28/05/2026
Story of The Villa
Part 3
THE METROPOLITAN CUP 1973
Hurdle number one came in the shape of Dublin University, who were still smarting from their 5-goal drubbing in ‘The Leinster’ but the students proved to be of sterner stuff this time around. Due to an eye injury sustained at work John Gorman had to withdraw from the panel and reserve 'keeper Eddie Maguire was called up. Eddie's performances for the Reserves gave the Dutch concept of ‘total football’ a whole new meaning. His arrival in the opposition penalty area for corner kicks was the rule rather than the exception. But his brilliant one-handed save in the closing stages helped Villa to a 2-2 draw. Larry Cahill and Joe Garvey were on target for the Navan side. In the replay, a Liam Holohan hat trick, a couple from Ken McGoona and a Noel Ennis penalty did the trick. In the Quarter-final, Rialto (the holders) were the opponents. In a tough match that went to extra-time, Villa came out winners, thanks to a Holohan goal two minutes from time. The bould Hank was on target during normal time. The Semi-Final was down for decision on Friday 13th April at Whitehall. Hopes naturally were high but after just eight minutes Alan Kirby headed Pegasus into the lead, a lead they were to hold for 67 long minutes. Just when Villa's fans were beginning to believe all the stories they had heard about Friday the 13th their luck changed, Noel Ennis swung over a corner kick, a cluster of players climbed together but Tony Maher's was the head that made contact and the ball sailed home. With just twelve minutes to go, Maher came storming up the field, he unleashed a thundering shot which came back off the crossbar and there was Holohan, the Villa supporters held their collective breaths as he headed home and then went into a state of protracted ecstasy (ape and bananas had different meanings then!).
The Final was set for 6th May at Richmond Park, home of St. Patrick's Athletic. Over 600 people travelled to the Capital to lend their support. Ray Keogh had the boys as fit as they had ever been in their lives and the squad was injury free. All that was left for the Manager to do was to give the customary pep talk. He called for silence and then in a moving moment he told his charges "To-day, we are going to win the Metropolitan Cup for Jimmy Englishby - remember that." Jimmy, who was one of the leading lights at the Club and much loved and admired by all at Claremont was seriously ill. The Game itself was everything a Cup Final should be, filled with skill, courage, commitment and sportsmanship. It was to be decided by a piece of supreme goal poaching and when it came to that, Villa had a true craftsman, Jimmy 'Hank' Newman. His headed goal meant that the cup would be paraded through the streets of Navan, for the people of Navan, but especially for Jimmy Englishby. The Team: John Gorman, Tony Maher, Liam Holohan, Johnny Lester, Dickie Husband, Shane Faulkner, Ken McGoona, Ray Keogh, Noel Ennis, Jimmy Newman, Gerry Bradley, Jim Quinlan.
Navan U.D.C. accorded the local heroes a civic reception and Councillor Anthony Kavanagh paid tribute to Navan United, Navan Town, Navan Celtic and Navan Athletic for keeping soccer alive in the town. A victory dinner was held in The Central Hotel.
