1996 will live long in the memory for all Meath supporters. When Tommy Dowd lifted the Sam Maguire Cup a memorable year was complete.
St. Peters/Pauls Under 14 squad also had reason to celebrate when they claimed the Meath Under 14 football championship title in dramatic fashion at Pairc Tailteann.
Coached by Kerryman Eugene Dennehy and inspired by captain Ger Robinson they took a leaf out of the Meath book with a stunning final day comeback against St. Colmcilles.
This talented squad also got to the league final but lost out to Navan O’Mahonys. The black and ambers refused to let this set back deflect them from their main goal which was to win the championship.
Wins over Yellow Furze and Blackhall Gaels earned them a place in the final.
St. Colmcilles provided the opposition on the day and they burst out of the traps to lead 1-7 to 0-0 after 20 minutes and a one sided victory seemed on the cards. But Gerard Robinson had other ideas. The Dunboyne captain gave a five star performance that dug his team out of the hole they found themselves in.
He got their first point after 22 minutes and five minutes later got a goal that turned the game. Winning the ball on the ’40 he embarked on a weaving solo run before slamming the ball beyond helpless Colmcilles keeper Cillian Duffy. Robinson added another point before the break to leave the half time score 1-7 to 1-2.
A goal from Joseph Bannon and points from David Barron and Robinson had the game level early in the second half. The Cilles hit the front again with their only score of the second half, a goal, to put the pressure back on the boys in black and amber.
Robinson reduced the deficit from a free before Kevin Fagan netted and Dunboyne were in front for the first time. Barron, Robinson and Darren McAuley added points to close out a very exciting game in Peter/Pauls favour. Final score 3-8 to 2-7.
Dunboyne: J. Clarke, K.McDonnell, M. Reilly, N. McKeown, L. Reddin, C. O’Dowd, T. Gunning, A. Dowdall, D. Barron 0-2, G. Robinson 1-5, C. Staunton, C. Doyle, S. Moran, J. Barron 1-0, K. Delaney. Subs: M. Doyle, K. Fagan 1-0, D. Watters, D. McAuley 0-1
Dunboyne squad: Thomas Gunning, Michael Cunniffe, Daryl Watters, Daragh McAuley, Kevin Fagan, Craig Doyle, Gerard Robinson, Alan Dowdall, Sean Moran, Damien Sweeney, Lee Redin, Conor Staunton, Michael Reilly, Colm O’Dowd, Joseph Barron, Gary Watters, Kevin McDonnell, John Clarke, Niall McKeon, Mark Doyle, Kevin Delaney, Sheana Kirwan, David Barron.
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