Social value of the G.A.A. highlighted in historical study

IN AN ideal world there would be no link between sport and politics, but the reality is that they have been bound together for as long as games have been played. Similarly, a country’s history may often be traced via the exploits of its teams inside the white lines, as there’s no better way to espouse one’s national identity than to get behind players wearing the green jersey.

Sport, politics and history are intertwined in the latest book by Tim Pat Coogan, ‘The G.A.A. And The War Of Independence’.

It’s another welcome addition to the growing library of publications relating to our national games, with the author tracing the story of the association from its modest beginnings when Michael Cusack and Archbishop Croke were the driving forces behind a movement that survived some tricky early years to develop into the institution of today.

Coogan stresses near the start that he comes from rugby stock himself as a past pupil of Blackrock College, but that doesn’t blind him to the significant role the G.A.A. has played in the development of modern Ireland.

Indeed, he has seen it for himself and it is an ongoing process, as he lives close to the

Cuala club headquarters in south Dublin and marvels at their progress from humble beginnings to being two-time All-Ireland Senior Club hurling champions.

Coogan’s lack of G.A.A. knowledge does come across on certain occasions, notably when he refers to Joe Kernan, Armagh’s former star footballer and manager of their

All-Ireland winners in 2002, as Joe McKiernan.

Likewise, it’s a shabby mis-step to identify G.A.A. President John Horan as John Moran, but the proof reader must take as much of the blame as the author for these errors.

Happily, history is Coogan’s speciality as he has shown down through the years with a series of well-received books, notably his biography of Michael Collins and his study of the IRA.

There’s not a lot of Wexford-related information in this book, although he does tell one amusing tale of how the Model county’s victory over Kerry in the All-Ireland Senior football final of 1915 - the first leg of the famous four-in-a-row - almost led to the breakdown of an IRB mission to transfer arms from a house in Dublin back to the Kingdom.

Two cars were deployed for the task, but one of the operatives, Tadhg Horgan, had drowned his sorrows after the defeat one day earlier and was in no fit state to participate.

The drunk was put in the back of one of the vehicles and left to sleep it off while his colleagues entered the house to collect the weapons. However, there was consternation when they emerged, as Horgan had woken up, and driven off in the car!

His resourceful colleagues managed to think on their feet, get all of the guns into the remaining car, and make it in time to Kingsbridge to place them aboard the packed Tralee train.

It was a close shave though, and all because a Kerryman had taken to the drink as a result of Wexford’s All-Ireland football final victory.

This book covers a turbulent era in the country’s history, and several examples are provided to highlight the reality that the G.A.A. and the nationalist movement were inextricably linked.

Indeed, the Irish Volunteers drilled with hurls in the absence of rifles, while many of those interred after the 1916 Rising were prominent players and officials. Coogan’s argument that the G.A.A. is the most socially valuable organisation in Ireland is certainly compelling when the historical facts he outlines are considered.

ALAN AHERNE

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