Dreams are made on the M50
November 30, 2005
In January 2005 we set out along the M50 with our U16 panel for a day at the UCD sports centre.
On entering the reception area we were very proud to see a fellow clubman Nigel Crawford listed on the roll of honour as a previous captain of UCD Gaelic Football Team.
The lads participated in a vast range of sports through the day including handball. It was interesting that this was the first time they had played handball and they just loved it. It is a pity we don't keep this great Gaelic Sport more alive through the county.
This day at UCD brought us together with a collective goal and the dream to win the Meath U16 Championship.
Our first game was against Simonstown and our lads showed great class and flair to win easier than expected.
We had further wins against St Cianan's and our great friends and rivals St Colmcilles who had many of the team who won the U16 championship in 2004. However Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Seneschalstown gave us heavy defeats. Seneschalstown gave us a lesson in brilliant high catching and direct football and Donaghmore/Ashbourne showed us just why they won the U14 and U15 Football Championships with this team in the previous two years. We needed to beat Walterstown to qualify for the semi-finals.
Confidence and team spirit were seriously challenged at this stage of the championship, but we got the win we needed against a spirited Walterstown side.
The semi-final against St Cianan's was a great game of football with two teams giving it everything for the prize of running out on Pairc Táilteann for the U16 final.
We got a great start with two goals and went into a big early lead but St Cianan's stuck to their game plan and clawed us back bit by bit. With five minutes remaining we were just one point up and St Cianan's had the momentum.
Our backs withstood immense pressure and made some vital clearances.
Our captain Paul Kelly and midfielder showed great leadership and won some vital kickouts to work the ball up the field and score two crucial points in the dying minutes. We held on to win by three points.
We were now in the final and had four weeks to prepare. We had no illusions but that we had significant ground to make up if we had any chance against a very fine Donaghmore/Ashbourne side who had impressed everyone with their march to the final.
Despite most of our squad also sitting junior Cert we still managed to keep the focus on a plan to pass the test on June 28th.
David Gallagher and Andrew McEntee had the squad mentally and physically in great shape and we could sense a growing belief and a positive team spirit that was peaking nicely for the final.
The final started very well for Donaghmore/Ashbourne and it looked bleak for us when after ten minutes we were five points to one in arrears and Donaghmore/Ashbourne were playing all the football.
A vital save from our keeper Donal O'Loughlin kept us in the game. Quick decisive positional switches eventually saw us start to compete.
Michael Dunne was inspiring his team mates and enthuastic Dunboyne supporters, with tremendous fielding and well placed clearances from corner back.
Others to shine on what was a real team effort included Graham Moran when operating at centre forward. Brian Minnock, Eoin Dolan, Craig Berrigan and Richard Keaney all played great football in the forward line. The final score was 2-11 to 0-11 and we had achieved something we dreamt about while stuck in traffic on the M50 in the days when darkness fell close to 4p.m. in the evening.
Here we were some months later and none of us wanted to leave the joyous scene at Pairc Táilteann as the sun was starting to set around 10p.m. The groundsman shook his keys to gently give us the hint and to signal the closure of another piece of glorious history for these great bunch of lads. The M50 maybe a nightmare but its where we had a dream!
Special thanks must go to the parents who shared and encouraged this dream and the manager Eamonn Gilligan who saw the potential in this side when they played U10 and had achieved U13 and U16 county titles as well as
All Ireland Feile success in 2003.
Some say we had a bigger back up team than the Tyrone All Ireland winners but it is the combined effort of many that brought success. The mentors included Tom Hogan, Jim Gallagher, Martin O'Grady, Larry Kelly, Alan Geraghty and Ken O'Shea.
David Gallagher and Andrew McEntee gave generously of their time and through their passion and drive they built a collective work ethic and pride in representing our club.
Thanks to every member of the panel. They brought great enjoyment to so many in our community and achieved the first part of what was to be a great double at U16 level when our hurlers went on to win their county final.
Dunboyne are county queens
Dunboyne captured their first Camogie title in 19 years when pulling away from neighbours Donaghmore/Ashbourne in this final at Ratoath, just ten months after the team was reformed.
A brace of Kate O'Carroll goals helped to establish a comfortable early lead but they were pegged back and an Aoife Thompson point was what left the eventual winners ahead by 2-02 to 2-00 at the interval.
A Marie Carrol free stretched the advantage still further and when a Margaret O'Connor point attempt got caught in the swirling breeze and ended up in the net it seemed they couldn't be caught as the led by 3-03 to 2-01.
However Donaghmore/Ashbourne had other ideas and they rallied again and a goal and a point narrowed the deficit to the minimum before another Dunboyne scoring burst that yielded goals from Carroll and O'Connor and a point from Thompson secured the title Dunboyne.
Evelyn O'Connor, Siobhan Synann, Aoife Thompson, Brigid Reilly, Sinead Hackett, Kate O'Carrol and Margaret O'Connor were best for the champions.
Dunboyne: Patricia Whyte, Claire Barker, Dolores Curran, Edel Carty, Siobhan Synan, Evelyn O'Connor, Maura Keogh, Aoife Thompson, (0-02), Suzanne Ledwitch, Sinead Hackett (0-01), Brigid Reilly, Aine Keogh, Kate O'Carroll (2-00), Margaret O'Connor (2-00), Marie Carroll (1-01). Subs: Caroline Maguire for Brigid Reilly, Roisin Whyte for Margaret O'Connor, Bronagh Moran for Marie Carroll
O'Grady in overdrive as Dunboyne double up
Michael O'Grady went one better with his scoring exploits as Dunboyne completed the U-16 double for the first time since 1962 with an outstanding display HC win over Kiltale at Ratoath.
They fell two points in arrears in the early stages but a great goal from Donal O'Loughlin was the catalyst as Dunboyne went on to dominate the rest of the half as scores from O'Grady (three) and a Michael Dunne '65' gave them a half time cushion of 1-04 to 0-03.
Kiltale made a spirited resumption but once they had a player sent off for a late pull on Brian O'Hara they took over again with further scores from Dunne O'Loughlin and O'Grady before fittingly the latter, and captain, had the last say with a late goal and point.
Goalkeeper Jimmy Watters, Shane Moran, Michael Dunne, Alan Watters, Chris Kane and Ger Murphy impressed in the 2-10 to 0-6 win.
It was also a special moment for coach Paul Reilly whose father Mick was over both teams with Brian Smyth (Donal O'Loughlin is his grandson) in 1962 while one of their players 43 years ago was John Reilly, now vice chairman of the county Hurling Committee and Chairman of Bord Iomana Na nOg.
Dunboyne - Jimmy Watters, Shane Moran, Michael Dunne (0-2), Darren Dunne, Conor O'Shea, Alan Watters, Christopher Kane, Robbie Wall, Paul Kelly, Ciaran McKay, Ger Murphy, Adam Hynes, Michael O'Grady (1-7), Donal O'Loughlin (1-1), Brian O'Hara. Sub: Killian Thompson for O'Shea
Referee: Martin Bartley (Trim)
Dunboyne juveniles win three out of three
On Saturday the 24th September in the Annual Summerhill Juvenile Football Blitz, all three Dunboyne teams won their respective competitions.
First up were the Under 8's who had a convincing win over their Summerhill rivals.
Then it was the turn of the under 9's who followed up in great style with a well fought out win over Dunshaughlin.
Then the Under 10's completed the hat trick. They were trailing at half time but fought back strongly and won a close encounter with Summerhill by the narrowest of margins.
Former Meath Manager Sean Boylan made the presentations to the three winning Dunboyne Captains - Eoin Dunne (U8), Darren O'Connor (U9) and Ronan Dunne (U10).
This is the eighth year of the very successful Summerhill League and Finals Tournament.
The Summerhill Chairman told the huge crowd in attendance that the Summerhill team that has won the last two Minor County titles in Meath, started playing Gaelic Football in this tournament eight years ago.
We look forward to seeing many of these Dunboyne players winning county medals in Pairc Tailteann in the not too distant future.
Ladies football
The Dunboyne ladies GFC was re-formed in 1996 under the auspices of the ladies gaelic football association. The club was formed in response to a need among a group of 13-year-old girls to play gaelic football within the parish. From a membership of 20 in 1996 the club had grown to a membership of 130 in 2005 and is now one of the largest clubs in the county. This growth mirrors the phenomenal growth of ladies gaelic football, one of the fastest growing sports in the county.
Since the club's inception sporting successes have been recorded across all levels of competition - a testament to the commitment and dedication of the players and the several hard working committees. The bold blue and red club colours of the Dunboyne Ladies GFC is a force to be reckoned with within the county.
Development plans
The clubs successes must be measured against a backdrop of having no grounds or facilities of its own competing in a male dominated sport. In the past it relies heavily on the male gaelic football clubs within the parish for the use of pitches to both train and play matches. This became unsustainable as the male clubs were already stretched meeting their own needs. Negotiations were entered into with St. Peter's College, the secondary school in the village, for the use of the football pitch outside of school hours.
This arrangement proved so successful that it spurred the club towards a joint venture with the school for the development of changing room facilities on the college grounds.
While the school is providing the pitch and the site for the changing rooms. Dunboyne Ladies must meet the building costs. The benefits to both the school and the club from the erection of this facility are immeasurable in terms of promoting sport within the school and the wider Dunboyne community.
Fundraising
The club embarked upon a fundraising drive to cover the considerable cost of building the changing rooms. Members of Dunboyne Community were asked to sponsor a block for E20 towards this goal.
The changing rooms will be opened before the year's end.
Dunboyne Ladies have teams in the following competitions.
U10's had a highly successful year. Their semi final against Royal Gaels was a draw at full time and again after extra time, if then went to a re-play with Dunboyne winning on that occasion, they went on to meet Donaghmore Ashbourne in the county final where they were narrowly beaten.
U12s
They played in Division 1, were involved in Community games competition, reaching the county final and were awarded with silver medals. Katie Hughes and Kristel Cotter were involved with the county team and received r/u medals in Leinster Blitz in Carlow.
U13s
Playing in Feile competition and have so far reached the semi-finals
U14s
Enjoyed a good year, very dedicated and enthusiastic, reaching the semi-final against Ratoath who went on to win the competition
U16s
Current squad are through to the U16 championship semi-final and remain unbeaten this season. They hope to go one step better than last year when they were runners up.
Most of this unique bunch of players have contested a county final at various age levels for the last five years and have won county medals from U12, 14, 16 minor and U21.
Nine of this team were part of the St. Peter's College, Dunboyne squad that were crowned Leinster Senior girls champions earlier this year, a first ever for Dunboyne.
With such a history of achievements behind them this team has many more successful days ahead.
Minors:
Have reached the semi final stage and will be hoping to hold onto their title from 2004.
U21s
Have reached the quarter final stage and are hoping to go all the way this year
Seniors
This year was the best year so far in this competition, where Dunboyne reached the semi-final and were narrowly beaten by St Ultan's.
Division 1 League
Dunboyne have won four out of five games in this competition so far.
A number of the girls played county football with the minor and junior teams and Susan O'Sullivan with the senior team.
If Wood Could Talk
The old wooden fence lies deserted, the gate securely locked and the nets flutter gently in the light spring breeze.
Soon the gate was flung open and thirty or so U-16 footballers charge out to fulfil an important fixture.
Important to them because it happens to be a local derby, though they were probably blissfully unaware of the real importance of the night.
No doubt, there were spectators there, though one was missing, the most famous and special one of all.
*There was widespread sadness in Dunboyne and surrounding areas following the
passing of Mr. Thomas (Tom) Yourell on Saturday, April 23rd.
Tom, along with the rest of his family, was a very widely known and
respected businessman in the community though it will be for his involvement in GAA circles in the area that he will be best remembered.
Tom was responsible for the first football team being formed in Dunboyne in 1947 when he approached Fr Pat Carberry and he went on to serve as Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Club and was also a very generous benefactor to the Club.
Tom Yourell's contribution to Dunboyne GAA is immeasurable, perhaps his greatest legacy of all will be 'Tom's Field', which he gave the club use of over forty years ago.
'Tom's' represented home for Dunboyne GAA for many years, not only for fixtures but also fundraising events as marquees were erected for Fair Days, Dances and the like and is still in use to this day while Alpha House, which Tom also owned, was the venue for meetings.
Tom liked nothing more than to sit on the old wooden fence, swap stories, meet the people and see the Club's players get hours of enjoyment in his field.
Players like Brendan Reilly, Enda McManus, David Gallagher and Tommy O'Connor all began their careers in 'Tom's' and only days before his death he was delighted to hear of a big crowd up watching the U-16's against Simonstown.
There can be no doubting that Tom's passing marks the end of an era in
Dunboyne. He was a helper, advisor, historian and, above all else, a friend to one and all.
He may be gone from us but the legacy and memories of Tom Yourell will live on in Dunboyne forever.
Sympathy is extended to his sister Mary, all the family and an extremely large circle of friends, in which I was honoured to be included*
Funerals can be sad occasions but our sad, but fond, farewell to Tom was exactly as he would have wished it to be.
He would have frowned upon anyone getting upset on his account and because of this I hope he would have been pleased with the send-off we afforded him as we all, even the priest, recalled the many fond memories of him in the way he loved best, by telling stories.
Now, I'm not one for showing emotions, especially not in public, but then, I suppose extraordinary people can make you do extraordinary things.
Tom Yourell was like a grandfather to me as my dear old friend's coffin was borne shoulder high from the church my emotions got the better of me and I wept inconsolably for some time.
Though it's funny the things you remember about people and the one thing that will always stick with me about Tom was that, even no matter how depressed, or upset I was, by the time we went our separate ways, he would always have my laughing.
And so it was as we accompanied him on his final journey.
Indeed the very nature of his passing brought a smile to my face.
He died at 6.30am on the morning of my birthday, it was as if he was going to make sure I wasn't going to get all the attention!
For obvious reasons, I was unable to assist in the carrying of the coffin but I was humbled and honoured when the family acceded to my request to make the journey to the cemetery in front of the hearse.
Had I made the journey alone I have absolutely no doubt I would have been repeatedly overcome with emotion but with two of Tom's grand nephews for company he was remembered the way he would have wanted and the way he himself remembered the many great friends who went before him.
Even though I wasn't actually related to Tom, for the short while it took us to bring him to his final resting place it felt like we were all part of the one family.
Each of the three of us had our own memories, invariably they ended up in laughter but there were somber moments too.
None more than when we paused for a few seconds outside the Club's current home, just a short distance from the cemetery.
I suppose in a way Tom's will always be home, his and ours, but I would like to think he felt part of it when we moved to our current location because he certainly always will be a part of it in our hearts and minds.
Eventually when we had him laid to rest, the second and even more upsetting part of the day arrived.
I was given the honour of writing the graveside oration, the entire contents of which are contained in this article, and when it was emotionally and eloquently recited by Sean Boylan the whole place was in tears.
Slowly and sorrowfully we bid our old friend a final farewell and left him at peace amidst many great Gaels who are also gone.
The stories soon resumed but the one thing everyone agreed was, even though we all have countless memories and stories of our own, the one thing we all agreed was that if the old wooden fence could talk it would tell us more than we ever knew!
By Brendan Boylan
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