Every so often, something or somebody comes along and does something that will assure them of a place in history. Istabraq, DJ Carey, Maurice Fitzgerald and Tony McCoy are just some of the sporting characters that will be remembered in years to come as being a bit better than all their respective fellow stars. On November 10th, 2002, the footballers of Dunshaughlin joined this elite group; Brendan Boylan chronicles how they got there. Back in the past, certain teams took a firm grip on where the Keegan Cup would rest for a few seasons, I think of Kilbride during the 1960's, Summerhill in the '70's, Michael O'Brien inspired Walterstown to be the kings of the Royal County in the early 1980's while a star studded O'Mahonys side had the latter end of the decade to themselves. However, since Colm Ratty raised the most sought after piece of silverware in Meath GAA twelve years ago, only once between then and the end of the century had a team more than one Christmas with the cup, Skryne in '92/93. The dawn of the new Millennium has also seen a glorious new chapter in the history of Meath football, and the central characters in the drama have been Dunshaughlin GFC. Dunshaughlin have always had the on field potential to live with any of the best teams in the county, but for some strange reason, they never quite hit the heights everybody knew they were capable of, as they struggled to escape from Intermediate football. All that changed in 1997 when, under the guidance of Colm O'Rourke and Val Dowd, they eventually won their way into the top flight. They might not have realised it at the time, but the day they comprehensively overcame Duleek, they started a trend of winning games playing 15 man footballl. The next time they hit the headlines was in 1999, under the guidance of Eamon Barry who ironically trained the Duleek side they overcame in the IFC final two seasons previously. They surprised everybody that year by making it through to the county final where they went under to a more experienced Skryne outfit. Indeed, they were in with every chance until they lost Niall Kelly to a knee injury which would see him not grace a football field for a long time afterwards. I have no doubt though that Barry will have seen the potential that lay within his squad and in 2000 they blazed a trail through the championship like a rebel with a cause en route to, true to their style, running up the biggest tally seen in a county final for a long while as they conquered Kilmainhamwood and captured the cup for the first time. Unlike most teams who win a title for the first time or end a famine, neither Barry or his charges were satisfied to let their achievements end there and last year they showed the true quality of champions to recover from a hammering by Simonstown Gaels in the second round to go on and retain their crown. As 2002 arrived upon us, not a lot seemed to have changed, they still appeared to be a good bit better than anything else within the county, the big question was, had they the hunger to go through the same ten or eleven month slog all over again? This writer is convinced that it was that very hunger, determination and self-belief that kept them going during a few shaky moments over the course of the season now passing. They know themselves they didn't do themselves justice in their provincial jousts with Rathnew over the past few years and the desire to put the record straight in Leinster will also have been a major driving factor. If they needed any more motivation, it arrived in the saddest of circumstances with the untimely passing of their heroic clubman, Stephen Burke, indeed towering midfielder Niall Kelly was heard to say after the dust had settled on their third consecutive triumph "We wanted to win it for Stephen." The very hunger that both the county panelist and I spoke of was evident as early as the first round of the championship against Summerhill on April 21st in Dunsany. With the tie deadlocked at 0-08 apiece entering the final quarter, the champions sensed the danger and goals from Richie Kealy and substitute Ray Maloney left them well clear on a 3-12 to 0-08 score. In truth though, the score was extremely flattering to the titleholders who were not that much a better side than the John Lyons coached side. There was very little motivation required for the second round clash with neighbours and arch rivals Dunboyne at Skryne but it appeared in the early stages as if even that couldn't spark Barry's boys into life as his former Walterstown colleague Gerry Cooney brought his side down the tunnel 0-06 to 0-04 to the good. Such was their plight as the underdogs put it up to them that a half fit Richie Kealy, who didn't start, was summoned from the dug out. Martin Reilly and Trevor Dowd appeared to have clinched it and both Kealy and David Crimmins had chances to seal the issue but both hit the woodwork, allowing their opponents off the hook and veteran forward Andy McEntee duly levelled matters in the dying seconds. If they were beginning to have doubts about themselves after that game, they must have been convinced one of their hands was gone off the cup when they only managed to scrape a draw against a Gaeil Colmcille side that had been widely touted as relegation fodder. A period spanning almost the next two months saw a very bizarre affair unfold as Blackhall Gaels defeated the black and amber army at Dunboyne only for the result to be overturned as Blackhall Gaels fielded with the suspended Anthony Moyles. After appeal and counter appeal, the game was declared null and avoid and a refixture ordered. While it must have been very difficult for Barry to keep his lads focussed while all the off-field business was taking place, I firmly believe it turned out to be the major turning point in their season as they entered the refixture at Pairc Tailteann on October 13th having rediscovered that very important hunger and will to win. On the other hand, their options were somewhat reduced due to the loss of skipper Aidan Kealy who received a straight red card from Cork official Michael Collins in the Kilmacud 7's, as did Trevor Dowd, while Dowd's brother Graham was in trouble with a serious knee problem and although the massive midfielder did line up alongside Dermot Kealy at the start of the game, within minutes he was on his way down the tunnel on a stretcher as the knee gave in. It is without question that it was on this day that the treble chasers produced their best display for a long while as David Crimmins stole the show netting three goals. Another pleasing factor from their perspective will have been the display of Michael McHale, who deputised for the suspended team captain. Still, there were also obvious cracks, as Mark Crampton and Tadhg Brosnan sent over a flurry of points and then that man Moyles was on everyone's mind again as he sent a rasping shot past Ronan Gogan to the roof of the net and left just three points between the sides. The aforementioned custodian then dramatically came to his sides rescue as Crampton's fisted effort looked goal bound but it fell into the arms of Dunshaughlin's number one and they held on for a three point win. Their challenge at the penultimate stage was provided by a Graham Geraghty led Seneschalstown side, but in truth, the blond assassin, as he was labelled earlier in the summer, provided the only real threat to Barry's charges. In a very dour affair, the holders were 0-04 to 0-02 to the good at the interval and with a truly professional performance held on to edge through on a 0-10 to 1-04 result and reserve their place in the showpiece for the fourth year running. The final pairing couldn't have been a more unique and contrasting one as a Darren Fay led Trim side, trying to annex the Keegan Cup for the first time in forty years, stood between Dunshaughlin and three in a row. Trim's hunger was evident right from the word go as a piece of quick thinking by Michael Lowther which resulted in the ball nestling in Ronan Gogan's net stunned the holders into action. It appeared to be just the kick start they required as they went on to dominate remainder of the half and as the Navan Silver Band replaced them on the pitch to provide the entertainment for the massive assembled crowd, the scoreboard said that the treble bid was on track with the challengers two in arrears, 0-06 to 1-01. The start and finish of the second half were when the champions asserted their authority, but the rest of the half belonged to Trim. Points from Martin Reilly (two) and a goal from Trevor Dowd, who was earlier replaced and re-introduced in a tactical move, seemed to have sealed their place in history when leaving them 1-08 to 1-02 clear. Not so as Trim set about a retrieval mission which was greatly assisted when Michael McHale let a long range free from Fay slip through his fingers and into the net. Three points followed and all of a sudden the sides were incredibly level as the game entered the time at the discretion of Seamus McCormack. At best for the champions, it looked as if the might hang on for a draw, but when Trim missed two chances to steal the win, it seemed to put a bit more fuel in the champions tank. And find it they did, and, don't you know, in the most dramatic way possible. Maurice Power seemed to have done enough to guarantee stalemate when breaking up a raid on the goals at the hospital end. There then arrived one of those moments of individual genius and bravery as the outstanding Niall Kelly took it upon himself to launch one of his trademark long range missiles in the direction of the Trim posts and it duly sailed over the bar. It ended any real chance Trim had but just to be sure, "Man of the Match" David Crimmins clipped over a classy point after a Ray Maloney rasper came over the crossbar. A dramatic end to the latest chapter in the drama that is the Dunshaughlin success story. And chances are it's not the last! Under-12 triumph for St. Martin's The writing, well, it was pretty much on the wall from the outset. After only their first game in Division 1 the St. Martin's U-12 footballers had put down a benchmark. The sticks of chalk had inscribed the club's intentions across the proverbial wall of the division. They had just crushed the defending champions St. Colmcille's and for the rest of the year they would remain the yardstick team as they blitzed their way to the title. By Gordon Manning. The U-12 triumph was one of many for St. Martin's this year as the club enjoyed a hugely rewarding 12 months on the field. Their campaign started with a victory over holders St. Colmcille's on a terrible day in late April but one of the men involved with the team, Des Boyhan, admits that the magnitude of that win came as a bit of a surprise. "It was a shock because their U-12 side had beaten everyone around them in 2001 and it looked like this year's team would do likewise. However a combination of us playing well and Colmcille's missing some of their most influential players provided us with a great boost for the players' confidence." The final result saw St. Martin's run out comprehensive winners, 14-10 to 2-6. It was the start of an amazing journey that would see them go unbeaten all year. In their second outing they faced a strong Simonstown side, but at the final whistle they had won by the minimum, 4-12 to 5-8. "That was one of the best juvenile games I have ever seen. We were seven points behind at half-time but went four up in the second half. Then they came back at us but we just held on for the win," says Des. St. Martin's third game was against neighbours Blackhall Gaels on May 11th where once again they ran out comfortable victors, 8-15 to 1-2. The Round Towers fell next as St. Martin's extended their string of victories with a 1-5 to 0-3 triumph in Drumree. At that stage they had become unquestionable contenders for the title. Four games and four wins had seen them achieve the status of the team nobody wanted to face. On June 1st they travelled to Trim and after leading 2-7 to 0-4 at the break St. Martin's ran out 8-12 to 0-5 winners. "It was tight enough in the first half but we managed to pull away in the second half by getting a few goals," he states. Five days later they battled out a 2-10 to 1-3 victory over Navan O'Mahony's footballers. At half-time the result still hung very much in the balance at 0-3 to 0-2. However the St. Martin's players showed incredible poise to pick off vital scores in that second half and condemn the Navan side to defeat. In their final game of the division St. Martin's completely overwhelmed Dunboyne 11-16 to 0-6. "That was a great result but in fairness to Dunboyne they had some players missing for that game. But our successive run of victories meant that our lads had really started to believe in themselves as we prepared to take on a much improved St. Colmcille's in the semi-final." That game was played in windy conditions at Duleek but St. Martin's advanced to the final with a 5-11 to 1-6 win. "The scoreline didn't reflect the tightness of the match as we were outplayed for much of the first half by Colmcille's," admits Des. Yet again it was St. Martin's second half heroics that achieved the victory, as they kept the St. Colmcille's forwards quiet for the entire period. "We led 3-1 to 1-6 at the break after playing against the wind in the first half. Those goals were important, especially as they were scored against the wind. Eamonn Bowe scored four goals in the semi-final and played very well. Ciaran Clusker was solid at centre-back as were Danny Logan at half-forward and James Horgan in midfield," says Des. In the final they faced Simonstown, a team that looked capable of really troubling St. Martin's U-12s this year. The game was played in Bective and at the interval Simonstown were in a commanding position. "We trailed 1-2 to 1-8 at half-time and it was only in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the game that we really got going. We scored four goals in the space of a few minutes and that killed off Simonstown. At the final whistle we had won 7-5 to 2-11. Shane Troy scored four important goals during the game while Colm McLoughlin, James Kellegher and Darragh Devereaux also played extremely well. However our goalkeeper Mark Coffey made at least four unbelievable saves during the game. He was absolutely brilliant and helped keep us in the match, especially during the first half. One of our main strengths all year was that we had plenty of good lads on the sideline and when they came in they also played well. Our entire panel played a huge part in winning the title." It was a fantastic achievement for the club and a well-deserved triumph. They had looked and played like champions from the opening day but Des concedes that it was more than they had realistically hoped for at the beginning of the year. "Our aim was probably a semi-final and anything after that would have been a bonus. But we had a bit of luck on our side this year and every team needs luck to win something. In fairness to Simonstown they are a fantastic team and they nearly beat us twice but I suppose they didn't have the luck. Their lads were devastated after the final but they are a good side and their day will probably come." St. Martin's also enjoyed success in a number of other underage categories this year and Des points out that it is all down to the hard work carried out by a number of people within the club. "Tommy Clusker and Donnchadh Geraghty had been doing a tremendous amount of work all year, while Paul Logan, Brendan Murphy, and the late Pat Dennehy provided invaluable assistance." The U-11 team successfully competed in the annual Kilcloon tournament hosted by Blackhall Gaels this year. The tournament, which includes four representatives from Meath and four from Kildare, reached an exciting climax as St. Martin's faced Celbridge in the decider. St. Martin's had already accounted for St. Mary's of Leixlip in the semi-final, 3-6 to 1-3, but the final was a much tighter affair with the Meath club running out victors by only a single point at the whistle. Des would also like to pay tribute to all those who have put in tremendous work with these players, be it in the mini-leagues or school, and would especially like to thank the great Ollie Bowe. Elsewhere the U-16 side won the Division 2 football title while the U-12 reserve team came within touching distance of glory only to fall at the final hurdle to Navan O'Mahony's. And at the time of going to press the St. Martin's U-13 team were on their way to a possible Division 2 football final. However off the field four clubmen sadly passed away during the last 12 months, Paul Barry, Stephen Burke, Joe Rattigan and Pat Dennehy. Des, everybody involved with St. Martin's and all like to pass on our deepest sympathies to their families and friends. The last time St. Martin's captured the U-12 crown the likes of Niall Kelly and David Crimmins were involved with the team. This year they were both part of the triple winning Dunshaughlin senior side that regained the Keegan Cup. It is a positive sign for the future. "There are some very good footballers here and if they stick at it there is no reason why they can't go on to emulate their underage success at senior level. Overall I think there are the makings of a very good Meath minor team in a few years. I mean apart from us, St. Colmcille's, Simonstown and so on all have a lot of very good players. Then there are the clubs that will always provide one or two players so the future is not looking too bad," believes Des. Next year they will set out with the sole intention of defending their Division 1 title and with a number of good U-11 footballers joining up with a handful of remaining eligible U-12s from this year, a successful defence is a distinct possibility. For now the wall has been wiped clean but the sticks of chalk are still primed for use in 2003, just in case! The U-12 panel that lifted the Division 1 title was: Mark Coffey, Paul Walsh, James Kellegher, Joe Boyhan, David O'Rourke, Ciaran Clusker, Niall Murphy, Colm McLoughlin, James Horgan, Cillian Dennehy, Bill Reilly, Danny Logan, Eamonn Bowe, Shane Troy, Darragh Devereaux, David Fitzmaurice, Taidgh Delaney, Connor Ennis, Robert Crosby, Eoin Hegarty, Barry Jordan, Stephen Clusker, Arron Redmond. The U-11 panel that beat Celbridge to win the Kilcloon tournament was: Ian Donoghue, Stephen Doyle, Stephen Clusker, Paul Keane, Barry Jordan, Emmet Staunton, Niall Murphy, Eoin Hegarty, James Rattigan, Connor Devereaux, Eamonn Bowe, Lee Duffy, Daniel Geraghty, Luke Briody, Niall Clusker, Connor O'Brien, James Doolin, Kevin Burke, Conaill O'Sullivan, Aodhan Woods, Sean Cunningham, Daniel Hayes. Tweet

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