Laune Rangers – 1918
Laune Rangers, captained by Dan Hayes, drew with Farranfore, the previous year’s beaten finalists, in the first round of the Co. Senior Football Championship. However, the referee, who was Secretary of the Co. Board, informed the Co. Board that he had wrongly disallowed a goal for Farranfore and the decision was given to them.
Paddy Kennelly played on the Kerry team that defeated Clare in the semi-final of the Munster Senior Football Championship but he was unable to play in the final due to flu and Tipperary defeated Kerry.
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John Foley, Reen, was Secretary of the Laune Rangers Football Club.
Co. Senior Football Championship
Fifteen teams entered for the Co. Senior Football Championship, Glenflesk, Kenmare, Listowel, Gunsboro, Keel, Churchill, Kilcummin, Ballydonoghue, Killarney Crokes, Rathmore, Farranfore, Laune Rangers, Ballymac, Tralee Mitchels and Ballyconry.
Rd. 1 on Sun. 7th July at Milltown: Laune Rangers v Farranfore.
That game had been eagerly looked forward to in Killorglin, as Farranfore were the beaten finalists of the previous year. Unfortunately, to the disappointment of many followers of the Gaelic pastimes, the match did not come off. Owing to a misunderstanding, the Killorglin team did not travel. They had sent representatives to the proposed venue on the previous evening and those were informed that no arrangements had been made for, not had anything been officially heard about the contest. From that, it was taken that Farranfore were not to travel and it was assumed that the match was not to come off. On Sunday, however, it was heard in Killorglin that the opposing team had put in an appearance in Milltown and several of the locals cycled to meet them and a really good practice match took place.
The following team had been selected to represent Laune Rangers in the game:
Dan Hayes (capt.), Paddy Kennelly, Eddie Kennelly, Paddy Foley, John Foley, Tadhg O Reilly, John Sugrue, P. Moroney, John Langford, Jimmy O Leary, Den O Sullivan, M. O Donoghue, John P. McCarthy, PJ O Sullivan, Tommy Corcoran.
Rd. 1 on Sun. 1st Sept. at Milltown: Farranfore 1-2; Laune Rangers 1-2.
Though the match ended level, Farranfore claimed another goal, which was disputed and a decision on its legality had to be made at the Co. Board. The match itself was certainly surprising to the followers of the Rangers, as they went to Milltown expecting to see their favourites ‘beaten to the ropes’, and it looked like it when, some five minutes after the throw-in, the green flag was raised for their opponents. That pulled them together, however, and a really good match resulted. At half-time, Rangers led by one point, 1-2 to 1-1.
On the resumption, there was some very hard work before the equalising point was scored. All along the best of spirit prevailed among the players and the match, all through, was clean, manly and dashing. It seemed hard luck on both sides that more scores had not been registered, which might have been accounted for by the want of training, a failing common to both teams.
It appeared rather strange that better arrangements had not been made for the fixture. Certainly, the gate showed great weakness and especially at the time when the Gaelic fixtures could not be so well patronised, it would have paid to arrange that the gate should have been as big as possible. Another glaring fault was that the lines were not at all well kept and that was responsible for the dispute that arose. That goal, which was disputed and which kept the players and spectators something like ten minutes waiting on the field, all happened over the ball having been sent behind the lines and then coming into play again. A goal was then scored, which the umpire registered and which the referee allowed, at first, but which Captain Hayes and his men objected to and had it out until finally the matter was left to be decided at Co. Board. Farranfore alleged that the ball had not been out of play at all. It was regrettable that the Milltown Club had not taken on themselves to have all those matters perfected. Certainly, much had been done but if there had been a replay, things would have to be attended to.
Though the weather had been unfavourable – being showery – quite a good number travelled from Killorglin to see the event, which had been so frequently been postponed. A very healthy sign, surely, but some few of those were scarcely yet beyond their days of boyish emotion as it did not appear well to the outsider to hear some of the Killorglin youths shouting meaninglessly at the members of the opposing team. That was not – to use an old expression – ‘playing the game’ and the Rangers would have been much better off were those youths to play marbles or pitch-buttons at home on such future occasions. If they were to attend, let them act like MEN.
Laune Rangers: Dan Hayes (capt.), John Paul McCarthy (goal), P. J. O Sullivan (Firies), John Sugrue (Cromane), John Foley (Reen), Tadhg O Reilly (Sunhill), Paddy Foley (Iveragh Road), Jimmy Power (Lower Bridge St.), Danny Dwyer (Court Clerk), John Houlihan (Mill Road), Jimmy E. Flynn (Steelroe), Tommy Corcoran (Milltown), John Langford (Bansha), P. Moroney. Unfortunately, the Kennelly brothers were victims of the flu.
Ref: Din Joe Baily (Ballymac).
Considering that the referee had been the Secretary of the Co. Board and he had already awarded the goal at first during the game, it was highly probable that he would do likewise at the Co. Board and so it transpired. Disappointed with the decision, Dan Hayes (captain) and John Foley (Secretary) posed the following challenge to Farranfore in the form of a letter dated 18th September in the Kerryman: “Dear Sir, – Being disappointed both with the action of the referee in awarding, and that of the Farranfore team in accepting the recent match played at Milltown, and being anxious for a replay, which for the championship we are thus denied, we now challenge the Farranfore team to play for a set of medals on any convenient date and at such convenient venue as may be selected by representatives from both clubs or by an independent outsider, the proceeds to go to any reasonable purpose as may be agreed upon. Furthermore, in proof of our earnestness in the matter, we hereby agree to place in the hands of Mr. M. Griffin, ‘Kerryman’, a named sum on the acceptance of this by Farranfore. We trust that this challenge will be accepted as we are confident of the result. We met Listowel on three occasions formerly and, as has been the wont of the Kingdom players on such occasions, secured victory in the end. We look forward to your columns for an intimation of the acceptance of this in your next issue.”
A suggestion was made in the Kerryman that the proceeds of the challenge game should be donated to the Thomas Russell Dependents’ Fund and that was readily agreed to by Killorglin. The challenge was not taken up.
Munster Senior Football Championship
The selection committee consisted of Pat (Aeroplane) O Shea (chairman), Dick Fitzgerald (Killarney Crokes), Con Clifford (Tralee Mitchels), Jerry O Leary (Killarney), Tom Costello (Tralee) and Denis J. Baily (Ballymac and Sec. Co. Board).
In preparation for that championship, a challenge game was arranged for Tralee on Sunday 5th May – Tralee Mitchels v Killarney Crokes. Paddy Kennelly, Laune Rangers, in recognition of his good form at the time, was invited to play.
Semi-final on Sun. 25th Aug. at Limerick: Kerry 5-3; Clare 1-3.
Kerry: Patie Baily (Ballymac) goal, P. Sheehan, Eugene Moriarty, Paddy Healy (Crokes), Tom O Connor (Ballymac), Humphrey Murphy (Crokes), Martin Carroll (Mitchels), Phil O Sullivan (Churchill), Connie Murphy (Crokes), Paddy Kennelly (Laune Rangers), John O Connor (Mitchels), Eugene Hogan (do.), Jack Cronin (Crokes), James Baily (Ballymac), Charlie Troy (Listowel), Maurice Donovan (Crokes).
Final on Sun. 22nd Sept. at the Cork Athletic Grounds: Tipperary 1-1; Kerry 0-1.
Kerry: Connie Murphy (capt.), Dan Mullins (goal), Jack Lawlor, Eugene Moriarty, Tom Costello, Martin Carroll, Humphrey Murphy, Paddy Healy, John O Connor, Tom O Connor (Ballymac), Jack Cronin, Eugene Hogan, Con Clifford, Charlie Troy, Maurice Donovan. Paddy Kennelly was a victim of the flu virus at the time and was unable to train or to play.
Ref: Mick Mehigan (Cork).
Administration/Miscellany
Alderman James Nolan, Cill Coinnigh, was Uachtarán CLG.
The Annual Munster Convention was held in Tipperary on 10th March. The following officers were re-elected: Chairman – Jeremiah O Brien (An Clár), Secretary – Pat McGrath (Tiobrad Árainn), Treasurer – Ailbe Quillinan (Luimneach).
The Annual Convention of the Kerry Co. Board was held in the Railway Hotel, Tralee on Sat. 16th March. The following officers were re-elected: Chairman – Austin Stack (in prison), Vice-Chairman – P.J. O Connell, Joint Secretaries – Denis J. Baily and W.J. Foley, Treasurers – Con Clifford and John Moran, Delegates to Munster Council – Denis Lawlor and Nicholas Stack. Although there was strong opposition, it was decided to again partake in the Munster Football and Hurling Championships
‘Pars from Puck’ by Laune Ranger was off early in the year urging the local footballers to activity with the following piece in the Kerryman of 26th Jan: ‘As with Kerry, so with Killorglin. The Gaels seem at last to be waking up and are now bestirring themselves. Organisation is fast proceeding and we hope shortly to have a worthy team to follow the footsteps of the old Laune Rangers and represent the town by the Laune.’
‘Pars from Puck’ on Sat. 29th June: ‘Killorglin v Farranfore will meet as rivals in a Co. Championship match at Milltown on Sunday 7th July, and let us hope to see some practice by our local representatives before then. Over-confidence has always been our great fault here, and if we could only forget for the time the ‘Old Rangers’ and begin in the new, results might be better. Surely, when we think of their deeds and fame, we rest and depend too much on it. Up and doing then for Sunday week.’
‘Pars from Puck’ on Sat. 6th July: ‘Milltown is the venue and Sunday the day fixed for what promises to be an interesting football contest. It is now some time since we had the pleasure of following our local Gaels to a football field and let us hope that now, as the occasion presents itself, we shall not be disappointed in the result. But there is no practice whatever for the match by the local crowd who appear to be satisfied that the name alone shall steer them to victory.’
‘Pars from Puck’ on Sat. 31st Aug: ‘Again billed for Milltown, Killorglin v Farranfore match is fixed for Sunday next and ought certainly to prove a good draw. It must at once be said that the local team is doing very little by way of training since Keel gave them some food for thought. It rests with the local Gaels to get into some form for the fray, as we have no doubt of their ability to show up decently if they only avail of the opportunity and practiced.’
‘Pars from Puck’ on Sat. 21st Sept: ‘It is disappointing to learn that the recent Killorglin v Farranfore football match has been awarded to the latter – the disputed goal being placed to their credit. It was here hoped that a replay would result, but the referee – Mr. J. Baily – reported specially the conduct of a few followers of our boys, and that did it. Nothing was to be said of the players on either side – the match was played in really good spirit. Nothing could be said against our team but a few of the followers whom chance strayed to Milltown on the occasion seemed to forget that there are in the English language some expressions, which, to our Irish ears at least, are vile in the extreme. It was these then and not the Farranfore fifteen who defeated the local team. Pity they did not yet remain outside the Gaelic football field. Whilst being a party anxious to put down anything bordering on nasty expressions at GAA matches, I think it is rather severe that the team should suffer for the action of these few irresponsibles, who apparently became somewhat excited during the progress of the match. The players indeed behaved as became the followers of the famous Laune Rangers and respected their opponents as Gaels and their captain as the son of him who captained the old Rangers so oft to victory. Pity it is that a replay was not ordered for such would certainly prove most interesting. However, every good luck to Farranfore in their future contests.’
The GAA notes in the Kerryman of Sat. 5th October, in relation to the Keel v Farranfore Co. SF Championship match, carried the following report: ‘At Castlemaine on Sunday last, one of the most blackguardly exhibitions of ruffianism ever witnessed on a football field was resorted to by followers of the Keel team, some of the latter players being also conspicuous for their unsportsmanlike behaviour. It is many years since scenes of this character were indulged in on Gaelic fields. The principal cause of all this lies in the defeat of Killorglin by Farranfore. On the occasion of that contest, the referee, Mr. Baily, was blackguarded in a shameful manner and some of the men who were responsible on that occasion, made themselves conspicuous on Sunday. Time was when the Rangers would not stoop to tactics of this nature. They played and won their matches like men and made the name of their native town and county respected all over Ireland. I am sorry to say that the same cannot be said of some of the men who represented this once famous team at the present day. They are destroying by their actions the traditions and honour of a team whose name stood high in the annals of the GAA in Ireland.’
‘Pars from Puck’ on Sat. 12th Oct. ‘Many members of the local football club take umbrage at the reference to their club in last week’s Gaelic Notes, as they state that they are falsely accused of using bad language and of interfering in any way with the referee. They went on the field as interested spectators and, as such, followed the play to the end. Be this as it may, however, the fact remains that the outburst of a few of the followers at Milltown cannot readily be forgotten. Still it is most unjust to lay the responsibility for all on the heads of the club, who feel rather pained at it.’
The sudden and premature death occurred at the end of January of Mossy Counihan, who had played with the Rangers just a few short years previously. He had won a Co. Championship medal with the club in 1911. The flu virus was raging at the time.
The death occurred of Thade O Connor, Ardnacknockeen, in September. He had played with the Laune Rangers prior to 1892 and had been an interested follower of the game to the end. He had been unwell for some time and the size of the funeral to Knockane (Churchtown) on Sun. 15th September was befitting an old Gael, a kind neighbour and a man.
The death occurred in California in November of John O Shea, formerly of Main Street, Killorglin. He had played with Laune Rangers and won a Co. Championship medal in 1911 before emigrating to the USA the following year. He was just 28 years of age and fell victim to the flu virus.
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The Man-Power proposals, including conscription, were passed in the House of Commons on Tues. 9th April, despite the objections of the Irish Party. News of the passage of the Act was received in Killorglin with feelings of consternation and indignation. A huge demonstration of protest was held in the square on Sun. 14th April. The feeling of earnestness and sincerity, which was remarkable, was the notable feature of the meeting. The large dimensions of the crowd of people, which attended at a day’s notice, amply testified to their interest and enthusiasm, and then practically every one of those present signified by their signatures their earnest intention to resist the enforcement of the Act. Rev. M. O Donoghue C.C. advised passive resistance from the pulpit at both Masses. It was decided to open books in the Sinn Féin Hall and the Carnegie Hall in order to allow people to sign the National Anti-Conscription Pledge.
The Volunteers commenced renewed activity in Killorglin in April and Cumann na mBan began reorganisation around the same time.
The Caragh Lake Regatta was held on Sun. 25th Aug. in bright weather conditions. Quite a number journeyed out from Killorglin by every conceivable mode of conveyance and, long before the Fife and Drum Band began its discourse of National airs, the stand presented an animated appearance. Nearly 2,000 people were assembled. A force of police constables and some military attended as spectators but there was no interference of any kind with the performances. The programme presented was varied and interesting. The boat races were all keenly contested and swimming matches caused much mirth. The prize-winners were: Two-oared race – J. O Rahilly’s boat (Republic); Three-oared race – Michael Foley’s boat (Erin’s Hope); four-oared race – T. O Connor’s boat (Maureen); swimming race – John Clifford (Killorglin). Denis O Shea, Treanmanagh, Glenbeigh, was judge and starter.
Rev. Tom Jones C.C., Killorglin, who had been transferred to Killorglin Parish in 1916, was presented with a gold cup in August on behalf of the King of Norway, for his heroic action in saving the lives of eight Norwegian sailors at Ballinabuck on 26th April 1916. At the time, Father Jones had been a curate in Ballyferriter and had answered the call for help from the sailors who had escaped from their torpedoed vessel, the Carmanian, and who had taken to their small boats. Father Jones, assisted by some local men, had very bravely scaled the cliff to bring the sailors to safety.
An outbreak of enteric fever was reported in Killorglin at the end of October and the sanitary condition of the town was a source of great worry to the authorities. The matter was referred to the Killarney Board of Guardians for its attention.
World War 1 came to end on 11th November. That was followed by an upsurge in support for Sinn Féin and, with a General Election looming, electioneering was intense. Sinn Féin had a landslide victory, winning 73 of the 105 seats. Austin Stack won a seat in Kerry. The Irish Party was almost wiped out, winning only six seats.