Jo Doyle née Mernagh (1932-2021)

A reader has a battered newspaper clipping that revealed that her grandfather won a race at a Glenmore Athletic Club Sports Day. Unfortunately, the clipping lacks a date or name of the publication where it was printed. In helping locate the date of the race we found a lot of articles regarding Glenmore’s Sports Days that name a large number of Glenmore athletes.  A search of local newspapers revealed that the first fixture of the Glenmore Athletic Club took place on Sunday the 10^th of July 1944 which was applauded as “a successful revival of athletics in Glenmore parish, after a lapse of over 10 years” (Munster Express, Fri. 14 July 1944, p. 4).

Today, we are going to focus on the Glenmore Athletic Club events that took place in 1944-1946. Any additional information we have included not gleaned from the Munster Express has been placed in square brackets [   ]. Can you help identify any of the athletes?

The First Annual Glenmore Athletic Club Sports Day 1944

Although WWII was still raging the Glenmore Athletic Club organised a sports day in 1944. The Munster Express (Fri. 14 July 1944) reported that “despite unfavourable weather conditions, a good crowd patronised the first annual sports of the Glenmore Athletic Club.” In a field provided by Richard Murphy, the fixture proved a very good success. The newspaper reported there was keen competition in each event, especially the track contests, where some finishes were exceptionally close. “Larry Kiely, who scored a dual success at the sports, is the son of T.P. Kiely, Carrick-on-Suir, a former world’s champion” (Munster Express, Fri. 14 July 1944, p. 4).

To illustrate the distances some athletes travelled for the 1944 event, it was reported that Nicholas Phelan of Conahy, aged 17, cycled to Glenmore and won the 440 yards Kilkenny County Championship event from keen competition. He cycled home subsequently, covering about 80 miles that day (Munster Express, Fri. 14 July 1944, p. 4).

Great credit was given in the article to the Officers and committee of the club, including Rev. William Brennan, C.C., President; T. Fitzgerald, Chairman; P. Fitzgerald, Treasurer; and William Walshe, Hon. Secretary. A special feature was the beautiful array of prizes. [See our post of 27 Feb. 2022 regarding William “Bill” Walsh (1912-1985) of Cappagh.]

The Results

Although the total number of events was not recorded 14 event results were published as follows:

100 yards (schoolboys under 14, confined to Glenmore Parish)—1^st W. McDonald, Haggard; 2^nd Billy Walsh, Mullinahone
100 yards (open)—1^st Cpl. Martin (Army); 2^nd Sgt. McGlynn (Army)
220 yards (confined)—1^st Paddy Roche, Glenmore A.C.; 2^nd Stephen Walsh, Glenmore A.C. [It is believed that Paddy Roche (1919-1989) was from Rathinure, later emigrated to England and Stephen Walsh was from Rochestown, later moved to Knocktopher].
440 yards (open)—1^st L. Kiely , Carrick-on-Suir; 2^nd M. Killian, Glenmore A.C.
440 yards, under 18, Kilkenny Co. Championship—1^st Nicholas Phelan, Conahy; 2^nd Richard Hennessy, Glenmore A.C. [Richard “Richie” Hennessy (c. 1925-2008) of Glenmore Village and later Ballycroney became a builder and built the Glenmore Community Centre.]
880 yards (open)—1^st Larry Dillon, Glenmore A.C.; 2^nd Larry Kiely [We believe that Larry Dillon (1921-2016) was a native of Rochestown. For more information on the Rochestown Dillon family see our post of 27 March 2021.]
One Mile Flat (confined)—1^st Sean Robinson, Glenmore A.C.; 2^nd Peter Egan, Glenmore A.C.
Three Miles Flat, Kilkenny Co. Championship—1^st John Dunne, Ballycallan; 2^nd Peter Egan
High Jump, County Championship—1^st Cpl. Martin, 5 ft. 3 inch; 2^nd William Kearney, Noreside A.C., 5 ft.
Broad Jump—1^st Larry Dillon [Glenmore], 17 ft, 6 in; 2^nd Stephen Walsh, 17ft, 2 in.
56 lbs without follow—1^st Larry Roche, [Haggard] Glenmore A.C., 22 ft. 10in; 2^nd John Forristal, Shanbogh, 17ft, 8 in [See our post of 4 July 2020 regarding the sport of weight throwing.]  
One Mile Cycle (open)—1^st William Walsh, Glenmore A.C.; 2^nd Paddy Joy, Waterford Wheelers
Two Mile Cycle (ordinary machines)—1^st James Kennedy, Kilbride; 2^nd James Haberlin, Slieverue   [James Kennedy of Kilbride was born in 1923 to Patrick Kennedy (carpenter) and his wife Johanna Grace.]
Three Mile Cycle (open)—1^st P. Joy; 2^nd Ed. Ryan, Waterford Southern Sprinters.

The newspaper published that “broadcasting arrangements” were carried out by T. O’Brien, Waterford, The broadcasting was a loudspeaker system rather than a radio or television broadcast. Judges were Rev. Fr. Brennan, C.C.; James O’Hanrahan, Richard Murphy and W. Forristal.

The Glenmore Athletic Club thanked the businesses and people who donated prizes and the list contains several businesses owned and operated by Glenmore natives including: Hanrahan Brothers, Glenmore & New Ross; Brady & Co., Waterford; George Wright, Waterford; Phelan’s of Waterford; Clover Meats Ltd, Waterford; Brooks of New Ross; Holden & Hanrahan, New Ross; Mrs. Heffernan-Walsh, [Lizzy J.K.] Glenmore; and Miss Jo Phelan, Rosbercon. Subscriptions were received from: Rev. W. Brennan, C.C., Glenmore; Glenmore Creamery Manager; Cherry’s, New Ross; Hickey’s New Ross; Doyle’s New Ross; Murphy’s, New Ross; James Power, Mile Post. See our post of 19 Dec. 2020 for early Glenmore business advertisements.

The Second Annual Glenmore Athletic Club Sports Day, 1945

The 1945 event was held in Robinstown on Sunday the 18^th of June in a field owned by Laurence Kirwan. It was reported that the weather was ideal and the programme was comprised of 16 events completed in “record time.”  Amplification was carried out by the Crescent Motor Garage, Wexford with commentators being W. Roche and William Walsh, the Secretary of the Club. The prizes were presented by Rev. J. Hynes, (sic) Ballybrahee, Glenmore, who was home from England on holiday (Munster Express 22 June 1945, p. 2). [Fr. John Hoyne (1916-1978) of Ballybrahee was ordained in 1942 for the diocese of Ossory. During his life he had a number of parish assignments including Callan, Glenmore and Bennettsbridge.]

Partial List of Results

The results of all 16 events are provided in the Munster Express, but few addresses of the winners were provided. The following is a partial list of the results featuring Glenmore athletes or those assumed to be Glenmore athletes.

880 Yards (Kilkenny Co. Championship)—2^nd P. O’Connor, Glenmore [It is believed that this may have been Pat O’Connor a native of Ballyfacey and late of Rathinure. Pat O’Connor (c.1921- 2004) worked at the Creamery, married Kathleen Aylward and they lived on the High Road, Rathinure.]
100 Yards (boys under 14, confined)—1^st W. Walsh; 2^nd R. Cody [We believe R. Cody was Richard Cody of Carrigcloney].
880 Yards (confined)—1^st Larry Dillon [Larry Dillon (1921-2016) see above, was a native of Rochestown and subsequently emigrated to Wolverhampton.]
Three Legged Race—1^st D. Doherty & Miss Doherty; 2^nd James Kennedy & Miss Mary Connolly
56 lbs (without follow)—1^st Larry Roche, [Haggard] Glenmore

Glenmore School Sports Day

In the autumn of 1945, the Glenmore Athletic Club arranged a School Sports Day held in Robinstown. It was noted that “entries were not as large as anticipated” and for the first time events for girls were included (Munster Express, Fri. 19 Oct. 1945, p. 6).

80 Yards (boys under 10)—1^st Larry Byrne [of Haggard. Larry never married. He followed the hunt and was an excellent horseman]; 2^nd Kevin Cuddihy [Kevin was the son of the 2^nd Glenmore Creamery Manager Tom Cuddihy. Kevin eventually became the third Glenmore Creamery Manager and was killed by a horse in 1973.]
80 Yards (girls under 10)—1^st Mary Heffernan; 2^nd May Phelan [We believe Mary Heffernan was Mary Alyward née Heffernan (1933-2026) of Rochestown].
100 Yards (under 12)—1^st R. Cody; 2^nd D. Cody [We believe that these were two Cody brothers from Carrigcloney, Richard and Fr. Daniel Cody (1937-2021).
100 Yards (under 14)—1^st Billy Walsh; 2^nd D. Cody
100 Yards (girls under 14)—1^st Annie Sinnott; 2^nd tie between Jo Fitzgerald and Jo Mernagh [Jo Meragh Doyle (1932-2021) late of Weatherstwn, see our post of 15 May 2022 for more information.]
440 Yards (under 16)—1^st Christy Power [(c. 1932-c. 2020) of Carrigcloney]; 2^nd Billy Walsh
880 Yards (under 16)—1^st T. Mullally; 2^nd R. Mullally [ Brothers Tommy and Richard Mullally of Davidstown]
3 Miles Flat (Kilkenny Co. Championship)—1^st Larry Dillon, Glenmore Athletic Club; 2^nd Thomas Byrne (holder) Noreside Athletic Club.

In a football challenge, Glenmore juniors defeated the senior team on a score of 1-5 to 0-3. The winners led at the change-over by three points to two. Michael Morrissey, Tullogher, refereed.

The Third Annual Glenmore Athletic Club Sports Day 1946

At its annual meeting in March 1946, the Glenmore Athletic Club elected officers. The Chairman was Thomas Fitzgerald of Moulerstown, while the Vice-Chairman was John Hennessey of the Village. The Secretary was William Walsh, of Cappagh and “Mr. Fitzgerald of Moulerstown” was the Treasurer. The Committee was comprised of T. Cotterell; P. O’Connor; T. Malone; D. Doyle; Larry Dillon; S. Walsh and P. Roche (Munster Express, Fri. 15 March 1946, p. 6).

The Glenmore Athletic Club’s annual Sports Day was held on Sunday the 14^th of July 1946 at Robinstown.  It was reported that the weather conditions were favourable and a large entry reflected leading athletes from Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny. The Club Secretary, William Walsh, of Cappagh, was praised for “Keeping the old flag of athletics flying in the South.” Nineteen results were reported and subscriptions were received from: Rev. W. Grace, P.P. Glenmore; Rev. W. Brennan, C.C.; Hanrahan Bros., New Ross; Mrs. Fitzgerald, Weatherstown; and the Moulerstown Dance Board Committee.

Partial List of Results

Below are the successful Glenmore athletes:

440 Yards (open)—2^nd J. Conway (Glenmore AC). Seven competed.
880 Yards (confined to Glenmore parish)—1^st Paddy O’Connor, Ballyfacey; 2^nd Michael Fitzgerald, Coolnaleen. Seven competed [We believe this Paddy O’Connor was Pat O’Connor (c.1921- 2004) who worked at the Creamery, married Kathleen Aylward and they lived on the High Road, Rathinure].
100 Yards (boys under 12)—1^st Michael Doherty, Ballinlammy; 2^nd P. Fitzgerald, Aylwardstown. Ten competed. [We believe P. Fitzgerald was Petey Fitzgerald (c. 1932 -2025) a brother of John Fitzgerald of Rathinure who emigrated to the UK.]
100 Yards (boys under 14)—1^st James Freeman, Glenmore; 2^nd Richard Cody, Carrickcloney (sic). Eight competed. [Dick Cody (c. 1932-2024) of Carrigcloney was a farmer.]
220 Yards (boys under 18)—1^st John Joe Aylward, Parkstown; 2^nd Peter Roche, Rathinure. Eight competed. [John Joe Aylward (c. 1930-2018) never married and farmed. Peter Roche (brother of Jimmy Roche (c. 1926-2018) Rathinure is living in Canada.]
56 lbs. (without follow)—1^st Larry Roche (Glenmore AC) [Haggard] 23 ft, 4 in. Five competed. [Larry Roche (1909-1965) of Haggard was a farmer and his obituary provides that he was a prominent athlete and won many prizes and championships for weight throwing at various sports meetings in Kilkenny and adjoining counties.]
Two Miles Cycle (ordinary machines, confined)—1^st Paul Fitzgerald, Moulerstown; 2^nd Joe Walsh, Ballinlammy. Eight competed.  [Joe Walsh was brother of Thomas Kieran Walsh (1917-1977) a POW held by the Japanese. See our posts of 11 Nov. 2024 and 18 Nov. 2024 .] 
Three Legged Race—Pat Roche, Haggard & P. McDonald, Haggard. Ten competed.

Please send any corrections, additional information or photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com .

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh