Just reading the article about the Paddy Carpenter and it mentioned the infamous game Syddan-Rathkenny IFC clash in 1940
I asked the father and he didnt know , Can anyone from Rathkenny or Syddan shine a bit of light on the subject

lagoreX (Meath) - Posts: 223 - 12/02/2014 09:30:13    1545031

The game was in Rathkenny but between Castletown and Syddan

missingjerseys (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 12/02/2014 10:00:53    1545037

Missing jerseys is correct , Tom Keegan was injured in the IFC Semi-Final against Castletown , in Rathkenny . I'm not sure however , but in 1930's the Castletown team at that time won the Feis Cup Vs (Martry Harps) which then was as important as the championship . And on that winning team was a Tom Keegan . Knowing the way players moved between clubs in that era , is it possible that the Tom Keegan that was critically injured in that intermediate Semi final against Castletown , had previously won the Feis Cup with Castletown ..... can anyone shed some light on this ......

Chaisleain_Abu (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 12/02/2014 14:38:01    1545184

Oh 'twas a fine game if memory serves me well

mclovin96 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 12/02/2014 18:15:26    1545315

@Chaiseain_Abu I am getting a new flashlamp tomorrow and will shed light on it then

RampantEddie (Meath) - Posts: 12 - 12/02/2014 19:20:59    1545367

Maith an buachail rampant Eddie , ensure the batteries are Duracell

Chaisleain_Abu (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 13/02/2014 08:48:52    1545455

As rampant Eddie wasn't able to shine any further light on the 1936 -1940 Syddan discussion , I carried out my own research and I can confirm that Tom Keegan and 4 other well known Syddan names did indeed earn themselves a Feis Cup medal in the 30's while playing / been part of the Castletown team that won the Feis Cup in the 30's . And unfortunately I have to differ with Eddie , it appears the game was a rather dour affair . Though there aren't many left that can comment on that either.

Chaisleain_Abu (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 17/02/2014 09:26:28    1547146

So Am I right in thinking its infamous becuase Syddan had a rake of castletown lads playing for them??
There was me hoping it was something decent like the Skyrne Kilbride SFC Final with Marty Quinn taking the ball

summerhillof69 (Meath) - Posts: 228 - 17/02/2014 11:48:49    1547233

Summerhillof69 , it was a bit more than just knocking over a table and running into a dressing room like a spoilt child . The injury obtained by Tom Keegan in the match was so severe that he passed a way . Thus "infamous" . And the Syddan contingent were legal members of the panel for the Feis cup .... A bit of History for you there Summerhillof69

Chaisleain_Abu (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 17/02/2014 15:05:54    1547421

This indeed is a very infamous game played on 25th August 1940.

I suppose it could have slipped away as time passed by but the Syddan club decided to honour the late Tom Keegan and herefore this game or indeed Tom Keegan will never be forgotten in Meath GAA circles.

The report says that half way through the 2nd half in Rathkenny, Tom Keegan along with 4 or 5 others went for a high ball and when the group broke he was lying on the ground badly hurt with a head injury. He was removed to his home and then to the Richmond Hospital where he died 2 days later.
All reports from eye witness were unanimious in the opinion that the fatal injury was purely accidental and no blame was attached to any player.
A vote of sympathy was proposed by the great Joe Curran (Castletown) at the September County Board meeting.

The referee's report stated "During the 1st 15 minutes of the second half Tom Keegan went off injured and was brought to hospital but died of a result of his injuries. No blame could be attached to anyone, it was tragic, the simple way it happened. May he rest in peace"

The game was finshed and Castletown beat Syddan 1-7 to 1-3.

Rathkennys pitch locally is called the "Kill Field" not sure if that is the correct spelling could be "Cille" and I think it was be because of this unfortunate incident

glenny (Meath) - Posts: 1119 - 17/02/2014 17:41:36    1547595

Well researched Glenny except that Syddan won 1-7 to 1-3

Havoc (Meath) - Posts: 296 - 17/02/2014 17:57:03    1547608

Thanks Glenny.

The topic was losing direction and more of how great Castletown where when they won the Feis Cup in 1930 something aided (as was there right) by a few lads from Syddan.

This was a Historic and sadly Tragic incident in Meath GAA and the Keegan Cup is one of the finest Cups in Club football in Ireland.

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 219 - 17/02/2014 18:13:32    1547622

Thanks lads

summerhillof69 (Meath) - Posts: 228 - 18/02/2014 13:37:14    1547949

For clarification , the thread was started due to the passing of the great P Carpenter of Syddan .Who was was one of the last links with the infamous IFC games of the 1940s.With due respect nobody mentioned how great Castletown were during that era.

Chaisleain_Abu (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 22/02/2014 15:53:35    1549997

No one commented how good Castletown were because any one who was around can barely remember or have since passed on

whitewood.rover (Meath) - Posts: 3 - 23/02/2014 19:00:32    1550378