Navan-based Tara Mines recently captured the Leinster inter-firms senior football title when they defeated Van Nelle of Mullingar in the final. Here, team mentor Gerry Heaney reflects on the success. Despite being under-rated and under-exposed, the inter-firms competition continues to provide huge enjoyment for thousands of company employees across the country each year. And contrary to general belief, the competition is taken very seriously by many teams, with county, provincial and All-Ireland titles being much sought after prizes. On October 16 last, Navan-based Tara Mines captured the Leinster inter-firms senior football title when they had a whopping 12 points to spare over Van Nelle of Mullingar. Gerry Heaney, who was involved in the management of the Tara Mines team, was understandably delighted with the success. "This was our first year back in inter-firms competition for a long time and to win a Leinster title was a great achievement for the lads," he says. "We didn't really know what to expect at the start of it all, but we had a good group of players and they were keen to do well. They played well in all of their games and to win the final in such convincing fashion was the icing on the cake." Prior to this year, Tara Mines' most noteworthy success in inter-firms competition came in the late 1980s when they won the Leinster senior title. They subsequently reached the All-Ireland final where they lost to Cork Garda. "We had a star-studded team back in those days," recalls Simonstown Gaels clubman Heaney. "The likes of Ollie O'Brien, Ken Rennicks, Liam Smyth and Mattie McCabe were all on the Meath senior team at the time. Mattie was a selector along with myself, Richie Cahill and Jack Gorman this year. In fact, Jack was also involved in that team as a goalkeeper." Heaney admits that Tara Mines didn't put a big effort into this year's competition due to club commitments. "It was difficult to find the time when lads were involved with their clubs, but the one big advantage to that was that they were all fairly fit. But I don't think we would have been in a position to enter a team but for the fact that they Meath club championships were so well advanced this year. Had the local championships run into October and November, we wouldn't have been able to get the lads out. "We decided not to organise training sessions, but we did manage to squeeze in a challenge match against St. Ultan's before the final," he adds. Arguably Tara Mines' best known player is former Meath midfielder Jimmy McGuinness while a number of others, including Sylvie Skelton, Owen Dunne, Jim Gallagher, Larry McCormack and Ronan Conaty, have also represented the Royal County at different levels. And while they weren't involved in the team's provincial campaign, Meath underage stars Brian Farrell and Joe Melia could be drafted into the set-up to bolster their All-Ireland bid. Because there was no inter-firms competition in Meath this year, Tara Mines qualified for the Leinster quarter-final without ever kicking a ball. They opened their campaign with a 1-12 to 1-6 victory over Kildare champions Intel at Walterstown in September. The Navan outfit laid the foundations for their win in the opening half when Davy Carolan's goal helped them to a 1-5 to 0-1 interval advantage. And while a wind-assisted Intel staged a revival in the second period, points from Jimmy McGuinness, James Connolly and Ronan Conaty saw the Meath side prevail. In the semi-final against Microsoft from Dublin, Davy Carolan and Alan Shankey both found the net as Tara Mines emerged victorious on a 2-6 to 0-5 scoreline. Ronan Conaty also made a valuable contribution to the win with 0-3. Westmeath champions Van Nelle provided the opposition for Tara Mines in the Leinster final which was played under lights at Simonstown. Van Nelle were appearing in their second final in three years and fancied their chances of victory. But without their star player Martin Flanagan, who missed the game through injury, they struggled to compete against a very trim and eager looking Tara Mines team who would have won by an even bigger margin but for the concession of two late goals. The visitors opened the scoring through Stephen Devine, but it proved to be a false dawn as Tara Mines went on to dominate the remainder of the game. Jimmy McGuinness orchestrated proceedings from full forward and scored the point of the game midway through the first half. When James Connolly scored the first of his two goals in the 22nd minute, the Navan men were in total control and went on to enjoy an unassailable nine-point advantage, 1-7 to 0-1, at the interval. Roving wing back Thomas Coyne extended the Tara lead minutes after the restart and when he placed Connolly for the Meath side's second goal 10 minutes into the half, the contest was well and truly over. As both sides opted to make changes, Paul Shanley registered Van Nelle's second point before the Mullingar outfit staged a late rally. Paul Shanley added another point before accepting a pass from his brother Keith to smash home a goal. Moments later, Tara substitute Eoin Harrington scored his side's third goal but it was Keith Shanley who provided the final act of the hour when he angled a close-in free across the Tara defensive line for Van Nelle's second major. However, it mattered little as Tara ran out comfortable 3-12 to 2-3 winners. Apart from McGuinness and goalscoring hero Connolly, Tara had many fine performers. Thomas Clune and Ian Curran were impressive in the wing back positions, while Ronan Conaty caught the eye at wing forward. The midfield partnership of Eoin Dunne and Jim Gallagher also showed up well, with both working hard to supply a plentiful supply of possession into their forwards. "It was a great win for us and now we'll do our best to win the All-Ireland title as well," concludes Heaney. The Tara Mines team which captured the Leinster inter-firms junior football title was: David King; Andrew McGuinness, Kevin Smith, Daithi Reilly; Thomas Coyne, Sylvie Skelton, Ian Curran; Eoin Dunne, Jim Gallagher; Sean Reilly, Larry McCormack, Ronan Conaty; James Connolly, Jimmy McGuinness, Davy Carolan. Subs used: Ciaran McLoughlin, Eoin Harrington, Alan Shankey, Brendan Quinn and Conor Martin. Rest of panel: Michael Reilly, Gary McCoy, Damien Carry, Benny Lynch, Paul Smith, Bill Byrne and Willie Hayes. Tweet

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