Dowdallshill paid the most fitting tribute possible to late Brendan Leggett by dedicating their junior championship success to the player who died tragically just four weeks before the final. By Eunan Whyte Following the St Brigid's Park side's victory over St Kevins in the decider, captain Vincent McKevitt revealed that the players had set out to claim the Christy Bellew Cup in honour of their colleague. Benny had played in goal in the previous two group games against Wolfe Tones and Annaghminnon Rovers but the 21-year-old's life was tragically cut short after a hit-and-run. Vincent McKevitt said: "I was delighted to be able to dedicate our win to Brendan, he's a good friend of mine and he was a really nice chap. "Brendan was in goal during the Championship and he'd really been enjoying his football this season." The Dowdallshill men never doubted themselves even when they trailed by two points in the final ten minutes of the game. "We played like there 16 men out there and even when we were up against it I never thought we were going to lose," the captain said. Dowdallshill may not have played their best football in the final but when the pressure was on in the closing minutes, they responded to the challenge. One man in particular who stood up when it counted was Noel Finnegan who pointed from two late frees. For the 20-year-old corner forward it was particularly pleasing as he didn't get the opportunity to play in the 2003 final victory. What was most disappointing for Noel was that he had played a part in every other game in that memorable treble-winning season, and as a result he went in to this year's decider determined to set the record straight. "From a personal point of view I was absolutely thrilled to play on a winning championship team. When we beat the Westerns in the final two years ago there was really mixed feelings for me. "On the one hand I was delighted that we won but on the other hand I was gutted that I didn't get to play that day. "It was the only game I didn't play a part in that year and it was really disappointing to miss out on the final. Luckily I had a chance to make up for." Adding to Noel's determination was the fact that he was aiming for a family double as his father, Ernie, was a selector, while the desire to win the Christy Bellew Cup for Benny Leggett was also a big factor. "It was very sad what happened to Benny and we were all thinking about him on before the game." Finnegan showed that determination in admirable fashion as he kept a cool head to pop over the vital frees that earned his side victory and also saw him pick up the Man of the Match award. Speaking afterwards Noel was naturally delighted with the victory. "It was just brilliant to play on a winning team after missing out two years ago. Although it was great to be part of the squad against the Westerns I always felt I has some unfinished business so I was really determined to make an impact this time around. "It wouldn't really bother me who was named Man of the Match, but it really was the icing on the cake for me and this is a day I will never forget." As regards the two late points Finnegan felt more pressure on the equaliser even though it was closer in. "I have to admit that I was more nervous with the first one because at that stage we were behind and I thought if I don't get this, we are beaten. For the second one I was a bit more relaxed because we would still have had something to hold on to if I missed, but I was delighted to see it sail over." That kick allowed Vincent McKevitt to take the Christy Bellew Cup back to St Brigid's Park for the second time in three seasons and he was in no doubt that experience and self-belief were the crucial factors in the success. The rock solid fullback paid tribute to his team-mates' resolve as the came out with a win in a tight and physical battle with St Kevin's. "We kept plugging away and we came through, at one stage we were two points behind with about ten minutes to go, but we never felt we were going to lose it. "It was a team effort, we had the experience of losing a final and we just didn't panic and came back. "It was very tight and physical, which we'd expected and we took the scores when they came our way," he said. The captain said the performances of forwards Noel Finnegan and Gerry McShane were major influences in the win, while he highlighted Damien Fanning's defensive display. "It was a long wait since we played Annaghminnon in the championship six weeks earlier and as a result it took us a bit of time to get up to championship pace again. "However, when the pressure was on the lads really stuck at it and in the end we got our reward. "It great for the club to achieve success and hopefully we can build on this and ensure that Dowdallshill is a team to be reckoned with in the years to come." The Dundalk outfit began the championship campaign with a 0-12 to 2-4 victory over St Kevins at the Point Road in the group stages, before going on to defeat Wolfe Tones by 3-15 to 1-6 at Stabannon. The Hill made sure of a place in the final when they scored a 3-11 to 3-2 win over Annaghaminnon Rovers in their final group outing at Louth Village. The decider at Castlebellingham saw Dowdallshill get off to a fine start with a Declan Roe goal helping them to lead by four points at the midway stage despite the fact that they were playing into a strong breeze. However, St Kevin's, led by Liam Boylan, fought back to lead by 0-7 to 1-3 at the interval. Despite having the elements in their favour, Dowdallshill struggled for much of the second half and trailed by two points entering the closing stages. However, they came good when it mattered most and a Gerry McShane point followed by a double from Finnegan was enough to see them snatch victory. In the final them men who hit the target for Dowdallshill in the 1-8 to 0-10 victory on that memorable day at The Grove were, Noel Finnegan (0-4, 3f), Gerry Mc Shane (0-3, 1f), Declan Roe (1-0), Donal Sheridan (0-1). Team: Fra Agnew, Eunan Whyte, Vincent McKevitt, Eamon Duffy, David Agnew, Damien Fanning, Donal O'Callaghan, Noel Mohan, Ciaran O'Callaghan, Niall O'Hagan, Donal Sheridan, Kevin McParland, Gerry McShane, Declan Roe, Noel Finnegan. Subs; Stephen Martin for Noel Mohan 54 mins. Not used: Sean Nolan, Cathal McShane, Peter Tiernan, Dominic King, Mick Rochford, Enda Hughes, Paul Gallagher, John Kerr, Brendan O'Toole, Andrew Agnew. Dowdallshill will have another reason to remember the 2005 season as they began work on their magnificent new club complex which is scheduled to be open for the 2006 campaign. Tweet

Most Read Stories