St Mary’s 2-09 Moynalty 0-13

The last time St Mary’s won a Championship the country was awaiting the visit of Pope John Paul II, Ireland had just joined the European Monetary System, Message in a Bottle by The Police was number 1, Jack Lynch was Taoiseach and a pint of Guinness was 70 pence.

St Mary’s had contested finals since, Intermediate final in 1983 when we were beaten by Moynalvey 1-08 to 0-06, in 1985 beaten after a replay in another intermediate final this time by Martry Harps 1-08 to 1-02, then a defeat in 1998’s Junior A final by Drumree 1-11 to 2-05, and then in the Junior B Final of 2012, this time by Dunshaughlin 0-12 to 0-09.

Would this be our time? The club put a massive call out to the community to come to Navan to support our lads and by God they didn’t disappoint. A huge crowd did indeed travel and there was a sea of Green and Red, literally aged from 1-90. It was so satisfying to see the number of young children there a testament to the work being done at underage level in the club and the momentum the success of the last number of years has inspired. Equally satisfying was the support from the familiar faces of those who had worked so tirelessly in the club over the past 50 years. So the scene was set, could the lads deliver and bridge a gap of some 16,800 days without Championship success?

A strong start is always important in any game but perhaps even more so in a Final when nerves are even more acute. The game began as a cagey affair with both teams registering wides; however, it was Moynalty who kicked the 1st score, a point from play having picked up a break from a St Mary’s kickout, they soon doubled their lead, settling for a point following a magnificent point blank save from Adam Byrne in the St Mary’s net. St Mary’s were struggling somewhat at this stage, despite several wonderful fetches in midfield from Tadhg Dixon. Space in their forward line was at a premium whereas Moynalty were finding space with more ease in their forays forward. The Mary’s players were now being forced to kick under pressure and with the score at 0-00 to 0-02 registered their second wide. They needed a score to settled them but unfortunately it was Moynalty got a score a fine point from play, things were not going St Mary’s way at this stage and there was concern on the St Mary’s line as well as the among the St Mary’s supporters in the stand.

We desperately needed a score and it did come as it has often this year from the boot of Caimin Hughes, a fine point from play following good link up play with Cormac Victory. However, the Boynesiders failed to build on this and Moynalty scored 4 unanswered points in response, a point from play followed by a pointed free after a turnover by Moynalty. The 3rd a pacey attack through the heart of the Mary’s defence leading to another point from play and the last of the 4 points from a free after a 3-player breach. St Mary’s now found themselves 6 down, 0-07 to a single point. Had the occasion gotten to the Mary’s outfit and was this eventually to be Moynalty’s day? A big score was required and was soon delivered, A Moynalty kick out was gathered by Cormac Victory who found James Lynch who it turned gave a beautiful pass to the rampaging Cathal Sheridan who finished brilliantly to the bottom corner, the St Mary’s crowd erupted, we were back in the game. But to their credit Moynalty responded quickly with a fine point from play. There was a break in play and this stage as Maithiu Brien picked up an ankle injury in the process of winning a magnificent kick out. A chance to take a breather and get some water on board. When the game restarted St Mary’s seemed to have renewed vigour and our talisman Andrew Brien pointed a free following some serious pressure in the St Mary’s forward line. The half time whistle sounded and despite having played poorly were only 2 down, in contrast Moynalty having dominated the half for long periods were only 2 up.

Half Time: St Mary’s 1-03 Moynalty 0-08

There was no wind of any consequence in Pairc Tailteann so neither team had a breeze to take advantage of or have to defend. Half time did see one change for St Mary’s, Sam Victory for Sean Nulty who has had his best season in a St Mary’s jersey, having caused Moynalty serious problems in their championship group game. St Mary’s surely couldn’t sustain a slow start to the second half as well as the first. Thankfully they secured the first score of the half, from who else only Andrew Brien with a fine pointed free. It was a 1-point game now. With 4 minutes gone intense St Mary’s pressure led to another free, again Andrew Brien stepped up, however surprisingly this time Andrew struck the upright, the ball dropped, and Sam Victory rose highest to secure possession side stepped the defenders to blast high to the roof of the Moynalty net. The roof lifted on the stand, St Mary’s now led for the first time in the contest, 2-04 to 0-08.

Moynalty didn’t drop their heads and reduced the deficit to a single point with a pointed free. The game had opened completely and was transitioning from end to end and had turned into a hugely exciting game. With the game in the melting pot every score was going to be crucial, and the next score came for St Mary’s and was a massive one. Cathal Sheridan was found in space on the left side of the arc, looked up and kicked a monster 2 pointer, St Mary’s by 3. Moynalty were still well in the game and if their shot selection had been better could have been level, that said they were put under huge pressure by a miserly St Mary’s defence, John Spain, Liam Lynch, AJ Bradshaw, Maithiu Brien were giving Moynalty no space and making life very difficult for their direct opponents. This pressure led to another shot which dropped short, however to Moynalty’s benefit it bounced over the bar for a 2 pointer, the gap was 1 again.

Mary’s extended their lead to 2 when Andy Brien was found inside the 14-yard line and converted excellently from the tightest of angles. As they had done all day Moynalty responded with a point of their own and gap was 1 again. Then Andy Brien was found inside again by Sam Victory and made his way along the end line, hand passed across into the box to Caimin Hughes arriving at pace. Caimin appeared to palm the ball into the net, the umpire reached for his flag but then hesitated, the referee came in and awarded a free out much to the surprise of the St Mary’s players. In the meantime, the first half injury to the impressive Maithiu Brien had taken its toll, and he was replaced by Conor O Brien, who had started every game for St Mary’s this season and was very unfortunate to lose out for the final. John Spain who had emptied himself all afternoon was replaced by Andy Everard.

The machine that is Joey Greene found himself in possession after some serious pressure from the St Mary’s defence, skipped past one defender and was now one on one with Johnny Lynch in the Moynalty goal and would have put an end to the contest but for a spectacular save from the Moynalty keeper. Caimin Hughes then took centre stage; he was found cleverly on the edge of the arc on the left side and did what he does, kicking an unbelievable 2 pointer to the rapture of the St Mary’s faithful; Mary’s by 3 again. But Moynalty came again as they do, and but for the relentless work around the middle to repel Moynalty’s many attacks in the closing 5 or 6 minutes from the mighty Ben Loughran, Tadhg Dixon, Dylan Bagnall, Joey Greene, which included a potentially match winning block by Ben Loughran from 9 yards when a goal seemed the likely outcome. Moynalty did score another point from a free, the gap was 2 as they went in search of an equalising 2 pointer or a winning goal, but St Mary’s didn’t capitulate and found the energy to force on last turnover, the ball fell to Joey Greene with 25 seconds to go, he moved in forward to Cathal Sheridan who found Sam Victory who glanced at the clock slowed things down, playing a one-two with Adam Craven, before finding his brother Cormac on the wing who received that ball as the hooter sounded, he booted the ball into the terrace as the reality of what they had achieved hit the exuberant players and management. The devastated and magnificent Moynalty players fell to their knees the utter despair, who could blame them. But this was our day……not our best performance but finals are for winning, there’s no room for a story on the back of a Championship medal you either have one or you don’t and now for only the second time in our history a group of players would receive one.

The privilege of lifting the Fintan Ginnity cup would be James Lynch’s, St Mary’s veteran forward, the sole survivor from the 2012 final who had soldiered for so long with no reward, and today would erase all the previous heartache. Ironically it was John Brogan of Coolrite Refrigeration a long-time supporter of Meath GAA, a proud Moynalty man and a great Gael who presented James with the cup, which he lifted to the roars of the Mary’s players management and huge traveling support.

To Moynalty, our words may sound patronising but with all sincerity you are a magnificent team, a great club, finding the will and strength to go at it again after dark days is a credit to your character and we hope your day will come soon.

Firstly huge credit must go to the Management team of Nicky Gogan, Locky Hill, Ken Brien and Brian Smith, some people accused the club of lacking ambition with the appointment of the team, however having seen the job they had done with the under 19 team of 2023 the club could see they had the qualities to drive this team forward, the passion, understanding of the players and their strengths and most of all how the players responded to their personalities, kindness and warmth. A mention must also go to the our Physio Derek Shevlin, who has played a huge part in this team’s journey.

Thank you for the huge support not only on the day of the final, the flags and the bunting but throughout the year, it had acted as a motivator for this group of young men.

We would like to thank the parents of the players who went on this journey with their boys since their days in our academy, without your support this wouldn’t have come to pass.

We would like to thank the players from 1-30 for the commitment to the cause this year and over many years, we are proud of you all and are delighted you have a championship medal to cherish. This generation of young people are a fantastic one, perhaps the best, kind, compassionate, focused and hardworking, anyone who gives out about the youth of today are clearly not spending any time with them.

Finally, this has been 20 years in the making. Thanks to everyone who has played a part no matter how small, took a team, helped out, washed jerseys, brought their child’s friend to a game, supported fundraisers, joined a committee or who were simply a positive attitude around the club. Thank you all….

St Mary’s GFC are extremely grateful for the donations received from both Panda Waste and Podge Howard towards the cost of our historic 3 Championship Finals, many thanks.

St Mary’s: Adam Byrne; Liam Lynch, Joey Greene, John Spain; AJ. Bradshaw, Dylan Bagnall, Maithiu Brien; Ben Loughran, Tadhg Dixon; Cormac Victory, Cathal Sheridan (1-02, 2P), Caimin Hughes (0-3, 2P); Andrew Brien (0-4, 3f), Sean Nulty, James Lynch(C)

Subs: Sam Victory (1-0) for Nulty, Conor O’Brien for M. Brien, Andy Everard for Spain, Adam Craven for AJ. Bradshaw, Derek O Brien, Neil Floyd, Cian O’Brien, Eoin Jackson, Ruairi Condra, Tadhg Lynch, Robbie Callaghan, Kyle Mc Keown, Peter Gogan, Brian Everard, Gary Slevin, Peter Waters

Referee: Adrian Corcoran (Drumbaragh)

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