Simonstown came perilously close to becoming embroiled in a SFC relegation play-off against Syddan this year before their group play-off success over Ballinlough spared them the indignity. It was too close for comfort for the north Navan gaels and Ronan McGrath is one individual who's eager to avoid a repeat scenario next year. If one was to pass judgement on Simonstown's recent track record in the Meath SFC, reliable is a word which certainly wouldn't enter the equation, unless, maybe, it referred to the north Navan side's full-back Ronan McGrath. While the team's overall performances tend to fluctuate from the sublime to the mediocre, the 28 year old has been the personification of reliability and, more often than not, never lets the side down. It is beyond dispute that the north Navan club boasts personnel which, on paper at least, compare favourably with what the best of the rest have to offer, yet they seem to be missing that special ingredient which separates champions from pretenders. 1997 and 1998 were the closest they came to reaching the Keegan Cup decider but neighbours O'Mahony's and Oldcastle, respectively, thwarted their ambitions on those occasions. It has been a frustrating time for members of the Navan club and no one feels that frustration more than their ever dependable full-back who has been a regular on the first team over the past decade or so. "It has been frustrating," acknowledged Ronan. "But no one has a divine right to win championships. When we came up to the senior grade a lot of people expected us to do well on account of all the success we had enjoyed at underage level but that's never a guarantee, there's a massive difference between underage and adult football and we have learned that the hard way. "On the couple of occasions we came close to going all the way luck wasn't on our side but you have to make your own luck in senior football and we've been unable to do that so far." Simonstown's propensity to blow hot and cold has bedevilled them since their arrival in the upper echelons of Meath Gaelic football five years ago and this was very much in evidence during their 2001 SFC campaign. Against Kilmainhamwood in the opener at Kells in April they produced a decent enough display despite losing by 0-8 to 0-6. They, arguably, deserved at least a share of the spoils but were left to rue a missed penalty opportunity on the stroke of full-time. Next up was reigning champions Dunshaughlin and a must win game for the north Navan men at Dunsany if they were to preserve their slot in the Keegan Cup equation. They delivered in scintillating fashion, defeating the Kealys and co. by 1-13 to 1-6. One local newspaper described their performance as: 'Champagne fare'. There was no popping of champagne corks, however, after the final group game when Ballinlough deprived the Gaels of a place in the knock-out stages. It was the first time since 1996 - the club's debut year in the senior grade - that Simonstown failed to feature at the business end of the championship. "I don't know how to explain that, it was very disappointing," admitted the Ark Life employee. "After playing so well against Dunshaughlin it's difficult to understand how we did so poorly against Ballinlough. We never really threatened Ballinlough and they seemed to have the better of us in most areas of the field. "They were much hungrier than us, simple as that. I don't know whether over-confidence had a part to play on our behalf after the Dunshaughlin win but we certainly didn't play anywhere near our best. Hank Traynor was ruled out with a neck injury but while he obviously would have made a difference I think the final outcome would have been the same. It was just one of those days when nothing we tried went right for us." And so Simonstown found themselves one defeat away from the nightmare scenario of a relegation play-off with Syddan. Having finished joint-bottom with Ballinlough in Group 3 on two points, the two had to meet again to decide who would contest the relegation decider. With no sign of the re-match on the horizon due to Meath's involvement in the All-Ireland championship, Simonstown switched their attention to the All-County Football League where they occupied top spot in the table. Subsequent wins over Dunboyne, Dunderry and Ballinlough consolidated their position at the summit and they earned a place in the league final decider against second placed Kilmainhamwood. And they entered the showdown against the 'Wood in confident mood having laid their relegation worries to rest with a 0-9 to 0-7 win over Ballinlough two weeks earlier. "Since becoming a senior club in 1995 we haven't yet managed to win a senior title of any description so we put a lot of effort into doing well in the League this year," explained the 28 year old. "Reaching the final was a great boost for all the lads and helped keep morale high at training as we prepared for the championship play-off against Ballinlough. Unfortunately, the final proved to be yet another occasion where we let ourselves down though. "We were in a very strong position at half-time, leading by two points and having played well in the first half. But, for some reason, we fell apart in the second half and with Ray McGee on top form Kilmainhamwood got the win." It hasn't all been about near-misses and hard-luck stories as far as Ronan McGrath is concerned. In fact, whenever he decides to hang up the boots in the future he will be able to reflect on a very rewarding Gaelic football career. He has been a regular on the Simonstown first team since making his debut in the sky blues 1990 Junior final success over Cortown and prior to that, like a lot of his Simonstown contemporaries, he was reared on a diet of underage successes. His medal collection also includes IFC, Minor and U-16 medals. Two weeks prior to the junior success of 1990, he was right-half back on the Meath minor team which captured the Tom Markham Cup for the first time since 1956. Three years later he was a corner-back on the Royal County side which claimed the All-Ireland U-21 trophy for the first, and to date, only time in the county's history. His performances with club and county attracted the attention of Sean Boylan and he was a member of the senior panel in 1994 and '95. One of the most consistent full-backs in club football he was tried briefly at centre-forward earlier this year but the experiment exposed weaknesses in the Simonstown rearguard and it wasn't long before he reverted back to his more accustomed position. Brother Cian, also an ex-Meath minor and U-21, is another of the Navan club's more accomplished performers along with the likes of Hank Traynor, Ned Kearney, Seamus Kenny etc. Meanwhile, the recruitment of Meath legend Colm O'Rourke as the team's manager at the start of this year heightened expectations even further. "The first thing Colm said to us was that he had no magic wand to wave, that it was entirely down to the players' attitude and, of course, he was right. "Colm and his selectors, Sean Barry, Des Lane and Justy Ward, did a very good job and to be fair, I think that all the players responded well to him this year, even if the results don't prove it. "We had good turn-outs at training throughout which was very positive when you consider that a lot of players could have been tempted to walk away following the championship loss to Ballinlough. "That was one of the most pleasing aspects of the year as far as I am concerned. For the couple of months prior to the championship play-off, everyone, the management and the players, realised what was required and got stuck in. Thankfully, things worked out well for us in the end as regards the championship. That was a huge relief." It was a huge relief for everyone associated with the Navan club, so what about next year, will 2002 yield an upturn in the fortunes of Simonstown Gaels? "I'm certainly not going to make any predictions other than we will do our best and see what happens," he laughed. Past experiences have taught Ronan valuable lessons! BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE Simonstown might have had a quiet year in terms of silverware but it was anything but away from the field of play. The official opening of their new floodlit pitch in May of this year kept members on their toes, and there was hardly time to draw a breath before renovations to the clubhouse began. The end result has proved worthwhile though. Anyone who has visited Simonstown this year cannot have failed to have been impressed with the north Navan club's impressive new clubhouse and floodlit pitch. The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the floodlights. The state-of-the-art system was installed in 1998, and is of the highest quality. The facility has been quite in demand with Brian McEniff and the Irish squad availing of it to prepare for the International Rules series before their departure for Australia while the host club organised their second annual Intercounty Floodlit tournament in November/December. Also in November the progressive club, Meath winners in the inaugural AIB GAA Club of the Year awards earlier in the year, earned the distinction of hosting the first ever competitive game of gaelic football to be played under lights under the jurisdiction of a Provincial Council, the O'Byrne Cup clash between Meath and Longford. Concrete terracing one side of the pitch and an electronic scoreboard complement the floodlights and makes Simonstown an attractive venue for gaelic football supporters to attend games. Intensive work on the pitch over the last year or so has yielded dramatic improvement to the surface; to look at it now it's difficult to imagine that it was once a disused sandpit! Preparations for the Official Opening commenced in March and the entire clubhouse received a makeover while special insulation helped improve accoustics in the main hall. The addition of a juvenile pitch was another important development this year and this was played on for the first time this summer. All the hard work reaped rich dividends as Saturday, May 19th, 2001 proved to be a memorable occasion for the Navan club. The main attraction of the evening's programme was a challenge game between Meath and the then reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry, a pairing which added extra prestige to the event. A who's who of the GAA world turned up for the big day. GAA President Sean McCague and Leinster Council Chairman Seamus Aldridge were fulsome in their praise of the club's facilities in their speeches. Aldridge, in fact, even went as far as to say that the facilities were unrivalled at any other club he had visited. The Association President wholeheartedly congratulated Simonstown on its efforts and complimented all the people who worked diligently over the years. "It's been a wonderful journey since the club was founded in 1965 and now the young people of the area have the best of facilities and the opportunity to play our games," remarked McCague. The Monaghan man added that the club had displayed great vision and foresight and he also praised the government for recognising the importance of sport when giving grants to facilities. Dr Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, blessed the new facilities and the club made special presentations to Dr Smith, Sean McCague, Seamus Aldridge, GAA Director General Liam Mulvihill and Meath Co Board Chairman Fintan Ginnity. After the game, presentations were made to managers Sean Boylan and Paidi O Se, the two captains, Hank Traynor and Seamus Moynihan, and referee Pat McEnaney. The All-Ireland Colleges winning St. Patrick's CS panel paraded the Hogan Cup in front of the crowd at half-time. Minister for the Environment Noel Dempsey, the then Navan UDC chairman Christy Gorman, Meath County Board secretary Barney Allen and County Board treasurer Colm Gannon were amongst the dignatories present. Also there were Meath County Board Hon. Presidents Peter McDermott, Liam Creavin and Mattie Gilsenan. As for the game itself, the All-Ireland champions rolled into town with the majority of their star players in tow. 2000 Player of the Year Seamus Moynihan, the legendary Maurice Fitzgerald, Dara O'Se and Dara O'Cinneide etc. were all present. One thing that Kerry did forget was their jerseys but Simonstown came to the rescue by giving them a 'loan' of their new sky blue set! The game itself failed to live up to its pre-match billing but challenge games at official openings invariably lack the cutting edge of championship fare. At half-time, the reigning All-Ireland champions led by 1-5 to 1-4. John Crowley struck for Kerry's goal in the 4th minute while Evan Kelly replied for the home side. Graham Geraghty rounded Seamus Moynihan to goal two minutes after the restart but Declan Quill and substitute John McGlynn were in good scoring form and Kerry finished the stronger to claim victory. Meath, of course, were to gain revenge in the best possible fashion late in the summer. Simonstown's Hank Traynor had the honour of captaining the home side while Seamus Kenny started at left-half back and did his future prospects no harm at all with a fine display. No sooner had the dust settled on the official opening than the builders returned to Simonstown to commence work on an extension to the existing clubhouse. This incorporated a new entrance foyer, an extension to the existing club lounge, a new function room/gym, new meeting rooms, new toilets, a referee's room and an office. The latest phase of the club's development was financed through a £300,000 grant from the National Lottery plus the proceeds from the club's second 'House Draw' raffle, which reached a successful conclusion in March. The extension was completed at the end of November and the newly refurbished clubhouse is now an ideal venue for 21sts, christenings etc., while it offers club members and members of the local community a perfect setting to enjoy a bit of socialising. All in all, Simonstown boasts impressive facilities which can only serve them well in their bid to promote gaelic games in Navan town. Their members deserve a pat on the back for the initiative they've displayed in this important aspect of the club's development. Tweet

Most Read Stories