CLUB ACHIEVEMENTS 2003

On reflection 2003 was a progressive and momentous year for the club. The senior footballers qualified for the 1/4 finals of the league play-off but were defeated by Glenavy. In the Intermediate Football Championship, they were defeated at the semi final stage after a replay by our neighbours, McDermott's. However, the team's efforts have ensured our return to compete in the Senior Championship in 2004.
The senior hurlers also finished mid table and narrowly missed out on a play-off place, pipped for the last place by St. Galls. In the Junior Hurling Championship we again suffered defeat at the hands of a younger and rejuvenated St. Galls side.

The South Antrim Footballers retained the Tom Williams Cup, beating Gort na Mona in the final. As the make-up of this team reflects our best hopes for the future, we have entered a second All County team who will compete in Division 4 in the coming year. The handballers retained the County and Ulster Junior Club title while the Division 2 side clinched the league title and promotion to Division 1.

At juvenile level, our U-8's, U-10's, U-12's and young ladies attended training sessions throughout the year on Sunday mornings at Twinbrook. With the continuing work of our coaches, they will provide the backbone of our future teams and hopefully challenge for honours. The U-12 footballers improved as the year progressed and lost out to Lamh Dearg in the semi final of the Championship. U-14 proved difficult with only a small panel available but the team still battled throughout the season. The U- 16 football team possessed some talented players and progressed to the semi final of the Championship losing out to St. Galls .

The Minor team provided us all with great joy and pride. They lost out to St. John's in the All County League and South Antrim League finals but after so many times of trying, they finally overcame St. John's when it mattered most - the Championship final. On the day they were magnificent and the five-point winning margin flattered St. John's. Our foray into the Ulster Minor Tournament was to prove a bridge too far. We were beaten after a replay by the Monaghan Champions, Carrickmacross, who themselves went on to the final and lost to Armagh Harps. The team's endeavours provided the Club with much publicity and helped to raise our profile. Our fitness suite is now fully functional as we continue to improve our training and playing facilities. It is hoped that we can secure our own pitch in the coming months as our club continues to grow in strength.
 

The Minor Campaign - Antrim Championship

The first game of the Championship, away to Tir na n Og was an absolute cracker, which needed extra time to separate the teams. In a very open game between two evenly matched teams, Johnny McDonnell's goal had helped us into a narrow one-point half time lead, 1¬4 to 1-3. Shortly after the restart, a sending off reduced us to 14 men and we fell four points behind with 15 minutes to play.

With greater determination, we reduced the gap and went ahead with goal contributions from Johnny and Stephen McAlorum. The team fought for every ball but pressure from the home side levelled the game with a minute to spare. In extra time, Martin Tully lead by example with a point and scores from Ryan Rooney and Paul Prigent saw us come from behind again to out score Tir na nOg 0-6 to 1-1 and clinch victory, 3-11 to 2-12.

The quarter final paired us with our Belfast neighbours, Gort na Mona whom we had defeated in the South Antrim league. Without key players, unavailable through injury, work and holiday commitments, some of our squad players were given an opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place. While it didn't match the intensity of the previous game, it was reasonably close in the early stages. Gort na Mona caused some problems early on, through full forward, Mickey Pollock. With a workman like and disciplined performance though, we came from behind to lead at the break by six points.

Among the scorers were Mickey Scott and Paul Dynes. We maintained our advantage throughout the second half and never looked like losing our grip on the game. Sean Og O'Neill and Sean McGovern stood out as we finished comfortable winners 2-6 to 0-6 with Johnny McDonnell again the goal hero. Dunloy provided the opposition in the semi final, and all those at Casement Park witnessed another high scoring feast. Nerves were evident and both teams were guilty of simple mistakes.

Our defence though, committed more and gifted two goals to the bigger, more physical Dunloy side on 15 and 25 minutes. Accustomed now to coming from behind, we had drawn level as the game approached half time, through Michael Scott (1-1), Fra McCabe, Ryan Rooney and captain, Cohn O'Riordan (1-2). But with the last kick of the half, Dunloy again found the net to lead 3-5 to 2-5.

The side exchanged points during the first five minutes of the second half with Martin Tully scoring for us. But for the next 20 minutes, we dominated and controlled the game. On top all over the pitch, we registered 4-1 to Dunloy's 0-3 with Mickey Scott, Johnny McDonnell (2) and Danny Collins pitching in with the goals. With a 7-point lead and four minutes left, the game looked all but over. Dunloy had other ideas and two quick goals in succession left the minimum between the sides, to set up a furious final few minutes. However, the lads held their nerve and Danny calmly added a point to take us through to the final.

The Final

We came up against old rivals St. John's in the final. Having lost out to them in the All County League Final in March we were determined not to lose out again to the same opposition. The team didn't disappoint.
We started well enough and took a three point lead with good scores from Paul Prigent and Stephen McAlorum, followed by a pointed free from Micky Scott. St John's hit back with two points before we extended our lead through a Fra McCabe point and a goal from Johnny McDonnell, After that both teams had their share of possession but the Johnnies narrowed the gap and at the break, we lead by the minimum 1-4 to 0-6.

For 26 minutes of the second half it was all one - way traffic. Paul Prigent struck a goal after 2 minutes as we took control of the game and played with the greater hunger and desire. The defence, much berated after the semi, weren't in the giving mood and closed their opponents down quickly. They marked tightly and were disciplined and ferocious in the tackle, spoiling and robbing the Johnnies of possession. Gerard Cairns and David O'Hanlon, Gerard Rowntree and Gary Nelson worked the ball to midfield where Fra McCabe and O'Riordan were in the ascendancy. In the forward line we created open spaces and opportunities taking full advantage. While we shot several wides 5 points were added with Paul Dynes (0-2) Paul Prigent and Ryan Rooney (0-2) increasing our lead to 9 points.

The Johnnies first score of the second half came in the 27th minute when they found the net and then quickly added a point to reduce the gap to 5 points. This was cancelled out almost immediately as Danny Collins having come off the bench led his marker a merry dance to score our third goal as full time approached. St. John's second goal in added time was but a consolation score. With the final whistle came scenes of celebration and euphoria as we were deservedly crowned County Minor Football Champions, 3-9 to 2-7.

The 2003 Ulster Minor Championship