Leinster Senior Football Championship
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Glenmore GAA: May 1924
According to the local newspapers the weather in May 1924 was poor. The black clouds also appear to have plagued Glenmore payers that month. Glenmore won the Kilkenny senior football championship in 1922, 1923, and 1924, but the Glenmore players who made up the Kilkenny Senior Football Team struggled in May 1924 in the Leinster Championships. In terms of hurling, in 1923, Glenmore won the Kilkenny Junior Hurling Championship against Dicksboro. These two teams met in the championship replay in May 1924 with devastating consequences for one Glenmore player.
Glenmore Attends Rain or Shine
The Annual Convention of the Kilkenny GAA had to be postponed because of “severe inclement weather.” From the south of the county only Glenmore had delegates that attended. Due to the small number of delegates present it was agreed to postpone the convention until the 29th of May (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 3 May 1924, p. 6).
Glenmore Football
Glenmore vs. Wexford
At New Ross on Sunday the 4th, Glenmore, “who were short several of their best men, engaged the Wexford County team in a challenge match which, after a great contest, went in favour of Wexford on the score of 3-4 to 2-5. For Glenmore, the brothers Cody, Irish, Fitzgerald, Hartley and Murphy were seen to good advantage for great work” (Munster Express, Sat. 10 May 1924, p. 3).
Leinster Championship
The Leinster championships were advanced another stage on Sunday the 11th, when three games were decided at Croke Park. In senior football Louth scored a rather easy victory over Kilkenny, who had to rely practically on the Glenmore team. It is to be regretted that Co. Kilkenny, which has such splendid material at its disposal; should be rendered an impotent factor by internal dissension (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 May 1924, p. 5).
Louth Defeats Kilkenny—Munster Express, Sat. 17 May 1924. p. 3.
“At Croke Park on Sunday last Louth defeated Kilkenny in their tie in the Leinster Football Championship. It was a stubborn struggle. Louth, fresh from their engagements in the inner-county League with their neighbours from Cavan, Monaghan, and Meath, showed good form. Their forwards were quick to avail of scoring opportunities, while their backs were at all times reliable. Owing to internal differences Kilkenny were not at full strength, their team being in the main drawn from Glenmore.”
THE PLAY
“The Kilkenny custodian brought off a couple of good saves early, and lively, well-contested play was the order. After a hot duel with the Louth backs Fitzgerald opened the scoring with a point for Kilkenny. Louth pressing forced a “50,” which was placed to advantage by Garland for Burke to fist into the net or the first goal. Working back from the kick-out, Reynolds added a goal for Louth. A Kilkenny attack was well held by the back, of whom Mohan was prominent. Louth again attacked and Garland sent wide from a free close in.
At this stage Louth were doing best, and after Burke had centred nearly, Reynolds boxed a goal. Burke followed up with a point. Kilkenny forced a “50” which went for nought. The Kilkenny custodian cleared a trying shot, but Louth returned, and Reynolds notched a point . Louth continued on the aggressive, and Byrne sent over from far out. Kilkenny sprang away, and from a free in good ground the “Louth sticks had a narrow escape.”
Dashing off, Louth forced a “50,” to find the Kilkenny backs on the alert. Hot pressure by Kilkenny was checked by a reliable Louth Defence. Kilkenny were attacking at the interval when the scores were: Louth, 3-2; Kilkenny, 0-1.
On resuming the pace was fast, and some fine football was witnessed. Louth backs beat down the opposition, but Kilkenny were quick to return. Mohan saved repeatedly for Louth, whose defence was being hotly tested. Kilkenny persisted in the attack, and after an exciting and stubborn duel the Louth end was crossed. Kilkenny worked back from the kick out, and a free well placed by P. Cody was received and sent over for a point by P. McKenna. Tuite replied with a like score for Louth.
From a “50” to Louth Mohan’s kick was well judged, but the Kilkenny backs were not to be beaten, and a lively bout of play ended in an over. Louth failed on a second “50” shortly after. Kilkenny showing fine form., engaged in a determined attack, but the Louth backs continued to give a capital display. Sarsfield (Louth) went off injured, and was replaced by P. Garland. A feature of the game was close tackling. Kilkenny, still fighting hard, met with ill luck, a stinging shot striking the upright. Tuite put on a point for Louth, who held the upper hand, and tested the Kilkenny custodian with a few rasping shots near the close.”
Mr. F. Donnelly refereed.
The Kilkenny Team
M. Cody (Captain); P. Cody; W. Irish; W. Hartley; J. Fitzgerald; L. Murphy, J. McKenna; M. Brennan; P. Murphy; J. Shiels; J. Murphy; J. Hanrahan; J. Nunan and T. Brennan.
Glenmore Hurling
A replay of the County Hurling Final between Glenmore and Dicksboro took place on Sunday the 24th of May at St. James’ Park. The match “had scarcely progressed 20 minutes, when one of the spectators, said to be a brother of a player, rushed on to the playing pitch and assaulted a Glenmore player, with the result that the members of both teams came into conflict.”
“A melee ensured in which blows were exchanged. A few players were injured before the intervention of officials and clergy brought about peace. The match was abandoned.”
One of the Glenmore players, named Irish, was severely injured during the melee. He is one of the most promising players that the county has produced for some years (Munster Express, Sat. 31 May 1924, p. 3).
In the “Echoes from South Kilkenny” column in the same edition it was noted that Bill Irish was able to leave the Infirmary on Tuesday the 27th. “He was one of the Kilkenny men selected to represent Leinster in the forthcoming Tailteann trials.” The newspaper described him as “one of the outstanding Gaels of the county either on the hurling or football field…”
See, our post of 6 February 2012 regarding Bill Irish (1899-1976) and Glenmore’s fight to receive its medals.
For further Glenmore GAA records see the Kilkenny GAA Bible (2018).
The players in the featured team photo above: (the football has 1925 printed on it)
Back Row: James Vereker (Davidstown), Jim Murphy, William Irish, Pat Hartley, Andy Heffernan, Richard Hanrahan.
Next Row: Mick Heffernan, John Fitzgerald, John Doherty, Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Connolly, Peter Kirwan, Paddy Cody, James Dunphy.
Next Row: Stephen Heffernan, James Fitzgerald, Martin Cody (Captain), Fr. Richard Vereker, John Phelan, Bill Hartley (Busherstown).
Front Row: Jim Hanrahan, John Mullins, Mick Cody, Paddy Murphy.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh