2001 proved
to be an excellent year for the club, as we celebrated our 10th anniversary
with great success in all competitions at every level throughout the
year.
This year saw our club compete in the U-13 League and Championship,
Grade Two Juvenile League and Championship, Grade Two Minor League and
Championship, Division Three Junior League and Brenda Logue Junior Championship.
A total of 61 members were registered with Sperrin Óg during
2001.
SENIOR
PANEL :: The Senior Panel commenced their season with their first
training session in the later part of January under the new management
partnership of Francis Keenan and Mickey Beggs. The Senior League began
with an away fixture to the Moy on 26th May which resulted in a convincing
victory for the team. The winning streak continued with hard earned
victories over Glenelly, Mna na Deirge, Loughmacrory and Ardboe, which
left us with an undefeated record and our first peice of silverware
in the history of the clubv at this level. The Seniors also competed
in the Brenda Logue Junior Championship, which started with a fixture
against the Moy in the Quarter Final Stages. This proved not as easy
a we imagined it would be however it resulted in another win for the
team. At the Semi Final stages we met and played Ardboe in Carrickmore.
Again we managed to register another win for the club, which meant a
place in the Final against old rivals and neighbours Loughmacrory. 
There
was then a break in the fixtures, which allowed us to prepare ourselves
for our very first Junior Championship Final. On 11th August all roads
led to Strabane for the highlight of our season. This game proved to
be a very close and tough encounter, which unfortunately resulted in
a very narrow defeat due to a lack of experience and a certain amount
of bad luck. This was very disappointing for the players and management,
as a lot of hard work and dedication was put in throughout the whole
year to reach this stage. However every player plus Francis and Mickey
must be congratulated on their efforts and commitment to the team during
a tough demanding season. The club is indeed very proud of all involved
and look forward to seeing the team compete in the Tony Fox Division
2 League and Tommy McGarvey Intermediate Championship.
MINOR
PANEL :: The Minors trained alongside the Seniors under the management
of Mena Tuohey. They competed in the Grade Two Minor League in which
they met and defeated Mna na Deirge, Sigersons, Badoney and Fintona.
They also met St Enda's in a hard-hitting game, which unfortunately
resulted in a disappointing loss. This left the Minors runners-up of
Grade Two, which meant they would meet the winners of Grade One in the
Semi Final of the League. Once again Loughmacrory was the opposition.
The girls displayed great determination but unfortunately this was not
enough to ensure a victory for the girls, ending all hopes of league
success. They also competed in the Grade Two championship and on their
way overcame both Pomeroy and Badoney which earned them a well-deserved
place in the Semi Final, in which they faced St Enda's. At the end of
the game were defeated by a more experienced team by a very narrow margin.
Our thanks must go again to the management and players who put in so
much commitment and performed so well all year.
JUVENILE PANEL :: The U-16's had an excellent and very successful
year under the management of Cathy Teague and Ciara Morris. They participated
in the Grade Two Juvenile League and on the way they defeated such teams
as Fintona, Kildress, Beragh, Aghyaran and Badoney. They also drew with
Loughmacrory, which forced them into a playoff with, again, Loughmacrory
as opposition to decide the League Title. This was a very disappointing
and poor display of football as many players were not on top form, which
saw the league title going to Loughmacrory. The Championship Campaign
was very successful for the U-16's they defeated Glenelly and Aghyaran,
which took them to the final in Carrickmore on 10th November. Loughmacrory
again provided the opposition. Each and every player displayed great
skill and determination to the final whistle of this game and with great
pride they lifted the silverware they fittingly deserved. Congratulations
to the panel and the management on a great achievement, which was well
deserved.
UNDER
13 PANEL :: Maureen Glass and Tracy Ann McCullagh undertook
the training and managing this great panel. The girls participated in
the U-13 League and Championship. They completed a series of 5 games
in the League defeating teams such as Drumquin, Beragh, Loughmacrory
and Fintona losing out only to Glenelly in an unlucky defeat. The team
also participated in the U-13 championship during which they had a great
series of victories over both Beragh and Glenelly as they reached the
Final in which they faced and defeated Loughmacrory in a very entertaining
and skillful game of football and added another piece of silverware
to the collection. Our congratulations go to Maureen, Tracy Ann and
the team on their achievements and their success throughout the year.
They are undoubtedly a team to watch out for.
This
has certainly been the most successful year in the history of the club
with silverware for Senior, U-16 and U-13 panels. The club is indeed
extremely proud of all of the Teams. It was also with great delight
we congratulate Maureen Teague, Laura Lee McCullagh and Maggie Gallagher
on representing the club at County U-14 level and to Eimear Teague and
Shauna Keenan for representing the club at County U-16 level. Eimear
and Shauna achieved success with Tyrone U-16s by winning the Ulster
Championship.
The Club certainly enjoyed a very successful year however we suffered
a major setback in September with the loss of our esteemed member and
player Imelda Tracey. Imelda will be dearly missed within our Club,
her memories will live on. Our thought and prayers are with her entire
family circle.
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HISTORY
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2001