If there was an award for the best supported club in the Royal County, Meath Hill would top most people's lists. The north Meath club is blessed with a large following which would put some of the senior clubs to shame. The standing ovation they gave their team as they left the pitch after losing the Junior championship semi-final to St. Pauls illustrated the passion and loyalty which exists in this part of Meath. Here's their year in review. One of the main talking points on the Meath club scene during the year was Meath Hill's three match quarter-final play-off marathon with Curraha. Controversy erupted when referee Jim Smith's final tally, the first day, was found to differ with Meath Hill's interpretation of accounts. A report even appeared in the local papers claiming Meath Hill had progressed to the quarter-final proper courtesy of a 3-10 to 1-15 win over their east Meath opponents. The affair made the headlines when the Co. Board conducted an investigation. Meath Hill delegate Eddie Callan and club secretary Celine Nulty submitted evidence along with linesman Tommy Mulvaney (of the host Seneschalstown club) and umpire Stephen Burke. Co. Board vice-chairman Tommy Collins confirmed that he inspected a goalpost at the pitch which had a tally of scores matching Meath Hill's account. He also confirmed that the referee was satisfied with his tally, a draw. Much to the annoyance of the Meath Hill club the 'The referee's word is final' rule came into play and a re-match was ordered. This saga took another twist when the replay at Pairc Tailteann finished in a draw, Meath Hill 0-18 Curraha 1-15. A second half Curraha goal looked like bringing the blue and white's championship participation to an end until a late score prolonged their interest. The replayed replay (!) was a case of third time lucky for Meath Hill. Once again it was a close affair but a strong finish allowed them to run out 0-11 to 0-9 winners at Navan. Their opponents started well and were two points up before Meath Hill began to find their form. Luckily for them, their top marksman Paul Kieran was in fine form and a string of points left them 0-7 to 0-4 ahead at the break. Similar to the first half, Curraha, with wind assistance, opened brightly on the resumption. Entering the final quarter, the scoreboard read 0-9 apiece. Then Barry Kieran put the Hill's nose in front and Paul Kieran sealed the issue with a point on the stroke of full-time. Dean Farrelly, Paudge Boyle, Barry Kieran, John Cunningham and Willie Owens were outstanding for the winners. Meath Hill's reward was a quarter-final date against Enfield. Once again their supporters nerves were tested but Dean Farrelly's injury-time goal proved vital as they came from behind to earn the spoils, 2-8 to 0-11, at Walterstown. Despite a Paul Kieran goal from a free at the end of the first period, the Hill trailed by 1-2 to 0-6 at the break and the one point deficit remained intact at the end of the third quarter. Paul Kieran levelled with his sixth point, but Enfield replied and went one ahead before a moment of inspiration from Padraig Smith restored parity in the 58th minute. Another replay looked odds on but Kieran came to the rescue with his injury time strike. Paudge Boyle, Paddy, John and Thomas Owens #and Farrelly impressed for the winners. The rollercoaster ride reached its conclusion at the penultimate stage when St. Pauls overcame them by 3-9 to 1-13 in Pairc Tailteann as part of a double bill with the Junior 'C' decider between Rathkenny and Summerhill. Goals from Anthony Moyles and Phillip Connolly made all the difference as the Clonee side withheld a spirited second half Meath Hill revival. Buoyed by the encouragement from their supporters, the north Meath club, who trailed at half-time by 3-4 to 0-4, set about reeling in their opponents but time ran out too soon for them and St Pauls booked their final ticket against Moylagh. Manager John Maguire and his selectors switched Paudge Boyle from full forward to midfield and the move had the desired effect as he began to exert a big influence around the middle of the field. Paul Kieran, like he did all year, hit the target from frees regularly. He put his name to six successive points in the opening 20 minutes to narrow the gap to five (0-10 to 3-6) and although the Clonee side responded with a point, the north Meath side were thrown a lifeline when substitute Padraig Smith found the net after Kieran's attempt had been blocked by the St. Pauls goalkeeper. The Hill continued their rich vein of form and Kieran's ninth point, followed by a fine Thomas Owens effort on the run, narrowed the gap to two with two minutes remaining. They had the opportunity to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat when Smith found himself with a goal chance but he was denied by the Clonee goalkeeper. He did manage a point when the ball fell nicely for him. Unfortunately, the equaliser proved elusive and it was St. Pauls who rounded off the scoring. The damage was done in the first half. Despite a profitable start which yielded three points, St. Paul's ability to raise green flags proved, ultimately, to be the decisive factor at the end of the day. It was a disppointing end to an eventful campaign but Meath Hill supporters can't complain. they certainly got value for money. The players, too, must appreciate their huge volume of support. Few clubs deserve a championship success more. The Meath Hill team which bowed out of the championship at the penultimate stage was as follows: M. McKenna; W. Owens, J. Cunningham, J. Owens; B. Kieran, E. Boyle, J. Owens; D. Farrelly, T. Boyle (0-1), P. Kieran (0-9); C. Maher, P. Boyle, P. Owens (0-2). Subs - B. Hanratty, P. Smyth (1-1) Tweet

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