KILLARNEY G.A.A. CLUB by Jim O' Connell

Hurling has probably been played in Killarney for centuries but we cannot be certain when the first club was formed there. We know however that there was one in existence in 1913 and it is from here that our story begins. Hurling about this time was gaining in popularity as part of an overall revival of "things Irish" under the wing of the Gaelic League. The increase in popularity was more marked in Kilkenny than elsewhere due in no small part to the exploits of the county team, which in the previous ten years had won seven all-Ireland titles taking the three in a row in 1911-12-13.

Although Killarney did not enter a team in the championships of 1913, they played a number of "friendlies" including one against Clashwilliam in August. They also organized a "Monster Gaelic Tournament" on November Day featuring Templemartin vs Clashwilliam, Bennettsbridge vs Knocktopher and Inistioge vs Uppergrange. They were represented at the county convention of that year by John Piert and E. O'Gorman. In the following year they entered the Junior Championship and were drawn against Inistioge at Graignamanagh in March but were defeated 3-2 to 1-0.

Because of the struggle for national independence and the ensuing civil strife championship hurling in Killarney reached little prominence in the following years. It was not until 1927 that a true revival got under way when brothers Dick and Tom Skehan of Knockanore and Jack O'Connell of Killarney bought a hurling ball between them. This was the spark that re-kindled the fire of hurling in the area that was to last up until 1941 and beyond. They played at first at Dullard's hill (where the late Mrs. Mulcair's house now stands.) Here neighbours and friends joined in for nothing more than a bit of sport. In the following year as numbers swelled and skills improved a team was formed and challenge games were arranged against Thomastown -the venue being alternately at Thomastown and Killarney. The games at Killarney were played in the field at Peter Prendergast's house.

In 1929 the decisive move was made. A club was formed and affiliated to the County Board Southern Division. The registered name was Killarney and their colours were green with a gold sash. At this stage Michael Callaghan and Tim Kelly were at the helm. Both had featured on the team of 1913 and Tim Kelly had played for Thomastown in the 1928 championships. Unfortunately the latter was under suspension from the association for playing cricket, a foreign game. Michael Callaghan applied to the Southern Board for Tim Kelly's reinstatement to the association. After a lengthy discussion and some objections the Chairman, Dick Holohan of Knocktopher (later T.D.) decided to give him another chance "as the Killarney club will want him". And how right he was for over the years Tim Kelly was the driving force and inspiration of hurling and football in the area. He captained the team for 11 years commanding his forces on the field with all the authority of a general waging battle. Off the field he was organizer in chief, arranging matches, organizing training and selecting teams.

In anticipation of their first game they trained regularly, usually in Skehan's field across the road from Callaghan's house. At this stage they also had to raise some finance, which was collected - a few pence per week from the members. Jerseys cost 6/-, hurling balls 4/6 and hurleys 3/6 when purchased, which was not very often as Michael Callaghan was a man of many talents, among which was that of hurley maker. They entered a team in the Southern Junior Hurling Championship and were drawn in the first round against Dunkitt Ramblers on May the 12th, 1929. The game however was postponed and did not take place until July 14th. at Castlecolumb Sportsfield, Knocktopher. After a keenly contested game Dunkitt were victorious by 5 pts. 6-1 to 4-2, thus dashing Killarney's hopes of making a successful debut. Tim Kelly scored 2-2 for Killarney, Stephen Power 1-0, the scorer of the 4th. goal was unidentified. The Munster Express reporting on the match had the following comments to make:

The Killarney team on that historic first day was: Tim Kelly (Capt.), M. Callaghan (Goal), J. Holohan A. Murphy, J. Reidy, S. Power, J. Power, J. Skehan, R. Skehan, J. O'Connel, E. Muldowney, R. Fennelly, T. Delaney, J. Somers and J. Morrissey.

It is interesting to note that Dunkitt's star player on the day was Jim Cleere (later to become station-master in Bennettsbridge). One of the most experienced players in the Killarney side was John Skehan, who had played with Chapel Hill and had won a county junior medal with Thomastown in 1927 and also an inter-county junior medal (Conradh Laighin) in 1916. Johnny Power the Killarney full-back, always smoked his pipe upside down while he played, but it does not seem to have helped his concentration on this particular day as the Killarney defence conceded 6 goals. Dunkitt later went on to qualify for the County Final of 1929 by defeating Thomastown in the Southern Final 6-3 to 1-1.

1930 Encouraged by their good performance at their first outing they eagerly awaited the next year’s championships. The club had by this time generated great support among the people of the locality. As well as the game there was also a social side and dances were organized regularly. One such, held in Stonyford Hall on January 5th. 1930, "attracted over 70 couples". We are told that "The music, which was supplied by locals, was faultless". But back to the hurling. In the Southern Junior championship of 1930 (in which 23 teams were entered), Killarney were drawn in the first round against Knocktopher in Callan on June 8th. They were defeated by 7 points but Killarney objected on two counts:

2. That the linesmen failed to change sides at the half-time interval. The latter objection was successful and a replay was ordered. Knocktopher refused to play and Killarney were thereby awarded a walkover. They got a bye in the 2nd. round and were drawn against Mooncoin No.1 in the 3rd. round on October 5th. at Knocktopher. They surprised their well fancied opponents by winning comfortably 6-2 to 1-2. This game, their first championship win on the field of play, was immortalised in folk memory by Michael Ryan of Woollengrange in the following verses:

1		2
Arise again brave Irish men		'Twas our delight that day me boys,
Be worthy of your fame,		Our stalwarts took the field,
While hurling at Knocktopher boys,		There was Kelly, Skehan, and Holohan
'Twas there you made your name,		Who could a caman wield,
The day was wet, me darling pet,		There was Fennelly and Delaney
The sun did seldom shine,		Hennessy too did join,
When the boys from old Killarney,		The goal-posts he defended well
Crossed cannons with Mooncoin.		That day against Mooncoin.

3		4
To our great joy the forward line		In centre-field, two towers of strength
Played up with skill and power,		Power and Connell played.
With steady aim and driving strokes		Repulsed o'er and o'er again
They did their backs o'er power.		Moondharrig undismayed.
There was Reidy and Muldowney,		missing
And John Cullen of Grange fame,		missing
The back line they defended well		Goals and points went through the posts
While Mooncoin pushed on the game.		In spite of great Mooncoin.

5		6
In jennets carts they all made starts		Success to every gaelic man
All on the night before,		Wherever he may be,
Motor cars and ould push bikes		From Woollengrange to Bennettsbridge
Came there in great galore.		And likewise Killarney.
Bum-freezer coats and hobble-skirts		Success to our great captain,
And they did toe the line,		missing
When the boys from old Killarney		missing
Beat the laurels of Mooncoin.		missing

By this victory Killarney had qualified for the Southern Semi-final against Crowraddy (Callan) on November 16th. However, "in a well contested game" they were beaten 1-5 to 1-2.

1931 The club held its Annual General Meeting for this year on February 1st. The following interesting account of it appears in the Kilkenny Journal dated 7th. February 1931.

In the championship itself Killarney were drawn against neighbours Thomastown at Knocktopher but were defeated 3-1 to 3-0 The Killarney team: Tim Kelly (Capt.), John Hennessy (Goal), John Power, John Skehan, Ed. Muldowney, John Cullen, John Connell, Richard Fennelly, James Reidy, Michael Cassin, James Cullen, John Sullivan, John Dullard, R. O'Neill, J. Fennelly.

Thomastown team: Thomas Kelly (Capt.) P. O'Brien (Goal), Thomas Synott, Joseph Lee, William Lee, James Dalton, Charles and Harry Weily, Frank Minogue, William Reid, William Mackey, Michael O'Neill, John Kelly, John Coady, Joseph Doyle.

Mackey and O'Neill played with London-Irish and as Killarney had assisted in their transfer to Ireland, it was expected they would play for the club, however Thomastown got there first!

1932 In this year’s championship Killarney were drawn against Inistioge No.2 at Thomastown on February 28th. This resulted in a win for Killarney 6-3 to 6-1. However, Inistioge objected on the grounds that the umpires arrived late on the pitch and that Killarney had three illegal players. This second charge was not substantiated but the game was ordered to be replayed. This resulted in a draw 2 - 2 each. The referee was Mr. Pat Kelly (Mill St., Thomastown). In the second replay which was played "in almost continual rain before a large attendance and was heavily contested," Killarney finally won through 4-3 to 1-1 Mr. Tom Mullins was the referee. The Killarney team was as follows: T. Kelly (Capt), J. & T. Power, J. Cullen, J. Reidy, J. Skehan, J. O'Connell, E. Leahy, J. Taylor, M. Waters, T. Skehan, J. Delaney, J. Fennelly, L. Reidy, Reserves: P. Cullen, M. Murphy.

They subsequently won their 2nd. and 3rd. round games only to be beaten by Knockmoylan in a high scoring semi-final 5-2 to 5-0. The referee of this match was Mr. R. Holohan (Knocktopher). John Cullen was also on the County

1933 Killarney entered two teams in this years championships. Killarney No.1 was drawn against Mooncoin No.1 and Killarney No.2 against Rockies No.1. (Carrickshock - Hugginstown). The No.1 team got a walkover in the first round but the No.2 team were beaten 8-2 to 3-3. In the second round the No.1 team met and were defeated by Rockies 3-2 to 2-4. The team here was: Tim Kelly (Capt), R. Fennelly, J. Fennelly, S. Cassin, J. Cullen, M. Murphy, T. Delaney, J. Reidy, J. Delaney, E. Muldowney, J. Somers, M. Hogan, J. O'Connell, W. Jackman, J. Power.

1934 In this year the social committee was again in action and the second annual dance was held in Thomastown Concert Hall on Sunday January 21st. Music was by Sean O'Dwyer. Dancing 9p.m. - 4a.m. Admission including supper and tax, Gents 3/6 Ladies 2/6. However, on the field of play the team was drawn against Kilmacow No.2 and were beaten 6-7 to 0-1.

1935-1936 Following such a heavy defeat Killarney joined with Danesfort and Bennettsbridge in a team which Jack Murphy and John Breen were organizing and the new side entered the Northern Junior Hurling Championship under the Bennettsbridge banner. There were ten Killarney players on this team: Jack Kelly, Richie Fennelly, Tim Kelly, John Sullivan, Kieran Power, Billy Jackman, Michael Kealy, John Cullen, Tommie Conway and Jack Delaney.

However after a trial period of two years the arrangement did not bring success and in 1937 Killarney re-entered the Southern Championship.

1937 The team in 1937 contained only 6 of the 'old guard': Tim Kelly, R. Fennelly, J. Fennelly, M. Murphy, J. Delaney, and J. O'Connell. They were drawn against their neighbours and old rivals Thomastown in the first round on 15th May. Mr. M. Murphy of Kilfane refereed. Killarney won this game and were paired against Mullinavat No.2 in the 2nd. round to be played at Ballyhale on 19th. September. This ended in a draw and the replay was fixed for 17th. October at the same venue. This game "was marked by scenes of wild disorder and fighting, in which almost all the spectators participated. These broke out at intervals and became so regular that the referee, Mr. Bob Aylward, was obliged to abandon the game with 15 minutes to go," with the score at 2-3 for Mullinavat vs 2-2 for Killarney. So intense was the fighting at this match that "even the priest was not able to get them under control." The abandonment of the game came up for discussion at a meeting of the Southern Board when the referee was asked to give his report. In this he stated that "the match was played in the first quarter in a good sporting spirit" and although he had to caution players from both sides "everything went alright to halftime." However ten minutes into the second half "players again came to blows and spectators encroached on the pitch." He cleared the pitch and five minutes after the recommencement "two players again came to blows and the spectators ran onto the pitch and struck a player." The spectators and players used hurleys" in a disgraceful manner." When he blew the whistle at centre field "half the players were there and half them were in the next field." The Chairman of the Southern Board called for the suspension of both clubs but the referee asked that the game be replayed and this was reluctantly agreed to. Mullinavat won this 7-2 to 4-0.

The Killarney team in that first game against Mullinavat was: T. Kelly (Capt.), T. Marnell, J. Fitzgerald, J. Kelly, E. Walsh, J. O'Connell, P. Lennon, R. Fennelly, J. Fennelly, M. O'Donnell, M. Murphy, P. Kelly, J. Delaney, P. Cullen, J. Egan.

It is interesting to note that Tony Marnell had just returned from service in the Spanish Civil War.

1938 In the 1938 championship Killarney were drawn against the Blues and Whites (Ballyhale) No.2 at Thomastown. The result saw Killarney win 6-6 to 2-1. They met Slieverue in the second round and after beating them qualified for the semi-final against Mullinavat. The score here was 4-5 to 1-1, Mullinavat being victorious.

1939 Killarney had an easy victory over Nore Rangers (Inistioge) in the first round 4-5 to 0-4. The team that day was: Tim Kelly, John Fitzgerald, Wm. Delaney, Richard Fennelly, James Fennelly, Anthony Marnell, Michael Shirley, John Donnelly, John O'Connell, James Minogue, James Bookle, James Lannen, Thomas Galway, Patrick Cullen, John Prendergast.

In the second round they were drawn against Mullinavat No. 1 at Ballyhale but once again they were defeated, this time by a margin of 2 - 3. The referee was T. Mullins.

1940 Hopeful as ever they entered the Southern Junior Championship again this year. They were drawn against the Rower No.1 to be played at Thomastown. Killarney won this easily 6-5 to 1-0. In the second round they were paired against arch rivals Thomastown at Killarney. Rivalry between these two teams was always keen and was sharpened by the fact that many members of both teams worked on the nearby Mount Juliet estate. The Thomastown team and their supporters arrived on the field led by an accordian band. The match itself was "characterized by roughness on the part of some of the players of both teams." Three players were ordered to the line by referee Bob Aylward. Two from Thomastown and Jimmy Bookle from Killarney. However, Killarney emerged as winners 6-6 to 3-2. Jimmy Bookle's dismissal had a sequel when he acted as linesman in a game between Callan and the Rower shortly afterwards. Callan lodged an objection after the Rower had won the game on the grounds that Jimmy Bookle was a suspended player and therefore could not act as linesman. It was necessary to have the matter referred to the Leinster Council who ruled that the suspension had expired the night previous to the match and that the result should stand.

Killarney were now in the semi-final of the Southern Championship. Their opponents were Suir Rangers (Piltown) in a match to be played at Knocktopher on August 25th. In preparation for this match they met an Army Selection on August 10th. who beat them by 1 point: 6-3 to 5-5 "in a first class game in which scientific hurling was the order of the day."

The semi-final was one of the best games seen in the south for a long time. Killarney qualified for their first ever Southern Final when they beat their opponents 6-5 to 5-5. They led by two points at the interval (3-1 to 2-2) but Suir Rangers wiped out that arrears in the third quarter and went ahead by four points. Killarney however made a determined rally to win by a goal. M. Fennelly was outstanding in goal. Tom Mahon, Michael Shirley and Jack Kelly also played well while Jack Delaney and Mickey Kealy "combined well at midfield" and the Fennelly brothers were "tireless workers in attack." Mickey Kealy scored the goal that gave Killarney victory. The report in the Kilkenny Journal of the match said "that their display on the day was a surprise to even their most ardent supporters." Suir Rangers subsequently lodged an objection on the grounds of "alleged illegal constitution" but this was quickly withdrawn.

Their opponents in the Southern Final were the Rower No.2 to be played at Thomastown on October 20th. In a hard fought game in which "the standard of hurling fell far below that witnessed in the semi-final at Knocktopher," Killarney beat their opponents 5- 8 to 4-5 and thus became Southern Champions. They led by five points at half time (3-4 to 2-2) but were never headed and won easily. Killarney's scorers were: J Bookle 3-3, R. Fennelly 1-0, M. Kealy 1-1, J. Fennelly 0-2, P. Fennelly 0-1 and 0-1 (unidentified score). Others to perform well were J. Fitzgerald, M. Fennelly (Goal), J. Delaney and J. Kelly.

After the game ended a series of incidents "in which hurleys were freely used" took place, and the referee (Bob Aylward) and his umpires were assaulted. In the county final, Killarney met Threecastles on November 10th. at Nowlan Park. In a disappointing game they were beaten 5-2 to 0-1. J. Delaney was their lone scorer. The game was played through heavy wind and rain and they failed to adapt to the conditions "losing many opportunities that should have been converted."

The team that played in that County Final was: M. Fennelly (Goal), J. Fitzgerald, T. Marnell, J. Cullen, J. Fennelly, J. Kelly, (Capt), M. Shirley, M. Kealy, J. Delaney, P. Cullen, R. Fennelly, P. Fennelly, J. Bookle, T. Mahon, J. Fennelly.

However, even the darkest cloud has a silver lining for on his way home from the game Jimmy Bookle met Mary Shortall, his future wife, for the first time.

1941 After the excitement of 1940, Killarney again entered the Junior Championship in 1941. They met Grennan Rovers (Thomastown) on April 20th. and had a very easy victory 8-6 to 2-0. However, due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at this time all games were suspended until late October. After the re-commencement, Killarney were drawn against Callan in the second round on December 14th. After a hard fought contest at Thomastown, refereed by T. Mullins, during which "there were some brilliant passages of play" Killarney emerged victorious 2-4 to 2-2. However, Callan lodged an objection on the grounds that Killarney were forty minutes late on the field. After a lengthy discussion the Southern Board awarded the match to Callan. This was the last game ever played by Killarney. The team on that day was: John Kelly (Capt), Richard, John, Michael, James, Peter and Kevin Fennelly, Patrick O'Brien, John Walsh, Patrick Burke, Martin Doyle, J. Kenny, Martin Ryan, Michael Kealy and W. Murphy.

After this match the club ceased to exist. In 1942, many of the Killarney pl.ayers having transferred to the newly formed St. Brendan's Club in Stonyford, played in the Junior Championship of that year and won the County Championship of 1943. Among those who played on that team were the Fennelly brothers, John Fitzgerald, John Kelly, Jimmy Bookle, Bill Murphy, Tom Mahon and Jimmy Lannen (who also played junior hurling with the County)

The Killarney club also played minor hurling and junior football at championship level. Unfortunately, very little coverage was given in the press to these grades and as a result we must largely rely on memory for an account of these important teams.

The club entered the Southern Junior Championship in 1931, and beat Cotterstown at Dungarvan in the 1st. round. They defeated Nore Rangers 2-2 to nil in the second round and won through the other rounds to contest the Southern Final on 19th. March 1932 against Brandon Rovers (Rower). Killarney were defeated 2-0 to 1-0. The probable line out of players were: John Dullard, Killarney, Tim Kelly, Killarney, Jim Reidy, Rathduff, Patrick O'Connell (Freyne), Woollengrange, Mick Power, (Blacksmith) Mount Juliet Estate, Jim Furlong (Garda) Bennettsbridge, Bill Redmond, (C.l.E. crossing) Legan, Paddy Murphy, Norelands Stud. (Paddy won several county titles with Glenmore and played for the county against the Lily Whites (Kildare).) Jack Lyons, Norelands, John Cullen, Woollengrange, John Holohan, Stoneen, Mick Doyle, (Hardware Shop) Thomastown, Ned Bergin, (Tailor at Woods) Thomastown, Jim Keegan, (Garda) Bennettsbridge, Martin O'Brien (Garda) Thomastown, Tom Mullins, Thomastown, Tommie Hanrahan, Castlegarden, Tommie Sayers, Mount Juliet, Tommie Monahan, Mount Juliet.

Killarney entered the Southern Minor Hurling Champioship for the first time in 1932. In the first round of that year, they defeated Thomastown at Killarney, May 22nd. by 3-1 to 1-1. However, Thomastown objected on the grounds that a Killarney player, Patrick Wemyss, was not on the club register. Their objection was successful and they were awarded the match.

They also entered the Minor Championship in 1934, 1938, 1940 and probably 1937 as the following interesting notice appeared in the Kilkenny Journal, dated 17/4/37.

When we see the many fine players on the above list, it is with a sense of deep regret, that more information is not to hand, in order to chart their hurling prowess.

It was said of the Killarney team that because of their dedication and determination, they were deserving of county honours. Over the years they were credited with some of the best performances ever seen in the Southern Division of the junior hurling championships, which was the most competitive grade in the county, but their efforts were to go unrewarded. In the late 1940's an attempt was made to re-establish hurling in Killarney but the focus had by now shifted to Bennettsbridge, where the u-14 schools team had won the county championship in 1944. This win created renewed interest in hurling in the 'Bridge' and when the club there was reformed Killarney pledged its loyal support.

I wish to thank the many kind neighbours and friends whose assistance made this article possible.