The footballers of DKIT brought a rare national title to the Wee County when they captured the 2003/04 All-Ireland Division Two Freshers Championship. The final was played in Athlone on Thursday May 6 and the Dundalk Institute panel - containing nine Louthmen - romped to an impressive 3-8 to 1-6 victory over their Limerick counterparts. The Louth side gave an excellent display in the final and were thoroughly deserving of their eight-point margin of victory. Indeed, the winners had set the standard all through the competition, impressing with clever and skilful football right through from their opening game in October. And they had to do it the hard way. Presented with the tough side of the draw, DKIT had to negotiate a treacherous path to the final but saw off a series of dangerous opponents with football befitting champions. Emphatic victory in the final provided a fitting end to a creditable campaign. In the final, it took the champions-elect a while to settle. They had all the play early on but missed the target with their first six attempts before Skryne clubman Des McAviney steadied their nerve with the opening score from a free. After Limerick levelled, DKIT replied with their first goal, punctuating a flowing move with a killer blow. Centre forward John O'Brien and corner forward Mark McGeown were leading the Limerick rearguard a merry dance and the inevitable breakthrough arrived when Sean O'Mahonys clubman O'Brien ended a rapier-like thrust by firing to the back of the net. Crucially, Mickey Heaney's charges swooped for a second goal before the short whistle. Geraldines clubman Edward Smyth started the move that was finished by outstanding Leitrim-based midfielder Cathal Quinn. The Limerick side had struggled to get out of their own half during the opening 30 minutes and trailed by 2-3 to 0-3 at the break. Upon the resumption, Limerick IT endeavoured to get back into the game but the Dundalk defence continued to hold firm. Even when the losers did manage to mount a dangerous attack, they found local heroes Padraig Lynch (Stabannon) and John Curran (Sean McDermotts) impenetrable at full back and centre back respectively. DKIT comfortably preserved their big lead thereafter and the game was put beyond all doubt ten minutes from the end when Kingscourt Stars clubman Alan Clarke produced the winners' third and final goal. By the time Limerick got through for their goal the final was already over as a meaningless contest and Dundalk were planning their celebrations. This was a famous win for Mickey Heaney and his players and the scenes of unrestrained joy witnessed at the final whistle were wholly justified. When captain Cathal Quinn accepted the cup on behalf of his team it drew to a close a magnificent campaign that began back in early September with arduous training on the unforgiving slopes of the Cooley Mountains and also included rigorous 7am training sessions during springtime. DKIT also garnered a Leinster Freshers title the previous year and hopes are beginning to grow in the institute that they may be able to mount a strong bid for Sigerson Cup honours in the not-too-distant future. The 2003/04 campaign began in earnest on October 15 when victory was secured over a strong UCD team. DKIT topped their division over Christmas thanks to further wins over DCU and St Patricks and this gave them a home draw in the All-Ireland quarter-final - against none other than the famous nursery that is Queens University. Dundalk outclassed the Belfast third-level college and then booked their place in the final with a one-point defeat of a star-studded Carlow IT outfit. All in all, DKIT used players from seven counties - Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Offaly and Armagh Dundalk IT, 2003/04 All-Ireland Division Two Freshers Champions: Paul Matthews (Monaghan); Eanna O'Donoghue (Meath), Padraig Lynch (Stabannon), Edward Smyth (Geraldines); Shane Mulligan (Monaghan), John Curran (Sean McDermotts), Michael Buckley (Monaghan); Cathal Quinn (Leitrim, 1-0), Brian O'Donnell (Leitrim); Des McAviney (Meath, 0-4), John O'Brien (Sean O'Mahonys, 1-2), Shane Scott (Monaghan, 0-1); Mark McGeown (Clan na Gael, 0-1), Alan Clarke (Cavan, 1-0), Ronan Lally (Offaly). Sub: Fergal McNally (St Fechins). Tweet

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