Heroes of '73 honoured at O'Mahonys reunion
Image 1 of 15
Players, officials and representatives of those since deceased who attended the 1973 Navan O’Mahonys reunion (from left) were: back Neil Quinn (current chairman), Christy Blake, Paul Matthews, Dermot McGuinness, Joe Keating, Stephen Duffy (representing his father Fergus, RIP), Ronan Giles (captain), Br Francis, Gerry Connolly, Peter O’Toole, Dermot Dalton, Cora Dunne (representing her brother coach Jim Cahill, RIP); front - Eamon Giles, Joe Cassells, Tom Geraghty, Alan Burns, Donal O'Grady, Eamon Gallagher, Louis Kinsella, Michael Shiels (representing his father Willie ‘Waller’ Shiels RIP), Jack Moyles (representing his nephew Paul Murphy), May Ratty (representing her husband Harry RIP); not in photo Frank Carberry RIP, John Carroll RIP, Ultan McDermott, Pat Duffy, Hugh Friel.Image 2 of 15
Navan O'Mahonys vice presidents Peter Matthews, Oliver O'Toole and Noel Dungan at the 1973 reunion.Image 3 of 15
Louis and Edel Kinsella at the Navan O'Mahonys 1973 reunion.Image 4 of 15
Member of the 1973 SFC winning team Paul Matthews receives his memento from O'Mahonys chairman Neil Quinn.Image 5 of 15
Member of the 1973 SFC winning team Eamonn Giles receives his memento from O'Mahonys chairman Neil Quinn.Image 6 of 15
Member of the 1973 SFC winning team Joe Cassells receives his memento from O'Mahonys chairman Neil Quinn.Image 7 of 15
Cora Dunne, sister of Jim Cahill a member of the 1973 SFC winning team, receives a memento from O'Mahonys chairman Neil Quinn.Image 8 of 15
Donal O'Grady, chairman of Navan O'Mahonys when they won the 1973 Keegan Cup, receives his memento from current chairman Neil Quinn.Image 9 of 15
Brother Francis receives his memento from O'Mahonys chairman Neil Quinn.Image 10 of 15
Enjoying the 1973 Navan O'Mahonys reunion were Eamon Dunphy, Michael Bennett and club President Jack Moyles.Image 11 of 15
Isabel, Paula and Kieran Thorpe with club President Jack Moyles at the Navan O'Mahonys 1973 reunion.Image 12 of 15
MC Shane Cassells interviews Joe Cassells, Christy Blake and Peter O'Toole at the 1973 reunion.Image 13 of 15
May and Colm Cahill at the 1973 reunion.Image 14 of 15
1973 captain Ronan Giles and chairman Donal O'Grady are interviewed by MC Shane Cassells.Image 15 of 15
Ronan Giles and Trevor Giles enjoying the Navan O'Mahonys 1973 reunion.FIFTY Years and 13 days after they raised the club’s eighth Keegan Cup, Navan O’Mahonys paid tribute to the 1973 Meath SFC winning team at a function in Brews Hill.
MC Shane Cassells welcomed the guests, before describing life in 1973, courtesy of reports from the Meath Chronicle of the day. He then went through the final match report, recalling key events of the match and questioning whether the player profiles of the time would make it today with descriptions such as “pint-sized” and “burly.”
Current club chairman Neil Quinn then addressed the crowd, where he thanked the players and their guests for joining in the celebration. He paid tribute to the organising committee of Joe Cassells, Eamon Giles, Tom Staunton and Michael Bennett for all their hard work, stating that the large attendance was a testament to the regard in which the four men were held.
Before dinner, Shane Cassells spoke with the 1973 captain Ronan Giles and chairman and player Donal O’Grady. Donal recalled how he ended up in the chairman role and the work that went on around that time in building the current clubhouse while both recalled their memories of the game, with many references made to the long hairstyles of yesteryear!
Once the appetites had been satiated thanks to JM Foods, Joe Cassells, Christy Blake and Peter O’Toole shared their memories of 1973. Peter and Christy spoke of their determination to go one step further in 1973 after suffering disappointment in the replayed 1972 final against Seneschalstown. The three described the differences in the game and recalled coach Jim Cahill working them very hard at training!
Joe spoke about the social side of things at that time as one of the younger members of the panel as well as how he dreaded facing Bertie Cunningham in the run up to the game.
Each player was presented with a memo of the occasion by chairman Neil Quinn before Shane Cassells spoke to Club President Jack Moyles who was a selector on the day.
Finally, Eamon Giles addressed the crowd on behalf of the organising committee.
A most enjoyable evening was had by all, with many having travelled from across the country to attend. Plenty of stories were shared and memories recalled, with some of the players meeting up again for the first time in decades.
Also in attendance was the referee from the day, Liam Brady, who received a glowing report in the Meath Chronicle of the day for his officiating.