Son emulates father in hurling decider

Timing is everything, or so we"re told! If that"s true, then Gaeil Colmcille can take a bow following their heroic 2-13 to 2-10 IHC final victory against Dunderry at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday. Too many years of underachieving were erased from the memory banks when popular team captain Robbie Flanagan made the relatively easy walk up the steps to the presentation podium where he was greeted by Hurling Committee chairman TJ Reilly. It was a walk which his father (also Robbie) made 20 years earlier following a similar victory in the 1988 IHC decider as he claimed the coveted trophy for the first time and brought senior hurling to the north Meath outpost of the game. Reilly, who won a Div 2 HC title last year with Boardsmill, would appreciate more than most the uniqueness of that achievement and the hardships which Gaeil Colmcille have endured in the intervening 20 years. 'This cup was presented to Robbie Flanagan 20 years ago and it"s a remarkable achievement that his son is receiving it again on the 20th anniversary of that great success,' remarked the chairman. Kells formed a link with Kilskyre for a brief period as efforts were made to sustain the game in north Meath, but then both Kilskyre and Gaeil Colmcille campaigned independently again and enjoyed success in the IHC in 1994 and 1996 respectively. The Kells men found the going too demanding at senior level following their last elevation and were relegated again, but that failed to dampen the enthusiasm of stalwarts like Tom Shine, who played a key role on Saturday, and Conor Ferguson along with men like fellow selectors Ian Callaghan and Stephen Foley who kept the flag flying. Add in the financial support from Vincent Duff in the Headfort Arms Hotel and the formula was there for success. That they had to work hard for that success will probably benefit them when it comes to surviving in the more robust surroundings of the 2009 Meath SHC. 'My father captained Kells 20 years ago and it"s a great honour for me to bring this trophy back to the town again,' stated the 2008 Gaeil Colmcille captain to tremendous applause from the sizeable contingent of supporters. 'This was our third final in four years, but we"ve had great commitment from the players with up to 30 at training on a regular basis. 'That type of dedication lifts everyone and we had to dig in today against Dunderry, we knew they would come back at us in the second-half and they did, but we were good enough to survive and that will stand to us next year, 'We are all looking forward to senior hurling now and that will be a big boost for the club,' he concluded.