Rugby World Cup

I want to pay tribute to the performance of the Irish Rugby team in the World Cup, which has not yet concluded, in the UK. Having been involved in very physical games, they entered the quarter-final against Argentina minus three world-class forwards as well as commanding out-half, Johnny Sexton, and came up short on the day.

Rugby is the one true unifying force in this country involving players from every tradition on an equal basis. The 'Rugby Anthem', Ireland's Call, has words of unity without bigotry or oppression.

Commercials Edge Out Rovers

County Tipperary SFC Final:

Clonmel Commercials 1-12; Moyle Rovers 3-5

Yesterday's Tipperary Senior Football final, played at Semple Stadium, Thurles involved two clubs from the South Tipperary GAA division. This situation is not unusual as South Tipperary has been the mainstay of football in the county for the past 100 years. On this occasion the final involved next-door neighbours Clonmel Commercials and Moyle-Rovers (Powerstown-Lisronagh). It was the first time that two South Tipp teams played a final in Thurles. I believe it was a correct decision to play the game at the renowned venue at the centre of the county where the true followers of football would get a fair chance to witness the game.

The game itself produced a fine standard of football with good young players on both sides, some having won All-Ireland and Munster medals. Two goals by corner forward, Diarmuid Foley, in the first half, kept Moyle Rovers ahead for a long period; an opportunist goal in the early stages of the second-half giving them a six point lead. For the last twenty minutes or so, Commercials got on top, picking off points, and a goal as well, enabling them to hold on for a one point win. Best of luck to Commercials in the Munster club competition.

While the senior championship concluded at a reasonable date this year, it still involves the playing of too many games of low intensity which contributes to a lowering of standard. I feel the same about all other competitions in the county. It is sad to have a situation where all minor grades, in hurling and football, are entering the concluding stages at this time of the year. It is very wrong that such an important competition as the under-21-hurling championship has a starting date in October every year.

News Extracts: October 1945

The following are extracts from Irish Independent newspapers during the month of October, 1945:

Irish Independent, October 16,1945

• When the great doors of St.Patrick's Cathedral Armagh, where the remains of Cardinal MacRory lie in state, opened, hundreds of people were already waiting to take their last look at this great churchman. All day yesterday, until the cathedral closed at 2.30 a.m.,thousands had filed past the bier.

• Pierre Laval, the butcher's son who became premier of France, was executed by firing squad at Fresnes Prison, after he had attempted to end his life by taking poison. He refused to have his eyes bandaged, and his request that he might give the order "fire"was refused.

• The death occurred at his Dublin residence of Professor Eoin MacNeill, the eminent Irish scholar and historian. He took steps to prevent the Easter Rising when he issued the famous countermanding order of Easter Sunday,1916. Afterwards he was arrested by the British and sentenced to penal servitude for life.

• Hitler promised the Japanese if they provided a safe refuge for himself and Eva Braun, he would give them plans which guaranteed victory in the Pacific, said a former staff officer of the Japanese Navy.

Sunday Independent, October 21, 1945

• Alois Hitler, the 64-year-old step-brother of Adolf and one-time Dublin hotel worker, wants to change his name to "Hiller". Since 1905, when he left his home in Linz, Austria, at the age of 22, Alois only saw his step-brother on ceremonial parades. He first worked in London, in Dublin (1907), in Liverpool (1910) and finally as a waiter in the Criterion Restaurant in London, after which he opened his own restaurant in Berlin.

• The Gaelic's League's much discussed ban on foreign dances and games will henceforth be relaxed as a result of a two hour-hour debate at the annual Comhdháil in the Mansion House, Dublin, yesterday. As a result each member will have complete freedom regarding personal activities outside of the League. 

Irish Independent, October 23, 1945

• Sgt. Michael Gleeson,"F" District DMG, who is retiring was constable at Green Street Station during the gun-running at Howth in 1914, and was dismissed from the force for refusing to disarm gun-runners. He was re-instated after a public outcry, but resigned in 1921 and was associated with the IRA in Tipperary.

Leisure

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see,in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

— William H Davies