Riding out the storm into the summer of ‘69
INTRO
In the fourth of a five part series, Meath Chronicle sports editor Conall Collier looked at the 40-year journey that began in 1980 in Kilmessan and produced what is now the well-regarded North East Football League.
Decade number four covers 2010 – 2019 and the final piece of the jigsaw will feature an interview with Gerry Gorman who was, and remains, a driving force of the development since it started in November 1980.
Eight teams took tentative first steps under the banner of the Mid-Meath League on 23rd November 1980. The eight teams for that first season were - Kilmessan; Kilmessan B; Skryne; Dunshaughlin; Turmec (Athboy area); Cosmos (Navan); Moynalvey and Robinstown.
The number of affiliated teams contined an upward trend peaking at 115 in 2011 before a gradual decline by the end of the decade.
However, the fourth decade ended on a positive note in terms of affiliations with a total of 69 teams representing 48 clubs in the first calendar-year season during which the top honours went to Meath with Trim Celtic dominatiing.
The introduction of the calendar-year season in 2019 was the first of summer soccer. The Summer of 69 perhaps!
2010 / 2011 (Meath & District League)
The economic downturn saw the suspension of Capital grants for 2009 and what looked likely at the time for a few years as there was no indication about a timeline for resumption.
It prompted a concerned statement within the annual secretary’s report as follows:
“In common with similar projects countrywide evidence is there for all to see half finished developments with the frustration and all that goes with it of knowing it is not possible to make any meaningful progress without the aid of Capital Grants.”
“While we all have to accept inevitable cutbacks due to the present gloomy economic outlook, the funding generated from the proceeds of the National Lottery is vital for club development in any meaningful fashion.”
The MDL continued to receive great support from the FAI. The secretary’s report acknowledged receipt of a €30,000 grant, the second phase of a pledged €90,000 overall grant towards development. A fourth attempt to change the playing season was unsuccessful.
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Woodview Celtic (Carrick Rovers).
Challenge Cup - Clones Town (Woodview Celtic).
Chairman – John Gorman; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – John O’Byrne.
2011 / 2012 (Meath & District League)
Kilmessan man John Gorman stepped down from his role as chairman after six years at the helm and he was replaced by long-time committee man David Tully who was first elected to the MDL in 1996.
A total of 72 clubs representing 115 teams were affiliated which represented a new record entry (still remains as an all time high) following an increase of five teams from the previous season.
An official PRO Justin Burke was put in place thus clearly defining the position and easing the then workload of the secretary and fixtures' secretary.
On the pitch Woodview Celtic maintained their dominance when they completed a Premier League and Challenge Cup double. The cup final against Dundalk rivals Quay Celtic and it was a memorable one where they claimed a narrow 3-2 win.
Trim Celtic as runners up in the league were laying foundations for greater things later in the decade when they would eventually break the stranglehold of north Louth-based teams dominating the honours list.
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Woodview Celtic (Trim Celtic)
Challenge Cup - Woodview Celtic (Quay Celtic)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – John O’Byrne.
2012 / 2013 (Meath & District League)
The total of 57 clubs representing 109 teams was a drop of six from the previous record high, and it started a downward trend that has continued to the present day.
Christmas 2012 saw an announcement of Sports Capital grant allocations after an absence of four years and the MDL officials were in festive mood after learning of a pledge of €250,000 towards the development of a full sized artificial turf pitch.
With floodlights already in place since 2007 it meant the rest of the development could be completed with a contribution of €120,000 from the MDL.
David Doyle of Kentstown was the winner of the inaugural Meath Chronicle weekly forecast competition that continued throughout the season and sports editor Conall Collier and MDL chairman David Tully made presentations at the annual awards night.
The Premier League ended in controversial circumstances. Duleek required a win against Rock Celtic where they triumphed 1-0 only for the result to be reversed following a successful protest which was further appealed to the LFA and the FAI before Rock Celtic was eventually declared champions.
Duleek won the Challenge Cup by defeating Kingscourt Harps 5-1 in the final.
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Rock Celtic (Woodview Celtic)
Challenge Cup - Duleek (Kingscourt Harps)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – Sean Farrell.
2013 /2014 (Meath & District League)
Trim Celtic became the second MDL club crowned as FAI club of the year and among a number of incentives received €5,000.
Secretary Gerry Gorman received an FAI lifetime achievement award and after only one year as PRO Justin Burke received a special merit award.
The MDL began the development of the astro pitch, but work had was suspended during the spring as a result of inclement weather conditions. Pat O’Brioen stood down from his position as fixtures' secretary after eight years and was replaced by OMP Utd official Declan Jordan.
On the pitch, 107 teams competed and Woodview Celtic made it three Premier League wins in five seasons when they edged out Navan Cosmos while Drogheda-based Newfoundwell defeated Bellurgan 2 1- in a thrilling Challenge Cup final .
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Woodview Celtic (Navan Cosmos)
Challenge Cup - Newfoundwell (Bellurgan Utd)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – Sean Farrell.
2014 / 2015 (North East Football League)
Almost 34 years after the dawning of the Mid-Meath League the title name was officially changed for a second time (Mid-Meath League to Meath & District League) to the North East Football League in a move that reflected the clubs and teams from Louth, Cavan and Monghan.
The official announcement also coincided with the official opening of the all weather pitch at the MDL sports complex (as it is is still known). The ceremony was performed by the FAI chief executive John Delaney.
On the field of play the dominance of north Louth was replaced by a south Louth-based side which saw Drogheda team Boyne Harps win the Premier League.
Meath Branch Irish Soccer Referees' Society official Conor Byrne was appointed to handle the FAI Junior Cup final which ended in a thrilling Dublin inner city derby which saw Liffey Celtic overcome Sheriff YC 1–0.
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Boyne Harps (Woodview Celtic)
Challenge Cup - Belluragn Utd (Navan Cosmos)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – Sean Farrell.
2015 / 2016 (North East Football League)
The debut season of the NEFL saw a total of 61 clubs representing 112 teams.
This was an increase of three from the previous season, but was in reality a reduction of 10 teams, as the overall total included 13 teams from the over-35 section, plus for the first time, 11 teams in a Youth section.
On the field of play Navan Cosmos became the first Navan side to win the Premier League since OMP (Div 1) almost 30 years earlier in 1987.
They missed out on a double when losing (1-3) to Trim Celtic in the Challenge Cup final. It was the first time since 2007 that Meath sides won both top honours.
At administrative level Damien Smith replaced Carrickmacross native Sean Farrell as registrar. A Sports Capital Grant of €250,000 was secured towards the upgrading the six small sided pitches and the development of a new grass pitch.
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Navan Cosmos (Newfoundwell)
Challenge Cup - Trim Celtic (Navan Cosmos)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – Damien Smith.
2016 / 2017 (North East Football League)
The Youth League was discontinued and 99 teams affiliated.The main focus at the AGM was a motion put forward by Duleek FC to change the playing season to a calendar year in line with the League of Ireland.
A number of clubs opposed the motion - Quay Celtic, Rock Celtic and BMC Utd.
Following a lengthy discussion, the vote was 31 in favour and 22 against, leaving it deficient by six votes for the necessary two-thirds majority.
On the pitch referee Conor Byrne joined an elite group of officials when he was appointed to take charge of the Leinster Junior Cup final (Collinstown v Sheriff YC).
The popular official had previously taken charge of the FAI Junior Cup final and the FAI Oscar Traynor Trophy final.
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Muirhevna Mor (Newfoundwell)
Challenge Cup - Navan Cosmos (Bellurgan Utd)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – Damien Smith.
2017 / 2018 (North East Football League)
The total of 57 Clubs representing 96 teams saw a reduction of three from 2017 and for the shortened transitional season the number had fallen by a further nine with the total at 76. For the first time in four campaigns there was no over-35 section.
The last Tuesday in May 2018 will be enshrined as a watershed moment for the NEFL when after a number of attempts to change the playing season to all activity taking place within a calendar year was passed when 40 of the 48 delegates eligible to vote were in favour of the change.
The aftermath of the decision saw the NEFL declare in line with other Leagues that made the change in recent times, that the transitional changeover would initially involve a shortened season staring early August with a view to conclude in November.
Another stumbling block was alleviated somewhat when a motion put forward by Duleek to reduce the present requirements of a two thirds majority in favour of any future motions was reduced to 60 per cent.
After many years in the Leinster Senior League (the majority at Intermediate level) Navan club Parkvilla declared they were putting forward their first team as an entry to the NEFL alongside their Reserves
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Newfoundwell (Trim Celtic)
Challenge Cup - Muirhevna Mor (Bellurgan Utd)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – Damien Smith.
2018 ( NEFL transition season)]
MAIN STATISTICS
The short season facilitated the transition from the traditional calendar of fixtures to a calendar-year schedule for 2019.
Premier - Boyne Harps (Muirhevna Mor)
Challenge Cup - Muirhevna Mor (Trim Celtic)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – Damien Smith.
2019 (North East Football League)
The total of 48 clubs representing 69 teams saw a reduction of seven from 2018 in line with trends countrywide that reported an alarming drop off in the number of participants at group sporting activities.
Meath hosted the FAI festival of football and although the association was in turmoil each club showcased it's facilities. The MDL ground was open for a history presentation of football in the county co-ordinated by Parkvilla PRO Eddie Starrs.
The week-long festivities concluded with the FAI AGM at Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim.
On pitch it was the year of Trim Celtic as they took the Premier League and the Challenge Cup.
Guided by former League of Ireland star and twice FAI Cup winner Alan Murphy they raised the bar in terms of applying a professional type approach and in doing so brought the level of football to arguably a standard not previously achieved.
They aimed for outright glory at national and provincial level and notched up some notable victories against highly rated opponents before bowing out at the last 16 to Ferrybank (Waterford) in the FAI Junior Cup and Bluebell Utd (Dublin) in the Leinster Junior Cup.
MAIN STATISTICS
Premier - Trim Celtic (Boyne Harps)
Challenge Cup - Trim Celtic (Kentstown Rovers)
Chairman – David Tully; secretary / treasurer - Gerry Gorman; registrar – Damien Smith.