It's a very rare occurrence indeed that six brothers win Meath Championship medals on the one day in any grade, but it happened 40 years ago in 1963 when the Callans numerically dominated the St. Peter's, Drumconrath, panel that won the Junior A football competition. Drumconrath just edged out Ballinabrackey by a point (3-4 to 0-12) in the decider at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, and John, Packie, Noel, Nicky, Brendan and Finn Callan all won junior medals 35 years after their father Jimmy had helped the club to honours in the same competition in 1928, a team that also included players of the calibre of Matt Nulty and Fr. McManus, to name but a couple. Gerry McArdle, a forward in the final in '63, recalled the success as a "great thrill" as Drumconrath held out under severe pressure, with Ballinabrackey coming at them in droves in the dying moments as they desperately went in search of an equalising point. The sides were evenly matched throughout an entertaining contest and there was never more that four points between them. However, Drumconrath generally looked like the better team, though Ballinabrackey's great spirit and determination kept them in the hunt right up to the final whistle. Drumconrath were slow to get into their stride and trailed by three points after 10 minutes, but they soon came to life, found their rhythm and had pushed ahead by two points (1-4 to 0-5) at the interval after Paddy Ward had scored their goal. However, courageous Ballinabrackey succeeded in regaining the initiative after the change of ends and three points in succession from top-scorer Gerry Monaghan left them ahead by the minimum. Drumconrath's reply was decisive as goals from Tom Conlon and John Callan helped them to a four-point advantage with 16 minutes of the second half gone, but Ballinabrackey had absolutely no intention of going down without a serious fight and Monaghan kicked three points to leave just one between the sides as the excitement and tension intensified. The losers were producing some of the best football of the hour at this stage of the game and, with seven minutes still to play after Monaghan had scored the third of those points, 'Brackey were in full flow and Drumconrath still had to hold out under great pressure for a lengthy spell. But they succeeded in doing so despite Ballinabrackey's best efforts, which included a shot which came back off a post, and Drumconrath's players, officials and supporters alike were very relieved to hear the sweet sound of the final whistle. Goalkeeper Frankie Maguire was one of the true heroes for Drumconrath, producing several vital saves when the pressure was on. "Winning the championship was a great thrill," recalled Gerry McArdle, a man who played inter-county football for both Meath and Dublin and who also had a lengthy spell of club duty with Garda in Dublin which brought a memorable Senior Championship success in 1948. "Drumconrath had been going very well in the early part of the Junior Championship in '63, but I remember we then suffered a defeat against Moynalty. However, Carlanstown then beat Moynalty to bring us back into it and we went on to win the championship. "We went up to the intermediate ranks after that, but seven of our players emigrated within six months of the junior win and we stayed up for only a year or two. We just couldn't keep it going at intermediate level and had to go back down to junior. "We joined up with Meath Hill for a spell as United Gaels, but it didn't quite work out either. "Our team included Tom Conlon, who had played at full-back for Louth when they won the All-Ireland in 1957. He came back to play with us in '63 and I remember him scoring a great goal in the junior final." Gerry talks about Gaelic football with tremendous enthusiasm and loves to recall the matches of the past. And there were a lot of matches for a player who preferred the half-back line to any other area on the pitch. "I played club football from 1944 up to '70, including a spell with Syddan after playing for about 10 years in Dublin with Garda," he added. "I won a Dublin Senior Championship medal in 1948 when we beat St. Vincent's in the final. Vincent's went on to win the Dublin Championship for eight years in-a-row after that and they beat us in the 1952 final after a replay. "Our team in 1948 included some really outstanding players, like Bill Carlos and our captain Brendan Lynch from Roscommon, Tom Langan of Mayo and Paddy Kennedy, Teddy Sullivan and Charlie Sullivan from Kerry. "I ended my playing days back with Drumconrath and remember playing in goal in 1970 when we got to a junior quarter-final. I was 42 or 43 by that time." Gerry's inter-county career saw him line out with both Meath and Dublin and during those years he played with and against some really outstanding footballers. He recalled with particular interest and fascination the tremendous rivalry between Meath and Louth. He won a National Football League medal with the Royal County in 1946 and was at left half-back when Meath won the All-Ireland Junior Championship the following year, a triumph he described as "another great thrill." Gerry played with Meath up to 1948 and was a substitute on the team that lost to Louth in the Leinster Championship that year, but he then had a spell of approximately a year and half with Dublin and among those he lined out with was Sean Og O Ceallachain. "I played for Dublin against Meath in the National League at Croke Park in 1950," he recalled. "I can remember I was marking Charlie Smith from Oldcastle that day. I think it was Charlie's last game for Meath. "I returned to Meath after that and came on as a substitute as Louth beat us in the '50 Leinster final after a replay. There was tremendous rivalry between Meath and Louth during that era and some great matches between the counties." Gerry played with the Royal County both sides of their breakthrough All-Ireland Senior Championship success in 1949, but said he will "never really know" if he would have been part of the panel in that memorable year. He has seen a huge amount of football matches during his life and still talks about the game with great passion. He is a regular attender at games and has a particular liking for Ulster Championship football, making trips up north to view the action. Gerry has also played with and watched many outstanding footballers and he singled out Peter McDermott among those who he lined out with as being a truly brilliant player, while Paddy O'Brien was another he admired greatly from his own playing days. "There were some great players who I lined out with and I'd have to give Peter McDermott particular mention," he added. "He was a fabulous footballer. I remember the Leinster Championship match between Meath and Louth at Navan in 1945 and Meath being awarded a free 45 or 46 yards out on the right side of the field. "Peter was a right-footed player, but he took the decision to kick the free with his left foot and he scored from it. I thought that was the hallmark of a really great player. "Paddy O'Brien was another tremendous player, a fabulous footballer, while outside of Meath I had huge admiration for Padraig Carney of Mayo. Pound for pound I would say he was the best footballer I ever saw. He was brilliant and capable of doing just about anything. He could catch, kick, do everything. "From the more modern times I though Larry Tompkins was a tremendous player and today Peter Canavan from Tyrone is a joy to watch. He could almost make the ball talk." Looking to the future and the Meath senior football team, Gerry can see a bright future, believing that "with a few new faces they could be right up there again." He hopes that the young players coming through the ranks will bring success to Drumconrath at some stage in the not too distant future, but for now he can take plenty of pleasure from looking back four decades to that 1963 Junior Championship success. For the record, the teams that started the '63 final were: Drumconrath - F. Maguire; T. McCullagh, P. Callan, J. Brady; M. Crosbie, Nicky Callan, J. McGahon; Noel Callan, M. Clarke; F. McGahon, J. Callan, G. McArdle; P. Ward, T. Conlon, J. Crawley. Ballinabrackey - J. Carroll; E. Weir, L. McNamee, W. Coffey; Patrick Moore, K. McNamee, T. Connor; J. Cox, Peter Moore; F. Glennon, G. Monaghan, Jim Moore; O. Hackett, P.J. McNamee, John Moore. Referee - S. Culleton (Drumbaragh). A year in review The general feeling was another year wasted in Drumconrath, two wins and five losses in the IFC left us pondering on what might have been. Optimism was high and a good buzz was generated by new trainer George Clarke with our juvenile/training pitch coming in very handy for early season training. A win in the first round of Division 3A (back down after a forgettable run in 2002) for the first time since the glory year of 1996. Then a couple of heavy defeats left us wondering what was really going on. Another couple of blows come when we heard that Wayne Reilly and Wayne Sherlock would be playing in Chicago this year. Also Austin Hickey was going to play in Cork. No club rural or not can afford to lose three central players and I suppose that we held our own and avoiding the dreaded relegation play-off was an achievement in itself. We played seven IFC games and a scarce points difference of minus two shows that despite five defeats how close the games we lost where and losing by seven points to O'Mahonys was the only defeat by more than two points. The Championship Campaign Round 1 13-4 Drumconrath 1-13 Rathkenny 1-2 An earlier that expected win over an out of sorts Rathkenny brought back the confidence that was under question after some heavy league defeats. Round 2 20-4 Drumconrath 1-11 Na Fianna 1-13 Trailing by four points after 27 minutes in the first half playing into a gale, things looked ok but 1-2 was conceded in those three minutes as Na Fianna pressure told. A great comeback fell short and a two point defeat was the outcome. Round 3 8-5 Drumconrath 1-11 Curraha 2-10 A gift goal just before half time gave Curraha their only win in our group. This game more that any other dented our playoff hopes as really this one should have been won. Round 4 17-5 Drumconrath 1-10 Syddan 1-8 This was the highlight of the year beating neighbours and rivals Syddan in a tense close fought encounter with everyone of our forwards, midfield and a sub getting on the score sheet. A brilliant team display, the sides were deadlocked at half time and Syddan put it up to us when ex Drums man Paddy Skelly put them ahead 20 mins into second half with a breakaway goal we responded almost immediately with a Padraig McMahon goal and sub Wesley Byrne wisely taking a point when a goal was on and an excellent Paddy Reilly point with four mins left, to leave it 1-10 to 1-8. Although Syddan tried hard to pull it back tenacious defending gave the red and whites a deserved win being the best team on the night. Syddan had come into the match with impressive form, undefeated, and went on to finish the group with just this loss their only blot on their copybook until O'Mahony ended their run at semi-final stage. It was a match in which Pete McMahon and Kevin Flannagan showed that they are probably the two most talented players in North Meath and switches made during the game brought the best out of our team. Our new jerseys looked splendid with our motto Bród agus Dtograis (Pride and Passion) very evident on the night. Paddy Reilly and Leighton Irwin starred at midfield. Team and Scorers on that evening in Nobber: Sean Kane, Cathal Byrne, Kevin Flanagan, Peter Tighe, Brian Flannagan, Paul Tighe, Paul Carey, Paddy Reilly (0-3), Leighton Irwin (0-1), Rory McMahon (0-1), Pete McMahon (0-1), Ollie McMahon (0-1), Alan Byrne (0-1), Mickel Reilly (0-1) and Padraig McMahon (1-0). Subs: Wesley Byrne (0-1) and Garry Tighe Round 5 20-7 Drumconrath 0-5 O'Mahoneys 1-9 Over nine weeks later (64 days) O'Mahonys beat us in Monsoon conditions. What happened to all the talk at the meetings to change the championships in January that club matches had to go ahead? They had time to recover from defeats in previous rounds whereas our inactivity did us no good. Round 6 24-7 Drumconrath 0-7 Castletown 0-9 Four days later Castletown beat us in Meath Hill and got full revenge for putting them out of the championship in 2002 by doing the same to us in 2003. A wide tally of 15 to 7 shows how much possession Drumconrath had but we all know scores on the board is all that counts. Round 7 31-7 Drumconrath 1-6 Drumree 1-7 Surely it makes no sense that a team has no games for 64 days and then has 3 matches in eleven. Drumree beat us by a point in a farce of a game. Games like this would make you wonder why bother at all. A skirmish just after half time saw a Drumree sub emerge from the dugout to get involved and then disappear to the dressing rooms with the ref waving a red card after him. Cathal Byrne received a second yellow in the same incident. Two sent off but now Drumree still had 15 to Drumconrath's 14. This could be a new tactic, have a strapping lad ready to run in at an apt time dish out a few blows, get sent off but be sure to have one of the opposing players red carded as well-straight away advantage to your team! Add in the fact that the press present had the match ending level, one of the umpires having Drumree winning by 2 points and the ref having it 1-6 to 1-7, confusion was the order of the evening. Lucky enough Na Fianna beat Curraha in their 1st round match to keep us safe for 2003. Junior Our juniors had the distinction of playing the first ever game in the new Junior D championship in Meath. It was played in Kilberry on 26th April and Bellewstown beat us with a last minute goal 1-9 to 0-10 Paul McMahon had the distinction of scoring the first ever point in this competition. Team on the night: Terry Myles, Leo Reilly, John McDermott, John Lynch, Jamie Myles, Thomas Carolan, Bernard McMahon, Thomas Dardis (0-3), David McMahon, Kevin Farrelly (0-1), Paul McMahon (0-4), Christy Tighe, Pauric Reilly, Brendan Carolan and Stephen Lynch (0-1). Subs: Shane Byrne (0-1), Alan Dunne, Peter O'Halloran and Brian Hanratty. Eventual winners Seneschalstown beat us in the second round and we got a win over fellow parishioners Meath Hill (1-12 to 1-6) in third round with a youthful full back starring! A last round defeat by Curraha knocked us out with a mystery second half sub who made a quick exit as soon as the final whistle went (jersey and all) being the main talking point. Dee Rangers This year a ladies football team was formed under the name Dee Rangers comprised of girls from Drumconrath, Meath Hill and Syddan. They competed in a Junior B championship and had a good run losing only to eventual winners and runners-up Donaghmore and Moynalty. In the league they still are in contention for a final place under the wise eyes of Thomas Dardis and Jimmy McMahon. Underage Parish Our teams at underage Drumconrath/Meath Hill struggled at U18, U16 and U14 but our U12 had a great run to the Division 3A county final before going under to a physically stronger Na Fianna team in Bective on 28-6-03 by 4-5 to 1-12. Team - Niall Murtagh, Keith McConnon, Emmet Matthews, John O'Halloran, Oran Finnegan, Niall Tully, Simon Martin (0-2), Matthew Byrne 0-1, Brendan Lyons 0-1, Ross McGrath (0-5), Darren Traynor (0-2), Darren Farrelly. Subs: Pierse McGrath, Peter Halpin, Conor McEntaggart, Fergal Shields, Patrick Dunne, Enda Martin and Joseph Myles. Just one week later we competed in the Ardee Credit Union Blitz (U12) which is restricted to clubs in the common bond area. Match 1 - Drum/Meath Hill 4-12 Glyde Rangers 0-1 Match 2 - Drum/Meath Hill 1-11 Hunterstown Rovers 0-5 Q/F - Drum/Meath Hill 2-12 Sean McDermottts 2-6 Semi - Drum/Meath Hill 6-5 Syddan 2-5 Final - Drum/Meath Hill 2-6 Ardee St Mary's 2-4/ 5-07-03 This was a great win and made up somewhat for our county final defeat. A close first half saw a Ross McGrath goal leave us winning 1-4 to 1-2. A goal and a point early in the 2nd half put Ardee firmly in the driving seat but two points from Brendan Lyons stopped the rot and levelled the game. The double substitution which saw Peter Halpin and Fergal Shields enter the game brought strength to our forwards and when a long ball from the excellent Graham Tighe was won by Shields, he passed to Halpin whose shot for a point was half blocked, a combination of Lyons and McGrath forced an own goal off a Mary's defender. The Ardee boys attacked strongly but Player of the Match Oran Finnegan, Pierse McGrath and goalie Darren Traynor restricted the Louth Boys to just a point. Their was great cheers when stand in Captain Emmet Matthews received the Cup (Matthew Byrne was on holidays) to make sure something was salvaged from an exciting year and made mentors Peter Lyons and Peter O'Halloran proud men that evening. U10s Nobber proved a thorn in our side all year beating us in the much sought after Syddan tournament final 2-4 to 2-3 and in our own Farrell Cup final. The Farrell Cup donated by Jody Farrell in honour of his late father was again well supported by our neighbouring North Meath Clubs. The finals were played in Drumconrath on 20-9-03 and were based on a league table after each of the six clubs had played each other the previous 6/7 weeks. Division 1 - Nobber 2-5, Drumconrath/Meath Hill 0-5 Division 2 - Syddan 2-9 Rathkenny 1-4 Division 3 - Castletown 0-6 Kilmainhamwood 0-5 Farrell Cup U10 Final Nobber 2-5 Drum/Meath Hill 0-5 Nobber beat us with two early goals the main difference 2-3 to 0-0 at half time. A more determined display in second half made up some ground but never looked like catching the Black and Ambers. Player of the Match, Darren Martin was well supported by Enda Boylan, Niall Martin and Aoife Conlon. Nobbers best were Girl Player of the Match, Caroline Hayes, captain, Liam Halpin and Fiachra McEntee. Division 2 Shield Syddan 2-9 Rathkenny 1-4 Player of the Match - Garry White supported well by Jack Mulvanny, Kevin Traynor and Captain Orla Duff starred in an easier than expected win with full back and midfielder Joe and Ross Gore best for Rathkenny. Division 3 Shield Castletown 0-6 Kilmainhamwood 0-5 In an excellent game Castletown just edged out the Wood with a late late Paul Cribben point. Also starring for 'town were Stephen Morris, Dwayne McConnell and goalie and captain Richard Field. Player of the Match, John Plunkett who did all the scoring, Rachel Owens, Niall Farrelly and Darren Owens were best for the Wood. Hurling New ground was broken in Drumconrath with an U11 and U13 hurling club formed. This ensured plenty of gaelic games in our pitch this year. No success but plenty of fun and not to mention travel for all involved with kids from Meath Hill, Syddan and Nobber partaking. Michael Gallagher, Jimmy McMahon, Jimmy McEntee, Pat Eoghan and the Rosses from Syddan all to blame! Club Crest Our club crest to be launched later this year is as follows: 1. Red on white background (clubs colours) 2. The Keys - For St Peter our Club's official name 3. A Football - for club's activities 4. A Fish - for our course fishing area which Drumconrath is famous 5. The King - The symbol for our Royal County 6. 1886 - the year when the club was formed 7. The Division between the symbols signifies a Drumlin which is a feature of our parish 8. Bród is Díograis - our club motto (pride and passion) 2003 is the 40th anniversary of junior win in 1963. 1963 remembered 40 years on and Ahtraca Ward and a sub committee are organising a night to remember the achievement in winning 1963 JFC. There is a lot of talk about the amount of championship games in 2003 but 40 years ago it took 10 games for Drumconrath to win the Royal Meath Association Cup. Round one saw a 2-7 to 1-6 win over North Meath rivals Carlanstown. Then a defeat to fellow Cavan border side Moynalty 5-3 to 5-6. Another Cavan border club was next and a good win 2-11 to 0-5 over Ballinacree was achieved. Next up was Killalon and lots of goals in a 6-3 to 0-7 win. A close match against Longwood followed but still a 2-7 to 0-7 victory was claimed. Then a play-off against Moynalty and no mistake this time with Drumconrath winning 4-5 to 3-6. The divisional final and another close match against Carlanstown but again we won by 1-8 to 2-3. The Junior A semi pitted Drumconrath against Duleek and a 3-6 to 1-7 win put them into the final against Ballinabrackey and a one point win 3-4 to 0-12 clinching the championship. Next up the final against the Junior B (Kilberry) winners and Christmas came early with a narrow yet deserved victory 1-4 to 0-6. "Quotes from Meath Chronicle 21-12-1963" The match was played in Navan on Christmas week 1963. Drumconrath were favourites being Junior A winners and Kilberry the Junior B champs. The heavy ground did not suit the Drumconrath lads. An early save by goalman Frankie Maguire had a vital say in the outcome as Kilberry raced in a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after 18 mins with scores from Jim McKeever, Paddy Heaney (two) and Tom McKeown. Drumconrath replied with points from Packy Callan coming forward from full back and live wire Phonsie McGahon to leave it 0-4 to 0-2 at half time with both scores due to Johnny Callan's hard work. The second half started with a Jackie Crawley free on three mins, Heaney replied with a similar effort for Kilberry. The McGahon brothers then combined for Phonsie to notch the deciding goal. Another McKeown score left it level but a free from Crawley with three mins left it 1-4 to 0-6 and victory to the Drums. Drumconrath got to and won the final not because they had brilliant individuals but rather they played as a team although they missed their best forward Tony McCullagh who was unavailable as he resumed his clerical studies, the five Callan brothers played big parts as did the McGahons. Others to shine where Gerry McArdle former Louth player Tom Conlon and captain Mickey Crosby." Team - 1963 JFC winners Frankie Maguire, Tommy McCullagh, Packy Callan (0-1), Johnnie Brady, Mickey Crosby, Nicky Callan, Joe McGahon, Noel Callan, Michael Clarke (RIP), Phonsie McGahon (1-1), John Callan, Gerry McArdle, Jackie Crawley (0-2) (RIP), Tom Conlon (RIP), Brendan Callan (RIP). Sub: Paddy Dalton (RIP) for Clarke. Others on panel - Michael Doyle, Patsy Dunne, Finn Callan, Anthony McCullagh, Paddy Ward and Neil Halpin with mascot Tony Callan a permanent fixture. Drumconrath/Meath Hill U13 Sunday 19-October-2003 will be remembered as the day that this team finally came good. After only winning one game at U12 in 2002 they were granted Division 3 status for this competition. Wins over St Vincents, Nobber, St Michaels, St Pats and Carnaross saw them top the group and victory over St Michaels in the semi-final saw a clash with the Pats in Slane on the above date to decide the destination of this title. There was bad news shortly beforehand when our full-back Alvin Myles broke his hand but this seemed to strengthen the team's resolve to ensure that the title came to Meaths most northerly outpost. Indeed our challenges against our Cavan, Monaghan and Louth neighbours stood us in good stead for the games to come. Back to the 19th and the windy conditions and tight pitch we felt would put pressure on our small yet skillful forwards. Time and time again the bigger St Pats backs came out best in the early exchanges and it took eight mins before Tomas Smith put over a free. Timmy Reilly took over and three great long distance scores and a pinpoint pass to put Graham Tighe in for a goal which he put away expertly. St Pats came back strongly with two points and with our backs out of position a super save by Darren Traynor was probably a turning point in the game. Five points up and facing into a strong wind things didn't look too rosey but a great start to the second half saw points from Reilly, Paul McMahon and Smith and a fisted goal from John Martin left it 2-7 to 0-2. Playing into the wind actually suited our team but the Pats raised their game and three points in a row brought them closer. Mark Tully and Aodhan Matthews raised their game at midfield, Oran Finnegan, Martin Tully and Timmy took control at the back and this was as close as St Pats would get. The Red and Blues finished with minors from Smith (2), Matthew Byrne and sub Brendan Lyons with Matthews crashing in a late goal to leave the final score 3-11 to 0-5. It was a proud captain John Martin who received the trophy from Juvenile Secretary Mairead Delaney and the humour was even better as we headed to MacDonalds in Drogheda to celebrate. Team - Darren Traynor, Martin Tully, Niall Reilly, Oran Finnegan, Timmy Reilly, Niall Tully, Mark Tully, Aodhan Matthews (1-0), Matthew Byrne (0-1), Graham Tighe (1-0), John Martin (1-0), Tomas Smith (0-4), Paul McMahon (0-1). Subs: John O'Halloran for N Reilly, Emmet Matthews for Martin Tully, Brendan Lyons (0-1) for McMahon, Ross McGrath for Byrne, Pierse McGrath for N Tully. Others on panel Peter Halpin, Fergal Shields, Simon Martin, Darren Farrelly, Conor McEntaggert and of course the injured Alvin Myles. Drumconrath/Meath Hill U17s After not having success for a number of years, in fact at U18 level we have not won a game in 2002 or 2003 this team under Brow, Herbie, Seamus and Martin did the business in the Division 4 league. It was a real championship feel to it as wins over Simonstown and St. Michaels both under lights brought us to a semi-final as all other teams gave walkovers including our eventual final opponents. A semi win over a game Mikes (they must be sick of the red and blue) left a final showdown between two of Meaths outposts, ourselves and Ballinabrackey/Clonard set for Kells on 8th November. The Offaly border lads opened sprightly with two well worked points before Jon Byrne got our lads going. Four Kevin Farrelly scores (2 frees) and with some lovely training grounds moves we began to look likely winners but a goal against the run of play left it level. A good run by centre back Dermot Lyons led to a catch and turn and well taken goal by Ronan Carolan, Jamie Myles tipped over a free and a Byrne shot came off the bar but Carolan was on hand again to slot home. The southwest combination hit back with two points and but for some great goalkeeping by Terry Myles it would have been a lot closer at half time. Kevin Dardis finished the 1st period with a nice point leaving it 2-7 to 1-4 and Drum/M.Hill were playing into the strong wind when play resumed. A Dardis goal two mins into second half really settled the issue and the boys from the Ulster border went on to play champagne football with two frees from Carolan, points from Farrelly, Byrne and Cian Matthews and only two frees conceded as Stephen Crosby and Terry Skelly really shut up shop at the back. 13 stars and no weak links with all the subs (four) getting a run it was a great end to the year. Credit must go to Seamus Dardis for getting Leighton Irwin and Dara Carolan involved in training as the team really responded to their fresh approach. Team - Terry Myles, Stephen Crosby, Hugh O'Sullivan, Cian Matthews (0-1), Dermot Lyons, Terry Skelly, Cathal Matthews, Kevin Farrelly (0-5), Jonathon Byrne (0-2), Jamie Myles, capt (0-1), Alan Marry, Ronan Carolan (2-2) and Kevin Dardis (1-1). Subs: Richard Parge, Danny Shields, Michael Gallagher and Gavin McEvoy. -courtesy of Peter O'Halloran Tweet

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