With a performance of textbook football Dunshaughlin became the latest name to be put on the Keegan Cup. To mark the 25th Anniversary of that win we take a look back at how Royal County Meath Yearbook summed up the occasion.

It is time to re-write 'Black and Amber'! Back in the GAA's Centenary Year of 1984, Jim Gilligan and Patsy McLoughlin produced a marvellous history of the Dunshaughlin club. 'Black and Amber' was a great read, even for people who had little or no interest in the club. There were some notable victories, most of which were in the hurling championship in the early part of the century but there was also the Junior Football successes of 1950 and 1967 as well as the Intermediate success of 1977. And of course there was the memorable three-in-a-row Juvenile successes as St. Martins in 1957, '58 and '59.

Dunshaughlin, as a senior force, didn't take up too many pages even though there were two successive semi-final appearances in the early 1950's, both of which ended in defeat at the hands of Skryne.

Fast forward to a second edition of 'Black and Amber', which appears a 'must' in the next few years. On the cover will be a photograph of a Dunshaughlin captain being presented with the Keegan Cup! Who would have thought it possible? The answer is not all that difficult. Two names have been mentioned in these columns so far...Jim Gilligan and Patsy McLoughlin...(add in Paddy O' Dwyer) and a deeper look at their contributions to the well-being of Dunshaughlin GFC will provide much of the background to the story behind the club's fabulous breakthrough at senior level. Jim, Patsy and Paddy would be the first to indicate that the club owes much to a succession of hard-working officials, (Stephen Burke and Cyril Creavin are among the latest upholders of the tradition), and indeed to entire families who have remained loyal to the black and amber throughout it's existence. The O' Dwyers, Dowds, O Briens, Gogans, Blakes, Lynams, Morgans, Murrays, Flynns, Dorans, Delaneys, Carberrys and Kennys are names that spring to mind. And now we can add the Kealys!

It is important to highlight the fact that Dunshaughlin's Senior success this year was not of the overnight variety. It came pretty quickly following the Intermediate success of 1997 but a great deal of hard work was necessary to blend the team together. A photograph in the County Final programme showed that seven members of the team that won the Keegan Cup were colleagues on the St. Seachnaill's NS team that won the Cumann na mBunscoil Division 2 title in 1991. Fourteen of the starting team in the final were past pupils of the school. The team gradually gelled together and the Intermediate success in 1997 came about after a number of extended championship campaigns.

History was made in 1999 when Dunshaughlin made a first ever SFC final appearance. Along the way they had beaten the defending champions St. Peters Dunboyne, Trim, Simonstown Gaels and Dunderry. Hopes were high of a first Keegan Cup success but neighbours Skryne had more experience and made it count against their 'greener' opponents. The game was lost in the first half when Dunshaughlin squandered several good scoring opportunities and teams appearing in their first final simply cannot win in such circumstances.

There were those who believed that the 'black and ambers' might turn out to be something of a flash in the pan but shrewder observers felt that they would be back. Their logic was that the team would learn from the mistakes of the '99 final and that Eamon Barry's shrewdness as manager would be of immense benefit in maintaining their focus. And the Championship draw for 2000 was 'generous'. Although four-team groups are somewhat notorious as 'death-traps', it was aways an odds-on bet that Skryne and Dunshaughlin would qualify for the quarter-finals at the expense of Blackhall Gaels and Cortown. Still, with two local derbies, Dunshaughlin could take nothing for granted.

The first round match was against neighbours Blackhall Gaels in Skryne where Dunshaughlin quickly established control and romped to a 14 point victory, 0-21 to 0-7. Blackhall Gaels had succeeded the black and ambers as Intermediate champions in 1998 but the contrast in potential was highlighted in a terribly one-sided game. The comfortable victory indicated that Eamon Barry's men had wintered well but it was difficult to judge their Keegan Cup potential.

The first real test came against Skryne in a repeat of the 1999 final at Pairc Tailteann when the reward for victory was a place in the quarter-final. Skryne had also registered a facile win over Cortown in the first round and went into the game determined to maintain their superiority over their neighbours. They managed to do so but their winning margin of three points hinted that Dunshaughlin were gaining ground. Many observers felt that, with a little bit of luck, the previous year's runners-up might well have avenged their final defeat. It was all square at 0-4 apiece at the end of the first quarter but Skryne appeared to be in the driving seat when Ciaran Murphy found the net early in the second quarter. Dunshaughlin's reply was swift with Trevor Dowd finding the Skryne net within minutes but by half-time the defending champions had edged into a two-point lead, 1-6 to 1-4.

They subsequently went five points clear as Dunshaughlin struggled to play catch-up but Richie Kealy was having a major influence at centre-field and, gradually, Dunshaughlin narrowed the gap.

A slip-up in defence led to Skryne's second goal but the black and ambers rallied again and a David Crimmins goal gave them fresh hope. However, the effort to stay in touch had taken it's toll and Skryne held out for a 2-12 to 2-9 victory. While the players were disappointed with the outcome and while the desire to avenge the '99 defeat remained unsated, the possibility of another chance was still very much alive.

Despite the loss of two points, the team remained on course for the quarter-finals and a win against Cortown would secure that goal. The perception that Dunshaughlin were continuing to improve was heavily emphasised by the manner of their victory in Trim. Cortown were simply demolished thanks to a fabulous performance from the black and ambers. In the end, their winning margin was an incredible 21 points, 6-11 to 0-8, and the signals were clear...it would take something special to halt the gallop of this team! Amazingly, it was nip and tuck throughout the opening quarter at the end of which it was 0-3 apiece...and Dunshaughlin were playing with the breeze! But from that point onward, it was desperately one-sided as the favourites really went to town. They added 2-2 in the run-up to the interval with the goals coming from Richie Kealy and a penalty by his brother Denis. Trevor Dowd turned on the style in the second half with three goals and although Cortown battled bravely, there was never any doubt about the outcome.

The 1999 Intermediate champions Syddan were the surprise quarter-final opponents...their huge win over Simonstown Gaels had been as comprehensive as Dunshaughlin's over Cortown and was more of a surprise. The North county men had their tails up following the win over Simonstown and, in the early stages against Dunshaughlin, they looked capable of causing a surprise. It was 1-3 to 0-2 after 20 minutes but Dunshaughlin then got to grips with the situation and scored six points without reply to lead by 0-8 to 1-3 at the break. An early second-half point from Syddan reduced the deficit to the minimum and hinted at an exciting contest but Dunshaughlin took firm control and ran out comfortable winners on a 0-17 to 1-6 scoreline.

Niall Kelly turned in a superb display while Richie Kealy was also in brilliant form scoring a fine total of 0-9.

So far, so good. In their four games to date, Dunshaughlin had averaged over 2-14 per game and had not put a foot wrong with the exception of the 'blip' against Skryne. Trim had qualified for the last four by virtue of an impressive win over Summerhill and the semi-final showdown took place on September 2nd at Pairc Tailteann. It turned out to be a real test of Dunshaughlin's character as Trim played some excellent football and looked the better team at times...but only at times. In terms of economy, Dushaughlin had the all-important advantage, registering only six wides to Trim's twelve. After only six minutes, Trim had established a 0-4 to 0-0 lead but Dunshaughlin eventually got into the game when Denis Kealy netted from a penalty which resulted from his team's first real application of pressure. Trevor Dowd sent over the equalising point midway through the first half and a brilliant save by goalie Ronan Gogan provided a further boost to his colleagues. Richie Kealy grabbed the goal that gave Dunshaughlin the narrowest of half-time leads, 2-3 to 0-8.

A place in the final was very much up for grabs at this stage but when Trim squandered a handful of good scoring opportunities on the resumption, you sensed that it was not going to be their evening. Three points from Richie Kealy plus one each from Aidan Kealy and David Crimmins opened up a six point gap. Trim rallied in the last quarter and got to within two points, 0-12 to 2-8, but they were unable to gain parity and Dunshaughlin finished with three unanswered points in the dying minutes. It had been a close call but Dunshaughlin had answered most of the questions. Ciaran Byrne was brilliant at corner back, Ronan Gogan was soundness personified between the posts while Denis Kealy gave another outstanding performance. Niall Kelly, Richie and Dermot Kealy also shone in a workmanlike team display.

Now for a final showdown with Skryne...or so we thought! On the following afternoon at Pairc Tailteann, prospects of a repeat of the 1999 final were scuppered by unfancied Kilmainhamwood who eliminated the defending champions with a superb 3-12 to 1-13 victory. There was no recent history of Dunshaughlin-Kilmainhamwood clashes...no form to go on....but Dunshaughlin were installed as slight favourites largely on account of their impressive campaign and because of their appearance in the 1999 final.

The black and amber bunting went up around the village of Dunshaughlin as well as the 'good luck' messages from the neighbouring clubs. Interest increased when it was confirmed that the game would go out live on TG4. And then there was the County Board's decision to honour Patsy McLoughlin as it's Guest of Honour at the match. Rarely has the honour been so richly deserved.

The general opinion was that this would be a close encounter...too close to call. Could yet another new name go on the Keegan Cup after Dunderry, Kilmainhamwood and St. Peters Dunboyne in the previous five years?

Persistent rain put something of a dampener on proceedings but Dunshaughlin supporters were not bothered as their team raced into an early lead. Points from Paddy McHale and Richie Kealy were followed by a goal from Graham Dowd. But the 'Wood had no intentions of playing a supporting role and two goals from Ray Magee got them back into contention by the mid-point of the first half. With ten minutes remaining to half-time, it was all square at 1-4 to 2-1. It was at this stage that Dunshaughlin took control, firing over seven points to Kilmainhamwood's one, thus establishing a commanding six point lead at the interval, 1-11 to 2-2. The destination of the Keegan Cup, had been decided in that ten-minute spell before half-time. Appropriate too, as Dunshaughlin's play was of the highest quality and their score-taking was simply superb. Richie Kealy demoralised the opposition with three marvellous points...the others came from David Crimmins, Trevor Dowd, Dermot Kealy and Niall Kelly.

To concede two goals and still lead at half-time by six points represented a fabulous display of character and courage and there was little that Kilmainhamwood could do to put a halt to the relentless surge of their opponents.

Eamon Barry's men outscored the 'Wood by 0-8 to 0-4 in the second half as Kealy and his colleagues maintained control. Even the setbacks of having Ciaran Byrne sent off at the threequarter stage and Denis Kealy missing a penalty in the closing stages failed to upset the Dunshaughlin men. The final score was 1-19 to 2-6 and the Cup was on it's way to a new home for the fourth time in six years!

Captain Dermot Kealy accepted the trophy and delivered an understandably emotional speech in which he paid eloquent tribute to the contribution of Eamon Barry. His brother Richie was named as 'Man of the Match'. Although Richie's class shone throughout, this was essentially a team effort. Dermot excelled at centre-field and Aidan was as solid as a rock at centre-half-back. Niall Kelly also caught the eye with three fine points, as did Paddy McHale whose willingness to work was a key factor. Trevor Dowd (0-4), and David Crimmins gave the Kilmainhamwood defence a torrid time throughout. Graham Dowd's goal came at a vital stage while Denis Kealy and Brendan Kealy also made huge contributions, The full back line of Fergal Gogan, Kenny McTigue and Ciaran Byrne recovered well from the concession of the two goals...likewise goalie Ronan Gogan. And Ronnie Yore was one of the heros of the entire campaign.

The achievement of the Kealy family has to be marked with special mention...five brothers started the game and a sixth, Kevin, came on in the closing stages. On the previous day, their sister Maria captained Meath to win the All-Ireland Under-16 title in Ballinasloe!

The winning Dunshaughlin team, and scorers, in the county final was; Ronan Gogan, Fergal Gogan, Kenny McTigue, Ciaran Byrne, Denis Kealy, Aidan Kealy, Ronnie Yore, Dermot Kealy (0-2), Graham Dowd (1-0), Niall Kelly (0-3), Paddy McHale (0-1), Brendan Kealy, Richie Kealy (0-7), David Crimmins (0-1) and Trevor Dowd (0-4). Substitutes; Tommy Sullivan, Garvan Blake and Kevin Kealy. The selectors were Eamon Barry, TP Toolin and Brendan Kealy. 

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