<span class="postTitle">Philip Conway</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1990, pp 18-19

Philip Conway

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1990, pp 18-19

Who is Philip Conway? The question was asked by many last March after his appointment as Physical Fitness Trainer to the Tipperary team. This wasn't surprising because he wasn't a Tipperary man and had no connection with the game of hurling. 

It will come as a surprise to many to learn that the man has spent nearly a quarter of his life in Tipperary. Born in Dublin he came to Preparatory School to Rockwell College in 1956 at the tender age of eight years! He was to spend no less than nine years as a student there and later return as a P.E. teacher for one year, 1970-71. 

Athletics 

During his years at Rockwell he won high distinction in the field of athletics. His speciality was the shot putt and he first made the national scene in 1963 when he won the Irish Schools' Intermediate Championship with a great final throw, which pushed Ned Byrne of Cistercian College, Roscrea into second place. Byrne was to play corner-forward for Kilkenny in the 1971 All-Ireland. 

Almost equally gifted with the discus Philip took senior All-Ireland honours in both shot-putt and discus in 1964 and followed up with a second double the following year. His contribution was a major factor in Rockwell winning the College of Science Cup on both occasions. 

Rugby 

Equally proficient at rugby he played on two junior and two senior cup teams between 1962 and 1965. The College won the senior cup in 1964, Centenary Year, and the captain, Johnny Moroney of Clogheen, presented it to the then President, Fr. Finucane, C.S.S.P. on the balcony over the main entrance of the College. It was with a certain amount of nostalgia that Philip Conway appeared on the same balcony with the McCarthy Cup on October 4 last. He himself captained the College side in 1965 and his skill with the oval ball was recognised with Munster interprovincial caps in 1964 and 1965. This was the end of his rugby career because he gave up the game after school to concentrate solely on athletic training. 

Olympics 

He had an offer of an athletics scholarship to the U.S. after his Leaving Certificate but decided he needed a year to think things over before he accepted. During the year he worked for the Irish Lighthouse Service and eventually went to Boston University in September 1966. He spent four years there before coming back to Rockwell in 1970 with a B.Sc in Physical Education. Returning to Springfield College, Mass. in 1971 he was awarded a Master's degree in Education in 1973. He got a job after returning in Belvedere College and has been working there since. 

The high point of his athletics career was qualifying for and competing in the Munich Olympics in 1972. It wasn't to be the happiest of occasions for him and he didn't perform as well as he hoped but he recalls it as a great honour to have represented his country at that level. 

Three years previously he had the distinction of winning three Irish titles in the one year, the hammer, the shot and the discus. Two years before he had broken two Irish national records. Ned Tobin's discus record had stood since 1939 and Hugh O'Callaghan's shot-putt record had been established in 1964. Philip became very good friends with Ned Tobin and actually called his house the day he died. 

Tipperary 

Coaching teams and players to be fit is Philip Conway's job. As well as his work at Belvedere College he has coached teams outside. He has done work with Old Belvedere and Trinity Athletic and Rowing clubs. He wrote the fitness schedules for Roly Meades' tour teams to New Zealand and Australia. He has also acted as national hammer and discus coach. 

How did he happen to come to Tipperary? Babs takes up the story: 'I was talking to Tony Ward and Ollie Campbell after a Links Golf Outing and I asked them if they knew anyone who was good at preparing teams. Ollie told me the best man he knew was Phil Conway'. 

Phil continues the story: 'I was at a Rockwell College PPU dinner at the Royal Marine Hotel on February 17 and I was informed there was a man who wished to speak to me. I was introduced to Denis O'Connor and he spent over two hours talking to me. In the course of the conversation he used the expression 'winning an All-Ireland' at least twenty times! I went home and discussed it with my wife. At the time we were expecting our fourth child. He was born a week later and died shortly after birth. When things settled down Babs contacted me in early March. I said I'd try it as at the time it seemed like a good distraction and one hell of a challenge. 

Training 

On March 15 he met the panel for the first time at Thurles and explained the components of fitness, tested them, knew that he could make a contribution and gave the players a programme of 'selfhelp' to be done at home. Between then and the All-Ireland the team had 43 sessions and he was present at 39 of them. . 

They looked at videos on the various forms of fitness training to help them understand the direction the graph was taking. The panel trained methodically and progressively, adapted well to the imposed demands made upon the various energy systems of the human frame. They learned about the regression before progression concept. 

Tremendous attention was paid to detail. For a man to play well he must look well and much attention was paid to the players' gear and the get-out as well as to their physical fitness. 

He tells the story of the laces to illustrate the point. 'When I first took over, players went out with different laces, different togs, different jerseys and dirty boots. I tried to get across the idea that if the player thought enough of himself he would present himself properly. So, one evening I said: 'Let's all wear white laces'. There were mumbles and grumbles and after about a half-hour Ken Hogan said: 'I don't like the idea of white laces. The ball is white. In a tussle in the square I could mix up the laces and the ball'. 'A very valid point' I said. So, we agreed on black laces. 

Handouts

Every training session has a purpose and every player must be given a reason for every recommendation and every requirement. During these 43 sessions the players received about 35 handouts to be taken home and studied. One such handout was a list of all the members of the panel, selectors, mentors, etc., their addresses and their phone numbers at home and at work. This was to facilitate easy communication and to make each player feel he was a member of a closely knit group. 

Philip Conway sounds like a man with a mission. He has a great acquaintance with the human body and an extensive knowledge of physical training requirements. He tries to coax and convert his charges to accepting this information and using it for their physical betterment. But the psychological factor is equally important. The players must know what they are doing and be happy and contented doing it. 'My task was educative in nature. If all they got from me was the importance of warm-up and the practice of same, the importance of stretching for injury prevention and the practice of same, the work practice, skill practice or fitness training and warm down phase afterwards, I would be happy. Finally, if they would take these practices into their own clubs they would improve physical fitness generally'. 

Satisfaction 

Philip Conway is quietly satisfied with his achievement. It has all been worth the nearly 8,000 miles he has travelled from Dundrum, Dublin to Thurles since last March. A married man with three young girls, he rises at 6.30 during the week in order to be at work at Belvedere at 8 a.m. He is very pleased with the freedom he has been given to implement his physical fitness ideas on the team. He believes that a few of the players could achieve a higher level of fitness. He enjoys the meal after training in the Park Avenue. He has no major plans for the future except to take things as they come. The players are very happy for him and so must be all the Tipperary supporters.

<span class="postTitle">The Making of an All-Ireland</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1990, pp 15-17

The Making of an All-Ireland

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1990, pp 15-17

In an interview with the Tipperary Star on the eve of the All-Ireland, Babs Keating mentioned a figure 'in excess of £225,000' raised by the Supporters' Club over three years through raffles, golf outings and sponsorship. This money had gone towards the cost of training the Tipperary senior hurling team. 

At a subsequent county board meeting, treasurer Michael Nolan informed the members that, in 1988 alone, £30,000 had been paid from board funds towards the training of the team. These figures reveal the tremendous cost of getting the county senior team to Croke Park on September 3. 

The cost in members' time and travel is equally impressive. Five of the present panel and management, Babs Keating, Ken Hogan, Declan Carr, Nicholas English and Philip Conway, are based in Dublin. The round trip to Thurles is nearly 200 miles and this journey is done sometimes as many as three nights a week. For instance, Philip Conway took over as team physical trainer on March 15 and between then and the All-Ireland there were 43 team sessions. He attended 38 of them which, translated into miles, is between seven and eight thousand!

New Management

The number of games played, since the present management structure was set up in September 1986, is also staggering. The new management had been appointed at the August county board meeting following a special meeting of the board in July, which reviewed the structures in the county and the system of appointing selectors and team management. A sub­committee of county officials Michael Lowry, Tommy Barrett and Martin O'Connor, plus divisional chairmen Paddy Browne, Pat Cullen, Mick McGuire and Noel Morris, was set up to appoint a team manager. 

Initially, the committee drew up a list of 14 candidates for consideration, among whom were believed to be Joe McGrath from Down and Dermot Healy from Kilkenny. Among the Tipperary contenders for the position were Tony Wall, Len Gaynor, Mick Minogue, Jimmy Doyle and the man who was appointed, Babs Keating. The new manager appointed former team-mates Donie Nealon and Theo English to assist him in his selectorial duties. Interestingly, all three appointees were members of junior clubs.

Poor Performance

The reason for the decision to change the method of appointing the selectors of the team was the dismal showing of the senior hurlers against Clare in that year's championship. In a staggering last quarter collapse at Ennis, Tipperary surrendered a nine point lead and were defeated by 2-10 to 1-11. For the record, the team was Tony Sheppard (capt.), Colm Bonnar, Peter Brennan, Seamus Gibson, Donal Kealy, Noel Sheehy, Bobby Ryan, John McGrath, Ralph Callaghan, Liam Stokes, Donie O'Connell, Philip Kennedy, Ger O'Neill, Seamus Power, Liam Maher. Subs to appear that day were John McIntyre and Eamon O'Shea. The selectors were Pat Stakelum, Rev. Ray Reidy, Jimmy Hennessy, Len Gaynor and Liam King. 

The new management took over for the start of the 1986-87 League. In preparalion there was a challenge with Waterford at Clonmel on September 21, which was won by 3-19 to 3-11. The team on that occasion was Ken Hogan, Michael Corcoran, Conor O'Donovan, John Ryan, Pa Fitzelle, J. Walsh, John Heffernan, Joe Hayes, Noel Sheehy, Nicholas English, Paudie Everard, Michael Cleary, J. Quinn, Donie O'Connell and Michael Scully. Interestingly, eight of that lineout were to contribute to the All-Ireland victory on September 3. The other warm-ups followed, against Clare at Newmarket and Kilkenny at Cloughjordan.

The League 

Tipperary were in Division II and their opening game was against Antrim at Dunloy, on October 12. They were well beaten, 3-15 to 3-7, and the team, revealed problems in the full-back line, at centrefield, where Aidan Ryan and Donie O'Connell didn't gell, and in the forwards. There were drastic changes for the next game away to Kerry which saw the introduction of Tony Sheppard for Hogan in goals; Conor O'Donovan and Peter Brennan in the full-back line, Paul Delaney at half-back, Philip Kennedy and Liam Stokes at centrefield and Philip Kenny, Gerry Williams and Michael Nolan to the forwards. They beat Kerry by 3-15 to 0-5, followed up with a win over Meath by 5-14 to 0-9 and defeated Dublin by 1-12 to 1-4 on December 7. They went into the winter recess with 8 points out of a possible 10. 

February 15 was a crunch game for Tipperary. They played Waterford at Walsh Park and victory was essential for promotion to Division 1. This was a fiercely competitive game because Waterford, unbeaten to date, had a similar mission. The final score was 3-11 to 1-7 in Tipperary's favour and left them with only lowly Mayo to overcome in their final game. In fact they trounced Mayo by 5-18 to 0-2, at Thurles, on March 1, and qualified to play Limerick in the quarter­final on April 5. 

This game was postponed for a week because of the state of Semple Stadium and was eventually won by Tipperary (3-15 to 3-14), after an epic encounter that went on for 90 minutes. In the course of that time Tipperary lost a seven-point interval lead and needed an English point in injury time to square the match. Similarly, it took a Pat Fox point in the final minute of extra time to grasp the winner. Pat Fox and John McGrath, who hadn't participated in earlier league games, came in as subs. 

Tipperary had to turn out in the league semi-final the following Sunday in Cork and gave a jaded performance before going down to Clare by 2-11 to 1-11. They lined out without the services of Richard Stakelum and Nicholas English, both sidelined by injuries from the previous Sunday. 

The team for the occasion, with the numbers in brackets indicating the number of league games, (9 in all), they played, was as follows: 

Tony Sheppard (6), J. Heffernan (2), C. O'Donovan (6), S. Gibson (6), C. Bonnar (5), J. McGrath (-), D. O'Connell (8), M. Nolan (4), P. Fox (-), P. Kenny (2), A. Ryan (2). Other players used during the league included K. Hogan (2), M. Corcoran (4), J. Ryan (3), J. Hayes (1), N. Sheehy (2), P. Everard (2), J. Quinn (5), M. Scully (4), P. Delaney (2), L. Stokes (5), G. Williams (4), M. Doyle (8), R. Stakelum (8), P. Brennan (2), F. Collins (1), N. English (7), R. Stakelum (7).

The Championship

There were five challenge games before the first round ofthe championship against Kerry at Killarney, on May 24. There were eight changes in personnel from the team that lost to Clare in the league semi-final. Sheppard, Heffernan, Fitzell, Stapleton, McGrath, Nolan and Philip Kenny were omitted and Bobby Ryan was still in the States with the All-Stars. Nolan and McGrath were, in fact, dropped from the panel. In their places were named Ken Hogan, Peter Brennan, Richard Stapleton, Noel Sheehy, newcomer John Kennedy from Clonoulty, Michael Doyle, Liam Stokes and Michael Scully. 

The game was expected to be no more than a warm-up but at half-time Tipperary were in the embarrassing position of having only four points to spare. In the end, however, they won by 1-21 to 2·5, to everyone's relief. 

There were a number of surprise changes for the semi-final game with Clare. Bobby Ryan was a shock choice at full-forward and John Kennedy was given the number 6 spot. John McGrath, dropped from the panel for the Kerry game, was now brought in at centrefield to the exclusion of Philip Kennedy. Jerry Williams and Nicholas English replaced Liam Stokes and Michael Scully in the forwards. The game, a mediocre contest, was redeemed by the closeness of the exchanges and ended in a draw (1-13 all). There were a few changes for the replay. Joe Hayes came in at centrefield to partner Colm Bonnar, and John Heffernan, who had replaced Peter Brennan in the drawn game, retained the corner back position. There were no mistakes in the replay and Tipperary destroyed any Clare aspirations to Munster supremacy in a score of 4-17 to 0-8. 

An estimated 60,000 people saw the final against Cork, at Thurles. There was one change, John McGrath replacing the injured Jerry Williams at wing-forward. The match ended in a draw with Pat Fox pointing twice in the last minute, but Tipperary should have put Cork away before that. The final score was 1-18 all and the replay was in Killarney. 

This memorable game ended in a draw and there were scenes of incredible delight when, at the final whistle of extra time, Tipperary were ahead by 4-22 to 1-22 and became the holders of the Munster Cup for the first time in sixteen years. There were two changes from the drawn game with Pa Fritzelle replacing the injured Joe Hayes at midfield and Jerry Williams returning at wing forward. The full team was: K. Hogan, J. Heffernan, C. O'Donovan, S. Gibson, R. Stakelum, J. Kennedy, P. Delaney, C. Bonnar, P. Fitzelle, J. Williams, D. O'Connell, A. Ryan, P. Fox, N. English, B. Ryan. Subs. introduced were Martin McGrath, Michael Doyle and Gerry Stapleton.

Defeat

The hopes and expectations of Tipperary followers were dashed in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway at Croke Park on August 9. A series of mistakes led to a Galway victory by 3-20 to 2-17. A slackness in defence in the opening twenty minutes, a failure to take opportunities during the third quarter and some doubtful decisions by the team mentors contributed to a very disappointing defeat. For the game Joe Hayes was declared fit and chosen in preference to Pat Fitzelle and Martin McGrath, who had come on in the Munster final, was chosen in place of Gerry Williams.

The 1987-88 League

Tipperary played ten games to win the 1987-88 league. The campaign opened with an encouraging victory over Limerick, at Thurles, on October 11, but was followed by defeat at the hands of Wexford two weeks later. The third game was a repeat of the All-Ireland semi-final and ended in a 0-7 each draw in Thurles. 

There was a good victory over Cork at Pairc U'Chaoimh and another over Waterford before the winter recess. After Christmas there was a heavy defeat of Clare at Ennis and then over 30,000 went to Kilkenny for the final game against the home side. Tipperary suffered a comprehensive defeat from Kilkenny on a day when the forwards were well and truly spancelled by a determined Kilkenny backline. 

Nine points from seven games was good enough for a place in the quarter finals in which Antrim were overcome by 2-20 to 2-9 at Croke Park, on March 20. Three weeks later at the same venue, Tipperary had a comprehensive victory over Waterford, 4-19 to 1-8, in the semi-final and on April 24 they defeated Offaly in the final by 3-15 to 2-9 to win their first league title since 1979.

The winning side, with the number of league appearances in brackets - total 10, was as follows: Ken Hogan (10), J. Heffernan (8), C. O'Donovan (9), S. Gibson (10), R. Stakelum, capt. (7), J. Kennedy (4), P. Delaney (10), C. Bonnar (10), J. Hayes (6), M. McGrath (1), D. O'Connell (9), A. Ryan (8), P. Fox (10), N. English (9), B. Ryan (6). Subs: J. McGrath (-), M. Dovle (-). Other players used during the league: ;P. Fitzelle (6), N. Sheehy (8), C. Maher (1), P. Hayes (1), P. O'Neill (3), C. Ryan (5), D. Ryan (7), C. Stakelum (2), J. Leahy (1). 
 

The 1988 Championship

The first game in the 1988 championship was a Munster semi-final encounter with Limerick, at Cork, on June 5. A number of players were excluded because of injuries - English, Gibson, Heffernan and Fitzelle. There was a cautionary approach to the game but the team weren't flattered with their win of 0-15 to 0-8. The team lined out as follows: K. Hogan, C.O'Donovan, N. Sheehy, P. Delaney, R. Stakelum, J. Kennedy, B. Ryan, C. Bonnar, J. Hayes, J. Leahy, D. O'Connell, P. O'Neill, P. Fox, D. Ryan, A. Ryan. Ger O'Neill and Michael Cleary were introduced as subs.

For the Munster final against Cork, in Pairc U'Chaoimh, on July 17, English and Gibson returned to the exclusion of Leahy and Stakelum, English going to full­forward and Declan Ryan reverting to the wing. Conor O'Donovan moved to full­back in a switch with Sheehy and Bobby Ryan and Paul Delaney reverted to their initial half-back positions. Tipperary confirmed their Munster mastery, despite a second-half slide, and won by 2-19 to 1-13. The game saw the introduction of Cormac Bonnar, and John Leahy was also brought on as a sub. 

The All-Ireland semi-final saw one change from the Munster final. John Heffernan, out because of suspension, was brought in in place of Seamus Gibson. The other decision taken by the selectors was the omission of Michael Corcoran and Michael O'Meara from the panel of twenty-three. Tipperary had the edge all the way through but they weren't released from the grip of the underdogs, Antrim, until Pat Fox scored a decisive goal in the twenty-first minute of the second-half. The final score was 3-15 to 2-10. Three subs were introduced - Leahy, Cormac Bonnar and Austin Buckley. 

The big bombshell for the final was the dropping of captain Pa O'Neill and his replacement with John Leahy. English took over the captaincy. The back line was reshuffled with O'Donovan going full-back and Noel Sheehy to centre-back. Delaney went back right -corner and John Kennedy moved out to his position. A third Bonnar, Conal, was drafted into the subs.

The final on September 4 ended frustratingly. Playing against the breeze in the first half, Tipperary held Galway to four points (0-10 to 0-6) at half-time, chiefly due to good back work, and looked good for the second half. But the Galway backs were equally effective against the Tipperary backs after the interval and the All-Ireland champions were ahead by 1-15 to 0-14 at the final whistle. In the end, with only a point between the sides, Tipperary tried desperately for a goal but it came at the opposite end in the dying moments. The losing lineout was: K. Hogan, P. Delaney, C. O'Donovan, J. Heffernan, B. Ryan, N. Sheehy, J. Kennedy, C. Bonnar, J. Hayes, D. Ryan, D. O'Connell, J. Leahy, P. Fox, N. English, A. Ryan. Sub: Cormac Bonnar for Hayes.

The 1988-89 League

The first round was at Dungarvan ori October 30 and Tipperary beat the home side by 1-12 to 0-11. Seven of the defeated All-Ireland side were missing and many new faces were introduced. The side was: K. Hogan, Colm Bonnar, C. O'Donovan, N. Sheehy, Pat McGrath, Jim Maher, B. Ryan, J. Kennedy, Jim Cormack, D. Ryan, D. O'Connell, David Fogarty, P. Fox, Cormac Bonnar, Michael Cleary. 

Three more victories followed before Christmas. Against Offaly, at Thurles, on November 6, the score was 1-19 to 0-10. A week later at the same venue there was a comprehensive defeat of Wexford, 2-20 to 1-4. Two weeks later, at Limerick, in an exciting game, the result was 4-14 to 3-11 in our favour. 

The good work continued after Christmas against Antrim, at Thurles, when the result was 2-15 to 0-7. However, only one point was got from the final two games. At Ballinasloe, on March 5, the result was 0-12 to 1-7 in Galway's favour and a week later at Thurles the result was a draw: Tipperary 1-11, Kilkenny 2-8. Eleven points secured a semi-final place against Kilkenny at Croke Park, on April 16, and the result was a narrow win: Tipperary 0-15, Kilkenny 1-11. Two weeks later Galway proved the bogey once again when, after a thrilling game, they were ahead by 2-16 to 4-8 at the final whistle. The losing side showed some changes from the 'opening game and from the previous year's All-Ireland: K. Hogan, B. Ryan, C. O'Donovan, P. Delaney, R. Stakelum, N. Sheehy, Conal Bonnar, Colm Bonnar, Declan Carr, D. Ryan, J. Hayes, J. Leahy, Michael Cleary, Cormac Bonnar, Pat McGrath. 

The number of players used in the nine league games, plus the number of games each player playes in brackets, is as follows: K. Hogan (8), C. O'Donovan (9), N. Sheehy (9), R. Stakelum (3), J. Kennedy (5), P. Delaney (3), B. Ryan (9), Colm Bonnar (9), J. Hayes (4), J. Leahy (6), D. O'Connell (1), P. Fox (3), D. Ryan (8), N. English (4), J. Heffernan (3), P. McGrath (8), Jim Maher (1), John Cormack (8), Declan Can (8), John Leamy (1).

An All-Ireland at Last!

The first game in the Munster Championship was a repeat of 1988, with Limerick the opponents and the venue Cork on June 11. It was a close game in the first half with the sides level at 1-7 at the interval. But Tipperary took over in the second-half and won comfortably by 4-18 to 2-11. The side showed changes from the league final. R. Stakelum was out and J. Heffernan was back and Bobby Ryan was the new centre-back. The reshuffled backline read: Heffernan, O'Donovan, Sheehy, Conal Bonnar, B. Ryan, P. Delaney. In the forwards, Fox and English replaced Cleary and Cormac Bonnar. 

The Munster final was against surprise packets, Waterford, and Tipperary were red-hot favourites, and proved it, despite getting a battering from an excessively physical opposition, two of whom were sidelined in the course of the game. Tipperary failed to score a goal but won by 0-26 to 2-8. There were a few changes from the side that won the semi-final. Declan Carr was replaced at centrefield by Declan Ryan, who made way for the introduction of Michael Cleary at wing-forward. Pat McGrath was excluded from the corner­forward position and his place was taken by Nicholas English, with Cormac Bonnar coming in at full-forward. 

In a semi-final of high drama and controversy, devoid of quality hurling, Tipperary eventually beat Galway at Croke Park on August 6. However, there were only three points between the sides in the end, 1-17 to 2-11, despite the fact that Galway had only thirteen men for the final ten minutes. The only change in the lineout was the return of Declan Carr in place of Colm Bonnar at centrefield. 

Tipperary put an end to the eighteen year famine on September 3 when they beat a disappointing Antrim team by 4-24 to 3-9 in the final. It was really one-way traffic for the duration and Nicholas English gave a superb display to get a personal tally of 2-12 and set up a new record. The side showed two changes from the semi-final. Paul Delaney was omitted because of doubt on his legality and was replaced by John Kennedy. Colm Bonnar returned at centrefield with Declan Ryan moving to centrefield and replacing Joe Hayes. 

The winning side, with championship appearances in brackets, was as follows: K. Hogan (4), J. Heffernan (4), C. O'Donovan (4), N. Sheehy (4), Conal Bonnar (4), B. Ryan (4), M. Cleary (3), P. Fox (4), Cormac Bonnar (3), N. English (4). Subs: D. O'Connell (-), J. Hayes (3), A. Ryan (-). Others: R. Stakelum (-), J. Leamy (-), J. Cormack (-), P. McGrath (l), J. Madden (-), P. Delaney (3).

Conclusion

Since the new management took over Tipperary played 42 competitive games in league and championship over three years. The result was 30 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses. Two of the draws were in the 1987 championship, against Clare and Cork. The other two were against Galway in'the 1987-88 league and against Kilkenny in the 1988-89 league. Galway beat us four times - twice in the championship 1987 and 1988, and twice in the 1988-89 league. The other defeats were at the hands of Laois and Clare in the 1986-87 league and by Kilkenny and Wexford in the 1987-88 league. 

Of the players who have been involved over the period the most impressive per­formancce is that of Conor O'Donovan. Of the 42 games, Conor played in 38! He is Ifollowed by Colm Bonnar with 36. Colm has another record, an uninterrupted sequence of 31 games until he was dropped for the All-Ireland semi-final. Next in line comes Ken Hogan with 34 games, Bobby Ryan with 33, Nicholas English with 31, Donie O'Connell with 29, Noel Sheehy with 28, Paul Delaney with 27 and Pat Fox with 26. 

Finally, Tipperary's scoring perform­ance has been impressive. In the 1986-87 league they played nine games and were beaten in the semi-final. The team scored 25 goals 128 points and conceded 11 goals 66 points. In the 1987 championship they were beaten in the semi-final. They scored 13 goals 108 points and conceded 8 goals an 87 points. They won the 1987-88 league with ten games and scored 23 goals 131 points while conceding 12 goals 79 points. In the 1988 championship they played four games and scored 5 goals 63 points while conceding 4 goals 46 points. There were nine games in the 1988-89 league and the tally was 16 goals and 121 points for and 9 goals 90 against. The 1989 championship was the only time the opposition scored as many goals. The combined total was 9 goals 85 points for and 9 goals 39 points against.

<span class="postTitle">Fr Tom Maher, C.S.Sp</span> Rockwell College Annual 1990, pp 25-28

Fr Tom Maher, C.S.Sp

Rockwell College Annual 1990, pp 25-28

Fr. Tom Maher, C.S.Sp., was 87 years old on, July 1 and celebrated 60 years in the priesthood on June 29. He can still read without the aid of spectacles and his remarkable eyesight was inherited from his mother, who could still see quite well when she died in 1955 at the age of 90 years. She was a Comerford from Urlingford, an aunt of Fr. Mick Comerford, C.S.Sp. and was principal of the girls' school in the town, when she married Edward Maher, the principal of Lagganstown School, towards the end of the last century. She gave up her job and settled down to married life in the old schoolhouse and teacher's residence in Lagganstown. The new school had heen opened across the road in 1889 and the old one was joined on to the teacher's residence to provide better accommodation. In this house Tom Maher was born on July 1, 1903.. 

Tom's grandfather had been evicted from the Ballytarsna-Ardmayle area and came to live in Knockgraffon. There were four children in the family, three sons and a daughter. Two sons and a daughter emigrated to Philadelphia, so Tom remains the last link in Ireland with the family. Tom's father became a monitor in Knockgraffon National School and went from there to St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra to train as a National Teacher. When he qualified he did not return to Knockgraffon, which would have been usual, but began teaching in Lagganstown, where he later became principal. When he married there was no position in the school for his teacher-wife, because the second post was held by a Miss Dunne.

The first born child was a girl in 1900. She was to die at a young age in 1924. A second girl was born in 1902. She joined the convent of the Sacred Heart at Mount Anville in 1923 and was to spend most of her life in Japan.. When she died in 1980, she had spent 46 years in the Far East amd had been home only once, in 1973, on the ocasion of the fiftieth anniversary of her entry into the convent. Tom came next and a third girl was born in 1905, who is still alive and living in Clonmel.

School

Tom went to school to Miss Dunne and his father at Lagganstown, and went to Rockwell College as a day-boy in 1917. The annual fee was £8 and there were twelve day-boys. Fr. Andy Egan, C.S.Sp was prefect of the day-boys and among Tom's comtemporaries during his years there were Denis Jones. Canon Morrissey of Boherlahan and Fr. Mick Comerford, C.S.Sp. The boarding fee was £32. In 1918 Tom transferred to St. Joseph's, where there were 24 boys. Fr. Patrick Walsh, C.S.Sp was in charge.

The President of the College at the time was Fr. Johnny Byrne, C.S.Sp. During his tenure rugby was abandoned as the main college game and everyone switched over to Gaelic games. Football used to be played up to Christmas and hurling afterwards. The switch coincided with the start of the Munster Schools' championships in which Rockwell were quite successful. The college won the first Munster senior football championship, when they beat St. Colman's, Fermoy in the final at Kilmallock on December 229 1917. They followed up with another victory in the hurling competition, the Harty Cup, by beating Christian College, Cork in the final the following May. Four more victories were to be achieved in the Harty Cup, the last in 1931. After that rugby was restored as the dominant game

As a result of this emphasis on Gaelic games, Tom Maher played no rugby at Rockwell College. He was to learn the game at Blackrock where he went after completing his studies at Rockwell. He spent three years, 1921-24, as a prefect there. He was one of twelve and they litterally ran the place. Three of his coolleagues from these years, J. J. McCarthy, Ambrose Kelly and Eugene Butler, were to become bishops. Tom was one of the last of the non-professed prefects so he got full holidays at Christmas and summer, which he spent at Lagganstown up to 1923. His father retired in that year and the family moved to Golden for a year and then, in 1924, to John Street, Cashel, where they resided in what is today, St. Anne's Nursing Home. After the father's death in 1926 there was a further move, this time to Friar Street. Tom's novitiate was done at Kimmage and he did his philosophy and theology studies in the Castle, Blackrock. He was ordained at All-Hallows in 1930 and finished his studies in 1931.

Nairobi 

Fr. Tom Maher's first port of missionary call was Nairobi, which was a town of 30,000 inhabitants in 1931. There were Europeans, Asians and Africans. There were two Catholic churches and two priests, one for Africans and the second for non-Africans. He was appointed to the African church, St. Peter Claver's, as assistant to Fr. Con McNamara, C.S.Sp. from Co. Clare. In 1934 he became Father-in-Charge.

The non-African Church of the Holy Family was run by an Alsatian Holy Ghost priest, Fr. Bougeau. The new Church of the Holy Family is now the Cathedral and a minor basilica. As well there were about 25 outstations with African catechists in charge, to be visited on a regular basis. About three miles from the Church was a school for girls, run by German Sisters of the Precious Blood. Kiswahili was the language and he soon mastered it. Missionary work involved saying Mass, administering the sacraments, teaching catechism, preparing groups for baptism, communion and confirmation, visiting the two hospitals and the prison and supervising the work of the catechists and the primary teachers. Fr. Maher's first baptism was a leper. One of the hospitals was for infectious diseases and there were many lepers there. The first present he received, a chicken, was also from a leper.

This work continued until 1940 when the advent of World War 11 created a need for army chaplains. Fr. Tom was asked by his bishop if he would serve as a chaplain and he agreed. He was due some leave at the time but there was no way of getting home so he accepted the job for a change. He joined the British colonial army and was to stay until 1963. Since 90% of the personel were African his work in the army was similar to that of a missionary. He joined as a Chaplain Fourth Class with the rank of captain. Later he advanced to Third Class and received the rank of major. Because he wasn't a regular there was no pension.

He first saw combat in the northern territory of Kenya and in Ethiopia and Somaliland and it ended with the battle of Gondar in 1942, near the shore of Lake Tana, the sourse of the Blue Nile. After the East Africa campaign he served for short periods in Madagascar, India, Burma, Sri Lanka. In 1949 he was appointed Senior Chaplain at Command Headquarters in Nairobi and held that position until he retired from the army in 1963. As senior Chaplain he visited troops in Uganda, Tanmzania, Zambia, Zimbabee, Malawi, Mauritius and the Secheyelles. After his retirement he returned to his old mission in Nairobi.

He got back to Irelnad for the first time in 1946. Fifteen years abroad had changed things a lot. He had lost contact with home ˆ his father had died in 1926, his sisters had departed and his mother was alone. He spent two months at home. After that he returned home again in 1949 and after that every two years.

He remembers having been well-received by his fellow-officers in the army. In many places he was the only Catholic in the mess and his colleagues did everthing in their power to help him, sometimes even more than they did for their own. One Christmas Eve, 1948 he believes, he came back to the mess for supper about 10 o'clock, having been hearing confessions in camps all day. The officers had started celebrations some hours previously with Black Velvet and caviar. They kept a generous supply of both for Fr. Tom and were disappointed when he took only one glass of Black Velvet, having to move again at 11 o'clock for more confessions and midnight mass. As a chaplain Fr. Tom was paid the same rate as the Anglican Clergy in Kenya, £420 per annum. Later he received the British rate of pay and was getting approximately £1,600 when he retired.

Return to Nairobi

He returned to Nairobi and his missiionary work after his retirement. Kenya got independence in December 1963 and one of the highlights of the festivities was the blessing of the Kenya Regiment colours. Fr. Tom was one of the chaplains at the ceremony and was presented to His Excellency, Jomo Kenyatta. During the War of Independence Fr. Tom used to have an escort when travelling through Mau Mau territory.

Nairobi and Kenya had changed dramatically since the early days and the changes have continued. It is now a city of over one million inhabitants. In 1931 there were three religious communities, the Holy Ghost, the Loreto Sisters and the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Today there are over ninety. In place of three vicariates under the Propagation of the Faith there are now fourteen dioceses, of which ten are African. The present Archbishop of Nairobi is Maurice, Cardinal Otungo. He was a student at the first Holy Ghost High School at Kabaa.

Retirement

Fr. Tom Maher retired in 1981 and returned to Rockwell but he wasn't content to rest on his laurels of fifity years of missionary work. Since then he has returned to temporary duty on five occasions to Kenya and once to Sierra Leone. His last return from such duty was last January. It's an indication of where his heart rests. Kenya was his home for so long that it's difficult to hold any other place so dear. He has witnessed the dramatic spread of Christianity in the country. As he rests out his days at Rockwell, his memory stretches from that success way back to the days in Lagganstown school, when he played hurling and football in a field with separate sets of posts for goals and points. It's a long time ago but the memory is still fresh.

<span class="postTitle">Rockwell Boy from Carron Takes Darkest Africa in his Stride - Fr John Hogan, C.S.Sp (1851-1885)</span> Supplement Nationalist Centenary 1890-1990, p 124

Rockwell Boy from Carron Takes Darkest Africa in his Stride - Fr John Hogan, C.S.Sp (1851-1885)

Supplement Nationalist Centenary 1890-1990, p 124

Rockwell College was a small school when John Hogan of Carron started as a day-student on January 12, 1866. At the time it was known as the 'Scotch College' as the motive of the French proprietor, Charles Thiebault, in turning over the property for use as a seminary was to provide priests for Scotland, where he had large commercial interests. The college had only 71 names on its rolls. Of these 17 were in the Scotch College, 5 were scholastic aspirants for the Holy Ghost Fathers, 28 were boarders and 23 were day-students. 

After a year and a half the sixteen-year old boy entered the new junior scholasticate, which had opened at the Lake House. After three and a half years he was made prefect or junior master, which entailed supervising the junior lay students and teaching some lower class­es. In Autumn 1871 he went to Langonnet in Brittany to pursue his priestly studies. He suffered much from ill-health and felt his studies suffered in consequence. He later transferred to Chevilly near Paris, where he was ordained for the priesthood in August 1877.

Fr. Hogan spent a further year completing his studies and was appointed as missionary priest to Cimbabasie in Southern Africa. This mission had only just been founded and embraced the vast area known today as Southern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, e tc. This vast territory had been committed by Rome to the pastoral care of the Holy Chost Fathers, with Fr. Charles Duparquet, C.S.Sp. as its founder. The latter had come to Ireland looking for priests and funds. He visited Rockwell in 1878, where the students organised lotteries to raise funds. He was allocated two newly-ordained priests, Frs. John Hogan and Gerald Griffin, and a newly professed Brother Onuphre Cooney of Oulart, Co. Wexford. 

On finishing his courses in France, Fr. Hogan returned to Ireland for a short holiday with his parents. He spent October at Blackrock College preparing for his voyage to South Africa and packing the various requisites, which were presented to him for his mission.

Africa

He landed at Capetown but had to wait for seven weeks for a boat to Walvis Bay, which was the nearest point to his destination. While awaiting his boat he availed of the hospitality of the Irish Bishop of Capetown, Dr. Leonard. In return he acted as chaplain to the local jail and hospital. During the 700 miles boat trip to Walvis Bay he had the company of a party of hunters, who introduced him to the art of using a gun and a compass, necessary skills for life in the bush. 

On arrival at Walvis Bay he had to accept the grudging hospitality of the representative of a German Lutheran Missionary Society until his instructions arrived. Eventually Fr. Duparquet's ox-drawn, caravan arrived to collect him and his cargo. The 19-day trip to Omaruru was a testing introduction to life in the heart of Africa. Having left Ireland at the beginning of November, he arrived at his destination on the eve of St. Patrick's Day.

Fr. Hogan's task was to found a Christian Church among the native population. He was soon to be in charge because Fr. Duparquet spent more and more of his time on explorations. With the help of Br. Onuphre, he built a school and tried to pick up the rudiments of the native language. In mid­January 1880 they were joined by Fr. Gerald Griffin from Limerick. Un­fortunately he was not of the calibre required to cope with life as experienced at Omaruru. His fears of African diseases and the vicious inter-tribal warfare between Hottentots and Damaras forced him eventually to return to Europe. As a substitute Fr. Hogan was sent a former student of th e Scotch Co11ege, Rockwe11, Fr. Joseph Lynch, a Scotsman, born of Irish parents, who was to prove a welcome companion. 

The difficulties of the situation were aggravated hy several personal·confrontations with Mr. Viche, the local Lutheran pastor, who looked none too kindly on the success of the Catho1ic mission and especially the numbers of children who were attending the mission school. Mr. Viche organised a movement to have Fr. Hogan expelled from the area, but failed. However, he made a second attempt, using force. The house of Fr. Hogan and Br. Onuphre was attacked, their effects piled on to a wagon and orders given that they be driven to Walwis. All this was in progress when Fr. Joseph Lynch arrived in poor shape from Walvis Bay, en route from India via Mauritius. It was a sad parting for the Irish missionaries after their three years of dedicated and fruitful pastoral work.

Life at Walwis Bay was pretty grim with a lack of adequate accommodation, a shortage of food and clothing and very little cash. The Irishmen continued their ministry of catechising children and made a few converts. Most of their time was spent in serious study of the Damara and Hottentot languages in the hope that an opening would come for them to resume their missionary work elsewhere in the region. The Capetown press espoused their cause and called for them to be reinstated at Omaruru. 

Portuguese to the Rescue

When their expectations were at their lowest word came that the Portuguese Government had agreed to allow the Holy Ghost Congregation to open missions in Angola. Fr. Duparquet had heen to the fore in the negotiations with the Portuguese Crovernment. He hoped to open the headquarters of the new mission at Huilla, which was within striking distance of the port of Mossamedes in southern Angola. A central station at this point had two advantages: it would shorten the journey from Europe by over 1,000 miles and it was just across the river Cunene where they could he in touch with the people who spoke the languages that the Irish trio had heen familiar with at Omaruru. They would be outside the Cimbabasie Station, of which Fr. Duparquet was the Vice-Prefect Apostolic but he hoped to gain entrance into the Cimbabaasie area later under the protective umbrella this time of' the Portuguese presence. 
Fr. Lynch was too weak to face the long trek overland north to Angola so it was arranged that he travel by boat to Mossamedes. Fr. Hogan and Br. Onuphre set off in the ox-drawn wagon, the 'Raphael', used previously by Duparquet, carrying their furniture and provisions. On their way they were given a triumphal entry into Omaruru despite a prohihition on thei r entering the place, signed by the Chief on the instigation of' Mr. Viche. On their journey north they were greeted by another Chief', who wanted them to set up in his locality, Ikera. 

Having left Walvis Bay on April 12, l882 they finally arrived at Humhe on June 23, where they were welcomed by Fr. Duparquet, who had come down from Huilla. More importantly they were given a rapturous welcome from the people. The Portuguese authorities presented them with a residence, the local Chief provided them with an extensive fruit and vegetable garden, the women of the locality came in large numbers to help get the place in order and the men helped at providing a chapel as it was planned to start with the church rather than the school. 

Fr. Hogan was delighted when he found that he was able to communicate wi th the people in their own tongue as it resemhled the language in use at Umaruru. But the prayers had to he taught in Portuguese, this being part of the price to he paid for the protection and patronage of the Portuguese authorities. 

The main undertaking of Fr. Hogan and Br. Onuphre from September on was the construction of an adequate church. This was completed and the first mass was celebrated in it on Christmas Day. 

As there was no bell it was decided to fire a number of volleys with available guns. In fact with the co-operation of the Portuguese soldiery, 200 volleys were fired causing commotion among the native population, who gathered the message that the Missionrries were men of importance. They came in crowds and were charmed by the hymn-singing of Fr. Hogan's girls' choir. The mass was followed by the baptism of nine children prepared in the school by Fr. Lynch. The number of chilrlren in the school had reached 40 in a short time. From then on it could he said that the liturgical and devotional life of the mission was on a solid foundation.

Angola

Once the mission of Humbe was seen to be on a solid basis, Fr. Dupaquet was already planning new foundations. The most immediate was in answer to the repeated request from a king or chief to the south of the Ovampo area at Evare. In 1883 it was decided in principle that a mission be founded in Ovampo south of the river Cunene dividing Angola from Damaraland or southwest Africa, and another to the east in the Amboellas region. Both these missions would he in the jurisdiction of Cimbabasie but still, hopefully, under the protective arm of the Portuguese, if required.

On June 17, 1883 Fr. Duparquet arrived at Humbe from his headquarters at Huilla, bringing with him the personnel and equipment to establish the mission south of the Cunene. Among the party was an Irish brother, Gerard Claffey from Moate who had entered the novitiate at Blackrock in l866 and had spent some years in Portugal as a member of the community at Braga. By now he was conversant with Portuguese, so he was a valuable accession to the team. As the rainy season had left the river Cunene impassable for the juggernaut, Raphael, and as a long delay was expected, Fr. Dupaquet sent Fr. Hogan with a small group of helpers and with a more mobile form of transport to make soundings. 

On their way the small party had many temptations from local chieftains to stay and start up missions but they pushed on to inspect the site at Amboellas. They found it a beautiful, fertile and seemingly very healthy area, reminding them of Huilla. They left for Humbe on August 25, 1883 and reached it only on October 2, which brings home to us the slowness of travel. 

At the end of July l884 the new mission was opened at Oukananda in Ovampo. A few days later Frs. Hogan and Lynch and Br. Onuphre and Portuguese Br. Rodriquez set off for their more remote mission, taking with them some of the most senior students and a team of Boers as drivers of the Raphael and its team of 16 oxen. 

On arrival at Amboellas there was much work to be done. The school was started immediately. In his spare time Fr. Hogan set about constructing a church and Br. Onuphre worked on erecting three separate dwellings and work areas. Fr. Lynch, whose health left a lot to be desired, concentrated on catechical work. Br. Rodriques fulfilled the obligation of teaching a modicum of Portuguese to the children. Letters say they had a visit from eight kings or chiefs, who expressed themselves very content with progress. It would appear from the extant report that the compound, including buildings and grounds, were a model of what a mission centre should be.

One thing, however, became an acute problem, the shortage of food. The had many mouths to feed, having brought along the senior students from Humbe. They could not bring a big store of provisions on the first trip as so many other things had to he transported. It would take time for their garden to produce what was needed. So, Fr. Hogan decided, wet season though it was, he would have to set out with the big wagon to Humhe, where he expected to pick up provisions which would have to be delivered from Huilla. He too Br. Onuphre with him.

Death 

They got to Humbe alright but had to wait ten days for the provisions to arrive from Huilla. Fr. Hogan and Br. Onuphre seemingly spent a good part of the time at the swamps near the river. To the consternation of all they contracted fever. However, once the wagon from Huilla arrived it was felt they had to return without delay to feed the hungry at the mission. The ground was very sift underfoot due to the heavy rains. 'Raphael' sank too deep in the mud and had to be abandoned for weeks. Luckily they were not too far from home and made the rest of the journey on foot. But, the ordeal had taken too great a toll of Fr. Hogan's reserves of energy. He was confined to bed with a severe fever, so severe that Fr. Lynch administered the last sacraments.

Dedicated nursing, however, led to his recovery. On February 20 he wrote to Fr. Duparquet that all was well with him, that the work was going ahead sweetly and that the local people were very supportive. He tried to resume work as usual but suffered a relapse. Within two days he succumbed to a persistent fever, dying at the age of 34 on March 10, 1885.

His death came as a shock to the people on the mission. The person most affected was Fr. Lynch, who was himself in very poor health. In fact he was so shattered by the experience that he too passed away just four weeks later, at the age of 32 years. Br. Onuphre managed to keep going though very ill with fever. Br. Rodriquez was confined to bed. What might have finished Br. Onuphre was that a band of heartless local people came after the death of Fr. Lynch demanding with threats, as they brandished spears, they they pay the customary 'fine', before he would be allowed to inter the body in local soil. He bought them off with two pairs of trousers and a few shirts, and survived. He eventually died on St. Patrick's Day, 1893, aged 43 years and was buried beside his confreres.

Conclusion

In I878 Fr. Hogan, in a letter to the Superior General requesting the favour of heing professed as a member of the Holy Ghost Congregation, said he had no special preference as regards his appointment: he was ready to serve where God asked once he was a member of the Society. In contempporary letters to his family we find similar sentiments of total commitment to his chosen vocation. He needed such commitment because, when he was appointed to Cimbabasie, he was being appointed to the unknown. In a letter written on the boat to Cape town he was to complain that he had been given absolutely no briefing on where exactly the mission was and what kind of work he might be expected to do. The authorities in Paris did not know the answers to these questions. 

When he arrived at Walwis Bay no instructions awaited him. While awaiting them he was grudgingly accommodated by a representative of the German Lutheran Mission Society. He felt totally lost and depressed. Later he had to contend with the vicissitudes of mission existence and the enmity of the Lutheran pastor, Mr. Viche. Viche and his fellow Lutheran pastors organised a concerted campaign to have Fr. Hogan expelled. They forbade the children to attend his school or his religious services and had the local Chief issue written orders to him to quit..

Most of our knowledge of Fr. Hogan and his mission comes from the reports of Fr. Duparquet. But Fr. Hogan, as the local superior, had to do his share of reporting to Paris and to Fr. Duparquet. This amounts to a sizable amount of correspondence. Those who have studied it like Fr. Sean Farragher, C.S.Sp. and Fr. Bernard Keane, C.S.Sp. say that it seems to reveal a temperament, open, affable, entirely devoid of personal recriminations, sensible, practical, but, at the same time, no softie. At a time when Africa was still the Dark Continent to outsiders, Fr. Hogan comes across as a man totally in love with the continent and its people and taking them in his stride just as if he were in his native Tipperary. At the same time he was trying to unlock the secrets of the African countryside, its rivers and plantations, in order to establish the kind of headquarters that would offer the best service.

By the time fever struck him down at the early age of 34 years, Fr. Hogan was already prematurely old and grey. The years of hardship had taken their toll and his resistance soon gave way. His only consolation on his death bed, so many miles from Carron and Rockwell, was that the last rights were administered by fellow Rockwellian, Fr. Lynch, and that he had the company of another Rockwellian, Brother Onuphre Cooney.

<span class="postTitle">1928 Recalled - Tipperary Beat Kerry Footballers</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1989, pp 82-83

1928 Recalled - Tipperary Beat Kerry Footballers

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1989, pp 82-83

The last time that Tipperary beat Kerry in the Munster senior football championship was sixty years ago this year. The historic occasion was at Tipperary Town on July 8 1928 when the footballers of the Premier County defeated the premier footballers in the county by 1-7 to 2-3. 

Hopes weren't too bright beforehand. The game hadn't been flourishing as well as previously, mainly due to emigration. During the previous four or five years Tipperary footballers were simply streaming out of Cobh and it was claimed that if the emigrants could be brought back, it would be possible to field a team which could well stand up to Kerry. 

Preview 

However, things weren't too bad. A good team had been selected with representatives from Templemore, Fethard, Clonmel, Ardfinnan, Kilsheelan, Mullinahone and Carrick. According to the preview in 'The Tipperary Star' while Kerry would start as favourites, Tipperary could spring a surprise. "The home side tomorrow will have the services of T. Carthy, that robust member of the Garda Siochana, who captained Dublin last year. Con . Keane, the brilliant Cashel hurler, who played so well against Clare in Thurles a fortnight ago, is also on the team. Versatility par excellence! Further powerful aid to the Tipp. side will be lent by the services of T. Lee, that brilliant footballer from 'the Glen' . During his time in U.C.C. Tom Lee played consistently good football and he has already done wonderful work in inter-county games for the old county. Tipeprary can regard itself as being lucky to have him tomorrow". 

Preparation 

A big crowd was expected. Special trains ran from Waterford, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel and from Templemore, Thurles via Fethard and Clonmel. There was also a special from Tralee. The Kerry team arrived in Tipperary on Saturday evening and were treated well. Rumour had it they were taken out to the Glen and 'tanked up'! Perhaps their hosts were taking literally an exhortation that appeared in the 'Tipperary Star', which stated: 'It is hoped that a special effort will be made to cater for the excursionists and that nobody will be sent home hungry or thirsty'.

The Game

The match was played in 'Pat McGrath's Field' at the back of the Old Workhouse and although the weather was ideal, only about 4,000 people turned up. Obviously, not many were giving the home side much of a chance. Kerry played with the wind in the fIrst half and were behind by 1-5 to 0-2 at the interval. Tipperary had played well and the goal by P. Kenny of Carrick had given them great heart. However, it appeared that Kerry, with the aid of the wind would get back on top in the second half. They came out a changed team after the interval and began to attack like demons. But they met powerful opposition from a determined Tipperary side and in the course of the thirty minutes could score only 2-1 while the home side notched up two more points to be ahead by 1-7 to 2-3 at the final whistle. 

The result was a sensation. A number of factors contributed to Tipperary's victory. The selection committee had made a good choice. The team stuck to its task with determination for a grueling sixty minutes. There was also the fact that Kerry had approached the game in a casual way and only woke up to the fact of having a fight on their hands in the second half. Finally there was the magnificent defense of the home backs who held out against desperate onslaughts from the visitors in the second half. 

A Pyrrhic Victory

An extraordinary feature of the game was the number of Tipperary casualties. All four reserves were used. Yet the match could not be described as rough. The two worst casualties were purely accidental and the others were attributed to the zeal with which the players got down to their work. Tom Lee one of the last surviving members of the team, recalls the injuries: 'J. Davey of Templemore broke his leg that day. He and John Joe Sheehy were running at the ball from opposite directions. Both drew at it on the ground. John Joe's boot hit Davey in the middle of the shin and the bone broke like a stick. The sound of it was heard around the field. 'It made me sick', I can truthfully say. Davey was, of course, taken off and never played again. He was an awful loss to us, as he beat John Joe completely that day". In fact two hurleys were used as splints for his leg. ' 

Tom Lee continues: "Towards the end of the match Tom Carthy sprained his ankle, having jumped into a hole, made by young lads in the field. In so far as I remember never played again. He was a terrible loss". 

Team

The winning side was as follows: John Watson (Fethard), M. Barry (Bansha), R. Heffernan (Clonmel), R. Mockler (Mullinahone), J. Davey (Templemore), J. O'Leary (Ardfinnan), E. Lonergan (Ardfinnan), T. McCarthy (Guards), T. Lee (Drumcondra), W. Barrett (Mullinahone), C. Keane (Army), D. Mullins (Fethard), P. Arrigan (Carrick-on-Suir), T. O'Keeffe (Kilsheelan), P. Kenny (Carrick-on-Suir). The substitutes were: G. Croke, J. Scott, M. Maher, M. Strapp.

Munster Final

The final against Cork was fixed for Dungarvan on August 5 and Tipperary followers were fairly hopeful after the great display against Kerry. Cork were winners of ten Munster finals and Tipperary were two behind with eight. The result was another surprise. Cork were superior in all points of the game and won comprehensively by 4-3 to 0-4 before an attendance of nearly seven thousand. The defeat was attributed to many causes but the principal one was Tipperary's over-confidence going into the game. The losers were also under trained and lacked completely the fighting spirit displayed against Kerry. On top of all Cork proved a much better team than anticipated. They led by 2-1 to 0-3 at half-time. 

Memories 

Tom Lee recalls: "I have very unhappy memories of that match. I was very tired (having stayed in Ring on Saturday night and walked with Michéal o Cionnghaola (R.I.P.) across the Coinigear on Sunday morning). Also, an unbelievable thing happened during the match, a few minutes before the end. I was about forty yards from our goal. The ball had been kicked in high from midfield and, as it passed over my head, I heard a whistling sound from it. Dick Heffernan, our fullback, ran towards it, caught it, only to find it flatten in his hands, with the air still whistling out of it. It fell to the ground and did not hop. Dick picked it up again and held it up in one hand, shouting at the referee that the ball was punctured. He, of course, didn't understand what was going on and did not blow the whistle. A Cork forward ran in and fisted the deflated ball to the net. We remonstrated but to no avail. The flag was put up and the goal stood. We lost the match". 

"What happened was that the lacing of the ball opened, the nozzle of the bladder had come out and lost its tying. It was useless arguing with the referee. I never heard of such a thing happening before or since. Kildare easily defeated Cork in the subsequent match. Arbh aiteas go dti e?" 

The defeated side was: J. Weston (Fethard), D. Mullins (Fethard), R. Heffeman (Clonmel), M. Barry (Galtee Rovers), R. Mockler, M. Nolan and W. Barrett (Mullinahone), T. Lanigan (Grangemockler), J. O'Leary, E. Lonergan (Ardfmnan), P. Arrigan, P. Kenny (Carrick-on-Suir), T. O'Keeffe (Kilsheelan), C. Keane (Army), T. Lee (Drumcondra).

Postscript 

Four members of the panel survive sixty years later. As well as Tom Lee the survivors include Tommy O'Keeffe, Mick Barry and Jack Scott. Tom Lee and Connie Keane were picked for Munster the following year. Ten Kerry players were included. Tom Lee takes up the story: 'Kerry wanted their own centrefield so I had to play in the half-forward line. I kept passing balls to the other Kerry forwards who, strange to say, were making poor use of them. (I never played in the forward line in my life and so had no confidence in my shot). I remember John Joe Sheehy shouting to me to shoot myself. Anyway, Munster were beaten. 

In January 1932, Tom Lee became Professor of History and Geography in St. Patrick's Teacher Training College, Drumcondra. He began playing football with the college team, Erin's Hope, and won the Dublin senior championship in 1933. The team included Brendan Nestor of Galway, Murt Kelly or Kerry, Willie Connolly of Cavan, Colm Boland of Westmeath and Sean Feeney of Waterford. 

While he was still in St. Patrick's someone in Radio Eireann had the bright idea of having an Irish broadcast of the St. Patrick's Day matches. Tom Lee continues: 'They approached me and I consented. It proved no trouble from the language point of view but it was impossible for me to recognise the players on the field - men from different parts of two provinces, most of whom were never before seen in Croke Park. The broadcasting box was very high up in the stand - it was small - water and steam streaming down the panes of glass. The window couldn't be opened because of the shouting. "D'eirigh leis an iarracht, deirtear, ach caithfidh me admháill gur thugas moladh san ait nár tuilleadh agus is eagal lion gur fhágas ina éamais go minic an té a thuill. Ach b'in i an chéad uair o aimsir na bhFianna fado, is d6cha, a craoladh cluiche i dteanga na Gaeilge". 

<span class="postTitle">Ossie Bennett (1958-88) - 30 Years a Rubbing</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1989, p 65

Ossie Bennett (1958-88) - 30 Years a Rubbing

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1989, p 65

One of the greatest kicks Ossie Bennett got in 1988 was when St. Kieran's won the Kerry senior football championship. The team used train in Carrow, halfway between Castleisland and Farranfore and Ossie was called in to 'straighten out ankles, cartilages, backs and shoulders'. The five­hour round trip from Johnstown didn't cost him a thought. The previous year it was Myshall in County Carlow. They were beaten in the hurling final, but won the football. In 1986 they had been successful in both. . 

These are but two of the impressive number of achievements by this man from Ballinhassig, Co. Cork, now residing in Co. Kilkenny and identified for so long with Co. Tipperary. He has been associated with at least twenty county championship winning sides and has gone into Croke Park with twelve All-Ireland winning teams. They include six with Tipperary, four with Offaly, one with Galway and Cork's football victory in 1973. 

Athlete

Ossie Bennett learned his skill in straightening out bodies from his father, Bill, and his own lengthy experience as an athlete. Bill Bennett was an impressive athlete in the hurdles, 100 yards, high jump and reached 23' 11" in the long jump. His ability was recognised when he was chosen as one of those to lead the parade in the Tailteann Games in 1924. 

Ossie made a similar impact in the world of sport. An all-round athlete like his father his main interests were in cycling and boxing. His cycling interest began as a boy when he cycled thirteen miles a day from his home to school in Cork. During his career he won nerly one hundred cycle races at all distances. 

Professional Boxer

Ossie Bennett had a professional boxing career that stretched from 1933 to 1945. It started when Gerard Egan, a boxing promoter from the U.S. came to Cork looking for 'White Hopes' in boxing around 1933. During his career Bennett beat such boxing luminaries as Tiger Smith, Barney Smith, Manuel Quinn, Eddie Downey, Tommy Upton, Tommy Mallon and Moss Leane in places as far apart as Cork, Belfast, Montreal and South America. He reckons he never reached his full potential as a boxer and, when the war was over, Ossie, who was born in 1916, was too old to resume his boxing career. 

The Tipperary Connection

Until he got married in 1949 0ssie Bennett was an engineer with the Limerick Steamship Company, and plied the route between Limerick and various ports in England. About that time he answered an advertisement for 'an engineer with a knowledge of steam' and got the job with Roscrea Meat Products Ltd. He got a house on the Offaly side of Roscrea, became friendly with Fr. Vaughan and began training the Coolderry team. 

In 1958 John Joe Maher introduced him to Liam Devaney, who was suffering from some injury. He progressed from there to rubbing Tipperary for the Munster final. In 1960 Sean Ryan, Matt Hassett and Jack Hough asked him to train Toomevara, who went on to win the county final. The following year he was called up full time for Tipperary to replace Bion O'Brien, and he has been with the county since. He worked in conjunction with Jerry Doyle, until the latter's death. Jerry did the hurling training and Ossie the physical training. 

Training

Ossie Bennett admits he has no formal training whatsoever but he knows the body thoroughly. He learned firstly from his father and from his own athletic experience he got the rest. There is a strong tradition for healing in the family. His grandmother used to cure people with physical ailments but advised Ossie to keep away from it, as it wasn't lucky. Ossie inherited this gift and he is in demand today, not only from teams but also from a constant stream of people who visit him from the four corners of the country. 

His aim in the training of players is to increase their heart revs. He believes that the player must be able to increase the normal rev count of sixty to eighty or more if he hopes to respond to the demands of a strenuous game. Only training that will increae the rev count is of any value. 

Many Interests

Ossie Bennett is a very busy man. At seventy-two years today he has very few spare minutes. He prefers it that way. He has other interests besides training teams and mending physical ailments. Vintage cars and steam engines are his great loves. 

Ossie Bennett with Lord Mantague, in the oldest surviving registered car in Ireland

His interest in vintage cars goes back to the mid-hfties and he got into steam engines in the mid-sixties, soon after Stradbally started. In 1961 he joined Gouldings Fertilizers in Dublin and used to travel to Thurles regularly with Donie Nealon and the other Dublin-based Tipperary players. In 1963, on his way to Thurles, he saw a garage in Johnstown for sale. He examined it, bought the place and retired from Gouldings.

Since then he has led a very full life and enjoyed every moment of it: He has been very happy with the teams he trained and admits to having been treated well. If he has contributed substantially to the success of many teams he is content in the thought that he has received immense enjoyment in return. Retiring from his job with Tipperary team will give him more time to pursue his other interests. One thing is certain though, Ossie Bennett will not sit down and put the feet up.

<span class="postTitle">G.A.A. Publications - 1988</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1989, pp 62-63

G.A.A. Publications - 1988

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1989, pp 62-63

Whereas the appearance of the 'Tipperary G.A.A. Story' was the most important publishing event in the county over the past year a number of club histories also saw the light of day. It is encouraging to see so many clubs undertaking the task of researching and writing their histories and it is to be hoped that their example may encourage the others to get to work. 

Borrisoleigh 

At the end of 1986, too late for inclusion in the article on publications in the 1987 Yearbook, Borrisoleigh published their G.A.A. history. 'A Century of G.A.A. in Borrisoleigh' is a joint effort by Lar Long and Timmy Delaney and sells for £7. It contains 212 pages. The first three chapters give a cursory glance at the early years up to 1940 and from then to 1986 the history of the club is covered in greater detail. The last chapters include information on Borrisoleigh players who made their names at inter-county level, the club's involvement in Scor, the history of Bishop Quinlan Park and Borrisoleigh players who performed with distinction with other clubs and counties. The strength of the book is in its illustrations, having over eighty pages of photographs between its covers. The book was printed by the Leinster Leader Ltd. 

Boherlahan and Dualla

Back in 1973 Philip Ryan published the 'Tubberadora-Boherlahan Hurling Story', a forty page account of the hurling highlights from the famous parish. The booklet gave people an appetite for more information and that came at the end of 1987 with the publication of 'Boherlahan and Dualla: A Century of Gaelic Games', by John Maher and Philip Ryan. The book, in an attractive dustcover of blue with a gold sash, contains 354 pages, was printed by Litho Press Co., Midleton, Co. Cork and sells for £10. The book is divided into sixteen chapters and twelve appendices. The Tubberadora years are covered in extensive detail and chapter 8 gives a detailed account of the glorious years of Boherlahan. The appendices are a mine of information, especially those dealing with county and divisional finals. The book carries over fifty pages of photographs. 

Eire Óg

In 1943 Eire Óg became the first team from the west division to take the county senior hurling title. That achievement is given pride of place in the history of the club 'Eire Óg: GAA. History: 1886-1986' by Eileen O'Carroll, which was published at the end of 1987. The book, which contains 190 pages, is really about the years in the west division from 1930 to 1986. The earlier period is only glanced at in Chapter 1. An interesting point about the book is the way the author follows each chapter with profiles on the most prominent contemporary personalities. It gives a variety and a human interest to the book. There are over forty pages of photographs and the book is printed by Tipperary Offset Printers. 

Ballingarry

Ballingarry launched their history at Thurles at the end of August and the 216 page production, printed by the Kilkenny People Ltd. is a credit to them. It has a very attractive cover containing colour pictures of recent achievements and sells for £7. Written by a committee it covers the history of the club from 1887 to 1987 in great detail. James Murray was the chairman of this committee and he pays special tribute to the editor, Dick Molloy, who compiled the book and Paddy O'Connell, who worked so assiduously collecting material for it. The book contains over seventy photographs, is very detailed on athletics with plenty on Ballincurry and Coolquill and has interesting memories of teams from Crohane, the Commons and Smith O'Briens. Such books have to be paid for and Ballingarry collected no less than fifty two pages of ads, which form quarter of the book. As well as adding twenty-five percent to the cost of the publication this practice takes from the book as the pages of ads intrude on the enjoyment of reading it. This very fact is bad for the reader but obviously good for the advertiser. It might have been possible to have got these sponsors to agree to a discreet listing at the back of the book. It certainly would have made it more pleasant for the reader. 

Templemore, Clonmore, Killea

Not many readers will be aware that these three clubs are in the same parish. What about the Parish Rule? A brief guide to the situation would be that Templemore is the football end of things, Clonmore is the intermediate hurling side and Killea, of Tommy Treacy fame, is the junior. Any gaps in our information will be adequately filled on December 7 when Martin Bourke's monumental work on the G.A.A. in the parish will be launched at the Templemore Arms. This book, in large format, will approach 600 pages. It is being printed by Litho Press, Middleton and it is hoped, as a result of generous sponsorship to keep the price at under £10. It should make fascinating reading containing, not only a historical account of the years, but profiles of All-Ireland players, Bill Ryan, Jim Ryan, Billy Grant, Arthur Carroll and the legendary Tommy Treacy. As well the parish produced administrators of the calibre of Canon Fogarty, J. K. Bracken and Fr. Lee. There is an extensive section on the schools, with no less than twenty five photographs from Templemore C.B.S. 

Kilsheelan and Kilcash

For the past few years Sean Nugent has been beavering away on the history of Kilsheelan and Kilcash and he is hoping to see it launched on December 8. The interesting thing about this parish is that the first club was formed in Kilcash about 1884 and it continued in existence until 1910. The Kilsheelan club saw the light of day in 1924 and the midwife was Bill O'Keeffe. Before he died in 1984, Bill wrote an account of the formation of the club and that account forms part of this book. Bill himself is profiled in the book as is his brother, Gerry, of colossal fame. Other famous Kilsheelan men were Jack Roche and Paddy Larkin, the father of Tom. The latter is the only native of the parish to win senior All-Ireland honours. Another famous hurler was Jim Kehoe. He won an All-Ireland Intermediate medal and a National League medal. He also has the distinction of winning Railway Cup medals in hurling and football. There are many other things in this book of over three hundred pages, including an account of the Ballypatrick Handball Club and the famous Tony Ryan. The book will sell at £10 in paperback and £15 for the hardback version. 

There are three other club histories in the can, but for various reasons haven't yet been published. They are Thurles Sarsfields by Donie O'Gorman, Fethard by Mick Ahearne and Galtee Rovers by Seamus McCarthy. 

On the question of publications I hope all readers collect the fine programmes produced for Tipperary matches last year and this year. Some of them are already collector's items. Our county final programmes of 1987 and 1988 were a credit to Donie O'Gorman and his committee. I should like to refer to the cover of this year's programme with the photograph of Hill 16 on All-Ireland day. How many of you picked yourselves out? 

Finally, I refer you to a new publication on Gaelic games that made its appearance first in July 1986. Called 'Gaelic Review' it appeared with great fanfare and sold for £1, with a postal subscription of £12 for the year. Published by Victory Irish Publications Ltd., 82 Upper Georges St., Dun Laoghaire and edited by Martin Breheny of the 'Irish Press' Group, it hasn't lived up to expectations and has appeared sporadically. It's a pity because such publications are rare indeed.

<span class="postTitle">The West's Awake</span> West Tipperary Division Senior Hurling Final Program at Emly, August 20, 1989

The West's Awake

West Tipperary Division Senior Hurling Final Program at Emly, August 20, 1989

Senior Hurling Final day in the West is a good day to reflect on the contribution of the division to the fortunes of the county at a senior level. Whatever may have been the story in the past there isn't a shadow of doubt that the West has contributed enormously to the present revival of Tipperary's hurling fortunes.

Most commentators on last Sunday's victory over Galway have made the point that the most impressive line on the field of play was our inside forward line, which scored 1-12 of the team's total of 1-17. And,everyone reading this today is aware that the three forwards who made such an impression were Pat Fox of Eire Óg, Cormac Bonnar of Cashel King Cormacs and Nicholas English of Lattin-Cullen.

But the contribution of this division didn't end there. Of the total panel of twenty-three, no fewer that nine players came from the West, representative of five clubs. As well as those mentioned above, Clonoulty-Rossmore were represented by Declan Ryan, Joe Hayes and John Kennedy, Golden-Kilfeacle by John Leamy, and Cashel had two more Bonnars, Conal and Colm.

Significantly, all of them, with the exception of John Leamy, made their contribution to victory on the field of play.
 

Late Arrivals
 

Observers from other division are wont to make the point that the West was a late arrival on the hurling sene and that much wasn't heard from the division before the eighties. There is a certain truth in the observation but it is by no means the whole truth.

Since the division was formed in 1930 its hurlers have made a respectable contribution to the county's senior hurling victories. During that period Tipperary won twelve senior All-Irelands and the men from the West had a contribution to make in eleven of them.

The exception was 1930 when the division had no representative. However, there were two who played their part in the 1937 victory over Kilkenny at Killarney. Jack Gleeson of Shanballa, Cashel and Bill O'Donnell of Golden and Eire Óg, Gleeson played at centrefield, went to London later the same year and won an All-Ireland junior medal with London the following year. O'Donnell played corner-forward and was to help Eire Óg to become the first team from the division to take the county senior hurling title six years later.

In 1945 the West had two representatives again. At right-corner back was the ten and a half stone Jim Devitt of Cashel, a most improbable occupant of the position. Declining health meant that he retired after getting a second medal in 1949 at the age of twenty-seven years.

At the other end of the field was the Clonoulty-Rossmore star, Tony Brennan, playing at full-forward. It was to be the first of four All-Irelands for Tony. He was the only representative (excepting Jim Devitt in 1949) from the division on the successful three-in-a-row teams of 1949, 1950 and 1951. In these All-Ireland he changed ends and gave sterling service at full-back, providing maximum cover for Tony Reddin in the days when Michael McGrath's indescretion against Conor Donovan would have been regarded as a mere passing irritation.

There's a bit of a blank in the 1958 team. The man between the posts in that All-Ireland was John O'Grady of 'Culbaire' fame. However, his shadow on the occasion was Terry Moloney from Arravale Rovers. Terry had made his name with St. Flannan's College, won an All-Ireland minor medal with Tipperary in 1957 and, still a minor, beaten unexpectedly by Limerick in the first round of the 1958 championship. His prowess with the minors was sufficient to have him drafted in as cover for John O'Grady in the 1958 senior campaign.
 

Goalkeeping Tradition
 

Terry Moloney started a great tradition of West goalkeepers on successful Tipperary teams. He himself wasn't quite so successful. He took over from O'Grady, who retired because of faulty vision, in the 1959 championship but Tipperary were massacred by a rampant Waterford in the Munster semi-final. He was again unfortunate to be on the losing side against Wexford in the 1960 All-Ireland. So, he had to be satisfied with his 1958 medal because he was out of favour by the following year.

His place on the 1961 team was taken by Kickhams player, Donal O'Brien. Donal had a shorter innings between the posts but became the proud possessor of two All-Ireland medals when Tipperary succeeded against Dublin in 1961 and against Wexford in 1962.

The remarkable supply of goalkeepers from the West division, begun by Terry Moloney in 1958, was to continue until 1972, with the exception of 1963, when Toomevara's Roger Mounsey occupied the position. (Interestingly the tradition is revived in the 1989 side with John Leamy of Golden-Kilfeacle holding the position of sub-goalie.)

John O'Donoghue of Arravale Rovers took over in 1964 and guarded the net in that year's All-Ireland victory over Kilkenny and in the 1965 success against Wexford. He might have had four-in-a-row had Tipperary not been beaten in the 1967 and 1968 finals.

John was replaced by Peter O'Sullivan of Cashel King Cormacs during the 1970 championship and held the position until 1972. He was on the last All-Ireland winning side in 1971 and had two other West players for company in the victory over Kilkenny. John Kelly of Cappawhite played at full-back on that successful side and Dinny Ryan of Sean Treacys played at wing-forward. It was the biggest representation the West ever had on an All-Ireland winning side and may have been an omen of future developments in thecounty.

Therefore, our present players, who will represent the division on September 3, can carry into the All-Ireland final a great belief in their own contribution to the present revival of the county's fortunes but also the knowledge that they are the bearers of a very repectable tradition, which has contributed significantly to the county's senior hurling success since the division was formed.

<span class="postTitle">The Bonnar Team</span> Magical Tipperary: The Best of Ireland 1989, p 44

The Bonnar Team

Magical Tipperary: The Best of Ireland 1989, p 44

The Bonnars are known the length and breadth of Ireland as a result of their exploits with the Tipperary senior hurling team during 1989. What may not be known is that Cormac, Colm and Conal come from a large family of thirteen children and that the rest of them, boys and girls, have also made notable contributions to the games of hurling and football , camogie and handball. 

Their father and mother, as well, have played games with distinction. Pierce won a Donegal junior football medal with Red Hughs in 1947 and Maureen achieved distinction with Crossroads camogie team in 1948. The following is an attempt to introduce you to all the members of the team, to line them out as they might have played together and to inform you of their important achievements.

Pierce: County Donegal junior football medal 1947

Brendan: 3 minor county medals and 3 west senior hurling medal

Niamh: 4 in a row camogie county finals

Triona: 3 All-Ireland Community Gold Medals in Handball, 3 All-Ireland Tailteann Games Gold Medals in Handball

Cormac: 2 All-Ireland Under 21 medals in 1979 and 1980. All-Ireland senior hurling medal 1989

Maureen: Camogie medal with Crossroads, Donegal in 1948

Conal: Minor, Under 21 and Senior Munster hurling medals, Under 21 and Senior All-Ireland Medals, All Star Award 1989

Colm: Eight Munster Hurling medals in 8 years, 3 All-Irelands and 1 All-Star Award

Eithne: 4 All-Ireland Schools Camogie medals in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978

Kieran: Won football medal in Gaeltacht

Nuala: 1977 National Camogie League medal with Tipperary

Mary: Three under-16 county camogie medals

Ann: Two Anne Frazer Cup Medals in camogie

Ailbe: Two county minor hurling medals in 1988 and 1989

Philomena: County gymnastics, basketball and camogie medals

<span class="postTitle">The County Senior Hurling Championship (1988)</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1989, pp 25-27

The County Senior Hurling Championship (1988)

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1989, pp 25-27

Michael Ryan of Fennor, a nephew of Jim of Loughmore and Bloody Sunday fame, was so thrilled with the result of the county final that he invited the whole panel, selectors and their girls to a meal in Thurles. Tomsey Gleeson, a native of Cugilla but now residing in London, phoned up that he would supply a set of jerseys. The team on arrival at the Four Roads boarded a float and were played by the local band to the village amidst scenes of wild enthusiasm, where the celebrations continued until the early hours.

Those happenings were representative of the tremendous feelings of joy and enthusiasm that filled every native of Loughmore-Castleiney when the final whistle sounded in the replayed county senior hurling final. The two points advantage in the mid team's favour was a great reward for the dedication and determination of a small parish of twelve hundred and fifty people. It was a just return for a team that went senior for the first time in 1981, won four mid titles and qualified for three county finals in the intervening years.

Loughmore Castleiney captain Eamon Sweeney lifts the Dan Breen Cup following this teams victory in the County Final

Loughmore-Castleiney's victory, like Cappawhite's last year, gave hope to all those clubs that have never achieved the highest honour in county hurling. It also revealed that hurling dominance in the county is no longer the preserve of a few clubs.

PROSPECTS

Earlier in the year there were a number of expected contenders for the title. Cappawhite were regarded as good enough to make it two-in-a-row, many believing them to be unlucky in the Munster club final. Borrisoleigh, with their impressive array of talents would be in the shake-up if they could get out of the north. Loughmore-Castleiney would also be there or
thereabouts.

The first big shock came in the first round of the west when Clonoulty Rossmore summarily dismissed the county champions and installed themselves as favourites to succeed.
Cashel had other ideas and, in a very impressive display at Dundrum, sent Clonoulty crashing to defeat. Cashel went on to win the west in an unimpressive display against Kickhams
at Cappawhite .

THE OTHER DIVISIONS

Meanwhile in the South Killenaule ended a twenty-five year famine when they took the south title for the first time since 1963, beating St. Mary's at Fethard. On the same day Borrisoleigh were taking their twelfth title in the north, providing their supporters with a fine display of hurling to defeat Roscrea by seven points . A week later, at Templemore , Loughmore-Castleiney completed a hat-trick of mid senior hurling titles when they beat Holycross Ballycahill by three points in one of the best finals for years.

QUARTER-FINALS

Three of the county quarter-finals were scheduled for the weekend of August 13-14. The fourth was delayed because of the north play-off to decide on the second team to represent that division. In that game Roscrea seemed coasting to victory when they led ten points to seven with thirteen minutes remaining. Then a fortuitous goal by Michael Cleary revitalised Nenagh's effort and they had six points to spare at the final whistle.

Two quarter-final games of very mediocre quality were played at Boherlahan on August 14. Joe O'Dwyer, playing at corner-forward, was the star of Killenaule's easy victory over Kickhams. He scored 2-5 of his side's total of 5-14 and Killenaule dominated the game for most of the hour . Kickhams got two goals in the last eight minutes to give a look of respectability to a rather dismal performance . Their final tally was 4-6.

In the second game , Cashel were unimpressive against an injury-hit St. Mary's. The South runners-up kept in touch with the West champions all through because of Cashel's failure to translate superiority on the field into scoring opportunities. In the end Cashel had eight points to spare on a score of 3-11 to 2-6.

On the previous evening at Templemore Borrisoleigh were very lucky to survive by one point against Holycross-Ballycahill. In a thrilling game the mid runners-up squandered a number of first class chances of forcing a draw in the final few minutes and were beaten by 1-9 to 1-8. ln contrast the north champions could be thankful for the efforts of Noel O'Dwyer, who was deadly accurate from the placed ball, scoring six points in all.

It seemed as if Eire Og would be victorious.  Although playing against the breeze in the first half, they led Loughmore Castleiney by four points to three at the interval.  In fact they should have been more in front but for many wasted scoring chances.  Soon after the resumption Philip Kennedy put them further ahead with a point from a sixty five.  But then the game turned completely about when a Pat McGrath sideline puck seemed to go all the way to the Nenagh net.  A further point and a goal followed and Loughmore Castleiney hurled very well for about 15 minutes, building up an eight point lead.  Nenagh came back somewhat into the game in the final quarter but a last minute goal by Seamus Bohan had the mid champions in front by 3-8 to 0-9 at the final whistle. 

A FOUR DIVISION DRAW

Not since 1967 were all divisions represented in the county semi-finals. The draw brought Borrisoleigh against Cashel and Loughmore-Castleiney against Killenaule. Because of the All-Ireland football final the games were split with north versus west at Thurles

On Saturday evening September 17th and the mid versus south encounter on Sunday September 18th. 

Borrisoleigh were favourites to beat Cashel but the latter had other ideas.  The west champions started off well and were three points to one ahead after eleven minutes.  Then a sixty yard free by Noel O’Dwyer was touched to the net by Aidan Ryan while the Cashel goalkeeper and full back stood indecisively.  The blow seemed to knock the fight out of Cashel who were further stunned in the eighteenth minute with a second Borrisoleigh goal by Paddy Kenny.  At half time Borrisoleigh were ahead by 2-5 to 0-4.  On the resumption the north men added a goal and two points to open a twelve point lead.  Only at this stage did Cashel regain the fluency they showed in the opening ten minutes. In a great last quarter they reduced the lead to five points.  But for superb goalkeeping by Noelie Maher in the Borris goal and the ineffectiveness of the Cashel inside forward line the result could easily have been different than the final score of 3-8 to 2-6.  

The second semi-final at Cashel on Sunday evening finished a very one sided affair after a first close first half. At the end of this stage Loughmore Castleiney had a two point advantage over Killenaule in a score of eight points to six. However, the mid men changed to a much faster gear after the interval and scored 2-3 in the third quarter. They dominated the game and were ahead by 2-18 to 1-9 at the final whistle. The Killenaule goal came in the dying minutes and gave a slight respectability to Killenaule's performance.

COUNTY FINAL

Borrisoleigh were fancied for the final and most people believed that their class would tell in the end and that they would take their seventh senior title. They were coached for the encounter by Paddy Doyle while Loughmore Castleiney had the services of the wider
known, Jimmy.

A great game was expected but, as so often happens, it didn't materialise. In damp conditions, with Semple Stadium totally lacking in any liveliness, the game developed into an intense but scrappy encounter, kept interesting by the closeness of the scores. It was a game of appalling misses and poor hurling.

The first half was undistinguished except for a great free from a sideline cut by Tom McGrath from seventy yards and a goal by Seamus Bohan two minutes from half time which gave Loughmore-Castleiney a 1-3 to 0-3 lead at the interval. Borrisoleigh played their best hurling in the third quarter and went into the lead. LoughmoreCastleiney came back into the game and
went two points ahead, but Noel O'Dwyer and Conor Stakelum points brought the sides level with six minutes to go, and that's how it finished with Borrisoleigh nine points to one-six for Loughmore-Castleiney. It was the northmen's third successive county final appearance without scoring a goal.

The replay was fixed for six days later, October 8. lt was the first replayed final since 1982 and the first time for a senior final to be played on a Saturday. The replayed All-Ireland senior football final prevented a Sunday fixture. Flowery Ryan' s wedding and Liam Cormack's emigration made a later date impossible.

The replay will be remembered for its sensational ending. Two minutes to go Borrisoleigh seemed almost certainties. They were two points up and set for victory. Loughmore-Castleiney kept plugging away. The ball was making its tortuous progress along the Kinane Stand side of the field. At the far side Pat McGrath was following its progress and keeping parallel with it. When Liam Cormack's shot was blocked out by Noellie Maher, McGrath was present to slap home an all-important goal. Michael McGrath shot another point from the puck-out and devastated Borrisoleigh were left without time to redress the situation.

Borrisoleigh goal keeper Noelie Maher clears despite close attention of Seamus Bohane of Loughmore Castleiney

It was a victory for the never-say-die spirit of Loughmore-Castleiney. With the benefit of the breeze in the first half Loughmore-Castleiney, as a result of many misses, could tum over with a lead of only two points in a scoreline of 1 -2 to 0-3. The wise heads around the stand were predicting that it would only be a matter of time before Borrisoleigh stamped their superiority on the game. Not only had they the advantage of a stiffish breeze but they also had the heavy mist that began to fall at the interval. A deflected goal by Aidan Ryan in the nineteenth minute of the second half seemed to confirm this opinion. However, Borrisoleigh didn't  seem to be able to deliver the decisive blow and were only two points up when Pat McGrath delivered his killer punch.

POOR HURLING

The game was more memorable for tension and excitement and the spectacular finish than for quality hurling. In fact, with the exception of the final ten minutes, the fare was as poor as in the drawn game. Borrisoleigh forwards let their side down. Even Noel O'Dwyer, who had done so much to get the team past Holycross-Ballycahill in the quarter-final, couldn't find his shooting form. Among the backs Michael Ryan, Gerry Stapleton and Richard Stakelum were the pick of the bunch. On the winning side Jim McGrath must stand out for a very solid performance at centre-back. He was well assisted by Pat McGrath and Peter Brennan in the backs and Ned Ryan, Michael McGrath and Liam Cormack upfield.

To the question were there any county men hanging around the answer must be in the negative. Apart from the established players, who added no cubits to their statures, there was little else in the line of county talent. What the game showed was that success at this
level can be gained by a bunch of middling players, knowing one another and combining well with grit and determination. Loughmore-Castleiney set out to win and to erase from the minds the memory of two previous defeats at this stage. They succeeded in their task and their joy was immense.

The successful side was: F. McGrath, P. Cormack, P. Brennan, E. Brennan, P. McGrath, ]. Maher, E. Swe eney (capt.), N. Ryan, T. McGrath, M. McGrath, P. Treacy, S. Bohan, L. Cormack, J.Cormack, T. Larkin. 
Subs : M. Meagher for Larkin; J. Treacy for Bohan. 
Other subs: D. Kiely, T. Gleeson, ]. Nolan, J.Kennedy, T. McGrath, S. Maher, J.Mockler, P. Gleeson, P. Morris, M.McGrath, D. McGrath, T. Cullen. 
Coach: Jack Walsh. 
Selectors: Pat Cullen, Tommy Egan, Jo e Grady, Mick McGrath.

The Borrisoleigh side was: N. Maher, B. Kenny, T. Stapleton, M. Ryan, R. Stakelum, G. Stapleton, B. Ryan (capt.), T. Ryan, C. Stakelum, N. O'Dwyer, J. McGrath, S. Devaney, A. Ryan, P. Kenny.
Subs: J. Maher, J. Glasheen, J. Ryan, C. Reid, P. Delaney, J. Loughnane, J. J. Maher, F. Doolan. Coach: Paddy Doyle.
Selectors: M. Coen, Brendan Kenny, Tommy O'Dwyer. 

Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan.

Man of the match: Pat McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney ) .

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

County Final

October 2, 1988 - Thurles : Borrisoleigh 0-9, Loughmore Castleiney 1-6. Referee : Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan .

Replay, October 8, 1988 - Thurles : Loughmore -Castleiney 2-7, Borrisoleigh 1-8. Referee : Willie Barrett, Ardfinnnan .

Semi-Finals: 

September 17, 1988  
Thurles: Borrisoleigh 3-8, Cashel King Cormacs 2-6. Referee : Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan .

September 18, 1988
Cashel : Loughrnore-Castleiney 2-18, Killenaule 1-9. Referee :John Moloney, Bansha.

Quarter-Finals: 

August 14, 1988
Boherlahan : Killenaule S-14, Kickhams (W) 4-6. Referee : John Maher, Boherlahan -Dualla. Cashel King Corrnac's 3-11, St.
Mary's (S) 2-6. Referee : Johnny McDonnell , Roscrea .

August 13, 1988
Templemore: Borrisoleigh 1-9, Holycross-Ballycahill 1-8 .Referee : Willie Barrett,Ardfinnan.

September 11, 1988
Cashel: Loughmore-Castleiney 3-8, Eire Og (N) 0-9. Referee: George Ryan, Lattin.

Divisional Finals:

July 24, 1988
Fethard: Killenaule 1-14, St. Mary's 2-6. Referee : Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan. 
Cappawhite : Cashel 1-12, Kickhams 1-4. Referee : Paddy Russell, Ernly. 
Nenagh : Borrisoleigh 1-14, Roscrea . Referee : Michael Cahil, Kilruane-MacDonaghs .

July 31, 1988  
Templemore : Loughrnore-Castleiney 3-9, HolycrossBallycahill 0-1 S. Referee : Donie O'Gorrnan Thurles Sarsfields .

Play-off:
August 14, 1988 (North) Borrisoleigh : Eire()g 2-10, Roscrea 0 -10. Referee : Gerry Long, Knockshegowna .

<span class="postTitle">The County Senior Hurling Championship - 1987</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1988, pp 57-59

The County Senior Hurling Championship - 1987

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1988, pp 57-59

Michael Ryan of Fennor, a nephew of Jim of Loughmore and Bloody Sunday fame, was so thrilled with the result of the county final that he invited the whole panel, selectors and their girls to a meal in Thurles. Tomsey Gleeson, a native of Cugilla but now residing in London, phoned up that he would supply a set of jerseys. The team on arrival at the Four Roads boarded a float and were played by the, local band to the village amidst scenes of wild enthusiasm, where the celebrations continued until the early hours. 

Those happenings were representative of the tremendous feelings of joy and enthusiasm that filled every native of Loughmore-Castleiney when the final whistle sounded in the replayed county senior hurling final. The two points advantage in the mid team's favour was a great reward for the dedication and determination of a small parish of twelve hundred and fifty people. It was a just return for a team that went senior for the first time in 1981, won four mid titles and qualified for three county finals in the intervening years. Loughmore-Castleiney's victory, like Cappawhite's last year, gave hope to all those clubs that have never achieved the highest honour in county hurling. It also revealed that hurling dominance in the county is no longer the preserve of a few clubs. 

Prospects

Earlier in the year there were a number of expected contenders for the title. Cappawhite were regarded as good enough to make it two-in-a-row, many believing them to be unlucky in the Munster club final. Borrisoleigh, with their impressive array of talents would be in the shake-up if they could get out of the north. Loughmore­Castleiney would also be there or thereabouts. 

The first big shock came in the first round of the west when Clonoulty­Rossmore summarily dismissed the county champions and installed themselves as favourites to succeed. Cashel had other ideas and, in a very impressive display at Dundrum, sent Clonoulty crashing to defeat. Cashel went on to win the west in an unimpressive display against Kickhams at Cappawhite. 

The Other Divisions

Meanwhile in the South Killenaule ended a twenty-five year famine when they took the south title for the first time since 1963, beating St. Mary's at Fetha'rd. On the same day Borrisoleigh were taking their twelfth title in the north, providing their supporters with a fine-display of hurling to defeat Roscrea by seven points. A week later, at Templemore, Loughmore-Castleiney completed a hat-trick of mid senior hurling titles when they beat Holycross­Ballycahill by three points in one of the best finals for years. 

Quarter Finals

Three of  the  county  quarter-finals were scheduled  for  the  weekend  of  August 13-14. The fourth was  delayed because of the north  play-off to  decide  on  the  second team to  represent that  division.  In that  game Roscrea  seemed coasting  to  victory  when  they led ten points  to seven  with thirteen minutes  remaining.  Then a fortuitous  goal by Michael  Cleary revitalised  Nenagh's  effort and  they had six points to spare at  the final  whistle.  

Two quarter-final games of very mediocre quality were played at Boherlahan on August 14. Joe O'Dwyer, playing at corner-forward, was the star of Killenaule's easy victory over Kickhams. He scored 2-5 of his side's total of 5-14 and Killenaule dominated the game for most of the hour. Kickhams got two goals in the last eight minutes to give a look of respectability to a rather dismal performance. Their final tally was 4-6. 

In the second game, Cashel were unimpressive against an injury-hit St. Mary's. The South runners-up kept in touch with the West champions all through because of Cashel's failure to translate superiority on the field into scoring opportunities. In the end Cashel had eight points to spare on a score of 3-11 to 2-6. 

On the previous evening at Templemore, Borrisoleigh were very lucky to survive by one point against Holycross-Ballycahill. In a thrilling game the mid runners-up squandered a number of first class chances of forcing a draw in the final few minutes and were beaten by 1-9 to 1-8. In contrast the North champions could be thankful for the efforts of Noel O'Dwyer, who was deadly accurate from the placed ball, scoring six points in all.

The fourth quarter-final wasn't played until September 11. It seemed as if Eire Óg, Nenagh would be victorious. Although playing against the breeze in the first half they led Loughmore-Castleiney by four points to three at the interval. In fact they should have been more in front but for many wasted scoring opportunities. Soone after the resumption Philip Kennedy put them ahead with a point from a sixty-five. But then the game turned completely about when a Pat McGrath sideline puck went all the way to the nenagh net. A further point and a goal followed and Loughmore-Castleiney hurled very well for about fifteen minutes, building up an eight-point lead. Nenagh came back somewhat into the game in the final quarter but a last-minute goal by Seamie Bohan had the Mid champions in front by 3-8 to 0-9 at the final whistle.

A Four Division Draw

Not since 1967 were all divisions represented in the county semi-finals. The draw brought Borrisoleigh against Cashel and Loughmore-Castleiney against Killenaule. Because of the All­Ireland football final the games were split with north versus west at Thurles on Saturday evening, September 17, and the mid versus south encounter on Sunday, September 18.

Borrisoleigh were favourites to beat Cashel but the latter had other ideas. The west champions started off well and were three points to one ahead after eleven minutes. Then a sixty-yard free by Noel O'Dwyer was touched to the net by Aidan Ryan, while the Cashel goalkeeper and fullback stood indecisevely. This blow seemed to knock the fight out of cashel, who were further stunned in the eighteenth minutes with a second Borrisoleigh goal by Philip Kenny. At half-time Borrisoleigh were ahead by 2-5 to 0-4. On the resumption the northmen added a goal and two points to open a twelve-point gap. Only at this stage did Cashel regain the fluency they showed m the opening ten minutes. In a great last quarter rally they reduced the lead to five points. But for superb goalkeeping by Noelie Maher in the Borris goal and the ineffectiveness of the Cashel inside forward line the result could easily have been different than the final score of 3-8 to 2-6. 

The second semi-final at Cashel on Sunday evening finished a very one­sided affair after a first close first half. At the end of this stage Loughmore­Castleiney had a two-point advantage over Killenaule in a score of eight points to six. However, the mid men changed to a much faster gear after the interval and scored 2-3 in the third quarter. They dominated the game and were ahead by 2-18 to 1-9 at the final whistle. The Killenaule goal came in the dying minutes and gave a slight respectability to Killenaule's performance. 

County Final

Borrisoleigh were fancied for the final and most people believed that their class would tell in the end and that they would take their seventh senior title. They were coached for the encounter by Paddy Doyle while Loughmore­Castleiney had the services of the wider known, Jimmy. 

A great game was expected but, as so often happens, it didn't materialise. In damp conditions, with Semple Stadium totally lacking in any liveliness, the game developed into an intense but scrappy encounter, kept interesting by the closeness of the scores. It was a game of appalling misses and poor hurling. 

The first half was undistinguished except for a great free from a sideline cut by Tom McGrath from seventy yards and a goal by Seamus Bohan two minutes from half time which gave Loughmore-Castleiney a 1-3 to 0-3 lead at the interval. Borrisoleigh played their best hurling in the third quarter and went into the lead. Loughmore­Castleiney came back into the game and went two points ahead, but Noel O'Dwyer and Conor Stakelum points brought the sides level with six minutes to go, and that's how it finished with Borrisoleigh nine points to one-six for Loughmore-Castleiney. It was the northmen's third successive county final appearance without scoring a goal. 

The replay was fixed for six days later, October 8. It was the first replayed final since 1982 and the first time for a senior final to be played on a Saturday. The replayed All-Ireland senior football final prevented a Sunday fixture. Floury Ryan's wedding and Liam Cormack's emigration made a later date impossible. 

The replay will be remembered for its sensational ending. Two minutes to go Borrisoleigh seemed almost certainties. They were two points up and set for victory. Loughmore-Castleiney kept plugging away. The ball was making its tortuous progress along the Kinane Stand side of the field. At the far side Pat McGrath was following its progress and keeping parallel with it. When Liam Cormack's shot was blocked out by Noellie Maher, McGrath was present to slap home an all-important goal. Michael McGrath shot another point from the puck-out and a devastated Borrisoleigh were left without time to redress the situation. 

It was a victory for the never-say-die spirit of Loughmore-Castleiney. With the benefit of the breeze in the first half Loughmore-Castleiney, as a result of many misses, could turn over with a lead of only two points in a scoreline of 1-2 to 0-3. The wise heads around the stand were predicting that it would only be a matter of time before Borrisoleigh stamped their superiority on the game. Not only had they the advantage of a stiffish breeze but they also had the heavy mist that began to fall at the interval. A deflected goal by Aidan Ryan in the nineteenth minute of the second half seemed to confirm this opinion. However, Borrisoleigh didn't seem to be able to deliver the decisive blow and were only two points up when Pat McGrath delivered his killer punch.

Poor Hurling

The game was more memorable for tension and excitement and the spectacular finish than for quality hurling. In fact, with the exception of the final ten minutes, the fare was as poor as in the drawn game. Borrisoleigh forwards let their side down. even Noel O'Dwyer, who had done so much to get the team past Holycross-Ballycahill in the quarter-final, couldn't find his shooting form. Among the backs Michael Ryan, Gerry Stapleton and Richard Stakelum were the pick of the bunch. On the winning side Jim McGrath must stand out for a very solid performance at centre-back. He was well assisted by Pat McGrath and Peter Brennan in the backs and Ned Ryan, Michael McGrath and Liam Cormack upfield. 

To the question were there any county men hanging around the answer must be in the negative. Apart from the established players, who added no cubits to their statures, there was little else in the line of county talent. What the game showed was that success at this level can be gained by a bunch of middling players, knowing one another and combining well with grit and determination. Loughmore-Castleiney set out to win and to erase from the minds the memory of two previous defeats at this stage. They succeeded in their task and their joy was immense. 

The successful side was: F. McGrath, B.  Cormack, P. Brennan, E.  Brennan, P.  McGrath,J. Maher,  E. Sweeney (capt.), N. Ryan, T. McGrath, M.  McGrath, P. Treacy, S. Bohan,  L.  Cormack, J. Cormack, T. Larkin. Subs: M.  Meagher for Larkin; J. Treacy for Bohan. Other subs: D. Kiely, T. Gleeson, J.  Nolan, J. Kennedy, T. McGrath, S. Maher,  J. Mockler, P. Gleeson, P. Morris, M.  McGrath, D. McGrath, T. Cullen. Coach: Jack Walsh. Selectors: Pat  Cullen, Tommy Egan, Joe Grady, Mick McGrath.  

The Borrisoleigh side was: N. Maher, B.  Kenny, T. Stapleton, M.  Ryan, R. Stakelum,  G. Stapleton,  B. Ryan (capt.), T. Ryan, C. Stakelum,  N. O'Dwyer,  J. McGrath, S. Devaney, A.  Ryan, P. Kenny. Subs: J. Maher, J. Glasheen,  J. Ryan, C. Reid, P. Delaney, J. Loughnane, J. J. Maher, F. Doolan. Coach:  Paddy Doyle.  Selectors: M. Coen, Brendan Kenny, Tommy  O'Dwyer. Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan.  Man of the match: Pat McGrath  (Loughmore-Castleiney).  

Results at a Glance

County Final,

October 2, 1988 - Thurles: Borrisoleigh 0-9, Loughmore­Castleiney 1-6. Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan. 

Replay, October 8, 1988 - Thurles: Loughmore-Castleiney 2-7, Borrisloeigh 1-8. Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfinnnan. 

Semi-Finals, 

September 17, 1988 - Thurles: Borrisoleigh 3-8, Cashel King Cormacs 2-6. Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan. 

September 18 1988- Cashel: Loughmore-Castleiney 2-18, Killenaule 1-9. Referee: John Moloney, Bansha. 

Quarter-Finals, 

August 14, 1988 - Boherlahan: Killenaule 5-14, Kickhams (W) 4-6. Referee: John Maher, Boherlahan-Dualla. 

Cashel King Cormac's 3-11, 8t. Mary's (S) 2-6. Referee: Johnny McDonnell, Roscrea. 

August 13, 1988 - Templemore: Borrisoleigh 1-9, Holycross-Ballycahilll-8. Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan. 

September 11, 1988 - Cashel: Loughmore-Castleiney 3-8, Eire Og (N) 0-9 Referee: George Ryan, Lattin. 

Divisional Finals,

July 24, 1988 - Fethard: Killenaule 1-14, St. Mary's 2-6 Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfinnan. 

Cappawhite: Cashel 1-12, Kickhams 1-4 Referee: Paddy Russell, Emly. 

Nenagh: Borrisoleigh 1-14, Roscrea. Referee: Michael Cahil, Kilruane-MacDonaghs. 

July 31, 1988 - Templemore: Loughmore-Castleiney 3-9, Holycros-Ballycahill 0-15. Referee: Donie O'Gorman, Thurles Sarsfields. 

Play-off, August 14,1988 (North) Borrisoleigh: Eire Og 2-10, Roscrea 0-1. Referee: Gerry Long, Knockshegowna.

<span class="postTitle">Rockwell College and the Harty Cup</span> Rockwell College Annual 1988, pp 45-48

Rockwell College and the Harty Cup

Rockwell College Annual 1988, pp 45-48

It may come as a surprise to many that Rockwell College has a very respectable record in the Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges' top hurling competition. Tipperary schools have won the cup on thirteen occasions and Rockwell come second in the table of winners vith five victories to Thurles C.B.S's six. Rockwell's last victory was in 1931 and Thurles C.B.S. achieved theirs in 1956. The Abbey C.B.S. in Tipperary won out in 1959 and the last Tipperary school to succeed was Templemore C.B.S. in 1978. 

Early Days

Various attempts were made to organise games in secondary schools in Munster in the first two decades of this century but the first really successful one was the presentation in 1917 of a cup by Archbishop J. M. Harty, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, for a hurling competition between the secondary schools and colleges in the province. 

The background to this development was a motion to the 1916 County Tipperary G.A.A. Convention from E. D. Ryan of Cashel. The motion called upon the colleges and secondary schools within the county to give our national pastimes a foremost place in their games. E. D. Ryan found it inconceivable how the schools and the colleges of the county could afford to ignore Gaelic games. He suggested that a deputation visit the principals of various colleges to get an explanation from them as to why they didn't give a foremost place to the national games. "The colleges wholly supported the games of snobocracy and this gave an artificial appearance to the youth of the country, who knew nothing about foreign games prior to heir entrance to the colleges", he continued. After some discussion a deputation was appointed and it included E. D. Ryan. 

The next development was a Munster schools' and colleges' meeting at Limerick Junction on June 2. This meeting was called to discuss the position of Gaelic games in the schools and the organisation of a competition or a football cup, put up by the Munster Council. (Dr. Harty's Cup was for a hurling competition). It was agreed that the committee governing the competitions have one member per county and that the chairman have a casting vote. The age limit for the competitions should be nineteen years on the 1st June each year. One of the schools' representatives hoped that the foreign games rule would not be implemented too strictly. It was agreed to meet again in September to organise the competitions for the next school year. At that meeting it was agreed to reduce the age limit to eighteen on January 1st, 1918. 

Football Competition

The football competition got off the ground immediately and was won by Rockwell, who defeated St. Brendan's, Killarney by 2-4 to 0-1 in the semi-final and St. Colman's, Fermoy in the final, which was played at Kimallock. The successful Rockwell side was as follows: E. Reilly (goal), J. Lyons (captain), J. Moran, N. Moroney, T. Ryan, C. M. Vaughan, J. Quinn, W. McCarthy, P. O'Dwyer, T. O'Callaghan, M. Costigan, M. Fox, M. Quinn, S. Hughes, J. Healy. The football competition lapsed after this and wasn't played again until 1928 when it was won by Clonmel High School. So Tipperary schools were victorious on the first two occasions of this premier Munster football competition but haven't been successful since. 

Harty Cup

The draws for the first Harty Cup competition were made in January 1918. Rockwell got a bye in the first round and went on to qualify for the final against Christians College, Cork, at Thurles on April 25th. They had an easy victory, winning by 5-5 to 3-1. The ball was thrown in by Most. Rev. Dr. Harty and afterwards he presented the cup to the Rockwell captain and the medals to the victorious team. The winning side was: J. Daly, M. Collins, E. O'Donnell, M. Fox, K. Egan, J. Quinn, M. Quinn, P. Power, W. Aherne, W. McCarthy, T. Ryan, T. Lynch, T. O'Connor, J. Maher, W. Ryan. 

Further success

Rockwell achieved a double when they won the competition on successive years, 1923 and 1924. The '23 final was played at Thurles on April 22nd, against Limerick C.B.S. The reporter on the "Tipperary Star", set the scene: "Sunday in Thurles reminded me of old days, the old days I mean before the troubles arose in this grand green isle of ours. It was the occasion of the crossing of camans between the boys from Rockwell College, renowned the world over, wherever an Irishman is to be found in educational circles, with the Limerick representatives, or the boys from the Treaty Stone, in the final of the Dr. Harty Cup and set of medals" . 

About a thousand people attended and Rockwell had the better of the exchanges. They were somewhat heavier than their opponents and, with the aid of the breeze, led 3-2 to nil at the interval. In the second half they held the advantage, partly due to bad marksmanship on the part of Limerick, and were ahead by 5-2 t 2-1 at the final whistle. The victorious side was Sheehan (captain), Fleming (goal), Poole, ColI. Foley, Scully, Brosnan, Ryan, Chawke Hickey, Duffy, McCarthy, O'Connell. Hackett, McCall. 

Rockwell retained the cup in 1924 against the same opposition. In earlier games Rockwell beat Thurles by a large margin and North Monastery by 7-5 to 0-1 in the semi-final. Nine schools took part in the competition and the final was played at Thurles on May 18th. According to one report: "It is no exaggeration to say that the meeting of Rockwell College and Limerick C.B.S. provided one of the fastest and most exciting games ever witnessed on the ground with all its memories of thrilling contests. Both sides fielded strong teams - Rockwell perhaps having the advantage in weight - and it was soon evidenced that both were well-trained, well-selected combinations". Limerick scored first but Rockwell led by a goal and a point at the interval and were in front by 7-3 to 3-4 at the final whistle. The winning side was: Teehan (goal), Nicholas, Kennedy, McCarthy, G. White, O'Connell, Jordan, O'Connell, Clarke, Dunphy, P. Powell (captain), Slattery, Kearney, Devinish, Cashman. 

Another Double

Rockwell achieved a second double in 1930 and 1931. On their way to the 1930 final they inflicted a heavy defeat on North Monastery by 11-3 to 2-0. Their opponents in the final were Mount Sion and the game was played at Waterford on March 16th. RockweIl were completely superior. They led by 6-2 to nil at the interval and were 8-2 to 1-1 in front at the final whistle. Fr. Andy Egan, who was in charge of the victorious side, said it was the best fifteen turned out by the college since the Harty Cup began. He said he had been building up the team for a number of years and was delighted with its performance. The lineout isn't quite certain. Thirteen names only appear with the match report in the Rockwell Annual and, like so many teams at that period, may not be in the order in which they played. The thirteen are: T. Walshe, F. Hazel, N. Lawn, T. McCarthy, J. C. O'ConneIl (captain), W. O'Donnell, P. Kennedy, M. O'Keeffe, T. Cummins, L. Dillon, T. O'Dwyer, F. Matthews, M. Tubridy. The remaining two may have been selected from P. Byrne, G. Keely and M. O'Sullivan. 

The Harty Cup was retained in 1931, despite Fr. Andy Egan's fears after the previous year's victory that he wouldn't have any players for the following year. The final was played at Mitchelstown in April against the unlikely opposition of Doon C.B.S. The first half was a hard-fought battle at the end of which Rockwell led 1-1 to nil. The second half was disappointing as a spectacle as RockweIl establised their superiority and ran out easy winners by 6-1 to 1-1. The winning side, not in order of lineout, was as follows: C. Meagher, D. Cronin, T. O'Dwyer, P. McMahon, T. Dillon, M. O'Dwyer, J. McCarthy, P. Maher, M. Ryan, P. Kennedy, T. Walsh, P. O'Sullivan, T. Cummins, J. Brennan, M. Burke, D. Coughlan. 

This fine record of five Harty Cup titles in fourteen years was not continued. Rockwell never again qualified for a final. Rugby took over as the dominant game and equally impressive results were achieved in that code.

<span class="postTitle">Tipp G.A.A. Story 1935-1984 Book Launch Speech</span> Sarsfield's Social centre, Thurles on August 12, 1988

Tipp G.A.A. Story 1935-1984 Book Launch Speech

Sarsfield's Social centre, Thurles on August 12, 1988

Chairman, Your Grace, distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen. 

You can't judge a book by the cover, even one as attractively designed as this one is by Liam O'Donnchu, and most of you have seen no farther than the dust jacket. My wish is when you have browsed through it at your leisure or studied it in depth your praise will be confirmed.

There's a fine crowd of you present this evening and I want to thank you all for honouring the occasion by your presence. I should like to single out a few whom I'm particularly pleased to see among you 

One of the profiles in the book is of the legendary Bill Ryan of Laha by Martin Bourke. It is really great that a man of his age and achievements in football should be with us. He is our last surviving senior All-Ireland football player and he has three Munster senior football medals as well.. His profile is illustrated by two photographs which reveal the extent of the man's longevity. 

The first is of the Castleiney and Templetuohy United senior football team which won the county championship in 1914. Reclining in the front row is Bill Ryan. The second I took myself in Cashel last November. Bill is about to throw in the ball in the centenary senior football final between Commercials and Lough­more-Castleiney. When he arrived that day at Leahy Park I approached him about throwing in the ball. He was very loath. He didn't want to create any fuss. He'd prefer not too. But we persuaded him and he did. However, before he did he had to go into the Loughmore-Castleiney dressingroom to give a few words of encouragement to the lads.

Bill! Thank you for doing Cashel an honour on that day and for bringing honour and distinction to this occasion. 

The Henman of Clanrickarde

There's a second nonagenerarian who couldn't be with us at the last minute, Tom Duffy, from my native parish of Lorrha. He also has a link with 1914. In my Lorrha book there is a picture of the team that won the north championship in that year. Standing in the back row is the sturdy young Tom with a defiant look on his face. Today, with legs less sturdy but with spirit unbowed he's a link with one of the three Tipperary teams which defeated Galway in an All-Ireland. You better watch out, Cyril Farrell, and remember 1887, 1925 and 1958. 

Last Sunday week there was a reenactment of the first All-Ireland between Meelick and Thurles Sarsfields at Meelick. It was a 2l-a-side game using 1885 G.A.A. Rules. The ball was thrown in by Jim Power of Tynagh who captained the Galway team for a number of years in the mid-twenties. Tom Duffy was a guest of honour on the occasion and he renewed acquaintance with Jim Power after a lapse of over sixty years. The last time they had met was some year in the mid-twenties - neither of them could remember the exact one - when Tom won a county final with Tynagh. 

At that time there was some smuggling of players across the Shannon. Tom had been contacted by the great Ignatius Harney and took a taxi from Birr for the game. Before it began, they were pucking about and Tom was striking very impressively. Harney rushed in and said to him: 'Stop, Tom, they'll notice you.' 

There was an interesting sequel to this game. Tom, alias Joe Hynes, an egg buyer for the Clan­rickarde Estate, was picked to play for Galway. He was referred to in despatches as 'The Henman for Clanrickarde' and word was sent back to the selectors that 'the Henman is gone away'. And, he was gone because Jim Power drove him back to Rathcabbin after the match and they didn't meet again until last Sunday week. 

In referring to Bill and Tom I should like to misquote Shakespeare's Antony and Cleapatra: 

Age does not wither them not time dim their indomitable spirits. 

Neither does it dim the vision nor trim the step of another ancient here present, Jerry O'Keeffe, who is as old as this century. He strides like a colossus across the pages of Tipperary G.A.A. history. As Seamus Leahy mentions in his profile of Jerry: 'Few are alive today who can match his experience in G.A.A. affairs and there are few who can even recall some of the events of G.A.A. history in which he participated. ' 

There is one other I should like to mention on this historical occasion. This book is about recording the past for posterity. In 1970 an important decision was taken to produce a County G.A.A. Yearbook. Since then tremendous strides have been made in the recording of the past and in the preservation of records. The man responsible for that develop­ment was Seamus O'Riain, who was then chairman of the County Board. I am delighted to have him present this evening to see some of his ideas come to fruition in this publication. 

First History Since Fogarty

In mentioning the older and more distinguished is not to take from the achievements and distinctions of the younger. This book is about what has taken place. The younger among you and the present team are now making the history that will be written on some future occasion. 

This is the first county history to be produced in Tipperary since Canon Fogarty's book on the first fifty years appeared in 1960. Many of you are wondering what to expect. My intention in this book was to record as faithfully as possible the happenings of the Association within the county over half a century. These happenings include not only hurling and football but also many ancillary activities. They also include information on the administration of the games and other boardroom activities. In that these pages include as comprehensive a record as possible of every­thing relating to the Association within the county as well as the impact of Tipperary men and women outside the county. I believe I have assembled an impressive record. What is not included I failed to find. The selection I made was based on what I considered to be significant 

The second thing I aimed at was to make the material as interesting as possible. Most of you are aware that the reportage of games can by boring if you haven't got a specific interest in their outcome. I have tried to make this book interesting by bringing in as much of the human interest as possible without deviating from history. Ultimately you will be the judges of how I have succeeded.

Significance of Book

On an occasion such as this one is expected to say something profound. I have been searching for suitable profundities over the past few days and have failed to find any. For the past few years I have been writing extensively on G.A.A. matters and the more I become involved in the sub­ject the greater the need I see.for much more extensive work in the area of communication. I'll put it in a simple way. If my son, Ruadhan, wants to find out anything about Arsenal he has several reference books on the subject. There is no such reference section in the G.A.A. If I phone Croke Park about Munster championship results in 1934 they have no record of them. This book is an attempt to fill the void and to provide a suitable reference work for this county. There should be similar works for every county and every parish in the country. The oral tradition fulfilled the purpose in the past but it is no longer sufficient. 

The preservation of the past hasn't been given sufficient emphasis. There is no G.A.A. museum. Children who visit Croke Park on a school tour have nothing to see but a fine stadium. There is no place where they can see mementoes of' the past. There is no suitable place for the exhibition of the Sam Maguire Cup, which was presented for the last time in 1987. I understand there is a debate going on in G.A.A. circles about such a museum. If there is such an intention it is none too timely.

Meaning of the G.A.A. 

But the G.A.A. is much more than historical record and the exhibition of the past. For me it is many things. It is the exhilaration of playing the game - albeit but a memory now - and the excitement of watching others play. It's the mad race after the ball and the clash of bodies as well as ash. It's the roar of the goal that comes after some great endeavour. But it's also the preview of the game, the expectant talk, the speculat­ion, the projections that never work out. A Clare friend of mine, Mich­ael Hogan, once said to me that he loved a draw because it gave one another week's talk. 

There is also the lift a victory can bring to a parish or a county. We were on high doh after our victory in the Munster final last year. The excitement on the road to Dublin for the All-Ireland semi-final was palpable. I shall ever remember the full-throated singing of Slievenamon in McGrath's pub before the game. At the parish level the excitement can be as intense. Our victory over Clonoulty-Rossmore is the west this year gave Cashel its greatest lift in eight years. 

These are the excitements of high summer. I also enjoy the game in the dead of winter. A league game in Newross or Tulla can lift the depression of a winter Sunday. I shall never forget the day in Tulla in the mid seventies when we failed to score from play. Joe McDonnell, Martin Cummins and myself braved the elements and watched in the wind and the rain as we scored three miserable points from frees. But we forgot it all in Minogue's pub afterwards when we agreed that we had reached the nadir and that we had no lower to go. Little did we know. 

The Association inspires tremendous loyalty and an extraordinary amount of dedicated work. Every club has its dedicated servants. They stand out like beacons to others and they give their all for the love of the game and their love of the club. Without them we could not carry on. Sadly they are the unsung heroes of so many clubs. Every club has got its Pierce Bonnars and its Paddy Greaneys and we are extremely lucky to have two of them in Cashel. 

I have deviated a bit but they are things that need to be said. To return to the present I should like to thank a few people. My family, who have seen my back at the writing table on many occasions over the past two years. The chairman of the Communications Committee, Mick McCarthy and Secretary, Liam O'Donnchu, who gave me absolute support and encouragement. The Leinster Leader, especially Brendan Ellis and Michael Kane, who were always perfect gentlemen. Mick Frawley, who as chairman in 1984 encouraged the idea of updating Canon Fogarty, Mick Lowry, who gave every encouragement to the project and Noel Morris who continued that support when he came into office last January. I should like to thank my fellow members of the county board for supporting the project and Tipperary Co-Op for their generous sponsorship.

It is with a great feeling of relief I see this county history completed. The finished product has been worth the long hours of slog. I am delighted that Babs and his Bahes, by their victories to date, have made this year an exciting one for Tipperary hurling and provided an appropriate backdrop to the launching of this work. I am also happy to have some to the end of my speech and to give everyone an opportunity to enjoy the remainder of the evening. 

<span class="postTitle">G.A.A. Publications - 1987</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1987, p 107

G.A.A. Publications - 1987 

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1987, p 107

The past year hasn't been the greatest for publications relating to the county. Leading the field by a long shot must be The Story of the G.A.A. in the Parish of Newport: by the Mulcaire Banks by Michael Collins and Denis Floyd. This is an excellent production of 528 pages printed by The Clare Champion and sells for £10. It contains an introduction outlining the history of Newport at the time of the foundation of the G .A.A., continues with accounts of the many teams that represented the parish and concludes with a number of appendices that give a completion of the work. It is a model of what a club history ought to be. 

Of a totally different nature is The History of Clengar G.A.A. Club and Area by D. J. Treacy. This 36 page production costs £2 and the first print of 400 copies sold out very quickly. A second print of 200 is now available and anyone interested should get his copy quickly. Glengar was a club from 1933 to 1979 and represented the area of Doon parish that exists in County Tipperary. The book is a short record of the club and contains a few interesting photographs, particularly one of a 1929 St. Louis team which included five of the Ryan-Coyles from the area. 

Another production of great interest to Tipperary G.A.A. followers is the Munster G.A.A. Story by Jim Cronin, with special assistance from Seamus O'Ceallaigh and Patrick C. Walsh. As well as giving a history of Munster championships and affairs since the beginning it contains a number of appendices of outstanding value. Appendix A contains the results of all championship results in every grade, a task of mammoth proportions and a record of inestimable value. Appendix B contains the winning teams in every grade and Appendix C the members of every Railway Cup team from 1927 to 1984. This work is a 'must' for every follower of hurling or football and great value at £10. 

Programmes

Nearer home the divisional and county convention handbooks for 1986 are valuable records of events during the previous year. The annual report of the football committee is also valuable and a credit to the work of Michael Power. All four divisions produced programmes for their divisional hurling finals. The north and mid productions contained forty-eight pages but over half the space was covered in advertisements. The west final programme was a very fine production and carried the results of all the senior finals since the west was formed in 1930. 

The Cashel club produced programmes for the county quarter­-finals between the mid and the west teams and for the county semi-final between Kilruane and Loughmore-Castleiney. The former carried the results of all quarter-final games since the Open Draw was scrapped in 1977 and the latter, the semi-final results from 1968-85. 

The Thurles Sarsfields club were responsible for the county senior hurling final programme. This carried the minor hurling results from 1931-85 and an interesting piece on the Borrisoleigh mascot entitled 'The Cocks of the North Rule the Roost'. This twenty-four page production also included pen pictures of the Kilruane and Borrisoleigh teams. 

Other programmes of interest to Tipperary people include one produced in Ennis for our Munster championship game with Clare and the Munster final programme in KilIarney where the minors drew with Cork. Fermoy produced a commemorative programme for the official re-opening of Pairc Mhic Gearailt on May 18 where Tipperary and Cork played in a tournament game. 

Team sheets were produced for the inter-county hurling challenge at Littleton on February 2 and for our under-21 hurling semi-final game against Limerick at Thurles in July. There was a team sheet for the Tipperary-Down game at Thurles on March 9 and for the All-Ireland junior hurling final between Limerick and Kilkenny at the same venue on August 24. 

Major Games

There were four major games at Thurles during the year for which programmes were produced, the Ford National League hurling semi-finals on April 27, the final on May 11, the All­-Ireland hurling semi-final on August 10 and the Under-21 hurling and football finals on September 14. 

At the football level there was much less on offer. Michael O'Meara produced a programme for the county senior football final at Clonmel on October 19. There was an interesting programme for the Tipperary-Kerry Munster senior football championship game at Clonmel on June 6. It contains all the facts and figures from previous meetings between the sides. There was also a programme for the Tipperary-Cork under-21 football championship game at Clonmel on May 5. 

Two other publications deserve mention. The first is a new magazine on coaching published at Croke Park. Entitled 'Coaching News' it costs fifty pence and will appear on a regular basis. 

The second publication is now defunct and more's the pity. The 'Book of Gaelic Games', to appear in twenty-four instalments, was launched with great hype in 1984. Published by Berkeley Publications, Kilkenny, in association with RTE, it was to be a comprehensive account of Gaelic Games from earliest times to the present day. A very scholarly production with many fine photographs and illustrations, it ceased appearing after seven issues. There was no reason given for the cessation though it was suggested that costs and lower sales than expected were accountable. Whatever the reason it is still possible to get the seven issues that appeared in an attractive binder for the same price as the magazines originally cost. The set makes an attractive addition to one's G.A.A.library. 

<span class="postTitle">County Senior Hurling Championship - 1986</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1987, pp 28-29

County Senior Hurling Championship - 1986

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 1987, pp 28-29

As it turned out, history had to be made in the 1987 county senior hurling final. Not only was it the centenary final, but neither of the contestants had ever won it before. Winners, Cappawhite, were making their first appearance. Runners-up, Loughmore-Castleiney, had been there once before in 1983 when they lost by 0-17 to 1-11 to Borrisoleigh. Another interesting thing about the final pairing was the absence of a team from north Tipperary. Not since 1965, when Thurles Sarsfields defeated Carrick Davins by 3-10 to 0-7, was there a final without a northern team. Finally, it is arguable that never before was a final played between two less-populous parishes.

Divisional Finals

Fethard was the venue for the south final on August 23 when neighbours Ballingarry and Killenaule fought it out before a good crowd on a dry afternoon. In a hard-fought encounter Ballingarry scored two goals in a late flourish to win their third title by 2-11 to 2-3.  
Two finals were decided on September 13. In one of the best mid finals for years, at Holycross, Loughmore-Castleiney held on in a thrilling final quarter to beat Thurles Sarsfields by 2-11 to 2-10. Nine miles away at Cashel, Cappawhite took the west title in an amazing contest with Clonoulty-Rossmore. It was a game of two halves. The first was Clonoulty's who led by 3-7 to 1-4 at half time. The second was Cappawhite's, who turned that nine-point deficit into an eight point victory in a final scoreline of 4-15 to 3­10. Clonoulty's eclipse in the second half was as swift as it was incredible. 

The result of the north final at Nenagh on September 20 was most unexpected. Lorrha, conquerors of All-Ireland champions Borrisoleigh and last year's defeated north finalists, Toomevara, were fancied to win but, in an inept display, they were well-beaten by a Kilruane team, badly decimated by injury and suspension. The final score was 2-14 to 0-12. Lorrha's tale of woe continued the following Sunday at Borrisokane when they lost to Roscrea, league winners, in a play-off to decide on the second team to represent the division in the quarter finals. 

Quarter Finals

Three quarter-fmal games were played on September 27. There was a double bill at Cashel where the mid played the south representatives. Loughmore-Castleiney made heavy weather of beating Killenaule, who performed much better than people expected of them. They suffered the loss of Joe O'Dwyer early in the game and put up a great performance, especially in the third quarter. In the end Loughmore-Castleiney were in front by 2-13 to 3-6. The second game was more clearcut. Except for a brief period in the second half, Thurles Sarsfields controlled the game against Ballingarry and ran out easy winners by 4-12 to 1-8. 

Holycross was the venue for the Kilruane-MacDonaghs versus Clonoulty­Rossmore game. A large crowd turned up to see an indifferent first half transformed into an exciting final thirty minutes during which the lead changed several times. In the end a draw was the fairer result with Clonoulty-Rossmore 2-9 and Kilruane 0-15. 

The game was replayed at Boherlahan on October 4 in conjunction with the fourth quarter-final between Cappawhite and Roscrea. Kilruane­MacDonaghs took a grip on proceedings from very early and won easily by 1-18 to 0-9 from a very disappointing Clonoulty side. Cappawhite gave one of their finest performances for some time when they defeated a depleted Roscrea side by 1­20 to 1-14. The game was wide open for three quarters of the hour but the west side pulled away in the final quarter to record a six-point victory. 

Semi-Finals

The semi-final pairings for Thurles on October 18 were Kilruane MacDonaghs versus Loughmore-Castleiney and Thurles Sarsfields versus Cappawhite. 

Both games were undistinguished from a hurling point of view but both were redeemed bv the closeness of the scoring and by the fact that neither was decided until the last five minutes. 

Thurles Sarsfields looked good at half-time having kept Cappawhite to a point lead, 1-7 to 1-6, with the wind in the first half. However, they missed the boat with two goal chances in the middle of the third quarter. The first was fluffed and the second disallowed. Either of these might have given them control of proceedings. Instead, Cappawhite re-established themselves, especially by the move of Conor Ryan to centreback and had the edge in the final quarter to win by 2-15 to 1-14. 

Loughmore-Castleiney's victory was dramatic. A few minutes from time Pat McGrath pointed from about ninety yards to level the scores. But he undid the good work by fouling Seamus Hennessy soon after and the latter made no mistake with the resultant free to put the north men ahead again. But from the puck-out, Eamon Brennan sent to Liam Corrnack, who passed to Michael McGrath and the full-forward turned and crashed the ball to the net. Liam Corrnack added another point for good measure to give the mid champions victory by 1-12 to 0-12. 

Final Day

Semple Stadium was the venue on November 1 for the Centenary final. Gerry Long of Knockshegowna was given the opportunity of refereeing his first county final. Before the game the Moycarkey Pipe Band played the teams around the field. Also in that parade were juvenile representatives of all the clubs in the county, carrying their club colours. Patron of the G.A.A., Archbishop Thomas Morris, was escorted onto the field before the throw-in by county chairman, Michael Lowry, and introduced to the respective captains, John O'Neill of Cappawhite and John Cormack of Loughmore­Castleiney. The game got underway at 3.06. 

Everybody had forecast a fairly close game with the verdict at the end of the hour in favour of Loughmore-Castleiney. People from the west, particularly, believed that Cappawhite hadn't delivered their best during the year and were not as good as in 1984, when they should have taken Moycarkey-Borris. The optimists believed that Cappawhite had yet to deliver the goods but that this would be the day. 

Cappawhite's opening efforts confmned the fears of the most persistent pessimist: they were just plain bad and Loughmore-Castleiney looked brilliant as they raced into an eight point lead within twenty minutes. Pat McGrath looked superb as he chalked up a personal tally of 1-4 of his side's 1-7. But, if the players were anxious and unsure on the field, the Cappa mentors were certain where the trouble lay. They took off Miley Coughlan and tried John Ryan on McGrath, but to no avail. There was only one solution, to send Ger Ryan Bawn back to police the Loughmore danger man, even if it involved upsetting the half-back line. This was done and the game began to stabilise for Cappawhite and they had reduced the deficit to 1-8 to 1-6 at the interval. 

However, the best laid plans began to go awry early in the second half, Loughmore opening up a five-point gap in the ninth minute with a Liam Cormack goal. Soon after came a second Cappawhite move that had a major impact on the eventual outcome - the moving of Ger O'Neill to centreforward. Added to this was the loss of Loughmore of their full-back, Peter Brennan. Cappawhite surged back and drew level with eight minutes to play. Loughmore retaliated with a Pat McGrath point to go ahead. Pat O'Neill came back to level and, with a minute to go, Austin Buckley got a brilliant point to give the west champions victory. A final effort by Pat McGrath to level was in vain. 

Cappawhite deserved a county final. For the past five years they have entertained their supporters with some tantalising hurling. They have dominated hurling in the west and their victory was but rightful consolation for past failures outside the division. Apart from their hurling ability they are a fine club, a model of what a club should be and a bunch of players and officials who give trouble to nobody. 

And what of Loughmore-Castleiney: they will find consolation in no words of condolence. Such words might have substituted for victory in 1983 when they lost on their first county final appearance. But, in 1987, they wanted victory and had it in their grasp only to see it roll away from them in the end like Sisyphus and the rock. 

Pat O'Neill was given Man of the Match and scored ten points of his side's total. Following closely behind were Ger O'Neill and Ger Ryan (B). Others to impress were Michael Buckley, about whom doubts were cast beforehand, and Simon Ryan, who did a power of hurling at centrefield. For Loughmore-Castleiney, Pat McGrath must stand out as well as Eamon Sweeney, Jim Maher and Liam Cormack.

Cappawhite - D. O'Neill, M. Coughlan, M. Buckley, D. Ryan (P), D. Hennessy, A. O'Neill, G. Ryan, E. Ryan, S. Ryan, A. Buckley, C. Ryan, P. O'Neill,J. O'Neill (Capt.), G. O'Neill, M. McDermott. Subs: J. Ryan (for Coughlan), E. Maguire (for J. O'Neill). 

Loughmore-Castleiney - F. McGrath, R. Stapleton, P. Brennan, J. Maher, P. Cormack, L. Cormack, M. McGrath, P. McGrath. Subs: J. Treacy (Capt.) for S. Bohane, T. Larkin for P. Brennan, S. Bohane for N. Ryan. 

Results at a Glance:

County quarter-finals: 

Cashel, September 27 

Loughmore-Castleiney 2-13, Killenaule 3-6. Referee: Michael Cahill (Kilruane-MacDonaghs). 

Thurles Sarsfields 4-12, Ballingarry 1-8. Referee: George Ryan (Lattin-Cullen). 

Holycross, September 27. 

Clonoulty-Rossmore 2-9, Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-15. Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfmnan. 

Boherlahan, October 4. 

Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-18, Clonoulty-Rossmore 0-9 (Replay). Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfmnan. Cappawhite 1-20, Roscrea 1-14. Referee: John Maher, Boherlahan-Dualla. 

County semi-finals: 

Thurles, October 18 

Cappawhite 2-15, Thurles Sarsfields 1-14. Referee: Willie Barrett, Ardfmnan. 

Loughmore-Castleiney 1-12, Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-1 Referee: George Ryan. Lattin-Cullen. 

County final: 

Thurles, November 1 

Cappawhite 1-17, Loughmore-Castleiney 2-13. Referee: Gerry Long (Knockshegowna).

Cappawhite: County and West S.H. Champions 1987

Back row. left to right: N. Buckley, G. O'Neill, T. Coughlan, S. Ryan (L), J. Ryan (P), C. Ryan (H), G. Ryan (B), D. O'Neill, M. Ryan (L), A O'Neill, J. Barry,, E. Maguire.
Front row, left to right: A. Buckley, P. Buckley, P. O'Neill, M. Buckley, J. O'Neill (capt.), M. McDermott, M. Coughlan, D. Hennessy, D. Ryan (P), E. Ryan (B), D. Quirke

<span class="postTitle">Slievenamon</span> County Hurling Quarter-Finals, Leahy Park, Cashel, September 20, 1987

Slievenamon

County Hurling Quarter-Finals, Leahy Park, Cashel, September 20, 1987

Charles Kickham's song has always been popular in the county - it could be called the County Anthem. But it has achieved a new significance this year with Tipperary's emergence from the Munster championship after sixteen years in the wilderness. Richard Stakelum's rendering of the song after receiving the Munster Cup in Killarney touched responsive chords in the hearts of Tipperary people everywhere. 

The rousing reception to the song was an understandable response after so many years of defeat and frustration. It gave vent to the county's relief and exhilaration after such a succession of failures. It carried a tone of triumphalism that rang out over Fitzgerald Stadium and teased the ears of Cork supporters as they made their hurried exits. I experienced a similar full-blooded rendering of the song in Patrick McGrath's pub in Drumcondra on the morning of the All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park. 

The song holds a similar position in Tipperary as 'Boolavogue' does in Wexford or 'The Banks' in Cork or, more recently, 'You're a Lady' in Limerick. 

The strength of 'Slievenamon' must rest on its very fine melody. Even without the words it's a great tune. It represents the Romantic Ireland that W.B. Yeats thought was 'dead and gone'. Kickham was the great exponent of Romantic Nationalism in his writings and 'Slievenamon' was one of the finest expressions of the feeling. 

The song's association with Kickham makes it all the more attractive. The Mullinahone writer endured hardship and want, ill-health and imprisonment, during his relatively short life of fifty-four years. Yet, in his great novel 'Knocknagow', which he sub-titled 'The Homes of Tipperary', he gave us the story of the indomitable spirit of Matt the Thresher and pride in one's place. 

I thought the singing of 'Slievenamon' brings some of these thoughts and feelings to our minds. We have returned from the wilderness to the edge of hurling greatness again. We have triumphed over the failures and frustrations of the past number of years. We have come again into our own, back, almost, to our rightful place as the premier county in hurling. We can again take pride in our county. The name of Tipperary is once again a name to be feared and respected, as it was in the great fifties and sixties. 

The interesting thing about this development is that is also touches those who don't remember the glory days. It's amazing the resurgence of interest in the county among the young. The number of teenage boys and girls who made the journey to Croke Park on August 9th was staggering. They were finding out for the first time what it was to be from Tipperary just as the rest of us were re-discovering the indescribable pleasure of being Tipperary men and women. 

All of this may seem somewhat remote from to-day's county quarter-final clashes at Pairc Sean Ui Laochadha. But it isn't. Johnny Leahy, better known as Captain Johnny Leahy, after whom this field is named, represented the same indomitable spirit about which Kickham wrote. The great writer himself was born in the parish of Cashel, about a mile out the Fethard Road. According to the story his mother came in from Mullinahone to shop in Cashel in 1828 and went into labour on her way home. Charles was born in her parents' place in Mockler's Hill. And, in the distance, as one looks at it, it is tempting to imagine the scene on the morning that Fionn Mac Cumhail chose his bride, a marathon of women labouring up the sides of the mountain and their disappointment of finding Deirdre in Fionn's arms when they scaled the peak. 

Alone, all alone by the wave-washed strand
And alone in the crowded hall
The hall it is gay and the wayes they are grand
But my heart is not here at all! 
It flies far away, by night and by day
To the times and the joys that are gone. 
And I never shall forget the sweet maiden I met
In the Valley near Slievenamon .

It was not the grace of her queenly air
Not her cheek of the rose's glow
Nor her soft black eyes, nor her flowing hair
Nor was it her lily-white brow.
'Twas the soul of truth and of melting ruth
And the smile like a summer dawn
That stole my heart away one soft summer day
In the Valley near Slievenamon

In the festive hall, by the star-watched shore
Ever my restless spirit cries: 
"My love, oh my love, shall I ne 'er see you more? 
And, my land, will you never uprise?" 
By night and by day I ever, ever pray
While lonely my life flows on
To see our flag unrolled and my true love to enfold
In the Valley near Slievenamon.

<span class="postTitle">Bianconi and Boherlahan</span> Post Advertiser, October 18, 1986, Vol 2 No 7

Bianconi and Boherlahan

Post Advertiser, October 18, 1986, Vol 2 No 7

Isn't it significant that Bianconi should have chosen as his final resting place Boherlahan, the wide road? Surely it was a fitting place for the Father of the Irish Transport System to have his last rest! Or, for a man who started his Irish saga as a pedlar of holy pictures, to leave his last remains! 

Recently, Boherlahan has been celebrating the connection between the parish and one, Joachim Carlo Guiseppe Bianconi, who was born near Lake Como on Sept. 24, 1786. There hasn't been the same publicity around these celebrations as that given to a re-run of the first Bianconi coach service between Clonmel and Cahir on October 2. Nevertheless, the Boherlahan connection is avery strong one and it possesses two very impressive and durable monuments to this extraordinary Italian, Longfield House and the Mortuary Chapel Bianconi built for himself and his family in the parish. 

Longfield

Charles Bianconi purchased Longfield House from Captain Richard Long, the former owner in March 1846. The residence was surrounded by 623 Irish acres and the cost was £21,000. How could a pedlar of holy pictures acquire the wealth to make such a purchase? 

Bianconi had arrived in Ireland in 1802 to start his apprenticeship to a fellow-Italian, Andrea Faroni, who carried on a picture-selling business in Dublin. When he completed his apprenticeship he invested his money in a wide assortment of pictures and frames and set out on the roads of Ireland pedalling his wares. 

For a number of years he trudged the roads of Ireland and prospered at his laborious work. In the course of time he started different kinds of shops in Carrick-on-Suir, Waterford and Clonmel. 

Transport

From his travels he came to recognise the need for a cheap and efficient transport system on the roads of Ireland. He began to turn his mind in that direction and got his opportunity at the end of the Napoleonic Wars when a large number of horses came on the market. Bianconi bought some and started his first scheduled car service from Clonmel to Cahir in July 1815. The business succeeded from the word go and in the course of time Bianconi became a wealthy businessman. His success was recognised when he was made Mayor of Clonmel.

Bianconi came to live at Longfield on September 16, 1846, his sixtieth birthday. He got a fine reception from the people. Bonfires were lit on the roads near the house and a triumphal arch was erected over the avenue gates. The grounds were thronged with tenants and labourers. A band came out from Cashel and there was a dance that night. 

In the course of an address thanking the people for their warm reception Bianconi quoted the famous phrase: 'Property has its duties as well as its rights'. They should all, according to their state in society, have their rights. The landlord should have his and the mechanic and the labourer as well. He thought that the poor man, who earned a shilling a day has as good a right to enjoyment and to his cabin as the queen on her throne. 

Whenever they wanted anything in his power to grant they should ask him and it would afford him much pleasure to assist them by every means in his power. Much of the improvement in the country in the preceding years was due, he said, t the temperate habits of the people, thanks in large measure to his respected friend, Fr. Theobald Matthew and to the advice of the Liberator. 

A Friend in Need

Bianconi was to prove a great friend to the people in the district during the terrible years of the Famine. He helped them with loans of money and gave others, who could not continue the struggle, passages to America. In 1848 he started a large scheme of drainage works. At that time a labourer could earn only 8d a day but the drainage workers were paid by piece work and could earn up to nine shillings a week. For a considerable time more than one hundred men were employed around Longfield and no one died there from hunger. When potatoes were sold in the market at 8d to 10d a stone he sold them to the people for 4d. 

Disliked by Gentry

Naturally, this kind of behaviour towards the men of no property did not endear Bianconi to the neighbouring gentry. They did not like that a new and self-made man should make such innovations and be an example to them in their duties to their tenants: "The gentry were inclined to look coldly on him and hold themselves aloof but he had a great independence of character and cared little for their antagonism. He followed his own way and in the end achieved his purpose' and became increasingly respected.' 

Mortuary Chapel

Bianconi wasn't long settled in his estate when he decided to build a mortuary chapel on his estate as a last resting place for himself and his family. It was built of limestone and sandstone and cost £1,000. Bianconi was his own architect and the work was carried out with the help of a few artisans in the neihgbourhood. It has a flat-roofed bell tower with a Gothic roof. The Archbishop of Cashel, Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, presided at the consecration ceremony. 

Not very long afterwards his daughter, Kathleen Henrietta, who had died in Italy was brought home to be buried there. As well the chapel is also the burial ground of the following: Bianconi's daughter, Charlotte, Morgan John O'Connell, Bianconi himself, his wife Eliza,. his daughter Mary Anne. 0'Connell, his grandson, John Coppinger 0' Connell Bianconi and his great-grand daughter Mollie Watson. 

Extensive Estates

During his time at Longfield Bianconi extended his original property with extensive purchases in the neighbourhood. They included property in Ballygriffin, Road, Glanagile, Cashel, Ballinard, Knockamore, Liss, Lower Pallas and Upper Pallas. These purchases involved a total outlay of about £48,000, bringing the total cost of all his property to over $70,000. The total area amounted to nearly 5,000 Irish acres.

Bianconi had his own ideas about farming. He did a lot. of doctoring on his own horses and always had a large number of them in various states of sickness or injury on the Longfield lands. He went in for the breeding of sheep and Berkshire pigs on a big scale. Despite the number of horses at his disposal he went in for ploughing with horned cattle. The reason may have been a throwback to his early days in Italy. For three or four years he kept two teams of horned cattle but gave up ploughing with them when he found they were slow and wasted the time of the men. 

Manure

Bianconi agreed with the axiom that 'the manure is the farmer'. He believed in manuring his lands heavily. At one time he took a fancy to covering his grass with soot from the chimneys. He invested almost all his life's savings in land. He used to quote the old saying: 'Money melts, land holds, while grass grows and water runs'. 

Charles Bianconi's end finally came at Longfield at a quarter-to-five on the morning of Wednesday, September 22, 1875, two days before entering his 90th year. According to his great granddaugher and biographer, Mollie Watson: "All night long his family, together with James Sweetman and the rest of his household, had gathered about his bed to await the end. Then suddenly so it is said, there came the unmistakeable sounds of galloping horses on the gravel below. Everyone looked up startled and the grooms went running to the stables; the gates of the yard were closed and none of the horses had broken loose. They could still hear the clatter; alternately loud and faint like the surging waves of an ebbing tide, just as though all the horses in Bianconi's long life had come to be with him at the last.'

<span class="postTitle">A Tipperary Parish by Micheal MacCartaigh</span> Post Advertiser, Sept. 25, 1986, Vol 2 No 8

A Tipperary Parish by Micheal MacCartaigh

Post Advertiser, Sept. 25, 1986, Vol 2 No 8

A major event in the parish of Knockavilla-Donaskeigh took place in July with the publication of Micheal MacCarthaigh's book 'A Tipperary Parish: A History of Knockavilla Donaskeigh'. Michael MacCarthaigh, who was born in Kilmore in the parish in 1911, was a national school teacher and retired as principal of Knockavilla N.S. in 1977. He had been working on this book for a long time but, unfortunately, did not live to see its publication, having died in April 1985. 

Soon after his death his friends in the parish suggested to the family that his book should be published. His niece, Siobhan Moran, undertook the task of editing and structuring the work for publication. A committee was formed in the parish as a back-up to her work and to organise the financing of the venture. 

The committee also undertook the task of acquiring photographs and maps. Finally they made all the arrangements for the very successful launch of the book in the Golden Vale lounge, Dundrum on July 10. 

The fact that over two hundred people attended the launching was a tribute to the standing of Michael MacCarthaigh in the parish of Knockavilla-Donaskeigh. Prior to the launching a special Sean O'Riada Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. Dean C. Lee, P.P,- Cashel. Among' the distinguished gathering were His Grace, the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Rev. David Woodworth, the Curch of Ireland Dean of Cashel, members of the author'sf amily, former friends and colleagues, Senator Willie Ryan, Chairman of the Tipp. S.R. County Council and Cllr. Jack Crowe, M.C.C. A most capable and efficient M.C. for the evening was Danny Morrissey, Principal Knockavilla N.S. 

A Local History 

The blurb on the dust-cover of this book states that the author 'brings national events to life by showing their effects on the people and landscape of his own locality. 'The personalities of landlord, priest and rebel stand out in a land where despite their wretched circumstances the people remain courageous and fun-loving.' 

The author begins in the dim distant past with St. Patrick and his connection with the parish. Tradition has it that he crossed the Multeen river at Aughnagrosse. He mentions other connection.s between the parish ad the Golden Age which are recalled in the place names, old church names and the names of holy wells. He includes Lackenbredy, Kilshenane, Teampall Mhic Duach, Tobar Mhic Duach and Tobar Lacktin. One of the strongest points throughout this book is the author's thorough knowledge of placenames and their significance. 

The O'Dwyers

The writer progresses through Gaelic and Norman times to a chapter on the most famous family in the parish the O'Dwyers of Kilnamanagh. A most interesting chapter on the early parishes follows: "The old parishes of Ballygriffin, Ballintemple, Oughterleague, Kilmore and Rathlynin are known to have existed as far back as the end ofthe 13th Century. They are mentioned in the Papal tax papers for the years 1291 and 1302.' 

Another chapter deals with the castles in the parish, at Ballynahinch, Ballygrffin, Ballinaclogh, Grantstown and Killenure. The author tells us: "Ballinahinch castle was the strongest bastion of them all. It was built near the ford on the Suir. It belonged to the Burkes as late as the middle of the Sixteenth Century ..... and it was a Butler possession from the 1580s forward.' 

The Civil Survey

The book gives us a list of the landowners in the" parish in 1640 according to the Civil Survey. There's an extraordinary number of O'Dwyers. From the Book of Distribution he gives the names of the landowners after the Comwellian Plantation, including Robert Maude, Randal Clayton, Mary Cotton, Thomas Shilburne, Richard le Hunt, Joshua Alien, Thomas Gower and others. 

Fr. William O'Dwyer was registered in 1704 as parish priest of Balllntemple, Oughterleague, Rathlynn and Kilfeacle. He seems to have been succeeded by Fr. Philip O'Dwyer, about whom little is known. His successor was Fr. Timothy McCarthy who was present in the parish from 1752-76. 

Fr. Matt Ryan

The book traces the lives of other priests up to the end of the 19th Century when one of the most famous of parish priests, Fr. Matt Ryan b­came parish priest in Knockavilla. Born in 1844 he came to Knockavilla in 1897 and the first thing he did was to build it church in Donaskeigh because 'in the old one at Ruane there were holes in the earthen floor and swallows flying in and out through the holes in the roof.' 

Fr. Matt had been in prison on two occasions before he came to the parish and was already ori the way to being a national figure. He said on one occasion that he would 'never be loyal to what I think is wrong' and he found the whole landlord system totally wrong. 

A teacher Edward Cussen, began teaching Irish in Knockavilla Boys' School, early in this century and Fr, Matt began studying, the language himself and became an enthusiast. He put his whole heart into the revival movement. He was determined that Irish would be taught in all the six schools in the parish and from that time forward no new teacher was appointed but one who was able and willing to teach Irish. One such apointee was Cormac Breathnach from South'Kerry who did not remain permanently. In time he became President of the I.N.T.O. and later of the Gaelic League. 

In time he became President of the I.N.T.O. and later of the Gaelic League. He was elected T. D. and became Lord Mayor of Dublin. 

Fr. Matt was responsible for organising the first feis in Co. Tipperary in 1904. A distinguished visitor to one of these feiseanna was Dr. Douglas Hyde. The author reveals a tremendous empathy with Fr. Matt and his aims. Michael MacCarthaigh carried on these aims himself at a later stage. 

General History

The book continues down to 1923 and there are brief mentions of hurling and athletic activity in the parish. We learn that on the County Tipperary team that won the first cross-country championship of Ireland, both the team and the individual events, were two men from· the parish, Tim Crowe of Bishopswood and John J. Howard of Ballintemple. The pity is that the story did not continue beyond 1923 and that more of the stirring events of the twentieth century are not treated. 

Although this is a history of the parish of Knockavilla-Donaskeigh the author places that history in the context of the wider scene of national history. Every chapter is prefaced by a resume of contemporary national events. While the idea was excellent the actual result is not a very happy one. Much too much of the book is devoted to an account of Irish history which could have been easily gleaned from a general history of the country. The book cried out for greater emphasis on the local. The chapter on Sinn Fein is an illustration. It contains very little inforfmation on what was happening in Knock;avilla-Donaskeigh and too much on natiorial events. Another example is 

the Famine period. Where did the peole go? What areas of the parish were worst hit? Surely there must have been interesting letters in the parish from heart-torn emigrants that would have given the chapter some local flavour. Again, what impact did the coming of the railway have on the parish? What did it do for employment? Did it bring in new amilies? Did it change the life-style of the people? These questions are neither asked or answered. Surely more on the history of the schools in the parish would have been helpful. One hundred and ninety-four pages of the book are devoted to the period up to the Famine but only one hundred to the time since then that would b of so much more immediate interest to the parishioners. 

But readers will probably regard this as mere carping criticism. And, perhaps it is unfair to the work of a man who dedicated his life to a love of his native parish. In this book he gave expression, on that love and the picture he paints is one at a fine and noble place. The book will be a monument to Michael MacCarthaigh's love of his own place. It will also be treasured by the people of the parish. Already they have expressed that appreciation by buying up virtually the complete edition of one thousand copies.

<span class="postTitle">Cashel's Great Carnival</span> Post Advertiser, Sept. 10, 1986, Vol. 2 No. 7

Cashel's Great Carnival

Post Advertiser, Sept. 10, 1986, Vol. 2 No. 7

On Friday, July 7, 1939 page 6 of the 'Irish Press' was almost completely devoted to advertising for Cashel's Great Carnival. The event was promoted with the object of raising funds necessary for the clearing off of the debt on the new, Christian Brothers School on the Tipperary Road. The accompanying article gave the reasons why the Brothers had moved from Ladyswell to the Tipperary Road. . . . . 

"Secondary education of the highest order is available to students in the Christian Brothers' School and in St. Philomena's Academy attached to the Presentation Convent. A few short miles away stands, in unrivalled intellectual pre-eminence, far-famed Rockwell College - foremost among the Boarding Schools and Colleges of Ireland for the past twelve years. Cashel's well appointed Technical Institute - a few brief years in existence - has already proved its usefuless and has sucessfully trained pupils for commercial, industrial and agricultural careers, as well as imparting a thorough knowledge of the hitherto neglected science of Domestic Economy. 

Of all the teaching establishments in Royal Cashel, one alone, the Christian Brothers' School, had become unsuited to its important role. The great Body of Religieuse, founded by Brother Rice, came to the city about half a century ago, spacious accommodation having been provided in what was formerly the Charters' School, erected in 1748 and devoted to the education of Protestant Orphan boys. This commanding premises in Ladyswell Street had been vacant and on being handed over to the Cashel corporation, passed into the possession of the Christian Brothers at a nominal yearly rent.

Ever since then, the Brothers have faithfully carried on the sacred work to which, like their glorious founder, they have dedicated their lives. For the past fifty years the building (which to this day is known to the old inhabitants as the Charters School) has resounded to the prayers and the teaching of the Gael and now, in its decrepit, advanced age, it has been replaced by a modern structure which adjoins the Christian' Brothers' residence on the Golden Road. The lack of accommodation and general unsuitableness of the old school fell so short of present-day requirements that necessity compelled the Brothers to erect a school in conformity with modern principles". 

The programme for the Carnival Week, which was to begin the following Sunday, had been drafted with the intention of bringing clean, healthful enjoyment to the thousands of patrons who were expected. The entertainment included displays of Sokoi drill by teams from the National Army. Also there was to be a performance by the Number 1 Army Band. A childrens' fancy dress display and a baby show were other features. Firework displays would illuminate the carnival grounds on the Sunday nights. By special arrangement with the Kodak Film Company the entire proceedings were to be filmed in part technicolour. All the secretarial work involved was in the hands of Mr. J.F. Rodoers. N.T. 

Perks Amusements were present with all the latest novelties including Honeymoon Express and Indian Theatre and Colone Danny and Partner, in thrilling motor cycle creashes. Stalls and Shows were to be replete with valuable gifts. There was to be clay-pigeon shooting. Finally, there was to be dancing nightly in a spacious marquee.

Most of the page was given over to advertising and all the advertisers got a mention in the text. Rockwell College had the distinction of being the leading residential school in the country for the previous twelve years. Situated in unrivalled scenic and health-giving surroundings Rockwell students had made names for themselves in Church and State and in many continents. .. . 

Messrs T. McCluskey and Company. had an extensive business in Boherclough St and a well-known reputation for integrity. He had recently opened an up-to-date garage there. They had one of the largest poultry concerns in the country and they bought pigs at centres in four counties. . . 

Mr. William Mullins had one of the oldest and most reputable establishments in the city including hardware, grocery, wines and spirits, agricultural requirements and funeral requisites. 

John Feehan carried on a successful hardware and grocery business; James O'Dwyer was the proprietor of a well-known tailoring establishment in Main Sreet. '. 

Ryan's Central Hotel was recognised as one of the best in the province. Equipped with hot and cold water services it was a popular rendezvous for tourists visiting the famous Rock of Cashel. 

Mr. M.J. Davern had a select wine, spirit and general grocery in Main Street. He was noted for his courtesy and· the high quality of his goods.

A prompt and efficient seivice was available at Messrs M.H. Hannigan and Co. in Main Street. The company ran a garage and general fancy warehouse. 

Mrs. M. Ryan and Mrs. M. Burke carried on a large trade in newsagency and stationery. Mr. W. McNamara's licensed grocery had long been noted for the excellence of its goods. The speciality was J.J.& S. Whiskey. 

Cashel was a fine place to live in at the time if all the paper said was true! 

<span class="postTitle">Paddy Walsh Pádraig Breathnach</span> Post Advertiser, August 1986, Vol. 2, No. 5

Paddy Walsh Pádraig Breathnach

Post Advertiser, August 1986, Vol. 2, No. 5

Many Tipperary people and from further afield are familiar with that ballad about Sean Treacy 'Tipperary Far Away'. Some may be able to sing all its verses but more could without doubt join in the last one; 

His comrades gathered around him

To bid him a last farewell. 

He was as true and as brave a lad

As ever in battle fell. 

They dug a grave and beneath it laid

Sean Treacy so brave and gay, 

Who will never more roam to his own native home

In Tipperary so far away. 

Few, though, would be able to say who wrote it. That man was Paddy Walsh or Padraig Breathnach of Camas, Cashel. Fewer still would be able to relate anything about the man who started life as a civil servant, joined the British army at the outbreak of World War 1, deserted some years later, joined the 1.R.A., took part in the fight for independence, became a great Irish teacher, rejoined the Civil Service and eventually died at the young age of 49 a couple of months before the outbreak of the Second World War. 

Born in Camas

Paddy Walsh was born in Camas on March 5, 1890. His father, John Walsh, came over from Boherlahan to marry Catherine Hayes. There is a song, The Camas Party, in which one of the Hayeses of Camas is celebrated: 

And for the bread and tay, boys, 

'Tis Maggie Hayes that we may thank, 

For she was the dacent girl

And didn't belong to the hungry rank.

There were seven in family, three boys, Paddy, Jim and WillIe and four girls, Mary Nora, Katie and Bridget. Jim emigrated to America, as also did Mary. Willie remained in the home place. Nora married Stephen Ryan, a bootmaker who lived on the Camas Road. Katie married Tom Doherty of Boherclough Street. He was one of the famous Cashel 'tanglers'. Bridget became a nun in the Mercy Convent, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim and was the last of the family to die. 

School 

Paddy went to school to Mr. Merrick at Ballinahinch. The famous Fr. Matt Ryan was P.P. of Knockavilla at the time and a great supporter of things Irish. There was an assistant to Mr. Merrick who used to give Irish classes for a half-hour after school and it was here that Paddy, who became a fluent speaker and was to change his name to Pádraig Breathnach, learned his first Irish. 

At some stage he changed school to Ardmayle. This change may have been caused by a dislike for Mr. Merrick, who was regarded by some pupils as 'cross'. He was to continue teching at Ballinahinch until about 1920. Jack Breen of Camas recalls clearly, hearing about the Solohead ambush in January at school. 

Paddy Walsh went to Cashel C.RS. after Ardmayle and was good enough at the completion of his studies there to be called to the Civil Service. During this period his knowledge and love of the Irish language increased. Not only did he learn Irish at school but from the men of the Decies, who worked on the building of the railway, Gooldscross to Cashel, which was opened in December 1904. Another influence at this time was Tommy Strappe of Camas, who was a native Irish speaker. About 1910 Paddy was to write down stories in Irish told to him by Tommy Strappe. 

At a later stage in his career Paddy Walsh, writing under the pen name An Fanuidhe Aerach in the 'Nenagh Guardian', had this to say about his love of the Irish langauage: 'For many years I had yearned to spend a quiet holiday among one of the Gaelic-speaking communities of Munster. From earliest boyhood I had conceived an utter dislike for the tongue imposed upon us by the Sassanach and, reared in a district where the olden speech still lingered, I always fondly looked southward o'er the Galtees to where I was told the ancient civilisation still held sway. And so, when the harvest was beginning to assume its golden hue, I sped to the land of my early dreams and whiled away a pleasant month in the beautiful district of Ring where a syllable of the foreign speech never passed my lips.' 

Pierce McCan

Later he discovered that Irish was still the living tongue of middle aged people in the Newcastle area. He visited the place with Pierce McCan in the latter's 'splendid two-seater'. He had this to say later: 'Had McCan lived an Irish college would be in Newcastle now. He spoke of it that day and often afterwards. His energy, his sterling worth as organiser, his influence among the people, high and low, would have ensured the success of the enterprise ... ' 

The English Years 

Having been called to the Civil Service, Paddy Walsh was posted to London in 1906 and was to remain there until 1916. He spent much of his time in Whitehall. He became involved in Irish classes in London and was delighted to give voluntarily his services as an instructor. He was conscripted in 1916 and after training was sent to the Eastern theatre of war. He got malaria and was hospitalised for some time in Malta before being shipped home to England. 

There are two different accounts of what happened after that. One states that while on furlough to Ireland he deserted. The second, by Ernie O'Malley, tells us that Walsh deserted from a garrison in Cahirciveen in 1917 and brought his rifle with him. 

Whatever the version he went on the run and took the name, Paddy Dwyer, by which many people in the Upperchurch-Kilcommon area were to know him. It was in that area around Keeper Hill that Paddy was to find refuge and he was to use his army experience to teach some of the Upperchurch men the use of the rifle. He was to be involved in the movement until the Truce. Just before it he was arrested in the Rossmore area. On the occasion he failed to draw his revolver as it got stuck in the lining of his coat pocket. Paddy was to spend some time in jail as a guest of His Majesty's Government. Ernie O'Nalley recalls him: 'I had spent many an hour with him as he puzzled out the derivations of surrounding placenames, for that was his delight.' 

Paddy's interests went far beyond purely military matters. His interest. in the Irish language preceded him and it was decided to set up an Irish class at Knockfune. Here Breathnach, as Paddy now liked to be called, imparted his knowledge of the Irish language, songs and dances to a willing and appreciative group of students. The few surviving students speak highly of Breathnach's ability as a teacher. Even the most intricate of the Irish dances was mastered and, for some years afterwards, the Cashel set was more popular than the local Ballycommon. Among these who provided music for the dancing were Paddy and Julia Ryan (Lacken), who became very good friends of Pádraig Breathnach. Paddy Ryan had taken Irish lessons as also did Paddy Kinane, who became another good friend. 

Neither did Paddy forget his balladeering ability during those years. The Battle of Reidh recalls the attack on the barracks in Rearcross: 

They gathered from valley and highland, 

From their homes by the rivers and hills, 

To fight for the freedom of Ireland

One night in the heart of the hills. 

For they were the bravest of soldiers, 

No cowards or cravers were they

As they marched with their guns on their shoulders, 

To blow up the barracks of Reidh

'Twas dawn when the barracks were blazing

As the boys from the roofing crept down, 

The sight of the flames was amazing

As they lit up the country all round. 

Bullets were everywhere flying, 

Hand-grenades here and there did explode, 

While the Sasanach folk kept on firing, 

The Gaels did reply and re-Ioad. 

Keep their memory 'green', Men of Erin, 

While Shannon and Suir rivers flow, 

Remember it's courage and daring

That rid our dear land of the foe. 

So, join up the ranks and get ready, 

Prepare for the oncoming fray, 

And drill to keep cool, calm and steady

Like the boys at the Battle of Reidh. 

Another of his compositions was At Solaghead the War Began. 

He took the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War but not in any active capacity. His unadulterated Republicanism was given expression in a piece he wrote in the Nenagh Guardian in August 1923 in support of Paddy Ryan (Lacken)'s candidature in the General Election: 'The Republican ideal embodies the immortal principle of Irish Independence, that is, that England has no right to dictate to us in any way whatsover. This country is ours from Antrim to Cape Clear and from Dundalk to Achill. What business then has England here? To mix up in her 'Empire of Abomination', as Mitchell calls it, the Irish race shall certainly never do. The pride that was the tradition of the Milesian kings shall live as long as Ireland is Ireland.' 

In another place he wrote: 'To achieve Irish Independence it is the conviction of the writer that we must cut ourselves adrift from English civilisation. We must form our own social system and the language is the fIrst step to that.' 

One of his ballads was entitled 'Lament for Erskine Childers'. The second verse went like this: 

A man of noble mien was he, and as the lion bold, 

Who tried to set our country free and scorned English gold. 

A Nation's pride he died to guard and dear we'll hold his name

Tho' lying in a felon's yard he sleeps in deathless fame. 

An Fanuidhe Aerach

Naturally he did not endear himself to the Free State Government. He failed to be re-employed in the Civil Service because of his refusal to sign the necessary· declaration of allegiance to the Irish Government. He turned his attention to writing and to teaching Irish. 

From 1923 to 1929 he wrote intermittently in the 'Nenagh Guardian' under the pen-name Fanuidhe Aerach. His themes were mostly Gaelic and republican but he touched on other things as well. On November 10, 1923 he wrote: 'The dearth of good books and clean literature on the whole is truly lamentable in the Ireland of to-day .... ' On January 5, 1924 he turned his attention to the 'Bloodspilling Maudes of Dundrum. 'The Maudes reigned with a strong hand for a long time and were held in hatred by the old stock. A peasant dare not, to use the vulgarism, put his nose over a Dundrum fence. It was an easy matter to get transported then and flogged into the bargain.' On April 24, 1926 he asked: 'Is it a lie that Irish Independence has been achieved.'

He wrote a series on the War of Independence in County Tipperary entitled: 'From Solaghead to Knocklong. ' He was a very good friend of Jerry Ryan, the editor of the 'Nenagh Guardian' and gave expresion to that friendship in an editorial on the untimely death of his friend in November 1928: 'How shall I begin to talk about one of nature's gentlemen, one of an exalted turn of mind, one high of soul and lofty of purpose, one who possessed a sense of charity to all, with ill-feelings to none, industrious, manly and God-fearing.'

Itinerant Teacher

During the twenties Padraig Breathnach was employed as a teacher by the County Council. His brief was to travel around after school hours to the National Schools to give Irish classes. He gave classes in Kilcommon, Rearcross and Glenroe. He spent some of his time in the Cashel area. Frank Egan, who came to Cashel in 1927, remembers him. He recalls Padraig saying to him on one occasion about the nature of the job: 'Ni theasodh capall él' He went to County Wicklow in 1929 and spent two years doing the same there. 

However, before that he had got married and it was only fitting that his wife should be an Upperchurch woman. She was Maggie Purcell and she worked in her parents' bar in the village. For a while they lived in Boherclough Street, Cashel, where Mrs. Phelan lived until recently. They had two children, Cait and Diarmuid, and Maggie was to outlive him by nearly fIfty years, only passing on in August 1985. She was a very devout woman with a great :faith. She had an expression: 'The God you know - stay with him.' She was also a great ceilidhe dancer and loved going to Fleadhanna. She took part in a program on the music and culture of Upperchurch produced by her son for R.T.E. in 1971. 

Civil Servant

Padraig Breathnach was eventually re-established as a civil servant in 1931 and worked in the Department oo Defence until his death in 1939. The family lived in Bray and it was from the Church of the most Holy Redeemer in that town that his remains were removed following his death on June 26, 1939. The motor hearse brought the remains to Boherlahan Church where they were received by Rev. W. O'Dwyer, P.P. assisted by Rev. J. Hayes. On the following day the funeral was to the family burial ground in the cemetery adjoining Ballinahinch Castle, overlooking the river Suir. 

Paddy Walsh was a medium sized man, quiet spoken, almost in a whisper. He was thin and dark and is remembered from the twenties as wearing a cap. He was gentlemanly and popular and, as one acquaintance put it, 'crazy on the Irish'. Matty Cody of Camas still remembers the impression he made at first meeting, It was towards the end of the First World War and Matty was at Camas Cross watching the lads play skittles. Paddy Walsh came down to join them and started speaking Irish: 'He seemed to be very fluent but it was like a foreign language to all of us. We never heard it spoken.'