Junior B Title for Summerhill

Summerhill 1-9

Walterstown 1-6

Dunsany proved to be a happy hunting ground for Summerhill once again as they edged out a well fancied Walterstown side in a keenly contested JFC B Final in October 2002. The previous year, the seniors preserved their senior status at the same venue. This time their strong blend of youth and experience paved the way for a spirited display in both halves.

Minute by minute round-up of the final;

1st min - From the throw-in, Walterstown played it forward and Jarlath Hughes was out in front to make an inspiring catch and was tripped on his way out. His free-kick was well caught by Tommy Lynch, and Shane Gray won possession only to be fouled by Conor McGrane (who was booked for a second foul in a minute).

4th min - Trevor Conaty was fouled and Alan Browne pointed from the resulting free. 0-1, 0-0.

5th min - An instant reply from Summerhill. Willie Ryan's kickout was gathered by Paul Rispin who passed it to Tommy Lynch. Tommy slipped it inside to Joey Farrell who pointed from 20 metres out. A well worked score for the 'Hill which started from defence.

7th min - Nigel Thompson prevented Alan Browne from getting through for a goal but was judged to have fouled the former Meath player. Browne pointed the resulting free.

8th min - Again Summerhill instantly replied. Thompson won a high ball off Browne. Jarlath Hughes picked it up and released Joey Farrell on a solo run. Brian Ennis received it and done a great 'one-two' with Éamonn Loughrey before giving to Shane Gray to score a spectacular long range point to level the scores at 0-2, 0-2.

10th min - Alan Browne and Alan Reynolds kicked three scoreable chances wide.

15th min - Cathal Ennis was winning his dual and Nigel Thompson's long ball was put wide by Tommy Lynch from a very tight angle on the right.

Cathal Ennis improved in every match in 2002.

16th min - The resulting kickout broke to Paul Rispin who soloed the ball once and struck an excellent point from 40 yards. Summerhill took the lead for the first time, 0-3, 0-2.

17th min - The experienced and inspiring centre-half back Jarlath Hughes made a superb catch facing his own goalposts. It typified Summerhill's spirit throughout the entire game.

The experience of Jarlath Hughes was essential and he put in a man of the match performance in the final.

18th min - Again the Summerhill defence were playing soundly when Éamonn Loughrey found Jarlath Hughes who was fouled late. Derek O'Brien kicked another wide for Walterstown.

Éamonn Loughrey was 'Mr.Reliable' for the year, consistent performer.

20th min - Marcus Fagan was playing a blinder in defence and he dispossessed Conor McGrane before passing to Paul Rispin. Again, Rispin's left footed kick sailed between the posts to double the scores. Summerhill 0-4, Walterstown 0-2.

Paul Rispin kicked over 2 long range points in the final and was a dangerous forward all year for the 'Hill.

21st min - Shane Gray and Joey Farrell were winning the midfield battle and made some good catches.

Shane Gray and Joey Farrell scored 3 points between them and their workrate was immense.

22nd min - Nigel Thompson made a brilliant block to deny Ronan Conaty scoring a certain point. Alan Browne was booked as his frustration showed at Summerhill's defensive dominance.

Nigel Thompson was one of the players of the year and had his best year in the 'Hill colours.

23rd min - Tommy Lynch was fouled 25 yards out to the left of the posts. Stephen McDonnell's free dropped short and Tommy Lynch fisted into the back of the net. A well taken opportunist goal for Summerhill! 1-4, 0-2.

24th min - Summerhill were making good advantage of the strong wind. Marcus Fagan passed to Tommy Lynch, he got the return from Stephen McDonnell and Lynch pulled on the loose ball to score another point for the 'Hill'.

Tommy Lynch's tally of 1-2 and fitness in the final was vital.

25th min - Marcus Fagan made a good catch and passed to Shane Gray. He went on a 30 yard run and kicked another beauty from 30 yards out. Summerhill were pulling away while their opponents couldn't find the posts! 1-6, 0-2.

Marcus Fagan was superb in the semi-final and final.

28th min - Another Alan Browne free was dropped short and Jarlath Hughes and Conor Martin averted the danger away from Willie Ryan's goal.

Victorious captain, Conor Martin had a steady year at corner back.

30th min - Jarlath Hughes' long ball reached Declan Martin and his shot was struck straight at the Walterstown goalkeeper.

Declan Martin had a good year at corner forward for the 'Hill.

Half-time score-line: Summerhill 1-6, Walterstown 0-2.

1st min - The rain lashed down as Shane Gray was wrongly judged to have over-carried the ball .... justice was done as Derek O'Brien put the free-kick wide of the posts.

2nd min - Willie Ryan's kickout was blowing back towards him in the wind. Jarlath Hughes still managed to catch it and Shane Gray lifted the seige with a clearance and was fouled late.

3rd min - Alan Browne was fouled by Nigel Thompson and Browne pointed himself.

4th min - Joey Farrell passed to the right sideline. Eoin O'Neill picked it up and ran at the defender before kicking superbly from a very tight angle between the posts. 1-7, 0-3.

Eoin O'Neill was a good targetman at full forward and scored a great point in the final.

8th min - Joey Farrell and Cathal Ennis made two great catches but Derek O'Brien pointed another free for Walterstown from close range.

9th min - Brian Rispin replaced Declan Martin. Willie Ryan's kickout reached Paul Rispin. His kick was brilliantly caught by Tommy Lynch. He gave it to Shane Gray who slipped the ball into Stephen McDonnell and he composed himself and kicked it over the bar. A great team score for Summerhill. It was now a 7 point gap, but Walterstown had a strong breeze behind them. 1-8, 0-4.

Stephen McDonnell was an effective forward throughout the year.

11th min - Joey Farrell got booked for 2 minor fouls and Willie Ryan made a good catch in front of his goals.

12th min - A long ball from midfield was touched to the net by Alan Browne for Walterstown's only score from play. It gave them a glimmer of hope. 1-8, 1-4.

13th min - Nigel Thompson got booked as Summerhill tried to slow the game down.

16th min - Derek O'Brien pointed another free to put just a goal between the sides.

18th min - Brian Ennis was winning some good possession and Conor Martin was out in front of his man every time.

Young Brian Ennis made a great contribution on the road to the final and in the decider.

19th min - A great move by Summerhill almost provided a goal. Joey Farrell, Marcus Fagan and Brian Rispin combined to find Stephen McDonnell in the corner. It fell to Tommy Lynch who returned it to Rispin on a solo run. His high ball into the penalty area was fisted by Brian Ennis but somehow a Walterstown defender scrambled the ball to safety.

23rd min - Walterstown could've levelled the game with a glorius chance in front of goal. Willie Ryan spread himself well and made a heroic save from Martin Mohan's shot.

Willie Ryan had one of his greatest performances in the final and was an example to all.

26th min - The Summerhill defence was like a brick wall after that. Brian Rispin and Shane Gray forced Sean Callaghan to miss his chance. Rispin was playing in a sweeper-like roll and was picking up a lot of loose balls.

27th min - David Gannon replaced Eoin O'Neill. 'Red' had a hard year with injury but played his part.

28th min - It was very tense times for Summerhill as Walterstown were piling on the pressure. Mark McGrane's hand-pass was somehow intercepted by Brian Rispin in front of the goals. Alan Browne was in for a certain goal if it was missed!

Brian Rispin came on as substitute and played a vital role in defence for the 'Hill.

29th min - Nigel Thompson was yet again out in front of Browne to make an important interception.

30th min - Time was up as Brian Rispin found brother Paul with a pass. He ran down the sideline and passed inside to his cousin David Gannon. The ball came back out to Joey Farrell who made a huge jump to catch the ball above his tiring marker. He gave the ball into Shane Gray, who in turn released it to Tommy Lynch who kicked the 'insurance' point for the 'Hill. A big roar went up among the fans on the sideline. A magnificent team score at a time when they really needed it. 1-9, 1-5.

31st min - Ronan Conaty pointed from a free what was only a consolation score.

32nd min - Cathal Ennis won a loose ball and the referee blew the final whistle. Summerhill had won their long awaited Junior B crown!

The Summerhill team in the final was: 1.W.Ryan; 2.C.Ennis, 3.N.Thompson, 4.C.Martin (c); 5.É.Loughrey, 6.J.Hughes, 7.M.Fagan; 8.S.Gray (0-2), 9.J.Farrell (0-1); 10.P.Rispin (0-2), 11.T.Lynch (1-2), 12.B.Ennis; 13.D.Martin, 14.E.O'Neill (0-1), 15.S.McDonnell (0-1). Subs.: B.Rispin for D.Martin, D.Gannon for O'Neill.

Other squad members who played a vital part in the success of 2002 but unfortunately didn't play a part in the final.

John Comey was captain in previous years before making the senior breakthrough in 2002.

Colin Dunne was a consistent goalkeeper all year 'round.

Gary Thompson played a part in the success and was unlucky with injury.

Cousin's Éamonn O'Shea and Alan Bruton were unlucky not to get a run in the final.

Ronan Carey and PJ McDonnell were experienced members of the squad and played their part.

Brian Comey and Finian Loughrey were fighting for a starting place all year.

Maurice Kennedy, Conor Foley and Mark Lynch, 3 young players with bright futures.

The victorious Junior B squad and mentors of 2002 (click on picture for larger image)

Back row left to right - Noel Young (selector), Gary Thompson, Brian Comey, Maurice Kennedy, Conor Foley, Cathal Ennis, Éamonn O'Shea, Brian Rispin, Marcus Fagan, Shane Gray, PJ McDonnell, Tommy Lynch, Alan Bruton, Colin Dunne, Willie Ryan, Eoin O'Neill, Ronan Carey, Declan McDonnell (selector), Christy Ryan (selector). Front row - John Comey, Mark Lynch, Finian Loughrey, Eugene Larkin (selector), Éamonn Loughrey, Brian Ennis, David Gannon, Conor Martin, Stephen McDonnell, Declan Martin, Paul Rispin, Joey Farrell, Nigel Thompson, Jarlath Hughes.

A proud moment for both Conor Martin (captain) and Colm Gannon (former captain).