Johnny McKeown ‘man of the match’ as Dromin lift first Meath League cup title
April 1989
COLM “The hit man” Lally was the hero of the “Junction” last Sunday when his rasping strike gave debut boys Dromin United their first Meath League Cup title at United Park.
Lally’s turn and volley from almost 25 yards, just seven minutes into the second half, was all that separated the sides on paper but for class and craft Dromin far outshone their dogged, physical opponents from the Royal County, Skryne.
And to boot Dromin had the best player on the park in defender, Johnny McKeown, who cleaned up everything at the back and was rewarded with a magnificent “man of the match” trophy directly after the game.
But the entire Mid-Louth side were heroes on the day. Patrick ‘Mal’ Callan, the 21 year old right back, produced a display to rival any at the venue this season. He stuck to fiery winger, Christy Browne from the off and in the end the Skryne man was forced onto the bench as Dromin refused to crumble.
In the attack, United were a lethal force, John McGeady and Paul Comer showing tremendous pace and with Lally, Dunne and Matthews
On the otherhand, Skryne were tireless fighters, using their strength and height to unsettle the Dromin defence but whenever danger threatened McKeown and Lane were there to cut off a clear run at goal.
The all important score arose out of an indirect free kick about 11 yards out which Pat “Ces” Downey, his usual inspirational self throughout, squared to Comer to drive but the rebound fell perfectly for the pivoting Lally to send to the top corner.
Gerry Reynolds was called into action, really for the first time in the game midway in the half, advancing off his line to twart Browne and as the game entered the final two minutes he was off his line again, but this time Patrick Callan, reliable as ever, dived in to clear from McAuley.
Speaking to the Drogheda Independent directly afterwards a delighted Dromin manager, Dermot Gaffney felt that his side dominated as a team but were always wary of Skyrne’s high ball tactics.
“They were depending on the high ball in and my only worry was that they’d get a goal from nothing”, he declared. “We played as well as we can and stuck to the task. We knew we had to play it on the deck because of their height”.
Man of the match, John McKeown was pleased with the team’s performance on the day and admitted it had been very tough.
As for Colm Lally, it marked another milestone in a cup campaign in which he bagged eight goals before the final.
The 30 year old draughtsman enjoying his second season with the club was pretty modest about his stunning matchwinner. “I just hit it into the top corner”, he commented.