News

Meath Coaster - July addition

November 8, 2018

This month’s article from the July Meath Coaster


DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR THE U12s

Well, the month of June will not be forgotten by St Colmcilles in a hurry as the U12 league and U12 reserve league titles were secured on 14th and 19th June respectively.   We edged out defending champions, Summerhill on a 3-7 to 2-8 score line to claim a first U12 league title in seven years and a third this decade on 14th June at the well appointed Curraha venue. This game demonstrated all that is good about Gaelic football with both teams showing high skill levels, tremendous courage and sportsmanship of the very highest levels.

The final was a real see-saw affair with the Cilles pulling off a second half revival that will live long in the memory. Trailing 2-06 to 1-04 5 minutes into the second half the team dug deep, and showed tremendous courage to take the fight to their illustrious opponents and set up a classic finish. With over 5 minutes extra time being played, the Cilles support were chewing the finger nails in the frantic final moments and referee Dermot Rooney’s whistle was greeting by scenes of joy at the end of a pulsating match. In an evening that will enter Club folklore, the entire panel and backroom team should be commended for their efforts. This was a team effort in the true sense of the word. However, it would be remiss not to mention the 3 goal exploits of Emmet O’Neill which ultimately proved to be the key that unlocked the game.  Anything that the first team could do, the reserve team could do better was very much the mantra on the following Thursday night. After an impressive league campaign the reserves squared up to Dunboyne and gave an exhibition on the night winning the title with a 1-6 to 0-4 victory over their bigger and physically stronger opponents.

History was made as Pearse Butler stepped forward to lift the shield on the night as this was also the Club’s first U12 reserve title. What was particularly satisfying is that unlike many other clubs, not one of the reserve panel started in the County Final v Summerhill the previous Saturday, demonstrating the talent in depth at the club.  The two wins were the culmination of 5-6 year’s hard work by the players and their dedicated mentors. Both teams are supported by many people in various ways but special mention must be made to Daragh O’Byrne, Tony Butler and Des Bowers who left no stone unturned during the year. This win was just reward for the many hours spent toiling in the wind, rain and snow.
 
U10 BOYS COME VERY CLOSE

The U10 boys have been on the road recently traveling to the famous John Mitchell’s blitz in Newry and the O’Mahonys Blitz in Navan.  The lads had a super day in Newry playing Carrickcuppin, Clann na Gael (Lurgan), Burren and Na Fianna (Glasnevin). They performed brilliantly on the day and will feel unlucky not to have made the knock out stages, losing by a goal to eventual winners Na Fianna.  However the boys bounced back from this on 28th June, traveling to the O’Mahonys blitz and going all the way to the final. Despite being badly affected by the holidays, the boys won all their group matches and were unfortunate to run out of steam against a strong Moorefield team from Kildare that have a proud history in the competition.
Well done to Micky, Liam and all the boys on their achievements

MORE COUNTY PLAYERS

Congratulations to Eoin O’Neill on making the Meath U14 team and to Jack and Joe Reynolds on making the Meath U15 team.

The three lads come from strong Cilles families and their success is a credit to the hard work and commitment that they have shown over the years. The lads will be kept very busy over the Summer with numerous competitions and training sessions which will assist them greatly in their development and will keep up a long tradition of club players with the Meath County set ups.

SUMMER CAMP

This year’s Cúl Camp takes place in Piltown between 25th and 29th August. The camp commences at 10am and finishes at 2.30pm

Forms have been distributed to the local schools. Anyone who has not received an application form can download one from the VHI Cúl Camp’s website at www.vhiculcamps.gaa.ie or contact Dudley Farrell on 087 9033789.
Cost for the 5 days is €65, €60 for second Child from same family and • €55 for third Child from same family


CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES HANG IN THE BALANCE

The Intermediate championship is going to the wire with 4 teams locked in a battle for the two qualifying places. An excellent 1 point win over Cortown saw us primed to top the group if we were to beat St Michaels in Round 4. Inexplicably however the lads imploded on what was an afternoon that is best forgotten. Unfortunately the heavy defeat has destroyed our score difference and now puts on us the back foot in our final match v Na Fianna (Enfield) in Round 5. Given our inferior score difference we are left hoping that results will go our way elsewhere in the group but given the great displays in the league and championship this year with a little bit of luck we might just do it.

GALA BALL AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS – 4th October

Mark the date in your diary – October 4th, Bettystown Court Hotel

The club will mark the centenary, golden and 25th anniversaries of its championship successes of 1908, 1958 and 1983 with a gala black tie ball and dinner in the Bettystown Court Hotel.

Tickets are priced at €75 per person and the night promises to be a memorable one with a number of special guests there to celebrate the achievements of the past and look forward to a tremendous future

Tickets can be reserved with Keith Loughman on 087-7441731

CLUB GEAR

This year Eagletons of Shop Street, Drogheda have kindly agreed to stock all Colmcilles’ football gear.

Stocks include customized team shorts, t-shirts and field jackets for adults. Our sincere thanks to Eagletons for kindly agreeing to stock these products. Eagletons are long term supporters of the club and we are greatly indebted to them for this gesture. We strongly encourage all our members to support Eagletons for their very kind gesture in every way possible.