Saturday, 30 March 2013
Waterford: The Great John Keane
One of the greats of Waterford hurling was the late John Keane who died suddenly in 1985 at the age of 58. In 1934, Waterford captured the All-Ireland Junior Hurling title at the expense of London. John Keane was still a minor, but he won his All-Ireland Junior Hurling medal while playing at full-back. The following year John was elevated to the county senior team.
From 1937 to 1949 he wore the blue jersey of Munster with distinction. In 1937 Waterford played Limerick in the Munster Senior Hurling championship and a youthful Keane put the shackles on Mick Mackey from the centre-back spot. Old timers told us that this was John Keane's finest hour. From 1938 to 1951 Keane the great won eight County Senior Championship medals with Mount Sion. He was club captain from 1941 to 1951 and was leader of the Decies in seven Munster championship campaigns. The year 1948 saw Waterford crowned as All-Ireland Senior Hurling champions for the first time when they defeated Dublin by 6-7 to 4-2. At club level John won two County Minor Hurling medals, one County Junior Hurling medal and two County Junior Football medals. In 1948 he won a Munster Junior Football medal. Six Railway Cup hurling medals were also included in the Keane collection. A remarkable record from a hurler and sportsman who can take his place in the all time greats Roll of Honour.
Hurling League Classic from 1963
On 5th May 1963, at Croke Park, Waterford and Tipperary produced a classic game of hurling on the occasion of the National League "Home Final"—so-called because the winners were due to play against New York for the title proper. When this thrilling contest ended, Waterford were in front 2-15 to 4-7. Waterford went on to beat New York 3-10 to 1-10 in a replayed National Hurling League final.
The teams who played in the "Home Final" were:
The teams who played in the "Home Final" were:
WATERFORD
| P. Flynn |
| T. Cunningham L. Guinan | A. Flynn M.O.G. Morrissey | J. Byrne J. Irish |
| J. Condon | M. Dempsey |
| M. Flannelly S. Power | T. Cheasty J. Barron | F. Walsh P. Grimes |
TIPPERARY
| R. Mounsey |
| J. Doyle M. Burns | M. Maher A. Wall | K. Carey M. Murphy |
| S. English | T. English |
| J. Doyle D. Nealon | J. McKenna L. Devaney | T. Ryan S. McLoughlin |
Friday, 29 March 2013
Waterford GAA Snippets
The Dungarvan club stands alone as the only Waterford club to win championships in all grades of hurling and football.
The Munster Council held it's Annual Convention in the Dungarvan Courthouse on March 8th 1936.
Former star John Galvin was the first Waterford hurler to be honoured with selection by the Carrolls All-Stars in 1974.
The Bank of Ireland Awards were introduced in 1975 and John Galvin became the first Waterford man to receive the Personality of the Month Award in June 1982.
The Munster Council held it's Annual Convention in the Dungarvan Courthouse on March 8th 1936.
Former star John Galvin was the first Waterford hurler to be honoured with selection by the Carrolls All-Stars in 1974.
The Bank of Ireland Awards were introduced in 1975 and John Galvin became the first Waterford man to receive the Personality of the Month Award in June 1982.
Monday, 25 March 2013
From the Diary of Michael Collins
The following is a reproduction of an item that appeared in the Michael Collins Memorial Foundation Supplement of August 20th 1966. It is a copy of a page from the diary of Michael Collins written at Christmas 1921 following the signing of the Articles of Agreement with the British representatives, and before it was brought before Dail Eireann for approval or rejection. Extract:
For Xmas 1921
You ask me for a message to the American
people regarding the Treaty. I can only say
that the rights established for Ireland by the
Articles of Agreement do give this country
a starting point. It puts the future largely in our
own hands and if we are only strong enough
and bold enough we shall go through triumphantly
to the end.
For Xmas 1921You ask me for a message to the American
people regarding the Treaty. I can only say
that the rights established for Ireland by the
Articles of Agreement do give this country
a starting point. It puts the future largely in our
own hands and if we are only strong enough
and bold enough we shall go through triumphantly
to the end.
Great Mayo Goal
Allianz Football League Division 1:
Mayo 1-10; Donegal 0-9In the National Football League match played at McHale Park, Castlebar yesterday, Mayo defeated their All-Ireland Final conquerors, Donegal. Michael Conroy's second-half goal for Mayo was one of the finest I have ever seen. The build up was superb and the finish was brilliant. While the quality of the finish of any goal is a one off, Mayo's approach play showed how Gaelic Football should be played. The film of same should be shown to every young—and not so young—player being coached around the country. It would be far more beneficial than an hour of talking.
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Tipperary GAA Milestones
W.J. Spain, a Nenagh man who never played for his native Tipperary, had the distinction of being the first person to win All-Ireland honours in both hurling and football. He helped Limerick Commercials to win the first ever All-Ireland Football title in 1887 and, two years later, he was a member of the Dublin Kickhams team that beat Clare in the 1889 All-Ireland Senior Hurling final.
1886: The first Tipperary County Board was set up in December at a convention held in Nenagh and attended principally by North delegates. The elected officers were: J.K. Bracken, Templemore (President); Pat Hocter, Nenagh (Vice-President); E.M. Walsh, Nenagh (secretary); and R.F. Maloney, Nenagh (Treasurer). On the committee were: Pat O'Brien, Nenagh; Hugh Ryan, Thurles; John Cullinane, Bansha; and John Hackett, Fethard.
The North Tipperary Board was formed on June 30th 1901. The elected officers were: Ned Keeshan, Roscrea (President); John Spain, Roscrea (Secretary); and Michael Kelly, Nenagh (Treasurer).
The South Tipperary Board was formed in 1907. The elected officers were: James Meehan, Clonmel (Chairman); Martin Brennan (Secretary); and Bob Quane (Treasurer).
The Mid Tipperary Board was also formed in 1907. The first officials were: John Cahill, Cashel (Chairman), Andy Mason (Secretary); and Mickey Maher, Tubberadora (Treasurer).
The West Tipperary Board is the babe of the divisions, having been formed only in 1930. It's first officers were: Rev. J. Maloney, Clonulty (President); William O'Dwyer, MCC (Chairman); Tim Gleeson and Sean Stapleton, Solohead (Vice-Chairmen); D.B. English, Rossmore (Secretary); William O'Dwyer and N.T. Donaskeigh (Joint Treasurers).
1886: The first Tipperary County Board was set up in December at a convention held in Nenagh and attended principally by North delegates. The elected officers were: J.K. Bracken, Templemore (President); Pat Hocter, Nenagh (Vice-President); E.M. Walsh, Nenagh (secretary); and R.F. Maloney, Nenagh (Treasurer). On the committee were: Pat O'Brien, Nenagh; Hugh Ryan, Thurles; John Cullinane, Bansha; and John Hackett, Fethard.
The North Tipperary Board was formed on June 30th 1901. The elected officers were: Ned Keeshan, Roscrea (President); John Spain, Roscrea (Secretary); and Michael Kelly, Nenagh (Treasurer).
The South Tipperary Board was formed in 1907. The elected officers were: James Meehan, Clonmel (Chairman); Martin Brennan (Secretary); and Bob Quane (Treasurer).
The Mid Tipperary Board was also formed in 1907. The first officials were: John Cahill, Cashel (Chairman), Andy Mason (Secretary); and Mickey Maher, Tubberadora (Treasurer).
The West Tipperary Board is the babe of the divisions, having been formed only in 1930. It's first officers were: Rev. J. Maloney, Clonulty (President); William O'Dwyer, MCC (Chairman); Tim Gleeson and Sean Stapleton, Solohead (Vice-Chairmen); D.B. English, Rossmore (Secretary); William O'Dwyer and N.T. Donaskeigh (Joint Treasurers).
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Clare GAA Snippets
1914: Clare became the first county to win two All-Ireland Hurling titles in the one year. Ennis supplied William (Dodger) Considine, his brother Brendan, James (Sham) Spellisy and Martin Maloney to the senior team; and Jack Spellisy, Dan Minogue, Fred Garrihy, Paddy Gordon and M.J. Baker to the junior team.
Pat (Fowler) McInerney, who figured with his native Clare in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling finals of 1914 and 1932, played for fourteen years with the Dublin Garda club with whom he won six Dublin senior championship medals. A member of the 1927 Dublin All-Ireland team that beat Cork in the final, he was one of five Clare men on that Metropolitan side—the others were Tommy Daly, Jack Gleeson, Tom O'Rourke and Ned Fahy.
The late Dr. Bill Loughnane TD won a Harty Cup Medal with Limerick CBS in the Munster Colleges Championship of 1932.
Dr. Tommy Daly of Tulla won an All-Ireland Senior Hurling medal with his native Clare in 1914 and kept goal for the Banner men against Kilkenny in the 1932 All-Ireland Senior Hurling final. In between, he won senior All-Ireland medals with Dublin in 1917, 1920 and 1924, and a Railway Cup medal with Leinster in 1927.
Clare's Larry Blake and Tull Considine played for Ireland in the Tailteann Games of 1932.
Former Clare footballer, P.J. O'Dea of Kilrush, has the distinction of playing with the most clubs in either hurling or football. He figured with clubs in Clare, Cork, Dublin, Birmingham, London, Toronto, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. A total of twenty all told for he played with more than one club in some of these places.
Pat (Fowler) McInerney, who figured with his native Clare in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling finals of 1914 and 1932, played for fourteen years with the Dublin Garda club with whom he won six Dublin senior championship medals. A member of the 1927 Dublin All-Ireland team that beat Cork in the final, he was one of five Clare men on that Metropolitan side—the others were Tommy Daly, Jack Gleeson, Tom O'Rourke and Ned Fahy.
The late Dr. Bill Loughnane TD won a Harty Cup Medal with Limerick CBS in the Munster Colleges Championship of 1932.
Dr. Tommy Daly of Tulla won an All-Ireland Senior Hurling medal with his native Clare in 1914 and kept goal for the Banner men against Kilkenny in the 1932 All-Ireland Senior Hurling final. In between, he won senior All-Ireland medals with Dublin in 1917, 1920 and 1924, and a Railway Cup medal with Leinster in 1927.
Clare's Larry Blake and Tull Considine played for Ireland in the Tailteann Games of 1932.
Former Clare footballer, P.J. O'Dea of Kilrush, has the distinction of playing with the most clubs in either hurling or football. He figured with clubs in Clare, Cork, Dublin, Birmingham, London, Toronto, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. A total of twenty all told for he played with more than one club in some of these places.
Thursday, 14 March 2013
GAA Championship Milestones
1921: Limerick, captained by Bob McConkey, beat Dublin in the hurling final in May to become the first winners of the Liam McCarthy cup.
1923: Mick Gill played in two finals with different teams inside a few months—and was on the winning team each time. He had a fine game for Galway as they beat Limerick on September 14, 1924 in the delayed hurling final of 1923 for the western county's first championship. Gill was then a Garda stationed in Dublin and played club hurling in the capital. But as he had earlier played with Galway in the long delayed 1923 series, he was eligible for the final. There was no declaration rule then and Gill lined out with Dublin in the 1924 final played on December 14. He had an outstanding game as the Dubs beat Galway. He became the only man to ever win two Senior All-Ireland hurling medals in the one year.
1928: Bill "Squires" Gannon led Kidare in their successful defence of the All-Ireland Senior Football title against Cavan in the final, and was later presented with the Sam Maguire Cup. This was the first time that the trophy was awarded to the winners of the championship.
1931: The only occasion that the All-Ireland senior final, in either hurling or football, went to a third meeting. Cork and Kilkenny played two draws before the Munster county came out on top in the concluding game by 5-8 to 3-4. The three games attracted an aggregate attendance of 91,519 and, in sharp contrast to today's prices, the receipts amounted to just £7,759.
1923: Mick Gill played in two finals with different teams inside a few months—and was on the winning team each time. He had a fine game for Galway as they beat Limerick on September 14, 1924 in the delayed hurling final of 1923 for the western county's first championship. Gill was then a Garda stationed in Dublin and played club hurling in the capital. But as he had earlier played with Galway in the long delayed 1923 series, he was eligible for the final. There was no declaration rule then and Gill lined out with Dublin in the 1924 final played on December 14. He had an outstanding game as the Dubs beat Galway. He became the only man to ever win two Senior All-Ireland hurling medals in the one year.
1928: Bill "Squires" Gannon led Kidare in their successful defence of the All-Ireland Senior Football title against Cavan in the final, and was later presented with the Sam Maguire Cup. This was the first time that the trophy was awarded to the winners of the championship.
1931: The only occasion that the All-Ireland senior final, in either hurling or football, went to a third meeting. Cork and Kilkenny played two draws before the Munster county came out on top in the concluding game by 5-8 to 3-4. The three games attracted an aggregate attendance of 91,519 and, in sharp contrast to today's prices, the receipts amounted to just £7,759.
Friday, 8 March 2013
World Hurling Championship 1931
In a room in Thurles CBS stands a magnificent cup bearing the inscription:
The team that travelled to America in 1931 was that which won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1930: J.J.Callanan (capt.), J.O'Loughlin, J.Maher, M.Ryan, J.Harney, J.Lanigan (Thurles); T.O'Meara, M.Kennedy (Toomevara); P.McKenna (Ballingarry); P.Purcell (Moycarkey); P.Cahill (Holycross); M.F.Cronin (Lorrha); T.Butler, T.Leahy (Boherlahan); T.Treacy (Templemore).
The party also included: M.McGann, J.Stapleton, T.Butler, T.Connolly (Thurles); J.McKenna (Ballingarry); Johnny Leahy (Manager); Rev. J.J.Meagher CC (Thurles), President of the County Board, and Rev. M.J.Lee DI. The tour was sponsored by Mr. Dan Breen TD who was in New York at the time.
The party sailed from Cobh on 8th September. On arrival in New York, the team and officials received a very enthusiastic welcome and were received by deputy Mayor McKee at the City Hall. In the course of their tour from East to West, they were feted everywhere they went.
The team played seven times—three in New York and one each in Boston, Detroit, Chicago and San Francisco. In the opening game in New York, Tipperary defeated a picked team representing the USA by ten points. The next game was in Boston before an attendance of 30,000 where Tipperary defeated a Massachusetts selection by 4-4 to 2-3. The second game in New York was attended by 20,000 which Tipp won by eight points. Tipperary continued their winning way in Detroit, Chicago and San Francisco, and climaxed a successful run by winning the magnificent Cup which was presented by the donor, Mayor Walker, to Vice-Captain, J.O'Loughlin at a farewell supper. A triumphant tour had ended.
Trophy presented by Major James J. Walker for World's Hurling Championship Ireland v. America 1931How this cup was won by Tipperary for Ireland is a glorious chapter in our hurling history and well worth recalling.
The team that travelled to America in 1931 was that which won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1930: J.J.Callanan (capt.), J.O'Loughlin, J.Maher, M.Ryan, J.Harney, J.Lanigan (Thurles); T.O'Meara, M.Kennedy (Toomevara); P.McKenna (Ballingarry); P.Purcell (Moycarkey); P.Cahill (Holycross); M.F.Cronin (Lorrha); T.Butler, T.Leahy (Boherlahan); T.Treacy (Templemore).
The party also included: M.McGann, J.Stapleton, T.Butler, T.Connolly (Thurles); J.McKenna (Ballingarry); Johnny Leahy (Manager); Rev. J.J.Meagher CC (Thurles), President of the County Board, and Rev. M.J.Lee DI. The tour was sponsored by Mr. Dan Breen TD who was in New York at the time.
The party sailed from Cobh on 8th September. On arrival in New York, the team and officials received a very enthusiastic welcome and were received by deputy Mayor McKee at the City Hall. In the course of their tour from East to West, they were feted everywhere they went.
The team played seven times—three in New York and one each in Boston, Detroit, Chicago and San Francisco. In the opening game in New York, Tipperary defeated a picked team representing the USA by ten points. The next game was in Boston before an attendance of 30,000 where Tipperary defeated a Massachusetts selection by 4-4 to 2-3. The second game in New York was attended by 20,000 which Tipp won by eight points. Tipperary continued their winning way in Detroit, Chicago and San Francisco, and climaxed a successful run by winning the magnificent Cup which was presented by the donor, Mayor Walker, to Vice-Captain, J.O'Loughlin at a farewell supper. A triumphant tour had ended.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)