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Michael J. Hanrahan (1888-1968): Early Twentieth Century Gaelic Football on Both Sides of the Atlantic
Peter Roughan wrote articles for the Kilkenny People where older people “looked back” over their lives. On the 26th September 1959 a Roughan article was published entitled “Glenmore Man Looks Back,” featuring Michael J. Hanrahan who had returned from New York to Glenmore for a visit. Due to the length of the original newspaper article excerpts more germane to Glenmore and Kilkenny are below. A separate blog article will cover Michael J. Hanrahan’s early life. The words recorded in the original newspaper article have been utilized as much as possible.
The author stated that he “knocked” into Mick Hanrahan a few evenings ago, after “young Betty McKenna down at the Post Office” told him that Mick was home from America. Interestingly Betty herself was born in New York the daughter of a Glenmore emigrant Elizabeth McKenna née Fluskey (1897-1985). (See, https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-businessman-robert-fluskey-1843-1925-and-the-sisters-of-charity-of-the-incarnate-word/ .) Roughan commented that, “… what stands out in my mind most of all about Mick Hanrahan is his rich brogue after his 47 years in New York…I can say this much . . . his heart never left [Ireland] anyway, and I don’t suppose it ever will.”
Gaelic Football
“Now” says he to me, “I could keep you up all night talking about football, for in my young days ’twas all football down around here, there was little or no hurling at all except over Mooncoin way, but we had the very best of men here in Glenmore, Tullogher, Mullinavat and Kilmacow. And when a match was played on a Sunday, sure, we played it all over again around the fireside for the other six nights of the week.
I was only thinking the other day when I was coming back down from Croke Park about the big change there is in the country. Years ago we used to travel to matches in waggonettes, and we’d have a singsong coming home, and then we’d give the whole week talking about the game, there’d be footballs flying all over the kitchen every night until we went to bed, and the same way when we used to sit around at the crossroads; but now, the lads go to matches in motor cars, four or five of them in a car, and you’d hardly know that you were at a match at all when you’d be coming back home, you’d never hear “inquests” like we used to have years ago.
In those days if we lost a match and knew that, say, the full-back on the other team was the nail in our coffin, well, the next time we played that crowd, we’d make sure that our best man was playing on that full-back, and it didn’t matter whether our best man was a forward or a centrefield man or what he was, if we thought he could hold that fellow, well, he was told that he was to play on him, and that’s all there was to it.
Good Heavens, we used to think It a great thing to be picked to mark the best man on the other team, and I can tell you ’twas God help the man that was picked if he let the other fellow skittle him about the field. He’d never hear the end of it after coming home that night. Begor, the girls mightn’t even dance with you at that! Oh, bedad, we took our footballing very seriously then.”
When asked about his brothers on the field, Mick remarked, “I think … my brother Jim was the toughest sample I ever saw on a field. He was known to be the smallest and wiriest lad in the country, he was a little devil when he got going. He played on the old senior team in Glenmore and turned out in hurling and football with Kilkenny. From 1913 to 1922 he hurled with Mullinavat. I’d say that Jim was the best of the Hanrahan’s, but according to himself he wasn’t worth a hat of crabs. Now Dick was a good lad as well, he hurled with Wexford and partnered Gus Kennedy; and sure Gus was a topper. Dick put out his knee when kicking in a senior match against Wexford in 1913. That finished his footballing days. They didn’t treat cartilage trouble in those days like they do today. The knee trouble finished many a good man then, the very best of men. Sure a vamp in the shin was nothing, you soon got over that, but when the knee went, ’twas all up with you. A fellow got over a broken leg, but the knee was a terror. That last match of Dick’s got him a Leinster medal, but he couldn’t turn out for the All-Ireland that year. Now, Pat — God be good to him — was a tidy lad on the field, he hurled and kicked with Glenmore, and Nick — God be good to him too — he was crocked like Dick with knee trouble when he kicked with Glenmore and that finished his footballing days.… John went to America and he kicked with the New York team in 1917 but out there, you can’t get as much practice as you can here, still, you’d have to be a good man to get picked to play for the city team.”
When asked about the best match he ever witnessed Mick stated, “I’ll never forget the match … that was played in James’s Park in 1908, and ’twas one of the best football matches I ever remember. We beat Kells, but I forget the score. Bedad, Kells had a powerful set of men on the field, …the man whom I’ll never forget that day was young Dan Stapleton — Dottie as we called him — he came from Callan. Now Stapleton was like a hare on the field, and a dandy to take a drop kick, and you’d be talking about style, well I can tell you there wasn’t a footballer in the county or country to come up to him, and I doubt if ever we’ll see a tastier footballer again. You should see the way that he went in to meet a drop kick.
… We had a great set of men out, John Grace of Kilbride was our captain, then we had the three Walsh’s of Rochestown —Jack, Mick and Tom; Nick Curran, the teacher in Glenmore at the time; Jack Heffernan; Bill Grace; Mick Hoynes; and Dick and Pat Reddy. My brother, Pat, was a sub that day, and John Dunphy of Ballyverneen was in the goal. John has a son —Sean — who is now secretary of the club here. ‘Tis so long now, and I’ve knocked about such a lot since then, that I forget the names of all the lads who turned out against Kells that day, but we won a hard match against ’em, and I can tell you that it had to be a real good team that could hold out against Dinny Gorey’s lads in those days…” In terms of the best all round footballer, Mick replied, “Now that’s a stickler, but I would say that Ballyhale produced the best all-round man I ever saw on a field, and that was Davy Hoyne. We had him on the Glenmore team that played against Wexford over here in Bawnjames one Sunday, and Davy kicked the best match any one ever saw.”
New York Gaelic Football
Mick said that he went to the United States on 19 January 1912 when he was 24 years of age. He made contact with the GAA soon after landing in New York and played with the Kilkenny team there until 1932. He captained the team one year. Mick refereed “most of the big matches out there, international and home ones, and gave fifteen years as referee in League games.”
Turning to Kilkenny men who played in New York, Mick “spoke of one chap — Big Tom Phelan of Cotterstown — a man of 17 stone, who captained the New York team at one time, Jimmie Duggan at Mullinahone, over near Glenmore, who played with the Tipperary team out there, and an American-born man named Barney Cassidy, who kicked with the Kilkenny team, Barney afterwards came to Ireland and lived down in Limerick. He recalled a Mattie Butler from Kilkeasy, he played with the Kilkenny lads in New York, and two chaps who emigrated from Knocktopher, Dick Dalton and Jimmie Cody. Another great lad was Paddy Phelan of Harristown. But, says he to me, “the greatest character of all is Jim Dwyer — he must be well over 90 now — he came out from the Slatequarries and a darling of a footballer, and played with the Old Quarry Miners here in his young days. Then we had Tom and Jimmie Daly from Cotterstown, and Bob and Jack from Lamogue…”
Mick said, “I was given the honour and privilege to pick and manage the first team that beat the first football team to come out from Kerry, we beat the Kerry lads three times, and then my team beat the pick of New York. In fact, one sportswriter out there blazoned his paper with the big head-lines that he heard of one crazy Kilkenny man who offered to put up a team to beat Kerry and I was laughed at by some of the big noises out there in the G.A.A. at the time… I knew that I had the men to pick on, all great men, and I never had a doubt but that they would beat the best that could be put up against them, and the most of my lads came from my own county, sure, Kilkenny produced some of the greatest men that ever kicked a ball.”
Without a date we were unable to find a newspaper account where Mick’s New York Team beat the Kerry lads in three matches, but we did come across an article in the Boston Globe of the 4th of June 1927 (p. 5) where it was announced that the Governor of Massachusetts was to toss up the ball to start the Gaelic football game between the Kerry, all Ireland champions, and the pick of the players in Massachusetts Gaelic Association. The article explained that although the Kerry “visitors were thought to be invincible,” they were just coming from a loss in New York. The Billings Gazette (Montana) of 31 May 1927 attempted to explain to readers why the New York Gaelic Football team beat the Irish football champions at an Irish game. It was explained that the New York players were natives of Ireland, and that an expert had informed the puzzled press that witnessed the game that the New York players “were slightly more accurate in kicking and had the edge in aggressiveness.”
Special thanks to Kelvin Johnson Treacy for sending on the Roughan newspaper article.
The feature photo is the Kerry All Ireland Football Champions of 1927. The photo was published in the Boston Globe (4 June 1927, p. 5). The players were identified as follows: Front Row, Left to Right—J. Sullivan, T. Mahoney, R. Stack, J. Slattery, Jim Bailey, Second Row—J. O’Sullivan, J. Ryan, Stan Kirvin, John Bailey, John Riordan, Con Brosman. Back Row—Jack Walsh, M. Coffey, J. Ryan, John Joe Sheehy (Captain), P. O. Sullivan, P. Clifford, M. Coffey, Dick Fitzgerald, J.J. Hanley.
The photo from the Daily News, (N.Y. 31 May 1926, p. 26) depicts Wm. Landers who took a nose dive when P. Brady (with ball) gave him the hip in front of Kilkenny NY goal.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Margaret M. Walsh (1879-1959) of Davidstown, Glenmore: Her Small Contribution to the Irish War of Independence.
It is often difficult to find historical information regarding women because they often did not work outside the home or farm and there are few newspaper accounts of their activities. Today, we are going to feature, Margaret M. Walsh, a woman who was born and reared in Glenmore, lived abroad in Worcester, Massachusetts for a few years at the turn of the twentieth century, returned to Glenmore and spent the rest of her life in Glenmore. In many respects Maggie Walsh, as she was locally known, after returning to Ireland lived a typical life as a spinster in her brother’s home filled with her nieces and nephews. However, what is unique about Maggie is that she provided a handgun and ammunition to the local IRA during the Irish War of Independence.
According to the Glenmore parish records, Margaret M. Walsh was born on the 14th of April 1879. She as the youngest child of Patrick Walsh (farmer) of Davidstown, and his wife Margaret Walsh née Kennedy of Rathinure. Patrick and Margaret Walsh were married on the 6th of February 1868. Patrick was the son of Laurence Walsh (farmer) and Margaret was the daughter of Patrick Kennedy (farmer). At the time of the wedding in 1868 the fathers of both the bride and groom were deceased.
Maggie’s siblings included:
(1) Bridget Walsh (27 Nov. 1868-22 Dec. 1890) Bridget died at the age of 22 of TB while working in Massachusetts.
(2) Laurence Walsh (4 May 1871—9 Sept. 1940) Laurence was a twin with John. Laurence was the elder twin; he was born at 10:30 a.m. Both twins became priests.
(3) John Walsh (4 May 1871—13 Dec. 1929) John was the younger twin and was born at 10:32.
(4) Robert Walsh (27 March 1872—12 Feb. 1951) married Mary Walsh, of Carriganura, Slieverue and they farmed in Davidstown, Glenmore. The couple had a large family.
(5) Mary Walsh (9 August 1873—12 April 1948) married Tom Mullins, of Flemingstown, Glenmore. The couple had a large family.
(6) Patrick Walsh (27 Feb. 1875—9 Jan. 1952) married Catherine Brennan, from around Knocktopher, and they farmed in Ballinacrea, Slieverue. Later they bought Charlestown House and were the parents of Robert “Robbie” Walsh who was wounded in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday in November 1920.
Although little is known about Maggie Walsh’s early life it is believed that she received the normal schooling of the era and generally helped around the house and farm. Her eldest sister Bridget went to Worcester, Massachusetts to their Uncle Rev. Robert Walsh (1841-1908). Bridget was a housekeeper for her Uncle. Father Robert Walsh lived in the house of the Immaculate Conception parish at 47 Prescott St. in Worcester. Father Michael Mernagh in Glenmore Times (2000, p. 40) disclosed that Father Robert Walsh attended a hedge-type school in “Irish’s barn.” He attended secondary school in Waterford “where he walked weekly.” He studied at St. John’s in Waterford and was ordained in 1866 for the Springfield Diocese in Massachusetts. Bridget Walsh died in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1890 at the age of 22. She is buried in St. John’s cemetery of Worcester with her Uncle Father Robert Walsh who died in 1908.
Although Maggie is known to have gone to Massachusetts exactly when she went and when she returned to Glenmore is not known. The 1901 census for Grogan, Davidstown, Glenmore, provides that Maggie was 21 living at home with her father Patrick and mother Margaret, brother Robert and his wife Mary. Her nephew Patrick Walsh was 7 months old. In the 1911 Census of Grogan, Davidstown, Glenmore, Maggie was aged 31 and again living at home with her father Patrick, aged 72, and mother Margaret, aged 74. Patrick and Mary Walsh reported in the Census that they had been married 43 years, had 7 children, and 6 were alive in 1911. Also, in the house was Maggie’s brother Robert, aged 39, and his wife Mary, who was aged 32. Robert and Mary Walsh reported that they had been married for 12 years and had 6 children.
The U.S. Census of 1900 provides details concerning Father Robert Walsh and Maggie was not living in Worcester, Massachusetts at that time. Turning to immigration records, several records were found of Father Robert Walsh entering the U.S. For example, on 13 September 1891 Robert Walsh, Clergyman, aged 50, arrived at Boston, Massachusetts from Ireland. The only record located for Maggie entering the U.S. was in 1904. She sailed on the S.S. Republic from Queenstown, Ireland on the 24th of June 1904 and arrived in Boston on the 1st of July. Maggie was aged 25 and was traveling with her Uncle Father Robert Walsh (aged 63) and her brother Father John Walsh (aged 30).
When Father Robert Walsh died on 6 March 1908, at his home at 47 Prescott Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Maggie was with him and provided the personal information for his death cert. Father Robert Walsh was the son of Laurence Walsh and Bridget Walsh née Murphy. In 1907, Father Robert Walsh executed a Will naming his niece Margaret M. Walsh as his executrix and gave her various personal items he owned which were located in the parochial residence on Prescott St. The personal property included an onyx mantel clock, silver teapots, sugar bowl, spoon holder and silver spoons marked with the letter W. In addition to several charities Father Robert Walsh in his Will gave the sum of one thousand dollars to M. M. Walsh to carry out intentions he communicated to her. The residue of his estate he gave outright to his niece Maggie. There is no mention of a handgun, but when Maggie returned to Ireland prior to 1911 she had a handgun and ammunition in her possession.
Once Maggie returned to Glenmore she lived in her childhood home with her brother Robert, sister-in-law Mary and their large family. Maggie also spent a lot of time in Flemingtown, Glenmore with her sister Mary Mullins and her family. During the Irish War of Independence the local IRA sought firearms from persons that they knew owned firearms. Mostly they collected shotguns from farmers. Maggie’s nephew Nicky Walsh, of Davidstown, Glenmore informed Danny Dowling that when Maggie was approached concerning her handgun she readily handed it over to the “local lads” with the ammunition she had. Nicky stated that Maggie’s handgun was described as dainty, but he did not know if it was a small caliber revolver or a derringer. Nicky thought that anyone who returned from the U.S. were approached as it was known generally that local people returning to Ireland often brought home weapons.
Maggie was the last of her family and in the end was living in her childhood home in Davidstown with her unmarried nephews Nicky and Mick Walsh. The following obituary appeared in the Kilkenny People on Saturday the 15th of August 1959.
Death of Miss Margaret Walsh—We regret to record the death of Miss Margaret Walsh of Davidstown, Glenmore, which took place recently at the ripe old age of 80 years. The deceased lady was the youngest and last surviving member of a family of six. Two of her brothers were Ossory Priests, the late Very Rev. Laurence Walsh, P.P., of Johnstown, who died in September, 1940; and the late Very Rev. John Walsh, P.P., Gowran, both of whom were noted Churchmen. Fr. John Walsh laboured for a number of years as C.C. in Callan, where he will be long remembered as the priest who rode the white horse. He was an outstanding horseman.
Her sister, Mrs. M. Mullins of Flemingstown, Glenmore and two farming brothers, Patrick of Charlestown, Kilmacow, and Robert of Davidstown, pre-deceased her. She was sister-in-law of the late Rev. W. Walsh, Melbourne. She was highly respected by all who knew her, her kindly and charitable disposition being a strong trait of her noble character, and throughout her long life she was deeply religious. During her last illness, she was attended by the Very Rev. William Brennan, P.P., Glenmore, and Dr. Kehoe, Waterford. Her remains were removed to Slieverue Church on Tuesday evening and lay overnight before the High Altar. Office and High Mass were celebrated on Wednesday at which the Very Rev. J. Canon Ryan, P.P., Slieverue, presided. The celebrant was Rev. Dr. Hughes, C.C, Slieverue. Deacon, Rev. T. Greene, C.C., Mooncoin: Sub-Deacon. Rev. Fr. Phelan. M.C., Very Rev. W. Brennan, P.P., Glenmore. The interment took place at Slieverue in the family burial ground.
The chief mourners were — Tom Walsh, Rathenure; Larry Walsh, Waterford; Nicholas and Michael Walsh, Davidstown; Richard and John Walsh, England; Robert Walsh, Chicago; Mrs. Hickey, Kildrummy, Windgap; Mrs. Laridge, Ferrybank; Sister M. Brigid, Holy Faith Convent, Celbridge; Dr. Laurence Walsh, Charlestown; Dr. John Walsh, Quebec; Patrick Walsh, Ballincrea; James Walsh, Thomastown; Mrs. P. Rockett, Slieverue; Miss C. Walsh, do., and the Mullins family, Flemingstown (nephews and nieces). Mr. Power, Ferrybank, had charge of the funeral arrangements.
It is not known what role, if any, Maggie’s dainty handgun may have played in the Irish War of Independence but it must have been of some value because it was taken with thanks.
Special thanks to Margaret Claridge Phelan for the photos of Father Robert Walsh, the grave marker and the photos of Brigid and Maggie. The featured photo of the Walsh sisters of Davidstown, Glenmore, in the cart, is from the Poole Collection and provided by courtesy of the National Archives. It is believed that the Walsh sister on the right is Brigid Walsh and the sister on the left is Maggie.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Franco’s Glenmore Recruit: Richard “Dick” Fluskey (1907-1942) [UPDATED]
The Spanish Civil War of 1936-1938 is regarded by many as the opening act for the Second World War. From the Irish perspective it is viewed sometimes as a continuation of the Irish Civil War of 1922-1923 with Irish volunteers traveling to Spain and joining both sides of the conflict. According to John Dorney about 700 Irish volunteers fought for the right wing fascist side led by Francisco Franco which today tends to be the cause of much embarrassment in Ireland. He notes that greater attention is paid to the much smaller number of Irish volunteers who fought for the left wing or republicans. However, in the 1930’s the right wing cause was more popular in Ireland as it was perceived as a “crusade” against communism to support the Catholic religion. (John Dorney, “God’s Battle: O’Duffy’s Irish Brigade in the Spanish Civil War: The Irish Unit that Fought for Franco in 1936-37,” available at https://www.theirishstory.com/2018/10/24/gods-battle-oduffys-irish-brigade-in-the-spanish-civil-war/#.X7lfAM37RPY .)
The Spanish civil war began brewing in 1931 when the Spanish monarchy was peacefully overthrown. A Republic was established and intense class conflict and political polarisation between the right and left undermined democratic principles. In 1934 after the election of a right wing government in the northern province of Asturias worker’s revolted. The revolt was suppressed as was Catalonia’s declaration of independence. During the 1936 election in February, several left wing parties worked together and formed the Popular Front and won the election. In July 1936 a section of the Spanish Army mounted an attack on the Popular Front government. Spain descended into a civil war which Dorney described as an “international battleground between ideologies of left and right, depicted on one side as a war for democracy against fascism and on the other for western civilisation against communism.” The right wing or Nationalist side led by Franco was supported by Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. The Republic was backed by the Soviet Union and the communist movement. For photos taken during the Spanish Civil War, see, David Sims (2017) “Spanish Civil War: 50 Powerful Photos of the Horrific Conflict,” in International Business Times, available at https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/spanish-civil-war-anniversary-50-powerful-photos-horrific-conflict-1630676 .
In 1936 the Irish clergy and the Irish Christian Front staged rallies across Ireland in support of Franco. Many volunteered to fight in God’s battle against communism in Spain. Eoin O’Duffy led the Irish volunteers for Franco. O’Duffy had been an IRA commander in Monaghan during the Irish War of Independence. He supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty, served as a Free State army general and Garda Commissioner until 1933 when he was fired by Eamon de Valera. O’Duffy became the leader of the Blueshirt movement a semi-fascist group. Due to his increasingly extreme views O’Duffy became politically isolated and is believed to have recruited men to join in the Spanish Civil War to boost his own political prospects.
The Irish Independent on Saturday the 12th of December 1936 reported that 100 more volunteers left Dublin last night for Liverpool, to travel to Spain, where the volunteers were to join the Irish Brigade under General O’Duffy. This was the biggest contingent that set out to assist the “Patriot Forces.” The newspaper noted that the volunteers came from 18 counties and also included three volunteers from Liverpool and one from London. Included in the list were 3 Kilkenny men… William Greene, Deerpark, Mullinavat; R. Fluskey, Glenmore; and Joseph F. Doyle, Kiltown, Castlecomer. A much shorter article appear in the Kilkenny People on Saturday the 26th of December 1936 (p. 8) and provided that Mr. R. Fluskey, Glenmore “…has gone to Spain to fight with the forces of General Franco, is a native of Mile Bush, Rosbercon.” The newspaper incorrectly recorded that the R initial was for Robert.
Shipping records provide that the steamship Ardeola, of the Yeoward Line, left Liverpool on the 12th of December 1936 for Lisbon, Portugal, under Captain A.E. Jones. Richard “Dick” Fluskey and 20 other volunteers were on board the Ardeola and traveling 1st Class. The ship register provides that Mr. R. Fluskey, of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, was 24 years of age and his profession was listed as farmer. In the group of 21 volunteers are two other local men: Mr. W. Greene of Deerpark, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny, was 29 years of age, a farmer; and Mr. J. Ivory, of Ballyglen, Dunmore East, Waterford, was 26 years of age and also a farmer.
Danny Dowling yesterday was able to immediately identify that “Dick” Fluskey went to Spain to fight in the Spanish Civil War. He wasn’t in Spain very long and when he returned he did not get a great reception. According to John Dorney all of the Irish Brigade, save one man, were back in Ireland by 21 June 1937. Danny Dowling stated that Dick Fluskey, upon his return, stayed with Jim Fluskey in Glenmore Village. Danny wasn’t sure of the exact relationship between the two men, but did recall that Jim Fluskey wasn’t very happy with Dick. Dick went to Swansea in Wales and died shortly after his arrival in Wales. Danny stated that Dick Fluskey was a young man when he died and was ill when he left Ireland.
A newspaper article appeared in the Kilkenny People In 1939 which recited that Robert Fluskey, of Glenmore, had been denied permission to keep pigs in “the yard” due to sanitary concerns. He believed that with the outbreak of the second World War that a food shortage would occur. Danny Dowling stated yesterday that it was around this time that the Fluskey piggery was built behind Jim B’s cottage in Glenmore Village just above where the current pub is now located.
It is believed that Richard “Dick” Fluskey was a brother of the two girls that James Fluskey and his wife raised when the mother of the girls died. Both girls became nuns. For details concerning the Fluskey family see, our previous blog post on Robert Fluskey (1843-1925) at https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-businessman-robert-fluskey-1843-1925-and-the-sisters-of-charity-of-the-incarnate-word/. Armed with a place of death for Richard “Dick” Fluskey, we were able to find a death record for Richard Fluskey. He died on the 28th of September 1942 in Pembrokeshire, Wales. His age is incorrectly recorded as 27 when he was actually 35 years of age. It is not known what Fluskey was doing in Wales.
The following obituary was published in the Munster Express, on Friday the 2nd of October 1942, (p. 3) for Richard “Dick” Fluskey.
LATE MR. R. FLUSKEY—At a joint meeting of the Glenmore L.D.F. and L.S.F., a vote of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Richard Fluskey, whose death occurred in England on Monday evening. The deceased took a leading part in the organisation of the L.D.F. and L.S.F. in Glenmore, and held the position of Group Leader in the L.D.F. up to the time of his departure to England twelve months ago. He also served with the Irish Brigade in Spain during the Civil War, and held a non-commissioned rank in the National Army before his departure to Spain. His efficiency as an organiser was responsible for the standard of proficiency attained by the L.D.F. in Glenmore at the moment. His passing at such an early age has caused sincere regret in his native county, and especially among his comrades in the L.D.F and L.S.F., he having being a verv honourable and straightforward leader. The dance to be held at Walsh’s Hall on Sunday night next in aid of the Glenmore L.D.F. has been postponed to Sunday night. Nov. 4. as a mark of respect for the death of their former Group Leader, Richard Fluskey.
After the outbreak of the Second World War in May 1940 the Local Security Force (LSF) was established. The following month the LSF was split into two groups. One group was an auxiliary to the Army while the other group was an auxiliary to the Gardai. This second group became the Local Defence Force (LDF) and was organized based on the previous Garda districts and division. For a concise article on Ireland during the Second World War see, Bryce Evans (2015) at http://www.1940.co.uk/acatalog/Ireland-in-WW2.html.
For further information concerning the Spanish Civil War see, Paul Preston (2012) The Spanish Holocaust: Inquisition & Extermination in Twentieth-Century Spain. A concise book review is available at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/09/spanish-holocaust-paul-preston-review .
Today, we do not know why Richard “Dick” Fluskey joined O’Duffy’s Irish Brigade. Was he a fascist, was he a bored young man looking for excitement, or did he go there to fight the enemies of the Church? Given his activities after returning from the Spanish Civil War it does not seem likely that he was a fascist. On the other hand, he had two sisters and three cousins in a religious order. It appears more likely that he enlisted to fight the enemies of the Church or to protect the priests and nuns of Spain.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
[UPDATE: Another local man identified. Elizabeth “Cissy” Kennedy (aged 90) a native of Rathinure, Glenmore stated on 28 November 2020 that Jimmy Morrissey from Tullogher also went out to the Spanish Civil War, she believed that he fought for Franco. When he returned to Ireland he went out with Celia Heffernan, of Kearneybay, Glenmore for a long time.]
[Update: Special thanks to Michael Hoynes for sharing the photo of “the Glenmore LDF under the command of Richard Fluskey.”]
November 1920: No Looking Back
Events in November 1920 played a vital role in the support for Ireland’s fight for independence. Although much has been written regarding events in Dublin, today, we are going to highlight events that featured in local newspapers including a local man identified by Danny Dowling as having been wounded on Bloody Sunday in 1920.
For our international readers, as previously highlighted at Easter 1916, in what is generally referred to as the Easter Rising, Irish republicans seized various locations, primarily in Dublin, and proclaimed Ireland a republic. Britain was involved in fighting the First World War and crushed the uprising. The maltreatment of the civilian population and the execution of the leaders of the Easter Rising shifted public support toward the republicans. For a brief biography of 16 executed leaders of the 1916 rising see, https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/583995-the-executed-leaders-of-the-1916-rising/ .
Sinn Fein in the 1918 general election won a majority of seats and formed the first Dáil of Ireland on 21 January 1919. The Dáil set up a government, court system and police force. Across the country Crown police and tax offices were attacked and burned. As highlighted in a previous post Company C of the old IRA burned the empty Glenmore police barracks on Easter Saturday 1920. These efforts were to undermine the authority of the British rule. For information on the burning of the Glenmore Barracks, see, https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-barracks/. For further information on Company C see, https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-company-of-the-old-ira/ .
A review of the local newspapers from November 1920 illustrate several interesting facts and ironically some similarities with events in 2020.
Pandemic—The Spanish flu pandemic was still an issue in November 1920. An advertisement for Statham Ltd. on High St., Kilkenny City specifically advised readers
“The best preventative of the Flu is abundant open air exercise. Cycling is the best exercise to keep you fit and enable you to resist ‘all the ills that flesh is heir to.’ Cycling helps you to combine business with pleasure, and health with both.” (Kilkenny People, 13 Nov. 1920, p. 3)
Coal & Food Shortages—Several newspaper articles made reference to U.K. coal mine strikes, exceeding six weeks, depleting coal supplies and impacting on shipping and railways. In Ireland in some districts railways were also disrupted by the republicans searching trains for weapons and intelligence. With the disruption to transportation concerns were expressed (similar to the Brexit concerns today) that vital supplies such as food and medicine would be scarce.
“To Shopkeepers and Farmers in Inland Districts—We are asked by the City of Waterford Food Emergency Committee, in view of the imminent threatened hold-up of the Railways and the restriction of motor transit and the petrol supply in Ireland, to impress upon all shopkeepers and farmers in inland districts the urgent necessity of at once procuring as large a supply as possible of such essential foods as flour, oatmeal, rice and groceries: also oil-cakes and Indian meal for fattening stock. Steps should be taken at once to make this provision, as in a day or two it may be impossible to procure or transport these requirements…” (Munster Express, 20 Nov. 1920 p. 4)
Murder of Father Griffin in Galway—Rev. Michael Griffin (1892-1920) C.C. was abducted from his home in Galway on the 14th of November by three men wearing trench coats. His body was found the following week in a shallow grave in a bog four miles from Galway. He had been shot in the head, and the Kilkenny People proclaimed that Father Griffin was the first priest executed in Ireland since 1798 (27 Nov. 1920, p. 2). The Munster Express suggested the motive of the murder was the fact that Father Griffin had supported the local Sinn Fein candidate, but today it is generally believed that he was kidnapped and tortured to force him to reveal information he heard in the confessional. Today, it is generally believed that the Black and Tans were responsible for the murder. This murder, although less well remembered today than Bloody Sunday, had a significant impact. For an article on this and other Galway atrocities see, https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland/index.php/articles/other-cheated-dead-murder-and-reprisals-in-galways-gregory-yeats-country .
Aeroplane Crash in Waterford—The following article may record the first airplane crash in Waterford. The fixed bayonets of the soldiers at the scene keeping curious onlookers back highlights the violence of the times.
“An exciting affair occurred in Waterford at about 1 o’clock on Wednesday, when an aeroplane crashed on the roofs of the houses in Barrack Street, and was totally wrecked. The plane was of the scout type .. and was carrying the usual despatches from Fermoy to the military barracks at Waterford. It was noticed to be flying very low passing over the city. Arrived over the barrack square, the machine struck the wireless apparatus, and at once dived forward, then turned on its side, and struck upside down on the roofs of the licensed premises of Mr. Aspel, in Barrack Street, and the private house of Mrs. McSweeney, just opposite the barracks gate. The crash was heard for a wide area around and at once created much commotion. Naturally the occupants of the houses sustained a great fright over the occurrence. A number of soldiers of the Devon Regiment rushed from the barracks, and ran up ladders to the roof. One of the soldiers, scrambling on the roof, fell down through it, but was not injured beyond receiving a severe shaking. After making great effort the two occupants of the machine were rescued and were conveyed to the interior of the house. It was at once found that both were unconscious. The observer was the more seriously injured, the injuries being principally to the head and face, while the pilot of the machine sustained a broken right arm, while he was also suffering shock. They were removed on stretchers to the barracks hospital, and subsequently were transferred by motor ambulance to Fermoy.
The names of the occupants were Flying Officers Biggs and McKichan. In the meantime a crowd had congregated around the scene of the accident, and the military with fixed bayonets kept them back from the immediate vicinity of the accident. During the evening the scene was visited by people from all parts of the city.” (Munster Express, Friday 20 Nov. 1920 p. 4)
Exciting Incidents at Hugginstown (Kilkenny)—”It is stated that Black and Tans auxiliary police have recently been visiting Hugginstown, Co. Kilkenny, looking for young men who are supposed to be on the run. The circumstances, as related by some of the residents, go to show that recent Volunteers there effected the arrest of two men on a charge of being concerned in the robbery of a sum of money. It is stated that a number of Black and Tans arrived in the district from Inistioge at intervals, and notified the residents that if these two men were not immediately set at liberty again Hugginstown would be burned down.
On last Sunday night several armed men called at Hugginstown and visited the house of Joseph Halloran, a farmer, whose two sons are present on the run and with whom they enquited. The father and son it is said, were brought outside the house, blindfolded, and put up against a wall. Shots were fired over their heads, after which the bandages were removed from their eyes. The men then searched the licensed premises of Cleary’s and of Holden’s in the village.
About midnight on Monday the force again appeared in the village and called on Halloran’s. This time they took the young lad, aged 19, with them brought him to a house close by, belonging to a family named Jackman. They searched the latter house and told Mr. Jackman that they had a charge against him and that it would be better for him to give up having anything to do with Sinn Fein. At the same time they examined the beds, and asked to know if there were any young men in the house, and on being informed in the negative they withdrew. Young Halloran had in the meantime been blindfolded and put with his face to the wall. Hearing some shots and a cry, “I am shot,” he decided to make a run for it. Tearing the bandages from his eyes, he made a dash for liberty and received two bullet wounds—one in the shoulder and the other in the thigh. He continued to run, however, and scrambled, over a fence and took to the country. When things were quiet he returned to his house, whence he was subsequently removed to Kilkenny Infirmary.
About thirty young men—almost all the population of the village—are now on the run and it is alleged that the Black and Tans have threatened that they will take three lives for Tom Ryan’s. Constable Ryan was killed during the attack on Hugginstown police barracks in March last.” (Munster Express, 20 Nov. 1920, p. 4)
Bloody Sunday—Notwithstanding the fear of famine, the Black and Tans, and violence, November 1920 ended with more of the Irish population openly supporting the republicans fanned by the murder of Father Griffin, abuse of civilians and Bloody Sunday. On the 21st of November 1920, the RIC, and Crown Forces, opened fire on civilians attending a football match, between Tipperary and Dublin, at Croke Park in Dublin. The attack on the civilians was in retribution of the killing of fourteen British intelligence officers earlier that day. See, https://crokepark.ie/bloodysunday/bloody-sunday-1920 Fourteen civilians were killed at Croke Park, including a Tipperary player and scores of spectators were injured.
Ballinacree, Slieverue native, Robbie Walsh, at 16, of Charlestown House, was one of the spectators injured that day when a bullet grazed his wrist. The obituary for Robert “Robbie” Walsh, V.S. (Munster Express, Friday 3 January 1930, p. 6) supports Danny’s recollection and recites that Robbie at the age of 26 died on Christmas Day 1929 of TB. It was noted that he “..was wounded in Croke Park on the memorable ‘Bloody Sunday’ …” Robbie’s father, Patrick Walsh, was a native of Davidstown, Glenmore.
By the end of November 1920 there was no looking back.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
[Updated] A Deadly Sunday Outing on the River Barrow: James Cassin, of Carrigcloney, Glenmore (c. 1868-1907)
Last summer when we were discussing the disappearance of Peter Forristal in 1916, Danny Dowling spoke about how Forristal and other young men who lived near the River Barrow often rowed across the River Barrow on Sundays to drink in a pub in Ballykelly. Glenmore was a dry parish where no alcohol was legally sold. For many living along the River Barrow the nearest pub was across the river in Wexford.
In about 1870 the then parish priest forced all three pubs in Glenmore Village to close. A pub on the edge of the parish, the Shanty, lost its license shortly after the railway was built in 1904. Glenmore Parish Priest, Father Phelan was instrumental in that pub losing its license. After the pubs in and near Glenmore parish closed Glenmore remained a dry parish until 1963. Danny noted that the failure to allow a pub to operate in Glenmore parish sometimes led to tragedy as Glenmore people travelled to have a couple of pints. Today, we are going to highlight a 1907 tragedy that resulted in the death of a Carrigcloney, Glenmore man.
James Cassin, a married labourer, living in Carrigcloney, Glenmore drowned on the 15th of September 1907 in the River Barrow near Rochestown, Glenmore. The New Ross Standard on Friday the 20th of September published details concerning his death and inquest. The following information was gleaned from this article.
On Sunday the 15th of September 1907 James Cashen (sic) drowned leaving a wife and six children. It was reported that Cassin was employed in Cody’s, brickyards of Glenmore. Although the newspaper reported that the drowning took place at the “Blackrock” on the Wexford shore about midway between Aylwardstown and Rochestown, as reported in a previous blog post, the Blackrock Quay, of Rochestown, is where the ferry for the Ida steamship picked up Kilkenny passengers (see, https://glenmore-history.com/the-ida/).
It also was reported that some Rosbercon chaps were on the river in a “freakish, unreliable cot,” which they abandoned on the Carrigcloney bank of the river. They took a prong and left the cot on the river bank. Cassin, Tom Kelly and Michael Power went to the river and when they discovered that the prong was missing they got into the “freakish” cot and rowed to Ballinlaw. Ballinlaw is on the Kilkenny side of the river south of Carrigcloney. However, given other statements in the newspaper, it is likely that the three men rowed across the river, visited a Wexford pub, and while rowing back across the river the cot capsized.
A “girl” named Hannah Holden, of Fisherstown hillside of Co. Wexford heard the cries of two men clinging to the half sunken cot. She never saw the third man in the river. Hannah Holden ran “for all she was worth to the nearest house, that of James Kinsella, the only man who happened to be about for miles around. Kinsella, a delicate little man, who has to exist on a small out-door relief pittance barely sufficient to keep body and soul together, turned out to the rescue, trying to feel as brave as a lion, though inwardly quaking for fear of being unable to save his poor fellow-mortals from an awful death”
Kinsella and Hannah shouted words of encouragement to the two men. There was no boat in the slip, so Kinsella, Hannah and a young boy dragged a boat from a yard and across forty feet of deep mud to launch it into the river. It was recorded that Kinsella was so overcome with fear of being too late, that he could not “bear to look on the wretched strugglers, whose strength was fast ebbing, as evidenced by the weakening of their terrified appeals.” When the prong was afloat Kinsella took the oars and the young boy acted as his guide. “While he sculled to the wreck near the middle of the river…with great expertness as a river-man, Kinsella got his boat stern on to the drowning men, so as to avoid a second, capsize, and hauled the two exhausted men into the prong.” It was noted that this rescue was not the first time Kinsella saved lives on the river. “Brave Kinsella is sorely grieved that he was not about in time to save all three.”
Cassin’s body was found on Monday evening and the inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon. The South Kilkenny Coroner, Dr. Walsh of Graiguenamanagh held the inquest which returned a verdict of accidental suffocation. The inquest learned that the three men had three pints of beer taken, and “it is some consolation for the poor widow to know that the lost husband was quite sober when death overtook him.” It was reported that the cot was a featherweight racing skiff brought down river that day by three young lads from the New Ross area named Dooley, Fitzgerald and Kavanagh. Cassin could not swim and being unable to grasp the upturned cot, he “could make no fight for life.” It was revealed that Kelly and Power could swim, but they were handicapped by their clothes and boots. They spent nearly an hour hanging on “for dear life” to the cot before Kinsella rescued them.
Lastly, it was reported that the remains of poor Cassin were laid to rest in the Glenmore graveyard on Tuesday evening. He was a son of Andrew Cassin, of Kilmacow, and a relative of the Cashens of Listerlin. His funeral was reported as being one of the largest funeral gatherings ever assembled in Glenmore. Although it was reported that he worked in the brickyards, it also stated that the deceased was esteemed and one of the best and most conscientious farm workers in South Kilkenny.
The Munster Express (“Boating Fatality on the River Barrow,” 21 Sept. 1907) and Kilkenny People (“Young Man Drowned, Heroism of a Young Lady,” 21 Sept. 1907) also reported the drowning, but both credited a Miss Costelloe of hearing the cries of all three men and rowing to them. Miss Costelloe was able to save two of the men but they watched in horror as Cassin sank from sight. No mention is made of James Kinsella or the young boy. The name of the deceased was incorrectly listed as John Cashen rather than James Cassin.
The Widow and Children
The 1901 Census for Carrigcloney, Glenmore provides that James Cassin (aged 33) was married to Ellen (aged 22) and their eldest child James was a year old and their second son John was three months old. A marriage record was then found for James Cassin and Ellen Malone. The couple married on the 13th of September 1899 in Piltown. James was listed as a labourer the son of James Cassin, also a labourer. It appears that the New Ross Standard erroneously listed his father as Andrew Cassin. The bride Ellen Malone, was listed as a farmer in Garryduff and she was the daughter of John Malone, farmer. The following birth certs were located for the six children of the couple all born at Carrigcloney, Glenmore: [1] James Cassin was born on the 23rd of December 1899; [2] John Cassin was born on the 15th December 1900; [3] Michael Cassin was born on the 14th of August 1904; [located by Adam Cashin] [4] Margaret Cassin was born on the 1st of April 1902; [5] Mary Cassin was born on the 7th May 1903; [6] Anastatia Cassin was born 15 November 1906 and [7] Ellen Cassin was born on the 22nd of February 1908 five months after her father’s death.
[UPDATED] The Cassin family could not be located in 1911 Census for Carrigcloney, Glenmore. However, Adam Cashin located the family in the 1911 Census living in Cappagh, Glenmore. Ellen Cashin (sic) was a widow, aged 32. The following children are living with their mother: John, aged 11; Michael, aged 6; Statia, aged 4 and Ellie aged 3. A nine year old named Margaret Cassin was found living as a boarder in the home of Johanna Devine a 60 year old widow, farmer in Old Court, Templeorum, Kilkenny. A ten year old James Cassin was living in Tullagher, Listerlin, Kilkenny in the home of Ellen Cassin a 68 year old widow. James is listed as an undefined “relative.” Also present in the house are Ellen’s sons Michael and Thomas Cassin, aged 40 and 36 respectively. Michael and Thomas Cassin are boot and shoe makers.
[UPDATED] The Cassin headstone was located in Glenmore cemetery. The inscription is as follows:
In loving memory of James Cassin Glenmore Died 9th Sept 1907 Aged 39 yrs His wife Ellen Died 31st July 1963 Aged 85 yrs Their son John Died 7th Nov 1943 Aged 41 yrs Their daughters Margaret Died 2nd Jan 1926 Aged 24 yrs Ellen McBride Died 2nd Sept 1976 Aged 68 yrs Anastasia Doyle Died 1st Oct 1996 Aged 90 yrs
[UPDATED] The death cert for Ellen Cassin née Malone (c. 1879-1963) provides that she was still living in Cappagh, Glenmore when she died in 1963 at the age of 84. Her daughter, Ellen McBride was present when she died.
The Rescuers: James Kinsella (c. 1843-1909) & Hannah Howlen (c. 1879- )
In the 1901 Census of Fishertown, Wexford, James Kinsella, was 43 years old, and employed as a fisherman. The bachelor was living with his 70 year old widowed mother Anne Kinsella. Both James and his mother could not be located in the 1911 census. James Kinsella died on the 10th of March 1909 at the age of 56. His death cert notes that he died of heart disease and had been suffering with it for 3 years. Thus, in September 1907, when he saved the two men clinging to the capsized cot, James Kinsella was suffering from heart disease that caused his death 18 months later.
In the 1901 Census of Fishertown there is no Hannah Holden or a Costelloe family. In the house listed next to the Kinsella home was the Howlen family. Hannah Howlen, aged 22, was the daughter of Michael Howlen, aged 62 and his wife Catherine aged 63. Also in the home were Hannah’s two brothers John (aged 28) and Michael (aged 24). All three men were fishermen. We believe that Hannah Howlen was “the girl” that raised the alarm and helped Kinsella launch the rescue boat.
The Rescued Men: Tom Kelly & Michael Power
In the 1901 Census two Michael Powers were located in Glenmore. The one closest to the river was Michael Power of Rochestown, an agricultural labourer, aged 25, married to Kate Power, aged 25. The couple had two children John, aged 1 year and Patrick, aged 1 month.
In the 1901 Census there were also two Thomas Kelly’s in Glenmore. Both lived near the river, however one was 70. Therefore we believe that Thomas Kelly of Griguenakill, aged 20, a railway labourer, in 1901 may have been one of the rescued men. Thomas was the son of Catherine Kelly, aged 53 in 1901. Also present in the home was her 54 year old brother Michael Breen, a farm labourer.
The 1899 Double Drowning at Rochestown Point
Eight years prior to Cassin drowning two men drowned in the River Barrow also returning on a Sunday from a visit to a pub. In 1899 two men were also rescued while clinging to a capsized boat and ironically their name was Kelly. The 1899 double drowning may be found at https://glenmore-history.com/a-double-drowning-at-rochestown-point-in-1899/ .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Tenacious Glenmore 1915 Football Team: Co. Kilkenny Senior Football Champions
According to the Gerry O’Neill’s Kilkenny GAA Bible (2014, pp. 60-61) http://www.kilkennygaa.ie/Downloads/KK_GAA_BIBLE_2014.pdf Glenmore between 1900 and 1950 won the Ned Langton Cup (county senior football championship) 15 times. Previously we posted information and a photo of the 1906 Glenmore football team that won the senior football championship (available at https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-football-club-the-trials-and-tragedy-of-the-1906-county-kilkenny-gaelic-football-champions/). Today, we are going to highlight the 1915 Glenmore football team that also took the county championship. Although there were several years where no Co. Kilkenny senior football championship was held the senior football championship of 1915 (played in 1916) is unique. This is the only year where the two semi-finalist teams played four championship games because the first three games all resulted in ties.
Interestingly some of the 1915 County Kilkenny senior football matches were played outside of Kilkenny. For example, in February 1916, Glenmore played Tullogher in Barrett’s Park, New Ross in a semi-final match. The New Ross Standard (Fri. 18 Feb. 1916) reported “an enormous amount of interest was centred in the match, and crowds of the followers of both teams came to Ross on bicycles, cars and walking.” Although it was reported that there was a rumour that the game was likely to be rough, it was not. A very large crowd of spectators attended the match and cheered the players. Tullogher had the best of the play for the greater part of the first half hour, as they kept the ball in Glenmore territory. However, they failed to score and Glenmore notched a point. During the second half Glenmore dominated and won the match with a score of 1 goal, 2 points to Tullogher’s 1 point. It was reported that both teams missed several scoring opportunities, but the play was good and “well sustained from start to finish.” Gus Kennedy, of New Ross was the referee. By winning Glenmore qualified for the final against Coolagh.
The Co. Kilkenny GAA Annual Convention was held in April 1916. John Dunphy, Glenmore the outgoing Chairman presided. The delegates from Glenmore were M. Heffernan and P. Hanrahan of the Glenmore Hurling Club. At this meeting it was proposed by Glenmore that county championships for hurling and football should continue on the League system. This was agreed. Also during the Convention, Coolagh Football Club were declared champions for the 1914 senior football championship, as “the other matches to be played having been cancelled” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 17 April 1916). Although the Easter Rising did not take place until the 24th of April the tension between the British authorities and the GAA was noted by the delegates. The British Government was attempting to levy an “entertainment” tax on matches; seeking the GAA pay income tax; agreeing not to interfere with Gaelic sports so long as the gatherings were not political and generally were according to P. Hanahan trying to break the GAA.
On the 19th of March 1916 the reigning senior champions Coolagh were to play Coolroe at St. James’ Park with Glenmore’s M. Heffernan as referee in the second football semi-final. The winner of this semi-final match was to play Glenmore at St. James’ Park on the 2nd of April with John Lalor as referee (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 11 March 1916). Coolagh won this semi-final. Due to a number of factors the final match between Coolagh and Glenmore was not played on the 2nd of April.
The senior football final between Glenmore and Coolagh was “re-fixed” for Sunday the 7th of May 1916 at St. James’ Park with referee D. Kennedy. Glenmore and Coolagh tied (Glenmore 1-1; Coolagh 1-1). The New Ross Standard (Friday 14 July 1916) reported that the replay between Glenmore and Coolagh was being “awaited with considerable interest.” Spectators had been buoyed by the unexpected display made by Glenmore during the first championship game when they nearly beat the county champions. “Coolagh can be relied upon to leave nothing to chance too, and when both teams meet there is sure to be a rattling good contest.”
The second championship match between Glenmore and Coolagh was held on Sunday the 16th of July 1916 at St. James’ Park, Kilkenny. “After a most exciting struggle both teams played a drawn game, with each team scoring a single goal. Although the first half of the game was “full of exciting passages” no scores were made. In the second half both teams scored a single goal each. “The general opinion on the match was that Glenmore should have won.” The referee was Mike Byrne of Coolroe Football Club (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 July 1916).
The third championship match between Glenmore and Coolagh was held on Sunday the 20th of August 1916 at the sports field in Waterford. “After a very closely contested game a draw was the result. A regrettable incident occurred in the first half hour, when a few of the players came to blows. However, the affair quietened down and the match was proceeded with. Mr. Walsh, Waterford, proved a capable referee” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 25 Aug. 1916).
Notwithstanding the statements that the GAA was not political in any manner, shortly before the fourth championship match the Carrickshock Monument committee, applied for the proceeds of the match (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1916). See, generally, Glenmore and the Tithe Tax, available at https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-and-the-tithe-tax/. It is not known whether the Monument Committee received the proceeds, but a monument was erected in 1925.
On Saturday the 18th of October 1916 a very detailed article in “The Whip’s” sporting column of the Kilkenny People covered the fourth championship match between Glenmore and Coolagh. Unfortunately, the author in what might best be described as a “prissy” tone spent a substantial amount of the article exerting his views on punctuality, the weather, and the roughness of the game without actually explaining what happened. It was noted that Glenmore had a “submarine” that torpedoed 6 or 7 Coolagh players, but the name of the Glenmore player was never revealed. The author also noted that the guardians of the law had taken an interest in us of late, “I should, imagine they would find a more profitable (if a little more dangerous) work to do in Flanders. But this ‘small nationality’ is now ruled by a Coercion Government and martial law still prevails…” Excerpts from the article follow.
“MARGIN OF ONLY ONE POINT. A HARD GAME. The senior football final has been finished at last, and Glenmore have won. They got the verdict by the narrowest possible, margin—one point. It took over four hours’ play in the aggregate to decide the tie and of the four matches, three were played in Kilkenny and one in Waterford. Coolagh put up a very good fight, but they were not able for the Glenmore lads on Sunday’s play. The match is now finished, and the series of games played should have a very good effect on football in the county. For a few years past the football championship has been decided on the League system, and this of course necessitated all teams entered playing a number of matches. Under the old order a team, once it, was beaten: in the first round, had perforce to wait until the following season before they could play another official match…”
ABOUT THE GAME.
A most strenuously contested game it was every, inch of the way being fought with a dogged tenacity. The element of roughness was, however, too conspicuous, and scientific football was all too rare. ..From start to finish … it was veritably a case of the survival of the fittest, and it surprised how any man could stand such an hour… On the play Glenmore were the better of the two, and for the greater part of the second half Coolagh were always on the defensive. The backs put up a very stubborn resistance and never allowed the Glenmore men to score. A few dashes to the other end were made by Coolagh, but the finishing power was not there, and, the backs always came out on top. The same teams, it is interesting to note, will meet again in the first round of the coming Championship. Mr. John Lalor, Secretary of the County Board, refereed, and he performed a difficult task very well.
THE TEAMS.
Glenmore—James Murphy, E. Roche, J Roche, T. Doherty, P. Fitzgerald, P. Forristal, M. Connolly, John Phelan, James Phelan, M. Murphy, E. McDonald, W. Walsh. P. Foran, W. Hartley, Thomas Forristal.
Coolagh—W. (Saunders (captain), J. McKenna, W. Fitzgerald, J. Fitzgerald, M. Fitzgerald, Matt Fitzgerald, M. Hoyne, L. Murphy, E. O’Neill, T. Somers, J. Somers, James Leahy, J. Leahy, P. Murray, and M. Moore.
FIRST HALF.
Coolagh got away from the throw in, per Murphy, but the Glenmore backs returned and immediately the southern forward made tracks for the Coolagh posts. From a good kick by Johnnie Phelan an exciting scrimmage took place opposite the Coolagh sticks, and a grand shot by Doherty was only saved at the expense of a “fifty.” Another interest tangle followed, but nothing came of it, and Doherty, got a chance immediately after but sent it wide. Jim Phelan-both himself and his brother played a faultless game—returned the delivery, and another most exciting struggle took place in Coolagh territory. The later’s citadel was in jeopardy and a score seemed imminent, but the defence prevailed, and in a twinkling play was at the other end, thanks to some excellent play by Saunders who did a wonderful amount of work.
They were pressing pretty strongly, and a free to them put them in a very good position to score. Saunders was entrusted with the kick, and he made no mistake in opening Coolagh’s scoring account with a point. Johnnie Phelan and Saunders were most conspicuous in the following exchanges, honours as superiority being about equally divided. A lift off the ground by Phelan gave Coolagh another free, and Saunders centred beautifully. Leahy got possession, and with a very fine effort scored Coolagh’s second point. Saunder’s was again “in the picture” following the delivery, and Doherty then got away on his own, but a free to Coolagh brought relief, and a bad miss by one of the Glenmore half-backs let Coolagh into possession and a bombardment of the Glenmore posts followed. Nothing came of the opportunity thanks to the good defence of the backs.
The game was now very rough and the order apparently was to watch the man and not the ball. Saunders getting the ball after that delivery was tackled by Johnnie Phelan and badly heaved, but he was up in a twinkling; and though challenged by three of his opponents he got through and played the ball. Following this O’Neill sent it wide for Coolagh. Following the kickout Glenmore invaded, per Johnnie Phelan and a free was sent to the right wing.
Here Doherty got possession and with a grand shot landed the ball in the net to the accompaniment of loud cheers. Another attack followed, and a Coolagh. man (Fitzgerald) got hurt and had to retire, his place being taken by Vaughan. Glenmore kept up the pressure and forced a ” fifty,” which was well centred by Doherty, but the backs saved and Saunders, who was exceptionally well watched, was fouled, and the free put Coolagh attacking. Another Coolagh man got hurt but resumed after a short interval, and Glenmore again took up the offensive but a penalty spoiled the chance. Murphy got away on his own after the free kick, and an over by O’Neill followed. Yet another Coolagh man was rendered hors-de-combat but he also- resumed, and Coolagh were-pressing when the half-time whistle went, leaving the scores: Glenmore 1 goal; Coolagh 2 points.
A SCORELESS HALF.
The second and final half of the game opened very roughly. Glenmore, with the aid-of the wind, pressed strongly, and McKenna got knocked out. After some minutes he resumed, and following another over by Glenmore another Coolagh man got injured and had to retire; his place being taken by Peters. This gave rise to a protracted dispute,’ and matters looked dangerous. A bad row was only averted by the efforts of some of the Coolagh men. As usual the spectators went in to investigate, and some of the partisans did not help to throw oil on the troubled waters. After a long delay the teams were got together again, and frees went to both sides in rapid succession.
It was now veritably a case of rough-and-tumble and football in its true meaning was a premium. McDonald who was twice hurt, got a kick in the arm but still kept on, and Glenmore, forcing matters was awarded a “fifty” off a good shot by Doherty. Saunders blocked the kick and the ball was sent wide. Another series of frees followed to both sides and in a struggle Murphy (Coolagh) and, Connolly (Glenmore) both got knocked out. There was another delay, and on resuming Forristal met the delivery as the ball was touching the ground and sent dead for the net, but the goalkeeper saved well and sent out. A few incursions were made by Coolagh, but they always lacked finish and for the most part were on the defensive. Neither side registered in the second half, and the long whistle went leaving Glenmore winners after a total of over four hours’, play. The long score was—Glenmore 1 goal (3 points); Coolagh 2 points (2 points).”
| First Half | ||||
| Team | Overs | Frees | 50’s | Scores |
| Glenmore | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1-0 |
| Coolagh | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0-2 |
| Second Half | ||||
| Glenmore | 6 | 3 | 1 | -o- |
| Coolagh | 0 | 6 | 0 | -0- |
| TOTALS | ||||
| Glenmore | 11 | 5 | 4 | 1-0 |
| Coolagh | 6 | 11 | 1 | 0-2 |
Lastly, Coolagh sent in an objection stating that the Glenmore football team was illegally constituted. However, the players from Mullinavat had early in the season been granted permission by the County Committee to play with Glenmore. At the December 1916 GAA Kilkenny meeting no representative of the Coolagh team appeared and the championship was awarded to Glenmore (Kilkenny People, Sat. 16 December 1916).
The featured photo of the Glenmore 1915 County Kilkenny Champion Senior Football Team is from the Poole Collection of the National Archives of Ireland and published here with its kind permission.
Identification of players in photo is from a 1982 newspaper article in the Kilkenny People marking the death of Peter Forristal the last surviving member of the team.
Back Row: John Phelan, of Clonessy, Mullinavat; Wattie Walsh, of Rochestown, Glenmore; Pat Foran, of Rochestown, Glenmore; Jim Phelan, of Clonessy, Mullinavat
Second Row: Paul Fitzgerald, of Knockbrach, Glenmore; William Hartley, of Busherstown, Glenmore; Richard McDonald, of Ballynooney, Mullinavat; James Murphy, of Ballinlammy, Glenmore (goalie); Tommy Forristal, Rochestown, Glenmore.
Front Row: James Roche, Rathinure, Glenmore; Peter Forristal, Rochestown, Glenmore; Jack Doherty, Davidstown, Glenmore (Captain); Ned Roche, Rathinure, Glenmore; Phil Connolly, Rochestown, Glenmore.
Sitting: Maurice Murphy, Buckstown, Mullinavat & Michael Connolly, of Rochestown, Glenmore.
Club Officials: Maher (on left) and Dunphy (on right).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh