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EMYVALE
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Emyvale faced an obstacle they were unable to overcome today, Sunday, January 31st in Pearse Park in Longford. It came in the form of the Kiltimagh team from Mayo and they were a very strong outfit and cancelled out the efforts of some of our main players - players on whom we depended to hold sway and be dominant on the field of play. At one point it looked as if Emyvale was going to take control and go on to finish easy winners but then the bottom fell out of our efforts and Emyvale looked a weak and tired team at the end of the game. It was a disappointing end to a great year - Croke Park was so near and yet so far.
I had a feeling things were not going to go our way from the moment I reached Longford. First of all some of the security men did not recognise my Press Pass and would not allow me park close to the entrance to the sideline - where many spectators were being allowed. Instead I had to park in the Main Car Park, and carry the camera gear all the way up to the sideline entrance. Then it was difficult to acquire a Programme. Things were really going down hill when the PA announced Kiltimagh as Emyvale and lo and behold he then introduced Emyvale as Kiltimagh. At this stage too I noticed that the Mayo team had a greater number of supporters in the stand than Emyvale and I just hoped that those who were there would make up for the smaller numbers and they did.
But hey - come on. This time last year we were hoping that our team could win the Monaghan Junior Championship or at least the League. It was our dream and for some it was a dream that would hardly come through. Then Gerry McCarville and his assistants changed the story somewhat. The team began to show a great determination and now a County Championship was a possibility. The dream might become reality!! It did and we rejoiced and were delighted and ecstatic. A repeat performance of 50 years ago.
But then there was Ulster. Would it not be fantastic to reach an Ulster final? It was and we did. Our heroes showed great commitment, skill, teamwork and fitness and we were proud of them and again we rejoiced and were delighted and ecstatic.
But now there was an All-Ireland. Would it not be terrific to play in Croke Park. The bar kept rising all the time and more and more was expected and our boys gave more and more. Delays and difficulty training and travelling and keeping fit and injury free - all had to be dealt with and they did - But the journey ended in Longford.
Now we can look back on a fabulous year - a year in which we witnessed a gang of youth represent us, our club, our county and our province with very high standards of football skills, great sporting behaviour at all times and they provided us with exciting days out and plenty to talk about whether it be in the bar, on the street or in our homes. When the weather was bad, and the economy crumbling round us, and the country sinking into a black hole and tough budgets imposing financial pressure on us - we talked football, our minds were on the next match, we looked forward and for all that we must say a big thank you to our players and their mentors and the club officials who brought it about for us. Thank you boys - you led us to a point further than we could have dreamed of this time last year and we have enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you for giving so much to make that happen and for being such great ambassadors for Emyvale.
You will get a full report of today’s game at our new sports site of www.drumlinsport.com
