Few have given a more lengthy and loyal contribution to Seneschalstown GFC than Mattie McCabe. Here he talks to Royal County about his playing days with both club and county and what the future holds at the Yellow Furze club.

Meath Weekender Sat. 12th Sept: "The same can be said of Seneschalstown with coach Mattie McCabe being badly missed on the pitch. Apparently a number of requests have been made to the former county star, asking him to take down the boots again but they were all turned down. There are bound to be further requests over the next few days and a nod of the head from the classy forward would be a big boost to the side in blue and yellow."

Those words were penned in the aftermath of Seneschalstown and O’Mahony’s playing out a draw in this year’s championship play-off, in a game which was described as the worst witnessed’ in many years at Pairc Tailteann. The call for Mattie McCabe to bring a premature end to his retirement was echoed by all followers of the Yellow Furze outfit, but the All-Ireland medal winner declined, deciding to concentrate on his managerial responsibilities.

O’Mahony’s won the replay - does Mattie regret not making a return to action? "I was never tempted to put back on the boots again," he revealed. "I enjoyed myself playing and fortunately I had a good innings, but once I made my mind up about retiring I decided to stick to it. The selectors (Tommy Finnegan, Ger Geraghty and Pat Smith) wanted me to come back, but in the end they respected my decision."

Remarking on the aforementioned clash between Seneschalstown and their Navan rivals, Mattie admits that it wasn’t conducive to pleasant viewing. "The wind and rain played havoc with the game alright and it did look bad, but you have to realise that the two teams didn’t want to give much away. If either of us had have won that day we’d have taken the win and said thanks very much. As long as you keep winning the performance doesn’t matter."

Sadly, Mattie’s father, Michael, passed away in September of this year. The initial Seneschalstown and O’Mahony’s clash was postponed as a mark of respect. As enthusiastic a supporter of Seneschalstown and Meath as one could wish to find, he was particularly proud of his son’s achievements with both club and county.

"He was a big follower of Seneschalstown and Meath, and was at all the All-Irelands. He was delighted when we were winning. He never played football himself, but did win a Junior hurling championship medal with Walterstown. He always reminded me of that fact saying "I have a medal that you’ll never have."

Certainly, Mattie provided him with plenty of proud moments. A county career which began in 1981 yielded two All-Ireland souvenirs and four Leinster medals. He was introduced as a sub with five minutes remaining in the ’91 All-Ireland final against Down and that was the last occasion he pulled on the green and gold jersey.

Some, this writer included, would argue that Mattie was never given a fair crack of the whip to show what he was really capable of at the highest level. The majority of his appearances were as a substitute, earning him the tag of ’Supersub’. Jody Devine has inherited the title, but the Seneschalstown man was the original of the species.

"At first I hated the Supersub thing, but it grew on me after a while," he recalls. "As long as I was getting a run in games I was happy. But, understandably Jody must be wondering what he has to do to make the starting fifteen."

Did Mattie ever wonder? "With quality players like Stafford, Flynn, O’Rourke and Cassells it was always going to be hard to break into the side. I probably would have had to give them a few kicks in training, but I could never catch ’Jinxy’, while Cassells would have probably kicked me back! . . . Coyler definitely would have!," he laughs.

The County team failed in their bid to regain the Leinster and All-Ireland crowns this year, but the affable McCabe remains confident about the future. He offers words of hope for next year.

"It was a bad year for the county. They had a good team out in the Leinster final against Kildare but on the day they just didn’t click. Two new lads were brought in the for the final but I wouldn’t blame them, a Leinster final is a big occasion for anyone to play in. The team as a whole just didn’t play well and still they could have drawn. A vital lapse of concentration let Kildare in for the goal. I have no doubt that if Meath had have gotten a draw, they would have won the replay."

He continues: "I believe they will bounce back next year. There’s some good young footballers around and the way John McDermott is playing they’re well able for anyone. I’m delighted for him because three or four years ago a lot of people were knocking him, but he has proved all his critics wrong and captaining Ireland in the Compromise Rules Series was the icing on the cake.

"Also the fact that Sean Boylan has decided to give it another go is a boost. Myself and Sean get on very well and I’m glad that he’s sticking in there."
Having experienced his first taste of coaching with Louth side Glyde Rangers and Athboy, the Tara Mines employee was approached by his home club to take over the reigns. It was an easy decision to make for the man who had given so much to Seneschalstown on the field of play for so long - but, unfortunately there was to be no happy ending.

"I think it’s harder to train your own club because the players know you, and their commitment could suffer as a result. They’ll say ’ah sure it’s only Mattie’ which makes it difficult. At the start of the year everyone gave 100% effort but as time went on you could see the commitment dwindling. If a team wants to win they have to put the effort in."

What happened in the replayed game with O’Mahony’s? "I think we beat ourselves. I don’t want to point the finger at anyone - I wouldn’t do that anyway, but we have no one to blame but ourselves."
"O’Mahony’s are always a very hard team to beat and you have to admire them," he adds. "They were beaten in their first and second games this year and by right should have been out of the championship. But they never gave up hope and still had thirty lads out training. They kept plugging away and Davy Nelson had them fighting fit."

Similarly to the county team, Mattie predicts a more profitable 1999 for the blue and yellows. "There’s no shortage of good young lads in the club. Our minor team contested their final against Wolfe Tones this year and were unlucky to lose out after three games. Tony McDonnell is in Canada at the moment and he’s expected to return and we hope to have Steven Dillon back from injury. They’ll be big additions to the team. So the future looks good."

Will Mattie McCabe be wearing the Bainisteoir bib in Pairc Tailteann next year? "At the moment I’m undecided about next year, we’ll have to wait and see."

Married to Pauline, a native of Bohermeen, the couple have two children, Michelle (9) and Niall (3). Already McCabe jnr. is, as his father says "kicking plenty of ball". A future Seneschalstown and Meath star perhaps? "I don’t know whether he’ll play or not. If he does he does and if he doesn’t he doesn’t. He’ll probably get a tracksuit anyway!"


DIVISION 3 LEAGUE TITLE FOR TALENTED "FURZE" UNDER-15’S


Seneschalstown has been one of the top clubs in the county for several years and it boasts a fine record of supplying some outstanding footballers to county teams both at under-age and adult level. The good news is that the trend is likely to continue. It would be an interesting exercise to research the effect that the club’s Keegan Cup success in 1994 had on the young boys of the parish. No doubt most, if not all, of last year’s under-15’s were in Pairc Tailteann when Padraic Coyle was presented with the most prestigious trophy in Meath sport. No doubt they went away harbouring ambitions of doing likewise themselves on some sweet day.

It’s also likely that they have been greatly influenced by the performances of Colm Coyle and Graham Geraghty in the Meath jerseys. It always helps when local folk-heroes provide their successors with dreams to dream.

Castletown was the venue for the Under-15 final at the end of the 1997 season and Nobber provided the opposition. The Yellow Furze boys settled well and looked slightly the better team in the early stages. But Nobber were brave and determined, and even though the Furze led by two points at the interval, it would have taken a brave man, or woman, to bet on the outcome at that stage. David Byrne was causing a great deal of problems for the Nobber defence and Mark Carey and Wayne Mullan were coming out on top against their opponents.

The period after the break was always going to be crucial and the Yellow Furze boys went for it with great determination. Joey Macken and Conor Duffy excelled and David Byrne took up where he left off in the first half. His finishing was top class and his two goals went a long way towards securing the title for his team. In the end, the Furze had seven points to spare, 3-8 to 1-7, and apart from those already mentioned there were fine performances from Gerry Cullen, Shane Clarke and Ruairi Coogan whose father Patsy won an Intermediate Championship medal with Dunderry in 1970.
The winning team and scorers was; T Ruddy, M Carey, W Mullan, M Gleeson, B Corbally, G Cullen, J Macken (0-2), C Duffy (0-1), R Coogan (0-2), J Cowley(1-0), D Byrne (2-0), S Clarke (0-3), P Dillon.


Ladies JFC title for the blue and yellows

Three points near the death gave Seneschalstown victory and the Ladies JFC title last September at Bective. The Furze side overcame a gallant Moylagh selection by 1-14 to 3-5 in the final.
The winners started the match brightly and took a 0-6 to 0-3 half time lead thanks mainly to their midfield partnership of Fiona Mahon and Dearbhla O’Carroll.

After the interval Moylagh rallied and two quick goals seemed to leave Seneschalstown in trouble. However, the north Meath girls joy was short lived as the Furze moved up a gear. They began to re-assert their authority and notched 5 points in a nine minute spell. A magnificent 55th minute goal from Mahon set the ladies in blue and yellow on their way to glory, and although Moylagh pulled back a late goal the winners notched 3 points to take the honours.

Best for the champions were Eimer O’Carroll who scored 7 points, Deborah Mangan, Dearbhla O’Carroll and Fiona Mahon.
Seneschalstown: L Oakes, M Loughran, C Finnegan, R Lynch, C Mulvaney, D Mangan, O Sheridan, D O’Carroll, F Mahon (1-1), A Carolan (0-1), E O’Carroll (0-7), SA Carolan (0-2), L Byrne (0-1), S Wogan (0-2), R Loughran. Sub: - A McDonald