A glance through the early pages of Royal County Meath GAA Booklet Summer Edition 1980 threw up some interesting pieces of information.

The Meath referee’s appointed to officiate at inter county matches for the coming year were football Paddy Kavanagh, Tommy Collins, Richie Barry and Kevin Campbell while the hurling officials are Joe Gannon, Martin McCormack and John Doherty.

Going far south Ballinabrackey’s troubles look never ending. They have fielded regularly without Colm Brazil, possible their best player and according to match reports when taking on Kilmainhamwood in the championship starting without the full panel, finishing with only fourteen players and having a goalkeeper with only civic street clothes on.

Slane continue their good work at underage level but one wonders is Meath’s brightest prospect Mattie O’Brien getting too much football. 13 year old Matty has been plagued by back injury.

Curraha have been a revelation to date in the race for Intermediate football honours. They must be one of the biggest teams around and those terrible twins John Duffy and Stan Gibney are tearing the hearts out of most opposing sides.

Ratoath shocked many when beating Meath Hill and this progressive club, who gained a number of the best Donaghmore hurlers, have also fielded a more than useful Junior Division 2 combination. They could be a team to watch in the eighties.

The old stagers in Boardsmill appear capable of going on for ever. Sean Garrigan, their best known player, has received praise from all sections in his efforts to clean up hurling in Meath. Instead of abusing the hurling boss people would be better off to offer him every encouragement. 

For years they called Tommy Kelly ‘Mister Hurling’ down Rathmolyon way. But at this years AGM Tommy, who has served the club for an unbroken stint of over 20 years, severed, due to business pressures, his close links with the club.

Despite the disappointing exit from the championship, last autumn, former champions Walterstown have only made one change in their selection committee with Gerry Fitzpatrick being voted in at the clubs AGM at the expense of Louis McLoughlin. Incidentally Fitzpatrick was a selector in Walterstown’s successful ’78 season. Altought the club lost players as John Lynch to Robinstown and Johnny Fagan to Killallon the recruitment of Paddy Carr has provided extra strength at the back.

A very impressive Athboy squad are the Meath Feile Na nGael champions for 1980. They beat Trim in the final on a convincing 4-5 to 0-2 scoreline. Hero of the hour for the Athboy lads was midfielder Eamon McGovern, the latest of this famous clan to hit the hurling headlines. Eamon also a very useful footballer shot 1-2 of his sides total besides laying on a continuous series of passes. But it was far from a one man show for the winners. Other young hurlers to impress were McGovern’s midfield partner Frank Ennis, defenders John Gilroy, Sean Doherty, John Dolan, attackers Stephen Farrelly and Thomas Doherty.

Popular Boardsmill hurler Seamus Carney has been placed in charge of the Royal County’s Under 18 hurlers. Other changes at the Minor Board Convention saw Kit Mitchell from the Killyon club succeed James Reilly (now Hurling Board Secretary) as Vice Chairman and Athboy’s John Doherty take over the Deputy Vice Chairman’s position.

Ambitious Castletown have appointed former Louth county player Paul Kenny at present residing in Navan as team manager and sole senior selector. On the other side of the scale one Castletown - Louth connection was broken with the departure back to the Wee County of Micky Clark whio fielded with the North Meath side’s senior team last term.

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