The New Year didn't bring much cheer to the O'Raghallaighs, as storms in early January ripped the roof from their clubhouse. The extensive damage both external and internal forced the club to close their facilities indefinitely. By Gerry Kelly. A new roof was a priority to prevent further damage, however, the club committee decided to undertake a complete revamp of the building. The bar would be relocated to the ground floor with a state of the art gymnasium going into the former bar area on the first floor. The sports hall which had been home to indoor football, badminton, volleyball and basketball would have a modern new floor installed replacing the original timber playing surface which was there since the place opened back in the mid-seventies. The refurbishment was a major undertaking, requiring extensive funding and at the same time forgoing income from the amenities which would be closed for some considerable time. The club were hopeful that the work would be completed in time for a Christmas 2005 opening but with just a few weeks to go to the festive season it's looking more likely that the refurbishment wont be complete until early 2006. The O'Raghallaighs, with chairman Peter Moore at the helm, can call upon one of their strongest management committees in recent memory. They possess an excellent blend of youth and experience, in fact one of the best off the field teams in the county. The return to administration of club legends Michael 'Muckle' McKeown and Terry Kelly has been a big boost to the green and white hoops. Both played in the great O' Raghallaighs side of 1965 which won the senior football championship ending the Newtown Blues run of four successive senior titles. Men such as John Levins, Robert McKenna, Gerry Morgan and Anthony Griffin, all of whom along with their colleagues, contribute enormously to the smooth running of club business behind the scenes. On the field it's been a very good year for the adult side who ply their trade in the Intermediate ranks. A very steady league campaign culminated with team clinching promotion to the upper middle grade division. They recorded double victories, both home and away, over Lannleire, the Westerns, St. Fechins, Glen Emmets, and St. Mochtas on their march towards promotion. Only two defeats were inflicted by the same opponent, St. Nicholas, who finished in joint top spot with the O'Raghallaighs at the end of the campaign. Ironically the men in green and white then went on to win the Division 2B title in a playoff against their neighbours. Having lost both league encounters to the club from across the river Boyne, the O'Raghallaigh's turned the tables on their opponents in the once off encounter emerging victorious by two points. Incidentally the 'Nicks' will accompany their rivals up to the higher league. With the likes of rising young stars such as Ciaran Carolan and Craig McEnteggart developing fast, the future looks promising. Team coach Josh Carolan paid tribute to his players who displayed tremendous commitment and dedication over the course of a long season. He believed it was no more that his charges deserved after the disappointment of loosing out, after a replay in the championship quarterfinals, to Naomh Malachi. The ever-youthful Aidan 'Chops' Lambe who brings great passion and enthusiasm to the dressing room and sideline, similar to his playing heyday, ably assists Josh. Carolan believes the club are now reaping the rewards of an excellent underage development programme which commenced a decade ago and is now producing a stream of talented players for the senior side. With the club now just one division below senior ranks he believes that with continuous improvement there's no reason why the club from Drogheda's north side cannot take it's place at senior level in the near future. There was further success at adult level where the Division 4 C team reached the final of their league competition. This was no mean feat as they finished runners-up to the Dreadnots in a fourteen-team league. With the final yet to come the final weeks of 2005 may see the O'Raghallaighs score another success to complete a memorable double. The under 21's were hugely disappointed to bow out of the championship in the first round when they were beaten by a Stabannon / O'Connells combination. A number of key players were injured at the time and with several others missing due to college commitments, the side exited rather tamely. This past years hasn't brought much joy at underage level to a club that was producing excellent young sides in recent years. The present group of underage players don't possess the strength and depth and haven't exactly been setting the world alight. None of the teams in the various age categories captured any titles over the past twelve months. A shortage of children in certain age categories and competition from alternative sports has posed problems in recently, but this has now been rectified and the very youngest age groups are now thriving in terms of numbers once more. The minors produced the best performance, over the past twelve months, in a seven a side blitz, where they finished runners-up to an excellent Cooley Kickhams side. There are great hopes for next years crop of minors who are expected to make a real impact in both league and championship. It's never easy for a club who are geographically squeezed in between the Blues to their east and the Oliver Plunketts to the west on the north side of Drogheda town. However, with the northern environs poised for a population boom the guardians of the county grounds should be well placed to benefit in terms of new blood in the years ahead. Speaking of the grounds, one employer's loss is another's gain, in terms of Noel Smith. The former Irish Cement employee bade farewell to his colleagues earlier in the year following a long association with a company synonymous with the region. No sooner was he supposedly retired than the club secured his services as grounds man. Working alongside Benny Markey, their input into the pitch and surrounds at the North Road venue was clearly evident during the past twelve months. The pitch is back to its very best and the grounds always looked well maintained for inter county and major club fixtures. With the likes of Michael Coyle, Eddie McGuigan, Barney McKenna and Tony Winters also on board for the big occasions, a well-run fixture is always assured. Sad to report the loss of a club legend during the year with the passing of James 'Jem' O'Brien. He was a truly great clubman and a familiar face around the GAA grounds for decades. He was one on the last 'old school' O'Raghallaighs who travelled the county with his club and the country following Louth. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Incredibly it's forty years since the club won their first and only senior football title. The team of '65 are getting together before the end of the year to recall those halcyon days when they caused a major shock, getting the better of a legendary Blues side. The players, mentors, officials and supporters of today are hopeful that it won't be another forty years before the Joe Ward Cup makes an appearance in their trophy cabinet. Tweet

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