After failing to reach the closing stages of the Lagan Group Intermediate Football Championship in each of the previous two years, Syddan did better in the 2008 competition when winning four of their seven outings, drawing one and losing two. The second defeat, to Cortown in a quarter-final clash at Moynalty, meant the end of the road as regards winning the title for the first time since 1999 and hopes were dashed of getting back into the final for which the green and gold brigade last qualified for in 2005 when losing to Duleek in a replay. Syddan, managed by Meath's All-Ireland junior winning boss of 2003, Martin Barry, who was in charge for a second successive term, were drawn in a group with two teams from their neck of the woods, Castletown and Drumconrath, as well as Ballinlough and St Ultan's. Ballinlough, who had been relegated from senior ranks the previous year, provided the first round opposition at Carlanstown and it was a losing start for Syddan as they went down to six points (0-5 to 1-8) defeat in a game in which a player from each side was sent off. Syddan conceded the game's only goal inside the opening five minutes when with Colm Mallon putting a shot past David O'Sullivan. After that Barry's charges were playing catch up and they were trailing by 0-3 to 1-4 at the break, having had corner back Eamonn Maguire sent off on receipt of a second yellow card in the 24th minute. Although Ballinlough substitute Robbie Farrell was also dismissed coming up to the end of the third quarter and Sean Malone, Thomas Dillon, Ian Curran and Philip Duff, who sent over three points, battled well, Syddan fell further in arrears in the second half. Seven days later Syddan get their first points on the Group B table with a 0-13 to 0-10 win over the previous year's beaten finalists Castletown at Meath Hill. A solid foundation for that success was laid in the first half when the wind assisted eventual winners built up an advantage of 0-9 to 0-2 by the break. Castletown got the deficit down to four points before Paddy Rafferty and Philip Meade left the scores 0-11 to 0-5. Although their lead was pared down to two points, Syddan held out with Padraig Young and Philip Duff putting over crucial scores in the closing minutes. After having a bye in the third round, Syddan returned to IFC action with a 0-8 to 0-5 victory over 2006 beaten finalists Drumconrath on an inclement June Saturday evening at Meath Hill ensuring them at least a place in the preliminary quarter-final. It was 0-6 to 0-4 at the break and Gary Farrelly put over four points for the winners. There were also good displays from Thomas Dillon, Daniel Carney, Paddy Rafferty and Cormac Rowe. In the last of their group games Syddan played out a 2-7 to 1-10 draw with St Ultan's who had to depend on a goal from Cian Rennicks three minutes before the finish to maintain their unbeaten record. In a closely contested match the sides were level five times in the first half and it was 0-6 apiece at the break. Goals from Stephen Dillon and Ian Curran gave Syddan an advantage of four points but they did not score any more. However, they were further than in the two previous campaigns and getting into the last nine was sweet for them after missing out to St Colmcille's, who had scored more than them, the previous year. The preliminary quarter-final was against Carnaross on a Tuesday night under lights at Meath Hill and Syddan progressed to the next stage with a 1-13 to 2-5 win. A good start proved to be half the battle as Martin Barry's men had scored 1-5 before Carnaross got their first score. Although the deficit was reduced to two points at the break, Syddan pushed on again in the second half. Syddan were back in action five days later when facing Cortown at Moynalty and they looked set for the last four when leading by 0-9 to 0-4 at the halfway stage. However, the opposition managed by John Henry, who guided Syddan to the IFC final in 2005, made a strong comeback after the switching of ends to win by two points, 2-11 to 0-15. In the first half Syddan half backs Thomas Dillon and Luke Halpenny got on target and an early point from the long-serving Trevor Gilsenan could have been a goal as the chipped effort just went over the bar. Some felt Syddan were unlucky to have a penalty awarded against them by Ballinabrackey referee Brendan Darby at the start of the second half when Sean Malone was penalised and after Gordon Codd's kick hit a post, Gary Coyne finished the loose ball past David O'Sullivan. Syddan were struck with another blow on 37 minutes when netminder O'Sullivan misjudged a hopeful ball from Codd and Ivor O'Halloran took advantage by applying the finishing touch to the second goal. That left Syddan in arrears by 0-10 to 2-5 and although Gilsenan got them back on level terms, Cortown soon went four points clear. In a lively second half Syddan got the margin down to the minimum with eight minutes to go. But then Sean Malone was sent off and the losers finished with 13 players after substitute Noel McGillick also saw red in the closing exchanges. The Syddan club had a strong Dillon influence in 2008 with Gerry the chairman, cousin Aidan the secretary and another member of the clan, Grainne, filling the role of PRO. Aidan Dillon reflected on what ultimately turned out to be a disappointing campaign. "While we got a couple of rounds further than last year, the manner in which we lost to Cortown was disappointing. We had high hopes of doing really well this year and we felt we were as good as any team in the intermediate championship," he said. There was no shortage of commitment from the players and Martin Barry had Shay Duff and Paul McKenna as selectors. "The team recovered well from the losing start when Ballinlough beat us to win three of the next four games and draw the other. However, we threw away the win against Cortown, " said the secretary. "We led by five points at half-time that evening but then the two goals conceded at the start of the second period proved crucial. We finished the game with 13 men and lost out by just two points," he added. Aidan Dillon feels a great opportunity to win the IFC title was lost and getting back to the last four could be a big challenge next year. "Some of the players have been around for a good number of years, time is running out for lads like Trevor Gilsenan, Philip Duff, Martin Cassidy and Stephen Dillon and it will be hard to replace them when they go," he remarked. Another Dillon, Brian, has been troubled by injuries over the last couple of seasons, not playing this year and only figuring partly in 2007. Syddan are not overburdened by playing numbers and in 2008 they were joined with Castletown for minor and under 16 competition. They got to the semi-final stage in their under 16 grade and Aidan Dillon nominated Fiachra Ross as a young player to watch in the future with Barry McConnell and Stephen Finnegan among other promising underage players. Paddy Meegan is the Syddan club's most famous ever footballer and the two times All-Ireland winner broke new grounds by publishing a book in 2008. The star forward of the '40s and '50s had been writing poems and recitations for a number of years and decided to put a number of them into a collection which was launched last April. Local parish priest, Mr Michael Sheerin, had provided some encouragement for the publication and the selection of poems, stories and memories which was launched in the local Newtown Country Club has the title of 'From The Life around Me' contains many pieces with a GAA theme. Of course, Paddy Meegan was at right full forward on Meath's first All-Ireland SFC winning team in 1949 and also wore the number 13 jersey for the 1954 triumph. He had the distinction of captaining Meath to their National League title in 1951 when New York were defeated in the final played at the Polo Grounds in the Big Apple. Meegan also helped Syddan to win four Meath SFC titles (in 1949, '51, '52 and '56) and after they captured the Keegan Cup, which the club donated to the county board, for the one and only time, he ended his playing career, having scored 1-3 in his last game after coming out of retirement. In the next 50 years plus Syddan have produced some fine footballers but none as successful as poetic Paddy who would obviously love to see a senior team representing his parish soon again. Tweet

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