<span class="postTitle">Hurling: Part of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity</span> County Tipperary G.A.A. Annual Convention 2018 Handbook, Dec 18th 2018, page 143

Hurling: Part of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

County Tipperary G.A.A. Annual Convention 2018 Handbook, Dec 18th 2018, page 143

The news that hurling has been recognised as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has to be received with great satisfaction by all followers of the game in Ireland, but particularly in Tipperary, which has long prided itself as the ‘home of hurling’.

The decision was announced at the time of year when the game goes into hibernation for a couple of months as the darkness of December days and the sodden state of playing areas make the winter months least suitable for the playing of hurling.

The body responsible for conferring this status on one of the oldest stick games in the world is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). One of its bodies, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held its meeting in Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius, from Monday 26 November to Saturday 1 December 2018. Over the six days, the twenty-four State Members of the Committee, elected by the General Assembly of the 2003 Convention, discussed a number of issues that are important for the safeguarding of living heritage around the world.


Representative List

One of its tasks was to add to the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Irish Government, as was the case with numerous other Governments, made an application for the inclusion of hurling. The listing of such elements of a country’s culture ‘seeks to enhance visibility for the traditions and know-how of communities without recognising standards of excellence or exclusivity.’

Minister for Culture, Joseph Madigan, welcomed the announcement and thanked the G.A.A. and the Camogie Association for their work with her department in preparing the application.

She said the list was intended ‘to promote visibility, awareness and diversity in cultural heritage internationally. The inscription of hurling is a wonderful opportunity to share a cherished aspect of Irish culture with others.’

G.A.A. president, John Horan, said the decision reaffirmed the fact that hurling ‘was more than just a sport. It is a national treasure, an ancient tradition that connects us to our Celtic past and a part of our DNA.

‘At a time of unprecedented popularity for the game here, we owe a debt of gratitude to the generations of people who preserved, protected and promoted the game at school, club and county levels so that it would survive and thrive for our benefit.

‘All of us involved in the association are charged with ensuring the promotional work we undertake preserves hurling for future generations.’


What is an Intangible Cultural Heritage?

An intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is a practice, representation, expression, knowledge, or skill, as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts, and cultural spaces that are considered by UNESCO to be part of a place's cultural heritage.

Ireland ratified the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015. The country’s first nomination, uilleann piping, was officially inscribed last year.

Hurling joins some interesting elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage on the representative list. Granted cultural status at the same time as hurling were Jamaican reggae music and Chidaoba, a form of wrestling practised in Georgia.

Already on the list is Horse and Camel Ardhah, a racing and riding skills festival in Oman, Traditional spring festive rites of the Kazakh horse breeders in Kazakhstan. Picking of iva grass on Ozren mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, As-Samer ritualistic singing and dancing typically at marriage ceremonies in Jordan, Avalanche risk management in Switzerland and Austria, to mention a few. I am firmly of the opinion that the addition of hurling to the list will increase its excitement an hundred fold!


How UNESCO Described Hurling

‘Hurling, or Camogie (a form of Hurling played by women), is a field game played by two teams which dates back 2,000 years and features strongly in Irish mythology, most notably in the epic saga of Cú Chulainn. It is played throughout the island of Ireland, particularly in more fertile agricultural areas, as well as overseas. Traditionally, the number of players in the game was unregulated and games were played across open fields. Nowadays, there are fifteen players on adult teams and the game is played on a clearly marked pitch. Players use a wooden stick (hurley), similar to a hockey stick but with a flat end, and a small ball (sliotar), with the aim being to use the hurley to strike the sliotar and hit it between the opposing team’s goalposts. The primary bearers and practitioners are the players, known as ‘hurlers’ (male) and ‘camógs’ (female). Hurling is considered as an intrinsic part of Irish culture and plays a central role in promoting health and wellbeing, inclusiveness and team spirit. Today, the skills are promoted and transmitted through coaching and games in schools and clubs. As the custodians of Hurling, the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Camogie Association, both volunteer-led organizations, play a central role in transmitting the skills and values associated with Hurling.’


No Cost involved

The addition of hurling to the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage doesn’t cost anything or bring financial assistance in its wake. It doesn’t commit the G.A.A. or the State to any additional expenditure. Rather it is, in the words of President Michael D. Higgins a ‘global acknowledgement of the unique cultural significance of this part of our national culture and of the important role Gaelic games play in Irish society.’

<span class="postTitle">Towards a Bibliography of Books relating to Cashel and by Cashel People</span> Compiled for Feile Fidelma Literary Weekend in Cashel, September 2017

Towards a Bibliography of Books relating to Cashel and by Cashel People

Compiled for Feile Fidelma Literary Weekend in Cashel, September 2017

by Peter Berresford Ellis & Seamus J. King

Sanas Cormac compiled by Cormac Ua Cuilennain, King-Bishop of Cashel in the 10th Century, the first known Irish ‘dictionary’.

Vision of Tnudgal written by Brother Marcus of Cashel c. 1148-1150, which is an aisling saga about a Cashel warrior who journeys to Cork and has a vision of the Otherworld. The best English version is translated by Jean-Michel Picard and Yolande de Pontfarcy, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 1989.

Caithreim Cheallachain Chaisil (The Battle-History of Ceallachain of Cashel) which was translated into English and published by Professor Alexander Bugge, University of Christiana, Det Norske Historishe Kilderkritford, 1905. It was written about AD 1127-1138 and Cellachán Caisil mac Buadacháin (died 954) was the Eóghanacht King who drove the Vikings out of Munster long before Brian Boru did his ‘thing’ at Clontarf).

Leabhar Muimhneach (Book of Munster) ed. Tadhg Ó Donnchadha, Irish Manuscript Commission, Dublin, 1940.

An Ecclesiastical History of Ireland in 4 Volumes by Rev. John Lanigan, D.D. (Dublin 1822)

Forgotten by History: the life and times of John Lanigan, Priest, Professor and Historian by J. Feehan in Tipperary Historical Journal (2005), pp. 43-60.

Historical and Legendary Recollections of the Rock of Cashel by M. St. John Neville (Dublin 1873)

Cashel of the Kings by J. Davis White (Cashel 1876)

A Guide to the Rock of Cashel by J. Davis White (Cashel 1888)

Abstracts from the ancient records of the corporation of Cashel by T. Laffan (JRSAI, 1904)

The Storming of the Rock of Cashel by Lord Inchiquin in 1647 by Rev. St. John D. Seymour (English Historical Review, pp. 373-381, 1917)

Illustrated Guide to Rock and Ruins of Cashel by A Finn (Clonmel 1920)

Cashel of the Kings by L. M. McCraith (Clonmel 1920)

Royal and Saintly Cashel by A Finn (CTS 1929)

The Hermit on the Rock: A Tale of Cashel by Mrs. J. Sadlier (Dublin 1921)

The Archbishops of Cashel by Rev. M. Maher (Dublin 1927).

Cashel: The City of the Kings: Official Guide (Cashel 1930?)

The Singing-Men at Cashel by Austin Clarke (London 1936)

The Sack of Cashel, 1647 by John A. Murphy Cork Historical & Archaeological Society (lxx 1965, pp. 55-62)

Cashel and Its Abbeys by Ada St. L. Hunt (Dublin 1960)

Cashel of The Kings: A History of the Ancient Capital of Munster from the date of its foundation until the present day, Rev. John Gleeson 1927 (reprint De Burca, Dublin, 2001).

Irish Kings and High-Kings, Francis John Byrne, B.T. Batsford, London, 1973. (section on Cashel is still standard reading)

St. Patrick's Rock by Rev. A. O'Donnell (Cashel 1961)

The Rock of Cashel by K. McGowan (Dublin 1973)

Historical & Pictorial Cashel by Tom Wood (Cashel n.d.)

Cormac's Chapel Cashel by A. Hill (Cork 1874)

Gleanings from Irish History, W.F. Butler, Longman, Green & Co, London, 1925

A History of Medieval Ireland, Edmund Curtis, Maunsel and Roberts, Dublin 1923 (still a good standard)

Early Medieval Munster: Archaeology, History and Society, ed, Michael A. Monk and John Sheen, Cork University Press, 1988.

Armagh and the Royal Centres in Early Medieval Ireland, N.B. Aitchinson, Cruithne Press & Boydell and Brewer, Suffolk, 1994

The Golden Vale of Ivowen: Land and people in the valley of the Suir, Co. Tipperary, Col. Eoghan O’Neill, Dublin, 2001.

Royal and Saintly Cashel, Andrew Finn, Dublin 1929

Cashel and its ancient Corporation by A Finn (Dublin 1930)

A Martyred Archbishop of Cashel: Dr. Dermot O'Hurley (1519-1584) by Rev. Seósamh Ó Murthuile, S.J. (Dublin 1935)

Dermot of Cashel: Dermot O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel by Michael O'Halloran (Dublin 1948)

St. Patrick's Rock, Cashel, Co. Tipperary: Official Handbook by H. G. Leask (Dublin 1950?)

Vincent O'Brien: A Long Way from Tipperary by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker (London 1974). Sporting Prints Series.

Times to Cherish, Cashel and Rosegreen Parish History 1795-1995, Bernie Moloney, Cashel, 1994

Rock of Cashel, Karmac Publications, 1992

Parliamentary election results in Ireland 1801-1922, Edited by B. M. Walker (Dublin 1978)

Parliamentary election results in Ireland 1918-1992, edited by B. M. Walker (Dublin 1992)

More Irish Country Towns, Edited by A. Simms & J.H. Andrews (chapter on Cashel by T O'Keeffe, pp. 156-167), (Dublin 1995

Our People are on the Rock: Gravestone Inscriptions from St. Patrick's Rock, Cashel, St. Dominic's Abbey, St. Mary's Abbey, Hore Abbey compiled by Tom Wood and Cecile Huftier (Cashel ?)

John Davis White's Sixty Years in Cashel by D. G. Marnane in Tipperary Historical Journal (2001) pp. 57-82, (2002) pp. 199-226, (2003) pp. 121-140, (2004) pp. 169-206.

Archbishop Charles Agar: Churchmanship and Politics in Ireland, 1760-1810 by A.P.W. Malcomson (Dublin 2002).

Rock of Cashel, Conleth Manning, Heritage Service, 2008

The Rock of Cashel, Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, Dublin 1908.

Sister Fidelma’s Cashel: The Early Kings of Munster and their capital, Peter Tremayne, International Sister Fidelma Society, 2008 …!!!!

Cashel King Cormacs 1974: Celebration of a Great Year, (Cashel 1974)

Dublin Historical Record Vol. XXIX, No. 4 (Dublin 1975) (Includes an article on a visit to the Rock of Cashel by the Old Dublin Society).

Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review (Dublin, Winter 1975) (Includes an article on the Wall Paintings in Cormac's Chapel at Cashel by Mary McGrath).

A History of Handball in Cashel by Albert Carrie, (Cashel 1982)

G.A.A. History of Cashel & Rosegreen 1884-1984 by Seamus J. King (Cashel 1985).

A Tale of Two Cathedrals by Rev. Barbara Fryday (Cashel n.d.)

Vincent O'Brien: The Master of Ballydoyle by Raymond Smith (London 1990)

A Workhouse Story: A History of St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel 1842-1992 by Eamonn Lonergan (Clonmel 1992)

Cashel & Emly Heritage by Walter G. Skehan (Holycross 1993)

The Quatercentenary of the Death of King Donal IX MacCarthy Mór 1596-1996 (Cashel 1996)

Love and Growth: Poems by Tom Leamy (Cashel 1997)

The Hurling & Football Heroes of Cashel King Cormacs 1974 by Seamus J. King (Cashel 1999).

The Cistercian Abbeys of Tipperary by Colmcille Ó Conbhuidhe, OCSO (Dublin 1999). (This work includes a chapter on Hore Abbey, Cashel.)

Cashel Memories by Francis Phillips compiled and edited by Martin O'Dwyer (Bob), (Cashel 2000)

A Brief History of the Sisters of Mercy in St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel by Eamonn Lonergan (Cashel 2001)

My Favourite Haunt: The Collected Poetry of Michael Luke Phillips compiled by Thomas Wood & Marjorie Noonan (Cashel 2003)

Land and Settlement: A History of West Tipperary to 1660 by Denis G. Marnane (Tipperary 2003).

My Silent Voice by Sally O'Dwyer Bob (Cashel 2004)

Sacred Breath by Sally O'Dwyer Bob (Cashel 2005)

Cashel King Cormacs, County Junior Hurling Champions 1953, Golden Jubilee Celebrations by Seamus J. King (Cashel 2004)

Cashel King Cormacs G.A.A. History 1985-2005 by Seamus J. King (Cashel 2006).

The Ballad Collection of John Davis White by Denis G. Marnane (Tipperary Historical Journal, 2005)

Ireland & Europe in the Twelfth Century: Reform and Renewal edited by Damian Bracken & Dagmar Ó Riain-Raedel (Dublin 2006)

Cashel: History & Guide by Denis G. Marnane (Dublin 2007)

Bolton Library County Tipperary: Heritage Conservation Plan by the Heritage Council 2007

Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly: Pobal Ailbhe by Christy O'Dwyer (Editions du Signe 2008)

27 Main Street by Tom Wood (Listowel 2010)

Destination Cashel: 100 Things to See & Do in County Tipperary. Compiled by Catherine Stapleton (Cashel 2011)

The Pauper Priest – The Story of Fr. John Barry (first published 1890, republished by Martin O'Dwyer Bob (Cashel 2011)

Irish Gothic Architecture: Construction, Decay and Reinvention edited by Roger Stalley (Dublin 2012) Includes a couple of important chapters on the architecture and construction of the buildings on the Rock of Cashel.

My Life & Times in Cashel by Seán Ó Duibhir (Cashel 2012)

Cashel Rugby Football Club 1919-2012 by Seamus J. King (Cashel 2013)

The First 100: Talks on Tipperary's History by Denis G. Marnane (Tipperary 2013)

Archbishop Miler Magrath: The Enigma of Cashel by Patrick J. Ryan (Roscrea 2014).

Gift of Memory: Thoughts & Reminisences by Marjorie Noonan (Cashel n.d.)

The Many Faces of Cashel Vol. 1 by Mark Fitzell (Cashel 2016)

Views to Amuse by Joanie Browne (Lettertec 2016)

Yesteryears: A Photographic Trip Down Memory Lane in Tipperary (Tipperary Star 2017)

Freeborn 100: The Freeborn Exchange Celebrating Ireland 2016 at Cashel Arts Festival (London 2017)

The Many Faces of Cashel Vol. 2 by Mark Fitzell (Cashel 2017)

Cashel, Rhymes and Bygone Times by Joanie Browne (Lettertec 2017)

<span class="postTitle">3 in a Row after a 32 Year Gap</span> County Senior Hurling Final program., October 8, 2017

3 in a Row after a 32 Year Gap

County Senior Hurling Final program., October 8, 2017

In winning the county senior hurling title of 1992, Toomevara ended a great famine that had lasted thirty-two years. They won the title in a replay with Thurles Sarsfields at Semple Stadium on November 8, the same opposition they had defeated in their previous, 1960 victory.

The celebrations were mighty immediately after the victory and later in the village. One of the speakers at the homecoming was Neil Williams, who had played a major part in the revival of hurling in the parish, and he had some prophetic words on the occasion: ‘There was a warrant out for the arrest of Dan Breen and Toomevara executed the warrant. We’ll keep him in captivity for quite some time. He’s home to stay!’

The victory in 1992 was followed by two more in subsequent years to make it three-in-a row. Nenagh Eire Óg, Boherlahan-Dualla and Clonoulty-Rossmore intervened during the next three years, but Toomevara came back with a bang in 1998 to win four-in-row and dominate the senior hurling scene in the county. Mullinahone spiked their guns in 2002 but they came back for a double in 2003 and 2004, and finished off a great period by winning again in 2006 and 2008, for a grand total of eleven victories in seventeen years, eliminating any vestiges of the famine.


1992

Having lost to Cashel King Cormacs in the 1991 county semi-final, Toomevara made the breakthrough in 1992. They started the year well by winning the league, with victory over Borrisilegh and this victory was to prove important as they had to rely on it to get into the knockout stages of the county championship.

They didn’t do well in the North championship, losing to Borrisileigh in a replayed first-round game. This put them into the losers group. They beat Kilruane-MacDonoghs and Portroe to win the final and qualify for the semi-final proper. It took three games to decide the tie against Lorrha and Toomevara came out on the wrong side of the verdict.

This is where the league victory came into play. As winners Toomevara had earned the right of a play-off with the championship runners-up for the right to represent the division as the second team in the county championship. Ironically, Lorrha were again their opponents. After a very poor start Toomevara found themselves eleven points in arrears at the end of the first quarter. However, the team rose to the challenge and eventually won by four points and qualify for the county championship.

County Championship

Four days after the victory over Lorrha on September 13 and won by 2-9 to 0-10., Toomevara played Ballingarry in the quarter-final at Semple Stadium. Four weeks later they played Loughmore-Castleiney in the semi-finbal. The mid side were hot favourites to win this encounter but Toomevara hung in and scored four points without reply in the final quarter to reach the county final for the first time since 1961 on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-9.

Their opponents in the final were Thurles Sarsfields and the sides clashed in Semple Stadium on November 1. An uninspiring game saw the sides level on a scoreline of Thurles Sarsafields 1-10, Toomevara 0-13 at the end of sixty minutes and the teams had to meet again a week later. On this occasion Toomevara came out on top by 0-12 to 1-6 in a great game to win their eleventh county senior hurling title.

The county champions were as follows: Jody Grace, Pat Meagher, Rory Brislane, Michael O’Meara (capt.), George Frend, Declan O’Meara, Philip Shanahan, Pat King, Tony Delaney, Tommy Dunne, Michael Murphy, Terry Dunne, Liam Flaherty, Liam Nolan, Tommy Carroll. Subs: Michael Nolan for Liam Flaherty, Kevin McCormack for Tommy Carroll. Also: Sean Nolan, Kenneth McDonnell, John Ryan, Jimmy Dunne, Brendan Spillane, Kevin Delaney, Owen Cuddihy.

Selectors: Fr. Michael Casey, Jim McDonald, Frank Ryan. Coach/selector: P. J. Whelehan.

Referee: Tommy Lonergan (Kilsheelan)

The win qualified Toomevara for the semi-final of the Munster Club championship. On a day on which they played great hurling but drove twenty-three wides, they lost by two points on a scoreline of 2-7 to 0-11.

1993

Toomevara failed once again to win the North championship. They came through the league when they defeated Roscrea in a replay by 1-11 to 1-7. They lost the first round of the championship to Nenagh Eire Óg by 1-9 to 1-8 on a day when Toomevara had two men sent off. Taking the losers group route, they defeated Newport and Borrisokane, before overcoming Borrisoleigh by 1-10 to 0-11 after a dramatic finish, during which they scored 1-1 to grab a semi-final spot.

Toomevara’s opponents were Nenagh Eire Óg, who were in outstanding form on the day and their dominance was reflected in the scoreline of 5-13 to 1-10. Nenagh went on to defeat Moneygall in the final and Toomevara’s entrée to the county championship depended on defeating the runners-up. They made easy work of the task, defeating Moneygall by 1-17 to 1-7 at Cloughjordan on August 29 and qualifying for the county championship.


County Championship

Toomevara’s opponents in the county quarter-final at Templemore on September 12 were Cashel King Cormacs. They gave a very impressive performance in hammering the West champions by 1-17 to 1-4. Their opponents in the semi-final on September 25 were Thurles Sarsfields. This was a most disappointing game in which the champions outshone a poor Sarsfields performance and won by 0-18 to 0-9, having outscored their opponents by 0-6 to 0-1 in the final quarter.

Toomevara’s opponents in the final were Nenagh Eire Óg, a team that had defeated them twice in the North championship. Yet, Toomevara went into the game as favourites on the basis that they hadn’t their act together when they went down in defeat. They justified their favourites tag in the first half leading by 1-8 to 0-3 approaching the interval. While Michael Cleary hit three points to improve Nenagh’s position just before the half-time whistle, Toomevara were still favourites to win. However, Nenagh were transformed after the interval and midway through the second half they went into the lead by 1-11 to 1-9. Toomevara rallied again and with ten minutes to go it was anybody’s game. In a very exciting ending Toomevara went ahead by two points, Nenagh brought it back to one and in a welter of excitement Toomevara survived to win by 1-14 to 1-13 and produce a tremendous ending to a year that hadn’t started off too promising.

The county champions were as follows: Jody Grace (capt.), Pat Meagher, Rory Brislane, Declan O’Meara, George Frend, Michael O’Meara, Philip Shanahan, Tony Delaney, Pat King, Michael Nolan, Michael Murphy, Liam Flaherty, Tommy Carroll, Kevin Kennedy, Tommy Dunne. Subs: John Ryan for Michael Murphy. Also Kevin McCormack, Terry Dunne, Liam Nolan, Michael Delaney, Sean Nolan, Jimmy Dunne, Aidan Maxwell, Brendan Spillane, Noel Kenneally, Michael McCormack.

Selectors: Fr. Michael Casey, Jim McDonnell, Frank Ryan. Coach/selector: Sean Stack.

Referee: Paddy Lonergan (Galtee Rovers).

Toomevara went closer to winning a club All-Ireland in 1993 than in any other year as county champions. Two weeks after winning their second senior championship in a row, they faced Patrickswell at home in the first round of the Munster championship. Before a large crowd they won a comprehensive victory on a scoreline of 5-15 to 1-10.. They also drew a home venue for their semi-final encounter with St. Finbarrs on November 7 and won again, this time by the much narrower margin of 1-10 to 0-12. The final was played at Limerick against Sixmilebridge, which had the awkward predicament that the Toomevara coach, Sean Stack, played centreback for Sixmilebridge. Toomevara came through by 0-15 to 0-7 to bring the Munster Club title to the parish for the first time. The All-Ireland semi-final against Ballycran was played at Croke Park on February 28, 1994 as a curtain-raiser to a NFL game between Dublin and Down and Toomevara came through by 1-13 to 1-5. They were now in the All-Ireland final and their opponents on St. Patrick’s Day were the Galway champions, Sarsfields. Toomevara played with the wind in the first half and led by 2-4 to 0-4 at half-time. However, corner-back, Pat Meagher, was sent off in the twenty-third minute, which meant that the team had to play with fourteen men for most of the hour. It proved too great a task and they were beaten in the end by two points, on a scoreline of 1-14 to 3-6.


1994

Toomevara looked form horses for a third county final in 1994. They were the team to beat, Their performance in the club championship was a signal to all that they were a powerful hurling force once again. They won the league for the third year in a row, beating Nenagh Eire Óg by 0-13 to 0-11 in the final.

They also accounted for Nenagh in the first round of the championship, winning by the same margin of two points. They drew with Lorrha in the second round, but won the replay. They overcame Moneygall by 1-13 to 0-8 in the North semi-final and set up a meeting with Kilruane MacDonaghs in the final. This match was played at Nenagh on August 14 and Toomevara easily overcame the opposition by 1-16 to 0-7. The twelve-point margin of victory was a good indication of their superiority.


County Championship.

Toomevara’s opponents in the county quarter-final at Templemore on August 27 were Thurles Sarsfields. Two goals between the tenth and thirteenth minutes effectively killed off the mid side’s challenge and Toomevara went on to win by 2-16 to 0-9. They played Clonoulty-Rossmore in the semi-final and although Toomevara had a player sent off after only eight minutes, they went on to dominate the game in the second half and win by 4-17 to 1-12.

Toomevara were two to one favourites going into the final against Cashel King Cormacs. They got an early goal, led by 1-6 to 0-4 at the interval, were ahead by 2-9 to 0-6 entering the final quarter and in the end were worthy champions by 3-11 to 1-9

The county, 3-in-a-row, champions were as follows: Jody Grace, Pat Meagher (capt.) Rory Brislane, Declan O’Meara, George Frend, Michael O’Meara, Phil Shanahan, Terry Duunne, Pat King, Kevin Kennedy, Michael Murphy, Tony Delaney, Liam Nolan, Tommy Dunne, Tommy Carroll. Subs: Liam Flaherty for Rory Brislane, Rory Brislane for Liam Nolan. Also: Justin Cottrell, Kevin McCormack, Aidan Maxwell, Joseph O’Meara, Denis Kelly, Michael Bevans, Ray Hackett, Damien o’Meara, Ken Dunne.

Selectors: Fr. Michael Casey, Jim McDonald, Frankie Ryan. Coach/selector: Sean Stack

Referee: Michael Doyle (Holycross-Ballycahill).

Toomevara set out to retain the Munaster Club title they had won for the first time the previous year. They easily overcame Ballyduff by 1-18 to 1-6 at home in the first round. They followed up with victory over Clarecastle at Ennis by the minimum of margins, 1-12 to 1-11 in the semi-final. Their final opponents were Kilmallock. Played at Thurles, Toomevara gave a rather flat performance before going down by 2-11 to 1-11.

By winning their three-in-a-row, Toomevara confirmed their domination in senior hurling in the county and established themselves as one of the great teams in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Not since the 1970s, when Kilruane MacDonaghs won the previous three-in-a-row, was there a team of equal dominance. In winning the three-in-a-row Toomevara equalled a club record achieved in the period 1912-14

Toomevara Club Officers 1992-1994

President: Matt Hassett

Vice-President: Tom Shanahan

Chairman: Fr. Michael Casey, C.C..

Secretary: Matt O’Meara

Treasurer: Bernard O’Neill

Registrar: Neil Williams

P.R.O. Kieran Grace/Philip Shanahan

Player Profiles

Jodie Grace (Coolkereen) was a commanding presence in the goals for the three county final victories and captain of the 1993 side that won the Munster Club title as well. He won junior & senior All-Irelands with Tipperary in 1989 and 1991 respectively.

Rory Brislane (Ashgrove) was Toomevara’s ever-present fullback all through the nineties. He captained Toome to their breakthrough North final win in 1991. A winner of Harty and Croke Cup medals with St. Flannan’s, he represented the county at minor and under-21 levels.

Pat Meagher (Grennanstown) was corner back on all three winning teams and was captain of the 1994 side that also won North senior league and championship.

George Frend (Barnagrotty) was a vital member of the defence on all three winning teams. He won an All-Ireland under-21 title with Tipperary in 1989 and captained the county to a National Hurling League title in 1995.

Michael O’Meara (Ballintotty) was captain of the team for the first of the three-in-a-row county titles. He won a senior All-Ireland with the county in 1991 and captained to county to Munster final glory in 1993.

Pat King (Killowney) was a key centrefield player on the three teams. Earlier in his career he won county intermediate and under-21 titles. In 1995 he won a National Hurling League medal with Tipperary.

Tony Delaney (Chapel Street) was one of the most versatile and durable players on the panel, successfully playing in many positions. A winner of county minor and under-21 medals, he is the holder of an astonishing eleven county senior medals.

Michael Murphy (Millview) was an aggressive centreback. He won a county intermediate medal in 1984 and county inder-21 titles the following two years.

Philip Shanahan (Coolederry) was a classy and skilful defender. He won an All-Ireland under-21 medal with Tipperary in 1995 and, in 1998 captained Toome to a county senior title.

Tommy Dunne (Curraheen) won a North senior title with his father, Tony, in 1991. A winner of an All-Ireland under-21 title in 1995, he captained Tipperary to a senior All-Ireland in 2001. He has three All-Star awards and was named Texaco Hurler of the Year in 2001.

Terry Dunne (Curraheen) was a commanding presence on the field. He won an All-Ireland under-21 medal in 1995 and a senior medal with Tipperary in 2001. He finished his career with eleven county senior hurling medals.

Ken Dunne (Curraheen) was a notable free-taker and became the third member of his family to captain Toome to a North title in 2002. In 2006 he displayed nerves of steel to land the winning point in the Munster Club final.

Michael Nolan (Kilnafinch) was an accurate forward during this era. In 1986 he captained Toome to their first ever county minor title. He won an All-Ireland under-21 title with Tipperary in 1989.

Liam Nolan (Kilnafinch) was a forward with a devastating shot. He won county under16, intermediate and under-21 titles, and scored a goal in the All-Ireland Club final in 1994.

Sean Nolan (Kilnafinch) was the oldest of the three Nolan brothers. He won a county intermediate title in 1981 and was fullback on the Toome team that won the breakthrough North final of 1991.

Micilin Delaney (Chapel Street) won a county minor medal with Toome in 1986 and an All-Ireland Colleges B medal with Nenagh CBS. A year later he won another county minor medal, and a Munster minor medal with Tipperary

Kevin McCormack (Church Street) was a very fine goalkeeper, but he also played out the field. He won an All-Ireland Vocational Schools title in 1988, when he scored three goals in the final at Croke Park. He also won a Munster under-21 medal in 1990.

Kevin Delaney (Clonolea) won a North minor hurling title in 1985, and North and county minor titles the following year. He also has junior A and junior B North titles to his credit.

Owen Cuddihy (Grawn) was a highly regarded goalkeeper. He won a North junior A title in 1991 and North and county junior B titles in 1995.

Joe O’Meara (Roscordagh) won the Corn Mhic Ruain with St. Joseph’s, Borrisoleigh in 1992, a North minor title in 1993, and North and county under-21 titles in 1995.

Denis Kelly (Borrisofarney) won North minor titles in 1993, 1994 and 1995, when he captained the side. He won an All-Ireland Colleges B title with Our Lady’s, Templemore, and North and county under-21 titles in 1995.

Noel Kenneally (Millview) won North and county junior B titles in 1995, and North and county junior A titles in 1997. In 2000 he won North and county junior B titles.

Justin Cottrell (Templedowney) was an able goalkeeper, who played for the county at under-21 and senior level. He won North and county under-21 titles in 1995. In 2001 he captained the first Toome team to win four county senior titles in a row.

Ray Hackett (Grawn) won North minor titles in 1993 and 1994. He won North and county under-21 titles in 1995 and North and county junior A titles in 1997.

Aidan Maxwell (Glenaguile) was a fine defender. He won North and county titles at under-12, under-14 and under-16 levels. In 1995 he captained the Toome under-21 team to North and county titles.

Mikey Bevans (Ballymackey) captained Toome to county senior final wins in 2003 and 2008. In 1995 he won North and county under-21 titles. In 1999 and 2000 he won Fitzgibbon Cup medals with Waterford IT

Jimmy Dunne (Curraheen) RIP, the younger brother of Tony, won a North junior football title in 1982, and North and county intermediate titles in 1984. He captained Toome to North and county junior A titles in 1997.

Brendan Spillane (Lissaniskey), a tight marking corner back, he won North and county intermediate titles in 1984, North and county under-21 titles in 1985 and also has junior A and junior B titles to his credit.

Kevin Kennedy (Chapel Street) was a very effective full forward. He won North and county minor medals in 1987, and North and county under-21 medals in 1990, and a championship medal in New York.

John Ryan (Curraheen) was a fast and elusive forward, who won North and county under-21 titles in 1985 and 1986

Liam Flaherty (Barnagrotty) was a hard working forward, who won North and county under-21 titles in 1985, and North and county junior A titles in 1997.

Kenneth McDonnell (Blakefield) captained Toome to a North minor title in 1985 and was a member of the county under-21 panel in 1988.

Tommy Carroll (Blean) was an astute corner forward who won North and county minor titles in 1987, and a county under-21 medal in 1990.

Declan O’Meara (Ballintotty)won North and county minor medals in 1986 and 1987 and was a superb defender on the three-in-a-row teams. He won a Munster minor medal in 1987 and captained the Tipperary minor team in 1988.

Michael McCormack (Church Street) won North and county intermediate medals in 1984 and a North junior A title in 1991.

Damian O’Meara (Woodlands) was one of the minors drafted into the senior panel in 1994. He captained the minor team to a North title that year, and added North and count under-21 titles, as well as another minor title the following year.

<span class="postTitle">Treasures of Lár na Páirce</span> Munster Senior Hurling quarter-final, Cork v Tipperary at Thurles, May 21, 2017.

Treasures of Lár na Páirce

Munster senior hurling quarter-final, Cork v Tipperary at Thurles, May 21, 2017

 

In an effort to inform people on the exhibits to be seen on a visit to Lár na Páirce, the Museum of Gaelic Games in Thurles, we have started a weekly post on our website, larnapairce.com called the Treasures of Lár na Pairce.

We started with Pat Madden’s hurley. Pat, as you know, was the Meelick man, who captained Galway in the first All-Ireland. Recently, a very impressive monument to a hurler was erected in Farrell’s Field, Birr, where the game was played. Pat’s hurley is anything but impressive, a roughly-hewn piece of timber that would probably be disallowed today on health and safety grounds!
Incidentally, Thurles Sarsfields are re-enacting the first All-Ireland at the Thurles Sports Fest on July 1. The two teams will be suitably outfitted in the playing gear of the period and there will be a vintage parade as well.

Another ‘treasure’ posted was the Tubberadora Cap.  Part of the playing gear of the famous Tubberadora team of the end of the 19thth century was a cap. The navy blue caps bore the embroidered letters T H C, Tubberadora Hurling Club, in gold. The caps were part of the playing gear presented to the Tubberadora team by Tipperary Grocers’ Assistants, residing in Dublin. The players wore the caps not solely for the team photograph but also wore them while the game was in progress. 

What was regarded as the first inter-county hurling game under G.A.A. rules, was played in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on Tuesday, February 9, 1886. The teams involved were North Tipperary and South Galway. Tipperary won by 1-0 to nil, the only score got by Charles McSorley of the Silvermines club. Michael Cusack organised the game and had a cup sponsored. It is regarded as the oldest G.A.A. trophy and it’s on permanent loan to Lár na Páirce, courtesy of the Silvermines Club, where the cup ended up and got its name.

The dress of the early camogie players in 1904 aped the Victorian dress fashions then in vogue. The players wore long skirts and a blouse and one of the rules stated that ‘Skirts to be worn not less than 6 inches from the ground.’ One of the curious rules at the time stated that ‘intentionally stopping the ball with the skirt was a foul’! When one looks at the dress in Lár na Páirce today one’s immediate reaction is: How was it possible not to stop the ball with a dress so long?

To date there have been eight posts of the treasures and it is intended to continue to post one a week or, as often as time constraints allow. Of course, you can see all the treasurers mentioned as well as many more by visiting the museum.

 

 

Ned Treston’s Photograph

One of Michael Cusack’s efforts to promote the game of hurling soon after the foundation of the G.A.A. was an exhibition match in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on February 16, 1886. The teams came from South Galway and North Tipperary and they travelled by train to Dublin on the previous day. They were greeted by Cusack and marched to the Clarence Hotel, where they stayed.

Following a meal, Cusack held a meeting with both sides in which the rules of the game were discussed and agreed. These were the days when most hurling rules were local and the new common set hadn’t yet been widely accepted. 

The next item to be discussed was the sliotar to be used. The Tipperary side introduced their sliotar, which was larger than that used in Galway, and it wasn’t well-received by the Galway players. The latter were then invited to show theirs and it was only then they realised they had left it at home in Gort! 

This was where the Galway captain stepped into the breach. Ned Treston was a saddler by trade and he decided to make the Galway ball. Before he retired for the night he made the cork core of the sliotar and waited until morning to find a harness maker to cover it with leather. 

As soon as businesses were open he did the rounds of the streets in the neighbourhood of the Clarence. There were quite a number of harness makers but five of them refused his request to cover the cork core with leather. The sixth man he came across said to him:  ‘Maybe you could do it yourself?’ which Ned did. It was the forerunner of the modern sliotar, based on the design of the cupped hand. 

The teams marched from the Clarence Hotel, four deep, with their hurleys on their shoulders to the Fifteen Acres in the Phoenix Park. According to Galway G.A.A. historian, Padraic Ó Laoi ‘The substitutes carried the goalposts.’ The field was marked with the players’ coats. There was no charge to see the game, which had been billed by Cusack as ‘The Championship of Ireland’.
It was nearly three o’clock before the teams lined up with Cusack as referee. Before the game started Dan Burke objected that the Tipperary team wasn’t properly dressed, as they wore neither shoes nor short pants. In the invitation to the teams Cusack had requested that the teams wear a distinctive dress. Cusack agreed with Burke that the Tipperary players were breaking the rules, yet he allowed them to play. 

The Galway men got a great reception when they stepped on to the field dressed with green caps, white jerseys. knickerbockers and shoes.

The Tipperary ball was used in the first half and the sides were level at halftime. The smaller Galway sliotar was used in the second half but it didn’t do Galway any favours. Ten minutes from the end Charlie McSorley of the Silvermines scored a goal for Tipperary and the only score of the game gave them victory.

Ned Treston’s ball, which became the prototype of all subsequent sliotars, no longer exists but his photograph holds pride of place in Lár na Páirce with the Silver Cup, which was presented to the Tipperary captain after the victory.

 

<span class="postTitle">Sean O’Meara (1933-2017)</span> Nenagh Guardian, May 6, 2017

Sean O'Meara

Nenagh Guardian, May 6, 2017.

The death of Sean O’Meara of Lorrha on March 18 saw the passing of an outstanding athlete  and hurler. Born in October 1933, he was the second son of Jim ‘The Private’ and Margaret O’Meara, and one of four children with Paddy older and Kathleen and Seamus younger.

He first played for Lorrha against Shannon Rovers in the under-15 championship at Kilbarron in 1943. Lorrha were slaughtered on the day by an opposition superbly trained by Rev. John Cleary, C.C. Sean as a nine-year old played on goals but gave such an exceptional performance that when Fr. Cleary spoke to the defeated side after the game, he singled Sean out as the only player he would select on the Shannon Rovers side!

After national school in Lorrha, Sean went to Pallaskenry Missionary College, as it was then known. He spent five years there during which he played with the college team. He impressed enough to be invited to play for the Limerick minors but he declined in the hope of getting a call up for Tipperary, which never came. One of the other things he excelled in while in Pallaskenry was running. The prime competition annually was the mile race and he won it three years in a row.

 

Played with Meath

Following his Leaving Certificate Sean spent a year in the Salesian Novitiate in Burwash, Sussex, U.K. following which he went to Warrenstown Agricultural College, Co. Meath for a year. His hurling ability was recognised when he was selected on the Meath senior hurling team in 1954, which had the distinction of beating Carlow and Offaly, before going down to Dublin in the Leinster semi-final. Playing at centrefield, Sean had as opponents Mick Ryan and Phil Shanahan of Tipperary, who were playing with Dublin that year. In the same year he got a trial with the Meath footballers, who defeated Cavan in the All-Ireland semi-final, before going on to beat Kerry in the final.

Back home in 1955, he played with Lorrha in the senior championship, losing out to Borrisileigh in the North semi-final. In the same year he was selected for the Tipperary hurlers in the  Munster championship and for the Tipperary footballers against Cork, but couldn’t play because of injury.

 

The Offaly Dimension

Later in the year he got a job as an insurance agent in Banagher on condition that he play with the local club, Shannon Rovers, so he transferred to Offaly. He played in the county hurling championship for two years, reaching the county final in 1956, only to be badly beaten by Drumcullen. He also played football with Cloghan, the football end of the parish, and reached the final in 1956, before losing to Tullamore.

Playing with Meath and Banagher brought Sean to the attention of the Tipperary selectors. He made his first appearance against Clare in the 1955 Munster championship, when Tipperary were surprisingly beaten. He played in the subsequent league campaign and partnered John Hough at centrefield in the final at Croke Park, when Wexford came back from the dead after half-time to defeat Tipperary. He was dropped in favour of Mick Ryan for the Munster championship semi-final, which Tipperary lost to Cork after leading by 2-6 to 0-1 at the interval.

 

National League medal

Sean was back on the team for the 1956-576 league campaign and played at full-forward on the side that defeated Kilkenny in the final at Croke Park on May 12, 1957. He was in the same position for the Munster semi-final against Cork, a game that was lost by the unlikely score of 5-2 to 1-11.
The winning of the league led to a trip to the U.S. in October. Tipperary played New York in the St. Brendan Cup, playing four games in all, one under lights. Sean decided to remain on in New York and was to remain there for ten years.

It was understandable that emigration wouldn’t bring an end to Sean’s playing career. He played with Cork (New York) in football initially, as he had got a job through a Cork connection, and won a championship with them. Later he played with Kilkenny and won a second football championship. But hurling was his first love and he won a championship with Tipperary in 1962.

 

St. Brendan Cup

Sean was part of the New York team which played Kilkenny in the St. Brendan Cup in the Polo Grounds on June 1, 1958. It was the last Gaelic match to be played in the historic ground and Sean had an outstanding game, scoring 3-6 at full-forward over the hour. It gave him the unique distinction of having won St.Brendan Cups with Irish and New York teams, and in consecutive years. He was to win his third later in the year, when  New York defeated Wexford by 3-8 to 3-7 in another final at Croke Park.

In 1960 Waterford travelled to New York and were beaten by a star-studded New York team on a scoreline of 7-7 to 3-4. Playing at full-forward, Johnny had an outstanding game and scored 3-2 off the great Austin Glynn before an attendance of 29,000 people.
During his time in New York Sean made a number of hurling trips to Ireland, wither with New York teams for league engagements or to play with Lorrha. For instance, he played with his native parish in 1965, when Lorrha were beaten a point by Kilruane in the North final.

 

Marriage

While in New York Sean married Peggy Egerton, originally from Oldcastle, Co. Meath, in May 1962. The couple had four girls, Margaret, Marie, Olivia and Valerie. All the girls, with the exception of Olivia, have won All-Irelands in athletics and represented Ireland at international level. They were good sprinters, and Marie was a jumper at well. She held the Irish ladies’ record for the triple jump at one stage.

Sean returned to Ireland in 1966 and was on the Lorrha side that won the North senior divisional side that year. He continued to play with the club until 1979, twenty-six years after making his first appearance as a senior with the club. During the same period he won two divisional junior football titles in 1966 and 1971, going all the way  to a county title in the latter year.

He remained an athlete all his life, participating in sports all over the country.  He took part in the first Dublin City marathon in 1979 and on two later occasions.

 

G.A.A. Administration

He was also involved in G.A.A. administration. He was registrar of the North Board for seven years and a trustee of the county board for four years. Refereeing was another part of his life. He refereed at all levels, divisional, county, Minster (Munster Club final 1977) and All-Ireland levels, and had the unique distinction of refereeing five divisional hurling finals in the same year, senior, intermediate, junior, under-21 and minor. He served as Tipperary representative on the Munster Referees Advisory Council.

Comhaltas played a major part in his life. Ever since Paddy Madden, Canon Martin Ryan and Peggy Wilde started the Irish Nights in the old hall in Lorrha in the 1960s, Sean was involved. He used to travel from Nenagh with his daughters every Friday night and the entertainment played a major part in his and his daughters’ lives. At one stage he was part of a half-set with Bernadette Turner, Tommy and Kathleen Houlihan and they won a number of Munster titles.

 

An Active Man

Sean O’Meara was always a most active man. During his sporting life he achieved a level of fitness that was exceptional in his time, when hurlers and footballers had a much more relaxed attitude to their physical preparations. He was a robust player who revelled in taking on opponents in physical battle and not many enjoyed coming in contact with him. As a contemporary of his in New York, Johnny Murphy of Cashel, described him ‘ a man you wouldn’t like to run into on the field of play.’ Off the field of play the same energy drove him in his job and his recreational activities. He was never a person to loll about but was ever restless for new activities, new challenges.

It was ironic, and very, very cruel then that he should be partly paralysed following an operation in the Blackrock Clinic in 2003, which rendered him extremely limited in the kind of physical activity he so enjoyed. It was a most frustrating experience for him to have to spend the last thirteen years of his life in such a state.

In spite of this he will always be remembered as a skilful bundle of energy on the playing fields giving his all for Lorrha, Tipperary and New York.