1893

Laune Rangers – 1893

Laune Rangers retained the Co. SFC, winning it for the 4^th time, by defeating Keel in the final on the score of 1-1 to 0-2.

Pat Teahan, Laune Rangers, was a member of Central Council of the GAA.

Dan P Murphy was elected as joint-secretary of the Kerry Co. Board.

Dan P Murphy and Bill O Brien represented Kerry at the Annual Congress of the GAA in Thurles.

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A general meeting of Killorglin Laune Rangers was held on Sun. 18^th Dec. 1892. The following members were present: Pat Teahan, Tim Curran, Mícheál O Doherty, John Phil Murphy, John Flynn, Dan P. Murphy, Paddy O Regan, William O Brien, M. O Brien, Mike Joy, James McCrohan, J. L. O Sullivan, Pat Sugrue, Dan Fitzpatrick, Patrick O Sullivan (Brookhill), John Langford (Killarney), Mick Hayes (do.), William Fleming (do.), P. Scannell (do.).

Patrick O Sullivan, who occupied the chair, said he was glad to see that they were all enthusiastic over the matter of the re-organisation of the club. If they were preparing for any match in their own county championship, they could afford to delay and take matters easy all round, but they were going for the final contest, for the greatest athletic distinction, which a team of young Irishmen could compete for, and he hoped that the team would show themselves worthy of the confidence, which the people generally had in them, and bring those All-Ireland medals to Kerry (hear, hear). Ballyduff had done it the previous year and it would be a great thing for their county if they could do it that year (hear, hear). At the previous meeting, they had taken measures to the effect that the match should not be allowed to be fixed too late in the Spring, and he had no doubt that, when their club, after the meeting, would be in working order for the following year, and their practice matches arranged for, that they would be able to give a good account of themselves whenever they should be called upon to make their appearance in Dublin (hear, hear).

The election of officers was then proceeded with as follows: President and Treasurer – James McCrohan, PLG; Vice-President – Patrick O Sullivan; Hon. Sec. – William O Brien; Captain – JP O Sullivan; Committee – Pat Teahan, Paddy O Regan, Dan P. Murphy, Tim Curran, Mícheál O Doherty, John P. Murphy, Dan Fitzpatrick.

James McCrohan, in thanking the members for electing him President for the second time, said that he would think it an honour to be President of any club in Kerry, but it was especially pleasing to him to be asked to preside at the meeting of such a club as the Rangers. Their Association was a splendid one and the last two inter-county matches, which he was present at with their  thousands of spectators, and the perfect order which characterised them, was a proof to him how complete a success the revival of Gaelic pastimes had been and how great a hold it had gained on the favour of the people (hear, hear). Quite regardless of their status as a winning team, the Rangers were able to say that they had done as much for the Association as any team in the South of Ireland (hear, hear). As their next match was of such general interest, and as it would be a matter of pride to them all if they succeeded in winning it, he thought it proper to suggest that the team should ask the town to subscribe to the expenses, which they would undergo in such a trip as that of Dublin (hear, hear).

A member – “We are not likely to forget that, indeed, and yourself and some other gentlemen are down as collectors for us (laughter).”

Mr. McCrohan – “Well, I am to bear it, and I assure you that I will be ready when you want me, and I have no doubt that the town, which is always generous, will take the matter up and see that you go into the next match with nothing to trouble you but to win it (cheers and laughter).”

William Fleming (Killarney) said that he understood those final matches in Dublin were played in an enclosed field at which there was always a ‘gate’. He thought it was the right of any team going up there and helping to make a ‘gate’ to see that they should also get a reasonable proportion of the proceeds by way of expenses. The fact that any town or parish got up a local subscription, for without such a local effort teams in their position could not set out at all, did not in any way lessen the obligation on those, who made money by them, to pay them reasonable expenses (hear, hear).

Chairman – Quite right; if that were not understood, and acted upon, a team going to Dublin for the All-Ireland honours would be left as a tax on their Co. Board, or on their own club and followers – a thing they would not do a second time, and such contests would be less frequent and the Association would suffer. For his part, he did not see why full expenses should not always be given to teams, who had worked through a long series of matches on their own resources when played, the most important of all, at a place where, as William Fleming remarked, they make money on the visiting teams (hear, hear).

Mick Hayes, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, said it was a cause of great encouragement to playing members in Gaelic clubs when they found men like Patrick O Sullivan and James McCrohan – men of experience and intelligence – taking an active part in the affairs of the Association (hear, hear). He thought that where such a lively interest is shown by such gentlemen, the local club or team is bound sooner or later to make a reputation for itself.

The vote of thanks was seconded by John Langford and suitably acknowledged by the Chairman.

 

Co. Senior Football Championship

Eight teams entered for the Co. Senior Football Championship – Ballymacelligott, Killarney Crokes, Tralee Mitchels, Irremore, Castleisland, Keel, Annascaul and Laune Rangers. Laune Rangers were given a bye to the semi-finals.

 

Semi-final on Sun. 9^th July at Tralee: Laune Rangers beat Tralee Mitchels.

Although the renowned Rangers, as was naturally expected, made the majority of the scoring, the Tralee lads, nevertheless, cut the work out for them and, in the all-round play, gave the premier footballers in the county plenty to do. Their play, in fact, surprised everybody and it was the general belief that, by a little training and attention, they would soon attain their prestige of a few years previously, when they were second to no team in the county.

 

Final on Sun. 6^th Aug. at Tralee: Laune Rangers 1-1; Keel 0-2.

The final was fixed at a Co. Board meeting on Sat. 22^nd July at which J.P. O Sullivan and Dan P. Murphy attended. However, the Laune Rangers Club Secretary, Dan P. Murphy, wrote a letter to the editor of the Kerry Sentinel and was published on Sat. 29^th July as follows: ‘Having seen in your last issue that the final in football for the County Championship, between Laune Rangers and Keel, was fixed by the meeting of the County Board to be played at Tralee on Sunday 6^th August, I think it only fair and right to state that the Rangers have no such intention of complying with those arrangements. It was distinctly stated at the meeting by the captain of the Rangers – Mr. J. P. O Sullivan – and myself that the Rangers had a decided objection to meet Keel in the Tralee grounds but were prepared to meet them midway between both places and in neutral grounds, mentioning Killarney, Firies or Milltown. Nothing less than Tralee would satisfy the Board – composed as it was of 3 from Tralee, 1 from Keel and 2 from Killorglin. However, this doesn’t end the matter as the Rangers have lodged an objection with the Central Council and placed the matter in their hands for decision. Kindly, give this matter your earliest insertion, as it will prevent further disappointment to lovers of sport, who are always anxious to witness those matches.’

In the Kerry Sentinel, dated Wed. 2^nd Aug., Denis Bunyan, Joint-Secretary of the Co. Board, replied as follows: “In your last issue I read with surprise a letter written by D.P. Murphy, trying to set aside the ruling of the last Co. Board meeting re the fixing of a place to play the final match of football between Killorglin and Keel. He objects to the decision of that meeting, because the majority would not agree with him in having the match played outside Tralee. And right and proper that they should do so, for since the inauguration of the Gaelic matches in Kerry, there was never a dissentient voice raised at a County Board meeting by any member (Mr. Murphy excluded) objecting to have the final matches played in Tralee. He gives a hint about the composition of the Board and I am quite surprised that he did not dwell on their particular merits as well. The meeting was called specially by Mr. Murphy and, if the other members did not think it worth their while to attend, of course, it must naturally be distasteful to a person so interested as he is. He mentions three places in his letter as neutral grounds. Now, as a matter of fact, neither of the localities mentioned are neutral, for players of both teams are living in the places named. Mr. Murphy is certainly deluded somehow when he attempts to frighten the County Board by a threat of sending off a formidable objection to the Central Council. Perhaps if he did, they made him aware that they would not, or could not, interfere with the fair decision of a properly constituted meeting of the Board of any county. However, if Killorglin will not come to Tralee, Keel, by coming, will assuredly be awarded the match and can go home decked with the title, ‘Champions of Kerry.”

Laune Rangers withdrew their objection to the venue for the final and the game was played as scheduled. A cheap excursion train (single fare for two journeys) ran from Killorglin to Tralee, departing Killorglin at 11.30am and departing Tralee at 7.00pm. It served other stations along the way, also.

The match was voted, by those who witnessed it, to be one of the closest and most exciting of its kind ever played in Kerry. From start to finish, the ball was flying through the air, up-field, down-field and, in fact, everywhere. For a good many reasons, considerable interest was evinced in the result, as the last time those two crack teams had met, Killorglin barely held their own, and won just the same as Sunday, the winning score being scarcely made when the referee’s whistle blew ‘time up.’

Keel, winning choice of sides, played with a pretty stiff breeze in their favour and immediately that the ball was set in motion, it was kicked in the centre of the field for the first minute. Then the Rangers assumed the aggressive and forced the ball to Keel territory, where it was kicked over the goal-line. Keel kicked off and, with a fine rush, brought the ball to their opponents’ goal where, after a short scrimmage, they kicked their first point. After kick-out, some excellent play followed, the ball not troubling the ground very often, as those adept at kicking kept it in the air for some time. Keel again brought the ball to the Killorglin backs, but the Rangers’ defence was equal to the occasion and any danger of scoring was averted. In a short time, however, Keel made a determined rush and kicked in a second point amidst great excitement. Killorglin kicked off again and the ball was traversing the field pretty quickly when the referee’s whistle sounded halftime, the score being Keel 0-2; Killorglin 0-0.

At change of sides Keel immediately rushed the ball, but it was sent over the goal-line. Killorglin kicked off and, with some excellent play, had it at the Keel goals very quickly and scored a point. After kick-out, the ball was rushed along by the Keel wings but the Killorglin backs, always at their posts, sent the ball pretty well into the centre of the field. More fine play ensued, the spectators loudly cheering the excellent kicking. Still Killorglin made no score, and the time was running quite close to the finish when, with that excellent combination which characterised the Rangers apart from other teams, they hemmed in the ball and, slowly but surely, worked their way to the goal-posts and, amidst the most intense excitement, scored a goal, thus finishing the game as far as Keel was concerned. Another kick-out by Keel and, almost immediately, the referee’s whistle blew ‘time up.’

Laune Rangers (panel): JP O Sullivan (capt.), John Phil Murphy, Flor Doherty, Paddy O Regan, James J. O Sullivan, Tim Curran, Jim Curran, Pat Teahan, Dan P. Murphy, Moss O Brien, Danny Clifford, Patsy Begley, Pat Sugrue, John O Reilly, Patsy Sheehan, Dan O Neill, Mick Flynn, Mike Walsh, Matt Moroney, J. Joy, John Guerin, J. O Shea, P. Wharton, P. Cahillane, J. Cahillane, Jeremiah Hayes, Eddie O Sullivan, Mossy O Sullivan.

The winners’ medals, manufactured by Messrs O Crowley of Tralee and Cork, showing the round tower, harp and shamrock, were forwarded to the Laune Rangers at the end of September.

 

Munster Senior Football Championship

The Central Council of the GAA met on Sunday 30^th July and the inter-county championships, Cork v Kerry, were arranged for Millstreet on the 20^th August. There was a letter from the Kerry Co. Board requesting that the Cork champions should travel to Tralee, so that the matches would be played on enclosed grounds.

 

Rd. 1 on Sun. 19^th Nov. at Mallow: Dromtarriffe (Cork) w/o; Laune Rangers scr.

 

A meeting of the Co. Kerry Gaelic Board was held on Sat. 24^th Nov. for the purpose of taking action with regard to the Cork v Kerry matches of the season. There were present Messrs Thomas Slattery (Chairman), Dan P. Murphy (Joint-Secretary), J. McQuinn, William O Brien (Laune Rangers), Pat O Brien (Keel), T. Clifford, Robert Moriarty (Annascaul) and Pat Teahan (Laune Rangers).

Thomas Slattery, who occupied the chair, said he was surprised to see in the papers a few days previously that the match between Cork and Kerry had been given away to the Cork team. He was perfectly aware that the Killorglin team had done their best to go to Mallow on the 18^th and that, having failed in getting a train for the day, they duly informed the Cork-men of their inability to attend. He, therefore, could not understand why the Cork team should have gone to Mallow on that day and, having gone there, why the match should have been given them so easily by the referee on the occasion, who was also aware of the position of the Killorglin team in the matter (hear, hear). He was of the opinion that the Central Council would have no hesitation in again bringing on the match when the matter was put before them. The Cork v Kerry matches were always the most popular and successful fixtures of the whole association and the association would suffer seriously in the south if prominent county teams were to be hastily deprived of their chances of the All-Ireland honours whenever a match was fixed at a place where it was clearly impossible that a competing team could attend on the day (hear, hear).

Mr. McQuinn agreed with the chairman and, as he had put the matter clearly, he thought it would be well if Mr. Slattery put the substance of his remarks in a resolution.

D.P. Murphy, Joint Hon. Sec. Co. Board, said there would not be the slightest blame to the Killorglin team for its non-attendance on the previous Sunday. He thought it well to mention, as a proof of their desire to have the match played off quickly, that in September they got an excursion to Cork, without any guarantee, and that Pat Teahan had notified the Cork Board thirteen days previously that the Kerry team would play in Cork and, yet, when the day came, the Dromtariffe men were to play an unofficial match in Dublin. The Cork Board permitted their champion team to ignore the appointment, although they had been previously urging Kerry every day to hurry up and play the match. On the 19^th Nov. the Co. Board would not give a guarantee of £25 as, in their opinion, there was a certainty of a loss of £12 (hear, hear). Earlier in the year, they could better afford a £60 guarantee, if required. Messrs Cook and Son had managed an excursion to Fermoy the previous year in November also, and it had been such a failure that they would not since give them one without a guarantee. He thought it very necessary, also, to state that the arrangement Mr. Deering proposed of sending twenty-five men to Mallow by the ordinary train from Killarney at 9.30am on Sunday was impossible as they should have to be at the station at 3.20pm for the return. They knew that the match would not be finished for that time and, even if it could, they would be forced to bring in their men from all parts of Kerry to Killorglin the night before and have to start at an altogether unreasonable hour for a 15 miles drive on a winter’s morning (hear, hear). That suggestion was therefore impractical and he thought, with the chairman, that they were so clearly blameless in the matter that the match ought and would be brought on again by the Central Council (hear, hear).

Mr. Slattery proposed the following resolution: ‘That we hereby appeal to the Central Council to the decision of the referee in the Cork v Kerry match on Sunday 19^th inst., at Mallow and we ask, for the following reasons, that the match shall be brought on again: 1. That when acquainted with the appointment at Mallow, we asked Messrs Cooke and Son for an excursion, which would only be given on condition of a £25 guarantee, which we were unable to pay without a certainty of a serious loss. 2. That we acquainted Messrs Dineen and Deering immediately of our position and, regarding Mr. Deering’s subsequent offer to come to Mallow by the ordinary train, we found it absolutely impossible owing to the difficulty of getting a team, which is picked from all parts of Kerry, into Killorglin the previous night and, starting at 6.30 in the morning, to return at 3.20 from Mallow – an hour at which we have experience the match could not be finished.

D. P. Murphy proposed, and Mr. McQuinn seconded, as an amendment, ‘That, as the guarantees required for stations beyond Killarney are more than we can pay without loss, we are satisfied to play Cork at Mallow on a week-day, sufficient notice being given.’ The amendment was adopted.

 

Laune Rangers’ appeal against the awarding of the Munster Championship game to Dromtariffe was heard by the Central Council at the offices of the Association, Rutland Square, Dublin on Sun. 11^th March 1894. F.B. Dineen, Vice-President, was in the chair. Also in attendance were Michael Deering (Cork), Pat Teahan (Kerry), James Mulvey (Westmeath), A.J. Palmer (Drogheda), Patrick Tobin, Dublin (Hon. Sec.) and William Field (Hon. Treasurer). On the motion of Pat Teahan, seconded by James Mulvey, it was decided that the football match, Cork v Kerry, would be played in Mallow on Sun. 1^st April. Michael Deering dissented.

 

Munster Football Championship (1893), on Sun. 1^st April 1894 at Mallow: Dromtariffe w/o; Laune Rangers scr.

A good field close to the railway station had been generously granted by Mr. T. Fitzpatrick and all arrangements were completed for the contest. In anticipation of an interesting game, people travelled to Mallow from all the surrounding districts and a good deal of disappointment was felt when it was found that the Kerry team did not turn up. While no definite information had been conveyed for the non-appearance of the team, it had been rumoured that while driving from Killorglin to catch the train in Killarney, an accident had occurred to their vehicle. After waiting for some time, the referee awarded the match to Dromtariffe.

At a subsequent Cork Co. Board meeting, a letter was read from Denis Bunyan, Joint-Secretary of the Kerry Co. Board, apologising on behalf of every club in Kerry for the non-appearance of the Laune Rangers. He said that ‘the action of the team in failing to go to Mallow without one word of warning was calculated to extinguish any little spark of enthusiasm, which was lighting them up there. Everything possible to be done to bring the match off was fixed by the Tralee Club and, through some petty squabbling on the part of the Killorglin team, so much confusion and bother had resulted on Sunday’.

 

Senior Football Challenge Games

 

On Sun. 7^th May at Firies, Laune Rangers played a scratch match with the pick of Killarney and Ballymac to help select a team to represent Kerry in a challenge game versus Tipperary in Tralee on Sunday 14^th May. (Although there was no Co. Board in existence in Tipperary, there were signs of a revival all over the county. The Central Council, anxious to help the situation, arranged two trial games of strength for Tipperary. The first of those was in Tralee against Kerry, recent winners of the 1891 All-Ireland Hurling title and runners-up in the 1892 Football series).

Tipperary succeeded in snatching victory in both the football and hurling contests, though in the football that victory was merely nominal and could easily have been reversed had Kerry not gone so much for goals instead of points. Kerry had also been placed at a serious disadvantage owing to the absence through illness of the gallant captain of Laune Rangers, J.P. O Sullivan, whose services both as a disciplinarian and as a scorer would have been highly advantageous. There was a huge crowd present to witness the two games and special trains from Limerick, Killarney and Killorglin were heavily freighted.

The football match proved one of the most exciting ever witnessed in the Tralee grounds. When both teams lined up, a finer and more athletic body of men it would have been difficult to get together. In physique, they appeared to be excellently matched and the anticipations of a close and exciting contest were fully borne out. At halftime, Tipperary, having played with the aid of a considerable breeze, led by 1-2 to 0-1. At the final whistle, Tipperary were the victors on the score of 1-2 to 1-1. (A goal was equal to 5 points at that time).

Kerry: Dan P. Murphy (Laune Rangers) capt., Paddy O Regan (do.), Tim Curran (do.), Jim Curran (do.), Danny Clifford (do.), Mick Flynn (do.), John Phil Murphy (do.), Bill Fleming (Killarney), J. O Carroll (Irremore), Pat Sugrue (Laune Rangers), John O Reilly (do.), Jeremiah O Dea (Listowel), John Irwin (Ballymac), Jeremiah Clifford (do.), John Corcoran (do.), Jeremiah Hannafin (Tralee), Tom Kavanagh (Keel).

The selectors were John Langford (Killarney), Pat Teahan (Laune Rangers), Dan P. Murphy (do.) and Jeremiah Clifford (Ballymac).

 

Easter Sunday at Ballyhar: Laune Rangers defeated Castleisland.

In the Kerryman of Saturday, 18^th November 1939, Father John P Devane, recalled that challenge game between Laune Rangers and Castleisland, as follows: “Another old-time game was played bear Ballyhar by the Rangers, with Castleisland, on Easter Sunday, in 1893. We were particularly interested in this Ballyhar game, for Paddy Carey and Jerry Foley, of St. Brendan’s Seminary, Killarney, donned the Rangers’ colours that day and acquitted themselves quite creditably. During the progress of the game, a spectacle similar to that presented to the spectators of the Laune Rangers-Mitchels match at the Tralee Sports-field in 1890 (When the two captains, JP O Sullivan and Bill Brick collided in a desperate encounter with the honours equal) was almost enacted by the two captains – JP O Sullivan and the ‘Idle Boy’ – that day at Ballyhar. The two were running for the ball, with no other player near, and we were preparing for the thrill of the Tralee impact, which we enjoyed in anticipation. Sullivan, so to speak, as he advanced, was girding himself for the fray but, as they drew near, the ‘Idle Boy’, with very commendable business sense, gave him a wide berth and, running around in a semi-circle, concentrated on the ball, and so we were disappointed. The fact that the ‘Idle Boy’ had his shoes off that day, added to the slippery condition of the wet field, no doubt had influenced his judgement to decline JP’s challenge. Sullivan, too, practised a little deception himself that day, for when taking a free kick, he would sometimes run at the ball as if about to kick it in a certain direction with the right, when, suddenly, he’d switch to the left foot and kick it in another direction, shouting to some Ranger as he did so, ‘Wake up, you rascal’. I suppose, it was the only deception Sullivan ever resorted to in his life but he resorted to it that day, and did it perfectly, contributing to a wide margin of victory.”

 

Administration/Miscellany

 

Peter J. Kelly, An Ghaillimh, was Uachtarán CLG.

The Central Council of the GAA met in Thurles on Sun. 27^th Feb. Pat Teahan, William O Brien and Dan P. Murphy represented Kerry. Pat Teahan had been appointed onto the Central Council as J.P. O Sullivan had declined to continue. One of the first acts was to fix definite dates for the playing off of the outstanding matches in the 1892 All-Ireland Championship. The date for Laune Rangers to play the final against the winners of the Leinster v Connacht teams in Dublin was 26^th March. In order for the final to be played on the 26^th March, four Leinster teams had to play to the finish on 12^th March and the winners played the champions of Connacht (Athlone) on 19^th March.

 

The Annual Convention of the Kerry Co. Board was held on Wed. 18^th Jan. in the hall of Tralee Young Ireland Society, Upper Castle Street. The President, Thomas Slattery, congratulated Laune Rangers on the creditable manner in which they had won the Munster Championship and expressed his firm conviction that the All-Ireland honours would be born home to Kerry by the same gallant team (applause).

The Secretary, Maurice Moynihan, then read the report of the working of the association during the previous twelve months, which was of a very reassuring character. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £1-4-2. William O Brien, Laune Rangers, moved the adoption of the Secretary’s Report. Considering the number of matches they had gone through, they did not expect that they would find themselves financially clear at the end of a very active Gaelic year in Kerry (hear, hear). He believed that the manner in which the association had been conducted by the County Board and its very able president during the past year would be the means of infusing new spirit into the association in the county during the ensuing twelve months (hear, hear). At the beginning of a fresh Gaelic campaign he trusted that the clubs, which during the past year had been so eager for competition, would not become apathetic and that the prediction of their respected president would be fulfilled not only by the number of clubs, which would affiliate, but by the increased interest, which would be taken in the matches throughout the coming season (hear, hear). He believed that since 1889, when the association was practically initiated in Kerry, they had held their own and did as much work as any county in Ireland (hear, hear). Whether they were fit or unfit to prosecute Gaelic matches outside the county, they always thought it a matter of duty to the association to go outside and help to sustain that interest, which the Gaelic public naturally felt in such contests (hear, hear) – not but that when they went abroad they found themselves capable of bringing the All-Ireland honours to Kerry (hear, hear) but the fact remained that they were always willing to support the association whether their expectations were capable of being fulfilled or not (hear, hear). They had not failed either in sending delegates to the Thurles Convention, as they always did their best to keep up the interest in the changes, which the leading men of the association might deem fit to make in its constitution and its rules. He was glad to be able to say that their football matches were conducted with less friction and with an entire absence of anything like that disturbance, which certain newspapers in Ireland were fond of harping on as a matter of reproach to the association (hear, hear). The Gaelic Association, considering all its draw-backs and all its difficulties, was one of the greatest associations in the world, both as regards football and hurling, and for the reputation, which its athletes had gained both at home and abroad (applause). He thought too much attention had been given to football and hurling and that, to a certain degree, it injured the sports held by the association and, as the purposes of the association were general, the representatives of the Gaels should try and remedy this defect. Here in Kerry they had not so much reason to complain on that point, for the captain of the premier team, while engaged in the usual county ties, went up the Dublin and walked away with the all-round championship (applause). But he was, nevertheless, aware that J.P. O Sullivan was always of the opinion that what he had referred to should be remedied. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that when the time came for appointing the new board, they would appoint men who would devote as much of their attention to the interests of the association as the present County Board had done and, as their respected president had been doing ever since he was elected by the unanimous wish of the Gaels of Kerry in 1889 (applause).

J. P. O Sullivan (Laune Rangers) seconded the adoption of the report and endorsed all that Mr. O Brien had said. The report was unanimously adopted. The apparently unnecessary and highly objectionable delay in fixing the final of the All-Ireland matches was sharply criticised and, on the motion of J.P. O Sullivan, seconded by J. Brosnan, Tralee, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: ‘That we postpone the election of County Executive until after the playing of the All-Ireland matches and we think it better not to affiliate to the Central Council for 1893 until those matches will have been played, which we consider should not be later than the second Sunday in February.’

Dan P. Murphy (Laune Rangers) spoke of the hardship inflicted on the association by guarantees of injury to rolling-stock, which was never done by members of the association. He proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by Michael Hanlon, Tralee, and unanimously adopted: ‘That we respectfully solicit the G.S. & W Company not to insist on the rolling-stock guarantee for Gaelic excursions as it discourages the promoters of such excursions and was originally imposed on account of damage done to the Company’s property, which was not committed by members of the GAA.’

The following resolution was proposed by William O Brien (Laune Rangers), seconded by Jack Quane, Kilmoiley, and unanimously adopted: ‘That we respectfully request the Great Southern and Western Railway Company and the Waterford and Limerick Railway Company to extend to delegates to Gaelic local and general conventions the same privilege as they extend to athletes – that of travelling at special rates – as those delegates travel to conventions with the purpose of organising athletic tournaments, which are considerable sources of revenue to these companies.’

On the motion of William O Brien, seconded by Denis Bunyan, Tralee, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: ‘That the recurrent and general violation of the rule, which restricts the playing of football and hurling matches to stated periods of the year is, in our opinion and for the following reasons, a cause of serious injury to the GAA – that it injuriously affects the sports of the association by, in very many cases, preventing general athletic training; that ultimately it creates a reaction against football and hurling, which diminishes the number of clubs, as teams become disgusted with the necessity of playing through the whole year, as  those teams do at present who take part in the inter-county contests; that it necessitates the postponement of the general and local conventions and we, therefore, consider it our duty to direct the attention of the Gaels, who will constitute the convention of 1893, to the necessity of devising a means to correct this irregularity.’

It was decided to get up a tournament in aid of the expenses of the Killorglin team in the final of the All-Ireland, and J.P. O Sullivan, captain of the club, generously offered two silver cups for the competition between Kilmoily and Ballyduff in hurling, and Ballymacelligott and Keel in football, the matches to be played in Tralee on the first Sunday in February and the gate receipts to go to the Rangers. William O Brien, Dan P. Murphy and Thomas Slattery were elected as delegates to the Thurles Convention.

The convention unanimously decided on postponing the appointment of an executive until the All-Ireland Championships of 1892 had been played. That was practically a vote of censure, and indeed not an undeserved one, on the Central Executive for their action in so long and apparently so needlessly delaying the playing of the finals.

 

The adjourned Co. Convention re-convened on Thurs. 13^th April in the Hibernian Hotel, Tralee. Laune Rangers were represented by J.P. O Sullivan, Pat Teahan and William O Brien. In the course of his address, Thomas Slattery, President, said that he was glad to see that the reverse, which their gallant football champions, Laune Rangers, had met in Dublin, had not the slightest effect in damping their enthusiastic ardour, in the interest they took in the success of the association (hear, hear). Though they were not awarded the All-Ireland honours, it was plain that the successful team were not their superiors and, if they got a fair field and fair play, it was the unanimous opinion of every Gael in Kerry that they would have borne the laurels of victory back to the Old Kingdom (applause).

Thomas Slattery, having vacated the chair, proposed J.P. O Sullivan as president. The latter declined and Thomas Slattery was unanimously re-elected. The other officers elected were as follows: Joint-Secretaries – Dan P. Murphy (Laune Rangers) and Denis Bunyan (Tralee), Treasurer – Michael Hanlon (Tralee). Delegates to the Thurles Convention – Dan P. Murphy and William O Connell, Delegate to Central Council – Dan P. Murphy.

Committee – William O Connell (Kilmoiley), James McDonnell, R.J. Moriarty (Annascaul), Pat O Brien (Keel), J.P. O Sullivan (Laune Rangers), Pat Teahan (do.), T.T. O Connor (Cordal) and James O Leary (Killarney).

 

Sun. 18^th June at Castleisland, Co. Senior Football Championship: Castleisland 0-0; Ballymac 2-3.

J.P. O Sullivan refereed the game with firmness and impartiality.

 

The population of Kerry in 1893 was 179,136.

 

The regatta held in Cromane on Sunday 21^st Sept. afforded an excellent day’s sport and was the means of establishing the annual regatta in the place as the course and view of it were as fine as could be desired by the competitors and the public. Though the appointment originated from the friendly contests of the fishermen, and was made on a very short notice and on a consequently limited programme, the keenest of interest was taken in it by the public and an immense crowd gathered on the beach in the afternoon to witness the contests. All the fishing districts inside Rossbeigh were represented in the ‘Bankers’ races, which were pluckily contested and with order and fair play. The best event on the programme was the race between the Killorglin Laune Rowing Club crew and the Cromane men, who rowed in the club’s six-oared boat, Waterwitch, given to them for the occasion. The sea was pretty high during the race, and the Cromane crew, being more accustomed to rowing in such weather, got away easily in the start and, at the halfway barrel, were a clear four lengths ahead. In turning, the Killorglin cox (J. Coffey) cleverly gained the greater part of that distance and a most exciting race home, in which both boats were on perfectly even terms for a mile, left the Killorglin men the winners by two lengths. Mr. R.A. Dodd acted as judge and starter. Results:

1^st Race, the ‘Bankers’ (Prize £3) – 1^st P. Reilly’s ‘Bridget’, 2^nd J. McKenna’s ‘Laune Ranger’ and 3^rd Dan Teahan’s ‘Conway’. 18 competed.

2^nd Race, for sailing boats (Prize £3) – 1^st T. Moroney’s ‘Julius Sayser’, 2^nd Philip Mack’s ‘Jollification’ and 3^rd T. McKenna’s ‘Lugg Leigh’. 10 competed.

3^rd Race, for six-oared boats (Prize, a cup, value £5) – 1^st Killorglin Rowing Club and 2^nd Cromane.

4^th Race, for fishing boats (Prize £3) – 1^st J. McKenna’s ‘Laune Ranger’, 2^nd P. Reilly’s ‘Shule Aroon’ and 3^rd Dan Teahan’s ‘Hirondelle’. 25 boats competed.

 

The Killorglin regatta was held on Wed.25^th Oct. and, despite very threatening weather in the early part of the day, was in every respect an unqualified success. The interest in the club races suffered from the absence of competitors from outside, as it was expected that the Aghadoe club would send two of their crews to compete for the open events with the home crews. Several events on the programme, however, were well contested, and were in every instance sent off punctually by the efficient judge and starter, Mr. R. A. Dodd. The results were as follows:

1^st Race: (Club race for four-oared boats, open) – winner: Mist. Prize – Cup value £4.

2^nd Race: (fishing boats double banked) – winner £3: P. Flynn’s Laune Ranger; second £1: F. Twiss’s Thunderer.

3^rd Race: (Club race for six-oared boats, open) – winner £5: second: Waterwitch. Two competed.

4^th Race: (fishing boats) – winner £3: P. Flynn’s Champion; second £1: F. Twiss’s Thunderer.

5^th Race: (Club Race for crews belonging to Killorglin Laune Rowing Club) – winner £4: Waterwitch. Three competed.