<span class="postTitle">The County Senior Hurling Championship - 2001</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 2002, pp 59-61

The County Senior Hurling Championship - 2001

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 2002, pp 59-61

Results at a Glance

County Final:

Semple Stadium, November 11 Toomevara 1-22, Thurles Sarsfields 1-13 - Referee: Seamus Roche (Kilsheelan) 

Semi-Finals: 

Semple Stadium, November 4 Toomevara 2-14, Clonoulty-Rossmore 1-12 - Referee: Willie Barrett (Ardfinnan) 

Semple Stadium, October 28 Thurles Sarsfields 3-25, Cappawhite 0-10 - Referee: Michael Cahill (Kilruane-MacDonaghs) 

Quarter-Finals:

Templemore, October 29 Replay: Toomevara 1-16, Loughmore-Castleiney 0-16 - Referee: Seamus Roche (Kilsheelan) 

Templemore - October 14 Toomevara 2-16, Loughmore-Castleiney 2-16 (draw) 

Cashel, October 14 Thurles Sarsfields 2-16, Ballingarry 1-12 - Referee: Eamon Browne (Kickhams) 

Semple Stadium, October 14 Clonoulty-Rossmore 4-20, Nenagh Eire 6g 3-18 (AET) - Referee: Willie Clohessy (Dram-Inch) 

Semple Stadium, October 14 Cappawhite 2-15, Mullinahone 1-13 - Referee: Michael Cahill (Kilruane-MacDonaghs) 

Toomevara are worthy county champions for the fourth year in a row and the seventh time in a decade as a result of a big defeat of Thurles Sarsfields in the county final at Semple Stadium on November 11. They had a comprehensive win, 1-22 to 1-13, over a side, which were installed as favourites by the bookies in the week before the game . 

At half-time it still appeared possible that the Sarsfields might come good. They trailed by a point at this stage, had the breeze in their favour in the second half, levelled with a Tony Ruth point soon after the resumption and the omens seemed good. But then, as if Sean Stack, or someone else, raised a wand over Toomevara, the defending champions were transformed. They took off with an unanswered five-point blast and the game was over before the final quarter began. Where they drove eleven wides in the first half, they now adjusted their sights and improved their aim. They left Sarsfields floundering in their wake, losing all shape and allowing the champions to score at will. It was a brilliant second-half performance and established Toomevara as a class apart in the county senior hurling championship. 

Divisional Championships

Thee divisional championships were changed dramatically with the abolition of the right of the runner-up to participate in the county championship. Ever since 1966, with the exception of the years of the open draw, 1969-1976, when a motion was passed at the county convention giving two teams from each division the right to contest the county quarter-finals, divisional runners-up had that right. The change came about as a result of the desire to give meaningful status to the new county league, which was introduced in the new structures. The county league included twenty-eight teams, divided into four groups of seven, with the winners of each group going 

forward to contest the county quarter-finals. But, we all know what happens with the best-laid plans of mice and men! In this case it was foot and mouth disease. It closed down operations in April when the league was to be played. Some drastic surgery was required to get the games played in a shorter period. The league changed from 4 x 7 to 7 X 4, giving each team just three games to complete. Seven winners were produced and they had to be reduced to four. One of the winners, Clonoulty-Rossmore, was randomly drawn from the seven and got a bye to the quarter-finals. The remaining six played off, with Thurles Sarsfields defeating Nenagh Eire Óg, Mullinahone defeating Borrisokane and Toomevara defeating Boherlahan. 

Because of the success of the county senior hurling team, the divisional finals were late taking place. Two were played on September 30 and two a week later. On the former date Nenagh Eire 6g and Borrisoleigh fought out the North final at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh. On a day when the North division celebrated its centenary with great colour and pageantry Eire Óg proved the more incisive combination to defeat a slightly disappointing Borrisileigh by 1-15 to 1-11. On the same day in the South Mullinahone, with five of the victorious All-Ireland side, were expected to win but, in a very tight game, Donal Shelly scored the winning point in the fourth minute of injury time to give Ballingarry a one point victory on a scoreline of 0-11 to 2-4. 

The other two divisional finals took place on October 7. Cappawhite beat Kickhams by 1-11 to 1-8 in the West at Cashel in atrocious conditions to take their second-in-a-row. Two points down with ten minutes to go Cappawhite scored 1-3 to Kickhams single point to win by a margin of three points. In Semple Stadium on the same day an early blitz by Thurles Sarsfields scuppered the chances of Loughmore-Castleiney in the Mid final. They were ahead by 2-10 to 0-6 at the interval and 2-13 to 1-9 in front at the final whistle. 

Quarter-Finals

All the quarter-finals were played on October 14 with agreement that extra time be played in the event of a draw. The reason for this was the need to have the county championship completed on November 11 since the Munster club semi-final was down for decision a week later.

Cappawhite played Mullinahone at Semple Stadium at 1 pm. The highlight of this game was the scoring tally of Cappa's, Eugene O'Neill, who scored nine points in all, seven from play. Starting at full-forward, O'Neill soon took up a roving commission and picked off his points regardless of the marker that faced him. Cappawhite led by 2-6 to 0-8 at the interval and their winning margin of 2-15 to 1-13 could have been even more comprehensive had they utilised all the possessions that came their way. It was a disappointing result for Mullinahone who failed, once again, to deliver on their obvious potential. 

Clonoulty-Rossmore and Nenagh Eire Óg also played the same venue. Just as one man dominated the first game, Declan Ryan was the star performer in this contest, his 3-3 tally from play helping Clonoulty-Rossmore to knock out fancied Eire Óg after extra time. Having survived the end of normal time, through a Dan Quirke equalising point from a free that made it 2-13 all, after staging a great second-half rally, the men from the West confounded the sceptics with a resolute performance in the extra period to record a well-deserved victory by 4-20 to 3-18. This looked an unlikely result at half-time, when Nenagh Eire Og led by five points, 2-8 to 1-6 and seemed to be coasting. It was a disappointing result for the North champions and a sad ending to a very promising season. 

Thurles Sarsfields and Ballingarry played their quarter-final in Leahy Park, Cashel. In a very entertaining game the South champions gave as good as they got in the first half and this was reflected in the half-time score of 1-6 all. However, the Thurles men moved into a higher gear in the second half and were comfortably ahead by 2-16 to 1-12 at the final whistle. The leader of this charge was centre-forward and captain, Johnny Enright, who shot an impressive 0-11 of his side's total. 

The last of the quarter-finals was played at Templemore and ended in controversy. Loughmore-Castleiney went into the game as rank outsiders but in a tough, uncompromising game they gave an outstanding performances and nearly pulled off a sensational victory. It took a Ken Dunne point from a free in the fourth minute of extra time to earn Toomevara a draw. Loughmore led at the break by 2-7 to 1-9 and the final score was 2-16 all. 

As extra time had been agreed in the event of a draw, the crowd waited in anticipation for the game to continue. But Loughmore-Castleiney refused to play extra time. Club chairman, Frank McGrath, explained that as far as they were concerned there was only verbal agreement to play extra time and they were not compelled by rule to do so. 

So it rested for over a week while the wheels of administration were set in motion. When the GAC eventually met, Loughmore were kicked out of the championship. They appealed to the Munster Council who upheld on a technicality. The chairman of the GAC on the night, Michael Nolan, who stood in for Donal Shanahan, who stepped down because or a possible conflict of interest, failed, according to the Council, to take a motion from the floor to dismiss Loughmore, and secondly, the letter to Loughmore, informing them of the requirement to play extra time in the event or a draw asn't fully addressed in Irish. (This is one of the most ludicrous aspects of the whole case, the fact that a club can escape censure on the way an address is written! Surely to goodness we have arrived in the electronic age and the five-day rule of information by letter should be dead and buried). However, having let Loughmore back into the championship, the Council had one important thing to say: had these technical deficiencies not existed, the Council ould have turned down the appeal. According to them gentlemen agre­ents are binding and obligatory, If nothing else came out of the case, this as worth it. 

Eventually the replay took place at templemore on October 29 and Toomevara defeated Loughmore-Castleiney by 1-16 to 0-16.

Semi-Finals

The  West  teams  were  protected  in  the  draw  for  the  semi-finals  and  the result  was  Thurles  Sarsfields  v Cappawhite  and Toomevara v  Clonoulty-Rossmore.  The first  of  these  games was  played on October  28 and  was a completely  one-sided  effort. Sarsfields  were  absolutely  brilliant  and scored  3-25,  after  missing  about  ten  more  scorable  opportunities.  Cappawhite  never raised  a gallop  and  scored  0-10.  At the  end of  the  game  it  was difficult  to decide  how  good Sarsfields  were. They  showed speed,  skill  and  combination  in abundance  but  one had  to balance that by  the space  and freedom they ere  given to  express themselves. They  led by 1-17  to 0-5  at the  interval and fully  deserved  their  twenty-four  point  margin  of  victory.  For  Cappawhite it  was a  day to  forget  and  also,  perhaps,  to  remember  that  they  were  no way  as bad  as they  appeared  in  Thurles  on that day.  

The second semi-final was played in Thurles on November 4. It was a game that didn't live up to expectations. Tooomevara were favourites but Clonouly-Rossmore have the habit of creating surprises and were expected to give it a gtood shot. If luck has to play a part in games, it certainly did in this one. Declan Ryan got four chances to score goals from placed balls in the course of the hour. He would normally be expected to convert the majority of them. In this case he failed on all four: they went over the bar or were blocked. After one of these saves Toomevara broke down the field and in the course of a three minute spell scored 1-3. Clonoulty went from a potential two points up to seven point down in such a short period of time. The sides were level at the interval, after Clonoulty had played with the breeze, and they might have been ahead but for smart goalkeeping by Justin Cottrell. Toomevara gradually established their dominance during the second half and were ahead by 2-14 to 1-12 at the final whistle. Despite this the' game remained of interest right to the end because of the presence of Declan Ryan on the field and of what he might do if he got the smallest opportunity. 

The Final

The final was looked forward to with great expectation. It was a repeat of the previous year's, when Thurles Sarsfields had frozen on the day. It was hoped the experience would stand to them and their performance up to the final appeared to suggest they were playing with a confidence that would stand to them against Toomevara. Up to the interval they seemed on target for their first victory since 1974. The majority of the fine crowd of over 12,000 spectators seemed to be on their side. The score stood at 0-8 to 0-7 in favour of Toomevara, who had enjoyed the advantage of the breeze in the first half. 

However, any conjecture of Sarsfields' chances wasn't long becoming irrelevant. Within ten minutes the post mortems were being prepared. Whereas all the Toomevara side contributed to Sarsfields' demise, the contribution of John O'Brien has to be singled out. Unable to get going in the first half, having two wides to his credit, he suddenly unleashed a performance and was a lethal weapon against which the challengers had no answer. He bagged 1-5 from play and was a terror to the opposing backs any time he got the ball. Six other Toomevara players scored and this was probably the main difference between the sides. No less than 1-8 of Sarsfields' scores came from placed balls. Only six points of Toomevara's much bigger score came from the same source. Long before the final whistle sounded, the game was over and the crowd were leaving. 

The frustration that Sarsfields felt was reflected in the play. Long before the end the team had lost all their structure. The skill levels, the speed and the passing movements they had revealed with such brilliance against Cappawhite were nowhere to be seen. In contrast Toomevara were everywhere. Wherever a ball broke there was a Toom man to collect and clear. Any Sarsfields forward who got possession was harried and hassled by two or even three opponents and was never given an opportunity to express himself. For Sarsfields it was a bitter end to a championship, which promised so much. For Toomevara, it was an incredible performance and one is left amazed at how hungry, committed, determined and focused a team with so many victories under its belt can be. One has to wish them well in the club championship. 

Toomevara - Justin Cottrell (capt.); George Frend; Rory Brislane; Brendan Dunne; Bryan Duff; Tony Delaney (0-1); Philip Shanahan, Terry Dunne (0-2); Eoin Brislane; Paul McGrath (0-1); Tomas Dunne (0-4, one free, one sideline); Ken Dunne (0-7, five frees); M. Bevans (0-1); John O'Brien (1-5); Ken Hall. Subs: F. Delaney for Hall; Padraig Hackett (0-1) for Delaney; Tommy Carroll for Eoin Brislane. 

Thurles Sarsfields - Ciaran Carroll, Brian O'Grady; Seamus O'Shea; Gary Mernagh; John Lawlor; Eddie Enright; Brendan Carroll (0-1); Stephen Mason; Cathal Mclntyre; Matthew Dowd (0-2); Johnny Enright (1-9, 1-8 from frees); Lar Corbett; Ger O'Grady; Pat Lawlor; Tony Ruth (0-1). Subs: Tom Ryan for Mason; Eamon Walsh for Pat Lawlor, Trevor 0'Dwyer for Ryan, Tommy Collins for Mclntyre. 

Referee: Seamus Roche (Kilsheelan) Man of the Match: John O'Brien 

Attendance: 12,140. 

<span class="postTitle">Camogie in the Thirties</span> Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 2002, pp 47-48

Camogie in the Thirties

Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 2002, pp 47-48

The disappointing defeat of the Cashel camogie team by Na Piarsigh, Galway in the All-Ireland final at Cashel on November 4 recalls an earlier episode in Tipperary camogie history. 

Camogie started in the county in 1932 under a committee of Sean Ryan, Roscrea; Tommy Ryan, Cashel; Martin Dwyer, Holycross; Denis Walsh, Seamus O'Brien, Coolmoyne and a Miss Healy Thurles. Championships were inaugurated and twelve teams affiliated, Roscrea, Toomevara, Templemore, Drom, Thurles, Moycarkey, Boherlahan, Cappawhite, Cashel, Coolmoyne, Powerstown and Clonmel. Dan Breen offered a set of medals which were won by Coolmoyne, who defeated Boher1ahan in the final by 3-1 to 1-0. 

Coolmoyne repeated their victory in 1933, defeating Ballingarry (near Roscrea) in the final. The trophy was the Sean Treacy Perpetual Cup (Where is it now?) presented by Breen, and a set of medals, the gift of Fr. Meagher, chairman of the county board. 

The Coolmoyne team was: May Walsh, Eileen Cahill, Biddy and Josie O'Connor, Kitty Croke, Mary Duggan, Biddy O'Meara, Imelda and Nonie Walsh, Mary and Maggie Tynan, Peg Hayes Nelly Flynn, Elsie Aherne, Susan McCaffery and Josie Kerwick. 

Elsie Aherne is the only surviving member of that team and is still extremely sprightly for a person approaching eighty-eight years. In fact she is extraordinarily active, both physically and mentally, for a person of her years. The team didn't win any more medals as many of them emigrated because there was virtually nothing to keep them in the area in the depressed thirties. Elsie went to London to train as a nurse and remained there until 1939. She met her future husband there, Jerome O'Dwyer, from Killenaule and he was to captain the London junior hurling team which made history in 1938 when they defeated Cork, who had the services of Jack Lynch, to take their first All-Ireland junior title. 

But, back to 1932 and the success of camogie in Coolmoyne. Elsie attributes the beginning and the success of the game in the area to Denis Walsh of Tubberadora who had settled in the place, in Ardsallagh. He had seven daughters and they started playing the game and through them the girls in the area took it up. Walsh supplied a field but he also trained the girls, They formed a team, entered the new championship in 1932, beat all the .opposition along the way to the final, in which they defeated Boherlahan. The final was played at Ardsallagh. It was a great occasion. There was a band, which had been formed by Thomas O'Neill, to lead them around the field. Everybody around came to the game . 

The celebrations took place in the new Coolmoyne school, where there was a victory social. The supper was held in the old Coolmoyne schoo across the road, which had walls of mud and no windows. They were togged out for the match in gym-slips and blouses which they made them selves. They usually dressed for the match at home and travelled thus attired for the game. Afterwards they had to travel home to get into dresses for the dance. They wore ordinary shoes or white tennis shoes. If it was a wet day for a match the girls might bor row football boots from their brothers. Some of the better organised teams had canvas boots with cogs. The type of game they played was a little different to what they play today. There was much more ground play, much less play in the air. She admits that the game is much more skillful today, and she is, in fact, amazed at the extraordinary level of skill exhibited by the current Tipperary panel. 

Elsie has the two medals she won fa the 1932 and 1933 championship, She recalls how her mother - her father died when she was young - encouraged her and her brothers to take up the game. In fact, she believes that all the parents were delighted when Denis Walsh started the camogie team. It was a great outlet for the young people. Winning was important but not the only thing. The social life that went with the activity was welcome. Whether they won or lost didn't matter too much: there was always a dance afterwards in someone's house. 

According to Elsie, Kitty Croke was their outstanding player. She used to train with the men and was equally adept at either side. She, plus Nelly Flynn and Elsie were picked for the county in 1933. They beat Limerick and Kilkenny along the way to their match against Dublin at Thurles, which they lost by 3-0 to 2-1. It was an atrociously wet day and a game they might have won, had they the proper footwear on. They wore tennis shoes and simply slithered all over the place, while the Dublin girls were much better shod and could adapt to the conditions better. 

The rest of the Tipperary team was: Molly Minogue, Peg Young, Maureen Flanagan, Toomevara, Mary Witherow, Sheila Moroney, Thurles, Bridie Cleary, Drom, Bab Ryan, Boherlahan, Biddy Watters, Ballingarry, Miss Hartigan, Powerstown. 

The three Coolmoyne girls emigrated to London soon after. They played with the London Irish and used to have games in Wormwood Scrubs, Leebridge or Mitcham on Sundays. And, there was always a dance afterwards in Vauxhall 'fourpence to go in and tea thrown in'. As in Coolmoyne earlier the social side of the game was an important way in which Irish people came together and were introduced to one another. 

One of the highlights of her camogie career in London was to play in a curtain-raiser before the 1939 Monaghan Cup game in the city. Tipperary defeated Dublin by 4-6 to 1-7 on May 28. A son of Denis Walsh played for Tipperary that day. It was an encouraging win for the premier county as Dublin were All-Ireland champions and Tipperary had been suspended from the 1938 championship because of the 'Cooney Case'. Two camogie teams, called the Taras and the Harps, played beforehand. Elsie was captain of the Taras and they won and the team photograph, as well as the Tipperary team, appeared in the Cork Weekly Examiner. 

Three months later the Second World War broke out and Elsie, as did many more Irish, returned to the safety of neutral Ireland.

<span class="postTitle">Profiles of West Tipperary Football Team of the Millennium</span> West Tipperary G.A.A. Convention Handbook, December 8, 2001

Profiles of West Tipperary Football Team of the Millennium

West Tipperary G.A.A. Convention Handbook, December 8, 2001

Click here to view booklet 

FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE MILLENNIUM

Goalkeeper, John O'Donoghue, Arravale Rovers
 

Although more associated with hurling, John O'Donoghue has a distinguished football career, which began as a minor in 1960 and continued at senior level as late as 1975. He played junior football in 1962 and progressed to senior ranks about the mid-sixties.  Initially he played outfield, usually at wing-forward, but took over as goalkeeper in 1970, when his career on the senior hurling team came to an end.

During this long career he had some success.  Probably the highlight was the winning of Division 2 of the league in 1971, when it was run as a separate competition.  He was also on the team which defeated Dublin in the Bloody Sunday Commemorative game in 1957.  He was picked twice for the Railway Cup, winning a medal in 1972. He gave long and distinguished service to Arravale Rovers.

Right corner back, Brian Lacey, Round Towers
 

Brian played as much hurling as football at underage. Coming from Arravale Rovers, an equal opportunity club, he was at home in both codes. His early success was in football and two county finals at under-14 and under-18 level. In the Abbey School he won an All-Ireland Colleges B hurling medal and played minor hurling,  not football, for the county. When he .went on to UL he concentrated on hurling and played Fitzgibbon.  He played under-21 football with the county for one year.

He played with the Tipperary senior team for three years, 1995, 1996 and 1997, losing to Kerry on all three occasions. His work brought him to Dublin and, as his residence was in Kildare, he transferred to that county. His rise was meteoric. In his first year, 1998, Kildare made the breakthrough in Leinster for the first time since 1956, only to lose to Galway in the All-Ireland. Brian impressed sufficiently well to win an All­ Star in the number 2 jersey . Since then another Leinster title was won and he hopes that the elusive All-Ireland will be won this year.

Full-back, Mick Byrnes, Lattin-Cullen
 

Mick Byrnes' football career stretches from the beginnings of the sixties to the start of the eighties. 1963 was an incredible year. There was a county minor football title with St. Patrick's, a combo of Lattin-Cullen and Solohead, plus West titles in minor hurling, under-21  football and hurling, and junior hurling.  The following year he graduated to senior ranks and a great period of success followed. West titles were won in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, and another near the end of his career, in 1983. During that period one county final was contested, unsuccessfully, against Commercials in 1967.

Mick's county achievements are also impressive. He captained the county minor football team in 1964, played under-21 in 1965 and 1966, and was a regular on the senior team from 1967 to 1971. He was Footballer of the Year in the county in 1969. Two years later he emigrated to the U.S. and remained there until 1977.  While in New York he won two football championships with Sligo, while playing junior hurling with Tipperary.  When he returned to Lattin he continued to play with the club until he retired in 1983. He is currently chairman of the club.

Left fullback, Mick McCormack, Aherlow
 

Mick was a dual player and when he was growing up in the Glen there was little or no hurling. However, he did win an under-14 hurling title, which was a novel thing for Aherlow at the time. At the Abbey School there was hurling success, with a Harty medal  in  1959.   Later  at U.C.C.  he  had an opportunity in indulge both passions, winning two Fitzgibbon Cups and two Sigerson Cups. And he had another double, winning Cork county championships in hurling and football in 1963 and 1964. At home in Aherlow during the summer it was mostly football and he played minor, under-21 and senior football for the county. His senior career stretched from 1964 to 1971 and brought him victory in Division 2 of the league in 1971, During these years he played his club football with St. Finbarr's and, after he married, with Ballincollig.

Right wingback, Patsy Dawson, Emly
 

Patsy Dawson 's career began with the Emly-Lattin minor football victory in the west in 1956. He progressed from there to the- county junior team in 1957 and was on the senior side in 1958. From then until 1970 he continued to play for the county, giving many fine displays. One of the highlights was the defeat of Dublin in the Bloody Sunday commemorative game in 1967 in which Patsy damaged the reputation of no less a footballer than Des Foley.

Parallel with his football career Patsy also played hurling, initially at junior level, but later at intermediate .. He won two All-Irelands in the latter grade in 1963 and 1966. He was also successful in hurling and football with his club.  His favourite position was centre-back.  His fielding and kicking of the ball was first class.  He had great reach, with a fine high catch, and great stamina. He would have held his own in the strongest football counties.

Centre-back, Larry Maher, Galtee Rovers
 

Larry's long and distinguished career began with the Cahir Slashers with whom he won a south minor football title in 1943 and a minor hurling title in 1944. He played a pivotal role in Galtee Rovers junior football title in 1947 and his first senior west title the following year: He was the heart and soul of the great Galtee Rovers team that won six successive west titles between 1949 and 1954, captaining the team in the first of these years. County titles were won in 1949 and 1950.

A big, powerful, strong man, his presence at centre back gave inspiration to his colleagues and provided a bul wark to all opponents' efforts. He was recognised by the county, playing senior in the late forties and early fifties_ The nearest he got to national honours was in 1952 when Tipperary were defeated by Dublin in the league semi-final. He was also selected for Munster in Railway Cup. His normal position was centre back but he ended up at full. He continued to play and inspire the teams of Banta and Kilmoyler during leaner periods, a tribute in itself to his durability, and finally finished his career with west titles in 1962 and 1963.

Left wing-back, Ailbe Ryan, Emly
 

'The best footballer that ever came out of Emly with the heart of a lion,' was the way one man described him. He came to prominence in the late forties during some exciting matches with Galtee Rovers. In these games Ailbe ranged from the halfback line to the half forward line and had outstanding games. His talent was recognised by the county selectors and he played on the county junior football team. He was also a good hurler and played on the county junior hurling team. In 1951 he was a member of the senior football team and played in the league.  He became a regular on the team. The Munster selectors recognised his ability in 1952 and 1953 when he played on the Railway Cup team. Inthe latter years he marked Jim McKeever at Croke Park when Ulster defeated Munster in the final.

During the fifties he played for Emly in hurling and football. He had great power and strength together with great skill and stamina. He has been described as having the characteristics of 'an iron man and a rubber ball.' He was usually the outstanding man on the field, with his favourite position at wingback.

Centre field, Edmond 'Taylor' Condon
 

Ned backboned the Lattin-Cullen success of the fifties and sixties. His early promise was shown when he played centre field for Tipperary minor footballers in 1951. In fact he was an outstanding centre-field player. His claim to fame was his high fielding skill. He had a great pair of hands and could reach high to fetch a ball out of the air. He never let the ball drop and his tactic was to boot it back again from where it came. He had good height and was built strong.

He won seven west senior football titles in all, two of them with Solohead. He also had an inter-county career, playing junior and senior football with Tipperary at different times. He retired in the mid sixties

Centre field, Vincent O'Donnell, Galtee Rovers

On April 5, 1970 in Emly Vincent played under-21 and junior football for Tipperary and later in the evening turned out in minor hurling for the county. It's a tribute to the kind of player he was, a man of prodigious talent. He was a superb athlete, winning honours in that field. He progressed to under-21 but his talent was recognised at senior level and he was a sub on the team that won Division 2 of the football league in 1971. Later he won a Railway Cup medal as a sub in 1978, the only such medal in the Galtee Rovers club. He won west senior football titles in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1979, and county titles in 1976, 1980 and 1981. He was footballer of the year in 1976. Playing at centre-back he was a tower of strength with safe hands and great left-footed  clearances.

Right wing-forward, Sean McGovern, Galtee Rovers
 

A dual player Sean played minor hurling and football for Tipperary in 1952, winning the All-Ireland hurling title against Dublin. He was on the county junior football team in 1953 and 1954 and was promoted to senior level after that and continued to play into the sixties. During the second half of the fifties Sean's work as a forester took him away from Tipperary and he played junior football with Cork and Wicklow in these years. He could hurl also and was on the Tipperary intermediate team, beaten by Wexford in the 1961 All-Ireland . He won six west titles with Galtee Rovers, some in the early fifties at the beginning of his career, and again in 1962 and 1963.

He was a shining light during the leanest period in his club. He played centre field for the club and usually wing-forward for the county. According to the judges he was the greatest stylist that Galtee Rovers ever produced and he was always noted for sportsmanship of the highest quality.

Centre forward, Tom Power, Arravale Rovers.
 

Tom had a long career in football that stretches from 1932 to 1952. He first came to prominence as a member of the Clonpet junior football team that won the West in 1934. The following year he was on the Tipperary junior football team beaten by Sligo in the All-Ireland.  In 1936 Clonpet and Arravale Rovers amalgamated and won a south senior football title, an achievement repeated in 1941. In the latter year Tom captained the team. In between these two titles Tom won the Tipperarymen's Cup in 1937. He was selected for Tipperary in 1938 and played at senior level until 1941. His talent was recognised by the Munster selectors who picked him on the successful Railway Cup team in 1940.

He continued to grace the playing fields of the west until 1952. A gifted footballer, strong, talented and direct, a beautiful kicker of a ball with left or right foot, he was also a big personality who made an impact on people during his long career.

Left wing-forward, Brendan Kissane, Arravale Rovers.
 

Brendan was the third of a trio of forwards - the other two were Andy Greensmyth and Billy O'Donoghue - of outstanding quality, who made Arravale Rovers an outstanding football club in the thirties. Brendan's career began with a blaze, winning a county minor football title in 1933 and a west junior title the same year.  There followed a south senior football medal in 1936 and a Tipperarymen' s Cup the year after. The year 1941 brought west and county senior football titles and Brendan captained the county senior football team the following year. In fact his county senior football career began in 1936 and was to continue until 1944. What he lacked in robustness, Brendan made up for by fast, accurate and scientific play.

Right corner-forward, Seamus McCarthy,  Galtee Rovers.
 

One of the most distinguished footballers ever to come out of Galtee Rovers, Seamus has an impressive playing and managing record. His first medals in the club were won at under-21 level, two West and a county in 1975. To this he was later to add seven west senior football titles and three county, in 1976, 1980 and  1981. He progressed to county playing at minor, under-21 and senior, his latter career stretching from 1974-82. He always played comer-forward for Tipperary and centre field or centre forward for the club. He was footballer of the Year in 1981 and captained Tipp the folJowing year. He went quickly into management, looking after the minors in 1983 and 1984, taking them to the All-Ireland in the latter year. He managed the under-21 's from 1985 to 1988 and on three of these years the eventual All-Ireland champions narrowly beat the team. He progressed to the senior footballers in 1992 and managed them until 1996, winning a McGrath Cup in 1994 and the All-Ireland B championship the following year. His next port of call was the juniors and he brought them to All-Ireland honours in 1998. He was a selector of the Munster team that won the Railway Cup in 1999. He was Tipperary Person of the Year in 1984 and Munster Council Manager of the Year in 1998. An unsurpassable record

Full-forward, P. J. O'Brien, Galtee Rovers.
 

His career began in the late forties and continued through the fifties and is equally divided into football and hurling. His footballing career was spent with Galtee Rovers but in 1952 he moved to Thurles, where his playing career continued as a hurler with Thurles Sarsfields. He exploded on to the scene with an incredible game against Holycross-Ballycahill in the 1953 mid championship. He scored five goals in the space of seven minutes to transform a Holycross ten-point  lead into a substantial deficit. He went on to win a few county finals with the Sarsfields and he played some league matches for Tipperary. He didn't forsake football though. In 1952 he helped Sarsfields to a mid football final and came up against his former club in the county semi-final, losing out to them in a replay at Cashel. He played on his brother that day. A fine footba11er, he won three west senior titles, 1949-51, before leaving Bansha. His favourite position was full forward, though he also played at centre. He played junior football for the county for one year and senior football for two years.

Left full forward, Billy O'Donoghue, Arravale Rovers.

Billy has been described as the greatest small man who ever played football. His career began in the Glen under the influence of Tom Lee, who was laid to rest as late as February past. Billy was on the team that won the Tipperary Primary Schools county title. A minor in 1935 he won a Munster medal, only to be beaten by Mayo in the All-Ireland. He won a south senior football title in 1936 and a second title in 1941. He went on to win a county title when Arravale defeated Castleiney­ Loughmore in the final. The Tipperaryman's Cup was won in 1937. His talent was recognised by the county selectors and he played comer-forward for the senior team in 1940, 1941 and 1942. One of his great memories from these years was scoring a goal from twenty yards against the 'unbeatable' Dan O'Keefe of Kerry at Sean Treacy Park. Illness ended his football career. Billy was a county senior football selector from  1955-61.    He never did win an All-Ireland but he enjoyed the vicarious

<span class="postTitle">Cormac Bonnar, Cashel</span> West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by the West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 398-400

Cormac Bonnar, Cashel

West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by the West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 398-400

For the oldest of the Bonnar brothers, winning the 1989 All-Ireland was an unexpected bonus to a distinguished career in hurling. It was unexpected in that Cormac had decided to quit after the 1988 west championship. The decision was taken, not because he was tired of hurling, but because of the travelling involved. Living in Limerick with his wife, Nesta, a native of Mitchelstown and with no hurling connection, the 72 round trip to Cashel for training and matches had become a drag. So, at the end of the 1987 championship he made a decision to go at the end of 1988. 

The rest is history now. Cashel played Clonoulty-Rossmore in the first round of the west championship in 1988 and, against all the predictions, beat them and went all the way to the county semi-final. Cormac impressed the county selectors and was called up for the Munster final against Cork. Tipperary led by 1-13 to 0-5 at the interval but Cork had rallied and reduced the lead to two points in the third quarter. Cormac was introduced and was in the right place five minutes later when a Paul Delaney free dropped behind the Cork defence and he was on the spot to steer it to the net. It was a crucial score and it halted the Cork rally in its tracks. 

Born in Cashel in May 1959 Cormac went to National School, The Green before going into second class in the CBS, where Brother Noonan ran school leagues. He was already very athletic in those early years and recalls races before school around the triangle in Lowergate. Also, jogging to and from horne to the Green. He went most of the way through secondary school without winning anything. Cashel were beaten regularly by Templemore CB.S. It wasn't until 1976 when he was doing the Leaving Certificate that success came. In that year Corn Phadraig, Kinane Cup and Fitzgerald Cup were won. Cormac repeated the Leaving in 1977 and played Harty Cup. As a result of victory in the Corn Phadraig Cashel went into the A competition in hurling but were beaten by Farrenferris at Bansha. 

Cormac had no underage success with the club and had to wait until minor level. There was impressive success at this level. He was on the successful I team that won the historic county hurling and football double in 1974. The county hurling was won in 1975 and the two county finals were lost to Loughmore- Castleiney in 1976. His tally of medals is impressive five west and three county. He was selected at wing- back on the county minors in 1977, beaten 3-4 to 1-1 Clare in the first round of the Munster champions!

Fitzgibbon and Sigerson 

One of the people who had impressed Cormac at Cashel CB.S. was Brother Michael O'Grady. He introduced coaching in a big way and when Cormac went to UCD. at the end of 1977, Br. O'Grady moved there also and continued to be a major influence on him. He spent five years at U.CD. studying History Mathematics. In 1978 he was on the successful Freshers team, which won the championship league. He was also on the panel for the Fitzgibboni which was won. In 1979 he won a second Fitzgibbon medal. Always interested in football he gave up Fitzgibbon for the Sigerson in 1980. Even though no medal was won he has no regrets. He came accross some outstanding footballers like Colm O'Rourke and Gerry McEntee but, more importantly, he experierced coaching at its best. The man in charge was Eugene Magee and they trained or played a match five nights a week. They were a totally committed bunch of players and Cormac's memories of the year are extremely favourable. In 1981 he returned to Fitzgibbon without success. The year saw the beginning of: U.C.C's eight in a row.· He made the Combined Hurling team the same year and won. In his final year, 1982, he was captain of the Fitzgibbon team, beaten in the semi-final by U.C.G. Also, in conjunction with Eamon O'Shea, he coached the UCD. camogie tea success in the Ashbourne Cup. 

During his time at U.CD. Cormac was very involved with the county. For three years he played on the county under-21 football team, captaining it in 1979. He also played senior football. Whereas football brought no success hurling did. In 1979 he was on the successful under-21 panel and in 1980 he played corner-back, moving to full-back for the final, when P. J. Maxwell was injured. Pat Fox was corner-back on the team. 

At club level he won a west under-21 hurling medal in 1976 and a football medal in 1980. He made his debut with Cashel senior hurlers in 1976 and was on the panel that won the west championship. His next medal came in 1980 when he, and his brother Brendan, played centrefield. There followed the lean years. During this time Cormac changed from a back to a forward. There was a shortage of players on the Cashel team up the field and he moved out of the backs, into' centre field and eventually into the forward line. Success came again in 1988 and it was only halted by Borrisoleigh in the county semi-final. Early defeat came in 1989. 

Cormac captained the team in 1990 and regarded it as a great privilege. The team fulfilled the promise of 1988 and went all the way to the county final only to lose to Holycross-Ballycahill. The success denied came the following year when Cashel made history in winning their first county senior hurling title. This was followed up by victory over Midleton in the Munster club final before agonising defeat by Kiltormer after three games in the All-Ireland semi-final. Another divisional medal was won in 1993 bringing his tally to six. He retired from senior hurling in that year. Because of his interest in football he recalls with great satisfaction winning a west senior football medal with the club in 1990. 

Cormac's drafting into the county senior panel in 1988 wasn't his first time wearing the senior jersey. He had made his first appearance in a tournament game gainst Kilkenny at Thurles on May 10. He didn't make the championship panel but played in the league at the end of the year. He pulled out during 1982 because of examination commitments and returned for the league in the autumn. He was a sub on the chamionship team in 1983. He recalls the occasion: 'I was brought in sometime during the game but was replaced again after ten minutes. I wasn't playing well. Part of my difficulty was converting from a back to a forward, and I hadn't yet adjusted. But, to be replaced o quickly was extremely difficult to take and the memory crossed my mind when I came on in 1988.' Disillusioned but also injured he didn't take part in the league and he was in the U.S. for the summer of 1984. It appeared as if his inter-county life was at an end.

All-Ireland Glory 

When he was asked to return in 1988 he thought twice before accepting the invitation which came from Theo English. After the Munster final Cormac was a fixture n the panel and came on as a sub against Antrim and Galway in the remaining two matches. Nicky English was at full-forward during the year and Cormac came on in the half-forward line. For the league of 1988-89 he was at full-forward and for the league final defeat by Galway his corner-forwards were Michael Cleary and Pat McGrath. By the Munster final of 1989 they had been replaced by Pat Fox and Nicky English to form the most impressive full-forward line in the modern game. 

Cormac was to continue playing for Tipperary until after the league in 1993. He retired before the championship that year. As well as winning the All-Irelands in 1989 and 1991, he was to win two All-Stars in the same years. He missed out on the Munster final victory in 1993. 

As already mentioned Cormac was greatly influenced by Brother O'Grady and his emphasis on coaching. He became interested in the area himself. As early as 1980 he was involved in the coaching of the Cashel minor team that won the county final. As also mentioned he coached the camogie players at U.C.D. Later he coached a wide variety of teams. They included Hospital-Herbertstown in football and hurling, Newport for two years, Clonlara, Tulla for two years, Ahane for two years, and Inagh. He also coached Ard Scoil Ris to a Kinane Cup and a Pearse Cup. Presently he is looking after the South Kerry under-I5 hurling development squad. 

Although he is now 41 years old he finds it difficult to give up active involvement in the game. Now residing in Killarney he won an intermediate hurling championship with Dr. Crokes in 1997 ,and a South Kerry senior hurling championship in 1999. 

Nicknamed the 'Gentle Giant' and 'The Viking' there couldn't be such contrasting opinions of the same players. The former name was gained from the observation, during the early part of his career, that Cormac, although sporting a fine physique of 6 feet 2 inches by 14 stone, remained a gentle giant on the field. Cormac would disagree and so would many a backman who came up against him in full flight. The latter name suggests someone who is wild, marauding and dangerous. Again, it's far from the mark. More likely the name came from the sight of Cormac on the field with his distinctive helmet, which gave him a fierce look. 

Cormac has a long and successful hurling history. During that period his level of fitness and his general athleticism were outstanding. His commitment to his team was always one hundred percent. His versatility on the field of play is reflected in the wide variety of positions he played in. During his greatest period, the five years he played at full-forward on the county senior team, he was a key man in the team's success. He was a target man for the rest of the forward line. He showed the need for big men in any forward land to make space for those less well-endowed and to distribute the ball. Cormac did these things excellently well and other forwards lived and flourished off him. He was above all a team player. As he said on one occasion 'I don't give a damn who gets the score as long as it's registered for us on the scoreboard. I'm a bit of a socialist in hurling in that we must be all for one and one for all.' 

<span class="postTitle">Profiles of West Tipperary Hurling Team of the Millennium</span> West Tipperary G.A.A. Convention Handbook, December 8, 2001

Profiles of West Tipperary Hurling Team of the Millennium

West Tipperary G.A.A. Convention Handbook, December 8, 2001

Click here to view booklet

WEST TIPPERARY MILLENNIUM HURLING TEAM 1930 - 2000
 

Goalkeeper: Donal O'Brien, Kickhams
 

Donal O'Brien is referred to as the man with the perfect record. Played two, won two and then emigrated. There's a bit more to his story than that. He won his first All­ Ireland as a minor in 1957. He was young enough the year after but was dropped in favour of Terry Moloney.  He was sub-goalie but came on in one game as a forward.

Donal got his own back in 1961 when he displaced Moloney, who had suffered a knee injury, as senior goalkeeper. He had come to the selectors notice during 1960 with some fine displays for Kickhams. In that year he was understudy to Moloney as senior goalkeeper and won a Munster medal. He was to win further Munster medals in 1961 and 1962, as well as All-Ireland medals. He also won a National League medal in 1961.

He gave sterling service to the county during these two years. At the end of 1961 Culbaire had this to say about his year: 'O'Brien's part in this title win has been no small one and he should fill his responsible berth for the foreseeable future.' In the Munster final of that year, as one commentator described it, he erected a 'closed door' sign for the hour and made a few superb saves from Ring to keep a clean slate. He was equally impressive against Wexford in the 1962 final.

And so, after a mere six championship games, Donal O'Brien had two All-Ireland medals. Soon after his second All-Ireland the twenty-three year old emigrated to England and later to the U.S., a major loss to Tipperary hurling.

Right cornerback:  Jim Devitt, Cashel King Cormacs
 

Jim Devitt's anticipation on the field of play was one of the most striking aspects of his remarkable hurling ability. Another quality many people admired was his fluent stickmanship. He could pull on a ball on either side and never miss. He perfected this skill in a ball-alley and he achieved such a level of perfection that he was always dead sure of connecting.

Jim was a small man. At the height of his hurling career he scaled 5-8 to 5-10. One day the car taking him to Galway stopped in Killinan to pick up John Maher. Mrs. Maher invited them in for tea and when she was introduced to Jim  she exclaimed: 'Oh God! You're not going to play this child!'  But his size never  worried  Jim because his speed, anticipation and hurling skills proved adequate compensations.

Born in 1921 he came to public notice in 1943 when he was spotted with Cashel against Eire Og, the eventual county champions. In the same year he won the All­ Army final with the 7th Brigade of the Southern Command. He came on the county team for the Four County League in 1944 and was picked for the championship the following May. Within ten months he had won an All-Ireland and a Railway Cup. He was to win two more Railway Cup medals in 1948 and 1949, and a second All­ Ireland in the latter year. He won two west medals in 1945 and 1948. Ill health brought a premature end to a fine hurling career.

Writing about the 1945 All-Ireland in the 1972 edition of The Clash of the Ash, the late Raymond Smith had this to say: 'I have always thought that if Devitt had come in a later era he would have been more widely acclaimed for his defensive qualities. But he was a delight to watch and if you looked for class in the comer or at wing back he had it certainly.'

Full-back:  Tony Brennan, Clonoulty-Rossmore
 

'The team that can boast of a good fullback can afford to be weak in several other positions on the field.  He is the keystone of the defence and on him rests the onus of protecting his goalie from encroaching forwards.  He has the whole field before him and if he is a shrewd general he can do quite a lot to knit his defence into a workman­ like unit.  Tipperary has always been fortunate in the matter of good fullbacks.  The present occupant of that most onerous of positions, Tony Brennan, is in the best traditions of Tipperary last line defenders.'   A contemporary quote.

Tall and commanding strong and fearless, with sure hands and hurling brains to bum, this lithe, sinewy skipper filled the position with credit to himself, his parish and his county.

An outstanding athlete, he won All-Ireland minor medals in 1933 and 1934. He spent eight years in the army, during which time he played with Galway.  Returning to Tipperary in 1945, he played centre forward and then full forward in the All-Ireland victory.  He continued at full forward in 1946 and 1947 but reverted to fullback, the position he had played in as a minor, in 1949.  He won three further All-Irelands in that position, giving sterling service in these victories.

For his outstanding displays in the position, Archbishop Kinane referred to him as 'Iron Curtain' Brennan, and very apt description of a player, regarded as one of the greatest fullbacks who ever played for the county.

Left corner-back:  Billy Hayes, Kickhams
 

Billy's first glory was winning a west minor medal in 1951 and he followed this up with Munster and All-Ireland minor titles the following year. In the same year he captained Roscrea to a Leinster Colleges junior medal and was picked for Leinster in the colleges interprovincial series. He was young enough  for  minor  in  1953 but illness interfered and prevented him from playing.

He graduated to senior ranks in 1954 and between then and 1960 won six west senior tides, missing out in 1957 when the combo team, St. Nicholas, in the west semi-final, ambushed Kickhams. He continued to play until 1962. In 1957 he was called up to the county, playing the league and winning a league medal. There was the added bonus of a trip to New York. However, he did not make the championship side in 1958.

Centre-back was his favourite position and virtually all his games were played there, where he cut a commanding figure.

Right halfback:  Pa Fitzel, Cashel King Cormacs
 

Pa began to show his hurling skills in the early seventies. He was equally good at football and was on the Cashel county minor double team of 1974. He was captain of the hurling team that won again in 1975. The following year he played on the under- 21 team, which was beaten, in a county final replay by Kilruane. He graduated to senior ranks in 1975 and was to play for nineteen seasons until his retirement in 1993. Six west titles were won and one county.

He played county minor for three years without success and was also three years on the county under-21 side. The lone success in the latter grade was in 1978 when he captained the team to a great victory over Cork in the Munster final but lost to Galway in a replayed All-Ireland. He was brought on the county senior panel in 1976 and remained on it until 1988. He was unfortunate to have departed before the All-Ireland was won.  As it was he won two leagues, one Munster final and one Railway Cup.

During his long service to club and county he maintained a high level of fitness. Virtually all his play was in the halfback line, either at centre or on the wing. He did start in the comer on one occasion and also played at centre field.

Centre-back:  Paddy Furlong, Kickhams
 

A native of Ballintemple, near Dundrum and born in 1922, Paddy Furlong was a relatively latecomer to hurling prominence. He came to the notice of the county selectors in the county semi-final of 1947 when Borrisileigh defeated Kickhams. Even in defeat Paddy stood out and the 'Tipperary Star' in its report described him as 'probably the most impressive man of the thirty.' He was called up to the county colours for the league and slotted into the centre back position. He retained the position for the league and was there for the first round of the 1948 championship. Unfortunately it was an unhappy day for Tipperary. He continued to play in the fo1lowing league, having a memorable game against Jack Lynch in one of the matches. According to Wintergreen 'he gave the Cork star neither space nor ease for one split second and this famous Cork forward will surely have cause to remember Knockavilla.'

Paddy was on for the 1949 championship right up to the All-Ireland final. An ankle injury before the day forced him to cry off the team. He played in the county final later in the year, when Kickhams lost out to Borrisileigh in their only senior county final appearance. But the injury hastened a premature retirement. He was holding his own with the best in the county at the time of his injury and there is no reason to believe he wouldn't have featured in the famous three-in-a-row All-Irelands.

As it was he won one All-Ireland and one national League medal. Colleagues of his speak of a strong, firm and determined hurler, who would never shirk the challenge.

Left halfback:  Colm Bonnar, Cashel King Cormacs
 

Colm Bonnar's hurling record includes All-Ireland honours in four grades, senior, junior , under-21 and minor. When one adds National League medals, Railway Cup medals, an Oireachtas medal, a Fitzgibbon Cup and two All-Ireland Colleges B medals the record is even more impressive. On top of that he won an All-Star in 1988, partnering Goerge O'Connor at midfield. He played senior hurling for the county for twelve seasons.

As well as giving dedicated service to the county he was for years the backbone of the Cashel King Cormac's team.  He made his debut with the senior team in 1981 and, including a stint with Dunhill, continued playing until 2000.  During that period he won six Crosco Cups and five west championships.  The highlight of his club career was winning the county final in 1991, after losing one to Holycross the previous year. Colm has an impressive list of honours to his credit but even more impressive is the complete commitment he has given to club and county over a quarter of a century. This made him the most valuable member of any team.  He never gave less than his all and his superb physical fitness ensured that most always he gave more than most. His solo runs and tackling were phenomenal. He was a player so full of courage that he never stood back from anything. On the other hand he was always a fair player and never had his name taken by a referee. His sense of position on the field of play was superb and his anticipation was uncanny.

Centre field:  Bill O'Donnell, Golden Kilfeacle
 

Bill O'Donnell's playing career with Tipperary spanned the years 1934-1944. His reward of one All-Ireland in 1937 was rather meagre for so many years of service but it was a lean time for hurling in the county. It was the time of two debacles, the Cooney affair in 1938 and the Foot and Mouth disaster of 1941. In the Munster final of that year, played in October after the All-Ireland was won by Cork, Bill had one of his finest displays. His play inspired his teammates and was a big factor in the victory. He marked Jack Lynch on that occasion and the latter had this to say of his performance: 'I'll never forget the 1941 match in Limerick as the late Bill O'Donnell ran rings about me.'

A native of Golden his teaching profession took him to Annacarty in 1933. He played with Eire Og in their historic county final victory of 1943. He played an important role in that victory, according to the Tipperary Star: 'Four points up with eight minutes to go, Moycarkey looked all set to take another county title, but then like a flash, Bill O'Donnell secured possession in a sharp Eire Og attack and from twenty yards sent in a bullet-like shot that gave Jim Keeffe no chance. This was the turning point of a game that had abounded in thrills. '

He was a versatile hurler and his four Railway Cup medals indicate this quality quite astonishingly: in 1938 he played right comer-forward for Munster; two years later, in 1940, he had transferred the length of the  field to left comer-back; in 1942 he captained Munster to success from full-forward; and finally, in 1943, he partnered Jack Lynch at midfield. He was many other things also, a referee, the 1941 All­ Ireland, a writer, Divot in the Nationalist, a golfer, above all a gentleman and the best of company.

Centre field: John Farrell, Kickhams
 

It's unlikely his record will ever be matched! John Farrell's record includes five west minor medals and twelve west senior medals. His career with Kickhams senior team spans twenty-five seasons, from 1946 to 1960. He won the first of his twelve senior medals in 1946 and the last in 1960. He was the only player to win all twelve during this golden age of Kickhams hurling.

When he started in 1946 he had still two years to run as a minor. In the following year his talent was recognised at county level when he played centre field for the team that won Munster and All-Ireland honours. He had as company on that team giants of the ash like John Doyle and Paddy Kenny.

While a minor he spent two years as a goalkeeper before moving out to his favourite position at centre field. It was mostly in the latter position he played at senior level and for years he gave sterling service to his club in that position. On a few occasions he played wing-forward and fill-forward.

He was a fast-striking player, moving the ball into the forward line in the shortest possible time.  He was equally adept at striking it on the ground or in the air and had perfected the art of doubling or pulling on the ball at an early stage. His dedication and commitment to his club was second to none and his selection on this team came as no surprise to anyone who watched him play.

Right half-forward:  Nicky English, Lattin-Cullen
 

Nicky English is a class apart and is best illustrated by his selection on the Tipperary hurling team of the Millennium, the only modern player to win such recognition. However, it took a while for his genius to be recognised . Dropped from the county minor panel in 1979, he got his first taste of hurling glory in the All-Ireland minor victory of the following year. He followed up with an under-21 medal in 1981. His promotion to the senior side was rapid. He made his debut in the fall of 1981 when Tipperary defeated Offaly in a tournament game at Coventry. He continued to play until 1996.

The first half of the eighties was a lean period for the county and the breakthrough didn't come until 1987, having been preceded by a dismal defeat the previous year at Ennis, a game Nicky missed because of a punctured  lung. In fact throughout his career he struggled against injuries. There was some consolation for the wilderness years when he won five Fitzgibbon Cup medals between 1981-1985. Eventually he was to win two senior All-Irelands, five Munster medals and two National Leagues. Probably the best register of his ability was his winning of the Texaco Hurler of the Year in 1989, and his six All-Star awards.

Any tribute to Nicky must include mention of his loyalty to his club. He was invited to play with other clubs but he stuck by his own and helped Lattin-Cullen to three county titles, two hurling and one football. For him his roots were important. Winning with his own was for him the highest thing he could achieve.

It's difficult to define his hurling genius. There's an elusive quality about it.  His skill level was unique. He showed all the signs of endless practice with the hurley and sliotar from an early age. The hurley was an extension of his arm. He could strike with equal facility from right or left. He had marvellous feet, which allowed him to weave through the opposition side stepping and slipping a tackle. He was a good striker in the soccer sense of the word, very good to take a scoring opportunity.  He was a versatile player, playing as a back for much of his earlier career, and latterly as a forward. He could be effective anywhere on the field.

Centre-forward:  Declan Ryan, Clonoulty-Rossmore
 

Declan made the senior side in the fall of 1987 in the company of Michael Cleary and John Leahy. His first match was against Cork in Paire Ui Chaoimh. His trophy collection parallels Tipperary since 1988, a league medal that year, Munster senior medals in '88, '89, '91' '93, further leagues in 1994, 1999 and 2001, as well as Oireachtas, South-East League and Railway Cup. The All-Star statuettes of 1988 and 1997 are prized possessions too as is the Cidona Award in the latter year. Special too is the under-21 All-Ireland in 1989, where he was captain. On the club scene too there are the two county finals of 1989 and 1997.

One close observer has this to say about him : 'A thoughtful centre-forward, always measuring and reading things, always seems to have a lot of time on the ball, a great man to play others into the game, as essential to the likes of Fox and English as they were to him, outstanding skill level, central to Tipperary for the past ten years.

Babs, who found it difficult to communicate with Declan, had some very positive things to say about him: 'A fit Declan was the difference between winning and losing. We would not have won an All-Ireland without him. When we were in bits in midfield or at full forward, Declan rescued us. In the All-Ireland semi-final in 1991 we were gone, Declan came to the rescue and held us together. . . . His skill was incredible, his touch on the ball superb, his strength was sometimes awesome.'  The case rests.

Left half-forward:   Dinny Ryan, Sean Treacy's
 

Divot, writing in 'The Nationalist' after the 1971 All-Ireland, had this to say of Dinny Ryan: 'Little Dinny was a bundle of energy all through and gave Willie Murphy quite a time of it. The smile on his face when Ollie's hesitancy left him with an easy task to score our fifth goal had to be seen to be believed.' It was his finest moment.

It was the high point of Dinny 's career. He played on with the county for the next two years but the famine was setting in and barring an Oireachtas medal, there was little further glory in the blue and gold of Tipperary.

Dinny's hurling rise paralleled the rise of Sean Treacy' s, which came into existence in the sixties, uniting the regions of Hollyford, Kilcomon and Rearcross. 'Little Dinny' as he became affectionately known, may have been small in stature but he was big in heart. Combining a high degree of skill with a bold and daring approach to the game, he quickly became a key personality in Sean Treacy teams that brought a new passion to the sport.

While the blue and gold of Tipperary declined during the seventies, the blue and gold of Sean Treacy's hit a rich vein. The club dominated West Tipperary hurling in that period and Dinny was a leading personality during their golden years. Sean Treacys have won seven West Tipperary championships since the club was formed and Dinny was part of them all, being one of the few players to see the Sean Treacy era through from the sixties to the eighties.

Right corner-forward:  Pat Fox, Eire Og
 

What strikes one most about the hurling career of Pat Fox is the versatility of the player. From corner back to midfield, from centre forward to comer-forward, he found a home in many positions on various county sides. Two years as a minor bore no fruit but he made up for the barrenness of these years with great riches at the under-21 level, three All-Irelands. A fourth might have been harvested in 1982 but for a shock defeat by Limerick in the first round.

He soon made it to senior ranks and his senior career spanned an impressive seventeen seasons, 1980 to 1996. During  this period he won five Munster championships, two All-Irelands and two National Leagues. In the west he won two senior titles, in 1981 and 1986, as well as West and county intermediate medals in 1994. He has also got three All-Stars to his credit, 1987, 1989, and 1991. The latter year was probably his finest, when he reached the pinnacle of his awesome power, and was recognised with a Texaco Award. In the same year he won the Ballygowan Sportstar of the Year and the Tipperary Person of the Year award.

Pat was a tremendous ball player and had tremendous courage, which belied his size. Because  of his size he had to be tremendously fit and this fitness gave his the kind of acceleration a corner-forward requires. His game depended so much on aggression and strength that he had to be at peak fitness to play his part fully. He was good under pressure as was seen in the Munster final at Thurles in 1987, when he pointed two late frees to win a reprieve. Going high to catch the ball and soloing at speed towards goal were other aspects of his exciting skill.

Full-forward: Cormac Bonnar, Cashel King Cormacs
 

Cormac Bonnar's talent was first recognised in the mid seventies, when he won five west and three county minor medals with Cashel in hurling and football. He continued playing both codes at university level, being part of the Fitzgibbon and Sigerson sides at U.C.D., winning two hurling medals. He won medals in hurling and football at under-21 level as well.

He made his debut with the Cashel seniors in 1976 and between then and 1993, when he retired he won six west medals. The highlight of these years was the county title in 1991. He was drafted into the county panel in 1988 after making the decision to retire from hurling. The rest is history. Three Munster and two AH-Ireland titles were won as well as two All-Stars. The full-forward line he filled with English and Fox was the most impressive in the modern game.

Nicknamed the 'gentle giant' and the 'Viking' there couldn't be such contrasting opinions of the same player. Cormac had a long and successful hurling history. During that period his level of fitness and his general athleticism were outstanding. His commitment to the team was always one hundred percent. His versatility on the field of play is reflected in the wide variety of positions he played in. During his greatest period, the five years he played at full forward on the county senior team, he was a key man in the team's success. He was a target man for the rest of the forward line. He showed the need for big men in any forward line to make space for those less well endowed and to distribute the ball. Cormac did these things excellently well and other forwards lived and flourished off him. He was above all a great team player.

Left corner-forward: Ger O'Neill, Cappawhite

Ger O'Neill gave outstanding service to club and county over three decades. A dual player his ability was recognised in 1980 when he played wing-back on the county minor football team and won Munster and All-Ireland honours with the minor hurlers. Although injured going into the final against Wexford he contributed handsomely to the victory. The following year he was again successful, playing on the under-21 side, which won the title against Kilkenny. He contributed five points from play to that victory. A second All-Ireland was missed when Tipperary were beaten in the 1983 final.

Ger was part of the successful Cappawhite side that won their first west in 1983 after a lapse of 21 years. Two more titles were won in 1984 and 1985, and the highlight of this great period in Cappawhite hurling was victory in the county final of 1987. Ger, at fulJ forward, was one of their chief scorers in the latter victory. In 1985 Ger made his county senior championship debut and for a number of years featured prominently in the selectors plans.

He continued with his club until 1998. His commitment and dedication to club and county has always been first class. His contribution on the field of play has always been significant and there's many the back that found more than a handful in this aggressive and skilful player from Cappawhite.

<span class="postTitle">Jim Devitt, Cashel</span> West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by the West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 400-401

Jim Devitt, Cashel

West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by the West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 400-401

For one fan Jim Devitt's anticipation on the field of play was one of the most striking aspects of his remarkable hurling ability. He illustrated this aspect from an incident in the Tippperary-Cork Munster championship clash at Thurles in 1945. A low ball came down the wing and Jim was behind his man. At exactly the right moment he stepped around him, caught the ball about two inches off the ground and cleared it up the field. It was a daring and successful move born out of brilliant anticipation. 

Another quality many people admired was his fluent stickmanship. He could pull on a ball on either side and never miss. This ability he perfected in a ball alley and he achieved such a level of skill that he was always sure of connecting. Seamus Leahy ruefully remembers a match he played against Devitt in the mid-fifties. It was Boherlahan versus Nenagh and a Nenagh mentor said to Seamus, who was playing on Jim Devitt that day: 'Stand behind him. He's sure to miss a couple in the hour and you can stick them in the net.' Jim Devitt didn't miss that day and there was no glory for Leahy. 

Some admirers remember that he used a light-looking hurley. Jim admits it was on the light side, especially in the handle, but it always had a good pull. Old Nicholas Gleeson of Shanballa, the father of Jack who played centrefield on the All Ireland team of 1937, used to make the hurleys for him. He recalls Nicholas coming to him a couple of weeks before the 1945 All Ireland with a new hurley. 'He wanted me to have time to get used to it'. He asked to have it back after the match so that he could have two All Ireland hurleys in his possession. His son's, Jack's, was the second one. However, the hurley was stolen on the train coming homw from the match. Jim knows who took it also but could never get it back. 

At the height of his hurling career Jim Devitt scaled at 9-8 to 9-10, not that terribly much above Barry McGuigan! But his size never worried him because his speed, anticipation and hurling skills proved adequate compensations. He tells a story of how people viewed his size. One day he was on his way to a match in Galway. The car stopped to pick up John Maher, Killinan. Mrs. Maher invited them all in for tea. Whe:she was introduced to Jim as one of the selection for the day, she exclaimed: 'Oh God! You're not going to pIay this child'. 

Jim's inter-county career began in 1944 when he played in the four-county league against Waterford. (The national league had been suspended for the duration of the war). Prior to this he had made a name for h.i.m- self in the army, which he joined in 1940. Based mostly in Limerick, Jimmy Cooney was his O.C. and the outstanding man in the ranks was Mick Mackey. He wanted Devitt to play with Ahane but he declined. He recalls that Paddy Shea of Kilfeacle accepted a similar invitation at the time and won five county medals with the Limerick club between 1941 and 1945. The high point of Jim's army career was the winning of the All-army final in 1943 with the 7th. Brigade of the Southern Command. The final was played in the Phoenix Pank and the medals presented by General M.J. Costello. 

Born in 1921 Jim recalls his first game with Cashel in 1938. The minor team cycled to Annacarty to play Eire Og. During the the game the hurleys ran out and one of the team had to leave the field for a time until Denis Tuohy came to the rescue. In the same year he was called to a county minor trial but didn't attend. Dan Cantwell did and was selected. In the following year he went with Jackie Corcoran for trial. Jackie was picked but Jim wasn't taken off the benches. At thisstage Batt Hickey was his God among hurlers and he sought to model his game on him. 

Hurling in Tipperary at this time was dominated by the Mid and it was difficult for anyone outside the division to get on the senior team. It was even more difficult if you came from the West .. Bill O'Donnell made the grade and Tony Brennan but they were the exceptions. Jim admits he had a bit of luck. At the 'there was only one player, Michael Murphy, a Clare man going for the position of wing back. As well Jim himself had an important 'friend', Joby Callanan, in the Thurles 'camp'. Joby had spotted Jim as early as 1943 when Cashel held Eire Og, the eventual county champions, to two points in the West championship and hada high opinion of his ability. 

Jim's rise to county senior status was meteoric. Having played in the Millar Shield competition in 1944 he came on for the four-county league. He was picked for the championship the following May and, within months he had won All Ireland and Railway Cup medals. He was to win two more Railway Cup medals in 1948 and 1949 and a second All Ireland medal in the latter year. His selection on three Railway Cup teams is an indication of his outstanding ability. 1949 was also the end of his inter-county career, even though he was only twenty seven years of age. Ill health was the reason. 

Jim's club days continued for another thirteen years until he called it a day in 1962 when he finished playing junior hurling at full forward for Boherlahan. He also played in goal. While he played corner and wing for the county, his usual position for the club was centreback or centre field. From 1953 onwards when he bought a house in Boherlahan, Jim played with the club. While he was with Cashel he won two : West medals in 1945 and 1948. He believes that the club should have won more at that time and reckons that the half back line of Mickey Murphy, Donal Ryan and himself was one of the best in the county. The split with the Abbey Rangers divided the hurling in the parish at the time. When one realises that four of the Abbey Ranges players, Mick Cody, Rodney Parsons, Paddy O'Brien and Billy Hickey, played county junior, one realises how great their loss was to Cashe1. 

One of the greatest games ever played by Devitt was in the Munster championship clash with Limerick in 1948. The wind played havoc with the game and Limerick, with its help, were well ahead at half time. Tipperary were unable to make up the leeway in the second-half. This wasn't because of want of trying on the part of one man. According to the 'TIpperary Star' reporter "Jim Devitt played the game of his life - he was the outstanding player on the field. Right from the throw-in he hurled magnificently and tirelessly. Threeof Tipperary's goals were direct results of his accuracy from seventies. Attacking and defending Devitt was superb and Tipperary supporters were sighing for half a dozen n of his calibre." 

The final word on Jim's ability rests with Raymond Smith. Writing about the 1945 All Ireland in the 1972 edition of 'The Clash of the Ash', Smith had this to say: 'I have always thought that if Devitt had come in a later era he would have been more widely acclaimed for his defensive qualities. But he was a delight to watch and if you looked for class in the corner or at wingback he had it certainly".

<span class="postTitle">Conal Bonnar, Cashel</span> West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 396-397

Conal Bonnar, Cashel

West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 396-397

One might be inclined to regard Conal as the Benjamin of the Bonnar boys but that would suggest someone :in need of care and protection. Such would, indeed, be furthest from the truth because Conal is very much his own man and has an impressive record of achievement. He was drafted into the Tipperary senior panel for the 1988 All-Ireland. He was then eighteen years age and his call-up at that stage was an indication of the potential of the player. 

That potential had been revealed at underage. He first hit the county headlines in 1986 when he was pick wing-back on the minors. With five of the previous year's panel Tipperary were expected to do well and fulfilled that expectation in defeating Clare. The Munster final was in Killarney and ended in a draw. Conal had to experience the pangs of defeat to Cork in the replay at Kilmallock eleven days later. Playing at centreback in 1987, Conal experienced similar agony at the ultimate stage. The Munster championship was won with victories over Limerick and Cork, the AI.Ireland semi-final impressively against Galway and hopes were high against Offaly in the All-Ireland. However, defeat was their lot by two points. 

Born in Cashel in 1969 Conal went to the National School on the Green and later to the C.B.S. He was introduced to competitive hurling in the school leagues. An under-12 west title came in 1981 but defeat by Holycross-Ballycahill in the county semi-final. Real success came in 1983 with the under-14 urban-rural county final, beating Toomevara in the final. Conal was one of four from Cashel, with Joe McGrath, Arthur Fitzell and Michael Perdue, to make the Tony Forrestal team, which beat Kilkenny in the final. There was less success at under-16 in 1985. Cashel got to the county final to be beaten by Toomevara. There was consolation in the interdivisional under-16 competition for the Garda Cup when Conal captained the west to their first success. 

Parallel with this club success came substantial school success with Cashel CBS. There was an impressive crop of young players there during these years. The Rice Cup final was lost to Mitchelstown in 1983 but the under-I5 Corn na Phadraig was won. Two Croke Cups followed and two Fitzgerald Cups as well as one McGabhann and Conal captained the Kinane Cup team to victory in 1986. 

He made his debut with the Cashel senior team in 1986 and won his first of four Crosco Cup medals, the others were in 1990, 1994 and 1996. The following year he captained Cashel to a minor hurling title but lost the county semi-final. In 1988 there was a west senior medal but defeat at the hands of Borrisoleigh in the county semi-final 

In the meantime Conal had gone to UCD. in 1987 to study for his B.Comm. Later he was to get an MBS in Organisational Behaviour. During his time there he played Fitzgibbon Cup for four years, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, without success. Finals were lost in 1989 and 1991, the most disappointing being the former of the two. Having beaten UCC, who had dominated the competition for years in the semi-final, UCD. expected to win the final but were surprisingly beaten by NIHE, Limerick. 

Conal played at under-21 level for three years. In 1988 he played at centreback when the county were defeated by Cork. Success came in 1989 with a glorious victory over Offaly at Portlaoise but disappointment was their lot when, in the 1990 final at the same venue, they were beaten by Kilkenny. 

Conal had been drafted into the panel for the All-Ireland senior final in 1988. He eventually made his debut on the team at comerback against Waterford in the league at Dungarvan in October. He dropped out of the league in the Spring in order to concentrate on the Fitzgibbon but was recalled for the semi-final. The final was lost against Galway. By this stage Conal had shown he was capable of holding down a position on the team and he made his championship debut against Limerick in the summer of 1989, as a replacement for the injured John Kennedy. By the time of the All-Ireland he had established himself as a fixture on the team. The winning of the All-Ireland medal was a high point and it was to be capped by an All-Star Award at the end of the year. It was to be the first of two, the second two years later. 

The year 1990 was in many ways forgettable for Conal. Tipperary were beaten by Cork in the championship. Conal lost the All-Ireland under-21 final. Cashel seniors were beaten by Holycross-Ballycahill in the county final. The under-21 team were beaten by Toomevara in the county semi-final. There was some consolation, mostly in football. Conal won an under-21 football medal when Cashel surprised Clonmel Commercials in the final at Kilsheelan. Also, in that year, as well as winning the west senior hurling championship, Cashel won their one and only west senior football championship. There was also an Oireachtas medal. 

In contrast 1991 was a wonderful year. Conal won his second All-Ireland, beating Kilkenny in the final. The second All-Star followed. Cashel senior hurlers won their first ever county senior championship and went on to claim the Munster club championship. It was a year to be savoured. 

At this stage of his career Conal was only twenty-one years of age and his achievements were impressive by any standard. Unfortunately, the graph of success wasn't to continue rising. During the remainder of the nineties disappointment and frustration were to be his lot. Two National League medals were to be won in 1994 and 1999 but by that stage these medals had become a kind of debased coinage. A Munster senior medal was won in 1993. The most frustrating year was 1997 when both the Munster and All-Ireland finals were lost. A minor consolation was a Railway Cup medal in the same year. 

At club level there were also disappointments. Three senior divisional medals were won in 1993, 1994 and 1995 but there was no further advancement. The most galling of these defeats was in the county semi-final of 1994 against Nenagh. As Conal looks back from the new Millennium his greatest regrets at club level were the loss to Kiltormer in March 1992 and the loss of the 1990 county final to Holycross-Ballycahill. His other major regrets were losing the 1989 Fitzgibbon final and the double defeat by Clare in 1997. 

Probably the most frustrating thing Conal had to contend with in the nineties was injury. From 1991 onwards injury was a constant factor in his sporting life. There wasn't a year in which he didn't miss a game through injury. He broke a bone in his back in a college game in 1991 and his back suffered after that. He had an operation in 1997. Before the operation he suffered from sciatica. Apart from this major injury there were many more. His nose was broken four times, his cheek bone twice, all the fingers on his left hand at least once and to these can be added hamstrings, groin strains, calf-muscles, thigh muscles and his Achilles tendon. 

On the question of his favourite position he believes it depended on his age. He started as a forward but up to 1989 he preferred the centreback position. After that he slotted into wingback. However, he has a hankering after the forward line but believes to play there needs a higher level of fitness than a back requires. 

Assessing Conal's ability as a hurler is less than easy. Many would say he was the most skilful hurler of all the Bonnars. His greatest strength on the field of play was his anticipation, his ability to be in the right place at the right time. He was also good at intercepting a ball and at picking up the breaking ball behind a line of play. Babs Keating remembers him for his athleticism and had him marked out for the Tipperary panel a year before he was selected. Anther quality remarked on is his leadership qualities. He was good at motivating people and through leading by example. Some of his former team mates recall that when the chips were down, when the challenge was greatest, Conal rose to the occasion. A fine example of such a display was against Clonoulty-Rossmore in the 1999 west championship. They particularly recall his display against Wexford and Clare in 1997. Much of his display against Jamesie O'Connor in the latter game was forgotten in the aftermath of defeat. It may come as a surprise to those who know Conal that he suffered from lack of confidence in his later years. This is the opinion of some of those who played with him and they attribute it to the difficulties he encountered with his back, which prevented him from giving the performance he would like to have given. Overall there is a high appreciation of his talent, skill and commitment among those who played with him and they have a high respect for his achievements.

<span class="postTitle">Jack Gleeson, Cashel</span> West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by the West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 401-402

Jack Gleeson, Cashel

West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by the West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 401-402

'He was a very strong hurler". "He had great courage was willing to face anything". "He never gave less than his best for the team". These are some of the statements that one hears of Jack Gleeson of Shanballa, the Cashel man who played for Rockwell Rovers. as well as his own parish, the hurler who left Cashel for Roscrea in his prime and won All Irelands with Tipperary and London Irish. 

Jack's father, Nicholas, played with the old Racecourse team and he was a fanatical follower of the game of hurling. Into the Second World War, Nicholas and his boon companion, John Mannion, used to cycle to matches in Thurles. Both were then into their seventies. As an acquaintance of theirs put it: "Everyone's character was safe in their company because they spoke of nothing but the hurley and the ball". Nicholas himself was a Drombane man, where his father, a school teacher lived. A brother of his, Timothy, who later taught in Cloneyharp N.S. hurled with the Thurles Blues and won two All Irelands. He also played at Fontenoy in 1910. 

In the same year Jack was born. His father, who worked at Rockwell College, married a girl from Carrick-on-Suir. As well as Jack they had two daughters, one of whom died in 1939. The second, Helena, still lives in the family home at Shanballa. 

Jack attended Templenoe N.5. and later Cashel C.B.S. He showed good hurling ability and was vice-captain of a very successful C.B.5. team in 1927 that won ten out of thirteen games. This success led them to enter the Harty Cup competition in 1928 but they were beaten by Carrick-on-Suir in the first round. 

When he finished school Jack went to Rockwell to work as a butcher. It seems that he began to play for Rockwell Rovers. at this stage of his career. He doen'st figure for Cashel until 1931 when the team was beaten by Knockavilla-Donaskeigh in the West final. In fact his name doesn't appear in the earlier games and he may have been drafted in for the final. This suggestion is borne out by the fact that he didn't play for Cashel in 1932 but, instead, turned out for Rockwell Rovers. He was definitely on the Cashel team that won a West final for the first time in 1933 in junior hurling. The team was beaten in the county semi-final by Bawnmore at Nenagh. 

In the following year Jack Gleeson played an important part in Cashel's first senior hurling victory. He played a dominant role in this victory at centre field over the Clonoulty Cusacks. He also played a major part in the county semi-final which Cashel lost to Moycarkey\Borris. According to one newspaper account: "Gleeson was the hero of the team and he certainly deserved all the praise he got. Jack also played on the county junior hurling team which was defeated in the Munster championship. 

His hurling career with Cashel came to an end the following year when the team was surprisingly beaten by Knockavilla-Donaskeigh. Either at the end of 1935 or the beginning of 1936 Jack moved,to Roscrea to take up employment with Roscrea Meat Products Ltd. He played with the local club that year and helped the team to win the North final of 1937. As luck would have it Cashel were West champions that year and the two sides played the county semi-final at Borrisoleigh. Cashel were behind by nine points at half time but came storming back to win by a goal. Gleeson got plenty of slagging from the Cashel supporters in Borrisoleigh that day. 

Jack Gleeson played in the county colours for one year and won a senior All Ireland medal. He had a short reign. He came on the team in 1937, played at centrefield with Jimmy Cooney, and was dropped after the All Ireland which was played at Killamey that year. 

Tipperary created a surprise in the Munster final when they defeated the famous Limerick team that was regarded as one of the greatest hurling combinations in the history of the G.A.A. The star of the victorious team was Tommy Doyle but, according to one newspaper report, Jack Gleeson vindicated his selection at centrefield: "Perhaps too much was expected of Cooney, but whatever it was, Gleeson stole most of his thunder and justified the confidence of the selectors. A rugged, rather than a spectacular worker, he revelled in the hard exchanges and staked a very strong claim to a permanent berth on the team". 

Tipperary had a rather facile win in the All Ireland final at Killamey over Kilkenny. The match was played outside Croke Park because of the construction of the Cusack Stand and the final score was 3-11 to 0-3 in Tipperary's favour. Jack Gleeson was again at midfield and forty two years later a fellow player on that day, Bill O'Donnell, in a get-together of some of the team reminisced thus: "We missed most of all the pair who provided the link between defence and attack, a partnership that seldom gave best to any two, the hardworking, never-give-up, Jack Gleeson, and one of Ireland's greatest midfielders ever, Jimmy Cooney". 

Not many followers of Gaelic Games realise that Jack Gleeson has a distinction which is possibly unique: he won two All Irelands in successive years with different counties and in different countries! He left Roscrea soon after winning the All Ireland in September 1937 and went to work at Clover Meats at Waterford. While there he fell in love with a girl who emigrated to London. Jack followed in 1938 and started work in Walls meat factories. He joined London-Irish and won on their team in the All Ireland junior hurling championship. They defeated Cork in the final, which was played in London that year and, thus, Jack won a second All Ireland medal. 

Jack Gleeson married and settled down in London. He had two sons. He did well at his job and when he died in 1970 he was a successful man. His remains were brought home for burial and he was interred in the family plot at Kilvalure, Drombane, in the company of his father and grandfather.

<span class="postTitle">Colm Bonnar, Cashel</span> West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 395-396

Colm Bonnar, Cashel

West Tipperary G.A.A. by J.J. Kennedy. Pub. by West Tipp G.A.A. Board, 2001, pp 395-396

Colm Bonnar's hurling record includes at least one rare distinction, that of having won All-Ireland honours in different grades, senior, intermediate, under-21 and minor. With a little luck this distinction might have been unique: in 1985 he played on the county junior team beaten in the All-Ireland by Wexford. When one one adds a Fitzgibbon Cup medal, a couple of All-Ireland colleges B medals the record becomes even more impressive. 

Born in Cashel in 1964 his first hurling was done in the Christian Brothers Primary School under the eye of Brother O'Grady. Also giving guidance at the time were Danny Morrissey and Roger Kennedy, the latter before he gave up teaching for the freedom of farming. Colm played in under-11 and under-13 competitions captained the county under-13 primary schools against Clare primary schools. 

Progressing to secondary school he was on the team in 1978 which was beaten in the Rice Cup final. He went on from there to win a Croke Cup, a Fitzgerald Cup, a MacGabhann Cup in football, and culminated a very successful period with All-Ireland colleges successes in 1980 and 1982, after victory in the Corn Phadraig in Munster. Playing at centreback in 1982 he captained the side. 

His successes at school level were paralleled at club level. In 1976 there was county success at under-12 in hurling but defeat in the football final. This was followed up by under-14 success in 1978, under-16 success in 1980 and county minor honours in 1980; In the same year there was victory in the west under-21 football championship. 

So much talent and ability spilled over into county recognition. In 1982 there was All-Ireland minor success at cornerback and this was followed by three years at under-21 level. The years brought him three Munster medals and one All-Ireland. In 1983 there was defeat by Galway at Tullamore and by Kilkenny the year after at Waterford. Victory finally came in 1985 against Kilkenny at Waterford. The winning margin was narrow, 1-10 to 2-6, but it was very sweet after defeat in the two previous years. Colm was again at cornerback and, according to one match report, 'maintained his consistently sound performances over the season: 

Colm almost won a second All-Ireland in 1985. He played on the junior side which qualified for the AllIreland but lost by a point to Wexford at Kilkenny. Colm qualified to play in this grade by virtue of being unavailable to play senior with Cashel the previous year. He impressed the county senior selectors sufficiently, with his performances at under-21 and junior levels, to be drafted into the senior panel for the league at the end of 1985. From then until 1998, fourteen years inclusive, he was to be a member of that panel. 

His first championship outing was against Clare at Ennis in the 1986 championship. Not a very auspicious opening. Nine points up early in the second half, Tipperary eventuaJly slumped to a 2-10 to 1-11 defeat. Many would regard this defeat as the nadir in the county's fortunes, which had given us little to shout about since 1971. It led to a think-in about where we were going, the appointment of Babs Keating as manager and the lowest point became the darkest hour before the dawn of a new era. 

The new management took over in September and started out on a campaign to end the famine in Tipperary senior hurling. Colm Bonnar was very much part of that campaign. Between then and September 1989, when All-Ireland success came, Tipperary played forty-two competitive games in league and championship. The extent of Colm's contribution can be measured by the number of these games he played. The player who played the most was Conor O'Donovan with thirty-eight but Colm was a clear second with thirty-six. Also, he had a record, uninterrupted sequence of thirty-one games until he was dropped, in favour of Declan Carr, for the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway. He returned for the All-Ireland. 

During this period he won three Munster finals, in 1987,1988 and 1999, and the first of his two All-Ireland senior medals in 1989. The previous year he was honoured with an All-Star, partnering George O'Connor at centrefield. Bobby Ryan, Declan Ryan and Nicky English were also in the side. He captained the side on the tour to the U.S., visiting New York and Florida. A National League title was won in 1988 against Offaly and one lost the following year against Galway. Prospects looked bright for Colm at this stage of his career and he was to continue playing for a further nine years but success was to be sparse. His second All-Ireland came in 1991 with victory over Kilkenny. There was an Oireachtas medal the previous year. Two Railway Cup medals were won in 1995 and 1996. There was a second National League medal in 1994. The third senior All-Ireland medal remained elusive and he had to make do with a fifth Munster medal in 1993. Everything might have come right in 1997 but instead there was defeat by Clare at both Munster and All-Ireland levels. 

Nevertheless there were consolations. There was some fine success at college level with the Waterford Institute of Technology. He captained the freshers footballers to a B All-Ireland. He won the division 1 hurling league in 1986 and 1987. WIT was the only IT in the competition. Institutes of Technology and such Third Level places were excluded from the Fitzgibbon Cup until 1987-88. When Colm went back to WIT for further study in the mid-nineties he helped it to its second Fitzgibbon victory in 1995. (They beat U.C.D., managed by brother, Conal, in the final.) He had trained the school to its first in 1992. 

As well as giving dedicated service to the county Colm has for years been the backbone of the Cashel King Cormac's team. He made his debut with the senior team in 1981 and helped the club to a Crosco Cup victory. Further Crosco Cup medals were won in 1983, 1986,1990,1994 and 1996. The eighties were not a very fruitful time for the club and he had to wait until 1988 for his first west senior hurling medal. Cashel were defeated by Borrisoleigh in the county semi-final. There were further divisional titles won in 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994. The highlight of club achievement was the winning of the county final for the first time in 1991, after losing to Holycross-Ballycahill the previous year. Colm was captain of that victorious side which went on to take Munster club honours before going down to Kiltormer after a three-game classic in the All-Ireland semi-final. On a lesser note he helped the club to their first ever west senior football title in 1990, making it a senior double. He is also the proud possessor of a county junior football medal from 1984. 

Because of his domestic and work commitments Colm transferred to Dunhill, Co. Waterford in 1997 and played with the club for a number of years. He won two divisional intermediate championships with the club, football in 1997 and hurling in 1999. Unfortunately they were beaten in both county finals. 

Colm has an impressive list of honours to his credit but even more impressive is the complete commitment he has given to club and county over a quarter of a century. This made him the most valuable member of any. team. He never gave less than his all and his superior physical fitness ensured that most always he gave more than most. His solo runs and tackling were phenomenal. He was a player so full of courage that he never stood back from anything. On the other hand he was always the fairest of players who never had his name taken by a referee. He played centrefield quite a bit but was probably most at home in the centreback position. He liked nothing better than meeting the ball and taking it out of the air amid a flash of hurleys. His sense of position on the field of play was superb af:his anticipation was uncanny. His contribution Cashel and Tipperary can never be forgotten.

<span class="postTitle">Goalkeepers Galore</span> County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, March 20, 2001

Goalkeepers Galore

County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, March 20, 2001

One of the many fascinating topics dealt with by J.J. Kennedy in his forthcoming history of the West G.A.A. Board, is the succession of goalkeepers from the division who gave sterling service to Tipperary from the late fifties onwards. They included Terry Moloney from Solohead and Arravale Rovers, Donal O'Brien from Kickhams, John O'Donoghue from Arravale Rovers, Peter O'Sullivan from Cashel King Cormac's, John Farrell from Kickhams and John Leamy from Golden-Kilfeacle.

Terry Moloney made his debut in 1959 at the tender age of nineteen. He graduated from minor ranks, having played in goals for the county in 1957 and 1958, winning an All-Ireland in the former year. He was also sub-goalie to John O'Grady on the senior team in 1958. His first senior championship outing wasn't an auspicious one as Tipperary went down to Waterford in the Munster semi-final at the old Athletic Grounds in Cork. It wasn't so much the defeat as the size of it, 9-3 to 3-4! One of the newspaper reports of the game said that 'Poor goalkeeping, allied to weak covering by the fullback line, contributed greatly to the concession of so many goals.'
Moloney, however, retained his position and made amends in the 1960 championship. In the first round against Limerick he was reported as fit, eager and able. For the semi-final against Waterford he conceded two goals but brought off some fine saves. In the famous Munster final against Cork at Limerick, before a record crowd, he gave a sound, at times brilliant display in goal. In the All-Ireland defeat by Wexford he had a capital hour with several spectacular saves to his credit. He continued to play in the Oireachtas and league but he was dropped for the 1961 championship.

His successor, Donal O'Brien, got his chance in the league final against Waterford in May 1961. The reason for the replacement was that Moloney had suffered a knee injury. O'Brien, who was twenty-two years old, had been showing his prowess as a goalkeeper during 1960 with some fine displays for Kickhams. He had been understudy to Moloney all through the 1960 championship and he was now to relegate Moloney to the substitute's bench. O'Brien holds the perfect record of never losing an intercounty championship match. In 1961 he played against Galway in the Munster semi-final, (Galway having won their one and only senior championship game in Munster that year by beating Clare). This was probably the worse game O'Brien played for Tipperary, conceding five goals. According to one report he 'looked a bit leisurely1 on the day. It was a rare off-day for the player. He came back with a bang against Cork in the Munster final, erected a 'closed door' sign for the hour and made a few superb saves from Ring to keep a clean slate. He also played soundly in Tipperary's 'skin of their teeth' victory over Dublin in the All-Ireland.
At the end of the year the G.A.A. columnist, Culbaire, had this to say of his year: 'O'Brien's part in this title win has been no small one and he should fill his responsible berth for the foreseeable future.'

He had an equally successful year in 1962. He played three championship games, against Limerick, Waterford and Wexford. The first two were easy victories. The All-Ireland final was a difficult one and Tipperary eventually won by two points. After one error from a long-distance shot by his Wexford namesake, Jimmy, O'Brien gave a very sound performance, saving raspers and so, after six championship games, O'Brien had two All-Ireland medals. Soon after his second All-Ireland he emigrated to England and later to the U.S. His place was taken for one year by Roger Mounsey of Toomevara.

This year was but a short break before another West goalkeeper came on the scene, John O'Donoghue. He had succeeded Terry Moloney as county minor goalkeeper and had guarded the posts in 1959 and 1960, having the bad luck of losing two All-lrelands. He won a Harty Cup medal with the Abbey School in 1959 and played with U.C.C. By the time he came on the senior team in 1964 he was an experienced player and he was to remain there for seven seasons, 1964-1970. (Interestingly, as he finished with the small ball he started a new career with the big ball and kept goal for the county footballers for six seasons, 1970-75.) He was part of what is regarded as the greatest team ever put out by Tipperary, the 1964-65 All-Ireland side, O'Donoghue was to win two All-Irelands, lose two in 1967 and 1968 and win a third as a sub in 1971.

He was eventually replaced by fellow-West man, Peter O'Sullivan, his understudy for a couple of years, in the second half of the Munster final against Cork at Limerick in 1970. Peter made some spectacular saves that day and established himself in the position. O'Sullivan had come through the minor ranks, playing on goals for the team that lost the 1961 All-Ireland. The following year he was on goal for the county intermediate side beaten by Cork in the championship. He won the All-Ireland in the grade the following year and won the first under-21 All-Ireland in 1964. So, he had plenty of experience when he took over as senior goalkeeper. After winning the All-Ireland in 1971 it seemed as if a long innings stretched into the future for him. However, an unfortunate work accident, in which he was engulfed in flamable, line painting fluid, in 1972 brought his county goal-keeping career to an untimely end.

He wasn't the last of the goalkeepers from the west. There were a number from the north division, Tadgh Murphy, Seamus Shinnors and Pat McLoughney, before the western interest came to the fore again in the person of Kickhams, John Farrell. He had a brief innings, playing on the side defeated by Cork in the first round of the 1982 senior championship at Cork. Earlier he had played on goals for the minors in 1979 and the under-21 side in 1981 and 1982. He had also a U.C.C. dimension winning a couple of Fitzgibbon medals under Fr. O'Brien. After the 1982 championship he continued to play during the league but constantly changing fullback lines during the period undermined his confidence and John Sheedy was the selectors' choice when the 1983 championship came around. Farrell ended up in England, whereto his work with Larry Goodman took him, and he later played with London.

John Leamy was the last goalkeeper from the west to feature in despatches. He was the substitute keeper on the successful 1989 and 1991 teams, serving as understudy to Ken Hogan. Earlier, he won a minor All-Ireland as keeper on the successful 1982 team, and also on the successful under-21 team three years later. He completed the 'grand slam' when he won a junior All-Ireland in 1991, an achievement not many more in the county can claim.

Any treatment of goalkeepers from the West division, who gave service to the county, has to include Cappawhite player, Willie Barry, who was sub to Tony Reddin on the victorious 1949 team. The tradition of goalkeeping in the family lived on in Willie's son, Mike, who played on goals on the Cappawhite minor and under-21 teams, which won county finals in 1965, and in Willie's grandson, Richie, who guarded the net on the Cappawhite under-21 team, which won the county title in 2000.

<span class="postTitle">The Foot and Mouth Outbreak in Tipperary in 1941</span> County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, March 13, 2001

The Foot and Mouth Outbreak in Tipperary in 1941

County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, March 13, 2001

The following letter, which appeared in The Tipperary Star' on May 31, 1941 gives some insight into the deeply distressing experience the outbreak of Foot and Mouth had on the people of Ballingarry in that year. 'If I live to be very old it will never leave my mind, the horror of this infection in our parish, to see beautiful cows going out in all their health, giving us bucketfuls of milk and then - I used to cry morning and evening the week they were shot. You have no idea how attached people are to cows and little calves. Dry stock and pigs do not appeal so much to our feelings. To make it harder for us we never had better yearlings. There are people worse off than us, poor farmers starting the world with young families.' There was more in that vein.
The outbreak reached its peak in South Tipperary in May. On the 24th of the month it was reported that there were forty-one cases in the seven-day period. John Vaughan of Mullinahone remembers how they were wiped out. All their thirty-six stock, plus some pigs and four sheep were put down. The army came in with picks and shovels and dug a trench at the side of a field. They made a ramp down into it and the larger cattle were driven down, where they were shot. The smaller animals were shot beside the trench and thrown in. All were covered with lime and the trench filled in.

In the letter mentioned above the writer continues: The soldiers are very considerate. They hate the job but know that it is for the country's good, and they have got to do it. Some of them are very affected when they are shooting the cattle.'

The first outbreak was reported in Derry in January and the disease quickly spread across the border into Donegal. The next report was Abbeyleix and then Dublin was hit. In early February two cattle delivered to the fair in Birkenhead were found to have it and, when traced, were found to have been purchased in the fair at Birr. In the middle of February the Government issued an order forbidding fairs and markets in ten counties, including North and South Tipperary because of their proximity to Birr.

Although no outbreaks were confirmed in the county, the Government issued a standstill order in North Tipperary towards the end of the month. It prohibited the movement of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and forbade the movement along the public highways of milch cows even for the purpose of milking. This was to create great difficulties and much non-compliance.

The first outbreak in Tipperary was announced about the middle of March and a second, on the farm of Thomas L. Vincent, Riverstown, was reported a week later. No more outbreaks were reported and there was a rumour of the easing of restrictions early in April. In fact it was reported on April 12 that the North Tipperary Agriculture Committee complained they were not getting a fair crack of the whip in the movement of cattle. A licence scheme had been introduced but it forbade the sending of cattle to Limerick, Cork and Kerry, which were the regular outlets for stock from Tipperary.

The main news during April was the issuing of summonses for breaches of the regulations. A number of cases were heard at Templemore, Urlingford and Borrisileigh. Most of then concerned people driving their cows home to be milked. More were summoned for allowing their cattle to wander. On April 26 it was reported there were many cases up for consideration in Roscrea and as many as eighty-five in Nenagh court.

Racing and the public sale of horses had been banned as early as March. The North Tipperary County Council wrote a letter to the Minister for Agriculture in April calling for greater restrictions on many sporting events which hadn't been cancelled. The Minister replied that he didn't want to interfere with people's enjoyment but it was up to the council to make representations to the promoters of events.

After the lull came the storm. The arrival of May brought disaster to the county. In the second week there were eleven outbreaks, ten in Ballingarry and one in Mullinahone. Creameries and schools were closed. We get the first mention of the cancellation of G.A.A. matches. All games schedules for Littleton, Moyne and Carrick-on-Suir for May 18 were called off. Interestingly, the first editorial on the disease in the Tipperary Star appeared the same week. Between May 17 and 24 Ballingarry was stricken with forty-one outbreaks. Many of the animals had been fed infected milk. There was a possibility that one hundred and seventy-four farms would be infected and over two thousand cattle destroyed.

There was a meeting of the county board of the G.A.A. on May 20 and it was decided to stop all county matches. No teams were to leave the county. There was a request to the Munster Council to postpone the Waterford-Tipperary senior hurling championship game. On May 31 fourteen more cases were reported.

The game, a first round tie, scheduled for Thurles on June 1, was postponed and eventually played on the last Sunday in July. Tipperary won by 4-7 to 3-4. They were to play Cork in the Munster semi-final at Limerick on August 17 but the match was called off the previous Monday by order of the Department of Agriculture. Tipperary, and other counties affected by the disease, wanted the G.A.A. to put back the All-Ireland hurling final, but Central Council would not agree. The council ruled that teams be nominated and if a nominated team won the All-Ireland that team would be awarded the 1941 championship.

The Munster Council decided that Cork and Limerick should play off for the right to represent the province in the All-Ireland. It was also agreed that the winners would play Tipperary later in the Munster final. Limerick had already qualified for the final as a result of victory over Clare. Cork easily won and qualified for the All-Ireland final. In Leinster Dublin were nominated because Kilkenny, their opponents in the Leinster final, were also barred because of the extent of the disease in the county. Dublin defeated Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final at Roscrea on September 14 by two points.

The All-Ireland was played at Croke Park on September 28, As the date suggests the final was already four weeks late. Cork had an easy victory, winning by 5-11 to 0-6. The delayed Munster final was eventually played at Limerick on October 26 and Tipperary had a convincing victory over the All-Ireland champions by 5-4 to 2-5. Dublin won the delayed Leinster final against Kilkenny by 2-8 to 1-8 on the first Sunday of October.

In minor hurling Cork and Tipperary qualified for the Munster final but Cork were nominated for the All-Ireland semi­final because Tipperary couldn't travel because of the travel ban. Cork went on to win the All-Ireland and they won the delayed Munster final when they defeated Tipperary by 4-6 to 3-3 on the same day as the delayed senior final. In senior football Tipperary were forced to withdraw after defeating Waterford in the first round.

The county championships were also delayed by the outbreak of the disease. Castleiney-Loughmore won the mid football final on November 23 and Arravale Rovers won the south on December 7. In the county semi-final on March 29, 1942 Arravale Rovers defeated a West Selection by 5-5 to 0-4. The final was played on April 12, 1942 and Arravale Rovers beat Castleiney-Loughmore by 3-4 to 1-0 at Golden.

The senior hurling championship wasn't as badly delayed. In fact the north final was played at Borrisokane on August 24 with Roscrea victorious over Kilruane. Killenaule automatically became south champions because their opponents failed to field teams. Boherlahan won the mid on October 5 and Eire Og won the west two weeks later. Boherlahan defeated Roscrea in the county semi-final on October 19 and Eire Og defeated Killenaule on November 16. The final was played at Thurles on November 30 with victory going to Boherlahan by 2-2 to 0-6 for Eire Og. It was Boherlahan's last county senior hurling title until 1996.

In all there were an estimated five-hundred and sixty cases of the disease in ten counties over eight months. Foot and Mouth resulted in the enforced slaughter of over nineteen thousand cattle and five thousand sheep during the outbreak.

<span class="postTitle">Tomas O'Laoi (1905-2001) - A Major Figure</span> County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, March 6, 2001

Tomas O'Laoi (1905-2001) - A Major Figure

County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, March 6, 2001

There's a story told about Tom Lee from the sixties. It was the period of the NFA marches to Dublin, about the time that Charlie Haughey was Minister for Agriculture. A number of farmers were picketing in Kildare Street, Dublin when one of them noticed a man walking the footpath on the other side of the street. He shouted to the others: There's the man who beat us in 1928!'

The speaker was none other than John Joe Sheehy, the former Kerry footballer. The man he was pointing to was Tom Lee, then an inspector in the Department of Education. The match he was referring to was played in Tipperary Town on July 8, 1928, the last time a Tipperary senior football team defeated Kerry in a Munster championship game. Tom Lee, playing at centrefield, contributed significantly to Tipperary's victory on that day.

Born in Lisvernane in the Glen of Aherlow in 1905, Tom Lee was the second last of a family of nine. (The last, Monsignor Christopher Lee, Cashel is still alive and will be ninety years on March 26.) He went to Lisvernane National School, where his father, Chris Lee, was principal. Before him the grandfather, Tom Christ Lee, held the position and the young boy had taken his name from the grandfather.

After national school Tom spent five years as a boarder in Rockwell College, 1917-1922. His arrival there coincided with a dramatic change in the outlook of the college. Fr. Johnny Byrne became President of Rockwell in 1916. He was inbued with things Irish and under his guidance rugby and cricket gave way to football and hurling. No rugby was played between October 1917 and September 1925. Tom once related how an old rugby ball was placed on a tree stump with the inscription: 'We refuse to kick this.' The boys played gaelic football from September to Christmas and hurling from Christmas to summer. Rockwell won the Munster schools' senior football cup (Corn Ui Mhuiri) and the senior hurling cup (Harty Cup) in 1918.

Tom Lee, coming from the Glen of Aherlow, was firstly a footballer. But he showed his prowess in other areas as well. In his last year he captained the hurling and football teams but also the athletics team. The college didn't win in hurling or football but they sent a team of six athletes to Croke Park and brought back the College of Science trophy. This was the last year that athletics were organised by the G.A.A. and Tom's contribution to Rockwell's victory was a personal tally of four gold and two silver medals.

But if he excelled on the field of play, Tom Lee was also outstanding academically. After completing his secondary education he went on to U.C.C. on a scholarship, where he completed his B.A. and an M.A. in history. He was the first student to do his thesis through Irish. While in UCC he played football, winning Sigerson Cup medals in 1922, 1924 and 1925. He also played hurling, captaining the college team to victory in the Fitzgibbon Cup in 1925. In 1926 he played for St. Finbarr's and won a Cork senior hurling championship when the team sensationally defeated Blackrock in the final after scoring four goals in the last six minutes to turn a deficit of eleven points into a single point victory. He played with Cork also until he was persuaded by Johnny Leahy to declare for his native Tipperary.

Tipperary's victory over Kerry in the 1928 Munster semi-final was a bit of a sensation. Hopes weren't too bright beforehand. Tipperary football had been decimated by emigration for a number of years beforehand. In a preview of the game the Tipperary Star1 admitted that Kerry would be favourites but it detected a few hopeful signs in Tipp's chances. One was the addition of Tom McCarthy, a robust member of the Garda Siochana, who captained Dublin the previous year. Con Keane of Cashel, better know as a hurler, was also a good footballer. The preview continued: Further powerful aid to the Tipp side will be lent by the services of Tom Lee, that brilliant footballer from 'the Glen'. During his time in U.C.C. he played consistently good football and he has already done wonderful work in inter-county games for the old county. Tipperary can regard itself as being lucky to have him to-morrow.' Tipperary won by 1-7 to 2-3. A number of factors contributed to the victory. The selection committee had made a good choice. The team stuck to its task with determination for a gruelling 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 defence of the home backs who held out against desperate onslaughts from the visitors in the second half.

However, it was a kind of pyrrhic victory. Although the game could not be described as dirty, Tipperary had four injured players. Two of them, Jim Davey and Tom McCarthy, never played again. Tipperary went into the final against Cork at Dungarvan on August 5 a bit over-confident. But they didn't perform on the day, showed none of the fighting qualities they displayed against Kerry and were well-beaten by 4-3 to 0-2.

Tom Lee recalled the game in an interview some years ago: 'I have very unhappy memories of that match. I was very tired (having stayed in Ring on Saturday night and walked with Micheal O Cionnghaola 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 full-back 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 know what was going on and didn't blow his whistle. A Cork forward ran in and fisted the deflated ball to the net. We remonstrated but to no avail. The flag was put us and the goal stood. We lost the match.'

Lee's prowess as a footballer was recognised the following year when he was picked on the Munster Railway Cup team. He had to play in the half-forward line because Kerry wanted their own centrefield. He kept passing the ball but the Kerry forwards didn't make much use of it and Munster were beaten. He continued to play for Tipperary for a number of years.

Meanwhile, Tom Lee, having completed his studies in Cork decided to go to St. Patrick's Teacher Training College in Dublin to train as a primary teacher. His father was intending to retire in 1930 and desired Tom to take his place. Because of his degrees he had to spend only one year in St. Pat's. He returned in 1928 as assistant to his father in Lisvemane and, when the father retired in 1930, was appointed to succeed him by the Parish Priest. However, the Department of Education wouldn't sanction it because he hadn't the required five years experience for the job. But, the P.P. persisted and he eventually got departmental approval.

But, he didn't remain long in the position. In 1932 he was requested by St. Patrick's to take up the position of Professor of History and Geography in the college as the authorities were introducing the study of subjects through Irish and Tom was admirably qualified. He remained there for a number of years before he was appointed a departmental inspector, based in Cork, in which job he remained until he retired. And, even after that he took up another job in oral Irish in U.C.C.!

When he returned to St. Patrick's in 1932 he played football with the college team, Erin's Hope, and they won a Dublin county championship in that year. What is significant about this victory is that it was only the second time the team had won the championship. The first time was in 1887, the first year it was played. There was an interesting family connection with that team. Tom Lee's father, Chris, was a founder of that team, was responsible for its name and had played in the championship!

Tom Lee was a major figure. As well as a scholar and academic, he had a great love of the Irish language and an intense devotion to it. He was strongly devoted to the Catholic Church and emphasised that devotion in his life. He had a love of Gaelic culture and games and promoted them through his playing and support of them. He was quite a musician, an accomplished flute player and he moved easily from the traditional to the classical. He sang a song well and composed ballads and poems. He was also the outdoor type and enjoyed many an hour catching trout or shooting game. He was an all-round man in the mould of a Renaissance figure.

Tom Lee was laid to rest in St. Oliver's Cemetery, Model Farm Road, near Ballincollig on February 23, 2001. The Tipperary county board was represented by chairman, Con Hogan. His contribution to Tipperary football was recognised by the presence of Michael Frawley, chairman of the football board, Michael Power, treasurer, Hugh Kennedy, past chairman, Pat Moroney, county coaching officer, Tom and declan Ryan, Clonoulty, and Dick Cummins, Fethard. They came to say goodbye to a major figure and to the last surviving member of the team that conquered Kerry in the 1928 Munster senior football championship.

<span class="postTitle">Rockwell College 1919-1920</span> Rockwell College Annual 2001-2002, pp 153-157

Rockwell College 1919-1920

Rockwell College Annual 2001-2002, pp 153-157

When the boys returned on September 4th, they were greeted with major re-construction on the bathrooms. They had been "cleaned up, wainscotted and cemented." The old system of steam-heating had been replaced by a tap that supplied hot water direct to the baths. There were now only two bathrooms for the boys instead of three but the new hot water supply ensured that the two baths worked "more expeditiously than three did heretofore." Gas had been laid on in the bathrooms. The third bath was to be installed in one of the dormitories. Later, on November 28th, there is a related entry in the Journal: "Our plumbers were busy setting up a second hot water tank. This one is for the parlour bathrooms." 

The Superior of the Community and the President of the College was FatherJohn Byrne with Father John Kingston as Bursar. The Director of the Juniorate was Father P. Walsh, the Dean of Studies Father J. McGrath and his counterpart in Discipline, Father D. Leen. Fr. J. N. Muller was in charge of music and Father P. McAllister took charge of Liturgy or, to use the term in use at that time, was "Prefect of Worship." Father J. O'Neill looked after the Journal. The position of Librarian was vacant due to the departure of Father M. Meagher and the position was not filled until October 24th, 1920 by Fr. J. McCarthy. 

The other members of the Community were Fathers Cotter, Schmidt, Colgan, Peter Meagher, Egan and Meyer. Two other priests, Fathers Gogarty and Cleary, spent some time in the Community during the course of the year while they were home on vacation from overseas missions. The prefects were Messrs. Heelan, McCarthy, Egan, Finnegan, Mansfield, White, Liston, Neville, Maguire and Butler. It is interesting to note that the latter group numbered a future College President and two Bishops among their number - Father Andrew Egan, Bishop Daniel Liston (Mauritius) and Bishop Eugene Butler (Mombasa). 

There were changes among the lay teachers. Messrs. Curran and Friel "have had their services dispensed with. We are not given any reason." In contrast, Mr. O'Neill, who was suspended the previous year for republican activity had returned. The others were Messrs Ryan, Harte and Gallagher. Later a Mr. McGinnity came as a Science Professor. His predecessor in that post, Father John English, had gone to Trinidad where he spent the rest of his life, apart from a three-year period (1939-1942) as President of Blackrock College. He was from New Inn and died in 1959. 

According to the Journal, "the Brother are as last year, except that Brother Eusebius is with them and helps to clean the Chapel and Sacristy. For the moment, Brother Canice is acting as mason repairing some walls, his place in the Fathers' Refectory being taken by a servant." It is reported on October 4th that Brother Canice had finished the badly-needed repairs to the wall bounding the CashelCahir road. 

The boys returned in dribs and drabs. Initially, there were 140 boarders and 35 Scholastics but the number of boarders had climbed to 1902 by September 12th. They were gradually introduced to classes. On the first day back, there were six 10-minute classes and full class did not resume until Monday, September 8th. 

The Junior Grade Pass lists arrived on September 12th. "Very good. Rockwell's percentage is 80 as against all Ireland's 51." A week later, the Prize List arrived. Rockwell won 13 distinctions which included 3 exhibitions, 2 composition prizes and 8 book prizes, 'an advance on last year's", according to the writer of the Journal but not as good as they used to be and he refers back to 1911 when a total of 39 Distinctions was achieved. The boys' Retreat was given by Fr. Sylvester. It started on September 17th and continued to September 21st. When Fr. Sylvester departed on that day, the boys gave him a "parting cheer." 

After the rigours of the Retreat and the success in the exams, the boys were given a free day on September 22nd. It was rather cold and showery. "The boys after lunch went for a picnic to the Rock where they dined. They went to the cinema pictures 4 till 6 and came home for tea. There was a soiree later." 

A matter of concern at the end of September was the great Railway strike in England over the standardisation question. There was fear that it might extend to Ireland and with public transport so dependent on the railways this would have been disastrous. In fact, there a was a spin-off. We read on October 6th: "Mr. Heelan left to take up duty in Blackrock but missed his train at Goulds Cross. There was none in Cashel, as train service was curtailed owing to coal shortage resulting from strike." Fortunately, the strike came to an end the previous day. 

There was a death in the community towards the end of October. Brother Gontran Meehan, a Donegal man, was 70 years of age and had spent most of his life in the various communities of the Irish Province. He was declining for some time and eventually expired on October 24th. There was a Solemn Requiem Mass offered the following day for the repose of his soul and he was buried in the Community Cemetery a day later. 

October was a dry month. On October 21st, we read that the lake was almost dry. A week later, the entry reads: "Fr. Colgan has been taking advantage of the lake's being almost dry and has been busy scooping out the alluvial deposit of years." The job was left unfinished. An entry for March 2nd reads: "Piles of alluvium dug up from the lake bed during the drought have been lying on the bank ever since. They have begun carting it away now." 

There are not many references to the farm but on November 12th, the Journal records that "an Inspector from the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction came to watch the threshing of some of our grain which had been grovn in demonstration plots, ie., for which the Department had supplied seed." Towards the end of the year, we are informed tha Fr. Kingston, the Bursar, went to Cork to secure the services of a dairy-maid. She arrived on June 4th and "she is to be housed in Keogh's". The entry for May 11th tells us that a new fowl-house and hen-run were completed and good stock of white Leghorns "put in possession". 

The Christmas exams began on December 15th and finished at 11 a.m. on Wednesday but there was no rushing home. The boys packed their trunks that afternoon and had tea at 6 p.m. Then they assembled in the study for the results, which were read out at 7 p.m. A soiree in study followed until 8.30. Then bed." The following morning the boys left for the holidays. 

The Community prepared for Christmas. The crib was completed on December 22nd but did not please everyone. 'It is very artistic, except for the falling snow effect,  and "Fr. McAllister departed for the North, leaving word that the crib snow storm was be put an end to." There was High Mass at 9 a.m. on Christmas morning. Following dinner, there was Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 3 p.m. "The evening was spent in pleasant homely fashion around the parlour fire, with songs galore, an with de Valera's health to wind up the proceedings." 

The writer of the Journal changes to Irish from December 27th until January 11th. One the entries refers to a Church Door collection on January, 4th for the starving childern of Europe. It realised £7 2s 6d. 

There was news of a disaster on January 16th. Information came of the foundering of "L'Afrique" in the Bay of Biscay. The community's worst fears were confirmed a few days later with the news that seventeen members of the Congregation, a bishop (Msgr. Hyacinthe Jalabert, ten Fathers and six Brothers) as well as an agrege had perished in the tragedy. The Journal said that "it recalls the tragedy of  the eruption of Mount Pele, Martinique. R.I.P.' - a reference to the volcanic eruption on the Caribbean island in 1902 when many members of the Congregation lost their lives. 

On Father Libermann's Day, February 2nd, there was a conference of Fathers, Brothers, Prefects and Scholastics in the Billiard Room. The main speaker was Dr. Edward Leen (brother of Father Dan Leen, Dean of Discipline in Rockwell and Archbishop James Leen). In his paper, he drew a parallel between St. Paul and Fr. Libermann. "A fine conference, though perhaps in parts too much charged with metaphysics and ascetic theology to suit the grasp of all the audience." 

There was an unusual development in early February - a strike by the boys. The entry in the Journal for February 4th reads: 'The boys, in protest against the cutting down of their allowance of sauce ('jollybowl') at dinner, went on a hunger-strike at tea-time. There was no disorder, however, and study went on as usual 8-10." The boys' protest did not last long. The entry for the following day is curious: "The boys took breakfast as usual and after it stated they were content. One boy, W. Ryan, publicly announcing that he was discontented, was there and then expelled." However, the strike must have had an effect. The final entry reads: "The allowance of sauce was increased." 

On February 7th, Fr. Leen, the Dean of Discipline, went to Mallow, to arrange the Harty Cup hurling ties. Rockwell was drawn against Thurles. This game was played at Cashel on March 21st. Rockwell won a good match by 5-7 to 4-4. The semifinal, against Christians of Limerick, was played at Thurles on April 25th. "They had hard luck in being defeated by 4 goals 1 point to 2 goals 4 points. Seemingly quickness and intelligence in play stood to the victors." The entry for the following day is "The boys were rather depressed over yesterday's defeat." 

There was a lot of tree-felling in February. It began in the front of the kitchen and refectories. It continued for a couple of weeks and finished with a bang on March 4th. "The last of the trees to be felled in the front came down today, smashing the cross-cut and a fine ornamental shrub in its downfall." 

A new Education Bill, which did not find favour with the Church, was published in March. Cardinal Logue directed that a Novena be offered. The Novena began in Rockwell on March 8th with Rosary, Litany of the Saints and Benediction. The prayers continued with an hour's Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass on Passion Sunday, March 21st. After the Mass, the parents signed the following resolution: "We, the undersigned parents of the parish, emphatically deny the right of the British Government to foist upon an unwilling people an irreligious Education Act which is manifestly opposed to all Catholic Irish ideals." The prayers worked as an entry of March 28th testifies: 'News came that the Education Bill is dead. The Novena then was not in vain." 

This was the time of payment by results in Irish education. As a consequence of the Intermediate Certificate results, the Capitation Fees were paid out. The amount of £460 arrived on December 19th and was much less than would have been the case "in old times". According to the writer of the Journal, "The scale of Capitation Grant is being whittled down steadily year by year." Another entry on March 27th, gives us further information on contemporary grants to Irish education. "The Duke and Birrell Grant came and brings our total grant from Intermediate sources up to £1,500." 

The supply of sugar, was precarious. In the middle of March, the supply ran out for the first time since the war began "but only for a day and a half." Another entry for March 30th reads "Sugar supplies again ran out." 

In April the Transport Union declared a general strike in support of the Mounjoy prisoners. The latter, to the number of 104, went on hunger strike on April 8th to protest against their being imprisoned without trial and being treated, not as political prisoners, but as criminals. The Government declared they would not yield and that the strikers might kill themselves if they wished. The entry in the Journal for April 13th is as follows : "No second post nor papers. The Rockwell labourers did not go out." Matters had changed by the following day "No mails today. The Rockwell labourers had to join the strikers." 

The strike made an impact. The entry on April 15th is as follows: "The Government surrendered last evening, seemingly through dread of the strikes spreading to England. The prisoners were released unconditionally. Postal delivery resumed in the afternoon." 

One strike was no sooner ended when another commenced. The entry for April 19th is as follows: "Owing to a Creamery labourers' grievance our hands were called out on strike today. An arrangement was come to at midday on the basis of outdoor labourers getting 40 shillings a week an indoor 21 shillings. The men returned: work at 12. They had arranged to milk the cows and fodder the cattle in the mornings even if the strike continues.'

There was still another strike that had an impact on the College. Early in May notice was given of a general strike by lay Secondary teachers to enforce their demand of 140% advance on pre-war salaries. The entry for May 8th reads: "Our lay-professors are perfectly satisfied but they must act with their Union. Mr. McGinnity is the only non-Union lay-professor." 

The strike was averted by a compromise arrived at in Dublin between the Catholic Headmasters' Association an' the Assistant Lay Teachers' Association. "As regards our staff, it amounts to an increase of 340: viz. £75 of gross increase but keep is reckoned at £65 instead of £30 per annum. Christian Brothers did not consent so their lay-teachers went on strike." 

There were many entries relating to bad weather during the year but it eventually came good towards the end of May. The entry for May 25th is encouraging. "The weather was superb. The boys had their first swim yesterday. One of them, E. Delaney, got into difficulties and had to be fished out. The Galaxy of ten boys, with Dr. E. Leen and Fr. M. Meagher, went in two motors to Melleray." The Galaxy was to have gone a week before but the plans fell through owing to the motor cars' failing to turn up. 

The end of the year arrived. On June 14th, the non-Intermediate boys to the number of 115, of whom 15 were scholastics, departed leaving behind 86 boarders and 19 scholastics. One of the lay-professors, Mr. Ryan, left to take up superintending in Wesley College. There were two examination centres in the College, as against three the previous year. "We are not having a Matriculation Centre here this year. The boys will sit their Matric at Dublin, Cork, Limerick etc." The Matric. Scholastics went to Blackrock. 

A few other entries to round off the picture of the year:

September 13th: "Mr. Harte had a nasty haemorrhage from the lung. luckily it proved neither obdurate nor recurrent. September 14th: "Fr. Schmidt gets word that he is no longer an enemy alien, but simply an alien and is free to go where he likes for any period not exceeding 3 months. For some months back, Co. Tipp for a radius of 15 miles from Tipperary town has been a military area. The whole county is now under martial law and all fairs, markets and assemblies are prohibited." September 28th: "Summer time ends tonight. The whole country is now keeping standard Greenwich time." February 9th: We began to read in the Refectory : "Two Centuries of Irish History" by R. Barry O'Brien. May 23rd: "News came that a past student, John McCormick, was mortally wounded in a duel in the Argentine. He had been expelled in connection with the strike in 1911."

<span class="postTitle">Jim Stapleton, Solohead (1930-2001)</span> County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, June 27, 2001

Jim Stapleton, Solohead (1930-2001)

County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, June 27, 2001

The death took place recently of one of the major figures in the G.A.A. in Solohead, Jim Stapleton. he ws a father figure in the club, was well thought of and was a kind of ambassador to the West division and to the wider Assiciation in the county and beyond.

He came from a distinguished family. His father, Sean Stapleton, who hailed from Oola and inherited an uncle's farm in Solohead, was a founder member of the West Board in 1930. He was also a referee of note. Another claim to fame is that he turned his adopted club to hurling. Taditionally a football stronghold Solohead adapted to hurling under his influence and won a number of South championships before the West Board was founded. 

Jim Stapleton was both a hurler and a footballer. His first success came in 1949 when he won a west junior hurling title with Solohead. Two more hurling titles followed during the fifties, in 1955 and 1959. In the latter year the county championship was also won. A big man, Jim played at full-back or cornerback in these successes. 

He also enjoyed football success. Junior football titles were won in 1954 and 1955. After winning in 1954 Solohead made an impassioned plea at the West convention that Solohead was a small club and couldn't possibly be promoted. Their pleadings were listened to and they were allowed to stay junior. When they won again in 1955 other clubs were none too pleased and they were forced to go senior. They joined Lattin in a combination team and enjoyed senior football divisional success in 1956 and 1957. 

Before his playing career was finished he had already taken up refereeing and refereed widely in West Tipperary and Limerick. He was an effective referee, commanding respect and exuding authority. He was likely to get any match that seemed likely to blow up and could effectively control it. In the course of time his remit ran to county games. He was also recognised at intercounty level, taking charge of National Hurling League games, and he refereed at least one senior championship game, between Limerick and Waterford. 

He was a county senior hurling selector during the great years of the late fifties and sixties. According to report there was no West selector until 1958. In that year the West convention made its choice and this fell to Tony Brennan, who wasn't in attendance at convention. Their second choice was Jim and when Tony declined the position, Jim got it and was selector during the glory years of 1958 to 1968. Tipperary played in eight AII-Irelands during these eleven years, winning five of them. Oh! that such decades would come again! 

Jim's involvement with the G.A.A. outside never curtailed his involvement with Solohead. He was very much involved in the purchase of the field in 1980. He was a trustee of the field. He was a man that people turned to for advice. A man of gentle disposition, he didn't make enemies. 

Married to Mary Kennedy of Tipperary Town, the couple had five children, four boys and a girl.

Jim worked for the Department of Agriculture, initially in Mullingar, later in Dovea and West Limerick, and latterly in Tipperary Town. A patriotic man, like his father, Jim was a long time member of the FCA, where he achieved a high rank. His death was sudden. He was driving his car two days beforehand. One of the last G.A.A. functions he attended was the launch of the West Board history at Dundrum on May 25. It was fitting that he was present because he contributed in no small way to that history. 

<span class="postTitle">A Conjunction of Dated Irish Cliches</span> County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, April 17, 2001

A Conjunction of Dated Irish Cliches

County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, April 17, 2001

Where would you find the following? "After the hurlers left the field yesterday, Gaelic football teams named after County Kerry and County Tyrone immediately took the field. The game includes elements of soccer, rugby and barroom brawling. As the two teams battled, the long-time Kerry team chaplain, the Rev. George McGowan, sat inside at the end of he bar, his cane hanging on the bar top. Told that Kerry was winning, he smiled. His locker room prayer session was working.'

Answer: The New York Times, April 9, 2001 ! It's a report of a visit to Gaelic Park by their reporter the previous Sunday. It made me cringe. It was so cliched, so out of date, so sickening. I read the same kind of crap in American newspapers in the 1920s and here it was all repeated. I immediately sent a letter of protest to the newspaper. At this moment I don't know if they will publish it.

Perhaps I may have been over-reacting, but I wasn't. I met Ian Conroy, and his brother Niall, on Tuesday and they were equally disgusted. 'Who does he think we are?, a reference to the writer, Corey Kilgallon. 'It's the same old rubbish that you get about the Irish in this country." Ian, who gave fine service to Tipperary hurling during the first half of the eighties, emigrated to New York about 1986 and has made a success in business in the city. Since he arrived he played hurling with Tipperary and won three New York championships before he retired in 1997. Also a footballer of note, he won a number of championships with Donegal in that code during the same period.

But, another sample from Kilgallon's article: 'Muddy, bloody players hacked furiously with crude wood sticks at a whizzing ball. Technically, this was only a scrimmage between two New York hurling teams but, in fact, coaches were watching closely to select the best players to form a New York squad to compete next month against a team visiting from Ireland's County Down in the All-Ireland hurling championship'.
 

All-Ireland Championship

This is an interesting development for New York hurling, the chance of participating in the All-Ireland championship. Ian Conroy told me his last outing as a hurler was on the New York team, beaten badly by Galway in a 1997 All-Ireland quarter-final. He does not believe that New York have enough talent at the moment to upset Down. There are at least four Tipperary players on the panel. They include Owen Cummins of Fethard, who won an All-Ireland junior medal with his native county in 1991 , John Madden of Lorrha, who has given long and distinguished service to the game in New York for a long number of years, and Michael and Kevin Kennedy of Toomevara.
Gaelic games are going through something of a renaissance in New York in the last couple of years. The difficulties with Gaelic Park have been sorted out. In the early nineties as a result of a dispute between the G.A.A. and the John Kerry O'Donnell family in the Park, the lease was lost to Manhattan College. The G.A.A. tried a couple of options but they didn't work out. In the end they came back to Gaelic Park as leasers from Manhattan College. This means that the Association have the use of it for so many Sundays during the year. The franchise for the bars remains with the O'Donnell family. Under Manhattan College certain improvements have been made to the field but it remains poorly developed. The most important thing is that the G.A.A. has a home, albeit a leased one.
 

A Permanent G.A.A. Home?

Having said that it is important to report that some of the powers that be are thinking in terms of the idea of a permanent G.A.A. home in the New York area. Ian Conroy told me of an interesting development which brought together five hundred people of Irish extraction who were willing to put up $10,000 each in a golfing development. The question many are posing at the moment is as follows: if five hundred people are willing to put up so much money to develop a golf course, surely there are more people than that to put up money for the development of a proper G.A.A. facility! There is hope, but we have to wait and see. A major development has been the attraction of sponsorship. Budweiser rowed in last year with substantial sponsorship, $134,000. The stipulation is that only their beer can be sold in the bar in Gaelic Park. This was an important breakthrough. However, the number of people attending matches in the place is on the small side and something will have to be done to swell attendances before other sponsors will be attracted.
 

More Cliches

'One Tipperary native, a star hurler named Owen Cummins, snatched a piece of dirt from the field and waved it in the sign of the cross as he sprinted on. 20/04/01 'Now you're hurlin' lads,' yelled John McHugh, an assistant coach on the sidelines.' Did you ever see a player taking the field, signing himself with a bit of dirt? I wasn't able to contact Cummins, but I feel it's most unlikely. Perhaps a piece of colour exaggeration.

And the next paragraph from Kilgallon: 'After the game, Cummins wiped the blood off his face to pose for a photograph. There is nothing gentle about hurling, where most of the action involves jarring contact with other players and their hurleys, the three-foot playing sticks used to hit the game's hard ball, called a sliotair, into an oppenent's goal.' I thought we had new rules for blood injuries, that the player had to be removed to the sideline and the wound treated before he could resume play? Obviously not, according to Corey Kilgallon!

There is plenty of blood in this report. Sometimes it sounds like a war. 'Outside the locker room, a woman in a tan raincoat over a white nurse's uniform examined and fussed over players as they hobbled out of the game. The woman, Theresa Crowe, has worked in many of Manhatten's best hospitals, but for twenty-five years she has been the unofficial on-field surgeon for the players at Gaelic Park, stitching up players quickly enough for them to dash back on the field. Most players refuse pain killers, she explained, but they cannot stand watching her sew. 'As tough as they are, Irishmen hate needles,' explained Ms.Crowe, who is from Tipperary.'

I telephoned Theresa Crowe, who hails from Thurles and is a first cousin of Paddy Crowe of Cashel, lately deceased. She thought the piece over the moon. She didn't recall saying that Irishmen hate needles. She is a registered nurse from Cornell School of Nursing, with specialisation in oncology and orthopaedics.

Theresa Crowe

'How did you get involved in Gaelic Park?' I asked her. She went to New York in 1962 and with many other Irish in the city, went to Gaelic Park every Sunday. One day during a match a player went down injured. He was about to be moved but she realised he was in a dangerous position. She shouted to leave him be and went in and strapped his leg with a couple a hurleys. John Kerry O'Donnell, who was present, was impressed and, in the course of time, she was appointed first medical officer in Gaelic Park. Still later she was appointed auditor and she is currently a trustee. She was also the first woman to attend G.A.A. Congress as a delegate. At the moment she is vice-president of the New York Tipperary Hurling Club. The president is Michael Ryan from Upperchurch.

The fortunes of Tipperary teams have improved in the last few years. The club won the junior and senior New York championships last year. It's probably the best club at the moment. Theresa herself got further recognition this year when she won the G.A.A. Guest of Honour Award, the first woman to receive the award.

We'll leave the final word to Corey Kilgallon: 'For the last 75 years, this (Gaelic Park) humble bit of turf on Broadway at 240th Street in Riverdale, the Bronx, has been the home field to New York's main Irish sports league, the Gaelic Athletic Association, and a fixture for New York's Irish
population.'

He concluded by saying: 'Go Kerry!', yelled a fan through the rain. Then another shouted: 'Go,
Ireland!'

According to Ian Conroy he never heard an Irishman speak like that: 'It's pure American!', he
added. And, I'd agree.

<span class="postTitle">Eileen Shine - Camas Park & Cashel</span> The Nationalist 2001

Eileen Shine - Camas Park & Cashel

The Nationalist 2001

Recuperating at her home in Boherclough Street, Cashel at the moment is eighty-nine year old Eileen Shine. She returned home about three weeks ago after ten months of care in a nursing home.

Her ordeal began nearly twelve months ago when returning from Clonmel by car. Driving too close to the side of the road in order to avoid an oncoming car, her vehicle toppled into a dyke and she was well and truly shook up. However, she insisted on coming home, being the independent spirit she is.

One of the effects of her accident was an occasional blackout. Her only surviving relation, a cousin from Northern Ireland, came down to see her and took her out to the Cashel Palace Hotel for lunch. After the meal she had a blackout coming down the steps of the hotel, fell heavily, was unconscious for about eight hours and ended up in hospital. After coming to she was sent home.
However, all wasn’t right. She had hurt her back, her ribs were sore and Dr. Ryan sent her for an X-ray, which revealed they were broken. She ended up in Acorn Lodge and, after ten months there, was thoroughly fed up and insisted on coming home. She is happier now, even if she hasn’t full use of herself and moves about with a walking aid.

Camas Park
 

Most of her long life has been spent in Cashel. Born at Camas Park in 1912, she was the only daughter of Major David and Helen (nee Sayers) Shine. Her father fought in the Boer War. She had two brothers, both of whom joined the Royal Airforce, and both of whom were killed in World War II.

Eileen had a happy childhood at Camas Park. She went to the Deanery School, which was then located on the left side of the Cashel Palace Hotel gates. There were about thirty children in the school and she remained there until she was eleven.

She was sent to boarding school at Celbridge – the school is now a hotel – and she hated it. She played hockey, basketball and tennis. She got home for holidays at Christmas and summer, travelling by train to Gouldscross and changing for Cashel. The students didn’t get home as Easter as the headmistress claimed students always returned at that time of the year with infections and diseases. The food was good but monotonous. She spent six years there and her stay was interrupted with an infected appendix.

Her father wanted her to return to Camas but she wanted to be a nurse. Being still a bit young she went to a finishing school in Dublin for a year and then to France, where she taught hockey and basketball in a school. She has very happy memories of this year in France.

Trained as a Nurse

When she returned to Camas Park on holidays she enjoyed a good social life. Her 21st was celebrated with a dance in Camas. Most activities were organised by themselves, games in summer, fetes organised by friends and neighbours. Relations with Catholics were cool, with both Catholics and Protestants organising their own activities and going their separate ways.

At twenty she went to train as a nurse at Sheffield Royal Hospital, the choice of hospital was made on the basis of having relations there. She did five years training and stayed on a further year trying to make up her mind what to do.

In 1938 she joined the army, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Nursing Corps. She did a training course in military basic, how to march, salute, attend funerals, etc

After training at York and Aldershot, she was chosen as one of four to go to the North African Desert to staff a casualty clearance station.

Her work took her along the route of Montgomery’s campaign and the places she mentions are a roll call of names made famous by the campaign. She enjoyed the army life, worked very hard and there was little time for anything else. She recalls getting a week’s holiday in Tripoli and going to bed for much needed rest on the first night, only to be wakened with the information to  be ready for a tank landing in Sicily.

She made her way with the army through Sicily and on to Italy. Moving with the war she ended up in Turin. Eventually she was sent back to England, only to be ordered to the Middle East soon after. She worked in an Italian hospital in Palestine, where jackals and hyenas scurried through the place at night.

He next stop was Greece and from there to the beautiful Dodocanese Islands. Again it was hospital work under a very funny matron. Every night two or three babies were left on the doorstep. She didn’t really get back home for seven years. She was given two days holidays for every one spent in the desert.

After the War

The holiday was much appreciated but then it was back to army life. She went on a military course during 1948 and was posted to Hong Kong the following year for three and a half years. The location got a bit monotonous as there as no place to go. The communists had taken over mainland China in 1949.

When she came back on leave she was posted to Cyprus, where she spent the rest of her army life until she returned to Ireland in 1962. She retired with the rank of Major and would probably have achieved higher rank had she remained.

Sale of Camas Park

There was good reason to retire and return home as her mother was in need of care. Her father had died in 1936 and her mother held on at Camas Park until 1941, when the burden of compulsory tillage and other Emergency measures became too much for her and she sold out to Tim Hyde.

She remained in residence for some time and eventually rented a house at Castlelake. This she occupied until 1956, when she moved to a new bungalow in Boherclough Street. The house is recessed from the street front and originally five houses  occupied the frontage. They were long gone before she arrived and the land on which her house was built was used for allotments during the War.

Eileen was sad to see Camas Park and its many memories go but there was no way her mother could hold on. Eileen looked after her from 1962 until she died in 1977. Her mother had played golf in the early part of the century on the Cashel course, which was located on the Clonmel Road. Eileen recalls caddying for her.

Eileen Shine has spent the last forty years on Boherlough Street. She has led a relaxed life and hasn’t involved herself in much. ‘I came home to rest after a very busy life,’ she says.

The late Ethel Corby tried to involve her in organisations and societies but she resisted. She used to read a lot, mostly about sport, horses and adventure. She is also fond of T.V. Her holidays were spent at Tramore and Dunmore.

She may be feeling sore at the moment but the chances are she will recover sufficiently to lead a full life. There is great longevity in her family. All of her side lived into the nineties. Her mother was 94, when she passed on, and her grandmother 101. She is wished a speedy recovery.

<span class="postTitle">Jovita Delaney - Cashel Person of the Year</span> County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, April 9, 2001

Jovita Delaney - Cashel Person of the Year

County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, April 9, 2001

Jovita Delaney, who captained the Tipperary senior camogie team to All-Ireland victory in 2000, has won the Cashel Person of the Year award. The award, organised by the Cashel Lions Club, has been in existence for fifteen years and Jovita is the youngest winner to date. The presentation of the award will be made in Halla na Feile, Cashel, on Sunday night, May 6. 

Jovita was extremely pleased to be chosen. Since winning the All-Ireland last year, she has been the recipient of many awards. These include the Player of the Match for her display in the All-Ireland, when she saved Tipperary again and again with brilliant saves, the Eircell All-Star award. the Manchester Tipperary Association's Sports Person of the Year award, the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre County Award, the Cidona Award and the Kilkenny Slievenamon Association's Sportsperson of the Year award. She is very proud of all these awards and of the many presentations made to her and her team mates by many clubs. But she has a very special place for the Cashel Person of the Year award because it's the highest recognition her home town could give her. 

Of course she's not really a Cashel person but very much a Boherlahan woman, who was born in that parish, a little over a mile from the town. All her camogie has been played in Cashel or with Cashel. While she was a student in the Presentation Convent she came under the influence of Martin Quirke, who did so much to develop camogie in the school. 'I would have got nowhere without the dedication and commitment he gave to camogie in the school,' she said. 

Another person she mentions as important in her early formation is Kirsty McCluskey, who did so much for the promotion of juvenile camogie in the town. 'Without this work and effort with juveniles, there can be no camogie players,' she believes. She also praised the work of Tom Devitt for his encouragement of camogie.

Presentation Covent, Cashel

Jovita didn't enjoy much success at Presentation Convent. 'We got to a number of junior and senior All-Ireland semifinals and finals but won none of them. We seemed to be always beaten by Loughrea'. There was one success in the All-Ireland Schools seven-a-side in 1989. 

After secondary school Jovita went to Strawberry Hill College in the U.K. where she studied for a degree in Physical Education, Science and Biology. There was no camogie there and she mostly played basketball. There were a lot of Irish students in the college at the time, especially from the North. 

Having completed the four-year course she came back to a job in Dublin, where she spent four years. Three years ago she got a job in Tarbert Comprehensive School, where there are about 700 pupils. She doesn't get any chance of camogie there as football is the game and she is in charge of that, plus basketball and badminton. 

During these years of training and teaching she has been making a name for herself in camogie. She has progressed up the ranks from a minor All-Ireland with Tipperary in 1990, 'to a junior in 1992, after losing two AII-Irelands in that grade in 1990 and 1991, an intermediate in 1997 and two seniors in 1999 and 2000. So she has the complete All-Ireland set and understandably proud of her achievement. She has also had success at club level, winning county finals in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Earlier she had won two more, in 1990 and 1991. What has eluded her is success in the club championship. Grannagh, Ballingarry have been their stumbling block in this area, having beaten Cashel a number of times, especially in the Munster final in 1999. 

With so much involvement in the game of camogie, Jovita has little time for other interests. The training schedule and the games take up a lot of time. Her work distance from the county is another problem. She won't have the burden of captaincy this year as that has gone to Emily Hayden. 'It's only fair that someone else has the honour.' she adds. 

She is reasonably happy with the national profile of camogie, even though it is not as high as she should like to see it. The televising of the All-Ireland finals has worked wonders to improve the image. The newspaper coverage of the game has expanded out of all proportion. She recalls that when they won the All-Ireland junior in 1992 it hardly got a mention in the paper. 

She is looking forward with a keeness and expectation to the coming year. One need hardly mention that a third senior All-Ireland is a top priority. It will be difficult but the dedication and commitment are there and there is absolutely no doubt that when the crunch comes, Jovita Delaney will not be found wanting.

<span class="postTitle">North Tipperary G.A.A. History</span> County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, April 9, 2001

North Tipperary G.A.A. History

County Tipperary Supplement, The Examiner, April 9, 2001 

The recent publication of the History of the GAA. in North Tipperary brings to mind two interesting episodes in the history of the division. One is the Silvermines Silver Cup and the second is about Tony Courtney of Nenagh, who won a County Tipperary senior football medal with Nenagh in 1915 and went on to be capped for Ireland in 1920-21. 

But first the Silver Cup, which is to be found today in the presbytery of the Silvermines parish. This cup was first played for in an intercounty hurling match between Tipperary and South Galway, played in the Phoenix Park in February 1886. Tipperary won and the cup came back to the county. 

Later the same year it was put up as the prize 'for the championship of North Tipperary'. (It would take too long to explain a 'championship of North Tipperary' fifteen years before the division came into existence but the history goes a long way to doing so!). 

At any rate Silvermines and Holycross qualified for the final and, as was the wont in those days, the final wasn't played until April 19, 1887. Silvermines won. 

The man who was regarded as being responsible for training the victorious side was Fr. John Cunningham, a native of Kilrush, who was curate there at the time. Soon after he was transferred to Roscrea and eventually became Parish Priest of Templederry, where he spent the last twenty-one years of his life. He died in 1935. 

Apparently, when he left Silvermines after the 1887 win he took the Silver Cup with him because we read that in the year of his death he returned it to the parish of Silvermines. On St. Patrick's Day 1935 the then Canon Cunningham returned to the parish from neighbouring Templederry to place the cup in the safe keeping of the parish. Five members of the team that won it were present on the occasion as part of the reception committee. The cup was placed in the presbytery, where it has lain since. 

Perhaps it may go on display in Lar na Pairce at some stage! 

Tony Courtney

The second interesting item is the career of Tony Courtney. Nenagh Institute dominated football in North Tipperary in the second decade of the twentieth century. They won two county finals during the period, in 1911 and 1915. In the latter year they beat Castleiney by 1-2 to 1-1 in the final at Thurles, not played until July 31, 1916. Courtney was one of their stalwarts. 

Courtney became a medical student and took an interest in rugby. He was obviously good at the game because he was capped for Ireland seven times in 1920-21, whiIe sti II a young man. He was born in 1899. 

He received his first cap on February 28, 1920, when Ireland were defeated, 19-0, by Scotland at Inverleith. There was another defeat by Wales, 28-4 at Cardiff Arms Park on March 13, and a further defeat by France, 15 to 7 at Landsdowne Road two weeks later. 

There was one success in 1921 but first there was defeat by England, 15 to 0, at Twickenham on February 12. Success came against Scotland by 9-8 at Landsdowne Road on February 26. Two weeks later there was defeat by Wales, 6-0, at Balmoral and Courtney's final game was against France, when Ireland were defeated, 20-10, at Stade Columbes on April 9. 

Courtney played tight-head prop in all his games and his place was taken by McVicker the following season. There was very little mention of the honour of a Nenagh man representing his country in the Nenagh Guardian of the time. In fact it is rather scathing of the game. In a comment on the defeat by Wales in March 1920, it has this to say: 'Of course Rugby football is merely the game of the few. It is not played by the large number who would develop a spirit of rivalry and offer a wider field of selection.' 

There is a little increased mention in 1921. For the first game against England it mentions the two Tipperary men on the team, A. Courtney and Dr. P. Stokes of Fethard. It reported that Stokes was the outstanding forward against France but also mentions the contribution of Courtney. 

Funeral of Tom Ashe

There is an interesting mention of Courtney in Ulick O'Connor's book, 'The Troubles'. In a footnote to his account of the funeral of Thomas Ashe in September 1917, he has this to say: 'Along the North Quays, Dick McKee was in charge of the procession. A despatch rider from Dublin Castle on a motorbike rode past full tilt, skimming the edge of the march. McKee jumped out as he flew by and managed to dislodge him from his cycle. The bike skidded around on the footpath. It finished up at the feet of one of the Volunteer stewards, Tony Courtney, a medical student. 'Dump that bike in the river,' McKee ordered Courtney. The student was reluctant to dispose of something as valuable as a motor cycle then was, and remembers being torn between the instinct to preserve it and the sheer authority that McKee exuded. However, he heaved the bike into the Liffey and the despatch rider had to return to Dublin Castle on foot. Four years later, Courtney would be capped at Rugby for Ireland against England at Twickenham. When the Irish team were received by King George V before the match, Courtney found hinself in a dilemma because of his republican views. But as the King approached, Courtney stooped to tie his bootlace, thus avoiding having to press Royal flesh and at the same time maintaining the semblance of courtesy.' 

Tony Courtney qualified as a medical doctor, married and had four children, two boys and two girls. He died in January 1970 at the age of seventy years. He must hold a unique place in the annals of Tipperary sport with a county senior football medal won with Nenagh and nine rugby caps won playing for Ireland. He must also be the only player in the world to have put tying his bootlace before shaking the hand of the King of England!

<span class="postTitle">Previous West Senior Hurling Finals at Cashel</span> West Tipperary S.H. Final Program, Cashel, Oct. 7, 2001

Previous West Senior Hurling Finals at Cashel

West Tipperary S.H. Final Program, Cashel, Oct. 7, 2001

Today’s final is the seventy-second to the played since the West division was founded. It’s the fifteenth to be played at Cashel and the twelfth to be played at Leahy Park. Prior to then the Cashel Sportsfield was located on the Ardmayle Road and before that on the Dualla Road.

Leahy Park was new in 1951 when the first final, between Clonoulty-Rossmore and Kickhams, was played. Originally fixed for September 9, it was postponed and the delegates heard why at a special meeting of the West board the following night. Board secretary, Jerry O’Dwyer, informed the meeting that the game had been postponed as a result of representations made to him by Canon Fogarty, P. P., Clonoulty and one of the honorary presidents of the board. The Canon pointed out that the game was clashing with a Pioneer Rally at Thurles and the secretary had postponed the match as a result of the representations. After much discussion the final was fixed for the following Sunday.

There was also some controversy over the 1945 final at Cashel, between Cashel and Eire 0g. Originally fixed for Dundrum, Cashel wouldn’t play at the venue. A special board meeting was called and the delegates were informed that Cashel’s objections were to the size of the Dundrum field and its proximity to Eire 0g. They wanted a neutral venue and a neutral referee. The chairman pointed out that the field was in Knockavilla parish and the referee was from Clonoulty. (Timmy Hammersley). Mick Davem, the Cashel delegate replied: ‘The ball was lost three times in the grass in Dundrum, when we played Golden there.’ The Dundrum delegate denied this. It was pointed out to Cashel that they had already won championship matches in the field. Then Jim Devitt, Cashel, came up with another reason for not playing Eire Og there:

‘We were butchered previously in Dundrum by Eire 0g.’ After a lot of discussion Cashel and Eire Og agreed to toss for venue and Cashel won. The match was played on October 7. (I can’t be sure if that was the nearest Eire Og got to hosting a West final: they don’t appear on the list of venues.)

The 1931 final between Clonoulty and Newport was played at Cashel. It was the only time Newport played in the West division and it wasn’t a very happy one. The final was a tense, tough game. Newport accused Clonoulty of adopting over-robust and questionable tactics. They also complained of the leniency of the referee, Jack Hennessy of Emly. It was reported that one of the linesmen, Jack Raleigh, a former Toomevara player then playing with Emly, pleaded with Hennessy at half-time to either referee the game or call it off. In spite of these difficulties Newport’s prospects looked bright when they forged ahead by 3-4 to 3-3 with ten minutes remaining. At that stage a hostile section of the crowd pelted the Newport players with clods of earth, leaving them in no doubt as to their intentions of keeping the title in their own backyard. In the remaining minutes of the game Clonoulty forced through two goals to put the issue beyond the realm of doubt.

There was a sequel. Newport objected on a number of grounds including the legality of Pake Mahony and the fact that Dan English in the Clonoulty goal was wearing his trousers. The latter part led to some humorous exchanges at county board where Killenaule’s, Bob Hall, wanted to know ‘where does knickers end and breeches begin’.

During their great run of success between 1946 and 1960, Kickhams played a number of finals at Cashel. They lost there to Clonoulty in 1951 but were successful in 1953, 1954, 1956, 1958 and 1959. In the 1958 final they recorded their highest score when they defeated Golden/Kilfeacle by 8-8 to 2-2.

Leahy Park was the venue for one of Cappawhite’s finest hours, in the 1987 final. Clonoulty led by 3-7 to 1-4 at half-time and seemed set to dump Cappa, who had been champions in 1983, 1984 and 1985, out of the championship. But there was a remarkable turnaround in the second half as Cappa went from nine points down to an eight-point win — a swing of seventeen points. A Ger O’Neill goal sparked the resurgence. O’Neill also had their third goal and John O’Neill added a fourth as Cappa were rampant. It was a truly dazzling second-half performance from Cappawhite who, in the process, ended Clonoulty’s championship bid for the fifth consecutive year. The winning captain, John O’Neill, accepted the cup from board chairman, Michael Maguire.

Ten years later the venue was the setting for a memorable occasion for Kickhams, when they bridged a thirty-seven year gap to win their first senior title since 1960. Kevin Farrell was team captain and Aidan Butler got the man-of-the-match award. The winners were slight favourites going into the game and by the call of time had justified the tag with a 0-19 to 2-10 success. They came back to win after been rocked by two Cappawhite goals midway through the first half.

<span class="postTitle">Anthony 'Brickey' O'Neill</span> West Tipperary S.H. Final Program, Cashel, Oct. 7, 2001

Anthony 'Brickey' O'Neill

West Tipperary S.H. Final Program, Cashel, Oct. 7, 2001

One of the stalwarts of the Cappawhite defence in Sunday’s West senior hurling final will be Anthony O’Neill. There are so many O'Neills in Cappawhite that they all need a nickname to distinguish them from one another. Anthony O'Neill is known far and wide as Brickey and is probably more recognisable by it than by his real name. He doesn't know the origin of it or its significance. He recalls having it as far back as primary school. He believes he may have been so christened by one of his brothers.

And there are a lot of brothers. The best known is probably Pa, who was reported is the past couple of weeks to be in a secret hideout getting restorative physio in order to be sprung on the unsuspecting opposition sometime on Sunday. As well, there's Mickey, Danny and Seanie. They never all played together for Cappa but Brickey thinks four of them did.

Whether Pa turns out or not today, Brickey will have other relations on the team. The extended family includes his nephew, Thomas Costello, and his second cousin, Eugene. Brickey and Eugene's father are first cousins.

Although living today in Anacarty, where he is married with three children - a son plays with Eire Og - Brickey was born in Clonganhue, a great place for hurlers. The year was 1960, which makes him a fairly ancient forty-one years at the moment. This age qualified him to play for the county masters team, which has resulted in two All-Irelands, this year and last year.

It's belated recognition for a fine player because Brickey never played for the county until now. A close observer of him and his contribution to the Cappa club told me he was probably the best O'Neill who never made the county. He did get a trial at the under-21 level but didn't make it. Perhaps the county's loss was Cappa's gain as Brickey devoted all his time and energy to his club.

He has achievements to show. The highlight has to be the county senior hurling final in 1987 and the qualification for the Munster final against Midleton at Kilmallock. Defeat was his lot that day as John Fenton drilled a 65 between the posts to snatch a one point victory. He has another county medal in intermediate football, which was won in 1990. His other successes include West senior hurling titles in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 2000. He was on a successful junior 2 side in 1978 after which he played senior, and has been playing it since. He also has under-14 West titles and divisional titles in hurling and football at minor and under-21 levels.

Today we associate Brickey with the corner-back position but he started his senior career at wing-forward. He went from there to wingback, then centreback and finally back to his present position. What is the secret of his success there? He is noted for playing from the front and his motto against more fleet-footed opponents could be summed up in the words of Johnny Ryan Cusack, when questioned how he beat Cork's, Joe Kelly, the 100 yard champion of Ireland, to the ball in the 1945 Munster semi-final at Thurles, said:

'I started in time.' And Brickey does that again and again in spite of his aging limbs.

There must be some secret to his hurling longevity. Not really, he answers. He loves the game of hurling with a great passion. He has played football and soccer but hurling is his first love. If you want to play strongly enough you will get fit enough to play. He puts great emphasis on training and never misses a session. He also looks after himself. He never smoked, takes a few pints but in moderation. He can see himself going forward for another few years. He has been reasonably free from injury and this has been a major help. He has a niggling injury at the moment that's preventing him from giving a hundred percent. If he can overcome that and avoid others, his hurling future is still there.

Brickey has played many fine games. Anyone who was at last year's West final will remember his display as one of the finest he ever gave. He himself looks back through rose-tinted glasses to his contribution to Cappa's victory over Cashel in the 1983 final at Golden. Another display that is remembered with satisfaction was against Patrickswell in the Munster club semi-final in 1987. Playing at centreback, his position at that time, he gave an outstanding display against Gary Kirby.

Brickey can be proud of his achievements and the contribution he has made to his club’s successes. He is a role model not only for his own club mates but for players anywhere. The love of hurling and the success of his club come foremost in his priorities and he gives constant and unswerving expression to these through his dedication to training and preparation for games.