Muckalee Football Club   

2001 News

2001 will not be forgotten too soon in the hills around Muckalee as the Ned Langton cup came back to the parish after a lapse of 11 years when, on a beautiful August evening, our senior footballers overcame the challenge of Erin's Own to win the senior football championship for the sixth time.

The year started with a win over great rivals Railyard.  This was the first time in thirteen years that this feat was accomplished.  It gave great heart to the team.  However, the next outing against Erin's Own ended in defeat by five points.  It was at this stage that the club decided to approach Michael Dempsey to train the team.  This was to prove a masterstroke.  The players immediately responded to him and he quickly left his mark as wins over Glenmore and Dicksboro soon followed.  This left the team in the quarterfinal where they were drawn against Mullinavat.  This proved to be a tough match in bad conditions but Muckalee eventually pulled through by 2-4 to 0-4.  In the semi-final, they were pitted against James Stephens.  They won this game somewhat easier than expected by 1-9 to 0-4.

The county final against near neighbours Erin's Own, was played on 30th June and after some great football, ended all square (Muckalee 2-7, Erins Own 1-10).  The replay was played on 2nd August and ended in great scenes of jubilation by Muckalee players and supporters alike when the final whistle blew.  This was a just reward for the effort that the players and trainer, Michael Dempsey had put in.

Our junior team did not fare out as well early on, being beaten by Danesfort, the Fenians and Ballyragget and receiving a walkover from Lisdowney.  Because they fulfilled all their fixtures they were automatically entered in the special junior championship.  They had a good win in their first game, beating Galmoy easily.  They played old adversaries, Railyard, in th northern final winning this game by 1-14 to 3-2.  They are now waiting to play Shamrocks in the county final.  So, what started out badly might yet end up well.  The U21 team beat Clara in their first game but went out tamely to Emeralds in their next game (0-6 to 0-3).

The future for football in the parish looks bright with the U14, U16 and minor teams all winning the county titles in their respective age groups, the U14 team winning their title for the third year in succession.