After losing the replayed IFC final to Duleek in 2005, Syddan had good reason to be hopeful of rejoining the senior ranks this time round but their hopes were dashed when injuries robbed them of key players for crunch group games. On a happier note memories of their fourth and most recent SFC success were recalled at a function held at the Newtown Country Club in mid-September. By Liam O'Rourke. Once again Syddan were managed by John Henry and their IFC Group B campaign opened brightly with a 1-14 to 1-6 win over Slane, who were under the guidance of former Meath star David Beggy. The concession of an early goal didn't unduly upset the men in green and gold and a three pointer from Ian Curran left them 1-6 to 1-2 ahead at the break. Syddan were fortunate not to concede a couple of more goals but with Eamonn Maguire, Noel McGillick, Thomas and Brian Dillon - who top scored with 0-7 - in good form they came away from Rathkenny with the points. Within a week of that winning start, Syddan were back in IFC action at Rathkenny again, to record a 1-12 to 0-6 win over Ratoath with Ian Curran leading the way with 1-3. Hopes of a third win on the spin were dashed by neighbours Nobber at Drumconrath on Sunday, June 4 when Brian Farrell sent over a late levelling free to tie the scores at 1-11 to Syddan's 0-14. Moments earlier Brian Dillon's pointed free looked to have given Syddan a third win. Dillon finished with eight points to his name. It was 1-5 to 0-8 at the break but Syddan looked to be in a strong position when leading by three points midway through the second-half. A nine points reversal (0-7 to 2-10) against Oldcastle at Kells on Friday, June 30 was a big jolt to Syddan's hopes of advancing from Group B. Points from Brian Dillon and Derek Young gave Syddan a 0-5 to 0-4 interval advantage but they could only manage two further points thereafter. Before their next IFC outing, Syddan were in Feis Cup action at home to Blackhall Gaels. The senior side got the verdict by 0-12 to 0-10 after extra time. It was 0-9 each after 60 minutes. The sides were also level (0-5 to 0-5) at the first interval. On Monday, August 28, Syddan suffered another setback with a minimum margin (0-9 to 1-7) defeat by eventual champions Rathkenny at Slane. Syddan led by 0-7 to 1-3 at the break and despite a seven points contribution from Gary Farrelly and good showings from Eamonn Maguire and Martin Cassidy they slipped to their second defeat of the campaign. However, John Henry's charges kept their hopes alive with a 0-10 to 0-7 win over the 2005 JFC winners St. Michaels in the penultimate round. Heading into the latter stages of their final group game at Donore on Sunday, September 10, Syddan were holding onto a narrow lead when St Colmcille's struck for a late goal to win by 1-7 to 0-9. Syddan finished in fifth place with seven points (three wins and a draw) from as many games just one point behind fourth placed Nobber and two behind Rathkenny. Their hopes of improving on the previous year's runners-up slot hindered by the absence of key forwards in their final group games. Meanwhile in the Division 2 FL Syddan finished in fourth place seven points adfrift of second placed Seneschalstown having been promoted as Division 3 FL winners the previous autumn. Their total of 11 points came from five wins and a draw. Meanwhile Syddan's second string finished sixth out of eight teams in Group A of the JFC B after registering two wins and five defeats. but the four qualifiers from their section made it to the semi-finals of the competition. Memories of the golden era of Syddan football were recalled at a function at the Newtown Country Club on Friday, September 15 to mark the Golden Jubilee of the club's fourth and most recent SFC success. It was also the only occasion to date that the Keegan Cup returned to its home club. Tom Keegan died as a result of injuries accidentally incurred when playing for Syddan against Castletown in an IFC semi-final played at Tankardstown, Rathkenny in August 1940. According to Paddy Meegan, the idea to purchase a cup to commemorate Tom Keegan was first mooted by Jim Cluskey in 1952. A parish collection was organised and around £230 was raised, a considerable sum in those times. Paddy was part of the three-man delegation that headed to Dublin to purchase a suitable cup to commemorate their deceased clubmate. They headed to Millar and Millar, the gold and silversmiths who provided the All-Ireland medals. "We wanted a big cup to commemorate Tom Keegan and we were intent on getting something that would catch the eye. But the new cups on display were small and very dear and didn't look the part. "We would have had to have twice the amount of money we had to get something decent in size. We were about to head elsewhere when this magnificent trophy was produced and we fell for it. We were told it was previously used as a trophy for a showjumping event in London. The asking price was £250 but after a bit of haggling we got it for a few quid less." Syddan were bidding for their third SFC title in a row in 1953, the year the Keegan Cup was first presented "We were a strong force in those years and hoping to be the first winners of the cup. Maybe we were too confident. I don't really know. It was very special to finally win it in 1956", Meegan added. Paddy Meegan had retired after winning his second All-Ireland SFC medal with Meath, in 1954 but recalled to the 1956 county final after Seamus Duff cried off with 'flu. "I was two years off football and I came back. We played Skryne in the final and we weren't expecting to win. Skryne were hot favourites", Paddy recalls. Syddan won their first SFC title in 1949, adding two more in 1952 and '53 but considered to be on the wane by 1956. The men in green and gold got off to a flying start when Tom Duff netted. Scores were scarce in the early exchanges and Skryne pulled back two points before hitting the front for the first time with a goal in the 21st minute. Within three minutes Syddan were back in front when Paddy Meegan netted but before the break a Skryne goal left the Tara men leading by 2-2 to 2-0 at the interval. Two points from Paddy Meegan helped Syddan regain the lead by the 40th minute and he then was a central figure in the move that led to his side's third goal three minutes later that left the score 3-4 to 2-3. It proved to be Syddan's last score but they held on to win by the narrowest margin, 3-4 to 2-6. In presenting the Keegan Cup to the winning captain Tommy Farrelly, Fr Tully, chairman of the Meath County Board, remarked: "You know how hard it was to win it. It is going to be much more difficult to retain it." Paddy Meegan finished the game with 1-3 to his name and having played a key role in the purchase of the cup he ended his playing career with the trophy resting in its 'home' club. He also composed a couple of verses to mark the occasion - *The Gallant Syddan Men * From lonely, hallowed Inismot to Creewood's lovely vale, All the fans are singing To glories of the Gael; For honours were truely earned In park and rugged glen By the Royal County Champions The gallant Syddan men. So hear's to dear old Syddan, And Syddan men of old; And of all the brilliant wearers Of the peerless "green and gold". Syddan's name on the Keegan Cup Proudly will be fixed For they're the County Champions Of nineteen fifty-six. On many a furrowed hilltop Bonfires brightly blaze, And laughing lads and lasses The lighted torches raise; While the cheers go echoing over Fertile field and fen For the Royal County Champions The gallant Syddan men. Those heroes of many battles From the pleasant countryside Have travelled oft to conquer And are famous far and wide; The old supporters are waiting To welcome home again As Royal County Champions The gallant Syddan men. Tweet

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