A selection of the large, enthusiastic crowd which assembled in Navan to greet the All-Ireland champions. The Captain Brian Smyth holds aloft the Trophy
Taken from Royal Meath Associations Yearbook
Gaels from all over the Province of Leinster assembled in Navan on Monday night to honour, applaud and pay tribute to the new All-Ireland Champion footballer’s - Meath-who were accorded a tumultuous Cead Mile Failte on their arrival in the County Town. Excitement was high not only there but in every other town and village of Meath, each with its own bonfire to celebrate the County’s sensational victory over Cavan in Sunday’s All-Ireland football final. The Meath sky was aglow for hours on end whist hundreds of jubilant natives danced around blazing furze, tar-barrels and any material that would shoot flames and fumes of smoke up to the sky. Viewed from a height the myriads of victory fires presented an impressive picture as each district competed with one another for the most conspicuous blaze. Just as the County was aglow, so also were the spirits of everyone in Meath who will long remember the auspicious occasion when their team made football history. Monday night was a memorable one - it marked the end of a memorable year for the wearers of the Green and Gold. A traditional Royal County welcome was accorded the victorious Meath All-Ireland team when it arrived in Navan on Monday night. Thousands of people from Meath, in addition to contingent’s from Drogheda, gathered at the outskirts of the town two hours before the team arrived. Tremendous cheering and fog signals heralded the arrival of the cars conveying the players and officials.
In the lead up to the big game, Meath team and officials at Butlins 1949. Front (L-R) M McDonnell, P O'Brien, M O'Brien, L McGuinness, F Byrne, S Heery, W Halpenny. Centre (L-R): W Egliston, P McDermott, P Meegan, Jim (Red) Meehan, P Carolan, J Bashford, T Farrelly, Christo Hand, B Smyth. Back (L-R): Ted Meade, J Kearney, P Dixon, D Taaffe, K McConnell, P Connell, Charlie Smyth, John Meehan, Matt Gilsenan, K Smyth, Sean Giles, Rev. Fr Tully
AT CLONEE After leaving Dublin the team first stopped in Clonee, on the Meath side of the Dublin border, where an address of welcome was presented to the team by Mr. James Synnott, on behalf of the local Athletic Club. A huge bonfire lighted up the entire village, while a mascot, dressed in green and gold was perched high on the bonnet of a van which sportingly enough, had the Cavan “ID” registration. The progress of the victors towards Dunboyne, was impeded as flag waving crowds thronged the roadway. At the railway bridge outside Dunboyne, the captain Brian Smyth was transferred into a motor lorry, the property of Mr Brady building contractor. This was the lorry Brian drives daily as his occupation. In the centre of the square in Dunboyne a bonfire blazed, and captain and team were carried shoulder high by hoarse, cheering crowds. More bonfires greeted the team’s arrival in Dunshaughlin where Fr. Tully introduced the players to the people. ADDRESSES OF WELCOME On arrival at the urban boundary of Navan, a huge bonfire blazed, and green and gold flags and favours were waved as the team and officials pulled up to acknowledge the greetings. A procession, led by Navan Boys’ Band and members of the De La Salle juvenile team, marched to the Square, where a huge platform was erected. A crowd, the size of which was never before seen in Navan, was assembled and it was with the utmost difficulty that the players and officials succeeded in mounting the platform. They were carried shoulder high by enthusiastic followers, and it was almost half an hour before the addresses of welcome could be read. When the proceedings had concluded, Rev. Fr Tully, Chairman of the County Board and Senator Fitzsimons had to appeal to the crowd to control their enthusiasm and allow the players, who were extremely tired, to proceed quietly to their cars. At no time within living memory were such jubilant scenes witnessed - a token of the Meath people’s appreciation and gratitude of a great team that achieved a long sought ambition.
'Flying' Frankie Byrne at home with wife Rita and dog Suki
HONOUR NOT BEGRUDGED Senator Fitzsimons said it afforded him great pleasure to preside at the hosting. It was fitting that after all those years Meath should win the All-Ireland championship and the people of Ireland did not begrudge them the honour. It was the ardent wish of the Gael’s of Meath that next year they would have a similar celebration there and again welcome the county team on winning their second All-Ireland. Having congratulated the team and the Chairman of the County Board, Father Tully, the Senator said they should not forget to pay tribute to those great men who occupied the chair of the Meath G.A.A. Board in years gone by Sean Newman, Sean Giles, Sean MacNamidhe and Father MacManus to mention but a few, (applause). COUNTY COUNCIL’S CONGRATULATIONS Mr. Con Bourke, Secretary, Meath County Council, read the following address of congratulations to the Meath team on behalf of the Co. Council:-
Well done Frankie. Presentation of gold watch to Frankie Byrne December 1949 from the people of Navan by Dr. Dunne Adm. Beside Dr. Dunne is Meath legend of the 30s and 40s 'Boiler' McGuinness
“On behalf of the people of County Meath, we, the Meath County Council, welcome you on your triumphant return from your victory at Croke Park. You have achieved the highest honour in the field of Gaelic football, and the people have the greatest admiration for your long and arduous climb to gain the championship. From the formation of the G.A.A. football has been supported loyally in this county, and the records of our many teams, our great players, and the memorable matches in which Meath was prominent, make a proud story of the county’s attachment to our national game. This year your victory has been the result of many hard and honourable fights against opponents worthy of battle. In the contests against Kildare, Wexford, Westmeath, Mayo and especially against Louth, you surely climbed your way to the final and the Championship of Ireland. Your victory yesterday over the mighty men and great players of your neighbouring County of Cavan - a county with a long and proud period of glorious triumphs over many years - has crowned your efforts and realised the dearest wish of all the gaels in the county. The story of how Meath won that Championship for the first time will be one of the brightest pages in the annals of Irish games. “The display of the team has justified the labour’s of the County Board, with their selection and training committees, and to those and to who assisted them we tender our thanks and appreciation. We sincerely hope that your win this year is but the forerunner of along series of successes in the future. Signed on behalf of the Meath County Council - P. Fitzsimons, Chairman: B. Henry, Vice-Chairman: C. Bourke, Secretary. The Chairman (Senator Fitzsimons) the presented the address to Mr. Brian Smyth, captain of the team amid deafening applause. COUNTY’S FINE TRADITION IN G.A.A. Mr Michael Callanan, Town Clerk, next read the following address of congratulation to the team from Navan U.D.C.:- “An Uaimh Urban District Council, on behalf of the citizens, greet you the members of the Meath County Senior Football Team and extend to you warmest congratulations on your magnificent achievement in bringing to Meath the highest honour in the Gaelic Football code. We greet you, therefore, as worthy Champions of Ireland. “Sixty odd years of heroic effort has been culminated by the great triumph achieved by Captain Brian Smyth and his boys and has brought pleasure to the heart of every son of Royal Meath. “Meath was one of the first counties to enlist under the banner of the Gaelic Athletic Association and in the first year of the Championship Test, 1887, a Meath team hailing from Dowdstown just outside the boundaries of our township was defeated only by the ultimate winners. Ever since that glorious inception the history of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Meath has been one lustrous example of persistent and persevering endeavour. “In the eighteen nineties the O’Mahonys of Navan figured in the All-Ireland Final suffering defeat by a single point, at a time when points had not the same significance as they have to-day. We recall with pride the exploits of the famous Castletown team in the first decade of this century under the inspired leadership of Joe Curran, whom we are glad to mention is still happily with us, and come on to 1911 when John Newman of Bohermeen led his team to victory in the Croke Cup. When Dublin was in its heyday and had numerous All-Ireland titles to its credit, Meath were its most dangerous opponents in Leinster and the same applies to the all conquering men of Kildare in later years. Who can forget the drawn games between Meath and Kildare in 1929, ’30 and ’33. “Though the supreme title continued to elude our county, there to its credit many National Leagues honours, and in 1939 a gallant team, led by Matty Gilsenan, went on to the final only to suffer defeat by two points. Next year Leinster honours were again attained, but once more the All-Ireland crown was missed. The same story could to told of 1947, and it remained to you boys to fulfil our ambitions in this year of 1949. “We congratulate you and thank you, your triumph is ours and in giving utterance to our felicitation to you we want to associate with the team our County Selectors and Officials who fulfiled their onerous task in a manner that can be only described as sheer genius. “In conclusion we express the confident hope that in the coming years the proud name of Meath will continue to figure on the records as Champions of All Ireland. Sealed and Signed on behalf of the people of An Uaimh James Spicer, Chairman, Michael Callanan Town Clerk. Mr. T. Kennedy, Vice-Chairman of the U.D.C., formally handed over the address to the captain.
The Bishop of Meath (Most.Rev.Dr. Kyne) speaking at the Reception in Clerys, Dublin
OVERWHELMED Rev. Patrick Tully, C.C., Moynalty, Chairman, Meath County Board, said that although they had known on the previous night that there was to be a reception in Navan to greet the team on its return, they had no idea whatsoever it was going to such a magnificent one. He personally was overwhelmed. Continuing, Father Tully said he was very proud of the team and of the County Board and he was very proud also of the people of Navan and the whole county. The people of Navan and district in particular Mr. T. J. Gibney a pioneer of the G.A.A. in the county who would be taken for a man of fifty years of age instead of his actual 82. Navan should be proud of him. (Applause). A few more of whom Navan should be proud were Sean Newman and Sean Giles. These were the men who had borne the rebuffs and carried the heavy weight on their shoulders during those difficult years. He (speaker) had been the recipient of much of the praise for the team’s victory in the All-Ireland final. He did not in the least think that he was worthy of it. It should go to those men who had built up the Association during the past 62 years until it had attained its present supreme position today. Concluding, Fr Tully thanked most heartily Senator Fitzsimons for his kind remarks and the members of the County Council and the U.D.C. for their fine addresses of welcome. He also thanked those present for their magnificent reception and expressed the hope that with their help the present would be only the first of many All-Ireland titles for the Royal County. (Applause). Mr Brian Smyth captain, whose voice was drowned by tumultuous applause and cheering for some minutes, thanked the crowd on behalf of the team, for their wonderful reception, and said he hoped they would retain the cup next year. Three cheers for the Cavan team brought the proceedings to a close. RECEPTION AT BEECHMOUNT Subsequently, a reception to the team and officials, was given in Beechmount House. The attendance also included representatives and officials of public bodies in the county, members of the Royal Meath Association in Dublin, and over 150 other invited guests. Dinner was served by the Navan Catering Company with its customary efficiency. Senator P. Fitzsimons, Chairman, Meath Co. Council, presided. The Chairman proposed the toast of “ The Republic of Ireland” which was duly honoured. FAITH AND FATHERLAND Rev. J. Holloway, C.C., Navan proposing the toast of the G.A.A. said it was the most powerful sporting organisation in the country at the moment and was mostly interested in faith and fatherland. He was very proud and honoured to be present that evening with the people of Navan and the representatives of the entire county to do honour to the All-Ireland champions of 1949. Meath was proud of them and justly so. From the moment the team walked on to the green sward of Croke Park on Sunday until they walked off acclaimed champions of this year, they presented themselves as young men of whom any county or country might well be proud. Their very neat personal appearance, obvious physical fitness, and athletic prowess, and above all the spirited and sporting manner in which they contested the game did credit to themselves and the entire county of Meath in the eyes of the 80,000 spectators from all over Ireland and over seas who witnessed the match. He heartily congratulated them on the great honour which they had achieved, and thanked them very much for having represented Meath so worthy and so well. He congratulated also those who were responsible for preparing such worthy standard bearers of the county. Sunday’s victory, he concluded,was the culmination of many years of earnest endeavour by the Gaels of Meath, and they should never forget the great men who had worked in the interests of athletics for the past 62 years. PROUD DAY Mr. T. Kennedy, Vice-Chairman, Navan U.D.C., seconding, said that Sunday must have been a proud day for Messrs. Newman, Giles and Curran, who had devoted a lifetime to the interests of the G.A.A. in Meath to see the Royal County team of 1949 bringing home the highest honours in the gift of the G.A.A.. Their achievement was greater still when one considered that it was only after eight hectic contests that their representatives succeeded in annexing the coveted Sam Maguire Cup for Meath. Concluding, Councillor Kennedy said it had been estimated that a quarter of a million people had witnessed Meath’s eight engagements in the championship. MODE OF LIFE Rev. P. Tully, C.C. Chairman, Meath County Board, responding to the toast, said that as one of the younger generation, and representing the younger generation, it would be great mistake on their part if they now at the height of their glory, forgot the men of the past and forgot the ideals on which the Association was founded. The playing of football, hurling, handball and camogie was only a secondary ideal of Michael Cusack, founder of the G.A.A. By means of his organisation Michael Cusack wished to form a way of life, a way racy of the soil and different from the ideals and customs which were being imposed on our people very much against their will by the conqueror. It would be very wrong for them to forget that, The G.A.A was more than a organisation for games. It was really a mode and a way of life for their countrymen. Concluding, Father Tully said they of the younger generation hoped and promised, as far as lay in their power, that they would do their very best to live up to the ideals for which the Association was founded. TRIBUTE TO R.M.A. Mr Joe Curran, Castletown, proposed the toast of the Royal Meath Association (Dublin). He paid tribute to the splendid work being done by that organisation since its foundation in 1939, mentioning in particular its worthy President, Mr W. S. Corry. On every occasion in which the Meath team travelled to Croke Park they were hospitably entertained by the Association in Dublin. Mr. William Eggleston, Secretary, Meath County Board, seconding said the R.M.A. had a very arduous task this year as they had been called upon a great many times to look after the county team’s welfare socially. They had excelled themselves on every occasion, and the previous night’s reception in Dublin was the crowning effort. NEED FOR R.M.A. IN DUBLIN Mr. W.S. Corry President Royal Meath Association, responding to the toast, said he felt very proud of the Meath team and its officials and paid tribute to the players’ display in the final. He referred to the necessity for an Association such as theirs in the capital, and appealed for an increased membership. He expressed the Associations pride at having Most Rev. Dr. Kyne, Bishop of Meath, among their guests at the reception to the Meath team in Dublin on the previous night. Mr Corry added that he had received a telegram from Mr John O’Reilly, President of the Meathmen’s Association in New York, congratulating the Meath team on its great victory. “NO ONE ELSE COULD HAVE DONE IT” Rev. Fr. Tully said he wished to thank sincerely Mr William Walsh for placing his premises at their disposal and providing such a magnificent and well-organised reception at, he supposed, a few hours notice. No one else could have done it except Mr Walsh, and all credit was due to his enterprise and generosity on all such occasions. When they were in need of help in connection with the training of the county team the man who took them out of a great difficulty was also Mr Walsh. This was an occasion they would not forget as long as they lived. That night was a historic one in Beechmount. He also thanked Mrs J. Giles and Mrs. Daly, who had charge of the catering arrangements at Gibbstown, and Mr Walsh’s catering staff. LIVED TO SEE THE DAY Mr William Walsh said that all through his life he had striven to further two great ideals - his religion and his nationality - and had fought for those two great causes not only in his own country but in countries beyond the sea. He was glad to have lived to see the day that Meath won an All-Ireland championship. He assured them of his assistance and co-operation in furthering the ideals for which the Association stood. The Chairman endorsed Father Tully’s remarks concerning Mr. Walsh and said they felt very indebted to him. He said that no man in the country would organise the reception so rapidly or with a greater heart. (Applause). An enjoyable smoking concert followed, songs being contributed by Mr. Seamus Locke, the well-known stage and screen actor; Mr Walsh and Capt. Gogarty (Vice-President Royal Meath Association). An impromptu dance, to which the public were admitted free, was held subsequently in the ballroom of Beechmount House. The local Accoradian Band supplied excellent music. A row of bright, clean lights on the southern parapet of the railway bridge at Academy Street, Navan, greeted the Meath team on their entry to the town on Monday evening. It was a splendidly designed and original effort. A boy was in charge of each light and they were ignited simputaneously as the team came into view. Bonfires burned in every town and village in Meath on Sunday night and on Monday night, too. The blaze from the Hill of Skryne could be seen for miles.