After going out at the semi-final stage this year, Duleek will have a special incentive to win the Meath IFC in 2003, because it marks the 25th anniversary of the club's last outright triumph in the grade. Back in 1978 Duleek scored a 0-9 to 1-5 victory over Kilmainhamwood to capture the intermediate title for the fourth time. That was their second year back down from senior ranks after previously gaining promotion to the premier ranks in 1966. Football in Duleek received a couple of big boosts in the '70s. In 1970 the county under 14 championship was annexed and then in 1975 former county chairman Fr Pat Tully was transferred to Duleek after many years in Moynalty. The new parish priest was soon brought into the club and was a selector for the IFC triumph two years after his arrival. Things change over a period of 25 years and younger people following club football in Meath at the moment would be surprised the teams which Duleek opposed in the IFC of a quarter of a century ago. In the opening two rounds they scored comfortable victories over Kilcloon and Drumbaragh before falling at a couple of hurdles. Then they lost by a point to Nobber but a 1-4 to 4-6 defeat by Kilmainhamwood did not dispirit them too much. After that Duleek won all their games, starting with a victory over local rivals Slane and successes over Donaghmore,Dunsany and Curraha earned them a play-off against Nobber for a semi-final place which was won with five points to spare. Wolfe Tones were disposed of by four points (3-8 to 2-7) and the final was a thriller. "In a rip-roaring and thoroughly absorbing game which must rank among the best in the county this year, no favours were asked or given. The confrontation produced some spectacular and breathtaking fare, particularly in the first half and the last 10 minutes of the second period," said a press report of the tie. The sides were level (0-4 each) at the interval and after Kilmainhamwood grabbed the initiative with a goal and a point early in the second half, Duleek stormed back and eventually Shay Lane sent over the winning score from a free. To Paddy Watters went the honour of receiving the Gaelic Weekly Cup from County Board chairman Pat O'Neill. There were three Cullen brothers on the winning side with the outstanding Bernard, Pat and Malachy all playing big parts in the victory. The team which brought the IFC title to Duleek 25 years ago was: Bernard Callaghan; Paddy Watters, Pat Cullen, John Mooney; Peter Crosby, Mickey Naughton, Cianan Murray; Bernard Cullen, Malachy Cullen; Thomas Cudden, Pat Shanley, Pat Gogan; Shay Lane, Sean Fleming, Paddy Carolan. Sub - Mickey Carroll for Pat Cullen. The selectors were Paddy Curley, Tom Heeney, Tony Callaghan, Vincent Geraghty and Fr Pat Tully. Paddy Curley, who was also Minor Board chairman in the '70s, was chairman of the Duleek club at the time of the last intermediate success while Fr Tully used his vast array of experience to telling effect. The year 1978 was one of double triumph for Paddy Watters and his son Andrew, who was one of the shining stars of the county Under 14 FC success. Andrew made his mark in Gaelic football and cycling while Paddy hung up his whistle a few months ago after a number of seasons refereeing. After the high of 1978, Duleek were expected to make an impact in senior ranks but failed to do so, instead going down the slippery slope to the junior grade. However, the '90s marked an upsurge in the club's stock as they went close to regaining a place in the premier ranks. After a junior C championship success in 1994 when Gaeil Colmcille were defeated in the final, Duleek took the JFC honours the following year. Drumconrath provided the final opposition and a 1-10 to 0-10 victory gave the East Meath club outright glory in the grade for the first time since 1935. That triumph was very encouraging for Duleek with young players like Andrew and Stephen Murphy and Karl and Kenny McDonnell offering a lot of hope for the future. With Eamon Barry cutting his teeth on the coaching front, they built on that success, going on to be one of the strongest of the intermediate sides over the next few years. Although Duleek had a few near misses before capturing the junior title in 1995, they made an immediate impact on their return to the IFC and went tantalisingly close to lifting that title when Cortown took the honours in '96. After victories over Castletown and Dunshaughlin (in a replay), Duleek came up against the 1993 junior winners in the Mattie McDonnell Cup decider.Duleek led by 0-6 to 0-2 at the interval and when that advantage was increased on the restart, they appeared to have one hand on the trophy. However, Eamon Barry's charges only managed to add a single point and they were hit by two goals as Cortown collected on a 2-5 to 0-8 final scoreline. The Meath GAA Yearbook for 1996 suggested that "the future looks bright in the picturesque and historic village and perhaps the return to the senior grade has been only delayed." However, 1997 was another 'what might have been year' as Duleek again reached the IFC final only to be denied by the emerging Dunshaughlin side. After going through their group with victories over St Colmcille's, Rathkenny, Blackhall Gaels and St Patrick's, they again accounted for promoted Drumconrath at the semi-final stage with two goals from Paul McGrane boosting them to a 2-5 to 0-9 success. However, there was to be October sadness for the men in green and white. While they had regrets after going so close in the 1996 final, there were no such feelings 12 months later with their opponents in black and amber walloping them to the tune of 3-14 to 1-6 after leading by 1-6 to 0-3 at the break. It was 'one of those days' for Duleek. Mick Connor, who had scored a total of 17 points in the five previous championship outings, could only add 0-1, as Graham Dowd and Richie Kealy were the main marksmen on the day. After being in three successive finals, Duleek struggled in 1998 and '99. In the first of those years, with Andrew Watters replacing Eamon Barry as coach, they failed to qualify from their IFC group. Then in 1999 they found the going even tougher and had to depend on a victory over Moynalty to avoid a drop back down to the junior grade. Also in '99 they were relegated from Division 3 of the All County. However, instant promotion back up was gained in the first year of the new century when former Castletown player George Clarke took over the reins. Duleek enjoyed a better championship campaign, just missing out on the knock out stages. Then in 2001 they managed to get back to the habit of figuring in the closing stages. Slane inflicted the only group defeat and before the side in green and white recovered with victories over St Colmcille's and Donaghmore/Ashbourne sent them into the last four of the IFC. Having arrived there for the first time in three years, they had to wait an extra hour for their penultimate round clash with Ballivor to start because of fog, which enveloped the Dunsany pitch. Despite sending over ten points, Peter Curran finished up on the losing side as the south county outfit prevailed on a 2-11 to 0-14 scoreline. With George Clarke still at the helm, Duleek again got to the semi-final stage in 2002 only to lose to Navan O'Mahonys. In their division, they won six out of seven games with Rathkenny inflicting the only defeat. The campaign started with a 0-12 to 1-5 victory over Curraha before they were involved in an eventful encounter against Drumconrath at Rathkenny. The side in green outpointed their opponents in red by 0-17 to 0-4 with Peter Curran kicking 11 of their scores and the losers having three players sent off. Duleek's third round tie was much closer as they gained a 1-11 to 1-9 success over neighbours St Colmcille's. But there was a stumble in round four as Rathkenny inflicted a 3-9 to 0-10 defeat. Duleek recovered as they gained two vital victories in the same week. In a Tuesday evening clash they bettered Slane by 1-10 to 1-7 with 'keeper Ricky Nolan making a few crucial saves and Bryan Cudden grabbing a goal which boosted them to a 1-6 to 0-3 interval advantage. Then five days late Clarke's charges moved closer to a place in the last four with a 2-15 to 2-7 success over Carnaross with Cudden contributing 1-2 and Robert O1Neill also finding the net. That 'semi' spot was assured with a 0-13 to 1-6 victory over their coach's former club, Castletown. After this game it was suggested that Duleek would need to improve to get over the next hurdle and so it proved as Navan O'Mahonys dashed their hopes of reaching another decider on a 1-13 to 1-9 scoreline. Missed chances cost the losers dearly and they lost their way after leading by five points following an early goal from Bryan Cudden before being ahead by 1-6 to 1-3 at half time. However, with young players like Tony Cunningham and Michael Johnson making their mark and lots of capable and experienced performers available, Duleek must be considered as one of the more likely IFC winners over the next couple of years. Tweet

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