Conahy Notes Wednesday, July 15th, 2020

GAA / The full list of Conahy Shamrocks GAA fixtures for 2020, both adult and underage, are now available to view on the Conahy Shamrocks GAA website – conahyshamrocks.gaa.ie . The camogie club fixtures are also available on http://www.kilkennycamogie.ie/competitions-2/ .

Both the GAA and Camogie clubs wish to continue to remind parents, coaches and adult players in both and camogie to reconfirm their current health status on returntoplay.gaa.ie prior to each training and/or match that they or their son or daughter are involved in.

Also after a long break, the GAA Lotto has resumed with a jackpot of €6500. If anyone usually bought a ticket in the clubhouse or are a new member who would like to join up now, please contact Helen Cahill 087-2698511 or Nora Delaney 087-9902211.

CONAHY SHAMROCKS FROM THE ARCHIVES – INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONS 1986 Following their success in the 1977 Intermediate Hurling Final, Conahy Shamrocks were now playing among the elite of Kilkenny club hurling, but staying at senior was always going to be a stiff challenge for the club. The club was faced with bringing some younger players on board and they acquitted themselves very well against strong opposition. But, unfortunately, despite some excellent performances at senior level, Conahy Shamrocks slipped back into the Intermediate grade and thus began the task of rebuilding the team to regain senior status.

The good work which had been undertaken by Bórd na nÓg was starting to bear fruit by the mid- eighties and many of these players successfully transitioned on to the adult scene and joined the Intermediate panel. Nine years after contesting the Kilkenny Intermediate County Final, Conahy Shamrocks were back in the final once again and this time their opponents were Piltown.

Conahy went into that final handicapped by a long gap between their semi-final, in which they defeated Bennettsbridge 2-6 to 1-8, and the county final. This was due to a drawn-out play-off from which Piltown emerged as Conahy’s county final opponents. The Southerners had the edge in match practice going into that 1986 Kilkenny Intermediate County Final.

Twelve months earlier Conahy Shamrocks faced Piltown in the Kilkenny Intermediate Semi-Final and lost by a point, which was scored by their opponents in the dying moments of the game. Perhaps that loss spurred on Conahy Shamrocks in the 1986 county final.

Match reports from the game indicated that it was not a great final. Conahy Shamrocks were not complaining. Despite a lengthy period without competitive action between the semi-final and the final, Conahy played their best hurling in the opening half when playing against the elements.

Conahy’s game plan was built around fast movement throughout the pitch. That period of dominance was rewarded by a John Brennan goal midway through the first half and this score saw Conahy lead 1-7 to 0-5 at the interval.

Piltown improved after the break, but despite incessant pressure the Conahy defence stood firm. Conahy managed just three points in the difficult second half conditions through Paudie Brennan, Marty Buggy and John Feehan, but it was enough to see the club capture a fourth Kilkenny Intermediate title on a final score of 1-10 to 1-7.

It may have taken nine years to return to Kilkenny senior club hurling, but the combination of experience and youth saw Conahy Shamrocks deservedly crowned the 1986 Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Champions. Unfortunately, as with the 1977 success, Conahy’s tenure at senior level was short-lived before the club dropped back down to the Intermediate grade. The club reached the Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Final again in 1992, but lost to Young Ireland’s (Gowran) on a score of 2-12 to 1-7. In 1998 Conahy Shamrocks lost to Piltown in the Kilkenny Intermediate Relegation Final on a score of 1-15 to 1-4 to once again land back in the Junior grade.

1986 Conahy Panel and Mentor’s - Tommy Mahony; Nicky Feehan; ; Pat Gunner; Gearoid Brennan; Geoff O’Shea (Capt.); Eamonn Delaney; Larry Carroll; Kevin Mulhall; Seanie Mahony; ; John Feehan; John Brennan; Paudie Brennan; Marty Buggy; Shem Muldowney; Paddy Delaney; Paudie Mulhall; Liam Murphy; Michael O’Regan; Paul Brennan; Seamus Dooley; Martin O’Shea; Declan Downey; Paschal Brennan; Sean Cahill; Michael Feehan; Larry Deevy. The Management team was – (Trainer-Coach) and Selectors – Shem Muldowney; Larry Butler; Patsy Lacey & Ned Mulhall.

More from the archives next week.

PARISH MASSES Parishoners are reminded that a maximum of fifty (50) people will only be allowed entry into either of the parish churches to attend Mass, in line with current Government regulations. Should the attendance exceed fifty (50), those unable to gain access are advised to stay in their cars and the Mass will be relayed via their car radio on the 103 FM Frequency. Ministers of the Eucharist will come outside the church to distribute Holy Communion. Please note, that if you are unable to leave your car for any reason, the Ministers of the Eucharist will come to individual cars, as necessary, to distribute Holy Communion. Further information relating to Church Services and other relevant Parish information will be posted on the parish website (www.conahyparish.ie), as required.