The meteoric rise of St Pauls to the MacRory cup final today got me thinking about other lesser known/mediocre teams who have achieved great things from humble beginnings.
Some of the teams that spring to mind are a Michael Murphy inspired St Eunan's team who had a couple of years near the top of the MacRory. Likewise, the St Louis, Kilkeel team who were propelled by the Marty Clarke and James Colgan axis.
Closer to home, we had our own one man show with Peter the great running the show in 1995. From my own direct experience, the underage Omagh teams I played on were driven by Joe and Justin McMahon.
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 18, 2013, 08:48:48 PM
The meteoric rise of St Pauls to the MacRory cup final today got me thinking about other lesser known/mediocre teams who have achieved great things from humble beginnings.
Some of the teams that spring to mind are a Michael Murphy inspired St Eunan's team who had a couple of years near the top of the MacRory. Likewise, the St Louis, Kilkeel team who were propelled by the Marty Clarke and James Colgan axis.
Closer to home, we had our own one man show with Peter the great running the show in 1995. From my own direct experience, the underage Omagh teams I played on were driven by Joe and Justin McMahon.
Westmeath- NFL-Divison 2- 2013
Derrytresk last year. Bottom of division three one year, All-Ireland final the next.
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 18, 2013, 08:48:48 PM
The meteoric rise of St Pauls to the MacRory cup final today got me thinking about other lesser known/mediocre teams who have achieved great things from humble beginnings.
Some of the teams that spring to mind are a Michael Murphy inspired St Eunan's team who had a couple of years near the top of the MacRory. Likewise, the St Louis, Kilkeel team who were propelled by the Marty Clarke and James Colgan axis.
Closer to home, we had our own one man show with Peter the great running the show in 1995. From my own direct experience, the underage Omagh teams I played on were driven by Joe and Justin McMahon.
Athenry won their first county hurling title in 1987 and within 15 years or so had 3 all Irelands .
And are now back to mediocrity.
How Down got to an AIF a couple of few years back is a mystery, there's always a suprise packet that reaches the quarters & on ocassion the semi, but the stars aligned for Down that year.
Quote from: bennydorano on March 18, 2013, 09:34:16 PM
How Down got to an AIF a couple of few years back is a mystery, there's always a suprise packet that reaches the quarters & on ocassion the semi, but the stars aligned for Down that year.
Stars aligned, perhaps.
Then again, if you keep ending up there or thereabouts in terms of underage titles for a decade, the argument could be that the stars should have aligned more often.
While parts of that team were mediocre there was nothing mediocre about that forward line who when they clicked were as good as any about.
Fermanagh got to an All-Ireland Semi-Final (2006?), despite never winning Ulster.
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
Caltra's AI win in 2004?
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on March 18, 2013, 10:17:23 PM
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
When you mention the Marshes our replay game versus Down also springs to mind in 2008.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on March 18, 2013, 10:17:23 PM
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
If jim mcconville hadn't fell over himself history could have been very different!
Shane O'Neill's from Camlough came 4th or 5th in Armagh division 4 in 2007.
In 2008 they won division 4, just avoided relegation from division 3 in 2009 but won the Junior championship, won division 3 in 2010 and then division 2 in 2012. Now preparing for life in division one this season.
They've had a great underage system over the past 10-15 years and it's really come to fruition for them, even winning the Minor championship in 2010.
Quote from: omagh_gael on March 18, 2013, 08:48:48 PM
The meteoric rise of St Pauls to the MacRory cup final today got me thinking about other lesser known/mediocre teams who have achieved great things from humble beginnings.
Also, the rise of St. Paul's really has been meteoric. They only fielded their first team at post 16 level in 2007/08 at Markey Cup level, reaching the semi finals (losing by a goal to Castlewellan who went on to win back to back AI's).
The following year they left the Vocational set up and entered Colleges football and have went from strength to strength. It makes you think how other schools such as Ballygawley and Holy Trinity would do at College level, surely they'd be strong challengers for the MacLarnon at the very least??
Donegal 2010 - 2012 was very mediocre team turned good.
During Down's 2010 season I think a lot of good came from the Sligo game in Breffni. I know Sligo had the 6 day turn around to contend with but Down haven't flicked aside any team so easily either in a number of years before then or ever since and it seemed to spur them on considerably agin Kerry.
Quote from: bennydorano on March 18, 2013, 10:38:43 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on March 18, 2013, 10:17:23 PM
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
If jim mcconville hadn't fell over himself history could have been very different!
That 91 down side were far from Mediocre. Yes i agree that was a dreadful wet day in Newry and no one saw an All Ireland coming after beating a terrible Armagh side but we more than had the quality to compete. How different History could have been had down not won that All Ireland. I dont think Derry and Donegal would have had the lift to go on and win their first titles if Down hadnt shown the way.
Arguable, but interesting! No question that Down's achievement inspired Donegal and started the ball rolling for Derry and Tyrone (almost!), but Donegal were an experienced side who got sucker punched two years earlier against Meath and probably felt good enough anyway. Impossible to say for sure, obviously, but even if Down hadn't done it in '91, the relative strength of those teams probably would have seen Sam up north very soon after.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on March 18, 2013, 10:17:23 PM
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
they had scoring forwards though
Coleraine in Derry won the Senior Championship in 2010 i think.
Quote from: DennistheMenace on March 20, 2013, 11:01:54 AM
Coleraine in Derry won the Senior Championship in 2010 i think.
u mean Portstewart, can't understand how they are known as Coleraine, the pitch is in Portstewart, nearly all the players are from there also.
Quote from: snoopdog on March 19, 2013, 12:59:58 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 18, 2013, 10:38:43 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on March 18, 2013, 10:17:23 PM
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
If jim mcconville hadn't fell over himself history could have been very different!
That 91 down side were far from Mediocre. Yes i agree that was a dreadful wet day in Newry and no one saw an All Ireland coming after beating a terrible Armagh side but we more than had the quality to compete. How different History could have been had down not won that All Ireland. I dont think Derry and Donegal would have had the lift to go on and win their first titles if Down hadnt shown the way.
Strange logic.
Quote from: DennistheMenace on March 20, 2013, 11:01:54 AM
Coleraine in Derry won the Senior Championship in 2010 i think.
Lads, just on that. Did Coleraine have any underage success prior to this or was it just a freak year? I know the McGoldrick clan had a big part to play in this.
Quote from: ranch on March 21, 2013, 01:59:15 AM
Quote from: snoopdog on March 19, 2013, 12:59:58 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 18, 2013, 10:38:43 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on March 18, 2013, 10:17:23 PM
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
If jim mcconville hadn't fell over himself history could have been very different!
That 91 down side were far from Mediocre. Yes i agree that was a dreadful wet day in Newry and no one saw an All Ireland coming after beating a terrible Armagh side but we more than had the quality to compete. How different History could have been had down not won that All Ireland. I dont think Derry and Donegal would have had the lift to go on and win their first titles if Down hadnt shown the way.
Strange logic.
Not really?? Widely accepted that Mullaghbawn's Ulster exploits in 95 was part of the catalyst that motivated Crossmaglen to go one further the next year.
Also, converse to the thread title, what have been the biggest falls from grace? club football in particular?
Quote from: DownFanatic on March 21, 2013, 09:43:22 AM
Quote from: DennistheMenace on March 20, 2013, 11:01:54 AM
Coleraine in Derry won the Senior Championship in 2010 i think.
Lads, just on that. Did Coleraine have any underage success prior to this or was it just a freak year? I know the McGoldrick clan had a big part to play in this.
Coelraine regularly compete and win B grade underage titles in Derry. They have had a knack of bringing through 1 or 2 excellent players over this last ten years to compliment the senior side. I think this year their u14s are in the A grade and are strong! Excellent club run by the genius Sean Mc Goldrick!!
Quote from: ranch on March 21, 2013, 01:59:15 AM
Quote from: snoopdog on March 19, 2013, 12:59:58 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 18, 2013, 10:38:43 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on March 18, 2013, 10:17:23 PM
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
If jim mcconville hadn't fell over himself history could have been very different!
That 91 down side were far from Mediocre. Yes i agree that was a dreadful wet day in Newry and no one saw an All Ireland coming after beating a terrible Armagh side but we more than had the quality to compete. How different History could have been had down not won that All Ireland. I dont think Derry and Donegal would have had the lift to go on and win their first titles if Down hadnt shown the way.
Strange logic.
Not really. Since 68 Ulster teams were seen as an easy Semifinal for any of the other 3 provinces. apart from 77 Armagh and Tyrone in 86(both failed in the final) Down stopped the rot and gave those teams a bit more confidence in their own ability. Im not taking anything away from that Donegal or Derry team as they were both fantastic, but the monkey on the back of ulster teams being cannon fodder was no longer an issue for them. They felt they could compete with Down so why not the rest, if Down could win an all Ireland then it was a possibility for them also. Imagine if there were a back door back then. Down Donegal Derry Meath Dublin would have made for some mouthwatering games and maybe another title or two for Ulster or indeed leinster.
Quote from: qubdub on March 21, 2013, 10:59:03 AM
Also, converse to the thread title, what have been the biggest falls from grace? club football in particular?
Recent all-Ireland winning Tyrone minor sides. :(
Quote from: snoopdog on March 21, 2013, 11:30:37 AM
Quote from: ranch on March 21, 2013, 01:59:15 AM
Quote from: snoopdog on March 19, 2013, 12:59:58 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 18, 2013, 10:38:43 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on March 18, 2013, 10:17:23 PM
Down 1991. I vividly recall leaving the Marshes after they struggled to beat a mediocre Armagh team saying to myselfthat even the pick of the two of them would win nothing. Even allowing for the terrible weather that day they were both brutal. The rest is history of course.
If jim mcconville hadn't fell over himself history could have been very different!
That 91 down side were far from Mediocre. Yes i agree that was a dreadful wet day in Newry and no one saw an All Ireland coming after beating a terrible Armagh side but we more than had the quality to compete. How different History could have been had down not won that All Ireland. I dont think Derry and Donegal would have had the lift to go on and win their first titles if Down hadnt shown the way.
Strange logic.
Not really. Since 68 Ulster teams were seen as an easy Semifinal for any of the other 3 provinces. apart from 77 Armagh and Tyrone in 86(both failed in the final) Down stopped the rot and gave those teams a bit more confidence in their own ability. Im not taking anything away from that Donegal or Derry team as they were both fantastic, but the monkey on the back of ulster teams being cannon fodder was no longer an issue for them. They felt they could compete with Down so why not the rest, if Down could win an all Ireland then it was a possibility for them also. Imagine if there were a back door back then. Down Donegal Derry Meath Dublin would have made for some mouthwatering games and maybe another title or two for Ulster or indeed leinster.
I think the wind up of the war in the wee 6 had an effect on Ulster fuball as well.
Didn't HMG invest a lot of money in sports facilities over the 90s for a bit of a different focus?
If the 4th green field had been joined to the rest of the farm from the 20s on with no political violence, Ulster counties would probably have won a lot more all Irelands.
Enniskillen Gaels
Quote from: snoopdog on March 21, 2013, 11:30:37 AM
Not really. Since 68 Ulster teams were seen as an easy Semifinal for any of the other 3 provinces. apart from 77 Armagh and Tyrone in 86(both failed in the final) Down stopped the rot and gave those teams a bit more confidence in their own ability. Im not taking anything away from that Donegal or Derry team as they were both fantastic, but the monkey on the back of ulster teams being cannon fodder was no longer an issue for them. They felt they could compete with Down so why not the rest, if Down could win an all Ireland then it was a possibility for them also. Imagine if there were a back door back then. Down Donegal Derry Meath Dublin would have made for some mouthwatering games and maybe another title or two for Ulster or indeed leinster.
Agree 100%. And the two Ulster appearances in Croke Park in September that you mention were at the expense of Connacht teams. You'll never see a team freeze at the prospect of success more than Tyrone did in 86. Which brings us to Down . . . I'd go so far as to say it had reverberations around the entire country. Up until 1992 my only experience of Waterford in finals had been for them to get beaten out the gate but when the Minors and Under-21's pitched up in their respective Munster hurling finals that year there was definitely a feeling that if an Ulster team could win Sam then why couldn't we do great things? And (relatively speaking) they did (http://www.comeonthedeise.ie/2003/06/21/when-we-were-u-21-kings/) *wipes away a tear*
Monaghan '85 were a quare side.
Quote from: LeoMc on March 21, 2013, 12:50:56 PM
Quote from: qubdub on March 21, 2013, 10:59:03 AM
Also, converse to the thread title, what have been the biggest falls from grace? club football in particular?
Recent all-Ireland winning Tyrone minor sides. :(
The 5 in a row North Mayo minor winning Knockmore teams... :-[
Quote from: Armaghgael on March 21, 2013, 04:50:23 PM
Enniskillen Gaels
I take it this was a fall from grace club?
Quote from: ONeill on March 22, 2013, 10:19:36 PM
Monaghan '85 were a quare side.
They were the distant echo of the '79 team.
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 22, 2013, 10:27:01 PM
Quote from: LeoMc on March 21, 2013, 12:50:56 PM
Quote from: qubdub on March 21, 2013, 10:59:03 AM
Also, converse to the thread title, what have been the biggest falls from grace? club football in particular?
Recent all-Ireland winning Tyrone minor sides. :(
The 5 in a row North Mayo minor winning Knockmore teams... :-[
Seven in a row connacht champions clann na gael rarely wins two games now in the ross championship
Clan na gael used to have a serious team with Tony McManus should have picked up an all ireland club title
ya lost five
Hollymount Mayo Senior Champions in the early 1990s.
Now merged underage and senior.