Changes in the dugout as Intermediate Championship shapes up as competitive as ever in Kildare
The 2022 Intermediate Football Championship shaped up as one of shock twists and turns. That meant many big teams going out early and as a result it has been an off-season of reflection and change for many clubs heading into 2023.
Round Towers - Mark Scanlon
The recently relegated Round Towers have stuck with last year’s manager Mark Scanlon for next season. In truth, the drop had been coming for some time for Towers and perhaps a resurgence and rebuilding in the Intermediate Champion-
ship might be the best thing for them.
That being said, much akin to the Premier League relegation drop into the English Championship below, it is a nightmare in terms of competition in Intermediate. Manager Mark Scanlon’s job is far from an easy one and any team unaware of what awaits them when they drop into the IFC will find out fairly quickly what’s what.
Towers after years of struggle should now look to try and be one of the stronger outfits in the Championship next year and fans will no doubt be expecting that. That fact makes this an even trickier season to navigate for Towers and Mark Scanlon as they tackle new faces and different expectations.
Sallins - Patrick Winders
Sallins have stuck with Patrick 'Stretch' Winders for a second season, the young side progressed to the semi-final stage of this year’s Championship in impressive fashion.
However, with just minutes to go in their semi-final with Castldermot, all roads seemed to be headed for the final for Sallins. Castldermot completed a shock comeback and Sallins crashed out in the most painful of ways as the young squad appeared to wilt under the pressure.
Sallins side got a head steam going in last year’s Championship after an underwhelming group stage that saw them finish third in Group A after their sole win over Two Mile House, with that victory enough to send them through to a preliminary quarter-final.
Sallins have a great deal to give in 2023, a thrilling side in attack that will have learned a lot from last year’s pain. When Winders was appointed ahead of the 2022 season he spoke about getting Sallins back to winning ways and they certainly look on track to do so and I would be surprised not to see them at the business end of the Championship once again this year.
Castledermot - Mark Bates
Last year’s surprise finalists Castledermot will have Mark Bates in charge for their 2023 campaign. Castldermot, much like the final counterparts Ballyteague, sprung a surprise right throughout the IFC by reaching the 2022 final.
Their incredible comeback against Sallins in the semi-final summed up everything you needed to know about Castledermot. Their gutsy and never say die attitude was a key strength as they battled through the knockout stages.
They will be hoping to ruffle a few feathers once more in 2023 and just like in any game they play, you can never write them off.
Leixlip - Enda Murphy
Enda Murphy will be in charge of Leixlip for their 2023 campaign. It is a big year on the horizon for Leixlip as they look to bounce back from their shock exit to eventual winners Ballyteague last year. This year has to be a season of progression for Enda Murphy’s side as they will look to obtain Senior status.
As well as former inter-county players like Tommy Moolick, Leixlip have a star in Ronan Fitzsimons. The towering centre-back was incredible for Leixlip last year and as well as his diligent defensive work, Fitzsimons can carry the ball to great effect.
Ronan's performances earned him a spot in Glenn Ryan’s squad for Kildare’s (brief) O’Byrne cup campaign in 2023 and it will be interesting to see how he progresses from here.
Two Mile House - Niall Browne
Two Mile House will have Niall Browne in charge for next year and he will be tackling a perhaps unusual set of circumstances.
The ‘House exited last year’s IFC bottom of Group A but had the misfortune of being drawn in what was undoubtedly a group of death. They were lumped in with a very strong Leixlip side as well as semi-finalists Sallins and finalists Castldermot and even managed to beat the latter.
Two Mile House played well in those losses too and looked good in spells of games. The task for Niall Browne will be to round off those performances into something much more complete heading into 2023. There is an undeniable talent in their group and I think despite the early exit last year there are positive signs for the future if you analyse more than just the results.
Allenwood - Noel Mooney
Noel Mooney is at the helm for Allenwood for their upcoming league and IFC campaigns. The men led on the field by the timeless Johnny Doyle made it to the quarter-finals of last year’s Championship, coming up short against a younger and more dynamic Sallins outfit.
Allenwood topped their winners group in some style last year but didn’t have what it took to push on in the knockouts.
Manager Noel Mooney has a difficult task in progressing this team as those around them, also eyeing promotion to the big time, appear to have a much stronger look to them moving forward.
Caragh - Paddy Madigan
Caragh will have Paddy Madigan as the man in charge for the coming year. Caragh, who despite losing to Allenwood in the group stage, made it further than Noel Mooney’s men as they made their way into the semi-finals of the 2022 Championship.
Caragh were no doubt waiting for Leixlip when Ballyteague tore up the script and no doubt that everyone at Caragh saw the opportunity that the upset presented. But as many did during the season, Ballyteague were underestimated and led by Jimmy Hyland, who kicked 0-9 on the day, they sent Caragh out.
It was an opportunity missed for Caragh and now for Paddy Madigan it is about taking this team up a level as they are unlikely to get themselves such a favourable draw again.
Ellistown - Gavin Holligan and Paddy Behan
It is a two pronged attack on the Ellistown bench as they go with both Gavin Holligan and Paddy Behan as their managers for next year. Ellistown, like Caragh before them, exited at the hands of champions Ballyteague, having progressed third out of Group B.
Ellistown’s victory over Rathangan was their only win of their IFC campaign but there is far more than meets the eye with this team. Ellistown boasts a young yet inexperienced side but there are absolutely elements to be excited about for the future of the club.
One undoubted element of the side that is appreciated by spectators, this writer included, is that Ellistown are great to watch and that is no doubt facilitated by two of their excellent attacking options in the form of Tadhg Watson and Conor Lindy. If Holligan and Behan can turn performance into results in this tough Championship it could at the very least be a fun ride for all involved in Ellistown.
Rathangan - Brendan McMullen
Rathangan have remained with Brendan McMullen as their manager for the upcoming season.
There was little to shout about for the Rathangan faithful in the IFC last year as three losses from three games saw them out in the group stage. The closest of which was a thrilling game with Ellistown.
McMullen has a tough job on his hands to turn their fortunes around as they tackle a Championship that seems to get stronger each year.
Ballymore Eustace - Aidan Dunne
Ballymore Eustance manager for next season is former Robertstown boss, Aidan Dunne, the team who topped Group C after a victory over eventual Championship winners Ballyteague will undoubtedly look to progress beyond the quarter-final stage themselves this year.
Ballymore fell to a disappointing loss to Caragh in the quarter-final stage, meaning they missed the opportunity to face Ballyteague for the second time. Ballymore need to couple their strong defensive structure with some flair in attack. If they could add more at the top end of the pitch they could be a real problem in 2023.
Ballymore will no doubt be looking to be considered among the top names in the Intermediate Championship once again.
Kilcullen - Christy Bolger
New Kilcullen manager Chris Bolger met his new side last week in the latest managerial appointment in the Kildare IFC.
The Carlow man takes over a team that dropped out in the group stage of last year’s Championship but put in performances far beyond the results they had.
Kilcullen kicked off their campaign with one of the games of the Championship against Ballymore, losing by a point in a soap opera style game. There were plenty of tackles, cards and undoubtedly a sprinkling of quality.
It wouldn’t be their last loss by the smallest of margins either as they came up just short against Championship winners Ballyteague in their second outing. They got past St Kevin’s to ensure they avoided the relegation final and so ended a season that the Kilcullen faithful would rather forget.
The second story of Kilcullen’s season was undoubtedly injuries, numerous key players were lost during the course of their campaign and as is the case for all clubs, a clean bill of health across the squad would do The Rags and new manager Christy Bolger wonders for 2023.
Straffan - Paul Drewitt
The new boys in the Intermediate Championship unsurprisingly stick with the man that brought them there as Paul Drewitt remains in charge of Straffan for 2023. Straffan after a sterling campaign in the Junior Championship last year now find themselves up a grade for their efforts.
Drewitt kept his Straffan side organised throughout their campaign and that will be crucial as they make the step up in quality this year. Like many teams who get promoted, the goal for this year will probably be to solidify their position in Intermediate football, a task that is very much easier said than done with the quality at this level.
St. Kevin’s - David Murphy, Mark Fitzharris and Jason Brosnan
St Kevin’s have named a management team of three for their upcoming season. Kevin’s will be hoping to enjoy much better fortunes in 2023 as they found themselves in the dreaded relegation final in the season just past.
They managed to survive a late scare from Miltown in the final, beating the now Junior side 2-11 to 1-11. Kevins lost their opening games by a comfortable margin with them only running Kilcullen somewhat close, so there is plenty of scope for improvement in both results and performance.
That will be the biggest challenge for the trio on the sideline, the quality of performance has to improve at both ends of the field, or St Kevins might find themselves in a similar situation once more.
Monasterevan - Ian Bradley
Monasterevan will have Ian Bradley in charge for 2023. After topping their group with two wins and a draw Monasterevan looked an issue for anyone as they progressed into the knockout stage.
It was far from an inspiring watch on the pitch but their ability to grind out results is an invaluable asset in Intermediate Football, just ask Ballyteague who got over the line time and time again en-route to glory.
Bradley’s job is naturally to progress further in next year’s competition and capitalise on that built-in discipline. Monasterevan last year lost out to eventual finalists Castledermot, who adopt a similar ‘get the win by any means necessary’ style and Monasterevan could replicate a similar surprise run further in the competition with continued discipline, but an increased attacking output would also be needed for such a run in 2023.
Suncroft - John McCormack
Suncroft will have John McCormack as their manager for their upcoming campaign.
Suncroft exited at the preliminary quarter-final stage of last year’s IFC when they met free-scoring Sallins who put them to the sword. Sallins showed that the Croft’s poor defending was always going to haunt them when they faced a team of true quality.
There is quality in this team however and for manager John McCormack it is about maximising that quality, which is largely found in attacking areas. Former County man Fionn Dowling is the mainstay in midfield and Eoghan Lawless is the main attacking outlet with the tricky corner-forward a handful for any defender that is assigned to him.
John McCormack’s answer to that question will shape Suncroft’s season and it will no doubt be apparent early on which option he has gone with.
Nurney - Barry Mackey
Nurney will have Barry Mackey in charge for their upcoming season and there is plenty to do when it comes to this side. Nurney avoided the relegation final with a final day victory over the now relegated Milltown.
However, there is no doubt that if things aren't improved from the season gone by Nurney will be in survival mode once more come the business end of the season. Mackey’s job lies in that realm, a much improved set of performances are needed and avoid a relegation fixture at all costs.