Sport important

‘OUTSIDE of their religion, there was nothing better than sport,’ said Rev. K. Connolly, C.C., when he addressed the local Literary and Debating Society on Monday night.

Father Connolly said that not enough people were aware of the problem of youth as it existed to-day. Not enough people were doing enough to help to organise the youth and keep them on the right road; it was left to a few.

Continuing, Father Connolly said: “Drogheda is without doubt, one of the worst equipped towns in Ireland for sport. There are only three playing fields for the thousands of youth who want to play on them; there are only two tennis courts, one handball alley and no swimming pool.”

Father Connolly emphasised that he did not want them to get the wrong angle on this subject of sport. It was not the be-all and end-all to solve the problem, but it was a big help. He added : “So long as you can keep a boy occupied in the right way, you won’t have juvenile delinquency.” Sport was such a way of doing so.

Referring to “Teddyboyism,” Fr, Connolly said that the Teddyboys they had in Drogheda were only “half-baked “ones. Their problem was not as difficult as all that.

‘ Truth to tell, they were the least tough in the community of youth. Employment would go a long way towards helping these boys.’

Following the talk, some of the members participated in a lively discussion, and Father Connolly replied to the points raised.