MOUNTCOLLINS

STRANGE TIMES

With no sign of the Corona virus disappearing we are indeed living in strange times. This being Holy Week, all the churches are closed with the Easter celebrations not available to the general public. The only option is to follow the services through the internet, Facebook or T.V. and Radio.

Locals are observing the Governments directives with few people out and about. The GAA grounds are closed to all activities. SuperValu Ireland, the GAA and Centra have introduced a support system for the elderly and housebound who may need assistance with shopping. The supermarkets and chemists are also providing a delivery scervice.

This is a worrying time for second and third level students who are preparing for exams.

This virus makes no distinction between young and old, rich or poor but if we stick together and obey the regulations we can beat this epidemic.

Once again we appreciate and applaud the efforts of the medical profession and front line staff who are working in trying conditions.

LOOKING BACK

With no GAA activities in the parish at the moment it is interesting to look back at past items. While Mountcollins is now better known as a football club, their origins were in hurling. In 1888 Fr. Bernard O Mahony set up the Shamrocks Hurling Club whose colours were red with a green sash and a shamrock emblem. The team members included William Curtin, John Micky Lyons, Bill Phill O Connell, Con Guiney, Pat Flannagan, DanCurtin, W. D. Cahill, John Collins, Dan Leahy, Michael Kell Sheehan, Tade Curtin, Jock Lenihan, The Lodger Lane, Dick Jackie Brosnahan, Big Jim Hartnett, Dan T Cahill and Jack Mick Lenihan. With no league or championship at that time, games were played as tournaments.

The arrival of Fr. Byrne in the parish during the 1890’s saw the formation of a football team, which was unbeatable in tournaments in Newcastlewest, Brosnahan, Broadford and Castleisland.

Team members were, Noel Lane, Jack Naughton, Jack Murt Sheehan, Jack William Connell, Jim Connors, John Daly, Ronie Leahy, Sonny McAuliffe, Jim Noble O Connor, Jer Flynn, Bill Noble O Connor, Jack Horgan and Dave Noble O Connor.

Mountcollins affiliated to the west Limerick GAA Board in 1926. The club was represented by some great players and were unlucky in a number of finals. Their first major championship honour came in 1939 when they defeated Foynes in the West final, 1-5 to 3pts and were unlucky to lose the county final to St. Patrick’s.

The team was Connie Doherty, Larry Curtin, Con Brosnahan, Dan Cotter, D.J. O Connell, Michael D Lenihan, Jerry Lyons, M. Flynn, Moss Walsh, Lou Murphy, Tommy Murphy, Jackie O Connell, Michael J Lenihan, Chris O Connell and D. O Connor.

Emigration had a big impact on the club up to the 1980’s. while the club were always competitive at juvenile and junior level, the open door system at the time was a major disadvantage against the bigger clubs in the county. We were fortunate to have men like Aeneas Lenihan, Paddy Carroll, Timmy Brosnahan, Mick Murphy among many to keep the club going in very lean times.