Reflections on ’03
Seán Og recalls Rathnure success
SEAN OG O Dubhghaill, that well-known community activist and politician of long standing, has sent us some material on his beloved Rathnure that we will be sharing in the weeks to come.
We start with his thoughts on the Pettitt’s Senior hurling final of 2003, a game played in Wexford Park on October 19.
The game resulted in a 3-9 to 1-13 win for the Blackstairs men at the expense of Glynn-Barntown.
Seán Og wrote the following when his thoughts from the day were still fresh in his mind:
‘Last Sunday week I travelled to Wexford Park with the well-known Rathnure great of former years, Ted Morrissey, and his wife, Mary.
‘As a native of that beautiful area that abuts the Blackstairs from Kilanne to Ballywilliam, I felt compelled to see the present generation of Rathnure hurlers in action.
‘We arrived outside Wexford Park and I remember saying to myself, “the walls surrounding Wexford Park don’t do anything for the urban area of Wexford town”.
‘Anyway, Ted parked up in an ideal spot for getting away after the game and we headed for the turnstile and paid our €15. Then we made our way to the stand, and an official must have thought we were entering the area of the stand where the cushioned seats are situated because he became somewhat agitated and told us that the area was reserved for Very Important People, and that we should move on.
‘We had no intention of entering the sanctified area of the cushioned seats - we were just gawking at the privileged few and trying to ascertain how they were so privileged.
‘The official was muttering under his breath about the need for proper passes to gaze at the seats of the advantaged. We moved on and accommodated ourselves among our proletarian friends and relatives.
‘As we were in time for the Minor county final, the stand wasn’t too crowded and we selected a good vantage point. The Shamrocks were very disappointing and I’m sure they don’t need anyone to tell them the obvious.
‘They never got going and I’m convinced that they are not as bad as their display against Oulart-The Ballagh indicated. Even if they had played to their peak, it is doubtful if they would have won. There will be other days.
‘Before we knew it, the two Senior teams were parading, led by the Ballindaggin Pipe Band. Glynn-Barntown were turned out very well but I must admit I was a wee bit disappointed with Rathnure - some of the players left on their tracksuits and more of them swigged the contents of plastic bottles as the parade moved around the pitch.
‘I have no problem with a team mascot but I feel that players carrying very young children could lead to a situation where it would be overdone. Imagine each player demanding the right to carry a young brother or sister, niece or nephew, throughout the parade - you would end up with a mobile crèche.
‘To purists the Senior final was disappointing. I found it an absorbing struggle and in spite of being biased I believe that the best team won.
‘There were some fine individual displays throughout the game. It must be said that Paul Carley scoring ten points from placed balls, some far out, for Glynn-Barntown, was a prodigious feat. Everything he touched turned to gold.
‘Nigel Higgins’ solo runs were electrifying. They reminded me of an arrow heading for the bullseye, except Nigel didn’t always reach the target.
‘With more vision and the ability to lay off the ball to unmarked colleagues, he would be one of the best hurlers in the county.
‘The first-half was dour and dogged. Both back lines were on top during this period and both sets of forwards just weren’t scoring.
‘The efforts of Paul Carley from placed balls had Glynn-Barntown in front at half-time by 0-8 to 0-4.
‘The second-half was more exciting than the first, with Rathnure slowly but surely edging ever closer on the scoreboard and eventually their golden moments arrived with three brilliant goals - two from Trevor Hogan and one from Robbie Codd.
‘Both Rathnure goal scorers were crashed to the ground by brutal violence, by a Glynn-Barntown back after they had struck the ball. The first time I suppose it could be said that his momentum carried him forward to the impact, but the second time he should have been sent straight to the line.
‘During the last couple of minutes players became excited and there were a few minor altercations. I think the referee was wise to blow it up although I thought there could have been a couple of minutes left to be played. On the day Rathnure were deserving winners.
‘If Rathnure were not to win the championship, no one would begrudge Glynn-Barntown winning their first county Senior hurling title, including Rathnure supporters.
‘My companion, Ted Morrissey, became very animated when Rathnure scored the goals that won the game for them.
‘During the first-half he was very quiet with some mumbling under his breath - he could have been using nasty expletives for all I knew, although normally he is not prone to using uncouth language.
‘I have a feeling he was mighty proud of his brother, Jim, in the Rathnure goal. Mary, a native of Enniscorthy, was more restrained throughout the game.
‘Maybe, Ger Collins, leading out the Rapparees, the 1978 county champions, to be honoured at half-time, had struck a note of sentimental longing with her for what might have been in the intervening years.
‘When Rathnure scored their third goal, an apparition-like figure appeared in front of us - Mickey Foley, another Rathnure great of former days, jumped up and with his back to the pitch threw his arms in the air and with shouts reminiscent of the war cries of the men of Bantry as they attacked the Meath Militia at the Battle of the Three Rocks, gave a display of triumphalism that was glorious in its exultant exhibition of raw tribalism.
‘The stand at that moment wasn’t a place for the timorous. Maybe, Martin Byrne filmed it for posterity.
‘We waited for the presentation of the Dr. R.J. Bowe Cup to Rod Guiney, by the Chairman of the County Board, Seán Quirke, and to see Des Pettitt presenting the man of the match award to Michael O’Leary of Rathnure, and richly deserved it was too.
‘Mary, Ted and I slipped off to Mooney’s for a stimulating drink, where we met numerous hurling greats and had many “intelligent” discussions on the ancient game. Of course, with a certain amount of intoxicating liquid consumed, we all exaggerated our own prowess on the Gaelic fields.
‘Yes, there were some references to the antecedents of the referee. Before we got too carried away we discreetly left Mooney’s and headed for Enniscorthy, with Mary driving.’