By Pádraic Ó Ciardha

AFTER consecutive relegations saw An Cheathrú Rua drop from senior to junior within the space of two years, 2024 was always going to be about stopping the rot and getting the club going in the right direction again.

Energised by the influx of a group of talented youngsters and with new management at the helm, that goal was achieved early last November when wins against Killererin and Salthill-Knocknacarra respectively saw the Gaeltacht side first claim county honours and then reclaim a place at the intermediate grade for 2025.

While the main job was done, the journey continued over the winter and will finally reach its conclusion on Saturday with An Cheathrú Rua taking on Donegal and Ulster champions Naomh Pádraig from Muff in the All-Ireland final (3.10pm).

An Cheathrú Rua’s historic senior title in 1996, when they became the first Gaeltacht side to get their hands on the Frank Fox Cup, will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the local community but if current captain Stiofán Ó Briain was to walk up the steps of the Hogan Stand this weekend, it’ll start a party equal to anything the village has seen for 30 years.

Success has been a long time coming in this particular part of Conamara. That glorious win in ‘96 was followed up by two more county final appearances in 1998 and 1999 but the big days didn’t come around as often in the years that followed as An Cheathrú Rua had to sit back and see clubs all around them celebrate major victories.

They might have been able to look down their noses a little at junior or intermediate titles from their place at the top table but the odd envious glance at the bonfires and cavalcades would only be natural.

An Cheathrú Rua marked 35 consecutive seasons at the senior grade in 2022 but relegation battles had become the norm rather than the exception by that point and they eventually fell through the trap door.

Players and supporters alike would have hoped that the drop down to intermediate might have at least offered a chance to go on a winning run and generate some positivity, but losing turned out to be a habit they couldn’t shake. Further ignominy followed as An Cheathrú Rua continued their freefall with the immediate drop to junior.

Pictured: An Cheathrú Rua’s Maitiu Ó Dómhnaill, Fionnán Ó Conghaile and Fergal Ó Sé looking foward to Saturday’s All-Ireland Club Junior Football Finmal against Naomh Padraig of Donegal. Photos: Iain McDonald.