J.F.C. Title Goes North to the `Hill at Last'

Meath Hill 2-6 - Moynalty 0-3
1980 JUNIOR F.C. FINAL

Meath Hill, who had suffered some sour disappointments in the last couple of years, finally enjoyed the sweet taste of success at Pairc Tailteann, Navan last Sunday when winning the J.F.C. title for the first time since 1942. With the Matthews duo catching virtually everything around the half way line. Liam McCabe giving them great backing and the forwards combining nearly, Meath Hill looked far the better side in the firsthalf. After Cunningham caught a Sean Boyle centre and shot over to give them the lead after 90 seconds one of the best passing moves of the hour brought a fifth minute goal when Michael Kieran set up Cunningham for a well taken shot to the net.

Reilly opened Moynalty's scoring two minutes later but the losers had a couple of fortunate let offs before Francie Yorke, a nice shot from a tricky angle, and M. J. Martin from a free, strengthened the winners position with points. Meath Hill led by 15 to 0-2 after 40 minutes with Tom Matthews hitting a lovely point on the run from around 30 metres and Martin tapping over a free awarded for a foul on himself.

The winners wrapped the game up in a 60 seconds spell during which Yorke punched over a Tom Matthews centre and then Tony Boyle darted through for the clincher. Captain Liam McCabe who afterwards received the Matt Ginnity cup from Co. Board chairman Brian Smyth, was really superb for much of the second half when he broke up numerous raids. With such a resolute defence and a competent midfield pairing. Meath Hill could well be a force in the intermediate grade next year, but they must improve their finishing.

Moynalty - P. Farrell; J. McKenna, T. Nevin, T. Lynch, H. Lynch, A. Clinton, T. P. McKenna; F. Doyle, P. Nevin, S. McEntee, G. Curran, C. Reilly, T. Sullivan, M. Casey, R. Farrell. Sub - G. Bradley for B. Farrell. Referee - P. O'Dwyer (Dunshaughlin).