History of Ratoath GAA – Ray Murphy

Formation Years:

In the 1880’s the Manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse, John Caul, and Bill Duffy a local farmer and prominent figure in the Racing World at that time, were founding members of the Ratoath Hurling Club. Duffy utilised his racing colours, (which were green with a yellow, over the shoulder sash), as the first strip used by the club. This was not unusual as many teams, in this era, played in local racing colours. It’s in this strip that Ratoath Hurlers took to the field for the first time.

Incidentally, Bill Duffy, who died in 1943, lived in the house, still occupied, which fronts the Veterinary Clinic in the Village Centre, and it was around this house that the early Hurling teams of Ratoath were nurtured. Paddy Everard (Snr.) would have been working hand in hand with both Duffy and Caul in these early years. Paddy Everard Snr. died in 1936.

In 1912 Ratoath won the Senior Hurling League title, the first recorded honour for the Club, and a Junior Hurling Championship followed in 1929 at the expense of Kildalkey.

A local paper carried a report, showing Ratoath 4-2 up to 0-1 at half time, but failed to mention the final score. Also it only mentioned fourteen players. This team was listed as Paddy, Andy, Jim and Tom Everard, John Donnelly, Patsy McCabe, Frank Gorman. Pat Tugwell, John (Darby) Gillic, Billy (Squirrel) Lynch, Stephen (Blocker) Blake, Micky Walls, Thomas Walls, and Mick (Mun) Fortune. Further Junior H.C. titles were attained in 1931 and in 1940.

St. Patrick’s, known locally as St Pats, was a team formed in the late 1940’s by Ratoath Club Players (who were then a Junior Club) with players from other Clubs such as Kiltale, Batterstown, Drumree, Skryne and some Priests from Warrenstown College. There were only about three Senior Clubs in the Meath at this time. These amalgamations were allowed to accommodate the best Junior Players at Senior Level, and to promote a higher standard of Senior competition. (The County Hurling Board was only formed in 1946). During these years Ratoath paired up with players as St. Pats, Ratoath men won S.H.C. honours in 1953 and ’54, beating Trim on both occasions. The O’Growney Cup was won in 1955 and ‘56.

The Club colours changed sometime during the early twenties and Ratoath began to wear a blue jersey, which had a laced neck front and white collar. It is believed that the Club retained these colours up to the early fifties.

Paddy Woods recalls that a group of Clubmen, who had attended an all Ireland Final involving Tipperary in possibly 1949, were very impressed with the smashing jerseys that Tipperary had worn on the day. It is hardly surprising then that within a few years, Ratoath were wearing the famous Tipp blue and gold, the club colours to this day.

Early Club Grounds:

In the early years the foundling club used lands at Fairyhouse racecourse, no doubt helped by John Caul’s connections. Shortly afterwards they had the use of Bill Duffy’s and later Harry Everard’s lands on the Curragha Road, from the mid 1910’s up to the ‘1960’s as playing pitches. This land, known as ‘the hurley field’ was the Santry stadium of Ratoath for nearly fifty years. All events of any consequence were held on this land. But this was also a working farm and the field was not always available.

Also during the late sixties, and into the very early seventies, Mick O’Hare loaned land on the Dunshaughlin Rd, lands near Tony Darby’s present house, on several occasions. A field right beside Ben Ward’s house (called Beech Wood), and still known as Beech Wood by the O’Hare family, was also in use in the seventies. A pitch was also in use on land, near what was then Reilly’s house on the Kilbride Road, just beyond Moulden Bridge (on the Kilbride Rd.) during the fifties. Incidentally, this field was close to some lands, which the Club considered buying prior to the Brownstown deal.

Lands were also used on occasion opposite the nursing home during the ‘30’s, and near Joe Everard’s house on the Bog Rd. The Codliss lands currently being used by the Club on the Skryne road, (which were originally commonage), were formally leased to the various Clubs by the late seventies or early eighties. There were several houses on this land in earlier years occupied by the Elliott, Clarke, Nash and Carr families. I suspect that the ruins of some of these houses, or a rough roadway, lie below the pitch surface, and this might explain the ‘bad patch’ we have between the midfield and the top goals.

Andy Eiffe signed the agreement on behalf of the Club on the 16Th of October 1981. Patrick Donnelly signed on behalf of Ratoath Development, and this document was witnessed by Patrick McDermott, farmer, of Cabin Hill Ratoath. This was the first pitch which Ratoath could call it’s own.

Hurling:

The ‘50’s and ‘60’s were the golden era of Hurling in Ratoath , with a J.H.C. in 1957 against Batterstown, followed by promotion to Senior Championship status for the first time. The intermediate grade did not exist at that time.

Peter Donnelly recalls that Maude Foley’s shop, where Brady’s Garage is now situated, was the rendezvous point for Players and Supporters. Fifty years ago this was the heart of the village, with only scattered dwellings and

farms outside of this area. Peter also says that one of the teams, in the fifties had fifteen pioneers and fourteen non-smokers. How times have changed.

In 1960, Ratoath contested it’s first Senior Hurling Championship Final, beaten by Trim on the day. Ratoath returned to the Final again in 1963 and faced Dunboyne in a very exciting final. This was a huge day for both villages. Dunboyne were considered favourites on this occasion, and it had been many a year since they had reached this stage in this competition. Likewise for Ratoath, this was a great day, and the pride of the parish was at stake. Down by 11

or more points during the second half, Ratoath battled on to emerge victorious by a score of 9-3 to 6-11 (30pts to 29). Sadly, neither Club has won a S.H.C. since. The score in itself is probably a record, which may stand for quite some time

The team on the day was Tony Darby (goalie), Joe Everard, Peter Donnelly, and Tommy (The Wolf) Troy (back line). Sean Wheeler (0-1), Bill Eiffe and Paddy Martin (halfbacks). Patsy McCabe and Pudser Toole at midfield. At half forward Mattie McCabe (2-1), Frankie Gorman and Tommy Mahon (2-1). Full forwards Eamonn (Mellor) Flood, Pat Donnelly (5 goals) and Dick Ryan.

This was a Senior Hurling championship, a magnificent achievement. Two of the lads, Mellor Flood, and Tony Darby were just seventeen years old. A presentation dinner dance was held in the County Club, in honour of this team, in 1989 and again in 2003 during the Club’s Centenary celebrations.

Ratoath appeared in three other Senior Hurling Championships, losing to the 1996 Champions Athboy in 1967, winning again in 1968, and losing the 1969 decider to Kilmessin.

Ratoath also won the Junior Hurling League in 1968, beating Killyon 4-4 to 0-4. A newspaper article records the scorers as Pat Donnelly (2-0), Michael Mulvanney and Jem Toole, a goal each. Two points from Tommy Wheeler, and a point each from Paul Darby and Tommy Mahon. Also mentioned in the report are John Harty, “who played a terrific game” Noel Eiffe and John Gorman.

Ratoath got off to a good start in the early seventies with the 1969, which was played in early 1970, Minor Hurling Championship success against Kilmessin Three players from Dunboyne assisted Ratoath that year.

The team was Peter Moran, Pat Gregan, Noel Browne, John Browne, John Gorman, Tony Conmey, Tommy Reilly, Francis Reilly, Martin Madden and Anthony Conway, Danny Gaughan, Anthony (Bobby) Walls, Maurice Cullen, Ray Brennan, captain Paul Darby, Declan Brennan, Jim Lynskey, Jem Toole, and Pauric Gaughan.

In September of 1981, Ratoath contested the Intermediate Hurling Championship against Kilskyre. They had beaten Athboy, Kilskyre, Gael Colmcilles and Longwood to reach the final. In a pre match report the Meath Chronicle listed the panel as follows. Ken Sullivan, Jim Flaherty, Noel (Scaf) Browne, Mellor Flood, Michael Walls, brothers David (Rasher), Dermot and John Gorman (Capt.), brothers Pauric, Anthony and Ciaran Gaughan, Dessie and

Michael Brady (more brothers), Stan Gibney, Pat Merlehan, Pat Donnelly, Joe Dervan, Brendan Aylward, Andy Kenny, Michael Mooney,John Eiffe, Michael (Briar) Donnelly and Tony Conmey.

In 1983, a youthful Ratoath team met Dunshaughlin in the I.H.C Final, in Trim. Dunshaughlin were the favourites, led by Capt. Ollie O’Neill. (Yes, the same Ollie that busses and referees many of our Juveniles today). Ratoath were beaten 1-5 to 0-6pts.

In the Centenary Year of the GAA (1984) this game was celebrated by Tadgh Ó Dushlaine (Delaney), a native Irish speaker and Dunshaughlin supporter, who penned a tune to the air of ‘The Boys of Kilmichael’, the final verse which reads,

On Sunday the 9th of October
Ratoath came to Trim in great joy
For they thought that the contest was over
And the boys of Dunshaughlin destroyed.
But we waited determined and fearless
Most eager to enter the fray
When the final whistle was sounded
By two points we’d carried the day.

That Ratoath team was C. Noone, T. Conmey, M. Walls, G. Doran, D. Brady, P. Gaughan, E. (Mellor) Flood, A. Gaughan, J. Gorman (0-5), J. Wallace, M. Fitzgerald, K. Gaughan, N. Browne, S . Gibney (0-1) M. Donnelly, P. Donnelly and M. Brady. Also on the panel were M. Gaughan, G. Gorman and T. Gleeson.

In 1988 Ratoath beat Killyon in Navan in the semi –final of the J.H.C., and beat Kilmessan in the Final, with a score of 1-9 to 2-3. Ciaran Mooney was Team Captain and the Team included Sean Cullen, Paddy Dolan, Gerry Gorman, Noel Eiffe, Philip Dolan, Andrew Toole, Ciaran Mooney, Conor Noone, Peter Hartnett, Paul Dolan, (0-1) Patsy (Ned) McCabe, (0-1) Frank Kelly, (0-2) Tony Conmey, Pauric Gaughan., Mick Barron, (1-0) Alan Donnelly, Peter Taffe, Kevin Moroney, John Gorman, (0-5) Stan Gibney, Brian McCabe, and Sean Lynch.

An injury time point, from Paul Kirwan, won a J.H.C., in 1999 against Dunboyne. Ratoath pointed nine times in the second half as against only one point from the opposition. The result on the day was 2-12 to 3-8. The Ratoath Panel was Aidan Hickey (0-2), Sean O’Grady, Noel O’Malley, Ger Lynch (0-3), Paul Kirwan (0-3), Austin McMahon (1-1), Barry Crowley (0-1), John Kirwan (0-1), Sean Ryan, Paul Dolan, Philip Dolan, David Lumley, Paddy Cummins, David Eiffe, Damien Ryan (1-1), W Smith, M O’Neill, G Maher, D Willis, S McIntyre, C Killian, F O’Neill, S Killian and A Everard.

Football:

Up until 1956, Ratoath were exclusively a Hurling Club and Players interested in Football, generally played with neighbouring Clubs like Curragha, Kilbride and Skryne. In 1956, a group comprising of Paddy Everard, Paddy Dolan ( Secretary ), Christy smith and Andy Eiffe, formed a Football section with the Club, and Ratoath made an immediate impact in the 1956 Junior Championship. The local newspapers carried the headline, “Ratoath will meet Nobber in Junior Final. ” But it was pre-mature and never actually happened. The story behind it is interesting.

Ratoath met Oldcastle in the semi final of the 1956 J.F.C. and Oldcastle won. Ratoath objected at county Board, and a replay was ordered. Ratoath won the replay, 3-4 to 1-5, and were set to meet Nobber in the final – hence the Newspaper headline. Oldcastle, in the meantime, appealed to Leinster Council, who ordered a third replay of the semi final. In the dying minutes of the game, when two points ahead, Ratoath conceded a late goal and were beaten by one point, and never did reach that final.

The Meath J.F.C. ‘A’ was eventually won in 1961, and as was the case in those years, the winners went on to play the J.F.C. ‘B’ winners, who happened to be Walterstown. A newspaper cutting from the Drogheda Independent, commends Ratoath who had “beaten all opposition,” and had the team down as hot favourites. It also reported that the December weather conditions were ‘deplorable’. The paper named the team as follows. Johnny Carey, Patrick (Pudser) Toole, Peter Donnelly, Sean Plunkett, Bill, Jim and John Eiffe, Joe Everard and Patsy McCabe, Pat Donnelly Peter Carey, Mattie McCabe (0-1). Charlie(Chucker) Reilly, Ray Brennan, Noel Eiffe and Tommy Everard. Mattie’s point was Ratoath’s only score. Walterstown scored 0-10.

Seven -a -side football tournaments were very popular during the sixties. All the local clubs organised these events, and teams often took part several times a week in different competitions. Teams played all about the county and into Celbridge and Maynooth. Wristwatches were often presented to the competition winners. These events were very popular and attracted large numbers of supporters. The games were taken very seriously and have been described , as “Jeez they were hard battles”

In 1970 Ratoath went on to beat Cortown (2-8 to 0-6) in the J.F.C. ‘A’ final in Navan, and then met Navan O’Mahoneys the ‘B’ winners.

Ratoath beat them in Trim and pulled off the double.
The panel was Mickey Walls, P McCabe,T Conmey, T Wheeler, M Donnelly, P Donnelly,J Carey, A Conway, J Gorman, Martin Walls, N Eiffe, J Browne , M McCabe, J Harty, P Gaughan, J Toole, T Reilly, B Eiffe(capt), F Reilly, E Flood, R Brennan, F Walls and S Lynskey.

Championships and trophies were becoming scarce, and the next significant trophy was a M.F.C. won in 1977, beating Kells 2-8 to 0-7.

In ‘79 we met Moynalty in the semi final, drew the match, and beat them in the replay 1-12 to 0-5. Sean Eiffe scored 1-5 in this game. We eventually met Navan De La Salles (O’Mahoneys) in the final and won this Minor trophy again (1-8 to 2-4). On both occasions Ratoath were amalgamated with Donaghmore. The ’79 team was Sean Eiffe (0-1), David Kearns, Dermot Browne, Noel Beggy, Dermot Rooney, Brian Burke, Padraig Furlong and John Duffy (0-5), Declan Tormey – Capt (1-1), John Eiffe, Jim Smith (0-1), Stephen McInerney, Stan Gibney, Paudie Long and Paul Everard. Sean Eiffe, John Duffy and Stan Gibney were Meath minors the same year.

In 1980, having beaten Skryne in the esemi-final, Ratoath lost the J.F.L. Final following a replay to Moynalvy. The game was played in Dunshaughlin with a few points separating the sides.

The East Meath League commenced in 1981 and lasted for about five years. At times up to seventeen clubs were participating. Clubs from the areas roughly between Slane and Kilcloon and from Donaghmore to Colmchilles were involved. Most of the clubs were in the intermediate grade. Ratoath’s Andy Eiffe, Dave Donoghue and Jim Brady were very involved in the organisation. George Glynn (Donaghmore) was chairman of the committee and Tony Byrne (St. Pauls) was the sec. of the group. Competitions ran from mid April to the end of July. Ratoath lost the semi’s of this competition in ‘82 and ‘83 to St. Mary’s and Duleek, lost the final to Mary’s in 1984 and beat Dunshaughlin in the ’85 final 2-12 to 1-10. Stan Gibney was team captain and received the man of the match award.

In ‘82 Ratoath won the Spring Football League Div. 2 v Dunboyne 0-9 to 7 points. That panel was, Joe Lynch, Aidan Conway, Dermot Rooney, Noel Colfer, Declan Brennan, Paul Everard, Anthony Gaughan, Dessie Brady (0-5), Sean Eiffe, Martin Reilly, Mickey Walls (0-1) Brian McCann (0-1), Ray Brennan, Tommy Reilly (0-2), Brian Conway, Brian Burke and Dermot Browne. The famous Sean Boylan was playing center back for the opposition, but was substituted during the game.

In ’85 Ratoath won the Div.2 Winter League. The panel was P Gaughan, P Everard, J Gibney, T Brady,M Mockler, D Rooney, P Donnelly, M Ennis, T Reilly, Dessie Brady and S Eiffe, N Browne. N Carey, B Wallace, M Reilly, David Brady, S Gibney, B Conway, M Gaughan, K Gaughan, M Gleeson and A Donnelly.

Ratoath were associated with St Martins at Minor football level from about 1982/83, and this amalgamation lasted some ten years. This amalgamation won the M.F.C in ’87. Navan De Le Salle were beaten in the quarter final, St Cutberts in the semi (1-14 to 2-5) and Slane in the final, 0-5 to 0-4. Eight of the nine points were scored from frees.

This was a very good Slane team with five of their panel playing Minor for Meath. No player from our combination was involved at county level. This panel was J Gilligan, D Rooney, D Kealy (0-3), P Kealy, L Eiffe, P Dolan, D Melia, S Farrell (0-1), L McMahon, T Rooney, D Donnelly, N Foley, P Farrel, D Donoghue, K Stoney, C Byrne, S Clare (0-1), B Kealy, P Galvin, A Foley (Capt.), B Rooney, J Davis, P O’Rourke, D White, M Walsh, and D Maher.

The Ratoath / St Martin’s amalgamation was beaten in the 1988 semi-final by Duleek, and lost the final in 1989, again against Duleek. The ‘89 final was played three times. The 1st game was abandoned at half time, as the father of one of the Duleek players collapsed and sadly died at the game. The 2nd meeting ended in a draw (2-3 to 0-9) and the third meeting ended with a Duleek win 2-6 to 1-6. For the record some of the Ratoath lads in the ’89 final were Robert Ennis, Ciaran Byrne, Peter McCabe, Terry Rooney, Donal Coyne, Barry Donnelly, Pearse Fahy, Robert McGuinness and Shane O’Neill. On the subs bench were John Dollard, Ivor Reilly and David Moroney. Incidentally, a sub for St Martins/Ratoath at this game was a young fellow called Evan Kelly.

In 1992 Ratoath contested the JuniorA Football Championship Final against Gael Colmcille. We beat Enfield in the quarterfinal (1-12 to 1-9), beat St. Vincents in the semi (2-4 to 0-9), and unluckily the final was lost 2-9 to 2-6. Terry Rooney was man of the match on final day. We beat St. Brigit’s in the Div. 4 J.F.L final also in 1992 (1-9 to 0-10).

Again in ’92, Ratoath contested the u-21 Div.2 final against Kilcloon at Dunshaughlin and lost this game by a point.

In 1993 we met Parnells in the M.F. final at Walterstown. This was after meeting St. Pats of Stamullen twice in the semi before beating them 0-11 to 0-10. Familiar names on the panel include Fiachra Lynch, Conor Donovan, Declan Sweeney, Ciaran O’Malley, Mark Carbury (team captain on the day, and who also broke his hand during the game) Keith Walls, Graham Clarke, Fergal Rooney, Andrew Everard, John Kirwan, Brian White, Paul Donnelly and Conor Donoghue. Among the subs were Derek Walsh, David Eiffe, Simon Donnelly, David Lumley, Damien Mannering, Neill Kelly, Paul Kavanagh, and Ray McCullough. Despite being five points up with ten minutes to go, Parnells won by six points.

In 1997 Ratoath beat Clonard in the Under 21‘A’ Football League, score 1-10 to 0-10. The panel that year was as follows, B Kelly, F Rooney P McCole, S Donnelly, B Duffy, A Rice, L Browne, B Rooney, D Ryan, K Mulpeter, M Carbury, C O’Malley, D Lumley, O McWilliams, P Dolan, M Foley, G Clarke, G Lynch, A Hickey, C Lumley, A Everard, D Eiffe and T Rooney. Ger Lynch scored 0-7 on the day and points from Terry Rooney and Teams Captain Anthony Rice. Graham Clarke got another point and the killer goal.

Also in ‘97, Ratoath became Divisional Winners over Kilbride 1-13 to 1-3, battled through the quarterfinal (Martry 3-7 to 1-9), the semi final (Meath Hill 3-14 to 0-7) and contested the u-21 league final proper. This time the opposition was Drumconrath, under coach Tommy Dowd. The 1st game at Rathkenny ended in a draw (2-6 to 1-9). The replay saw the teams in Pairc Tailteann. The opposition took an early lead scoring 0-4 without reply, and Ratoath were two points behind at the break. It was tit for tat throughout the second half, and Drumconrath equalised early in injury time. The fact that eight minutes extra time was played in the second half, during which the opponents scored the winning point, still raises the hackles on many a player and supporter to this day. Final score 1-9 to 1-8. The team that year was Paddy Coyne (0-1), Ciaran O’Malley (1-2), Conor O’Donovan, Conor Donoghue, Owen McWilliams, Damien Ryan, Graham Clarke, Paul Flaherty, Davy Lumley, John Kirwan (0-3 & Capt.), Paul Kirwan, Andrew Everard, Leonard Browne, Sean Killian, Barry Crowley, Cormac Meaney, Paul Browne, Noel Everard, Donal O’Grady, Terry Maher, Ger Lynch (0-2) and Aidan Hickey.

Ratoath returned to the Junior A Championship Football Final in 2003, having won all of their Group Games along the way. Their opponents on the day, Wolfe Tones, were also unbeaten going into the Final, and an exciting decider was eagerly anticipated by football followers across the county. However, Wolfe Tone’s recent experience of finals gave them a sharper edge, while Ratoath’s younger team found if difficult to settle in the tense atmosphere. Impressive performances from Alan Fox and Cian Ward were the platform for a well-deserved success for the ‘Tones. While the game itself was disappointing as a spectacle, it may yet prove to be the vital learning experience for a Championship Winning Ratoath Team.

Ratoath’s panel during the 2003 Jun A campaign was D Byrne, J Everard, B Duffy, P Flaherty, E Horan, M Mannering, B Rooney, C Killian, J Kirwan ( Capt ), S Donnelly, A McMahon, J Geaney, R Madden, P Kirwin, G McCullagh, B Crowley, L Browne, F Gaughan, J Crehan, G Maher, P Phelan, D Brennan, T McGuane, Terry Maher and D Kirwin.

Ratoath also qualified for the Junior C Football Final and the Div 4 Reserve League Final in 2003. The Championship decider was played in Dunsany and, after a promising opening period of dominance, Ratoath were eventually beaten by Moynalvey.

The Reserve League final, v Wolfe Tones was a closer affair, with the Tones again running out winners by a narrow margin at Bective. The 2003 Ratoath Junior C Panel was R Donnelly, K Johnson, D Eiffe, B Kelly, A Everard, D Brennan, K Fahy, T O’Neill, C Lumley, S Kelly, N McGoldrick, E Walshe, E McKeever, D Lumley, C Kelly, S Dunne, V McIntyre, K McMahon, B Nally, P Reilly, P Phelan, M Reilly, D Ryan, S Ryan, S Killian and M Carbury.

2004 – The Grand Slam Year

Ratoath returned to the Junior Championship Final in 2004 and faced a Dunsany team that had beaten them convincingly in the opening group game two months previously. However, it was Ratoath who used the intervening period more productively as their skill and fitness levels overwhelmed Dunsany in what turned out to be a comfortable win for Ratoath.

Leonard Brown was Man of the Match for Ratoath and Captain Paul Kirwin was presented with the Matthew Ginnity Cup.

Ratoath : D Byrne, P Flaherty, T McGuane, E Horan, S McMahon, P Kirwin ( Capt ), C Killian, G McCullagh, L Brown, B Crowley, J Kirwin, M Mannering, R Madden, D Lumley, D Kirwin
Subs used: Fiachra Gaughan, B Duffy, A Everard, N McGoldrick, B Rooney

The Team arrived back to the newly opened Brownstown Clubhouse on the back of an opentop truck to a rapturous welcome from the huge mass of assembled supporters. A huge bonfire burned in the background as the celebrations went well into the early hours. This would have been a fitting end to the season, but there was more drama yet to come.

Ratoath represented Meath in the Leinster Junior Championship and preparations began immediately. A round-robin series against the Louth and Longford Champions was negotiated with relative ease and Ratoath went through to the Leinster semi-final against the Carlow Champions, Castledermot.

This game, played at Athy, proved to be a very close and keenly contested match with Ratoath emerging victorious by the slimmest of margins. Ratoath were now through to the Leinster final and would face the Offaly Champions Kilclonfert.

Ratoath’s agreement to play the semi-final in Athy was rewarded with home venue for the Final. Kilclonfert travelled in numbers and a number of friendly Juvenile matches were played that morning to add to the occasion.

In the main event Ratoath went to work early on in the game, notching up five points before Kilclonfert registered their first, midway through the first half. David Lumley started well and linked up effectively with Donal Kirwin and Barry Crowley to register the opening scores.

Entering the second quarter, Kilclonfert applied significant pressure at midfield and their pacy forwards began to find gaps in the Ratoath defence. Another point followed and then Kilclonfert silenced the home crowd with a well-worked goal to leave the half time score Ratoath 0 – 8 Kilclonfert 1 – 2.

Kilclonfert started the second half as they finished the first, and dominated the exchanges in the third quarter, powered on in particular by Jeffrey Scally and Tommy Kelly, and had reduced the deficit to 3 points. However, as it tends to do, the pendulum swung again, and the Ratoath superiority began to tell on the scoreboard, scoring an unanswered 1 – 5 in the final ten minutes to cap a remarkable achievement for the club.

The game ended as a contest when Referee Eddie Crawl from Wicklow, awarded late Substitute Niall McGoldrick, a penalty after some fine work from Robert Madden. The resultant conversion by Donal Kirwin sparked some anger from some of the Kilclonfert players, and a potential incident was averted by quick action from the Management of both sides.

Shortly after the Ratoath goal, the Referee blew the final whistle, sparking a wave of celebrations around Sean Eiffe Park, as Ratoath Captain, Paul Kirwin was presented with the Leinster Junior Cup by Nicky Brennan, President of Leinster Council. This was the fourth trophy that Paul has accepted in 2004, and Ratoathwere now through to the All Ireland Junior Football Series, with Stewardstown of Tyrone their next opponents on Feb 20th 2005, at Breffni Park, Cavan.

Ratoath were solid throughout with the experience of former Dublin Goalkeeper Davy Byrne a key factor in a mature defensive operation. There were also strong performances from Tony McGuane and Paul Flaherty, with Shane McMahon picking up a lot of breaking ball along the half back line.

The Kilclonfert tactic of using a third Midfielder had the effect of bringing Eoin Horan more into a creative role early on, to telling effect. Conor Killian impressed in his usual no-nonsense style, and Ger McCullagh, worked hard at midfield with his Man of the Match partner Leonard Brown.

The Forwards found a lot more gaps upfront than in the semi-final against Castledermot, and John Kirwin’s distribution from centre forward was instrumental in setting up an abundance of scoring opportunities. Barry Crowley, Donal Kirwin and David Lumley were lively in the first half, and Robbie Madden’s ability to run at defences gave glimpses of his obvious talent.

Fiachra Gaughan’s introduction was timely and coincided with Ratoath’s powerful scoring display in the final quarter. Colm O’Brien, an earlier replacement for Martin Mannering, caused problems for Kilclonfert and Brian Duffy and Andrew Everard also emerged from the subs-bench to illustrate the Ratoath strength–in–depth.

Ratoath - D. Byrne; P. Flaherty, T. McGuane, E. Horan; S. McMahon, P. Kirwin, C. Killian; G. McCullagh (0-2), L. Brown; B. Crowley (0-1), J. Kirwin (0-2), M. Mannering; R. Madden (0-1), D. Lumley (0-2), D. Kirwin (1-6). Subs - C. O’Brien for Mannering, F. Gaughan (0-2) for Crowley, N. McGoldrick for J. Kirwin, B. Duffy for Killian, A. Everard for Horan.

Kilclonfert - F. Smyth; S. Dunne, J. Moore, G. Brennan; J. Brennan, T. Brennan, D. Daly; A. Daly, T. Kelly; G. Smyth (0-1), D. Kelly (0-1), J. Scally; G. Donoghue (1-0), F. Beacon (0-2), C. Smyth (0-1). Subs - E. Smyth for Dunne, P. Lambe for J. Brennan, K. Beacon for Donoghue.

Sadly, the 2004 epic journey ended in Breffni Park where the Tyrone Champions, Stewardstown Harps, proved too strong on the day. Ratoath could now look forward to a short rest and then re-group for their pending Meath Intermediate Championship campaign.

League success

While all of the attention was focused on the Championship in 2004, Ratoath also won the Div 4A League title and moved up to Div 3 as Junior Champions.

Junior C Campaign 2004

Like the Junior A team, the Junior C’s returned to the Championship final at the first time of asking. Played as a curtain-raiser before the County Senior Championship Final, Ratoath were beaten by a strong Syddan team and never really produced the impressive football that brought them back top the final.

2005

At the time of writing ( July 2005 ), Ratoath are still in contention to reach the knockout stages of the Meath Intermediate Championship and Div 3A League.

After their unique clean-sweep achievements at Junior level in 2004, Ratoath found the Intermediate grade to be significant step up in class and intensity. After an initial testing opening campaign, Ratoath began to put a number of important results together to retain the chances of further success in 2005.

As in 2004, the Rooney Cup victory over Donaghmore - Ashbourne has proven to be somewhat of a catalyst, with two important league wins following on from the June Bank Holiday success.

Nobber, the Junior Champions of 2002 who have since stabilised at Intermediate level, provided an interesting benchmark for Ratoath in progress term on Sat June 18th 2005. With fine displays from Martin Mannering, Conor O’Brien, Robert Madden and Ian Foley, Ratoath emerged 6 point winners. This was a timely boost in confidence for the Ratoath lads who built on this win with another fine display at home against Ballinabrackey on Tuesday 21st June 2005.

With 6 league games remaining, Ratoath are currently in third place, two points behind leaders Syddan and a single point behind second-placed St Ultan’s. With two promotional places available, Ratoath now have the look of serious Div 2 candidates.

On the Championship front, Ratoath found the going tough and were well beaten by St Colmcilles in Duleek in early June 2005. However, this has proven to be a very competitive group. With two games remaining, Ratoath can still qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, by defeating Gaeil Colmcille from Kells, a Senior team last year, and Div 3 leaders Syddan in the final championship group matches.

Historic Juvenile Success in 2005

2005 became the “Year of the Juveniles” with ground – breaking success at Div 1 level in both U 12 and U14 grades.

The U14s stormed through their league and arrived in the final against a strong Simonstown side. Two years ago the same two sides met in the U12 Division 1 Final with Simonstown winning after a replay.This year was to be Ratoath’s year.

After a nervous start the first half left nothing between the teams. Ratoath were playing the better football they couldn’t register on the scoreboard. With Ratoath three points ahead Simonstown crashed the ball against the crossbar and to the relief of Ratoath the ball rebounded out the field.

This seemed to galvanise the Ratoath team and they went on a scoring spree and never looked like loosing from then on. In the end Ratoath ran out comfortable winners. It was a night of heroes for team Ratoath team and every one played their part, with particularly impressive contributions from Francis Coyne, Fergus McGorman, Darragh Timmony and Brian McMahon.

A few weeks later it was the turn of the U12 footballers to grace a final again against Simonstown. Ratoath had lost the last two U12 Division 1 finals and both against Simonstown. The Ratoath team had come trough the league phase with one defeat against Dunboyne and it was Dunboyne they met in the semi-final. This match was a classic and a tremendous advertisement for the game of Gaelic Football. In the end Ratoath squeezed into the final by four points.

The final itself was a tense and nervous affair with neither side playing their best football. However a Brian McMahon goal in the second half gave Ratoath the necessary breathing space. Ratoath took the cup back to Brownstown. Manager Dermot Rooney was justifiably proud of his team and paid tribute to the layers who had been unsuccessful I previous years but had laid the foundation for success.

The U12 reserve footballers, also last years Champions, exited at the semi-final stage. After a great win against Trim in the Quarter-Final, a strong Dunboyne team were just too good for our lads. Again however ability, the courage and never say die attitude of the team was evidenced by their tremendous second half performance.

The Girls and Ladies of Ratoath:

Needless to say the Girls and Ladies of Ratoath were not standing idly by while their men folk enjoyed themselves. Camogie was very popularduring the thirties and into the fifties. A former Player in previous years, May Dolan, was the boss, and organized training and games throughout the county. The girls regularly played in Ashbourne and Kentstown, and attracted quite a large following.

The girls played in navy gymslips, which for the most part were made by a Mrs. Kennedy who lived on the Fairyhouse rd. A white blouse was also worn. Mun Fortune also gave a hand at training. All these sessions took part in the ‘Hurley field’ i.e. the lands on the Curragha road, or on the roads about the village. Paddy (Friday) Moore had an open backed lorry, and, apart from cycling this was the principal means of transport for the teams.

Mary (Nulty) Walshe recalls playing in Oldcastle on one occasion, meeting the Ratoath lads there (who had played in Kilmessan) and going to a Ceile later that evening in 1949. What cars there were, were left behind and both teams hopped on board Paddy’s lorry for the trip home. The panel was Maud Foley, Peggy Flood, Cathy Brennan, Brigid (Bridie) Kiernan, Nancy Brady, Brenda Foley, Molly Mannering, Peig White, Mary Moore, Alice Dolan, Lizzie Mannering, Tiny Smith, Shiela Farrell, Lil Coyle and May Dolan. Other exponents of the game over these and later years were, Shiela and Eileen McLoughlin, Ella Donnelly, Tiny Brennan, Nancy Smith, Nancy Gorman, Maura Flanagan, Winnie Staunton, Marie and Aloque Brennan, Ger and Nuala O’Brien, Bernie Kenny, Ter and Katie Sherry, Shiela Foley, Mary (Moll) O’Brien and Nan Rafferty.

In recent years, Ratoath has introduced a Ladies Football Section with the Club and this has been a wonderful development in terms of enthusiasm and involvement, with no shortage of success on and off the field. I will leave it for the Ladies Section to outline their recent achievements in their separate article in this booklet.