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The Magpies

Championship, Folklore, History, Men's Football

The Magpies

– minor football champions of 1951

In the very early stages Kilminchy set the pace but found “Town” defenders a tough backline to face;

Then Rocky Scully gathered and the ball he did clear as the park erupted in a great Portlaoise cheer.

As the ball descended, Sonny Brown he jumped high and with a nice tip from his boot sent the ball to Conroy.

It was a lightning move and the forwards were all set when the “Joxer” Fitzpatrick soon rattled the net.

Then back came Kilminchy in a matter of a twink, and the Magpie wearers had little time to think. Larkin headed goalwards and young Rankin was there and soon the umpire had the green flag in the air.

Kilminchy were now playing as champions can play and their supporters believed that they’d win the day.

They held a slight edge as the half-time whistle blew, but there was another half to play as everybody knew.

On the restart it seemed that the Magpies would tire and they looked like a team that was stuck in the mire.

Kilminchy kept pressing and looking the best, but the “Magpies” backline proved well up to the test;

Muldowney kept clearing ball after ball, he was playing the part of a solid stone wall.

The “Magpies” fought back with a desperate raid the ref looked at his watch and little time to be played,

Then Campion was fouled and Paddy Bracken scored the free

Which sent the “Magpies” on a fine scoring spree.

So here’s to the boys for a day’s work well done, the “Magpies” are back and the battle is won.

An edited version of a poem attributed to “Little Sport”, which was contributed along with other items by a lifetime Portlaoise supporter living in Dublin, Joe Scully, formerly from Borris Road, who hails from a family steeped in the “Town” GAA tradition.

Portlaoise 1-5

Rocky Scully, Paddy Costigan, Tom Bracken, Tony Bergin, John Hughes, John Muldowney, Frank O’Donnell, Paddy Bracken, Richard Browne, John Hogan, Christy Reddin, Mick Conroy, Hugh Campion, Ned Fitzpatrick, Sean Bergin

Kilminchy (Portlaoise) 1-2

Rupert O’Rourke, S. Keyes, Billy Bunyan, Dinny Griffin, Milo Dundon, Mick Hennessy, Mick Larkin, William Conroy, Sean Brennan, Tommy Fitzpatrick, Dinny Roe, Jimmy O’Neill, Jimmy Rankin, Tom Walsh, Paddy La Cumbre,

Subs: George Buggy, C. Gorman

Referee: Tony Coleman (Portarlington)

The Magpies

Portlaoise 1-5

Kilminchy (Portlaoise) 1-2

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