Meath U14 seven-a-side
November 30, 2009Group 1 hosted by Donaghmore/Ashbourne.
Favorites Naomh Peadair/Pol having won both Meath Div 1 League and the Div 1 KO competition and also doing the county proud in winning Feile in Kildare found the going tough as the host Club and Navan O'Mahonys clashed in the final with Dunboyne and Ratoath joint third and Simonstown finishing 5th. Donaghmore/Ashbourne beat O'Mahonys 9-6 in the final.
Group 2, host club Ballivor
With the withdrawal of Ballinabrackey, Clonard and Kildalkey, Donaghmore/Ashbourne B team at late notice filled a vacancy to ensure there was four clubs involved and a meaning full competition was had. Don/Ash won the 3rd/4th playoff beating Longwood while Na Fianna had a narrow win over hosts Ballivor to progress.
Group 3 hosted by Blackhall Gaels
Batterstown proved a good setting as Moynalvey proved best narrowly beating Bru na Boinne in the final. Others to compete here was St Vincents, Skyrne Blackhall and Kilbride.
Group 4 hosted by Walterstown
Another of the favorites Seneschalstown came unstuck as the hosts Walterstown beat Trim in the final as Summerhill, Dunsany and Naomh Peadiar/Pol B ensured it was a competitive day out.
Group 5 hosted by St Patrick's
A great day in Stamullen with Curraha and Rathkenny reaching the final as Cuuraha came home with the win. Syddan, St Comcille's and the host club ensured good competition all day.
Group 6 hosted Drumconrath
Sadly torrential rain halted this venue before a game was played as Drumconrath/Meath Hill, Nobber, Moynalty, Round Towers, Kilmainhamwood and Castletown had to meet again.
Wach club played four games and as it turned out in the last game, unbeaten Drumconrath/Meath Hill faced Moynalty and it was the visitors who progressed to reach Pairc Tailteann
Group 7 hosted by Wolfe Tones
Kilberry proved a suitable venue as Gael Colmcille just held off St Michaels in the final with Wolfe Tones, Carnaross, Ballinlough and Bective/Cannistown all enjoying close games.
Group 8 hosted by St Cuthbert's
The hosts St Cuthbert's came out on top with Oldcastle, Boardsmill and Clann na nGael all giving in a good shot.
These 8 winners competed for the title Meath U-14 seven aside Champions on 5th September in Pairc Tailteann.
Played in super conditions, the eight regional winners Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Curraha, Walterstown, Na Fianna, Moynalvey, St Cuthbert's, Moynalty and Gaeil Colmcille went hell for leather in an effort to win the Jim Meade Cup (donated by the Drumconrath club) and for the Derek Brady Shield (donated by St Cuthbert's).
Donaghmore/Ashbourne where crowned the first Meath U14 seven aside champions while Na Fianna where victorious in the Shield Competition
The format was the 8 clubs grouped in two open draw Divisions with the top 2 in each Division playing for the Cup and the teams placed 3 and 4 playing off for the shield.
Two touch 15 minute games played across the wide Pairc Tailtean pitch with the added bonus of two points for frees kicked off the ground. This worked really well as it encouraged better tackling and less fouling especially near the goals as an easy free given away was nearly every punished with a two pointer.
Also with last man back deemed as goalkeeper, goals and point where classed as one score so it was all out attack with most games played with a very free spirit.
After the Group games the Table was as follows
A
Donaghmore/Ashbourne 3-6
Gaeil Colmcille 3-4
Curraha 3-2
Na Fianna 3-0
B
Moynalvey 3-5
Walterstown 3-3
Moynalty 3-2
St Cuthbert's 3-2
So with all teams into Semi Finals Donaghmore/Ashbourne finished up as Group A winner and played Walterstown in one Semi Final with Group B winners Moynalvey faced up to Gaeil Colmcille.
Gaeil Colmcille had a narrow win over Moynalvey while Donaghmore/Ashbourne outclassed Walterstown.
Meanwhile in the Shield competition Moynalty put up a great show to go under to a strong Na Fianna team while Curraha lost to St Cuthbert's who found themselves in the Shield competition to play for the Shield put up by their own club.
Results of Finals
Jim Meade Cup Grade A Final
Donaghmore/Ashbourne 14 Gaeil Colmcille 7
Derek Brady Shield Grade B Final
Na Fianna 12 St Cuthberts 6
Jim Meade Cup
Drumconrath presented the Jim Meade Cup for the Meath U14 seven a side competition.
Jim Meade (1921 to 1983) was a Drumconrath man who made quite a contribution to Meath GAA. Early in 1947 he was the first secretary of the Brian Borus, an amalgamation of Drumconrath and Meath Hill, and a forerunner to the current Droim Conrach/Cnoc na Mi juvenile club.
In 1950, while still only 29-years-old, he was one of the principle people who got juvenile football run on a proper basis in the county. He was the first secretary of the newly created Juvenile Board and held the position for five years - 1950 to 1954. At the same time he was also Secretary of the North Meath section of the County Board, which at that time was organised on a district basis with meetings held in Nobber. Jim was an able representative of the Droim Conrach club and was highly regarded at county level.
If one looks through archive of the Meath Chronicle, it is clear that Jim Meade made important contributions on a variety of subjects. Jim also attended National Congress and spoke on many issues as the Meath representative.
Jim Meade's contribution at club and county level can be best appreciated if we examine the remarks of the Man in the Cap, the great Peter McDermott, at a presentation in Aclare House Drumconrath in January 1964. "I would like to take this opportunity to offer the heartiest congratulations to one person in particular who I think deserves special mention on an occasion like this," said McDermott. "That person for who I have the greatest admiration - the one and only Jim Meade. At county board level he is one man for whose opinion I and all the other members have the greatest respect. He is one sound sensible man and long may Drumconrath and Meath enjoy his guiding hand."
This was indeed fine praise when you consider the source it came from.
Sadly Jim Meade died on 5 October 1963 at a relatively young age. However, memories of his great dedication to the GAA and his contributions to both Drumconrath and Meath will help others to follow his example. The gesture of the Drumconrath club presenting this cup in his memory to the Meath juvenile club will help ensuring his memory will last.
Peadair O h Allurain (Runai Coiste Peile na nOg and CLG Droim Conrach) Tweet
