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HISTORY

The Early Days

Ratoathrsquos first game of competitive soccer was played against Cliftonrsquos (now Jamestown Estate) farm hands in 1962,

when a few lads from Brownstown took on Cliftonrsquos workmen in a game. The football players did not have any gear

whatsoever to tog out in, but both teams enjoyed the kick about. Two weeks later a game was arranged between

the boys from Brownstown and the farm hands from Whitersquos in Kilrue. The build up to the game drew a lot of interest

from people not directly involved in the game itself, and as the time of the game drew near, allegations about

the ability of some of the players from Brownstown to play the game were made by players from another

sporting code. The game was arranged to be played in the G.A.A. field known as ldquothe hurley fieldrdquo on the road to

Curragha, and when the two teams assembled in the field for the game, the Brownstown lads noticed that the team

from Whitersquos farm had not only additional players, not associated with the farm, but players from outside

the parish. The lads from Brownstown questioned the inclusion of the additional players and the answer they got did

not please them so they decided to withdraw from the game. After some heated argument, it was decided that the game

should go ahead. The pitch was in good shape, but a little long for a game of soccer, so it had to be shortened, and

this was achieved by placing two piles of coats to represent the goal posts. We also had a problem of a large

concentration of cow pads adjacent to the road end goal. The Brownstown team had no official football kit and had to

do with an all white gear that included some with white t-shirts, low neck see through string vests, white shirts and

one player with no shirt. As the summer sunshine had not yet arrived, his white skin blended nicely with the

team colours. As for their opponents, they had multiple colours in their kit and were better togged out. The boys

from Brownstown were a little on the tired side having had a hard night at the carnival in Dunshaughlin on the

previous night, so the game plan was a blanket defence and try and get the ball to their teenagers, Tony Darby and

Mellor Flood, who formed a two man attack, and try and hit the Whitersquos eleven on the break. The game had just

started when a bout of fist-de- cuffs (a local name for a row) started near the touchline at the road end of

the pitch and it soon spread throughout the playing field with scuffles on and off the pitch, and so when tempers

finally cooled down, the game got under way. Midway through the first half a tackle on a Brownstown player,

Mellor Flood, resulted in the player being unable to continue and a sub was brought on as a replacement.

Scoring chances were few and far between and the exchanges between the players continued to be over

robust with some very dangerous tackles going in. With only minutes remaining in the first half the deadlock

was finally broken when Nicky Sherry found his nephew Tony Darby with a fine through ball, but the striker still

had a lot of work to do. With Joe Everard and Sean Plunkett from the Whitersquos eleven bearing down on him, with a

change of speed and a little sidestep, plus a little help from the afore mentioned cow pads he was through and

fired a low hard shot to the right of goalkeeper Willie Reilly from the Moulden Bridge, to put the boys from Brownstown

one up going into the break. In the second half the Whitersquos eleven stepped up their game to try to get back in to the

contest, but try as they might the Brownstown defence stood solid with six foot one inch Tony Morgan in outstanding

form, and at the back Brendan Lynch, brothers Ciaran, Kevin and Pat Brady, with great support from Chris and

Jimmy Maher formed a solid defence. In midfield John Clince and Nicky Sherry were having the game of their lives

with a continuous supply of good quality ball to the front men Joe Mannering and Tony Darby. As the game reached

its conclusion, a fine ball from John Clince found Joe Mannering on the right wing and Joe sent a measured pass to

the inrushing striker Tony Darby, who hit the ball with such force from two yards out that it would have surely burst

the net, that is of course if the goal had a net.

The game finished Brownstownhellip2, Whites Elevenhellip0

The referee on the day was Mun Fortune from Pullwee Street.

The Brownstown Panel: Tony Morgan, Brendan Lynch, Jimmy Maher, Michael Maher, Chris Maher, Kevin Brady, Ciaran Brady,

Pat Brady, Nicky Sherry, John Clince, Gerry Keague, Nicholas Kavanagh, Nicholas Keogh, Tommy Mooney, Joe Mannering,

Pat Darby, Tony Darby, Mellor Flood, Leonard Brennan, Leo Corrigan, Ken Brennan.

Brownstown Boys 1962

Back L to R: Kevin Brady, Gerry Keague, Brendan Lynch, Ciaran Brady, Leonard Brennan

Front: Joe Mannering, Nicholas Keogh, Chris Maher, Leo Corrigan, Ken Brennan.

Back L ndashR: Nicholas Keogh, Frank Brady (with Hat), John Clince, Tony Morgan, Michael Maher and Ciaran Brady.

Middle: Kevin Brady, Anthony Corrigan and Jack Gaffney.

Front: Joe Mannering, Pat Darby, Gerry Keague, Ken Brennan, Dan Corrigan.

Local challenge games were organised on a sporadic basis. The ldquobanrdquo was in force, it was to remain for almost another decade, and

knowledge of the game of soccer was fairly limited.

The onset of television and ldquoMatch of the Dayrdquo coupled with the tremendous exposure arising from the Englandrsquos staging, and ultimate

victory in the 1966 World Cup, created a new and previously unprecedented interest in the game.

Following a meeting in Johnny Goganrsquos Bar (now Ratoath Inn) which was attended by Mellor Floor, Benny Browne

(recent Referee of the Year in the Meath amp District League), Tony Morgan, Roddy OrsquoNeill and Sonny Martin, it was decided to

enter a five-a-side indoor tournament in Navan. Beechmount Ballroom was the entertainment Mecca of the county and hosted the

tournament, which catered for both men and women. The top prizes were transistor radios, which were all the rage at the time.

BENNY BROWNE (ABOVE LEFT) A FOUNDER MEMBER OF RATOATH HARPS DISCUSSES OLD TIMES

WITH ANOTHER LONG TIME MEMBER DARAGH O NEILL

Ratoath made the final under the name of lsquoChelsea Greyhoundsrsquo. However, they were out of luck in the decider and didnrsquot manage

to get tuned in and had to settle for second place. The Chelsea Greyhounds Team included Fiacre OrsquoNeill (RIP), Paddy OrsquoNeill (RIP),

Ollie Reilly (RIP), Mellor Floor, Joey Walls, P.J. (Paddy) Reilly, who won a minor All-Ireland (GAA) title with Meath in 1957, and

Mickey (Spider) Eiffe.

Ratoath F.C. was formed and the following committee were charged with the task of nurturing the club ndash Christy (Sonny) Martin,

Patrick (Pakin) Brady, Anthony Morgan (RIP) Benny Browne Mellor Flood and Roddy OrsquoNeill.

Honorary members were John Bruen (RIP), Johnny Gogan (RIP) and Eamonn White (RIP), three men who supplied pitches,

to whom Ratoath Harps will be forever indebted.

Ratoath Harps Managers from the early years L-R Sonny Martin, Patrick (Packen) Brady, Kevin Brady, Roddy O Neill

Sonny Martin remembers ldquoWe formed a soccer team to cater for the lads who werenrsquot good enough to get a game of gaelic football.

We had a huge amount of players who were not going to make top class GAA players and they wanted to play some sort of gamerdquo.

Sonny continued ldquoour original idea was to give the lads a game of soccer and perhaps some of them would graduated onto the football (GAA) team.rdquo

However, the continuity of games, weekly, fanned the spark that the five-a-side tournament ignited and the first string in the harp was firmly in place.

Making Progress

1968 Back L to R: Michael Walls, Steven Pryle, Mick Donnelly, Andy Bell, Paddy Reilly, Ollie Reilly, Pat Brady

Front: Michael Garrigan, Fiacra O Neill, Pat Cantwell, Benny Brown, Tom Cantwell.

Ratoath successfully applied to the AUL in 1968 where they were to spend two seasons. Home was negotiated on the Lagore Road with

the aid of Jack Bruen and the lsquoTitanic effortsrsquo of Roddy OrsquoNeill were to be of major significance for the club during its first five years.

Roddy takes up the story: ldquoResistance to soccer was strong. You see, soccer was a foreign game and Kilbride were the kingpins in

Meath GAA circles.rdquo Faced with a challenge, the founders of the club responded and stuck to the task. Roddy continues: ldquoAshbourne had

joined the AUL the previous season (1967/68) and Jimmy Feeley gave us some pointers. Our knowledge of the game was very limited.

Basically, what we saw on the television, but we didnrsquot really know the rules. We used to ask the referee to explain his decision when

he penalised us and they were generally very helpful.rdquo

Even in those times, top class officials took charge of games. ldquoonce we had John Carpenter doing our Match. On the previous Wednesday

night he had taken charge of an Inter City Fairs European Cup match. Then he had to deal with us. Roddy continues: ldquoThe team talks

before the game were something else. The main instruction was lsquoRemember lads, you canrsquot handle the ballrsquo. Players frequently sought

help and advice on where to stand as we werenrsquot familiar with centre half or centre forward positions.rdquo

The first game on 25th August 1968 was against Marino Corinthians and brought a 1-6 defeat. The team was ndash Fiachra OrsquoNeill,

Benny Browne, Pat (Pakin) Brady, Stephen Pryle, Mickey Walls, Mickey (Briar) Donnelly, Pat Cantwell, Paul Darby, Terry Summerville,

Noel (Scaff) Browne, Tom (Fish) Wheeler. Pat Cantwell scored.

Ratoathrsquos first competitive point was against Wicklow team Blessington, when Mick Donnelly scored in a

1-1 home game on the 24th. November 1968.

Mellor Floodrsquos broken leg, sustained in a pre-season friendly, was a major blow to the Club. The first win was in Offaly with

a 3-1 victory from Mick (Briar) Donnelly (2) and Tony Kane(1). Roddyrsquos involvement with the club ended in 1973 at which

stage they were competing in the Leinster Junior League where they had two stints: in 1970/rsquo74 and 1977/rsquo82.

The North County Dublin League catered for them for two seasons, 1975 ndash1977, where another Ratoath club, Rovers, also

competed. Ratoath Harps were officially recognised as and from 1970 following the admittance of Finn Harps to the League

of Ireland, which prompted the addition of ldquoharpsrdquo to the club name. The club also moved to a new home during this period.

The new location was at Kilrue Lane on the land of another club benefactor, Eamonn White (RIP).

KILRUE 1972: Back L to R. Nicky Somers, Kevin White, Jimmy Colfer, Joe Lynch, Anthony Reilly, Mick Folen,

Joe Mannering, Daragh O Neill,

Front David Foley, Mick Brady, Joey Brown, Mellor Flood, Eddie Nulty, Noel Brown, Joey Healy, Frank Reilly

The last game on the Lagore Road Pitch produced a record 13-2 win against old rivals Duleek while the first game as Ratoath Harps

brought defeat by the Garda team.

Honours were few and far between although a Shield was won in the North Co. Dublin League and an annual tournament for the

St. Patrickrsquos Day Cup, between Ratoath and Duleek, gave the trophy cabinet something to support.

The clubrsquos third and final resting place was at Coderlis, the present home, where a good relationship was built up with the

GAA Club which produced a harmonious sharing, for the rent of facilities. The clubrsquos final season in the Leinster Junior League

in 1982 was the best. They achieved a second placing in Division 3B. The following season saw an ambitious move to intermediate

football in the Leinster Senior League.

Back Jimmy Colfer, Ivan Elvin, Pat Kavanagh, Joe Lynch, Ray Brennan, Owen Sullivan, Stephen Pryle.

Front Christy Doran, Tom Wheeler, Joey Healy, Mellor Flood, PaddyReilly, Pat Cantwell.

The clubrsquos early ambitions reflected a pedigree which would carry them through some lean spells. That ambition was clearly evident

when they embarked on a brief tour of the U.K. in April 1972, scarcely 5 years old.

Stephen Pryle from Skyrne, a brother of David Pryle, who less than a decade later would be involved with the inaugural mid Meath

league, was one of many Irishmen working in London for a firm called JampE Hall. Stephen made contact with the fledgling Irish soccer club

and the idea of a mini tour across the Irish Sea was born. Following brief discussions the idea took off and 25 enthusiasts coughed up

the pound10 fare.

The intrepid travellers set off from Dun Laoghaire en-route to Holyhead and the train to London. Roddy OrsquoNeill offered pound5 to anyone

who scored a hat trick and Mellor Flood almost won it in the second game against JampE Hall. The schedule was quite hectic with

the squad departing on Friday and returning on Monday. In between they played three games the statistics of which are:

The squad on tour included Roddy OrsquoNeill,Joe Healy Senior, Kit Doran, Joe Healy Junior, Jimmy Colfer, Owen Sullivan, Tom Ford,

Jim Gorman, Martin Walls, Mellor Flood, Ivan Elvin, Stephen Pyrle, J. Lynch, P. Sullivan, G. Sullivan, D. OrsquoSullivan, F. Walls, C. Daly,

P. Cantwell, P. Kavanagh, T. Wheeler, P. Reilly, G. Monaghan, Declan Brennan and R. Brennan.

1960rsquos pop star Marianne Faithful attended one of the games while the squad also took the opportunity to socialise and made

the most of the short time they had in London.

St. Patrickrsquos Day 1978

Back L-R: Noel Conway, Michael Brady, Paddy Kenny, Terry Brady, Brian Conway, Mark Flood, Martin Dolan.

Front: Christy Doran, Daragh O Neill, Mellor Flood, Des Brady, Paddy Monaghan.

An Ambitious Move

During Johnny Flanaganrsquos reign as Chairman, Ratoath Harps successfully applied to the Leinster Senior League and became

one of a handful of Meath clubs which have, or still do, play intermediate football, which is a grade below senior (League of Ireland) football,

The club spent two seasons (1982/rsquo83 and lsquo83/rsquo84) at intermediate level. While success on the field eluded them they learned a tremendous

amount about what was required to run a successful club and the experience gained was invaluable. Johnny takes up the story:

ldquoRobbie Cooke had moved into the area and was a very experienced player at League of Ireland level. The enthusiasm which existed,

coupled with Robbiersquos experience, prompted us to make the move.rdquo

Robbie adopted the player-managerrsquos role while Johnny was the assistant. The first game was on 22nd August 1982 when Mellor Flood

scored as the ldquoHarpsrdquo went down (1-2) to Cherrywood Athletic. The squad on duty that day was: Niall Fitzgerald, Kieran Gaughan,

Mick Walls, Paul Meyers, Dessie Brady, Michael Regan, Tommy Ennis, David Brennan, Mellor Floor, Noel Carey and David Gorman.

The following month (1/2/82) TEK United were beaten with goals by Robbie Cooke and Noel Carey while in October the club played

in the FAI cup, but were beaten by three goals in Dalkey. Paul McGrath wasnrsquot eligible to play for Dalkey as he had signed for

St. Patrickrsquos Athletic and would later sign for Manchester United.

Parkvilla were regular opponents and during the first season, the two Meath clubs played out two draws (2-2 and 3-3) with

Mark Flood (two), Robbie Cooke, Daragh OrsquoNeill, Owen Power scoring. The following season only one victory was recorded.

The club did well against TEK United. However, by the end of the season, a change was needed and the club decided to move

again, this time to the rapidly expanding Meath amp District League.

Some of the notable clubs Ratoath would have played against were: Ashtown United (Now Ashtown Villa)

St. Patrickrsquos, Bray and Bray Wanderers).

Leinster Senior League Team 1982

Back L to R: M. Butterly, Anthony Gaughan, Kevin Kelly, Mark Flood, Niall Fitzgerald,

David Gorman,Robbie Cooke, Paul Myers, Christopher Brady, Johnny Flanagan.

Front: Tommy Ennis, Daragh O Neill. Mellor Flood, Kieran Gaughan, Noel Carey

Ratoath Harps 1983/84

Back Row L-R Seamus Murphy, Barry Walsh, Paddy Cully, Martin Mooney, Tommy Reilly, Martin Rothwell, Declan Brennan.

Front Row L-R Daragh O Neill, Noel Conway, Jimmy Colfer, Gerry Reilly Brian Mulvaney, Paul Murphy, Declan Reilly.

Meath amp District League

The clubrsquos first season in the Meath amp District League (1984/rsquo85) failed to yield any trophies, but brought some memorable games

in the form of local derby clashes against Dunshaughlin, Skyrne Rangers, Castle Celtic and Kenstown Rovers. Ratoath finished fifth

behind champions Spiders from Navan. The Navan side went through the campaign unbeaten in what was the first of the most

competitive second division title races in the short history of the league. Ratoath Harps, in conjunction with the Meath and District

League embarked upon a joint fund raising venture with an agreement that the MDL would continue with the weekly forecast cards

from the end of the lsquo84/rsquo85 season.

LEAGUE WINNERS 1986

Back L to R Terry Brady, Martin Everard, Paul Elliott, Dermot Rooney, Paul Everard, Mervyn Ennis, Mark Flood, Packie Dowdall, Declan Brennan,

Front Frank Reilly, Alan Donnelly, Martin Reilly, Noel Carey, Brian Conway, Tony Hartnett, David Gorman,

Such was the success of the venture that Ratoath completed major development work at Ratoath Park while the MDLrsquos fund raising saw

them purchase 25 acres of land (currently being developed) outside Navan in 1988.

Ratoath had started the ldquoweekly forecast cardsrdquo a couple of seasons earlier following discussions between Declan Brennan and Mark Flood.

Ratoath continued to raise substantial amounts through the ldquocardsrdquo for a couple of seasons. The second division title ended in Ratoath

in the 1985/rsquo86 season with four points to spare ahead of Dunboyne who were in their first season in the MDL (with two teams) after

moving from the AUL.

Brian Conwayrsquos hat trick was the highlight of the clinching game against Newtown United and the Leaguersquos assistant secretary

Conall Collier presented the cup in Newtown Club following the match. The cub has enjoyed reasonable success in the meantime

with glory achieved in the inaugural reserve cup against Oldcastle (lsquo87/rsquo88) while the first team finished second in Div.1 in 1988/rsquo89 and

runner-up in the Reilly Cup a season later.

Cup winners 1988

Back L to R Paul Donnelly, Martin Mooney, Alan McGrath, Mark Folan, Christopher Brady, Brian McCann, Gary Donnelly.

Front Brian Conway,Daragh O Neill(Captain),Alan (Pa) Donnelly, Noel Conway, Cecil Brennan, Patsy Kelly,

(Children Cormac O Neill and Matt Conway)

The club has enjoyed reasonable success in the meantime with glory achieved in the inaugural reserve cup against Oldcastle (87/88) while the first team

finished second in Div.1 in 1988/89 and runner-up in the Reilly Cup a season later.

Ratoath Harps

1987/88

Back Row L-R Paddy Monaghan, (Assistant Manager) Mick Davis, Ger Cooke, Val Cassidy,

Mark Flood, Jim Rattigan, Paul Everard, Dermot Gorman, Domo Close (Manager)

Front Row L-R Stan Gibney, Paul Elliott, Brian Conway, Mervin Ennis, Alan Donnelly

Noel Carey, Cecil Brennan.

1988 feast of football to celebrate twenty years of soccer

In 1988 Ratoath Harps invited players from the early days to revisit the past with an exhibition match.

The veterans are pictured below

Back L to R Ray King, Ray Brennan, Ivan Elvin, Shane White, Sam Conroy, Joe Lynch, Owen Sullivan.

Front Tony Darby,Mellor Flood, Paddy Reilly, Jimmy Colfer, Tom Cantwell, Christy Doran.

Back L to R Mick Folan, Chris Maher, Christo Ennis, Anthony Reilly, Daragh O Neill, Nick Somers, Mick Walls.

Front Benny Browne, Aidan Browne, Tony O Toole, Frank Reilly, Mick Donnelly, Padraig Gaughan, Eddie Nulty, Mick O Toole.

Children Paddy O Neill, Keith Walls and Siobhan O Neill.

RATOATH HARPS 1991

Back L to R: Cecil Brennan, Mick Flood, Mark Flood (with daughter Lorna), Tommy Reilly, Declan Brennan, Pat Naughton,

Michael Davis,Mellor Flood, Christopher Brady, Mick Donnelly, Philip Foster, Martin Mannering, Johnny Flanagan, Ken Donnelly.

Front: Barry Walsh, Dermot Gorman, Ger Cooke, David Gorman, John McCormack, Paul Murphy, Ivor Reilly

However, the most satisfying successful win was in the Fiacra OrsquoNeill Memorial Shield (91/92) when Westmeath side Ennel Court United were beaten in Ratoath.

The club sponsored the Shield to commemorate Fiacra O Neill one of the founder members. Goals from Cecil Brennan and Noel Conway secured the trophy while

Daragh OrsquoNeill came on as a substitute and almost scored a third goal. In an emotional presentation Daragh, who captained the side, referred to his late brother

Fiacra. Brian Conway also served on the MDL committee for a number of seasons and was in the selection of the Oscar Traynor Trophy team.

The league regularly staged finals in Ratoath.

FIACRA O NEILL SHIELD WINNERS 1992

Back L to R Bobby Walls (Manager) Mark Flood, Noel Conway, Cecil Brennan, John Looney, Daragh O Neill,

Alan (Pa) Donnelly, Ger Cooke,Johnny Flanagan (Manager) Mellor Flood.

Front Barry Walsh, Ken Gill, Vincent Moore, Karl Brennan, David Gorman, Dermot Gorman.

Fiacra O Neill Shield won by Ratoath Harps 1991/9

L-R Benny Browne (Ref of the Year 1993) Johnny Flanagan (Manager) Daragh O Neill (Capt) Mark Flood Chairman Ratoath Harps

Schoolboy football was also catered for with five teams in action in the north eastern counties schoolboyrsquos league. Indeed, in 1991, the schoolboyrsquos league

played a u-17 friendly against Queens Park Rangers in Ratoath, while for the opening of the park in 1986, Derry City visited.

Ratoath were now firmly established as one of the leading clubs in the Meath amp District League.

However, the most satisfying successful win was in the Fiacre OrsquoNeill Memorial Shield (lsquo91/rsquo92) when Westmeath Side

Ennel Court United were beaten in Ratoath. Goals from Cecil Brennan and Noel Conway secured the trophy while Daragh OrsquoNeill

came on as a substitute and almost scored a third goal. In an emotional presentation Daragh, who captained the side, referred to

his late brother. Brian Conway also served on the MDL committee for a number of seasons and was in the selection of the

Oscar Traynor Trophy team. The league regularly stages finals in Ratoath.

Schoolboy football is also catered for with five teams in action in the north eastern countiesrsquo schoolboyrsquos league. Indeed, in 1991,

the schoolboyrsquos league played a u-17 friendly against Queens Park Rangers in Ratoath, while for the opening of the ldquoparkrdquo in 1986,,

Derry City visited.

Ratoath were now firmly established as one of the leading clubs in the Meath amp District League.

Northern Visitors ndash DerryCity

The biggest day in the clubrsquos history was undoubtedly Sunday 20th July 1986. That was the occasion of the League of Ireland

newcomers and former Irish League side Derry Cityrsquos visit to Ratoath Park. The Burmah-Castrol challenge between Ratoath Harps

and Derry City drew a large crowd to the ground with the grandstand, which was built for the game, packed.

The driving forces behind the ambitious plan for the official opening of the grounds were Brian Conway and

Christopher (Johnny) Brady. Guest players strengthened the Ratoath team which was managed by Turlough OrsquoConnor and

included Martin Rogers (Parkvilla) and John Swift (Shamrock Rovers) a son of a well known Meath amp District Referee.

Derry City were heralded as the saviours of the League of Ireland football and had just competed a first season in senior

competition. Noel King was the manager, but Derryrsquos board had brought in Jim Mc Laughlin as general manager and his first duties

with the club coincided with the visit to Ratoath. Brian Conway and Johnny Brady pulled off a remarkable coup by staging the match

and Derry City attracted a good-size crowd to the venue. Former ldquoMeath Chroniclerdquo reporter Cathal Dervan, who is now sports edito

r for ldquoThe Titlerdquo newspaper, aided the club by promoting the game and producing an impressive programme.

Overall, the game was a huge success and gave Ratoath Harps a high local profile. For that game the ldquosharedrdquo facilities with

the GAA were used, but a subsequent divergence of views, left Ratoath Harps out in the cold and without the use of changing

facilities. With the benefit of hindsight, that episode was a blessing in disguise. The club reacted positively, installed temporary

facilities and embarked upon an ambitious building plan, which produced a fine clubhouse and further enhanced the image of this

progressive club.

RATOATH HARPS SELECTION v DERRY CITY: Back, Ronnie Murphy(Bohs) Aidan Gorman(OMP)

Mervyn Ennis(Ratoath Harps) Robbie Cooke(Ratoath Harps) Dessie Quinlan(Drogheda) John Byrne(Bohs)

Jim Grace(St. Pats) Turlough O Connor(Bohs) John Swift(Shamrock Rovers) Front, Clem McAuley(Trim Celtic)

Paul Elliott(Ratoath Harps) Martin Rodgers(Parkvilla) Gino Lawless(Bohs) Alan O Reilly(St. Pats) Tom Duff(Athlone Town)

Out of Time

Tom ldquoCubrdquo Walsh from Straffan, a leading GAA Kildare inter-county footballer, played with Ratoath Harps, but for his efforts,

he was dropped from the Kildare panel because he played soccer. The Clubrsquos first competitive win was achieved wearing Ratoath

GAA jerseys. They were left without gear following a serious fire, which gutted Sonny Martinrsquos (manager) house, on Friday,

31st January 1969. However, the GAA Club rescued the soccer team.

The Harps and the Rovers

In 1972, a second team was formed in Ratoath called Ratoath Rovers, who played in the North County Dublin League. As is usual in

small communities a strong rivalry existed between both teams. When Ratoath Harps joined the North County Dublin League a

few years later, many intense local derbies were played. In later years, in order to strengthen soccer in Ratoath, the two clubs

combined and called themselves Ratoath Community, which reverted back to Ratoath Harps later.

The main person behind the Rovers was Willie Reilly (RIP) (Chairman) ably assisted by his committee- Frank (Plum) Reilly,

Alan (Pa) Donnelly, John Looney and Mervyn Ennis. This gives Ratoath Harps an extra dimension as a social club as well as a soccer club.

Ratoath Ladies Soccer

Throughout the years there has been very strong support from the ladies involved with the club. At various stages there has been very

successful ladies soccer teams in Ratoath through the efforts of Jimmy Reilly (early years), Alan (Pa) Donnelly,

John Looney and Mervyn Ennis. This gives Ratoath Harps an extra dimension as a social club as well as a soccer club.

JIMMY REILLY AND GERRY MONAGHAN

One of the great all-rounders, involved in Ratoath Harps through the years, has been Jimmy Reilly. After an active career in

GAA circles, he turned his attention to soccer and was involved with under age, adult and ladies soccer throughout the years.

This talented man has also trained winners of donkey derbies, greyhound classics as well as winning soccer teams.

Below is a copy af a letter written by Eamonn O Sullivan (in photo below) who played for Ratoath Harps for a couple of years

while living in Ratoath. The Jimmy he refers to is of course the above mentioned Jimmy Reilly

Back L to R Mellor Flood, Ciaran Tobin, Gary Donnelly, Declan Reilly, Mark Flood, Rob Keane, Niall McGoldrick, Jimmy Colfer, Jimmy Reilly.

Front Steven Rafferty, Brian White, Eamonn O Sullivan, Alan Donnelly, Martin Gillett, Keith O Neill, Shane O Neill.

Schoolboy Football

Schoolboy Football began in Ratoath in 1972 when Len Tiernan, Lee Valley, started an under 13 team under the name of Ratoath

Hibernians. The team played in the Dublin and District schoolboy league. At that time Ratoath was looked upon as being very

far out in the country, so all our lsquohome gamesrsquo were played in the Phoenix Park.. The first league game was away to Lucan

Celtic where we were taught a footballing lesson and beaten 7-1. However, one week later, we recorded full points against Kilbarrack,

3-2 with goals from Paddy Monahan, Brian Conway and a late winner from Anthony Gaughan.

Unfortunately, Len had to move to England at the beginning of our second season, due to work commitments. The team had gained

great experience in the two years, but, with no guidance, the team fell apart. Dessie Brady and Brian Dolan, although young at the

time, at 15 years old, gave great help and assistance to Len Tiernan in running the team.

There was no schoolboy team in Ratoath again until 1983 when Anthony Gaughan took up the task. With help from Paddy Monahan

and John Flanagan, the team was again entered in the Dublin and District league under the name of Ratoath Harps, with some success.

With the help of Frank Dwyer, Bob Duff and Brian Conway, teams were entered in different leagues including the Drogheda

schoolboys summer league the Meath schoolboys League for the following few seasons. In 1989, for the first time, parents and

non-players started to become involved.

In 1989 a group of Ratoath parents got together and formed a schoolboys section to cater for the youth of the area. A Committee

was established consisting of Mick Tallant (Chairman), Pat Geoghegan (Secretary), Tommy Sheridan, John Hendrick and Nick Killian.

Two teams were entered in the Drogheda Independent Summer League at under nine and under eleven level. Within two years nine

Ratoath Harps players were included on the Meath representative panel for the Kennedy Cup, one of Irelands top schoolboy

competitions. This squad was managed by the late Jim Cashin and acquitted themselves well at U.C.D. that year.

Jim Cashin took over as Chairman in 1990 and maintained that position until his death in 1998. Jim was and still is a big loss to the club.

Tommy Sheridan took over as Chairman until 2000, when the schoolboy and adult clubs amalgamated. It is with the help of the above,

their committees and the parents who were willing to help, that the schoolboys section has progressed from strength to strength since

1989 when it consisted of just two teams to the present day where we can boast 28 schoolboy teams.

Tommy Sheridan in the Cup Final with his Under 9 Squad in 1990

Back L-R Simon Crawford, Stephen Moore, Paul Hendrick, Nigel Crawford, Hugh Geoghegan, Gavin Donnelly,

Colm Rooney, Michael Mc Hale, Tommy Sheridan, (Manager)

Front L-R Willy Smith, Niall Geoghegan, Conor Killian, Paddy Mc Hale, Paddy Cummins, Dave Tallant.

Mick Tallant and Liam Creagh with the Under 12 Cup finalist in 1992-93

Back L-R Mick Tallant (Manager) Oisin O Donovan, Colm Rooney, Conor Killian, Gavin Donnelly, Richard Donnelly,

Gareth Lynch, Bobby Lake,Liam Creagh, (Assistant Manager)

Front Row L-R Sean Killian, Barry O Shea, Jonathon Drake, Dave Tallant, Noel O Malley, Willy Creagh.

Jim Cashin and Martin Meaney with the Under 14 team that won the Cup in 1992-93

Back L-R Jim Cashin (Manager) Conor O Donovan, Leonard Brown, Preston Sheridan,

Conor O Donoghue, Shane McCann, Martin Meaney (Assistant Manager)

Front Row L-R John Moore, David Sullivan, Cormac Meaney, Diarmuid Byrne, Ian Cashin, Alan Rafferty,

Brian Duffy, Tony Farrelly and Jonathan O Brien.

Drogheda Independent Summer League

Senior Club

Note: In 1990 Division 1 became Premier and Division 2 became Division 1

Leinster Senior League 2003

Back L to R: Luke Robinson, Matt Conway, Derek Boyle, Paddy Cummins, Ciaran Rothwell.

Front: Willie Creagh, Paul Hendrick, Luke McMahon, Alan Farrelly, Steven Creagh, Jason Smith.

Ratoath Harps 2003

Back Row L-R Willie Creagh, Blaine McAuley, Rob Flinter, Luke Robinson,Ritchie Lombard, Dave O Neill, Neil Cummins, Orin Harney, Killian O Callaghan, Mick Tallant

Front Row L-R Barry Breen, Steven Fox, Dave Tallant, Maurice Reid,Niall O Shea, Matt Conway, Philip Tallant, Steve Creagh

Ratoath Harps continued in the M.D.L. until season 2000-2001 when it was decided to move back to the L.S.L. in an effort to attract new players who were moving

into the locality. Ratoath initially struggled in this new environment, despite the best efforts of several coaches, as the necessary influx of players did not materialise.

As season 2005 - 2006 approached adult football was at its lowest ebb for many years but a chance meeting between committee member Mark Flood and current

first team manager Gay Goucher started a change for the better. Gay and his right hand man Vinny Macken introduced some new players, and higher standards,

to the set up and immediate improvements were noticed. Good runs in Cup competitions and a battle for promotion ensued, but unfortunately there was no silverware

at the end of their first season. Season 2006-2007 started with high hopes and initial performances augured well. Good runs in the Leinster and F.A.I. Junior Cups

were topped with a Polikoff Cup final appearance, which unfortunately resulted in a defeat by St. Pats. The Harps got over this defeat in the best possible way by

winning the L.S.L. Major 1 title and bringing long awaited silverware to the trophy cabinet. Darren and Michael Gilchrist took over the second team in the

Saturday L.S.L. Premier 2 division and had a great season, just missing promotion. Well done to all concerned.

LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE 2005/2006 Back Colm Currie , Matt Conway, Derek Kavanagh, Barry Maguire,

Gary Duff (Player of the Year), Gareth Wilson, Brendan Arthur, Robbie Kelly, Danny Lonergan, Gay Goucher.

Front Brian Conway, Keith Byrne, David Hempenstall, Jordan Lancaster (Top scorer), Marcus Cowzer,

Damien Lynch, Graham Kavanagh, Vinny Macken.

L.S.L. MAJOR 1 LEAGUE WINNERS 2006/2007

Back L to R Colm Currie, Ciaran Rothwell, Robbie Burke, Danny Lonergan,

Damien O Neill, Derek Kavanagh, Gary Duff, Robbie Kelly, Joey Burke.

Front Vincent Macken, Dave Geraghty, Ritchie O Brien, Jordan Lancaster,

Gareth Wilson(Captain) Marcus Cowzer, Graham Kavanagh, Matt Conway.

Brid and Brian Conway, Vinny Macken, Daragh and Veronica O Neill and Kathleen Colfer with the Cup