A Loyal servant
December 31, 1998
Over the years Nobber GFC have been blessed with dedicated gaels. Honourary Club President Peter Eogan is just one example. Here he talks with Royal County about the current state of play in the North Meath club and his lifelong involvement.
After much deliberation as to who should feature in the Nobber section of Royal County 1999, I decided to seek inspiration from club chairman Dudley Farrell. As accommodating as ever, Dudley pointed me in the direction of Honourary Club President Peter Eogan. "He has been involved a long time in the club and does a lot of work around the field. He'd be a good man to talk to," was the chairman's seal of approval.
And how right he was. A closer examination reveals that few have made a more lengthy and loyal contribution to the development of the north Meath club - both on and off the field of play.
"I have been in the club for a good few years alright," the affable Peter stated when I contacted him. "I help out around the field between lining it and putting the flags out. It's something which I enjoy doing."
Born, bred and reared in Nobber, it was inevitable that an interest in gaelic football would be garnered at an early age by Peter Eogan. His first introduction to the game was, of course, with Nobber juvenile teams.
A career in the army interrupted his playing days with the black and amber, but while stationed in Galway and Leitrim during World War 2 he togged out with Leitrim outfit Manor Hamilton. Silverware was a scarce commodity with his adopted club. "As far as I can recall we only won one game," he says laughing.
In 1945 Peter returned to his native home and resumed his playing career with the local team. His timing was impeccable as a year later the club captured their one and only junior championship title at the expense of St. Mary's (an east Meath selection). Nobber's prodigal son occupied the number six jersey on that historic occasion.
Four years later county senior honours were attained with North Meath - but unfortunately having played in all the games in the build-up to the decider, work commitments ruled Peter out of contention for the final showdown. Nonetheless he received a medal for his role in the success.
North Meath was a selection of the finest players from junior clubs in the area, and Larry McGuinness, Pat Carolan and Shane Heery were other Nobber players who played a part in the championship win.
Ten years on from their first junior championship win, Peter and Co. once again found themselves in the county junior championship decider but unfortunately Oldcastle proved too strong.
Those were the highlights of a playing career which stretched until Peter was well into his forties. In fact, he played for a couple of years alongside his son John, and both were on a Nobber team that beat Magheracloone of Monaghan in a Kilmainhamwood tournament final in the sixties.
On hanging up the boots, Peter's interest in the welfare of the Nobber club never waned. At administrative level he served as treasurer for a couple of years. In recent times he played an instrumental part in the purchase and development of the Nobber Pitch. Under the dynamic leadership of Peter, and other men like Dudley Farrell Snr (RIP), Pat O'Reilly, Shane and Tony McEntee, Harry Collier (RIP), Pat Proudfoot, George Kellet, Jim Proudfoot and Jimmy Reilly (RIP), the club can today boast facilities which are the envy of many in the Royal County.
Due recognition of their vision and hard work was received in the form of the 1996 'Club Grounds of the Year' Award.
The Official Opening on Sunday the 8th of August 1993, when Meath and Dublin entertained the large crowd, was a proud day for all Nobber people - both past and present.
"It was a great day for the Nobber club," Peter enthuses. "The end result was a draw that day too!
"There were times when I thought it would never come to pass. Back in the eighties when we had a good senior team we had no grounds at all. The team had to go up to Gibbstown to practice.
He continues: "In the late eighties we purchased land from Mary McGuinness, the wife of the late, great Larry McGuinness who played for both Nobber and Meath. The development of the grounds was financed by a Lord Mayor campaign and a Silver Circle. The weekly lotto is our main source of finance now but that was never heard of back then."
Peter briefly mentioned there the strong Nobber senior side of the eighties which reached county semi-finals in 1986 and 1989. The club's fortunes have taken a turn for the worst however over the last decade or so and they're currently plying their trade in the junior grade.
1998 will not hold too many fond memories for the gaels of Nobber. A lack-lustre performance in the championship did little to inspire confidence - yet Peter is upbeat about the club's future. An injection of youthful talent, he believes, will restore Nobber GFC to it's former glory.
"At the moment things are not going well at all, but we have some good young lads at juvenile and Under 16 level. They have won a few competitions over the last couple of years so it's looking good. I'm confident that things will get better in two or three years time."
Like so many clubs in Meath, Nobber have no shortage of dedicated officials. Without the input of these men and women survival would be impossible. Peter reveals those who have been the driving forces behind Nobber GFC.
"There's a lot of people who give up a lot of their time to help out around the club. The chairman Dudley Farrelly, secretary Tomas Proudfoot who is Jim's son, Mick Reilly the treasurer and Larry McEntee are all young fellas who are mad for work which is good for the club. There's also the likes of Tom Lambe, Teresa Smith, Mary McCormack, Andy Hayes and Christy Reilly who keep the juvenile end of things going. There's plenty of others as well - too many to mention."
I'm sure Peter would have been forgiven if he had included himself in that aforementioned list. The high esteem in which he is held by fellow club members was illustrated when he was elected an Honourary President of the club three years ago.
Through thick and thin, the highs and the lows, he has seen it all, which finally brings us to our last question - what has been the most memorable moment of his lifelong involvement with Nobber?
"Undoubtedly when Gerry McEntee brought the Sam Maguire down to Nobber," he replied without hesitation. "There was great excitement in Keogans and McCabes (now Monaghans). The whole village celebrated.
"Gerry was the best ever Nobber player and he put the place on the map. He was out on his own in that regard and did the club proud," Peter concluded.
For the record the history making 1946 Nobber Junior Championship winning side was; Nicholas Lambe, Matty Lambe, Harry Collier, Jack McEntee, Peter Eogan, Jimmy Reilly, Pat Carolan, Jack Carolan, Joe Carolan, Larry Carolan, Larry McGuinness, Pappy McGuinness, Larry Hamill, Tom Halpin and Bill Daly.
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