Summerhill Capture Keegan Cup

(by Noel Coogan)
The SAM MAGUIRE and Keegan Cups haven't got around much over the last twelve years. In that period 'Sam' was feted in only Kerry, Dublin and Offaly, while coincidentally just three clubs -Summerhill, Walterstown and Navan O'Mahonys captured Meath Senior football championship honours.

Summerhill and Walterstown (five each) and O'Mahonys (three) is the title score since 1974. Kerry's '86 triumph was anticipated by many, but Summerhill's success was something of a surprise.

Back in the '70's, Summerhill had brought a lot of glamour to the Meath club scene. They were to the local game what O'Mahonys were in the 'fifties, Kilbride in the 'sixties and later Walterstown in the 'eighties.

Summerhill supporters, from Summerhill and around the county, were thrilled by the heroic deeds of men like Mattie Kerrigan, Austin Lyons, Donie Mooney, Tom Flynn, P. J. Gannon, Martin Coyne, John Gibbons, Tom Gibbons, Johnny Colgan, Benny Keogh, Fergus Fagan etc., etc.

Summerhill have won five Senior Football Championships and attempting to pick a best 15 from all the players who brought so much glory to the picturesque South Meath village would be impossible.

When the 'Hill captured Intermediate honours in 1972, Mattie Kerrigan and Austin Lyons were easily the best-known wearers of the blue and gold. Kerrigan had been a key member of the Meath team since 1967, and Lyons was a substitute on the All-Ireland winning side of 1967.

Then when Summerhill re-emerged as Meath football kingpins in 1986, again they were spearheaded by two county stars, this time Mick Lyons and Padraig Lyons. The Lyons brothers and O'Mahonys' decision to give Nobber a 'walk-over' at the quarter-final stage were the main reasons for The 'Hill triumph.

Mick and Padraig 'made' the game which was otherwise a disappointing final against Seneschalstown. Their catching and kicking was a joy to watch.

John Lyons, a young brother of Austin and Paddy of the 'seventies and a cousin of Mick, Padraig and Terry, was another shining star of the September 28th encounter. Significantly when the Lyons contingent did not hit top form against Nobber, Summerhill nearly bit the dust.

Such a situation prompts the following question - How many of the rest of the '86 final team could realistically challenge for a place on a best Summerhill side? Definitely Pat Jennings and Noel Young.

Strong half-back Jennings is a link with the '77 success when Mick Lyons and Noel Young came on in the closing stages of the final victory. Young was brilliant in the latest success.

Young served as sub. goalkeeper to Bobby White in Summerhill's earlier successes. Noel was between the posts for the 1975 J.F.C. victory and at left full-back was a promising youngster called Mick Lyons! Since then Young has proved himself a very competent outfield performer.

Summerhill were outsiders when starting the 1986 S.F.C. campaign. Their initial game was against Skryne on a May Friday evening in Dunshaughlin and a decisive 1-10 to 0-4 victory was sweet revenge for a quarter-final defeat by the Blues in 1985.

The 'Hill's first three games in the competition were at Dunshaughlin. Moynalvey and St. Patrick's were defeated by ten and fourteen points respectively. Syddan held the champions to three points, but that victory put Padraig Lyons' side through to the semi-finals and the draw also favoured them.

Former Tipperary dual star, Michael 'Babs' Keating, coached Summerhill during the early part of the season. Then when Keating was appointed as coach to his county's senior hurling team former, '1-fill star player and clever coach, Mattie Kerrigan was persuaded to take over following the elimination of Meath's minors and under-21s.

Mattie Kerrigan admitted that Summerhill had a lucky let-off against Nobber. The 'Hill failed to score in the second-half of that game which they won by 1-6 to 0-8. Perhaps a hard training stint in preparation for the Australian Tour the previous day affected Mick and Padraig Lyons.

Dennis Murtagh was sent off in that game and missed the final through suspension. Young Peter Nangle was a surprise choice in attack for the decider. He was taken off in the second-half at the expense of Andy Young who, in turn, was replaced by veteran John Gibbons, the remaining player from the Meath v Mayo 1967 All-Ireland semi-final.

Former Trim player Robert Munnelly scored five goals in the earlier rounds. Former Kildare minor and Meath under-21 for the last two years, Eugene Gorry sent over three points in each of the last two crucial matches.

With Mick Lyons and Noel Young winning the midfield battle over Colm Coyle and Mattie McCabe, Summerhill should have had a wider margin than the 0-13 to 1-8 final whistle scoreline.

Mick and Padraig Lyons, shared three terrific points and both left the Kells ground with a trophy. Padraig had the Keegan Cup, and Mick the 'man of the match' trophy. Full-forward, Christy McNevin was another to have a good final, scoring two points.

Now that Summerhill have tasted the sweet success again they will be very keen to sample more in 1987. The O'Mahonys, Seneschalstown and Nobber in particular, will be anxious to take the champs down a peg or two.

Meath Senior Champions 1986 (Click for larger image)