEneaney, Jason Mok, James Craven, Michael Rogers, Johnny Breen, Tiernan Hand, Ryan Keenan, Chris Dalton, Barry Hamilton, Shane O'Hanlon, Paul Molloy and Stephen Breen. Mentors Padraig Hamill, John Pepper, Seamus Breen and Eamon McEneaney prepared the team well. The players' parents did a great job in providing transport and support, especially Dermot Rogers and Danny O'Neill who were on hand at all times. History was made in 2005 when Geraldines annexed the Louth U16 championship for the first time in their history. This breakthrough success represents a landmark achievement for the club. Though unfancied at the start of the year, the team kept their heads down and battled superbly to reach the championship decider. Herein, they locked horns with a strong Wolfe Tones/St Nicholas amalgamation, romping to a hugely impressive 3-10 to 1-1 win. The league form had been patchy and gave little indication of the magic that was to come in the championship. The premier competition started with an excellent 3-6 to 3-5 defeat of St Michaels in Stabannon, where the gutsy winners prevailed despite playing with 14 men for 50 minutes. When the Gaels were beaten by 3-5 to 0-8 at Pairc na nGaeil, Gers were through to the last four. Naomh Mairtn provided semi-final opposition and once more the Gers lads produced a rousing performance to win a great game of football by 4-8 to 1-10. Chris Dalton struck a hat-trick of goals that day. Though they had to play the final without their goalpoacher supreme, the Green & White produced their best football of the year, dominating the decider from the throw-in. As well as showcasing their great skill and commitment, the Gers lads also demonstrated an admirable level of discipline in the final. Captain Aaron Smith (0-2) and Jason Mok were outstanding in midfield, getting plentiful supply of fast and accurate ball into the two man full forward line of Alan Breen (1-1) and Man of the Match Jim McEneaney (1-5). The half forward line of James Craven (1-0), Michael Rogers, Benny Connolly (0-2) and the roving Eoin Hamill never stopped working and caused the opposition defence all manner of problems. Darren Carney was untroubled and solid in goal, behind a magnificent full back line of Cathal O'Brien, Gerard Soraghan and Sean Watters. Patrick Hoey, Gerard Hoey and Ross McEnteggart gave a masterclass in tenacious play. Upon their introduction, Johnny Breen, Mark Smith and Sean McGuinness all produced some good moments. Others who contributed handsomely during the campaign were Kevin Pepper, Barry Hamilton, Paul Molloy, Paudie Gallagher and the injured Chris Dalton. While the players deserve all the credit for their history-writing exploits, the contribution of mentors Eamon McEneaney, Padraig Hamill, Colm Macken and John Pepper is also acknowledged. The minor team suffered a number of heavy defeats during their league campaign. This squad was made up of a number of 16- and 17-year-olds, many of whom will be available for selection at this grade again next year. In the championship, Geraldines came up against eventual winners Cooley Kickhams and, though they tried hard, the peninsula side proved far too strong. The junior team experienced plenty of action in 2005, playing numerous games. For the most part, they performed very well and were unlucky not to qualify for the play-offs, losing narrowly to O'Connells. They failed to get past the first round of the championship, where they came up against a strong and well-drilled Sean O'Mahonys outfit. Pride of place goes to the club's first team who booked a return to senior football by virtue of a splendid outright victory in the 2005 Louth intermediate football championship. It was the club's first intermediate success since 1995 and the nature of the win should offer the team plenty of confidence as they face into the challenge of top-grade fare in 2006. This is widely regarded as an important breakthrough for the club and the main aim for next year is to consolidate their position in senior ranks. The Gers started their Division 2A league campaign well but successive defeats quickly put paid to any hopes of outright league success. Thus, they focussed heavily on the championship, a decision that bore fruit. An opening round victory over Dundalk Gaels filled the team with confidence and victories over St Nicholas, Naomh Fionnbarra and St Fechins secured automatic qualification for the semi-finals. Surprise packets St Mochtas awaited. This proved a tense encounter with the Gers eventually scraping home by the narrowest of margins. The final was another tight contest and again there was no more than a kick of a ball between the teams. Man of the Match Barry Renaghan stepped forward to slot over a 30-yard free with only seconds remaining to tip the balance in favour of Geraldines. This score, followed shortly by the final whistle, sparked scenes of wild celebration and joy as Gers claimed a historic 0-11 to 0-10 victory over Naomh Malachi at Pairc Clan na Gaeil on Sunday September 18. All that remained was for captain John Neary to collect the Seamus Flood Cup and shake it at his people. As Louth champions, Geraldines went on to compete in the Leinster intermediate club championship but were beaten by Rathcline of Longford by five points. Overall, it was an excellent year for the first team. In a year of many highs for Geraldines, the management team and players deserve the utmost credit for their tremendous achievement of bringing senior football back to the Haggardstown/Blackrock area. Tweet

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