It was a case of the son following the lead set by the father when Kilmainham's Michael Newman made a big impression with the Meath minor footballers this year, winning a coveted Leinster Championship medal in the process. Denis Newman, father of Michael, was introduced as a substitute in the 1970 provincial minor final when Meath lost to Dublin by a point at Croke Park and 38 years later his son also lined out against the Dubs in one of the true highlights of a memorable summer for Pat Coyle's talented team. Young Newman was a vital cog in the Meath machine as they marched to Leinster glory with victories over Louth, Dublin, Longford and Offaly in the final, then reached the All-Ireland semi-finals with a win over Tipperary and lost out at the penultimate hurdle against a classy looking Tyrone team which had also thwarted the Royal County in a replayed Ulster League decider. That 0-14 to 0-10 quarter-final victory over Gerry McEntee's Dublin after extra-time at Parnell Park was one of the real high points of the footballing year for Meath and Newman played his part by scoring two points, one of them from a line ball. Indeed, the only match of the campaign in which he didn't register a score was that semi-final against Tyrone. "It was a big thing for the club this year to have Michael on the minor team," said Kilmainham secretary Sean Newman. "Naturally enough, the further you go the higher the profile you get. He is a great talent and we would like to see him go further. Another year or two should do a lot for him." Michael Newman was also a key figure for Kilmainham this summer as they set about attempting to reach the highs of two years ago when a memorable Junior Championship campaign brought them to the knockout stages with an unbeaten record in their group. They then beat Dunboyne in the quarter-finals, Dunsany in the semi-finals, but lost the final by four points to St Ultan's who have since taken the intermediate grade by storm. Last year, they might have been expected to mount another serious assault on the championship, but with former Meath senior panelist Barry Lynch missing most of the year due to injury they failed to negotiate the divisional stages after recording two wins, a draw and two defeats. It was disappointing, but hope springs eternal and they again reached the business end of this year's championship, only to lose by a point to Longwood at the quarter-final stage. The 'Wood, in turn, went under to Moynalvey at the penultimate hurdle after extra-time. There was a new manager in place for the 2008 campaign in former Navan O'Mahonys' player Colm Kane who had a spell on the Meath senior panel. He took over from Paddy O'Rourke who had been coach for seven years. The selectors were Ollie Quigley and John Curran. When the championship draws were made earlier in the year Kilmainham came out in group A and a couple of fixtures stood out from the rest - namely matches against Drumbaragh and Wolfe Tones' second string which had won the Junior B and Junior C titles in the previous couple of years. Also included in the mix were Bective, St Mary's and the second 15s from Dunboyne and Simonstown Gaels and it was against the Navan side that Kilmainham opened the championship at Seneschalstown where they recorded a hard-earned 1-13 to 1-8 victory. It wasn't overly impressive, but at least it was a win to get the competition up and running. The sides were level on 0-6 to 1-3 at the break after Francis Carragher had goaled for Simonstown and the exchanges remained close in the third quarter, before Kilmainham began to assert their authority as Newman impressed. Sean Brosnan has a habit of scoring goals and he notched a brilliant one in this game which proved important. Newman contributed six points. Barry Lynch didn't figure in that game and it was only in the latter stages of the campaign that he made a couple of appearances as a substitute. There was plenty of interest in Kilmainham's second round assignment against Drumbaragh at Carnaross and another victory was the outcome as they scored by 2-8 to 0-11. Drumbaragh started best, but Brosnan netted to leave Kilmainham behind by the minimum (1-4 to 0-8) at the interval. Kilmainham began to get on top in the early stages of the second half, but John Smith's accuracy kept Drumbaragh in touch. Davy Farnan scored a decisive second goal for Kilmainham, while the contribution of Newman was also important to the win as he tallied three points. Goals were in fashion - particularly for Kilmainham - when they beat Bective by 5-8 to 1-13 in the third round at Bohermeen. And it was Newman who got three of them, amazingly all from penalties in the first half, as they moved into a 4-4 to 0-5 lead at the interval. Brosnan also got in on the act by finding the net in the opening period. Danny Butler added a fifth goal shortly after the restart and though Bective tallied a very useful 1-8 in the second period, Kilmainham's goals made all the difference and they were looking good for a quarter-final ticket at the half-way stage in the group campaign with maximum points from three games. That became full points from four outings when Kilmainham coasted past St Mary's at Skryne, winning by 1-15 to 0-3. Gavin Butler and Newman gave them a decisive edge at midfield and they scored seven unanswered points in the opening half hour. Brosnan scored the second half goal and Newman contributed six points. However, they were stopped in their tracks next time out when Wolfe Tones defeated them by 2-8 to 1-10 in an exciting game at Carlanstown. Newman goaled from a first half penalty, but Tones led by 2-3 to 1-4 at the turnaround, before Kilmainham enjoyed a spell of supremacy which enabled them to lead by three points with seven minutes remaining. It was Tones who finished strongest as they reduced the deficit and Ciaran Breslin slotted over the winner from a free with three minutes remaining. Kilmainham countered strongly in pursuit of an equaliser, but it never came, and after that loss they had just one divisional assignment remaining against Dunboyne. That game took place at Dunganny and brought a comprehensive victory on a 2-11 to 0-6 score line which left Kilmainham safely through to the last eight. Gavin Butler's goal boosted them to a 1-7 to 0-4 half-time lead and after Dunboyne had hit back with 1-2 on the restart, Brosnan slotted home a brilliant goal to point his side firmly in the direction of victory and knockout football. However, that's where the dream of championship glory ended as Longwood edged them out by 0-13 to 0-12 in a thrilling quarter-final at Bective. Danny and Gavin Butler scored early points for Kilmainham, but Longwood took over and it was only when Barry Lynch was introduced that the trend changed. Newman was in brilliant form from frees and his accuracy helped Kilmainham to go three points ahead, but Longwood recovered to be adrift by only 0-8 to 0-9 at the interval. They tagged on four points early in the second period, but scores from Newman and Gavin Butler helped Kilmainham get back to level terms. However, Karl Ennis had the last word with a winning point for Longwood four minutes from the end and there was controversy when Trevor Lynch appeared to be fouled close to goal, but a free out was awarded. It was disappointing, as losses at an advanced stage of the championship always are, but if Kilmainham want to take encouragement for next year they only have to look at how well St Ultan's have been doing. It should be remembered that they beat Kilmainham by only four points in the 2006 junior final. "Colm Kane was a very dedicated coach for us this year," said Sean Newman as he reflected on the championship campaign. "He did a lot for us. He didn't know any of the lads when he came in and you can only do so much in one year. Hopefully, he will be staying with us." Having successfully negotiated the group stages, Kilmainham faced Longwood at the last eight hurdle where a narrow defeat brought much disappointment. "We lost the quarter-final to Longwood by a point," Newman added. "It was very disappointing because expectations were high this year. But you have to function on the day. You also need a bit of luck. "Barry Lynch was a big loss to us during the championship. He only made an appearance as a substitute in a couple of games at the latter end of the championship, but he seems to be coming on well after his injury problems. Having him back would be a big boosts to us. "We won the under-21 competition at the end of last year and a fair few of them lads are eligible again this year. Winning that was a boost. It's always nice to win something." Everybody involved with the Kilmainham club can feel justifiably proud of the tremendous work they have carried out to their home on the Navan road outside Kells, with Sean Newman pointing out how "great it is to have facilities local". 2008 Under 21 B Honours A late goal by substitute Conor Walsh boosted Kilmainham to a narrow win (1-13 to 1-10) over Castletown in a thrilling Gabriel O'Brien Crane Hire U21 FC B decider at Meath Hill. Walsh struck in the 59th minute when flicking a Michael Newman free to the net after Castletown's neat approach play gave them the upper hand for most of the hour. Kilmainham - who won the Under 21 C title last year with most of this winning side - struck for 1-2 without reply in the final ten minutes to claim the Stiofain O Mealoid Cup with Shane Butler pointing twice from play. Moments before Walsh goaled, Castletown midfielder Shane Farrelly fired wide from close range. Had he netted the team in green and gold would have been four points to the good. Matthew Carroll's early goal got Castletown off to flying start and they led by four points on three occasions in the opening half. Three Gavin Butler points from play kept the team in red and black in the hunt and three Michael Newman points on the bounce in the latter stages of the opening half left Kilmainham ahead by the narrowest margin at the break, 0-9 to 1-5. A long range Shane Farrelly free levelled matters within five minutes of the restart before points in quick succession from Thomas Smith and Robert Cribben restored Castletown's advantage. Playing against a slight breeze at this well-appointed venue, they were unable to put the game beyond the reach of Kilmainham who were back on level terms again when Michael Newman pointed from play in the 41st minute. The scores were tied on four times over the course of the hour with the eventual winners forcing parity in there instances. Pointed frees from Robert Cribben and Shane Farrelly restored Castletown's advantage heading into the final ten minutes as four wides in the latter stages left them open to the late sucker punch. Kilmainham - P. Hennigan; R. Mooney, D. Morgan; P. Mooney, G. Morgan, D. Sullivan; D. Newman, G. Butler (0-3); S. Butler (0-2), S. Mahon, S. Brosnan; P. Smith, M. Newman (0-7, 0-5 frees). Sub - C. Walsh (1-1) for Smith (34 mins). Tweet

Most Read Stories