Eleven years after the St Colmcille's club was formed they made a highly significant breakthrough by winning the Junior Football Championship in 1983 with a team that included two young players who were soon to become household names not alone in Meath, but on the national GAA scene. Brilliant defender Robbie O'Malley and gifted forward Bernard Flynn were part of Sean Boylan's team that won back to back All-Ireland SFC titles in 1987 and '88, as well as a host of other major titles, but that triumph on the club front a quarter of a century ago undoubtedly gave both of them a huge thrill and came after they had enjoyed plenty of success with St Colmcille's under-age teams. It's fitting to recall that championship triumph of 25 years ago which was achieved with a 2-8 to 0-5 final victory over Moynalty at Pairc Tailteann a few weeks after they had defeated Dunboyne by 0-8 to 0-5 at the semi-final stage at the same venue. St Colmcille's had struggled to emerge from their qualification group and depended on other results to go their way, but they warmed to knockout action and finished the job impressively in the final when 18 year-old Flynn was a true star of the show and made a highly significant personal contribution of 1-6. But the St Colmcille's selectors also were entitled to a fair share of the praise after the comfortable win because of a positional switch at the interval which was instrumental in changing the course of the match. Midfielder Joe Carr and centre-forward Gerry Berrill swapped positions and the seasiders took off. They had played with the stiff breeze in the first half and looked to be struggling when they led by only 0-4 to 0-1 at the interval after the brilliant Flynn had scored three points (two frees) and Joe Phelan also split the uprights. Indeed, they were thankful to goalkeeper Norman Estridge who produced a great save from Gerry Curran after 10 minutes. St Colmcille's were a transformed team in the second half and with Carr a huge attacking threat the Moynalty defence came under enormous pressure. Phelan and Flynn increased their advantage with points before Joey Curley - a well-known referee today - replied for the north Meath side. But a combination of the young and not so young soon put St Colmcille's in the driving seat as veteran full-forward Oliver 'Jackser' Kavanagh set up Flynn for their first goal. They were playing brilliantly at that stage, with O'Malley, who was already on the county senior panel at that time, Donal Rock, Mark O'Neill, Aidan Curran and Brendan Beakey particularly impressive in defence, Paul Beakey finding his best form at midfield and Flynn and the roving Ciaran Carr a huge threat up front. Flynn was deprived of a second goal early in the final quarter when Moynalty 'keeper Paddy Farrell brought off a superb save, but the issue was put beyond any doubt a couple of minutes later when Joe Carr blasted to the net after his brother Ciaran had provided the spade work. Nobody leaving Pairc Tailteann on that cold late autumn evening was in any doubt that they had seen an exceptionally talented team win the JFC and the honour of accepting the Matthew Ginnity Cup from County Board chairman Brian Smyth went to captain Gerry Berrill. The teams in the JFC final were: St Colmcille's - N Estridge; D Hilliard, R O'Malley, A Curran; D Rock, B Beakey, M O'Neill; P Beakey, J Carr (1-0); B Flynn (1-6), G Berrill, D Black; C Carr, O Kavanagh, J Phelan (0-2). Sub - R Brennan for Phelan. Moynalty - P Farrell; T Lynch, G Hennessy, H Lynch; S McEntee, F Doyle, A Clinton; C Reilly, P Nevin; P Smith (0-2), T Smith, G Curran (0-2); J Lynch, M Casey, J Curley (0-1). Subs - S Dolan for J Lynch, B Smith for Nevin, N Smith for Clinton. Referee - Paddy O'Dwyer (Dunshaughlin). The junior success completed a significant double for the club because they had retained the MFC title earlier in the year when a team that included O'Malley at midfield and Flynn at right half-forward defeated St Cuthbert's by 2-5 to 1-5 in the final at Pairc Tailteann. For the record, the St Colmcille's team in that year's MFC final was - K Powderley; A Brodigan, A Curran, R Kilmurray; S Tyndall, M O'Neill (0-1), JP McNeece; R O'Malley (0-1), O Cudden; B Flynn (1-0), C Carr (0-2), J O'Boyle; J Stafford (0-1), D O'Donnell, T Mallon. Subs - D Reilly for Mallon, C Cooney (1-0) for McNeece. Five years later St Colmcille's took another giant step up the ladder of progression in adult football when they won the IFC title. Of course, this year also marks the 50th anniversary of St Mary's, Bettystown, winning the IFC in 1958 when they defeated Fordstown by 3-5 to 2-4 in a hugely entertaining final at Pairc Tailteann. The match was contested by two superbly fit teams and it took a late salvo which yielded a goal and a point to see the seasiders past a gallant Fordstown side which contributed enormously to a contest that left the big attendance well satisfied. St Mary's were captained by former Kells' Harps player Ken Lougheed who turned in one of his greatest ever performances at full-back. His brilliance inspired those around him and meant that the winners were able to limit the effectiveness of a potentially lethal Fordstown attack. Fordstown, who were captained by Johnny Meehan, missed early scoring opportunities and that ultimately cost them in a close contest. They still managed to get the first two points of the game from Tommy Timmons and Mick Finnegan and things weren't looking too good for St Mary's when they failed to hit the target in the opening 20 minutes. However, that all changed when Donal Stack scored a points, before goals from Don Kelleher and John Maguire helped them to lead by four points at the interval, 2-1 to 0-3. Kelleher extended the advantage early in the second half, but Timmons revived Fordstown's hopes in a big way when he netted twice, including from a brilliantly struck penalty. That edged them into the lead, but Maguire tied the scores with a point and it was all to play for going into the final quarter. Kelleher and Timmons exchanged points and with the excitement intensifying that was when St Mary's midfield partnership of Kelleher and Brian Little really came to the fore. Kelleher's second goal gave them a three-point lead and then Maguire scored the insurance point. The winners included Pat O'Neill - later to be County Board chairman - in their attack. Also among their forwards was Paddy Watters who went on to captain Duleek to their 1978 IFC success. St Mary's won the championship, but football was the real winner because of the tremendous entertainment the final generated and there was huge excitement after the final whistle when many of the Mary's players were carried shoulder high off the Navan pitch. The teams which contested the final were: St Mary's - B Donoghue; G Conway, K Lougheed, C Clinton; S Healy, N Stafford, T Murray; D Kelleher (2-2), B Little; D Stack (0-1), T Watters, P Watters; P O'Neill, J Maguire (1-2), N Rooney. Sub - P Campbell. Fordstown - T McCormack; J Carberry, J Meehan, P Finnegan; T Sheridan, M Farrelly, M Bennett; B Ward, P Monaghan; Terence Timmons, W Rennicks, E Cunningham; T Quigley, M Finnegan (0-2), Tommy Timmons (2-2). Sub - S Monaghan. Referee - Tom Million (Kilberry). NARROW DEFEATS PROVE COSTLY Unfortunately, the St Colmcille's intermediate team didn't qualify for the knockout stages of the 2008 IFC when a couple of narrow defeats prevented them from prolonging their interest in the competition into the latter stages. Last year they finished third in their qualification group, but were still in the hunt for honours because that put them into the preliminary quarter-final against St Ultan's. The combination from Bohermeen and Martry won comprehensively by 11 points and a little over a year later they were to win the title. St Colmcille's group in this year's championship included Na Fianna, Nobber, St Michael's, Cortown and Oldcastle and it was against Oldcastle that they opened their campaign on a successful note when winning by 1-11 to 1-10 at Rathkenny. The concession of a late point to Niall Farrell proved costly in the second round when Nobber beat them by the minimum (0-12 to 2-5) at Slane, but St Colmcille's bounced back when they defeated Cortown by 0-10 to 1-6 at Seneschalstown. Of course, Cortown were later to go on and lose to parish rivals St Ultan's in the final. St Michael's improved as the competition progressed and they scored a surprisingly easy 2-13 to 0-8 win over the seasiders at Slane, before another loss by the narrowest of margins followed in the last round of group matches, this time against Na Fianna who won by 2-11 to 1-13 at Bective. When all was said and done in group A, St Colmcille's were left to rue those two very narrow defeats against Nobber and Na Fianna as they missed out on a knockout place. Cortown topped the section on seven points, ahead of Na Fianna, St Michael's and Nobber on six each and the Cilles were in fifth place on four. Cilles U12's bounce back in style After a few barren years, Cilles claimed their third U12 title of the decade with a stunning 3-7 to 2-8 win over Summerhill in the Division 2 U12 final on 16th June 2008. And as if to prove that old adage, the sky blues second string were not to be outdone winning the reserve title on Thursday 21st June beating Division 1 champions, Dunboyne impressively in the final. Just to prove the strength in depth, not one of the starting 15 from Saturday played on the Thursday The successes didn't just happen by accident and were the culmination of a few years hard work, the Seasiders got their just reward in that epic June month. A combination of mis-grading and bad luck meant that the Cilles U12 teams from 2002 onwards had struggled to replicate the success of their illustrious compatriots of 2000 and 2001, a generation that went on to claim U14, U15 and U16 Division 1 titles. However encouraging progress in recent years culminating in a semi-final replay loss to Summerhill in 2007 meant that hopes were high going into the campaign this year. Reflecting on the success, the Club's minor board chairman, Keith Loughman pointed to two events which sparked a flame that was to end in a glorious June. Firstly, the club's first training session was taken by Damian and Joe Sheridan. The Keegan Cup was in attendance that night and the mood was noticeably upbeat. Secondly, the Club-School Link programme solved an issue that has haunted the cilles for the years. As Loughman has often said, the Club's greatest asset, its large population is also its hardest challenge. However, the Cilles visited local schools with current county stars, Cille's own Graham Reilly and Ladies Captain Jenny Rispin speaking to the kids. They were supported by local legend, Robbie O'Malley and Development Officer, Christine O'Brien. As a result 47 players turned up for training and suddenly, having struggled to field reserve teams in recent years the Seasiders suddenly had three teams. For team managers Daragh O'Byrne and Tony Butler, the numbers provided a great challenge but no better men to step up to the plate and an epic journey began. St Colmcilles edged out defending champions, Summerhill on a 3-7 to 2-8 scoreline in the championship final to claim a first U12 title in seven years. This game demonstrated all that is good about Gaelic football with both teams showing high skill levels, tremendous courage and sportsmanship of the very highest levels. The Seasiders got off to a bright start at the well appointed Curraha venue with an early point from the lively Stewart McDonnell. However Summerhill slowly got on top and some excellent freetaking from the impressive Eamonn McDonnell fired them into the lead. Cilles responded brilliantly with a great goal from Emmet O'Neill but true to their great tradition the Hill replied with a goal of their own to go ahead again. The first half continued in the same manner with goalkeepers Shane Kavanagh and Eoghan Collins pulling off some top drawer saves to keep their teams in the hunt. However it was the Seasiders who were most grateful for the half time whistle as they were desperately hanging on as Summerhill began to dominate mid-field. At half time, the score read Summerhill 1-6, St Colmcilles 1-4. Summerhill got off to the best possible start after the break with a second goal almost immediately on the resumption. Things looked bleak at that stage for the Cilles and as the skies darkened; their supporters must have feared the worst. However, what followed will be long talked about on the East Coast as the team dug deep, and showed tremendous courage to take the fight to their illustrious opponents and set up a classic finish. Playing some intelligent football the Cilles attacked in waves and Emmet O'Neill led from the front with a second goal to keep the game in the melting point. With Hugh Reynolds and David O'Byrne slowly gaining midfield control, the Cilles eked out points but still Summerhill kept responding. With the teams deadlocked and 10 minutes left, an excellent delivery by Michael Moriarty saw Emmet O'Neill charge into space to score a superb third goal on the night and one which finally put some daylight between two excellent teams As the clock ticked down, the Cilles were forced to defend desperately as the Hill sought the equalising goal but it was not to come. Referee Dermot Rooney's final whistle was greeted with relief by the Cilles support, sparking wild delight and celebration St Colmcilles: E Collins, G Pointin, S Crilly, O'Byrne, O McAleenan, T O'Hostin, C McArdle, D O'Byrne, H Reynolds, F Grimes, S Messayah, C Boyers, D Murray, E O'Neill, S McDonnell Subs: M. Moriarity for F. Grimes On the following Thursday, the Seasider's developing players led Dunboyne from pillar to post in Piltown, in a powerful display. On a night when there were many stars it was impossible to pick one stand out performer. In the end, Captain Pearse Butler stepped up to be presented with the Reserve Shield and make history for the East Coast side. The victories were no more than the team management deserved having put in a mammoth effort over the years with this group. Hard work definitely got its reward and hopes are high again on the east coast that the Seasiders will once again become a major force to be reckoned with at underage level Tweet

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