Maryborough’s First Game
Taken from C’mon The Town Portlaoise G.A.A. 1887-2016 by Teddy Fennelly and Brian Delaney
Maryborough’s first reported game in the Leinster Express was a friendly match with the recently formed Portarlington football team on Sunday, 4 November 1888.
The report stated that “the pitch is situate close to Messrs Odlum’s mill and adjoining the railway station”. Maryborough won by 1-6 to nil. Local man, George Copeland, was referee and he performed his duties “to the satisfaction of all concerned”.
The visitors were hospitably entertained after the match by the Portarlington team in the “Dramatic Room” of the Catholic Young Men’s Society, “and left after spending a most enjoyable evening’s sport amidst cheers for the GAA”.
Maryborough v Portarlington
MARYBOROUGH 1-6
PORTARLINGTON 0-2
On Sunday last the Maryborough Gaels journeyed to Portarlington to meet the recently formed Portarlington Football team and were warmly received by their hosts at the rooms of the Catholic Young Men's Society.
The field of play was situated close to Messrs. Odlum's mill and, owing to the recent wet weather, the ground was somewhat heavy. Play commenced at about 3.15 p.m., with the wind slightly in favour of the visitors.
Maryborough soon placed a point to their credit and continued to hold the advantage until half-time was called, the ball rarely leaving their opponents' ground.
In the second half the visitors started with an advantage accidentally given them by the referee, from which, however, they failed to score.
During the remainder of the game the Portarlington men played with determination and, through several promising attacks, came close to scoring, but the splendid defence of the visitors repeatedly thwarted their efforts.
Result: Maryborough 1 goal and 6 points, Portarlington 2 points.
Mr. Copeland of Portarlington discharged the duties of referee to the satisfaction of all concerned.
The visitors were hospitably entertained after the match by the Portarlington team in the Dramatic Room of the Catholic Young Men's Society and left after spending a most enjoyable evening amid mutual expressions of goodwill.
The First Local Rivalry
The next match reported was Maryborough against Clonad in a game played on a field at Meelick kindly let by Mr. M. Corcoran, Maryborough, on Sunday, 18 November 1888.
This was the first recorded clash between local clubs that became intense rivals in the hurling code many years later.
The report was critical of some of the Clonad tactics and, to an extent, the referee, who was not named.
“It is regretted that during the first half, some of the Clonad men exhibited a spirit little short of rowdyism, which was near bringing the match to an abrupt termination. Too much cannot be said against this sort of conduct which, we believe, it is intended to bring before the county committee. We cannot conclude without remarking that captains of clubs ought to be sure in appointing a person to be referee that he sufficiently understands the rules and practice of the game to enable him to discharge in a proper manner his onerous duties.”
January 1889 Fixtures
The next games mentioned in the Leinster Express were fixed for Sunday, 13 January 1889, when there was a triple fixture at the Maryborough club’s grounds.
The home side played Portarlington in an “A” team clash followed by a juvenile game.
First Reported Hurling Match
The Maryborough hurlers had their first ever reported outing against Ballytarsna.
In the football game, which was a return fixture, Maryborough again came out on top against their rivals but much improvement could be seen in the Portarlington side.
“was a perfect treat … Portarlington with a little experience will not have to be content with being worsted as they have the requisites to become a first-class team.”
The home side won by 0-5 to nil and John McGuire, Captain of the Maryborough Hurling Club, was referee.
Names mentioned as outstanding were King, Tehan, J. T. Whelan, N. Maher and R. P. Fennell, captain.
“All other men did their work excellently from the time the ball went a rolling until the whistle finally sounded, a series of ‘scrummages’ ensued.”
McEvoy and Dwan played best for the visitors.
Ballytarsna had run county champions Rathdowney close in the previous year’s championship and were considered far too experienced for a novice Maryborough side.
The visitors eventually won by 2-6 to nil after a very satisfactory and sporting game.
R. P. Fennell was referee and field umpires were Mr. Phelan, Rushall, and E. Burke, Maryborough.
W. Fitzpatrick, James Reilly and P. Whelan “rendered good service” for Maryborough.
Team captain McGuire “is to be congratulated on the plucky performance by his men on their first appearance”.
Juvenile Fixture
The juvenile game was a close affair in which Maryborough just came out on top by two points to one.
Gallagher and Kennedy were names mentioned. McGuire was referee and field umpires were Mr. W. King, Maryborough, and Mr. T. Hargroves, Portarlington.
After the Match
The visitors were entertained by the home teams at the Town Hall.
These early reports provide a fascinating glimpse into the beginnings of organised Gaelic Games in Maryborough, later Portlaoise, and highlight the enthusiasm, rivalry and community spirit that would help shape the club for generations to come.
Ballytarsna v Maryborough
The next on the field were the hurlers, and the excitement which their appearance gave rise was intense. The visitors were from Ballytarsna, while the home side was the newly formed Maryborough club, which, being only in its infancy, could not be expected to make much impression against a more experienced opponent.
The match was a good one and what made it even more pleasing was the absence of all disagreement.
In the first half of the play the Maryborough team seemed a little timid and the visitors were apparently confident, but how and then the latter got enough to do.
The second portion of the game did not prove so fortunate for the visitors as the first, as the Maryborough men seemed to take fresh courage, though they could not secure anything to their advantage.
For the visitors, Carroll, Phelan and Collier deserve special mention, while for the home team W. Fitzpatrick, James Reilly and P. Whelan rendered some very good service.
The captain, McGuire, of the Maryborough Hurling Club is to be congratulated on the plucky manner in which his men performed on their first appearance.
When the final whistle sounded, the Ballytarsna team were in possession of two goals and six points to nil.
Mr. P. Fennell, captain of the Maryborough Football Club, acted as referee. Field umpires were Messrs. Phelan, Rushall and E. Burke.
Portarlington (2nd) and Maryborough (2nd)
The juveniles then took possession of the field and a football match ensued, resulting in a gain for the Maryborough team by two points to one.
The match was keenly contested and created a great deal of excitement. Lively tussling was the order of play whenever the ball was loose.
The visitors eventually forced play into the home side's territory and secured a point, but this only stirred the Maryborough boys into action. Gallagher made a splendid kick-off which was neatly received by Kennedy, much to the satisfaction of the spectators.
The scores remained level for a time and the ball scarcely left the visitors' ground until the game was played out.
Mr. J. McGuire, captain of the Maryborough Hurling Club, again performed the duties of referee. The field umpires were Mr. W. King for Maryborough and Mr. T. Hargroves for Portarlington.
The visitors were hospitably entertained by the home teams in the Town Hall and, after spending a most enjoyable day, departed amid the cheers and good wishes of their opponents.