Sad to report the death of former Baconstown and Meath hurling star Vincent Dargan

Vincent was a hurler of real quality and like his family was heavily involved in all aspects of the old Baconstown club

Dargans Shop, ran by Vincent's brother, the late Eamon, was really a GAA complex long before the coming of the modern clubhouse meaning. Manys the GAA yarn or story that could trace its foundation back to Dargans.

We repeat an interview carried out with Vincent from the Meath Yearbook, Royal County of 1999.

Underage success boosts Baconstown's future prospects

Baconstown underage coach Vincent Dargan reflects on two underage wins for the club this year and how the adult section of the club fared out these past twelve months.

They were celebrating down Baconstown way during 1999 whith the club's U11 and U16 hurlers bringing home the silverware. Val Dargan was associated with both teams (indeed there's few teams in Baconstown which don't benefit from his input) and he's only too delighted to reflect on a profitable underage year for the club. "We only started the underage in the club three years ago and the U11 and U16 'C' wins this year were the first time we had championship success. There's a good underage structure in place now so it's fair to say that the future looks bright." The U11s gained entry to the winners enclosure via a semi-final win over Blackhall Gaels and a final win over Athboy in Trim at the end of August. Earlier in the competition Athboy had inflicted a seven point defeat on the Baconstown boys so, according to Vincent, they knew they'd have to up their performance if they were to be celebrating at the final whistle. The team responded exactly the way manager Andy Gorry and Vincent had wished and they finished the game seven points ahead of Athboy. "We were beaten in the U11 final last year by Wolfe Tones. We lost four from that team but nonetheless we were confident that we had a solid backbone left which was capable of winning the championship. "The final was a very good game, fierce exciting. All the team played their part in the win.

Vincent Dargan, Kit Loughlin and Eamon Dargan happy with the club's Under 16 success in 1999

We also had a very tough game against Blackhall in the semi'. Some of our lads were away on holidays for that game so we struggled to beat them. "The U11 is an excellent competition. Young lads are only starting out, learning the skills of the game. Tactics don't play a role whatsoever. The main emphasis is on enjoyment and the Baconstown team really enjoyed themselves this year." Expect to hear more of the likes of Daniel Gleeson (captain), Noel Fagan, Diarmuid Bailey and Shane Grainey in the Baconstown colours in the future.

The U16s meanwhile, captured the hurling 'C' title courtesy of a 3-4 to 1-6 final success over Dunderry at Athboy. The winners couldn't have asked for a better start with Owen Reilly netting in the opening minute. Daniel Duggan followed suit in the first half and Baconstown were ahead by 2-2 to 0-3 at the interval. Dunderry tried to respond by introducing a couple of substitutes but they didn't have the desired effect as Baconstown increased their advantage with their third goal, via the hurl of Sean Griffin. Goalie Michael Coffey, Robert Gleeson, Shane Clavin, Daniel Boggan and Davy Lyons showed up best for the winners.

Johnny Reilly assisted Vincent in the running of this particular bunch. "We were undefeated throughout the U16 campaign so I suppose you could say we were expected to beat Dunderry in the final. But it dosen't always work out like that as our U11s proved so we had to be on our toes going into the game. It was another very competitive game but thankfully we ended up with the cup."

In his own playing days, which stretched from the early sixties until 1990 (he was fifty years of age when he finally hung up the boots), Vincent won five championships with Baconstown; intermediate and junior hurling as well as Junior B football honours. He has been involved with coaching teams all his life and has also given distinguished service at administrative level. He was the first ever secretary of the Baconstown Hurling club in 1963 and since then has held every position with the exception of treasurer. While everything appears to be progressing according to plan at underage level in Baconstown, unfortunately the same can't be said for the adult teams.

Vincent Dargan and Andy Garry guided the baconstown U11's to success in 1999

The past twelve months will not feature prominently in future years when the history of the club is being recounted. As regards the football scene Vincent says: "To be truthful it was an absolutely disastrous year for us, we had big problems getting the numbers out and were badly affected by injuries and emigration. Matt Coffey was the football manager and he tried his damdest but football is at a low ebb in the club at the moment. We won two championship games, against Athboy and O'Mahonys, but didn't win any in the league. "The hurling was a good deal better, we won our fair share of games. We wouldn't be strong enough for the likes of Dunboyne, Kells or Kilskyre in the Intermediate but we'd be well capable of competing against the rest.

Raymond Kirby was over the hurlers this year." Better news for Baconstown Gaels came in the form of the development of their pitch. "We spent £30,000 levelling the pitch, all the money has been collected and that's paid for," reveals the affable Dargan. "One of our problems this year was that we had no pitch of our own to play on due to that. We're extremely grateful to local clubs Rathmolyon, Longwood and Cappagh of Kildare who let us use their facilities while our pitch was being levelled."

What are Vincent's hopes for the future of Baconstown Gaelic football and hurling club? "Obviously I hope we can win some more championships on the playing fields. Also, I would like to see the modern generation getting involved in the committee and coaching end of things. We can't go on forever! "I know a lot of them can't help it with the pressures of work nowadays but if the GAA is to continue to grow in places like Baconstown we need more and more people to help out," he concluded.

The Baconstown U16 team which brought home the silverware was as follows; M. Coffey, P. McGarry, N. Dixon, R. Gleeson (0-1), D. Clavin, D. Boggan (1-1), D. Lyons (0-1), S. Griffin (1-0), B. Queeney, B. Coleman, O' Reilly (1-0). Sub - D. Kirby (0-1) After this article was written, Baconstown's U11's completed a memorable double when they added the Division 2 ground hurling title to the Division 3 HC. They beat St Martin's by 3-2 to 3-1 in a thrilling final encounter. Anthony Boggan was the hero as he clipped over the winning point to add to earlier goals by Alison Devine, Noel Fagan and Diarmuid Bailey. Baconstown Panel: S Geraghty, S Greaney, B Slevin, D Curran, D Bailey, D Gleeson, A Boggan, M Hanley, N Fagan, S Fitzgerald, R Ryan, G Ryan, E Gorry, D Hendrick, Martin Kelly, Mark Kelly, J Kelly, O Fagan, J Reilly, C McDonald, M Devine, A Devine, D Hendry, E Murray.

Funeral details

Arriving to the Church of the Assumption, Jordanstown on Saturday 17th for Funeral Mass at 11am which can be viewed on https://www.facebook.com/enraparish/. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Family flowers only, donations, in lieu, to the Irish Cancer Society. House Private, please.

Funeral will leave Vincent’s house at 10.30am. Vincent’s cortège via Dargan’s Shop, Baconstown.

In compliance with the current HSE guidelines, the funeral will be limited to 25 people. Please ensure social distancing and public health advice is adhered to.

AR DHEIS DE GO RAIBH A ANAM

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