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Glenmore Football During the Roaring Twenties: 1920-1921
According to the Kilkenny GAA Bible, Glenmore won the Kilkenny Senior Football Championships in 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1929 (Gerry O’Neil, Kilkenny GAA Bible 2018, p. 64). This impressive list only tells part of the story. As we previously highlighted the football season commenced in one year and the championship was held usually in the spring of the next year. With the War of Independence underway no Kilkenny County football championships were played or awarded for 1917 or 1918. Although the hurling championship match for 1919 was dropped, Glenmore junior and senior football teams fought their way to their respective finals to be played in March 1920. Today, we are going to focus on 1920 and 1921.
At the February 1920, GAA County Committee Meeting as the venues were being decided for the junior and senior championships, it was noted that although the rules at the time stated that all finals and semi-finals should be played in St. James Park the Leinster Council suggested fixing venues at central and neutral places. “Mr. N. O’Keeffe, C.Y.M.S. (Kilkenny City) proposed that the senior football final between Glenmore and Coolagh be played before the junior football final, as Glenmore, he said, was trying to run off the two championships with the one team.” This proposition was carried. The senior match was to be played at Knocktopher on the 14th of March and the junior on the 21st also at Knocktopher (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat, 21 Feb. 1920, p. 7).
Coolagh were declared the senior champions in 1919 because they were awarded a walkover against Glenmore. “The chairman said that no medals would be given in this case when no match was played” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 March 1920, p. 7). No information was provided in the newspapers why Glenmore did not play the final, but it is believed that in addition to the difficulties imposed by martial law at least two Glenmore players had been arrested and others were attempting to avoid arrest. At the next County Committee Meeting Mr. J. Doherty (Glenmore) responded to the accusation of using one team to play both championships “was a confounded lie.”
Due to various assaults and invasion of the pitch at a hurling match near the original venue a decision was taken to hold the junior final at Waterford on the 11th of April with Mr. W. Walsh to referee (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 March 1920, p. 7). The Glenmore junior team was to play C.Y.M.S. (Kilkenny City) which may go some way to explain O’Keefe’s disputed remark. Ultimately, Glenmore prevailed and became the 1919 Co. Kilkenny Junior Football champions with a final score of: Glenmore 2-4; C.Y.M.S. 0-1.
Glenmore vs. Cloneen (Castlecomer)
At the Kilkenny County GAA meeting on the 31st of March 1921, a letter from John Doherty, of Coolnaleen, was read out. Glenmore had been promised £20 for expenses to play the senior football final and they had received a cheque for £19. It transpired that the team were fined £1 for “unpunctual attendance.” Glenmore was present at the appointed time but objected to the referee, Paddy Dunphy, of the Leinster Council. Ultimately, Mr. Gibbons “for the sake of the County Committee” talked the Glenmore team into playing. The Chairman pointed out that prior to this re-play match two Glenmore representatives were informed that the meeting would make the final arrangements. T. Brennan, of Cloneen, stated, “It was Connolly’s whole fault,” yet he did not elaborate. It is assumed that he was referring to Mick Connolly, of Glenmore (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 8 April 1921, p. 9). There is no indication in the newspaper report which team won the “final.”
The reporting of matches during this period is often confusing and lacking in detail compared to earlier seasons. The Kilkenny GAA Bible provides that Glenmore played Cloneen (Castlecomer) twice to win the Senior Football Championship 1920. Glenmore won the first game with a score of 1-5 to Cloneen 1-3. An objection was filed and replay ordered. Glenmore won the second game with a score of 2-6 to Cloneen 1-3. (p. 64).
We were able to locate a newspaper account of a match held on the 23rd of October between Glenmore and Cloneen at St. James Park for the County Kilkenny senior football championship. Strangely Glenmore, as Kilkenny Senior Football Champions played the Wexford Senior Football Champions on 9 October 1921 in a charity match (New Ross Standard, (Fri., 14 Oct. 1921, p. 6). With respect to the Glenmore-Cloneen match on 23 October, the championship year is not provided in the article. The newspaper report on the match stated that the sudden arrival of wintery weather impacted on attendance. It was described as a strenuous, well contested encounter, the pace, in spite of the heavy pitch, being “wonderfully fast.” “Glenmore provided a surprise packet—their splendid fielding, speedy delivery, their wonderful readiness to adapt themselves to varying circumstances and their great powers of endurance, marked them as a sound combination.”
The first half Cloneen took an early lead. By half time the scores were Cloneen—1 goal, 3 points to Glenmore—2 points. When the game restarted Glenmore attacked, but the Cloneen defence held. “A clever pass for a fifty saw the Glenmore captain advance his side a point and now a wonderful vigour was displayed by both sides. Glenmore persistently attacked and made several great efforts to capture the citadel for a major but Cloneen backs saved again and again in fine style and against a stiff breeze. Glenmore were not to be denied, and after some exciting struggles they added two further point. With only a point, between the game was now eventing, and a fast exchange saw Cloneen rush down for what seemed a certain score, only to shoot inches wide. Glenmore halves played like Trojans, and from a quick centre their full forward scored a grand goal, which proved the last score of the match.” The final score was Glenmore—1 goal, 5 point and Cloneen 1 goal, 3 points (Kilkenny People, Sat. 29 October 1921, p. 2). This score suggests that this was the first game as recorded in the Kilkenny GAA Bible.
Interestingly, it was reported in the Munster Express that the objection lodged by Cloneen, against Glenmore being awarded the senior football championship, was referred by the Kilkenny County Board to the Leinster Council. The Leinster Council considered the appeal at its November meeting and after discussing the objectio they referred it back to the Kilkenny County Board for reconsideration. “It is generally anticipated that a replay will take place, and should…Glenmore be capable of reproducing the form they displayed in the previous game they should experience little difficulty in again emerging victorious” (Munster Express, Sat. 3 Dec. 1921, p. 5). When the second game was held could not be located in a newspaper article.
Glenmore vs. Gusserane
The match that Glenmore played in October 1921 as Kilkenny Football Champions is provided below because it provides information regarding the game and lists the names of the players. It is not clear why Glenmore was considered the Kilkenny Senior Football Champions on 14 October 1921. The last championship Glenmore won was in 1916 and no championships were played in 1917, 1918, and in 1919 Glenmore made it to the final, but did not play providing Coolagh with a walk over.
At Barrett’s Park, New Ross a GAA tournament in aid of the Dependents’ Fund was held. “For this very worthy object Co. Wexford and Co. Kilkenny football and hurling champions met, and notwithstanding that other fixtures clashed on the same day there was a good attendance of spectators, who came to witness fast and scientific play, as well as to help the cause for which the tournament was organised. Each of the four teams that competed were minus some of their players who were unable to be present, and substitutes were put on. The weather was beautiful, and the O’Hanrahan pipers’ band, New Ross, played the teams into the arena and out when the games were over, as well as playing selections of Irish airs on the field during the evening. The play in general during both contests was fast, scientific and well sustained…”
“Glenmore were the first to invade and sent the oval to their opponents’ grounds, where some fast exchanges took place, eventuating in the ball going wide. After the kick out Gusserane forced the pace, and the leather was taken to the front of the Glenmore uprights, and M. Myler nicely placed for Martin Fowler, who with a splendid kick sent it into the net. Glenmore next carried the ball midfield and sustaining the attack Jim Hanrahan from an angle struck one of the uprights, but the ball rebounded. Again, Gusserane came on and the Glenmore goal-keeper neatly saved. Glenmore took the leather to the left wing, and pushing on bid fair to bring off a major which was averted by the alertness of the Gusserane goal custodian. A midfield rally ensued for some minutes. Glenmore came on, and from a kick far out the field Jim Hanrahan scored a point. Following the kick-out Gusserane forced the issue, and Jim Byrne sent to Martin Howlett, who placed for Martin Fowler to raise the white flag. Gusserane again contended for a score per Tom O’Hanlon, who passed to Peter Corish, but the Glenmore backs were as firm as a rock, and the ball was again transferred to midfield. At half-time Gusserane was leading by 1 goal 1 point to 1 point for Glenmore. On resuming Glenmore attacked, and the ball narrowly missed the net. Gusserene next invaded, and a spirited rally followed in front of Glenmore posts eventuating in the leather going wide. After some centre field play Glenmore spurted, and Jim Hanrahan neatly shot the oval between the posts, registering a minor, which he repeated three minutes later. Gusserane narrowly missed bringing off a score during an invasion of the Glenmore territory. Play for the ensuing five minutes was very brisk. Gusserene played a fine game, and so did Glenmore, who lost only by one point. At full time the scores were: Gusserance-1 goal I point. Glenmore–3 points. Mr. P. J. Doyle, Irishtown, capably refereed.
The teams were: Gusserane–T. O’Hanlon (capt.), E. Cullen (goal). M. Howlett, P. Corish, J. Byrne, T. Howlett, J. Colfer, J. Quinn, H. Quinn, M. Fowler, M. Myler, J. Kenny, J. Butler, P. Byrne and J. Finn. Glenmore –Jack Doherty (capt.), Jim Murphy, Paul Fitzgerald, Martin Cody, Michael Cody, Pat Cody, Bill Irish, Stephen Heffernan, Pat Hartley, Jim Hanrahan, Bill Hartley, Wat Walsh, Peter Forrestal, Martin Williams and Jim Cody” (New Ross Standard, Fri., 14 Oct. 1921, p. 6).
No 1921 Kilkenny senior football championship was held. We shall return to report on the 1922, 1923, 1924 championships in future post.
For an account of earlier teams see, The Tenacious Glenmore 1915 Football Team: Co. Kilkenny Senior Football Champions and The Glenmore Football Club: The Trials and Tragedy of the 1906 Co. Kilkenny Gaelic Football Champions.
The featured photo above was taken in 1925 and part of the Poole Collection (POOL_WP_2720a, POOL_K_4144 & POOL_WP_3651) and the photo is Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Hurled for Glenmore: Henry Doolan (1923-2001) of Shanbogh (updated)
Today we are going to feature Henry Doolan, of Shanbogh, Rosbercon, a hurler who hurled for a number of teams including Glenmore in 1948 and 1949. Recently while searching old newspapers, an interesting article from 1960 concerning Henry Doolan, of Shanbough was discovered, and it triggered an old memory of a story about a hair dresser hurler.
My introduction to hurling came about 30 years ago when I first visited Glenmore and my mother’s second cousin, Jimmy Roche (1927-2018) of Rathinure, invited me to a game between Glenmore and the Shamrocks. With the patience of a saint Jimmy attempted to explain the game to me, aided by Mick Lynch (who sadly died earlier this month). When I innocently asked Jimmy if he ever won any trophies this caused Mick Lynch to laugh. As Jimmy related his story Mick would interject details most of which escape me now. What I do recall is that Jimmy said that the only time he played in a championship game, and won, he was playing as a bandit. He explained that he and John Heffernan [hope I have that correct] were asked to play in Wexford by a friend. I don’t recall the friend’s name, but I do recall it was mentioned that he was a hair dresser. Jimmy played in Wexford, the team won, but Jimmy couldn’t receive the medal.
It is not known whether Henry Doolan was the man who recruited Jimmy Roche to play with a Wexford team, but newspaper accounts do verify that Henry played with a number of teams, including Glenmore, and played with Jimmy’s brother in New York and Jimmy’s cousin, Michael Heffernan on the Geraldine O’Hanrahan team of New Ross. Some players of the era who “illegally” played for other clubs were quite proud of their recruitment. For example,in his brother Paddy’s obituary it was noted that Paddy Doolan was not adverse to playing for another club when “his services were sought” (New Ross Standard, 24 March 1994, p. 6).
The 1960 Article
“HOME FROM N.Y. — For the last month, Mr. Henry Doolan has been spending a very enjoyable holiday in his native parish of Rosbercon. A native of the townland of Shanbogh, he is a son of Mr. Henry Doolan, and the late Mrs. Elizabeth Doolan, of Shanbogh. With him are his wife and three young daughters. His wife formerly Miss Theresa O’Shea was a native of Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, and a cousin of Mr. Jeremiah O’ Shea, the well-known Kerry All-Ireland Footballer, who played in last Sunday’s final. Henry is a brother of Mr. Patrick Doolan, Shanbogh, Mr. Michael Doolan, Shepherd’s Bush London, Mrs. Bridget Goldsmith, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey and Mrs. Mary Farrell, Finchely, London.
Hairdresser by profession, he is resident in the Bronx, New York, for the past six years. He worked for ten years in New Ross, before he emigrated to England, where he took up a position with the Cunard White Star Line Company, prior to emigrating to the U.S A. he was employed as a hairdresser on board the Queen Elizabeth, which position he held for a period of five years. At present employed in Park Avenue, Manhattan, he is keenly associated with the New York G.A.A. He is the trainer and also a playing member of the Kilkenny team in New York. He played with the Mullinavat senior hurling team in 1941 and with the Kilkenny junior team in 1949. He also played with Wexford in 1943 and 1947 and with Glenmore in 1948 and 1949. A noted G.A.A. supporter, he was prior to his departure from the country a most popular and esteemed member of the community. At present neighbours of his in the Bronx, are Mr. William Roche, a native of Rathinure Glenmore, Mr. James Walsh, Weatherstown, Glenmore, Mrs. Eily Fallon, formerly Miss Eily Foskin, of Mullinavat, and Messrs. Jack Garrigan and Terry Leahy of Kilkenny hurling renown…” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 30 Sept. 1960, p. 6).
Henry Doolan “served his time” with Bobby Walsh of South Street in New Ross. (New Ross Standard, 19 Sept. 2001). The first U.S. record that could be located for Henry Doolan is from 1950. On 27 September 1950, Henry Doolan, barber, was granted shore leave from the Queen Elizabeth at New York. He was listed as a British citizen. In 1954, Henry Doolan applied for and obtained a Social Security card thus indicating that he was living and working in the US. The following year Henry Doolan and Theresa O’Shea were issued a New York Marriage License (No. 6109). Henry became a naturalized citizen on 9 May 1960, recorded that he was residing at 2256 Walton Ave., Bronx, New York and that his birthdate was 9 February 1923.
Hurling
In addition to the teams listed in the 1960 article above, a newspaper search revealed that in 1943 Henry Doolan notified the Leinster Council that he wished to transfer from Carlow (jun) to New Ross Geraldine-O’Hanrahan (New Ross Standard, 14 May 1943, p. 6). Also in 1945, St. Fintan’s-St. Martin’s objected to Geradine-O’Hanrahan’s (New Ross) being awarded the county senior hurling final on the 7th of October on the grounds of Illegality. It was alleged that Henry Doolan and John Maddock played with the Rower against Danesfort in the Kilkenny junior hurling final. A witness stated that John Maddock was “playing all the time in the Rower game,” but Henry Doolan came in as a sub and “was a good man. He was the means of winning the match for the Rower.” (New Ross Standard, 2 Nov. 1945, p. 5).
William Roche, of Rathinure, Glenmore, named in the 1960 article as living in the Bronx, was Jimmy Roche’s brother. Henry Doolan was proclaimed a key member of the New York Kilkenny hurling club that won the New York League championships in 1957 and 1961 (New Ross Standard, 19 Sept. 2001). In 1957 in the New York finals Kilkenny beat Cork and some of the emigrant Kilkenny players included: P. Holden (Mooncoin); Willie Roche (Glenmore), P. Phelan (Mooncoin) and H. Doolan (Glenmore) (Kilkenny People, 18 May 1957, p. 5). It is not known why Henry is listed as being from Glenmore. In the 1961 New York League final Henry netted two goals in Kilkenny’s 7-2 to 3-4 victory over Galway. Terry Leahy the veteran star of Kilkenny’s All-Ireland victory at Croke Park in 1947, came out of retirement to assist the Black and Amber in the New York final. Leahy scored 2-1 whilst the other Kilkenny marksmen were Vincent Lakes (2-0) Sean O’Brien (1-0), and Hugh Dollard (0-1) (New Ross Standard, 19 Sept. 2001).
In 1993, a golden Jubilee Dinner Dance was held in New Ross to honour the Geraldine O’Hanrahan hurling team that won the senior county hurling title in 1943, 1944, and 1945. Henry Doolan travelled from New York to attend the dinner and was photographed standing near Michael Heffernan, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, who as a young man worked in New Ross and played for that team. Mick Heffernan was a first cousin to Jimmy Roche and brother of John Heffernan.
Henry Doolan died at the age of 78 in 2001 in New York. The New Ross Standard published two articles on the 19th of September 2001 concerning his death and life. One of the articles sums up that “Henry Doolan of Shanbogh was a credit in his time to the GAA as indeed were his two brothers, Paddy and Mickey.” His widow Therese died in 2009 at the age of 80 (Daily News (New York, New York) Mon. 10 Aug. 2009 p. 18).
Henry Doolan’s Brothers and Ancestors
Henry Doolan was born on 9 February 1923. He was the son of Henry Doolan and Elizabeth Doolan née Walsh. Henry Doolan, Sr. was a labourer working at Cherry’s Brewery, New Ross when he married Elizabeth Walsh, at Rosbercon on 19 August 1914. Henry Doolan, Sr. was from Garranbehy and his bride was from Rosbercon. In addition to Henry Jr. the couple had at least four other children: Patrick Doolan; Michael Doolan; Bridget Doolan; and Mary Doolan. Patrick Doolan (c. 1916-1994) never married and when he got older according to Danny Dowling’s notes he went to live in a nursing home in Waterford. He worked at Cherry’s Brewery in New Ross, and according to his obituary he played football and hurling. He won a Kilkenny junior football championship in 1935. He also played for the Geraldines before they amalgamated with the O’Hanrahans and “he wasn’t adverse to playing for other clubs in other counties when his services were sought” (New Ross Standard, 24 March 1994, p. 6). Michael Doolan also played and after living in England returned to Ireland where he lived in Carlow and finally settled in Ferrybank. He died in 1997 (New Ross Standard, 30 April 1997, p. 5).
Paternal grandparents—Henry Doolan, Sr. was the son of Patrick Doolan and Bridget Doolan née Doyle. Henry Doolan, Sr. was born on 16 March 1890 at Tinnekilly and his father was employed as a fisherman. His parents, Patrick and Bridget were married at Rosberon on 17 September 1883. The groom was from Hoodsgrove the son of Michael Doolan (labourer). The bride was from Rosbercon and the daughter of Henry Doyle (labourer). Henry Doolan, Sr. had the following siblings [1] Michael Doolan, baptized 19 July 1884 (the family was living at Millbanks); {2] Mary Doolan born 1 May 1888, at Tinekilly; [3] Mary Doolan, born 1 January 1892.
Maternal grandparents—Elizabeth Doolan née Walsh was the daughter of Michael Walsh (labourer) and Mary Walsh née Smyth. There is a conflict in records concerning the date of Elizabeth’s birth. According to the civil register Elizabeth was born 1 January 1882. According to the Rosbercon Parish records Elizabeth was baptized on 31 December 1881. Mary Walsh née Smyth registered Elizabeth’s birth. Although it would normally be difficult to find information on common names such as Walsh and Smith, thanks to Michael and Paddy Doolan an article was published concerning their hunt for information on their grandmother “Ellen” Smyth of GLensenasaw who lived on the verge of the Kyleacurragh wood (New Ross Standard, 2 Sept. 1993, p. 25). Michael Walsh, of Shanbogh married Mary Smyth, of Garahbehy on 17 September 1874 at Rosbercon. The groom’s father is listed as William Walsh (labourer) and the bride’s father was listed as Edmund Smyth (labourer). Elizabeth Doolan née Walsh had the following siblings: [1] William Walsh, born 31 August 1875; [2] Johanna Walsh, born 13 April 1877; [3] Mary Walsh, born 25 May 1879; [4] Bridget Walsh, born 1 April 1885; [5] Johanna Walsh, born 19 September 1886 and Ellen Walsh, 4 January 1890.
Shanbogh National School, June 1928 (New Ross Standard, 2 July 1992) This photo was provided by Paddy Doolan (c. 1916-1994) to the newspaper. The names he provided to the newspaper are as follows Front Row: Pat Malone; Pat Saunders; Tom Saunders; M.J. Doolan; Paddy Doolan; Ellen Power; Mag Malone–Second Row: Paddy North; Michael Doolan; Bridie Doolan, Bridie Cashin; Cathy Purcell, Maggie Purcell, Liz Power; Peg Brennan–Third Row: Tom Greene; Jim Moore, Jim Purcell, John Greene, Ned Moore, Tom Mullally–Fourth Row: Peter Purcell; Joe Malone, Maura Cashin; Mary Bird; Bessie Cashin; stasia Malone, Katie North and Tommy Murphy. Teachers Master O’Regan and Annie O’Briend, Tinneranny. [Although Henry Doolan’s four siblings are in the photo he is not.]
The featured photo is a Glenmore-Tullogher Hurling team from (it is believed) from 1953. Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for sharing it and for her and Kathleen O’Connor for identifying the players. Glenmore and Tullogher came together and formed 1 team. LEFT TO RIGHT Front Row (kneeling): (1) Dick Cody (Carrigcloney); (2) George O’Connor (Ballyfacey); (3) Jimmy Roche (Rathinure); (4) John Doherty (Coolnaleen); (5) John Heffernan (Aylwardstown); (6) Jimmy Heffernan, (Aylwardstown); (7)Tom Murphy (Tullogher); (7) Pat O’Connor (Ballyfacey). Back Row (standing): (1) Seamus Dunphy (Ballyverneen); (2) Sean Phelan, (? ); (3) Fr. John Murphy ( ); (4) John Dillon, (Aylwardstown?); (5) Richie Doherty (Ballinlammy); (6) Paul Fitzgerald (Flemingstown); (7) Neddy O’Rourke (Weatherstown?); (8) Jack Hartley (Weatherstown); (9) Mikey Fitzgerald ( Moulerstown); (10) Tommy Phelan (Mullinahone); (11) Billy Murphy ( ); (12) Tim Phelan (Tullogher) and Jim Culleton, Kilbride.
If anyone has additional information or corrections please send them to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Old Rural Recreation: Faction Fighting
Danny Dowling interviewed and recorded some interesting information from elderly residents of Glenmore concerning some of the other business transacted during and after fairs and markets–faction fights. To try to put this information in context some general information on faction fighting is first provided.
Faction Fighting
Faction fighting was where large groups of rural men, and sometimes women, would meet to engage in fighting. The faction could be comprised of extended or allied families or persons from the same parish or townland. It is commonly understood that the practice continued until shortly before the Famine when reforms to the police and judicial systems and Father Theobald Matthew’s temperance crusade impacted on it. This pacification movement was also endorsed by Daniel O’Connell and the Catholic Association (Owens, p. 537). Expressions of concern over faction fighting at this time usually had more to do with the image projected than with injuries or deaths resulting from the fights. As long as the Irish could be portrayed as drunken barbarians bashing each other for fun all economic or political hardships could be blamed on the Irish character. However, “even at its worst the level of violence in Ireland was less than that of England” (Conly, p. 67).
Notwithstanding the efforts to stop faction fighting it re-surged after the Famine. Nineteenth century fiction and materials in the folklore archives at UCD suggest that faction fighting was an immensely popular and violent pastime (Thuente, p. 136) and its legend lived on in oral histories recorded in the twentieth century. Faction fighting was often viewed as a sort of release valve that prevented less controlled kinds of violence, and there were not many actual deaths relative to the enormous number of participants (Thuente, p. 137).
Carolyn Conley conducted a study based upon a Return of Outrages prepared by the R.I.C which listed the 1,932 reported homicides between 1866 and 1892 (occurring outside of the metropolitan area of Dublin), newspaper accounts of the killings and court documents. The author concluded that there was tolerance for recreational violence as displayed in faction fights among judges, jurors, police and journalists, witnesses and even victims. Recreational violence was not a form of misplaced resistance by an oppressed rural population, but a form of sport (Conley, p. 60). After the famine with more prosperity more assaults took place. “It was in the most prosperous areas of the countryside that the violent traditions were longest lived” (Conley, p. 58). The goal was not to injure or kill but to participate in a mutual display of skill and strength. Forty-one percent of all Irish homicides (outside of Dublin) between 1866 and 1892 were recreational in origin (Conley, p. 59).
“A formal faction fight, which might involve hundreds of men on each side, usually began with the ritual of wheeling which included chants, stylized gestures and insults. The traditional wheel included the name of the person(s) issuing the challenge as well as the intended opponent” (Conley, p. 60). There were two recognised acts that signified consent to the fight. The wheel and the removal of one’s coat (Conley, p. 61). While wheels might include insults or references to past grievances, a challenge to see who was the better man would suffice for consent. Women who engaged in “the sport” took the same pride in their prowess as their men (Conley, p. 62).
“In keeping with the recreational aspect of fighting there were rules. Though supporting one’s comrades was expected, in most cases justice required roughly even sides…ganging up was not acceptable…nor was continuing to pummel a defeated opponent” (Conley, p. 61). Due to the fact that the participants had to consent to engage in the fight there were numerous instances where onlookers and witnesses expressed to the authorities that they were not in fear when a faction fight commenced, thus making a conviction for riot impossible. Acceptable weapons included: fists, feet, teeth, stones and sticks. Two and a half percent of the homicide victims in Conley’s study died from kicks and five from infected bites (Conley, p. 62).
The most popular venues for recreational fighting were fairs, markets, and races. “One hundred people died as a result of brawls in these settings, but only a third of the killers served any jail time and only nine served more than two years” (Conley, p. 65). “Brawls were such an integral part of wakes” that even deaths did not make the incidents serious to authorities. Not one person was convicted in any of the fourteen homicides that occurred at wakes and funerals (p. 65). Even in twenty-one cases in which innocent bystanders were killed, deaths from brawls were considered regrettable but not serious. Twenty-six children were killed from injuries sustained in brawls. Only seven of the killers served any jail time at all. Only four people were sentenced to more than two years for the death of a bystander. The brawling tradition began so early in life that a quarter of the children less than sixteen years of age (killed by non-relatives) were killed by another child under the age of sixteen.
Danny Dowling Interviews
On the 22nd of May 1964 Danny Dowling interviewed Nicholas Forristal (1888-1979) of Graiguenakill, Glenmore. Nicky the Miller recalled hearing that the fair or market held at Nash in Wexford had two families that were great faction fighters, the Gunnups and Quigleys. In one of the factions was a family with eleven brothers and one sister. On one of the fair days the sister said—“There is twelve o’clock and not a stroke struck yet. She had a stone in her stocking and she started the melee by striking one of the opposition.” Nicky informed Danny that a stone in the stocking was a dangerous weapon.
Nicky stated that there were various Glenmore factions during nineteenth century at about the time his father was born in 1849 “Grants had upper side of parish, and Paddy Merrigan of Milltown, was the leader of another from the Jamestown side.” A member of the Merrigan faction was Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh from Glenmore Village. Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh cut, prepared, and seasoned the sticks used as weapons by the Merrigan faction.
“On a certain occasion in Glenmore Village before the pubs were out of it, there was a wake in Hanrahan’s house in the Village (alongside Fluskey’s). As the pub was closing members of the rival factions started drifting into the wake. It was a lovely night. Paddy the Weaver was at the wake and someone said to him it was a fine night and he replied, ‘It is a fine night but I think it will be a bloody morning.’ He was anticipating a big row.” Danny Dowling noted that the Glenmore parish priest in about 1870 caused the three Glenmore pubs to close and Glenmore parish remained dry for nearly 100 years making it a very unique Village. Hanrahan’s house in the Village where the wake was being held was the house where Danny Dowling was born in 1927.
Nicky said people were very crude and backward then, and when they got a few pints they deliberately set out to create rows. “The order of the day then was to return home from fairs and hooleys with blood all over you. That was held to be a sign that you were a good man.” Nicky stated that “Watt Power, of Jamestown, was an awful man for rising rows.” He always believed in having blood on him before returning home. He and his wife had a shebeen for awhile where Dick Whelan was living in 1964. “Watt used tell sometime that he had been fighting with Phil Dyháwdin from around Ross. Phil DyhAwdin was renowned as a fierce fighter. Watt, of course, never had anything to do with him.”
James McDonald, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore was interviewed by Danny Dowling on the 11th of June 1970. James reported that Big Jack Ryan of Knockhouse, Kilmacow, was the first of the Ryans to come to Guilcogh, Tullogher to where Richie Ryan was located in 1970. It was due to faction fighting that Big Jack Ryan went to Guilcogh. The Norris family, of Guiclogh, “were the leaders of a great faction fighting team and always won their combats. As they were getting on a bit, they felt that they could not last much longer at the top. Jack Ryan was a great big man and was a renowned faction fighter, so Norris said that if he could get Ryan, he would continue to win the faction fights. Norris therefore got Ryan, brought him to Guilcogh and got him married to his daughter. Ryan had three sons with this Norris girl. She died on the birth of the fourth child. After Ryan joined the Norris faction team it continued to win fights for a long period.
James McDonald stated that after his first wife died Ryan married a girl named Long and had more children. Ryan was said to have divided the farm to each of his four children from his first wife. Each of the four children received ten acres of land. The land allocated to each was too small to support a family. The four children asked their father to give them each four pounds in order for them all to go to America. Ryan gave the four children the money. The four children emigrated to America. The land reverted to Ryan and he divided it among the children he had by his second wife. Unfortunately, in reviewing early parish records the only marriage that could be located between a Ryan and Norris was in 1860 where Thomas Ryan married Margaret Norris in Guilcogh on 12 June 1860.
On the 16th of January 1956, Walter Power (c. 1888-1961) of Jamestown, Glenmore shared with Danny Dowling a poem that the elderly residents of Glenmore recited when he was a lad. It alleges that the first faction fight in Old Ireland was “all on account of St. Patrick’s Day.”
Some fought for the eighth, For the ninth some would die, And whoever said wrong, They would blacken his eye, Until Father Mulcahy, he told them their sin, He said boys don’t be fighting but sometimes combine, Don’t be always disputing about 8 and 9, Combine 8 and 9, 17 is the mark, And let that be his birthday, Amen said the Clerk.
Ironically, the last known faction fight involving Glenmore participants, that Danny Dowling identified, was reported in the New Ross Standard, just a day after St. Patrick’s day in 1893. Fourteen persons, including a woman, were arrested for the faction fight that occurred in Rosbercon after the New Ross fair. According to the newspaper account the court was packed with spectators for the trial of the faction fighters.
If anyone has any corrections or additional information please send it to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
[Additional information from Peter Walsh of Rathinure, Glenmore 20 May 2021–Maths and Irish Teacher, at Good Counsel College of New Ross, Mr. Toby Kavanagh, collected Irish folklore and told his students in 1969/1970 that the shillelagh black thorn sticks used in faction fights were coated in goose greese and put up the chimney for the smoke to harden them.]
The featured drawing is entitled “The Kilkenny Election,” published in the Graphic on 17 Dec. 1890 (p. 723) and depicts a scene at Castlecomer where Parnell was present when “a regular good old fashion faction fight began.” (c) The British Library Board.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Carolyn Conley (1999) “The Agreeable Recreation of Fighting,” 33(1) Journal of Social History 57-72.
Gary Owens, (1997) “A Moral Insurrection: Faction Fighters, Public Demonstrations and the O’Connellite Campaign, 1828” 30(12) Irish Historical Studies 513-541.
Mary Helen Thuente (1985) “Violence in Pre-Famine Ireland: The Testimony of Irish Folklore and Fiction Author(s),” 15(2) Irish University Review 129-147.
Local Artefacts: A Letter from 1859, A Glenmore Football Medal and a 1907 Family Photo
Over the years Danny Dowling recorded information regarding various artefacts that have been discovered in and around Glenmore including ancient burial sites, coins and common household invoices from local businesses. Today, we are going to highlight three different types of artifacts. The first is a simple letter written and mailed in October 1859. Although Danny can not recall how he obtained the letter, or when it joined his collection, it was in a shopping bag with other letters from that era and steamship sailing information and receipts. Danny in his younger days was noted for urging people to donate to local libraries and archives. Often when people were cleaning out a cupboard or attic they would bring old documents, books and records to Danny who would accept the items and try to find a suitable library or archive for the items. If unsuccessful Danny would add them to his ecliptic collection. The second artefact is a Senior Football Kilkenny Championship medal awarded in 1917 to Thomas “Tommy” Forristal, of Rochestown, Glenmore. The third artefact is the 1907 photograph of the Maddock family of Listerlin, Tullogher.
The Letter
Today, with letter writing becoming less common due to email and other electronic means of communication this 162 year old letter, although dirty, is in remarkable condition. Physically, the letter is comprised of a single sheet of paper 16 inches by 10 inches. The sheet of paper was folded in half and the letter was written on one of the halved surfaces (8 inches width and 10 inches height). In the middle 19th century envelopes were not common. After the letter was written the two ends were folded in to form a rectangle 5 ½ inches by 8 inches. The rectangle was folded and the finished rectangle was 5 ½ inches (width) by 3 ¼ inches (height). On the back the ends were secured by wax. On the front are two stamps and the handwritten name of the addressee, Miss Anne Ryan, New Ross. Also handwritten on the front is the word “Registered.” The front of the letter is very dirty, and although the two stamps are postmarked the postmark is not legible. Another postmarked is on the back and reads “New Ross, Oct 2, 1859 A.” It is assumed that this is the postmark reflecting when the letter arrived in New Ross.
Most 19th century paper was made from rags and made without most of the chemicals found in paper today. It is assumed that a stylus type pen was used to write the letter. By the mid-19th century quills were no longer the usual instrument for letter writing. Steel nibs had been developed and were dipped into ink. Fountain pens that had a reservoir for ink did not come into general use until about 1900. The handwriting on the letter is typical of mid-19th century handwriting where the first S in Ross and Miss looks like a modern f. Now that handwriting is not a taught subject in school in many parts of the world it will be interesting if future generations will have difficulty reading and deciphering surviving 20th and 21st century handwritten documents.
The last unusual physical feature is the fact that a hole that is perfectly centred through all layers of the letter. This hole is from where the letter was spindled. In most businesses a spindle, which was an upright spike of approximately 6 to 8 inches in height, was used to hold papers until the papers were filed or destroyed.
The Letter Transcribed
Dublin 1 Oct 1859
Miss Anne Ryan New Ross
Dear Miss Ryan
I have received your letter of yesterday and regret to hear of the death of Miss Murphy. I am sure Mrs. Conell when I mention the fact to her this evening will be very much hurt that it was not communicated to her when it occurred.
I enclose a credit on the Bank of Ireland New Ross for ten pounds account(?) of your half year annuity the 29th Sept of which please acknowledge the receipt(?).
Sincerely(?) Francis Conell
(Registered)
Although several women named Anne Ryan are represented in death records from 1859 to 1900 without an address or approximate age it is impossible to determine who received this letter. From the contents of the letter it would appear that Miss Anne Ryan had an investment with Mr. Francis Conell that paid her twenty pounds per year, a large income in 1859. Given that steamship related tickets etc. were found in the same sack containing the letter it may be the case that Miss Ryan or her family were engaged in ticket sales or other businesses in New Ross. The fact that no house name is provided for Miss Ryan, and the fact that no business or street name is provided on the letter suggests that Miss Anne Ryan was a well known person in New Ross.
The Thomas Forristal Senior Co. Kilkenny Championship Football Medal
The photos of the medal were provided by Brian Forristal. Brian stated that he was told that his grandfather Thomas “Tommy” Forristal (1886-1955) a native of Rochestown, Glenmore wore the medal on his watch chain. The front of the medal is very ornate and reads “T. Foristal.” The inscription on the back is “Kilkenny Senior Football C’ship 1917. Won by Glenmore.” Several hallmarks are visible on the back of the medal.
Thomas Forristal was born 23 June 1886, at Rochestown, Glenmore the son of John Forristal and Mary Forristal née Reddy. Thomas married Kate Roche, of Rathinure, Glenmore at Glenmore on 11 July 1921. Kate was the daughter of John Roche, a farmer in Rathinure. The couple moved to Waterford where they resided at 28 Morgan St. Kate died tragically at the Parliament Street Hospital on 2 March 1923 while 7 months pregnant. Thomas at the age of 41 married another Glenmore native, Sarah Foran (1896-1983) of Kearney Bay, Glenmore. Sarah was 31 years of age when she married Thomas Forristal on 21 February 1927 at St. Patrick’s of Waterford. At the time of his second marriage, Thomas was living at 20 Morgan St. and Sarah was living on Patrick St., Waterford. Sarah was the daughter of John Foran and Ellen Foran née Power.
The Maddock Family Photo
The third artefact is a photo from the collection of Michael Hoynes, of Ballybrahee, Glenmore. It is a family photo of the family of Michael Maddock (c. 1853-1910) and Bridget Maddock née Gaule (c. 1856-1933) of Listerlin in the parish of Tullogher. This 1907 photo is unique in that all family members are present. We know from the 1911 census that Michael and Bridget had 11 children born alive and all were alive in 1911. By 1911 only 5 of the Maddock children were living at home. Their father, Michael had died on 30 July 1910 of cancer of the liver at the age of 57. The photo in addition to depicting the clothing and hair styles of the time shows that Michael Maddock wore a medal on his watch chain.
Michael Maddock (farmer) of Listerlin married on 19 September 1878 Bridget Gaule, also of Listerlin. Michael was the son of David Maddock and Bridget was the daughter of Luke Gaule.
The Maddock family in the 1907 photo (front row left to right) William Maddock (b.1894) (standing); MOTHER Bridget Gaule Maddock (c. 1856-1933) (seated); Bessie Maddock (b. 1898) (seated); FATHER Michael Maddock (c.1853-1910) (seated) and John Maddock (b. 1896) (seated); (back row left to right) Ciss Maddock (b. 1880); Dick Maddock (b. 1891); Bridget Maddock (b. 1886); David Maddock (b. 1882); Luke Maddock (b.1885), Statia Maddock (b. 1889); Molly Maddock (b. 1888) and Sylvester Maddock (1892-1917). Due to Sylvester being an unusual name it was easy to discover that he tragically died at the age of 23 of TB. At the time of his death he was working as a grocer’s assistant.
One Maddock daughter, Bridget Maddock (b. 1886) on 30 January 1913, in Rosbercon married George O’Connor (1881-1965) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. To this union ten children were born. One daughter of George and Bridget O’Connor, Catherine O’Connor (b. 1917) married Philip James Hoynes on 14 January 1948 at Glenmore.
Special thanks to Michael Hoynes for sharing the 1907 Maddock Family photo and information and Brian Forristal for taking photos of his grandfather’s football medal and sharing the photos.
If there are any errors or omissions or anyone has any information to add concerning Miss Anne Ryan of 1859 New Ross etc. please email us at glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore walsh
The Long Road to Victory: Glenmore 1916 Senior Football Co. Kilkenny Champions
According to the Gerry O’Neill’s Kilkenny GAA Bible (2014, pp. 60-61, available at 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 1915 senior football team that won the County Kilkenny Senior Football Championship ( available at https://glenmore-history.com/the-tenacious-glenmore-1915-football-team-co-kilkenny-senior-football-champions/ ). Today, we will highlight some of the problems the 1916 Glenmore team faced before they again won the County Kilkenny Senior Football Championship. No senior football championships were held in County Kilkenny in 1917 and 1918 which was due to a number of factors primarily linked to the souring relationship between the Irish people and the British authorities.
Four final games were played between Glenmore and Coolagh for the 1915 football championship, the fourth and final game was not played until October 1916. It was not until December 1916 that Glenmore was declared the winners by the County Kilkenny Committee of the G.A.A. Also, in December it was announced that under the Defence of Realm Regulations, under a circular issued on the 18th of November, excursion railway traffic in Ireland was to stop. The chief effect of this decision was that football and hurling matches would be adversely impacted. (Sport (Dublin), Sat. 2 Dec. 1916, p. 1). The rationale for this decision was alleged to be because of the scarcity of coal, yet the suspension of excursion trains did not extend to race meetings or coursing matches (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Dec. 1916, p. 2). As previously reported the use of automobiles was also restricted in 1917 (https://glenmore-history.com/the-prosecution-of-glenmore-wedding-guests-in-1917/).
In 1916 the U.K. Parliament sought to place a tax on the gate receipts under what was labelled the Amusement Tax. The G.A.A. prevailed upon John Redmond, M.P. who managed to insert into the proposed legislation exemptions for cultural events. In 1917, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise began taking cases again the G.A.A. for failing to pay the tax. The G.A.A. defended the cases asserting that the Gaelic games were exempt as it was engaged in the revival of national games. The Commissioners pointed out that they had not granted any exemptions and the courts became divided.
In January 1917, at the meeting of the Kilkenny County Committee of the G.A.A., long discussions took place regarding improperly constituted teams. The Chair announced that he would disqualify all improperly constituted teams from the championship. In the future there would be no refixing of matches except under special circumstances (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 13 Jan. 1917, p. 3). While Kilkenny was wrestling with the refixing of matches other aspects of legislation to support the war effort, such as mandatory food production, was impacting on G.A.A. grounds. For example, the owner of a large field at Carrickmacross announced that he had to plough the field under the imposed tillage scheme. A large crowd assembled at the field on the morning 40 ploughs were suppose to arrive to plough the ground, but none arrived (Belfast News Letter, Wed. 14 Feb. 1917, p. 6).
Notwithstanding its assertions that it was not a political organisation, in 1917 the G.A.A. began holding tournaments and exhibition matches to support the work of the Irish National Aid Association and the Volunteer Dependent’s Fund. After the Easter Uprising in 1916 financial support poured in from Irish exiles abroad, particularly those in the United States, for the dependents of the leaders of the rising who were executed. The Irish National Aid Association and the Volunteer Dependent’s Fund was established to raise and distribute the national and international relief. For documents relating to the organisation held by the National Library of Ireland see, Holdings: Irish National Aid Association and Volunteer… (nli.ie).
Notwithstanding the ban on the use of automobiles and excursion trains the G.A.A. continued to hold matches. Coolroe was to play Tullogher at the Rower but failed to travel for the first round of the 1916 senior football championship. The second time the match was cancelled due to snow. In March 1917 on the third attempt Coolroe again failed to travel and a walk over was awarded to Tullogher. (Enniscorthy Guardian, Sat. 17 March 1917, p. 6.) Apparently the awarding of the walk over was overturned by the County Committee and the two teams met on 13 May 1917. It was reported that the game was fast and well contested. The game score was Coolroe two points and Tullogher one point (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 May 1917, p. 6).
While Glenmore was waiting for the Coolroe and Tullogher semi-final to be played a tournament was arranged at Mullinavat for the 19th of April 1917 to aid the Irish National Aid Association. Glenmore played Tullogher “and a very fine game was witnessed,” by the large number of spectators. Glenmore won by 2 goals, 9 points to 1 point (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 May 1917, p. 2) and Kilmacow played a drawn game with Chapelhill in the hurling encounter at that tournament (Munster Express, Sat. 5 May 1917, p. 5).
Shortly after that tournament both Tullogher and Glenmore became part of the “mania” sweeping the country. Republican flags were being placed in inaccessible places making their removal difficult without risk to life or limb. “On Sunday morning a Republican flag was floating on a staff from the eaves of the Tullogher National School. It remained there all day. On Sunday morning three Republican flags were seen floating near Glenmore. It is stated that two were on the tops of trees and another on the telegraph wires, and the police proceeded to remove them” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 May 1917, p. 3). In Tipperary after a match in July a Sinn Fein flag was displayed from the wagonette on which the Mullinahone footballers were seated, and one of the players attempted to address the crowd. When the police interfered “the crowd resented police interference, and a general melee ensued. The police charged the crowd with batons, and the people retaliated with stones.” The police withdrew to return with reinforcements, rifles and bayonets. “Some local traders and a clergyman persuaded the crowd to go home quietly.” Both police and members of the crowd received minor injuries (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 21 July 1917, p. 5).
From the newspapers it appears that Glenmore continued to play in the 1916 championship as well as the 1917 season. For example, the Glenmore v. Coolagh football tie was refixed for Knocktopher on Sunday 15th July (Munster Express, Sat. 19 May 1917, p. 5) and the 1916 senior football championship match between Glenmore and Coolroe was to be held at Knocktopher on the 22nd of July (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 14 July 1917, p. 3).
In the July meeting of the County Committee an objection was made by the Milebush junior hurling club regarding a match played at Glenmore on the 10th of June which was awarded to Mooncoin. Milebush alleged two players for Mooncoin played senior hurling the previous year for other teams and Mooncoin countered that Milebush was illegally constituted as it included players affiliated and registered with the Glenmore hurling club. Mr. Heffernan responded “that there was no hurling club affiliated from Glenmore.” It was also reported that at a recent match at Glenmore in the second round of the junior hurling championship the Glenmore field had long grass which militated against the players displaying their skill (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 July 1917, p.6).
A description of a senior football game played by Glenmore for the 1916 championship could not be located. However, although Coolroe appeared reluctant or unable to travel to matches Glenmore played in a number of fundraising tournaments to support the funding of the Irish National Aid Association. A tournament was arranged for the 9th of September 1917 at Knocktopher and Glenmore was pitted against Coolagh, the team it played four times to win the 1915 Senior Football Championship. The Knocktopher tournament “was patronized by a large gathering of Gaels, and it is satisfactory to note that a good ‘gate’ was realised. There was an attractive programme arranged, and those who attended … were treated to a first-class exhibition of” hurling and football. It is assumed that the following concerns the junior football team. “Glenmore and Kilmoganny were the first to enter the arena and, though the latter team failed to score, there were some masterly displays. Glenmore pressed throughout and the Kilmoganny defence was hard set to cope with the repeated assaults. Hanrahan, Freany, Fitzgerald, Hartley and Heffernan were about the best of the Glenmore boys who emerged victorious with a score of 3 goals, 3 points to nil. Mr. W. Saunders proved a capable referee. The Glenmore team…M. Cody, Capt; Jim Hanrahan, W. Purcell, J. Fitgerald, T. Freany, M. Cody, P. Reddy, J. Phelan, R. Walsh, J. Aylward, A. Heffernan, J. Cody, P. Hartley, R. Flynn and J. Phelan.
The event of the evening was the meeting of Glenmore and Coolagh for senior football honours. The pace was fast and the game was scarcely five minutes in progress when Jim Hanrahan scored the first point for Glenmore. Hanrahan was again conspicuous in the remaining stages of the first half, scoring a second point from a ‘free.’ The third and fourth minor scores quickly followed per Walsh and Doherty. Coolagh put up a stubborn fight but were unable to cope with the resistance of the Glenmore backs and centre players. When the half-time whistle sounded the score was: Glenmore—4 points; Coolagh—Nil.
Coolagh made repeated onslaughts when play was resumed, but were successfully held back by their opponents. Play continued fast and exciting, both sides showing much grit and determination. Though rough at times, the game was not remarkable for any foul passages of play. After some hard fought struggles to get through, Coolagh succeeded in penetrating a strong defence and their only score, a point was the result. Glenmore had luck on their side, but their play showed lack of style, their forwards losing several changes of scoring. The Coolagh backs proved strong and put up a good defence. The final scores were: Glenmore—4 points; Coolagh—1 point.
Jim Hanrahan, Jim Phelan, John Phelan, A. Heffernan and J. Doherty did good work as Glenmore representatives, while J. McKenna, M. Saunders, M and P Hoyne and J. Murphy were about the best of the Coolagh players. Mr. Dick Holohan, who gave every satisfaction as referee…The Glenmore team: J. Doherty (capt.), Jim Hanrahan, Jim Phelan, John Phelan, A. Heffernan, M. Connolly, J. Murphy, P. Foran, P. Forristal, P. Fitzgerald, C. McDonald, M. Murphy, J. Roche, W. Walsh, W. Hartley” (Munster Express, Sat. 22 Sept. 1917, p. 4).
At the October meeting of the Kilkenny County Committee the chairman, Mr. John Gibbons, in an attempt to stop the infighting on the Committee noted that when he took up the position of chair the affairs of the county committee had been in a state of chaos and dislocation. He thanked Mr. Aylward, of Mullinavat, for taking on the secretarial work and stepping into the breach. The senior football final between Glenmore and Coolroe was fixed for New Ross on Sunday, 11th November, with Mr. G. Kennedy to referee. (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 17 Oct. 1917, p. 2). It was later reported that the Kilkenny senior football championship at Barrett’s Park, New Ross would be played on the 18th of November (Munster Express, Sat. 10 Nov. 1917, p. 5 & Waterford News & Star, Fri. 9 Nov. 1917, p. 5). The match did not occur because Coolroe notified Glenmore that they would not be able to travel (New Ross Standard, Fri 23 Nov. 1917, p. 6). The match was reset for the 6th of January 1918 (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 12 Dec. 1917, p. 3) but the only reference that we could locate in local newspapers provided that the teams met on the 10th of March 1918 for the second time at Barrett’s Park, New Ross to decide the final of the Co. Kilkenny senior football championship. The final score was reported as Glenmore, 3 goals, 2 points; to Coolroe, nil (Munster Express, Sat. 16 March 1918, p. 3). This score contradicts the score recorded by Gerry O’Neil for the 1916 final. It is also reported in his book that the 1917/1918 senior football championships were not held.
Given all the contradictions and confusion regarding the 1916 Kilkenny Senior Football Championship, with access limited to available newspaper accounts due to COVID 19 restrictions, any and all corrections would be very welcome.
There is no known photo of the 1916 Glenmore Team, but several of the players also played on the 1915 team. The featured photo above is courtesy of the National Archives. The identification of players in the photo is found with the blog post https://glenmore-history.com/the-tenacious-glenmore-1915-football-team-co-kilkenny-senior-football-champions/ .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
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