No Medal For Discovering Who Dunleary GAA Were

Cartlann Digiteach Cuala was recently shown this fascinating picture of an 1886 GAA medal. The holder has asked for Cuala’s help in learning more about the club whose name it bears –  “Dunleary GAA 1886“.

Now we know that Cuala draws its ‘pedigree’ from a variety of clubs that existed throughout the old ‘borough’ (See Who do you think you are) but we’ve never been able to identify how this particular team was, if at all, linked to Cuala. Here’s what we know –

The name Dunleary was the earliest name for the tiny village that was to grow into the modern town of Dun Laoghaire. Based originally around the present day Purty Kitchen, the modern town expanded rapidly in the 18-19th century, was re-named Kingstown in 1821(in honour of the visit from King George IV). Its hardly surprising that clubs founded on the principle of promoting gaelic culture would continue to deploy the older name.  In fact, by 1920 this native identity had grown to such an extent that Kingstown changed its name to the original gaelic form of Dunleary – Dún Laoghaire (The Fort of Leary).

But back in 1866, “Dunleary” was one of just 8 clubs affiliated to the then fledgling Dublin Board. These were Metropolitans, Davitts, Faughs, Freeman’s Journal Hurling, Drapers Apprentices, Grocers Assistants, Golden Ball and Dunleary. Interestingly, the latter two were the only ones based in specific localities. Later that year, a “JJ Cullen” from Dunleary was elected to the Dublin Board as was a “JJ Reilly” from Loughlinstown.

We reported previously of players from Dunleary  being present at a monster tournament in Thurles on Easter Sunday 1886. Dublin football was represented by Faughs, Davitts, Bray Emmets and Dunleary (the official programme may have mentioned “Kingstown”). The only Dublin hurling team there on the day was Metropolitans. Might the medal have been set to commemorate the Dunleary men’s participation in that seminal event? We’re not so sure – because one would imagine such a medal would bear some reference to the tournament itself or its hosts, Thurles Sarsfields.  Similar tournaments were held in and around Dublin that year but we know of no event hosted or organised by Dunleary.

Glasthule Mitchels (Image courtesy of Joe Dodd, Author “Soccer in the Borough)

Dunleary GAA was still going strong in 1887  and by now had local company with the likes of Dalkey (Football), Geraldines (Cabinteely), Killiney and, wait for it, Mitchels. Based in Glenageary/Glasthule, Mitchels was probably one of the reasons why “our” St Begnets GAA was re-named Dalkey Mitchels in 1962. The Glasthule version was active until at least 1917 when the transfer of Thomas Cassidy to St Begnets GAA was sanctioned.

By 1888, Dunleary’s JJ Cullen was appointed GAA Records Secretary. And another local resident JF Meagher was appointed Dublin Treasurer. After that, the Club name seems to disappear only to return several years later in various guises.  e.g.

Dunleary Commercials (Image courtesy of Joe Dodd, Author “Soccer in the Borough”

  • Dunleary United – of which we know very little.
  • Dunleary Commercials – Founded by Patrick Moran, their name suggests that they drew players from shops and other businesses in the 19th century town. This is all the more likely since Chairman Moran was a Grocers Assistant in Georges Street and later moved to manage a similar business in Blackrock. But it was their later involvement in what was to become a pivotal event in GAA history that made them remarkable. It is reported that, having qualified for the final of the Dublin Intermediate Championship, their match was was played as the “warm-up” game before an Inter-County Challenge match between Dublin & Tipperary in Jones’ Road.  The date – Sun. 21 Nov 1920 – Bloody Sunday!  Patrick Moran was executed in 1921 and the club was subsequently renamed in his honour. In 1962, there was discussions between Cuala Boys and Dun Laoghaire Commercials about a possible merger. In the event, Cuala was advised by L. Warren (a founder of Cuala Boys ) that “he was disbanding Commercials when present engagements were completed and handing over the boys to the Cuala Club“.   However it would seem that Commercials/Patrick Morans  later merged with Foxrock Geraldines.  Many of their original adult players were accomplished in other sports and, whether because of “the Ban” or otherwise, many, alongside players from Glasthule Mitchels, moved on to form the famous Glasthule-based Edenville Soccer Club.
  • Dunleary Daniel O’Connell’s .  The club was formed in 1909 and had a meteoric rise in Junior Football winning the 1910-11 League and, in the following year, playing Senior Championship Football. Kitted out in Black & Scarlett, their success on the field was remarkable; by December 1910, they has accumulated 30 goals & 118 points out of just 11 matches – a record that stood from the formation of the League in May 1901. O’Connells enjoyed significant support in the town and the club were in the habit of arranging special trams for away matches. The spectators at home games were sometimes entertained by a local band.  Their home games were played in Mr Field’s field on Monkstown Avenue (present-day Sailors & Soldiers Field) and at “Adelaide Road” which was actually the modern (former Pres.) grounds at Glasthule. Read more here.
  • Dunleary Independents, a breakaway Club formed following a split in 1890’s from the then Cabinteely Geraldines. Incidentally, what remained of the Cabinteely club went on to become our good neighbours, Geraldine Patrick Morans (having merged in the 1970’s with the Blackrock-based Patrick Moran’s GAA)

Dunleary Daniel O’Connell’s (Image courtesy of Joe Dodd, Author “Soccer in the Borough”

So, as yet, we know that Dunleary GAA existed but we still cant say what, if any, roots they contributed to the great Cuala family tree.  Cartlann Digiteach Cuala would love to know more.  Can you help?

Cuala Intermediate Team 1991 – 1993

Cartlann Digiteach Cuala added to its growing archive this week – courtesy of “a certain gentleman from Ballinteer” who knows full-well this material will be appreciated by those with deep roots in the club.

Our correspondent reminded us of the days when the second string panel were promoted to Intermediate status under the management of Peter Dunne by being crowned Junior A League Champions in 1989.

The following year, they maintained that Intermediate status with some excellent wins against Ballyboden II, Kilmacud-Crokes II and St Vincents II.

In 1991, Seán Moran took over as Manager and with Sos Byrne (RIP) and Seán Lane as player/Selectors presented a formidable Management Team. A very strong panel was put together with half a dozen or so players who had won the 1989 Senior Championship and some excellent young players that included Ken Fitzgerald, Seán Connolly, Tom Byrne and Seán Enright.

In this 3 year period, the team won the Junior A Championship (1993), the Kehoe Cup (1991 & 1992) and the Intermediate Doyle Cup when they had to beat Ballyboden II in a replay (6:04 – 3:09) at O’Toole Park.

We set out below some of the images and press cuttings of this remarkable side.

The Hall – Before Cuala ‘threw Its Hat Into The Ring’

Cartlann Digiteach Cuala likes attics. And if there’s one thing we like even more – it’s people who rummage in attics and bring newly discovered material to our attention. So we were delighted to hear from James Brady when he drew our attention to a 1970’s Souvenir Programme for Dalkey Boxing Club, or to give it its correct title – Dalkey Physical Recreation and Boxing Club. It was discovered in an attic in St Begnets Villas. “What’s this to do with Cuala?” we hear you ask. Well, it might not fit neatly with the history of our club but it sure does give a useful insight into the history of our premises and the people and business that supported it in times past

 

See also  Cuala History

1985 – Senior B Camogie Double

Máire Uí Scolaí has reminded Cartlann Digiteach Cuala of an important anniversary on the Club Calendar. Its just over 30 years since the great Senior Camogie team of 1985 brought great distinction to the club –

1985, is remembered fondly by Cuala Camogie as the year when they won the Senior B Championship and League Double. While this has not been achieved since last year 2015 was a cause for much celebration when the Adult team won the Division 5 championship defeating Naomh Brid in a great encounter.

Back in 1985, on a glorious sunny evening the Cuala girls under the management of John Bailey travelled out to Naomh Brid’s grounds in Blanchardstown to take on another Southside club, UCD. A tough match, it was the Dalkey club who were victorious on the night. Much celebrations were held in the old Cliff Castle Hotel. However, the season was not over and the girls were not happy until the double was secured. This time to take the League double it was a trip to the Phoenix Park to take on the Cameron Park club from the northside. This club is no longer. Another tight game in the end it was the Dalkey dames who took the League title. Simply the best feeling that night for the panel of 17 players. Back then the game was played on a 12 a-side basis with a smaller field. Much changes since then!!

Many of that 1985 panel went on to play for Dublin and also take on major roles in administration at National Level. That year, both goalkeeper Hillary Thompson and Máire Uí Scolaí( nee Ní Chuirc) were both in Galway, Hillary was studying hotel catering, while Máire was working there. Both girls caught the 3 pm train on many afternoons and duly arrived on time for all games, and make the long journey back the following day. When you are winning, the journey seems less! Jo Holden played both senior and junior for the Dubs. Prior to 1985, both Pamela Howard and Sheila Wallace played for the Dubs, Sheila captaining the senior side in 1976. Sheila,a great defender won a junior All-Ireland medal in 1971 when they defeated Cork. Sheila was a selector when Dublin won the O’Duffy Cup in 1984. Pamela won a junior All-Ireland medal with the Dubs in 1975 when they denied Down victory. Bernie Kehoe (nee Brack also played for the Dubs).Caroline Conway’s sister Bernie who played for Cuala at one stage and also won a senior All-Ireland medal in 1984.

The following year, 1986 Sheila Wallace took on the position of Ardrunaí of Cumann Camógaíchta na nGael in Croke Park. Sheila held that position until a number of years when she retired. Prior to her retirement the title changed to Ardstiurthóír. Today the Association is called An Cumann Camógaíochta. So many changes! Sheila, a brilliant administrator made many changes while in the position and was there in centenary year 2004.

Another player from that 1985 panel to make it to National Level was Máire Uí Scolaí, who like Sheila served first at Dublin county board level, Máire went to become National PRO in 2000, a voluntary position which she held with distinction until a few years ago when she retired and was then asked to take on a new role – National Results CO -Ordinator. Máire took the position for another couple of years until she finally retired in 2008. Máire’s sister, Páiricín went to a more dangerous sport, that of world wide mountaineering – Páiricín was 200 metres from the top of Mount Everest in 2006, probably the highest any Cuala person has achieved??. She still climbs today.
Caroline Conway like Jo Holden emigrated to New York where they both played camogie, Jo returned to live in Galway while Caroline remained in New York and then went on to play Gaelic Football.

Many of that 1985 team remained playing and many years later won a junior title. Some are now seen on the sidelines cheering on the present generation. We must not forget one player from that panel who is no longer with us, that is Philly Durkin who sadly passed away at a young age some years ago. Philly played at junior level for Dublin at one stage. May she rest in peace.

A victory of such magnitude would not have been achieved if it wasn’t for the hard work of Dalkey Man John Bailey. Many thanks John. John refereed the 1986 All Ireland hurling final and later served 10 years as Dublin County Board chairman.

The memory of 1985 is never forgotten.

Before Facebook – The Cuala Monthly – April 1972

Every so often Cartlann Digiteach Cuala  is presented with a gem. Our latest contribution is just that and comes from an extensive set of papers and memorabilia kindly loaned by PJ Holden.

Long before computers were commonplace, much less the Internet or Facebook or even our beloved Cuala Weekly News, there was a popular club magazine in circulation – in what we then called ourselves Cuala Casements. And one that you had to pay for too!

The Cuala Monthly (“Top for Sport“) was produced in 1971 /72 by the Cuala Youth Committee and it make for fantastic reading today if only to show how much things have changed like magazine production itself, Bingo in the Top Hat, dancing in the Shangri-La, (ask grandad!) and how much things have stayed the same – a club dealing with ‘phenomenal growth” and exploring how best to organise itself for the challenges that lie ahead. In this edition you can read –

  • An entertaining 20-year gaze into a 1972 Crystal Ball to speculate how the future – 1992 – might look from the point of view of an Optimist – and a Pessimist. You’ll love it!
  • An article featuring press coverage on a change in dress code in Dublin Camogie smacks of being authored on Craggy Island.
  • wonder whether the Society of Chartered Surveyors might have a view about a young Cuala man’s apparent disdain for Office blocks being prioritised over Club development?
  • Lots of team reports and lists of names of great players. Where are they all now?

All in all – evidence of a vibrant club scene where issue were skilfully aired and discussed and the youth of the day standing up to be heard.

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1964 Cuala Casements U13 Hurlers

With all the history being made around the club in recent weeks, Cartlann Digiteach Cuala was prompted to resume its rummaging in the archives.  We were delighted to receive this picture a few weeks back of a then “Casements” U13 team from one of its proud members, Larry Mahon(#04).  They played in the South City League in 1964.

And many thanks to PJ Holden (#17) for putting so many names on these young faces.

Back Row: 1. Mick Dunphy (Mentor), 2. Brendan McKenna,3. Pat Clifford, 4. Larry Mahon, 5. Shay Hammond,
6. George Stephenson, 7. Andrew Kinsella, 8. Tony Murphy, 9. Tony Dorgan, 10. Tony Finnerty, 11. Rev Bro. Kiely (CBS Eblana)

Front Row: 12. Kevin O’Toole, 13. Liam Vance, 14. Tony Dorman, 15. John Lynch, 16. John Knight, 17. PJ Holden,
18 Pat Byrne, 19. Charles Clack. , 21, Stephen McEntee, 22. Tony Flanagan, 23. David Banahan,

Answers to history@cualagaa.ie

1981 Dublin Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final Programme

 

We would like to thank Ogie Ryan for giving us this copy of the 1981 Dublin Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final Programme/Team Sheet. It is now digitally preserved for posterity in the Cuala Digital Archive.

The 1981 Dublin Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals were played in Croke Park which was unusual in itself. Cuala played O’Tooles in one of the semi-finals but lost the match.

Cuala’s John Bailey was the referee in the other Semi Final in which St Vincents played Erins Isle. The programme raises as many questions as it answers. There are spelling mistakes everywhere (it was pre Microsoft Word). Is J. Tormey who lines out at 14 for Erin’s Isle none other than our own Johnny Twomey?

Many famous Dublin Footballers of the era can be seen in the St Vincents Team Ray Hazley, Vincent Conroy and Mick Loftus to name but a few. Also lining out for Vincents that day was Dave Billings who only recently passed away and who many modern Cuala Players knew in his role as head of GAA in UCD.

Many of the Cuala team are still involved in the Club. Damian Byrne is in nets. Johnny Sheanon is Corner Back. Harry Roberts a current Cuala Senior Hurling Selector is named on the bench.

The legendary 3 Holden brothers Mick, Vinnie and P.J. lined out.

The late Brendan “Battie” Ryan is right half forward. According to his father Eamon, Brendan broke seven hurls during the match. This must be a Cuala record. Brendan’s Son, Liam plays for Cuala’s U13’s (2002’s) and played in the “Brendan Ryan Memorial Cup” at our May Fair Day photos of which are in the Cuala Gallery.

This piece of Cuala nostalgia raises a many questions, what was the final score? If Battie Ryan brought 3 hurls to the Match and broke 7, who else’s hurls did he break? Did he replace them? If you know the answer to any of these questions or have any more detail about the match please email your information to history@cualagaa.ie

If you have any old Match Programmes, Press Clippings or Photographs relating to Cuala please scan them and email them into us along with any detail you have on them and we will store them in our digital archive.

Relive The 1989 Cuala Senior Hurling Championship Victory

The Festive Season is upon us and there will be many sports documentaries and chances to look back at some great Hurling and Football games of 2014 but how about a chance to look back at the memorable 1989 Final that saw Cuala beat Vincents to claim their maiden senior hurling championship. 

While we look back this great occasion with fond memories and a great sense of pride we also remember three great Cuala servants in Brendan ‘Batty’ Ryan, Stephen ‘Sos’ Byrne and Mick Holden that have since passed away from the 89 team that brought Cuala to the first of their 3 Dublin Senior Hurling Championships.

Féile Glory – 40 Years On

It hardly seems that long ago but this year marks the fortieth anniversary of Cuala’s most successful Féile campaign.  This is the one and only (so far!) Cuala team to ever win the Dublin Féile. In 1974, the lads went on to represent Dublin in the National Féile which was held in Limerick that year.

What’s remarkable, from today’s perspective, is that there wasn’t a helmet or gum shield in sight. And yet, they have managed to retain their dashing good looks.

And isn’t it great that so many are still active in the Club to this very day?  Cartlann Digiteach Cuala is grateful to Michael Kirwan for sharing this with us and now look forward to hearing more reminiscences from those who participated in the competition.

Gaelic Sport In Eblana – Frank Hayes Recalls Great School Days

Cartlann Digiteach Cuala is mindful of the great support Cuala and its ancestral clubs received from local schools. All the more so when some of those schools, like CBS Eblana in Dún Laoghaire is no longer with us. So we were thrilled when Joe McCann showed us a copy of  “St Michaels CBS 1856 – 1992″ a souvenir publication to mark the closing of that great institution in 1992 and packed with stories and images of their many achievements in the classroom and playing field.  We re-produce here one of the many articles –

I joined the staff of Eblana in September 1968, having Br. Holly as Superior. I had heard of the great work being done at Primary level by Br. McGovern and Br. Considine, as I had been invited to join Cuala Casements the previous year by Tom Holden, Johnny Robinson and the late Joe Ryan.

During my first year in C.B.S. there was only one Senior Football team in the school, run by Br. Brett, Sean O’Leary and Con Walsh. Players in that team who come to mind were PJ. Holden, Vinnie Holden, Malachy Kearns, Lorcan O’Reilly, Noel Tymlin, Kevin Halligan, Paul Hearns and Derek Mohan.

With the arrival of Br. O’Brien, we organised U/14, U/15, U/17 teams in both hurling and football. In 1970 we won the U/17B Hurling league. This was our first hurling team from the secondary school and was powered mainly by the Holden brothers, Vinnie and Michael, Terry Dunne, Paul Delahunty, Michael Brady. Patrick Dolphin played in goals and Thomas Johnson was sub. Our U/17 football team, almost the same as the hurling team, was beaten in the final of U/17B football league. The highlight of this final, for me, was the agility, skill and goal scoring ability of Noel Mooney, while the young Michael Holden showed all the signs of things to come. We won the U/15 football in 1971, with players such as Tom Johnson, John Phoenix, John Basquille, Joe Conway, Brian O’Toole, Michael Delahunty, Kevin O’Connor, Jerry Hanny, Willie Chadwick and Pat Warren. Jerry Hanny excelled at centre back.

The next few years brought few victories but produced great players such as Matt and Joe Hayes, Teddy O’Connor, Paul and Tommy Robinson, Philip and Martin Searls, Liam Dunphy, Pat Duffy, Aidan Ffrench, Karl Schutte, Mick Dixon, Dave and Pat Errity, and Christy Smith.
During these years Br. Madigan showed great commitment to the games. Jim O’Driscoll and Benny Roe then lent their support to hurling and football (Jim being a former Co. Cork minor hurler). In 1976, Captained by Mick Kirwan, we won the U/15 Hurling in Croke Park, and in 1977 we won the U/16 Hurling league. This was mainly the same team with exceptional players such as Damian Byrne, Mick Kirwan, Robbie McLoughlin, Martin O-Sullivan, David (Whitey) Whyte, David (Red) White and Kevin O’Connor. In football we failed to make the final stages of the competition. In 1978, mainly under the guidance of Jim O’Driscoll, we won the U/14 league but were subsequently defeated in the Leinster final by New Ross with the “Super Subs”. The team had very good players in J.RByfne, David Archibold, Martin Wallace, Martin Kelly and Michael McDonnell.

The core of this team remained on to do the Leaving Cert, and it was to my great delight that J.P. Byrne captained the team to an U/17 victory in Croke Park. It looked like an easy victory early in the first half but the opposition introduced a “Super Sub” and we found ourselves behind at half time. But due Jc in inspired second half by J.P. Byrne, Jody Reid, Brian Mulvanney, Michael McDonnell, John Robinson, Niall Robinson, “Killer Hiller”(Ger Hill) and especially David Archibold, Derek Spain, Damian Byrne and Martin Wallace, the day was ours.
The last hurling team was in 1987 with Denis Byrne as captain and great club players like Noel and Martin Byrne, Adam Howlin, Gary Doyle, Sean Connolly, Sean Hayes, Decian McNamara, Jim Schutte, Liam Rooney, Darren Carroll, Gary Confry, Gary O’Leary and Michael Dunphy. Br. John Hearne was a staunch supporter, both in training and at matches, and behind the wheel of the minibus. This was not surprising as Br. John was playing full back for Cuala at this time.
Due to declining numbers, football teams were not entered into competition at this stage. Benny Roe had been “looking after” a soccer team in ’86/’87, with great players such as Graham Smith, Graham O’Sullivan and Alan Kearney. Then Br. Brennan came and saw the potential of a Gaelic team between the G.A.A. players and the Soccer players. He forged a memorable victory against a fancied Marian side and indeed, the remainder of the team were only beaten by one point in the same league the following year. A truly remarkable achievement by a very dedicated and highly respected Br. Brennan.

No small word of thanks is due to Br.McEvoy, who over the last ten years provided the encouragement, transport and finance for the games despite falling numbers. Teams were often treated to Burgers and Chips regardless of the result on the way home from matches – greatly appreciated by all.

It was a delight for me to be with the first winning Eblana hurling team and to have been associated with the various teams throughout the years, but rather sad to see it come to an end. I recall the players who “made” it to the top – P.J., Vincent and Michael Holden, Michael Kirwan, Damien Byrne, – have all worn the Dublin hurling jersey with great pride, and Michael’s greatest hours must have been with the “Dubs” in the All Ireland ‘Dirty Dozen’ Football final. Damian Byrne is now the present goalkeeper for Dublin Senior and indeed has served with distinction. John Cahill is now inter-county referee and David Hudson, Tom Byrne, Martin Wallace, Mick Kirwan, J.P. Byrne and Tom Johnson have played for Dublin Minors. Denis Byrne, Karl Schutte, Damian Byrne, Michael Kirwan played U/21 for Dublin Minors. All of the above have won Minor, U/21, Intermediate and Senior Hurling Championship medals with Cuala. From the football side, The Holden brothers, Tommy Johnson, Eamon Brennan, John Sheanon, Michael Sheanon, Paul Keogh, Paul O’Brien, Shay Carroll have won Minor, Junior and Intermediate football medals with Cuala.
“What comes clown goes around” is an old saying that has much meaning for the “lads” of Eblana. PJ. Holden is training an U/14 hurling and football team, Ken Fitzgerald and myself train the U/15 side, which includes PJ/s son Tommy and John Cahill’s son Simon. Vinnie trains the younger age group from 6-8 years. Damian Byrne, Fergus Campbell, Liam O’Toole, John Sheanon, Michael Sheanon, Tom Johnson, Shay Carroll, Liam Dunphy are all involved in under age training and coaching. Indeed the Cuala ‘Coiste’ often looks like ‘roll call’ at Eblana. Most of the above were the main driving force in the development of the Cuala Centre and playing pitch.

I know it is dangerous to single out any individual, but I think that “Dayo” deserves special mention. He seems to train, and be present at most under age games, play and train for Cuala and Dublin, coaches players in local National schools in hurling and football, and is a ‘taxi’ service for young players to training sessions and matches.

Recently, Ger Byrne, Eoin Devlin, Ruari Devlin have qualified as Junior Referees and are in action almost every weekend in South Dublin.

I have enjoyed the last 23 years in Eblana and indeed the people I came to know over that time – parents, students, teachers, teachers in other schools, especially Paddy Flanagan, Enda Carolan, Jack Ryan, and the late Colm Muldoon – all have greatly enriched my life. Go raibh maith agaibh go leir.