Stars of The Heath GAA clubs past, present and future
PRT hurlers
GAA
Well done to PRT hurlers after they produced a great second half to see off the favourites the Harps last weekend. Barry Fitzpatrick was the star in attack, but this was an overall fine team performance. They are through to the quarter-finals, a year after being crowned junior champions for the first time.
Not the same can be said of the other parishioners Clonad. They had to beat or at least draw with Slieve Bloom to keep their hopes alive, but a late, late controversial goal ensured victory for the men in the Armagh colours.
Last weekend, Park footballers were back in action hoping to keep their double hopes alive.
Down memory Lane
With the senior footballers back in action, this week we look back on a great football match played in September 1993. Who better to produce a thriller but near neighbours the Heath and Portlaoise. The occasion was the U16 football A decider before a large attendance. Many future stars were on show. Portlaoise had many titles to their credit, but the Heath were in search of number one.
Most of the excitement was packed into the second half after a low scoring opening half on a glorious Saturday evening in September.
The Heath selectors brought in Seamus Flanagan to the attack in place of Mark Young and more telling was the moving of John O’Hara to midfield. Within minutes, Portlaoise pounced for a well taken goal, Sean Bergin and Ian Fitzgerald found a gap and Fitzgerald blasted beyond Declan Dunne in the Heath goal. The Heath responded in a positive manner, Brochan O’Reilly, a future knight of the whistle, landed a great Portlaoise point, but the Heath struck for two in a row, both from the boot of Greg Ramsbottom from placed balls.
Portlaoise were still comfortable with 20 minutes remaining. Now, the Heath introduced a 14-year-old. Some doubted the move, then with his first touch Seamus Flanagan squeezed the ball between the uprights. However, Brochan struck again with his third point and Portlaoise were chasing every ball. The Heath had not gone away, Barry McNamee intercepted a Portlaoise clearance and when he approached the goal at the town end, he struck low past the advancing Darragh Dunne and now the lead favoured the black and amber boys.
Portlaoise were cool and calm and kicked three wonder points to reclaim the lead. The Heath looked nervous, but Denis Lalor on the line urged calm. Tadgh Kelly won a high ball in the square and the referee indicated a penalty. Portlaoise did not agree, but John Conway had seen it all before. Greg Ramsbottom, son of the singer, took the responsibility and the Heath crowd let their feelings be known and the green flag signalled the Heath back in front.
Now it was all-out attack. A two-point lead is always dangerous, the Heath packed their defence and Fergal Wynne pulled back a point and in a hectic finish the Heath hung on for a memorable victory. After the game, John O’Hara (capt) was presented with the winners’ trophy amid great excitement.
