1946

Laune Rangers – 1946

 

Still smarting from the disappointment of the previous year, the Laune Rangers Club broke up. However, a few individuals, obviously driven by their love of the game, strove to carry on. Amongst those were Mike Joy, Paddy Foley and James Curtin. The club was represented at the East-Kerry Annual Convention in Jan. and the collection for the Kerry Training Fund was taken up prior to the drawn All-Ireland Final. Nevertheless, though there was plenty of activity in Milltown, Castlemaine, Keel, Listry and Beaufort, there was no football activity in Killorglin until towards the end of the year. Then in the Killorglin Notes in the Kerryman of Sat. 9^th Nov. the following appeared, ‘Though last season’s reverse almost quenched forever the fire of enthusiasm that had sprung to life in the local club, the embers of that enthusiasm are still alive as was evidenced by the second defeat of Caragh Lake by the local team on Sunday (3^rd Nov.) Perhaps the suggestion of Castlemaine fielding a county (Championship) team, recruited from the neighbouring districts (that suggestion had been made by P.F.) is the very thing that may fan the embers to flames again for an effort is being made this week to revive and reorganise the Laune Rangers.’

 

Co. Senior Football Championship

9 teams entered for the Co. Senior Football Championship, Iveragh, Austin Stack’s, Legion, Dick Fitzgerald’s, Castleisland, John Mitchel’s, Dingle, Shannon Rangers and Kerins O Rahilly’s. The teams were divided into three groups of three. Some Killorglin players played with Dick Fitzgerald’s.

 

Rd. 1 on Sun. 28^th April at Fitzgerald Stadium: Dick Fitzgerald’s 4-4; Castleisland 0-7.

It was a somewhat extraordinary game for half an hour or so. Fitzgerald’s, enjoying a pronounced territorial advantage, could make no impression on the Island defence in the first half, while Castleisland, in sporadic raids, chalked up five points in effortless fashion. On the resumption, however, things began to happen. T. Marshall shot to the net twice in a couple of minutes. Brendan Kelliher and Teddy O Connor (2) followed with three points and Paddy Burke shook the net with a rasper from close range. Thereafter, the game petered out as Fitzgerald’s won as they pleased.

Dick Fitzgerald’s: D. Cronin (goal), Seamus Daly, Bill Myers, Tom Lynch, Paddy Moynihan, Gerald Teahan, F.J. O Sullivan, Teddy O Connor, Dan Kavanagh, Jim Marshall, Brendan Kelliher, Derry Burke, Mick Spring, Paddy Burke, Liam O Riordan. Sub: Con Sheehan for M. Spring.

Castleisland: E. Devane (goal), D. Collins, Tom McElligott, S. McCarthy, Martin McCarthy, C. Murphy, P. Griffin, Tadhg Prendiville, Willie Lyons (capt.), Jackie Griffin, S. Fitzgerald, J. Maloney, J. Kerins, M. Murphy, D. Griffin.

 

Rd. 2 on Sun. 12^th May at Austin Stack Park: John Mitchel’s 0-7; Dick Fitzgerald’s 1-9.

Fitzgerald’s played inspired football, that had no frills but plenty of grand fielding, long, strong kicking and a will to win that was unbreakable. Gerald Teahan had one of his best games ever. He was everywhere in that second defence line and he gave Mitchels’ main hope, O Donnell, little scope. Derry Burke and Teddy O Connor always had an edge at midfield. Full-forward Paddy Burke gave Joe Keohane an hour of worries. It was hard to pick a flaw in that Fitzgerald’s team.

Dick Fitzgerald’s: D. Cronin (goal), Bill Myers, Seamus Daly, Tom Lynch, Paddy Moynihan, Gerald Teahan, F.J. O Sullivan, Derry Burke, Teddy O Connor, Dan Kavanagh, Brendan Kelliher, D. Connell, P. Sexton, Paddy Burke, Tim Keogh. Sub: Liam O Riordan for P. Sexton (inj.).

John Mitchel’s: Liam McCarthy, Tadhg Healy, Joe Keohane, Paddy McSheedy, D. Donoghue, Carl O Sullivan, E. Cleary, Simon Deignan, Miley Hurley, Johnny O Sullivan, Bruddy O Donnell, Paddy Donoghue (capt.), Frank O Keeffe, S. Donoghue, Eddie Dunne.

 

Semi-final on Sun. 14^th July at Killarney: Dick Fitzgerald’s 1-5; Legion 0-4.

Legion objected to the constitution of the Dick Fitzgerald’s team. – they maintained that Jim Joy had played rugby in Dublin. It was agreed that the matter would not be discussed until after the All-Ireland series. Then the Co. Board, at its meeting on Sat 13the Nov, upheld Legion’s objection but ordered the game to be replayed. Dick Fitzgerald’s appealed unsuccessfully to the Munster Council. The game was never replayed.

Dick Fitzgerald’s: J.F. Fitzgerald, Dan JoeO Keeffe (Rathmore) goals, Bill Myers, Jim White, Paddy Moynihan, Tom Lynch, Gerald Teahan, Teddy O Connor, Dan Kavanagh, Derry Burke, Brendan Kelliher, Jim Joy (formerly of Laune Rangers), Donal McMonagle, Paddy Burke, Tim Keogh.

Legion: Tommy Cooper, Dinny Lyne, Jimmy Fleming, Tim Hurley, Michael O Connor, Jackie Lyne, Denis Bailey, John Murphy, Tom Spillane, Teddy O Sullivan, Micksie Palmer, Teddy Lyne, Gerald O Sullivan, Donal Brosnan, Mikey Lyne.

 

Legion, captained by Mikey Lyne, went on to win the Co. Championship. The final was not played until 13^th April 1947 and Legion beat John Mitchels by 0-7 to 0-5.

 

Munster/All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

 

Rd. 1 on Sun. 2^nd June at Killarney: Kerry 1-8; Cork 1-4.

Kerry: Danno Keeffe, Dinny Lyne, Paddy Bawn Brosnan, Gerald Teahan, N. Donoghue, Bill Casey, Eddie Walsh, Teddy O Connor, Eddie Dowling, Jack Falvey, Tom Gega O Connor, Batt Garvey, Jackie Lyne, Paddy Burke, Paddy Kennedy.

Cork: M. Driscoll, D. Magner, P. Weeshie Murphy, C. Crosse, P. Creedon, Tadhg Crowley, H. O Neill, F. Donovan, Eamonn Young, D. Murphy, T. O Driscoll, Togher Casey, Jack Lynch, Jim Cronin, Derry Beckett.

 

Semi-final on Sun. 7^th July at Ennis: Clare 0-7; Kerry 1-6.

Paddy Burke scored 3 points (one in the first half). He played a vital part in the goal that won that tight game. A high ball into the Clare goal-mouth was well fielded by the fullback. However, he was bottled up by Gerald Teahan, who had moved to corner forward. Paddy Burke grabbed the breaking ball and found Jackie Lyne, who goaled.

Kerry: Danno Keeffe, Dinny Lyne, Bill Myers, Charlie Coughlan, Charlie O Connor, Bill Casey, Eddie Walsh, Gerald Teahan, Teddy O Connor, Jack Falvey, William O Donnell, Batt Garvey, Jackie Lyne, Paddy Burke, Paddy Kennedy.

 

Final on Sun. 21^st July at Tralee: Kerry 2-15; Waterford 2-2.

Paddy Burke was in devastating form and every time he secured possession, he was fouled and Tom Gega O Connor pointed the free kicks.

Kerry: Danno Keeffe, Denny Lyne, Tom McElligott, Eddie Walsh, C. O Sullivan, Gerald Teahan, Batt Garvey, Teddy O Connor, Eddie Dowling, Jackie Falvey, Dan Kavanagh, Tom O Connor, Jackie Lyne, Paddy Burke, Paddy Kennedy.

Waterford: M. Landers, W. McGrath, M. Coffey, K. Kiely, P. Fitzgerald, T.Veale, J. Baily, J. Goode, K. Whelan, T. McGrath, F. Farrelly, J. Power, J. Veale, T. Curran, A. Fleming.

 

All-Ireland Semi-final on Sun. 18^th Aug. at Croke Park: Kerry 2-7; Antrim 0-10.

Gerald Teahan played at right halfback, Teddy O Connor at left halfback and Paddy Burke at full-forward. The Antrim Co. Board objected in vain to the Central Council against, what they called, the rough tactics of the Kerry players.

 

Final on Sun. 6^th Oct. at Croke Park: Kerry 2-4; Roscommon 1-7.

Due to the inclement weather and the consequent bad harvest, the All-Ireland Final had been deferred to give the farmers a chance. Roscommon dominated the first half after which they led by 1-5 to 0-1. Paddy Burke scored a point after the resumption. Then, with time running out and with Kerry two goals in arrears, Paddy Kennedy passed to Paddy Burke. He was tackled at once by Casserley, but he swerved past him and sent a low punt past Dolan to the net. That sparked the revival. Teddy O Connor took a sideline kick about 30 yards from the Roscommon goals. His kick found Tom Gega O Connor and he sent a great shot just under the crossbar for the equalising score.

Kerry: Danno Keeffe, Denny Lyne, Joe Keohane, Paddy Bawn Brosnan, Teddy O Connor, Bill Casey, Eddie Walsh, Gus Cremins (capt.), Dan Kavanagh, Willie O Donnell, Paddy Kennedy, Batt Garvey, Jackie Lyne, Paddy Burke, Tom O Connor.

Roscommon: G. Dolan, W. Jackson, J. Casserley, O. Hoare, B. Lynch, Bill Carlos, T. Collins, P. Murray, E. Boland, Frank Kinlough, Jimmy Murray, Donal Keenan, J. McQuillan, J. J. Fallon, J. J. Nerney.

 

Replay on Sun. 27^th Oct. at Croke Park:  Kerry 2-8; Roscommon 0-10.

Kerry: Danno Keeffe, Denny Lyne, Joe Keohane, Paddy Bawn Brosnan, Jackie Lyne, Bill Casey, Eddie Walsh, Teddy O Connor, Paddy Kennedy (capt.) 0-1, Jackie Falvey, Tom ‘Gega’ O Connor (1-4), Batt Garvey (0-2), Frank O Keeffe, Paddy Burke (1-0), Dan Kavanagh. Sub: Gus Cremin (0-1) for J. Falvey. Gerald Teahan was a substitute. Paddy Burke never played thereafter. He received an injury that day, which, doctors said, led to his death twenty years later. That win was Kerry’s sixteenth senior title.

 

Munster/All-Ireland Minor Football

 

Rd. 1 on Sun. 2^nd June at Killarney: Kerry 0-8; Cork 1-5.

Replay on Sun. 23^rd June at Cork: Cork 1-3; Kerry 1-8.

Kerry: Pat Joe Ryan (Austin Stacks), Benny O Sullivan (Castlemaine), Larry O Connor (Dingle), Donie Murphy (Legion), Tom Moriarty (Castlegregory), Johnny O Sullivan (John Mitchels), John Joe Sheehan (Farranfore), Tom Ashe (Dingle), Donal Regan (John Mitchels), Paddy Godley (Ballyheigue), John O Brien (Killarney), Liam O Riordan (Laune Rangers), John Courtney (Castlegregory), P. Lawlor, S. Curtin.

 

Semi-final on Sun. 7^th July at Ennis: Kerry 4-3; Limerick 0-1.

Liam O Riordan had been selected at right full-forward but he did not play.

 

Kerry went on to win the Munster and All-Ireland titles. Liam O Riordan did not figure on the panel.

 

Munster/All-Ireland Junior Football Championship

 

Semi-final on Sun. 26^th May at Listowel: Kerry 6-12; Tipperary 3-3.

Kerry: Liam Fitzgerald (A. Stack’s), Seamus O Connor (Cahersiveen), Tom McElligott (Castleisland), Nicholas O Donoghue (John Mitchel’s), Paddy Moynihan (Fitzgerald’s), Ned Lyons (Shannon Rangers), J. Scannell (Dingle), Derry Burke (Fitzgerald’s), Gus Cremins (Shannon Rangers), Teddy O Connor (Fitzgerald’s), Eddie Dowling (Shannon Rangers), Teddy O Sullivan (Legion), Tom Long (Dingle), Paddy Burke (Fitzgerald’s), Jackie Griffin (Castleisland). Subs: John Murphy (Legion), Mick Finucane (Shannon Rangers), Christy Hourigan (A. Stack’s), Mick McElligott (Shannon Rangers), Tadhg Prendiville (Castleisland), J. Kennedy (Dingle).

 

Final on Sun. 28^th July at Cork: Cork 1-7; Kerry 3-3.

Derry Burke played at midfield.

 

All-Ireland Semi-final on Sun. 25^th Aug. at Carrick-on-Shannon: Leitrim 2-9; Kerry 2-6.

 

Administration/Miscellany

 

Dan O Rourke, Ros Comáin, was elected as Uachtarán CLG.

At the Annual Congress in City Hall, Dublin, it was decided that each county should have a representative on the Central Council.

 

Canon Michael Hamilton, An Clár, was Chairman of the Munster Council, Seán McCarthy, Ciarrai, was Secretary, and Willie Hough, Luimneach, was Treasurer.

 

Co. Convention was held on Sun. 27^th Jan. in the Courthouse, Tralee. Election of officers: Chairman – Din Joe Baily, Vice-Chairmen – Chairmen of the District Boards, Secretary – Micheal Ó Ruairc, Treasurers – Con Clifford and John Moran, Delegates to Munster Council – John Joe Sheehy and Con Brosnan, Delegate to Central Council – Mícheál Ó Ruairc. Laune Rangers Club was not represented.

 

The East-Kerry Convention was held on Sun. 6^th Jan. 1946. Election of Officers: Chairman – Tom Lynch, Vice-Chairman – Eddie Joe Moynihan, J. O Leary, M. O Callaghan, Bill Myers, R. Good, Secretary – Jack O Shea, Treasurer – Pat O Meara., Delegates to Co. Board – Martin Wade and Danny O Sullivan. Laune Rangers Club was represented by Rev. Father Michael Casey and Sean Moriarty.

 

The Co. Board instituted an Inter-Divisional Gold Medal Competition in order to help the selectors to pick the Co. Senior team. There were four teams, East-Kerry, North-Kerry, West-Kerry and Mid-Kerry (Tralee/Castleisland). Sun. 31^st March at Tralee – Mid-Kerry 4-6; East-Kerry 1-5. Gerald Teahan played at fullback for East-Kerry, Teddy O Connor at midfield and Paddy Burke at full-forward. Sun. 7^th April at Tralee – East-Kerry 1-9; North-Kerry 1-3. Gerald Teahan played at right fullback, Derry Burke and Teddy O Connor played at midfield.

 

Murt Kelly again played with Dublin in 1946, at the age of 35. Against Laois on Sun. 19^th May in the Leinster Senior Football Championship, he had to retire with a knee injury and Dublin was beaten.

 

The Kerry minor football team beat Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final on Sun. 25^th Aug. at Tralee on the score of 3-5 to 2-3. In the final, on 6^th Oct., against Dublin, Kerry staged an amazing second-half rally and turned seeming defeat into a great victory. The final score was 3-7 to 2-3. That was Kerry’s fourth minor success.

 

Contributors from Killorglin to the Kerry Team Training Fund included Timothy ‘Chub’ O Connor (£1), Tod Mulvihill (£1), Saggart (£1), Jack O Dwyer (10/-), James Curtin (10/-), T. McGillycuddy (10/-), Seamus Roche N.T (5/-), Pat O Leary, Caragh Lake (5/-), Mike Joy (5/-), Tom O Connor, Lower Bridge St. (5/-), Paddy Foley, Iveragh Road (5/-), James O Regan (5/-), Joan O Connor, Ardmoniel (5/-). The total collection amounted to £9-5-0.

 

A Milltown football enthusiast wrote the following on the train returning from the Kerry-Antrim semi-final:

The Boy from Milltown.

“The full-forward for Kerry strode onto the field,

Green and gold were his colours, to no back would he yield,

To play for the Kingdom and bring home the crown,

So three cheers for our forward – young Burke from Milltown.

 

Unassuming and easy, he plays the game fair,

As his hands shoot aloft for a ball in the air,

And Teddy, he’d watch him as he sends a free down,

To be caught by our forward – young Burke from Milltown.

 

The ball now he has it, and tries to break free,

To place Jackie Lyne or his friend Kennedy,

But again he’s surrounded, fouled and brought down,

‘Tis a free for the Kingdom, thro’ Burke from Milltown.

 

The crowd started cheering, ‘Up Kerry!’ again,

That goal was a dandy, like a shot it went in,

And with Danno defending, the team shares the crown,

So hurrah for the Kingdom and the boy from Milltown.”

 

For the All-Ireland final on Sun. 6^th Oct. despite the break-up of the Laune Rangers Club, Killorglin was wholeheartedly backing the Kerry colours. The exodus from the town included eight cars, a considerable number left by train on Friday and sixty-five boarded the ‘ghost train’ on Saturday night.

 

North-Kerry Emmets won the Co. Intermediate Football Championship by beating Currow in the final by 1-10 to 1-8 on Sun. 17^th Nov.

 

Kerry won the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship by defeating Dublin on the score 3-7 to 2-3.

Kerry: Pat Joe Ryan (Austin Stacks), James McCarthy (Castleisland), Benny O Sullivan (Castlemaine), Donie Murphy (Legion)), Johnny O Sullivan (John Mitchels), John Joe Sheehan (Farranfore), Seamus Fenton (Ventry), Tom Ashe (Dingle), Tom Moriarty (Castlegregory), Paudso O Sullivan (John Mitchels), Donal Regan (do.), Michael ‘Haulie’ Lynch (do.), Johnny O Brien (Killarney), Gerald Madden (John Mitchels), Paddy Godley (Ballyheigue). Subs: Larry O Connor (Dingle), John Courtney (Castlegregory), Dan Enright (Moyvane), Gearoid O Byrne (Killarney), James Griffin (Kerins O Rahillys).

 

Tues. 8^th Jan. the initial meeting of Killorglin Coursing Club was held in the Carnegie Hall. Gerard Foley, Anglont, presided. There were about fifty coursing fans present and the following officers were elected: Vice-President – Danny Lyons, Secretary – James Curtin, Joint Treasurers – T. Mangan and J. Conway, Chairman – Father Michael Casey. Committee – P. Diggin, M. O Dwyer, D. O Dwyer, P. J. Houlihan, John Joe Falvey, T. Flynn, O. Grady, P. Corkery, P. Walsh, B. Houlihan, J. Moriarty, F. Clifford, S. Corkery and J. Clifford. Members were requested to examine the area around Killorglin, with a view to obtaining a suitable site for a coursing-grounds. Some time later, they selected a field on Pete Moroney’s land at Reen. The field measured, from slip to escape, some six hundred yards, with plenty of width. There was a gentle gradient for the last one hundred yards to the escape, affording a grand gallop over firm turf in any weather. The coursing meeting was held in November.

 

The standard of ploughing at the Killorglin Ploughing Match in January was, in many instances, very high. Great interest was taken in a demonstration of the ‘Iron Horse’ by M. D. O Shea, Killarney. The results were as follows:

Best Pair of Horses – Michael Doyle, Meanus.

Class 1 – 1^st John Murphy, Aughascreen, Killarney; 2^nd Brendan Kissane, Ardfert; 3^rd Michael Doyle, Meanus.

Class 2 – 1^st Larry Quinlan, Castleisland, 2^nd Eugene Mangan, Dromin.

Class 3 – 1^st Noel Breen, Beaufort, 2^nd William Doyle, Meanus, 3^rd Mossie Joy, Annadale.

Class 4 – Joseph Slattery, Ardfert, 2^nd T. F. Joy, Ardragh, 3^rd Finian Harty, Ardfert.

 

In March, Father D. J. Finucane was appointed Parish Priest of Killorglin parish.

 

‘It is most essential that something should be done to forward the Gaelic ideal and Gaelic culture and to restore the Irish language,’ said Rev. Father Michael Casey, when he promised the Gaelic League his full support at their meeting in Killorglin on Tues. 16^th April. Among those present were Rev. Father Sheehan, Muiris de Róiste B. A., Seán Ó Mongáin N. T., Úna Nic Choluim O. S., Mícheál Ó Donnchadha O. S., Máirín Ní Sheaghdha and Seán Ó Seaghdha.

 

On Sun. 22^nd Sept. weather conditions were favourable for the holding of the Annual Caragh Lake Regatta. There was a fair attendance, all the events were keenly contested and Captain Kelly was a most capable starter and judge. Results:

3-oar Pleasure Boat Race – 1^st the O Rahilly brothers with Tim Dwyer as cox, 2^nd J. O Sullivan, J. Casey and J. Teahan with M. Joy as cox.

Fishermen’s Race (7 men) – 1^st Cromane Lower (P. Sugrue, D. O Sullivan, Michael McEnery, J. Teahan, J. Teahan, J. O Reilly, with Pat McCarthy as cox), 2^nd Upper Cromane (F. O Connor, J. Healy, J. O Connor, Jeremiah Rahilly, James Healy, M. Foley with James Foley as cox).

2-oar Pleasure Boat Race – 1^st The O Rahilly brothers with Tim Dwyer as cox, 2^nd G. McGillycuddy, D. McGillycuddy with Phil McGillycuddy as cox.

3-oar Pleasure Boat Race – 1^st the McGillycuddy brothers with M. Joy as cox, 2^nd the O Rahilly brothers with Tim Dwyer as cox.

Fishermen’s Race (5 men) – 1^st Lower Cromane (Dan McCarthy, J. P. Lyne, P. McCarthy, Jim Casey with  Paddy McCarthy as cox), 2^nd Upper Cromane (M. Foley, Jeremiah Rahilly, J. Healy, D. Healy with Pat Casey as cox).

Sculling Race – 1^st John Cummins, 2^nd Phil McGillycuddy.

Two of the three O Rahilly brothers cycled from Glenflesk (27 miles) on the morning of the regatta. Competing in three events, they won two and were close runners-up in a third. Aged 17 and 19 years, they cycled back to Glenflesk that evening.