DPL Group Ltd is one of the main financial backers to the Louth GAA Centre of Excellence in Darver. Noel Kearney, manager of DPL's branch in Dundalk, recently spoke to 'Wee County' about the company's support for the GAA and his son Darren's involvement with the Geraldine's minor championship winning team. The DPL Group is playing its part in the future of Louth GAA by making a generous financial contribution to the ongoing development of the county's Centre of Excellence in Darver. The state-of-the-art training facilities, which are situated on a 35-acre site just off the Dundalk-Ardee Road, are already partly in use and will eventually cater for the training needs of all Louth county teams. When fully completed, the ambitious development will include six pitches, one of which will be floodlit, as well as a complex comprising changing rooms, referee's room, assembly room, kitchen and county board offices. "We're proud and delighted to be associated with the Darver development," says Noel, manager of the DPL Group's Dundalk branch. "We agreed a three-year deal with the Louth county board to help fund the development and we'd like to think we are contributing to the future of Louth GAA by doing so." Founded in 1971, DPL (Dublin Providers Ltd) has 10 branches nationwide which are located in Dundalk, Drogheda, Galway, Mullingar, Tralee, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Dun Laoghaire and Kilmainham (company headquarters). The DPL Group prides itself on being the premier supplier of building materials, bathroom suites, heating and plumbing materials to the construction industry and the public alike. Specialising in watermains and drains, heating, plumbing and general building materials, DPL stocks a variety of products, ranging from power and hand tools to plasterboard and garden furniture. Each DPL store incorporates Bathroom World which is a family-run business that stocks the largest range of bathroom suites and accessories in Ireland, and relies on the professional, courteous and helpful assistance of its friendly staff in order to satisfy the needs of its customers. DPL's Dundalk outlet at Ramparts has 32 bathroom suites on display at its modern, spacious showrooms. The branch also boasts ample car parking space, over 40 highly trained and friendly staff, and offers a free delivery service. DPL Dundalk attracts customers from counties Louth, Monaghan and Meath as well as parts of Northern Ireland and among its biggest clients in recent times have been Dundalk Racetrack and the Crown Plaza Hotel. "Dundalk and the North East in general has experienced huge population growth in the past few years and we're here to cater for both our existing customers and those who are new to the area," Noel explains. Noel played with Dundalk Gaels but he now supports his adopted club of Geraldines, who last September celebrated their first county minor football championship triumph since 1995. "I've been living in Haggardstown for the past 20 years and with the two kids playing for Geraldines (Darren and Siobhan), I'd be killed if I didn't support them!" he jokes. Darren is one of Geraldine's brightest prospects and gave a superb display of goalkeeping in the minor final victory over Dundalk Young Irelands at St. Brigid's Park on September 23. He denied the Young Irelanders on no less than three occasions in the first half and, along with midfielder Jim McEneaney (whose father Eamonn combined the roles of Louth senior manager and Geraldines minor boss in 2007), was the difference between the sides. Having won county championships in the under 13 and 16 grades, big things were expected of the Geraldines minors this year and they certainly didn't disappoint. Under McEneaney's expert tutelage, they recorded victories over O'Connells/Stabannon Parnells, Baile Talun and Dreadnots/St. Fechin's before accounting for Young Irelands by 1-12 to 1-7 in the county decider. For Geraldines, the build-up to the final had been overshadowed by tragic death of captain Alan Breen's mother, Kathleen, but they overcame adversity with a power-packed display to which their fancied opponents had no answer. Geraldines hit the ground running and inspired by Kearney's heroics between the posts, they led by 1-7 to 0-5 at half-time. Three points from Jim McEneaney handed Geraldines an early 0-3 to 0-2 advantage before Brendan Connolly set up Christopher Dalton for the opening goal. Further points from McEneaney and Barry Hamilton stretched the Gers lead to 1-5 to 0-2 after 22 minutes, but it was far from one-way traffic and Young Irelands would have been ahead at half-time but for the heroics of Kearney, who made three amazing saves in quick succession from Conor Nixon (twice) and Shane Greene. When Alan Breen increased Geraldine's lead to 1-8 to 0-5 early in the second half, the game looked up for Young Irelands. But to their credit, they never gave up and a 53rd minute penalty from Derek Maguire gave them a glimmer of hope. However, three quick points in response from McEneaney and Michael Rogers ensured that the Fr Larry Murray Cup would be coming to Haggardstown for only the second time. Darren Kearney was understandably thrilled with his performance and told reporters afterwards: "I just am glad I stopped them. I remember Shane Greene coming in on top of me and I just got down to him and everyone was in behind me. We got into the dressing room at half-time and we were all focused." His father is convinced that a bright future beckons for the Geraldines: "They have been down in the intermediate grade for the last few years, but from what I saw in this year's minor championship, they have very capable young players who can restore the club to the senior ranks in the not too distant future. Geraldines have a great tradition and I don't think it will be too long before they are back competing with the big boys." Noel is clearly a big admirer of Eamonn McEneaney and has been very impressed with the progress he has made with Louth. "Eamonn has done a great job with the county side and with a bit of luck, they could have reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals this year. He has got a very committed group of players at his disposal and they'll be aiming to build on this year's performances in 2008," he concludes. The Geraldines team that captured this year's Louth MFC was: Darren Kearney; Sean Watters, Gerard Soraghan, Patrick Hoey; Cathal O'Brien, Gerard Hoey, Eoin Hamill; Jim McEneaney, Michael Rogers; James Craven, Aaron Smith, Brendan Connolly; Barry Hamilton, Alan Breen, Christopher Dalton. Subs used: Tiernan Hand and Johnny Breen. Tweet

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