REFERENCE NO. AR/1/16
GAA Oral History Project Interview Report Form
Name of Aoife Doherty Interviewer
Date of Interview 27th July 2010
Location Interviewee’s Home, Near Crossmaglen, Armagh
Name of John Martin Interviewee (Maiden name / Nickname)
Biographical Summary of Interviewee
Gender Male
Born Year Born: 1928
Home County: Armagh
Education N/A
Family Siblings: 6 brothers; 1 sister
Club(s) Crossmaglen Rangers GAC [Armagh]
Occupation Newsagent
Parents’ N/A Occupation
Religion Roman Catholic
Political Affiliation / N/A Membership
Other Club/Society N/A Membership(s)
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Date of Report 27th July 2010
Period Covered 1935 – 2010
Counties/Countries Armagh, Cavan, Kildare, Kerry, Laois, Dublin Covered Key Themes Travel, Supporting, Grounds, Facilities, Playing, Training, Covered Managing, Officials, Administration, Celebrations, Education, Fundraising, Religion, Media, Role of the Club in the Community, Volunteers, Identity, Irish Language, Culture, Scόr, All-Ireland, Club History, County History, Irish History, Earliest Memories, Family Involvement, Childhood, Politics, Northern Ireland, The Troubles, Opening of Croke Park
Interview Summary John Martin discusses his earliest memories and experiences of the GAA and his move into management and administration. Discusses the relationship between the GAA and Irish identity, culture and nationalism. Talks about the British army presence in Crossmaglen, the impact on members of the community and the inadequacy of the compensation received by club. Mentions also the history of Crossmaglen football, admiration for the Kerry football, highlights of GAA involvement and criticisms of certain GAA rule changes.
00:00:33 Discusses his early involvement in Gaelic football. It began after he left school, beginning after with the Towns league and the county minor team, on which he played in 1945-46. Mentions some of those who played on that Armagh team. Mentions also that he joined the Crossmaglen junior team in 1946 and made the senior team the following year.
00:01:20 Mentions lack of family background in the GAA, but talks about being brought by his father to the 1935 All-Ireland football final between Kildare and Cavan. His father was friendly with the Kildare goalkeeper, Jimmy Maguire, who had previously played with Armagh in an All-Ireland junior final.
00:02:20 Mentions Peter Waters, a Kildare player in 1935, who he later met through his interest in coursing. Waters was a judge at coursing meetings.
00:03:35 Expresses the dislike for modern standards of refereeing and the importation of yellow and red cards.
00:04:20 Talks about admiration of Kerry football, about friendships with Kerry players like Paddy Kennedy and Joe Keohane, and respect for their physical brand of football.
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00:05:10 Beginnings of administrative involvement with the Crossmaglen club in 1955 - appointed secretary. Talks about role, what it involved and what it meant to him.
00:06:30 Move into team management – as distinct from training - in 1960 and what it involved. Mentions trying to get games called off if he didn’t have a full team.
00:07:20 Discusses his record in management. Mentions winning five Armagh titles were won between 1960 and 1970 and losing an Ulster club final, a game he says was deferred due to an outbreak of foot and mouth in 1968.
00:08:55 Discusses the influence/role of Gaelic football in the local community – ‘like a religion’. Refers to fundraising efforts by the club.
00:09:43 Comments on volunteerism in the GAA past and present.
00:10:10 Downplays differences between GAA experience north and south, but remarks on the occasional comments of some southern members towards them.
00:10:55 Discusses the relationship between the GAA and personal and national identity. Denies it had a major bearing on his outlook or sense of Irishness.
00:11:30 Refers to unionist perception of the GAA’s links with politics.
00:11:50 Mentions sympathy of club members with the hunger strikers.
00:12:05 Discusses the harassment received by GAA members at the hands of the British army – mentions that he and two of his sons were arrested or ‘lifted’.
00:13:12 Discusses the damaging impact of the British army’s arrival on the social life of the town.
00:14:15 Makes observations on religion and sectarianism in Northern Ireland – reference is made to Belfast and Portadown.
00:15:10 Responds to question on whether the British army presence in Crossmaglen led to upsurge in republican activity in the area.
00:15:28 Discusses the footballing fortunes of the Crossmaglen club from the 1940s onwards. Refers to absence of work in the 1940s and 50s and loss of players to
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England.
00:16:40 Mentions the importance of youth development and the emergence of a good group of players. Refers to physical stature of players and the importance of having big players on a team. However, he singles out one of the smaller players, Jim McConville, for particular praise.
00:17:00 Mentions bringing Armagh players to games and to being stopped on occasion by soldiers.
00:18:28 Remarks on the lack of Irish language use in the club and mentions some of the practical problems this presented.
00:19:28 Mentions, with regret, that Scór had little impact in the life of the club during his time, despite having good Irish dancers and singers around. Refers to his own interest in amateur dramatics and says that some plays were done from the early 1950s onwards.
00:20:18 Denies that the Irish language played any part in fostering and Irish nationalist identity in the club.
00:20:23 Personal GAA highlights – going to Croke Park in 1935, working as a steward at games, meeting people...
00:20:50 Reflects on damage done to the club grounds during the Troubles. Inadequacy of compensation received.
00:21:47 Admiration for Kerry football and the strength of the Kerry full-back line on the teams on which Joe Keohane played.
00:22:40 Expresses his pride in the large and peaceful crowds that attend Croke Park and his support for allowing supporters onto the pitch to celebrate All-Ireland victories.
00:23:45 Opines on the longevity of service of some of the people involved GAA administration and explains why is critical of the decision to open up Croke Park.
00:25:45 Mentions his opposition to the changing of Rule 21.
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Involvement in Supporter Player Manager □ Coach Steward GAA
□ Chairperson □ Committee Member □ Grounds-person
□ Caterer □ Jersey Washer □ Referee □ None
□ Other (please specify): ______
Record as a Player Player, 1945-60 (Titles won; Length of time played) Record as an Club Secretary, 1955 and 1968-9 Administrator (Positions held; how long for)
Format Audio □ Audio-Visual
Duration Length of Interview:00:25:53
Language English
To be filled in by Interviewer:
I hereby assign the copyright of the content of the above to the GAA Oral History Project on the understanding that the content will not be used in a derogatory manner. I understand that I am giving the GAA Oral History Project the right to use and make available to the public the content of this interview.
Signed: Aoife Doherty
Date: 27th July 2010
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