The U21 footballers of Dunderry made amends for the club's minor final defeat when they got the better of Simonstown to clinch the championship. A combination of determination, steel and no shortage of skill ensured that Dunderry would be crowned the 1998 Meath U21 Football champions at the expense of Simonstown Gaels on a scoreline of 2-11 to 2-8. Played as the curtain raiser to the Dunboyne/Kilmacud Crokes Leinster club championship clash at Pairc Tailteann, impressive performances from Seamus Fitzgerald, Keith Callaghan, Brian Newman, Eric Murray, David Callaghan, Trevor Conaty and Seamus Harte helped erase the disappointing memories of their minor final defeat at the hands of Walterstown. A week earlier in their semi-final encounter with neighbours Trim, the team in black and white kept their supporters on tenterhooks right up to the final moments until two late goals from Damien Clarke and Keith Folan sealed the issue. In the final their goals couldn't have come at better times. With the first half drawing to a close Stephen Brennan pounced to hand his side the initiative at 1-7 to 1-2, while Eric Murray compounded Simonstown woes within a minute of the restart. However things didn't look so promising after a minute of play when Simonstown - playing into the hospital end goals and against the wind - broke through to raise the green flag. The eventual winners defence was exposed when Daryl Murray won a tussle for possession with Gary Newman and jinxed inside to beat Gareth Dooley from close range. The large Dunderry contingent were given more reason for concern when the Navan side, who earned the favourites tag as a result of impressive wins over Kilmainhamwood, Oldcastle and Dunboyne, laid siege to the Dunderry goal mouth. But their incessant pressure failed to yield tangible reward on the scoreboard as the Dunderry defence, marshalled superbly by Fitzgerald, Callaghan and Clarke, repelled attack after attack. Despite their dominance, the Sky Blues were only 1-1 to 0-2 ahead at the end of the first quarter, and required a superb 16th minute Gary Lynch reflex safe at the expense of an Eric Murray point to maintain the lead. It was Trevor Conaty who opened the eventual winners account and the same player notched the second, before Murray struck. The Sean Kelly managed side achieved parity on 20 minutes when Conaty added his third but the status quo was shortlived as almost immediately Eric O'Reilly responded for Simonstown. A vital interception from full-back Fitzgerald prevented an almost certain goal for Simonstown nine minutes before the break when Derek O'Brien was racing through. David Callaghan rewarded Fitzgerald's brave defensive play when he twice found the range from placed balls around the '45' metre line, either side of a Conaty pointed free which had placed Dunderry firmly in control. Then came Brennan's injury time goal, followed by Murray's 30 seconds after the restart when a pointed attempt from Keith Folan fell short and the right half forward was the first to react, sliding the ball under the body of advancing goalie Lynch. That left Dunderry comfortably ahead at 2-7 to 1-2 and they still had an eight points cushion with 41 minutes played, 2-8 to 1-3. The north Navan outfit have never won this competition and they were not going to throw in the towel. A minute later substitute Martin Flanagan attempted a fisted point but it somehow managed to find its way to the back of the Dunderry net following a mix-up in the winners' defence. That left five between them and the enthusiastic crowds appetite was whet further when the deficit was reduced to 2-9 to 2-7 as the town side knocked over four points in succession. But having come so far Dunderry refused to be denied at the finishing line and Brian Newman (who produced a 'Man of the Match' display) and 16 year old Seamus Harte put the issue beyond any doubt with two late points. Not even the late dismissal of captain 'Ted' Dowd (for a second bookable offense) could dampen the excitement of the Dunderry players and faithful who celebrated in style the capture of their third U21 crown. Unfortunately due to his sending-off Dowd was not permitted to accept the cup on behalf of his colleagues but his replacement Fitzgerald said: "It is a great honour for me to lift this cup, but Kevin Dowd is the man who should be lifting it. He was very unfortunate to be sent off near the end and this is his day. "I would like to pay tribute to those people who helped us during the year, Tommy Mulligan, Jim Harte, Billy Bligh and Sean Kelly." And Co. Board Deputy Vice-chairman Tommy Collins also received a large cheer when he congratulated both teams on an entertaining game which was a fine advertisement for gaelic football. A glance down through the winners' team sheet augurs well for future successes at this grade. Only two of the team, Dowd and Fitzgerald, are ineligible for next year, while the rest have at least two more years of U21 football to look forward to. The star of the penultimate stage victory over Trim, 16 year old Seamus Harte, will be playing at this level for another five years! The last time Dunderry won the U21 championship was in 1991, and a certain Barry Callaghan was a 16 year old at that time. Sean Boylan take note. The Dunderry team which captured the club's third U21 championship crown was as follows; G. Dooley; G. Newman, S. Fitzgerald, P. Darcy; C. Harte, K. Callaghan, D. Clarke; K. Dowd, D. Callaghan (0-2); E. Murray (1-2), T. Conaty (0-4), S. Harte (0-2); S. Brennan (1-0), B. Newman (0-1), K. Folan. Subs - P. Gilbride, B. Hegarty A Minor celebration The minor footballers of Dunderry presented the club's followers with plenty to cheer about in 1998. Brendan Cummins and Shane O'Brien trace their steps to the county decider. Tommy Dowd holding the Sam Maguire Cup above his head ...John Brady with the Keegan Cup! Images. You often wonder about the effects of such pictures on the younger generation. In Dunderry there has been a very positive reaction. The children of the area want to be Tommy Dowd or John Brady ... they want to hold up a cup someday and it matters little whether it's the Meath or Dunderry jersies they are wearing. And that's the way it should be. The Under-17's provided ample evidence at the end of 1997 that Dunderry's future is bright and, yes, the legacy of Dowd, Callaghan and Brady looks certain to have a major influence for many years to come. Their victory over St. Colmcilles in the Division 2 League Final was richly deserved and it won't be a major surprise if some of these youngsters eventually follow in the footsteps of their illustrious club colleagues. The fact that St. Colmcilles provided the opposition in the final brought back memories of 1988 and the Intermediate Final, and replay, between the clubs. Bernard Flynn won it for the Seasiders with one of his most memorable displays. The youngsters of Dunderry would not have remembered, but for many of their mentors, the memory was still clear enough. Their path to the final was illuminated with some top-class displays and they were worthy favourites for the showdown at Seneschalstown in early December. Dunderry had first use of the strong breeze but it is not always easy for youngsters to make maximum use of such an advantage. Dunderry were good enough to do so and some of their football in the early stages was out of the top drawer. They were the recipients of another advantage when one of their opponents was sent off and they then proceeded to send over a series of points with Thomas Conaty in particularly good form. The Seasiders managed to score a goal against the wind and for a brief period it looked as if Dunderry would struggle. However, a fine goal from Seamus Harte helped his team to a commanding nine point lead at the break, 1-9 to 1-0. St. Colmcilles rallied courageously in the second half and although the Dunderry defence held firm for a lengthy period, the pressure eventually paid off. Point by point, the deficit was reduced until, with ten minutes remaining, Brian Kelly found the net to leave only one point between the teams. It was hectic stuff in the closing stages but Dunderry showed their pedigree by breaking away for two clinching points. The final score was Dunderry 1-12, St Colmcilles 2-6. Scorers for the winner were; T Conaty (0-6), S Harte (1-0), K Folen (0-2), P Gorry (0-2), P Gilbride (0-1) and C Harte (0-1). They may have captured the U17 crown but this Dunderry team h##########################ad no intentions of resting on their laurels. Their thoughts immediately turned to the 1998 Minor championship, and expectations were high at the beginning of the competition. Despite their U17 success, most outsiders would have paid very little attention to Dunderry's chances at the outset of the competition. Walterstown and St. Cuthbert's would have been the main topics of conversation in betting circles. But that didn't bother manager Christy Fay and his selection committee of Jarlath Folan, Pat Jennings, Jim Harte, Paddy Gorey and John Carey. Preparations were intense, and the players' commitment was rewarded with an opening round victory over Blackhall Gaels away from home, 2-14 to 1-6. Others began to sit up and take notice when Summerhill and Simonstown Gaels were defeated in rounds 2 and 3 respectively. Reigning champions and close neighbours St. Cuthbert's provided the next opposition - in a match where local pride was on the line. Dunderry were at home and a large contingent turned up to voice their support. As anticipated the exchanges were tight, with Bohermeen prevailing by the narrowest of margins, 0-12 to 0-11. It was a blow to the Dunderry lads - but they would have the last laugh. The village side got their push for honours back on track with wins over O'Mahony's and Ballivor, before suffering their second defeat of the campaign at the hands of the competition's red hot favourites, Walterstown. Boasting an unusually high number of senior and county minor players, the Blacks were always in control and ran out comfortable winners on a scoreline of 1-15 to 1-8. The Alan Bohan captained outfit required a win in their last outing against St. Martin's to guarantee themselves a place in the knock-out stages and they didn't disappoint - recording a 1-7 to 0-9 success over their Dunshaughlin counterparts. That set-up a mouth watering penultimate stage encounter with St. Cuthbert's and the thought of revenge played an important role in Dunderry's build-up to the clash. Motivation wasn't a problem for the black and whites who were keen to make amends for the earlier round defeat. Add in the fact that a win would have seen them secure a place in a Delaney Cup decider for the very first time in their history - it should have come as little surprise when they succeeded by 2-7 to 0-10. A late penalty goal from county minor star and centre-half back Damian Clarke was sufficient to bring St. Cuthbert's reign to an end. Referee Peter Fox awarded Dunderry the late spot-kick for an alleged footblock and Clarke duly obliged for the game's decisive score. The first half was predictably close, a fact which was reflected in the scoreboard at the interval, 0-5 apiece. With Eric Murray and Trevor Conaty having the better of the midfield exchanges, and Clarke prompting proceedings from the number 6 position, Dunderry began to dominate on the restart and a mix up in the holders' defence allowed Colm Harte to goal. That handed the eventual winners a 1-5 to 0-6 advantage, but Cortown senior player Glen Loughran responded for Bohermeen with two frees to level proceedings. Both swapped points before Clarke's last minute heroics carved a niche for this team in the distinguished history of Dunderry GAA club. It was a memorable victory for the 1995 senior champions, but not many were thinking of outright glory just yet as Walterstown had eased their way into the decider at the expense of St. Martin's and it would take a massive effort from the Dunderry boys if they were to upset the odds. As events transpired it proved to be too steep a mountain to climb for the Christy Fay managed outfit - although they produced a battling display in Navan and there was only two points separating the side's at referee Jack Kenny's final whistle, 0-12 to 0-10. The conditions didn't favour attractive football, but to their credit both teams produced a lively encounter which kept the large attendance on the edge of their seats for the majority of the hour. It was Walterstown 0-6 Dunderry 0-2 at the interval, but Dunderry (who were sporting the St. Michael's, Trim colours) made the brighter start to the second period and had closed the gap to one with three points in as many minutes. Keith Folan, Seamus Harte and Trevor Conaty got on the mark during that period, but Walterstown replied with four points to stretch their lead to 0-10 to 0-5. Conaty threw Dunderry a lifeline with three points from placed balls, and his midfield partner Eric Murray reduced the deficit to a point, but once again Walterstown bounced back with two points. Centre-forward Folan continued to threaten the Walterstown rearguard in the latter stages of the game. He had a shot deflected over the bar for the last score of the game and then a dangerous looking run came to nothing as the ball trickled wide. With that Dunderry's ambitions of lifting the Delaney Cup evaporated. It was a disappointing finish to a campaign for a team who have become so accustomed to winning. As well as the U17 title garnered last December, this particular squad can count the U15 Div. 2 and U16 Div. 2 amongst their curriculum vitae. And who knows, maybe they can follow Walterstown's example - they were beaten in the 1997 minor final! The Dunderry team which contested the Delaney Cup decider was as follows; G. Dooley; M. Casey, B. Hegarty, P. Darcy; P. Wimsey, D. Clarke, A. Bohan; T. Conaty (0-6), E. Murray (0-1); P. Gorey, K. Folan (0-2), K. Fay; S. Harte (0-1), C. Harte, K. Slattery. Sub - P. Gilbride Tweet

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