Banteer produced 1950s sparkle to dominate the Duhallow hurling scene
Impresario Oliver Barry is credited on putting Cork’s Pairc Uí Chaoimh on the showbiz map with celebrated stars performing on the hallowed turf by the Banks of the Lee. Away from the world of entertainment, the Banteer native remembers glorious day of hurling nostalgia in Duhallow
DWELLING back on the 1950s, one immediately turns to the triumphant path of Banteer hurling teams, that’s understandable given their tally of four divisional hurling titles abounded with excitement, drama, incident and controversy.
The era strikes a chord with Oliver Barry, a teenager at the time with a fondness for hurling who in later life became one of the country’s top concert promoters and a great friend to Cork GAA. That career in the music business commenced as manager to the Wolfe Tones and other groups for more than twenty years.
The Banteer native was the brainchild of Siamsa Cois Laoi at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the annual series of concerts brought Joan Baez, Glen Campbell, Status Quo, Kris Kristofferson and John Denver to Leeside during early 1980s. The stagings were an economic boost to the city and also to the finances of Cork GAA in the wake of a debt from the redevelopment of the stadium.
“Music festivals were nothing new, but they tended to be held in fields near towns, open venues, so clearly in a stadium you had more comfort, there was seating and probably a better view of the acts on stage. What we were doing in Páirc Uí Chaoimh that time were among the first stadium gigs in Ireland,” said Oliver.
In subsequent years, Barry helped to establish the Cork venue on the summer schedule for some of the world’s biggest acts such as Prince, Michael Jackson and U2 that helped fund the purchase of the now Páirc Uí Rinn. And in Dublin he persuaded Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis Jnr to perform a sensational concert in Lansdowne Road.
Away from the entertainment business, Oliver Barry continued to hold strong bonds with Banteer and the players, he grew up with.
“Along with Jimmy O’Connor and Micky O’Flynn, three of us were born in 1940 and we plan to celebrate a special birthday later in the year,” he said.
Barry received his secondary school education in St. Colmans, apart from the academic aspect nothing else bar hurling mattered and the Fermoy college was a Mecca of schools hurling at that time.
“I just wanted to be in there doing what those lads were playing and benefiting as much as I possibly could to bring on my own game,” he said.
Gaelic games were played in Banteer at the turn of 20th century but the present Banteer Club was founded in 1929 by Sgt. Kelly, a Galway man based in Banteer yet the club was small in terms of population.
“In the village, we used to name 96 men, women and children and to make up the one hundred, we added Spot O’Sullivan, Rex Kelleher, Spider Murphy and Charlie Barry, all dogs,” he quipped.
Recreational and Sporting options , a choice of games were limited at the time, Barry and friends played cards in a hut at the Railway Station and a short puck away was a new Sportsfield. Banteer had won a lone Duhallow title in 1938 prior to a lull, fortunes improved, from 1952, Banteer surprised holders Castlemagner in the JHC before a late Donie O’Sullivan point helped Banteer better Meelin to advance into a decider against Newmarket.
That September showdown produced a riveting contest, leaving spectators enthralled right up to the end, it took a last ditch point from Tomás Mulvihill to provide the match winner for Joe O’Flynn to accept the silverware much to the delight of a young Oliver Barry.
“Twas a special occasion, a bonfire boosted by turf and paraffin oil lit up in the village , a great team performance including that from goalkeeper Christy Kelleher. Songs were sung including the ‘Bould Thady Quill’ but one surprised everybody, a brilliant rendition by Christy of the Nat King Cole classic ‘Stardust’; Christy had worked abroad on the ships , learning the song, he won over a new audience on a Duhallow Final Day,” he said.
Castlemagner regained divisional honours in 1953/54 only for Banteer to return central stage but not without controversy during 1955 when the County Board awarded the title to Banteer at the expense of Millstreet after the latter won a replay on the pitch.
During this time, Banteer starting line up was boosted by five players from Liscarroll and from a marvellous drawn tussle with outstanding individual performances on both sides, it took a late goal from John Joe O’Sullivan to salvage a draw for Banteer.
Interestingly, four of the starting Millstreet team played with the Millstreet Pipe Band in the pre match parade. For the replay, disquiet in the Banteer ranks surfaced , one of the Liscarroll players was replaced in the team selected, he along with his four colleagues walked away in protest.
Replacements were found yet a depleted Banteer side incurred a 7-12 to 5-3 defeat only for Millstreet to incur the wrath of their opponents. Seemingly, Millstreet introduced four substitutes onto the field yet long after the championship had concluded, it was acknowledged, that the last substitute had no involvement in the game.
However in the days and weeks after the game, Banteer pursued an objection as outlined in Pat Murphy’s excellent publication, A View from Mount Hillary.
“Banteer objected on the grounds that Millstreet introduced four substitutes, replacing John Corcoran who was injured but when they found the injured player was fit, they put him back on and took off the substitute Connie Duggan. The