The 50th anniversary of Meath winning the 1956 All-Ireland Vocational schools football championship was celebrated on Friday 19 May 2006 at a very successful and enjoyable function in the Old Darnley Lodge Hotel, Athboy. Surviving mentors and players were honoured at the ceremony. There was also a separate presentation to popular Minor football committee secretary Ultan Fitzpatrick. This was a unique celebration as they are the only Meath team to win an All-Ireland Vocational schools title. No Meath team has emulated the success of the 1956 panel in the past 50 years. All those associated with the great success ago, were congratulated by the various speakers for their notable achievement. The attendance included Councillor Brian Fitzgerald-Chairman of the Meath County Council, Councillor John Fanning-Vice Chairman of the Meath VEC Committee, Mr Cathal Joyce-Vice Chairman of the Meath GAA Board and Father Seamus Heaney, PP, Delvin. The championship wasn't a long drawn out process that it is now as Meath won three games on their road to glory. There first game was against Westmeath in early March 1956 in which they easily dispatched their opponents by a scoreline of 5-4 to 0-2. Massive scorelines was the highlight of this team as they cruised to Leinster victory by defeating Laois by 14 points. It was 10 May 1956 when Meath captured the first and only vocational success as they ran out comfortable winners against Sligo in Longford. The following year they made it to the final again but unfortunately they just fell short at the final fence. Many of the team went on to represent Meath in various grades: Teddy Byrne, Jack Fagan, Seamus Clynch and Bertie Cunningham went to play for the All-Ireland winning minors in 1957. Dick Connell was a member of the Meath junior panel beaten by Cork in the All-Ireland final in 1958. Padraig McCormack was a substitute on the team named above and was on the All-Ireland winning Meath junior team in 1962. Eamonn Cassells played minor, junior and senior hurling and football for Meath, during his career. Bertie Cunningham won an All-Ireland SFC medal when Meath defeated Cork in 1967. Cunningham also became the first Meath man to win a coveted Texaco sports award. The following received memento's and were introduced individually by Seamus Clynch: Teddy Byrne: Played his football with a very successful De La Salle and O'Mahony's side. Teddy was sub-goalkeeper on the All-Ireland winning Meath minor team in 1957. Jack Fagan: Played his football with De La Salle and O'Mahony's teams winning minor and senior championships. Jack played minor and senior for Meath and was on the All-Ireland winning Meath minor team in 1957. Eamonn Cassells: Played hurling and football with Athboy winning five senior hurling titles. He played both hurling and football at minor, junior and senior for Meath during his career. Sean Coffey: Played football with De La Salle and Martry, winning minor and junior championships. He is now an administrator with O'Mahony's. John Leggett: Played football with Castletown minors and Meath Hill juniors before devoting his energy to a much safer form of recreation, playing saxophone with the Midnighters Showband. Tommy Brecknell: Never played underage with De La Salle and his only competitive football was with the Navan vocational school team and this Meath vocational team in 1956. Michael McGrane: After school he moved to Wicklow. Michael retired at the tender age of 18 years. He immigrated to England in 1959. Seamus Clynch: Played a major role in the very successful era of De La Salle and O'Mahony's teams winning minor and senior championships. Seamus played minor, junior and senior football for the county. He was on the All-Ireland winning minor team in 1957. Bertie Cunningham: Bertie played with successful Ballivor teams from juvenile to senior level. He was on the All-Ireland winning Meath minor team in 1957 and played a prominent role in the senior success of 1967. Bertie received the Texaco footballer of the year award in 1967. Christy Barry: Played all his football with a very successful Skryne club and was on the winning juvenile and senior championships teams. A quiet and effective member of any team he played on. Dick Connell: Played his football with Carnaross, Drumbaragh and St Colmcille Gaels, winning junior intermediate and senior championships. Dick was also on the Leinster winning Meath junior team in 1958. Jim Keogh. RIP. Played with a successful Athboy teams and also won a minor football championship with Kilberry. Jim died about nine years ago. His brother John was in attendance in Athboy. Tony Raleigh: Won a minor championship with Boyne Emmets. However injury forced him into early retirement. He subsequently embarked on a less threatening career with the Blue Lagoon Showband. Tom Mongey: Played his football with Rathkenny, Boyne Emmets, Slane and O'Mahony's. Captained Boyne Emmets to a minor championship. Tom played minor, junior and senior for the county. He was part of the All-Ireland winning Meath junior team in 1962. Dick McEnerney: Played his football for Kilskyre, Kells, Carnaross, Drumbaragh and St Colmcille Gaels. He won intermediate and senior championships in a successful career. Mattie Dolan: Played his football with Kilberry and was on a winning minor championship side. He travelled the world before settling down in Chelmsford England. Pat Lynch: Played his football with De La Salle O'Mahony's and Simonstown teams and was a member of a winning senior championship squad. Pat ended his footballing career with Simonstown Gaels where he continued playing until he was 40 years old. Liam Carter: Played all his football with Trim. After Liam hung up his boots he was elected a member of Trim Urban Council and the Meath VEC county committee. Raymond Murray: Raymond played his football with Kells before moving to England and continued playing over there. He is still a very active GAA man and is now the coach of Hendon Gaels, the Metropolitan police GAA club. Vincent Moran. RIP. Played all his football with De La Salle and the Commons before joining An Garda Siochanna. He died prematurely in 2000. Maureen widow of Vincent was in attendance in Athboy. Paddy Keogh. RIP. Played hurling and football with Trim. He won hurling and football championships while plating. Paddy was an avid GAA follower. He died tragically a few years ago. Kathleen widow of Paddy was in attendance in Athboy. Michael Collins: Played all his football with De La Salle. His first love was cycling in which he made a career of it representing Meath with distinction in the annual FBD Ras tour of Ireland. Tom King: Played his football with Enfield and was on a great team, which contested the juvenile final against Skryne. He immigrated to England but always maintained a great interest in the affairs of Meath football. Padraig McCormack: Padraig played with Kilmainhamwood winning an intermediate championship. He played minor, junior and senior for Meath. He was on the All-Ireland winning junior side in 1962. Selectors Con Kelley and John Holland were presented with a commemorative trophy on the evening to award them of the superb efforts they made while achieving the triumph in 1956. There was a separate presentation for Ultan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, who was part of the organising committee for the Athboy event, will soon retire from his position as VEC teacher. Ultan's work has included among many other things, County vocational Secretary for over 20 years and minor Committee secretary for 20 years. He has constantly worked in the interest of the GAA and was one of the main people who introduced ladies football to Co. Meath. The 50th anniversary of Meath's vocational triumph was a successful and enjoyable night for all. Thanks must go to Meath county GAA committee, Meath VEC committee and Leinster vocational schools committee for all their support. A great night was had by all and ended with the best 'sing song' to be heard in Athboy for over 50 years. Tweet

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