It's been a while since the Round Towers juvenile club have had a championship success to celebrate but, this year, their U12s set the record straight, by cruising to the U12 Division 1 title. The U12 second string also got in on the winning act by capturing the 'Reserve' crown. Here Donal Barrett, who was a co-manager with Gerry Smith on the first team, guides us through a memorable year for the Kells parish club. Round Towers gained entry to the 1999 Meath juvenile roll of honour courtesy of their U12's 5-14 to 2-5 Division 1 final victory over St. Martins. They were 1-11 to 0-4 ahead at the interval and with all six forwards managing to get on the scoresheet the end result was never really in doubt. Centre forward and captain Martin Barrett led the way with 2-1, Barry Smith chipped in with 0-5 from placed balls and Shane Butler register 1-3 from his midfield berth. Peter Carry ensured that the full back line remained watertight while Sean Brosnan, Phillip Ward and Eanna Ward were others to catch the eye in a fine all round team display Donal Barrett (father of Martin) and Gerry Smith (father of left half forward Barry) charted the route to success and the compass never once deviated along the way. "We were unbeaten all year," remarks co-manager Barrett. "We beat Simonstown early on in the league section of the competition and that was a close enough game. St. Martins also gave us a run for our money early on in the league." According to Donal the end scoreline in the decider flatters Round Towers somewhat. "It was close enough until midway through the second half. We were completely on top in the last fifteen to ten minutes. Ten points was the difference at half time but they got two goals and the start of the second half which gave them a boost. "The closest they came to us was six points. We had the edge on them all the way through but the score suggested it was all one way traffic, which it wasn't. Our lads finished the stronger." Donal and Gerry had high expectations at the start of the year regarding this team's chances. Their performances at U10 level highlighted the potential that existed within the squad so, as you can imagine, no stone was left unturned in their preparation for this year's U12 campaign. "When this team were U10 they took part in various blitzes which were organised by the County Board and the Simonstown and O'Mahonys clubs. They won all four blitzes they entered so it's fair to say that we knew they had a good chance of winning the U12. They also reached the Community Games Leinster final at U10 level. "Preparations started back in early March and we had them out two nights a week. Each and everyone of them gave great commitment. They're a great bunch of fellas, there was never any problems with them. They're the type of fellas you need on your team if you're to be successful. "We've been working with particular bunch since they were six to seven years old. We got them early and have worked with them for the last number of years. The benefits of getting them at such a young age was there for all to see this year." When asked what were the secret ingredients of the Round Towers U12's winning formula, Donal replied: "they were a well balanced team, we were strong in all departments. We weren't relying on one outstanding player all the time, we had a lot of players who could turn out to be the matchwinner in any given game. That was the team's main strength." The U12 cup had taken up permanent residence in Navan O'Mahonys Brews Hill headquarters this last six years so relieving their town rivals of the silverware was obviously a source of much pride. "That made it extra special," the affable Barrett admits. "The majority of the lads on this year's team would have been playing last year as well and O'Mahony's gave them a terrible hiding. They got their revenge this year by taking the cup off them." Not content with the U12 'A' title, Round Towers also captured the U12 'Reserve' competition. Simonstown Gaels were overcome in that particular decider. Tommy Carry and Gerry Morgan were the men in charge of the second team. There was also Scoil Colmcille's success in the Division 1 of the primary schools competition. Donal, a teacher in the local primary school, was also over that team along with well known County Board official Francis Flynn from Dunsany. Twelve of the Round Towers team which started against St. Martin's starred against St. Pauls, Navan in the Kells school's 1-8 o 2-2 win. It was the Kells school's first appearance in the final since 1992. Donal is fulsome in his praise of the work being carried out by Cumann na mBunscol and teachers in national schools throughout the county. "Cumann na mBunscol are doing a great job. They're catering for all schools, from the smallest to the biggest, and they're competitions are very enjoyable. Teachers also deserve a lot of credit for all the voluntary work they do." Judging by all the success, the Round Towers juvenile club must be doing something right. "Des Keegan is the juvenile chairman and Anne Smith is the secretary. They and their committee are doing great work. They've put a lot of effort in and we're reaping the rewards. "We've also received a lot of support from parents which is very encouraging. They bring the kids along and provide transport for the away games which is a big help. Just to see them there at games giving their support is a big boost to the mentors and the players," Donal concluded. The winning Round Towers team was: S. Mahon; P. Ward, P. Carry, E. Ryan; G. Butler, S. Hanney, R. Mooney; S. Butler (1-3), D. McCarthy; B. Hanlon (0-2), M. Barrett (2-1), B. Smith (0-5); S. Brosnan (0-1), P. Halpin (1-1), C. Carry (0-1). Subs - P Kiernan, M. Hetherton, P. Smith (1-0) The Gate collector Most club's encounter difficulties when it comes to finding suitable people to collect the gates at their home games. Gaeil Colmcille, however, are an exception, they're fortunate to have the likes of Noel Farrell who is only too willing to help out. Noel Farrell's is a familar face to GAA supporters throughout the county. The Kells man has been keeping the gate at his home club's grounds these past twenty years and is also a regular turnstile operator at Pairc Tailteann in Navan. "I've been doing the gate in Kells for the last twenty years," the affable Farrell revealed. "Unfortunately, it means I don't get to see as much of the Kells footballers and hurlers as, more often than not, their games would clash with games in the Park. I try to follow them as much as I can but someone has to stay at home to collect." Noel is eager to point out that it's by no means a one man show. Stephen Quigley, John Joe Murray, Marie Quigley, May Morris and his wife Mary (a native of Castletown who won an Intermediate camogie medal with Gaeil Colmcille) also do their fair share. As Chairman of the Park committee (Noel has just completed his second year in the position) it is his - and his committee's - responsibility to ensure that the pitch is prepared for upcoming games and that the surrounding grounds is kept up to scratch. Any visitors to Gaeil Colmcilles grounds in recent times have seen his handywork at first hand . . . there's been no complaints yet. Noel was born and bred in the north Meath town and first began playing with Gaeil Colmcille thirty-two years ago as a 10 year old. A dual player, his medal collection includes U12, Junior B, Div. 2 league and Intermediate football honours as well as Junior and Intermediate hurling souvenirs. The Intermediate football medal was garnered in 1986 when Kells (backboned by the likes of the Ferguson family, Benny Reddy and Paul Carr) overcame Meath Hill in the decider which was played in their home grounds. Noel was sub goalie on that particular occasion. The father of four - Paul, Mark (a member of the Round Towers U14s), Liam and Michelle - was right corner back on the hurling XV which defeated Dunboyne in the Intermediate final of 1988. Two years later he hung up the boots and so only just missed out on Kells' memorable Keegan Cup triumph in 1991. Noel's brothers Michael (who's now living in America) and Pat would also have donned the colours of the local club in the past while his sister, Anne Smith, is the current secretary of Round Towers, the juvenile section of the club which also incorporates players from local junior clubs, Drumbaragh and Kilmainham. 1999 was a profitable year for the underage club with the U12 A and B FC double being annexed. Noel's nephew Barry (Anne's son) was on the victorious team. "The underage structue is very solid and has been for quite a while now. There's a lot of work being put in at that level. The U12 wins this year augurs well for the future. There's a good camaradery between the three clubs. "That was proved this year when Drumbaragh won the Junior B championship, their first ever adult championship. That win gave the whole town a great boost. For the final against Walterstown they had a big support from Kells. "A lot from the Kilmainham club went up to support them even though they had beaten them in the semi-final. There was plenty of best wishes signs and flags up all over the place. The three clubs have a good relationship and that's paying dividends at underage level." Unfortunately, the Kells senior footballers didn't enjoy similar success on the playing field. In 1998 they proved to be the rock on which their championship aspirations perished in a play-off. This year they found themselves in a knock-out situation of a different kind. The threat of relegation loomed ominously over the horizon until a play-off win over Carnaross maintained their senior status for 2000. "They didn't really start playing until their last two games against Seneschalstown and Carnaross, they only woke up when the pressure was on," opines the 42 year old who, incidentally, is heavily involved in the Kells Pitch and Putt scene. "I think they're well capable of beating any team in the county but there seems to be something lacking. They can't afford to lose any games next year because they'll find themselves back in the same situation again. "They got to the final of the Div. 2 league and earned promotion to Div. 1 so hopefully, that will give them a bit of confidence to do better in the championship next year." The hurlers, however, gave the club's supporters value for money. "The hurlers had a good run in the championship this year. They reached the semi-final of the Intermediate championship against Dunboyne but just lost out. I actually prefer the hurling to the football." Meanwhile, like all followers of Meath, Noel delighted in the county's march to their seventh All-Ireland title although he admits that he didn't think they had the werewithall at the start of the year to pull it off. "I must confess, I thought Armagh were the team to watch out for, even before they actually won the Ulster championship. But, I was only too happy to be proved wrong!" As regards the final itself, Noel says: "Going into the game I thought Meath were going to win. When Cork got the goal it was a worrying time but it wasn't long before Meath regained their grip on things and I think for the majority of the second half there only ever looked like being one winner. It was a great success for the county and hopefully they can do it all over again next year," he concluded. Tweet

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