Pat Aylward of Mullinavat

Last week Pat Coady, a native of Tullogher, shared a copy of a newspaper clipping from 1938. Unfortunately the newspaper clipping does not reveal which newspaper published the article entitled “Glenmore Take Football Title,” but the advertisements on the back of the clipping are all for Kilkenny City businesses. We were able to locate a number of newspapers that did cover the championship game and these are listed below. Most of the following account is from the old clipping and additional facts gleaned from other newspapers are included. For ease in the account below a [G] had been added to identify Glenmore players. It appears that it was quite common during the 1930’s with mass emigration for teams to be made up of players living in other parishes. Thus several of the Glenmore players were from Mullinavat. A list of players for both teams is at the end. We are trying to identify all the players, so we would appreciate any help readers can render particularly with Tullogher and Mullinavat players.

First Match in Thomastown Abandoned

The first County senior football championship match between Glenmore and Tullogher took place at Thomastown on Sunday, 12 September 1938. The two adjoining parishes were old rivals. In fact, Pat Coady recalled today that at another match in Thomastown a Tullogher player when facing the prospect of a loss to Glenmore kicked the ball into the river and there was just the one ball causing that match to be abandoned.

The referee of the 1938 Championship game played in Thomastown was Sergt. S. Kerr, of Ballyhale (Munster Express, Fri. 28 Oct. 1938, p. 8). [Sergt. Kerr was father of Eddie Kerr of Kilkenny hurling fame.] At halftime the scores were level. Then about ten minutes before full time a dispute arose between two opposing players. Glenmore was leading Tullogher, 2-1 to 0-3. The spectators encroached on the playing pitch, and the match had to be abandoned. Notwithstanding the referee was a Sergt. no arrests were reported in the newspapers. The re-match was fixed for Nowlan Park on Sunday, October 30^th.

The Final—Sunday 30 October 1938

In the final at Nowlan Park there was keenest rivalry, and the referee was again Sgt Kerr. It was stated that nearly 1,000 spectators were in attendance (Munster Express, Fri. 4 Nov. 1938, p. 7) . What the game lacked in the way of spectacular football was made up for by the earnestness with which each of the 30 players set about his task. Close scoring, and the play traveling from end to end, kept interest alive all through Tullogher were in arrears almost from the start, a goal at any time would put the team on level terms.

The game opened with some spirited exchanges, the ball traveling from end to end without result for about ten minutes. [Glenmore began playing against the wind and sun (Irish Independent, Mon. 31 Oct. 1938, p. 20)].  Glenmore were the more forceful and were rewarded with a goal. Tullogher made raid after raid to draw level, but weak finishing left them without the score required. Glenmore raised a white flag, [for our international readers a white flag signifies a point was scored] and shortly before the half time whistle Tullogher had a like score, leaving three points dividing.

Glenmore defence put up a great show in the second half, and some great rallies by Tullogher were stemmed almost in the Glenmore goal mouth. The forwards on both sides were kept well in check, while at centre field honours were about even. Only two points were registered in the second half, each side registering one, and the final scores left Glenmore champions by 1-2 to 0-2.

The Play: First Half

Holden [G] put P. Fitzgerald [G] in possession on the right wing in a Glenmore attack but T. Malone cleared. J. Walsh [G] centred from a free but Heffernan [G] shot wide. Tullogher attacked when Roche sent well, but a free resulted. Glenmore got moving again per Heffernan [G] who received from Connors [G] and sent a nice pass to the right wing. P. Fitzgerald [G] dropped to the goalmouth and J. Fitzgerald [G] finished to the net. Tullogher took up the running and forced play to the Glenmore end. A hot attack brought a 50 which Bird sent well in for Gaule to send wide. Two frees to Tullogher brought no score and W. Lalor lost a great chance in the goal mouth. Heffernan [G] fielded near half way and after a good movement shot wide. A free to Glenmore reached the goal area but Barron cleared. From another free on the left wing J. Walsh [G] centred to L. Roche [G] who passed to Holden [G] for the later to shoot a point.

Tullogher went away in spirited fashion and Lalor was almost through for a score when he was fouled. Bird placed the ball in the goal mouth from the free and there was a great tussle before it was fisted over the bar when a goal seemed likely. The halftime scores were: Glenmore, 1-1; Tullogher, 0-1.

The Play: Second Half

On the change over both sides attacked in vain. The defenders on both sides giving a great display and the forwards could make little headway. Tullogher missed a great chance when Roche put Lalor in possession. Bird was the mainstay in the Tullogher defence and was responsible for abating several attacks. M. Morrissey was playing a grand game at left half forward for Tullogher while the two Fitzgeralds [G] and P. Gaule did great work in the Glenmore attack.  T. Malone cleared from a Tullogher attack and Holden [G] sent Glenmore away quickly. J. Wall [Walsh, G] gathered and shot a grand point. Glenmore led by four points.

A Final Rally

Malone saved a penalty kick and Tullogher were away in a great dash. They kept the Glenmore defences busy, but they were equal to the occasion and beat off all attacks. Tullogher made determined efforts to draw level at the beginning of the second half, but Duggan [G], Butler [G], and Grace [G] presented a stout last line of defence (Irish Independent). Again and again Tullogher attacked only to be driven off. With only a few minutes remaining the forwards swept through in a grand movement and Dwyer had a point. Pressure was continued, but the Glenmore defence prevailed and the final whistle sounded with scores: Glenmore, 1-2; Tullogher 0-2.

Match Commentary

The Munster Express (Fri. 4 Nov. 1938, p. 7) opined that there was nothing classic about Sunday’s display, but plenty of dash and spirit held the interest of the onlookers. Both teams had big followings, and with never much between them in the matter of scores, excitement at times was intense. Glenmore established an early lead of a goal, and all efforts of Tullogher to equalise were frustrated. It was a dour struggle in which the finer points were disregarded in favour of more direct tactics and the result hung in the balance to the final whistle. Glenmore were worthy winners, but on the run of the play Tullogher were worth more scores.

Glenmore: [Most of the first names were gleaned from Bill Grace’s obituary (link available at end of post).

[1] P. Roche (goal); [Paddy Roche, of Mullinavat]
[2] J. Duggan; [Jack Dugan, of Farnogue, Mullinavat]
[3] M. Butler; [Martin Butler (c. 1904-1976) of Moulerstown, Glenmore]
[4] M. Grace; [Should be W. for Wm. “Bill” Grace (c. 1918-1991) of Kilbride, Glenmore]
[5] P. Holden; [Pat Holden, of Mullinavat]
[6] P. Aylward; [Pat Aylward, of Mullinavat]
[7] Larry Roche; [(c. 1910-1965) of Haggard, Glenmore?]
[8] J. Freyney; [Jim Freyne of Kilbride?, Glenmore]
[9] E. Connors; [Neddie O’Connor (c. 1919 -2002) of Graiguenakill, Glenmore]
[10] P. Fitzgerald; [Paul Fitzgerald? of Moulerstown, Glenmore]
[11] M. Heffernan; [Mick Heffernan, (c. 1920-2019) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore]
[12] J. Walsh; [John Walsh? of Mullinavat]
[13] J. Fitzpatrick; [John Fitzgerald?—Irish Independent wrote about Fitzgerald brothers. ]
[14] M. Cody and  [Martin Cody? of Weatherstown, Glenmore]
[15] N . Mullins.  [Nicky Mullins (c. 1913-1989) of Flemingstown, Glenmore]

Tullogher:
[1] M. Malone (goal);
[2] James Malone
[3] T. Malone
[4] P. Barron
[5] M. Purcell
[6] T. Bird [Tom Bird (c. 1911-2003) of Hoodsgrove, winner of 7 Kilkenny Senior Championship medals.]
[7] J. Dwyer
[8] L. Roche
[9] E. Moore
[10] L. Gaule
[11] M. Morrissey
[12] W. Lalor
[13] M. Malone
[14] M.J. Malone

Some of the other newspapers that covered the games: Kilkenny People, Sat. 5 Nov 1938, p. 9; The Post, Wed. 2 Nov. 1938, p. 1; Irish Independent, Mon. 31 Oct. 1938, p. 20; New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Sept. 1938, p. 12.

Please send any corrections or additional information, particularly the first names of the Tullogher players, to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

For obituaries of the following players click on the links provided then scroll the obituaries. The obituaries are in alphabetical order.

Martin Butler (c. 1904-1976) of Weatherstown; Nicholas Mullins (c. 1913-1989) of Flemingstown; Wm. “Bill” Grace (c. 1918-1991) of Kilbride. As men are identified we shall attempt to provide information on them all.

The featured photo above of Glenmore Village was published in the Irish Independent (25 Oct. 1938, p. 3). The caption: Nestling in the valley—the picturesque little village of Glenmore, on the road from Waterford to New Ross.

Special thanks to Pat Coady for sharing his newspaper clipping.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh