Getting stronger
December 31, 2004
In their fifth year as a club, Na Fianna had their share of ups and downs in 2004. The Enfield/Baconstown outfit failed to make it through to the closing stages of the IFC, they got to the last four of the IHC only to lose to Gaeil Colmcille, were beaten finalists in the MFC but enjoyed a minor/under 16 B hurling double success.
After failing to reach the knockout stages of the IFC in their first two years of existence, Na Fianna got off to the perfect start in 2002 with a one point win over Navan O'Mahonys, who had been in senior ranks the previous year. However, they suffered four defeats after that and fall a bit short of a place in the last four. An outright success in the Division 4 FL was some compensation for the defeats in the championship.
With eight teams going through to the closing stages of the IFC in 2003, Na Fianna benefited to reach the quarter-final stage but lost to Duleek, who won on a 4-11 to 2-5 scoreline. But there was another league title for Na Fianna a few weeks later with the tables being turned on Duleek with a 1-13 to 0-15 final win after extra time at Bective.
When the 1-14 to 0-6 win over Carnaross was recorded at Dunsany in April hopes must have been high for 2004. Jamie Queeney bagged 1-3 in that game, Ollie Lewis sent over six points and at the other end Gene Greville did well on Ollie Murphy.
After that a 2-12 to 2-6 win over Drumree left Na Fianna in a promising position but then they began to show poor form on two fronts.
Their only win in the last five outings was gained at the expense of Curraha, who were subsequently relegated.
Wolfe Tones hammered them to the tune of five goals and although they recovered to run Nobber to a point, they later lost to Ballivor and Drumconrath.
After such a good start, Na Fianna had reason to be disappointed at not being involved in the closing stages but the good run by the minor footballers and the fact that some of those should have a lot to offer at adult level gives hopes for the future and one of the county's youngest clubs should have their eyes on a place in senior football.
In the Division 2 FL Na Fianna gained five wins from 11 outings to finish in a mid table position. They concluded that campaign on a high note with a victory over Dunderry to end the senior side's hopes of a final place and promotion to the top group.
For the second year in a row Na Fianna exited the IHC at the semi-final stage. In 2003 they were beaten by Clann na nGael at the penultimate hurdle and it was the same stage on the last Saturday of August last when Gaeil Colmcille outscored them by 2-12 to 1-5 in Athboy.
It was a fine achievement for Na Fianna to reach the MFC final for the first time and they clinched a place in the Delaney Cup decider with a 0-17 to 1-9 victory over Blackhall Gaels at Summerhill.
The Enfield/Baconstown outfit did well to storm back into a winning position after trailing by 0-5 to 1-7 at the break. Blackhall were having the better of the exchanges around the halfway line and Na Fianna were forced to bring Jamie Queeney from full forward out to midfield and Rory Maguire moved from centre forward to full forward.
Dean Barrett and Queeney began to win a lot of possession at centre field and Maguire kicked five points to add to the three sent over in the first half.
David Kirby, who was switched from midfield to attack, raised three white flags as Na Fianna stylishly advanced to meet local rivals Summerhill in a repeat of the previous year's Under 17 League Division 1 final.
But there was no final joy for Na Fianna as the 2003 beaten finalists out pointed them by 0-10 to 0-8 on the evening of the All-Ireland hurling final as Cork's feat of going one better was replicated.
James Queeney wore the number 14 jersey and, although playing as a third midfielder, was the only one of the starting front six in black and yellow to get among the scorers. Half of the Na Fianna total came from frees by Rory Maguire and two points from Dean Barrett and one by David Kirby completed their total.
Barrett impressed at midfield but they lacked finishing power in attack. That was in evidence in the first half when despite playing with the advantage of the breeze; they trailed by 0-4 to 0-5 at the break. After drawing level, Na Fianna wasted chances to go ahead in the third quarter and were on level terms in the closing stages before their opponents added two points which gave them the title.
The Na Fianna team in the MFC final was: Shane Geraghty; Diarmuid Bailey, Darren Bolger, Ken Ryan; Robert Walsh, David Kirby, Padraig Hogan; Dean Barrett, Rory Maguire; John Baldwin, Declan Brennan, Colm Murphy; Gavin Gillespie, Jamie Queeney, Paul Coffey. Subs - M Baldwin for Coffey, O Duffy for M Baldwin, S Moore for Gillespie.
Na Fianna took the minor hurling B title with a 1-16 to 0-5 victory over Dunboyne in the final played at Kilmessan on the first Saturday of October.
Ground conditions were difficult after some heavy rain but that did not prevent the young Na Fianna side from running up an impressive winning total.
They started well with Barry Slevin opening the scoring with an early points and Diarmuid Bailey, David Kirby, Niall Reilly and Michael Hanley shot over the bar before Dunboyne got on the scoreboard. With team captain Kirby, Reilly and Joey Stenson to the fore, Na Fianna led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.
The Baconstown-Enfield side had the advantage of the breeze in the second half and with under 16 player Bailey a thorn in the side of the opposing defence, they increased their lead. Bailey finished up as top scorer (Kirby sent over six points) and overall eight players contributed to the winning tally.
The Na Fianna team which won the 2004 Meath minor hurling B title was: Shane Greaney; Mark Lynch, Paul Coffey; Joey Stenson, David Kirby, Michael Hanley; Niall Reilly, Christopher Swaine; Padraig Hogan, Daniel Gleeson, Declan Brennan; Diarmuid Bailey, Barry Slevin. Subs - Mark Kelly, Shane Geraghty, Conor McDonnell, Robert McCloskey, Anthony Boggan, Donal Curran, Eoin Gorry.
Five lads, David Kirby, Padraig Hogan, Paul Coffey, Declan Brennan and Diarmuid Bailey, were on both the minor football and minor hurling final teams and the victory in the latter was sweet compensation for the narrow miss in the former.
Three months earlier on the first Saturday of July the Na Fianna under 16 hurlers collected the Division 2 title with a resounding victory over Kiltale at Batterstown, 6-11 to 1-4 being the final score. Throughout the competition they built up a winning run of seven games and recovered from a slow start in the last of them.
Kiltale scored a goal and a point in the early stages before Na Fianna were forced to make some switches and were well in control after that. They got on the board with Shane Geraghty finishing to the net and Eoin Gorry shooting over the bar.
Diarmuid Bailey scored 3-4 with three goals and three points of that impressive haul coming in the first half. Team captain Shane Greaney was in fine form in the full back line and some of his long clearances led to scores. Donal Curran, Christopher Swaine and Barry Slevin, who scored 2-3, were others to play big parts.
The Na Fianna team which won the Under 16 Division 2 Hurling title was: Ciaran Boggan; Shane Greaney, Michael Hanley; Conor McDonnell, Donal Curran, Daniel Gleeson; Diarmuid Bailey, Christopher Swaine; Eoin Gorry, Barry Slevin, Mark Kelly; Shane Geraghty, Anthony Boggan. Subs - C Maguire, M Devine, D Hendrick, R Gleeson.
The Na Fianna club could take some satisfaction from the fact that a number of their players represented Meath in 2004. Three of them, Brendan Flynn, David Kirby and substitute Fergus Fagan, were on the squad which landed the All-Ireland junior hurling title and Kirby was captain of the county minor hurling team with Paul Coffey, Joey Stenson and Niall Reilly also on that squad.
They had three players on the team for Meath's only Leinster minor football championship outing but there was little joy for Dean Barrett, Jamie Queeney or Rory Maguire as the side crashed to a very disappointing defeat to Laois.
Barrett was on the Ireland squad for the compromise rules under 17 games in Australia and that was a big honour for the club.
Although there were some disappointments for Na Fianna at adult level, the fine progress being made at underage level in both football and hurling could augur well for the future and the coming year could see them challenge strongly for outright success in both of the intermediate championships.
Football U8 & U10 Report
Na Fianna commenced it's football nursery in 2004. Children aged between 4 and 6 years attend for games every Saturday morning in Baconstown. The emphasis is on enjoyment and fun. Over 40 children attended the nursery each week with mentors Tony Walsh and Brenda Flynn.
The U8's were formed in 2004 to give young boys and girls an opportunity to learn the basic skills of football. Emphasis is on fair play, fun and team play. Games were played against Dunsany, Summerhill and Longwood. The mentor is Conor Ryan.
In 2004, the U10's took part in the Summerhill tournament and enjoyed some very competitive games. The level of skill displayed by all our teams at U10 level is encouraging and a huge credit must be given to the U10 mentor Sean Downey.
The inaugural Eamon Dargan memorial shield for U8 football was played on the October Bank Holiday Monday, with Trim being the victors.
Also, the Bank Holiday Monday saw the inaugural Andy Barrett Memorial Shield in U12's Hurling, with Na Fianna victorious.
Under 12 Football Panel - Manager - Jim Queeney, Assisted by Pat Flynn
The under 12 Football Panel 2004 consisted of 27 players of boys and girls born in the years 1992, '93 and '94. There were 15 of this panel born in 2002 and they are over age for next years competition.
This team played in the Division 2 league which was 15 a side and were beaten in the semi-final by Trim who went on to win the competition.
As most of the first 15 are ineligible to play in 2005 in would seem that next years under 12 side should be in Division 3 League. Next years under 13 side should be in Division 2 League although that is a good way off yet.
Under 13 footballer success bodes well
The Na Fianna under 13 footballers made history on Sunday last when they defeated Skyrne in the final played in Summerhill.
This was the first team from the recently formed club (2000) to reach a Division 2 Final and winning it was all the more sweet. This panel of players have been managed by Jim Queeney and Pat Flynn since last year when they won the Under 12 Division 3 League and they should fare well in the Division 1 grades next year.
Along they way to victory they defeated Wolfe Tones, Seneschalstown, Clan na Gael, Summerhill, Duleek, Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Skyrne. (twice).
Under 16 hurlers
The under 16 Hurlers of Na Fianna went all the way in 2004 to become the deserving winners of the B title in the county. In 2003, they had been runners up to Kildalkey, but with guidance of Managers Michael Bailey and Matt Coffey, the title was not going to elude them this year.
Their first game in April against Dunderry was a one sided affair with Na Fianna winning by 40 points. Kilmessan were easy pickings again for Na Fianna and they went on to defeat St Martins by seven goals a week later.
The Na Fianna boys met their toughest challenge when they played a very strong and able Dunboyne team in May. With score after score throughout the first half, Na Fianna proved their strength and eventually won the game by three goals.
Further wins over Donoghmore/Ashbourne and Moylagh meant that our under 16's were now in a final with kingpins Kiltale.
The game was played in Batterstown on 3/7/2004. Kiltale would have been favourites at under 16 level but a very fit and determined Na Fianna team proved too strong for Kiltale. From Shane Greaney (Captain) in goals right up the field each member of this team played to his full potential on the day and Kiltale had no answers. Diarmuid Bailey's accuracy throughout the championship notched up a very impressive personal tally of 17 goals and 31 points. His ability to round his marker and bury the sliotair in the opposition net was instrumental in the victory over all our opponents in 2004 Under 16 championship.
Team; Ciaran Boggan, Shane Greaney, Michael Hanley, Conor McDonnell, Donal Curran, Daniel Gleeson, Diarmuid Bailey, Christopher Swaine, Eoin Gorry, Barry Slevin, Mark Kelly, Shane Geraghty, Anthony Boggan, Conor Maguire, Michael Devine and Dean Hendrick.
A week after winning the under 16B Hurling Championship, Na Fianna Minor Hurlers started their campaign to make history for the Baconstown/Enfield parish. They were drawn in a group with Boardsmill, Dunboyne, Kildalkey, Kiltale and Donoghmore/Ashbourne and with most of the Under 16 panel on board, their hopes were high of a double title.
Their first match against Boardsmill was played on the wettest evening ever in July with Na Fianna winning easily.
A six-point victory over Dunboyne followed the next week while a draw with Kildalkey raised some concerns for Managers Anthony Kirby, Matt Coffey and Michael Bailey.
A comfortable victory over Kiltale two weeks later put the Na Fianna lads into a semi final with Donoghmore/Ashbourne. This match was played in Dunboyne against a very strong physical Donoghmore/ Ashbourne team. It was hard and fast hurling but the dominance of captain David Kirby at midfield who supplied long ball into Barry Slevin and Diarmuid Bailey was too much for the Donoghmore/Ashbourne defence.
Na Fianna boys scored five goals to win a tough hard match and secure their place in the final. There was great excitement in the parish in the lead up to the final as the thought of winning the double was on everyone's mind.
This game was played on 2/10/2004 in Kilmessan with a very close match expected by the huge contingent of supporters from Na Fianna club. Dunboyne opted to play with the wind but after 10 minutes had put all their attempts at scoring wide of the posts.
Na Fianna had opened their scoring with a brilliant point from Barry Slevin, followed by points from Michael Hanley, Diarmuid Bailey, David Kirby and Niall Reilly.
The half time score was 0-7 points to 0-3 in favour of Na Fianna.
Na Fianna started the second half with fast hurling and soon had scored the opening point. Five minutes later a high ball was played into Diarmuid Bailey who rounded his marker and left the Dunboyne net and their supporters rattled. This gave Na Fianna a commanding lead and further points followed from David Kirby, Declan Brennan, Christopher Swaine, Daniel Gleeson and Diarmuid Bailey.
Dunboyne were unable to stay in touch and with Na Fianna growing in confidence with every touch of the ball, the Minor Cup was destined for the Na Fianna Club. David Kirby played a captains role inspiring his team with his support play at all corners of the field. When the referee blew the final whistle the Na Fianna supporters went wild with delight. This was a fantastic occasion for hurling in the parish, bringing home a second cup in six weeks. This team has real talent and with continued guidance and training will hopefully bring many more cups back to Baconstown/Enfield Na Fianna Club.
Team: Shane Greaney, Mark Lynch, Paul Coffey, Joey Stenson, David Kirby (Captain), Michael Hanley, Niall Reilly, Christopher Swaine, Pauric Hogan, Daniel Gleeson, Declan Brennan, Diarmuid Bailey and Barry Slevin.
Subs: Mark Kelly, Shane Geraghty, Conor McDonnell, Robert McCloskey, Anthony Boggan, Donal Curran and Eoin Gorry.
Na Fianna ladies football 2004
Our Ladies won the county "Junior A Football Championship" this year. It was a victory that was long awaited and well deserved. They had been to the previous two county finals and on the third visit this year took home the much sought after title. Trained by Sean Kirby, the team worked hard together to reach the final and in doing so brought great honour to the club.
The final was played against Royal Gaels on a wet and windy Sunday where goal scoring was to be the winning formula of the Day. Our county player Ashling Ennis scored four superb goals and received the player of the match award. It was a first ladies victory for Na Fianna Club and one that will be an inspiration to our younger players and a title that will be remembered in our club for years to come.
Our ladies underage sector had a lot of newcomers to the football in 2004 and now has over seventy girls of all ages. Our junior team captain Yvonne Slevin trained our under 14s and under 16s teams and our under 10s & under 12s teams were catered for under the guidance and training of Mick Keogh. Although there was no underage titles won, the players made great progress during the year, and with the enjoyment and improvement of each girl it's only a matter of time before our young players will progress to a higher level of football.
Overall it has being a good year and the future of Ladies football in Na Fianna is looking bright. There is a great mix of players at all levels, and it is visible to see that Na Fianna Ladies have players with great football talent and potential to do very well for their club and county in days to come. Ashling Ennis and Lorna Walsh represented our club at Junior county level this year. Also playing with Meath were Clare Coffey at under 14, Niamh Kirby, Kate Clarke and Rebecca O'Keeffe at under 12s. Our Junior Team has shown great example this year in winning the Championship and this gives our underage great encouragement for the future.
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