Conahy Notes Wednesday, July 8Th, 2020

Conahy Notes Wednesday, July 8th, 2020

GAA Conahy Shamrocks GAA remind all who visit the Polo Grounds should continue to exercise caution all at times and be mindful of appropriate social distancing and sanitation, where possible. Sanitation stations are now set up in various parts of the grounds to assist in this regard.

Parents, coaches and adult players in both hurling and camogie should have completed their online health questionnaire on returntoplay.gaa.ie to reconfirm their current health status prior to each training and/or match that they or their son or daughter are involved in.

CONAHY SHAMROCKS FROM THE ARCHIVES – INTERMEDIATE COUNTY CHAMPIONS 1977 After an exhaustive nine-game campaign, Conahy Shamrocks captured the Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship and with it the Hanrahan Cup on November 6th, 1977. That county title success would see Conahy Shamrocks participate in the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship the following year for the first time in many years.

Conahy Shamrocks won the Kilkenny Junior Hurling and Football Championship double in 1976 and in the early games in 1977 it appeared as if the players were still in a celebratory mood. Two early defeats to O’Loughlin Gaels and Dicksboro hinted at a short campaign in 1977, but the team’s fortunes improved in the third game when Conahy Shamrocks defeated Paulstown by nine points.

The campaign really gathered momentum in early July when the team scored a decisive win over Lisdowney. Further league wins followed against Thomastown and Gowran, with Conahy securing a draw against Coon in their final league game.

Following the conclusion of the league Conahy Shamrocks were drawn against Thomastown in the County Semi-Final on October 16th. The Southerners started impressively and built up a 0-5 to 0-1 lead, but Conahy responded well with goals from Kieran and Paudie Brennan to lead 2-8 to 0-6 at the interval.

Thomastown had a dominant spell early in the second half scoring three unanswered points, but a third Conahy goal from Ned Mulhall saw the winners reclaim control of the game. Thomastown made a number of switches in the closing quarter but their only reward was a goal from a twenty- one yard free. It was not enough to stop Conahy Shamrocks reaching their third Intermediate County Final, following successes in 1930 and 1932.

The County Final on November 6th saw Conahy Shamrocks meet Dicksboro in Nowlan Park. Conahy played with a strong wind in the opening half and led 1-4 to 0-4 at the interval, Conahy’s goal coming from Paudie Mulhall.

Dicksboro, who lost the Intermediate Final the previous year, started well in the second half and they quickly had the margin down to a single point. Three minutes later Conahy scored a second goal when Kevin Mulhall shot to the net following good build up play by Shem Muldowney.

While the Conahy defence played well against a strengthening breeze in the second half, the Dicksboro pressure told when they scored a goal and a point with five minutes remaining. Conahy responded impressively. A long delivery was caught by Paudie Brennan who laid off the ball to Shem Muldowney who finished to the Dicksboro net. This edged Conahy two points ahead of the city side and although Dicksboro scored a late point it was not enough to stop Conahy capturing the Intermediate title on a final score of 3-9 to 1-14.

The full Conahy Shamrocks panel was: Patsy Lacey; Pat Healy; John Muldowney; Seamus Nolan (Capt.); Michael Cuddihy; Nickey Brennan; Larry Butler; Eamonn Conway; Marty Buggy; Kieran Brennan; Kevin Mulhall; Paudie Mulhall; Paudie Brennan; Ned Mulhall; Shem Muldowney; Toddy Lacey; Ger Nolan; Tommy Cuddihy; Eamonn Walsh; Jimmy Tierney; Eamonn Dunne; Christy Mulhall; Joe Butler; Pat O’Shea; Martin O’Shea; Pat Gunner; Peter Brennan; Sean Buggy. (Team Selectors – Dermot Healy, Michael Brennan & John Muldowney).