A NEW CHAPTER
Guest Contributor
FOR a time in the late 1970s and in to the early 90s there were few club rivalries in the Leinster like that between Baltinglass and Tinahely. It had sprouted from a plethora of meetings between the two clubs in underage finals and semi-finals of the late seventies and early eighties before an eventual meeting in the county senior final of 1982. To give some background between 1977 and 1984 Baltinglass and Tinahely shared the under 21 championship solely between them but strangely never met in a final. Baltinglass had four titles between 1976 and 1979 before Tinahely took the next thee. The minor was similar with Baltinglass successful in 1977, ’79, ’81 and ’83 with Tinahely taking the other titles in 1978, ’80 and again in ’82.
They say history has a habit of repeating itself and next Sunday the teams that take to the field in Aughrim will have much of the same path already tread. It has taken 38 years for them to pair off for their second Miley cup showdown, but I feel the clock may be turning back in terms of the footballing landscape for these two.
Tinahely will certainly hope that the result will differ to that in the ’82 final, they suffered a 1-9 to 0-7 loss. You will meet few outside these two GAA mad towns willing to part with hard earned cash either way and therein lies the intrigue of the final in this the strangest of years. 2020 has been anything but normal. New this and new that are phrases trotted out countless times every day but tradition is one constant in these two clubs. Separated by a nice scenic half hour drive they probably have more in common than they would like to admit. At times in the past it has had the feel of a local derby. There have been good, bad and the odd ugly game amongst the many meetings and a look back at the stories and characters behind some of those games will throw up names a plenty of legends from both clubs. Many will have a family connection with next Sunday.
1970
Their first championship meeting came back in August 1970. Baltinglass were a well established senior team by then with Tinahely in their first year at that level.
Baltinglass had won their first senior title in 1958 and had taken Miley home with them on a further five occasions.
Tinahely had earned promotion after a win over Laragh in the junior final of 1969. It was the Slaneysiders who pulled away in the second half for a 1-11 to 0-3 win.
After playing with the wind in the first half they led 0-5 to 0-1 and Tinahely had battled well. It was a goal from Padraig Byrne early in the second half that gave them a comfortable lead they would not surrender.
For the record the teams that played in the first meeting lined out as follows:
Baltinglass: Jim Whelan; John Connell, Joe Doherty, Ken Browne; Matt Finn, Tom Scott, Tony Norton; Pat Rogers and Pat Burke; Seamus Cunningham, Willie Wall, Noel Scott; Lar Norton, Bobby Nolan, Padraig Byrne.
Tinahely: Myles Lawless; Amby Quaile (grandson Willie will play next Sunday), Pat Quaile, Gerry Moran; Anthony Darcy (son Tony will feature next Sunday), Mick Darcy, Ned Gahan; Pat Hedderman (has two nephews James and Daniel part of the Tinahely panel) and Jim Darcy (grandfather of Eoin who will line out in the forward line); Mick Simpson, Tony Cullen, Mick Grey; Tommy Murphy, Jim Hogan (uncle of Shane who will play a pivotal role for Tinahely), Charlie Canavan.
1975
The next time they crossed swords was in June of 1975. Before the game even started a problem with the referee becoming unavailable. That man of many talents in Wicklow GAA circles, Mick Hagan, of St Patrick’s, was persuaded by the then secretary, George Nicholls, to take charge of proceedings.
It was tough and real championship stuff. Tinahely were down a man before half-time but led at the break 1-5 to 0-5 with the goal coming from Pat Hedderman. A goal from John Cullen had helped Baltinglass gain parity. Then with six minutes remaining a Dermot ‘Hopper’ McGrath free put Tinahely ahead and they withstood fierce Baltinglass pressure to get through.
Tinahely: Pat Lannigan; Charlie Canavan, Pat Quaile, Dick Carey; Tom Hassett, Jimmy Hogan, Tom Kenny (son Shane is a selector with Tinahely); Hugh Byrne and Jim Darcy (0-1); Ray Menton (02, his nephew Michael Byrne is captain of the Tinahely team), Pat Hedderman (1-2), Tommy Tyrrell; Dermot McGrath (0-3), Richard Willoughby, Mick Byrne (0-1). Sub Tony Cullen for Menton (inj).
Baltinglass: Jim Whelan; Ger Kilcoyne, Tony Norton, Anthony McGrath (uncle of John McGrath star Baltinglass forward); Nicky Curry, Tom Scott, John Dooley; Peter Burke (son Peadar will hope to be fit to play on Sunday) and Brendan Dooley; Lar Norton, John Wall (0-1), Seamus Kelly; John Cullen (1-0), Seamus Cunningham (0-1), Willie Wall (0-6). John Smullen and Noel McLoughlin.
1980
The work at juvenile level in both clubs was now starting to really pay dividends and the first semi-final meeting came in August 1980. Baltinglass were still that bit further down the road and won through to the final where they would beat Blessington for their
tenth title.
The west men had played against the wind in the opening half but were in tantalising form and led 1-7 to 0-4 at the break. Tinahely looked out of their depth but in the second half they showed a different side and although it was too late for them this time, they learned plenty.
Con Murphy was prominent in the first half and he set Michael ‘Sykie’ O’Neill up for the Baltinglass goal in the third minute. Tommy Murphy and Billy Timmins could have had further Baltinglass goals but for good saves by Pat Lannigan.
Only Jim Darcy really played to his potential on the Tinahely side and he punched their goal in the second half but the Baltinglass
men went on to win 1-16 to 1-7. The teams that lined out in that game were:
Baltinglass: Tony Norton; John Farrell, Billy Gorman, John Byrne; Brian Fitzpatrick, John Dooley, Declan O’Neill; Tommy Murphy (son Kevin will line out at fullback) and Peter Burke (0-1); Billy Timmins, Brian Kilcoyne (0-1), Robert McHugh (0-4, Adam was in top form against AGB at full-forward); Con Murphy (0-3), Brendan Dooley (0-3), Michael O’Neill (1-4). Subs: Ger Foley for Con Murphy.
Tinahely: Pat Lannigan; Buddy Byrne, Pat Quaile, Maurice O’Connor; Tom Kenny, Paudge Morris, Declan Cleary; Seamus Morris and Jim Darcy (1-0); Fergus Menton (0-1), Pat Hedderman, Paul Tyrrell (0-2, son James is part of the Ti
nahely panel); Mick Byrne, Tony Moran, Dicky Doran (0-3). Subs: Martin O’Rourke (son Patrick lines out for Tinahely next Sunday) for Menton, PJ Tyrrell for Quaile.
Another meeting in 1981, this time in the quarter final. ‘Tinahely Dethrone the champions’ was the headline the following Friday but Dunlavin would shock them in the semi-final.
‘Balto’ were seeking a treble of titles but met a Tinahely team in rude health. The 0-11 to 1-4 win could and probably should have been much greater for the ‘Reds’.
As in 1980, Baltinglass scored an early goal with Peter Burke finding the net. It helped them lead 1-3 to 0-3 at the break but the writing was on the wall. Seamus Morris was dominant in the middle and
John John Doyle and Dicky Doran were causing all sorts of problems for the Baltinglass backs.
Tinahely could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty with Tony Norton saving Doran’s spot kick.
Tinahely: Pat Lannigan; Buddy Byrne, Jim Hogan, Tom Kenny; Mick Byrne, Fergus Menton, Declan Cleary; Seamus Morris (0-1) and Pat Hedderman; John John Doyle (0-2), Jim Darcy (0-1), Paul O’Dare (0-2); Dermot McGrath (0-1), Paul Tyrrell (0-2), Dicky Doran (0-2). Subs: Tony Moran for McGrath.
Baltinglass: Tony Norton; John Farrell, Billy Gorman, John Byrne; Ger Foley, John Dooley, Declan O’Neill; Brian Kilcoyne (0-1) and Peter Burke (1-1); Billy Timmins,
Brendan Dooley, Pat Murphy; Con Murphy (0-2), Tommy Murphy, Robert McHugh. Subs: Brian Fitzpatrick for O’Neill.
1982
The only previous final meeting as mentioned earlier came in September of 1982.
As like this year’s final many were hedging their bets as little seemed to separate the two and the previous four meetings had seen two wins apiece.
NJ Lawlor wrote the following week: ‘Experience - and the lack of it - the vital factor.’
Could the game on Sunday next be put in the same category? Baltinglass will have players who
have tasted success both in 2007 and 2016 and that will help.
The fact that supporters will be almost be non-existent will lead to a strange atmosphere so the young players on each squad won’t have the roar of an expectant, supportive or hostile crowd to contend with. It hasn’t done them any harm thus far.
A large crowd crammed in to Aughrim for the showpiece in 1982. While the game never really took off it was tense all through. A total of 52 frees were awarded in the hour and that did little to help the continuity.
Lawlor remarked how Tinahely had started very well and led 0-3 to 0-1 after 15 minutes. Baltinglass had turned it around to go in 0-5 to 0-3 ahead.
A Matt Owens goal put Baltinglass six points up during the second half but Tinahely fought back and were 1-7 to 0-7 behind with ten minutes to play.
Points by Robert McHugh and Tommy Murphy settled the issue. Baltinglass were well worth their win, Lawlor noted.
He felt Tinahely would be back very soon in a final but Baltinglass were not going anywhere either.
Billy Kenny, and a youngster who had won an under-16 championship medal a week previous by the name of Kevin O’Brien, were particularly prominent for Baltinglass with Tinahely also fielding a 16-year-old starter in Patrick Murphy at full-forward. Both O’Brien and Murphy would win All-Ireland Vocational School medals a little over six months later with Wicklow.
Peter Keogh in his summing up felt that Tinahely had erred in moving Pat Hedderman from the middle of the field for the second half as it allowed Baltinglass to wrest control in this area.
Brendan Dooley had shone firstly at centre back before going back to mark Hedderman on the edge of the square for the second half.
The players that took part in the final were:
Baltinglass: Dan Leigh; Billy Kenny, John Dooley, Ger Foley; Brian Fitzpatrick, Brendan Dooley, Brian Kilcoyne; Tommy Murphy (04) and Pat Murphy; Kevin O’Brien, Peter Burke Captain, Robert McHugh (0-4); Con Murphy, Matt Owens (1-1), John Byrne. Subs: Billy Timmins for Byrne, Declan O’Neill for Fitzpatrick.
Tinahely: Pat Lannigan; Buddy Byrne, Jimmy Hogan, Tom Kenny; Mick Byrne, Paudge Morris, Declan Cleary; Pat Hedderman and Seamus Morris (0-1); J J Doyle (0-1), Jim Darcy, Paul O’Dare (01); Fergus Menton, Pat Murphy (current Tinahely chairman and also uncle of the Hedderman brothers), Dicky Doran (0-4). Subs: Paul Tyrrell for Murphy, Dermot McGrath for Mick Byrne.
1983
Tinahely had to lick their wounds and another semi-final meeting was the order of the day in August of 1983.
This was probably the best championship game that has been played between the two to date.
It was only in the final three minutes that Baltinglass snatched the win with an opportunistic goal from Brendan Dooley. The teams had been tied on ten occasions during the game.
Unlike games in the past between the two this became a tactical battle from the off. Man marking was the order of the day with players following the same player no matter where they went for the hour.
This seen Brian Fitzpatrick line up in an unusual position of centre forward, Pat Murphy picked up Pat Hedderman with John Dooley policing Jim Darcy for the hour.
It was Baltinglass who seemed to win this tactical battle despite some fine Tinahely forward play over the hour. Billy Kenny, Declan O’Neill and Brian Kilcoyne had storming second half showings for Baltinglass when Tinahely turned the screw.
Tinahely with the wind at their backs led 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time. Matt Owens and Peter Burke had edged Balto ahead as the game entered the final seven minutes but JJ Doyle and Dicky Doran tied it up before Dooley pounced and a Micheal O’Neill point secured a 1-12 to 0-11 win in front of a large crowd of a few thousand punters that paid gate receipts of over £1,200.
Baltinglass: Dan Leigh; George Bradley, Billy Kenny, Pat Murphy; Declan O’Neill, John Dooley, Brian Kilcoyne; Tommy Murphy (0-2) and Peter Burke (0-1); Kevin O’Brien (0-1), Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert McHugh (04); Con Murphy, Brendan Dooley (1-1), Matt Owens (0-1). Subs: Michael O’Neill for Con Murphy.
Tinahely: Pat Lannigan; Buddy Byrne, Jimmy Hogan, Tom Kenny; Fergus Menton, Paudge Morris, Declan Cleary; JJ Doyle (0-3) and Seamus Morris (0-1); Richard Willoughby, Jim Darcy, Patrick Murphy, Dicky Doran (0-4), Paul Tyrrell (0-3), Pat Hedderman. Subs: Paul O’Dare for Hedderman.
1984
A semi-final was where they crossed paths again in August, 1984. A really tight tense game unfolded.
Unlike the 1983 game flowing football was seldom on show and in the end, it came down to the accurate boot of Dicky Doran and JJ Doyle from frees to sneak Tinahely through.
Tinahely had a 0-6 to 0-3 lead at the break but had to survive one or two scares in the second half to progress 0-9 to 0-6.
Baltinglass, who were short the services of the injured Kevin O’Brien, sought the goal they so badly needed at the end but goalie Pat Lannigan and some solid defending from the back line got them over the line.
Seamus Morris and Paul Tyrrell caused the most problems for Baltinglass going forward with Dicky Doran deadly accurate on the day. They would beat Valleymount in the final, their last appearance on final day.
Tinahely: Pat Lannigan; Buddy Byrne, Paudge Morris, Pat Murray; PJ Tyrrell, Jim Darcy, Declan Cleary; Patrick Murphy and Seamus Morris (0-2); Paul Tyrrell, JJ Doyle (0-1), Niall O’Dare; Brendan Furlong, Jimmy Hogan, Dicky Doran (0-6). Subs: Tom Kenny for Murray.
Baltinglass: Dan Leigh; Declan O’Neill, Billy Kenny, Ger Foley; George Bradley, Pat Murphy, Brian Kilcoyne; Tommy Murphy (0-1) and John Dooley; Robert McHugh, Con Murphy, Peter Burke (0-1); Michael O’Neill (0-1), Brendan
Dooley, Matt Owens (0-3). Subs: Billy Timmins for Bradley.
1987
It was another semi-final in 1987 for the next meeting and a forgettable game was won by Baltinglass who were leading 0-12 to 0-4 when the game ended.
Billy Timmins who was to have a fine game had two Baltinglass points in the opening minutes. Patrick Murphy and JJ Doyle had it all square before the 8th minute and Tinahely also missed two really good goaling opportunities.
Baltinglass went in leading 0-7 to 0-3 at the break after playing with the wind. McHugh (2), Paul Kenny and Con Murphy getting the points while Seamus Morris replied for Tinahely.
An early JJ Doyle point looked like it would spark Tinahely to life but Tommy Murphy and Billy Kenny took total control around the middle and Baltinglass pulled well ahead with McHugh and sub Brendan Dooley keeping the scoreboard ticking.
The win over St Patricks in the final of 1987 would mark the start of the run of eight titles in a row for Baltinglass.
Baltinglass: Dan Leigh, Billy Gorman, Sean O’Brien, George Bradley; Brian Kilcoyne, Pat Murphy, Brian Fitzpatrick; Tommy Murphy and Billy Kenny; Billy Timmins (0-2), Andy Owens (01), Robert McHugh (0-5); Con Murphy (0-1), Matt Owens (0-1), Paul Kenny (0-1). Subs: Brendan Dooley (0-2) for Owens.
Tinahely: Paul Menton; Ciaran Tyrrell, Maurice Hedderman, Simon Byrne; Thomas Murphy, Jim Darcy, Brendan Hedderman; Seamus Morris (0-1) and Patrick Murphy (0-1); Paul Tyrrell, JJ Doyle (0-2), Mick Murray; Brendan Furlong, Niall O’Dare, Pat Peters. Sub: Pat Murray for B Hedderman.
1989
A quarter-final in 1989 was the next time they met. A scintillating start from Baltinglass was where this game was won. They had six points on the board in the opening 12 minutes and Tinahely were reeling. Raymond Danne at full-forward was causing mayhem early on for the Tinahely backs. Tinahely clawed their way back with three Paul Tyrrell frees before the half time whistle to leave Balto leading 0-7 to 0-3.
The goal in fifth minute of the second half put the seal on the Baltinglass win. Robert McHugh finishing from close range after a fine save from Mick Greene in the Tinahely goal from a Liam Horgan shot.
Tyrrell would kick another three frees and some stout defending kept Baltinglass ahead as Tinahely fought back well with a strong showings from Colman Byrne and Declan Cleary in the second half. It would end 1-12 to 0-6.
Baltinglass: Dan Leigh; Tom Donohoe, Hugh Kenny, Tom Fox; Brian Fitzpatrick, Pat Murphy, Brian Kilcoyne; Sean O’Brien and Billy Kenny; Billy Timmins, Tommy Murphy (0-1), Liam Horgan (0-1); Con Murphy, Ray Danne (0-4), Robert McHugh (1-5). Subs: Paul Kenny (0-1) for O’Brien, O’Brien for Timmins. Paudge Doody (has son Sean playing next Sunday).
Tinahely: Mick Greene; Buddy Byrne, Maurice Hedderman, Simon Byrne; Ray Murphy, Jim Darcy, Declan Cleary; Seamus Morris and Colman Byrne; Brendan Furlong, Paul Tyrrell (0-6), Niall O’Dare; Willie Furlong, Pat Peters, Mick Murray. Subs: Ciaran Tyrrell for Buddy Byrne, Pat Murray for Simon Byrne.
1993
The last championship meeting came in 1993 in a first-round game. Both clubs were by now on a very different path with Baltinglass looking unstoppable not only in Wicklow but Leinster and further afield. A 2-15 to 0-4 win probably didn’t do justice to the effort a much changed Tinahely team put in but Baltinglass were ruthless. Amazingly this game was also 0-7 to 0-3 at the break for the third meeting in a row.
A tally of 11 wides didn’t help the Tinahely cause and Kevin O’Brien and Robert McHugh both found the net in the second half as Baltinglass cruised through.
Baltinglass: Dan Leigh; Tom Donahoe, Hugh Kenny, Derek Byrne; Joe Byrne, Billy Kenny, Brian Fitzpatrick (0-1); Ray Danne and Declan Humphries (0-1); Damian McMahon, Robert McHugh (1-4), Andy Owens (0-1); Sean O’Brien, Tommy Murphy (0-1), Kevin O’Brien (1-7). Subs: Pat Murphy for Fitzpatrick, Brian Kilcoyne for S O’Brien.
Tinahely: Mick Greene; Tom Murphy, Maurice Hedderman, Pat Murray; Ray Murphy, Colman Byrne, Ciaran Tyrrell; Patrick Murphy and Nicky Murphy; Rory Stokes (his son Rory is now a mainstay of the Tinahely team), Niall O’Dare (0-1), Brian Moran (0-1); Bernard Kinsella (0-1), Mick Murray (0-1), Peter Mulhall.
The Final Word
As the saying goes: remember, today’s events are tomorrow’s history, events seen by the naked eye lack the true tale of human struggles, triumphs and suffering.
Writing history is writing the soul of the past so that the present generation may learn from past mistakes, be inspired by their predecessors sacrifices and take responsibility for their own future.
Baltinglass and Tinahely will feel they are back where they belong and its only the start of a new chapter in a celebrated story even if few will have the pleasure of witnessing the celebrations in Aughrim on Sunday.
Could the first ever draw in championship fare between the two happen?