Big hearted Glenlara matched the
Glenlara are the little club who could and whose legacy stands the test of time
GREAT moments and memorable encounters mixed with what might had been surrounds the history of Glenlara GAA. The small rural club holds a deep sense of pride in the community and its achievements struck a chord with supporters down through the years.
There are undeniable highs and lows for every club to enjoy and endure, Glenlara GAA no different on sampling success in the competitive Junior A Football League only to narrowly miss out on major championship honours.
Glenlara GAA Club was founded by five local men who convened in late 1937 namely Paddy Shine, Dan A Daly, Nick Dan Kenneally, Robert O’Keeffe and Peter Finucane. Officially formed in 1938, a meeting decided to enter a team in the Duhallow Novice Championship where it took great courage on the part of these men to start the club in the shadows of strongholds in Newmarket, Boherbue and Kiskeam.
“There was no town or village, just a catchment area made up of six townlands within two miles of Glash Bridge. Earlier it was a case of townland taking on townland, at times, many of those games failed to finish given their intensity,” said former Chairman Peter Foley.
With a combined team consisted of players drawn from a rural area, the club was greatly enhanced by the presence of two national schools in the area, Glash and Taur. Both of these schools were subsequently closed by the Department of Education in the 1970’s which had a negative effect for Glenlara club for the children of both Glash and Taur transferred to national schools in nearby Newmarket, Boherbue and Kiskeam.
“It meant so much to have young people locally, between the two schools, it laid the foundation for the club, Taur School Principal John Brendan O’Keeffe was very much into football. At lunch time, it was down to the cliff, goalposts in place, it was like Croke Park to us, John Brendan taught us how to catch and kick properly,” said Foley.
Likewise Taur School had John Joe Kavanagh from Brandon Creek in Kerry, he stayed in digs at Glash Bridge and fell in to play with Glenlara and also became a well known referee. Though a small club, Glenlara supplied three referees to the Duhallow Board, Den Sheahan, Dan Sheahan and Kavanagh.
“Times were tough and money scarce during the War Years, members went out on St. Stephens Day to gather the wren, proceeds helped buy a football for ten shillings and £4 paid for the rent of a field. We availed of so many people to provide ground, Con Shine’s field emerged one of the finest in Duhallow, a natural level terrain that required no drainage,” said Peter Foley.
Glenlara paraded some great club men, none more so than Den Sheahan who in terms of longevity, dedication and personal sacrifices delivered decades of service to the club and enjoyed multiple roles including Secretary for more than 40 years.
“Den Sheahan held the club together, players were loyal to Den and remained with the club, when the ship was sinking, Den stayed aboard. He had a heart of gold, Glenlara meant everything to him, I remember, the club had one football, stored in Den’s Shed and there was no problem on obtaining the ball and enjoy a game,” said Peter.
Just three years in existence, Glenlara won the 1941 Novice Football Championship to overcome Knocknagree and they repeated the triumph to better Boherbue to the 1950 decider.
With growing numbers and a rising standard of play, Glenlara took the decision to move up to A ranks and a consistent run yielded the 1954 Examiner Cup from Kanturk. Though a low scoring contest developed, Glenlara weren’t found wanting and made it count where it mattered on the scoreboard where
Martin Quirke’s goal decided the outcome and Glenlara celebrated a terrific victory.
Glenlara fielded as Murty O’Sullivan, Den Sheahan, Dan Hourigan, Bertie O’Callaghan, Mick Lane, Dan O’Connor, John Sheehan, Andy Hourigan, Vincent O’Connor, Dan Lane, Dan Casey, Eamon O’Connor, Martin Quirke, John Sweeney, Pat Fitzpatrick.
Opponents Kanturk lined out as Eddie O’Connor, John O’Mahony, Paddy Smith, Tom Kenneally, Louis Buckley, Jim Barry, Jimmy Mullane, Frank Healy, Jim Manley, Billy Barrett, Denis Singleton, Michael O’Brien, Denis Leahy, John Murphy, Christy Murphy. Referee: John Archdeacon (Castlemagner).
That outcome provided encouragement for the championship but in a marathon and fiercely contested four games with Dromtarriffe, Glenlara were devastated to lose by a narrow margin.
In fairness, Glenlara were throwing themselves into the fray, creating inroads in the Junior A Football Championship, a winning run from the 1956 campaign earned a place in the decider against familiar opponents Dromtariffe to the Banteer hosting. From a game of fantastic endeavour, Glenlara gave it their all but it wasn’t sufficient to halt a gritty Dromtariffe from landing a narrow victory on a 1-6 to 2-1 scoreline.
Subsequently, Dromtariffe enjoyed a decent run in the county to better Kilmichael and Urhan only to come up short to St. Michaels in the final.
Meanwhile in Duhallow, Glenlara
were awarded the Examiner Cup owing to Dromtariffe’s excursions in the county and unable to complete their Duhallow program. Credit Glenlara for showing sportsmanship, they agreed to determine the trophy out on the field and in early December, Glenlara not actively involved for a number of months had to yield to fitter and sharper opponents.
“It’s fair to say that Dromtariffe were our bogey side and haunted us for a number of years. We were close to a championship, knocking on the door but unfortunately, we never got the opportunity to get inside that door,” said Foley.
Still Glenlara remained one of the top sides in a hotly competitive Junior Football grade and paraded outstanding players to play for Duhallow and Cork. Dan Hourigan emerged as one of the great defenders of his time, time and again shunting the dangers of opposing attackers.
Emerging a hugely influential figure, Hourigan helped Cork to win a Munster Junior Football Championship title in 1957 in a team that reached an All Ireland Final only to succumb to Mayo. Elsewhere Donal Cronin earned selection on a Cork minor football side.
Key men to represent Glenlara on Duhallow senior teams were Dan Casey, Donal Cronin, Pat Joe Fitzpatrick, Simon Foley, Dan Hourigan, Liam O’Connor, Murty Ned O’Sullivan, Jack Sheahan and Denis A Sheahan.
Recessionary times, players took the flight across the Atlantic in search of employment and a desire to become involved in gaelic games in New York allowed Ted Fitzpatrick, Peter and Patrick Foley enjoy success with Cork and Louth teams.
In latter years, players from Glenlara contributed to successful Boherbue Comprehensive School teams.
Glenlara regained the Examiner Cup in 1958 on overcoming Knocknagree in the final, the attractive contest acted as an appealing curtain raiser to the divisional Junior Hurling Championship Final where Tullylease bettered Kanturk before a record attendance at Banteer.
Dan Casey captained the side that also included Murty Ned O’Sullivan, Den Sheahan, Dan Hourigan, Dan O’Connor(Barnacurra), Ned Carey, Pat Fitzpatrick, Bertie O’Callaghan, Dan O’Connor(Taur), Jimmy McAulliffe, Pat Joe Foley, Andy Hourigan, Vincent O’Connor, John Sheahan, Dan Hickey, Donal Cronin, Nicky Kenneally, Michael Murphy, Mick Lane, Jimmy O’Callaghan, John P Angland, Connie Sheahan, Jack Daly, D D Twomey, Denis Angland, Mikey Paul Collins,
To win the Examiner Cup set up Glenlara nicely for the championship only to be denied by a highly experienced Castlemagner in the decider. Indeed Castle’ had enjoyed a stunning run of success in both football and football with a pair of county titles to their credit and three divisional football titles in four seasons from 1958 confirmed their upper hand in domestic
affairs.
Nobody could have questioned Glenlara’s workrate, resolve or resilience in the 1958 decider yet they found it difficult to dislodge Castlemagner from their high perch.
Age caught up with a number of players coupled with emigration meant the club regraded yet they won a Novice championship title in 1961 at the expense of Millstreet. Subsequently, a young team was emerging at u21 level and though again denied by Dromtarriffe after three games, the future looked bright.
From 1969, a winning run in the league helped earn a place in the final, neighbours Ballydesmond were creating an impression too and duly put a new name on the 1969 Examiner Cup roll of honour.
However, a desire to win the following season paved the way for Glenlara to turn the table on Ballydesmond to record a 2-7 to 0-6 triumph. On the day, Glenlara looked the better balance side, showing more composure in their play and crucially more scoring options through goals from Dan Sheahan and Peter Foley with Jack Sheahan displaying accuracy from points off frees and play.
A solid all round team performance, at the back, Connie Sheahan and Jer Foley anchored the central of defence with Batt O’Callaghan and Simon Foley bringing a strong presence at midfield to supply ample possession into a threatening attack.
Patrick Foley captained the side and though not starting on hampered by an injury, he was introduced as a second half substitute and delivered the guidance to complete a rewarding third Examiner Cup title for the Glenlara men.
Glenlara fielded as Jimmy O’Callaghan, Michael Foley, Connie Sheahan, Tim Murphy, Ted Fitzpatrick, Jer Foley, Denis Cronin, Simon Foley, Batt O’Callaghan, Jack Sheahan, Jim O’Connor, Donie Kiely, Peter Foley, Donal Cronin, Dan Sheahan. Subs. Patrick Foley, Den Sheahan, John Joe Kavanagh, Ben Cosgrove, Frank Fitzpatrick, Darby Murphy, Ben O’Keeffe, Matthew O’Mahony, Tadgh Fleming, Jim Guiney, Michael Murphy, Jerry Daly.
Opponents Ballydesmond paraded a line up of Paddy Fleming, Jer Healy, Con O’Connor, D J Fleming, Tim O’Leary, Teddy Dennehy, Dan O’Connor, Danno Dennehy, Sean Kelly, Tom O’Sullivan, Thade Healy, Tommy Murphy, Michael O’Sullivan, Andy O’Connor, Tadgh Kelly.
Again disappointed in the follow up championship , Glenlara left to ponder of what might had been against Kiskeam, some controversary at stages but Donie Kiely’s effort for an equalising point was deemed outside the target.
It’s fair to say that Glenlara enjoyed a roller coaster journey, though small in size, they possessed the capabilities of matching the best within the division. Long after their great triumphs, those cherished memories were recalled during 1997 at a function in the Glen Eagle Hotel, Killarney.
“It was an unbelievable occasion to see so many turn up from both far and near. We booked for 280 but close to 400 people turned up, nobody was refused food,” said Peter Foley.
“Its brilliant to recap on the great days, winning an Examiner Cup in Duhallow was huge, consistency was required against the top sides in the division, there was pride and joy to winning silverware and those medals are prized possessions,” he said.
Pride, determination and hard work emerged over the years in Glenlara GAA, the club enjoyed success and importantly, it became the heartbeat of a rural community and a source of great pride to the people of Glash and Taur.
Age caught up with a number o fplayers, coupled with emigration, meant the club regraded yet they won a novice championship title in 1961
FOR 2021 at least, hurling will join football in its approach to curtailing cynical play on the field introducing serious sanctions for those that break the rules with the intention of stopping goal-scoring opportunities.
At last Saturday’s congress just over 60% of delegates decided to back the plan to cut out cynicism in both codes by introducing penalty pucks/kicks for cynical foul plan inside the 20-metre line or semi-circle that stops a goal-scoring opportunity.
The offending player will also see a further sanction of 10 minutes in a sin-bin likely affecting both the player and his team’s chances of success on the day.
The measures, which will be trialled for the 2021 season were deemed necessary by most of the delegates at the virtual congress after a steep rise in what many described as ‘rugby style’ tackles on players as the bore down on goal.
The official rule states: “if a player with a goal-scoring opportunity either inside the 20-metre line or the semi-circular arc that extends from the 20-metre line is pulled down, tripped, or struck with a hurley in a careless manner then a penalty shall be awarded and the offender will be yellow-carded and sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.”
Cork GAA was firmly behind the proposals heading to the annual meeting of the GAA’s decision makers, but success on the cynicism rule prior to
Saturday’s meeting wasn’t seen as a sure thing.
While the vast majority of those that attended Congress did so from home the remoteness of the delegates didn’t seem to have any effect on the number of issues discussed with all 38 motions up for decision passed on the day.
While the decision on the sin-bin got most of the headlines post congress there were a host of other decisions that come into effect for 2021 that will have a major impact on Gaelic Games throughout the country with Cork having to fall into line like everyone else.
Another major headline grabber that came out of Congress was that All Ireland Final will going forward take place in July thus ending any speculation of whether clubs or county will go first in the new split season.
This means that club players will have to wait till August to get into championship action, but all counties will then have from the eight to the 12th month to wrap up their respective club championships.
The proposal that was passed stated: “The splitting of the GAA season between inter-county and club by stipulating that the All-Ireland Senior Finals should be played on or before the 29th Sunday of the year”.
Clubs will, however, be able to get on with league action from spring to the summer without their inter-county stars thus freeing up the end of the year for club championship fare.
Sticking with the clubs and the plan to limit all senior championship competitions to 16 clubs by 2023 will case some major challenges for the powers that be in other counties, but on Leeside the Premier Senior grade has now just 12 teams – college and divisional sides add to that number.
Cork has already brought its senior championship down to 12 clubs in recent times not including the divisions and colleges – and under the upcoming guidelines that position won’t be acceptable – therefore some leniency will be required for counties like Cork that have divisions and colleges to cater for. There may well be a compromise required over the next year or two to square this particular circle.
Up to this point, GAA fans will have been well used to seeing a the Maor Foirne bib flying up and down the pitch at every break in play dishing out refreshments and imparting the manager’s instructions to his charges however this form of carrier pigeon communication will no longer be permitted as the Maor Foirne will need to do his/her job from an off-field position.
In hurling, the Under 20 All Ireland semi-finals will now be a thing of the past as the winners of the Leinster and Munster championships will from here on go straight through to the All-Ireland Final with the losers of the provincial finals bowing out – prior to this all those that made the provincial showdowns could expect a second bite at the cherry.
Motion 15 at Congress also related to the Under 20 championships with a view to preventing players who play a Tier 1 senior inter-county hurling championship match being excluded from participating in the inter-county Under 20 hurling championship in that same year – that is until after his senior inter-county team has been eliminated from the championship.
This was another motion that got through the voting process however there were some dissenting voices from the back benches – just not enough to make a difference.
The Under 20 Hurling Championship 2020 still hasn’t been completed as Cork continue to wait and see will it be Dublin or Galway that square off with the young Rebels in the All Ireland showdown.
The practice of having two club captains – joint captains – has become more prevalent in recent years as clubs show respect, usually to older or injured players, when silverware is being collected, but from here on in, clubs can do what they want about the number of captains