Deadly Atomic Explosion

With the current war-mongering rhetoric between U.S. President, Donald Trump, and the leader of the North Korean regime, Kim Jon Um, it is well to reflect on a report that appeared in the Irish Independent on August 9th, 1945. This followed the dropping of an atomic bomb by the U.S. Air Force on the Japanese city of Hiroshima at 8 am on August 6th, 1945.

 

"All living things, human and animal, were literally seared to death...the dead are simply uncountable". In these graphic words Tokyo reports told for the first time of the cataclysmic damage caused by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The major part of Hiroshima was destroyed. "The destructive force of the new weapon is indescribable, as is the terrible devastation it has caused" said the report.

The bomb was described as more powerful than 20,000 tons of TNT and with more than 2,000 times the blast force of the British ten-ton bomb, hitherto the largest bomb used in warfare. Bombs many times more powerful are available in the arsenal of the U.S. at the present time.

Another atomic bomb was dropped by U.S. on the Japanese seaport of Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945.

Reports from July 1945

The following extracts are taken from the Irish Independent in July, 1945:

July 13, 1945:

The first Orange demo held in Derry since 1939 was unique by virtue of the fact that it was held in a Gaelic sports ground. The organisers, unable to find another ground in the Waterside area, were granted the use of a 10-acre field in Irish Street rented by St. Patrick's Gaelic football club.

July 20, 1945:

Dealing with his visit to the German Minister on the occasion of Herr Hitler's death, Mr De Valera said that he knew his action would be open to misrepresentation. What he had done was his duty. The envoy came here as a representative of his people, not of a particular government.

King George and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Princess Elizabeth, arrived on a visit to the North of Ireland yesterday. They flew from Lisburn to Lisahally, and after boarding the patrol yacht, Hiniesta, sailed up the Foyle to Derry.

The death has occured of Ald. Richard Corish T.D., Mayor of Wexford. He was a leading member of the Labour Party, and had an unbroken record as mayor of his native town since 1920.

Kevin O'Higgins Assassination

Ninety years ago today the then Minister for Justice, Kevin O'Higgins, was assassinated while walking to mass near his home at Booterstown, Co. Dublin. This was in revenge for the execution of four leaders of the irregulars on December 8, 1922 after their group had shot two deputies on their way to the Dail the previous day.

O'Higgins had told the Dail that it was the only way "representative government and democratic institutions" could be maintained.

As Kevin O'Higgins lay dying he referred to Eamon de Valera: "Tell my colleagues that they must beware of him; in future life he will play down to the weakness of the people".

The culture of violence in those years has been glorified in song and story in which we were all participants until some of us saw the light. It spawned thousands of needless deaths and injuries in this country and outside. The most glaring and tragic was in recent years, when a group calling itself the "Provisional IRA", and other equally sinister elements, engaged in a killing campaign for more than 30 years.

Unfortunately there is still an attitude prevalent in this country that their political outlook should be accepted by others who differ and the latter should be pressurised to do so. Though the number who believe that force is acceptable to achieve their aims is diminishing, it is still there.

Fine Win by Tipp Footballers

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifiers:

Cavan 0-18; Tipperary 2-15

Tipperary Senior Footballers made the long trek to Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan yesterday evening to take on the home side in the senior football championship qualifiers. Tipperary have been hard hit by the loss of players in recent times: a number due to various injuries; one notable retirement in Ciaran McDonald; and all-star nominee, Peter Achinson, working in Dubai. Tipperary seemed to give Cavan too much respect in the first half by adapting an overly defensive mode and found themselves trailing by 12 points to 6 at half-time. In the second half they began to express themselves and dominated Cavan scoring 2-09 to their opponents 6 points. The points came early in the second half, and a goal each from rangy corner forward, Conor Sweeney, and another from lion-hearted half-back, Robbie Kiely, enabled them to forge a memorable victory. Maybe the Ghosts of  '35 can rest more easily.

Cork Sucker Punch Floors Tipp

Munster Senior Football Semi-Final:

Cork 1-10; Tipperary 1-09

Tipperary went into Saturday's game, played at Pairc Ui Rinn, Cork, minus a number of players due to injury. They also started without last years outstanding captain, Peter Acheson,who has gone to work in Dubai. They also had the misfortune to have star forward, Micheal Quinlivan, stretchered off mid way through the first half. They took the game to Cork and held the lead until around the 45th minute. Cork then took the initiative and went into the lead, which they still held going into the concluding stages. In the 68th minute, Tipperary's star forward on the day, Conor Sweeney, scored a dramatic goal to give Tipperary a two point lead. Cork, however, weren't finished; they moved the ball swiftly up field to score a dramatic reply in the form of a goal by substitute, Lucas Connolly.

Now is a time for those who would love to see Tipperary football progress to the top to put their shoulders to the wheel to make it happen. It would be very foolish indeed to sit back and expect that a long run in the qualifiers, similar to last year, is guaranteed. Every game is a banana skin. The development of Tipperary football is an ongoing process. Top coaches should be used to train would-be coaches for teams at juvenile and up to adult level. The structure, and playing, of club competition should be geared to make games as competitive as possible, with a consequent improvement in standard.

Break, Break, Break

Break, break, break,
On thy cold grey stones, O Sea!
And I would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me.

O well for the fisherman's boy,
That he shouts with his sister at play!
O well for the sailor lad,
That he sings in his boat on the bay!

And the stately ships go on
To their haven under the hill;
But O for the touch of a vanish'd hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still!

Break, break, break,
At the foot of thy crags, O Sea!
But the tender grace of a day that is dead
Will never come back to me.

— Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Cork Get Better of Tipp

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final:

Cork 2-27; Tipperary 1-26

In yesterday's rip-roaring hurling encounter, played at Thurles, Cork edged out old rivals and All-Ireland champions, Tipperary, by four points. The game was tit-for-tat all the way to the end as players gave their all with determination and no little skill. The Tipp backs were in trouble with the Cork forwards from the beginning. Their positioning and defensive tactics were faulty thereby allowing the Cork forwards far too much time and space to shoot at the Tipperary posts. The Tipperary mid-field must also share some responsibility in this regard.

The Cork backs had a strangle-hold on the Tipp forwards throughout most of the match. If more ball had been supplied to the wings it would have helped to open up the Cork defence and allow the dangerous Tipperary forwards to shine.

This year's championship has become even more competitive.