A fitting year to win the Delaney Cup
November 27, 2010For over 50 years Paddy was synonymous with the coaching of young hurlers and footballers in the town, first with the De La Salle club (The Salles) and in the last two decades with Navan O'Mahonys' juvenile section.
In his acceptance speech following win over Ratoath, team captain Alan Forde acknowledged Paddy's contribution to the club and later that July Friday night, the Delaney Cup was presented to his daughter Mary and son Padraic.
"Paddy was an inspiration. He was a man who did nothing but encourage. No matter how good or how bad you were, you'd never hear a bad word out of Paddy. Whether you were to the top man on the team or the 24th man you were important to the club," according to Darren Byrne, manager of the O'Mahonys MFC-winning team.
"The real inspiration to us was to honour Paddy's memory," Byrne added. The team's MFL Division 1 form earlier in the year didn't augur well for the Brews Hill outfit's championship chances. O'Mahonys were also well-beaten by Ratoath in the previous year's Under 17 FL Division 1 final.
Byrne, in his first year in charge, saw reason for optimism prior to the championship. He had guided many of the players to Under 16 FC honours the previous year. In addition many of the top players weren't available for the MFL due commitments to the county minors and St Patrick's Classical School.
The man who was part of the Meath panel that reached the All-Ireland MFC final of 1993 was assisted by Peter O'Toole, Jerome Lyness, Sean Keating, Sean McKeown and Gerry Lynn.
"The reason we decided to take the job was that we knew there was a nucleus of players there and that it was just a matter of getting them all together. It was a matter of getting them to believe in themselves.
"We were getting some bad beatings in the league. Lads were getting disheartened. We knew once we had everyone together, we'd have a right good go at winning the championship," Byrne reflected.
Following a league campaign that yielded just one win, a further interruption to the preparation schedule came in the form of the Leaving Cert exams.
"The first game (against St Finian's) was on the Friday night after Paddy O'Brien was buried. The boys wanted to win that game for Paddy.
"Between ourselves we made a pact that we were going to go the whole way. We knew that the club was hurting. We just felt that if we could land this that it would help fill the void. It would be a nice tribute to Paddy. That was the real inspiration behind it all.
"The preparation wasn't great for it. But felt once we got over it we'd build on it. It was a tough match and we were glad to get over it," the manager recalled.
Having seen off the challenge of the south county combination outfit, O'Mahonys squared up to Donaghmore/Ashbourne in the semi-final of the Jack Kiernan & Son sponsored MFC.
Having been runners-up to Ratoath in the MFL Division 1 final, Donaghmore/Ashbourne were second favourites to their neighbours in the race for Delaney Cup honours.
"We knew it was going to be tough but the boys answered the call. We caught a few teams on the hop. Donaghmore/Ashbourne gave us a big hiding in the league. Maybe they were a bit complacent in the semi-final," Byrne commented.
Points from Barry McEvoy (three), Cathal Smyth, Donal Callan (two each), Alan Forde and Brian Dillon boosted the Brews Hill boys to a 0-9 to 0-2 interval advantage.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne rallied from the restart and cut the deficit to just four points.
Good displays from Thomas Cox, Conor Finnegan and Evan Murtagh allied to goals from Lee Dixon and Callan (penalty) saw O'Mahonys through on a 2-12 to 0-8 scoreline.
The reward for that performance was a tilt at double-chasing Ratoath, who looked so impressive in disposing of the Donaghmore/Ashbourne challenge in the MFL Division 1 decider.
Navan O'Mahonys were understandably not given much of a chance before the final got underway on the last Friday night in July. However, with disciplined determination they took the game to Ratoath and didn't let up until referee Joey Curley's final whistle sounded.
O'Mahonys made an early break when inspirational team captain Alan Forde lobbed Ratoath 'keeper Andrew Smith at the hospital end at Pairc Tailteann for what proved to be the game's only goal.
That left it 1-1 to 0-1 and apart from a brief spell in the second-half, O'Mahonys were never headed again though the scores were tied on three occasions subsequently.
On separate occasions during the opening-half, goalkeeper Jack Walsh and defender Shane Stafford came denied Ratoath goals.
Walsh was again pressed into service to deny Ratoath captain Gavin Eiffe a goal in the last action of the half. O'Mahonys led by the narrowest margin 1-4 to 0-6 at the break.
The second-half yielded just six scores but kept the sizable crowd in its grip to the end.
Moments after the restart Forde almost netted a second goal but his effort dipped right and wide.
By the 42nd minute, Ratoath edged one point clear, 0-9 to 1-5. Despite their physical superiority they never registered again. Forde brought his tally to 1-2 on the night when levelling matters.
Cathal Smyth's pointed free from the left in the 48th minute restored O'Mahonys' lead and they remained in front to the end.
The Navan-side absorbed tremendous pressure in those tense final minutes and just before the end centre-half-back Brian Dillon brilliantly blocked substitute Colie Nugent's attempt to level matters.
Navan O'Mahonys held on to win the MFC title for the first time since 2004 and fourth time since amalgamation with the De La Salle club.
The O'Mahonys team was - Jack Walsh; Dermot Rogers, James Murphy, Shane Stafford; Gary Power, Brian Dillon, Eamon Ferris; Conor Finnegan, Thomas Cox; Evan Murtagh, Alan Forde (1-2), Cathal Smyth (0-3, frees); Lee Dixon, Barry McEvoy, Donal Callan (0-1, free). Subs used - Karl Reilly for Ferris (26), Vinne Moore for McEvoy (55). Unused subs - Stephen Joyce, John Foley, Lee Morrell, Jonathon Forde, David Lynn, Mark Power.
The winning manager reflects on the achievement: "We were massive underdogs. I have to say, credit to the lads they put their heads on the block when it came to the final.
The tackling and the pressure they put Ratoath under was impressive. I don't think Ratoath realised what hit them.
"They were also a physically bigger team. I knew if we played to our ability. If everyone played 100% and if we put out heads on the blocks we had a chance."
Two of the team were on holidays at the time of the final. It wasn't possible to get Killian Walsh home from the USA, but a trip to the passport office by selector Jerome Lyness facilitated Alan Forde's return from England.
"Without the two boys we would have been up against it. When we had Alan back we knew we had a bit of a chance," Byrne reckoned.
"Alan is probably one of the top minors in the county. He has great attitude and just loves the game. He has speed and a great turn of pace. He puts teams on the back foot. It's a great addition to us.
"Some of the tackling and blocks were great. Towards the end Brian Dillon made a massive block that was vital. I don't know where he came from," is the manager's take on the aforementioned block on Colie Nugent's levelling attempt.
A decisive feature of the final was the disciplined tackling of the O'Mahonys' players:
"I don't think Ratoath were ever in that position on the way to the final. We never let them get a free shot at goal. We always harried them and hassled them and put them under pressure.
"That was the game plan because if they got a run at us, they would have destroyed us. In fairness to the boys they put some pressure on them."
Given that several members of the squad, including free-taker Cathal Smyth are eligible for this grade next year, the manager believes they can make an impact at this level next time.
For now the contribution of all associated with this success has to be acknowledged and the memory of an influential figure honoured.
"They were a pleasure to train and they represented the club very well. I was delighted with them. The nucleus of a good team for next year is there. They are a young side,
"I can't praise the boys enough for their efforts. We had a mission. It was an emotional time, but it was an inspiration to the boys to honour Paddy."
Hurlers hold onto what they have
A quarter of a century after their breakthrough success in the Senior Hurling Championship Navan O'Mahonys fought valiantly to hold onto their top flight status and survived thanks to a courageous performance against Rathmolyon in the relegation play-off.
O'Mahonys achieved back to back Jubilee Cup triumphs in 1985 and 1986 and their most recent stint in the senior grade looked to be in serious danger of coming to an end when they picked up only one point from five games in the group stages, but when the pressure was on they produced their only victory of the championship campaign.
That was a day of mixed emotions at Trim for their manager John Gorry who was one of Rathmolyon's finest hurlers and to see the club he served with such style and loyalty falling out of the senior ranks only four years after they had won the title gave him no pleasure.
O'Mahonys were drawn in group B of the championship along with last year's intermediate champions Longwood, Clann na nGael, Killyon and last season's two senior finalists, winners Kildalkey and runners-up Dunboyne. It looked challenging and that's how it worked out.
They couldn't have asked for a tougher opener than a meeting with Kildalkey at Dunsany and an under-strength team was decisively beaten by 0-5 to 1-14. They were without players of the calibre of Richie Hogan, Andrew Snow and Kieran Dunphy who took a break from the game this year and managed only a point from play over the hour, from Paddy Skehan.
The dismissal of Shane Crosby after only 21 minutes didn't help either and with Sean Heavey scoring the game's only goal the champions had cruised into a 1-8 to 0-3 lead by the interval. Kildalkey didn't score for 23 minutes in the second half, but they were still always in control. Only Skehan, who notched four points, and Kevin O'Rourke scored for O'Mahonys.
Killyon shocked Dunboyne in the opening round, but O'Mahonys had the chances to bring them back down to earth when the sides clashed in the second round at Kildalkey. The Hill of Down men got the first three points, but Skehan replied with two brilliant scores from frees, before Killyon pushed ahead by 0-5 to 0-2.
However, with Barry Regan, Shane McKeigue and Colin O'Rourke particularly prominent O'Mahonys upped the tempo and another Skehan pointed free, an Andrew Snow goal and a McKeigue point had them ahead. Skehan and Snow scored further points in the opening half which helped them hold a slender 1-6 to 0-8 interval advantage.
Killyon assumed control on the restart to push ahead by 0-12 to 1-6, but O'Mahonys came back and O'Rourke and Skehan split the uprights to leave the minimum between the teams. But Killyon finished best with three of the last four points to secure a 0-15 to 1-9 victory. Skehan contributed six points, made up of five frees and a '65'.
The only point O'Mahonys picked up in the group stages was in the third round against Longwood at Dunderry where an injury time goal from Mikey Kelly earned a draw (1-11 each). The Brews Hill side had seven first half wides and the 'Wood led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.
O'Mahonys were best in the third quarter and pushed ahead by 0-10 to 0-7, two points from play by Shane McKeigue being the highlights. But Longwood took over again and boosted by an Anthony Healy goal they moved into what looked like a winning position.
The Navan men had Barry Regan red-carded three minutes into injury time when they looked like shipping a third successive group loss, but Kelly had the final say. Skehan was again their top scorer with seven points from frees.
The fourth round meeting with Clann na nGael at Trim was a big game in the survival battle and the Athboy/An Gaeltacht combination came out on top by 1-13 to 1-10 in wet conditions to add to O'Mahonys' woes.
O'Mahonys started positively with a brace of Shane McKeigue points, but aided by a Trevor Matthews goal after 14 minutes Clann na nGael led by 1-9 to 0-7 at the break. It could have been a bigger advantage because 'keeper James Burke made a superb save to deny Jamie Shaw a goal.
Clann na nGael remained in the ascendancy, but O'Mahonys worried them near the end when Skehan goaled from a penalty and McKeigue forced a fine save from Mark Geraghty. They were overly reliant on Skehan for scores as he tallied 1-6.
O'Mahonys ran Dunboyne very close in the last round at Ratoath, but a contribution of 11 points from Neil Hackett helped the St Peter's men to a 1-13 to 1-12 victory which secured a quarter-final place. The reality for Gorry's team was that they were bottom on one point, just behind Clann na nGael on two, and were one step away from the drop.
But they responded brilliantly when they were threatened with demotion as they battled with tremendous tenacity and courage to defeat Rathmolyon in the relegation shootout. Mikey Kelly was sent off on 20 minutes, but O'Mahonys defended in packs, with Cormac Reilly, Kevin O'Rourke, Kevin Reilly and Paddy Smyth particularly prominent.
Skehan, Niall and Shane McKeigue offered plenty further up the field and they scored 1-11 after Kelly's dismissal.
Darragh Smyth gave O'Mahonys an early lead, but Mike Cole replied with a brace of pointed frees for Rathmolyon. Shane McKeigue scored the first of his two goals after 13 minutes, but boosted by a Gary Cole goal the Village edged ahead by 1-4 to 1-1.
They also led by 1-6 to 1-3 late in the first half after Skehan had pointed twice for O'Mahonys, but with McKeigue netting again in injury time the Navan men were level at the break, 2-3 to 1-6. It was developing into a tense and exciting battle for survival and Niall McKeigue edged O'Mahonys to the front with a point on the restart.
But boosted by John Farrell's goal Rathmolyon took over and opened up a 2-8 to 2-4 advantage. The O'Mahonys' response was tremendous as they battled back to parity (2-9 each) with points from Skehan (three frees), Barry Regan and Niall McKeigue.
Mike Cole missed a couple of frees as the tension mounted and with Skehan slotting over a brilliant free in between those wides O'Mahonys were ahead. He repeated the feat and Shane McKeigue also pointed to ensure safety.
"There is no pleasure in beating Rathmolyon," was the reaction of selector Donal Fitzsimons. "It is unfortunate that two clubs of the calibre of O'Mahonys and Rathmolyon should end up in this situation. We should be contesting championship finals, not playing relegation matches.
"Rathmolyon have been a great team over the years. They were champions only four years ago. I hope that they get back to the senior grade quickly because Meath hurling needs Rathmolyon playing at senior level."
But Fitzsimons was also delighted to see O'Mahonys survive.
"I'm thrilled with the lads," he added. "They really dug in when they went down to 14 men and they showed great character. Being knocked out of the football has probably helped us. The boys have really knuckled down in the last three weeks and the hurling training was good. We couldn't have asked any more from them. I'm delighted."
Fitzsimons was happy and relieved, but he was also looking to the future.
"The aim now is to hold it together for next year," he said. "We want to build on this and move upwards."
Footballers
fail to qualify
When Navan O'Mahonys exited the Senior Football Championship in controversial circumstances when they lost a replayed semi-final to Wolfe Tones last autumn, there was a general belief that they would possess the resolve to bounce back this year and regain the Keegan Cup they last won in 2008.
But their campaign was blighted by injuries to key players at various stages and they suffered a shock elimination from the competition when losing to Duleek/Bellewstown in dramatic and painful circumstance in their last group match.
It had been a similar story with injuries last year, demonstrating that having so many players on the county panel can have its drawbacks. This year O'Mahonys, with Finian Murtagh acting as manager, were drawn in group C along with last season's impressive intermediate winners Oldcastle, the team they beat in the 2008 final Summerhill, Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Duleek/Bellewstown.
Athboy provided the venue for the opener against Oldcastle and with long-term absentees David Bray and Niall McKeigue, as well as Cormac McGuinness, out they struggled in the opening half. On the plus side, Kevin Reilly played well at full-back and that was vital when they got moving in the second period.
Stephen Bray missed a goal chance and Henry Finnegan was wide from a penalty in the first half and with only Paddy Smyth, Ross Geraghty and Barry Regan scoring, O'Mahonys trailed by 0-3 to 0-6 at the interval. But they made a good start to the second half as Smyth's goal from a penalty and points by Bray and Geraghty edged them ahead.
Bray upped his performance in the second period and his superb goal secured victory.
Smyth was the hero of the surprisingly comfortable 3-8 to 1-4 second round win over Summerhill at Dunsany where he scored a hat-trick of goals. All of O'Mahonys scores came from play and after a pedestrian start they notched the first four points through Bray (two), Shane Gillespie and Gary O'Brien.
Two well-taken Smyth goals left them clear by 2-5 to 0-1 at the break, but boosted by a Stephen Kennedy goal from a penalty Summerhill cut the deficit to 1-3 to 2-5. O'Mahonys maintained their composure and after Gillespie was denied a goal by a brilliant Tony McDonnell save, Smyth netted again to kill off the game as a meaningful contest.
That was as good as it got for O'Mahonys and 15 wides proved costly when Donaghmore/Ashbourne defeated them by 2-9 to 1-7 in the third round at Pairc Tailteann. Nine of those wides came in the first half, at the end of which they trailed by only 0-4 to 0-5. Only Smyth and Finnegan, with two points each, scored in that period.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne increased their advantage to 0-7 to 0-4 early in the second half, but O'Mahonys were soon ahead after Bray had pointed, Smyth goaled from a twice taken penalty and the same player added a point. But they failed to push on and when Eoin Reilly goaled at the other end the winners were ahead by 1-7 to 1-6 at the three-quarter stage.
Gillespie equalised, but O'Mahonys didn't score again and when Ian Dowd goaled eight minutes from the end, Donaghmore/Ashbourne were in front by 2-7 to 1-7. They got the last two points and the Navan men, who fielded without several regulars, had no way back.
Skryne provided the setting for the last group game against Duleek/Bellewstown and what a disappointing outing this proved to be for O'Mahonys as Peter Curran goaled four minutes into injury time to secure a dramatic 1-9 to 0-10 victory and a quarter-final ticket.
Kevin Reilly started, but he had to retire injured early in the second half. All appeared to be going to plan when O'Mahonys opened up a 0-8 to 0-4 interval lead, but nine second half wides proved a real disaster.
They also had Barry Regan sent off on receipt of a second yellow card and a tally of just two points in the second period left them vulnerable at the end. With the final whistle anticipated, Duleek/Bellewstown fought gallantly to rescue the situation as they trailed by a point and when Curran found the net with a deflected shot through a crowded goalmouth O'Mahonys had to come to terms with the reality that they were out of the championship in early August.
The late Paddy O'Brien (6th June 1931 - 26th June 2010)
Paddy O'Brien was a true legend of Navan O'Mahonys. Over a fifty year period he had a huge influence on the lives and playing career of thousands of O'Mahonys boys and girls. Seeking the limelight was not for Paddy, instead he quietly went about his business without any fuss, guiding, cajoling and directing young people on the playing fields while also instilling in them all the importance of good manners, respect and loyalty.
Paddy's great love was the youth section of our club, that's where he was most at home. In fact one little boy, when asked by his mum who his football coach was, he replied "Paddy". "Paddy who?" she asked. "Paddy O'Mahony of course", was the youngsters reply. That sums up Paddy. To young people he was "thee O'Mahony".
Paddy loved Gaelic games, and even though most would have perceived him as a football man, hurling actually was his first love. For many years he used his trusty old bike to travel to games the length and breathe of the county, or indeed on a summers' Sunday to Croke Park. But as he grew older he showed his great intellect and vision by enthusiastically embracing the age of new technology, the bike was replaced by the car, the distinctive handwriting by the computer, and the "a chara" fixture notification by the mobile phone. He took great pride in the achievements of his former charges, be it Joe Cassells receiving Sam Maguire in 1988 or Paddy Smyth receiving the Keegan Cup in 2008. But of equal importance to Paddy was just to see boys and girls continue to play football and hurling at any level, as they grew and matured into adulthood.
Paddy O'Brien was a great family man, a great son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, but to us players he was simply Paddy, the kindest man who never criticised us but simply taught us everythi.ng we know about the game.
We miss him greatly and as goals and points are being scored and the sound of footballs or sliotars reverberate around Brews Hill we think of Paddy, safe in the knowledge that he would have approved.
Ni bheidh a leithéid ann arís. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhilís. Tweet
