Meehan and Fennell in Top Jobs

After Maryborough’s footballing heroics of 1889, the Leinster Express of 15 March 1890 carried this disappointing news:

“Once more the Gaelic football and hurling championship matches for the Queen’s County have commenced. Last year the Maryborough club won the football championship of the county, this year it is only nominally in existence.

A similar fate met the football champions (Ballinakill) of 1888; but the Rathdowney hurling club, which won the championship for 1888 and 1889, is this year full of life and as confident of victory as ever …”

The same report revealed that the Timahoe side which beat Pallas, known as the “Cherrypickers”, by one goal and four points to nil, numbered among their players “some of the best of the members who have resigned from the Maryborough club”.

At the Queen’s County’s annual convention held at Maryborough Town Hall on Tuesday, October 28th, 1890, at which Mr. P. A. Meehan was returned as chairman, and Mr. Fennell as “secretary and handicapper”, Maryborough was represented by James Conran.

Twelve clubs were represented and Rev. Fr. Hosey, Clonaslee, was in the chair.

Mr. Fennell (solicitor’s clerk) and J. J. Whelan (publican) along with J. Kennedy, Ballinakill, and D. Shaughnessy, Stradbally, were elected to represent the county at the Annual Convention (Congress).

A police (RIC) report (courtesy Jackie Hyland) revealed that the Maryboro’ club had forty members and officers included Charles McDermott, president, John Moore, treasurer and Richard Fennell, secretary.

The Parnellite Split

While the GAA of the period was struggling to continue because of the split, there was an even bigger crisis on the political front with the revelation of the extra-marital affair of nationalist leader, Charles Stuart Parnell, causing a deep and bitter split in the nationalist movement.

This crisis is reflected in a report of a meeting of Laois County GAA committee in March 1891. The above-mentioned James Conran was now listed as representing the Ratheniska club and Mr. James Murphy was in the chair.

Despite an appeal by county chairman, Mr. P. A. Meehan, to postpone the tabling of a political motion relating to the Parnell crisis, the meeting decided to go ahead with it.

Mr. Fennell, hon. sec., proposed:

“That we, the committee of the GAA of the Queen’s County (being duly elected representatives of the Association in the county) hereby condemn the action of Mr. C. S. Parnell in forcing a conflict amongst the Irish people by refusing to comply with the request of those pure-souled patriots, John Dillon and William O’Brien, to resign his claim as Chairman of the Irish Parliamentary party, a position from which he has been deposed by the majority of his colleagues.

That we pledge ourselves to support the Irish Parliamentary Party, under the leadership of Mr. McCarthy, by every means in our power; that we tender to Messrs. William O’Brien and John Dillon, our sincere sympathy in their imprisonment.”

This was seconded by Mr. Delaney, Ballyroan, and, on a division, was carried 6 votes to 3.

For: Fennell, Delany, Corbett (Clonaslee), Buggie (Stradbally), Shortall (Courtwood) and the chairman, James Murphy (Kellyville).

Against: Kennedy (Branra), Conran,

Another Championship Win in 1892

Maryborough and The Heath amalgamated in 1891. At a joint meeting of the clubs held on 19 April, the officers’ positions were doled out. The President and Vice-President came from The Heath and secretary and treasurer from Maryboro’.

The meeting supported a resolution that:

“We the members of the amalgamated clubs of Maryborough and the Heath, while playing in the championship together promise to take no part in the present political crisis … and we urge on all Gaels in the county to meet as Gaels and not let the present crisis interfere with carrying out of their old national pastime”.

Officers elected:

President: James O’Brien (Ballydavis);
Vice-President: John Davis (Ballydavis);
Secretary: J.T. Whelan;
Treasurer: John Moore;
Captain: John Delaney;
Vice-Captain: James Maher (Loughteague).

Committee: Denis Booth, John Doran, C. Booth, M. Salmon, Joseph Dunne, John Troy, Thomas Cushion, Joseph Feehan, Daniel Drennan.

Moyanna won the football championship of 1891 beating Portarlington 0-4 to 0-2 in the final but Maryborough was back at the top of Laois football in the following year when beating the 1890 champions, Ballyroan, in the county final played at Courtwood on Sunday, 10th July, 1892.

There was a big attendance but, unfortunately a very small report in the Leinster Express which gave few details except that Maryborough led by 2-2 to nil at the break and went on to score a runaway win by 6-6 to 0-1. They had earlier scored easy victories in their three qualifying games.

Championship Final loss

Portarlington is credited with the football title of 1893 beating Maryborough in the final. Reports on the county championships were scant for this period generally.

GAA activity was limited and there were no county boards elected for 1894 or 1895 due to the bitter political divide caused by the Parnellite split.

Portarlington Tournament

Maryborough Football Club took on the home side in the Portarlington Tournament in May 1894 and emerged easy winners by six points to one.

In the final, a couple of weeks later a huge crowd turned out to see them take on a highly-rated Stradbally side. There was big money on Stradbally, who were firm favourites, and odds of 3 to 1 were given against the county town side at the off according to the Leinster Express.

But the weight of the money laid was on the wrong “horse” and Maryborough led by 1-3 to 0-2 at the break and after an exciting second-half they held out to win by 1-7 to 0-6.

It may interest readers to note that Stradbally took on Monasterevan in the latter club’s tournament and the game was boosted by inter-county rivalry and in pursuit of fair-play the game went ahead on neutral ground in the Phoenix Park.

Monasterevan, known as the “Fizzers”, came out on top by 1-2 to 0-3 after a cliff-hanger.

The game was labelled as intended to settle “once and for all” the respective merits of the game in either county.

The conditions of the match, which was for a set of medals value £20 – each team to lodge £20, the loser’s fee to go towards the purchase of the medals.

Train specials brought the supporters to Dublin for the game.

Big Tournament Games and Betting

In March, 1896, Maryborough met Knock in the semi-final of the Abbeyleix Tournament, in a field convenient to the town kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. E. J. Morrissey.

Maryborough scored a point but the “Knocks” disputed it and when the referee awarded it, the Knock team refused to play on. The play began at 2 o’clock and continued to 3.30.

At a meeting of Queen’s County Gaels in Stradbally on April 5th 1896 an effort was made to revive the games and the association in the county.

Representatives from Portarlington “Shamrocks”, Portarlington “Boys of the Heather”, Wolfhill, Stradbally, Moyanna, Ballyroan, Ratheniska, Loughteague, Summerhill and Vicarstown were present. Mr. D. Shaughnessy was in the chair and J. J. Dalton was hon. sec.

A Gaelic tournament on 12th April, 1896, took place in a field on the Green Road owned by Mr. Whelan.

Abbeyleix beat Derry by 1-2 to 0-1. The report noted that:

“Bystanders were thoroughly disgusted at the savagery of some members of the Derry team – borrowed members too – who seemed to think that the game was to be an exhibition of brute force and rowdyism”.

Host club, Maryborough, got a walk-over because their opponents, Castletown failed to show.

In the first round of the championship, Maryborough were well on top of their Abbeyleix rivals and were leading by 1-6 to 0-4 when an incident took place.

“… one player from each side was sent off. Unfortunately as the Abbeyleix player was crossing the line he was assaulted by a militia man from Maryborough and when the referee interfered he got assaulted also.

The Abbeyleix team then refused to finish the game and the referee wisely decided on leaving the decision to the county committee. Of course the Maryborough players cannot be held accountable, as they could not prevent such a character from following them.”

In a championship game on May 24th 1896, at Maryborough, Ballyroan beat Ballyknocken by six points to one point.

The Nationalist reported that five minutes after the break with Ballyroan leading by two points to one and the result very much in the balance, a Ballyknocken player, T. Cushion, (was he one of the Maryborough players of 1889?)

“Who was on the backs, while amusing himself by jumping in the absence of any other employment – the ball being in the other end of the field – hurt or sprained his right leg and had to be assisted off the ground.

No man was allowed in his place and the Ballyknocken men felt his loss when their goal was next attacked, as he proved on previous occasions a very strong defender …”

Mr. John Moore, Maryborough, was referee.

In the second round at Wolfhill, Maryborough, were trounced by a bigger Ballyroan side by 1-7 to 0-1.

“It cannot be said that the match was altogether free from roughness … the custodians of the peace were well represented though not in a manner usually seen at ordinary football matches for ‘they were well armed from head to heel. Old times are changed, old manners gone’.”

The game was played on 14th June and the report noted that “the heat was tropical”.

Wolfhill beat Ballyroan by 1-1 to 0-1 in the semi-final. It was explained that the goal in this instance was worth only three points and not five as had been the case in the earlier years of the association.

Wolfhill went on to win the final.

The issue of the Nationalist for 21st November 1896, reported on the second general meeting of the Maryborough Rugby Football Club.

Mr W. X. M. White, solicitor, was elected chairman and other members present were Dr. Halligan, Messrs. J. Gibson, A. R. McClure, J. Onions, J. Johnston, Nolan, Rhodes, C. Mercier, S. McCamley, W, P. Odlum, hon. sec., F. Odlum, R. Hipwell, C. Robson, McSweeny, M. C. Carey, E. Sythes, W. Russell &c.

The following consented on becoming vice-presidents; Messrs. H. Turpin, H. W. Babbage, D.L., C. E. Corcoran, W. Harcourt, J. P. Curran, J. J. Aird, J.P., Dr. W. J. Jacob.

Other than Mr. Corcoran, solicitor, who was elected vice-president at the first meeting of the Maryborough GAA Club (and was not noted for any involvement with the club subsequently), there was little or no crossover of personnel between the local GAA and Rugby clubs.

Crisis Within the County

The big political split in the 1880s and 1890s crippled the GAA. But now another split, nearer home, proved critical to the future of the GAA in the Queen’s County.

A county convention was called for Stradbally on Sunday, 7th March,1897. The following affiliated teams were represented: Loughteague, Vicarstown, Portarlington, Wolfhill and Stradbally. Mr. T. Handy was moved to the chair.

The Nationalist report added:

“Mr. J. J. Purcell, after a few remarks on the success of the Association for the past year, proposed that in consequence of the satisfaction given by the outgoing officers that they be re-elected for this present year.

Officers:
Chairman: D. O’Shaughnessy, PLG;
Treasurer: T. Timmins, PLG;
Hon. Sec.: J. J. Dalton.

Mr. Ramsbottom seconded.

The following were elected on the county committee: James Mahon, Loughteague, J. Moore, Maryborough, M. Dunne, Vicarstown, P. Brennan, Wolfhill, D. Delaney, Ballyroan, T. O’Dea, Ballyroan, M. McEvoy, Knock, J. J. Purcell, Portarlington.”

This meeting caused uproar countywide and within two weeks there was an appeal sent to Mr. R. E. Blake, secretary of the Central Council in Dublin.

“At a meeting of representatives of Gaelic clubs in this county held at Abbeyleix on Sunday last, the following clubs were represented: Branra, Durrow, Derrykearn, The Hollow, Maryborough, Pallas, Heath, Emo, Ballyknockan, Knock, Rathdowney, Ballyroan, Castletown.

The object of the meeting was to take into consideration the position of the association, and the steps to be adopted for its reconstruction and general revival.

The meeting unanimously resolved to repudiate the committee recently reputed to have been elected at a meeting in Stradbally and for the following reasons:

The said meeting was irregular inasmuch as there does not exist in the county five affiliated clubs, without which no committee could be elected.

Assuming the meeting was regular, its proceedings were unconstitutional inasmuch as they elected as members of the committee gentlemen who are not members of any affiliated club and some of the gentlemen so elected attended at this meeting and repudiated the Stradbally proceedings, at which they were not present …”

The appeal was signed by John P. Doris, Chairman (pro tem) and Joseph Bannon, Hon. Sec. (pro tem), both Maryborough men.

The Nationalist of 10th April 1897 briefly gave its explanation of the split.

“The existing county officers, who reside in Stradbally, call the meetings of the county committee there. The southern clubs contend with much reason that no more inconvenient centre could be chosen, and this accounts for the fact that while there are about twenty three Gaelic clubs in the county none of them have affiliated – nor even the clubs which are said to have been represented at the convention held recently in Stradbally.

The clubs in Maryborough and Abbeyleix districts have joined hands with their southern colleagues in opposition to the claims of Stradbally.”

There was a note in the same edition asking all clubs intending to compete in 1897 to affiliate as soon as possible with the secretary, J. J. Dalton, Stradbally.

It was accompanied by a letter from J. J. Purcell (County Committee) which stated that the claims made in the appeal were false as ten clubs were affiliated according to Central Council records.

“Now, sir, Messrs. Doris and Bannon seem to overlook the fact that when the GAA was dead in the Queen’s County it was the present county committee who revived it.

I hope these gentlemen and their followers from so many new clubs will be satisfied with the decision of the Central Council and affiliate to the County Committee.”

Mr. J. J. Dalton also had a letter published. He wrote:

“As regards the representative meeting stated to have been held in Abbeyleix at which so many clubs were represented, the wonder is where the meeting was held as a club stated to have been represented sent two delegates but saw no sign of any meeting, but of course this was a mistake as Mr. Doris signed his name as chairman.”

The appeal was over-ruled by Central Council and a meeting of the appealing clubs was held in the Town Hall, Maryborough, on Sunday, April 11th.

There was a big turnout of clubs and surprise was expressed at the Central Council decision. It was resolved that they commence an independent league under the rules of the GAA.

Mr. Doris was re-affirmed as chairman and Mr. Bannon as secretary. James Lalor, Abbeyleix, was elected treasurer.

On further consideration, Central Council, appreciating that they were backing the wrong side, ordered that a special convention be called for the Town Hall, Maryborough on Sunday May 16th.

Fifteen clubs were represented. Mr. Blake, secretary of the Central Council, took the chair and said he was there to resolve the dispute.

Mr. Doris was elected President, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mountrath, hon. sec. and Mr. J. Lalor, Abbeyleix as treasurer.

Mr. Blake said that members should treat last year’s committee with consideration as they were undoubtedly entitled to some credit for reviving the association in the county.

1897 honours

• Men’s Football – Senior Laois Senior Football Championship Maryborough awarded v Wolfhill

A Third Football Title in 1897

In 1897, Maryborough man, J. P. Doris, now officially chairman of the county committee, officiated at the 1897 championship draws. He was ex-officio a member of the Central Council.

At a meeting of the committee, Joe Bannon, Maryborough, was selected as one of the Queen’s County delegates to the upcoming Convention at Thurles.

Maryborough met The Heath in the 1897 championship at Ballyknocken.

“… It was generally expected that there would be an exciting match and for the previous week there was extensive betting. Strange as it now appears odds were laid against Maryborough at 2 to 1 and even 3 to 1.”

Strange indeed! Maryborough won by 2-6 to nil.

On May 30th, 1897, the Maryborough club hosted a big football tournament at the Green Road.

Castletown beat Pallas by 1-1 to 1-0 in the opening game. Joe Bannon, hon. sec. of the Maryborough club, was in charge.

In the second game featuring The Hollow and Ballyknocken, scores were level at one point apiece midway through the second half, when The Hollow were awarded a free.

One of the Ballyknocken players picked up the ball and told the referee, J. P. Doris, Chairman of the County Committee, that no free kick would be allowed. That ended the game and it was awarded to The Hollow.

The Heath beat Branra by 1-0 to 0-1 in the third game.

A tournament was arranged by the committee for Stradbally in aid of the evicted tenants of Luggacurran.

At the Annual Convention in March 1898, Mr. Doris stepped down as chairman and was replaced by Mr. McMahon, Abbeyleix.

Mr. Doris was also nominated for the position of secretary but refused to let his name go forward “as he had not time to do the business”.

Mr. Muldowney, Branra won the contest by one vote from Mr. Brennan, Wolfhill. Mr. Fletcher, Durrow, was elected as treasurer.

The delayed county football final of 1897 between Maryborough and Wolfhill was fixed for Ballybrophy for Saturday, 28 February, 1898.

Maryborough travelled by train but Wolfhill refused to travel. The county committee on a five to four vote decided that the game should be refixed for Boley rather than Branra on Low Sunday.

Maryborough appealed to Central Council and they directed that the Maryborough club be paid half their expenses for the abortive Ballybrophy trip before the game be allowed to go ahead.

The expenses were not paid and Maryborough were awarded the title for 1897 (The Nationalist, April 16, 1898).

That was not quite the last word, however. A letter appeared in the same paper a week later from the Wolfhill club. It read:

Wolf Hill G.A.A., April 21st, 1898.

Dear Sir,

Notwithstanding the inspired paragraph which appeared in last week’s Nationalist, Maryborough will not be awarded the championship, as their fair share of expenses has been paid within the specified time, and they still declined to meet us at Boley last Sunday.

Your readers can thus judge of their sportsmanlike conduct. We are still prepared to meet them.

P. Brennan (Captain)

(We presume that this is the same P. (Peter) Brennan who lined out for the Maryborough Club in the Leinster games of 1889 and who is quoted above in relation to those games.)