1902

Laune Rangers – 1902

 

Laune Rangers, captained by Mike Joy, and having reached the Co. Semi-final, refused to play due to a dispute with the Co. Board over travel expenses.

 

Mike Joy played on the Kerry team that lost the replayed Munster Senior Football Championship Final to Tipperary. Paddy Joy was a substitute. The game was not played until November 1903.

 

JP O Sullivan, Firies, was re-elected as Chairman of the Kerry Co. Board.

 

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Co. Senior Football Championship

Sixteen teams entered for the Co. Senior Football Championship, Castleisland, Currans, Cordal, Currow, Laune Rangers, Milltown, Castlegregory, Firies, Keel, Listowel, Tarbert, Tralee, Killarney, Ballylongford, Duagh and Causeway. Again the competition was delayed due to the late completion of the previous year’s championship.

 

Rd. 1 on Sun. 14^th Sept. at Keel: Laune Rangers beat Milltown.

 

Rd. 2 on Sun. 19^th Oct. at Killarney: Laune Rangers 0-6; Firies 0-5.

Firies won the toss and elected to play with a slight breeze in their favour. On the throw-in of the ball, Firies, getting possession, rushed the leather into Killorglin territory and, in less than a minute, registered a point. On the kick-out, some give-and-play resulted. Firies again forced the play but Mike Joy for Killorglin defended splendidly, and succeeded in getting the leather off to the wing and into opposition territory. The Firies backs were then pretty hard-pressed but were equal to the occasion and all of the hard work of the Rangers’ forwards went for nought. Play was then centred in midfield where, after some lively play, Ned Sheehan, for Killorglin, getting possession, landed the ball in front of the Firies goal where, after a slight scrimmage, they scored a point. The score was then even. Firies then took the lead, a minor, after a piece of combination and passing. Killorglin, however, scored another point to leave matters at halftime at 0-2 each.

On the resumption, Firies again pressed and, after some smart play in which Dan McCarthy and T. O Shea were prominent, added a point. Soon after that, they followed with another. A free to Rangers at that stage resulted in a point. Firies looked all over winners and, rushing up the field in a combined and determined manner, broke through the Killorglin lines and added another point to their score. That seemed to put the Rangers on their mettle and, getting possession on the kick-out, they simply rushed their opponents through the goal-posts. Immediately after, Killorglin secured another point, thus equalising matters. The enthusiasm then became very great and, for some time, it looked as if the game would result in a draw. However, the boys from the banks of the Laune braced themselves together and, with one grand effort, annexed the winning point just before the call of time.

Laune Rangers: Mike Joy (capt.), Mick Murphy (Bansha), Paddy Joy (do.), Ned Sheehan (The Square), Tommy Dalton, Patie Coffey (The Square), John Phil Murphy (Lismacfinnan), John O Sullivan (Iveragh Road), James O Regan (Lower Bridge Street), John McGillycuddy (Ardnaknockeen), Patie O Reilly (Steelroe), John Foley, Jeremiah O Donoghue (Langford St.), P. Doherty (Ardmoniel), Flor Doherty (do.), Tom O Connor, John O Connor.

Ref: Eugene O Sullivan (Killarney).

 

Quarter-final on Sun. 30^th Nov. at Tralee: Laune Rangers 0-9; Castleisland 0-0.

That was a one-sided affair. The Killorglin men kept the ball in the Castleisland ground during the entire game. A very good defence was witnessed. In the second half, the Killorglin men tried hard for goals, ignoring points. Ref: Austin Stack (Tralee).

 

Semi-final on Sun. 19^th April 1903 at Killarney: Tralee w/o; Laune Rangers scr.

Laune Rangers failed to attend due a dispute with the Co. Board about travel expenses.

The Co. Chairman, Eugene O Sullivan, wrote the following in the Killarney Echo and South-Kerry Chronicle on Sat. 2^nd May 1903:

“Tralee v Killorglin.

To the Editor.

Dear Sir, Please allow me, through your column, to correct a false impression re the disappointment in connection with above, which is, I understand, prevalent. There has been much grumbling because of the charge at the gate, which charge would, of course, not have been made had we foreseen the fiasco.

It is not, however, with the grumblers, who are more or less justified, that I have to do. It is with a few very honest (?) people who do not scruple to hint that this charge was made while knowing that the match would not take place. Now, that is a most unworthy suspicion and unjust. How should we know that the once famous Laune Rangers meant to shirk the fight.

Save a modest request – through Mr. T.F. O Sullivan – for £5 expenses which, by the way, we treated as a joke and, at which everybody now laughs, we heard nothing more of our friends from Puck. They were promised reasonable expenses and we believed till the last moment they would turn up. Surely no man with half an ounce of commonsense could for a moment think that the Killarney Club, which has done so much to the keep the GAA to the front, would be foolish or mean enough to do such a thing as that hinted – a thing which, if done, would not alone be discreditable to the organisation in general, but would, indeed, very materially injure the club itself.

For the action of our Killorglin friends we are not in the least responsible. They are free to do as they wished, and all I can say is that it grieves one sorely to see the easy indifference with which the welfare of our Gaelic pastimes is regarded by people who, on festive occasions and late at night, talk so loudly of them.”

 

At the Co. Board meeting on Sat. 25^th April, 1903, the Chairman reported that, as referee, he had awarded the Tralee v Killorglin game to the former, as Killorglin had failed to put in an appearance.

 

Michael O Donoghue addressed the Co. Board meeting on Sat. 9^th May 1903 and said the Killorglin players should be allowed fair expenses. The Chairman, Eugene O Sullivan, said that the Killorglin men had asked for £5 expenses to Killarney (for the game versus Tralee in the semi-final of the 1902 Co. Championship), which had been excessive. The Chairman thought that 30s would have been enough. After some discussion, Michael O Donoghue said that as it had been stated that, as the Killorglin team had not turned up, they had funked the match, he wished to say on behalf of the Killorglin team that they were willing to meet the Tralee men for sport at any time and at any place. Thomas O Flaherty replied “I have to say that, for the Tralee men, they will meet their Killorglin friends whenever they wish.”

 

At the Co. Board meeting on Sat. 25^th July, 1903 the 1902 Co. Championship was awarded to Tralee on the proposition of Thomas O Flaherty, Tralee. Tralee (Mitchels), captained by E. Hannifin, had played just one game in the competition and had received three walkovers, including the final.

 

Football Challenge/Tournament Games

 

Challenge on Sun. 8^th June at Tralee: Firies 1-0; Laune Rangers 0-3.

Owing to the number of the players not turning up, several members of Tralee Football Club played on each side.

 

Challenge on Sun. 14^th Sept. at Castlemaine (Junior contest) Boherbue (Tralee) 3-13; Killorglin 0-2.

 

Tournament on Sun. 28^th Sept. at Cahersiveen: Tralee 0-7; Laune Rangers 0-1.

Laune Rangers: Michael O Donoghue (goal), Moss Curtin, Danny O Lyons, Mike Joy (capt.), Paddy Joy, Garvey, Tommy Dalton, Patie Coffey, Ned Sheehan, Dan Hayes, Mick Murphy, John O Connor, Michael Sheehy, Jeremiah O Donoghue, Patie O Reilly.

 

Munster Senior Football Championship (1902)

 

Rd. 1 on Sun. 10^th May 1903 at Cork: Kerry 0-4; Waterford 0-3.

Kerry: Thady Gorman (capt.), James Gorman, Denny Curran, T. Sugrue, Maurice McCarthy, Con Ryan, John Thomas Fitzgerald, Charlie Duggan, Billy Lynch (all Tralee), Tom Looney, Denny Kissane, Dick Fitzgerald, Thady O Keeffe, Tom O Sullivan (all Killarney), M. Horgan, Dan McCarthy (Firies), J. O Sullivan. Mike Joy (Laune Rangers) had been selected on the team and Paddy Joy (Laune Rangers) as a substitute for the backs, but they did not travel.

 

Semi-final on Sun. 9^th Aug. 1903 at Millstreet: Cork 0-3; Kerry 2-7.

Kerry: Eugene O Sullivan (Killarney), Thady O Gorman, Denny Curran, Maurice McCarthy, John Thomas Fitzgerald, T. Sugrue, Edward Hannifin, Charlie Duggan (all Tralee), Dick Fitzgerald, Denny Kissane, Tom O Sullivan (all Killarney), Dan McCarthy (Firies), Paddy Dillon (Killarney), Larry Buckley (Firies), Rody Kirwan (Castleisland), Mike Joy (Laune Rangers), Jack Walsh (Ballylongford). Subs: Con Ryan (Tralee) and Mick Pendy (do.) as backs, Paddy Joy (Laune Rangers) as centre-forward and T.F. Buckley (Listowel) as wing-forward.

 

Final on Sun. 4^th Oct. 1903 at Turner’s Cross, Cork: Kerry 1-4; Tipperary 1-4.

The weather was very favourable and there was a large attendance, the special trains from both Tipperary and Kerry being well patronised. The train from Kerry was very late and that delayed the starting of the match. Kerry should have won the game over and again, as they had the upper hand throughout the greater portion of the game but the forwards utterly failed to make use of the innumerable openings that their backs made for them.

Kerry: Eugene O Sullivan (capt.), Rody Kirwan, J. Walsh, Dinny Kissane, Dick Fitzgerald, Paddy Dillon, Maurice McCarthy, Austin Stack, Thady O Gorman, Charlie Duggan, Larry Buckley, Dan McCarthy, Tom O Sullivan, E. Hannifin, Denny Curran, Mike Joy, John Fitzgerald. Subs: T. F. Buckley (Listowel), Billy Lynch (Tralee), Paddy Joy (Killorglin) as forwards, and Mick Pendy (Tralee) as a back.

 

Final replay on Sun. 1^st Nov. 1903 at Turner’s Cross, Cork: Tipperary 1-6; Kerry 1-5.

Kerry: Eugene O Sullivan (capt.), Tom O Sullivan, Dick Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald, Paddy Dillon, E. Hannifin, Mike Joy, Rody Kirwan, Dan McCarthy, Tom Looney, Dinny Kissane, Charlie Duggan, Jack Walsh, Austin Stack, Maurice McCarthy, Mike Pendy, Denny Curran.

 

Home Final on Sun. 24^th July 1904 at Kilkenny: Dublin (Bray Emmett’s) 0-6; Tipperary 0-5.

 

Administration/Miscellany

 

James Nolan, Cill Coinnigh, was Uachtarán CLG.

At the 16^th Annual Congress in Thurles on Sun. 7^th Dec. it was decided that all matches not finished owing to darkness would be replayed for the full hour. It was also decided by nearly two to one that “Any member of the Association who plays or encourages in any way Rugby or Association football, hockey or any imported game, which is calculated to injuriously affect our National pastimes, be suspended from the Association, and that this resolution apply to all counties in Ireland and England.”

 

The Munster Council officers of 1901 seemed to operate in 1902, although Dick Cummins seemed to have attended only the January meeting. Chairman – Dick Cummins (Tipperary), Secretary – Tom Dooley (Cork), Treasurer – Dan Fraher (Waterford).

 

The Annual Convention of the Kerry Co. Board was held on Sat. 19^th July in the Gaelic League Rooms, the Mall, Tralee. The following officers were elected: President – J.P. O Sullivan (Firies), Secretary – Thomas F. O Sullivan (Listowel), Treasurer – John O Connell (Tralee). 20 clubs were represented at the Convention. Laune Rangers were represented by Michael O Donoghue N.T. and Tom O Donnell M.P. When the latter entered the room, he was received with cheers. He said that it gave him very sincere pleasure to associate himself with the report of their Secretary, Mr. O Sullivan, and to congratulate the Kerry Co. Board on the very substantial balance which they had to their credit at the end of the year (hear, hear). He did not intend to enter into any detailed criticism of the work of the Association as that had already been done, but he agreed with the suggestion that on all occasions criticism should be invited, because an Association that existed without criticism could not be healthy. He thoroughly agreed with the observation of Mr. O Sullivan and with the action of the Association in contributing liberally, as they had done, with the ’98 Memorial movement and kindred National objects (hear, hear). He also referred to the question of temperance and hoped that they would, by every means in their power, endeavour to encourage temperance amongst the members of the Gaelic Athletic Association, and, along with paying the train fares of the different teams entering into the manly contests in the sporting centres of the country, they would also give them a nice, decent lunch and, by doing so, their Association would grow in popularity and certainly their balance sheet would be very considerably improved at the end of the next financial year (loud applause).

 

J.P. O Sullivan refereed the following games:

Hurling Challenge on Sun. 13^th July at Cahersiveen: Lixnaw 2-1; Ardfert 0-3

Football Challenge on Sun. 13^th July at Cahersiveen: Cahersiveen 0-3; Listowel 0-2.

Both of the above games were played to raise funds for the completion of the O Connell Memorial Church.

Football Challenge on Sun. 20th July at Tralee:  Kerry (Tralee) 0-12; Limerick (Gaelic League) 0-0.

That game was played in an effort to raise funds for the Tralee Gaelic League.

Co. Senior Hurling Championship at Tralee: Kilmoyley 2-9; Lixnaw 1-4.

Co. Senior Hurling Championship on Sun. 24^th Aug. at Kenmare: Kenmare beat Tralee.

Co. Senior Football Championship on Sun. 24^th Aug. at Kenmare: Tralee 0-7; Killarney 0-4.

The referee had to abandon the game when the Tralee side left the field, one of their players having been assaulted by a Killarney supporter.

 

J.P. O Sullivan acted as handicapper at the following Sports Meetings during the year:

Sun. 20^th May – Listowel; Tues. 15^th July – Tralee; Mon. 21^st July – Killarney, Thurs. 31^st July – Listowel, Mon. 18^th Aug. – Killarney, Thurs. 20^th Aug. – Killorglin; Thurs. 18^th Sept. – North-Kerry in Listowel.

 

In August/September, J.P. O Sullivan became very seriously ill and, at the Co. Board meeting on 24^th Oct, the following motion was proposed by William O Brien and seconded by Thomas F. O Sullivan; ‘That we express our deep regret at the serious illness of our President, J.P. O Sullivan, and we hope that, at our next meeting, we will enjoy the benefit of his assistance in his old place amongst us.’ However, although he had improved, he still was unable to resume his position was President of the Co. Board by the end of the year.

 

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After a lapse of seven years, the Killorglin regatta was revived on Wed. 15^th Oct. and turned out to be a complete success, chiefly owing to the praiseworthy exertions of Michael Coffey and J. Foley, Killorglin, who had worked very hard during the previous month to bring the matter to a successful issue.

The weather was moderately fine, only a few showers intervening, which did not in any way mar the day’s sport. The course was well chosen on the river Laune, from Killorglin Bridge round Cloon Island and back, winning at the spot from which the start was made.

The principal event of the day was the race between two crews belonging to the Steelroe and Callanfersy fishermen, who were rivals as regards their prowess as oarsmen and, which created a considerable amount of local interest. The Steelroe boat was called the Laune Ranger and the Callanfersy boat the Blackbird. To an excellent start both boats were dispatched by J. Coleman and scarcely had the smell of the powder died away when the Blackbird seemed about showing her tail to the Laune Ranger. The Steelroe boys, however, put on a spurt and soon overhauled their rivals and from that until half the course was traversed the race was most exciting, the friends of both crews lining the banks and urging on their favourites with cheers and waving of shawls and handkerchiefs. On the return journey, both boats had to face the wind and ebbing tide, and it was then that the Laune Ranger crew seemed to tell for, gradually drawing away, they won a most interesting race, amid loud cheers, by about five lengths.

1^st – Steelroe (5 pounds prize) – T. Clifford, J. Costello, M. Sullivan, P. Sheehan and J. McKenna (cox).

2^nd – Callanfersy (2 pounds 10 shillings) – M. & T. O Sullivan, T. Galvin, J. Harmon and J. Conway (cox).

 

On Fri. 25^th April, a convention was held in Killorglin under the auspices of the United Irish League in the League room for the purpose of selecting a Co. Councillor for the Killorglin division. Delegates were present from Tuogh, Listry, Killorglin town, Caragh Lake, Dromin and Kilgobnet (There was one delegate for every 25 voters within the division). James McCrohan, Killorglin, and Thomas Foley, Anglont, were asked to put their names forward but both declined, citing extent of business not allowing them to accept. In the ensuing vote the result was Tom O Donnell M.P – 30; J. Dodd (outgoing) – 19. The result was greeted with a great burst of cheering, as it was perceived as a victory for the U.I.L.

 

The Killorglin Feis was held on Fri. 26^th and Sat. 27^th December. Crowds poured into the town by the excursion trains, which had been run from Tralee and Killarney. In the Market House the dancing competition took place, while the boys’ school-room was devoted to recitation, oratory, story-telling etc. The girls’ school-room contained the competitors in singing. There was a grand total of 300 entrants. The Killorglin contestants fared as follows:

Solo singing (junior females) – 1^st Mary A. Cregan; Unison singing (junior chorus) – 2^nd Killorglin female;

Solo singing (junior male) – 2^nd P. Begley, 3^rd M. Teahan and Michael Begley (tie); Reading – 1^st Michael Riordan; Solo singing (senior male, traditional) – 2^nd P.T. O Sullivan, 3^rd M. O Donoghue; Oratory – 1^st P. Begley; Recitation (senior) – 1^st P.T. O Sullivan; Recitation (junior) – 1^st Michael Begley; Story-telling (senior) – 1^st Patsy Begley; Violin playing (junior females) – Mary Cregan; Eight-hand Reel (senior) – 1^st Na Fianna Oga, Killorglin; Eight-hand Reel (junior) – 1^st Na Siofraí, Killorglin; Four-hand Reel (senior) – 1^st Na Siofraí; Four-hand Reel (junior) – 1^st Muintir McChraidhe, Killorglin, 2^nd Killorglin No. 2;

 

The first Patron of the GAA, Archbishop Thomas Croke of Cashel, died at the age of 78 years.

 

The death occurred on Thurs. 29^th May of Edward ‘Ned’ Harrington, editor and proprietor of the ‘Kerry Sentinel’ newspaper. He was a Nationalist and his paper gave prominence to all things National at the time, including the GAA. Indeed, it could be said that, but for that paper, there would be little known of the activities of the GAA since its foundation in the county.