Historic Offaly hurl to lead fundraiser walk for GAA pitch in the county

HOW often do you find a 100-year-old song that celebrates a 150-year-old hurling match and mentions the owner of Offaly’s oldest hurl? That honour goes to Shinrone GAA!

That is one of the wonderful stories to emerge in recent weeks as Shinrone Camogie and Hurling Clubs prepare for their fundraiser walk on Sunday, November 1st. Speaking to the Midland Tribune, committee PRO Jessie Donnelly said the fundraising drive to expand the facilities had “seen so many stories of our GAA heritage become part of daily conversations in recent weeks”.

“We often think that GAA in our community began in 1894,” said Ger Murphy of Shinrone Heritage Group. “Yet we have records in the local papers of Shinrone playing Birr as far back as the 1770s. That’s some 250 years of Gaelic sport here in South Offaly.”

Jessie agrees on the deep heritage of GAA within the community. “When you think about it, the Shinrone Hurl was made for Billy Barry in the 1880s, and it was likely used by Bill when Shinrone beat Honeymount on St Patrick’s Day in 1899.” That match was immortalised in a wonderful song recently uncovered in the National Folklore Collection as follows:

Song:

In summer time in eighty nine

All on the present year

When Ballingarry and Shinrone

Did meet those mountaineers

The word went round upon the ground

Let hat would be their doom

They would gain the day or men they

would slay

Before they would go home

God bless our noble father

May the heavens be his guide

T'was he who ruled the field that day

And kept down whiten tide

It's for their noble referee

He tried both scheme and skill

In throwing in some outside balls

To keep them down the hill.

It's for the Ballingarry men

They are all loyal and true

When Martin he was wounded

They thought they would subdue

There was loud cheers from the mountaineers

Whilst proudly they did grin

But O'hone a vick they all got sick

Just as the point went in.

They may go home through Moneygall

Unto their lonely glen

No more to room through sweet Shinrone

With Corcoran or his men

He once took delight to go with White

But now he may go alone

And we will dance and sing and make the valleys ring

Around the green boys of Shinrone

Long life to brave Jack Cleary

That hurled upon the back

For judgment on a hurling field

He never yet did lack

He always looks before he strikes

The way it ought to go

His cunning pucks, I'm sure did vex

The boys of Castleroan

Brave O Paddy Hogan

Your are the boy can run

The ball goes from your hurle

Like a bullet from a gun

You were the praise of always there

Your name they would like to know

But they won't forget you for sometime

In haughty Castleroan

There is Maddens two both loyal and true

They will never miss a ball

And if any man go jostle them

He is surely bound to fall

There is Michael Martin swift and sweet

As everyone did know

He always cut the leather

Right through the ranks of Castleroan

Ger reflects: “When you read the lyrics of the song, you can almost feel the excitement and tension of the game - it is like listening to live radio coverage.”

The rules were different then notes Ger, teams had 21 players a side, with four goalposts: two in the middle for the goal and one at each side for points. The final score was one goal and a point to nil in Shinrone’s favour. The match was refereed by John Corcoran and played in Carey’s Park near Barna. Shinrone’s team wore long trousers and green jerseys bearing the harp and shamrock.

And who took to the field? The roll of honour includes Martin Fennell (maker of the Shinrone Hurl), Ned Doorley, Michael Carroll, Michael Martin, Michael and Thomas Egan, John Treacy, William Dunne, John Querck, Pat Hogan, John Cleary, Martin and John Madden, Pat King, John Carroll, William Barry (owner of the Shinrone Hurl), Martin Walsh, William King, Martin Mangan, John Lawlor, Jim Minchin, Tom Collins and John Brerton.

“We only recently realised that Gaelic games were played ad hoc on farmers’ fields,” said Ger. “I found it fascinating to read an earlier account of a Shinrone match being played outside the village, in the townland of Clareen, in 1843.”

Having come from fields to pitches, we sometimes have to remind ourselves that the facilities we have today are the legacy of former members, players and committees, said Chairperson Sean Ormond. “That intergenerational footprint, like the hurl and song, reminds us that we are all custodians of that legacy, both past and present.”

Fellow committee member Debbie Cahill agrees: “The Shinrone Camogie and Hurling Clubs are a hive of activity, and the fundraiser is all about building on the past efforts of the community.”

Jessie Donnelly said both the camogie and hurling clubs had an amazing year across all age groups, and that expanding the facilities with a new pitch and walking track was a natural progression. Joe Cleary, who coached the camogie team for years, wondered what the Shinrone Hurl’s owner, Bill Barry, and his team would think of the plans today. “Back then it was a very different game,” said Joe. “More ad hoc and informal. I imagine they would scarcely recognise the game today in terms of pace, fitness and skills.”

Jessie adds that these are the three elements driving the plans to expand the facilities. Both the camogie and hurling clubs have grown in recent years, catering for all age groups and abilities. “That is the community-centred nature of our clubs here in Shinrone: there is a place for everyone here in South Offaly.”

Turning to the fundraiser, Jessie was keen to acknowledge the community’s amazing work in raising funds. “So many businesses, fellow GAA clubs and strangers alike have donated to our community-led fundraiser. It is very inspiring for us all here in Shinrone to see such generosity as we prepare for the 5km walk. We have lots done, and we have lots to do as we bring our plans from paper to pitch. People’s participation and generosity remind us that we are all part of a wider community.”

Whether by accident or design, the fundraiser on November 1st also falls on the date the GAA was founded in 1884. Jessie smiles: “Maybe it is a reminder that, just as the GAA founders had a vision, we have one for our clubs here in Shinrone.”

“Recognising the vision of our past and present communities, the Shinrone Hurl will be given pride of place at the start of the 5km charity walk,” said Joe. “I often recall a cross being at the head of a community procession in times past. So seeing a hurl - well to some people GAA is a religion in its own right” - it shows the faith we place in our GAA legacy to guide us into the future!

“Having the hurl with us on the walk gives a focal point to the song and has become a mascot for the fundraising drive as we aim to reach the €150,000 target,” said Sean Ormond. “The hurl is a real symbol of community.”

And maybe the unsung hero in all this is young Patrick Curtis of Galbally, Ballincor. He had the foresight in the 1940’s to write down the story of the match and players names from his mum, and the lyrics from his dad. The song itself was written by Patrick Sammon of Maclone (Mucklone). Young Curtis, like the Fundraiser Committee today, had an eye to the future and his record is a reminder of how small steps in the pool of time can ripple well into the future.

Jessie was keen to let readers know they can get involved and support the fundraiser by donating through www.idonate.ie (search for “Shinrone Pitch”) or via the QR code.

And the Committee is aiming for a huge turnout on November 1st for a fun-filled 5km Fancy Dress Walk in support of the New Pitch & Walkway Project. The walk will start at Shinrone Hall, pass through the beautiful Bellefield Gardens and return to Shinrone Hall. It will be a great family community day, with tea, coffee and refreshments provided at Shinrone Hall afterwards.