REFERENCE NO. TP/1/17
GAA Oral History Project Interview Report Form
Name of Regina Fitzpatrick Interviewer
Date of Interview 14th Jan 2011
Location Seán Ó Duibhir’s home, near Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Name of Dónal Ó Muirgheasa Interviewee (Maiden name / Nickname)
Biographical Summary of Interviewee
Gender Male
Born Year Born: 1950
Home County: Tipperary
Education Primary: Knockavilla NS, Co. Tipperary
Secondary: Thurles CBS, Co. Tipperary
Third Level: St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
Family Siblings: 6 brothers & 3 sisters
Current Family if Different: Wife (Carmel), 2 sons & 1 daughter
Club(s) KD Kickhams GAA [Tipperary]
Occupation Retired Primary School Principal
Parents’ Small Farmers Occupation
Religion Roman Catholic
Political Affiliation / Fianna Fáil Membership
Other Club/Society Conradh na Gaeilge; Co. Tipperary Golf and Country Club Membership(s)
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Date of Report 23rd July 2012
Period Covered 1746 – 2011
Counties/Countries Tipperary, Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny Covered Key Themes Travel, Supporting, Grounds, Facilities, Playing, Training, Covered Managing, Coaching, Administration, Celebrations, Education, Media, Role of Clergy, Role of Teachers, Role of the Club in the Community, Volunteers, Identity, Irish Language, Culture, Scór, All Ireland, Irish History, Earliest Memories, Childhood, Impact on Life, Career, Outsider’s Perspectives, Alcohol, Ban on Foreign Games and Dances, Socialising, Purchase of Grounds
Interview Summary Dónal discusses his involvement in coaching hurling as a teacher in Knockavilla, with the local club Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams and with various Tipperary county teams.He focuses particularly on the time he spent with the Tipperary Under 21s and talks through his success at provincial and national level.He talks about his love for all sports and recalls soccer and rugby matches he was at in Dublin. None of this stands up to his great love, however, which is hurling. From playing on the road in his younger years, to steering teams to Croke Park as a coach and a selector, he talks us through his relationship with the game and what it means to him. He discusses his affinity for the Irish language and culture and explains what Irish identity means to him, all the while flitting back and forth between English and Irish.
00.27 Dónal recalls growing up in Knockavilla. Talks about the Coopers, the local landlords. Mentions agriculture. Mentions Killenure.
01.55 Talks about his father and his mother. Mentions their jobs and how they met. Discusses the history of the Coopers Estate further including its political significance. Mentions the Land Commission. Mentions Deirdre Cooper, Ashley Cooper. Mentions New Zealand.
03.11 Recalls his own house. Mentions Thady Ryan.
03.35 Talks about the political history of Knockavilla. Mentions Conradh na Gaeilge, Sinn Féin. Mentions Fr Matt ‘The General’ Ryan (an tAthair Mathúna Ó Riain). Mentions the Herbertstown Hospital in Limerick.
04.55 Discusses the history of the GAA in the area, referring
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specifically to his club, Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams GAA. Mentions Clonoulty and Boherlahan.
05.59 Describes his parents’ families’ involvement in Gaelic games. Recalls an incident involving his father. Mentions Éire Óg Annacarty GAA. Mentions his uncle Michael ‘Curly’.
07.00 Remembers his father cycling to matches. Tells of an incident that happened to his father in Thurles. Mentions John Doyle and Christy Ring.
08.15 Recalls the first inter-county hurling match he attended. Mentions the Gaelic Ground in Thurles. Mentions Nicky Slattery and John Slattery. Mentions travelling by car. Mentions Christy Ring, John ‘Mackey’ McKenna and Donal O’Brien.
09.40 Tells of his father and brother travelling to Dublin for All-Ireland games. Mentions John McGrath, his Uncle Curley, Mick Brien, Nicky Slattery, Alice McGrath, Mickey Heffernan. Mentions travelling by train. Mentions Kingsbridge Railway Station. Mentions Dundrum. Mentions Barrys Hotel.
11.59 Talks about the pastimes in Knockavilla when he was growing up. Describes the game pitch & toss. Recalls following the hunt. Mentions skittles and road hurling. Mentions the Ballydine Beagles.
13.45 Describes the role the GAA in his community. Also briefly talks about his family’s involvement. Mentions his brothers Willie and Michael. Mentions Solohead GAA. Mentions Mattie Ryan and Fr O’Brien.
15.45 Talks about the factors that led to Under 21 success in the club in the mid-1960s. Mentions Dundrum Railway Station. Mentions Patsy Fitzgerald and Danny Fitzgerald. Mentions Lorrha GAA and Toomyvara GAA.
16.45 Recalls incidents that happened at matches in the mid- 1960s. Mentions Drom & Inch GAA. Mentions Thurles. Mentions county board.
18.20 Reads a passage from his memoirs. Recalls playing hurling as a youth. Describes in detail the men playing hurling and pitch and toss on the road. Mentions Johnnie McGrath’s field. Mentions Knockavilla and Ballinahinch. Mentions car, lorry and bicycles. Mentions Ned Godshall. Mentions pitch and toss. Mentions Joe Brian, the O’Briens of Knockavilla, the Horgans of Clonaspoe, Tomsie Ryan, Paddy English, Donal O’Brien and Allie Daly.
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22.30 Reads another passage, this time dealing with the importance of hurling to himself and to the people of Knockavilla. Highlights the difference between road hurling and field hurling. Recalls joining Kickhams. Mentions Ring, Mackey and Doyle, Packie Buckley, Fr Michael Maher, Dom Brown, Denis, the Keanes, the Crowes, Mikey Sheridan. Mentions training. Mentions Clonaspoe.
25.05 Recalls an injury he sustained at the hurling field in Dundrum. Mentions John Butler, James Kane, Larry Carey, Tommy Ryan Larry, Packie Buckley.
27.45 Discusses the influence of his neighbour, Dominic Brown, on his interest in hurling. Mentions Eamon, Dominic, Willie, Michael, Kathleen, Jack Sonny, Canon Fogarty, Liam Devaney, Jimmy Doyle, Mick Roche, Paddy Doherty, James McCartan, Patsy O’Hagan. Mentions County Chairman. Mentions travelling by train from Dundrum to Connolly Station.
30.36 Talks about hurlers from his area, particularly Donal O’Brien. Recalls the first match he watched on television. Mentions Richard Horgan, David Horgan, Philly Kennedy, John Doyle.
32.37 Discusses where people used to play hurling in Knockavilla, Killenure, Lisloran, Garraun and Dundrum. Refers to the role of the clergy in the area. Mentions Johnny McGrath’s field. Mentions the O’Briens, Fr Matt Ryan, Fr Quinlan, Charlie Keane, Seán Breen, Eamon Brown, JJ Kennedy Mentions Kickham Park.
36.27 Returns to his memories of the road hurling.
38.19 Recalls his days in national school and the role of Gaelic games there. Describes a version of handball they used to play. Mentions Micheál MacCárthaigh.
39.40 Talks about where he used to get his hurleys. Mentions Larry Carey (Carew), Tommy Ryan Larry, Mossie Dowling, Eddie Keher. Mentions the Mount, Clonkelly and Bishops Wood.
40.58 Remembers his own playing career from the age of 12. Recalls a reference made to him in a local newspaper after a match against Cappawhite GAA. Recalls an incident from an Under 21 game he played. Mentions O’Dwyers Steel in Dundrum. Mentions Matt Ryan
43.07 Discusses his Junior and Senior career, which lasted up until 1984. Mentions winning a couple of West Titles.
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Mentions Thurles Sarsfields and Cappawhite.
44.02 Recalls meeting and marrying his wife. Discusses her interest in the GAA. Briefly refers to Scór successes. Mentions Jimmy Hennessy, Mícheál MacCárthaigh, Mary Cross (née O’Dwyer), Mary Morrissey (née Carroll), Laoise Morrissey, Minnie Morrissey, John Morrissey, Ned Morrissey, Philly Taylor, Seán O’Deere. Mentions Dungarvan, Clonea, Drumkeen.
46.20 Discusses Scór in more detail. Recalls competing against his wife. Refers to attendance numbers. Mentions Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams GAA and Cashel King Cormacs GAA.
47.18 Tells of an incident that happened while he was adjudicating a Mid-Tipperary Final with his wife. Mentions Anne Keenihan.
48.30 Describes what he sees as the appeal of Scór. Also gives some of the reasons for its decline. Mentions Austin Crowe. Mentions the song ‘The Old Bog Road’.
50.47 Talks about the importance of the Irish language (Gaeilge) and the GAA’s role in supporting it. Refers specifically to speeches. Mentions Dara Ó Cinnéide, Joe Connolly. Mentions rugby and soccer. Mentions Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Conradh na Gaeilge. Mentions TG4.
53.20 Talks of his time in CBS Thurles. Mentions the Harty Cup. Mentions Jimmy Doyle, Martin Quirke. Recalls travelling by train to Bruff, Charleville and Clonmel.
54.38 Recites a chant in Irish (Gaeilge) they used to have to support the school team. Translation: Thurles! Thurles! Thurles every time! Thurles coming together! Thurles every time! Keep it out! Keep it out! Keep it out every time! Keep it out! Don’t let it in! Keep it out every time!
54.38 Aithrisíonn sé cantaireacht a bhíodh acu i Scoil na mBráithre Críostaí, Durlas, chun tacaíocht a thabhairt d’fhoireann na scoile. Durlas Éile! Durlas Éile! Durlas Éile chuile uair! Durlas Éile teacht le chéile! Durlas Éile chuile uair! Coimeád amach é! Coimeád amach é! Coimeád amach é chuile uair! Coimeád amach é! Ná lig isteach é! Coimeád amach é chuile uair!
55.20 Recalls the importance of hurling and Irish in school.
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Mentions Brother Keane, Brother Hutton, Mícheál MacCárthaigh, Brother ‘The Great’ O’Leary, Brother Maguire, Pádraic Ó Conaire. Mentions Scoil Ailbhe.
55.20 Déanann sé trácht ar thábhacht na hiománaíochta agus na Gaeilge agus é ar scoil. Luann sé Bráthair Keane, Bráthair Hutton, Mícheál MacCárthaigh, Bráthair O’Leary, Bráthair Maguire agus Pádraic Ó Conaire. Luann sé Scoil Ailbhe.
58.14 Discusses his time in Dublin at St Patricks College, Drumcondra. Mentions playing Freshers hurling in the Mardyke and UCD.
59.28 Tells of returning home from Dublin. Describes his frustration with playing in goals and moving to wing-back. Mentions John Butler.
1.00.56 Describes the campus in St Patricks in Dublin. Mentions Moville, Glendalough, Clonmacnoise, Bangor. Discusses the college team Erins Hope GAA. Mentions Jimmy Duggan, Tony Gubbins, Mattie Murphy, Enda Kenny, Eamon O’Donoghue, Hughie McClafferty, John O’Keeffe.
1.02.35 Talks about his interest in all sports. Recalls seeing Australia playing against Meath in Croke Park. Mentions table tennis, badminton, soccer, rugby and Aussie Rules. Talks of going to Tolka Park, Dalymount Park, Milltown (Glenmalure Park) and Landsdowne Road. Mentions Shamrock Rovers, Manchester United and Glasgow Celtic. Mentions Wales and Russia. Refers to the Ban on Foreign Games. Mentions Peter McDermott, Don Givens, Ken Goodall.
1.04.52 Talks about the influence of Brother Noonan and Michael O’Grady on Cashel hurling.
1.06.12 Discusses his introduction to coaching. Talks of attending a course in Gormanstown and the sense of identity he noticed there. Mentions Donie Neelin, Justin McCarthy, Seán Hanley, Len Gaynor, Heaphey, Peter Stevenson, Frankie Nolan, Phil Bennett, Fr Tommy Maher, Brian Cody, Kevin Heffernan, Michael Kinsella, Pat Kinsella, Cleary
1.10.26 Tells a story about Seán Hanley. Mentions Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Mentions Cleary.
1.11.30 Describes his approach to coaching and how he prepared teams. Refers to successes at Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Minor levels in football and hurling during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Mentions Clonmel Commercials GAA, Loughmore GAA, Roscrea GAA, Thurles Sarsfields.
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Mentions Tadhg O’Connor and Lar Corbett.
1.13.30 Discusses regrading from senior to intermediate and subsequent successes. Mentions Burgess GAA. Mentions Donie Neelin, Joe McGrath, Eamon Brown. Mentions the West Tipperary Championships.
1.15.18 Describes the influence his teaching had on his coaching.
1.15.58 Reads a passage in Irish (Gaeilge) about the importance of hurling in the national school in Knockavilla. Includes details on the structure of the games and tells of one particular incident involving one of the students, Eoin. Mentions Cashel.
1.15.58 Léann sé sleacht faoi thábhacht na hiománaíochta sa bhunscoil i gCnoc an Bhile. Cuireann sé síos ar struchtúr na gcluichí agus insíonn sé faoi heachtra ar leith a raibh buachaill darb ainm Eoin bainteach leis. Luann sé Caiseal.
1.21.00 Talks further about Eoin and how he fared at school and his subsequent career. Mentions the Jesuits. Mentions Croatia.
1.21.00 Tráchtann sé ar Eoin arís – a rath ar mheánscoil agus a shlí bheatha ina dhiaidh sin. Luann sé na hÍosánaigh. Luann sé an Chróit.
1.22.39 Discusses the stress involved in managing young players.
1.22.39 Pléann sé an strus a bhaineann le bheith i gceannas ar fhoirne óga.
1.23.18 Describes the influence of the GAA in his classroom while he was teaching. Refers to the social aspect of the games.
1.23.18 Cuireann sé síos ar thionchar an ChLG sa rang scoile s’aige agus é ina mhúinteoir. Tagraíonn sé do ghné shóisialta na gcluichí.
1.24.30 Talks about the support his school got from the local GAA and how it has changed since he left. Mentions Cumann na mBunscol. Highlights the link between underage and senior teams.
1.24.30 Labhraíonn sé faoin tacaíocht a fuair an scoil ón club Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams GAA lena linnse agus ina diaidh. Luann sé Cumann na mBunscoil. Cuireann sé béim ar
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an nasc idir foirne faoi aoise agus foirne sinsir.
1.28.00 Returns to talking about Eoin’s family. Refers to their reasons for moving from Dublin to Knockavilla. Stresses the importance of helmets.
1.28.00 Labhraíonn sé faoi mhuintir Eoin arís. Míníonn sé an chúis ar bhogadar ó Bhaile Átha Cliath go dtí Cnoc an Bhile. Cuireann sé béim ar thábhacht clogad.
1.29.48 Talks about the interest in hurling in Knockavilla and the benefits the children got from playing. Mentions tennis and golf.
1.29.48 Pléann sé an tsuim atá ag muintir Chnoc an Bhile san iománaíocht agus na buntáistí a bhaineann le himirt. Luann sé leadóg agus galf.
1.31.24 Talks about the development of camogie in the area.
1.31.24 Cuireann sé síos ar fhorbairt na camógaíochta sa cheantar.
1.32.19 Discusses his attitude towards administration. Recalls an incident that happened while he was secretary. Refers to the facilities at the club and drinking culture. Mentions Éamon de Brúin. Mentions the Golden Vale in Dundrum.
1.32.19 Pléann sé an dearcadh atá aige i leith chúrsaí riaracháin. Is cuimhin leis eachtra a tharla agus é ina rúnaí. Déanann sé tagairt do na háiseanna sa chlub agus do chultúr an óil. Luann sé Éamon de Brúin. Luann sé an Golden Vale i nDún Droma.
1.34.45 Talks about the club constitution. Mentions McNamee Commission. Mentions Séamus Ó Riain.
1.34.45 Déanann sé plé gairid ar bhunreacht an chlub. Luann sé Coimisiún McNamee. Luann sé Séamus Ó Riain.
1.35.30 Discusses the purchase and development of the club grounds in Dundrum.
1.35.30 Labhraíonn se faoi cheannach agus faoi fhorbairt ionad an chlub.
1.36.45 Discusses his links with the county team. Mentions being a selector for the Tipperary Under 21 team. Mentions Brother O’Grady, Len Gaynor, Willie Ryan, Michael O’Brien, John Grogan, Tom Grogan, Pat Fitzelle, Stephen O’Brien, Neil Fleming, Hubie Hogan, Mikey Ryan. Mentions the
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Munster Minor League.
1.36.45 Pléann sé a naisc le foireann an chontaetha. Is cuimhin leis a bheith ina roghnóir d’fhoireann Thiobraid Árainn Faoi 21. Luann sé Bráthair O’Grady, Len Gaynor, Willie Ryan, Michael O’Brien, John Grogan, Tom Grogan, Pat Fitzelle, Stephen O’Brien, Neil Fleming, Hubie Hogan, Mikey Ryan. Luaitear Sraith Mhionúr na Mumhan.
1.38.45 Tells of a particular disagreement about player selection for an Under 21 game. Mentions Michael Maher, Len Gaynor and Mikey Ryan. Mentions Thurles Sarsfields.
1.39.30 Describes Tipperary Under 21 championship campaigns in the late 1970s. Mentions Michael O’Grady, Mick Minogue, Billy Carroll, Mikey Ryan, John Doyle, John Grace. Mentions Cork, Antrim, Galway. Mentions Corrigan Park in Belfast.
1.41.30 Talks about an incident before the Under 21 All Ireland Hurling final in 1978. Mentions Gerry Stapleton, Flowery Ryan, Timmy Stapleton. Refer to playing illegally.
1.42.50 Recalls the 1980 Munster final in Fermoy against Cork. Describes the field. Mentions Billy Carroll, Eamonn Coghlan, Joe Kennedy, Tommy Barrett, Frank Murphy, Joe O’Dwyer. Mentions the Blue Dragon Hotel.
1.46.39 Describes the trip to Belfast to play in Corrigan Park. Mentions Dublin. Mentions Michael O’Grady, Séamus Burke. Mentions travelling by train.
1.48.28 Recalls the confidence in the team in the 1980s. Tells of specific games to illustrate this. Mentions Conor Hayes, Bernie Forde, Michael Murphy, Declan Ryan and Colm Egan. Mentions Galway, Cork.
1.50.43 Describes winning the Triple Crown in 1989. Talks about the Under 21 Final against Offaly. Mentions Bobby Ryan, Richie Stakelum, Brian Whelan, Michael Duignan, Daithí Regan and Michael Ryan. Mentions Portlaoise.
1.53.03 Talks about his time as a selector. Describes the dynamic of the selection panel. Recalls success at provincial and national level. Mentions Mick Minogue, George Friend and John McIntyre. Describes the relationship with the County Board.
1.56.45 Tells of his regret of becoming involved with the Senior and the Under-21 teams at the same time in 1982.
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Mentions Michael O’Grady.
1.58.10 Recalls the build up to a Senior game against Cork. Mentions Killarney. Mentions Kilcoran Lodge. Mentions John Fenton and Tim Crowley. Talks about the aftermath of the 1982 championship campaigns and his reasons for stepping down.
2.00.55 Talks about the time he committed to the GAA and its impact on his family life. Describes some of his different responsibilities as a selector.
2.01.50 Mentions becoming a selector again in 1989. Recalls a particular game against Kilkenny. Mentions DJ Carey and Charlie Carter, Brendan Corcoran.
2.03.02 Talks about the difference between being involved with the club and being involved with the county.
2.03.36 Describes the 3-in-a-row as his proudest moment. Talks about the homecoming, in particular the trip to Clonoulty/Rossmore GAA and the local pub. Mentions Declan Ryan, Séamus Maher.
2.07.00 Talks about Séamus Maher and describes how he died.
2.07.51 Discusses his motivations and what his involvement in the GAA has meant to him. Refers to Irish language (Gaeilge), Irish culture in general and Irish identity. Talks about enmity and friendship. Mentions Mícheál MacCárthaigh, John Doyle, Eddie Keher, Jimmy Doyle. Mentions Conradh na Gaeilge, TG4. Mentions soccer, rugby and cricket.
2.07.51 Pléann sé an spreagadh atá aige agus thábhacht an ChLG ina shaol féin. Déanann sé tagairt don Ghaeilge do chultúr agus d’fhéiniúlacht na hÉireann. Labhraíonn sé faoin naimhdeas agus faoin gcairdeas. Luann sé Míchéal MacCárthaigh, John Doyle, Eddie Keher agus Jimmy Doyle. Luann sé Conradh na Gaeilge agus TG4. Luann sé sacar, rugbaí agus cruicéad.
2.13.09 Gives his thoughts on the future. Describes the attitude that people outside the GAA have towards the association, hurling specifically. Mentions rugby, golf and soccer. Mentions Michaela Harte (McAreavey) and Mickey Harte.
2.13.09 Labhraíonn sé faoina bhfuil i ndán don chumann. Cuireann sé síos ar an dearcadh atá ag daoin lasmuigh don
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ChLG ina leith, go háirithe i leith na hiománaíochta. Luann sé rugbaí, galf agus soccer. Luann sé Michaela Harte (McAreavey) agus Michey Harte.
2.15.15 Recalls seeing Mick Roche playing for Tipperary and for Carrick-on-Suir Davins GAA. Mentions Seán Treacy Park. Mentions Peadar Ó Súilleabháin, Proinsias Loughnane, Len Gaynor, Michael ‘Babs’ Keating.
2.15.15 Is cuimhin leis go bhfaca sé Mick Roche agus imirt ar son Thiobraid Árainn agus ar son CLG Daimhínigh Charraig na Siúire. Luann sé Páirc Shéain Uí Threasaigh. Luann sé Peadar Ó Suilleabháin, Proinsias Loughnane, Len Gaynor agus Michael ‘Babs’ Keating.
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 Played with Kickhams, 1962 – 85. Won 2 West Tipperary (Titles won; Length Junior Hurling Championships, 1971, 81 of time played) Scór: Won Tipperary County Final in the Ballad section, won Munster Final the same year.
Played with St Patrick’s College, 1968 – 70;
Record as an Managed hurling teams at club level, U12 – Senior (1978 - Administrator present); Selector for Tipperary U21 hurling team (1977 – 82; (Positions held; how 1989 – 90); Selector for West-Tipperary Minor Hurling team long for) (1973 – 75).
Chairman, Secretary and treasurer for Kickhams as various times in the 1970s; organiser of club 1984 GAA Centenary committee
Format Audio □ Audio-Visual
Duration Length of Interview: 2:18:05
Language English and Irish
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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: Regina Fitzpatrick
Date: 23rd July 2012
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