After three county finals in successive years, 1998 was always going to be a difficult year for Duleek. Club chairman Eugene Geraghty talks about it as a chance to catch breath, as Royal County finds out. Duleek, beaten intermediate football finalists in 1996 and 1997 were among the 'ante post' favourites for the championship this year. Boasting players of the calibre of Karl Mc Donnell, Stephen Murphy , Oliver Cudden and Aodhan Byrne, the "smart money" was on the Green & Whites. Failure to qualify from the group stages sent mini-shock waves around the county. John Loughran spoke to long standing club chairman Eugene Geraghty and posed the question " What ever happened to the likely lads?" "It is very simple really. When Syddan beat us to knock us out we were short for one reason or another about 10 of the team that played in the final last year. We were without Oliver Cudden and Karl Mc Donnell at centre field. Stephen Murphy who would normally play at centre half back was injured and his replacement Aodhan Byrne who had been playing brilliantly all year was also unavailable. Kenny McDonnell, Aongus Fives and Paul McGrane were also missing that day." "We also lost the services of Eamonn Barry our trainer at the start of the year and that was also a very big loss. Over the previous three years he had been brilliant. The level of commitment and dedication he got from the players was fabulous. Andrew Watters had been his under study and he coached the team this year and did a very good job but it is a hard job for a local man. That is why we went for an outsider at the start" Eugene added. Duleek burst onto the scene in 1995 when they captured the Junior championship overcoming the challenge of Drumconrath in the decider. In successive years they were beaten by Cortown in 1996 and Dunshaughlin in 1997 in the intermediate final. Was it asking too much of Duleek to maintain that high level of consistency? " We have had three very hard years, winning the Junior and being beaten in the two intermediate finals. I felt it was always going to be a tough year for us. We were the team everybody wanted to beat" Eugene added. Their campaign got off to a bad start going under to Rathkenny, losing by two points in a game which Eugene thought "we should have won. Near neighbours St. Pat's provided second round opposition and stole a share of the spoils. Once again Duleek had chances of winning but wasted them. Back to back victories over Moynalty and St. Brigids revived their chances but that defeat at the hands of Syddan by three injury time points spelled an end to championship aspirations. The final group matches against Drumconrath and St. Colmcilles were meaningless. Relegation from Division 2 of the All County 'A' League only proved to rub salt into the wounds. Despite their dismal showing Eugene is very upbeat about the future. He is confident that the club can bounce back and mount a serious challenge for intermediate honours next year." Provided we can get all the lads back, get the commitment and training right, we have a very good chance of going all the way next year" Eugene predicted. Now in his sixth year as club chairman, Eugene of course gave many years of service to the club as a player, togging out in the forward line. The highlight of his career came in 1966 when Duleek overcame the challenge of Ballivor to win the intermediate football championship. He also represented Meath at minor level in 1960 eventually going under to Dublin in the Leinster semi-final in Navan. Eugene wore the Green and Gold of Meath with distinction that day notching two points but his efforts were not enough to halt the Metropolitans. Like many of his generation Eugene crossed "the pond" to the U.K. in search of work after the intermediate final of 1966. Whilst there he affiliated with St. Patrick's, Luton who competed in the Hertfordshire senior football championship. Eugene's association with the Luton club proved to be very fruitful. " I played some of my best football while I was in England. I managed to win four senior championships and a number of league titles. I have great memories from that time" he recalled. On returning to Ireland in 1970, Eugene formed part of a good Duleek senior team for a number of years before finally hanging up his boots. Eugene made the transition from player to club administrator with relative ease but the position of club chairman is an onerous one. Club chairmen through out the county will echo Eugene's sentiments. "Really there is not enough people involved. It is left to the few willing workers. Like most clubs we really do need more people to get get involved." High on the list of club priorities is the acquisition of a second pitch to cater for the demand in the burgeoning village. " Our pitch is very overworked and we are on the look out for a second pitch for under age football and hopefully over the next year or two will be able to get one. It really is badly needed " he added. Duleek, like most parts of County Meath has reaped the rewards of the Celtic Tiger economy. New houses are springing up in the area something akin to mushrooms on a summer morning. With the advent of new housing developments come new people and Eugene is hopeful of attracting new blood into the club, thus the need for the second pitch. "Martin Cassidy joined us this year from Louth Club Wolfe Tones. He was part of the Louth panel that won the All Ireland B. He is a very good half forward and we would be hopeful of getting a few more players like him." Not forgetting the home grown talent Eugene enthused "There are some very good lads coming through. Tony Cunningham had trials with the Meath minors this year and Michael Johnson is also a very good young player I have no doubt that we'll back next year." The "smart money" will be on Duleek again in 1999. Don't be surprised if the bookies take a hammering Duleek B.N.S. play their part Duleek B.N.S. have built up a great tradition of Gaelic Football in recent years, and a huge number of pupils are involved in the game. Many players acquire the basic skills of the game in the school. Leagues are organised throughout the year and all pupils are encouraged to join. A feature of the school is that not only do the pupils play the game, but they are also involved in the organisation and refereeing of games. Many of the senior pupils in the school also help out with the coaching of the skills to younger players. At the time of going to press the school team have advanced to the final of the Meath Primary Schools League. This is their sixth consecutive year to contest the final, which in itself is a remarkable achievement. They were victorious in 1994 and 1997. The school teams are coached and trained by Mr Gerry Conroy (School Principal). Basketball is also played at a very high level in the school, and the school has enjoyed great success over the years. The following teams represented Duleek BNS in Meath Primary School's Finals over the last six years. 1993 Duleek team defeated by Bohermeen Colin Taffe; Darragh Wynne, Keith McDonald, Wayne Noone; Alan Reilly, Andrew Tallon, Donard Ferguson; David Whearty, Paul Martin; James Devereaux, Ryan Cunningham (Capt), James Bellew; Derek Sheridan, Freddy Kelly, Michael Johnson. Subs: Kenneth Leahy, Eoin Barry, William Moss, John Byrne, Christopher Dunne, Con McGinley, Richard Noone, Anthony Wall. 1994 Duleek team who beat Cannistown Ricky Nolan, Ross Bellew, Darragh Wynne, Eugene Kinsella, Darren Sheridan, Wayne Noone, Athony O'Leary, Andrew Tallon, Keith McDonald (Capt), Michael Johnson, James Devereaux, Eoin Barry, Donard Ferguson, James McMahon, Conal McGinley. Subs: Stephen Geraghty, Mark Daly, Oisin Byrne, Darryl Mongan, Shane Connor, Niall O'Brien. 1995 Duleek team beaten by Oldcastle David O'Brien, Alan Clarke, James Lynch, Martin Kelly, Jason Maguire, Stephen Geraghty, Oisin Byrne, James McMahon, Shane Connor, Anthony Johnson, Donard Ferguson (Capt), Conall McGinley, Robert Ruddy, Thomas Ruddy, Casey Dunne. Subs: Liam Keegan, John Kinsella, Damien O'Halloran, Linus English, Thomas Hancock, Kevin Fagan, John Whearty, Philip Dixon, Paul Martin, Andrew Howard, Kenneth McKeown, Barry Waters, Glen Ryan, Tony Andrews, Colm Devereaux, Derek Hanly, Mark Heavey, Keith Finnegan, Gary Leahy. 1996 Duleek team beaten by Bohermeen Kevin Taffe; Fergal McArdle, Anthony Johnson, Keith Finnegan; John Kinsella, Robert Ruddy (Capt), Derek Hanley; Liam Keegan, Jason Maguire; Damien O'Halloran; Casey Dunne, John Whearty; Kevin Doyle, Mark Cromwell, Tony Andrews. Subs: Glen Ryan, Shane Whearty, Colm Devereaux, Philip Dixon, Paddy Healy, Barry Watters, Mark McGuinness, Stephen Smith, Mark Heavey, Paul Martin, Mark Ruddy, Brendan Conroy, Christopher Carney, Vincent Turley. 1997 Duleek team who beat Dunshaughlin Andrew O'Brien, Ross Finnegan, Keith Finnegan, PJ Murray, Glen Ryan, Shane Whearty, Philip Dixon, John Kinsella, Athony Johnson (Capt), Mark McGuinness, Robert Bissett, Michael Ruddy, Karl Reilly, Vincent Turley, Craig Carolan. Subs: Christopher Carney, Eanna Byrne, Brian Collins, Stephen Martin, Brendan Conroy, Kevin Campbell, Shane Connell, Mark Ruddy, Barry Heavey, Gary Reilly, Michael Murray, Martin Durkin, Noel Walsh, Paul Murray, Steven Nolan, James Dixon. Tweet

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