Kilcotton Awarded the 1929 Senior Hurling Championship

At a meeting of the County Board in April 1930, with Lar Brady presiding, Kilcotton were awarded the 1929 Senior Hurling Championship.

Mr. Fitzpatrick (Kilcotton) asked as to what was the position of the championship. His team had been fixed to play Portlaoighise in the final but they refused to play.

He thought Kilcotton should be declared champions as did many other delegates.

On the proposition of Mr. R. (Bob) O’Keeffe, seconded by Mr. Bergin (Clonad), Kilcotton were awarded the title.

Portlaoise Withdraw from County Competitions

The “Town” footballers had a try-out against Patrician College, Mountrath in February, 1930. Quinlan and Delaney were prominent in the “Town” defence in front of Territt in goal while Loughlin, Redmond and Fennell were others to shine. Patricians won by 1-5 to 1-0.

In protest against the county board’s decision, which forced the club to refuse to play in the county hurling final, despite being county champions, the club set up hurling and football leagues and confined the participation to members.

These are two of the teams that took part:

Otherwise Portlaoise club was dormant during the rest of 1930. Hurling fans not only from the town but countywide were shattered by the loss of such a fine set of hurlers from county competitions. This letter in a local newspaper sums that sense of loss and disappointment.

The Nationalist, 12 April 1930

Dear Sir,

… As an ardent lover of my native county and a zealous supporter of Laoighis teams, I have always taken an interest in the local championships and also in the inter-county championship when Laoighis is involved. But my love is more particularly centred on Portlaoighise. A native of that dear old town and well acquainted with Portlaoighise hurlers, to me their withdrawal from the Leix championships was a saddening blow. It is very sad to see that team withdrawn; that team which I and many other Leix gaels saw foreshadowed a prosperous future not only for the club itself but also for the county.

Anyone who had the pleasure of seeing the winners of the 1928 championship playing in their ties should have been struck with the skill and dash of the young Portlaoighise XV. They possessed that accuracy in striking combined with celerity of movement which are the characteristic of the famous “Rockies” club of Cork. In last year’s championship, in spite their early handicap, they exhibited hurling which was in keeping with the best traditions of the county. What a pity the final was not played!

Let us forget the past and look to the future. I believe that Portlaoighise can be easily won back to the fold by the gentle persuasion of their many friends. In the first place I appeal to Sean Nos to use his influence and persuasive powers to try and avert the threatened destruction of hurling in Portlaoighise. It is not so long ago that the standard of hurling in Portlaoighise was very low. After strenuous effort the standard of the game was raised to that of the highest in the county.

Surely those who took part in this uphill fight are not now going to let (literally) the fruit of their labours rot. Are they going to give their attention to foreign games, whether rugby or soccer? Surely not; for it is inconsistent with the Irish spirit that Irishmen should indulge in the games of the foreigner who for centuries slaughtered and oppressed the noble youths and fair maidens of our land. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. I reasonably conclude that the man who says he is a true Irishman and yet indulges in foreign games – that man is undoubtedly deceiving himself.

I finally appeal to the hurlers themselves – “Larry”, J. Fortune and “Guy” to return once more. The “old timers” are ready to follow you”.

Signed: A deeply interested Gael.

Larry was Larry Cushen, J. Fortune was Jimmy Fortune and “Guy” was Paddy Doran, three hurling icons of the day and the equivalent of “All-Star” hurlers of modern times.

Later in the year, however, the same newspaper had some better news for hurling followers.

The Nationalist, 1 November 1930

Back to the fold

The Hurling and Football Club has been reformed in Portlaoighise and it has been decided to affiliate three teams to the County Board. John Dunne is senior hurling captain, D. Coss is in charge of the junior caman wielders and J. Fortune is captain of the junior football team. Messrs Delaney and Kavanagh are secretary and treasurer respectively and T. Territt is delegate to the County meetings.

The Magpies Return to Action

Portlaoise hurlers, after their withdrawal from the 1929 final and non-participation in the 1930 championship, returned to the winning trail when beating local rivals, Clonad, 4-0 to 1-1 in the first round of the Feis Shield in 1931.

The Nationalist report stated: “wonders never cease and surely the defeat of Clonad by Portlaoighise at O’Moore Park must have caused many a wonder … Thus the county town team have made an emphatic ‘come-back’ and handicapped as they have been for the want of a pitch for practice or training, their win is all the more praiseworthy.

By the way Portlaoighise looked fit in their new jerseys of black and white. I understand they are to be known by the name of the ‘magpies’. Perhaps this is why Clonad found them an unlucky first round team!”

Commented the Nationalist correspondent.

Abbeyleix brought the “Town” back to earth in the next round of the Feis Shield by beating their rivals by 2-2 to 1-1. Mick Hopper was much in command for the winners while Portlaoise had good players in Dunne, Doran, Conroy and McKiernan.

In a medal tournament in Durrow, Ballacolla beat Portlaoise by 4-1 to 2-2. In another game Portlaoise beat Mountmellick by 3-3 to 1-2.

The defeat by Abbeyleix in the Feis Shield proved to be ample warning for the “Town” who faced the same opposition in the championship. After trailing by 1-2 to 0-1 at half-time, Abbeyleix proved their superiority by winning by 3-4 to 1-2.

Fortune had a good game in goal and others noted were Matt Walsh, O’Brien, who scored the “Town” goal on the restart, Farrell, Coss, O’Neill, John Kelly and Muldowney.

Portlaoise next played Clonad at Abbeyleix and went in as underdogs. Their panel for the game was:

Portlaoise started short of P. Doran, P. Dunne and T. Muldowney and this proved vital as Clonad just edged the verdict by 1-4 to 1-1. The first half finished scoreless.

Clonad beat Castletown and survived an objection to qualify to meet Rathdowney in the county final.

In an inter-group junior hurling game Portlaoise beat Kyle by 3-4 to 3-2. But when the sides met later in December Kyle had their revenge by 6-3 to 2-0.

Football Championships and Minor Final Heartbreak

Owing to some of their players being involved in a hurling game with Ballytegan, Pallas refused to play Mountmellick in a Senior Football Championship match at The Heath.

It was noted that Sean Barrett represented the Pallas club at County Board meetings.

They later played the game with a weakened team and paid the penalty, losing by 2-3 to 0-2. Paddy Rowe was a notable absentee.

In preparation, Pallas met Patrician College in their new home at Ballyfin Demesne and lost by 2-2 to 1-0 to the college team.

Portlaoise failed to field a team against Ballyroan in the Senior Football Championship.

The final ended level between Graiguecullen and The Heath at 0-4 each but in the replay, played in March 1932, Graiguecullen scored a runaway win by 3-7 to 0-0.

Timahoe beat Portlaoise in the Junior Football Championship by 2-3 to 0-1. The “Town” lost the services of Dan O’Brien in the opening half due to a shoulder injury.

In a minor football game at Emo, Portlaoise beat the local side by 1-4 to 1-3. Nolan and Conroy shared the points and Dowling scored the goal, while Lambe, McPherson and Hyland were also noted.

In the final, played in March 1932, Abbeyleix just got the better of the “Town” side by 1-2 to 1-1.

The teams were level at 1-0 each at the interval and it was only in the final minutes that Abbeyleix snatched the winning score.

AGM

A big crowd attended the AGM held in January.

A vote of sympathy was passed with Lar Cushion on the death of his father, the well-known Gael and cattle-dealer, Mr. Tom Cushion.

At a County Board meeting, Lar Brady paid tribute to Mr. Cushion, describing him as “a grand old Gael”.

Difficult Season for Portlaoise Hurlers

Portlaoighise minor hurlers played Ballyfin College in a pre-season challenge and won by 2 goals to 1. Lalor and Lanham scored the Portlaoighise goals.

Portlaoighise had a problem fielding a team to play Rathdowney in the Senior Hurling Championship in March because of illness but managed to field a weakened team and paid the consequences.

Rathdowney had it all their own way in the opening half and led by 5-2 to 1-0 at the break. Portlaoighise did far better on the restart but found the yawning gap too much to bridge and lost by 6-5 to 2-3 in the end.

Jimmy Fortune saved time and time again in the Portlaoighise goal to save his side from a heavier defeat.

In February Ballygeehan could not field a team against Portlaoighise in a Feis fixture.

The “Town” side was hammered by 10-1 to 0-1 in a game against the home team at Abbeyleix in another Feis tie. There were rumours that Portlaoighise would object.

In August old rivals, Portlaoighise and Clonad met in Mountmellick and spectators came from all over the county and even from Dublin in expectation of a classic.

They came in motor-cars, on bicycles and on foot, indeed in any manner possible but the game proved to be a disappointment.

Clonad led by 4-1 to 1-0 at half-time. Coss and Cronin led the forward line for the “Town”. Paddy Doran was injured in the opening half and was forced to retire which did not help the Portlaoighise cause.

Clonad won by 5-3 to 1-2 and Bob O’Keeffe refereed.

The “Town” objected claiming that the Clonad goalie, M. Nolan, was illegal having already played with another club that year and also that Lar Brady, M. Nolan and E. Burke were also illegal because all three had played with Ballyroan football team, that was also claimed to be illegal.

It must be remembered that Lar Brady was a long-standing county chairman at that stage. While Brady had begun his playing career with Portlaoise hurlers, he was now well established as a Clonad and Ballyroan player.

Apart from playing, many of his rulings over the years were considered hostile by the Portlaoise club and this continued up to 1958 and beyond until he finally stepped down as County Chairman in 1964 when beaten on a vote by Jack Conroy.

Controversial County Final

The senior football final was played at O’Moore Park in October. The appointed referee failed to show and Martin Delaney (Portlaoighise) was given the whistle on the consent of both teams.

Stradbally led by 3-5 to 1-0 when Stradbally scored a goal which was disputed. The referee allowed it to stand and some of the Portarlington players walked off the field.

The referee awarded the game to Stradbally.

Mixed Results Against Ballyfin College

Portlaoighise played Ballyfin College teams at the College grounds in October and the honours were divided.

Portlaoighise won the hurling match by 0-12 to 0-6 while the College won the football game by 0-7 to 0-3.

CBS Team Faces Callan

In November, Portlaoighise CBS played Callan CBS.

The Portlaoighise team selected was:

Preparations for the CBS Tournament

Rev. W. Monahan C.C. presided at a meeting of the CBS Tournament Committee in 1933 as plans were put in place for what promised to be a major sporting occasion in Portlaoise.

Also present at the meeting were Messrs. Fortune, Kelly, Bennett, Breen, Barrett, Kavanagh, Taaffe and Bro. O'Connell. Messrs. Brady, Sheridan, Bolger and Gannon were subsequently drafted onto the committee to assist with the organisation of the event.

Permission was granted by the Leinster Council for the tournament to proceed and invitations were accepted by Stradbally, Abbeyleix and Tullaroan. The Curragh Command Football Club was also invited to participate.

The organisers anticipated large crowds, with special excursion fares being arranged from Kilkenny to encourage supporters to travel to Portlaoise.

A tent was to be erected at O'Moore Park to provide teas and refreshments for patrons attending the games.

To help finance the event, a sweepstake was organised in conjunction with the hurling match, with the draw taking place during a concert by the Artane Band later that evening.

Silver cups were commissioned for presentation to the winners of each game, while a separate trophy was also provided for the camogie competition, highlighting the growing importance of ladies' Gaelic games alongside the men's events.

Senior Hurlers Unable to Field

Portlaoise endured a disappointing setback when they failed to field a team for their Senior Hurling Championship tie against Ballacolla at Abbeyleix.

Only six Portlaoise players reported for the fixture, leaving the club unable to fulfil the championship engagement.

With the match unable to proceed as scheduled, a challenge game was arranged instead for those present.

Junior Football Final Defeat

Portlaoise fell short in their bid for Junior Football Championship honours when they were defeated by Ballylinan on a scoreline of 3-5 to 1-2 in the county final.

Minor Hurling Championship

In the Minor Hurling Championship, Clonad proved too strong for Portlaoise, recording a 5-3 to 2-0 victory after establishing a commanding 3-0 to 0-0 lead by half-time.

Troy, Norton, Galvin and Bergin were prominent performers for the winners, while Cronin, Burke, Cleary and Conroy gave the best displays for the Town side.

Laois Minor Hurlers Denied All-Ireland Glory

Laois won the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship title but were pipped by a skilful Tipperary side in a controversial All-Ireland Final.

Laois led after sixty minutes but, to the frustration of the Laois players and supporters and to the consternation of neutrals in the crowd, the referee allowed the game to continue for as many as eight minutes of additional time until eventually Tipperary scored their winning goal.

Cynics reckoned that this happened to compensate Tipperary who had their hearts set on winning the senior title in this the GAA's Golden Anniversary year but they had been beaten in the Munster Championship.

Included on the Laois team were Jimmy Conroy, Paddy "Hasper" Farrell, Paddy Ruschitzko, Joe McCabe, Paddy Carroll and Eddie Mathews, players who would go on to star for Portlaoise, Clonad and Laois teams in the years that followed.

County Convention

At the 1935 County Convention, Paddy Campion was elected Vice-Chairman of the Laois County Board, reflecting the continued influence of Portlaoighise figures in the administration of Gaelic games within the county.

The convention also passed a vote of sympathy on the death of former County Chairman and highly respected Portlaoighise club chairman, Fr. J. J. Kearney, P.P., Edenderry.

Fr. Kearney had been one of the most influential figures in Laois GAA during the early decades of the twentieth century, serving both club and county with distinction and helping to guide the development of Gaelic games throughout the county.

Fundraiser

Portlaoighise organised a major fund-raising tournament featuring the Army Metro selection against Clonad in hurling and Athy in football.

The Artane Band attended the event and later performed at a concert in the Town Hall, helping to make the occasion one of the most significant social and sporting gatherings held in the town that year.

One is glad to hear that a determined effort is being made to put the Portlaoighise club once more in a prominent position in the county and at a well-attended general meeting it was decided to organise a town league in hurling and football so as to revive interest and perhaps discover latent talent.

It is expected that at least four teams will play in the league and suitable trophies will be given to the winners.

Mr. P. J. Campion and Mr. M. Delaney are making every effort to ensure that the town will have championship teams equal to the best in the county.

Town League and the Perry Cup

A report was published of the town league game with the “Town” team beating the Borris Road by 0-12 to 0-10 to qualify for the final.

Vinnie Scully was outstanding in goal for the “Town”. The game received an enthusiastic review.

The Perry Cup was the prize for the winners of the final.

In the other semi-final the Green Road beat the Ridge Road by 4-4 to 2-1.

Doran, Conroy, Coss and Marum did well for the winners with Martin and Tony Delaney and McPherson best for the losers.

The final provided a thrilling game and at the end of the hour the teams finished level at 6-2 for the “Town” and 5-5 for the Green.

Names noted were Dargan, Conroy, Doran, “Mac”, Coss and Cleary for the Green and J. Walsh, Ger Kelly, Mick Dunne, Delaney, Scully, O’Rourke, Carter and J. Dunne for the “Town”.

The replay attracted a huge attendance again but this time the Green held all the aces and won readily by 5-6 to 1-0 and so became the first winners of the coveted Perry Cup.

In the final a few weeks later they scored an easy win over Ballyfin by 3-8 to 2-0.

There was a small crowd due to the arctic conditions but those who did not turn up missed a very good game.

Jim Coss made the most of his chances in the opening half when shooting four points.

Ballyfin shot a goal midway through the half when a “70” from M. Dunne was finished to the net by J. Delaney to give his side a one point lead.

Portlaoise went in leading by 0-4 to 1-0 at the break.

The “Butcher” Dunne cleared his lines getting the ball to Tom McEvoy for a great goal in the third quarter and the “Town” ran out convincing winners.

This was the first report, as far as can be determined (The Nationalist, 7 March 1936), in which Portlaoise were referred to as the “Town”.

First Intermediate Hurling win and the first “Town” champions

In November 1935, an exciting Intermediate hurling group game between Portlaoighise and Clonaslee was played at a rain-drenched O'Moore Park. A late goal by Paddy Doran won it for the “Town”.

Portlaoise beat Boley by fourteen points in the semi-final played in February, 1936.

From an O'Brien clearance, O'Neill placed Lalor for an early goal. Points by J. Coss (2), Lalor and D. Coss were followed by another Lalor goal for the “Town” to lead by 2-4 to 1-1 at the break.

Tony Delaney “enjoyed the tough going” and along with Dunne and Cooke and the Conroys, “Donegan” and Paddy, were others to shine.

In the final a few weeks later they scored an easy win over Ballyfin by 3-8 to 2-0.

There was a small crowd due to the arctic conditions but those who did not turn up missed a very good game.

Jim Coss made the most of his chances in the opening half when shooting four points.

Ballyfin shot a goal midway through the half when a “70” from M. Dunne was finished to the net by J. Delaney to give his side a one point lead.

Portlaoise went in leading by 0-4 to 1-0 at the break.

M. Dunne and J. Delaney to see Tony Delaney puck clear for "The Town."

This was the first report, as far as can be determined (The Nationalist, 7 March 1936), in which Portlaoise were referred to as the “Town”.

Junior Football Championship Final

Portlaoise won their second championship final in 1936, and it was only April, when they defeated Mountmellick in the delayed 1935 Junior Football Championship Final at O'Moore Park.

Playing against the breeze, the “Town” proved the superior side and scores by Nolan (1-1) and P. Conroy (1-0) left them well in charge against an opposition who failed to score in the opening half.

The Portlaoise defence was particularly impressive, with Delaney, Croke, Doran and Kelly leading a strong backline.

Final Score: Portlaoise 2-2, Mountmellick 0-2.

Championship Winning Panels

Road to the Final

The “Town” beat Knock by 1-7 to 1-6 in the semi-final but the losers lodged an objection.

The objection was ruled out of order as “there was no rule to debar a goalkeeper wearing any coloured jersey he wished”.

Portlaoighise had beaten Park in an earlier round by 0-4 to 0-1, with J. McEvoy, P. Marum and P. Conroy (0-2) accounting for the Town's scores.

Park also lodged an objection, but this too was dismissed by the County Board.

Clonkeen Defeat the Rovers

Clonkeen beat the Rovers in a high-scoring encounter.

Although the game was level at the break, Clonkeen ran away with matters in the second half and recorded a comprehensive 12-8 to 3-2 victory.

P. Beere, J. Beere, the Whelans, A. Graham and W. Hennessy were noted for Clonkeen while Scully and Kerry were mentioned for the Rovers.

1935 honours

• Men’s Football – Junior Laois Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Portlaoise 2-2 v 0-2 Mountmellick Captain: Lar Cushion
• Hurling – Intermediate Laois Intermediate Hurling Championship Portlaoise 3-8 v 2-0 Ballyfin Captain: Martin Delaney

AGM

At the AGM, held under the guidance of Mr. P. J. Campion, hopes were expressed that the year ahead would be a successful one and that the coming season would see the “Town” club restored to a leading position in county affairs.

“The coming season would see the ‘Town’ club the premier one in the county.”

The following officers were elected:

Coursing Tournament

Portlaoise GAA Club held a “terrier” coursing tournament at Clonrooske on 19 January 1936, consisting of three stakes.

These events had once enjoyed strong support but had been allowed to lapse in recent years.

A monster whist drive was held in the Town Hall later that evening with P. J. C. (P. J. Campion) acting as Master of Ceremonies.

“All are assured of a fair and square deal.”

Rovers AGM

The following officers were elected at the Rovers AGM:

Transfers for the 1936 Season

There were numerous applications for transfers ahead of the 1936 season.

G. Bates, M. Kavanagh, M. Hyland, R. Hyland, L. Troy, S. Harkin, A. Lambe, M. Lambe, C. Bergin and P. McLoughlin transferred from Heath Football Club to Portlaoise.

S. Loughlin transferred from Mountrath to Portlaoise.

S. Styles transferred from Clonad to Rovers.

Stradbally Easy Win in SFC

In October, Portlaoise figured in the senior football semi-final against Stradbally.

The “Town”, outsiders against a much vaunted opposition, opened the scoring with a point by Tom Keogh, who was a star for many years with Laois, Kildare and Leinster.

Lambe cleared his lines on a few occasions and Billy Blackwell linked up with Kevin Croke to release Keogh for a second point.

But Stradbally got the scores that counted and led by 2-1 to 0-2 at the break.

It was all one way traffic in the second half and Stradbally ran out easy winners by 2-5 to 0-2.

Perry Cup

Green Road beat “The Town” in the first round of the Perry Cup by 4-10 to 3-2.

Jim Coss and Paddy Conroy starred for Green Road while Kevin Croke:

"gave an outstanding exhibition of hurling on the beaten side, and how he lasted the hour at a hard pace surprised the critics. Still in his teens, he bids fair to rival his uncle, Tom Finlay, who was one of the most prominent players of a decade ago."

Jack Dunne, John Bolger, Mick Dunne and Din O’Neill also caught the eye in a game that was contested in a keen and friendly manner.

The Ridge beat the “Town” by 1-2 to 0-0 and Borris Road beat the Green Road by 1-3 to 1-2 in other games.

Garda Blackwell showed promise for the “Town” side.

After 1889, the next time a Laois team appeared in an All-Ireland senior football final was in 1936 in which they were again routed, this time by Mayo on a 4-11 to 0-5 scoreline.

When the vanquished Laois team returned to the county they were feted at a special dinner in their honour.

The surviving members of the 1889 team were invited to the function.

This is an excerpt from a report that appeared in the Leinster Express on the banquet:

The team were then entertained at a dinner in the hotel at which Mr. T. Tierney, CTC, Chairman of the Reception Committee, presided and was supported by the other members of the committee.

Among the guests were three veterans of 1889 namely Mr. Peter Farrell, Tallyho House, Stradbally, Mr. Joseph Dunne, Portlaoighise and Mr. R. P. Fennell.

Mr. P. J. Bartley, Local Government Commissioner for Laoighis, was among others present.

Rev. W. Monahan, C.C., having said Grace, the toast of “Eire” given by the chairman, was honoured.

Mr. Sean Barrett, NT, secretary of the Reception Committee, submitted the toast of “Laoighis County GAA and the Veterans of 1889”.

He said in Dublin in 1889, they won the Leinster final playing two teams on the same day. Two of the men who assisted in winning those two games were now present, Mr. Dunne and Mr. Farrell. They were both at the final on Sunday.

Laoighis failed in the final of 1889, but they still kept on, and after 47 years they were into a final again. They accepted the defeat of Sunday in the sporting spirit of true Gaels and they would go on until they were rewarded by winning the National Crown.

Mr. R. P. Fennell, responding to the toast said:

Speaking of the veterans reminds me of a couple of lines of an old song;

“Some have gone upon their last long homing,
Some are left, but they are old and grey.”

And this introduces mixed feelings of regret and gratification – regret that so many of the fine fellows, the gallant comrades, the great men of almost half a century ago, have passed away; gratification that some are still to the fore, and that we have a few of these with us here this evening – the remaining few of those who brought honour to Laoighis in 1889.

There is one incontrovertible fact, that our men played and won two matches on the same day, first defeating the Bray Emmets (Wicklow) and after a short rest beating the Newtown Blues (Louth) and that on the following Sunday, 20 October, they contested the All-Ireland final against Bohercrowe (Tipperary).

I did not take part in these contests having received a “crocked” knee a short time before, but I was goal umpire on the 13th October.

I was not present the following Sunday, as the team played contrary to the advice of the Chairman of the County Committee, the late Mr. P. A. Meehan, M.P., and myself. I was then secretary.

We considered it was unfair to ask the team to play the final on such short notice, but the young fellows thought that they were invincible, entered the contest and were defeated.

But this was a feat that has never been equalled before or since and I am glad it has not been forgotten.

One of those present who took part in these contests is Peter Farrell, a prominent member of the old Kellyville team and a great footballer.

Another of the men of 1889 here is Joe Dunne, Portlaoighise; Denis Croke, of the old Pallas team; Peter Brennan, one of the stalwarts of the old Wolfhill club; Mick McEvoy, Knock and Nicholas Maher, familiarly known as the “Butt of Oak”, all of them great footballers, but they have not turned up.

These men were the pioneers of the GAA in Laoighis. You have carried on the work. We are grateful indeed to the Reception Committee for having invited us here. It was thoughtful and kind of them.

Letter to the Editor

This letter appeared in the Nationalist issue of 10 October 1936:

Allow me space in your valued paper to make a few remarks regarding the Football Final of 1889.

I, as a witness at the match, would like to mention a few players who were not mentioned.

As there are only a few remaining now, it is hard to remember everyone, but special notice should be taken of Dan Drennan, Summerhill, Maryboro (RIP), who to those remaining few could never be forgotten.

He played as a full forward, and a swifter man and surer scorer could not be found.

Also Jack Troy’s name should never be forgotten; he played no small part in the game.

Lastly I would make special mention of the three Cushion brothers who, with their two first cousins, shone in the most brilliant manner.

Yours faithfully,
“A witness of the 1889 match”.

Junior Hurling Championship

In May, Portlaoise qualified for the J.H. semi-final against Mountmellick when they beat Camross 4-2 to 2-2 at Mountrath.

The Nationalist noted that Ryan had a great game in goal for Camross, bring back memories of the 1915 All-Ireland won by Laois in which Ryan was goalie.

Keogh, Nolan, Conroy, Marum and McEvoy were best for the “Town”.

In the semi-final, Portlaoise and Mountmellick played a draw at 4-3 each.

Mountmellick led by 3-3 to 2-1 at the interval and still led by one point as time ran out.

Conroy save the day with a late equaliser.

Vinnie Scully had a great game in goal.

Mountmellick won the replay by 4-5 to 2-3 after leading by 2-1 to 1-2 at half-time.

Minor Hurling Championship

Portlaoise beat Brandra by 7-6 to 3-2 in the MHC.

Noted for the winners were Redmond, Conroy, Murray, Lanham, Tierney, the Beeres, Nolan and Scully.

Kilcotton Hurling Club informed the Board at the September county board meeting that they were unable to field a team in the Minor Hurling Final. As a result, Portlaoighise were declared minor hurling champions.

1936 honours

• Hurling – Minor Laois Minor 'A' Hurling Championship Portlaoise awarded v Kilcotton

AGM

The 1937 AGM was held in November 1936.

Favourable reports were presented.

The club won three titles during the year, the Intermediate Hurling Championship, the Junior Football Championship and the Minor Hurling Championship.

The club had also reached the Senior Football Championship semi-final while the minor footballers were still in contention for championship honours.

The trophies were presented at a Céilí in Fintan Lalor Hall on Sunday, 15 November.

First Minor football championship success

Portlaoighise captured the Minor Football Championship of 1937 with an impressive 1-6 to 0-2 victory over Ballyroan in the final, which was eventually played in March 1939. Leading by 1-3 to 0-1 at half-time, the Town controlled the contest and secured a deserved championship success.

The defence played a major role in the victory with P. Redmond, Tierney and J. Nolan all singled out for excellent performances. In attack, however, P. Walsh was the outstanding figure and scored all but one point of the Portlaoise total. Kelleher accounted for the remaining score.

1937 honours

• Men’s Football – Minor Laois Minor ‘A’ Football Championship

Intermediate Football Final

Portlaoise were beaten by Ballyadams in the Intermediate Football Championship Final for 1938.

Rovers Narrowly Denied Junior Hurling Title

Rovers lost the 1938 Junior Hurling Championship Final to Rathdowney by a whisker on a 5-4 to 4-6 scoreline.

1938 Minor Championships Abandoned

In the Nationalist county board report of 24 April 1939, it was stated that:

"Following a discussion, it was unanimously agreed to drop the 1938 minor championships."

First Intermediate football success

On 10 September 1939, Portlaoise captured the Laois Intermediate Football Championship with a hard-earned 1-8 to 2-2 victory over Jamestown. The success represented an important step forward for the club during a period of rebuilding and development in the years before Portlaoise would eventually re-establish itself among the leading senior football clubs in the county.

Captained by Lar Cushion, Portlaoise produced a determined display to edge out Jamestown in a closely contested encounter. The team featured many players who would become well-known figures within the club in the years that followed, including Paddy “Hasper” Farrell, Vinnie Scully, Paddy Conroy, Jim Coss and J. Critchley.

The starting team listed on the day included:

Minor Football Championship

In 1939, Mountmellick minor footballers beat Portlaoise by 8-3 to 1-3.

Rovers Defeat Portlaoise in Junior Hurling Group Final

There was great local interest in the meeting of Rovers and Portlaoise in the Junior Hurling group final.

Rovers won by 6-0 to 0-0 with Styles, Brennan, Connor, Maher, Kerry and Guilfoyle best for Rovers.

Croke, Tierney, Keogh and Scully were best for Portlaoise, who were a big disappointment for their followers.

1939 honours

• Men’s Football – Intermediate Laois Intermediate ‘A’ Football Championship Portlaoise 1-8 v 2-2 Jamestown