augmented by players like Liam Corcoran, Brendan Coughlan, Val Kennedy, Sean Coughlan, Barney Breslin and Joe Bergin, proved no match for a Kinnitty side powered by Pat Delaney, Des Egan and Frank Bergin. Despite this setback, it was clear that Seir Kieran's unfolding horizons were very bright. At the club's AGM for 1975, an intense discussion took place on how to bring on all of the young players. This resulted in something of a "new departure" for Seir Kieran – the establishment of a Minor Club with Seamus Mulrooney as its first chairman. From the 1960s onward, the Vocational Schools and the other post-primary schools in Offaly had put emphasis on the proper preparation of their GAA teams. This process would receive an important boost with the opening of St. Brendan's Community School in Birr in 1980. The catchment area of the Community School comprises much of Offaly's hurling heartland, as well as contiguous parts of north Tipperary. The experience of winning together for the School tended to dilute the old parochial bitternesses, and to ensure that these students would give of their best for their County later on. Consolidation of senior status The great strides being made at other grades gradually percolated into Seir Kieran's Senior displays also. Although they beat Lusmagh in the 1975 championship, Drumcullen exploited a lack of pace to put an end to the Clareen interest that year. Seir Kieran came within an ace of turning the tables in 1976. A highlight of their first round victory over St Carthage's was Sean Coughlan's tussle with the Rahan centre forward, Pat Corcoran. The second round clash at first seemed like deja vu as Drumcullen amassed a 12-point lead, despite scores from Billy Kennedy and Patsy Coffey and Mick Murphy's chipping in a goal from the corner of the square. A comeback after the interval was stopped just short. In the end, Seir Kieran paid the price for some erratic shooting – but they had again put the County on notice that they were a team to watch. This point was driven home in 1977 when, following a narrow first round defeat to Tullamore, Seir Kieran went into the Losers' Group and faced St Rynagh's on a chilly June day at Kilcormac. Throwing down the gauntlet with sturdy ground hurling, the Clareen 15 launched into the attack, and eliminated the five-in-a-row County Champions by 4-9 to 1-11.