A brave bid at Junior C level in '99....

The Junior C was the first adult championship trophy of the season to be decided, and Summerhill qualified to face Rathkenny courtesy of a 0-10 to 0-9 semi final victory over Dunboyne. In the penultimate stage encounter, they led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval and even though dunboune mounted a rally in the second half, the Hill prevailed. The decider was played seven days after Summerhill seniors had finished all square with Dunderry in the senior quarter final and the Junior C followed a similar pattern. Once again Summerhill relied on a late score, a goal from PJ McDonnell to save their bacon. Summerhill 2-9, Rathkenny 1-12 was how it finished up at Pairc Tailteann. Missed chances cost Summerhill dearly the second time around. Two fine saves by the Rathkenny custodian and the upright denied them goals. Their opponents, on the other hand, were more economical up front and finished the dat 3-4 to 0-3 ahead.

Captain Fechin Reilly had a good oppurtunity to give his side the perfect start inside the opening minute but his effort was well saved by Gerry Gavigan in the Rathkenny goal. Sloppy defending gifted the eventual winners their first goal after nine minutes. Rathkenny added a second after twenty eight minutes and were 2-1 to 0-2 ahead at the interval. Ciaran McNelis kicked over a '45' just before the break and was on target from play immediately after the restart but Rathkenny's third goal arived in the 38th minute. In the last few minutes Damien Mooney was unlucky to see his attempt rebound off the right post. Shortly afterwards PJ McDonnell ( hero of the first day ) had a shot saved.

McNelis and Cliff Thompson battled hard for the losers in the second half but were unable to prevent Rathkenny from capturing the title. The Summerhill team which lost the Junior C replay was:

The Team: K.Fagan, J.Loughrey, R.Carey, D.Gannon, E.O'Shea, C.Comey, T.McDonnell, C.McNelis 0-2, A.Bruton, C.Thompson, B.Reilly, J.Farrell, PJ McDonnell 0-1, F.Reilly 1-0, K.McGee. Subs: D.Mooney, R.Carey.

From left, back row; John Farrell, George Young, Gus Loughrey, Richard Carey, Keith Fagan, Fechin Reilly (capt.), Alan Bruton, Ciaran McNelis, PJ McDonnell, Tony McDonnell, Ronan Carey, Christopher Comey. front row; Brian Comey, Joey Farrell, Éamonn O'Shea, Keith McGee, David Gannon, John Loughrey, Thomas Daly (mascot), Bernard O'Reilly, Clifford Thompson, Peter Devlin, Damien Mooney.

The 3 Wise Men who brought the Junior C's to the 1999 Final, John Shaw, Tommy Daly and Andy Young.