Turning back the clock

Dan Daly,the principal of Robinstown National School and Jack Duggan,a.k.a.The Wild Colonial boy share one attribute in that they are natives of Kilmaine in County Kerry.Jack made his name in Australia and Dan is making it in Robinstown.He really should take pen to paper more often.I reckon that he has all the bardic qualities necessary to make it big,including the beard.The following article he penned in 1986 illustrates the point.It hits the nail on the head and captures exactly the flavour of the time and occasion.It was published in the Meath Chronicle on June 7^th 1986.

“On the stems of memory imiganination blossoms.”That Patrick Kavanagh line was never as well exemplified as when junior hurling recently returned to Dunderry after a closed season of exactly 50 years.Junior hurling was played in Dunderry  in the early part of the century and they reached the pinnacle of their hurling world in 1934 when they won the junior championship.

 Strangely ,by 1936,the club membership had dwindled and hurling at that level ceased to be played.

Perhaps recalling the exploits of the 30’s while watching the efforts of the young hurling generation in  Dunderry,certain people had the idea two years ago that the time was ripe to restore junior hurling in the area.It was a time of sporting resurgence in Dunderry with new G.A.A. grounds being developed and underage teams in hurling and football knocking on various doors.And so,a phoenix arose from the ash and a new generation went to emulate their seniors on Sunday 27^th.April ,exactly 50 years after the demise of the old club.They were pitched against Rossin who were also new recruits to the hurly burly of the junior league.

This is where I enter the story.As a Kerryman with some limited hurling experience ,suffered many years ago,I thought this was one field game I might make a fist of. My lengthening stem of memory was beginning to flower images of what I might yet be capable of with a hurley.This illusion was further enforced by a friend’s comments that I had a fine stroke of a hurley.

Endeavouring to forget that a “Cork Examiner”reporter had once described hurling in Kerry as a form of compulsory tillage,I strengthened my resolve,foolishly listened to the inducements and encouragements of the Dunderry mentors and rooted out my gear and hurley,which had lain idle for years ,like Don Quixote’s armour and sword.

A very sizeable crowd had gathered in Clarke’s field and team officials scurried to and fro gathering the troops.I was reminded of a time in the 60’s when the Kerry hurling manager would shout to the semi-deserted terraces at some league matches”anyone here from Kerry?”The unfortunate who responded was soon on the field to make up the numbers and standing in his Sunday shoes he would make solemn pledges about his future Sundays,if he had future Sundays. 

Much to my delight,I was given the number 19 jersey,so I had no reservation about expending the little energy at my disposal in the warm-up.Underfoot was soft and a strong wind blew across the pitch but a carnival atmosphere existed on the sidelines.

The historic throw-in was nigh.Tommy Mulligan stood between the posts,with Gerry Mc Grahan,Davy Stephens,John Joe Mc Gourty,Philip Cahill,Martin Weldon and Christy Coogan protecting him.The power house was fuelled by Thomas Mc Cormack and Gerry Doherty and the heat was applied by Tommy Dowd,Gerry Coogan,Terry Mc Donagh ,Patrick Leavy,Dermot Dempsey and Philip Cregan.

The action began with “young hurler of the year”Philip C ahil continuing to justify that title.We hadn’t long to wait for the first score and it was fitting that it was procured by Tommy Dowd,grandson of Tom Dowd who starred for Dunderry in the ‘30’s.Indeed he got the first three points,one for each of the three family generations on the field.

Rossin played with spirit and fairness but their attacks were fairly and ruthlessly repelled by the defence,ably marshalled by that full back of Viking countenance ,Stephens.The Dunderry pot-pourri was beginning to sizzle and the lively crowd cheered on expectations.The veterans of former glories cast their eyes on the scene with feelings of  admiration and I’m sure some sentiment.

With 15 minutes left and Dunderry in a very commanding position ,Johnny Coogan,Mickey Smith and yours truly got a chance to justify our sideline posturings.I was sent to the right corner position ,a devil of a spot as far as I was concerned.While trying to adopt as tough a demeanour as possible,my extremely youthful opponent seemed intent on being very friendly.

This by no means guaranteed his safety.Not that I had any deliberate intent to do him harm but it was my first game in over 12 years and whatever talent I had at that time seemed to have deserted me.

My hand was also becoming stiff with an arthritic pain and the first ball that came my direction had little to fear.We both pulled but it refused to move..Full forward Dermot Dempsey removed the offending object with aplomb.That sliotar,being ever mindful of its safety ,came to that corner on many occasions and was always greeted with the same civil reception.A very competent referee Loman Dempsey,brought proceedings to an end  with the score standing at 4-12 to 1-2 in Dunderry’s favour.

We took ourselves to a local hostelry for refreshments.

Upon entering that stalward of bygone days,Tom Dowd,began to do with his tongue what he used to do with his hurley -  damage.There he stood ,a hurling Marlowe  rattling his hurley against the counter,relishing this opportunity to expose my hurling skills.I feared the worst.As I filled out and lit my pipe,I could see that roguish glint in those wise eyes through the tobacco smoke.

His hands encircled the glass,those hands with the history of the old club etched  and sculpted on every scar and broken knuckle.” Be gor you’r better able to use a pipe than a hurley”says he.”There’s a better pull in this said I lamely.”I’m nominating you for hurler of the year” he added to unanimous approval.The carnival rolled on.

The memory of this game will no doubt produce its own imaginations and share of mirth as far as I am concerned.And from the grandeur and romance of the hurling memories  in Dunderry,new dreams may yet be realised.The ashen reapers should harvest fruitfully around the “Fort of the Oak”before long.

Post script.

Dan’s prophesy proved true.Within four years we advanced from junior C to Senior ,where we stayed for many years ,contesting a Senior Final,which we lost on a replay to Trim.

My memory is that Mickey Daly,Ned Howley and Phil Cahil Snr.were the selectors.

Many families then represented are still actively involved in the club.Tommy Dowd went on to represent Meath in football,his brother Kevin in hurling and Kevin’s kids are starting to play.Katy’s son John  Moran plays hurling for the club.4 generations I reckon.Dan’s  own children are active members and his wife’s people the Loughrans are also involved.I stepped down as Chairman of the club in December of 2009 having survived a stroke suffered in July of that year.My own seven children all played or are playing football,hurling or camogie with the club and my grand- daughter Aisling Mc Donagh  is playing camogie and grandson Cormac starting at the hurling.Terry Mc Donagh married my daughter Jacinta.Thomas Mc Cormack’s brothers played a huge administrative part in the club since then and his nephews and nieces continue to provide players at hurling,football and camogie.Including the Mc Cormacks and Stephenses  I reckon that the 5^th generation is now involved.Tommy and Jodi Weldon continue to look after all adult kit for the club,as they have done forever it seems.John Joe Mc Gourty is current manager of the hurling team.Christy Coogan has been a hurling and football selector and his kids play hurling ,football and camogie.Gerry Doherty’s sons and daughters play hurling ,football and camogie and Thomas is current club secretary.Gerry Coogan went to America but returned for a time.His son Gary played hurling and football for a while when here ,probably the only member to include baseball and American football alongside gaelic games in his c.v.Dermot Dempsey ,the first judge to have served his time in the club,has three sons and one daughter involved and the Cregans are hugely influential,Seamus being an institution. Mickey Smith is in England and was last home at the funeral of his nephew ,who died in the most tragic of circumstances.His brothers and sisters and extended family are and were involved at playing  and committee level in gaa and camogie affairs and his mother Rose stayed in camogie since her daughters started as kids.Phil Cahill Junior represented the club and Meath at both codes and is presently in Sweden.(Hello Junior!!) and Paddy Leavy played on and managed the hurlers afterwards.His brother Tommy gave many years service on the field of play and is now the driving force behind the massive effort being made at juvenile level to promote hurling.Tommy Coogan,son of Johnny and nephew of Tommy Mulligan is a current hurling selector.The Howleys and Dalys provided sterling service to the present day.

The dream lives on.