When it comes to underage success, O'Mahony's have no peers at present. We take a look at their wins in football, hurling, camogie and ladies football. Need we say any more. UNDER 21 HURLING TITLE REMAINS IN BREWS HILL Navan O'Mahony's collected the 1997 U21 hurling championship at the expense of near rivals Kilmessan. Played in February, the blue and white hoops retained the title, winning on a scoreline of 1-9 to 1-7. Kilmessan's chances were dealt a severe blow prior to the throw-in when they were forced to field without the suspended duo of Charles Keena and Leon Maguire, and the injured Mark Brennan. If they were available things might have been different, given the closeness of the encounter, but as things transpired O'Mahony's possessed too much firepower. Despite playing into the wind it was the eventual winners who opened the brightest, with points from Donal Hogan and Niall McKeigue, and a third minute goal from Donal Fitzsimons handing them the initiative. Kilmessan responded through a John Horan '65 and a Ger O'Neill point. The Meath hurler of the year for the past two years, Nicky Horan claimed the first of his five points from a free and by the interval Kilmessan had overtook their town opponents, 0-7 to 1-3. It was Thomas Loughran who had registered O'Mahony's remaining point in the first half, and the young left corner forward played an instrumental role in the second half, putting his name to a further four points. The reigning champions' introduction of Eamonn McDonagh also had a big impact on the final result. McDonagh notched two fine points, which, along with Loughran's four established the O'Mahony's a lead of 1-9 to 0-7. Marshalled superbly by centre-half back Alan Connell, the O'Mahony's rearguard remained solid, although David Donnelly's speculative centre in the final minute which led to a goal brought Kilmessan to within touching distance. But, it turned out to be too little too late for the challengers. In the end, O'Mahony's deserved to shade it. Good performances from John Burke, Andrew Snow, Connell, McKeigue, Loughran and McDonagh ensured that the cup would be returning to Brews Hill. O'Mahony's team and scorers - J. Burke; R. Hogan, E. Duignan, P. Connell; S. Kane, A. Connell, R. Horgan; J. Burke, A. Snow; D. Fitzsimons (1-0), N. McKeigue (0-1), B. Byrne; D. Hogan (0-1), R. Ward, T. Loughran (0-5). Sub - E. McDonagh (0-2). LATE MacGABHANN GOAL GIVES O'MAHONY'S U-16'S TWO IN A ROW For the second year in a row O' Mahony's brought the Benny Caffrey cup back to Brews Hill defeating Dunboyne in the u-16 F.C. decider last July at Walterstown, by a score line of 1-10 to 1-6. A fisted goal by right half forward Stephen MacGabhann in the last minute gave O' Mahony's a narrow but deserved victory. O' Mahony's who accounted for Donaghmore/ Ashbourne in the semi-final had the general edge in a hard hitting encounter with a vice like grip of the midfield proceedings. Even when they suffered the loss of talented midfielder Darren O' Toole early on due to a hand injury, his replacement Philip Tracy played superbly. With his first touch he sent over a point and made some brilliant catches. Not to be outshone his midfield partner Christopher Blake was in excellent form throughout the 60 minutes and also kicked three points. Credit also has to go to the half back and half forward lines who collected a lot of the breaking ball. Diminutive corner forward Michael Reilly caused havoc with the Dunboyne full back line and notched two points. After twenty minutes of the game O' Mahony's were four points to one up thanks to scores from Blake, MacGabhann, Shane McKeigue and Reilly. With the breeze at their backs and the full back line sweeping superbly it looked like an easy victory was on the cards. That would have been the case but for the inaccuracy of the winners attack. They kicked numerous wides and two late Dunboyne points gave the management team problems to consider at the break. Their side were only ahead by six points to three. Fears were further increased when Dunboyne scored the first point of the second half. Blake answered back with a free before Dunboyne struck again to leave the score 0-7 to 0-5. A great solo effort placed three points between the sides but a Dunboyne goal nine minutes from time squared matters. However, the final ten minutes saw the O' Mahony's at their best as they responded like true champions. A Timmons point was cancelled out before the Navan lads took control. Reilly pointed again before MacGabhann rounded off the victory punching to the net a cross from Blake. Ciaran Timmons collected the cup which now sits along side all the other underage trophies in a once again full O' Mahony's cabinet. The Winning O' Mahony's Side Was: J. McLarney; I. Matthews, K. Smyth, J. Brennen; T. Heery, C. Timmons (0-1), L . Russell; C. Blake (0-3), D. O' Toole; S. MacGabhann (1-2 , P. Cooney, S. O' Conner; M. Reilly (0-2), S. McKeigue (0-1), G. Brennan. Subs: P. Tracy (0-1), S. Murray. SIX IN A ROW FOR O'MAHONY'S U-12'S You have to hand it to the O'Mahony's. They have swept the board for the last couple of years at underage level and last July they captured the u-12 F.L. Div 1 trophy for the sixth time in a row. It was the turn of Blackhall Gaels to feel the wrath of the Brews Hill boys, but unlike previous teams the Kilcloon/Batterstown combination made a real fight of it, eventually losing by three points, on a score line of 0-13 to 0-10. The game was played at a frantic pace with both sides showing hunger for possession and bouts of skill. The difference between the teams was the ability of the O'Mahony's forwards to score from limited chances. They only kicked eight wides in comparison to their counterparts sixteen. A lot of the Blackhall miss-hits were as a result of the harassment received from the O'Mahony's backs and in particular Kevin Reilly and Michael Coone. Further up the field there were solid performances from Patrick Smyth and Cormac Murphy at centrefield, and David Bray on the forty. Smith notched three points and Bray showed real class scoring five. After the first 15 minutes there was already seven scores recorded, all from play, O'Mahony's having the edge by a single point thanks to scores from Sean Reilly, Sean Conaty and a superb double from Bray. A five minute purple patch moved the Navan boys further ahead with another Conaty effort and two gems from Bray, one from play and a long range free. This placed them four points clear but Blackhall rallied well and two pointed free's left the halftime score at 0-7 to 0-5. O'Mahony's started the second half well and a Barry Dunphy effort put three between the sides. But an anxious town crowd looked on as Blackhall Gaels began to take control of the match, scoring three unanswered points. Their fears soon disappeared as the O'Mahony's took the game by the scruff of the neck, hitting four points in as many minutes. To the Gaels credit they answered back with two similar scores but some heroic defending gave the Brews Hill boys their sixth title in a row. The Winning Navan O' Mahony's Team Was: S. O' Toole; J. Molly, K. Reilly, M. Coone; J. Brady (0-1), S. Reilly (0-1), G. Murray; P. Smyth (0-3), C. McGuinness; S. Conaty (0-2), D. Bray (0-5), A. Gillick; D. Russell, B. Dunphy (0-1), P. McLoughlin. Sub: C. Tormay O'Mahony's regain Under 14 Reserve League crown Navan O'Mahonys regained the Under 14 Reserve League crown following an exciting 3-6 to 2-7 victory over Blackhall Gaels at Dunsany on July 9 last. Despite trailing by 0-3 to 1-4 at the interval, O'Mahonys rallied superbly in the second period with goals from Derek Loughran (two) and Carl Finlay putting the Brews Hill side firmly in the driving seat. To their credit, Blackhall launched a spirited comeback in the closing stages but it wasn't enough to prevent O'Mahonys from emerging victorious. Best for the winners were Derek Loughran, Carl Finlay, Kevin Reilly, Sean and Colm Gilsenan. The triumphant O'Mahonys team was: S Gilsenan; C Reilly, K Reilly, A Rogers; S Crosby, C Gilsenan (0-1), H Finnegan; C O'Brien, C Finlay (1-0); R McKeever, G Macken (0-2), S O'Toole; P Horgan, D Loughran (2-3), D Fagan. Subs: F Harrington, P Smith. BRIAN BARRY'S GOAL WAS THE DECISIVE SCORE IN THE U-13 division 3 final of 1997 They'll remember 1997 for quite a while up on Brews Hill! It was a case of one success after another both at adult and under-age level. And in both football and hurling! The County Board certainly had an easy task when it came to deciding on the Club of the Year award! Rarely, if ever has there been such clear-cut winners. The under-13 footballers contributed their share to a remarkable year with a memorable success in the Division 3 League final over a talented Drumconrath/Meath Hill combination. The final was played at Gibbstown at the end of November and right from the outset, the young Navan boys took control. They displayed many of the qualities associated with their adult club colleagues down the years and their sparkling brand of football was simply too much for their North Meath opponents. A goal from Gary Macken helped them to a commanding interval lead, 1-6 to 0-1 and although they still had to face the strong breeze, there was sufficient evidence that they would be able to soak up any second half pressure that Drumconrath/Meath Hill might generate. Sure enough the pressure came as Drumconrath/Meath Hill, with the wind behind them, gradually chiselled away at O'Mahonys' lead. Soon there was only three points separating the teams and the title was up for grabs. An incisive counter-attack that finished with a well taken goal by Brian Barry restored the confidence of the Navan boys and had a similarly deflating effect on their opponents. O' Mahonys finished strongly and Patrick Smith sealed victory with his team's third goal in the last minute. The final score was O' Mahonys 3-9, Drumconrath/ Meath Hill 1-6. The winners' total came from G Macken and B Barry (1-1), P Smith (1-0), D Bray (0-3), C O Brien (0-2 apiece), and a point each from P Horgan and D Loughran. Minor hurling title rounds off a terrific 1997 for O'Mahony's There was a lot to cheer about for the followers of Navan O'Mahony's in '97, and although the annexation of the Minor hurling championship arrived late in the year, it was nonetheless one to savour . . . particularly since it was their first triumph at this grade since 1962. Played as the curtain raiser to the 1997 senior final, the combined forces of Athboy/Dunderry were powerless to prevent a rampant Brews Hill outfit from emerging victorious on a scoreline of 1-14 to 1-7. For most this will be remembered as the Thomas Loughran final. The centre forward tormented the amalgamation's defence throughout and notched up a personal tally of 0-12. The opening exchanges were very much tit for tat with O'Mahony's holding a slender advantage (0-5 to 0-4) after 22 minutes of play. A point from Keith Callaghan left it all square, before Loughran responded to restore his side's lead prior to the half-time whistle. On the resumption, the town XV playing with a fresh impetus, extended the lead to double scores (0-10 to 0-5), courtesy of scores from Loughran (0-3) and a fine Richard Ward effort. An exchange of unpleasantries saw a player from each side receive their marching orders. The combination looked to have coped best with the delay in play when two points were quickly followed up by a Daithi Geraghty goal to leave just two points between the teams, 0-12 to 1-7. But, the quality of this O'Mahonys side began to surface and they responded positively with Loughran helping himself to a further two points, while a late goal from James Burke left the result beyond any doubt. The performance of the Navan side clearly distinguishes them as a team of the future. This victory completed a profitable 1997 for the club with various under-age grades and two adult titles also garnered. O'Mahony's - J. Gleeson; P. Connell, R. Hogan, G. Galvin; J. Vaughan, A. Connell (0-1), S. Kane; J. Burke, A. Snow; N. Harnett, T. Loughran (0-12), N. McKeigue; J. Burke (1-0), R. Ward (0-1), B. Byrne. Sub: E. Kennedy. O'Mahony's best at camogie too! Not to be overshadowed by their male counterparts, the O'Mahony's minor camogie team enjoyed a bit of success themselves in '97 when they overcame rivals Kilmessan in a highly entertaining final played late in the year on a scoreline of 4-7 to 2-2. A fine Arlene Daly goal boosted the Navan girls to a 1-3 to 1-1 interval lead and they consolidated their position after the break with further goals from Daly, Maria Flynn and Hilary Burke. There were many stars behind the O'Mahony's triumph including Lorraine Horgan, Sinead McKeigue, Sharon King, Lynda Rogers and Laura Flynn. Meath camogie vice-chairperson Mary Burke presented the cup to the victorious captain Lynda Rogers. O'Mahonys - M. Hogan; S. McKeigue, S. King, L. Donegan, L. Rogers; L. Flynn (0-1), G. Brady, G. Foley; S. Forristal, L. Horgan (0-4), A. Daly (2-1); H. Burke (1-1). Subs: M. Flynn (1-0), E. Coughlan, E. Brady, N. Fahy, O. Davis, P. Fagan, L. Carolan, A. Geraghty, E. Oakes, K. Fennessy, S. Blake. U14 hurling title for O'Mahony's A Mark Ward goal mid way through the second half was the difference between the two sides as O'Mahonys added the Meath U14 HC title to the Meath Feile Crown which they won earlier in the year. The town combination defeated Kilmessan in the final during September by 2-4 to 0-7 at Bective. The winners enjoyed an interval advantage at 1-3 to 0-1 thanks to a Bernard Tansey goal and points from Derek Loughran (two) and David Murtagh. After the break Kilmessan dominated but Wards goal along with another Murtagh point gave the Brews Hill boys the trophy. The winning O'Mahonys Team - P Smyth, C O'Brien, N Connell, B Daly, B Keane, A Dunne, S O'Brien, D Murtagh (0-2), B Regan, M Ward (1-0), G Morrell, G Macken, B Tansey (1-0), D Loughran (0-2), K Reilly. Subs - K O'Rourke for Macken, M Mulvanney for Tansey. No "Messan" with Navan Girls A superb first half display from O'Mahonys was simply to much for Kilmessan in the U12 camogie final played in October at Kilmessan. In the opening half hour the Navan girls scored 5-1. In contrast their counterparts could only notch a single point. However, after the interval the Navan girls failed to register a score but they defended well and took the honours on a scoreline of 5-1 to 1-1. Good performances for the champions came from Yvonne Dowdall, Olive Foley, Michelle Boland, Ann Lynch and Philomena Sheridan. The winning Navan O'Mahonys Team was: S Dunphy, O Foley, A Hand, M Coughlan, Y Dowdall, S McEntaggart, M Boland, G Moran, A Lynch, A Brady, L Keating, P Sheridan. Subs: C Regan, K O'Brien, B Ryan, N Faulkner, A Ryan Camogie title for O'Mahony's Juniors Navan O'Mahony's proved far too strong for Kiltale as they won their first Junior Camogie Championship since 1985 on a scoreline of 5-6 to 1-2 at Longwood last September. The town ladies led by 2-3 to 1-0 at halftime with goals by Ruth Browne and Arlene Duffy and 3 pointed frees from Lorraine Horgan. O'Mahonys had a fantastic ability to conjure up goals and they added a further trio after the resumption with Daly, Horgan and Grainne Brady getting on the score sheet. Horgan also notched 3 points as O'Mahonys sealed the victory. Good performances for the winners came from Sinead McKeigue, Lorna Donegan, Elaine Coughlan, Muireann Hogan, Laura Flynn, Gillian Foley and Lorraine Horgan. Navan O'Mahonys: - K Powell; S McKeigue, M Hogan, L Donegan, E Coughlan, L Flynn, G Brady (1-0), G Foley, A Daly (2-0), L Horgan (1-6), R Browne (1-0), J Crummie. Subs: H Burke, M Flynn Camogie review 1998 has thus far proven to be a very successful year for Navan O'Mahonys Camogie Club. Having won the U12, U16 and U18 championships in 1997, O'Mahonys were honoured by being selected as Camogie Club of the Year by the Meath Camogie Board. O'Mahonys have continued on their winning ways in 1998 and have already captured the U12 and the Junior titles and we await the U16 final. Also, there are high hopes of capturing the U18 championship for the third year in a row. 1999 will prove to be a challenging year as we will be competing in the senior championship with a very young team. Also, 1999 will see the introduction of 15 a side competition on a trial basis. With all of the young talent currently available to the O'Mahonys club the future looks bright and with the dedication and commitment of all the players we can look forward with confidence to the winning of more championships in the near future. Navan O'Mahony's GAA O'Mahony's secure passage to 1998 feile Navan O'Mahony's qualified to represent Meath in the All-Ireland football Feile following an exciting victory over St. Peter's and Paul's in the 1997 under 13 showdown. The Brew Hill outfit emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-15 to 1-11. With the benefit of wind assistance St. Peter's and Paul's raced into an early lead and held a 1-10 to 0-5 advantage at the interval. Points from Joseph Sheridan, David Bray and Lee Geraghty revived O'Mahony's and when Barry O'Regan goaled with six minutes remaining they led for the first time. Further scores from Bray and David Murtagh put the result beyond any doubt. Marcus Brennan, Barry Regan, Bray and David Rogers were best for the winners. O'Mahony's - D. Rogers; K. Duane, B. Daly, P. Quinn; H. Finnegan, M. Brennan, S. O'Brien; M. Ward (0-1), D. Murtagh (0-1); L. Geraghty (0-3), B. Regan (1-1), R. McKeever; D. Bray (0-4), J. Sheridan (0-4), D. Loughran. Subs - P. Smith (0-1), B. Keane. NEVER ENDING SUCCESS STORY AS O'MAHONY'S SECURE '97 U-15 HC CROWN A hat-trick of goals from Eugene McCluskey paved the way for O'Mahony's entrance to the winners enclosure as they got the better of Trim to capture the 1997 U-15 HC title. In a well contested final the boys from Navan emerged victorious on a scoreline of 4-5 to 1-5. McCluskey's double strike in the opening period earned the Brews Hill outfit a 2-2 to 1-3 advantage at the interval, and he struck again at the start of the second half to extend their lead However, Trim responded with a goal of their own and it required some excellent goalkeeping from Derek Loughran and stout defending from John Woods, Ross McLoughlin and Paul Byrne to keep their lead intact. They withstood the pressure, and 1-1 from the outstanding John Gleeson made the win safe. Eoin Kennedy, Shane McKeigue, Gerard and John Brennan were others to impress for the winners. Juvenile Hurling Board Chairman John Reilly presented the shield to O'Mahony's captain, Ross McLoughlin. O'Mahony's - D. Loughran; J. Woods, R. McLoughlin, P. Byrne; K. O'Rourke, J. Brennan, G. Brennan; E. Kennedy (0-1), J. Gleeson (1-4); D. Moran, S. McKeigue, C. Oakes; E. McCluskey (3-0), S. Reilly, C. Dunphy. Tweet

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