History was made at Pairc Esler, Newry on Sunday, October 12 last when Annaclone celebrated first intermediate championship triumph. Here, club chairman John Heenan reflects on the West Down club's historic success, as well as looking ahead to the new campaign. Having played Senior Championship football as one of the top 16 teams in Down for 10 consecutive years since 1998 Annaclone were entered into the Intermediate Championship 2008 after finishing outside the top four in Division 2 of the league in 2007.Annaclone bounced back in the best possible fashion with a 1-13 to 0-13 victory over Darragh Cross in the intermediate decider. They had twice before held the WJ Farrell Cup in 1980 and '82 beating Laitroim and St Johns respectively when it had been presented to the junior championship winners. "It was a case of fifth time lucky ,in our fifth championship final us since 1982 " explains Annaclone chairman John Heenan. "We lost the 1985 junior final to Drumaness, despite being favourites, the '94 and 97 finals to Ballyholland and Attical respectively after Down introduced the Intermediate Championship.The Senior Championship involved all twelve 1st division teams and the top four teams in division 2 making a total of 16 teams.At the end of season 1997, we were promoted to top flight as Division 2 runners up and played at senior championship level for a decade .At the end of 2007 we finished fifth in Division 2 and thereby were in the Intermediate champiomship for 2008. We also reached the senior final in 2004, only to lose to Mayobridge, who were at the peak of their powers at that time and went on to lose the Ulster final to Crossmaglen in controversial circumstances." "We're delighted to be going back into the senior championship in 2009 year but at the same time, we know it's going to be a tough battle because we are a small rural club and wouldn't have the same playing resources as most of our rivals.But we'll give it a lash and see how it goes." Heenan, who has been chairman for the past six years, claims that, despite their senior experience, Annaclone won the intermediate championship against the odds. "We were confident of bouncing back at the start of the year, but then we lost key players in Martin and Colm Farrell, Brendan McArdle and Daniel McCusker, who were prominent in the team," he recalls. "But in fairness, the rest of the lads stepped up to the plate.With places up for grabs , John and Brian Fegan were both rejuvenated with County panellist Gary Mc Ardle adding engine room to midfield and former county panellist and Captain Aidan Fegan showing great leadership,whilst Owen Pyers gave terrific championship accounts before injury ruled him out of Ulster semi ." The success was guided by Stevie McVeigh, who took over the managerial reins from Cathal Murray at the beginning of the year, and his co-selectors John Joe McIlroy himself a winner in 1980 and Michael Farrell. A native of Warrenpoint, McVeigh is a member of the teaching staff at St. Louis', Kilkeel, which has produced its fair share of top-class footballers down the years including Martin Clarke. Annaclone signalled their intentions with a facile 1-16 to 0-5 victory over West Down neighbours Tullylish in the opening round at Saval, with full forward Seamus Quinn grabbing the only goal. They squared up to the Mickey Linden-managed Drumgath in another local derby clash in the quarter-final. After dominating the first half, Annaclone were pushed all the way by the third division side who came from five points down to draw level on 0-9 each with 15 minutes remaining. But the introduction of returning Brendan McArdle, coupled with the switch of John Fegan to full forward, turned the game in favour of the Annaclone men who went on to win 0-14 to 0-9. The semi-final pitted them against Glassdrumman, who have been confirmed as one of the competing teams in RTE's 2009 'Celebrity Bainisteoir' series. In a close contest at picturesque Newcastle, Annaclone edged home by 1-10 to 2-5 to qualify for the final. Glassdrumman opened the scoring through Cormac Murphy before Gerard Fegan equalised in the eighth minute. Murphy restored the Mourne side's advantage before Annaclone hit the front for the first time thanks to points from Brendan and Gary McArdle. Further scores from Paul Byrne, Aidan Fegan and Brendan McArdle pushed the winners into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead at the break. Glasdrumman resumed with a point from Connaire Harrison, only for Annaclone to reply with a similar score from Paul Byrne and a Brian Fegan goal which put them seven points ahead. The game looked to be gone from Glasdrumman at this stage, but a Cormac Murphy penalty brought them to within four points before efforts from Owen Pyers and Brian Fegan left two clear goals in it with seven minutes remaining. But Glasdrumman weren't finished as a second goal from Murphy, which was sandwiched between points from the same player and Harrison, reduced the deficit to the minimum. They had a couple of chances to level before Aidan Fegan suberbly slotted over the insurance point for Annaclone from a sideline free on the 45m line from the outside of his right boot to seal victory. Now only Darragh Cross stood between Annaclone and an immediate return to the senior championship ranks. In an earlier league clash between the sides, Annaclone had just two points to spare and the championship decider was just as close with Stevie McVeigh's men withstanding a second half onslaught to win by two. The winners got off to a flying start when Aidan Fegan's speculative lob broke kindly to emerging talent Michael Wallace who fired to the net after just four minutes. With Fegan continuing to pull the strings at centre forward, they went on to lead by 1-8 to 0-8 at the break. Darragh Cross were far more threatening in the second half, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Tom McMahon and Brendan McGourty at midfield. Fortunately for Annaclone, Aidan and Colm Fegan had recorded two early scores as they were under the cosh for much of the second half. But for all Darragh Cross' pressure, they never quite managed to break down a resolute Annaclone defence in which experienced full back Niall Higgins and centre back John Haughey were magnificent. Unfortunately the hard hitting Haughey,a dentist left the following week to take up a post in Australia "The early goal was the difference throughout," John Heenan remembers. "We managed to keep them at arm's length, despite coming under a lot of pressure in the second half." In their first foray into the Ulster club intermediate championship, the Down champions defeated MacCumhaills of Donegal by 1-10 to 1-8 at Pairc Esler."This was a fantastic,thoroughly entertaining tough physical encounter of fast flowing football, a memorable day for all associated with Annaclone who were in Newry that bright afternoon in their droves draped in red and green.Amid all the provincial regulations everywhere it was a new rollercoaster experience for the squad too." Once again Michael Wallace and Aidan Fegan combined to net with Wallace providing the long probing ball and Fegan netting.The visitors fought back and looked to have the edge with Aidan Fegan dismissed for a second yellow midway through the half.Vice Captain and centre back Martin Mc Aleenan showed great leadership before MacCumhaills lost a player after a second bookable to restore parity.Down to a nail biting finish with Brian Fegan and Gary Byrne involved in two crucial late scores to progress Annaclone to the semi final at Casement."the loss of Owen Pyers who provided a constant threat and a great outlet throughout the campaign and the departure of John Haughey coupled with a mounting injury list with little recovery time prior to the match meant the semi final would be tough "Heenan added. Disappointment followed when they lost the provincial semi-final to Derry kingpins Greenlough by 0-11 to 1-10,Annaclone having led 0.9 to 0.4 at the break, "We did not get the rub of the green on the day. We conceded three soft frees which resulted in scores for Greenlough in the first half.Their strength in depth showed as they took control down the spine in the second half"Annaclone were also denied promotion in the league by losing play-off matches to Bryansford just before the semi final and Warrenpoint the week following despite a gallant display. Annaclone or Eanach Cluana, which means 'Meadow of the Bog', was founded in 1896, making it one of Down's oldest GAA clubs. Between 1949 and '59, the parish supplied two teams, Annaclone and Magheral, before they merged once again in 1959.In between Annaclone finished Senior Championship runners up in 1954 whilst Magheral with current Club President John Arthur Fegan starring, won the Junior Championship in 1953. The club's future was further consolidated with the opening of Gaelic Park in 1972.Junior championships were annexed in 1980 and '82. Annaclone has continued to go from strength and strength and, with ladies football blossoming and an excellent underage structure and facilities in place, can look forward with much optimism. Down the years, Annaclone has supplied numerous players to the Down senior football team, the most famous being Breen Morgan, who was corner forward on the All-Ireland winning sides of 1960 and '61. In more recent times, John and Aidan Fegan,Gary and Brendan McArdle have flown the flag for the club at inter-county level. Gaelic Park has undergone major upgrade work in recent years. In 2005, the club began construction of new changing rooms pavilion which was successfully completed by S&B Construction, with provision made for a bar and gymnasium upstairs. 2006 saw work on the link corridor between the existing hall and changing rooms completed, with provision made for the fitting of a lift shaft. The following year saw the upgrade of the existing all-weather pitch with a new surface and lights. The pitch is now utilised by the club's under 8s among others. The club's development continued apace over the last two years with the completion of perimeter wall, access ramp and spectator railing which has resulted in better vantage and safer access for supporters. The car park was also drained and extra parking spaces were created, while pedestrian footpaths were realigned with the playing pitch. New ball-stops,goalposts and an electronic scoreboard were added, while the new gymnasium is also nearing completion. John goes on to say there is a tremendous voluntary ethos in the club and a great desire among its members to progress development .This is co ordinated by chief groundsman Joe Farrell and helped by an energetic committee and players giving their spare time freely."Everyone :-managers,mentors sponsors and members all play their part.However ,we must not lose regain the focus on our youth,the future building blocks of our club."John adds. Annaclone now celebrate their Down IFC success and Ulster run at a dinner dance in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry. Guest of honour will be former Down star James McCartan jnr. Last year marked the club's third venture into Ulster under John's chairmanship. In 2003, the under 10s, as county champions, went to the Ulster finals where they were narrowly beaten in Monaghan. The team was managed by JJ McIlroy, David Topley and Aiden Greenan, and there was some tremendous young talent on display, namely Aidan McIlroy, Matthew Topley, Darryl O'Reilly,Ruari Mc Neill and Ciara Devlin amongst others who are now progressing through the ranks . In 2006, the Annaclone ladies won Down Intermediate Championship title under the management of Brenda Mc Carthy and Marty Mc Cusker then competed in the Ulster club championship,Their game against Clones being the first time Gaelic Park hosted a provincial tie. Despite losing on that occasion, Annaclone had some excellent performers in Eliza Downey, Aileen Pyres and Ciara McArdle, who are current members of the Down ladies team. The Annaclone team which defeated Darragh Cross in the 2008 Down IFC final was: Paddy Byrne; Peter McColgan, Niall Higgins, Conor McConville; Brian Fegan, John Haughey, Thomas Pyres; John Fegan, Gary McArdle; Martin McAleenan, Aidan Fegan, Owen Pyres; Colm Fegan, Michael Wallace, Paul Byrne. Subs used: Gerard Fegan and Brendan McArdle. Player profile: Aidan Fegan Honours won: Colleges - Corn na Og, Ranafast, MacRory and Hogan Cup 1998, Colleges All Star 1999, Sigerson Cup runner up and All Star. Club - Three Division 2 titles, IFC 2008 Favourite players: Brian McGuigan and Liam Doyle Favourite grounds: Croke Park and Newry Most disappointing moment: Championship final defeat Influences on career: Parents, Ray Morgan (St. Colman's), James McCartan (Queens University) Ways of improving the game: Club season to be finished before November Tweet

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