In the past two IFC campaigns Drumconrath went close to making the knockout stages and according to Peter O'Halloran they just need a little more self-belief to make a bigger impact at this level. Just over a decade ago the north county club were struggling at junior level but they turned things around and reached the JFC final in 1995, only to lose to Duleek, but returned twelve months later to lift the Matthew Ginnity Cup by beating neighbours Meath Hill in the decider. "Things took off in 1995 and we won the JFC in 1996, we made the junior final in '95 and beat Meath Hill in the final the following year. Things were at a low ebb in 1994, I don't think we won a match that year. "We picked it up in 1995 and made that junior final. A lot of them lads were 18 or 19 at the time and they are the basis of our team at the moment," club secretary Peter O'Halloran recalls. Last year they came within a hair's breath of reaching the IFC quarter-finals but missed out on scoring difference after finishing level with both Ballivor and Carnaross and in the charge of Paddy Martin from Donaghmoyne in Monaghan hopes were high that they could go one step further this year. This time round they were billeted in Group B alongside Nobber, Oldcastle, Castletown, Drumree, Ballivor, Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Carnaross. The seven match campaign kicked off with a facile win over lowly Drumree on Sunday, April 12th at Simonstown. Wayne Reilly led the way with 2-8 as Drumconrath eased to a 3-16 to 0-1 success after leading by 2-6 to 0-0 at half-time. Austin Hickey chipped in with 1-1 while six other players got on the scoresheet. North county rivals Castletown provided a sterner test at Kilmainhamwood two weeks later and it took a late point from a long distance free by Wayne Reilly to tie the scores at 0-7 each. Kevin Flanagan, Pete McMahon, Terry Skelly, Austin Hickey and Paul Tighe were Drumconrath's best performers on the day and it was no shame to drop a point to the side that went so close to eliminating eventual champions Wolfe Tones the previous year. In Round 3, things didn't look to hot for Drumconrath as they were on level terms with Oldcastle, at 0-4 each at the interval, having played with the wind in the first half, but Pete McMahon's goal in the final quarter boosted them to a 1-8 to 0-7 win. The Drums fourth outing was on May 15 against Donaghmore/Ashbourne at a very wet Seneschalstown. Despite the unfavourable conditions the sides served up a thrilling contest. The Dublin border side had the edge throughout and were never headed after leading by 1-5 to 0-7 at the break and it took an injury time goal from Wayne Reilly to maintain Drumconrath's unbeaten run in a 1-12-all draw. With just three rounds remaining, Drumconrath were well placed to advance to the quarter-finals with six points from a possible eight. The unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt with a defeat by Ballivor at Martry in Round 5. Drumconrath's tally of a dozen wides was a contributory factor for the minimum margin defeat. Despite the absence through injury of talismanic midfielder Austin Hickey, the Drums had much of the play. Leighton Irwin's early point got them off to a good start against Carnaross in the next round on the following Friday evening, but the Cavan border side with Ollie Murphy back on board responded with a string of scores to lead by 0-6 to 0-1 at the break. An improved second-half couldn't prevent Paddy Martin's charges from going under by 0-7 to 0-11 but results elsewhere meant that despite a second defeat on the spin all hope wasn't lost. Meath Hill was the venue for the final round clash with neighbours Nobber on Saturday, August 6 and a Jamie Myles goal saw Drumconrath turn around at the break leading by the narrowest margin. The concession of a goal in the third quarter didn't unduly bother the side in red who recovered to lead by two point with time running out thanks to good showings from Pete McMahon, Terry Skelly and the Flanagan brothers, Kevin and Brian while Austin Hickey and Paddy Reilly were shading matters at midfield. However their hopes were undone by the concession of three points to Brian Farrell in the final minutes and it was Nobber who advanced by 1-9 to 1-8. The Drumconrath team who lined out that fateful day was - Sean Kane; Peter Tighe, Kevin Flanagan, Thomas Carolan; Terry Skelly, Pete McMahon, Brian Flanagan; Austin Hickey, Paddy Reilly (0-2); Jamie Myles (1-0), Leighton Irwin (0-1), Paul Tighe; Ronan McGahon (0-1), Wayne Reilly (0-4), Sean Reilly. Subs - Ollie McMahon for S Reilly, Shane Byrne for McGahon and Alan Byrne for Peter Tighe. For the second year running, Drumconrath had missed out, this time finishing sixth on six points having lost their final three group matches, two by the narrowest margin. Donaghmore/Ashbourne finished one place above them, while Ballivor, Nobber, Castletown and table toppers Carnaross advanced to the quarter-finals. "We started well but tailed off towards the end. It was a very tight group and where we fell down was in our fifth round match. If we could have beaten Ballivor that day, we would have gone through. "It was a match we dominated and we lost that day by a point and maybe a bit of uncertainty crept in," O'Halloran reflects ruefully. Just as in the championship, a dip in form in the latter stages put paid to Drumconrath's Division 3 FL hopes. On a very wet day at the Wooton on the first Sunday in February, their campaign began with a 0-2 to 0-4 defeat by Donaghmore/Ashbourne with Leighton Irwin getting both their scores. Drumconrath put that disappointing start behind them to overwhelm visitors Dunsany by 4-7 to 0-4 and followed that up with a 2-4 to 1-6 win at neighbours Nobber where Alan Byrne's second goal gave them a minimum margin success. A home win over Ballinabrackey by 0-12 to 0-9 was followed by a home draw, 1-12 each, with juniors St Ultan's. The four-match unbeaten run came to a halt with a 0-9 to 0-12 reversal at Syddan. Narrow wins over juniors St Michael's and Moynalvey boosted their hopes of promotion but a draw with struggling intermediates Slane and a heavy defeat at eventual runners-up, Ratoath put paid to their hopes. The concession of four first-half goals proved the club's second string's undoing in the JFC D opener against Boardsmill and after trailing by 1-3 to 4-4 at the break, lost by 1-12 to 5-9. Further defeats by Longwood and Trim saw them withdraw from the competition. It was a different story at underage level for the club who team with local rivals Meath/Hill in the juvenile and minor ranks and under Peter's guidance the combination took the Under 14 Division 2 championship title with a decisive win over Dunsany by 3-12 to 2-6 in the final at Pairc Tailteann. Drumconrath/Meath Hlll took full advantage of the elements to lead by 1-8 to 0-0 by the end of the opening quarter with Ross McGrath, top scorer with 2-5 getting their opening goal. It was 1-9 to 0-3 at the break and though Dunsany rallied briefly McGrath's second goal and another from substitute Conor Martin ensured a well deserved successful to team in red and blue. The successful lineout on the day was: Darren Traynor; Emmet Matthews, Keith McConnon, Martin Tully; Simon Martin, Oran Finnegan, Alan Mc Evoy; Graham Tighe (0-2), Niall Tully (0-2); John O'Halloran, Peter Halpin (0-2), Darren Farrelly (0-1); Brendan Lyons, Ross McGrath (2-5) and Pierse McGrath. Subs; Fergal Shields for Farrelly, Conor Martin (1-0) for Lyons, David O'Halloran, Patrick Crosby, Dara McGrath, Garry Gilsenan, Niall Martin and Eoin Martin. Due to holidays both Matthew Byrne and Conor McEntaggart missed out on the triumph. "It was a massive thrill. That day meant so much to all involved with that team. We had been beaten in an under 12 final, two years previous and we had been beaten in an Under 13 final last year and this year we lost the league final to Seneschalstown with a goal in the last minute. To get that bit of a break, to get to Navan and actually win it, was worth waiting for," remarked O'Halloran, who coached the side. A case of so near and yet so far for Drumconrath in the IFC. "We just need to make that breakthrough. Last year we were knocked out on score difference. This year it went down to the wire with that match against Nobber," O'Halloran adds. The club secretary, who fulfils a similar role on the county's Juvenile Football Committee is not despondent about the club's prospect of improving on recent years. "We need a bit of self belief. That's where we are falling down. If we could make the quarter-finals, I think we are as good as what's in the grade. If we don't do something in the next year or two, we are going to lose some of the older lads," he concludes realistically. A look back to 1995 - and what a year it was Back in 1995 a young Drumconrath squad under Dudley Farrell began what could be classed as a start to the good times for what was up until this point a poor junior setup with very little form over the previous number of years. 1995 was the spring board to eventual success in 1996 and some great football memories up to the present day. By Peter O'Halloran. After winning the ACFL Div 4A in 1994 with a victory over Kilcloon, Drumconrath under new manager Dudley Farrell had hopes of putting a decent show in the JFC but wouldn't have been regarded as serious contenders as wins in the JFC games had been few and far between in the preceding years and indeed we had failed to fulfill all our fixtures in 1994. At the AGM in December Dudley had been ratified as manager with Noel McGivern and Seamus Dardis in as selectors, with an opening left for Noel Reilly to come on board as the year progressed. Hugh McDermott was Chairman, Martin McCullagh in as Vice- Chair with Peter Ludlow and Stephan Byrne as Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively. Patrick Martin continued as Treasurer and Attraca Ward was PRO. When the League draw was published we realised we would be in with far bigger fish following promotion as we faced home games v Blackhall, Meath Hill, Baconstown, St Vincent's and Moynalty while we would have away trips to the seniors of Walterstown, intermediates of Rathkenny, St Colmcille's, St Brigid's and fellow Junior sides Nobber and Enfield. Following closely on this, the JFC draw pitted us with the three teams regraded from intermediate, neighbours Nobber, Meath Hill and Dunsany along with perennial favourites Duleek and old foes from yesteryear, An Gaeltacht. This indeed was classed as the "group of death" and a first round tie with our parish neighbours was first on the list. Meath Hill had struggled at intermediate level in the preceding years and had sought to be regraded and while clashes in recent times had been very few, Drumconrath had managed a league win on a very wet day the year before in a game which saw three players sent off. So all roads led to Syddan on the 30th of April for this much anticipated clash with much pride at stake. Drumconrath 0-9 Meath Hill 1-5 The finishing score line gave an inaccurate picture of the game as Drumconrath dominated but some very poor finishing almost cost the match as the wides tally of 17 to 6 paints a clearer picture. Shane Byrne opened the scoring with a free with set his good form for the game as the other first half points came from James Hickey and Oliver McMahon with Meath Hill replying with two Francis Callaghan frees. A well taken point from Pat Dunne finished the scoring as the Meath Hill goal led a charmed life as a Sean Reilly shot produced a Brendan Lee save as Shay Durnin thundered the rebound off the crossbar. Drumconrath stormed into the second half with Paddy Reilly dictating the game from midfield as the Reds wind assisted notched points from Shane Byrne (2), Oliver McMahon (2) and another from Sean Reilly which left the score at 0-9 to 0-4, the Hills points coming from Dean Farrelly and Callaghan as the clock showed three minutes left to play. A David Crosby point seemed only a consolation but an excellent Callaghan goal stopped the crowd from leaving as Meath Hill piled on the pressure and where narrowly wide with their third attack in as many minutes as Drumconrath held on but only just. Carlo Divito of the Meath Chronicle who attended the game stated that he had seen enough to class Drumconrath "as serious contenders for this years Junior crown" due to what he classed as "flashes of rare skill" and a good prophet he turned out to be. Drumconrath - Niall Carolan; Paul Dunne, Vincent McEvoy, Kevin Flanagan; Derek Flanagan, Pete McMahon, Paul Carey; Paddy Reilly, James Hickey [0-1]; Sean Reilly [0-1], Oliver McMahon [0-3], Shane Byrne [0-3]; Shay Durnin, Mark Matthews, Pat Dunne. Subs - Ronan McGahon for Matthews, Gavin McGahon for Pat Dunne. Meath Hill - Brendan Lee; Francis Carolan, John Cunningham, James Kieran; Martin Shekleton, John Owens, David Crosby [0-1]; Tom Matthews, Paudge Boyle; Francis Callaghan [1-3], Lee Breslin, Emmet Boyle; Damien Cunningham, Gerry Matthews, Dean Farrelly [0-1]. Subs - Martin Breslin for Kieran, Sean Maher for Lee Breslin. Almost three weeks later on Friday the 12th of May we faced up to the second regraded team, Dunsany, who had county player Jimmy "Boots" McGuinness in their lineup at Kilberry. Drumconrath 3-8 Dunsany 1-9 This was regarded as a big test from the North Meath team as everyone knew that they would have lifted their game for the first round clash with Meath Hill. Ronan McGahon was given the task of curtailing McGuinness and not only did he show that he was up to that job, he went on to have as major say in the game as he completely overshadowed his big name opponent. Three first half goals sealed the tie with Sean Reilly, a Paddy Reilly penalty and another from Shay Durnin doing the damage. Dunsany went on damage limitation exercise in the second half scoring 1-5 but Drumconrath never looked in any danger and had top performances from Kevin Flanagan, Peter McMahon, Paddy Reilly and McGahon in midfield, Sean Reilly, Shane Byrne and Shay Durnin. Meanwhile in the League Drumconrath's form was also good starting with the trip to St Colmcille's - an Intermediate side - where they gained a draw (1-7 to 2-4). Shane Byrne with 0-4, Paddy Reilly notching 0-2, Durnin 0-1 while Leighton Irwin got the goal. This was quickly followed up with a home win over St Vincent's and an away win over intermediates Moynalty. The fourth round saw the long trip to fellow junior contenders Enfield. A marker was set down with a 1-14 to 0-12 win as these team's paths would cross again on a bigger day. This was a vintage performance with Gavin McGahon netting the goal as Stephan Byrne at corner back and Pete McMahon at no 6 defended well while Paddy Reilly again made his presence felt around the middle. Shane Byrne (0-7) and Sean Reilly (0-3) played well in the wing forward positions. The next test in JFC was the other regraded team and near neighbours Nobber and it was off to Kilmainhamwood on the 27th of May where Drumconrath easily dispatched the Black and Ambers. Drumconrath 0-13 Nobber 0-5 Nobber opened the scoring but failed to score again in the half as James Hickey and Paddy Reilly led the way. Others to star were Paul Dunne at 2, Kevin Flanagan in the other corner and his brother Derek at 5. Drumconrath - Niall Carolan; Paul Dunne, Vincent McEvoy, Kevin Flanagan; Derek Flanagan, Pete McMahon, Paul Carey; Paddy Reilly (0-4), Ronan McGahon (0-2); Sean Reilly (0-1), James Hickey (0-3), Shane Byrne (0-1); Shay Durnin (0-2), Oliver McMahon, Gavin McGahon. Subs - Timmy Reilly for Carey, Pat Dunne for S Reilly. Championship fare continued on the 10th of June in Martry against An Gaeltacht. A win here would almost guarantee a quarter final slot and this was achieved as the Gaeltacht men put up little resistance Drumconrath 2-17 An Gaeltacht 1-5 Drumconrath forwards had a field day with Shane Byrne (1-3), Shay Durnin (1-2), Leighton Irwin and Oliver McMahon (0-2) each while Paddy Reilly (0-4) and Ronan McGahon (0-2) dominated midfield. Drumconraths visit to one of the giants of Meath football was the first loss of the year as Walterstown came from 0-5 to 0-4 down at the interval to eventually win out 1-11 to 0-8. Never the less there were good displays from Vincent McEvoy, Derek Flanagan, James Hickey and Timmy Reilly. The sixth league match was against the amalgamated team Blackhall Gaels, part of the Kilcloon side we had beaten in the League final the year before so with Batterstown now joined to them it was felt we would be really up against it but it was not to be as Drumconrath inflicted a first defeat on the Kildare border side with a very easy win, 2-10 to 0-6. In the next round we had a rematch with Nobber and although only leading by a point at the break [1-5 to 1-4] we pulled away in the second period to win out 2-12 to 1-7. Niall Carolan put in his usual steady performance while again the Flanagan's were solid in defence with Pat Dunne at 14 and Dara Carolan at 15 to the fore. Drumconrath - Niall Carolan; Derek Tighe, Vincent McEvoy, Kevin Flanagan; Derek Flanagan, Pete McMahon, Paul Carey; Ronan McGahon (0-1), Paddy Reilly (1-3); Oliver McMahon, James Hickey (0-3), Shane Byrne (0-3); Shay Durnin, Pat Dunne, Dara Carolan (1-2). Subs - Thomas Dardis for Durnin, Padraig McMahon for Pete McMahon. Drumconrath continued to push for promotion with wins away to St Brigid's who had won the 1994 JFC and a walk over from Baconstown who failed to travel. That was followed by a draw with Meath Hill with a late Paddy Reilly free from away out on the right levelling the game when it looked like a certain win for Meath Hill. The last match in Rathkenny ended in a draw also. This left Drumconrath on 17 points out of 22 with just one loss and three draws but only enough for third place behind Walterstown 18 and Blackhall 20. Still, it was not a bad showing considering it was our first year in the grade. With the League out of the way our last Championship encounter in the league section was to decide whether we would play in a semi final or a quarter final as Duleek too had a 100% record. The match was set for Pairc Tailteann 5th July. Drumconrath 2-10 Duleek 2-10 This was the first of three matches with Duleek that year and this was probably the best match for all supporters as Duleek opened the scoring but Drums fought back to lead by two points at the interval. Duleek came strong in the second half as they levelled and went one ahead but Drumconrath drew level again and just when it looked like fizzling out to a draw, both sides grabbed late goals. Pat Dunne put a spanner in the works with his second goal of the game only for Duleek's Martin Meegan to reply at the other end to bring the game to a playoff to decide who won the group. Once again Paddy Reilly and Ronan McGahon led the charge from midfield. The Playoff was fixed for Slane on 21 August. Drumconrath 0-9 Duleek 0-6 Drumconrath made the semi-final with a good second half display when they restricted Duleek to just one score as our defence excelled and Shane Byrne notched 0-5. The Semi final saw us back to Pairc Tailteann on 24 September to face up to Enfield Drumconrath 0-12 Enfield 1-7 Enfield took the game by storm scoring three points in the opening four minutes. However wind assisted Drumconrath settled to be level by the seventh minute courtesy of points from Leighton Irwin (0-2) and one from Shane Byrne. When Paddy Reilly and Shay Durnin pointed it looked good for the Reds but with Enfield's No. 6, Mervyn Heffernan, defending well chances where few and far between until Sean Reilly scored in the 23rd minute and another from Byrne left just two in it at the break. By the ninth minute of the second half Enfield were level and with the backing of the wind things looked bad for the North Meath men. But not for the first time Paddy Reilly grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with two points and Shane Byrne notched another one. Drumconrath were rocked when an Enfield sub hit the net as the ball deflected off a Drums defender and the game was level with time almost up. Again Reilly led from the front and he pointed and when Oliver McMahon strode forward from wing back to score the insurance point, it sparked celebrations as our place in the final was assured. Meanwhile on the other side of the draw Duleek where making progress first with a 2-10 to 1-10 quarter final win over Drumree and then in a replay, a 2-9 to 2-8 win in the semi over St Paul's. The Meath Chronicle stated "Drumconrath to make the breakthrough" while the Drogheda Independent said " Duleek to return to Intermediate" as both papers wondered if Duleek's ace attacker Martin Meegan, home for the quarters and semi-final would return to the US or would stay around for the decider. Also Duleek asked the Meath County Board to put the final back for a week as they felt that eight days between the replayed semi and the final was not enough. Fintan Ginnity referred this to the Fixtures Committee who decided it should go ahead and interestingly there was no Drumconrath delegate at that meeting. Maybe this was our first mistake as Meegan went on to have a big bearing on the game as he did stay at home but had the game been delayed the word was that he would have returned to the USA. Duleek 1-10 Drumconrath 0-10 Drumconrath with a stiff breeze behind started well as Ronan McGahon and Paddy Reilly dominated the early exchanges in the midfield area and indeed never crossed the half way line until the 10th minute but when they did they notched the deciding score of the game. The midfield dominance led to a Sean Reilly point on three minutes when a goal looked the easier option, Shay Durnin scored a good point from 40 yards but then disaster struck when a miss hit Nigel McQuaile free was fisted to the net by the Duleek No17 Kevin Carroll. Drumconrath responded well with three Shane Byrne points, one from play and two frees after fouls on Paddy Reilly and Leighton Irwin. McQuaile found his range with a free as Byrne again pointed frees one from 47 yards after a foul on Paddy Reilly and the other after a foul on Durnin. A second pointed free from McQuaile at the end the half meant that Drumconrath led by 0-7 to 1-2 at the break. Within 20 seconds of the restart Martin Meegan opened the scoring as Duleek notched another three points within four minutes to take a lead that they would hold until the end. James Hickey came more into the match for Drumconrath as he kicked a wide and dropped another chance short but good work from him saw Sean Reilly score a neat point and then a quick free from Pete McMahon ended with a similar score from Paddy Reilly to draw the match level. Meegan put Duleek ahead again with a free but a great run from Ollie McMahon levelled the game as we entered the last quarter. Duleek with the wind behind them pushed for home as Meegan pointed two frees in between Lenihan scored from play to give Duleek a three point win. Strangely a year later Drumconrath came good on another windy day in Pairc Tailteann when they overcame Meath Hill by the same score line. Drumconrath - Niall Carolan; Derek Flanagan, Vincent McEvoy, Kevin Flanagan; Ollie McMahon (0-1), Pete McMahon, Paul Carey; Paddy Reilly (0-1), Ronan McGahon; Sean Reilly (0-2), James Hickey, Shane Byrne (0-5); Shay Durnin (0-1), Pat Dunne, Leighton Irwin. Subs - Alan Ludlow, Dara Carolan, Gavin McGahon, Timmy Reilly, Thomas Dardis, Derek Tighe, Paul Dunne, Padraig McMahon, Peter O'Halloran and Stephan Byrne. Coach Dudley Farrell. Selectors - Seamus Dardis, Noel McGivern and Noel Reilly. Farrell Cup For the 5th year in a row this U-10 competition was run off between North Meath's youngest footballers, 7 matches were enjoyed by all as everyone makes a final no matter how many times you win or lose. The emphasis here is on enjoyment. The final table stood as follows   Moynalty 7 13 Rathkenny 7 12 Drumconrath/Meath Hill  7 9 Castletown 7 6 Syddan 7 6 Bru na Boinne 7 6 Nobber  7 4 Kilmainhamwood 7 0   This all meant that a new club would be be kingpins for 2005 as Rathkenny [Runner ups in 2000] and Moynalty [Runner ups in 2004] met in the Div 1 Final-Rathkenny 1-3 Moynalty 0-5. A late goal by Jack Gore saw the tie go to extra time after Moynalty looked the most likely winners all through but a late pointed free saw Rathkenny come out on Top.   Div 2 Drumconrath/Meath Hill 5-7 Castletown 2-4 Castletown found the going hard against the wind in the first half and left themselves too much to do after the break.   Div 3 Syddan 4-4 Bru na Boinne 2-6. 8 scores each but Syddan's goals won the Day.   Div 4 Kilmainhamwood 2-4 Nobber 1-4. The Wood saved the best wine till last as they won their first match of the year to retain the Div 4 title they won in 2004. Drumconrath/Meath Hill won the Curran Cup U-14 Div 2 Championship with a win over Dunsany in Pairc Tailteann. Earlier this team was beaten in the Div 3A League decider by Seneschalstown on a 4-5 to 2-10 scoreline with a late Yellow Furze goal snatching the spoils at Castletown.   The Championship started with two easy wins over Inny Gaels and SS Peter/Pauls B and then to a quarter-final tussle with St Vincents, winners of the League Div 3B. The Red and Blue won this with something to spare and then it was on to Rathkenny to face League champions Seneschalstown. Drumconrath/Meath Hill came out on top here on a 4-9 to 3-1 scoreline and Dunsany stood in their way for glory     U14 championship glory Drumconrath/Meath Hill .......... 3-12 Dunsany ....................................... 2-6 With a stiff breeze behind them playing into the O'Mahoney's end Drum/Meath Hill set the early pace and rushed into a 1-8 to 0-0 before Dunsany raised their 1st flag after 22 minutes. Points from Man of the Match Graham Tighe from a free, Ross McGrath [4], Niall Tully, Peter Halpin and Darren Farrelly plus a goal from McGrath, who terrorised the Dunsany rear guard throughout, left the North Meath boys with one hand on the Curran Cup. Dunsany notched three points in a row to worry the Red and Blue selectors but a Niall Tully point on the stroke of half time settled the ship. Dunsany came out with all guns blazing and scored 1-2 in the first 5 minutes of the second half but with Tighe scoring a break away point and with Keith McConnon outstanding at full back ably assisted by Emmet Matthews and Martin Tully, Dunsany where really going to have to work for scores. A great McGrath goal after good work by John O'Halloran and Niall Tully was answered with 1-1 by Dunsany to leave it at 1-10 to 2-6 with eight minutes left as the breeze stiffened. The game was in the melting pot and a good save by Darren Traynor plus a good line clearance by Tighe and stout defending by Alan McEvoy, Oran Finnegan and Captain Simon Martin saw the Red and Blue hold out as points from Halpin and McGrath pushed them into the safety zone and when substitutes Fergal Shields and Conor Martin combined for Martin to goal, it finally put an end to Dunsany's hopes. As a great team display seen the North Meath boys win out. This team had lost an U-12 in 2003, an U-13 in 2004 and the League final earlier in 2005. Eddie Battersby from EDDIES HARDWARE presented the Cup to Drumconrath/Meath Hill captain Simon Martin who along with St Colmcilles represented Meath in the Leinister u-14 Blitz in Wicklow. The winning team was: Darren Traynor; Emmet Matthews, Keith McConnon, Martin Tully; Simon Martin, Oran Finnegan, Alan Mc Evoy; Graham Tighe (0-2), Niall Tully (0-2); John O'Halloran, Peter Halpin (0-2), Darren Farrelly (0-1); Brendan Lyons, Ross Mc Grath (2-5) and Pierse McGrath. Subs; Fergal Shields for Farrelly, Conor Martin (1-0) for Lyons, David OHalloran, Patrick Crosby, Dara McGrath, Garry Gilsenan, Niall Martin and Eoin Martin. Due to Holidays both Matthew Byrne and Conor McEntaggart missed out on the triumph. Tweet

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