Kells pays notable tribute

By instinct and tradition, where the emotion are concerned, Kells is the Tory of the Meath towns. Politicians, for example, who can make Navan or Trim jump with excitement are treated by Kells with courteous interest and polite attention. On Tuesday night, however, Kells so to speak, let its hair down. Turning its back on it own instincts, to six young, unassuming men Kells unashamedly bared its heart. The men were the North Meath members of the victorious Meath team and for them Kells cheered and roared itself hoarse and wiped an irresistible tear. “See the conquering heroes come” was the theme of a royal welcome that will handcuff the memories of all who participated in it. Spontaneous enthusiasm exploded around Kevin Smyth, Pat Connell, Jim Kearney, Mattie McDonnell and John and Jimmie Meehan. A huge bonfire blazed on the Fair Green where, under the direction of Mr. J.J. Carr, over one hundred children carrying green-and-gold flags indulged in community singing before marching in processional order to Castle Street. There they were joined by Kells Brass Band and a guard of honour drawn from football clubs in the Kells district. With torchlights flaring, the procession moved off towards the Courthouse led by a pony draped in green-and-gold. A tremendous cheer broke out when the six players arrived at the Courthouse by car.

Shoulder-high they were carried in triumph through streets lined with cheering admirers to the Fair Green into which the entire district of Kells appeared to have poured itself. As the players mounted the improvised platform adjacent to the bonfire, cheer after cheer rang out. In addition to the players, those on the platform included: Mr Patrick Hopkins, who presided; Rev P. Tully, C.C., Moynalty, Chairman, Meath G.A.A.; Rev. W. Kiernan, C.C., Kells; Sergt. Paul Russell, Oldcastle; Messrs. B.J. Caffrey; J.J. Carr; P. Gogarty.

LOCAL PLAYERS
The Chairman introduced Rev. Fr. Tully who was welcomed with sustained applause. Father Tully expressed his regret that the entire team was not present, adding that the men who were present were worthy representatives of the whole team (applause). Kells and district might well be proud of their representatives on last Sunday’s team. They had here a native of the town Kevin Smith (prolonged cheering). Not only last Sunday, but all through the season, when everything seemed lost, when other players were beaten, the ball was stopped by Kevin (applause). He (Father Tully) was sorry that one goal was scored against Kevin on Sunday, but all credit to the man who scored it, Mick Higgins, Kevin had no chance. They had with them to-night two men whom he was coupling on account of their youth. No one would deny the fact that Mattie McDonnell started Meath on the way to victory on Sunday and Pat Connell continued it (applause). They had with them the “veteran” of the team who, on his display on Sunday, should not be classed as a veteran. He was ever so proud of the way in which Jim Kearney had acquitted himself against Cavan.

There was another thing he had to thank Jim Kearney for, it was Jim’s determination, earnestness and keenness that set the rest of the team to train as earnestly as they had done (applause). On last Sunday, from the time Jim got the first kick of the ball, the whole team were delighted to settle down to play earnest football. Continuing, Father Tully said they had with them also two worthy substitutes in the Meehan brothers (applause). John Meehan had proved his worth in the junior championship and in the first round of the senior championship. Were it not for the fact that he had met with an injury, no one knew but that he might still be holding his place on the team. Jim Meehan was still very young and had not yet got his chance. But when his chance did come he would be worthy of it. Referring to Meath’s opponents on Sunday, Father Tully declared that he was proud to say that Cavan were as glorious in defeat as they had been in victory (applause). He thought it was not asking too much of them there to give three hearty cheers for the men of Cavan who had gone down fighting. (The cheers were generously given).

FR. KIERNAN
Rev. Father Kiernan said it was a pleasure and privilege to him to be present. He was happy and proud to be with them on this glorious occasion. He, in the name of the priests, and the people of Kells were gathered together for one purpose to extend their warmest and sincerest congratulations to the members of the Meath team on their magnificent victory at Croke Park on Sunday (applause). Though they were proud of those men, they must also express their admiration for the people of Cavan and the Cavan team for the sporting manner in which they accepted defeat. The men of Cavan were noble men, both in victory and defeat (applause). They were proud to have their local representatives here to-night, proud of Kevin Smyth (applause). Father Kiernan went on to pay a striking tribute to Father Tully and the other silent workers behind the scenes, including Sergt. Paul Russell (applause). They all should be very grateful to those men who had worked so hard and so unselfishly so that Meath might bring home the cup of victory on Sunday (applause).

KEVIN SMYTH
At this stage there insistent calls for Kevin Smyth and when Kevin stepped forward he was given an ovation. He said he could not tell how proud he was to be there that night. He was so overwhelmed with the reception that had been given them that he did not known what to say. He wanted to thank one man particularly for handling the team as he had done - Father Tully (applause). Were it not for Father Tully, he did not think the team would have got to where they did get. He was more than grateful for the team. “It was a great team,” Kevin declared, “and only it was a great team we would not have won” (applause). There was prolonged applause when he added: “It would not have been such an All-Ireland if Cavan were not our opponents.” He concluded by expressing his sincere thanks for the reception the towns people had given them.

Pat Connell, who was given a very warm welcome, said he could add little to what Kevin Smyth had said. He could, however, say this much only for Father Tully they would not be there that night (applause).

A voice - You are a good man, anyway.

Pat then expressed his appreciation of the welcome that had been extended to them. The people had paid them a great honour. “I hope,” he concluded, “that this time next year, please God, we will be getting a similar reception”(applause).

Mattie McDonnell, who was most enthusiastically received said he was sorry that the rest of the team was not there to participate in the tremendous welcome Kells has extended. The players were deeply grateful to the people for this welcome. Congratulations had been heaped on them, but it was Father Tully who should have received all the congratulations. He had borne the brunt of the work and had prepared fifteen fit men to beat Cavan (applause).

JIM KEARNEY
Roars of “Jim Kearney” followed but Jim, whose modesty is legendary, stayed in the background. The crowd would not be denied, however, and eventually Jim had to come forward. He was cheered to the echo. he said “Thank you very much for everything” and retired to his seat, chased by roars of applause.
Sergt. Paul Russell, whose appearance was the signal for tumultuous cheering, said he was delighted to be there and delighted, above all, that Meath had brought home All-Ireland honours. He could honestly say that, in all his travels through Ireland, he had never experienced anything like the sincerity and the warmth of the reception the team had been given from Clonee to Oldcastle. There was no doubt about what Meath thought of its footballer’s. He would ask their supporters not to be carried away by victory and be fair to the losers. “It takes fifteen grand men to act as Cavan acted in Croke Park”, the speaker said. Having paid tribute to the work of Father Tully, “whom the people of Meath should never forget,” Sergt. Russell thanked the people for the wonderful reception they had given the team and added. “There was never a team in Ireland more worthy of it”. (applause).

Mr. P. Hopkins said that on behalf of the townspeople he wished to return thanks to the fifteen stalwarts who had brought the All-Ireland championship to Meath, something which he had longed for and prayed to live to see (cheers and applause). He had been present at the three All-Ireland finals in which Meath had participated, the first being in 1895. Sunday, when Meath left Croke Park with the Blue Ribbon of Gaeldom, was one of the happiest days of his life, Mr Hopkins concluded amid applause.

The band then played the National Anthem, the words being sung by Misses Butter and Gilsenan. The proceedings terminated with three cheers for Cavan, called for by Mr. P. Gogarty.