2006 Intermediate Champions

BALLYMACNAB 0-11 MADDEN 0-07

The history books of the Round Towers were once again re-wrote on Saturday 30/09/06 as our Seniors were crowned County Intermediate Champions for the fist time. After winning the Junior in 1999 at the eight attempt it was only fitting that they claimed the Intermediate at the first attempt. The Nab came into the game totally focused and any thoughts of an upset were quickly dashed.

The game itself was in doubt in some peoples eyes due to the heavy rain early on Saturday morn and continuing to the afternoon but credit must be given to the Keady Dwyers club for having the pitch in such excellent conditions. The Nab had a shaky start to the game, kicking a number of wides, as Madden took an early lead with a point on the 3^rd minute. The Nab levelled the scores on the 10^th minute from a point from Paul Kennedy. As the Nab began to get into their stride they easily added further points from James Gray, Pauric Gribben and Brian McCone. However, Madden responded with two points to leave just a point between the sides at the interval.

In the second half the Nab came out bursting with confidence and on the 37^th minute an excellent block by James Gray was followed by him kicking over another point. A minute later, Barry O’Hare’s bursting run into attack was meet by a foul on him and Brian McCone kicked over the resulting free. The game could have been as good as over on the 40^th minute only for Pauric Gribben’s shot at goal being saved by the Madden keeper but when the ball broke to Michael Beagan who sensibly knocked the ball over the bar. The Nab were dominating all area of the park and in particular their defence was excellent. Points from James Gray and substitute Damien McGeown quickly cancelled out a point for Madden on the 50th minute on. The Nab’s ability to make quick responses to Madden’s threat more or less summed up the day.

Three late points from Madden left just two points between the sides going into injury time but two points from Brian McCone secured the victory. At the final whistle, there were scenes of high emotion as the Nab players and supporters embraced each other. County Chairman Joe Jordan presented the Atty Hearty Cup to Ballymacnab team captain Paudi Beagan. The Nab had heroes all over the field with defence playing particularly will, especially Chris Loughran, Dwyane McParland and Paudi Beagan. Michael Beagan worked tirelessly over the hour with the ever reliable James Gray and Brian McCone in fine scoring form. Credit must also be given to the team management of Sean Hughes and Brendan Maguire who had the lads in tremendous shape and totally focused in the job they had in hand.

The team were chauffeured back to a tour of Ballymacnab and received a huge welcome at the hall were all the Nab supporters partied into the early hours of Sunday morning.

		Sean Hughes
Chris Loughran		Dwyane McParland		Paudi Beagan (Capt)
Sean McArdle		Philip McCone		Barry O'Hare
	Gary McKee		Richard Gribben
Michael Beagan (0-1)		Paul Kennedy (0-1)		Joe Gribben
James Gray (0-3)		Pauric Gribben (0-1)		Brian McCone (0-4)
Subs:
Damien McGeown (0-1) for J.Gribben, Sean Lynch, Dominic McCormack, Peter Beagan,
Tony Gribben, Paul McKee, Ciaran McCleary, Brendan Gribben, Nelius Boyle, Niall Gribben
Adrian McCone, Chris Kennedy, Ambrose McCormack, Ciaran Martin,, Stephen Kennedy,
Eugene Mackin, Brian Cosgrove, Raymond McCone

Championship scorers'

Brian McCone 0-18

Paul Kennedy 2-05

James Gray 1-07

Pauric Gribben 2-02

Gary McKee 0-05

Philip McCone 1-00

Michael Beagan 0-04

Joe Gribben 0-03

Damien McGeown 0-02

Barry O’Hare 0-01

Sean McArdle 0-01

Ballymacnab Team Captain Paudi Beagan receives the Atty Hearty Cup from County Chairman Joe Jordan

Ballymacnab team celebrate

Ballymacnab players on tour!!

Paudi Beagan carries the Cup into the hall to the awaiting Nab supporters

More photos on www.photoboxgallery.com/armaghgael/4129546

As in 1999, Mickey Beagan put pen to paper and composed a song to honour the men of 2006.

Glory ‘O’ to the Boys in white and maroon (By Mickey Beagan)

2006 was the date of the year

In the championship final the NAB did appear

To bring home that trophy for that they were bound

And the colours of Madden the lowly laid down

 

From early that morning the rain never ceased

Our supporters were frightened they said t’was the beast

But our team never feared for they were in good tune

Glory 'o' to the boys in the white and maroon

 

We had Hughes in the goals there he always stood tall

A terrific shot stopper who could field a high ball

Chrissy Loughran and McParland from beside the Foy Hall

With Paudi the captain they formed a stone wall

 

We had Philly McCone who lives high on the hill

Sean McArdle and Bucky he’s from Lisnadill

Richie gribben and Gary they played centrefield

When the going got tough they never did yield

 

Chorus:

Oh the field on the hill can tell many a tale

And most of them tell of the team that did fail

But we won that cup and we're over the moon

Glory 'o' to the boys in the white and maroon

 

We had Kennedy on the forty with Michael an Joe

They’re 3 classy forwards I’ll have you to know

Jemmy Gray, Pauric Gribben and Brian McCone

That’s our full-forward line and they're out on their own

 

Now Maco and Brendy were weaving the spell

And Decky McClelland with his water from the well

Brought on Dee McGeown and he scored a great point

While Paula McGuigan was massaging the joint

 

We had boys on the line who had been through the works

Peter Beagan Tony Gribben and some other young turks

Paul McKee and McCormick just ready to bloom

Glory 'o' to the boys in the white and maroon

 

Quigley blew time the score seven eleven

The NAB men all thought they had gone up to heaven

To win it first time not a minute to soon

Glory 'o' to the boys in the white and maroon

 

So we headed for home in an open top truck

All the team and subs with their new Hearty Cup

Sped on through to Tassagh in the dull evening gloom

Ferla Cross and the Bull Track in the white and maroon

 

The scenes in the hall were a sight to behold

There was singing and dancing from young and from old

The light in the morning it came far too soon

Glory 'o' to the boys in the white and maroon

 

Chorus:

Oh the field on the hill can tell many a tale

And most of them tell of the team that did fail

But we won that cup and we're over the moon

Glory 'o' to the boys in the white and maroon