Though Rathkenny's first year back in the Senior Football Championship ended with a heavy quarter-final defeat against Dunboyne, they certainly proved beyond doubt that they are more than fit for life in the top flight. Former Walterstown and Meath player Eamonn O'Brien did a tremendous job with Rathkenny in 2006 when they appeared to pounce from nowhere to win the Intermediate Championship and then completed a significant double by winning the A League Div. 3 title - both with final victories over Drumconrath. It was a very proud moment for captain Donal Curtis and all concerned with the club when they carried the Mattie McDonnell Cup out of Pairc Tailteann last October and they could look forward to the wonderful prospect of playing their football in the Senior Championship for the first time in many a long day. O'Brien, a former county selector when Sean Boylan was manager, was still there as coach for 2007 and Paddy Timmons, Tommy Martin and Gerry Gavagan were the fellow selectors. And how Rathkenny grasped the opportunity on their return to the top flight as they took the competition by storm with victories in their opening two games to set themselves firmly on the road to the business end of the championship. They were drawn in group C and it looked a big ask of them to reach the knockout stages at the first attempt with Walterstown, Seneschalstown, Trim and St. Patrick's also in the mix. But they rose to the challenges of senior football admirably and demonstrated tremendous self-belief to get off the mark with a dramatic first round victory over Trim at Kilberry. Points from Brian Meade, Owen Elliott, Michael McBride and Thomas Martin (two) enabled Rathkenny to lead by 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval as county player John Donegan proved very influential and they were boosted by a superb save from goalkeeper John Martin early in the second period when he deprived the dangerous Paul Gilsenan of a goal. However, Trim pushed ahead and looked set for their second successive victory of the group campaign when they held a two-point advantage with just three minutes of normal time to play. But Rathkenny were in no mood to surrender and reduced the deficit to the minimum with a Donegan point, before Curtis drew them level from a well-struck 40-metre free. They weren't satisfied with a share of the spoils though and Thomas Martin had the final say with a brilliant winning point as it finished 0-11 to 0-10. It represented a dream start. Scores weren't exactly plentiful when Rathkenny met O'Brien's former club Walterstown in their second group match at Pairc Tailteann, but the result was highly significant as they made it back-to-back wins with a 0-8 to 0-6 triumph to move to the top of the section on four points. The vastly experienced Donal Curtis was brilliant in the Rathkenny defence, David and John Donegan proved very influential and Thomas Martin made a highly significant contribution to the cause with five points. They led by 0-5 to 0-2 at the interval and when Martin added two more points early in the second period they were looking very good. Brian Meade demonstrated his undoubted ability with a stunning point, but Rathkenny failed to score in the last quarter which left them vulnerable to a Walterstown comeback. Walterstown did gradually discover some form, but Rathkenny continued to defend very well and were two points to the good when the final whistle sounded. Maximum points from two outings represented an excellent return in the quest for a quarter-final ticket, especially with the championship being staged in smaller groups this year which left little room for major slip-ups. Rathkenny didn't manage to beat St. Patrick's in their third round match, also at Pairc Tailteann, but they didn't lose it either as they finished level (1-10 each). That was enough to achieve mission number one with a place in the knockout stages of the Keegan Cup race at the first time of asking. Richie Timmons secured a share of the spoils for Rathkenny with an equalising point two minutes from the end, while another key moment came six minutes into the second half when goalkeeper Martin made a fine save from a Daithi Whyte penalty. This was a very close encounter throughout, with the sides level on no fewer than 11 occasions, including 1-6 each at half-time. Timmons had scored the Rathkenny goal after 20 minutes, but that was followed quickly by a goal for the Stamullen men from Whyte who punished slack play at the back. There was little or nothing in it after that, but with Rathkenny enduring a 15-minute scoreless spell late in the second period and kicking five wides during that spell they were in real danger of suffering a narrow defeat. But Timmons had the last word with that equaliser and the pressure was off as far as qualification was concerned. Still, Rathkenny would undoubtedly have liked to defeat Seneschalstown in their final group assignment, again at Pairc Tailteann. But it didn't work out that way as an ever-improving Yellow Furze outfit deservedly won by six points (1-12 to 0-9), with the brilliant Joe Sheridan leading the way with 1-6 from play. John Donegan was again very effective for Rathkenny who went close to goaling in the opening quarter when Brian Meade saw his shot come back off the crossbar. Seneschalstown held a slender 0-7 to 0-6 interval advantage and the match remained close until the start of the last quarter. The sides were locked together on 0-9 apiece with 13 minutes remaining, but it was all Seneschalstown after that as they went on to add 1-3 without replay. Sheridan's goal put them ahead by 1-10 to 0-9 and they tagged on a further two points as their confidence grew to copper-fasten their position of authority. It was Rathkenny's only group defeat and they still topped their division on five points. Surprisingly, they had scored only 1-38 in four matches up to that stage and it was clear that they would have to improve on that particular side of their game as they prepared for a very tough assignment against Dunboyne in the quarter-finals. That match took place at Pairc Tailteann on the fourth Sunday of September and brought by far their heaviest defeat of the championship when the St. Peter's men won by 10 points (3-10 to 1-6) despite kicking nine wides in the first half and five more in the second. As Dunboyne missed chances, Rathkenny took theirs better in the early stages and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after 17 minutes thanks to points from David Donegan, after a good run up the right wing, Michael McBride and Brian Meade. Stephen Moran's goal helped Dunboyne push into a comfortable lead, but Richie Timmons raised Rathkenny hopes when he found the net soon after to leave his side adrift by only 1-3 to 1-5 at the change of ends. Rathkenny managed to add only three further points to their tally in the second period and with Dunboyne creating plenty of chances they always looked capable of pushing clear. The pressure eventually told and with Ger Robinson contributing a personal haul of 2-2 in the half it was a very comfortable victory by the end. Defeat by such a wide margin obviously wasn't the end to the championship campaign Rathkenny were hoping for, but this year was very much a learning experience and they will certainly have benefited from the whole adventure. They can take a huge amount of positives from the year, have plenty to look forward to in 2008 and beyond and have already demonstrated that they are up to the demands of football at this level. Also, the fact that they came from almost nowhere to win the intermediate title, compared to other sides that struggled for many years before making the breakthrough, should mean they are fresh and that can only stand to them as they continue to settle into senior football. "We were very happy to reach the quarter-finals, especially in our first year up," commented Rathkenny's John Reid as he reflected on a very satisfactory championship campaign. "We made a very good start by winning our first two games against Trim and Walterstown which was important. "After that we drew with St. Patrick's which put us through. There was a good feeling in the camp during the championship after the successes of the year before." Rathkenny's hopes of making it through to the last four in the battle for the Keegan Cup were dashed by Dunboyne at the quarter-final hurdle. Losing is always disappointing, but there were so many good points to take from the championship as a whole. "We would have liked to win that game, but the lads saw it as an achievement to get that far in their first year at senior level," Reid added. "Next year we will hope to improve again and build on that. It was a very good experience that should stand to us." Success at Adult Level once again Our Adult teams tried their hardest again this year. We will have a brief look at how our year went. We begin with the Junior C Team. We never really got going this year when a first round draw against St. Colmcilles was followed by defeat against Duleek. A draw against St. Mary's in round three meant we could go no further even though we received a walkover from Slane. Rathkenny B League team reached their second successive final, when after drawing our first game with St. Patrick's, Stamullen, we put up big winning scores against St. Vincent's and then Bective, before defeat to Dunshaughlin and Drumconrath meant we needed to win our remaining games to have any chance of promotion. Subsequent victories over Simonstown and Dunsany would mean that a high scoring victory (by more than 11 points) in our last game away to Moylagh would be enough. We put in a great display to win by 19 points. A final against unbeaten Dunshaughlin, but more importantly, promotion to Division 3 was the result. B League Div 4 Final Rathkenny secure title with single point win. Behind with four minutes to go, Rathkenny got the vital last two scores of the game to win an enthralling final in sunny Simonstown. Rathkenny 0-13 Dunshaughlin 2-06 The north Meath outfit were quick out of the blocks with top scorer Richie Timmons putting over after 36 seconds. Timmons then had a great chance to net when after great work, he rounded the Dunshaughlin net minder but his effort cannoned off the crossbar before Cody Reilly pointed the rebound. Dunshaughlin steadied the ship with a pointed free, before levelling matters on the ten minute mark. Darren Barron restored Rathkenny's lead before Dunshaughlin hit the front for the first time. After pointing from a 21st minute free they went ahead after being awarded a penalty two minutes later. It was converted off the butt of the post. Rathkenny dug deep and scored three points on the lead up to half time. Frees from Timmons and Barron were followed in the second minute of first half injury time with a fisted effort from Derrick Smith, to leave it all square at the break. Rathkenny brought on Colin Curtis at half time and after Timmons pointed from a free; Curtis extended the lead by the 38th minute. Dunshaughlin added a second goal ten minutes into the second half to lead once more. When they pointed from a free four minutes later, they seemed to be getting the upper hand. However when Rathkenny scored three times in the next four minutes to take the lead once more, we were in for an exciting last ten minutes. Rathkenny's scores came from a brace by Timmons and another great effort from Colin Curtis. Dunshaughlin took the lead once more with two points in the 54th and 56th minute, but Rathkenny were not to be outdone and substitute Emmet Martin calmly slotted the equaliser with three minutes of play resuming. Timmons got his all important sixth point in the 58th minute and try at they might Dunshaughlin just could not get another score. Captain Dermot Downey accepted the cup on behalf of a delighted Rathkenny team. Rathkenny - T. Fleming; A. Englishby, J. Curtis, K. Leddy; N. Curtis, D. McBride, R. Martin; J. Macken, D. Smith (0-1); D. Barron (0-2), B. Carolan, P. Downey; F. Reilly, R. Timmons (0-6), C. Reilly (0-1). Subs - C. Curtis (0-2) for P. Downey, C. Gore for Leddy, E. Martin (0-1) for C. Reilly, Unused subs - D. Downey, L. Murray, L. Goodwin, R. Caffrey, R. Drew, B. Kelly, This was Rathkennys' fifth adult trophy in three years. This really is a fantastic achievement for all concerned. The Rathkenny first team had a frustrating A League Division 2 campaign. Without John Donegan for most of the campaign we had early victories over Cortown, Oldcastle and Syddan with defeat by Drumconrath. A disappointing defeat to Ratoath, was followed by defeat to St. Colmcilles. Victory over Carnaross was our last of the campaign as subsequent losses to Dunderry, Castletown, Kilmainhamwood and Simonstown meant we finished in the lower half of the table but we importantly are still in Division 2 for the 2008 campaign. A big push for promotion to Division One must be a goal for next year. Our senior team did us proud, in our first year back at the grade in over 80 years, reaching the quarterfinal of the Championship before going down to 2005 Champions Dunboyne. We were many peoples favourites to go straight back down to the Intermediate grade, but we opened a few eyes with our great displays over Trim and Walterstown before a draw with St. Pat's Stamullen ensured that not only did we remain in the Senior ranks, but more importantly reached the quarterfinals with a game to play. Seneschalstown beat us in the final group game before we eventually succumbed to a more clinical Dunboyne side in September in a game we really never got going in. Special thanks to Eamon O'Brien, whose continued commitment has helped to improve our first team players again this year. Thanks also to Donal Curtis and Glenn Carpenter for all the nights they took training and to our physio, Deirdre Maguire, for all her hard work ensuring we were as fit as possible this year. We would like to congratulate selectors Gerry Gavagan, Paddy Timmons and Tommy Martin on their successful year with both Adult teams. It was very tough at times this year with so many hours spent deliberating over team selections, but it was well worth the effort. We would also like to pay tribute to our Chairman Larry Murray and all fellow members of the committee, on the hard work put in this year in making our grounds look so well and continually improving the facilities. For continuing to find the resources necessary to keep the club going from strength to strength, credit where credit is due. We embarked on a major fundraising initiative this year which culminated in our very successful "Super Draw". A special word of thanks to everyone, who put in the effort to sell tickets, and to those who helped when we sold tickets in Navan Shopping Centre, thanks again. It was great to see that the majority of prizes were won by people in the local community. Thanks also to all our sponsors this year, especially main sponsors Lagan Group for their continued support during the year. Thanks also to all who have bought advertising signs this year. We still have a few spaces if you would like your company name associated with our club. Rathkenny GFC Tweet

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