NEWTOWNSANDES
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Glin GAA club proudly celebrates 125 years of existence this year. To mark this significant milestone, we are writing a book on the history of the club from 1898 to the present day. Many who have made valuable contributions to this period will have memories of their first involvement with the club, the fields around the parish they played in and will remember great teams and players. Perhaps also, people may have old newspaper clippings, photographs, match programmes and medals kept which would be of great interest to us in preparing this book and will allow us to best tell the story of Glin GAA over the past 125 years. Our book committee has begun the process of interviewing people and shortly, for those comfortable with technology, a questionnaire link will be sent around where interested individuals can make their own contributions. We will be holding an evening in Glin in the next while where old Glin GAA photographs, medals etc. can be brought in to be photographed and scanned, and the owners can share their stories relating to them. If anyone would like to be sent the questionnaire link or wishes to be interviewed, send an email with your details to glingaabook@gmail.com, contact us through our Facebook page www.facebook.com/glingaa, or contact James O’Donovan on 087 2311156 or Tom O’Donovan on 086 1710136.
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Sadness in the midst of Joy- By listowelconnection
On January 25, 2023
That 1947 All Ireland Final
Yesterday I shared with you Kathleen Reynolds’ great uncle’s first hand account of a spectator at that match.
Here is an extract from Kathy’s email;
The game was attended by 34,500 including my father’s uncle, Mike Fitzmaurice, who had left Moybella South, Lisselton around 1910 for Waterbury, Connecticut.
Notes (Irish Independent & Wikipedia)
The Artane Boys’ Band also travelled to New York to play before the match.
Michael O’Hehir broadcast a radio commentary from New York. O’Hehir noticed that broadcasting delays would bring the radio link down five minutes before the final had ended. He later recalled his plea:'”If there’s anybody along the way there listening in, just give us five minutes more, and I kept begging for five minutes more” The link stayed open.
Kerry — D O’Keeffe; D Lyne (capt), J Keohane, P Brosnan; J Lyne, W Casey, E Walsh; E Dowling, E O’Connor; E O’Sullivan, D Kavanagh, B Garvey; F O’Keeffe, T O’Connor, O Kennedy.
Subs: W O’Donnell for Dowling, M Finucane for Walsh, T Brosnan for O’Donnell, G Teehan for Kennedy
Score 2-11 to 2-7
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14 September 1947 All Ireland Final Cavan 2-11 V Kerry 2-07 Polo Grounds, New York City Attendance: 34,491 Referee: M O'Neill (Wexford) For the first and only time, the final was played outside Ireland, at the Polo Grounds in New York City, to cater for the large Irish-American community there. -----------------------
There was a North Kerry man on the team.
The last surviving member of that Kerry team, Ballydonoghue man , Mick Finucane passed away in 2016; Here is a fine tribute to Mick by his friend, Brendan Hegarty, published in 2016 at the time of his death.
Brendan Hegarty 2016- Tribute to Mick Finucane
To not have engaged with Mick is to not have lived and anyone he touched is the better for it. Non-drinker and non-smoker but socialiser extraordinaire. I was having a chat of an evening with him and one of the nuggets I picked up was that from 16 years of age, his weight never budged from 12 stone. Now I don’t know a lot about boxing but he could pack some punch and they say he was also gifted of a sturdy lowish centre of gravity, canvassing a good few laddos in his day, though never raised a hand outside the ring nor never had the bad word.
A few of his comrades in London would have recalled in later years how he brightened up many a dark day in hard times and his role as a public relations man was no accident as he was the type that nobody could refuse. He even had Tony O’Reilly arranging taxis for him from the airport on arrival. I’d often say that North Kerry were talkers and South Kerry more grafters, so John Murphy chose wisely with Mick as his front man and boy could he tell yarns of those rather interesting times.
I also recall a fella disputing an umpiring decision Mick once made, well about 40 years ago to be more precise, he told Mick “he’d hit him only he was an old man” and to which those in the know might have commented that it was a wise decision, a lucky escape if there was ever one for the would be assailant and he didn’t even have to run away. As a friend of his my own father, Jackie got fierce mileage out of this one as Mick used affectionately refer to him as “Auld Hegarty”. I could tell hundreds of more good wans from Lisselton Cross and Urlee. The one thing that always puzzles me is how the Barra Road didn’t throw up more silverware, even in later years there was so many football houses, individual families where you have a handful of top class footballers, maybe soccer was part of it but I recall evenings that you’d have maybe 30 or 40 lads chasing a football. Finucane’s yard was littered with balls and you’d see Mick and the boys taking a kick in between chores, soloing in from milking the cows or a carefully gauged point between a telegraph pole and a shed, between feeding calves.
The stories he would tell himself would be the basis of many a subsequent literary work and I myself penned “What they think of Mick Finucane in Donegal’. It was after that chat with him that I went to the local and my smile had em asking what it was all about. When I told em I had just been chatting to the oldest holder of an AI medal they started on their mobiles, checking out the story, etc, doubting Thomses! Anyway we storied ’till the not so small hours after that as a few more congregated and we regaled his life and times.
By the way the ’47 final was played in The Polo Grounds because Croker was a building site. He would say after that an admirer commented that “she couldn’t understand a word he said but she loved the sound of his voice” so everything about him inspired of scope, more of scope that contradiction.
So all we can say is thanks for the music Mick, RIP.
https://listowelconnection.com/2023/01/
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Kerryman- Damian Stack- February 01 2023
Tarbert woman Joan Henchy was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon as one of the eleven recipients of the GAA President’s Awards (Gradaim an Uachtaráin) for 2023.
Henchy took the international award for her long service to New York GAA. She has served on the New York board for over twenty years, serving as PRO, secretary and latterly for the last three years as chairperson. She is the board’s first female chair.
Born Joan Kiely in New York to a prominent GAA family – her father Dan was active in Gaelic Park in the 1960s with the Kerry club – she moved back to Tarbert with her family before starting primary school, going on to play ladies football with Tarbert.
At the age of seventeen she returned to the Big Apple with her then boyfriend, now husband, Brendan Henchy. They settled in Yonkers New York and raised two daughters, Tara and Shauna.
Henchy became immediately involved with the GAA scene in New York, joining the Kerry club that her father Dan had been involved with, filling every position in the club before moving up the ranks to the county board.
Her passion over the years has been for the development of the underage game in the States and of developing American-born players. Indeed, one of her proudest moments was to stand in Croke Park last year as a New York Junior team comprising of all American born players took the field for the All-Ireland Junior Football final.
She has always been a huge supporter of Féile where New York teams have performed with great distinction. She also has a keen interest in hurling and, with her direct involvement, New York, for the first time in ten years fielded a county hurling team when they recently won the Connacht hurling league.
She has also been hugely supportive of the Ladies GAA, Camogie and Scór. As Gaelic Park undergoes redevelopment, she has been at the forefront of fundraising and promoting it as the GAA’s home in the Big Apple for the next century. She is, in other words, a more than worthy recipient of the award from GAA President, Larry McCarthy.
“The success of the GAA has always been down to the people who, through their loyalty, selfless dedication and commitment, have invested so much to ensure that for almost 140 years the Association has gone from strength to strength,” the Cork native said.
"Gradaim an Uachtaráin affords us the chance to single out people who are responsible for extraordinary service to Gaelic games. In saluting the deserving recipients tonight, we are mindful that they are ambassadors for the thousands of people who do so much for the betterment of our Association. I warmly congratulate all of our recipients and acknowledge the support of TG4 and AIB in this most worthwhile initiative.”
The awards are a cross-section of people, who have shared the common theme of making an inspirational impact on their code and also their club and community.
The 11 awards are made on a provincial and code basis. As well as Gaeilge, Education and International Awards, the presentation of the annual Dermot Earley Family Award will also take place.
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Dillon, Kevin
December 09, 1994
Across The Cork/Kerry County Border With KEVIN DILLON Few rivalries in gaelic football are as passionate, intense and last but not least healthy as that which exists betweens the gaels of Cork and Kerry. Those fortunate enough to be born in either camp exude a pride in their pedigree which is hardly equalled or surpassed in any other part of the country. For a player to have been able to keep a foot in both camps, enjoy and wallow in the good times shared by both tribes was indeed fortunate. Kerry native and former Cork star Kevin Dillon was one such player. Born and reared in the rabid football territory that is Duagh in north Kerry, the young Dillon had his choice of sporting icons from which to pick his hero from. Before he could kick a ball in anger the likes of Dan McAuliffe thrilled all and sundry in the locality and beyond with his classy performances for the Kingdom. Ironically it was for Kerry's archrivals that McAuliffe's neighbour would play out of his skin. McAuliffe, the All-Ireland medal winner was in good company at Duagh too. The fifties was a very successful decade for the home club of big Don Kevin Dillon and their ilk. The club was the top club in north Kerry for quite a period and put north Kerry championship titles back to back in the mid-fifties. It was at the latter end of Duagh's purple period that the teenage Dillon entered the adult fray and remembers listening to the commentary of the 1955 All-Ireland Senior final in which three Duagh clubmen were included with the Kerry team which beat the Kevin Heffernan, Ollie Freaney powered Dubs. The Dillon family of Duagh contributed five fine footballers to the area. Kevin was one of them. One of his older brothers Dialmuid was another and was a substitute on that self-same Kerry team of 55. Meanwhile, Paul Dillon was Kerry's centre-half back on the Kerry Junior team in 1954 which went on to win the All-Ireland title. A clerical student at the time, unfortunately Paul was unable to take his place in the final line-up because of Church rules. Other brother Pat also went on to star for Kerry Juniors as a tigerish defender. The fifth brother Matt was a regular on the Duagh team and a fine player too. For a brief period all five Dillon brothers lined out together for Duagh in the north Kerry divisional league. Unfortunately a combination of injuries, migration etc served to break the Dillon connection with the Duagh team all too quickly for the liking of connoisseurs of football in the area. A graduate of Rockwell College in Tipperary, Kevin Dillon was a lover of all sports as a teenager but excelled principally at rugby and gaelic football. His fondness for both games got him in hot water though during the reign of the infamous Ban however. For the last two years he spent in College he was suspended from playing gaelic games because of his penchant for playing out half and scrum half with the newly-formed Abbeyfeale rugby team. "I remember being notified by the County Board for playing rugby for Abbeyfeale and getting suspended for twelve months from the date of the last game. Every time I kept playing rugby I just added to my suspension. I felt very strongly about the Ban and fought to have it removed at every opportunity." The Duagh born former star footballer eventually made his way as a twenty year old to work in the agricultural field in Clonakilty, an area equally steeped in GAA tradition. "Clonakilty had a very good team back then and being able to play football made a blow-in to Clonakilty very welcome. We should have won the county championship but unfortunately we never did. It was a well balanced team but it had its fair quote of exceptional players such as Tommy Connolly who played with Cork and Kildare, Harry de Long who was a great club footballer and the Hayes brothers Flor and Tim F, both of whom had amazing all-round ability." Playing for Clonakilty led to Kevin being selected for the Cork Juniors in '65: "I remember being asked by county selector Eamonn Young as to whether or not I minded playing against my native Kerry. All I ever wanted to do was play football though so I jumped at the chance of lining out for Cork. Even though we lost to them in '65, it wasn't long after that I got promoted to the Senior team." Generally a tigerish half-back with Clonakilty but the type of athlete who flourished amidst the wide open space afforded him at midfield, Kevin Dillon was a five foot eight inch, eleven and a half stone terrier who could run all day but it was just as well for the Kerry born former Cork star recalls being charged with marking speedsters like Galway half-forward Seamus Leydon. "My small physique left me at an awful disadvantage but I could run forever. I needed to because I was up against some great footballers. Unfortunately I became overly negative in my play and because too much of a man to man marker which meant I was out of the action for long periods of the game which, to be honest, slightly lessened my enjoyment of the game. Some of the great wing forwards I played on at that time are Derry and Thorney O'Shea, Brendan Lynch of Kerry, Galway's Cyril Dunne and Seamus Leydon, Joe Corcoran Of Mayo, Meath's Tony Brennan, whom I played on in the 1967 All-Ireland, Jackie Donnelly of Kildare - all players of exceptional skill and vision and a bit ahead of their time as were my old Clonakilty clubmates Flor Hayes and Pat Griffin. The ball was not played as they would have liked it, which made it easier for backs to mark them." Despite putting in fifteen years of loyal service with Clonakilty, Kevin Dillon found himself with nothing to show for his efforts in terms of silverware. In 1968 he both trained and captained the Clonakilty side which lost the county final to Carbery that year after a replay. "We were the only Senior team in west Cork at that time and we had a great team spirit, better than what most of the divisional teams had at least. We were unlucky in the replay though because it was only a great goal by Donal Hunt which separated us in the end," explained the man who trained the last Clonakilty side which reached the county final. Carbery at that time included Castlehaven an O'Donovan Rossas and many other clubs which now have their own Senior team. Married to Maria, Kevin's family have all inherited his love of sport. His son Terry regularly lines out with Highfield Rugby Football Club in the Centre while his Clonakilty outings see him togging out on the forty for his beloved Clonakilty . Reflecting back on his days in the county colours with Cork, Kevin recalls the joy of playing with the county Seniors for a four year period between 1964 and '69. The joy of it all comes flooding back to him in waves of nostalgia. "We had a well-balanced team with tremendous team spirit and comraderie. Many of those friendships are still intact today". Executive Secretary of the Irish Holstein Freisian Society, a full-time job which sees him based in Clonakilty, Kevin Dillon's business involves him running the pedigree section of the Black & White breed which produce 99% of the milk we drink here within the Society and he loves every minute of it. Still the game he graced in the deepest south excites him like nothing else. "One of the greatest memories I have of my time playing gaelic football was when I was playing with Cork Seniors. We beat Kerry in two Munster finals in a row, in 1966 and '67 which was unheard of at the time. In fact I think we were the first Cork team to achieve that distinction," Kevin added. But just how good were the Cork teams of '66 and '67? The team's ace defender goes for the jackpot. "The Cork team of '66 could and should have one the Sam Maguire Cup. There was definitely an All-Ireland title in that squad but we were beaten by a great Galway team in the All-Ireland semi-final which included the likes of Enda Colleran, Noel Tierney and the Donnellan brothers and a host of other really exceptional players including of course Seamus Leydon. That Galway team was possibly the best team I ever played against. They must have been one of the best football teams ever." Kevin disappeared off the county scene when is free time was curtailed by the purchase of a small farm in 1968. Reflecting back on Clonakilty's failure to make the breakthrough in his day, Kevin is remarkably philosophical about the conspicuous absence of silverware. "It was naturally disappointing. Maybe we stick too much and too long to the old traditional catch and kick type game. Pat Griffin was one of the best players I played with but his style of play wasn't adopted by the club for a long time. Dave McCarthy was another great Clonakilty stalwart at the this point in time also, small but great hearted and superbly fit, who had a tremendous work rate which justifiably earned him an All-Star." Still living in the GAA heartland of Clonakilty, Kevin Dillon has a bank-full of memories. Memories of one of the most talented players he ever played with, Eoin O'Mahony, are there too. "He was a special footballer with Clonakilty and the county team but he never fulfilled his potential unfortunately." Clonakilty at present are going through a lean period at Senior level but tremendous work is being done at underage and this year's all-conquering Under 14 team has some great prospects. Having won seven county Championships in the 40s the club has a proud past. Another one is well overdue and anything would give Clonakilty people, particularly Kevin Dillon, more pleasure. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 9th December, 1994
https://www.hoganstand.com/county/cork/article/index/119404
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BY: Irish Post- April 30, 2016
THE prestigious Tara Camogie Club London was set up in 1986 by Carmel and Majella O’Neill – sisters from Thomastown in Kilkenny – and was originally based in Locket Road, Harrow.
Over the club’s 30 years, like many other sports teams, there has been some great wins coupled with devastating losses. With victories came the delirious celebrations that often lasted for days, weeks and in some cases even months. Of course, with the defeats came crushing heartbreak and inevitable disappointment, but almost always with these losses there were valuable lessons learned and it often fuelled an even bigger hunger for success.
By 1988, Ann Hehir had become a key member and won the club’s player of the year, but nobody could have imagined that 23 years later her daughter, Helen, would help crush Tara’s dreams of an All-Ireland title when she played a stormer for Inagh Kilnamona of Clare in the All-Ireland Junior Club Final against Tara in 2011, scoring a decisive goal.
https://www.irishpost.com/sport/then-and-now-tara-camogie-club-celebrate-30th-anniversary-87415
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Family and Friends remember the Champion Knockanure Team of 1973. Team, Goalie- Willie Stack, Pat Connor Right Corner Back-, Full Back-Frank Collins, Left Corner back- Brendan Stack, Right Half Back- Jerry Coen, Centre Back- Jim Collins, Left Half Back- Tom O Connor, Centre Field- Willie Moore, Midfield- Jim Moore, Right Half Forward - Michael O Connor, Centre Forward- Patsy Collins, Left Half Forward- John Looney, Right Corner Forward-Maurice Collins, Full Forward- Neilie Buckley, and Left Corner Forward- Willie Joe Leahy. Selectors were Tom Flavin, Patrick O Dowd and Willie Finucane.
GAA: Knockanure GAA Club held a great night at the Community Centre on 12th October 2013, to mark the 40th Anniversary of the 1973 Division 2 North Kerry Football Championship win. Attendance included, brothers Brendan and Willie Stack, brothers Michael and Pat O Connor, brothers Frank, Jim, Patsy and Maurice Collins, Tom O Connor Keylod, Jim Moore and his wife now living in Galway, Also from Galway came Lisa Moore daughter of the late Willie Moore, Gerry Coen also made the trip from Galway. Anthony Maher Kerry Footballer presented trophies to the players to mark the 40th anniversary of their win, Jerry and Ann Woods sponsored the trophies. Fr Tom McMahon, Fr Brendan O Callaghan and Fr John Lucid were also in attendance. John Looney who travelled long journeys 40 years for training and to attend matches sang a song composed by Willie Finucane describing the match and praising the players, while Gabriel Fitzmaurice sang a newly composed song extolling the virtues of the 1973 players. The Club would like to thank the Community Centre for providing their facilities and thank Maureen Stack and her staff for providing the meal.
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John Looney sings song written by Willie Finucane about the Champion Knockanure Team of 1973. Team, Willie Stack, Pat Connor, Frank Collins, Brendan Stack, Jerry Coen, Jim Collins, Tom O Connor, Willie Moore, Jim Moore,Michael O Connor, Patsy Collins, John Looney, Maurice Collins, Neilie Buckley, and Willie Joe Leahy.North Kerry Championship Final against Ballylongford in 1973, venue for the final was Ballybunion.
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Champion Knockanure GAA Team of 1973. Team, Goalie- Willie Stack, Pat Connor Right Corner Back-, Full Back-Frank Collins, Left Corner back- Brendan Stack, Right Half Back- Jerry Coen, Centre Back- Jim Collins, Left Half Back- Tom O Connor, Centre Field- Willie Moore, Midfield- Jim Moore, Right Half Forward - Michael O Connor, Centre Forward- Patsy Collins, Left Half Forward- John Looney, Right Corner Forward-Maurice Collins, Full Forward- Neilie Buckley, and Left Corner Forward- Willie Joe Leahy.
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During the winter, about 20% of Americans will experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD — the “winter blues.”
The main culprit of SAD is the lack of sunlight due to shorter days and longer nights. Consequently, the best remedy for SAD is to get more sun.
https://www.artofmanliness.com/health-fitness/health-benefits-sunlight-vitamin-d/
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How did we get it so wrong? How could people with low vitamin D levels clearly suffer higher rates of so many diseases and yet not be helped by supplementation?
As it turns out, a rogue band of researchers has had an explanation all along. And if they’re right, it means that once again we have been epically misled.
These rebels argue that what made the people with high vitamin D levels so healthy was not the vitamin itself. That was just a marker. Their vitamin D levels were high because they were getting plenty of exposure to the thing that was really responsible for their good health—that big orange ball shining down from above.
https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/sunscreen-sun-exposure-skin-cancer-science/
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As well as contributing to regular running costs, fundraising efforts by individuals and local businesses in 2021 have allowed the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team to procure additional technical and medical equipment, ensuring that the unit is equipped to the highest standards for the year ahead.
https://www.killarneytoday.com/one-fatality-and-89-people-injured-on-the-mountains/
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“The race was an amazing experience. It was amazing to see the northern lights while running the first night,” he said.
“Temperatures dropped to minus 30 but it didn’t feel that cold as I was moving all the time,” he added.
© KillarneyToday.com is the 24/7 online news service provided by O’Mahony Media
https://www.killarneytoday.com/ultra-cool-kevin-completes-worlds-toughest-marathon/
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John Hunt, who spent most of his life over in the US, helped form the Limerick hurling club in Chicago and was the first Chairman of the club back in 1959.
The GAA club announced his passing yesterday and the hurling fanatic will be sorely missed by the community.
The club said on Facebook: "The Limerick Hurling Club Chicago would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Hunt family on the passing of the Great John Hunt.
"John a native of Athea Co. Limerick was one of the founding members and the first Chairman of the Club in 1959 which it is celebrating 60 years this year.
https://www.thesun.ie/news/3931718/tributes-98-year-old-gaa-superfan-john-hunt/
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Moyvane Club History
Home » Sports » Moyvane GAA Club » Moyvane Club History
article taken from “Souvenir Match Programme” of 1999 N.K. Championship Final)
Moyvane’s record of success for all of Seventy years, is such that it would be impossible to do it justice in the space available here, in this 1999 match final programme. In any account, however brief, the following facts would have to be highlighted.
Records show that Newtown’ played Dromlought in Murphy’s field in Knockanure in 1917. The Line-out was: John O’Sullivan, Mossie Walsh, Joe More, Johnny McCabe, John Thade, Jimmy O’Mahony, Bill & Paud O’Sullivan, Paddy Finucane, Maurice Walshe, James (‘Sonny’) Harrington, Mike Goulding, Tom Stack, Jim Nolan, Tom O’Callaghan and Con Brosnan.
Newtown later participated in the North Kerry League organised by the Listowel club (the earliest established club in North Kerry), prior to the establishment of the North Kerry Board in 1925. Newtown, in fact, won the first ever North Kerry championship run by the board in 1925. One member of that winning team had already lined out for Kerry at midfield in the All-Ireland final of 1923, in which Kerry were defeated. However, the contribution of Con Brosnan, of whom I write, did not go unnoticed, even though Kerry had to give way, on the day, to Dublin. His immaculate fielding, precision, kicking and unflinching endurance on that occasion were destined to be oft repeated. Not alone for his native Moyvane but even more emphatically and importantly these qualities were to carry him to such a pinnacle of fame before his career’s end as to be proclaimed among Kerry’s greatest mid-fielders ever!
1923 was to be the first of Eight appearances for Con in All-Ireland finals for Moyvane’s most famous son. Con won six All-Ireland medals. Thomas Mahony, his team-mate on the Moyvane of that time, followed him on to the Kerry team winning All-Ireland medals in 1926 & 1927. In these early days of Moyvane football, club games were played in Bill Stephen Stacks field, located just south of the village on the banks of the Ownamoy. County championship games were held, however, in John O’Connor’s field, just across the road. North Kerry senior championship victories in 1925, ’27, ’28, ’30 & ’32 had enabled Moyvane to stamp their authority; on North Kerry football.
Besides Con Brosnan, the team abounded with footballers of great stature: Tom O’Callaghan, Paddy Windle, Tom O’Mahony, Dan Kearney, Joe McCabe, J.Brassil (goals), J.Finucane, W. O’Sullivan, J.Stack, Josie Enright, Paud O’Sullivan (father of renouned Finuge footballers: Tom, Tim & Christy and also a Kerry Team panellist of his era), W. Finucane, D.Mulvihill, J.J.Moriarty, J.Mahony, J.McCabe and John Flavin.
John Flavin won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry in 1937 and contributed hansomely to Kerry’s eclipse by Galway in the All-Ireland final of 1938.
After winning four North Kerry championships in a row 1936 to 1939 (inclusive), Moyvane suffered a slump in football fortunes that was far from temporary. However, patient and dedicated addministrators kept the club going, through the forties and early fifties, when rural clubs were being deprived of their life-blood by the scours of unemployment and emigration. Success at administrative level was the club’s main boast at this period, with Con Brosnan training the successful Kerry teams of ’39 and ’40 and acting as Kerry selector and later Munster Council representative for a number of years. (He also acted as chairman North Kerry Board from 1936-’42).
The emergence of a minor team in Moyvane, good enough to win a North Kerry Championship in 1954, heralded a new dawn of Moyvane footbal. The upswing continued until 1958. Moyvane marched to victory in the North Kerry championship. On that team were men who had upheld the honour of Moyvane during the lean years, energised and reinvigorated by the new blood from the ’54 minor team.
Moyvane football was back with renewed vigour. Many felt another championship or two could be gleaned but few could visualise the golden era that was to ensue.
The early sisties were dominated by a truly great Moyvane team. Four North Kerry championshps and three North Kerry leagues were anexed from 1961 to 1966. In 1963 Moyvane the double of North Kerry Championship and North Kerry League and also won the Frank Sheey Tournament, a tournament which carried much prestige at the time. Liam Hanrahan won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry juniors in1963. Both Joe Sheey and Bernie O’Callaghan won National League medals with Kerry. The 1963 team lined out as follows: Ed.Stack (goal), Stevie Stack, P.J.Kennelly, Paudie Hanrahan, Brendan Sheey, John McEnery, Timmy Hanrahan, Liam Hanrahan (capt.), Maurice Stack, Des Broderick, Bernie O’Callaghan, Brendan Broderick, Tommy Mulvihill, Michael Hennessy, Colm O’Callaghan.
The 1964 championship win is especially memorable in that it was achieved without the services of Bernie O’Callaghan who was hospitalised for the final (v.Tarbert), a factor which militated against Kerry’s chances against Galway in the All-Ireland final of the same year.
The 1966 final is probably best remembered for a great display at centre forward by John C.Cunnigham and an overall display that belied the teams’s longevity, though pitted against a youthful and soon to be dominant Ballylongford team. An unsuccessful if gallant appearace in the North Kerry league final of ’68 agains Tarbert was to be this team’s swan song. Eleven of this team had represented Kerry in one grade or another during the team’s ascendance. Prior to that Jim Brosnan and Micheal had represented Kerry at the highest level. Micheal winning an All-Ireland medal in 1953 and 1955. Having purchased the sportsfield in 1964, Moyvane set about funding its development mainly by means of staging an annual carnival. Avery successful tournament was held each year in conjunction with the carnival. Outright victory in the Moyvane carnival tournament was sought with fervour by all participating teams. Besides the upgrading of the pitch itself development was carried out in the area of dressing room erection, stand erection, concrete terrace, walled facade, etc. In the GAA centenary year of 1984, on June 17th, county chairman Frank King, officially opened the Con Brosnan Memorial Park.
Apart from a North Kerry minor championship win in 1968 and an unsuccessful appearance in the North Kerry senior Final of 1971, Moyvane had to wait until 1977 for their nexr major North Kerry title when they won the league, defeating Ballylongford in the replayed final.
Denied by Beale on five occasions, Moyvane again made the breakthrough in 1983, taking their first championship in 17 years. The team was as follows: J.Fitzmaurice (goals), N.Sheehan, M.Mulvihill, Noel Larkin, J.Stack, J.Mulvihill, E.Fitzmaurice,, M.Flaherty, T.Mulvihill, T.Keane, S Beaton, E.Sweeney, D.Mulvihill, P.Mulvihill and C.O’Callaghan (note: Johnny Mulvihill, no.6 on this team, had risen to fame, first in 1975 winning an All-Ireland minor medal, to be followed by U21 and senior medals subsequently).
An unsuccessful appearances in the North Kerry senior final of 1987 was followed by victory in the N.K U21 championship of 1989. In 1993 the club won their second ever minor championship (N.K.) after a 38 year lapse, a fact which enabled Moyvane to reach the North Kerry senior final of 1995. Moyvane gave a truly memorable display to oust a very good Listowel team in the final of 1995.
1996 saw Moyvane forced to give best to Finuge in the replayed senior final, after an epic draw previously. Although fielding strong teams, Moyvane failed to Ballylongford and to Ballyduff in ’98, after a fine game of football saw them short by a point. And so on to 1999! “Hope springs eternal …” they say. After a first round bye, Moyvane were faced with the unenviable task of bearding the Listowel Lion, dual champions in ’97 and ’98.
In many yeas of being present in Moyvane dressing rooms, this writer has to say that never before was there such a pervasive atmosphere of dedication, determination and total commitment. This carried Moyvane through agains a Listowel team who were hardly at their awesome best on the day.
And so, on to a semi-fnal joust with Ballylongford, those doughty warriors from Shannonside. In a game of swaying fortunes and perhaps with a nod of good fortune or two from lady luck, Moyvane won the day with two points to spare. Already this year Moyvane have annexed a county title in the Barrett Cup grade. To add the North Kerry senior championship of 1999 would be sweet indeed. All will be revealed today!
Guín rath agus ádh ar an dá fhoireann agus go raibh an bua ag an bhfoireann is fearr.
-Article taken from the ‘Souvenir Match Programme’ specially produced for the last North Kerry Championship Final of the century just past.
Update:
Moyvane went on to become gallant winners on final day bringing home the cup in a fitting end to an illustrious seventy years of football in the twentieth century.
https://moyvane.com/sports/gaa/moyvane-gaa-club-history/
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History
History of the Ballydonoghue GAA Club
Ballydonoghue GAA Club takes in the entireparish of Ballydonoghue. But this wasn't always the case. In the early decades of the 20th century, various townlands had their own teams taking part in County competitions and North Kerry competitions (after the formation of the North Kerry Board in 1926).
Ballyconry, Dromlough, Lisselton, Ballydonoghue, Gunsborough, Glouria, Guhard and Tullamore all had teams, not always at the same time, up to the 1930's.
After that there was only one club, taking in the whole parish, and in the 1940's it became a major in North Kerry Football. The club won its first North Kerry Championship in 1945 and two more before the end of the decade (1946 and 1949). Apart from threeof its players being regulars on the county team (Gus Cremin, Eddie Dowling and Mick Finucane), the club also provided the backbone of the successful Shannon Rangers side of the 1940's.
In the 1950's the men of Ballydonoghue continued in their role as kingpins of North Kerry Football winning the championship in 1952. This was also the golden age of Clounmacon and Duagh, and so Ballydonoghue were beaten at various stages of the championship from 1953 to 1958.
In 1959 they recaptured the crown.
Through the sixties and seventies the GAA continued to play an important part in the life of the parish, though success and silverware eluded the club. However the tradition of Ballydonoghue players representing their County continued (Jer D. O Connor, who captained the team in the 1965 All Ireland final and Johnny Bunyan).
The eighties were no more successful, though by then under age teams were frequent winners of North Kerry and County competitions, at different levels.
In the late seventies and eighties came the purchaseand initial development of our new home in Coolard. This was a remarkable achievement in recessionary times.
Collecting the money physically laying out the pitch, and building the stand and dressing rooms, were all done by a relatively small group of volunteers.Local Volunteering is central to the ethos of the GAA. The original work in Coolard, in particular, typifies this spirit of volunteerism. Undertaking this voluntary work is a million miles away from the corporate boxes in Croke Park.
The nineties sat the emergence of a very talented, up and coming senior team and in 1992 came the long awaited breakthrough. The North Kerry championship title was lifted for the first time since 1959. Great things were expected in the following years but unfortunately the 1992 success could not be repeated at senior level through the rest of the decade. The U21's did have an historic championship win in 1993 and the Juniors had some successes through the nineties.
The club again had a representative on the county seniors (Liam Flaherty).
The late 1990's saw the transformation of Coolard with major developement of the terrace, the dugouts and the playing surface, making it playable in all weathers and putting it up there with the very best pitches in the county.
The noughties have been no more successful for the seniors and we still await the return to former glory.
We've had tremendous success, through the '90's and '00's at U12's, U14's, 16's and Minor level, none more than the U12's of 2009 who won the County Division 1 title as well as the North Kerry U12 League and Championhsip and the Tommy Madden Memorial Championship.
Foundation of the GAA in Ireland
When Michael Cusack moved to Dublin, in 1877, to open his academy preparing Irish students for the Civil Service examinations, sport throughout Ireland was the preserve of the middle and ascended classes.
Within Cusack's academy sport was central with students who were encouraged to participate in rugby, cricket, rowing and weight-throwing.
In the early 1880's Cusack turned his attentions to indigenous Irish sports. In 1882 he attended the first meeting of the Dublin Hurling Club, formed â˜for the purpose of taking steps to re-establish the national game of hurling'.
The weekly games of hurling, in the Phoenix Park, became so popular that, in 1883, Cusack had sufficient numbers to found â˜Cusack's Academy Hurling Club' which, in turn, led to the establishment of the Metropolitan Hurling Club.
On Easter Monday 1884 the Metropolitans played Killiomor, in Galway. The game had to be stopped on numerous occasions as the two teams were playing to different rules.
It was this clash of styles that convinced Cusack that not only did the rules of the games need to be standardised but that a body must be established to govern Irish sports.
Cusack was also a journalist and he used the nationalist press of the day to further his cause for the creation of a body to organise and govern athletics in Ireland.
On October 11 1884 an article, written by Cusack, called â˜A word about Irish Athletics' appeared in the United Ireland and The Irishman. These articles were supported a week later by a letter from Maurice Davin, one of three Tipperary brothers, who had dominated athletics for over a decade and who gave his full support to the October 11 articles.
A week later Cusack submitted a signed letter to both papers announcing that a meeting would take place in Hayes's Commercial Hotel, Thurles on November 1 1884.
On this historic date Cusack convened the first meeting of the â˜Gaelic Athletic Association for the Preservation and Cultivation of national Pastimes'. Maurice Davin was elected President, Cusack, Wyse-Power and McKay were elected Secretaries and it was agreed that Archbishop Croke, Charles Stewart Parnell and Michael Davitt would be asked to become Patrons.
From that initial, subdued first meeting grew the Association we know today.
http://www.ballydonoghuegaa.com/contentPage/215809/h_i_s_t_o_r_y
Famous Quotes
Anonymous Clare hurler:
'Ger Loughnane was fair, he treated us all the same during training-like dogs'
Michael Smith, Tipperary
The toughest match I ever heard off was the 1935 All-Ireland Semi-Final. After 6 minutes, the ball ricocheted off a post and went into the stand. The pulling continued relentlessly and it was 22 minutes before any of the players noticed the ball was missing"
Managers
Ger Loughnane on Tipp
⢠I'm not giving away any secrets like that to Tipperary. If I had my way, I wouldn't even tell them the time of the throw-in"
Ollie Murphy
I used to think it was great being a wee nippy corner forward, but its better now being a big, fat one
John O'Mahony
Whenever a team loses, there's always a row at half time but when they win, it's an inspirational speech".
Babs Keating before Tipp played Cork in 1990 (Cork went on to win the All Ireland...the shower of donkeys!!!)
'You can't win derbies with donkeys'
Babs Keating description of Offaly in 1998
'Sheep in a heap'
A clap on the back is only about two feet from a kick in the arse.
Babs Keating
Manager to a club player in Derry.
We're taking you off but we're not bothering to put on a sub. Just having you off will improve our situation.
Val Andrews in response to modern training methods
"Cones are for Guards and ladders are for firemen"
Others
Joe Lynch, actor.
I love Cork so much that if I caught one of their hurlers in bed
with my missus, I'd tiptoe downstairs and make him a cup of tea"-
Kerry player during league campaign 1980s
'Life isn't all beer and football...some of us haven't touched a
football in months' -
Tipp fan to Ger Loughnane
'Any chance of an autograph? Its for the wife...she really hates
you' -
Offaly fan in 1998
'Babs Keating 'resigned' as coach because of illness and
fatigue. The players were sick and tired of him' -
Cork fan 1988
'Meath make football a colourful game-you get all black and
blue'
Keep your eye on the ball, even when it's in the referee's pocket.
Christy Ring
Several broken sticks, two broken heads, and two bruised fingers were part of the afternoon's play, for hurling, the Irish national game is the fastest and probably the most dangerous of sports. It is a combination of hockey, football, golf, baseball, battle and sudden death. It was a real Irish game
Daily Mail
Reporting on a match held in London (1921).
Brendan Hegarty's â˜take' on Micheál O'Muireartaigh's â˜would be' account of Gus Cremin scoring a winning point in Croke Park from 60 yards in the '46 All Ireland Final, and his greyhound, aptly named 'Kerryman', winning the Irish Derby at Harold's Cross.
"Two formidable Kerrymen, one chasing the ball, the other chasing the hare, both chasing fame, both catching it, one from the 60 the other from the 525, both winning, Ballydonoghue forced to share the spoils with Ballydonoghue, On the Line, on the world stage. Serial law breakers cutting loose on Track and Field who will not be caught, both with serious form, peerless Track Records, Track and Field Records.
One from a football stronghold, the other from a greyhound stronghold, both from Ballydonoghue, the same Ballydonoghue, the same stronghold, what a stronghold. What am I talking about, the same household, what a household. GUBU it is, Gus, Unbelievable, Ballydonoghue, Unprecedented."
John B. Keane
A Kerry footballer with an inferiority complex is one who thinks he's just as good as everybody else.
John B.Keane ventures into coaching
Now listen lads, I'm not happy with our tackling. We're hurting them but they keep getting up.
Pat Spillane on the Cavan football team
'They have a forward line that couldn't punch holes in a paper bag'
Pat Spillane reflects on an Ulster Championship clash.
The first half was even, the second half was even worse.
"Is the ref going to finally blow his whistle?... No, he's going to blow his nose!"
Radio Kilkenny commentator
From the great MÃcheál Ó Muircheartaigh:
"And Brian Dooher is down injured. And while he is, I'll tell ye a little story. I was in Times Square in New York last week, and I was missing the Championship back home. So I approached a newsstand and I said 'I suppose ye wouldn't have â˜The Kerryman would ye?' To which the Egyptian behind the counter turned to me and he said 'Do you want the North Kerry edition or the South Kerry edition?'... He had both... So I bought both. And Dooher is back on his feet..."
"Anthony Lynch the Cork corner back will be the last person to let you down - his people are undertakers"
"Pat Fox has it on his hurley and is motoring well now ... But here comes Joe Rabbitte hot on his tail ... I've seen it all now - a Rabbitte chasing a Fox around Croke Park!"
"He grabs the sliothar, he's on the 50...... He's on the 40...... He's on the 30...... He's on the ground"
"Teddy McCarthy to Mick McCarthy, no relation, Mick McCarthy back to Teddy McCarthy, still no relation "
"In the first half they played with the wind. In the second half they played with the ball".
"We're short two" - The Late Timmy Carr's response to a roadside interrogation by an officer of the law, who was wanting to know how many soldiers were in his single armoured vehicle calvacade (ie Blue Ford Anglia Estate Reg FIN 572), as he led them to war in a neighbouring parish playing field back in the '60's.
"There wasn't a coat of paint in it" - Eamie Kissane's take on a close encounter.
"It would be aiser to go over you than around you" - Johnny Buckley's observation of a player in his first training session back, having Wintered well, very well, too well?
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https://youtu.be/Wjez6dGibvs
Vintage Tractor parade
MOV07271.AVI
Knockanure National School July 2 2021
Huge congratulations to Moyvane u12s who won the North Kerry League Division 2 Final last night. A special well done to our 3 girls, Emily, Chloe and Éadaoin. What a great start to the summer holidays.
August 2021; Best wishes to Knockanure past pupil, Kelly Enright, who is playing in the Munster U 16 Football Final against Cork on Sunday. We’re all very proud of what you have achieved and we’ll be cheering you on.
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TOKYO: there will be 29 athletes competing at the Paralympic Games for Team Ireland including, Eight Athletes Named to Represent Ireland in Para Athletics, which will take place from 24 August-5
https://paralympics.ie/eight-athletes-named-to-represent-ireland-in-para-athletics/
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