Given the changes to the squad in recent years many might expect Dunshaughlin to struggle. That certainly hasn't been the case as Paul Clarke explains. Charlie Redmond's frustration was obvious as he watched his Dunshaughlin team kick away their chance of reaching the Senior Football Championship semi-finals. Trim were there for the taking at Pairc Tailteann, but the men in black and amber lacked accuracy in the early stages of the second half and were eventually beaten decisively. That quarter-final performance probably just about summed up Dunshaughlin's campaign in their quest for a fourth Keegan Cup in six years as they mixed the impressive with the not so impressive and, overall, they can have few complaints about their failure to progress any further in the competition. However, the fact that they have introduced a few very promising youngsters to their senior set-up suggests that Dunshaughlin are capable of rising to dizzy heights again and they will still be on many short lists when it comes to selecting the teams that are likely to figure in the shake-up for honours in 2006. Dunshaughlin were drawn in group B of the Senior Championship, a section that also included the champions of the previous year, Skryne, and the side they defeated in the final, Simonstown Gaels. Add in the 2004 intermediate kingpins Wolfe Tones, Seneschalstown, Walterstown, St. Patrick's and Kilmainhamwood and it was clear that it would take a big effort to emerge as one of the top four teams. First up for Redmond's men were Kilmainhamwood, who were to struggle in the section and end up bottom, and it was a match in which Dunshaughlin scored their expected win, coming out on top by 1-10 to 1-3 at Pairc Tailteann. Kilmainhamwood, who were without the injured Ray Magee, were boosted by an early goal from Raymond Cunningham and led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the interval. However, Dunshaughlin held them scoreless in the second half and a goal from a penalty by full-back Ken McTigue at the start of the period set them on their way to a clearcut win. Getting an early win is always desirable and a second successive victory looked to be on the cards when Dunshaughlin took what appeared to be a commanding advantage against St. Patrick's at Ratoath. Even without the injured Niall Kelly, they opened up a 0-7 to 0-3 interval lead, as Graham Dowd and Ray Maloney dictated matters at midfield, and the lead stretched to 0-10 to 0-3 with 18 minutes remaining. Everything seemed to be going according to plan, but St. Pat's had other ideas and held Dunshaughlin scoreless for the remainder, capping a commendable recovery when Cormac Murphy slotted over an equalising point deep into injury time. It finished 0-10 each and Dunshaughlin must have felt that they had let a golden opportunity to make it back-to-back wins slip from their grasp. Champions Skryne had made a very poor start to the defence of their title, but they got the victory they so desperately needed when winning a third round clash with Dunshaughlin by 1-12 to 1-8 at Pairc Tailteann, despite the continued absence of the injured Trevor Giles. Maloney gave Dunshaughlin a big boost when he scored a 14th minute goal, but Skryne took their points best and edged into a 0-8 to 1-3 advantage at the interval. And, aided by a goal from top-scorer Mick O'Dowd six minutes into the second period the Tara men had four points to spare at the finish. More woe followed for Dunshaughlin when Wolfe Tones - responding well to the challenges of senior football in their first year back in the top grade - defeated them by 2-11 to 1-9, also at Pairc Tailteann. Redmond's team looked to be in a good position when they led by 1-6 to 1-2 at half-time, the goal coming from right half-back Kevin Ward, but they faded completely in the second half when Tones outscored them by 1-9 to 0-3 as that great veteran Tommy Dowd made a very telling contribution. Dunshaughlin's prospects of reaching the business end of the championship were in jeopardy and they were fully aware of the importance of their fifth round meeting with Seneschalstown at Skryne. Redmond must have been thrilled with the manner in which they responded to the situation as they absolutely destroyed the Yellow Furze outfit who were amazingly inept on that very warm evening. Denis Kealy made his return after injury and impressed in the heart of the Dunshaughlin defence, while features of the game were a couple of wonder points from Niall Kelly. Dunshaughlin were well on their way to a vital win when they led by 1-9 to 0-0 at the interval, with Maloney getting the goal. Amazingly, it took Seneschalstown until the 13th minute of the second half to open their scoring account and, helped by a second goal from Maloney, Dunshaughlin went on to win by all of 17 points on a 2-14 to 0-3 score line. What a boost to their score difference that particular encounter proved to be. Confidence had to be high after that success and another victory followed in the sixth round at Pairc Tailteann when they defeated Walterstown by 2-11 to 0-12 to keep their qualification hopes alive. David Crimmins scored their first goal after six minutes and that boosted Dunshaughlin to a 1-5 to 0-6 lead at the break. The advantage stretched to 2-7 to 0-7 12 minutes into the second period after Ken McTigue had slotted home the second goal from a penalty after Crimmins was fouled and, while wasteful Walterstown cut the deficit to three points, Dunshaughlin finished strongest to win decisively. The meeting of Simonstown and Dunshaughlin in the last round of group matches, also at Pairc Tailteann, resulted in a 0-13 to 1-7 win for the Navan men, but there was massive relief for the losers after the final whistle when they learned that they had qualified by virtue of an amazing sequence of results. Because they had beaten Seneschalstown and Walterstown in earlier rounds they advanced to the quarter-finals, while those two clubs exited the title race. Kelly was superb for Dunshaughlin in that match against Simonstown, who also made it through to the last eight stage where they were beaten by town rivals Navan O'Mahonys. Simonstown led by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break and extended the advantage to 0-9 to 0-2. But Dunshaughlin, who had David Tonge sent off late in the opening period, battled their way back into contention and a goal from Conor Staunton helped them cut the deficit to the minimum at 1-5 to 0-9. However, Simonstown, who tallied 16 wides, held their nerve to win by three points. Dunshaughlin lost the quarter-final against Trim by seven points (0-10 to 2-11), yet it was a match they might have won but for their wayward shooting in the third quarter. They opened well and led by 0-4 to 0-0 after 20 minutes and were in front by 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval. They had several opportunities to push clear, but were guilty of some dreadful wides, while Trim goalkeeper Brendan Murphy foiled them with some superb stops. Trim rocked them with a goal from Paul Gilsenan and they edged ahead, before Kelly scored one of his wonder points to force the tie into extra-time. He scored another in the first period of added time, but a Gilsenan goal from a penalty helped Trim lead by two points at the second break and they enjoyed the better of the exchanges subsequently to take control of the match and eliminate Dunshaughlin from the championship. To add to their woes, Niall Kelly was sent off near the end. "We were disappointed to lose that game against Trim," Meath player Kelly said as he reflected on Dunshaughlin's campaign. "With eight teams in each group, a system that I don't like, you have chances to make up for lost ground. We beat Seneschalstown in the fifth round and Walterstown in the sixth and could have beaten Simonstown when we had a man sent off. "We thought we were peaking at the right time going into the quarter-final against Trim and felt we had a good chance against them. But we missed chances in the second half and that didn't help our cause. "Also, we seemed to run out of steam in extra-time. Our squad just isn't as strong as before. Four of the Kealys aren't there, Trevor Dowd was in Australia, which was great for him but not so great for us, and Mick McHale was struggling with injury all year. "We haven't got the strength in depth that we used to have and that was reflected in our form in the league." Kelly, who is looking forward to being part of the Meath set-up under his former Dunshaughlin boss Eamonn Barry, is looking forward to the future with his club too and is encouraged by some of the talented young players they possess. "The population of Dunshaughlin is growing all the time and we can look forward to the benefits of that in a few years," he added. "We also have some very good young players coming through who have benefited from coming up through the ranks with St. Martin's. It's a natural progression. "Caoimhin King is a great footballer and Cathal O'Dwyer is another big talent. There are others like Conor Staunton, Cillian Finn and David Devereux. It might not happen next year, but I would be very hopeful for the future." Dunshaughlin also enjoyed a progressive run in the Junior C Championship, reaching the quarter-finals where they defeated Wolfe Tones by 2-7 to 2-6 at Walterstown. However, they lost out at the penultimate hurdle to St. Colmcille's, going under by 1-9 to 2-11 at Duleek. St. Martins Minor's 2005 St. Martin's minors easily topped their group qualifying to play Na Fianna in Walterstown in the quarterfinal. David Deveraux scored 1-3, John Coleman 1 - 1 and Conor Staunton 1-2 as St. Martins easily qualified for a semi-final against Round Towers. This was a very entertaining game played at Martry, with superb individual displays from Conor Staunton 2 - 3, David Deveraux 0 - 6, Cillian Finn and Mark Caldwell in particular, but no player gave less the 100%. St. Martins gained revenge for the U17 final loss and won by 3-11 to 1-14. St. Martins faced Summerhill in the final but were without their captain Adrian Toolan, full back Brian Coughlan, goalkeeper Christopher Dixon and Paddy Doohan. Summerhill were always a bit stronger. Conor Staunton scored a goal in the 1st half but Summerhill's Willie Milner replied with one to leave the half time score Summerill 1 -10 St. Martins 1 -3. St. Martins rallied strongly in the second half and reduced the margin to three points. Conor Staunton missed a penalty. Mark Caldwell did score a good goal but Summerhill pulled away again to win by 2 - 16 to 2 - 9. St. Martins were very disappointed, as the club has never won a Div 1 Minor on its own. This is also the break up of what has been one of the most successful under age teams to come up through the ranks, having been the first St. Martins football team to represent Meath in the Feile and also winning the U14 and U16 championships. The St. Martins panel for U17 and minor 2004-2005 Christopher Dixon, Sean Doyle, Stephen Mc Groder, Brian Coughlan, James Gaughan, Brian Mc Keown, Cathal Moore, Alan Mc Loughlin, David Wallace, Emmett O'Callaghan, Cillian Finn, Michael Aherne, Ciaran Farrelly, Shane Kelly, Conor Staunton, John Coleman, David Deveraux, Mark Caldwell, John Coffey, Daragh Deveraux, Paddy Doohan, Shane Toher, Fergal Delaney, Duncan Geraghty, Fionan O'Kane, Adrian Toolan, Stephen Fox. Conor Staunton, Cillian Finn, David Deveraux and Michael Aherne were on the Dunshaughlin senior panel in 2005 while Brian Coughlan, David Wallace, John Coleman and Christopher Dixon played for Drumree Intermediate team. All in St. Martins also wish Paddy Doohan a full and speedy recovery from his illness and all the players from Dunshaughlin and Drumree every success in their adult football careers. Feile Peil na nÓg 2005 Victory over Navan O'Mahony's in a highly competitive U13 championship earned St Martins the right to represent Meath at Feile Peil na nÓg to be held in July in Limerick. This was the clubs third time to earn this honour. In fact for players like E Hegarty, S Clusker, N Murphy, E Bowe, B Jordan, C Devereux and D Geraghty this was to be their second trip as they had represented club and county the previous year in Tyrone. Knowing in November that we were heading to Feile was a great advantage as both the U14 league and championship would form a vital part of our preparation. The six months from January to June would also be a busy time for the fund raisers, with bag packing and race nights to be organised to ensure the team lacked for nothing. Our grateful appreciation to the committees, sponsors and parents who worked so hard to ensure everything was ready. Defeat in the league semi-final was to be followed by victory in the championship and a Sunday morning in Bettystown was the final ingredient to having a fit, united team, with more than a bit of 'devilment', ready for Feile. Ranked again as a Division 1 team our group included hosts Abbeyfeale, Newcastlewest and Austin Stacks. Our hosts Fr Casey's of Abbeyfeale actually have their grounds inside the Kerry border and the long trip down meant an early start from Dunshaughlin. Our hopes that the lads might sleep after the early start was in vain as the level of excitement and anticipation grew. Captain S Doyle accompanied by mascot R Geraghty kept us entertained and amused with their version of "The fields of Drumree". Our first match was at 3pm against our hosts Fr Casey's and although victorious in wet and windy conditions the effect on the St Martin's lads of the long trip was clearly seen. The one hour trip into the parade and back meant a very late night on already tired bodies. Up early again the next day to play Newcastle West in glorious conditions, victory here set up the crucial tie against Austin Stacks for a place in the semi-final. Alas this was to be one match too many as tired limbs were no match for the strong skillful players from Kerry who won comfortably and went on to the semi-final to lose out to the eventual winners St Sylvesters from Malahide. All was not lost however, as E Bowe had won the skills competition in our division, indeed Eamonn won the next round also and went onto the final in the Gaelic Grounds. This was enough to lift the lads and the party that night in Abbeyfeale had to be seen to be believed. Fran Doalins guitar playing will live long in the memory of all who went to Feile. Our thanks to our hosts Fr Casey's of Abbeyfeale for the tremendous reception they gave us and for looking after the lads so well we hope they enjoyed our company as much as we enjoyed theirs. The players and mentors of the St Martin's team were as follows: M McCarthy, S Joyce, J O'Brien, S Connolly, C O'Brien, S Doyle (capt), B Jordan, E Hegarty, C Devereux, N Murphy, E Staunton, E Bowe, J Rattigan, S Clusker, F Toolan, D Geraghty, L Briody, C Christie, B Woods, C O'Sullivan, J Doolan, G Byrne, N Ridgeway, A O'Brien. Mentors: D Geraghty, H Clusker, J O'Brien and D Murphy,. U14 honours The U14 final saw a rematch between St Martins and Navan O'Mahonys. Played on a glorious summers evening, conditions were perfect for good football. Having the opportunity to play in Pairc Tailteann meant a lot to the young players and they produced a game full of skill and passion worthy of the venue. As in the previous U13 final O'Mahonys opened brightly and dominated the opening half. S Alexander, M Murphy and S Gillespie are tremendous footballers and St Martins had no answer as they notched up 1-08 in the opening half. Indeed were it not for S Clusher's goal St Martin's would have been eight points behind at half time. The only flow in O'Mahony's first half performance was the number of missed chances, 12 wides in the first half were to prove costly later. St Martins are not a team to lie down and a point from P Toalen 20 seconds after the restart set the tone of what was to come. A superb goal from F Toalen minutes later saw the deficit reduced to one point as St Martin's finally kicked into gear. The switch of E Hegarty to full forward with S Clusker on the forty and E Staunton (Capt) to mid field saw a shift in the balance of play as St Martin's scored 1-6 without reply. The move of the match saw S Joyce win the ball on his own 14 yard line, release to F Toalen who found E Staunton on the opposing 40 bursting forward before firing low to the net from the 21. In between E Hegarty brought out a fantastic save from D Lynch, the O'Mahony keeper. At the other end J O'Brien was magnificent throwing his body down to block repeatedly the O'Mahony forwards as S Joyce, C O'Brien and S Connelly cleared anything that fell loose. Another goal from A O'Brien saw St Martin's 4-13 to 1-11 ahead with minutes to go. However, O'Mahonys weren't finished and in a scintillating finish scored 1-1, hit the post twice and brought out the best in M McCarthy who made a point blank save. Final score 4-13 to 2-12, the real winner was football as both teams displayed what's best about underage football. Team: M McCarthy, S Joyce, J O'Brien, S Connally, C O'Brien, S Doyle 0-1, B Jordan, E Hegarty 0-5, C Devereux (0-2), F Toolan 1-1, E Staunton (capt) 1-0, J Rattigan 0-1, E Bowe (0-1), S Clusher 1-0, N Murphy 0-1. Subs: A O'Brien 1-1 for E Bowe, A Doyle, D Geraghty, J Doolin, C Christie, B Woods, N Ridgeway, G Byrne, L Briody, C O'Sullivan. St. Martin's U17 - 2004 St. Martins won comfortably through to the quarter final where they met St. Cianans in Walterstown. St. Martins led by 2-1 to 0-2 at half time but St. Cianans fought back to draw a tough and exciting match with a point by Chris Carney six minutes into injury time. Gerry McGivney who refereed the replay in Skryne, said it was easily the best match he had seen that year. St. Cianans rocked St. Martins by scoring a goal within one minute and a penalty before half time. They got a third goal early in the second half but St. Martins fought back to again level the match at 0-12 to 3-3. St. Martins scored 1-4 in the first half of extra time and won by 2-16 to 3-6. Ciaran Farrelly and Adrian Toolan scored the goals. In the semi final Conor Staunton scored 4-5 as St. Martins easily overcame Navan O'Mahoneys. Michael Aherne recovered from a broken leg sustained while playing for Dunshaughlin seniors earlier in the year to play in the quarter final replay and the semi final but he broke it again in the U21 final one week before the U17 final against Round Towers in Pairc Tailteann. St. Martins moved James Gaughan out to the midfield to replace Michael but he was seriously missed in the full back line and Michael was missed at midfield. Round Towers led at half time by 1 - 8 to 0 - 4. St Martins rallied in the second half. Cillian Finn finished off a great Conor Staunton run to the net. St. Martins attacked incessantly but a resolute Towers defense and a missed goal chance enabled Round Towers to win by 1-12 to 1-8. Martin's achieve U13 treble St. Martin's created their own piece of history when they won the under 13 division one title for the third time in a row and now go on to represent Meath in next years all Ireland Féile Peile na nÓg competition. St. Martins ........... 1-10 Ratoath ................. 0-10 The match itself was played on a wet pitch in windy conditions which was always going to make this a game of two halves and what halves they were. St Martins won the toss and elected to play with the wind in the first half. Straight from the throw in, Conor Devereux won the ball and ran to the Ratoath 13 metre line before shooting to the net. Ratoath did not panic and almost immediately scored a point to settle nerves. The teams swapped points in the 6th and eleventh minutes before St Martins finally got to grips with the wind with five points in a row from Conor Devereux (2) Michael McCarthy, Neil Ridgeway and Evan Kinsella. They were unlucky in the 28th minute when Niall Clusker set up Joe O'Brien but his fierce shot with a goal looking certain hit the wrong side of the post. The closing score of the half was a point from Ratoath in the 30th minute to leave the halftime score St. Martins 1-6 Ratoath 0-3. St. Martins played some good short passing football in the first ten minutes of the second half with Ratoath only managing to reduce St Martins lead by a single point from a free in the 4th minute. The next ten minutes decided the game when St Martins matched Ratoath's three points with three of their own from Ian Donoghue (2) and Conor O'Brien. In the final ten minutes Ratoath were camped in the St Martins half of the field but the St Martins full back line of Alistair Doyle, Keith Doherty and Fergus Toolan were outstanding as were David Baggot, Joe O'Brien and Conor O'Brien in the half backs. In the last minute of normal time St Martin's Jimmy Beattie set up Conor Devereux for a point. Everyone was on the limits of their nerves during the five minutes of injury time as Ratoath got to within one score of drawing the game as they dropped ball after ball into the St Martins defence where goalkeeper Aidan Boswell making two fine saves from close range in an overcrowded goalmouth before the final whistle was sounded. Full credit must go to both teams who gave everything in poor conditions and their supporters in this entertaining and sporting encounter. In the end it was St. Martin's physical strength and some fine defending that decided this final. It was a pleasure to see two teams playing quality football in a sporting and good natured manner and if this can be maintained the future looks bright for both of these teams. Best for St Martins were Conor Devereux, Fergus Toolan, Keith Doherty Alistair Doyle and David Baggot. St Martins - A Boswell, K Doherty, A Doyle, F Toolan, D Baggot, J O'Brien, C O'Brien (0-1), C Devereux (1-4), N Ridgeway (0-1), A O'Brien, I Donoghue (0-2), J Flanagan, E Kinsella (0-1), N Clusker, M McCarthy (0-1). Subs - J Beattie, F Lally, G Byrne, L Ormsby. Tweet

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