New publication about Duhallow GAA set to be serious talking point

SPECIAL PUBLICATION LIFTS THE LID ON THE FERTILE GROUND DUHALLOW GAA - THE CLUBS, THE PERSONALITIES, THE TRIUMPHS AND THE HEROES

DUHALLOW holds a rich and diverse history influenced by tradition, culture and Gaelic games, and this the focus of a special publication brought to you by The Corkman.

‘Dú Ealla Abú’ is now in your newsagents and looks set to provide many talking points over the Christmas season. The publication focuses on the division and its clubs, recalling the founding of the division, the triumphs, celebrations and achievements.

All of its 80 pages embrace local activity and cultural interests with an insight on all of the 20 clubs in the division.

We look at some of the outstanding achievements by great teams of the past – and more recently.

We also focus on some of the people who have helped build up the GAA in Duhallow, and salute those who have worked tirelessly over the years to provide infrastructure and facilities.

It also includes many nuggets of information that, hopefully, will provide insight into the enduring passion for Gaelic games in Duhallow. For instance: • Dromtariffe and Millstreet were the winners of the inaugural Duhallow Junior football and hurling finals (respectively) in 1933. • ‘Duhallow West’ won its first County Senior Football Championship title in 1936. • Kerry legend Mick O’Dwyer won his first trophy with a Kerry team on the ‘Sandpit Field’. • Overall, 71 different players from Duhallow clubs hold 129 All-Ireland medals. • But, only two players have won All-Ireland medals in both hurling and football. • When Millstreet won the 1914 Co IFC the game had to be transferred to an open park after the Cork Athletic Grounds were commandeered by the British army to stable horses.

And these are just a taste of the snippets to emerge in Dú Ealla Abú.

From the founding of the Duhallow Divisional Junior GAA Board and its first competitions in 1933, its has enriched the lives of so many people in a mostly rural community.

It’s fascinating to witness the impact of the GAA on local society, the family connections, the pride of the little village and the rivalry between neighbouring clubs when they clash is special.

The passion and excitement of Gaelic games has touched every family within Duhallow and beyond.

So, who is the greatest GAA player ever to emerge from Duhallow?

Or which club within the division can claim the most bragging rights when it comes to trophies bagged?

These and other questions may well surface within the pages of this once-off special publication – Dú Ealla Abú.

And, as was mentioned at the launch this week by Duhallow Board president Tom Dennehy, Dú Ealla Abú might settle many an argument this Christmas.

DÚ EALLA ABÚ

Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald Dú Ealla Abú - A celebration of Duhallow GAA down the years was launched at the Wallis Arms Hotel, Millstreet this week. Pictured at the launch were, front from left: Billy Mangan (Corkman Sales Executive), Tom Dennehy (Duhallow Board President),...

A celebration of Duhallow GAA down the years DÚ EALLA ABÚ

Above: The late John Joe Brosnan, Meelin, was secretary to the Duhallow Board for over 50 years and became known as ‘Mr Duhallow’.

Here’s a detail from a photo of the 1918 Meelin football team, which includes one Sean Moylan, who was even then involved in the War of Independence and would go on to become a government minister.

Here’s a detail from a photo of the Newmarket hurlers of 1963, when helmets hadn’t yet found favour.

Right: Former GAA president Sean Kelly offers some unique insights into the GAA in Duhallow - including being ‘smuggled’ back across the Kerry border after some contentious nights judging Scor.