Summerhill Come So Close To Lifting Old Man Keegan

Without much doubt Navan O'Mahonys were again the outstanding team on the Meath football circuit of 1990. Walterstown surprised the town team within their championship section while many deemed up and coming Seneschalstown as very unlucky not to have come out of Kells that first semi day with their neighbours scalp. But the biggest treat to the O'Mahonys came from Meaths far south, from Summerhill. In the league and the championship the Hill were always in there barking at the heels of O'Mathúna. In the first meeting Summerhill produced a great recovery coming from six points down to level matters at 0-12 to 3-3, with the big crowd on the edge of their seats.

Earlier O'Mahonys and with first half wind assistance were the dominant force, picking off a series of points to keep in front. Summerhill had their pointing chances certainly but a lack of confidence in placing the ball over the bar, a big limitation in both those finals, was a serious drawback and indeed a long range effort from that wily warrior Gerry McEntee showed the kids how it could be done. This and a Micky McDonnell fourth minute goal, a perfect start and following a mix up in the Navan rearguard left it 1-1, 0-9 at the break. Third quarter white flag from Bob Munnelly and Billy Shaw were more than cancelled out as O'Mahonys held that snug lead with only 12 mins left. Poacher Munnelly struck for that first 3 pointer after Captain John Lyons completed the spadework. The Hill continued to press but the retiral of McEntee with a broken wrist appeared to knock their challenge on the head. Instead it was to have the opposite effect, typified by Padraig Lyons as he burst through the heart of the O'Mahonys defence. Lyons' ground shot was pushed out, McDonnell had a go but the ball fell to young Stephen McNally who completed the necessary. It was in the next few minutes that the Hill should have kicked the lead score. O'Mathúna were obviously shell shocked and the old Summerhill team of the 70's would have applied the killing finishing touches. The Kildare bordermen had the chances at the end, but sadly for them and their large support, they didn't have a player of Kane or Murtaghs ability to attempt and notch the winner.

Druim Samhraidh for the replay had a strong gale and driving showers at their backs in the opening half, and yet failed to find the target from play. They depended on a few Billy Shaw frees to give them some hope even allowing for the fact that O'Mahonys had Joe Cassells dismissed early on. One wondered who was enjoying the advantages of the extra man as O'Mahonys kicked five top class points right into the teeth of the growling gale. Summerhill produced their best football over the two games during the third quarter, as they pulled the champions back to a mere one, 0-6 to 0-5 after conceding an early point and as in the opening game O'Mahonys were in a state of shell shock. The downpour that sent the below normal crowd scattering during the interval also dampened the force of the wind and the cry went up from the south county support 'why in hells name didn't we play like this in the first half'. From being in a position of well clear favourites Navan O'Mahonys now needed a break to reassert their authority on the game. It came through sub Paul Mallon who touched the ball twice in the lead up to Michael Downes goal which bobbled over Willie Ryans goal line. Summerhill's challenge, of a serious nature that is, was gone. O'Mahonys were now 1-11 to 1-5 up.

From all those big day appearances this was perhaps one of the youngest squads to emerge from Druim Samhraidh. A squad still to reach its peak. Mick and Padraig Lyons had been on the scene for quite a while but to call them old for club football would be a case of not checking the facts. Most of this team was made up of fellas in their mid-twenties and lads who have practically all pulled on a county underage jersey at some stage or another. Like Under U/21 provincial winners Billy Shaw in '90 and Eugene Gorry and Terry Lyons both in '85. Micky Mac was a regular Meath senior panelist for years while Bob Munnelly was on the Meath minors in '81. No complaints either from Hill supporters about keeper Willie Ryan. All GAA followers in Navan for the semi finals and finals had to be impressed with the strength and flair of Kieran Clavin and Jarlath Hughes. Then there was the dash of teenager Stephen McNally, representing the Hill of the future. And there are many talented youngsters in reserve. Coach Martin Coyne has gained respect from the players and the Hill management team have made many shrewd moves over the course of the year. The positioning of Padraig Lyons as the extra man during the second half of the decisive O'Mahonys game was the correct course. Good judges maintain that the extra man should always be a ball carrying half back. But perhaps those same selectors erred by not putting a more experienced player into the right full forward position for the opening half. The wind was not really in their favour, as many balls were carried out over the endline and wasted under the scoreboard. Summerhills problems lay in attack and when desperately required Bob Munnelly and Micky McDonnell are too alike to have in the same sector, and therefore do not compliment each other. Bring McDonnell out onto the forty and try to develop another Tom Gibbons. While the final was a bit of a marathon affair, Summerhill's track to Pairc Tailteann was a short one and there were no complaints down in the village when out of the hat they came with neighbours Moynalvey, Castletown, St.Michaels. All the big guns had been avoided. Castletown were easily outpointed 0-13 to 0-5 at Dunderry, B.Shaw 0-7,M.McDonnell and E.Gorry 0-2 each, J.Lyons and B.Munnelly 0-1 each. Then came the local derby with Moynalvey at Trim. 2-8 to 1-5. J.Lyons was in great form shooting 2-4, B.Munnelly 0-2, McDonnell and M.Lyons 0-1 each. Then St. Michaels opted out of the championship and Gaeil Colmcille elected not to play their match with the Hill when the county board requested, and were thrown out of the competition. So into the semis and injury stricken Walterstown fell 0-12 to 0-7 at Navan where Gerry McEntee made his debut for the Hill. Billy Shaw was top scorer that late August Sunday evening with 0-5, B.Munnelly 0-3, J.Lyons 0-2, S.McNally and M.McDonnell 0-1 each.

The Summerhill team and scorers in the drawn final was: W.Ryan, N.Young, T.Lyons, A.Young, K.Clavin, P.Lyons, J.Hughes, M.Lyons, B.Shaw 0-1, S.McNally 1-0, G.McEntee 0-1, E.Gorry, J.Lyons, M.McDonnell 1-0, R.Munnelly 1-1. Subs: C.McNelis, P.Nangle, E.Daly.

In the replay the line-out was: W.Ryan, N.Young, T.Lyons, J.Hughes, K.Clavin, P.Lyons, E.Gorry, M.Lyons, P.Nangle, B.Shaw 0-2, J.Lyons 0-2, S.McNally 0-1, C.McNelis, M.McDonnell, R.Munnelly. Sub: E.Daly.

(Report taken from Meath Yearbook '90)