Reid-inspired Collon can go all the way in Leinster
FOLLOWING a memorable spell in Louth football’s top grade which saw them capture the Joe Ward Cup on four occasions, Mattock Rangers lost their Senior championship status in 2015 when losing narrowly to Naomh Mairtin after extra time in a relegation play-off.
Christy Grimes, the Brennan brothers, Niall Callan and many other club stalwarts had given Trojan service during that golden era, but unfortunately Father Time eventually caught up with them.
The Collon men appeared destined for a period in the Intermediate ranks to allow for rebuilding and the creation of the next generation of Gaelic footballers.
Crucially, however, they retained their Division 1 league status which allowed them blood new players, while still continuing to compete against the top teams in the county.
Just as important has been the role of the Reid brothers David and Adrian during this fallow period. Like their father Damien before them, the two lads have been the lynchpins of the side for many years now and are instrumental to how the side play.
Despite their growing years, both have remained hugely influential, with David still accounting for the majority of their scores.
Their influence was again to the fore in Stabannon over the weekend as Mattock easily accounted for Wicklow champions Dunlavin to reach the Leinster Intermediate club final.
David again top-scored with 1-5, with Adrian battling hard at midfield. The 14-point margin of victory didn’t at all flatter the Collon men and they can now look forward to a tilt at Kilkenny side Mullinavat in the provincial decider.
Mattock would have preferred to stay put in their 2019 ‘home from home’ Stabannon, but they will still be happy with home advantage in Drogheda on Sunday week.
There they will be hoping to go one step further than 17 years ago when they lost the Senior club final to Meath’s Dunshaughlin. Team manager Niall Callan was part of that 2002 side and was also in the ranks three years later when they reached the provincial semi-final.
The experience he and others in the club would have gathered during those campaign will be invaluable for the game (or games) that remain.
Winter club championship football is a completely different game to its summer counterpart. A whole new set of skills, mindset and disciplines are required. Game management, both on and off the pitch, are crucial also.
In these regards Collon are well equipped to progress further.
The Louth GAA Convention is not too far away and I was heartened to see some new faces emerge as potential Board candidates, the highest profile being Peter Fitzpatrick’s name going forward for the role of County chairman.
The five-year rule means the current chairman and secretary must step down from their positions. However, both outgoing officers are believed to be vying for each other’s vacated roles.
Outgoing secretary Fra Kieran has signalled his intent to run for the chairman’s job, while outgoing chairman Des Halpenny is believed to have been nominated for the secretary’s role, a position he previously occupied from 2009 to 2014 prior to his five-year term as chairman.
As discussed in this column many times previously, our County Executive urgently require some new blood. Simply rearranging the deckchairs, as has been done for much of the last decade, will just mean a continuation of the status quo.
With the new stadium in the pipeline, Louth GAA is at a critical juncture. Strong leadership from fresh voices offering a clear vision for the future will attract and encourage others to get involved.