Issue 4
Naomh Barróg GAA Club History of the Club (1974-2014) Issue 4 Introduction
26th February 2014
The e-Newsletter is now been read by over 600 people in different parts of the world. For many of them it is recalling past memories that they still cherish in their hearts. We as a Club, where ever they are, remember them with great fondness and gratitude for their involvement in many different ways with us. It is an honour for us to be in touch with them through this e-Newsletter. We also have a hard copy of the Newsletter to send to those who don’t have an email address. If you have family or friends who would like to receive it, text me their postal address and we will forward it to them. Email this information to [email protected]
Did you know? In July 1974 a planning appeal against a decision by a former Minister for Local Government under which Dunne’s Stores would erect a 96,000 sq foot shopping complex in the centre of a residential area at Kilbarrack, Dublin was heard in the Custom House, Dublin. The major case against the development was documented by Kilbarrack and District Community Association. They argued that the complex would irreversibly damage the total community environment because it would diminish still further the existing lack of open space for a growing population of children…
Miller Shield Winners 1974 this period and have observed the growth it has made. They have been part of it, which fills them with great pride. Those who founded the Club in 1974 know and are content that this Club is being administered by members immersed in the ethos since the time they were young boys. They will continue to promote this strong child
centred ethos that has been developed over the years since its foundation. In this Issue we continue the story that led to the Club been formed. This Issue relates how the school teams brought honour to the parish and Gaelic Games were getting better known and respected The foundation stones were been laid.
KADCA carried out a referendum on the proposed development where 650 house voted . The result was 68.5% objected to the complex with 29.5% in favour.
Inside this issue: Miller Shield Final November 1973
2
Miller Shield Final continued
2
The Clonmore Cup Final December 1973
2
From 1972-1978 Scoil Lorcáin was to grace the hallowed soil of Croke Park
Headline in Evening Herald November 1974
3
Clonmore CupReporters analysis
3
From 1972 until 1978 Scoil Lorcáin was to grace the hallowed soil of Croke Park. It was a glorious time for a school just opened to experience this record where sport became the culture of the educational environment and gave the young boys a sense of belonging and identity with their school and parish.
Kilbarrack’s Clonmore
3
Profile: Maurice Cassidy
4
Down Memory Lane
4
“The Final”-written by Thomas Dennis 1974
4
Naomh Barróg has made huge strides in 40 years. From our humble beginnings to the present day it is a great and successful story to tell and to recall. Most of the people in the Club have grown up during
In 1973 the school entered two teams in Cumann na mBunscoil Competitions, a Junior team and Senior team. The Junior Team were in the Clonmore Cup and the School Senior team team were in the Miller Shield. In 1974 the School once more reached Croke Park and
competed for the second year running, this time against different opposition in the Clonmore Cup and in the Miller Shield. During these years Gaelic football had a huge influence in the life of the boys. They enjoyed attending school so that they could train and prepare for their games. It was their life.
Naomh Barróg GAA Club
Page 2
The Miller Shield Final-Saturday November 24th 1973 The following report was in the Evening Herald on Monday the 26th of November 1973. “ St Peters, 2-6
Scoil Lorcáin 2-1
The ability to take their chances was the chief reason for St Peter’s surprise victory over Scoil Lorcáin in the final of the Miller Shield. It was obvious from an early stage that little separated the two teams in ability, but whereas St Peter’s made the most of their opportunities, Scoil Lorcáin , much to the disappointment of their big following wasted a succession of chances. It was a pity really, for it would have been a
treat to have seen these two teams in a replay such was the high standard of play. The Phibsboro boys got away to a tonic start with a point in the opening minute by Gerard Kinsella and when the same player added another later, it looked as if St Peter’s were set for an easy victory. However this was far from the case. Scoil Lorcáin who had twelve of last year’s Corn na Laoch victors in their ranks began to find form and against the wind played the better football. But unfortunately they could not finish off some brilliant approach work. Still a Willie Mc Dermott goal left them only 0-5 to 1-0 behind at the break and the match appeared wide open”.
Miller Shield Final continued
The Miller Shield Team-Runners up 1973 Philip Redmond, Stephen Finnegan, Lar
“A goal by left corner forward in the opening minutes of the second half gave Peter’s a great boost. Scoil Lorcáin continued to play the ball around and were rewarded with a goal by Anthony Mc Donald and a point by Jimmy Maguire which left th score 1-5 to 2-1 in St Peter’s favour. These scores paved the way for a really exciting finish. Scoil Lorcain just two points behind piled on the pressure but it was St Peter’s who broke away to get the decisive scores. Minutes from time Noel Lyons pointed and Declan Maguire smashed home a brilliant goal to give the
score line a flattering appearance. Scoil Lorcáin’s turn will undoubtedly come. They were a fine footballing team and had outstanding performers in Anthony Stewart, John Ansley, John Mc Connell, Willie Mc Dermott, Lar Mc Carthy and Jimmy Maguire”. Unfortunately John Flynn missed the final when he got injured a few days before the game. He asked Mr Fields at half time could he come on. He had to refuse him. John was so disappointed but that was the spirit in the team.
McCarthy, Anto Stewart, Ronnie Ryan, John Ansley, John Clarke, John McConnell, David Ormonde, Maurice Cassidy, Willie Mc Dermott, Derek O’Neill, Jimmy Maguire, Joe Bradshaw, Tony Mc Donald/Alan O’Brien Willie Sheridan, Clonmore Cup Team-Runners up 1973 John Heffernan, Thomas Dennis, John Ansley, John Canning, John Clarke, Ronnie Ryan, Dominic Geoghegan, John Mc Connell, Maurice Cassidy, Joe Bradshaw, Derek O’Neill, Aidan Brennan, Brendan O’Connor, Frank Shiels, Martin Horan
The Clonmore Cup Final– Saturday the 1st December 1973 The following report was written in the Evening Herald Monday the 3rd of December 1973, St Nicholas 3-3 Scoil Lorcáin 1-5 “The Final of the Clonmore Cup was a close affair. In the end it was St Nicholas who came out on top, beating a never say die Scoil Lorcáin team. With the Kinsealy boys first to get to grips with the match, they soon opened up a lead. By half time they led by 2-2 Nigel Driscoll getting all their scores to a Maurice Cassidy
point. Kilbarrack came more into it in the second half. John Ansley, Ronnie Ryan and Dominic Geoghegan in defence with Maurice Cassidy in midfield while up front Aidan Brennan, Joe Bradshaw, Frank Shiels and Derek O’Neill worked hard to turn the tables on St Nicholas’s gallant side. A goal and two points from Joe Bradshaw, and a point each by Maurice Cassidy and John Clarke failed to narrow the gap”.
John Heffernan with ball, being supported by Thomas Adams
Issue 4
Page 3
Headline in Evening Herald– Miller Shield goes to last years finalist, Scoil Lorcáin Kilbarrack. This report was written in Evening Herald 25th of November 1974. Scoil Lorcáin , Kilbarrack 6-4 Scoil Lorcáin , Palmerstown 3-0 “Scoil Lorcáin, Kilbarrack who led 0-3 to nil at half time lost the lead when Scoil Lorcáin Palmerstown netted three quick goals. Scoil Lorcáin came back like true champions and through Joe Bradshaw (3-0), Maurice Cassidy(2-0) and Damian Allen(1-0) son of Norman Allen won the Primary Schools Senior Football Final and the Miller Shield to make up for last years defeat. Winners, Scoil Lorcáin won mainly through their half back line
of Billy Dillon, John Mc Connell and Dom Geoghegan. There best forward though not a scorer was Derek O’Neill who with Joe Bradshaw and Maurice Cassidy were real stalwarts. Scoil Lorcáin, Palmerstown missed many chances. The three goals in rapid succession at the commencement of the second half by Martin Murray(2-0) and Ciarán Christie gave them great hope but due to the fighting qualities of the winners, it was short lived when they staged their winning comeback in the last quarter which resulted in six goals and a decisive win for the Kilbarrack boys”.
Dominic Geoghegan in his back garden with the Miller Shield 1974
Clonmore Cup Decider– A reporter‟s analysis of the two teams in the final. “The curtain comes down on the 1974 Dublin Primary Schools Football League when St Brigids, Blanchardstown and Scoil Lorcáin Kilbarrack line out at Croke Park in the final of the Clonmore Cup. Kilbarrack are the more cocksure. They failed in the corresponding final last year but their pre-Christmas victory in the Miller Shield final augurs well as nine of the successful Shield XV will be in action. Goalkeeper Paul Mc Carthy, defenders
John Canning, Thomas Dennis, Bily Dillon and Thomas Mc Adam are well steeled with senior experience. Others who came through the Shield campaign, are D O’Neill, Aidan Brennan, D Allen, John Heffernan. Despite the array of talent confronting the Blanchardstown boys they enter the fray confident of taking the title. It is to Blanchardstown credit that they defeated Killester the only side to have checked Kilbarrack” .
Miller Shield Winning team 1974 P Mc Carthy, T Dennis, D O’Neill,,M Cassidy, J Mc Connell, B Dillon, R Keegan, S O’Connell,P Stewart, J Clarke, D Cummins, A Brennan,T Adams, D Geoghegan, D Allen, M Horan, P Scanlan, J Bradshaw, J Canning, T Mc Keown, D Barron, D Curley,J Heffernan
Clonmore Cup Winning Team 1974 P Mc Carthy, J Canning, T Dennis, J Sheridan, B Dillon, T Adams, S Russell, D O’Neill, A Brennan, P Scanlan, P Stewart,
St Brigids caught– Kilbarack‟s „Clonmore‟ Scoil Lorcáin (Kilbarrack)
4-5
St Brigid’s (Blanchardstown) 3-3 “Scoil Lorcáin’s bid for victory in this Dublin Primary Schools Junior Final for the Clonmore Cup was akin to that of a top class racehorse being paced carefully along for they upset pacemakers St Brigid’s in the closing ten minutes with a flurry of scores which put the result beyond the losers reach. Aidan Brennan got through a tremendous amount of work in midfield for Scoil Lorcáin and it was primarily his persistent work which led up
to the winning goals. St Brigid’s goalkeeper got his finger tips on Raymond Keegan’s goals in the last ten minutes and failed to turn the shots away but David Breen followed up with the winners third goal. Kilbarrack had a goal disallowed into the bargain. But Keegan, Brennan, and Breen polished off the good work in a determined effort by Kilbarrack , in which Damian Allen a son of former Dublin great Norman Allen, Derek O’Neill, Tom Adams, Billy Dillon, Thomas Dennis and John Canning contributed handsomely”. Scores R Keegan(2-1), D Breen(1-0), A Brennan (11), D Allen(1-0), D O’Neill ( 0-1)”.
P Breen, D Allen, R Keegan, J Heffernan,G Loughran, D O’Brien
Issue 4
Page 4
Profile: Maurice Cassidy Maurice Cassidy was born on the 10th of January 1924 in the town land of Knockbridge 8 miles from Ardee Co. Louth. His place of birth and the culture he grew up in, were to have a huge influence on the rest of his life. Arriving in Kilbarrack in 1970 with Margaret his Wicklow born wife and his young children, Theresa, Patrick and Maurice Junior he was delighted when he was invited to attend a meeting with the intention of forming a new GAA Club in September 1974. For 27 years he immersed himself in the life of his parish in Knockbridge before leaving to take up a job in the Killiney Castle Hotel in Co Dublin where he worked for eleven years before the hotel was bought by the Fitzpatrick Group. Maurice whose father died from TB when he was 4 yrs old was the oldest of three siblings. After attending National School in Knockbridge, he went on to Technical School
in Dundalk and at the age of 16yrs he served his time in the Grocery and Bar Trade. He was instrumental in forming a GAA Club in his community called An Lámh Dearg acting as Secretary. He was a member of Dowdallshill AC, two miles from Dundalk and represented Louth in the National NACA Cross Country. One of his heroes was Patrick Kavanagh, the Monaghan poet and novelist and one of the foremost poets of the twentieth century. At the Annual Local Sports in Inniskeen, the home town of Patrick Kavanagh on the Louth-Monaghan border, Maurice won the 100 yards and remembers the poet presenting him with first prize which was a jersey. He loved the writings of Kavanagh. Maurice loved poetry and all things Irish. He could recite verses of poetry in English or in Irish that he learnt from the age of five to the present day. In Issue 5 we will continue with Maurice’s story.
Memory Lane Mary Dunne, Foxfield Park, the wife of Denis Dunne, former founder, Secretary, Registrar and PRO of the Club shared these memories with us. “My first memory was when Denis Junior brought a message home in his schoolbag from Mr Fields, telling of a meeting in Scoil Lorcáin Boys School to discuss forming a GAA Club in the school. About seven or eight men turned up….” “Our red Escort was stolen from outside Parnell Park and was found burned out, but
Denis was amazed at the lads who cried because they loved the car”. “The weekly clothes-line of red and green jerseys blowing in the breeze-Denis going out early on Saturday morning to get a good footballer out of bed - a Garda (checking for road tax), stopping the car on the way to a match and counting ten lads in the back-he just laughed and wished them good luck. Seat-belts had not been invented)”.
“The Final”-Written by Thomas Dennis fullback on the victorious Scoil Lorcáin team who was in 5th class in 1974. “On the 23rd of November 1974 the GAA senior finals took place. Scoil Lorcáin, Kilbarrack met Scoil Lorcáin Palmerstown in the decider of the Miller Shield. The week before the big match the school was preparing hats and banners. Then the big day came. Three double decker buses were at the school at one o’clock. Soon we were off. The match started at 2 30. and the first half was a low scoring half. Deep into the 2nd half Palmerstown netted three quick goals and Kilbarrack lost their lead.
With eight minutes to go it seemed Kilbarrack had been defeated again, but it was the fighting spirit of Kilbarrack that kept them going. They came back to get six goals in the last eight minutes. Then the final whistle went. Kilbarrack had won by six goals and four points to three goals”. Thomas Dennis Lorcáin 1974.
5th
Class
Scoil
Con Clarke, Dublin Chairman presenting Maurice with a silver watch following Barrog’s gaining Senior status in 1990 “Another brilliant Newsletter on Naomh Barróg. It is fantastic work and I am sure very few clubs would have this kind of background on their club”. (Martin Kiernan, Vice Chairman) “No 3 was very enjoyable. I loved the Duggan’s Chemist special potion-Olive Oil and Winter Green, priceless”. (Hazel Mc Weeney, formerly of Roseglen Rd now living in the USA)
26th February 2014
The e-Newsletter is now been read by over 600 people in different parts of the world. For many of them it is recalling past memories that they still cherish in their hearts. We as a Club, where ever they are, remember them with great fondness and gratitude for their involvement in many different ways with us. It is an honour for us to be in touch with them through this e-Newsletter. We also have a hard copy of the Newsletter to send to those who don’t have an email address. If you have family or friends who would like to receive it, text me their postal address and we will forward it to them. Email this information to [email protected]
Did you know? In July 1974 a planning appeal against a decision by a former Minister for Local Government under which Dunne’s Stores would erect a 96,000 sq foot shopping complex in the centre of a residential area at Kilbarrack, Dublin was heard in the Custom House, Dublin. The major case against the development was documented by Kilbarrack and District Community Association. They argued that the complex would irreversibly damage the total community environment because it would diminish still further the existing lack of open space for a growing population of children…
Miller Shield Winners 1974 this period and have observed the growth it has made. They have been part of it, which fills them with great pride. Those who founded the Club in 1974 know and are content that this Club is being administered by members immersed in the ethos since the time they were young boys. They will continue to promote this strong child
centred ethos that has been developed over the years since its foundation. In this Issue we continue the story that led to the Club been formed. This Issue relates how the school teams brought honour to the parish and Gaelic Games were getting better known and respected The foundation stones were been laid.
KADCA carried out a referendum on the proposed development where 650 house voted . The result was 68.5% objected to the complex with 29.5% in favour.
Inside this issue: Miller Shield Final November 1973
2
Miller Shield Final continued
2
The Clonmore Cup Final December 1973
2
From 1972-1978 Scoil Lorcáin was to grace the hallowed soil of Croke Park
Headline in Evening Herald November 1974
3
Clonmore CupReporters analysis
3
From 1972 until 1978 Scoil Lorcáin was to grace the hallowed soil of Croke Park. It was a glorious time for a school just opened to experience this record where sport became the culture of the educational environment and gave the young boys a sense of belonging and identity with their school and parish.
Kilbarrack’s Clonmore
3
Profile: Maurice Cassidy
4
Down Memory Lane
4
“The Final”-written by Thomas Dennis 1974
4
Naomh Barróg has made huge strides in 40 years. From our humble beginnings to the present day it is a great and successful story to tell and to recall. Most of the people in the Club have grown up during
In 1973 the school entered two teams in Cumann na mBunscoil Competitions, a Junior team and Senior team. The Junior Team were in the Clonmore Cup and the School Senior team team were in the Miller Shield. In 1974 the School once more reached Croke Park and
competed for the second year running, this time against different opposition in the Clonmore Cup and in the Miller Shield. During these years Gaelic football had a huge influence in the life of the boys. They enjoyed attending school so that they could train and prepare for their games. It was their life.
Naomh Barróg GAA Club
Page 2
The Miller Shield Final-Saturday November 24th 1973 The following report was in the Evening Herald on Monday the 26th of November 1973. “ St Peters, 2-6
Scoil Lorcáin 2-1
The ability to take their chances was the chief reason for St Peter’s surprise victory over Scoil Lorcáin in the final of the Miller Shield. It was obvious from an early stage that little separated the two teams in ability, but whereas St Peter’s made the most of their opportunities, Scoil Lorcáin , much to the disappointment of their big following wasted a succession of chances. It was a pity really, for it would have been a
treat to have seen these two teams in a replay such was the high standard of play. The Phibsboro boys got away to a tonic start with a point in the opening minute by Gerard Kinsella and when the same player added another later, it looked as if St Peter’s were set for an easy victory. However this was far from the case. Scoil Lorcáin who had twelve of last year’s Corn na Laoch victors in their ranks began to find form and against the wind played the better football. But unfortunately they could not finish off some brilliant approach work. Still a Willie Mc Dermott goal left them only 0-5 to 1-0 behind at the break and the match appeared wide open”.
Miller Shield Final continued
The Miller Shield Team-Runners up 1973 Philip Redmond, Stephen Finnegan, Lar
“A goal by left corner forward in the opening minutes of the second half gave Peter’s a great boost. Scoil Lorcáin continued to play the ball around and were rewarded with a goal by Anthony Mc Donald and a point by Jimmy Maguire which left th score 1-5 to 2-1 in St Peter’s favour. These scores paved the way for a really exciting finish. Scoil Lorcain just two points behind piled on the pressure but it was St Peter’s who broke away to get the decisive scores. Minutes from time Noel Lyons pointed and Declan Maguire smashed home a brilliant goal to give the
score line a flattering appearance. Scoil Lorcáin’s turn will undoubtedly come. They were a fine footballing team and had outstanding performers in Anthony Stewart, John Ansley, John Mc Connell, Willie Mc Dermott, Lar Mc Carthy and Jimmy Maguire”. Unfortunately John Flynn missed the final when he got injured a few days before the game. He asked Mr Fields at half time could he come on. He had to refuse him. John was so disappointed but that was the spirit in the team.
McCarthy, Anto Stewart, Ronnie Ryan, John Ansley, John Clarke, John McConnell, David Ormonde, Maurice Cassidy, Willie Mc Dermott, Derek O’Neill, Jimmy Maguire, Joe Bradshaw, Tony Mc Donald/Alan O’Brien Willie Sheridan, Clonmore Cup Team-Runners up 1973 John Heffernan, Thomas Dennis, John Ansley, John Canning, John Clarke, Ronnie Ryan, Dominic Geoghegan, John Mc Connell, Maurice Cassidy, Joe Bradshaw, Derek O’Neill, Aidan Brennan, Brendan O’Connor, Frank Shiels, Martin Horan
The Clonmore Cup Final– Saturday the 1st December 1973 The following report was written in the Evening Herald Monday the 3rd of December 1973, St Nicholas 3-3 Scoil Lorcáin 1-5 “The Final of the Clonmore Cup was a close affair. In the end it was St Nicholas who came out on top, beating a never say die Scoil Lorcáin team. With the Kinsealy boys first to get to grips with the match, they soon opened up a lead. By half time they led by 2-2 Nigel Driscoll getting all their scores to a Maurice Cassidy
point. Kilbarrack came more into it in the second half. John Ansley, Ronnie Ryan and Dominic Geoghegan in defence with Maurice Cassidy in midfield while up front Aidan Brennan, Joe Bradshaw, Frank Shiels and Derek O’Neill worked hard to turn the tables on St Nicholas’s gallant side. A goal and two points from Joe Bradshaw, and a point each by Maurice Cassidy and John Clarke failed to narrow the gap”.
John Heffernan with ball, being supported by Thomas Adams
Issue 4
Page 3
Headline in Evening Herald– Miller Shield goes to last years finalist, Scoil Lorcáin Kilbarrack. This report was written in Evening Herald 25th of November 1974. Scoil Lorcáin , Kilbarrack 6-4 Scoil Lorcáin , Palmerstown 3-0 “Scoil Lorcáin, Kilbarrack who led 0-3 to nil at half time lost the lead when Scoil Lorcáin Palmerstown netted three quick goals. Scoil Lorcáin came back like true champions and through Joe Bradshaw (3-0), Maurice Cassidy(2-0) and Damian Allen(1-0) son of Norman Allen won the Primary Schools Senior Football Final and the Miller Shield to make up for last years defeat. Winners, Scoil Lorcáin won mainly through their half back line
of Billy Dillon, John Mc Connell and Dom Geoghegan. There best forward though not a scorer was Derek O’Neill who with Joe Bradshaw and Maurice Cassidy were real stalwarts. Scoil Lorcáin, Palmerstown missed many chances. The three goals in rapid succession at the commencement of the second half by Martin Murray(2-0) and Ciarán Christie gave them great hope but due to the fighting qualities of the winners, it was short lived when they staged their winning comeback in the last quarter which resulted in six goals and a decisive win for the Kilbarrack boys”.
Dominic Geoghegan in his back garden with the Miller Shield 1974
Clonmore Cup Decider– A reporter‟s analysis of the two teams in the final. “The curtain comes down on the 1974 Dublin Primary Schools Football League when St Brigids, Blanchardstown and Scoil Lorcáin Kilbarrack line out at Croke Park in the final of the Clonmore Cup. Kilbarrack are the more cocksure. They failed in the corresponding final last year but their pre-Christmas victory in the Miller Shield final augurs well as nine of the successful Shield XV will be in action. Goalkeeper Paul Mc Carthy, defenders
John Canning, Thomas Dennis, Bily Dillon and Thomas Mc Adam are well steeled with senior experience. Others who came through the Shield campaign, are D O’Neill, Aidan Brennan, D Allen, John Heffernan. Despite the array of talent confronting the Blanchardstown boys they enter the fray confident of taking the title. It is to Blanchardstown credit that they defeated Killester the only side to have checked Kilbarrack” .
Miller Shield Winning team 1974 P Mc Carthy, T Dennis, D O’Neill,,M Cassidy, J Mc Connell, B Dillon, R Keegan, S O’Connell,P Stewart, J Clarke, D Cummins, A Brennan,T Adams, D Geoghegan, D Allen, M Horan, P Scanlan, J Bradshaw, J Canning, T Mc Keown, D Barron, D Curley,J Heffernan
Clonmore Cup Winning Team 1974 P Mc Carthy, J Canning, T Dennis, J Sheridan, B Dillon, T Adams, S Russell, D O’Neill, A Brennan, P Scanlan, P Stewart,
St Brigids caught– Kilbarack‟s „Clonmore‟ Scoil Lorcáin (Kilbarrack)
4-5
St Brigid’s (Blanchardstown) 3-3 “Scoil Lorcáin’s bid for victory in this Dublin Primary Schools Junior Final for the Clonmore Cup was akin to that of a top class racehorse being paced carefully along for they upset pacemakers St Brigid’s in the closing ten minutes with a flurry of scores which put the result beyond the losers reach. Aidan Brennan got through a tremendous amount of work in midfield for Scoil Lorcáin and it was primarily his persistent work which led up
to the winning goals. St Brigid’s goalkeeper got his finger tips on Raymond Keegan’s goals in the last ten minutes and failed to turn the shots away but David Breen followed up with the winners third goal. Kilbarrack had a goal disallowed into the bargain. But Keegan, Brennan, and Breen polished off the good work in a determined effort by Kilbarrack , in which Damian Allen a son of former Dublin great Norman Allen, Derek O’Neill, Tom Adams, Billy Dillon, Thomas Dennis and John Canning contributed handsomely”. Scores R Keegan(2-1), D Breen(1-0), A Brennan (11), D Allen(1-0), D O’Neill ( 0-1)”.
P Breen, D Allen, R Keegan, J Heffernan,G Loughran, D O’Brien
Issue 4
Page 4
Profile: Maurice Cassidy Maurice Cassidy was born on the 10th of January 1924 in the town land of Knockbridge 8 miles from Ardee Co. Louth. His place of birth and the culture he grew up in, were to have a huge influence on the rest of his life. Arriving in Kilbarrack in 1970 with Margaret his Wicklow born wife and his young children, Theresa, Patrick and Maurice Junior he was delighted when he was invited to attend a meeting with the intention of forming a new GAA Club in September 1974. For 27 years he immersed himself in the life of his parish in Knockbridge before leaving to take up a job in the Killiney Castle Hotel in Co Dublin where he worked for eleven years before the hotel was bought by the Fitzpatrick Group. Maurice whose father died from TB when he was 4 yrs old was the oldest of three siblings. After attending National School in Knockbridge, he went on to Technical School
in Dundalk and at the age of 16yrs he served his time in the Grocery and Bar Trade. He was instrumental in forming a GAA Club in his community called An Lámh Dearg acting as Secretary. He was a member of Dowdallshill AC, two miles from Dundalk and represented Louth in the National NACA Cross Country. One of his heroes was Patrick Kavanagh, the Monaghan poet and novelist and one of the foremost poets of the twentieth century. At the Annual Local Sports in Inniskeen, the home town of Patrick Kavanagh on the Louth-Monaghan border, Maurice won the 100 yards and remembers the poet presenting him with first prize which was a jersey. He loved the writings of Kavanagh. Maurice loved poetry and all things Irish. He could recite verses of poetry in English or in Irish that he learnt from the age of five to the present day. In Issue 5 we will continue with Maurice’s story.
Memory Lane Mary Dunne, Foxfield Park, the wife of Denis Dunne, former founder, Secretary, Registrar and PRO of the Club shared these memories with us. “My first memory was when Denis Junior brought a message home in his schoolbag from Mr Fields, telling of a meeting in Scoil Lorcáin Boys School to discuss forming a GAA Club in the school. About seven or eight men turned up….” “Our red Escort was stolen from outside Parnell Park and was found burned out, but
Denis was amazed at the lads who cried because they loved the car”. “The weekly clothes-line of red and green jerseys blowing in the breeze-Denis going out early on Saturday morning to get a good footballer out of bed - a Garda (checking for road tax), stopping the car on the way to a match and counting ten lads in the back-he just laughed and wished them good luck. Seat-belts had not been invented)”.
“The Final”-Written by Thomas Dennis fullback on the victorious Scoil Lorcáin team who was in 5th class in 1974. “On the 23rd of November 1974 the GAA senior finals took place. Scoil Lorcáin, Kilbarrack met Scoil Lorcáin Palmerstown in the decider of the Miller Shield. The week before the big match the school was preparing hats and banners. Then the big day came. Three double decker buses were at the school at one o’clock. Soon we were off. The match started at 2 30. and the first half was a low scoring half. Deep into the 2nd half Palmerstown netted three quick goals and Kilbarrack lost their lead.
With eight minutes to go it seemed Kilbarrack had been defeated again, but it was the fighting spirit of Kilbarrack that kept them going. They came back to get six goals in the last eight minutes. Then the final whistle went. Kilbarrack had won by six goals and four points to three goals”. Thomas Dennis Lorcáin 1974.
5th
Class
Scoil
Con Clarke, Dublin Chairman presenting Maurice with a silver watch following Barrog’s gaining Senior status in 1990 “Another brilliant Newsletter on Naomh Barróg. It is fantastic work and I am sure very few clubs would have this kind of background on their club”. (Martin Kiernan, Vice Chairman) “No 3 was very enjoyable. I loved the Duggan’s Chemist special potion-Olive Oil and Winter Green, priceless”. (Hazel Mc Weeney, formerly of Roseglen Rd now living in the USA)
