My Jimdo Geocities Lifeboat
Local 4
Mary Bridget Mahony of Newtownlands? born 13-5-1901 lived at Park Av New ? Social Security Index 1950.
Ellis Island index sample continued
Bridget Mahony of Newtownsandes left 1913,
John McLaughlin
Email
posted Jul 23, 2005
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Thanks! Paddy Drury wrote a version of "Valley of Knockanure". (I have the words).
I'm interested in this song and always believed that it was written by Bryan MacMahon (Tim Leahy wrote yet another version). However, on the Peggy Sweeney DVD "Kerry: A Kingdom of Song",
authorship is credited to Kiely O'Mahony of Athea. Does anyone know anything abour Mr. O'Mahony (dates, etc)
and whether or not he really did write "Valley of Knockanure"? (I'm working on a book on Irish songs)
Dáil Éireann - Volume 13 - 17 December, 1925
WRITTEN ANSWER. - COMPENSATION CLAIM (CO. KERRY).
SEAMUS O CRUADHLAOICH SEAMUS O CRUADHLAOICH
2066
SEAMUS O CRUADHLAOICH asked the Minister for Finance if he will state when the award of £45 obtained [2066] by James Mahony, Newtownsandes, Co. Kerry, from the Compensation (Ireland) Commission in June, 1925, will be paid, and whether he is aware that this man is in great need at present.
MINISTER for FINANCE (Mr. Blythe) Ernest Blythe
MINISTER for FINANCE (Mr. Blythe): The award referred to by the Deputy has been duly received in my Department and will be discharged at a very early date.
Posted by: Mary Connolly Date: December 26, 2000 at 14:38:28
In Reply to: Re: Connolly by Mary of 553
Thanks for reply. My grandfaher from Leanamore, I have info. from that area about him and my grandmother from Lettrim Middle( Newtownsandes). Are you familar with Connolly's from Drum Parish, SpringHill, thats just outside of Athlone. E-mail mmom1@netzero.net USA Mary 12/26/00
Researching Catherine Carr (1846) (aka Katherine/Kate)my g-g-grandmother born at Ahalahana near Moyvane (aka Newtownsandes/Murher)/Munster/Kerry/Ireland.
Her father was Richard Carr, mother Johanna Walshe.
She had siblings reportedly of John, James, Edmund, Bridget (1864), Josephine, Richard (Jr?) (1824) and Thomas(1860)
Richard was ordained in Belfast and went to Australia. He encountered plague and asked his brother Thomas who was a doctor to join him. Both died in Chiltern and Melbourne.
Josephine was said to be mother superior of a local convent.
That is all the information I have. I would like to get birthdates,death dates and children if any...of the other family members.
GRANDMA, JOHANNA NOLAN
Posted by: MARY (BRENNAN)CONNOLLY Date: July 15, 2000 at 17:13:04
of 553
RE; GRANDMOTHER, JOHANNA NOLAN,SHE WAS BORN IN LEITRIM MIDDLE,CO.KERRY ON NOV.14,1880. HER MOTHER WAS MARY MULVIHILL(FORMERLY OF CO. LIMRICK). I REMEMBER HER TALKING ABOUT NEWTOWNSANDES ,BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PLACE OF HER BIRTH. HER DAD WAS JOHN NOLAN. IF YOU CAN ADD TO THIS IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU MARY.
NOLAN/MULVIHILL ,LEITRIM MIDDLE, CO. KER
Posted by: MARY CONNOLLY Date: August 05, 2000 at 17:20:35
In Reply to: GRANDMA, JOHANNA NOLAN by MARY (BRENNAN)CONNOLLY of 553
NOLAN/MULVIHILL-------- MARY MULVIHILL(MY GGRANDMOTHER)MARRIED JOHN NOLAN (MY GGRANDFATHER) IN LEITRIM MIDDLE, CO. KERRY. MARY MULVIHILL WAS FORMERLY FROM CO. LIMRICK, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO.ON THIS PLEASE E-MAIL. JOHN AND MARY (MULVIHILL)NOLAN HAD 3 CHILDREN, JOHANNA, MICHAEL AND JOHN NOLAN. MY GRANDMOTHER JOHANNA WAS BORN NOV.14,1880, IN LEITRIM MIDDLE, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO HER BROTHERS MICHAEL AND JOHN I AM LOOKING FOR ANY INFO. ON THEM, PLEASE E-MAIL IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO. ON THE 2 BROTHERS. THANK YOU, MARY CONNOLLY USA
From : Statia Murphy <statia2001@yahoo.com>
Sent : Tuesday, July 31, 2007 8:57 PM
To : jer Kenneally <dalyskennelly@hotmail.com>
Subject : This is it
| | | Inbox
hello.
I'm stumped and don't know where to go from here in my research. I'll tell you what I have and if anyone could "tell me where to go" ;) from here that would be great.
I'm trying to find information on my great-grandfather, Maurice Mahoney, b. Oct 17, 1873, rumored possibly in Kerry.
I know he married Margaret Connor in Winchendon, MA 1904, at 25 years of age
From that certificate I know that his parents were James and Bridget (Enright) Mahoney, both born in Ireland.
(Margaret Connor, b. 1882 Winchendon, MA dau. of Patrick and Ellen (Cahill) Connor--but that's another posting ;) )
On familysearch.org, I found an Edward Mahoney, also in Winchendon, (m. 1898, d. 1903), with the same parents' names. Winchendon is a small town *now*, so I find it hard to imagine that there would be two men in that town at the same time with the same parents names.. unless they were brothers.
On Ancestry.com I found a Maurice "Mahony" that emmigrated to Winchendon, in 1902, at 23 years of age, to visit his sister "Annie" on Cross St. (This would be the right age to have married Margaret at 25 two years later. ) And the 1900 Winchendon census lists a child of Edward and Minnie as "Annie". It also says that the "place of last residence" was "Newtownsande". Is that a town in Kerry?
Thanks to help from good folks on another list, I have Maurice's draft card, and cencus listings for 1910, 1920, and 1930. The 1930 census has a "2" in a circle under the colum headed "year of immigration to the United States". This could be 1902- which makes me suspect the passanger list I found is the right person.
I don't know where to go from here to find any more information on Maurice. I don't know if James and Bridget ever emmigrated. I was hoping to find a birth certificate for Maurice.
Any help would be great. Unfortunately, I work *a lot* (and far away from a computer), and cannot spend nearly as much time on this as I would like.
thanks,
Katie
Boston Globe?
Name of Missing Home county Arrival port Date Edit johannah Cleary kerry 1858 Johanna Welsh Or Walsh* () john Cleary kerry 1858 Johanna Welsh Or Walsh* () john Cleary kerry 1859 Johanna Cleary (sister) john Green kerry 1855 Francis Green (father) patrick Kelly kerry 1856 Ellen Kelly (sister) john Langan kerry 1854 Thomas Langan (brother) margaret Murphy kerry 1850 Catherine Doran (mother) maurice Relahan kerry new york city 1854 John Moore (brother-in-law) richard Stack kerry 1853 Catherine Stack (wife) thomas Walsh kerry 1858 Johanna Welsh Or Walsh* () thomas Walsh kerry 1859 Johanna Cleary (mother)
DEATH:, Sincere regret was occasioned in the district at the death of Miss Mary O'Mahony, Glennlea, Murhur, Moyvane and St Patricks Terrace, Tarbert, which took place at Listowel Community
Hospital on Tuesday, November 18.- 2003 The deceased lady, who was in her mid 80s, was well known in Tarbert, where she was taken care of for many years at the home of her niece, Mrs Peggy
McElligott, and Peggys late husband, Johnny of St Patricks Terrace. A woman of great faith, she was a quiet and gentle lady, and was held in affection by all who knew her. There was a large
attendance at the removal of her remains from Lyons Funeral Home to St Marys Church, Tarbert. The burial took place in Ahavoher Cemetery, Moyvane, following the funeral mass, celebrated by Fr
Brick. Family relatives participated in the ceremony. Hymns at the mass were sung by the senior choir and fitting airs were played on the fiddle by Diarmuid O'Brien, great grand nephew of Mary.
After Holy Communion, Kay O'Dea, grand niece, read a reflection and paid a tribute to Mary, speaking of the happy times the family spent with Mary in St Patricks Terrace. Mary O'Mahony is
survived by her niece, Mrs Peggy McElligott, brother Sean of Listowel, nephews, nieces, grand nephews, and grandnieces, great grandnephews, and great grand nieces, relatives, neighbours, and
friends, to whom sympathy of the community is extended.
AHALAHANA:
Fr. Maurice Kennelly. Born in 1854. Son of Daniel Kennelly and Catherine Mahony. Ordained in 1879. Ministered in San Francisco USA. Died in 1934.
Fr. Michael hunt. 1851. Son of Michael Hunt and Nora Mahony. Ordained for Hartford. Died there in 1912.
Moyvane GAA Club History
article taken from "Souvenir Match Programme" of 1999 N.K. Championship Final)
Moyvane's record of success for all of Seventy years, is such that it would be impossible to do it justice in the space available here, in this 1999 match final programme. In any account, however
brief, the following facts would have to be highlighted.
Records show that Newtown' played Dromlought in Murphy's field in Knockanure in 1917. The Line-out was: John O'Sullivan, Mossie Walsh, Joe More, Johnny McCabe, John Thade, Jimmy O'Mahony, Bill & Paud O'Sullivan, Paddy Finucane, Maurice Walshe, James ('Sonny') Harrington, Mike Goulding, Tom Stack, Jim Nolan, Tom O'Callaghan and Con Brosnan.
Newtown later participated in the North Kerry League organised by the Listowel club (the earliest established club in North Kerry), prior to the establishment of the North Kerry Board in 1925. Newtown, in fact, won the first ever North Kerry championship run by the board in 1925. One member of that winning team had already lined out for Kerry at midfield in the All-Ireland final of 1923, in which Kerry were defeated. However, the contribution of Con Brosnan, of whom I write, did not go unnoticed, even though Kerry had to give way, on the day, to Dublin. His immaculate fielding, precision, kicking and unflinching endurance on that occasion were destined to be oft repeated. Not alone for his native Moyvane but even more emphatically and importantly these qualities were to carry him to such a pinnacle of fame before his career's end as to be proclaimed among Kerry's greatest mid-fielders ever!
1923 was to be the first of Eight appearances for Con in All-Ireland finals for Moyvane's most famous son. Con won six All-Ireland medals. Thomas Mahony, his team-mate on the Moyvane of that time, followed him on to the Kerry team winning All-Ireland medals in 1926 & 1927. In these early days of Moyvane football, club games were played in Bill Stephen Stacks field, located just south of the village on the banks of the Ownamoy. County championship games were held, however, in John O'Connor's field, just across the road. North Kerry senior championship victories in 1925, '27, '28, '30 & '32 had enabled Moyvane to stamp their authority; on North Kerry football.
Besides Con Brosnan, the team abounded with footballers of great stature: Tom O'Callaghan, Paddy Windle, Tom O'Mahony, Dan Kearney, Joe McCabe, J.Brassil (goals), J.Finucane, W. O'Sullivan, J.Stack, Josie Enright, Paud O'Sullivan (father of renouned Finuge footballers: Tom, Tim & Christy and also a Kerry Team panellist of his era), W. Finucane, D.Mulvihill, J.J.Moriarty, J.Mahony, J.McCabe and John Flavin.
John Flavin won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry in 1937 and contributed hansomely to Kerry's eclipse by Galway in the All-Ireland final of 1938.
After winning four North Kerry championships in a row 1936 to 1939 (inclusive), Moyvane suffered a slump in football fortunes that was far from temporary. However, patient and dedicated addministrators kept the club going, through the forties and early fifties, when rural clubs were being deprived of their life-blood by the scours of unemployment and emigration. Success at administrative level was the club's main boast at this period, with Con Brosnan training the successful Kerry teams of '39 and '40 and acting as Kerry selector and later Munster Council representative for a number of years. (He also acted as chairman North Kerry Board from 1936-'42).
The emergence of a minor team in Moyvane, good enough to win a North Kerry Championship in 1954, heralded a new dawn of Moyvane footbal. The upswing continued until 1958. Moyvane marched to victory in the North Kerry championship. On that team were men who had upheld the honour of Moyvane during the lean years, energised and reinvigorated by the new blood from the '54 minor team.
Moyvane football was back with renewed vigour. Many felt another championship or two could be gleaned but few could visualise the golden era that was to ensue.
The early sisties were dominated by a truly great Moyvane team. Four North Kerry championshps and three North Kerry leagues were anexed from 1961 to 1966. In 1963 Moyvane the double of North Kerry Championship and North Kerry League and also won the Frank Sheey Tournament, a tournament which carried much prestige at the time. Liam Hanrahan won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry juniors in1963. Both Joe Sheey and Bernie O'Callaghan won National League medals with Kerry. The 1963 team lined out as follows: Ed.Stack (goal), Stevie Stack, P.J.Kennelly, Paudie Hanrahan, Brendan Sheey, John McEnery, Timmy Hanrahan, Liam Hanrahan (capt.), Maurice Stack, Des Broderick, Bernie O'Callaghan, Brendan Broderick, Tommy Mulvihill, Michael Hennessy, Colm O'Callaghan.
The 1964 championship win is especially memorable in that it was achieved without the services of Bernie O'Callaghan who was hospitalised for the final (v.Tarbert), a factor which militated against Kerry's chances against Galway in the All-Ireland final of the same year.
The 1966 final is probably best remembered for a great display at centre forward by John C.Cunnigham and an overall display that belied the teams's longevity, though pitted against a youthful and soon to be dominant Ballylongford team. An unsuccessful if gallant appearace in the North Kerry league final of '68 agains Tarbert was to be this team's swan song. Eleven of this team had represented Kerry in one grade or another during the team's ascendance. Prior to that Jim Brosnan and Micheal had represented Kerry at the highest level. Micheal winning an All-Ireland medal in 1953 and 1955. Having purchased the sportsfield in 1964, Moyvane set about funding its development mainly by means of staging an annual carnival. Avery successful tournament was held each year in conjunction with the carnival. Outright victory in the Moyvane carnival tournament was sought with fervour by all participating teams. Besides the upgrading of the pitch itself development was carried out in the area of dressing room erection, stand erection, concrete terrace, walled facade, etc. In the GAA centenary year of 1984, on June 17th, county chairman Frank King, officially opened the Con Brosnan Memorial Park.
Apart from a North Kerry minor championship win in 1968 and an unsuccessful appearance in the North Kerry senior Final of 1971, Moyvane had to wait until 1977 for their nexr major North Kerry title when they won the league, defeating Ballylongford in the replayed final.
Denied by Beale on five occasions, Moyvane again made the breakthrough in 1983, taking their first championship in 17 years. The team was as follows: J.Fitzmaurice (goals), N.Sheehan, M.Mulvihill, Noel Larkin, J.Stack, J.Mulvihill, E.Fitzmaurice,, M.Flaherty, T.Mulvihill, T.Keane, S Beaton, E.Sweeney, D.Mulvihill, P.Mulvihill and C.O'Callaghan (note: Johnny Mulvihill, no.6 on this team, had risen to fame, first in 1975 winning an All-Ireland minor medal, to be followed by U21 and senior medals subsequently).
An unsuccessful appearances in the North Kerry senior final of 1987 was followed by victory in the N.K U21 championship of 1989. In 1993 the club won their second ever minor championship (N.K.) after a 38 year lapse, a fact which enabled Moyvane to reach the North Kerry senior final of 1995. Moyvane gave a truly memorable display to oust a very good Listowel team in the final of 1995.
1996 saw Moyvane forced to give best to Finuge in the replayed senior final, after an epic draw previously. Although fielding strong teams, Moyvane failed to Ballylongford and to Ballyduff in '98, after a fine game of football saw them short by a point. And so on to 1999! "Hope springs eternal ..." they say. After a first round bye, Moyvane were faced with the unenviable task of bearding the Listowel Lion, dual champions in '97 and '98.
In many yeas of being present in Moyvane dressing rooms, this writer has to say that never before was there such a pervasive atmosphere of dedication, determination and total commitment. This carried Moyvane through agains a Listowel team who were hardly at their awesome best on the day.
And so, on to a semi-fnal joust with Ballylongford, those doughty warriors from Shannonside. In a game of swaying fortunes and perhaps with a nod of good fortune or two from lady luck, Moyvane won the day with two points to spare. Already this year Moyvane have annexed a county title in the Barrett Cup grade. To add the North Kerry senior championship of 1999 would be sweet indeed. All will be revealed today!
Guín rath agus ádh ar an dá fhoireann agus go raibh an bua ag an bhfoireann is fearr.
-Article taken from the 'Souvenir Match Programme' specially produced for the last North Kerry Championship Final of the century just past.
Update:
Moyvane went on to become gallant winners on final day bringing home the cup in a fitting end to an illustrious seventy years of football in the twentieth century.
CLOUNMACON
G.A.A. Club 1898-1984
The history of CLounmacon Foothall CLub is long and varied. The earliest record dates back to 1898.
Clounmacon played Ballylongford on October 29th,the final score was Clounmacon 0-6,Ballylongford 1-2.
In 1924 Clounmacon fielded a team,and we have found out from the records that they played in
Red and green striped jerseys.
The organisers of this team were Donal'' Bill'' O' Sullivan and Jimmy Shanahan.
In 1925 the club was formed under the guidance of Jerry "Sonny"Buckley who was the first Chairman of the club.
.
In 1926 July 4th, Clounmacon and Ballylongford played in a North Kerry junior league game in Tarbert.
After five minutes of play the match was abandoned due to thunderstorm and heavy rain.
The teams took shelter under a near- by bridge from which they had to ev-acuate,
due to the water rising in the river.
In 1927 June 29th Clounmacon played Ballylongford in Kilcolman Asdee,
Ballylongford won this match.
In 1928 Clounmacon again took part in the Junior league.
In 1929 Clounmacon took part in the Junior league beating Duagh by 2-3 to 1-1,the lineout was,
Mickey Carmody,Johnny Carmody,Willie Walshe,John Sonnie Sheey,Thomas Murphy,John Joe Aherne,
Jimin Twomey,John Joe Conway,Jim Sullivan,Richie Lyons,Tom Cronin,Josie Enright,Jack Shanahan,
Martin Moriarty and Pat stack.
There was no team in 1950,though a Clounmacon team were invited to,
take part in the Listowel town league competition,they fielded a team and won the final.
After this match in 1950 the club was reformed,the Chairman was Jack Murphy,vice Chairman:Willie Gorman,Secretary:Patsy O'Sullivan,treasurers:Bill''Donal O'sullivan and Stephen Enright.
Around 1952 the jerseys were,blue with white collars and Clounmacon played in the,
Ballylongford tournament beating Ballydonoghue in the final,
The prize for winning was a set of jerseys which were the colours black and amber,which still remain the
colours of the club to the present day.
In 1953 they also played in the Ballylongford Carnival tournament but the tournament was unfinished.
NORTH KERRY SENIOR CHAMPIONS IN 1954
In 1954 which can be described as a glorious year in Clounmacon football,
In this year Clounmacon won the North Kerry Senior Championship final beating Tarbert in Tarbert.
The victorious team were:Sean Mahony,Martin Scanlon,Tom Costello,Bobby Buckley,Mikie Lyons,Monty Leahy,
Paddy Connell,Ger Egan,Joe Scanlon,Bill Phealan,Joe Shanahan,Pat Kerins,Anthony 'Wax' Scanlan,
Michael 'Donal'O'Sullivan and Bill Egan, subs:Son Halpin,Brendan Lawlor.
In 1955 Clounmacon again reached the North Kerry Senior Championship final,their opponients were Duagh,
Duagh won the final by scoring a goal at the final whistle winning the match by two points.
In 1956 Clounmacon met Ballylongford in the semi-final of the North Kerry Championship,this game ended
in a draw,for the replay both teams were suspended,Duagh were awarded the title.
In 1957 Clounmacon met Moyvane in the first round of the NK Championship,Clounmacon won the game by
a scoreline of 1-6 to 1-5.Now on to the final against Listowel which Listowel won,the final score was 2-3 to 0-6,
This was said to be the best Clounmacon team ever to play in a final.
In 1958 Clounmacon won the Tarbert tournament beating Tarbert in the final.
The early 1960's were not very
successful ,1964 was the last year Clounmacon played senior,they were after this relegated to the Intermediate
ranks, 1965 Clounmacon reached semi-finals in both NK Intermediate league and Championship.
In 1966 Clounmacon began on a winning note,they won the Town league competition beating An Gleann in the final,by a score of 2-5 to 0-3,
The victorious team were as follows:Patsy gorman,Michael Daley,Liam Regan (Capt),Paddy Connell,Denis Buckley,
Eugene Faley,Mickey Mahony,John Mulvihill,Sean O' Sheey,Neilly Riordan,Pats Carmody,Joe Riordain,Joe Savage,
Billy Fitzgerald and John Walshe. subs:Patsy Loughnane for John Walshe.
Clounmacon reached the Intermediate final beating Duagh on August 19th 1966 on a score-line of 1-6 to 2-1,
Paddy Connell holds the record of the longest playing member of the club extending twenty years,he also holds
the record of winning two Town league medals,a senior and intermediate league.
In 1967 Clounmacon reached
the North Kerry intermediate championship final,but because of a breakout of foot-and mouth in the U.K.the
final was postponed until Easter Sunday 1968,Clounmacon beat Tarbert in the final,the score was
Clounmacon 2-7 to Tarberts 1-4,Mickey Mahony was the captain.
Very little success came Clounmacons way between
1968 and 1984 due to immigration which affected Clounmacon very badly.
Clounmacons Representatives on
Senior Kerry teams were Jack and Tom Murphy in the late 1800's and 1900's.John Kennelly in 1909,
Paud O'Sullivan in the 1920's,Bob Murphy in 1928,Ger Carmody in 1936,Bobby Buckley in 1953-1954-1955,
Patsy Sullivan and Tom Costello in the 1950's,Patsy Sullivan played with Kerry minors in 1952.
Clounmacon had representatives in the Shannon Rangers Senior County Championship teams,Jim Carmody played
in 1945 and John Mulvihill also won a County Championship medal with Shannon Rangers in 1964.
Tim Buckley won a County minor Championship medal with Feale Rangers in 1978 and Denis Paul Curtin and Patrick
Shanahan won the same medals in 1979,Tommy Keane won another County minor Championship medal with Feale-
Rangers in 1983 also representing Clounmacon.
CLOUNMACON FOOTBALL OFFICERS CENTENARY YEAR 1984
Patron....Fr.Padraig Moore C.C.
President.....Jack Murphy
Chairman.....Anthony Curtin
Vice-Chairman...Tim Buckley
Secretary..........Kathleen Curtin
Treasurer..........Denis Buckley
Colours:Black & Amber.
Con Brosnan and the Midfield Might
by Liam Hanrahan
The great sportswriter "P.F" once wrote in the Kerryman that almost every parish in Kerry had its "All- Ireland man". At the time of P.F's writing this, however, very few parishes, not to mention
a relatively small rural parish like Moyvane, could boast an all-lreland medal-holder six times over. In the intervening years since, this parish has been singularly honoured that so many of its
sons have contributed to the Kerry cause by representing their county with distinction at every level of the game.
Names could trip off the tongue for every decade since the selection of Con Brosnan in 1923 to play mid- field for Kerry initiated the trend. However, few will cavil with the assertion that Con
Brosnan was the greatest of all and inevitably heads the list of the illustrious of our parish who have achieved this distinction. "Coming events cast their shadows before," and as early as 1919,
Con Brosnan, playing at midfield for Moyvane in the North Kerry league, came under the notice of Bob Stack. Bob immediately formed the opinion that Con would become a great county player. He was
not to know then or fully realise immediately at least, that he and Con would form a celebrated partnership at midfield for Kerry, which would last for all of nine years and would make them both
legendary figures in the annals of Kerry football history.
At the same time (1919), the name of Con Brosnan was becoming widely known, not least to the British Auxiliaries (or Black and Tans) who, smarting under the ignominy of their failure to curtail his daring exploits as a freedom-fighter (by apprehension or otherwise), descended on Moyvane one Spring morning and burned the Brosnan home to the ground.
After Independence, the emergence of Kerry as a footballing force was probably stifled and delayed by the sad outbreak of Civil War.
However, when peace was restored a great young Kerry team - some would still maintain the greatest - began to take shape. Moreover, it is further asserted, and not without conviction, that the readiness and willingness of players who were diametrically opposed politically during "The Troubles", to combine, merge and pool their talents in the cause of Kerry football contributed in no small way to the healing of old wounds and the assuaging of any lingering bitterness left by those unhappy and unfortunate events.
Sited at midfield on this emerging team was the young Moyvane man facing, in his first All-lreland final (1923) two of gaelic footballs all-time greats, Paddy McDonnell and Larry Stanley of Dublin. Defeat was to be their portion on their maiden voyage. However, the exploits of Con Brosnan did not go unnoticed during the game. His immaculate fielding, precision kicking and unflinching endurance helped his team to almost carry the day. Dublin, now going for their fourth All-lreland in a row, provided the opposition to Kerry in the All-lreland of 1924.
A thrilling game ensued. The two great teams were locked in battle with the scores level with just minutes remaining, until a marvellous point from the boot of the Moyvane midfielder broke the deadlock and carried the day for Kerry.
Two quotes from a poem commemorating the great victory go like this:
"At midfield where the fight was raging
Shone Brosnan, bright as the morning star
He drove the leather right up to Landers
Who fisted neatly across the bar."
And the lines describing his winning score;
"With steady nerve and unerring aim
He scored a point and again we lead them
'Twas the final score in a hard-fought game".
Kerry now entered a phase of keen and sporting rivalry with Kildare which was to last some seven or eight years and which was to raise Gaelic football to new heights and create new levels of
awareness and interest among the public.
The 1926 final went to a replay. In the drawn game Larry Stanley was Kildare's outstanding performer, bringing down balls at midfield from prodigious heights. However, Kerry held out to draw, 1-3
to Kildare's 0-6. Kerry got their goal with only a minute remaining with W. O'Gorman crashing to the net - and a new legend was created, namely, that Kerry are never beaten until the final
whistle!
However, Kerry re-asserted themselves in the replay, with Stack and Brosnan dominant at midfield and another Moyvane man, Tom Mahony, fisting the ball to the net. Final score was: Kerry 1-4: Kildare 0-4.
"The Leinster Leader" in its report of the 1926 final stated "Two great teams have met twice in the struggle for the 1926 Championship and both have by their displays done much to raise the status of the grand old Gaelic pastimes". Another paper, "The Voice of Labour" (Dublin) stated four factors contributed to the "Munster" victory: first, and foremost of all superior grit and the will to victory, secondly, better fielding: thirdly, a stronger midfield and fourthly, the ineffectiveness of Stanley.
However, Kildare came back in 1927 to claim their revenge in the All-lreland final on the score of Kildare 0-5; Kerry 0-3. Commenting on the match, The Leinster Leader (Kildare) wrote (among other things). "It was a great game, worthy of two great football counties. In the keen football and sporting rivalry between the counties lies the best guarantee for the future of Gaelic pastimes."
Kerry did not figure in the final of '28 but Kildare did, retaining their title, with W. Gannon their captain being the first to accept the Sam Maguire cup, which had been newly presented.
The next great contest between Kerry and Kildare was in the 1929 All-lreland final when Kerry won the first of four-in-a-row All-lrelands before a record attendance of 43,839. The score was: Kerry 1-8: Kildare 1-5.
A writer of the times wrote: "It was very fast, very clean and very exciting. Kerry's winning margin does not flatter them. ("Padraig" in 'the Star')
Kerry defeated Monaghan in a one sided final in 1930. The dominance enjoyed by the Kerry midfield pairing is reflected in the scoreline: Kerry 3-11: Monaghan 0-2. Comment from "The Anglocelt" (Cavan): "Those who saw for themselves the prowess of the Kerrymen - Supermen would perhaps be a more accurate description - came away satisfied that at the moment there is no combination in the country fit to cope with them. A selection frpm the rest of Ireland would scarcely be fit enough to stand up to them for an hour." Clear evidence, indeed, that this team was now being regarded as well nigh invincible by friend and foe alike.
In May of 1931 Con Brosnan and his teammates left on a tour of the United States. In the opening game in New York, the real big test, Kerry beat the locals by 9 points to 1-3. The attendance was over 60,000, a then record for a Gaelic game.
Liam 0' Shea, Sports Editor, "New York Advocate" was lavish in their praise: "Man for man they are a credit to the Irish race. It would be unfair to single out any member of the team as having anything on the others. It simply cannot be done. I found them high-class, intelligent young athletes who can feel right at home in any company". Kerry and Kildare clashed once again for the blue riband of Gaelic football in 1931. Kerry emerged victors by 1-11 to 0-8, the biggest margin that ever separated the teams (attendance 42,350). This win was very significant in Con Brosnan's career as a wonderfully magnanimous gesture by Joe Barrett. Austin Stacks, allowed Con Brosnan to captain Kerry and accept the Sam Maguire Cup. That Joe Barrett should have deferred to Con in this way is clear evidence of the esteem of his colleagues and their appreciation of his profoundly important contribution in their successes.
Munster Senior Championships, three National League medals and two Railway Cup medals. Following his playing career he was involved at administration level of the North Kerry Board and County Board and represented Kerry at Munster Council level for a long number of years. He was a Kerry selector and trained the victorious Kerry team in 1939. His record of service at North Kerry Board level was no less impressive: Chairman: 1932-33, 1936-42. President: 1955-1975.
Con was called from this life in 1975, the very year that saw the emergence of a young, vibrant team that won the Senior All-lreland in that year (part of the big treble - Senior, under 21, and Minor) and were to go on to emulate the achievements of '29-'32 by winning four-in-a-row in 1978-81.
A poem, praising the great footballer and gael of former years concludes as follows:-
"I can't name all in one short verse, I could go on and on
But the greatest man of all the clan, Was the one and only Con."
To the Memory of Con Brosnan (on the opening of Con Brosnan Par, Moyvane 1984).
By: Dan Keane.
When but a child I heard his name,
Poured out from lips that spoke with pride.
I relished every loud acclaim,
My heart like theirs, felt overjoyed.
I placed him in the Fianna mould,
Through childish dreams the vision ran,
I longed to see the green and gold,
I longed and hoped to meet this man.
This man in later years I met,
His manner harboured no disguise,
His honest heart in goodness set,
His modesty his greatest prize.
And, yet, sufficient spirit reigned,
To stand for right - to raise to flame,
The bursting cheers that off acclaimed,
His jewelled movement in this game.
This game he loved and sporting played,
From antiquity's ancient store,
The living spark official made,
And trained the gael to love it more.
The names with pride we still recall,
Their souls its source, their hearts its shield.
Through time and space we bless them all
And make their monument this field.
This field through which he calls in trust,
The gaels to love and play the game,
God keeps his soul, the grave his dust,
We proudly give this field his name.
And here while summer breezes kiss
The bending grass and steal away,
We play the game in hours like this
We bless this man, this, field, this Day.
23 June 2007
Kerry football hero set the standard we should apply to Love Ulster
By Ryle Dwyer
Con Brosnan, a Free State officer, managed to get safe passage guarantees for republican players like John Joe Sheehy and Joe Barrett to play games, and they used football to overcome some of the
bitterness.
They played together on the Kerry team that won the 1924 All-Ireland title
THERE is talk again about another Love Ulster rally in Dublin. This time the organisers, Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (FAIR), say they expect around 3,000 people and 25 bands to attend the march.
A lot has happened since the fiasco in 2006. The powersharing executive is now up and running. Of course, there are likely to be difficulties on the road ahead, but it is important we should show leadership in helping to break down the barriers.
We need to recognise that we nationalists in the South contributed to the problems in the North by our own intransigence. We talked a lot about Irish unity, but did little or nothing to promote it. Instead we pushed the unionists into more intransigent positions.
Eamon de Valera consistently said that resolving partition was his primary aim in politics, but he never advocated one positive policy to influence unionists in favour of a united Ireland.
He pretended that partition was the basis of his opposition to the 1921 Treaty, but he told the Dáil in private sessions he was prepared to accept partition both before the formal negotiations began and after the treaty was signed.
If only the partition issue could be resolved, all our problems would vanish. That was what we were essentially led to believe, but it was nonsense. Partition was being used to obscure the blinding ineptitude of a number of governments.
Only a handful of the opponents of the 1921 Treaty criticised the partition clauses of the agreement. One was Seán MacEntee, a native of Belfast. He was a member of the delegation that essentially negotiated the final dismantling of the treaty in 1938. For a long time de Valera tried to insist there could be no agreement in those negotiations unless the partition issue was settled. This prompted some clear thinking from MacEntee.
"The partition problem cannot be solved except with the consent of the majority of the Northern non-Catholic population", MacEntee wrote to de Valera in the course of the negotiations. "Hitherto, we as the Government here have done nothing of ourselves to secure a solution, but on the contrary have done and are doing certain things which have made a solution more difficult. In regard to partition we have never had a policy."
There was plenty of talk about not wishing to coerce Northern unionists, but nothing positive was done to try to win them over. "With our connivance every bigot and killjoy, ecclesiastical and lay, is doing his damnedest here to keep them out," he argued.
Garret FitzGerald, who came from a mixed Orange and Green background, was the first of our leaders to recognise the need for positive initiatives. He was not able to change much himself, but he did manage to persuade people on the ground that so much of the anti-partition rhetoric was just empty blather.
In the North they put their rhetoric to music and marched to it. Their parades have triumphal connotations. What they are saying, in effect, is that they still have their distinct identity and they will not be subsumed by our nationalism. But our position has always supposedly been that we were not trying to subsume them.
There has recently been a distinguishable change of attitude in the North, even among some who were seen as bitterly sectarian. Probably the most potent gesture ever from the Republic was the televised spectacle in Croke Park of the Garda and Army No 1 bands earlier this year playing God Save the Queen at the Ireland v England rugby international, without a boo, a catcall or a derisory whistle from a crowd of more than 80,000 people.
This did not belittle or undermine our Irishness one whit. Indeed, one sensed the Irish people in the crowd were never more proud of being Irish.
They demonstrated this with a rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann that brought tears to the eyes of many of the players who then went on to crown those pre-match ceremonies with an awesome display of rugby that demolished England - the world champions, no less.
JJ Barrett demanded that the GAA museum return his father's All-Ireland medals because God Save the Queen was being played at a rugby match in Croke Park. This was ironic because he had written a book, In the Name of the Game, which highlighted the positive role that the GAA played after the civil war in bringing people together in Kerry, where the conflict was fought with a particular ferocity. The atrocities at Ballyseedy, Countess Bridge and Caherciveen all took place in Kerry.
After the fighting, Con Brosnan, a Free State officer, managed to get safe passage guarantees for republican players like John Joe Sheehy and Joe Barrett to play games, and they used football to overcome some of the bitterness. They played together on the Kerry team that won the 1924 All-Ireland football championship, just the year after those civil war atrocities. Maybe this helps to explain why so many Kerry people treat Gaelic football as a kind of religion.
In 1930, Austin Stacks of Tralee won the county football championship and, thus, the right to nominate the captain of the Kerry team for the following year. Kerry were going for three-in-a-row, and Joe Barrett (JJ's father) was offered the honour. But he asked that it be accorded to Con Brosnan, who had nothing to do with the club.
BARRETT'S gesture was in recognition of the role that Con had played after the civil war. Four other Austin Stacks players were also on the Kerry team that day, but the club accorded the honour to a man who had taken the other side in the civil war.
"Con Brosnan was the political bridge- builder of our time," John Joe ‘Purty' Landers, one of the five Stacks players on that Kerry team, told JJ Barrett for his book. "Regardless of pressure from within his own side of the divide, or from the other side, he did what he believed had to be done to bring about peace and healing. He was the ultimate peacemaker in Kerry football after the civil war."
Con Brosnan went on to lift the Sam Maguire in September 1931, capping a magnificent example of true sportsmanship, and the value of sport in the healing process. We saw that again at Croke Park this year, and we should develop that Croke Park spirit.
In a sense the Love Ulster parade in Dublin will be a triumphal march for the Orangemen. They have long feared their identity would be subsumed in an All-Ireland set-up, whereas our national flag has emphasised that Orange and Green should coexist in harmony.
The parade would provide an ideal opportunity to prove that we have become a mature, inclusive and multicultural society that lives up to the symbolism of our national flag. In that sense the parade should be something that we could all celebrate. This would then allow us to focus properly on some other problems that require urgent attention.
Quiz from Boards Listowel
(1) How many All-Ireland medals were won by the late Tim Kennelly. ?
(2) Name the Moyvane man who won the Aintree Grand National, name his horse and what year. ?
(3) I won a town league medal with the Boro and I came 9th in a Olympic Marathon, who am I. ?
(4) A famous Showjumper bred in the Listowel area and ridden by Sheamus Hayes won many international events, what was the horse's name and the name of the family who bred him. ?
(5) Name the only Listowel man to own the winner of the Kerry National and name his horse. ?
(6) True or False, Tadhg Kennelly was the first Kerryman to play in a AFL Grand Final. ?
(7) Who was the first listowel man to win a international Rugby Cap for Ireland.?
(8) Name the teams who played an International soccer game in Kennedy Park. ?
(9) Name the year that the great Christy Ring played a hurling match in Listowel and who did he play for. ?
(10) What Master became a national hero when he won a Derby. ?
(11) What Listowel man played in the AFL with Melbourne Football Club. ?
(12) The late Garry McMahon set what record in the 1962 All-Ireland Final which remains unbroken. ?
(13) What Listowel event began in 1913, was held each June and finished in 1957.?
(14) Who trained Feale Rangers to win their first senior county championship in 1978. ?
(15) Two teams from the same parish contested the 1957 North Kerry League final, name them.?
(16) There was a connection between the Down team of 1960 and the Lartigue railway, what was it. ?
(17) For the re-opening of Pairc Mhic ****high in 1981 who were the visiting teams, hurling and football. ?
(18) What Listowel man boxed heavyweight for Ireland. ?
(19) What Gleanaphuka man has a football ground named in his honour. ?
(20) Which team have won the most town leagues (a)Ashes (b)Boro (c) Clounmacon (d) An Gleann (e)Greenville (f)Pearses. ?
Answers Quiz 2
(1) 6, 5 senior and 1 u/21
(2) Tommy Stack, Red Rum, 1977
(3) Jerry Kiernan, 1984.
(4) Goodbye, bred by the Trants.
(5) Denis Murphy, Flute Player.
(6) True.
(7) John Macauley.
(8) Ireland vs Germany
(9) 1960, Glen Rovers.
(10) Master Myles.
(11) Sean Wight.
(12) Fastest goal in a all- Ireland
(13) The Listowel Show.
(14) John o Flaherty.
(15) Emmets vs Clounmacon.
(16) Maurice Hayes, hon.sec. to winning Down team was grandson to Maurice Hayes
coachbuilder to Lartigue railway.
(17) Hurling, Limerick. Football, Offaly.
(18) Gerald Lenihan.
(19) The late Pat.Kennedy.
(20) An Gleann.
Quiz d
(1) I FIRST SAW THE LIGHT OF DAY IN 1888 AND SURVIVED 36 YEARS,WHAT WAS I. ?
(2) WHERE IN LISTOWEL WAS THE LAST WORKING MILL WHEEL. ?
(3) NAME THE WORDSMITH SON OF A BLACKSMITH. ?
(4) NAME THE LISTOWEL MAN WHO WAS A CHAMPION WRITER. ?
(5) NAME LISTOWEL'S LAST TOWN CRIER. ?
(6) WHAT WERE THE GRAVEL CRUSHERS. ?
(7) WHERE DID THE GARDAI RELOCATE TO AFTER THE BURNING OF THE BARRACKS. ?
(8) WE KNOW COURTHOUSE ROAD BUT WHERE WAS COURTHOUSE ROW. ?
(9) I WAS ONE OF THE GREAT MOVIE STARS, MY ROOTS WERE IN THE GLEANN, WHO WAS I. ?
(10)MORTELL'S, WHAT DID THEY SELL. ?
(11)I RACED FROM LONDON TO CAIRO,WAS FROM THE TOWN, WHO WAS I. ?
(12)WHERE WAS BOTTLE ALLEY. ?
(13)WHAT CANON LIVED IN GURTINARD HOUSE. ?
(14)I WAS THE CEMENT GOD,WHAT WAS MY REAL NAME.?
(15)NAME WHO CRIED OUT, AND FINISH THE LINE 'KEEP AWAY FROM FOUNTAIN .. ............' ?
(16)WHAT BOROMAN WROTE THE FIRST OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE G.A.A. ?
(17)WHAT LISTOWEL MAN WROTE 'THE MAID OF SWEET COOLARD' ?
(18)WHAT ACTRESS MAURA WAS MARRIED TO WHAT NED. ?
(19)NAME A LISTOWEL SOLICTORS DAUGHTER WHO HAS PUBLISHED HER MEMORIES. ?
(20)WHAT HALL HOSTED THE PREMIER OF SIVE AND WHAT WAS THE YEAR. ?
ANSWERS Quiz d
(I) LARTIGUE RAILWAY.
(2) LATCHFORDS MILL IN GREENVILLE.
(3) WRITER AND ACADEMIC, SHEAMUS WILMOT, SON OF THE BLACKSMITH NED WILMOT.
(4) SEAN ASHE,CONVENT STREET, WRITER AND CORRESPONDENT TO THE KERRY CHAMPION NEWSPAPER DURING 1940/50S
(5) MATTIE JAMES WAS THE LAST BELLMAN IN THE TOWN.
(6) NAME GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO PLAYED FOOTBALL AND HURLING IN THE LISTOWEL MARKET YARD.
(7) TAY LANE.
(8) STONE COTTAGES ON THE TOP LEFT HAND SIDE OF CHARLES STREET BUILT BY LORD LISTOWEL.
(9) SILENT MOVIE ACTRESS, MARY PICKFORD, RELATED TO PICKFORD AND HENNESSY FAMILIES OF THE GLEANN.
(10)POULTRY PRODUCTS.
(11)LILY DILLON,DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR DILLON,THE SQUARE, SHE WAS WINNER OF LONDON/CAIRO AIR RACE.
(12)CONVENT STREET.(BETWEEN TOM PIERCES AND BUNYANS).
(13)CANON ADDERLEY, CHURCH OF IRELAND.
(14)PADDY WHELAN,CHURCH STREET.
(15)PADDY EVANS, KEEP AWAY FROM THE FOUNTAIN OF BALLYGOLOGUE.
(16)THOMAS F. O SULLIVAN, CHARLES STREET.
(17)D.C. HENNESSY, WILLIAM STREET (D.APRIL 1884) WROTE THIS SONG ON 2/2/69.
(18)MAURA O SULLIVAN, PATRICK STREET, WHO WAS MARRIED TO EAMON KELLY, ACTOR AND SEANCHAI.
(19)BERTHA BEATTY(NEE CREAGH)BORN NOV.1878 DAUGHTER OF FRANK CREAGH, SOLICITOR,1ST EDITION 1939,2ND EDITION 2007.
(20)WALSH'S BALLROOM, LISTOWEL, 2/2/1959.