The Tenacious Glenmore 1915 Football Team: Co. Kilkenny Senior Football Champions

According to the Gerry O’Neill’s Kilkenny GAA Bible (2014, pp. 60-61)  http://www.kilkennygaa.ie/Downloads/KK_GAA_BIBLE_2014.pdf Glenmore between 1900 and 1950 won the Ned Langton Cup (county senior football championship) 15 times. Previously we posted information and a photo of the 1906 Glenmore football team that won  the senior football championship (available at https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-football-club-the-trials-and-tragedy-of-the-1906-county-kilkenny-gaelic-football-champions/). Today, we are going to highlight the 1915 Glenmore football team that also took the county championship. Although there were several years where no Co. Kilkenny senior football championship was held the senior football championship of 1915 (played in 1916) is unique. This is the only year where the two semi-finalist teams played four championship games because the first three games all resulted in ties.

Interestingly some of the 1915 County Kilkenny senior football matches were played outside of Kilkenny. For example, in February 1916, Glenmore played Tullogher in Barrett’s Park, New Ross in a semi-final match. The New Ross Standard (Fri. 18 Feb. 1916) reported “an enormous amount of interest was centred in the match, and crowds of the followers of both teams came to Ross on bicycles, cars and walking.” Although it was reported that there was a rumour that the game was likely to be rough, it was not. A very large crowd of spectators attended the match and cheered the players. Tullogher had the best of the play for the greater part of the first half hour, as they kept the ball in Glenmore territory. However, they failed to score and Glenmore notched a point. During the second half Glenmore dominated and won the match with a score of 1 goal, 2 points to Tullogher’s 1 point. It was reported that both teams missed several scoring opportunities, but the play was good and “well sustained from start to finish.”  Gus Kennedy, of New Ross was the referee. By winning Glenmore qualified for the final against Coolagh.

The Co. Kilkenny GAA Annual Convention was held in April 1916.  John Dunphy, Glenmore the outgoing Chairman presided. The delegates from Glenmore were M. Heffernan and P. Hanrahan of the Glenmore Hurling Club. At this meeting it was proposed by Glenmore that county championships for hurling and football should continue on the League system. This was agreed. Also during the Convention, Coolagh Football Club were declared champions for the 1914 senior football championship, as “the other matches to be played having been cancelled” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 17 April 1916). Although the Easter Rising did not take place until the 24^th of April the tension between the British authorities and the GAA was noted by the delegates. The British Government was attempting to levy an “entertainment” tax on matches; seeking the GAA pay income tax; agreeing not to interfere with Gaelic sports so long as the gatherings were not political and generally were according to P. Hanahan trying to break the GAA.

On the 19^th of March 1916 the reigning senior champions Coolagh were to play Coolroe at St. James’ Park with Glenmore’s M. Heffernan as referee in the second football semi-final. The winner of this semi-final match was to play Glenmore at St. James’ Park on the 2^nd of April with John Lalor as referee (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 11 March 1916). Coolagh won this semi-final. Due to a number of factors the final match between Coolagh and Glenmore was not played on the 2^nd of April.

The senior football final between Glenmore and Coolagh  was “re-fixed” for Sunday the 7^th of May 1916 at St. James’ Park with referee D. Kennedy. Glenmore and Coolagh tied (Glenmore 1-1; Coolagh 1-1).  The New Ross Standard (Friday 14 July 1916) reported that the replay between Glenmore and Coolagh was being “awaited with considerable interest.” Spectators had been buoyed by the unexpected display made by Glenmore during the first championship game when they nearly beat the county champions. “Coolagh can be relied upon to leave nothing to chance too, and when both teams meet there is sure to be a rattling good contest.”

The second championship match between Glenmore and Coolagh was held on Sunday the 16^th of July 1916 at St. James’ Park, Kilkenny. “After a most exciting struggle both teams played a drawn game, with each team scoring a single goal. Although the first half of the game was “full of exciting passages” no scores were made. In the second half both teams scored a single goal each. “The general opinion on the match was that Glenmore should have won.” The referee was Mike Byrne of Coolroe Football Club (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 July 1916).

The third championship match between Glenmore and Coolagh was held on Sunday the 20^th of August 1916 at the sports field in Waterford. “After a very closely contested game a draw was the result. A regrettable incident occurred in the first half hour, when a few of the players came to blows. However, the affair quietened down and the match was proceeded with. Mr. Walsh, Waterford, proved a capable referee” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 25 Aug. 1916).

Notwithstanding the statements that the GAA was not political in any manner, shortly before the fourth championship match the Carrickshock Monument committee, applied for the proceeds of the match (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1916). See, generally, Glenmore and the Tithe Tax, available at https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-and-the-tithe-tax/. It is not known whether the Monument Committee received the proceeds, but a monument was erected in 1925.

On Saturday the 18^th of October 1916 a very detailed article in “The Whip’s” sporting column of the Kilkenny People covered the fourth championship match between Glenmore and Coolagh. Unfortunately, the author in what might best be described as a “prissy” tone spent a substantial amount of the article exerting his views on punctuality, the weather, and the roughness of the game without actually explaining what happened. It was noted that Glenmore had a “submarine” that torpedoed 6 or 7 Coolagh players, but the name of the Glenmore player was never revealed. The author also noted that the guardians of the law had taken an interest in us of late, “I should, imagine they would find a more profitable (if a little more dangerous) work to do in Flanders. But this ‘small nationality’ is now ruled by a Coercion Government and martial law still prevails…” Excerpts from the article follow.

“MARGIN OF ONLY ONE POINT. A HARD GAME. The senior football final has been finished at last, and Glenmore have won. They got the verdict by the narrowest possible, margin—one point. It took over four hours’ play in the aggregate to decide the tie and of the four matches, three were played in Kilkenny and one in Waterford. Coolagh put up a very good fight, but they were not able for the Glenmore lads on Sunday’s play. The match is now finished, and the series of games played should have a very good effect on football in the county. For a few years past the football championship has been decided on the League system, and this of course necessitated all teams entered playing a number of matches. Under the old order a team, once it, was beaten: in the first round, had perforce to wait until the following season before they could play another official match…”

ABOUT THE GAME.

A most strenuously contested game it was every, inch of the way being fought with a dogged tenacity. The element of roughness was, however, too conspicuous, and scientific football was all too rare. ..From start to finish … it was veritably a case of the survival of the fittest, and it surprised how any man could stand such an hour… On the play Glenmore were the better of the two, and for the greater part of the second half Coolagh were always on the defensive. The backs put up a very stubborn resistance and never allowed the Glenmore men to score. A few dashes to the other end were made by Coolagh, but the finishing power was not there, and, the backs always came out on top. The same teams, it is interesting to note, will meet again in the first round of the coming Championship. Mr. John Lalor, Secretary of the County Board, refereed, and he performed a difficult task very well.

THE TEAMS.

Glenmore—James Murphy, E. Roche, J Roche, T. Doherty, P. Fitzgerald, P. Forristal, M. Connolly, John Phelan, James Phelan, M. Murphy, E. McDonald, W. Walsh. P. Foran, W. Hartley, Thomas Forristal.

Coolagh—W. (Saunders (captain), J. McKenna, W. Fitzgerald, J. Fitzgerald, M. Fitzgerald, Matt Fitzgerald, M. Hoyne, L. Murphy, E. O’Neill, T. Somers, J. Somers, James Leahy, J. Leahy, P. Murray, and M. Moore.

FIRST HALF.

Coolagh got away from the throw in, per Murphy, but the Glenmore backs returned and immediately the southern forward made tracks for the Coolagh posts. From a good kick by Johnnie Phelan an exciting scrimmage took place opposite the Coolagh sticks, and a grand shot by Doherty was only saved at the expense of a “fifty.” Another interest tangle followed, but nothing came of it, and Doherty, got a chance immediately after but sent it wide. Jim Phelan-both himself and his brother played a faultless game—returned the delivery, and another most exciting struggle took place in Coolagh territory. The later’s citadel was in jeopardy and a score seemed imminent, but the defence prevailed, and in a twinkling play was at the other end, thanks to some excellent play by Saunders who did a wonderful amount of work.

They were pressing pretty strongly, and a free to them put them in a very good position to score. Saunders was entrusted with the kick, and he made no mistake in opening Coolagh’s scoring account with a point. Johnnie Phelan and Saunders were most conspicuous in the following exchanges, honours as superiority being about equally divided. A lift off the ground by Phelan gave Coolagh another free, and Saunders centred beautifully. Leahy got possession, and with a very fine effort scored Coolagh’s second point. Saunder’s was again “in the picture” following the delivery, and Doherty then got away on his own, but a free to Coolagh brought relief, and a bad miss by one of the Glenmore half-backs let Coolagh into possession and a bombardment of the Glenmore posts followed. Nothing came of the opportunity thanks to the good defence of the backs.

The game was now very rough and the order apparently was to watch the man and not the ball. Saunders getting the ball after that delivery was tackled by Johnnie Phelan and badly heaved, but he was up in a twinkling; and though challenged by three of his opponents he got through and played the ball. Following this O’Neill sent it wide for Coolagh. Following the kickout Glenmore invaded, per Johnnie Phelan and a free was sent to the right wing.

Here Doherty got possession and with a grand shot landed the ball in the net to the accompaniment of loud cheers. Another attack followed, and a Coolagh. man (Fitzgerald) got hurt and had to retire, his place being taken by Vaughan. Glenmore kept up the pressure and forced a ” fifty,” which was well centred by Doherty, but the backs saved and Saunders, who was exceptionally well watched, was fouled, and the free put Coolagh attacking. Another Coolagh man got hurt but resumed after a short interval, and Glenmore again took up the offensive but a penalty spoiled the chance. Murphy got away on his own after the free kick, and an over by O’Neill followed. Yet another Coolagh man was rendered hors-de-combat but he also- resumed, and Coolagh were-pressing when the half-time whistle went, leaving the scores: Glenmore 1 goal; Coolagh 2 points.

A SCORELESS HALF.

The second and final half of the game opened very roughly. Glenmore, with the aid-of the wind, pressed strongly, and McKenna got knocked out. After some minutes he resumed, and following another over by Glenmore another Coolagh man got injured and had to retire; his place being taken by Peters. This gave rise to a protracted dispute,’ and matters looked dangerous. A bad row was only averted by the efforts of some of the Coolagh men. As usual the spectators went in to investigate, and some of the partisans did not help to throw oil on the troubled waters. After a long delay the teams were got together again, and frees went to both sides in rapid succession.

It was now veritably a case of rough-and-tumble and football in its true meaning was a premium. McDonald who was twice hurt, got a kick in the arm but still kept on, and Glenmore, forcing matters was awarded a “fifty” off a good shot by Doherty.  Saunders blocked the kick and the ball was sent wide. Another series of frees followed to both sides and in a struggle Murphy (Coolagh) and, Connolly (Glenmore) both got knocked out. There was another delay, and on resuming Forristal met the delivery as the ball was touching the ground and sent dead for the net, but the goalkeeper saved well and sent out. A few incursions were made by Coolagh, but they always lacked finish and for the most part were on the defensive. Neither side registered in the second half, and the long whistle went leaving Glenmore winners after a total of over four hours’, play.  The long score was—Glenmore 1 goal (3 points); Coolagh 2 points (2 points).”

First Half
Team	Overs	Frees	50’s	Scores
Glenmore	5	2	3	1-0
Coolagh	6	5	1	0-2
Second Half
Glenmore	6	3	1	-o-
Coolagh	0	6	0	-0-
TOTALS
Glenmore	11	5	4	1-0
Coolagh	6	11	1	0-2

Lastly, Coolagh sent in an objection stating that the Glenmore football team was illegally constituted. However, the players from Mullinavat had early in the season been granted permission by the County Committee to play with Glenmore. At the December 1916 GAA Kilkenny meeting no representative of the Coolagh team appeared and the championship was awarded to Glenmore (Kilkenny People, Sat. 16 December 1916).

The featured photo of the Glenmore 1915 County Kilkenny Champion Senior Football Team is from the Poole Collection of the National Archives of Ireland and published here with its kind permission.

Identification of players in photo is from a 1982 newspaper article in the Kilkenny People marking the death of Peter Forristal the last surviving member of the team.

Back Row: John Phelan, of Clonessy, Mullinavat; Wattie Walsh, of Rochestown, Glenmore; Pat Foran, of Rochestown, Glenmore; Jim Phelan, of Clonessy, Mullinavat

Second Row: Paul Fitzgerald, of Knockbrach, Glenmore; William Hartley, of Busherstown, Glenmore; Richard McDonald, of Ballynooney, Mullinavat; James Murphy, of Ballinlammy, Glenmore (goalie); Tommy Forristal, Rochestown, Glenmore.

Front Row: James Roche, Rathinure, Glenmore; Peter Forristal, Rochestown, Glenmore; Jack Doherty, Davidstown, Glenmore (Captain); Ned Roche, Rathinure, Glenmore; Phil Connolly, Rochestown, Glenmore.

Sitting: Maurice Murphy, Buckstown, Mullinavat & Michael Connolly, of Rochestown, Glenmore.

Club Officials: Maher (on left) and Dunphy (on right).

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh