Gone - But Never Forgotten

KEVIN SMYTH
Meath’s goalie in 1949 was Kellsman Kevin Smyth, who was one of the country’s top custodians throughout the 1940’s and into the 1950’s. He first arrived on the county senior panel in 1940, when he was still eligible for the minor grade, and his career in the green and gold extended to 1953. His first year on the panel was particularly memorable as, apart from winning a Leinster SFC medal as understudy to Hughie McEnroe, he captained Kells to victory in the Minor championship.

Kevin had a tremendous understanding with his great full-back line of Michael O Brien, Paddy O Brien and Kevin McConnell and on the rare occasions that an opposing forward managed to break through, he still had the daunting task of beating Kevin.

His medal haul included 1 All-Ireland, 2 National League and 5 Leinster SFC momentos. Despite playing for Leinster on a number of occasions, a Railway Cup medal eluded him but he was selected on the Ireland team for the Representative games in 1950. He represented the county at five levels........senior, minor and junior football and junior and minor hurling. Despite the fact that the GAA’s Ban was in vogue throughout his career, Kevin also found time to star at League of Ireland level in soccer while he was also a top-class snooker and billiards exponent.

In an era when goalies were fair game for opposing forwards, many of them thought twice about confronting the Kellsman who played a huge role in his county’s historic All-Ireland success.

PADDY CONNELL
Paddy Connell from Moynalty was Jim Kearney’s centre-field partner in the memorable All-Ireland triumph and he was there again alongside Tom O Brien in the 1954 victory over Kerry. Paddy was outstanding in the win over Cavan and he was similarly effective five years later. He was also at centre-field in the 1951 final and played at full-forward in the 1952 Leinster final against Louth. He won a National League medal in 1951 and was on the North Meath team that won the SF championship in 1950.

A hard-working centre-field man Paddy’s contribution to Meath’s breakthrough at All-Ireland level was immense. He later moved to England but continued to follow the fortunes of the Royal County footballers and regularly made the trip home to see them in action.

MATTY McDONNELL
Matty McDonnell was the “baby” of the 1949 team but that didn’t prevent him from opening Meath’s account in the All-Ireland final. He went on to have an illustrious career in the green and gold jersey and will always be remembered for scoring the goal that won the National League for Meath against New York in the Polo Grounds in 1951. He won his second All-Ireland medal in 1954 but his inter-county career came to an end in the late 1950’s because of a recurring knee injury.

Matty was on the county junior team at the start of the ‘49 campaign and although still in his teens was promoted to the senior ranks for the championship. He had also played at minor level for the county and was a star at colleges level with St. Finians of Mullingar. A great stalwart of a fine Ballinlough team of the 1950’s, his great affection for his native club was highlighted by his lengthy involvement as a mentor with the “Reds”. He coached them at under-age level and guided them to a Junior Championship success in 1988 and his influence was a major factor when they returned to the senior ranks by winning the Intermediate title in 1991. His family have contributed much to the Association, not only in the Ballinlough area but also across the border in Cavan. Apart from his 2 All-Ireland, 1 National League and 4 Leinster medals, Matty won Railway Cup medals with Leinster in 1952 and 1955 and was selected on the Ireland team for Representative games in 1955 and ‘56.

TOMMY FARRELLY
Tommy Farrelly from Syddan was a member of the All-Ireland winning panel in ‘49. The Syddan club had the strongest representation on the panel, a reflection of their status at the time. Tommy and his colleagues won the county title in 1949, ‘51, ‘52 and ‘56. One of the most ecovative photographs on County Board files sees Tommy receiving the Keegan Cup from County Board Chairman Fr. Tully following Syddan’s memorable win over Skryne in the 1956 final. The club had presented the Cup to the Board for the Senior championship only three years previous. His son, Gerry was at centre-field on the last Syddan team to contest a SFC decider, in 1980. Tommy gave great service to both Meath and Syddan.

JOHNNY BASHFORD
Johnny Bashford was another Syddan player on the ‘49 panel. He, too, gave great service at both club and county level. Johnny was key figure on the great Syddan team of that era and was only deprived of a regular place on the county team by the quality of the players in possession.