For much of the 1980s, St Peter's, Dunboyne were, in Meath hurling circles, something of a yoyo team. Intermediate titles were garnered in 1982, '86 and '89, but following those triumphs, their stay at the top table was an all too brief one, writes Brendan Boylan. That trend was arrested when last they gained promotion in 1999. The main reason being that the experience of players like Vinny Maguire, Enda McManus and Darragh Smyth was augmented when a plethora of players including Paul Gannon, Davin, Neville and Stephen Reilly, Diarmuid Byrne and David Moran graduated from the club's underage sides. Now, having not had much luck in their previous sorties into senior, doubtless going into the new Millennium the initial objective would simply have been to avoid dropping again. Things actually turned out much better than that. Well, in a way that's true. Safety was never an issue but Dunboyne were handed a rather large plateful of heartache. Firstly losing their maiden semi final clash - since the latest promotion that is - to Dunderry and then going down in three deciders, to Kilmessan twice and then to a last minute goal from Rathmolyon's Gary Cole in 2006. Player turnover can often make it difficult to remain competitive at a high level for a prolonged period. Dunboyne were lucky in this regard as couple of U21 titles at the beginning of this decade led to a further influx of youth spearheaded by, among others, Paul Fagan, Damian Buggle, Niall Smyth, Stephen Moran and Neil Hackett. One of the longest running gulfs in Meath GAA was that from when the black and ambers won the MHC Div. 1 in 1959. The wait ended towards the end of 2007 when Kiltale were comprehensively beaten. Paddy Kelly's side had triumphed in the previous two finales. Thus another abundance of talented youngsters would make the step up to the top grade. Some were already fairly well established, but, all told, from that team Chris Kane, Shane Moran, Michael Dunne, Darren Dunne, Alan Watters, Conor O'Shea, Fergal O'Neill, Ger Murphy and Michael O'Grady all saw senior hurling action in 2008. With such an influx of youth in the team, selector Paul Reilly's comments that sustainability was the main aim at the beginning of the season were very easy to understand. That was achieved and a lot more seemed possible after the opening two rounds. Mind you, Drumree proved be quite stern opponents in Ratoath on May 11th. A Neville Reilly goal was just about all that separated the sides. Those who eventually ended up being relegated remained competitive for the duration of the game and, as would punctuate the entire season, it was the accuracy of Neil Hackett - he amassed 0-9 in the first round fixture - made the difference as a 1-19 to 0-14 win was recorded. Things were much more straight forward at the next hurdle against Na Fianna at Kilmessan. A goal from David Moran - who returned to the ranks after a six year absence - had the team who last triumphed in 1914 1-11 to 0-3 to the good at the midway point. By fixture's end, the entire frontline, as well as midfielder Ger Murphy, had helped clock up a 1-19 to 0-9 success. No campaign can be expected to proceed without even a slight blip. And as has often happened with Dunboyne, when it arrived it ended up being quite a severe one. Having fielded without Michael Dunne and Paul Fagan - the latter having returned from London this term - Enda McManus' team were in arrears to O'Mahonys by 0-07 to 1-10 with half an hour left. Even though the hoops only raised one flag in the second period, very significantly it was green in colour because three points was all that stood between them at the end. That setback was further compounded when the race for the Jubilee Cup resumed nearly three months later, in Dunboyne's case in the splendid new surroundings at Donaghmore/Ashbourne against then champions Kiltale. The old adage about goals winning games certainly rang true. Even though Paul Brady had to retrieve the sliothar from his net three times prior to the short whistle, only two points (1-10 to 3-6) separated the sides at the change of ends. But, when the side who were out of luck in three finals in this decade would've wanted and needed to hit a few 'majors' in Act Two, but instead were outscored by 0-5 to 1-8. Qualification was now looking decidedly dicey. Matters took another unexpected twist when the final round of the group stages against Boardsmill - a third outing of the journey at Sean Eiffe Park for the multiple All Ireland medal winner's charges - was abandoned owing to fading light which became a problem after a holdup caused by a serious injury to the 'Mill's Thomas Reilly. When proceedings were halted unexpectedly, Dunboyne held sway by 1-4 to 0-3 - minus the services of chief talisman Hackett who sustained a serious hand injury in a league encounter with Na Fianna. Under the Pairc Tailteann lights in the re-fixture four days later the trend continued. John Watters, who also made a very welcome return after a year in dry dock, netted to establish a 1-8 to 0-4 cushion. Hackett made a return to the action thereafter as Stephen Moran also netted as the second half was won by 1-9 to 2-4. For some reason, when Dunboyne and O'Mahonys ended up level at the end of the group stages, rather than the toss of a coin, a playoff was used to determine final placings. In the end it turned out to be one of the games of the year - in atrocious conditions - on the same day as the All Ireland U21HC and camogie finals. Eventual victors Dunboyne were 1-7 to 1-6 up after thirty minutes, when twice that time had elapsed the scoreboard read 2-10 apiece. To utilize a too oft rolled out cliché, those who led most of the way had that little bit extra and they were more efficient in the allotted additional twenty minutes, adding four points to the Brews Hill outfit's two. One of the last times John Gorry and Rathmolyon and Dunboyne were in the same equation, it ended in heartache for Gorry and his then troops at the hands of his native parishioners. After nearly a decade of outstanding and successful service with the Dublin border club, the affable and very popular man who played with county and both clubs mentioned above returned to his roots for 2008. Disappointment was again his lot in such circumstances. Goals from Neil Hackett and captain Barry Watters left Gorry's former comrades four clear at half time. The side in green and while only troubled the umpires once when the teams swapped sides. In contrast, Hackett went on a scoring spree - which culminated in him accounting for 1-9 - as his side won out by 2-14 to 1-5. So Dunboyne were back in familiar territory, the penultimate stage. Pitted opposite their most familiar foes, Kilmessan. Sadly from the perspective of those who have often been out of luck, that was the way it turned out again. Back in 1996, when the Meath hurlers turned in what was probably their best display ever, getting within six points of an Offaly side that had the previous September narrowly lost to Clare in the McCarthy Cup showpiece, Anton O'Neill was selected as Man of the Match for the excellent manner in which he marshaled Joe Dooley. A dozen years on, if there was a similar accolade available after the Meath SHC semi final, he wouldn't have been surpassed either. Operating at full forward, he twice shook the net in front of the O'Mahonys clubhouse in the first half. And when the ultimately vanquished did attempt a revival - almost inevitably sparked by Hackett - the diminutive star killed it off when completing his hat-trick after Stephen Reilly had initially saved brilliantly, as Kilmessan ran out 3-16 to 1-10 winners. Leaving those in the losing corner with an all too familiar feeling. Though they should be mindful of what happened nearly a decade ago and thus remain hopeful for the future. The Dunboyne side which lost in the SHC semi-final was: S Reilly; Sean Moran, M. Dunne, D. Buggle; P. Coone, P. Fagan, C. O'Shea; N. Watters, P. Gannon; J. Watters (0-1), N. Reilly, N. Hackett (1-5, 1-4 frees); G. Watters, B. Watters (0-2), Stephen Moran (0-2). Subs - D. Moran for G. Watters, Shane Moran for Buggle (40 mins), G. Murphy for O'Shea (41 mins), N. Smith for B. Watters (54 mins). Foundations laid If you have already perused the review of the Hurling year at St Peter's, Dunboyne, contained in this publication, you might agree that the headline given to the piece was very apt. While they may not have progressed as far as in years previous, given the amount of new talent that has been infused to the team recently and the progress that has been made already, that resurgence could be expected. In football, it most certainly would not have been, at this juncture anyway. But, as Brendan Boylan states, during 2008 there were plenty of signs that there could be good days ahead in the near future. For some reason, Dunboyne haven't seemed to be able to bring as many young players through to the senior team in the big ball code as in the smaller one. That is, apart from those from the team that captured the, club's so far sole, MFC title in 2002, the likes of Damien Sweeney, Padhraig Byrne, Gary Watters and Gary O'Toole who were on the side trounced by O'Mahonys the year before. Craig Berrigan and Stephen Hogan - members of the bunch that won the All Ireland Feile Na nGael in Galway in 2003 - made the step up to SFC action this term while many of their colleagues featured in the other adult competitions. And it's a good job they did. Due to a combination of emigration, relocation and other commitments, the black and ambers lost Sweeney, Byrne, O'Toole, Colin Clarke, Ger Robinson, James Rafter, Matt Moffatt and Gary Timoney from their playing ranks of 2007 while the promising Graham Moran missed most of the season having been injured early in the campaign. The luckless Tommy O'Connor was absent again too. They say a new broom sweeps clean and Declan Mahon - who brought a wealth of experience to his role as the club's new coach following his stints with St Paul's and Blackhall Gaels - and his assistants Robbie Brennan and Roy Kelly couldn't have hoped for a better beginning to their spell in charge as narrow but very pleasing A League wins were recorded over Dunderry, Simonstown Gaels and Walterstown. As is so often the case however, when the nuts began to loosen on the wheels of the wagon they did so in spectacular fashion against Dunshaughlin. Mahon's men were given a lesson in football and attitude on their own patch when Gordon Ward's came away with a fully merited 1-13 to 0-8 win that would've been greater had Meath minor custodian Padraic Curran not stopped a Niall Kelly penalty. The first real test of character for what was basically a newly molded team arrived when the first round of the championship against Walterstown came around. In fairness, that examination was passed with flying colours. A lead of 0-7 to 0-4 had been established by the break but thereafter things really took off as goals from scorer in chief Stephen Moran and very impressive substitute Michael Dunne ensured a 2-15 to 0-5 winning start. Cast your mind back to the League encounter with Dunshaughlin. Just when it appeared things were going well again the momentum was brought to a shuddering halt a week later by Blackhall Gaels. Not for the first time, a penalty decision that could have gone either way was the decisive moment in the game. But in truth Eamonn Barry's team were much the better side and deserved their 2-8 to 0-8 win. In an ironic twist, the two sides met exactly seven days later in the League at Batterstown and there was a complete turn around as an under-strength Dunboyne side - albeit buoyed by the presence of Nigel Crawford - recorded a resounding 2-13 to 0-11 win which at that stage maintained their push for honours in the secondary competition. The 2005 SFC winners then went on another bit of a spurt which threw up some great results and other interesting developments. Now, it can often be said that a move changed a game or a game changed a season. Surely no switch ever had as big an impact on a team - or indeed the player concerned - as David Gallagher's relocation to full back for the very satisfying win over O'Mahonys in the Feis Cup. There can be little doubt that it was his outstanding performances from the number three berth that earned him the call up to the International Rules squad that had the nation talking but which was thoroughly justified and deserved. And that same good form rubbed off on the rest of his team mates. Castletown and St Ultan's were accounted for in the knock out competition before a very creditable draw was earned in the League against eventual finalists Wolfe Tones. Some thought Dunboyne actually recorded a home win that night as confusion reigned over the score but a draw was probably the fairest outcome in what was, at that stage, the best game of club football seen for the year. Simonstown Gaels have been something of a bogey team for the black and ambers over the years. In the early part of their most recent SFC clash at Dunshaughlin it appeared as if that was going to continue. Des Lane's side raced into a five point lead without reply. Though even before the break there were signs the tide was turning as Nigel Crawford's influence began to grow and the deficit was whittled down to two (0-5 to 0-7) by half time. He was the dominant and deciding factor in the second period as well. Scores were traded for the duration and a very late Stephen Moran point guaranteed what at one stage looked a most unlikely win and as a consequence knock out championship football. Though it very nearly didn't happen as the North Navan outfit's substitute Sean Tobin missed a glorious late goal chance. Going into the final group game against St Patrick's in the splendid facilities at Donaghmore/Ashbourne the equation was simple: win and top the group or lose and go through in third place and face a meeting with the host club that evening, under the guidance of one Andrew McEntee! Very quickly it became obvious the former was the only possible outcome. The foundations for the progress were laid in the first half, at the end of which Declan Mahon's team led by 0-10 to 0-5. Four of their front line had got off the mark by that stage while outstanding midfielders Craig Berrigan and Nigel Crawford also registered booming efforts before the break and Gary Watters stole forward for the first of a brace too. Michael McQuillan's side enjoyed their best times at the conclusion of the second period but at every other stage Dunboyne were dominant and Aidan O'Connor franked this fact when netting late on to set up a quarter final joust with Summerhill. That last encounter brought together two sides with some of the most talented young players in the county and also some of the most experienced in David and Denis Gallagher and Nigel Crawford on the Dunboyne side and Adrian Kenny and Mark O'Reilly on the other. All that said, the fare in the first half was atrocious. At the end of it, the team being directed by Mattie Kerrigan and Pauraic Lyons led by 0-4 to 0-2. Those in blue and gold continued to hold sway for much of Act Two and could have put matters beyond doubt but Stephen Kennedy's penalty was well saved by Johnny O'Connor before Dunboyne were denied what looked a clear cut spot kick of their when substitute Paul Fagan was impeded twice. Despite this, a huge free from the younger of the Gallagher brothers appeared to have sent the tie to extra time. Not so, however, O'Reilly used all his guile and experience to get on the end of a passing move, drill over and send Dunboyne packing from the race for the Keegan Cup. Now, having been eliminated from the showpiece competition, it was going to be difficult to maintain a focus for the remainder of the season, even with silverware still available on two fronts. A degree of ring rustiness was very evident during the penultimate round of the Feis Cup against Syddan. Stephen Moran accounted for five out of the winning total of eight points in a terrible game. When Dunboyne were comprehensively beaten by what - if Trevor Giles and Felim O'Rourke were removed - was a very youthful and relatively inexperienced Skryne side in the League six days before the Feis Cup Final it was a cause of grave concern. Especially for those of us who witnessed a Seneschalstown side ravaged by injury all season return to something like their best form when coming out on top of the other Feis Cup semi final against Dunshaughlin after extra time. Still, in the interim David Gallagher had answered Ireland's call and the hope was that it would give things a lift and spur his colleagues on to deliver a big performance in the curtain raiser to the County Final. That, they most certainly did. A lead of 0-5 to 0-1 was established before something that was to become all too common from the perspective of Declan Mahon's team occurred for the first time. Namely, Brian Clarke hitting the net having collected a Joe Sheridan knock down. There were only three points in it at the break but when Clarke raised another green flag within twenty seconds of the restart seemingly matters were settled with Dunboyne trailing by 0-6 to 2-7. Inspired by their Captain and Ireland's number one, they amazingly got themselves back in front courtesy of 'majors' from David Clarke and Stephen Moran before Paul Fagan appeared to have won it entering stoppage time. Sometimes though, fate has other ideas. Damien Sheridan - who was lucky to be playing in the fixture having mislaid his passport at a family wedding in England the day before - took a shot which appeared to be on a collision course with score board hit off a post instead and ended up counting where the numbers are totted up and sent the tie to an extra twenty minutes. As with when the game initially kicked off, those who would have been the underdogs began much the brighter and appeared to have one hand on the trophy when leading by 2-16 to 2-11 entering time added on. However, there was just enough of that for the Yellow Furze' Clarke to put another one in the onion bag and leave the situation looking very ominous. Within seconds of the second restart of the day, Dunboyne's number was up once the brilliant corner forward completed his hat trick. Try as they might, they couldn't rescue themselves again - substitute Mark Convey went very near to doing so. Being involved in the best local game of the year - it was far better than the showpiece which followed - was very little consolation to the vanquished. It is often said however that more is learned in defeat than victory. With this in mind, there would be a justifiable degree of optimism that Dunboyne might be collecting major honours again in the very near future. The Dunboyne side which took part in the Feis Cup final was: J. O'Connor; J. Moffatt, D. Gallagher, S. McKenna; P. Fagan (0-1), S. Hogan, G. Watters (0-2); C. Berrigan, S. McGarrell (0-3); D. Clarke (1-0), A. O'Connor (0-1), E. Dolan; Denis Gallagher (0-2), C. O'Donoghue, S. Moran (1-9). Subs - G. Gallagher for Dolan, P. Watters for A. O'Connor, M. Convey for Fagan. Under 12 division one winners Dunboyne ............... 5-04 Simonstown ............ 2-05 This is the club's second U12 Div. 1 Title in the last three years. Simonstown were quicker to settle into the game and it took Dunboyne a while to register their first score. However, once they got going, Dunboyne looked the sharper team and led at half time by 2 - 3 to 0 - 4. Dunboyne added two further goals in the second half and although Simonstown rallied towards the end, Dunboyne held out for a well merited victory. Best for Dunboyne were Shane Comiskey, Dean Quinn and Conor Finn, but it was a strong team performance that won out on the day. The game was a very sporting affair and these teams are likely to have many more close encounters together over the coming years. The Dunboyne squad in full was: David Fitzgerald, Mark Daly, Jordan McLoughlin, Paul Coss, Matt Coffey, Andrew Hemeryck (C), Ciaran Carey, Shane Comiskey, Dean Quinn, Conor Finn, Daire Boylan, Conor Keeley, Eoghan Dunne, Philip Darcy, John Finnerty, Conor Quinn, Robert Comer, Patrick Lee, Drew Fitzpatrick, John O'Hara, and Sean Dolan. Tweet

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