Francis Lynch talks about the effort involved in keeping Kiltale among the higher order of Meath hurling. As we look back on the 2000 GAA season, not just in Meath but in all of Ireland, it is hard not to notice what the experts have been saying about hurling these past 12 months. The game, it seems, is in crisis again. The pace and excitement of Munster hurling has slackened off as those heroes of the nineties Clare have returned to their traditional position in the shadows, and Waterford have failed to live up to their potential. But Munster is still the Harley Davidson province compared to the punctured penny farthing that is Leinster. The Leinster senior hurling championship in 2000 was a third consecutive non-event with the eventual All-Ireland champions Kilkenny waltzing through the province without so much as breaking sweat. People have been asking what has become of Offaly but far more pertinent in the question: what has become of Wexford? Are Kilkenny going to walk all over their near neighbours for the foreseeable future and, if so, is it a decisive sign that things aren't looking good for hurling? Probably yes. But where does all this leave hurling in Meath? The health of the game in the county has never really depended on the exploits of the county team. The work at grassroots level of club members is essential right throughout the country but it is particularly essential in counties where hurling is not traditionally strong, like Meath. That's how the game remains alive, through dedicated voluntary work. In Kiltale that work continues unabated, without complaint. Much work has gone in to improving the facilities at the club. The finishing touches to the re-development of the clubs pitch are being applied. An official pitch opening will be happening soon. Things on the pitch haven't been particularly vibrant for Kiltale in recent times. But it's not for the want of trying. Not since the early 80's have Kiltale been a dominant force in Meath club hurling. It was a fine team with the likes of Paddy Kelly, Ger and Mickey Regan, Richie Melia, the late Robbie Melia, Tommy Cummins and Harry Donovan; a team that won back-to-back senior championships in 1982 and 1983, and a Feis Cup in 1984. It was the most successful period in Kiltale's history. For a club of such minimal playing resources there is no doubt that good fortune played a part in bringing together at the same, so many talented and dedicated players. But fortune plays a small incipient part. After fortune, the talent, application and team spirit must be applied and that's what Kiltale did to great effect in the early eighties. Just as Offaly are now experiencing a downturn in their fortunes, so it could never last for Kiltale either. But the fact that the club is still in the Meath senior ranks and on their day capable of beating any team in the county is a tribute to not only the players on the pitch but those men and women who have fought and worked hard for Kiltale in those areas of scant recognition. Maintaining the club's senior status is always the number one priority at Kiltale, says club chairman Francis Lynch. Once that has been achieved, more heady objectives come into play each season, like returning to the glory days of nearly two decades ago. But it's never easy. This is how Francis Lynch sums up the season just gone by. It is a good summing up implicit generous though not wishy-washy. "We made a good start to the season and given that we had then hoped to qualify for the championship semi-finals but subsequent results didn't go our way. Overall I felt the lads didn't do themselves full justice. They are better than what they showed and I know they are capable of improving for next season." Kiltale's championship record in 2000 reads: Won two, lost two, drawn one. The first two wins came in the first two games: - it was an excellent start though things unravelled subsequently. TJ Kane's team's opening championship outing was against Dunboyne, an up and coming side says with, Francis Lynch, a lot of nice hurlers. Kiltale's were in good form, running out convincing winners. This good start was then consolidated with victory over Athboy in the club's second game. "After beating Athboy," says the Chairman, "we thought we had a good chance of reaching the knock-out stages." By the time next game came around, however, against Trim, certain things were intervening. Bigger clubs with more players can soften the blow of such interventions but Kiltale can't. The Leaving Certificate exams were taking place and the Kiltale XV was shorn of three players as a result. "We were well beaten by Trim and it was a great blow to our morale. We never really recovered at all. It's hard for us to replace players who are missing. We have a small pick." In the next game against Kilmessan, Kiltale played well up until half-time when they were in the lead. But the concession of slack goals cost them dearly afterwards and they were unable to get back into the game. A draw in their final match saw out the conclusion of another championship for Kiltale. "Trim and Kilmessan have been dominating now for a number of years," says Francis. "It's difficult for the likes of us and other clubs to make the breakthrough. It's hard to know what it takes to make the breakthrough - it's almost like a magic formula which we got right in the early eighties. "There are a number of hurling clubs in our area vying for a small pick of players - Kildalkey, Killyon, Kiltale. "But we are still confident for next season. We've a couple of good young lads coming through like Stephen and Johnny Donoghue, Stephen White, Shane Reilly and Ciaran Ennis and if we can blend their skill and enthusiasm with the experience of the older fellas we should be there or thereabouts next season. We feel we're as good as a lot of teams playing in Meath." Finally Francis Lynch pays tribute to the work being done at the club at underage level. "Paddy Kelly looks after the U11s and U13s and he has put a tremendous effort in over the last few years, as have Ray Walsh and Thomas Donaghue. The clubs is very grateful for their efforts which hopefully will reap great dividend in the future." Tweet

Most Read Stories