1998 will live long in the memory of Drumree GAA. Our picture shows a delighted Evan Kelly after their Junior Football Championship final win over St. Marys at Pairc Tailteann. 

The loyalty and dedication of a handful of determined stalwarts kept the club alive and their efforts were rewarded in October when captain Aaron Fitzpatrick raised the Matthew Ginnitty Cup over his head.

Drumree defeated St. Vincents 2-11 to 0-9 in round one, the goals coming from county star Evan Kelly and Dermot Doyle. 

Drumree's second round fixture against Dunboyne led to considerable controversy ... it was scheduled for Kilcloon but both teams felt that the pitch was unplayable. The referee deemed it playable and Drumree reluctantly took the field. Dunboyne refused on the basis that it was unsafe and the points were subsequently awarded to Drumree.

A draw, 0-11 each, was a fair result against Dunsany in round 3 at Moynalvey. A Jim Rattigan goal set the Hoops up for a 1-12 to 0-5 round 4 win over Simonstown while Wolfe Tones were seen off by the bare minimum 1-11 to 2-7 in round 5. The eventual champions received walkovers from Nobber and Seneschalstown and after a toss of a coin with Dunsany were declared group winners and earned a place in the semi final.

By half time Drumree were well on their way to the final with a 1-6 to 0-1 lead over Moylagh and they clinched their place in the decider on a 1-9 to 1-4 scoreline.

Aaron Fitzpatrick receives the Matthew Ginnity Cup from County Board Chairman Fintan Ginnity

The decidr against St Mary's was played as curtain-raiser to the senior final on a breezy October afternoon. Drumree played with the wind but found themselves 1-2 to 0-3 down midway through the half. St Marys got another goal to leave Drumree with a mountain to climb but a slender lifeline was thrown their way just before the interval when Evan Kelly took full advantage of a defensive error by burying the ball in the St. Marys net to leave the half-time score 2-4 to 1-5 in St Marys favour.

The Donore side extended their lead early in the second half but incredibly they failed to score again and Drumree gradually took control. A brace from Jim Hayes and one from Kelly had the game all square. Kelly again, Bobby Geraghty and Jim Rattigan opened up a three point gap and with their defence on top they went on to record a 1-11 to 2-4 win.

Evan Kelly was the "man of the match" in the final ... the St. Marys defence was unable to curtail him and he finished with a fine tally of 1-3. John Cullinane, Jim Hayes, Paul Gaughan and Jim Rattigan also made enormous contributions. 

Drumree; John Boyle, Dermot Doyle, Patrick Doyle, Aaron Fitzpatrick, Gerard Troy, Declan Troy (0-1), Roy Sheridan, John Cullinane, Bobby Geraghty (0-1), James Walsh, Jim Rattigan (0-2), Paul Gaughan (0-1), Jim Hayes (0-3), Evan Kelly (1-3), Shane Mahon. Sub: Damien Fitzpatrick. 

Leinster Junior Champions. Front l-r: Aiden Walsh, Mick Boyle, Gavin Kilbane, Mark Rattigan, Evan Kelly, Dermot Doyle, James Walsh, Aaron Fitzpatrick, Jim Rattigan, Rory Sheridan, Shane Mahon, Declan Troy, John Gilsenan, Damien Fitzpatrick. Back l-r: Mick Collins, Jim Hayes, Paul Gaughan, Pat Doyle, Sean Walsh, David Troy, Bobby Geraghty, John Cullinane, Ger Troy, John Boyle, Kit Doyle, Padraig Stanley, Gareth Kelly.

Drumree didn’t stop there and a few months later they became the first Meath club to claim Leinster Junior honours. It was the first running of the competition and they defeated John Mitchells (Louth) 2-13 to 0-3, St. Peregrines (Dublin) managed by Eamonn Barry and Offaly’s Ballinamere 2-14 to 1-5 to advance to the final. Ballyroan of Laois were defeated 2-12 to 1-10 in the decider played in Dunshaughlin. Evan Kelly was once again the star of the show scoring 2-2.

The team, and scorers, in the Leinster final was; John Boyle, Dermot Doyle, Mick Collins, Aaron Fitzpatrick (capt.), Gerard Troy, Declan Troy, Roy Sheridan, John Cullinane (0-1), Bobby Geraghty (0-1), Shane Mahon (0-2), Jim Rattigan (0-1), Paul Gaughan (0-1), Jimmy Walsh (0-1), Evan Kelly (2-2) and Jim Hayes (0-2). Substitutes; David Troy and Patrick Doyle (0-1).

Unfortunately their is no longer a football team in Drumree and the club now solely focuses on Hurling but they can look back in admiration to that outstanding achievement 23 years ago.

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