1953 County Championship: A Major Breakthrough Honouring the Men of Fifty-Three

Cashel King Cormac's victory in the matter was heard at a county board The executive committee of Cashel King Cormac's are delighted with the 1953 county junior final meeting on March 19. Both sides opportunity to honour the men of '53, who brought the first county final to the was a major breakthrough for the agreed to a replay,_ and this was club. Fifty years ago this year they defeated Gortnahoe-Glengoole in a replayed club. It was the first victory at that fixed for on April 16. county junior hurling final at Thurles. level, and it came as a surprise to Racecourse decisively · defeated In fact they were lucky to get to the replay. In the drawn game they led many. in the replay by 5-2 to by twelve points at the interval, and looked certain winners. But, a series of No Cashel team had won county 0-3. According to the report in the happenings, which included a downpour of rain, the sending off of goalkeeper, honours in. hurling or football ' Star', a heavy shower Paddy O'Brien, and, perhaps, a little complacency, allowed Gortnahoe back into before that year. ·The nearest a fell during the course of the game, the game, and it took a mighty effort by Billy Hickey, to get a goal in the dying team from the parish came to which dampened 'the enthusiasm seconds of the game, and earn a draw. Cashel won the replay easily enough, and we are here tonight to celebrate that victory. winning was in 1910. In that year of the Toomevara players, but the Because it was the first county final won by the club, it is something very special, Racecourse won the county senior Racecourse team was made of more . and it must stand beside the senior breakthrough in 1991, as a major milestone hurling final, but they had the virile material, and they refused to in the history of the club. The players, who made .1953 possible, deserve to be match taken off them in an suspend the game, insisting on the remembered and cherished, and their names will forever hold a special place in objection. continuation of play regardless of the hearts of all Cashel King Cormac's supporters. Having affiliated in the South weather conditions.' It must be remembered that this victory was achieved at a time when Ireland division - there was no West Toomevara objected to the consti­ was a very different place to what it is today. In the mid-fifties, Irish men and division until 1930 - Racecourse tution of the Racecourse team. women were emigrating at the rate of 1,000 per week. The country was in a defeated Emmets in the The objection claimed that certain state of miserable poverty, and people had very few disposable shillings. At such divisional final at Tipperary on players had lined out with other a time, winning a county final must have given a great uplift to the spirit. October 30. They got a bye to affiliated teams in the 1910 champi­ On an occasion like this it is but right and fitting to remember the members the final in which their opponents onship. One of these was Johnny of the panel who are no longer with us. Already this year the trainer of the were Toomevara. This game wasn't Leahy. Racecourse denied the team, Mick Cody, passed on. Others who are no longer with us are Billy and played until January 8, 1911, and allegation but the chairman, Tom Dinny Hickey, Jim Grogan, Jack O'Dwyer, John Murphy, Christy Stack and Bobby Racecourse won by 3-0 to 2-2. Kerwick, upheld it and awarded Keegan. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anamacha dilis. Teams were 17-aside at the time the match to Toomevara. But, recalling the dead, does not inhibit us from celebrating the living, and that ·and the lineout wa as follows: D. The verdict didn't go down well is the purpose of this evening. We are using this occasion to honour our heroes, Delaney, J. Moloney, P. Dargan, P. in Cashel. The correspondent of to bring their names to the attention, not only of our members, but to the wider Devitt, J. Connors, J. Mannion, J. the 'Tipperary Star' commented: community also. Kennedy, M. Kennedy, M. O'Grady, 'On the last occasion Racecourse Fifty years ago they made people proud to be members of Cashel King Cormacs. T. Doherty, M. Regan, P. Fogarty, won by fourteen points. In the Today, we want them to know how proud we are of them, how delighted we are J. Walsh, F. Flanagan, J. Dwyer, J. face of th.is Toomevara will hardly to recall their deeds in this booklet, and how honoured we are to afford them Gleeson, T. Devitt. claim to be the champion team this celebration. After the match the Racecourse of Tipperary. Such a claim would As chairman of the Cashel King Cormac's, I am proud to hold this position on this captain, Dan Delaney, was be preposterous, and medals for very special occasion. I should like to mention also the officers and committee, interviewed and said: 'We went 'paper champions' would be who have been involved in the organisation of this function: vice-chairman, in to win. We are proud to be ridiculous.' Joe O'Leary, secretary, Mattie Finnerty, assistant-secretary, Danie O'Donoghue, treasurer, John Ryan, assistant-treasurer, Gear6id McDermott, president, Seamus champions of Tipperary and to But 'paper champions' or not, J. King, vice-president, Joe Moloney, P.R.O . Michael Perdue, Jack Darmody, John bring honours to Cashel.' Toomevara are listed as the county Fogarty, Michael Browne, Dinny Keating, Pat O'Donoghue, Paddy Butler. Joe Toomevara objected, and senior hurling champions for O'Regan. Racecourse counter-objected. The 1910. Gear6id 6 Slatara, Cathaoirleach, Caiseal Rf Chormaic Cover photo: Celebration Ceil{, City Hall, April 13th 1955

2 3 The Thirties Other Grades Cashel King Cormacs had a great run of report had th is to say: 'The game was proof The junior team, which won the West forward to the county championship. In victories in the thirties. The club won a once again - if proof is needed - that in 1933, lost the county semi-final to 1949 there was no inter-divisional champi­ West junior title in 1933, and senior in the town team is at a big disadvantage Bawnmore. Abbey Rangers, a team from 1934, 1936, 1937, 1939 and 1940. They when it faces fifteen tillers of the soil. onship. There is no record of advancement reached the county final in 1937, 1939 and Bal l manipulation, quick striking and nippy the parish that came into existence in 1941, beyond the divisional stage in 1952. 1940, losing all three of them. play, beautiful things in themselves, fail, and lasted until 1949, won the divisional By 1953, therefore, Cashel had failed to Their opponents in 1937 were Moycarkey­ more often than not, before rugged, sturdy number 1 junior championship in 1945, win a county final in any grade, with the Borris and the match was played at Thurles style which has allied to it skill and but did not advance in the county champi­ exception of 1910, when a county senior on September 19. It was described as the fieldcraft. One felt on Sunday that all the onship, which wasn't played, as it had been hurling title was taken off Racecourse after best county final for eight years, with time the dice were loaded against Cashel, suspended for some of the war years. winning it twice! There was no reason to Cashel putting up a tremendous bid for that Moycarkey's natural advantage in Cashel minor teams enjoyed divisional believe at the beginning of the year that the title. Michael Burke was the star weight and strength would prove Cashel's success in 1931, 1940, 1949, and 1952. 1953 was going to change anything. And and Tommy Parsons scored four goals, but undoing. And so it was.' Cashel were In 1931 and 1940 divisional teams went yet it did, in a dramatic way. Moycarkey still won by 7-6 to 6-2. behind by 4-7 to 4-2 at the end. The team In 1939 Cashel came up against Thurles was: D. Boland, M. McCarthy, F. McCarthy, Sarsfields in the final, having beaten P. Holmes, S. Morrissey, P. Maher, D. Ryan, The 1953 West Junior Hurling Championship in the semi-final. The game was M. Burke, G. O'Shea, J. Barrett, M. Ryan, A total of eighteen teams entered and they off for the junior championship and the played at Boherlahan on October 8, and W. Moynihan, E. Morrissey, M. Murphy, J. were divided equally between number 1 Leahy Cup, and the winners went forward again Cashel fell at the final hurdle despite Maher. putting up a better than expected Cashel seniors won the West twice during and number 2 sections. Solohead won out to represent the division in the county performance. The final score was 5-3 the forties, 1945 and 1948. In the earlier number 1 when they beat Galtee Rovers championship. to 2-4, and Cashel players, who were year they lost by 5-7 to 3-3 to Roscrea in the by a goal, 2-4 to 1-4, in the final. Cashel played the number 1 winners, prominent, included Michael Burke, Stedie county semi-final at Thurles on October Cashel were in the number 2 section. The Solohead, at Sean Treacy Park, Tipperary Morrissey, Florrie McCarthy, Jim Barrett, 21. In the latter year they lost to , teams were drawn as follows: on November 15. The Dinny Lacey Pipe Paddy Maher and Geoff O'Shea. 2-4 to 2-3 in the county semi-final at the v Lattin-Cullen; Arravale Rovers v Golden­ Band paraded and led the teams on to the Moycarkey-Borris were once again Cashel's same venue on September 19. Cashel got Kilfeacle; Solohead v ; Kickhams v field. The hurling was of a poor standard, opponents in the 1940 final, which was a £10 training grant from the West board Cashel; Rockwell Rovers a bye. but the interest of the spectators was held played at Thurles on October 13. One for this game. With the Knocknagow club disbanding, because of the closeness of the exchanges. Cashel affiliated a second, or B team, and Cashel had a tonic of a goal in the first were fixed to meet Rockwell Rovers, but five minutes, but Solohead settled down they eventually pulled out. and led by 2-3 to 1-2 at half-time. Murphy Cashel got to the final with wins over and O'Brien scored for Cashel. In the Kickhams, the previous year's champions, second half Cashel did most of the scoring, and Golden-Kilfeacle. Clonoulty­ and Murphy, Gayson and Davern were Rossmore's first round game with Lattin­ their most conspicuous players. With ten Cullen never materialised. Lattin sought minutes remaining Cashel were in a strong a postponement, were denied and, when position, but Solohead put in a spirited they refused to play, incurred a six months performance for the final minutes. suspension. Clonoulty hammered Rockwell However, their scoring attempts were not in the semi-final and qualified to meet successful, and Cashel won by 2-6 to 2-3. Cashel in the final. This match was played Cashel had last won the title in 1933, and a at Dundrum on September 29, and Cashel team from the parish, Abbey Rangers, won defeated Clonoulty-Rossmore. There is no it in 1945. The panel of players included record of the score. three Ryans (G), two Gaysons, two Hickeys, The number 1 and number 2 grades were and the then chairman of Cashel UDC, introduced in 1944 for the first time. Paddy O'Brien. The latter had a brother­ From 1945 until 1960 the winners played in-law and five nephews on the team.

5 The County Championship As was common at the time, championships green flag was up, and the sides were level were often unfinished in the same calendar at 5-5 each. Gortnahoe had to line out year, and the county junior championship without three of their leading stars, Tom of 1953 was a case in point. O'Hara, John Doheny and Mick Coady. The county semi-final wasn't played until For Cashel Jim Grogan, Mickey Ryan and May 9, 1954, and Cashel played at intercounty junior, John Murphy, forming Thurles. The result was a comprehensive the full-forward line, hit the high spots victory for Cashel, winning by 7-8 to 1-2. for Cashel in the first half, and each time The winners had to wait until September the ball came their way, a score seemed 12 for the final. Their opponents were likely. Tipperary minor, Johnny Murphy, Gortnahoe-Glengoole. The match was showed up well at centre-forward, and was played at Thurles and it was an extraor­ accurate off frees. Billy Hickey was again dinary one. Cashel scored three goals in the mainstay of the backline, and veteran, the first five minutes against a very shaky Mick Murphy, played his usual sound game Gortnahoe-Glengoole defence. They led in the last line of defence. A player from by 4-4 to 1-1 at half-time when the Mid each side, Paddy O'Brien (Cashel) and J. representatives looked a well-beaten side. Tobin (Gortnahoe-Glengoole) were sent In fact some supporters had gone home at off in the second half following an incident the interval to avoid the downpour, which in the Cashel goalmouth. began at the resumption. The teams were as follows: Cashel - Paddy But it was a different Gortnahoe­ O'Brien, John Eakins (capt.), Mickey Glengoole that was seen in the se.cond Murphy, John O'Dwyer, Jim Ryan, Bil ly half. Perhaps the downpour helped them. Hickey (1-0), Willie Anglim, Michael Before Cashel had settled down they had Davern, Ger Ryan, Michael Gayson (0-1), the ba ll in the net twice. Only two Johnny Murphy (1-4), Dickie Ivers, Jim goals now separated the sides, and Grogan (1-0), Mickey Ryan (1-0), John Gortnahoe were all over their opponents. Murphy (1-0). They weren't given what they thought Gortnahoe-Glengoole- M, Darcy, P. Purcell, a legitimate goal but they ate into the M. Doheny, T. Teehan, E. Long, L. Noonan, Cashel lead and, with time running out, R. Fitzgerald, J. Laffin, P. Cormack, M. Long went ahead by a goal. Cashel made a (2-1), D. Talbot (1-2), J. Bartley (1-1), P. mighty last minute bid to get the equalizer. Talbot, J. Tobin (1-0), W. Langton (0-1). Billy Hickey came downfi, ld and with the Referee: Bob Stakelum (­ referee looking at his watch, shot for the Ballycahill). corner of the net, and the next second the The Replay The replay on October 3 at Thurles, was an The teams were as follows: Cashel - Martin anti-climax after the thrills of the drawn Gayson, John Eakins (capt.), Mickey game. It never reached a high standard Murphy, Dinny Hickey, Jim Ryan, Billy and Cashel, who led by 2-2 to 2-1 at the Hickey (1-0), Willie Anglim, Jer Ryan; interval, did virtually all the scoring in the Michael Davern, Johnny Murphy (0-5), second half, and finished ahead by 4-9 to Jim Grogan (1-0), Michael Gayson (1-1), 2-1. The wing-forwards, Johnny Murphy John Murphy, Mickey Ryan (1-1), Dickie and Michael Gayson, were the stars of Ivers (0-1). Subs: Christy Stack (0-1), Mattie a strong Cashel attack, which ran up a Ryan. spate of scores in the second half, when Gortnahoe-Glengoole-M. Darcy, P. Purcell, Gortnahoe could manage only a point. M. Doheny, T. Teehan, N. Long, R. Michael Davern and Ger Ryan gave Cashel Fitzgerald, L. Wall, D. Ta lbot (0-1), P. the edge at midfield, and the stars of the Cormack, M. Long (0-1), L. Noonan (1-0), J. backline were Billy Hickey, Willie Anglim Bartley, S. Cleary, S. Laffin, P. Talbot (1-0). and Mickey Murphy. It was a very satisfying Sub: M. Laffin. result for all the players, and particularly Referee: Philly Ryan (). for trainer, Mick Cody. 6 7 County Junior Hurling Final Replay (Thurles: October 3, 1954)

Cashel King Cormacs

Mattie Gayson (Racecourse)

2 3 4 John Eakins (capt.) Mickey Murphy Dinny Hickey (Cathal Brugha) (The Tank) (Cathal Brugha)

5 6 7 James Ryan (G) Billy Hickey Willie Anglim (The Commons) (Catha! Brugha) ()

8 9 Ger Ryan Michael Davern (The Rock) Uohn Street)

10 11 12 Michael Gayson Jim Grogan Johnny Murphy (Racecourse) (Shanballyduff) (The Tank)

13 14 15 1 John Murphy Mickey Ryan (G) Dickie Ivers ' (Friar Street) (The Commons) (Cathal Brugha) Subs: 16. Jack Dwyer (Rathcowan) 1 7. Bobby Keegan (Rosegreen) 18. Mattie Ryan (G) (The Commons) 19. Christy Stack (Rosegreen) 20. Tom Toomey (Rathordan) 21. Paddy O'Brien (The Rock)

8 9 Victory Dinner and Presentation Some Contemporary Comment on the Victory The Cashel King Cormac's club honoured But he was sure if he referred to one Father and Son - Hats off to veteran Sunday. Our hurlers and footballers, the victorious 1953 county junior man in particular, no one would object. Cashel hurler, Mickey Murphy, who, last down the years, have won their way to champions at a function on April 13, 1955. That man was Mickey Murphy, who had Sunday, had the distinction of winning a the final stages of the championships, The c;elebration took the form of a dinner given a service to the club in his quarter of county junior medal with his son, Johnny, but luck never smiled on them before. at Grant's restaurant, and a ceilf at the City century of hurling, which no other player the Tipperary minor. Mickey, who is Salute: West Tipperary salutes the boys Hall. Notable G.A.A. personalities from had given. They were proud of him. over forty years of age, began hurling from the ancient capital of Munster on the West and Mid divisions attended, and Father Lambe assured the club of all his for Cashel back in the early thirties - their success in the junior final. Here a link between the old and new was the assistance. He congratulated Cashel on its presence of E. D. Ryan, famed Tipperary of Sportsfield. It was a field they could be when his son wasn't born! He quickly we saw some grand stick-work from the 1890s, and one of the fathers of the proud of. He thought it a wonderful thing won a name for himself as a defender both sides, with county minor Murphy in G.A.A. in the area. to have had a father and his son playing of outstanding merit, and not alone was scintillating form for Cashel The chairman of the club, Paddy O'Brien, on the winning team. he a great clubman, but he also played welcomed everyone to the function, and E. D. Ryan stressed that it was training that many games for Tipperary in junior and Letter to the Editor - Who is West had a special work of welcome for Fr. John counted with any team. 'A team should senior grade. The Cashel King Cormacs Tipperary Sportsman of the Year for Lambe, newly arrived in Cashel as a curate. be going better at the end than at the club has had its periods of triumph and 1954? I read with much interest your The chairman hoped he would help to beginning of the hour, no matter what the its periods of disappointment, but right article on a recent 'Nationalist', and bring more enthusiasm to the club, and pressure,' he said. down the years, from 1930 or so, Mickey was delighted to see you selecting the would be a guiding light to them. West Board chairman, Sean O'Dwyer, Murphy has been there through thick sportsman of the year in the South. He paid tribute to Fr. Philip Morris, who added his words of congratulations to the was president of the club since he arrived Cashel team. 'Down the years there have and thin upholding the honour of the This is a grand idea and I would be the previous year as chaplain in Presen­ been great hurlers in Cashel - men like the club. delighted to see you doing the same tation Convent. He also welcomed Sean McCarthys, the Morrisseys, the Bolands, His son, Johnny, is carrying on the family for West Tipperary. Something like this O'Dwyer, chairman of the West Board, , Mick Burke, Dinny O'Brien, tradition. A forward of great promise, is needed to encourage sport. Finally Jerry O'Dwyer, secretary, Willie O'Dwyer, Fr. Tom Dwyer (Malachy) and Fr. Ml. Ryan, he won an All-Ireland minor medal last I must congratulate you and give you treasurer, and , county board and several others. They were unlucky year, and played again in this year's final some men who, during the year, have hit secretary. Others in attendance were Bill that they did not win county medals,' he against Dublin. He was the star of the the headlines in the West. O'Donnell, former Tipperary hurler, and added. Cashel attack on Sunday, scoring five · Vincent O'Brien, the Cashel horse-trainer, Other speakers included captain, John Rev. W. Breen, P.P., Moycarkey. points and 'making' at least two of the whose charge, Royal Tan, won the The chairman stated how proud they all Eakins, trainer Mick Cody, who compli­ goals. It was a great day for the Cashel Aintree Grand National; Mossy Cleary, were of the players. It was hard to pick mented Martin · Hackett and Stedie out any of the team for special mention, Morrissey for their work in making the Murphys. Tipperary A.C., who put up a great show because each and every one played his players fit, and club president, Rev. P. in Dublin in the National junior tests; part. 1 Morris. Came on in his Shirt: The Cashel sub, Johnny Murphy, Cashel, who played a Mattie Ryan, who came on in the second leading part in Tipperary's minor success, half of the junior final, was in such a and so added his second All-Ireland hurry, that he hadn't time to take off medal; Dick Ryan, the Gouldscross his shirt. The spectators roared with greyhound trainer, whose charges won laughter as he ran on to the field with his many coursing cups during the season; shirt tails flying in the breeze above his Martin Carroll, the Anacarty athlete, who togs a la Chinaman. Then he swopped was very successful on the athletic field his shirt for the jersey, which the player, during the year; Denis Ryan, the Cashel .. who was retiring, quickly handed over. rugby star, who played a leading part in It brought some life to a game that had helping Cashel to reach the junior final; gone rather dead. Sean Hayes, the pqpular Gaelic referee, who handled many important matches Hurling History: Our junior hurlers made during the year. history on Sunday when they defeated All those are entitled to the honour of Gortnahoe in the replay of the county Sportsman of the Year in the West. junior hurling championship. In the past Hope to see you publish those on 'The other Cashel teams have failed to achieve Nationalist'. such distinction as that accomplished last 10 11 1954 Annual General Meeting Some Interesting Facts *The team had the bare fifteen jerseys. return home for the replay. The fare from The AGM was held on January 17, 1955, in the winning of the county junior hurling The incoming sub had to don the jersey Paddington-Fishguard return was £5. He and attracted a record attendance in the championship,' he said. 'I would earnestly of the player coming off. A rather sticky received half the amount from the club for City Hall. The proceedings were presided ask them to re-consider their decision and exercise on a hot summer's day! The his trouble! over by chairman, Paddy O'Brien. In the to resume their places among us again.' jerseys were in a very poor state. Johnny *Mattie Gayson was probably an illegal course of his remarks, he welcomed the The following officers were unanimously Eakins remembers them as torn and well player. As he was already playing for a members and thanked everyone, who had re-elected: President - Rev. Philip Morris; darned. The purchase of a new set of club in London, had played during the made it one of the mosts successful years vice-president - E. D. Ryan; vice-chairmen jerseys was a rare occurrence. In earlier year, he wasn't eligible to play for Cashel in the history of the club. He wished Jim - Tim Hally and Michael Leamy; treasurer days they were knitted jerseys, and for a King Cormac's. However, communications Sullivan, who was absent, speedy recovery - Mick Davern, T.D.; secretary - Tommy period a nun in the Presentation Convent weren't as good then as now, so nobody from his illness. 'Jim rendered great services Prendergast; assistant secretary - John did the knitting. The set in use in 1953 was probably knew. a purchased one. *Mattie returned to London the Monday to the old club, to his family, and to Cashel. Murphy. There were two candidates for *The dramatic turnabout in the fortunes after the game. He remained there until With God's help, he will be quickly restored the office of chairman, outgoing Paddy of Gortnahoe in the drawn game was the Suez trouble began to loom, and to his wife and family and the club.' O'Brien, and Michael Leamy. On a show of partly due to the sending off of Cashel returned home. He thinks back to the time He went on to say that while he didn't hands O'Brien was elected by 22 votes to goalkeeper, Paddy O'Brien. Johnny Eakins, the game was played, and recalls how little agree with the Ban, it would be strictly 17. who was captain of the side, and right they had. They might be 'lucky to get a enforced while it was there. He would The following were elected to the cornerback, recalls that he had to substitute suck of a bit of an orange at half-time. like to make an appeal to the hurlers committee: Mickey Murphy, Michael as goalkeeper for the departed O'Brien. In They had no bottle carriers them. Today, it of Rosegreen to think well before they Devitt, Mick Cody, J. J. Ryan, Billy Hickey, fact he had to play in two places, mind his is like a circus, he says. formed a club of their own. 'We will miss Michael Gayson, Johnny Murphy, Martin man at cornerback, and dart back to the *Billy Hickey played at centreback, and them: they rendered great services to the Hackett, Dinny Hickey, John Burke. goals to stop potential scores. He fails to John Murphy at full-forward on the King Corrriacs, and contributed a big share understand why the selectors didn't bring Tipperary junior team in 1954. They back one of the forwards to guard the defeated Kerry in the Munster semi-final net. by 4-6 to 3-2 at Cashel on May 23, but *The team had no substitute goalkeeper lost the final to Limerick by 5-4 to 1-7 at in the county championship. The man Kilmallock on July 11. · who had filled in during 1953, Mattie *Johnny Murphy played for Tipperary in Gayson, departed for England at the end two All-Ireland minor finals. He was on the of that year. He started playing with Young winning side against Dublin in 1953, but on lrelands in Paddington, London. After the the losing side against the same opposition sending off of Paddy O'Brien in the drawn the following year. He also played in the final, Matty got an urgent message to first round of the 1952 championship. A Dependable Runaf - Tommy Prendergast Tommy Prendergast was secretary of the in Templenoe, and stayed there until he Cashel King Cormac's when they won their was sixteen years old. first county final. He recalls taking up the Tom wanted him to go to secondary school position when Fr. English was chairman, but times were poor in 1932, and work was probably in 1946: he represented the club more important. at that year's West convention. Tommy worked at home and did odd The club was finding it difficult to get a jobs around until he was 18, when he secretary at the time, and Fr. English said: 'If was apprenticed to E.D. Ryan, who had we have no secretary, we can have no club.' a drapery business in Friar Street. The This may have concentrated minds a bit apprenticeship was for three years, with because Mick Davern and a few more got no pay for the first two, and five shillings around Tommy to take up the position. . a week in the third year. Tommy was an ideal man for the position, When he completed his apprenticeship he able and accomplished in his own right. was offered a job in Delaney's Drapery, Born in Killeenasteena in November 1916, Bank Place, one of the foremost drapery he had ten siblings, five brothers and five stores in Munster, but he remained with sisters. He went to school to Tom Keegan E.D. Ryan, and did so until 1969. 12 13 On the same day as he started his appren­ Tommy was involved in the purchase of ticeship, he also commenced night classes Leahy Park, which cost £4,000 at the time, in the Technical School, Hogan Square. He again a very large sum. In contrast only was part of the very first night class - the £600 was realised in the sale of the field school had been completed in 1933, but a on the Ardmayle Road. dispute about the caretaker postponed its While Tommy was secretary Cashel won a opening for a year. Tommy started a course senior divisional title in 1948, and were in shorthand, typing, Irish, English and unlucky to lose to Lorrha in the county History, under Galwayman, K. P. Jennings, semi-final. He was very much involved and continued to go there for nearly ten with the successful 1953 team as a selector, years, becoming proficient in shorthand. and was responsible for the arrangements In fact when he completed that course, for the presentation dinner and the victory he commenced carpentry, and stayed at it ceili in the City Hall. under Phil O'Dwyer for 'five or six years, In fact he was responsible for getting completing many pieces of furniture, which twenty-one medals for the panel. The furnish his house today. custom at the time was fifteen medals It is no wonder then that a club looking for for the team and three for the subs. a secretary, should cast a glance in Tommy's Tommy convinced Phil Purcell, whose wife direction. Although never a hurler of note, was a Walsh from Tubberadora, to give Tommy played with the club. His early the club three more, with the result that interest in the G.A.A. came from reading twenty-one players got medals. the reports of games in the 'Nationalist'. He continued as secretary until 1954, when This interest developed after he started Johnny Murphy became joint secretary. It working in E.D. Ryan's. E. D. was himself a appears as if Johnny was secretary in 1955 famous hurler from Tubberadora. Through and 1956, and William Mcinerney took working there he became friendly with over in 1957. However, the club went into Michael O'Dwyer, and also with Sean debt once more, and Tommy was drafted Dunne, who worked in Davern's drapery. in again, this time as treasurer. He served There was another good reason why in this position from 1958 to 1963, and, Tommy might be the man for the job. The · presumably, put the club back on a good club was deep in debt, much of it incurred financial footing again. in fencing Brooke's field with wire and Even when he ceased to be an officer of galvanise. This field was lotated to the east the club, he retained a huge interest in of Leahy Park, and was owned by John . the fortunes of Cashel King Cormac's. In Brooke, who carried on a successful flour 1969 he inherited a farm from relations and meal store in what was Sonny Bu.tier's of his father in Shanballyduff, and went house at the corner of Friar Street and farming fulltime. Earlier, in 1948, he Feehan's Road. It was rented to Cashel married Mairead Ryan from Holyford, and King Cormac's and it served as practice they had seven children, four boys and area after the field on the Ardmayle Road three girls. was given up, and while Leahy Park was in Tommy always had a great interest in local preparation. history, and is an expert on Shanballyduff. As secretary Tommy inherited a debt of He likes tracing the history of people and over £3,000, a huge amount in those places and has a huge amount of lore days. Bringing his business acumen to about Cashel over a long period of time. bear, Tommy set about reducing it through He is in fine health, and plays cards on a regular '25' drives. Dances were also regular basis. The only thing he complains run with two very important ones on St. about are his legs. Otherwise, as he puts Patrick's night and Easter Sunday in the it, 'I'd fly in the sky'. May he continue to City Hall. The debt was reduced within walk for many years yet! two years. Martin Hackett was chairman.

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