Almost 30 years of heartache replaced by Meelin’s extended run during 1970s

John Tarrant reflects on a glorious period for Meelin hurling when the club won a famous four in a row of Duhallow title in the 1970s

HE 1970s heralded a dominant and golden era in Meelin hurling, a club holding a long and proud tradition, the period from 1970 to 1973 confirmed Meelin created an imposing record on domestic affairs.

The Duhallow hurling scene had been largely dominated by Kanturk to record five consecutive outright wins culminating with a county title in 1969. Having been defeated by Kanturk in three of the five deciders, Meelin held a motivation to end a barren run of 27 years and duly claimed the 1970 championship honours.

The club’s pride had been obviously deeply wounded yet it brought a passionate response to dictate the start of new decade.

It’s fair to say that Meelin celebrated success and drowned their sorrows in defeat yet their dedication kept the spirit of Meelin hurling alive and evident after completing a four in a row of Duhallow JHC titles in 1973.

Club Secretary and full back at the time Donal O’Connor recalled a tough battle against Newmarket, Meelin delivered an all round team performance underpinned by a customary work ethic that’s what expected from a committed team effort.

“That called for a celebration but win, lose or draw, we were committed to playing Tournafulla in the Tullylease Carnival Tournament Final later that night. Those games against Limerick teams were terrific, ‘twas the closing of the carnival, we didn’t want to let anybody down, we won the game and with two trophies won on the one day, we made up for lost time in celebrating,” he said.

The O’Connor family immersed themselves as cornerstones in Meelin GAA affairs at the time, their drive and passion were key to Meelin creating inroads with Donal taking up Club Secretary at 15 years of age and joined by his dad Ben who served as Chairman up to his death in 1977.

“When I became Secretary in 1963, there was no modern day communication or technology. Attending Board meetings, phones weren’t in houses, it required driving around the parish to relate fixtures to players and confirm training. That was the scene for every club and it placed a burden especially on rural clubs,” he said.

The roots of Meelin Hurling club was laid in 1928, the club competed in the North Cork Championship until 1932 on the formation of the Duhallow Division. Success surfaced, Meelin winning their first Duhallow JAHC in 1939 and continued with further titles in 1940, 1941 and 1943.

However emigration created an impact, necessitating Meelin to amalgamate with Tullylease in the mid 1950’s with little success attained. Better times surfaced, from 1960, Meelin registered as an independent club and entered the Novice championship.

In 1963, Meelin received divine inspiration on the appointment of Fr. Finbarr Kelleher as curate to the parish. The Aghabullogue native is credited as a tireless champion in the promotion of hurling on raising the standards that Donal O’Connor can vouch.

“He was the catalyst that changed the mindset in Meelin in terms of going about our business properly. My father had provided a smaller field for training with one sliotar available, Fr. Kelleher condemned such training methods and we moved to a bigger field with a supply of hurling balls,” Donal said.

“Cattle would graze on the field, that would require the playing field to be cleaned. Fr. Kelleher put the skids under us to improve facilities, he used a sledge hammer to erect strands of thorny wire on the perimeter of the field.”

Meelin made a long awaited breakthrough in 1963 to overcome Kilbrin in the Novice Final and one of the successful team members Ted Linehan spoke of a key figure on the starting side.

“Fr. Kelleher actually played under a non de plume name, his identity had to be kept secret at that time for no clergyman was allowed to take the field yet he was eager to doing so,” said Ted.

The curate’s willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty was truly inspirational, happy at training sessions for Junior and underage sides, packing a team into his White Volkswagen to travel to Newmarket and Bolsters Field, Kanturk for games. And underage success followed, Meelin landing a first time Duhallow MHC title in 1966 and repeating the achievement four years later.

The O’Connor brothers formed part and parcel of Meelin teams, Donal, joined by Eamon, Pat and Bernie. Fr. Kelleher’s tireless capacity to reward potential in teenager Bernie saw him organise a trip to Gormanstown for a week’s coaching on the skills of the game.

That initiative bore fruitition, Bernie selected as full forward on a Cork minor hurling side to land a Munster title in 1967. In that provincial campaign, Cork netted thirteen goals, only for reigning All Ireland champions Wexford to impress on the opposite side with a 28 goal blast to reach an All Ireland Final.

Though Wexford blasted home five additional goals in the decider, Cork produced a workmanlike showing and the inside line of Tom Buckley, O’Connor and Paddy

Ring delivered land victory.

Meelin club celebrated an All Ireland medalist but the man behind the upsurge, Fr. Kelleher was moving on to a new parish, he taking the GAA as a companion on helping to develop hurling in a new land. Thanks to his pursuits, Meelin were creating an impression in Junior A ranks yet Kanturk were proving a major obstacle to overcome.

Yes, Meelin had made serious inroads, a new crop of young players helped the club reach the Duhallow Finals of 1966, 1968 and 1969 only to emerge second best. Ever so close in 1969, Kanturk grabbed a single point victory, progressing to land a county title at the expense of Mayfield

Not since 1943 had Meelin lifted Duhallow accolades, club fortunes had been sagging and supporters became disillusioned in the 1950s. But underage success and a decent showing from 1969 gave all involved in Meelin a tremendous boost in confidence and morale.

Meelin’s day of glory climaxed in 1970 on overcoming Tullylease 3-9 to 1-7 to allow hordes of overjoyed followers swarm onto the Newmarket ground to salute their heroes. Composed and convincing, Meelin lived up to their arrival as new found enthusiasm, operating with confidence and displayed little sign of nerves to deliver a competent display before a huge attendance that paid a record £290 in gate receipts.

“It was a relief to win after previous telling scores to disappointments, far from perfect preparation, Jessie O’Callaghan falling ill to measles, my father had to collect him from his Rockchapel bed and return Jessie home after the game. And what a sporting gesture by Tullylease, two of their players shouldered our captain Brendan Buckley to collect the Cup, reminiscent of Wexford players holding Christy Ring aloft in 1956,” said Donal O’Connor.

The same two teams returned to the stage in 1971, Tullylease tried hard as challengers only to come up short by four points. With outstanding individual displays on both sides, Brendan Buckley 3-6 tally for Meelin was bettered by 3-7 from Tullylease sharpshooter Simon Stokes as team captain Pat Buckley lifted the silverware.

From 1972, Meelin relied on all their expertise to ward off a committed Newmarket effort on a flattering 6-7 to 2-11 scoreline. On doing so, a 14 man Meelin had slipped two points behind with 10 minutes remaining, the deficit might well had greater only for the heroics of ‘keeper O’Callaghan.

Newmarket had availed of goals from Con Hayes and Eddie O’Sullivan, however, the champions never lost their composure, goals from Brendan Buckley and Bernie O’Connor confirmed a Meelin desire to retain their crown. On pulling out all the stops, Meelin had turned up the heat to complete their third consecutive outright win under the captaincy of Eamon O’Connor with Buckley posting a whopping 4-5 tally.