Introducing the men of '77
June 18, 2020
The Meath team that defeated Laois 3-20 to 1-13 in the semi final. Front l-r: Ken Rennicks, Peter Cromwell, Phil Smith, Gerry Farrelly, Martin Coyne, John Gibbons, Ollie O'Brien. Back l-r: Mick Ryan, Dermot Rennicks, Mick Collins, Cormac Rowe, Gerry McEntee, Ronan Giles, Kevin McConnell, Joe Cassells
Meath took on Dublin in the 1977 Leinster Senior Football Championship final. The Royals put up a brave show against the All Ireland champions losing out on a 1-9 to 0-8 scoreline. Dublin went on to beat Armagh in the All Ireland final. That same day Meath minors beat Kildare to claim the provincial title for the third time.
The match day programme carried the following Player Profiles
The men from Meath
Ronan Giles Navan O’Mahonys: Age 31. Playing his 3rd year in senior ranks. Won NFL in ’75 and O’Byrne Cup medal in 74 and ’77 and Meath SFC in ’73. Employed at Tara Mines
Mick Collins Seneschalstown: Age 31. Won NFL medal ’75 and O’Byrne Cup medals ’74 and ’77. He collected Meath SFC medal ’72, Intermediate championship medal ’67 and minor ’64. Farmer.
Kevin McConnell Castletown: Age 23. Kevin’s father, also Kevin was on the Meath ’49 All Ireland winning team. First made senior grade ’73. Won O’Byrne Cup medal in ’77. Work study engineer.
Dermot Rennicks Bohermeen Martry Harps: Age 24. Third year in senior grade. Won O’Byrne Cup medal ’77. Brother to Ken. Farmer.
Phil Smith St. Patricks: Won Leinster minor medal ’72, O’Byrne Cup medal ’74 and ’77 and NFL medal ’75. Cousin to former Meath great Pat ‘Red’ Collier. Employed with Roadstone.
Mick Ryan Skryne: Age 22. Son of great Tipperary hurler, Mick Ryan. Fourth year on the Meath senior side. Won NFL medal in ’75, O’Byrne Cup in ’74 and ’77 as well as Leinster minor medal in ‘72.
Martin Coyle (capt) Summerhill: Age 25. Like Kevin McConnell has connections with the ’49 team, his uncle Charlie Smith was on that winning side. Won NFL medal in ’75 and O’Byrne Cup medals in ’74 and ’77. Won Meath SFC medals in ’74, ’75 and ’76. Farmer.
Joe Cassells Navan O’Mahonys: Age 22. Holds O’Byrne Cup medals ’74 and ’77, NFL medal in ’75 as well as a Leinster minor medal ’72. Won Meath SFC medal ’73. Electrician
Gerry McEntee Nobber: Age 21. Won All Ireland club championship medal with UCD ’75, Sigerson Cup ’75 and ’77 as well as O’Byrne Cup medal ’77 and NFL medal ’75. Student.
Ollie O’Brien Walterstown: Age 25. Was on the successful NFL winning team ’75 and O’Byrne Cup team ’74. Won Meath Under 21 championship medal ’69 and Feis Cup trophy ’76. Cabinet maker.
Ken Rennicks Bohermeen Martry Harps: Age 27. First made the Meath senior team late ’69, regular since except when injured. His medals include Railway Cup ’73, Leinster senior ’70, O’Byrne Cup ’74 and ’77. Carrolls All Star ’75 and ’76. Meath Player of the Year ’74. Employed at Tara Mines.
John Gibbons Summerhill: Age 30. John won Connacht minor championship medals with Mayo in ’63 and ’64, Under 21 in ’67 and ’68, junior in ’70. Won All Ireland Under 21 with Mayo in ’67 and was on Connacht Railway Cup team ’73. Holds Connacht Colleges SH medals ’61 and ’65. With Meath he won NFL ’75, O’Byrne Cup ’74 and ’77 and county championship medal 1975. Teacher.
Cormac Rowe Syddan: Age 27. Third year on the Meath senior team. Won NFL medal ’75 and O’Byrne Cup ’74 and ’77. Farmer.
Mattie Kerrigan Summerhill: Age 33. Captained last years team. Eleven years on Meath senior side. Won All Ireland medal in ’67 and Leinster senior medal ’67 and ’70. He also won Leinster junior medal ’64, NFL medal ’75, O’Byrne Cup medals ’74 and ’77. Carrolls all Star and Meath Footballer of the Year ’75. Mattie won Meath SFC medals ’74, ’75 and ’76 and a SHC medal in ’69 and ’76. Farmer.
Peter Cromwell Seneschalstown: Age 25. Won O’Byrne Cup medal ’77. His Meath championship medals include SF in ’72, U21 ’70, ’71 and ’72, minor ’69 and ’70. Factory Technician.
Meath subs: Connie McGrath Moylagh, Brendan Murray Donaghmore, Gerry Farrelly Moylagh, PJ O’Halloran United Gaels, Robbie McMahon Wolfe Tones, Pat Traynor Moylagh, Gerry Reynolds Walterstown, Donal Clarke Syddan, Damien Sheridan Navan O’Mahonys, Christy Donegan Castletown, Sean White Skryne, Mick McQuillan St. Pats, Tom Duff Syddan
Meath selectors: Pat O’Neill Chairman County Board (St. Colmcilles), Liam Creavin Secretary County Board Navan O’Mahonys), Peter McDermott Navan O’Mahonys), Sean McCormack Kilmainhamwood, Joe Tormey Donaghmore, Michael O’Brien (Walterstown) who is also team trainer, Colm Cromwell Skryne.
