My mother ,God rest her soul, was Peggy Mc Cormack from the Curragh Boreen.She married Dave Stephens ,my father, a Welshman and they settled in Blanchardstown,where nine of us children lived in tough times.She kept hens and was a great woman to bake brown bread.She knew her hens and could tell to the hour when a hen was going to kick the bucket.Not that any hen got the grace of a natural death, She would have it butchered ,plucked and boiled before the the hen itself knew it was even sick.It could be boiled for two days until the consistency of leather was softened to edible status ,but mixed with carrots ,onions and spuds it made a welcome and tasty repast.At one stage also we were feasted on goat meat.This came about because the present Michael Callaghan used slaughter goats from a feral herd that ran in Conlons for their pelts.No one in Dunderry would eat the meat,a fact that my uncle Paddy ,who worked in Conlons told my mother.Well we did and were glad of it.Of course we told our neighbours it was lamb and no more than ourselves they couldn't tell the difference.My mother and my aunt Molly could cook anything to a palatable state including hare which is a tough son of a bitch.This would have been learned from their own mother,who reared a big family in really tough times.including the war years.
My mother and her siblings,particularly Molly,Joe and Tommy,neither of whom married and lived their lives in the home place.were very close as also were Jimmy and Paddy who did marry.
About twice a year she would cajole my father to drive her from Blanchardstown to the Curragh to visit them.My father was very fond of them also and this was never a barrier to the journey,but my mother was the worst person to travel ever born.Not only did she suffer from travel sickness after just a mile,but she was convinced that my father was the worst driver ever born.She was wrong in this.He must have been the best driver ever born,as with such a big family to support,he had successively the worst cars I have ever seen and only a genius could keep them on the road. They were only sporadically taxed and this added spice to any long journey.Those times gardai were local and bar you were a bowsie,the local gardai tended to turn a blind eye to minor transgressions like that.God be with days.Mammy would be mortified if they were stopped for tax.Local gardai liked nothing better than to summons a stranger to show respectable statistics.
Thus on the journey down,she would plonk herself on the back seat of the car in regal fashion,surrounded by every travel sickness pill known to man,with a rosary beads constantly on the go exhorting the DA to slow down from the thirty mines per hour that was the maximum speed on offer.
No wonder he smoked not only from the woodbine's but also from the ears.
Now Pat Rattigan lived next door to my people in the Curragh.a life long bachelor he was like one of them.He built a functional two room house,a bedroom and a kitchen joined by a corridor into which the front and only door opened.No jacks nor indoor water.A most perceptive and ecologically sound man.Well before his time.
His main passions in life were Meath football and horse racing.Instead of wallpaper his walls were covered with newspaper cuttings of football teams and racehorses.His cooking was done on either the open fire or on an electric heater turned upwards.He had an inbred cat with truncated front legs which he called Skippy .He used give the leftover bread to the uncle's horses and pet lambs,who would come to him on sight.In fact the lambs got so attached to him that they used run to meet him on his way home with provisions on his Honda fifty and eat any bread from the bike carrier.In the end he carried home the provisions tucked inside the breast pocket of his overcoat.
The Mac Cormack's bought the Irish Press and they all shared it.He bought the Evening Herald and they all shared it.He had no well and would be in every day for water and the craic.The were like one big happy family.( When he eventually died the fact that he hadn't called for a few days triggered the alarm,about which more anon.)
Pat loved a small gamble and was an authority on horse racing.In particular he loved a jockey called Johnny Roe,who was a top class jockey.Pat was one of the most prolific cursers I ever met.Every sentence had a curse word in it it and he himself wouldn't realise he was cursing.He meant no harm by it and everybody loved him.
Whenever my mother landed on visit Pat would be in ,sitting on the stairs and the best conversationalists in the business would let loose.No T.V. no radio blaring.Pure conversation.Plenty of argument ,even roaring but no rancour.
On one such visit the talk turned to horse racing.Pat was in his element.He said several times "Johnny Roe is the best F....in jockey that ever rode a horse."
Now this would be double dutch to my mother,who,unlike daddy had no interest in horses.had never smoked,was in a pub so rarely that it didn't register on the Richter scale and would have drank no more than a half dozen "drinks with the deer" i.e .babychams ,in her lifetime.
Well some months after the visit the DA landed home one Friday night with a few jars on board and in thundering form.He had just collected on a big nixer (without theses we would have starved),and after parting with my ma's share,still had a good wad left.He was going to the Park races (Phoenix Park to you )and wanted a companion.One by one we declined,Football or hurling or whatever,but the ma didn't let him down."If no one else goes with you I'll go Dave"says she,and the craic was on.
The next day they got the 39A bus from Blanch to the Park.He paid in for both,bought race cards ,gave the ma a score and pointed her towards the Tote,informing her that he was going to the ring and would be backing with the bookies.They would meet up afterwards at the exit and go home together.
Mammy hadn't a clue and hesitantly made her way to the Tote scrutinising the Race card.The only thing that made sense to her was Johnny F in Roe.She placed a half dollar (2s and 6pence)win on him.He obliged and she later told me she collected twenty seven pounds odd.on the ticket and scooped up the money and ran away in case the teller made a mistake.She backed Johnny Roe every time and as far as I know he had the best race meeting of his career that day winning all the races.
She met the DA at the exit as appointed and kept mum.He had lost the lot and hadn't even the bus fare home.She paid it and said nothing until they got home when she opened up ,asked him did he want the price of a pint and threw him one hundred and fifty pounds.And she had loads left for herself.
Good on ya Johnny Roe and Pat Rattigan.I pray that there is horseracing,gambling,conversation and Babychams in Heaven.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
All Ireland hurling medals on way to Dunderry
Last Saturday evening Meath beat Roscommon in the Minor B All Ireland Hurling Final.Brendan Wright started,Dylan Keenan came on as a sub. and Conor O Shea was on the panel.Ciaran Fitzsimons played at midfield. All theses players learned the game in Dunderry from a young age,even though Ciaran moved to live in Athboy with his parents some years ago and took up with Clanna Gael.A loss to us but we still claim him.
Jane Martin was on the Meath Minor B Camogie psanel,who were beaten by a point in the final on Sunday.Hard luck Jane.
Congratulations all.
Older readers may not be able to identify the players involved.
Brendan Wright lives near the bog in Tullaghhanstown and his parents hail from Offaly and Westymeath as far as I know.His brother and sister also play with the Club and the father has a fierce interest and a great pair of lungs.
Dylan Keenan is a son of Tommy Keenan,no mean hurler himself and who I had the pleasure of hurling with,and Breeda Gough from the Meadstown Road,no mean camogie player herself in her day.His brother and sisters are handy with the caman also.
Conor O Shea is a son of Ciaran ,a proud Mayo man and Evelyn Gallagher ,a native of the Meadstown Road .His sisters are handy Camogie players.
The parents and Club Mentors are also congratulated on their achievements.
Jane Martin was on the Meath Minor B Camogie psanel,who were beaten by a point in the final on Sunday.Hard luck Jane.
Congratulations all.
Older readers may not be able to identify the players involved.
Brendan Wright lives near the bog in Tullaghhanstown and his parents hail from Offaly and Westymeath as far as I know.His brother and sister also play with the Club and the father has a fierce interest and a great pair of lungs.
Dylan Keenan is a son of Tommy Keenan,no mean hurler himself and who I had the pleasure of hurling with,and Breeda Gough from the Meadstown Road,no mean camogie player herself in her day.His brother and sisters are handy with the caman also.
Conor O Shea is a son of Ciaran ,a proud Mayo man and Evelyn Gallagher ,a native of the Meadstown Road .His sisters are handy Camogie players.
The parents and Club Mentors are also congratulated on their achievements.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Dunderry V Blackhall Gaels.IHC.KIlmessan.
Pat Gannon refereed.Conditions good..
Dunderry team.
Bomber Farrell
Sprog Stephens Spongee Mc Cormack Joey Martin
Dylan Keenan Finn Stephens Red Callaghan
Brendan Wright Ted Dowd
Conor O Shea Davy Geraghty Killian Minogue
Stephen Coogan Paddy Gorey Davy Gilky(son).
Ding dong opening minutes.Neither team yielding anything.Blackhall have wind advantage and look stronger.Blackhall get first wide from play and Ted hits wide from Dunderry free after 4 minutes.We win puck out and Geraghty sends wide from play.Tenacious defending by our backs cannot prevent a Blackhall point from play.Wright wins puckout,is well blocked and ball let in on full back line.Spongee wins it,to Finn who lets it in to Geraghty,.who shoots low.Gathered by goalie who shoots long.Won by Ted,who parts to Coogan,who is dispossessed.Red breaks up attack at expense of free.Taken short to 12,who Finn dispossesses.Ball breaks and Ted whips to Coogan,who registers minor after solo run.Good point.Blackhall interplay results in well executed point from play.Ball lands between Sprog and forward.Sprog wins battle and clears ball.Sideline ball to Blackhall.Sprog wins ball ,to Keenan to Ted,back to Keenan,lost to Blackhall free.Free converted.Gorey fouled and Gilky converts from 21.Blackhall score fluky point from play( Bomber's clearance hits player and flies over own crossbar).Finn's ground pull to Coogan goes astray but ends with Keenan ,who is fouled.takes free to Coogan ,to Gorey,Intercepted by Blackhall but Minogue makes burst and takes fine point.Poor clearance by Dunderry gifts point to Blackhall.Ted's free from midfield is cleared and broken play ends with an excellent O Shea line ball to Gorey who is dispossessed.We contest ball well and Wright releases to Coogan ,who registers a minor.Minogue wins puckout ,but is blocked and earns line ball.Keenan hits line ball long,gathered by Gilky who registers a fine point.Blackhall number 11 chastised by referee for verbosity.Blackhall restore lead with point from play.Number 11 adds another point from play.He can hurl too.We resist period of sustained pressure with a MInogue wide from play.We are hanging in doggedly.Coogan loses ball,falls to Minogue.Just wide.Minogu's persistence earns a line ball,which Keenan dispatches to Gorey who scores a point.Blackhall 13 restores advantage with point.Careless play gifts Blackhall another minor.Starting to pull away.Wright floats line ball across goal and Coogan fouled.Ted takes point.No more scores till half time whistle.Blackhall 0-9 Dunderry 0-7.Wind to us second half.Are we good enough?
No changes.Ted pulls on throw in and goes to Gilky.Wide.From puck out Geraghty wins ball.His blocked shot dribbles to Gilky who scores a fatherly point.Blackhall free lands at box.Great blocking by Spongee and Sprog concedes 70.Converted.Finn lets long ball to Gorey,who lets across goal.Dunderry free converted by Gilky.Under severe pressure we concede another point.Spongee wins ball after hard fight,to Keenan,who collects under pressure(well done Dylan roars Stan Kenneally,over the cheers of the largely female and vocal Blackhall support),who parts to Finn(Good boy Finn well done roars Calfer) and sends in low.But Blackhall regroup and attack again.Bomber clears line to Minogue ,who takes off like a f...n rabbit and delivers to Gorey who rattles onion bag.Now we are sucking diesel.We lead by a point.Joey Martin called ashore and O Shea fills his position.Blackhall call ashore the forward on Sprog.Dunderry attack twarthed by Blackhall goalie who delivers perfect ball to team mate,who delivers low.Finn pulls and connects to Wright ,to Minogue,who shoots barely wide.Another scorable chance for us goes wide.that's two in a row.We might regret them yet.Blackhall 10 pulls back a point.Level again.Ownie Mc Cormack ,who replaced Joey is in an accidental clash with his opponent and both go down.Harrow replaces Ownie who is not fit to continue.Ted takes free awarded to us and lands at edge of square.Blackhall clear over sideline.We fail to capitalise on a number of line balls.But Blackhall do capitalise by converting a free.Blackhall pressure is rewarded with another minor from play.We are two down.Shit or bust.To cackling of Blackhall support Coogan shoots wide.Blackhall 13 shoots wide.Red wins hard ball,to Ted but Blackhall regain possession and pressure is alleviated by Spongee and Finn who delivers to Ted ,who is fouled.His free is cleared and Blackhall counterattack.Minogue scores two magnificent points from play and Gilkie landed another from a free.We are one up with six minutes to go.Nail biting stuff..Blackhall miss from free awarded against Finn for fair shoulder.Tough passage of play follows .We show liathroidi and win line ball.Wright hits well but dribbles wide.We hold tough and interplay between Gilky,Wright ,Keenan results in Geraghty scoring mighty point.Gorey is hurt and fouled thirty yards out.Gilky converts.Blackhall over carry and concede free.Someone mouths at ref.and he moves it closer to goal.Its an awkward shot,but he's on his game and converts.We sustain pressure gallantly and deny Blackhall the goal they were seeking.We win 1-15 to 0-14.
We have the liathroidi and the skill.We were plagued by injuries today and needed men to fill the gap.We have them.The young bulls proved they are worthy of the jersey and the older bulls yet again confirmed that they are in fine fettle and well up to the job..All is well in the world.Well done whacko and Company.
I would say that the Blackhall ladies have the best lungs in Leinster.Fair dues to them.
A long standing Blackhall hurling man confirmed to me after that both themselves and their near neighbours are plagued with emigration of their young men especially.
This is something I have alluded to already and this aspect is being downplayed by the powers that be.At national level and Community level the Politicians will have to get the fingers out and stop hunting the cream of our youth from their birthright and persecuting them by the criminal neglect they seem happy to perpetuate.If they don't they will reap the whirlwind.
Dunderry team.
Bomber Farrell
Sprog Stephens Spongee Mc Cormack Joey Martin
Dylan Keenan Finn Stephens Red Callaghan
Brendan Wright Ted Dowd
Conor O Shea Davy Geraghty Killian Minogue
Stephen Coogan Paddy Gorey Davy Gilky(son).
Ding dong opening minutes.Neither team yielding anything.Blackhall have wind advantage and look stronger.Blackhall get first wide from play and Ted hits wide from Dunderry free after 4 minutes.We win puck out and Geraghty sends wide from play.Tenacious defending by our backs cannot prevent a Blackhall point from play.Wright wins puckout,is well blocked and ball let in on full back line.Spongee wins it,to Finn who lets it in to Geraghty,.who shoots low.Gathered by goalie who shoots long.Won by Ted,who parts to Coogan,who is dispossessed.Red breaks up attack at expense of free.Taken short to 12,who Finn dispossesses.Ball breaks and Ted whips to Coogan,who registers minor after solo run.Good point.Blackhall interplay results in well executed point from play.Ball lands between Sprog and forward.Sprog wins battle and clears ball.Sideline ball to Blackhall.Sprog wins ball ,to Keenan to Ted,back to Keenan,lost to Blackhall free.Free converted.Gorey fouled and Gilky converts from 21.Blackhall score fluky point from play( Bomber's clearance hits player and flies over own crossbar).Finn's ground pull to Coogan goes astray but ends with Keenan ,who is fouled.takes free to Coogan ,to Gorey,Intercepted by Blackhall but Minogue makes burst and takes fine point.Poor clearance by Dunderry gifts point to Blackhall.Ted's free from midfield is cleared and broken play ends with an excellent O Shea line ball to Gorey who is dispossessed.We contest ball well and Wright releases to Coogan ,who registers a minor.Minogue wins puckout ,but is blocked and earns line ball.Keenan hits line ball long,gathered by Gilky who registers a fine point.Blackhall number 11 chastised by referee for verbosity.Blackhall restore lead with point from play.Number 11 adds another point from play.He can hurl too.We resist period of sustained pressure with a MInogue wide from play.We are hanging in doggedly.Coogan loses ball,falls to Minogue.Just wide.Minogu's persistence earns a line ball,which Keenan dispatches to Gorey who scores a point.Blackhall 13 restores advantage with point.Careless play gifts Blackhall another minor.Starting to pull away.Wright floats line ball across goal and Coogan fouled.Ted takes point.No more scores till half time whistle.Blackhall 0-9 Dunderry 0-7.Wind to us second half.Are we good enough?
No changes.Ted pulls on throw in and goes to Gilky.Wide.From puck out Geraghty wins ball.His blocked shot dribbles to Gilky who scores a fatherly point.Blackhall free lands at box.Great blocking by Spongee and Sprog concedes 70.Converted.Finn lets long ball to Gorey,who lets across goal.Dunderry free converted by Gilky.Under severe pressure we concede another point.Spongee wins ball after hard fight,to Keenan,who collects under pressure(well done Dylan roars Stan Kenneally,over the cheers of the largely female and vocal Blackhall support),who parts to Finn(Good boy Finn well done roars Calfer) and sends in low.But Blackhall regroup and attack again.Bomber clears line to Minogue ,who takes off like a f...n rabbit and delivers to Gorey who rattles onion bag.Now we are sucking diesel.We lead by a point.Joey Martin called ashore and O Shea fills his position.Blackhall call ashore the forward on Sprog.Dunderry attack twarthed by Blackhall goalie who delivers perfect ball to team mate,who delivers low.Finn pulls and connects to Wright ,to Minogue,who shoots barely wide.Another scorable chance for us goes wide.that's two in a row.We might regret them yet.Blackhall 10 pulls back a point.Level again.Ownie Mc Cormack ,who replaced Joey is in an accidental clash with his opponent and both go down.Harrow replaces Ownie who is not fit to continue.Ted takes free awarded to us and lands at edge of square.Blackhall clear over sideline.We fail to capitalise on a number of line balls.But Blackhall do capitalise by converting a free.Blackhall pressure is rewarded with another minor from play.We are two down.Shit or bust.To cackling of Blackhall support Coogan shoots wide.Blackhall 13 shoots wide.Red wins hard ball,to Ted but Blackhall regain possession and pressure is alleviated by Spongee and Finn who delivers to Ted ,who is fouled.His free is cleared and Blackhall counterattack.Minogue scores two magnificent points from play and Gilkie landed another from a free.We are one up with six minutes to go.Nail biting stuff..Blackhall miss from free awarded against Finn for fair shoulder.Tough passage of play follows .We show liathroidi and win line ball.Wright hits well but dribbles wide.We hold tough and interplay between Gilky,Wright ,Keenan results in Geraghty scoring mighty point.Gorey is hurt and fouled thirty yards out.Gilky converts.Blackhall over carry and concede free.Someone mouths at ref.and he moves it closer to goal.Its an awkward shot,but he's on his game and converts.We sustain pressure gallantly and deny Blackhall the goal they were seeking.We win 1-15 to 0-14.
We have the liathroidi and the skill.We were plagued by injuries today and needed men to fill the gap.We have them.The young bulls proved they are worthy of the jersey and the older bulls yet again confirmed that they are in fine fettle and well up to the job..All is well in the world.Well done whacko and Company.
I would say that the Blackhall ladies have the best lungs in Leinster.Fair dues to them.
A long standing Blackhall hurling man confirmed to me after that both themselves and their near neighbours are plagued with emigration of their young men especially.
This is something I have alluded to already and this aspect is being downplayed by the powers that be.At national level and Community level the Politicians will have to get the fingers out and stop hunting the cream of our youth from their birthright and persecuting them by the criminal neglect they seem happy to perpetuate.If they don't they will reap the whirlwind.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Dunderry V Rathmoloyn IHC 18/06/2011
Dunderry Team.
Conor Farrell(Bomber)
Damian Bruton Davy Mc Cormack (Spongee) Davy Stephens(Sprog)
Darren Callaghan(Red) Ivan Mc Cormack(Ivo) Conor O Shea
Bob Doherty (Doc) Evan Stephens(Finn)
Killian Minogue Dylan Keenan Brendan Wright.
Davy Geraghty Ted Dowd Paddy Gorey.
Overcast but dry.Styler Mc Donagh the Referee.Wind favours Rath.
Rathmoloyn score a major within a minute.Bad start for us.Immediately after that they miss a scorable point.Bomber to Doc to Ted ,breaks to Keenan to Gorey.Intercepted but Red blocks conceding a line ball to Rathmoloyn.Finn wins ball and to Doc.His shot goes astray .Their attack broken up by O Shea who is fouled.Free won by Wright who offloads to Finn.Good point.Rath. and Dund.both miss scorable chances from play.Spongee fouled.Ivo hits low into breeze and Wright wins it and falls with assistance..Red catches ball to stymie attack and to Ivo to Doc who aims for Ted but shot is overcooked and their goalie launches counterattack.Good harassing by Wright,Red ,Ivo and Finn to Sprog to Gorey.They get better of us and attack again.Bruton makes magnificent catch and releases to Keenan whose shot crosses sideline.We are giving it loads.MInogue misses narrowly .Ivo is fouled and scores free from distance.Doc wins hard ball,to Keenan to Wright to Geraghty who misses narrowly,Spirited wide.
Spongee breaks ball ,Finn collects to Gorey,whose shot falls short.Their counterattack results in point.They miss free after clash that looked accidental to me.Period of broken play ensues highlighted by good Dunderry blocking by Finn and Wright.Loose marking gives them a deserved point from play.Doc catches puckout well ,is fouled 70 yards out and is fouled.Ivo converts.Spongee to Sprog to Finn who lets fly and Doc again makes magnificent catch and lets fly.Ball won back by them and they score another major.WE are still fighting hard and sprog breaks up an attack and passes to Doc .his shot half blocked and Minogue gives it all he has.Styler blows him up and they score from free.Sprog and Minogue pressurise them into over carrying but Keenan narrowly misses free from 65.Spongee saves certain goal and we switch Sprog and Bruton.Good defending involving spongee and Red delivers to Ted,who scores a point.Both teams go hard at it.Their 15 scores from play.From play their 15 hits crossbar.Lucky for us. Both sides hit wides from play.WE are getting it hard to make headway .Keenan to corner and Gorey to 40.
HAlf time score Rath 2-04.Dund.0- 04.
At least we are trying.
Second half.Finnn to square.Dowd centrefield.From throw in we win free.Ivo misses.Finn wins possession.Point.Red down .play continues .wide for them.hey score from play twice.Score now 0-14 to 0-5.Not looking good.Stephen Coogan replaces Geraghty.Wright fouled and Ivo converts.Bob wins puckout and to Wright who is fouled.Ivo converts.They score a point from play.3--6 to 0-7.
Will we give up the ghost?They score another minor from play and miss another.They are well on top.Ivo goes to the forty and Keenan drops to Centre half.They score another Minor.Bob is fouled.We miss the free.Finn breaks for a point from play.They pull it back.
I run out of tape for the recorder and maybe it is no harm.We do not win.
WE have played better and must to make progress.
Conor Farrell(Bomber)
Damian Bruton Davy Mc Cormack (Spongee) Davy Stephens(Sprog)
Darren Callaghan(Red) Ivan Mc Cormack(Ivo) Conor O Shea
Bob Doherty (Doc) Evan Stephens(Finn)
Killian Minogue Dylan Keenan Brendan Wright.
Davy Geraghty Ted Dowd Paddy Gorey.
Overcast but dry.Styler Mc Donagh the Referee.Wind favours Rath.
Rathmoloyn score a major within a minute.Bad start for us.Immediately after that they miss a scorable point.Bomber to Doc to Ted ,breaks to Keenan to Gorey.Intercepted but Red blocks conceding a line ball to Rathmoloyn.Finn wins ball and to Doc.His shot goes astray .Their attack broken up by O Shea who is fouled.Free won by Wright who offloads to Finn.Good point.Rath. and Dund.both miss scorable chances from play.Spongee fouled.Ivo hits low into breeze and Wright wins it and falls with assistance..Red catches ball to stymie attack and to Ivo to Doc who aims for Ted but shot is overcooked and their goalie launches counterattack.Good harassing by Wright,Red ,Ivo and Finn to Sprog to Gorey.They get better of us and attack again.Bruton makes magnificent catch and releases to Keenan whose shot crosses sideline.We are giving it loads.MInogue misses narrowly .Ivo is fouled and scores free from distance.Doc wins hard ball,to Keenan to Wright to Geraghty who misses narrowly,Spirited wide.
Spongee breaks ball ,Finn collects to Gorey,whose shot falls short.Their counterattack results in point.They miss free after clash that looked accidental to me.Period of broken play ensues highlighted by good Dunderry blocking by Finn and Wright.Loose marking gives them a deserved point from play.Doc catches puckout well ,is fouled 70 yards out and is fouled.Ivo converts.Spongee to Sprog to Finn who lets fly and Doc again makes magnificent catch and lets fly.Ball won back by them and they score another major.WE are still fighting hard and sprog breaks up an attack and passes to Doc .his shot half blocked and Minogue gives it all he has.Styler blows him up and they score from free.Sprog and Minogue pressurise them into over carrying but Keenan narrowly misses free from 65.Spongee saves certain goal and we switch Sprog and Bruton.Good defending involving spongee and Red delivers to Ted,who scores a point.Both teams go hard at it.Their 15 scores from play.From play their 15 hits crossbar.Lucky for us. Both sides hit wides from play.WE are getting it hard to make headway .Keenan to corner and Gorey to 40.
HAlf time score Rath 2-04.Dund.0- 04.
At least we are trying.
Second half.Finnn to square.Dowd centrefield.From throw in we win free.Ivo misses.Finn wins possession.Point.Red down .play continues .wide for them.hey score from play twice.Score now 0-14 to 0-5.Not looking good.Stephen Coogan replaces Geraghty.Wright fouled and Ivo converts.Bob wins puckout and to Wright who is fouled.Ivo converts.They score a point from play.3--6 to 0-7.
Will we give up the ghost?They score another minor from play and miss another.They are well on top.Ivo goes to the forty and Keenan drops to Centre half.They score another Minor.Bob is fouled.We miss the free.Finn breaks for a point from play.They pull it back.
I run out of tape for the recorder and maybe it is no harm.We do not win.
WE have played better and must to make progress.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Dunderry Hurling in safe hands.
Tremendous work has been done at underage level in the Club in all aspects of the games for many years.This is beginning to shine through at minor level this year in particular.
Next Saturday evening at The Downs at 6.30 Meath play Roscommon in the minor B All Ireland Final.
Not too many people get to play in All Ireland finals so it is a great honour and a fabulous achievement for the Wright,Keenan and O Shea families that Brendan,Dylan and Connor are on the Meath panel for the game.
As I understand it Brendan Wright is in his second year on the team and both others are in their first year on the panel.I know the lads and their proud parents well and the efforts that the parents have put in on behalf of the club is being rewarded to some degree by the success of their talented and dedicated offspring.
We wish all involved the best of luck and please God they bring home the laurels.
As far as I know the last camogie All Ireland won in the parish was by my own daughter Margarita a few years ago when Meathy won a Junior All Ireland.The coming weekend a former protigee of mine Jane Martin is on the Meath panel which is contesting the Minor All Ireland B against Antrim.
We wish her and her parents Gus and Olive (Feeney) the very best of luck also.
Next Saturday evening at The Downs at 6.30 Meath play Roscommon in the minor B All Ireland Final.
Not too many people get to play in All Ireland finals so it is a great honour and a fabulous achievement for the Wright,Keenan and O Shea families that Brendan,Dylan and Connor are on the Meath panel for the game.
As I understand it Brendan Wright is in his second year on the team and both others are in their first year on the panel.I know the lads and their proud parents well and the efforts that the parents have put in on behalf of the club is being rewarded to some degree by the success of their talented and dedicated offspring.
We wish all involved the best of luck and please God they bring home the laurels.
As far as I know the last camogie All Ireland won in the parish was by my own daughter Margarita a few years ago when Meathy won a Junior All Ireland.The coming weekend a former protigee of mine Jane Martin is on the Meath panel which is contesting the Minor All Ireland B against Antrim.
We wish her and her parents Gus and Olive (Feeney) the very best of luck also.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
PLETHORA OF AUGUST CELEBRATIONS IN PARISH.
As stated earlier I celebrated the big 60 last weekend .Mainin Herbert celebrated the big 90 and Thomas Newman celebrated the big 70.
His sister Carmel and her husband Frank Taaffe also celebrated their 40th.anniversary with a surprise party in the Lodge .
My daughter Glenda and Bernie Flanagan also had celebrations but the precise anniversaries are shrouded in mystery.
In any event congratulations to all.
His sister Carmel and her husband Frank Taaffe also celebrated their 40th.anniversary with a surprise party in the Lodge .
My daughter Glenda and Bernie Flanagan also had celebrations but the precise anniversaries are shrouded in mystery.
In any event congratulations to all.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Backlog.
Go slows by the P.L.C. rump of the Drumbeat have resulted in a backlog of reports on two recent hurling matches and the recent game against Na Fianna in thr I.F.C.,which was knockout and which we rose to and won.These are stewing.
I thought I was great to live to celebrate the big six 0 the weekend but I was only in the halpenny place.Mainin Herbert (was Herterich and Mc Connell),was 90 years young and had a great bash in the Curragh boreen last Saturday also.Her older brother Paddy (Darkin),was in attendance as were all her extended family.children grandchildren,great grandchildren,and huge circle of friends.
It is unusual to to see parent and child both drawing the old age pension.I would guess that Geoge and herself are this category.
Thomas Newman celebrated his seventieth birthday on Sunday and his mother Molly is still hale and hearty at 102.
Must be something in the water.Get me a few gallons.
I thought I was great to live to celebrate the big six 0 the weekend but I was only in the halpenny place.Mainin Herbert (was Herterich and Mc Connell),was 90 years young and had a great bash in the Curragh boreen last Saturday also.Her older brother Paddy (Darkin),was in attendance as were all her extended family.children grandchildren,great grandchildren,and huge circle of friends.
It is unusual to to see parent and child both drawing the old age pension.I would guess that Geoge and herself are this category.
Thomas Newman celebrated his seventieth birthday on Sunday and his mother Molly is still hale and hearty at 102.
Must be something in the water.Get me a few gallons.
Death of John Conway.
Just prior at midnight last Saturday ,word filtered to Phil Conway in Horan's pub ,of the totally unexpected death of his brother John,who was never a day sick in his 73 years on this earth .He suffered a massive and irreversible stroke which cut him down in the prime of a very well lived and fulfilled life.
A native of Halltown,Robinstown,(the Dunderry side of Lawless Cross,)he was born to the late Pat Conway and his wife Mary (nee Cregan of Tullaghanstown) and was one of twelve children.
His mother Mary died young and it fell to his father and older siblings to raise himself and his eleven siblings a challenge they rose to admirably in very hard and unforgiving times .
He is survived by his family in Blackbourne ,England by his loving wife Joan,a native of Wexford and four daughters and three sons and many grandchildren ,whose names are not currently to hand and will be published as soon as possible.
He was home last year and despite his half a century in England he very much regarded Ireland as home and spent some time with his brother Seamus in Navan ,never suspecting that this would be his last temporal visit to the land of his ancestors.His forst cousin Michael Murtagh was only buried last week so these are devastating times for the wider clan.
His passing will be mourned by many ,especially his siblings and their families,namely the Coogans of Tullaghanstown ,whose mother Molly ,R.I.P.,wife of Jimmy was the eldest sibling,Nell Gough,Dunderry, (sister),Sheila Byrne ,Sandymount (sister),Paddy Conway,Halltown (brother)LIly Gough,Tullaghanstown,(sister).Phyllis Maguire,Blackbourne (sister)Seamus,Navan(brother)Philip,(Fig),Dunderry (brother)Richard ,Halltown,(brother)Theresa Mc Carthy,Blanchardstown(sister) and Imelda Boyle .Martry (sister).As far as I know he was predeceased by a brother Hugh,who died as an infant of two years many years ago.
Many of his siblings are over eighty years old and they have outlived my own people the Mc Cormacks ,with whom they were great friends,even going so far as to share a grave with them,which can be evidenced to this day in Churchtown graveyard ..They also shared a love of football and as the apple never falls far from the tree Stephen and Andy Coogan,who are doing so well today on the field of play are from this line of Gaels.
John himself was a solid footballer,being very strong physically,a trait he developed from lifting half hundredweights during his time in Callaghans.
In England subsequently his strenght won him many prizes in competition.
On behalf of myself and the wider family ,all Gaels in the Community and the Dunderry G.A.A. Clubs and all the people of the Parish we extend our deepest sympathy to all the bereaved.
His funeral will be held in Blackburn this Friday August 26th.after which his body will be cremated.Thereafter his ashes will be brought home to Dunderry and interrred in the local graveyard,where it is undeerstood he recently bought a plot.The exact date of this event has not yet been fixed ,but as soon as it becomes known it will be published here.
D.P.S.
A native of Halltown,Robinstown,(the Dunderry side of Lawless Cross,)he was born to the late Pat Conway and his wife Mary (nee Cregan of Tullaghanstown) and was one of twelve children.
His mother Mary died young and it fell to his father and older siblings to raise himself and his eleven siblings a challenge they rose to admirably in very hard and unforgiving times .
He is survived by his family in Blackbourne ,England by his loving wife Joan,a native of Wexford and four daughters and three sons and many grandchildren ,whose names are not currently to hand and will be published as soon as possible.
He was home last year and despite his half a century in England he very much regarded Ireland as home and spent some time with his brother Seamus in Navan ,never suspecting that this would be his last temporal visit to the land of his ancestors.His forst cousin Michael Murtagh was only buried last week so these are devastating times for the wider clan.
His passing will be mourned by many ,especially his siblings and their families,namely the Coogans of Tullaghanstown ,whose mother Molly ,R.I.P.,wife of Jimmy was the eldest sibling,Nell Gough,Dunderry, (sister),Sheila Byrne ,Sandymount (sister),Paddy Conway,Halltown (brother)LIly Gough,Tullaghanstown,(sister).Phyllis Maguire,Blackbourne (sister)Seamus,Navan(brother)Philip,(Fig),Dunderry (brother)Richard ,Halltown,(brother)Theresa Mc Carthy,Blanchardstown(sister) and Imelda Boyle .Martry (sister).As far as I know he was predeceased by a brother Hugh,who died as an infant of two years many years ago.
Many of his siblings are over eighty years old and they have outlived my own people the Mc Cormacks ,with whom they were great friends,even going so far as to share a grave with them,which can be evidenced to this day in Churchtown graveyard ..They also shared a love of football and as the apple never falls far from the tree Stephen and Andy Coogan,who are doing so well today on the field of play are from this line of Gaels.
John himself was a solid footballer,being very strong physically,a trait he developed from lifting half hundredweights during his time in Callaghans.
In England subsequently his strenght won him many prizes in competition.
On behalf of myself and the wider family ,all Gaels in the Community and the Dunderry G.A.A. Clubs and all the people of the Parish we extend our deepest sympathy to all the bereaved.
His funeral will be held in Blackburn this Friday August 26th.after which his body will be cremated.Thereafter his ashes will be brought home to Dunderry and interrred in the local graveyard,where it is undeerstood he recently bought a plot.The exact date of this event has not yet been fixed ,but as soon as it becomes known it will be published here.
D.P.S.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Julieannes.
I know three girls of this name and whatever it is about the name,they are all beautiful people and have beautiful souls.
I know one Lalit.He happens to be in Canada at the moment.If he links up with Joanne there I will have two viewers in Canada.
This is not to belittle all other names.Far from it.Red is the Rose.
I know one Lalit.He happens to be in Canada at the moment.If he links up with Joanne there I will have two viewers in Canada.
This is not to belittle all other names.Far from it.Red is the Rose.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
hurling match v b.mill 14 08 2011.
beat by 0-2 and could have won.A gallant performance.Report later.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Dunderry GAA News update August.
With the fierce shortage of money in circulation the Club had to come up with something novel and cheap to restore the coffers.It did and a barndance was held in Geraghty's barn last weekend.Admission was a tenner and grub could be bought in the shed.All told a net 4,500.00 was raised and all entertainment was local.A great success and good thinking.
We are in an intermediate hurling quarter final tomorrow and win or lose we will still advance.We are short a number of vital men due to injury and the remainder willl have it all to do to win.
The intermediate football championship quarter final is fixed for next Saturday evening and to progress we must win.
According to my sources ,we were extremely lucky to beat Syddan in the last match and a huge leap in performance will be required to win next Saturday.
My sources tell me that David Mc Cormack,Evan Stephens,Peadar Callaghan and especially Stephen Coogan were ouystanding.Andy Coogan also had his moments.As I write a number of vital players are injured but we hope they will recover in time.
We are in an intermediate hurling quarter final tomorrow and win or lose we will still advance.We are short a number of vital men due to injury and the remainder willl have it all to do to win.
The intermediate football championship quarter final is fixed for next Saturday evening and to progress we must win.
According to my sources ,we were extremely lucky to beat Syddan in the last match and a huge leap in performance will be required to win next Saturday.
My sources tell me that David Mc Cormack,Evan Stephens,Peadar Callaghan and especially Stephen Coogan were ouystanding.Andy Coogan also had his moments.As I write a number of vital players are injured but we hope they will recover in time.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
English Riots
In its haste to prove to the world that it is a post colonial multi cultural agressively secular society ,where for example it is illegal for Catholics to wear ornamental crosses to work or for a medic to offer to pray for a patient ,where rampant feminism is de rigeur ,the nuclear family is regarded as a quaint concept and the killing of perfectly functioning preborn human beings by medics is commonplace,how has it transpired that so many citizens hate society so much that they are trying to wreck it.
If an African or Arab leader made a speech authorising the sort of action against its own citizens that the English P.M. made today,how long would it be before NATO ,the UN and whatever you are having yourself would be employed in encouraging regime change.
What is happening there should give those who belittle religion here pause for thought.And those who push secularism here should be shown the door.
England and indeed the E.U. should put its own house in order before telling others how to behave.
Decent English people must be agast at developments there and my heart goes out to them.
If an African or Arab leader made a speech authorising the sort of action against its own citizens that the English P.M. made today,how long would it be before NATO ,the UN and whatever you are having yourself would be employed in encouraging regime change.
What is happening there should give those who belittle religion here pause for thought.And those who push secularism here should be shown the door.
England and indeed the E.U. should put its own house in order before telling others how to behave.
Decent English people must be agast at developments there and my heart goes out to them.
Monday, August 8, 2011
The best sermon ---- EVER.
Father Mc Carthy ,late of this Parish ,gave the briefest and best sermon I ever witnessed during the divorce referendum many years ago.As I recall it the referendum called for a yes vote if you wished to vote for the introduction of divorce and a no vote if you wished the constitutional ban to stay in place.As I recall it also a letter from the Hierarchy was to be read out at all Masses the Sunday beforehand stating the Church's position on the matter.
Fether Mac got into the pulpit,waved the canonical missive and said"It's like this ,if you believe in the law of God you will vote NO but if you want to suit yourself you will vote Yes".
Classic.
Fether Mac got into the pulpit,waved the canonical missive and said"It's like this ,if you believe in the law of God you will vote NO but if you want to suit yourself you will vote Yes".
Classic.
City of the Tribes.
Just returned from weekend away in Galway with she who must be obeyed.The kids very kindly stumped up the break as a surprise for our birthdays.
We enjoyed the break and rested well.
We stayed in the Raddison Blu,beside the Coach Station.No complaints there.It is not far from Eyre Square and Shop Street which appear to be the hub of the City now,unlike the years of yore when all the action was at Salthill.
To begin with the Coach station is half finished ,the Contractor seemingly being NAMAD.It is perhaps a sign of the times past when an entrance way to the site,which shows signs of wino's usage ,is adorned by a sign threatening a clamping release fee of E.1,500.00 for illegal parking.Talk about losing the run of yourself.Sure everybody carried around that sum just to free their cars a few years ago .Didn't they?No wonder we are fecked.
There is a Taxi rank outside the Coach Station at which the vast majority of drivers were black with the minority being of native stock.
Because of my situation we had to get taxis a few times.Both blacks and whites were grand and very considerate.By coincidence maybe, the Galway men that ferried us were GAA men and we struck it off straight away.Like Meath emigration is a huge problem there and they tell me that there is no money floating about.The local team were beaten the weekend in the Senior football championship .Seemingly they came up from Intermediate a few years ago, a feat we hope to accomplish ourselves this year.We beat Syddan this week but I missed the match and will put up only a truncated report in due course.
On the Sunday we went to Mass in the local St.Patricks Church at 10.30 a.m.Given that the Country is now lead by men from the Western World,the Taoiseach being a Mayo man,the Tanaiste being a Galway man , the Minister for Jiggery Pokery and several other brathair also hailing from thereabouts I was anxious to gauge whether the recent anti Catholic invective was having an effect in the heartland of Government.
Well I can say that the Church was far better attended than the Dail and that the children's soundproof room was well full.While I have no way of knowing whether the attendees were mostly locals or visitors I suspect that the former was the position.I would say that the Church was a third full.Nearly all went to Communion,nobody left early when the Hymn "Sweet Heart of Jesus " was sung by the Priest and Conregation at the end of Mass and many stayed for a chat outside the Church afterwards.Very few a la carte CAtholics as far as I could see.
Of course agressive secular disrespect is found everywhere and broken glas from cider and liquor bottles littered the pathway into the Church.This had been cleares away by the time mass was over.
After the Games on Sunday we went for a jog on a horse drawn carriage around Eyre square.I thoroughly enjoyed it as I did the horseman,as straight a man as you would meet.
He confirmed that there is not a bob stirring .Even race week was no good as after spending on food etc., nothing was left with the punters for further spending.He could see no future in the game and would probably have to re-emigrate to the U.S.A.whence he had recently returned.When you hear triers like him calling it as it is you get very worried.
The city itself was full of Mediterranian visitors,Spanish,French ,Italian it seemed to me and there were a good few Yanks and Scandanivans around also.There is a nice buzz in the City and a great sense of security.There is no sense of danger nor of mugging.How this is achieved without any visible sign of police presence is a mystery to me,but it is.I had absolutely no fear of being accosted in Galway as I was in Trim for example.
Eating out is what you make of it.You can pay from a tenner for a main course up to fifty for three courses depending on your preferences.All palates are catered for and as the Italians and the Spanish seem to eat late, most establishmenyts stay open late.
We found an astablishment called "Finnegans " a little way from Shop Street ,run by a decent man fom Ahane in Limerick which ticked all our boxes.The food was first class.the surroundings grand,the service excellent and the prices very reasonable.There is a small bar attached to the diner so all needs are catered for under the one roof.Grand place.I would recommend it to anybody.
W came and went by coach from Kinnegad.At E18.00 return it was not dear.Going down and coming back the drivers were Galwaymen.They were the essence of decency and consideration.In particular the return journey driver couldn't do enough for an elderly lady passenger in dropping her at her destination ,
To misqoute an uncle of mine,"If he does not go to Heaven ,there is no such place."Good on you,you son of Corofin.
My great grandmother on my mother's side came from that neck of the woods.I hope that the kindness these people showed rubs off on me.
We enjoyed the break and rested well.
We stayed in the Raddison Blu,beside the Coach Station.No complaints there.It is not far from Eyre Square and Shop Street which appear to be the hub of the City now,unlike the years of yore when all the action was at Salthill.
To begin with the Coach station is half finished ,the Contractor seemingly being NAMAD.It is perhaps a sign of the times past when an entrance way to the site,which shows signs of wino's usage ,is adorned by a sign threatening a clamping release fee of E.1,500.00 for illegal parking.Talk about losing the run of yourself.Sure everybody carried around that sum just to free their cars a few years ago .Didn't they?No wonder we are fecked.
There is a Taxi rank outside the Coach Station at which the vast majority of drivers were black with the minority being of native stock.
Because of my situation we had to get taxis a few times.Both blacks and whites were grand and very considerate.By coincidence maybe, the Galway men that ferried us were GAA men and we struck it off straight away.Like Meath emigration is a huge problem there and they tell me that there is no money floating about.The local team were beaten the weekend in the Senior football championship .Seemingly they came up from Intermediate a few years ago, a feat we hope to accomplish ourselves this year.We beat Syddan this week but I missed the match and will put up only a truncated report in due course.
On the Sunday we went to Mass in the local St.Patricks Church at 10.30 a.m.Given that the Country is now lead by men from the Western World,the Taoiseach being a Mayo man,the Tanaiste being a Galway man , the Minister for Jiggery Pokery and several other brathair also hailing from thereabouts I was anxious to gauge whether the recent anti Catholic invective was having an effect in the heartland of Government.
Well I can say that the Church was far better attended than the Dail and that the children's soundproof room was well full.While I have no way of knowing whether the attendees were mostly locals or visitors I suspect that the former was the position.I would say that the Church was a third full.Nearly all went to Communion,nobody left early when the Hymn "Sweet Heart of Jesus " was sung by the Priest and Conregation at the end of Mass and many stayed for a chat outside the Church afterwards.Very few a la carte CAtholics as far as I could see.
Of course agressive secular disrespect is found everywhere and broken glas from cider and liquor bottles littered the pathway into the Church.This had been cleares away by the time mass was over.
After the Games on Sunday we went for a jog on a horse drawn carriage around Eyre square.I thoroughly enjoyed it as I did the horseman,as straight a man as you would meet.
He confirmed that there is not a bob stirring .Even race week was no good as after spending on food etc., nothing was left with the punters for further spending.He could see no future in the game and would probably have to re-emigrate to the U.S.A.whence he had recently returned.When you hear triers like him calling it as it is you get very worried.
The city itself was full of Mediterranian visitors,Spanish,French ,Italian it seemed to me and there were a good few Yanks and Scandanivans around also.There is a nice buzz in the City and a great sense of security.There is no sense of danger nor of mugging.How this is achieved without any visible sign of police presence is a mystery to me,but it is.I had absolutely no fear of being accosted in Galway as I was in Trim for example.
Eating out is what you make of it.You can pay from a tenner for a main course up to fifty for three courses depending on your preferences.All palates are catered for and as the Italians and the Spanish seem to eat late, most establishmenyts stay open late.
We found an astablishment called "Finnegans " a little way from Shop Street ,run by a decent man fom Ahane in Limerick which ticked all our boxes.The food was first class.the surroundings grand,the service excellent and the prices very reasonable.There is a small bar attached to the diner so all needs are catered for under the one roof.Grand place.I would recommend it to anybody.
W came and went by coach from Kinnegad.At E18.00 return it was not dear.Going down and coming back the drivers were Galwaymen.They were the essence of decency and consideration.In particular the return journey driver couldn't do enough for an elderly lady passenger in dropping her at her destination ,
To misqoute an uncle of mine,"If he does not go to Heaven ,there is no such place."Good on you,you son of Corofin.
My great grandmother on my mother's side came from that neck of the woods.I hope that the kindness these people showed rubs off on me.
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