A great year indeed for the Boardsmill club as various titles were captured in both codes. Welcome success for one of the county's smallest football clubs as Boardsmill U13's best in thrilling final against Clan na Gael You have to hand it to Boardsmill! One of the smallest football outfits in the county, they still managed to get on the Roll of Honour for 1997. The under -13's had a memorable win over Clan na Gael in the Division 4 final. While the club is much better known as a hurling stronghold it has produced it's fair share of quality footballers and back in 1964 they won the Junior "B" championship before going under narrowly to the "A" champions Martry in what was then known as the Junior Final "proper". Perhaps the day is not too far away when the blue and whites will make a further mark at adult level. There was plenty of grounds for optimism at Longwood on the occasion of the under-13 final at the end of last year. Although Boardsmill had to play against a strong wind in the opening half, they had established a promising four point lead at half-time, 1-6 to 0-5. They extended the lead to eight points early in the second half and looked to be in a commanding position. But the Enfield/Baconstown combination came storming back and the final quarter was brimful of drama and excitement. Goalie Ross Kelly emerged as one of the heroes with a series of superb saves as the Boardsmill boys held out for a four point win, 3-12 to 2-11. The winning team and scorers was; R Kelly, I Darby, C Leonard, S O Toole, O Dunne, T Leonard, J Fay, D Reilly, J Doran, D Farrell, P Dunne, B Guy, D Leonard. Division 2HC for the Mill Three goals in a frantic last quarter ensured victory for Boardsmill over Dunboyne in the Division 2 hurling final played in October. The 'Mill who were defeated at the same stage of the competition the previous year won by a scoreline of 3-9 to 0-7. Dunboyne had the edge in the first half and led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval, but Boardsmill gained the initiative after the break thanks to the accuracy of M Nolan who was in superb form, notching six points in total. Mark Guy, David Garrigan and John Flood weighed in with goals to secure the title. Best for the winners were Nolan, Garrigan and L Regan. The winning Boardsmill team was: - G Brady; V Guy, T Darby, B McLoughlin; D Duffy, G McGloin, J Cribbin; M Flood, L Daly, D Garrigan (1-1), M Guy (1-0), L Dixon; M Nolan (0-6), L Regan (0-2), D Fitzsimons. Subs: F Cotter, S Reilly, J Flood (1-0) Late Sean Reilly free clinches Under 14 (Rural) Hurling title for Boardsmill Boardsmill capped off a fine 1997 by claiming the U-14 rural HC title at the expense of Kilmessan. Played late last year Boardsmill emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-3 to 0-4. Inclement weather conditions guaranteed free-flowing action was limited and neither team managed to score from play. The winners looked in trouble with eight minutes remaining when they trailed by a point, but a Sean Reilly free which was deflected to the net sealed another success. Boardsmill - J. Fay; D. Farrell, C. Leonard, I. Darby; S. O'Toole, S. Reilly (1-1), O. Dunne; R. Cribbin (0-2), D. Reilly; K. Hamilton, P. McLoughlin, R. Guy; B. Guy, K. McEvoy, E. Guy. Boardsmill win under 14 B Feile final Boardsmill ... 1-8 Kildalkey ... 0-3 Boardsmill won the Under 14 B Feile final last June when overcoming neighbours Killdalkey. The difference between the two teams was a goal in the first half by Donal Leonard which left the half time score 1-2 to 0-3 and the scoring ability of Derek Reilly (0-5) and Ian Darby (0-3). Others to impress for the winners were Cormac Leonard, Brid Guy and Stephen O'Toole. Underage Hurlers visit Carlow Boardsmill U 14 hurlers, club officials and supporters spent a very enjoyable late August weekend as guests of Leighlinbridge GAA club, participating in the festival of hurling organised by Carlow Co. Board. The journey down, especially the early starts, not surprisingly affected the performance of the team in the first series of games. Narrow defeats were suffered against the host club and Westmeath U14 championship finalists Castletown-Geoghegan. Both these could have been won but the last game on the Saturday ended in a clear cut win for a crack outfit Carlow team despite a really spirited display from the tired Boardsmill players. This gutsy showing was a taste of what was in store on the following day when all the grit, determination and no little hurling skill that had annexed the Meath U14 B championship and Feile double earlier in the year was reproduced to trounce Mt Leinster. The significance of this victory can be gauged by noting the success of Mt Leinster in Meath's festival of hurling. Finishing the weekend on this winning note was the icing on the cake after a wonderful weekend that threw up some outstanding hurling and saw friendships formed that no doubt will endure and hospitality shown to the Boardsmill travelling party will long remain a memory. Congratulations are due to the club U14 footballers and hurlers who this year wore the county colours. Eoin Dunne, Ian Darby and Stephen O'Toole saw action with the Meath U14 footballers, expertly managed by club underage trainer Des Hamilton. Des is also congratulated on steering the side to Fr. Bannon Cup success. Cormac Leonard, Eoin Dunne, Stephen O'Toole and Ian Darby also formed part of the U14 Meath hurling team narrowly eliminated in a tournament in Waterford despite a comprehensive win over eventual winners Kerry in the first round. U12 and U13 football, U11 ground hurling and U13 hurling (still ongoing) also kept the clubs players and supporters busy in 1998! Boardsmill GH & FC Boardsmill capture '97 U-21 Special HC crown A late Mark Flood goal secured a narrow, but deserving 1-8 to 1-7 win for Boardsmill over Dunboyne in the 1997 U-21 Special HC decider. Played in February of this year, the boys from Boardsmill, boosted by wind assistance, dictated the play in the opening period and with Thomas Reilly in good scoring form they built up a 0-6 to 0-1 interval lead. The midfielder registered five pointed frees. Dunboyne reduced the deficit with a goal just after the break. But, the eventual winners refused to panic and their perseverance was rewarded with Flood's late strike. Boardsmill - S. Masterson; D. O'Brien, D. Lacey; D. Duffy E. Gribbin, P. O'Brien; P. Guy, T. Reilly (0-5); M. Flood (1-1), L. Daly (0-2), D. Hannon; J. Flood, V. Guy. Subs - B. McLoughlin, N. Mooney. 'Milling' For Clan na Gael Juveniles It was a case of deja vu for the under 14 footballers of Boardsmill as they defeated the south Meath combination of Clan na Gaels for the second year in a row in the Division 3 South FL final by a scoreline of 2-10 to 2-7. This game was a replica of the 1997 final with plenty of good football and most of the drama arising in the last quarter. Donal Leonard was the hero grabbing a winning goal with three minutes to go. Others to play well for the winners were James Fay, Stephen O'Toole, Brid Guy and Ian Darby. The winning Boardsmill team was: R. Kelly, M. O'Toole, O. Dunne, P. Dunne, I. Darby (0-2), C. Leonard, T. Leonard, D. Reilly (0-2), S. O'Toole (0-1), C. Kelly (1-1), B. Guy (0-1), J. Fay (0-2), D. Leonard (1-0), P. Carrass, D. Farrell (0-1) Darby goal gives 'mill another hurling title Boardsmill U14 hurlers had a great '97 and continued the trend in the summer of '98, defeating neighbours Kildalkey by 4-1 to 3-0. This U14 B Hurling Championship final was eventually decided by a last minute goal from Ian Darby. The biggest hero for the Mill was star forward David Farrell who hit a hat trick of goals. Stephen O'Toole also chipped in with a point. Others to impress for the winners were Colin Leonard and Brid Guy. The winning Boardsmill side was: J. Fay; C Leonard, M O'Toole; P Dunne, E Dunne, T. Leonard; S O'Toole, D. Reilly, F Ennis, I Darby, B Guy, D. Farrell, D. Leonard. Club progress report This year Boardsmill fielded senior hurling, junior hurling and minor in partnership with Kildalkey, an under 21 football and hurling team, under 16 football and hurling, under 14 hurling, under 13 hurling and under 11 hurling sides. Under 14 football, under 12 football as well as Under 15 and under 13 sides were also in action. The Senior hurling team is very young and despite losing most of their games only a few points separated them from most sides with the exception of Kilmessan. The Junior C football side never had a full panel and won no games but fielded for the championship and league. This team is mostly Under 21. Club members Edel and Brid Guy won Leinster championship medals with Meath U14 and 16 as did Christine O'Brien with the Meath Senior Ladies Football team. Kiely's Bar Trim, Trim Engineering Boardsmill (Prop: Fintan McEvoy) and Bus Eireann sponsored the clubs various teams. We had a successful golf classic in Blighs Golf Course, a ticket draw, an auction and a track night at Mullingar on Saturday 3rd October. Boardsmill school competes in hurling, football, camogie and ladies football and the club pitch at Kilmurray is a centre of activity all through the year. The club depends on the support of local people and is more than happy with that support. Boardsmill GH & FC The adjourned AGM was held on Thursday 13th February in Boardsmill hall The appointments were: Presidents: Peadar Lehane, Paul Daly, Patsy Brady, Dick Connelly, Pat Morgan, Larry Daly Chairman: Eamon Cosgrove Vice- Chairman: Hughie Reilly Deputy Vice-Chairman: Paul Daly Secretary: TJ Reilly Assistant Secretary: James Regan Treasurer: Nora Dixon Assistant Treasurer: Eddie O'Brien PRO: Mark Flood Registrar: Larry McLoughlin County Board Delegates: Dessie Hamilton, Peadar Lehane Hurling Board Delegates: James Regan, Hughie Reilly Senior Hurling Team Selectors: Gerry Brady (Manager), James Regan and Eddie O'Brien Coach: Christine O'Brien Junior Football Selectors: A. Reilly (Manager), Mattie Reilly, Eddie O'Brien Junior Hurling Selectors: Gabriel Cribben (Manager), James Regan, Mattie Reilly Insurance Officer: Ken Allen Management Committee: All officers - Mick Leonard, Dessie Hamilton, Peter McLoughlin, Gabriel Cribben, Michael Kennedy and Paudie Guy Tweet

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