Drom & Inch GAA Club

Pat Shanahan Memorial Tournament 2003 Drom Field Sunday 28th December 2003

1:00pm Barnane V The Village 2:00pm Pallashill V The Ragg 3:00pm Final

Clár Oifigúil Luach €2 Drom Inch GAA Club

Chairman: Mattie Ryan Secretary: Alice Costello Treasurers: Sean Hicks, Liam McLoughlain

Another year has flown by and it’s time once again to stage “The Big Challenge” in memory of the late Pat Shanahan R.I.P.. This year presents the exciting prospect of two local teams derbies, Drom V Barnane and Pallashill V The Ragg. Rumours abound of some players undergoing secret training whilst others have made solemn promises to abstain from alcohol and nicotine for at least one hour before match time. All will be revealed on the day. The proceeds of the day, as is customary, will be in aid of The Hospice Movement and I urge you all to support as generously as you can. May I take the opportunity to wish all a Happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

Mattie Ryan Mattie Ryan Chairman Drom-Inch GAA Club

Program Production Drom-Inch GAA Club Editor: Micheal Cahill Web: www.drominch.com Design & E-Mail: [email protected] Layout: Micheal Cahill Contributors: Mattie Ryan The Big Challenge Maria McGrath Web: Micheal Cahill E-Mail: Onthewing [email protected]

2 The Big Challenge Roll of Honour Year Winners Captain 1999 Pallashill Maitiu Cahill 2000 Pallashill Pat Looby 2001 The Ragg Dessie Hennessy 2002 The Ragg Paul Stapleton

The winning caption is presented with the Pat Shanahan Memorial Cup in memory of the late Pat Shanaan. The Cup will be presented by Pat’s father, Martin Shanahan.

Thanks…. Thanks to everybody who contributed toward the running of the tournament. Special thanks to Martin Shanahan for been here to present the winning team with the Pat Shanahan Memorial Cup. Thanks to the referee for once again giving up his time to referee the games. Thanks to all who contributed to the production of this program and to all those generous enough to sponsor an advertisement in it.

Best wishes from John Dwyer “The Hilltop Bar and Lounge” Drom Village “Food available after the matchs”

3 Pallashill v. The Ragg Battle of the Titans Today the so-called hard men of the hill, you could call it a stump, take on the might or windy boys of the Ragg. The same pairing were in the final last year, the Ragg clinching victory. The Ragg cunningly, Mafia like, snooped Matt McGrath for the management position. Bitterly the Stump hit back by using son Daniel and Michael Long. These 2 later transferred back to see more glory to confirm their medal hunting reps. Of course this competition has failed to attract some local heroes. Lazy James Kennedy and James Bandaro’s Woodlock have all been too busy signing autographs and looking in the mirror. Even so called county stars Damien Young and Seamus Butler have snubbed the Big Challenge due to doing chores for county managers. The stump: approx. 5,000 feet above sea level. It is inhabited by people who live it rough and eat feed they give their cattle and thrive in harsh weather. Rumour has it they stayed in Drom last night to acclimatise. The Ragg in contrast sleep together most nights and leave the light on. These guys live at home with Mammy. This is at the heart of their windy nature. Pallashill will surely steep to intimidation tactics e.g. name calling, spitting, scratching, stamping, biting, headbuting, headlocking and punching. The philosophy is that you can’ t show much skill when your coughing up teeth and removing studs from your knee. Mike Brett won’t make it, cant get time off work. Mike Cantwell will be there but he’s crap so he wont have any impact. Paul Stapleton is in the US with Miss Toomevara 1989, trying to buy Guinness with Euro’s. Liam Kennedy is lost in Sydney, in a bar drinking Miller talkin rubbish to an equally obnoxious barman. The Ragg will need to be sharp. Shotgun McGrath strikes like a bolt of lightning with the poise of 100 US navy seals. Have no doubts, this team are secretly training for the past while. When they loose today, laugh at them. Imagine all that work and nothing, still useless.

4 Drom v. Barnane The Showdown If you’ve ever seen a western, you can picture the terrain and people of Drom. Every night they go to the saloon, and in the day they wrestle with sheep and other animals. Yes these cowboys see the hurl as a weapon and Barnane are the Indians. Watch out for John Wayne, aka Andy Bourke, can be found in the local saloon saying stuff like “there aint enough room in this town for the both of us” usually to scoots Ryan. Communication is done through a sophisticated grunting system sometimes.

In contrast, Barnane could be stereotyped as a bunch of rich farmers who like the finer things in life. Drinks of choice include alcopops, brandy and they love the sausage. Interestingly most of this outfit are bachelors. Whenever a woman is mentioned half of them blush and the other half shout and whistle like school kids.

Both sides regularly socialise together in the saloon. Showdowns are a regular occurrence and today’s challenge should be the perfect scene for these testosterone-charged alpha males to let go some steam.

These sides really bring players from the woodwork. Liam Hoare, John Sheridan, James Bazza Ryan and Brendan McGrath will all be wearing tight togs, some because they last wore their togs at U12 level while strangely others think to themselves “My bum looks good in these”.

These 2 teams would rather have a Big Drinking Challenge than a hurling one. Drom doesn’t suit either team. It’s too big. A marathon to these people means a two week binge.

5 You could say today’s first semi-final is a Hardcore meets Hardcore affair, expect to see skin, hair and blood flying when the likes of Andy Burke and Noel Kinehan come face to face.

Both teams will be pumped up for this one, literally, the use of performance reducing substances is reaching crises point, so much so that tournament organiser Mícheál Cahill is threatening that random urine sample tests will have to be taken after one player’s liver was found on the 45m line last year after the Drom game.

Best wishes from “Pallas Hill Open Farm” Pallashill, The Ragg, Thurles. Phone Ella @ 087 2909688 / 0504-54294 Open Easter Sunday to September

Best wishes to the tournament from Donal & Rose Young of YOUNGES THE RAGG Nite Club Lounge/Bar Lunches Served Daily Restaurant Function Room

6 THE RAGG

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Going for 3-In-A-Row ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Players The View •Liam Brett •PJ Brett Can they do what no team has •Kevin Butler done before and win The Big •Martin Butler Challenge three times in a row. •Séamus Butler They will be without the service •John Callanan of some key players like Paul •Edward Costello Stapleton and Mike Costello but •Tom Cantwell still boast a strong lineup and •Michael Cantwell will no doubt be in with a shout •Joe Egan of victory as usual. Long time •John Egan manager Matt McGrath is this •Dessie Hennessy year joined by the Drom-Inch •Mervin Hicks Junior manager Austin •Robert Hicks Broderick who hopes to bring •John Kennedy the senior players up to his •Michael Long standards. •Daniel McGrath •Fergal McLoughlin Past Form •Paul O’Meara 2000 - Beat The Village in the •Alan Ryan Semi-Final after extra time. •Séamus Walsh Defeated by Pallashill in the final. •Damien Young 2001 - Beat Barnane in the Semi- Final. Manager Beat The Village in the Final. 2002 - Beat The Village in the Matt McGrath Semi-Final. Austin Broderick Beat Pallashill in the final. 7 THE VILLAGE (DROM)

~ ~ ~~ ~ So Close So Often ~ ~ ~ ~~ Players The View 1. Padraic Ryan Different year, dfferent managers! 2. Paul Ryan (Calf) The Village are quickly becoming 3. Eammon Kiely known for their ruthlessness when 4. Noel McLoughlin it comes to managers. They 5. Eammon Ryan demand success and have no 6. Liam McLoughlin problem showing any manager 7. Willie Ryan the door if they don’t bring it. A 8. Jerome Ryan strong lineup once again they are 9. Paul Ryan sure to be favourites over 10. Andy Bourke 11. Eddie Kinane Barnane. If they make it to the 12. Matthew Ryan final they will be in a strong 13. Kevin Nolan position against The Ragg or 14. Micheal Kiely Pallashill given that they have a 15. Keith Nolan recovery period after the Semi- Subs Final. New managers are superbly 16. Bosco Kennedy organised. They are the only team 17. Johnaton O'Connor to ever name their team five days 18. in advance. 19. Brendan McGrath Past Form 20. Willie Lowry 21. James Ryan 2000 - Defeated by The Ragg in 22. P.J Nolan the Semi-Final after extra time. 23. Conor Ryan 2001 - Beat Pallashill in the Semi-Final after penalties. Defeated by The Ragg in the Manager Final Patrick Kennedy 2002 - Defeated by The Ragg in Richard Kennedy the Semi-Final. 8 BARNANE

~ ~ ~ ~ Still Searching For That Elusive First Win ~ ~ ~ ~ Players The View •Michael Bourke •Brian Boyle Barnane hold at least one record •Joe Cahill in The Big Challenge. They have •Paul Collins never won a game. 2003 could be •Ollie Dwan a good one for Barnane but it will •Neil Gleeson probably be their worst ever after •Ciaran Hassett several high profile players from •Seamus Hassett the 1970’s announced their •Trevor Hassett retirement last year. For the first •Brian Hoare time in the five years, Barnane •Liam Hoare get to take on close rivels and •Joe Hoare neighbours, The Village. Hyped •Andy Kenehan to be an explosive game as many •Noel Kenehan neighbours go to battle. It will •Jim Kenehan probably end up a Titanic •Liam Kenehan struggle however. Eddie Ryan •Tom Kenneally stays on as manager for another •Kieran McGrath year •Joe O'Halloran •Phil O'Halloran Past Form •Joe Ryan 1999 - Defeated by Pallashill in •Nicky Ryan the final. •John Sheridan 2000 - Defeated by Pallashill in •Michael Sheridan the Semi-Final after extra time. 2001 - Defeated by The Ragg in Manager the Semi-Final Eddie Ryan 2002 – Defeated by Pallashill in Semi-Final 9 PALLASHILL

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Two Time Champions ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Players The View •Eamonn Buckley •Matthew Buckley According to The Big Challenge •Macdara Butler Website Poll, they are the team •Pádraig Butler most likely to stop The Ragg •Maitiú Cahill from taking 3-in-a-row. A few •Micheál Cahill new promising (I promise I’ll be •Séamus Cahill there) young players are joining •Cathal Flynn the lineup to take over from some •Donnacha Kennedy retirements who served well over •James Kennedy the years. Joe McGrath stays at •Patrick Kennedy the helm for the fifth consecective •Séamus Kennedy year and hopes for a return to •Shane Kennedy form that brought victories in •Pat Looby 1999 and 2000. Will be aiming to •Frank McGrath get back at The Ragg after last •John McGrath years tight defeat in the final. •Matt Shanahan Past Form •Michael Shanahan 1999 - Beat Barnane in the final. •James Woodlock 2000 - Beat Barnane in the Semi- Final after extra time. Beat The Ragg in the final. Manager 2001 - Defeated by The Village in Joe McGrath the Semi-Final after penalties. 2002 - Beat Barnane in the Semi- Final. Defeated by The Ragg in the final. 10 Pat Shanahan Remembered

Pat Shanahan was born in 1966 within a stone's throw of Drom GAA field. Pat was the youngest of four children born to Martin and Rita Shanahan. His brother Jim, who is actively involved with the Drom-Inch club, lives at home with sisters Noreen Delaney in Clonmore and Mary in Dublin. Pat displayed a keen interest in hurling from a early age and could be seen regularly with hurley in hand. He played on U-14 and U-16 teams and showed talent and commitment which boded well for the future. The highlight of his short playing career came in 1984 when Drom-Inch captured the Minor B county final in Golden.

Pat's contribution that day left a mark on all who witnessed it. Playing at right -full back he laid down a marker very early with a mighty goal saving tackle. This seemed to inspire the team which went on to win the Paddy Broderick cup for the first time. He was earmarked for a place on the senior team and U-21 teams. His loss was sorely felt over the next few years as we came ever so close to add an U-21 title to the minor.

Pat was tragically killed in a motoring accident in January 1986. A decision was taken at the Juvenile A.G.M. in 1986 to run a hurling tournament to commemorate Pat's memory. The cup which will be presented to to-day's winning team was kindly donated by Pat's father Martin.

Thanks to Mattie Ryan and

11 F l a s h b a c k

29th December 2002 The fourth year of the tournament and like 2000, the weather was not kind to us for the day, with rain starting at almost the same time as the first game and just got worse as the day went on.

73 players lined out in spite of the conditions, an amazing feat in itself. The Village (Drom) set a record with 26 players lining out on the day.

The Semi-Final pairings for 2002 were Pallashill Vs. Barnane in the first game and The Ragg Vs. The Village in the second game. The action got under way at around 1:30pm when Pallashill and Barnane took to the field. Pallashill were very tight on numbers with just 14 players but Barnane sportingly agreed to play with fourteen also (to start with anyway!). Pallashill quickly got on top with three goals in the first half, including one each from the two man full-foreword line of veteran Mike Shanahan and Micheal Cahill. Pallashill looked set for a place in the final by half-time but kept the pressure on in the second half, and despite a goal for Barnane Pallashill emerged comfortable winners.

The second Semi-Final was a much closer affair. Reigning champions, The Ragg, were the favourites but The Village were more than staying with them, and at half-time looked like they could make it into the final. But two goals from Seamus Walsh took The Ragg from trailing to a comfortable lead. So it was to be a Pallashill - Ragg final.

The final was once again a very close and keenly fought affair. Both teams were battling hard in what were very difficult conditions, with the rain continuing to pour down and a cold wind blowing up. The field surface was also suffering from having three

12 matches in one day. At half time it was the narrowest of margins between the teams, with The Ragg leading by just one point. In the second half Pallashill came out fighting and managed to take the lead just before The Ragg got the only goal of the game. In the end that's all that was between them, with The Ragg emerging victorious by one goal.

Martin Shanahan then presented Paul Stapleton with The Pat Shanahan Memorial Cup, The Ragg victorious for the second time.

The members of the winning Ragg Team were as follows, in no particular order, Damien Young, Liam Brett, Seamus Walsh, Thomas Cantwell, Paul Stapleton, Kevin Butler, Edward Costello, Robert Hicks, Mervyn Hicks, Michael Costello, Liam Kennedy, Michael Cantwell, Michael Long, Martin Butler, Micheal Butler and Seamus Butler .

Best wishes from AGRITECH your partner in success •GRASS SEED MIXTURES Local Distributor •MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS Eamon Long 086 8566096 •SILAGE ADDITIVES •MILK REPLACER prompt delivery guaranteed

13 Best wishes to The Village team from “Ryan’s Pub” Drom Village For ól, ceol agus craic after the match

Interesting hurling weblinks www.drominch.com www.oneills.com www.gaelicgear.com www.azzurri.ie www.anfearrua.com www.rte.ie/gaa/hurlingindex.html www.setanta.com www.endamcg.com/finland-gaa/hurling/index.shtml www.medisport.co.uk www.gaa.ie www.hoganstand.com www.premierview.pro.ie “Pallashill WebDesign” Have a business? Need a Website? Get the designer of The Big Challenge Website to get you online. Contact Micheál Cahill 0863096892 E-Mail: [email protected] 14 Drom & Inch Hospice Support Group

The Drom and Inch Support Group of the North Tipperary Hospice In Home Care would like to take this opportunity to thank the Drom Inch Hurling Club for organising the Pat Shanahan tournament in aid of this very worthy cause. It has been a fantastic success for the past three years and we're sure this year will be no exception. Unfortunately many families have experienced hospice care and have found it invaluable in their hours of need. North Tipperary Hospice are constantly endeavouring to improve the services it provides and are therefore very grateful to any group who organise any fund- raising events such as this tournament. Again our renewed thanks to all the people who are making this tournament such a great success.

Maria McGrath Maria McGrath Drom-Inch Hospice Support Group

Best Wishes from Tom Kenneally Clarkes Bar, Templemore Sunday 28th @ 7pm – Alvin Purple Experience Monday 29th @ 9:30pm – Siobhán O’Brien Wednesday 31st @ 8pm Karaoke followed by Off the Wall @ 10pm Thursday 1st @ 8pm - Jester

15 Drom-Inch GAA and Modern Technology

Drom-Inch GAA Club are among the best represented GAA Clubs on the Inteenet. The IT Committee of Micheál Cahill, Macdara Butler, Eddie Kinane and Thomas Butler have worked tirelessly over the past few years to achive this status. There are currently two websites for the club which are spread the word of Drom-Inch GAA Club around the world. They also set up the highly successful Text Alert System for the club, which proved an instant and huge success. There are currently two very successful websites for the club. The main website, www.drominch.com, deals with all the main club events and contains all the important information – match fixtures, results and reports, club officials, major club news and more. It also has a humorours side thanks to the contributions of onthewing. For those who haven’t heard of onthewng, check out the website! The other website is The Big Challenge website, which covers this very tournament. It has all the information anyone could ever want about the tournament with photographs, reports, a bit of humour and much much more. These will soon be joined by another website. This new site will be an Online Archive of the clubs history. It is still in the development stages and as you can imagine there is a vast amount of information to be gathered for this. If you have any information from the past – photos, reports, titles won, match results or anything else, please contact me or the club chairman or secretary, for inclusion on the site. For anyone who has yet to visit the websites, make sure you do, they are well worth a vist. Website Details The two websites can be visited by going to www.drominch.com Club E-Mail: [email protected] The Big Challenge E-Mail: [email protected]

Micheal Cahill Micheal Cahill Drom-Inch GAA Club IT committee

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