Aerial Photo taken in 1991 showing O'Loughlin Gaels GAA Clubhouse and surrounding landscape
By Eamonn Doyle
Club Co-Founder and Club President from 2010 - 2015
Club Co-Founder and Club President from 2010 - 2015
INTRODUCTION
On a fine first Sunday in September 1969, a priest says the 9am Mass in The O’Loughlin Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist in Kilkenny.
In the congregation is the Kilkenny Senior Hurling team, who later that afternoon will meet Cork in the All Ireland Final in Croke Park.
When Mass is over, the priest disrobes, picks up his hurling gear and joins the team as they cross the street to the Railway Station and catch the train to Dublin.
Wearing the No 15 jersey, he will be last in line when the team marches out behind The Artane Boys’ band and he’ll then go on to win his second All Ireland Senior Hurling Medal.
Over the following months, Fr. Tom Murphy, Curate at St. John’s and Kilkenny Senior Hurler becomes the catalyst and unifying voice in the formation of O’Loughlin’s GAA Club. Good men gather in from all around the parish, like minds meet and an era begins.
Today, all about the club is highly impressive. Amenities, administration and support personnel are what you’d wish them to be, players of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to play the games and club teams compete with the best. In a vibrant club community, the aspirations, hopes and dreams of yesteryear are fulfilled, alive and well.
The story of O’Loughlin Gaels is one of continuous change and evolvement. Each stage has its own narrative, its own importance and its own significance. Every decade brings its own players, its own leaders and leaves its own imprints. The journey has taken it from a shared playing pitch to its own spacious grounds and facilities of today, from relative obscurity to All Ireland GAA Club of the Year and from young fledgling players to County Champions and All Ireland winners.
Along the way there were challenges, obstacles and difficulties to be met, faced and overcome. There was need throughout for good vision, wise leadership, honest players and many hands.
Knowing something of the club’s past helps us all to better understand its present. What happened yesterday has consequences for today, what we are depends not a little on those who went before us and we are all carried to some extent on the shoulders of previous generations. There have been many notable events in the life of the club, many stories to be told and many people now to tell them.
This is just one such story of a particular time in our past and I dedicate it to the memory of all our club departed who were once O’Loughlin Gaels.
In the congregation is the Kilkenny Senior Hurling team, who later that afternoon will meet Cork in the All Ireland Final in Croke Park.
When Mass is over, the priest disrobes, picks up his hurling gear and joins the team as they cross the street to the Railway Station and catch the train to Dublin.
Wearing the No 15 jersey, he will be last in line when the team marches out behind The Artane Boys’ band and he’ll then go on to win his second All Ireland Senior Hurling Medal.
Over the following months, Fr. Tom Murphy, Curate at St. John’s and Kilkenny Senior Hurler becomes the catalyst and unifying voice in the formation of O’Loughlin’s GAA Club. Good men gather in from all around the parish, like minds meet and an era begins.
Today, all about the club is highly impressive. Amenities, administration and support personnel are what you’d wish them to be, players of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to play the games and club teams compete with the best. In a vibrant club community, the aspirations, hopes and dreams of yesteryear are fulfilled, alive and well.
The story of O’Loughlin Gaels is one of continuous change and evolvement. Each stage has its own narrative, its own importance and its own significance. Every decade brings its own players, its own leaders and leaves its own imprints. The journey has taken it from a shared playing pitch to its own spacious grounds and facilities of today, from relative obscurity to All Ireland GAA Club of the Year and from young fledgling players to County Champions and All Ireland winners.
Along the way there were challenges, obstacles and difficulties to be met, faced and overcome. There was need throughout for good vision, wise leadership, honest players and many hands.
Knowing something of the club’s past helps us all to better understand its present. What happened yesterday has consequences for today, what we are depends not a little on those who went before us and we are all carried to some extent on the shoulders of previous generations. There have been many notable events in the life of the club, many stories to be told and many people now to tell them.
This is just one such story of a particular time in our past and I dedicate it to the memory of all our club departed who were once O’Loughlin Gaels.
Early Years
Part of the O’Loughlin’s story is already written. We are indebted to Conor Denieffe for reports of Gaelic games in St. John’s parish from earlier times, and in O’Loughlin’s Club from their first championship appearances in 1970, all of which are recorded in his excellent book ‘The Continent Abu’, published in 1999. The early history of St. John’s Park, the foundation of the club in 1969 and many memorable club events are also well documented there.
The purpose of this production is to add some detail to a period in the club’s formative years, when it was first endeavouring to create an identity and establish a base, both in the local area and in the GAA world generally, at a time when both of those communities were very different to now. In leaving the stories of the games and the important part they played in all of that to Conor’s earlier reports, this concentrates on events and happenings surrounding the Club’s purchase and development of St. John’s Park in the middle to late 1970s and on its efforts and actions over those years when undertaking something very rare at the time for a GAA club, that of providing its own clubhouse, its own home.
It details the work undertaken and acknowledges the contributions of many people at the time - some alas departed - for whom club and place mattered greatly. It reminds older club members and others who helped, of parts they played, often behind the scenes, often seemingly insignificant and often now forgotten - even by themselves - but all of which were noteworthy, necessary and appreciated. It helps provide families and friends, newer generations of club members and others interested, with an understanding of what happened, and needed to happen in that time and place, to pave some of the way for where the club is today.
The purpose of this production is to add some detail to a period in the club’s formative years, when it was first endeavouring to create an identity and establish a base, both in the local area and in the GAA world generally, at a time when both of those communities were very different to now. In leaving the stories of the games and the important part they played in all of that to Conor’s earlier reports, this concentrates on events and happenings surrounding the Club’s purchase and development of St. John’s Park in the middle to late 1970s and on its efforts and actions over those years when undertaking something very rare at the time for a GAA club, that of providing its own clubhouse, its own home.
It details the work undertaken and acknowledges the contributions of many people at the time - some alas departed - for whom club and place mattered greatly. It reminds older club members and others who helped, of parts they played, often behind the scenes, often seemingly insignificant and often now forgotten - even by themselves - but all of which were noteworthy, necessary and appreciated. It helps provide families and friends, newer generations of club members and others interested, with an understanding of what happened, and needed to happen in that time and place, to pave some of the way for where the club is today.
St. John's Parish, an Identity and a Belonging
The GAA community is all about our sense of identity and belonging with local people and local place, experienced through its games. Such affiliation is perhaps the GAA’s greatest strength and in that community, connection with club or county often defines us. Since its founding in 1884, the GAA, in its ethos, articles and operations, has sought that club and parish be linked to help define that place and to further strengthen that identity and that belonging. In 1969, when O’Loughlin’s was founded, one of its defining objectives, and on which its survival and future depended, was its identity with St. John’s. From the outset, the chosen name O’Loughlin, already associated with the parish church, heralded that identity.
A Club Logo showing a triangle of landmarks associated with the main areas of the parish – the Fort in Dunmore, the Holy Well in Johnswell and the O’Loughlin Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist in the city, all ‘converging’ on O’Loughlin Gaels Clubhouse at its centre - was introduced soon afterwards to symbolise that parish identity, attraction and welcome.
St. John’s Parish in 1969 was however, very different to now. Its outer boundaries were as they are today but the rural area had perhaps only a third of the houses it now has and its urban area was much smaller and far less populated. If it mirrored national population figures, the parish then had arguably only half the number of inhabitants it has today.
Outwards from St. John’s Church, the urban area could really be said to have ended at St. John’s Hall on the Carlow Rd., at the ‘angle’ behind Nowlan Park on The Hebron Rd., and at Newpark Upper /Golf Links Rd. on the roads to Johnswell. With very rare exceptions, there were no housing estates or industrial developments off any of these roads beyond those points. The Castlecomer Road, part of which was/is in St. Canice’s parish, was fronted by single dwellings and likewise, it had no other off-road estates. There were ‘outer’ housing developments at Altamount Park (1967), Middleknock and Leggetsrath on the Carlow Road, and along the Johnswell Rd. opposite present day Lidl. But there was no Lacken Drive, Shandon Park or Bishop Birch Place; no Newpark Close, Rosemount or New Orchard Estate; no Meadow Way, Newpark Lawn, Auburn Drive or Glendine Heights – estates now regarded as long established and accommodating their third generations. All other housing estates, industrial developments and road infrastructures that we now see, were still some way off.
The parish had four priests, seven Sunday Masses in St. John’s and one each in Dunmore and Johnswell, with full congregations for most. The De La Salle Primary School in Ballybought St. was an all Boys’ school with both the Girls’ and Infants’ Schools in Michael Street. Dunmore’s School had closed a few years earlier, Johnswell’s was alive and well but smaller. Kilkenny College, situated at where are now the Kilkenny County Council Offices in John Street, was an all-male secondary school and The Model Primary School was located on the Castlecomer Rd. /Newpark Drive junction. With no supermarket branch in the parish, a handful of family run grocery shops dotted the area. Not every family had a TV, not every household had a car and fewer still had a phone.
A Club Logo showing a triangle of landmarks associated with the main areas of the parish – the Fort in Dunmore, the Holy Well in Johnswell and the O’Loughlin Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist in the city, all ‘converging’ on O’Loughlin Gaels Clubhouse at its centre - was introduced soon afterwards to symbolise that parish identity, attraction and welcome.
St. John’s Parish in 1969 was however, very different to now. Its outer boundaries were as they are today but the rural area had perhaps only a third of the houses it now has and its urban area was much smaller and far less populated. If it mirrored national population figures, the parish then had arguably only half the number of inhabitants it has today.
Outwards from St. John’s Church, the urban area could really be said to have ended at St. John’s Hall on the Carlow Rd., at the ‘angle’ behind Nowlan Park on The Hebron Rd., and at Newpark Upper /Golf Links Rd. on the roads to Johnswell. With very rare exceptions, there were no housing estates or industrial developments off any of these roads beyond those points. The Castlecomer Road, part of which was/is in St. Canice’s parish, was fronted by single dwellings and likewise, it had no other off-road estates. There were ‘outer’ housing developments at Altamount Park (1967), Middleknock and Leggetsrath on the Carlow Road, and along the Johnswell Rd. opposite present day Lidl. But there was no Lacken Drive, Shandon Park or Bishop Birch Place; no Newpark Close, Rosemount or New Orchard Estate; no Meadow Way, Newpark Lawn, Auburn Drive or Glendine Heights – estates now regarded as long established and accommodating their third generations. All other housing estates, industrial developments and road infrastructures that we now see, were still some way off.
The parish had four priests, seven Sunday Masses in St. John’s and one each in Dunmore and Johnswell, with full congregations for most. The De La Salle Primary School in Ballybought St. was an all Boys’ school with both the Girls’ and Infants’ Schools in Michael Street. Dunmore’s School had closed a few years earlier, Johnswell’s was alive and well but smaller. Kilkenny College, situated at where are now the Kilkenny County Council Offices in John Street, was an all-male secondary school and The Model Primary School was located on the Castlecomer Rd. /Newpark Drive junction. With no supermarket branch in the parish, a handful of family run grocery shops dotted the area. Not every family had a TV, not every household had a car and fewer still had a phone.
The GAA - A Sense of Time
The world of the GAA generally and locally in the 1960s was also very different and by today’s standards, in some ways unbelievable. Over that decade players from the parish had a choice of playing with any one of five clubs which could legitimately claim some parish identity, or with any one of six or seven others around the city and its environs. The parish had three adult teams still active in 1969 – Dunmore and Johnswell at Junior and Newpark Sarsfields at Senior. In the same year, promising minor players from the parish, with no local team available, crossed the Nore to play with either James Stephen’s or Dicksboro, at times against each other. Whilst skills, values and interests were as constant as they are today, team preparations were of a different scale, identities with team or place were vague, and facilities, other than those at the major grounds, were limited. Dressing rooms even there were invariably small as they only needed to hold 20-25 people, half what’s needed today.
A majority of clubs didn’t have a regular pitch. Venues for games in rural areas were mostly in whatever reasonably flat field was available that year, generously given by a local farmer. Games were played on uneven surfaces, some with grass too long, some scattered with sheep or cow dung and some even shared with the animals themselves, who were then shunted off to one side. Rope crossbars which sagged in the middle were a regular feature. Line markings, nets and flags were optional extras rarely seen, and players togged out by the sides of ditches. This was a time before team panels, backroom staff or sponsors became the norm and long before hamstrings, dead legs, or warm ups were ‘invented’. The first aid kit was often just a towel with a couple of bottles of water used for thirst, cuts or bruises. Injuries sustained, sometimes serious and not adequately diagnosed, might not be attended to properly until they got worse and often then, not until some days later. Toilet facilities were primitive, and there were no dressing rooms or washing facilities in any rural venue.
A majority of clubs didn’t have a regular pitch. Venues for games in rural areas were mostly in whatever reasonably flat field was available that year, generously given by a local farmer. Games were played on uneven surfaces, some with grass too long, some scattered with sheep or cow dung and some even shared with the animals themselves, who were then shunted off to one side. Rope crossbars which sagged in the middle were a regular feature. Line markings, nets and flags were optional extras rarely seen, and players togged out by the sides of ditches. This was a time before team panels, backroom staff or sponsors became the norm and long before hamstrings, dead legs, or warm ups were ‘invented’. The first aid kit was often just a towel with a couple of bottles of water used for thirst, cuts or bruises. Injuries sustained, sometimes serious and not adequately diagnosed, might not be attended to properly until they got worse and often then, not until some days later. Toilet facilities were primitive, and there were no dressing rooms or washing facilities in any rural venue.
A New Club and Generation
Into those challenging worlds stepped O’Loughlin’s. And in setting out to accommodate adult teams and adult players there would also now be time, place and opportunity for all parish under age players to remain local, have their own club and play together. The young players’ adopted assembly point for all away matches soon became the ‘Pillar Box at Mansfield’s Corner’ and their presence there was a much welcome sight for all interested in the future welfare of the games locally. Those young players would soon go on to win the first County Championships of any grade in O’Loughlin’s colours- at Under 16 (1971) and Minor (1972) - some to represent their county and some, like those of their adult team counterparts, to become staunch club leaders later both on and off the field.
County Minor Hurling Champions 1972. Back L to R. Dermot Tyrrell, Jimmy Byrne, Ger Donovan, Martin Gibbons, Richie Delaney, Jim Gibbons, Michael Lannigan, Jim Brennan, John Martin. Front L to R. Dinny Lannigan, Fran Nolan, Larry Murphy, Kevin Robinson, Ollie Bergin, John Skehan, Anthony O’Driscoll, Joe Mulcahy.
And many others of the club’s future stalwarts - names and faces which have since become synonymous with it and who have made singular and outstanding contributions to its development and successes, hadn’t yet arrived - some indeed, not born.
St. John's Park
St. John’s Park was then a 5 acre rural grounds bounded in part by a roadside wall, but mostly by an 8 feet high stake and chain linked fence enclosing what is now the front pitch and its rough surrounding terrain. The area had fallen into disrepair, there was no anchor club attached and the park’s status and ownership were unclear to many. O’Loughlin’s were just one of a number of groups and individuals using it for a variety of purposes, with no one ostensibly in charge. The club was unaware at the time, but learned later, that negotiations surrounding a bank debt which had accrued on the grounds had taken place between the Bank, the St. John’s Park Trustees and the GAA. Kilkenny Co. Board were unable to offer any financial assistance at the time due to a substantial debt already incurred by it on their own development of Nowlan Park. In 1971 the Central Council of the GAA paid off the St. John’s Park debt and, as Croke Park minutes stated at the time, ‘to hold the grounds in trust for a local club’. That club was now about to arrive but no one was yet aware.
In the meantime, O’Loughlin’s and local Clanna Gael Football Club, with a significant overlap of players and officials from the parish in both, amalgamated and became the new O’Loughlin’s/Gaels GAA Clubs –morphing later into O’Loughlin Gaels. A number of county football titles were won at this time under the name The Gaels.
Pat Fanning of Waterford, President of the GAA, attended the Club’s Annual Dinner to present Co. Minor Hurling Championship medals to our winning team of 1972 and Sean O’Siochain, the Director General of the GAA, attended the Club’s Dinner in early 1975. Both of them had already been made aware of the club’s efforts to secure a pitch and develop its own base but now at this stage they had each the benefit of having seeing the club in action for themselves. And perhaps having already convinced each other that O’Loughlin Gaels were just the club they were seeking to take ownership of St. John’s Park, O’Siochain, on the night he attended, enquired quietly off Fr. Tom, if the club would like to own it. When the situation was explained to him, and later to the club, wheels were set in motion to try to buy it. In the context of the time, when the adult club was being run on roughly £300 a year, when the average weekly wage was about £25 and when the cost of a fortnight’s holiday in Rome/Sorrento in Aug. was £90, this would have been a huge undertaking. The club’s youth section was then being funded separately, primarily from the sales of match programmes at Nowlan Park, first produced in 1973 and continued unbroken since.
In the meantime, O’Loughlin’s and local Clanna Gael Football Club, with a significant overlap of players and officials from the parish in both, amalgamated and became the new O’Loughlin’s/Gaels GAA Clubs –morphing later into O’Loughlin Gaels. A number of county football titles were won at this time under the name The Gaels.
Pat Fanning of Waterford, President of the GAA, attended the Club’s Annual Dinner to present Co. Minor Hurling Championship medals to our winning team of 1972 and Sean O’Siochain, the Director General of the GAA, attended the Club’s Dinner in early 1975. Both of them had already been made aware of the club’s efforts to secure a pitch and develop its own base but now at this stage they had each the benefit of having seeing the club in action for themselves. And perhaps having already convinced each other that O’Loughlin Gaels were just the club they were seeking to take ownership of St. John’s Park, O’Siochain, on the night he attended, enquired quietly off Fr. Tom, if the club would like to own it. When the situation was explained to him, and later to the club, wheels were set in motion to try to buy it. In the context of the time, when the adult club was being run on roughly £300 a year, when the average weekly wage was about £25 and when the cost of a fortnight’s holiday in Rome/Sorrento in Aug. was £90, this would have been a huge undertaking. The club’s youth section was then being funded separately, primarily from the sales of match programmes at Nowlan Park, first produced in 1973 and continued unbroken since.
Sales and Purchase
A Grounds Sub Committee was set up, with Paraic Leydon as Chairman. It included Fr. Tom Murphy, Marty Hanlon, Seamus Dowling, Eddie Leahy, Dick Guilfoyle, Podge Cody and myself as Secretary/Treasurer. Its brief was to look after ‘all matters relating to St. John’s Park, including finance’. Negotiations began and continued over time in meetings at Croke Park with both Sean O’Siochain and Ciaran O’Neill, the GAA’s Finance Officer. Following these, and on the recommendation of the Sub Committee, the O’Loughlin Gaels Executive made the decision to purchase the grounds at its February Meeting in 1976. The price agreed was £4,000 plus legal fees. Further meetings, discussions and negotiations with ‘Croke Park’ resulted in that being reduced to £3,000 plus fees, this reduction in lieu of the normal GAA field purchase grant which we looked for, but which for administrative reasons could not be given, such grant having already been paid on the grounds some years beforehand. When Sean O’Siochain again attended the Club’s Dinner Dance later to present medals to our winning County Junior Hurling Champions of 1975, the details had all been finalised and he was delighted to be able to announce to a surprised but a very appreciative audience, the sale of St. John’s Park to O’Loughlin Gaels.
County Junior Hurling Champions 1975 – Presentation of Medals and Announcement of Sale of St. John’s Pk. Front (l. to r.) Fr. Tom Murphy, Jimmy Byrne, Ned Curran (Chairman Northern Board), Michael O’Neill (Chairman Kilkenny Co.Board) Mickey Dooley, (Capt.), Sean O’Siochain (Director General GAA), Anthony O’Driscoll, Eddie Leahy, Brother Norbert (St.John’s De La Salle). Middle (l.to r.) John Skehan, Ollie Bergin, Willie O’Brien, Kevin Robinson, Dermot Tyrrell, Michael Lannigan, Pakie Keane, Dick Guilfoyle, Luke Roche, Marty Brennan, Sean Casey, Seamus Dowling, Anthony Bergin, Jim Gibbons, Podge Cody, Jimmy Bergin, Seamus Callinan, Diarmuid Shortall, (N.T.). Back (l.tor.) Eamonn Doyle, Joe Mulcahy, Br. Michael, Marty Hanlon, Richie Delaney, Benny Walsh, Peter Dowling, Arthur Rushe, Johnny Ivory (Sec. Northern Board), Liam Burke, Tommy Gregg, Paraic Leydon.
A delicate balance had to be found during these negotiations on whether to do so publicly and risk it falling through or to keep it within the Executive and have it succeed. That risk was real. It created a problem for Kilkenny Co. Board, some of whom felt that the grounds would eventually revert to it. Fr. Tom, Eddie Leahy and I were invited to address the Co. Board at its meeting in The Metropole Hotel shortly afterwards. Some were discomfited and contentious but eventually they understood, accepted the situation and wished the club well. Paddy Grace, Co. GAA Sec. played a significant club supporting role in that.
Fundraising Begins
A club information circular was now distributed to every house in the parish by local schoolchildren under the helpful guidance of principals and teachers. Fund raising began on a far greater scale than had been seen heretofore. Donations, interest free loans, card drives in John’s Hall - guided by Mick Brett and Matt Deegan -, a fashion show in Newpark Hotel - organised by Vivian Good and Grace O’Shaughnessy -, a dance in Johnswell Hall, a cabaret in Newpark Hotel, a flag day, a countywide GAA club quiz and a 500 Club all played a part. In an extraordinary outpouring of support and good will from club members and the community, the club raised sufficient monies to buy the grounds within two months –an astounding achievement by any standard. Several people donated the equivalent of a week’s wages, some two, and a few, four. An all parish Children’s Sports Day at the grounds on Whit Monday 1977 with over 70 events, and helped greatly by Sean Byrne of New Road and Kilkenny City Harriers, raised the club’s profile further and greatly increased numbers contributing to the Club’s 500 Club - itself a pioneering venture and forerunner to today’s Club Lotto. Significantly and encouragingly, a number of spirited parishioners, who hitherto had no immediate connection to the club, volunteered to act as promotors, organisers or helpers, some to go on in time to become the club’s worthiest members and supporters. The 500 Club then grew and became a 1,000 Club.
The sale and purchase of the grounds took place in course and the cheque used for that purpose in 1977 is on display in the clubhouse.
With purchase completed, surplus monies to hand and more coming in, the concept of bringing the grounds up to standard and providing dressing rooms became more real and the club agreed on a phased development plan. Phase 1 concentrated on getting the playing surface right, Phase 2 involved the upgrading of the surrounding area and the building of necessary dressing rooms, whilst Phase 3 envisaged the provision of a Clubhouse and Ball Alley.
The sale and purchase of the grounds took place in course and the cheque used for that purpose in 1977 is on display in the clubhouse.
With purchase completed, surplus monies to hand and more coming in, the concept of bringing the grounds up to standard and providing dressing rooms became more real and the club agreed on a phased development plan. Phase 1 concentrated on getting the playing surface right, Phase 2 involved the upgrading of the surrounding area and the building of necessary dressing rooms, whilst Phase 3 envisaged the provision of a Clubhouse and Ball Alley.
Profile of St. John's Park
It is not easy now for newer generations to envisage what St. John’s Park and the surrounding area looked like at that time and what the carrying out of any of these phases would physically entail, apart altogether from financial considerations. A lot of good and commendable work had gone into its initial development some 15 years earlier but the entire playing area and surrounds now needed upgrade and repair. Bounded by a 70 yard long, 8 feet high wall on the Hebron Road side as far as St. Kieran’s Cemetery, the remainder of the grounds was fenced off from surrounding fields on the other three sides. From behind the city end goal, the ground sloped away ruggedly towards that fence and out to the land beyond which was some 10 feet lower than pitch level and contained a sizeable lake and surrounding marshland. The area inside this fence is now elevated and is the club’s main car park, whilst Pennyfeather Way and Lakeside dwellings now occupy part of that lake field.
St. John’s Park, June, 1978. Fr. Lar Dunphy, Adm. and Andy O’Driscoll. The new clubhouse would be built in the area right of the cattle shed. From bottom left of pic all the way across, the ground fell away sharply.
Just 10 yards behind the country end goal was the boundary fence, outside of which the land also sloped away to a grassed-in quarry with undulating surrounding land - an area which is now the club’s second adult pitch. Rough and rugged terrain along the side where the clubhouse now stands was on average some 10 feet higher than pitch level. This hill had been partly cut into to create the original pitch and was now strewn with rubble from that development. It was overgrown, unusable and contained a broken down cattle shed.
Two small and very basic dressing rooms where the tractor shed now stands, were dilapidated and no longer fit for use, as was a walled off toilet area in the corner closest to Nowlan Park. Many of the side line seating planks around part of the pitch had been ‘lifted’, leaving the cement stumps on which they lay not only exposed, but dangerously so. Under today’s safety measures, no matches would have been allowed there. Once inside the entrance gate, positioned close to the cemetery’s front wall, the view ahead was of rural landscape in all directions as far as the eye could see.
We learned later from the two main contractors who had earlier worked on it that parts of the original pitch were laid out simply by levelling the already irregular surface and covering it with top soil. No initial sub-soil survey had been undertaken. The result was that the underneath earth profile from area to area was now unknown, chaotic and inconsistent. It was particularly wet at the city end and that half of the pitch needed urgent draining.
Committee member Seamus Dowling was entrusted with that task. Working entirely voluntarily throughout and with guidance from local man Matt Redmond of Castlecomer Rd. and the Government’s Land Reclamation Dept., Seamus enlisted the help of many others from the club and he, together with Luke and Tommy Roche, Teddy Bennett, Marty Hanlon, Maurice Nolan, Tommy Gregg, Jim Rice and Paddy Walsh with tractors, trailers and whatever other machinery was needed were variously present around the grounds during that time, as were many other club members with their picks, shovels and spades. Drains, parallel to the side lines and at 5 yard intervals across most of the field, were dug, back filled with stones and drain piped from the 70 yard line all the way in to the end line. All the ‘run off’ water was drained to the aforementioned lake. The goal area was especially wet and needed stone filling for the entire square area to a depth of 8 feet. Contractors Ger Cuggy of Newpark and Con Shea of Vicar St. with their JCBs, worked diligently at this throughout and well beyond their contracts or calls of duty.
Two small and very basic dressing rooms where the tractor shed now stands, were dilapidated and no longer fit for use, as was a walled off toilet area in the corner closest to Nowlan Park. Many of the side line seating planks around part of the pitch had been ‘lifted’, leaving the cement stumps on which they lay not only exposed, but dangerously so. Under today’s safety measures, no matches would have been allowed there. Once inside the entrance gate, positioned close to the cemetery’s front wall, the view ahead was of rural landscape in all directions as far as the eye could see.
We learned later from the two main contractors who had earlier worked on it that parts of the original pitch were laid out simply by levelling the already irregular surface and covering it with top soil. No initial sub-soil survey had been undertaken. The result was that the underneath earth profile from area to area was now unknown, chaotic and inconsistent. It was particularly wet at the city end and that half of the pitch needed urgent draining.
Committee member Seamus Dowling was entrusted with that task. Working entirely voluntarily throughout and with guidance from local man Matt Redmond of Castlecomer Rd. and the Government’s Land Reclamation Dept., Seamus enlisted the help of many others from the club and he, together with Luke and Tommy Roche, Teddy Bennett, Marty Hanlon, Maurice Nolan, Tommy Gregg, Jim Rice and Paddy Walsh with tractors, trailers and whatever other machinery was needed were variously present around the grounds during that time, as were many other club members with their picks, shovels and spades. Drains, parallel to the side lines and at 5 yard intervals across most of the field, were dug, back filled with stones and drain piped from the 70 yard line all the way in to the end line. All the ‘run off’ water was drained to the aforementioned lake. The goal area was especially wet and needed stone filling for the entire square area to a depth of 8 feet. Contractors Ger Cuggy of Newpark and Con Shea of Vicar St. with their JCBs, worked diligently at this throughout and well beyond their contracts or calls of duty.
Area Development Plan
Kilkenny Co. Council’s Development Plan for the immediate area at the time was somewhat different to what happened eventually. It had been envisaged that a new Primary School would one day be built on a 3.3 acre site owned by St. John’s Parish immediately beyond the ‘country goal’ end boundary. The Club wholly acknowledged the need for a new school but also recognised that this site was the only option open to it into the future to provide an adjoining pitch for future generations and it had to act quickly. Once built on, this land was gone, and gone forever. Negotiations between the Club, the Parish and the County Council resulted in the Club later buying this ‘school’ site off the Parish. The monies paid were then used by the Parish to buy a similar sized adjoining site from the Co. Council, who then owned that land, and on which the school could then be built a hundred yards further on. For entirely separate reasons - not being sanctioned by the Dept. of Education being the main one - that new school was never built later. The present parish schools were upgraded and extended and the O’Loughlin Court houses were later built where it might have been.
Access was needed at the time for a proposed school or for any future development in that area, and a thin slice of club ground on the cemetery side was required by the Council for an inward roadway. The Council’s proposal for this was negotiated and agreed by the club and in exchange for this piece of ground, the Council would compensate the club to the tune of £2,500 and the club would then build a new section of boundary wall. This work was later contracted to Ned Moran of Michael St. who built it with help from young club members on a Youth Employment Scheme. The Council agreed a further £1,000 compensation for the loss of the dressing rooms. Thus began a mutually beneficial relationship between the Club and Kilkenny Co. Council which complemented both organisations’ strategies and objectives long into the future and served many needs of the local and wider community well. On the Council administrative side both Stephen Deegan, Secretary, and Dick McGrath, Development Officer, were exceptionally helpful throughout as were Frs. Lar Dunphy, Adm. and his parish committee. The Club’s welcomed input into that overall area plan meant that, in time, it was also able to purchase more council land north of the grounds which were required for further future extensions and pitches -all later built and developed. Those developments necessitated the removal of an entire hill and some 50,000 tons of earth and gravel from this area. This involved six Co. Council trucks removing six loads each a day for six days a week over a six week period - but that’s of a later era and is a separate story.
Access was needed at the time for a proposed school or for any future development in that area, and a thin slice of club ground on the cemetery side was required by the Council for an inward roadway. The Council’s proposal for this was negotiated and agreed by the club and in exchange for this piece of ground, the Council would compensate the club to the tune of £2,500 and the club would then build a new section of boundary wall. This work was later contracted to Ned Moran of Michael St. who built it with help from young club members on a Youth Employment Scheme. The Council agreed a further £1,000 compensation for the loss of the dressing rooms. Thus began a mutually beneficial relationship between the Club and Kilkenny Co. Council which complemented both organisations’ strategies and objectives long into the future and served many needs of the local and wider community well. On the Council administrative side both Stephen Deegan, Secretary, and Dick McGrath, Development Officer, were exceptionally helpful throughout as were Frs. Lar Dunphy, Adm. and his parish committee. The Club’s welcomed input into that overall area plan meant that, in time, it was also able to purchase more council land north of the grounds which were required for further future extensions and pitches -all later built and developed. Those developments necessitated the removal of an entire hill and some 50,000 tons of earth and gravel from this area. This involved six Co. Council trucks removing six loads each a day for six days a week over a six week period - but that’s of a later era and is a separate story.
Planning and Building a Clubhouse
At the Club’s AGM in Jan, 1977, the Grounds Sub-Committee was itself sub-divided and a Field Committee, now chaired by Andy O’Driscoll, was elected to take charge of the pitch and finish Phase 1, with the original committee concentrating on finance and exploring further development. On the original committee John Skehan replaced Podge Cody who had left to begin his nursing and political careers in Enniscorthy and Andy took on Joe Maher, Michael ‘Blondie’ Lannigan and Matty Byrne, a trio well chosen.
With the pitch surface upgrade largely complete, and good men now looking after its upkeep, Phase 2 beckoned. Enthusiasm and support from all quarters was ever rising and it seemed more and more likely that as well as Phase 2, Phase 3 would also happen, and sooner rather than later. We now had £10,000. AIB, who at this time were renovating their High St. branch and using temporary pre-fabricated buildings to the rear, now offered us those free as a clubhouse complex - the club to dismantle, transport and re-erect all. It was a tempting offer but was declined on the basis that they would ever only be temporary and would eventually need replacing.
Local architect Colm O’Cochlainn, Castlecomer Rd., in reply to the aforementioned circular, volunteered his services freely to draw up plans for clubrooms and provide oversight during their construction. With this generous offer, minds began to focus more sharply. And when Donal Johnson from Shandon Park, who at the time was the Chief Accountant with Avonmore, similarly volunteered his services to look after all financial and accounting matters, considerations and enthusiasm gathered speed and urgency. And a sense that something exciting was beginning to evolve in terms of a community’s response, goodwill and support began to dawn on all.
To help advance matters, Paraic Leydon, Eddie Leahy, Seamus Dowling, Fr. Tom Murphy and I, separately and in groups, spent time visiting and viewing other sports centres around the country for concepts, information and ideas. Not many GAA Clubs had clubhouses then, but a few had, and Mount Sion and De La Salle in Waterford, Ballyboden St. Enda’s, Na Fianna and Erin’s Isle in Dublin, St. Finbarr’s in Cork and Longford Slashers were all visited. Tullamore Harriers Athletic Club and a number of golf clubs in surrounding counties were also visited. The information gleaned helped inform discussions with Colm O’Cochlainn and so assist him in drawing up an overall plan.
When the final plan emerged, it was agreed by the Club Executive at its meeting in March 1977, voting 10 for to 1 against. Shortly afterwards all plans were approved by a Full meeting of the club, attended by 36 members, who voted unanimously to go ahead with construction. Full membership at this stage was 58, all male. An elevated two storied modern Clubhouse to include Entrance Hall and Stairway, Bar & Lounge, Kitchen, Storeroom, 2 Dressing Rooms with Toilets/Showers and a 40’ x 20’ Ball Alley with its own Spectator Balcony, Dressing Rooms, Toilets and Showers would be built. The ‘American style’ 40’ x 20’ Ball Alley would be the first of its kind in Ireland and the clubhouse itself would be one of the finest.
The siting of the new building got particular attention. Ideally it might have been built close to the entrance area but available space prevented that option and ‘the far bank’ was then chosen. Planning Applications were prepared, submitted and approved in course. We were on our way.
In November of that year, yet another sub division of the Grounds Committee took place and a Pavilion Committee, made up of club members with particular expertise in various aspects of construction, was formed to help advance the project practically and also to work closely with the original committee. Added here were Sean Casey, Luke Roche, Jim Rice, Anthony O’Driscoll, Ollie Bergin, Dermot Tyrrell, Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy Fitzpatrick.
Dealing with the project we now had the Club Executive, a club Sub-Committee - which itself was further sub-divided three ways - all interconnected with each other, and all needing ongoing meetings, briefings, consultations and coordination. What seemed like a recipe for total confusion actually worked quite well, not least because this wasn’t a time for thoughtless arguments, drawn out meetings or laboured decisions. There was no place or time for ceremony, personal vanities or disunity.
Before any such work could begin on the clubhouse however, much preparatory work was still needed at the grounds. Apart from pitch improvements which were continuing, hundreds of tons of filling needed to be sourced, delivered and laid to level the area behind the city goal in order to gain basic access to the new site. Filling from various ongoing development works at the time at New Street, The Black Quarry, Kieran Street and Dean Street, together with rubble from demolished Maudlin St. houses and Hebron Industrial Estate sites was identified with the help of Co.Council foreman Billy Keane of Assumption Place, and delivered by lorry men Joe Doheny, Castlecomer Rd., and Con Shea, ably assisted by the aforementioned tractor and trailer men. They kept Ger Cuggy and his JCB busy for days on end. Des and Liam Hehir, Dublin Rd., similarly had hundreds of tons of dolomite delivered from the Quigley Magnesite Quarries at Bennetsbridge, which were used to ‘blind’ the rubble, give part of the area some semblance of evenness and provide a roadway in.
With the pitch surface upgrade largely complete, and good men now looking after its upkeep, Phase 2 beckoned. Enthusiasm and support from all quarters was ever rising and it seemed more and more likely that as well as Phase 2, Phase 3 would also happen, and sooner rather than later. We now had £10,000. AIB, who at this time were renovating their High St. branch and using temporary pre-fabricated buildings to the rear, now offered us those free as a clubhouse complex - the club to dismantle, transport and re-erect all. It was a tempting offer but was declined on the basis that they would ever only be temporary and would eventually need replacing.
Local architect Colm O’Cochlainn, Castlecomer Rd., in reply to the aforementioned circular, volunteered his services freely to draw up plans for clubrooms and provide oversight during their construction. With this generous offer, minds began to focus more sharply. And when Donal Johnson from Shandon Park, who at the time was the Chief Accountant with Avonmore, similarly volunteered his services to look after all financial and accounting matters, considerations and enthusiasm gathered speed and urgency. And a sense that something exciting was beginning to evolve in terms of a community’s response, goodwill and support began to dawn on all.
To help advance matters, Paraic Leydon, Eddie Leahy, Seamus Dowling, Fr. Tom Murphy and I, separately and in groups, spent time visiting and viewing other sports centres around the country for concepts, information and ideas. Not many GAA Clubs had clubhouses then, but a few had, and Mount Sion and De La Salle in Waterford, Ballyboden St. Enda’s, Na Fianna and Erin’s Isle in Dublin, St. Finbarr’s in Cork and Longford Slashers were all visited. Tullamore Harriers Athletic Club and a number of golf clubs in surrounding counties were also visited. The information gleaned helped inform discussions with Colm O’Cochlainn and so assist him in drawing up an overall plan.
When the final plan emerged, it was agreed by the Club Executive at its meeting in March 1977, voting 10 for to 1 against. Shortly afterwards all plans were approved by a Full meeting of the club, attended by 36 members, who voted unanimously to go ahead with construction. Full membership at this stage was 58, all male. An elevated two storied modern Clubhouse to include Entrance Hall and Stairway, Bar & Lounge, Kitchen, Storeroom, 2 Dressing Rooms with Toilets/Showers and a 40’ x 20’ Ball Alley with its own Spectator Balcony, Dressing Rooms, Toilets and Showers would be built. The ‘American style’ 40’ x 20’ Ball Alley would be the first of its kind in Ireland and the clubhouse itself would be one of the finest.
The siting of the new building got particular attention. Ideally it might have been built close to the entrance area but available space prevented that option and ‘the far bank’ was then chosen. Planning Applications were prepared, submitted and approved in course. We were on our way.
In November of that year, yet another sub division of the Grounds Committee took place and a Pavilion Committee, made up of club members with particular expertise in various aspects of construction, was formed to help advance the project practically and also to work closely with the original committee. Added here were Sean Casey, Luke Roche, Jim Rice, Anthony O’Driscoll, Ollie Bergin, Dermot Tyrrell, Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy Fitzpatrick.
Dealing with the project we now had the Club Executive, a club Sub-Committee - which itself was further sub-divided three ways - all interconnected with each other, and all needing ongoing meetings, briefings, consultations and coordination. What seemed like a recipe for total confusion actually worked quite well, not least because this wasn’t a time for thoughtless arguments, drawn out meetings or laboured decisions. There was no place or time for ceremony, personal vanities or disunity.
Before any such work could begin on the clubhouse however, much preparatory work was still needed at the grounds. Apart from pitch improvements which were continuing, hundreds of tons of filling needed to be sourced, delivered and laid to level the area behind the city goal in order to gain basic access to the new site. Filling from various ongoing development works at the time at New Street, The Black Quarry, Kieran Street and Dean Street, together with rubble from demolished Maudlin St. houses and Hebron Industrial Estate sites was identified with the help of Co.Council foreman Billy Keane of Assumption Place, and delivered by lorry men Joe Doheny, Castlecomer Rd., and Con Shea, ably assisted by the aforementioned tractor and trailer men. They kept Ger Cuggy and his JCB busy for days on end. Des and Liam Hehir, Dublin Rd., similarly had hundreds of tons of dolomite delivered from the Quigley Magnesite Quarries at Bennetsbridge, which were used to ‘blind’ the rubble, give part of the area some semblance of evenness and provide a roadway in.
Youth Employment scheme
Running in tandem with all of this and in a dual effort to raise finance and provide work experience for youth at a time when times were harsh, an Application to the Department of Education to employ young club members on the project under a Government Grant Scheme for Youth Employment failed in 1977 but was updated, re-submitted and approved in 1978. This enabled the Club to employ a number of 18-21 year old club members on certain aspects of the work under adult guidance. The total grant aid was £10,000 to be used to pay them £25 gross a week, pay Public Liability Insurance and also to help pay for some materials needed specifically for their employment.
Over the second half of 1978 and up until June 1979, a number of young men, most of them club members straight out of secondary school, would avail of this Youth Employment Scheme. Michael Cleere, (Newpark), Redmond Cody, (Dublin Rd.,) Hugh Corrigan,(Newpark), Paddy Walsh (Bonnetsrath), Paddy Walsh (Castlecomer Road), Kieran Murtagh, (New Road), Pat Fitzpatrick (Greensbridge), Donal Johnson, (Shandon Park), Eugene Deegan (Johnswell Rd) and Dan Quigley, (Dunmore) were first up. When anyone moved on in his own career, he was replaced by another and Larry Murphy, (Newpark), Pat Fitzgerald, (Golf Links Rd.), Tom McGrath, (Fiacre’s Place), Finbarr Walsh (Castlecomer Rd.) John O’Shea (Fr. Murphy Sq.), Dominic Daly, (High St.), Ger Brophy (Old Callan Rd.), Eamonn Flahive, John Bissett and Paddy Murphy were others who came on board in this manner in course. They were briefed on site each morning on what work was ahead, then guided and supervised throughout. All remarkable young men who can be proud of their contribution. I trust, in turn, they all got something of value back.
Over the second half of 1978 and up until June 1979, a number of young men, most of them club members straight out of secondary school, would avail of this Youth Employment Scheme. Michael Cleere, (Newpark), Redmond Cody, (Dublin Rd.,) Hugh Corrigan,(Newpark), Paddy Walsh (Bonnetsrath), Paddy Walsh (Castlecomer Road), Kieran Murtagh, (New Road), Pat Fitzpatrick (Greensbridge), Donal Johnson, (Shandon Park), Eugene Deegan (Johnswell Rd) and Dan Quigley, (Dunmore) were first up. When anyone moved on in his own career, he was replaced by another and Larry Murphy, (Newpark), Pat Fitzgerald, (Golf Links Rd.), Tom McGrath, (Fiacre’s Place), Finbarr Walsh (Castlecomer Rd.) John O’Shea (Fr. Murphy Sq.), Dominic Daly, (High St.), Ger Brophy (Old Callan Rd.), Eamonn Flahive, John Bissett and Paddy Murphy were others who came on board in this manner in course. They were briefed on site each morning on what work was ahead, then guided and supervised throughout. All remarkable young men who can be proud of their contribution. I trust, in turn, they all got something of value back.
Morning Class in the ball alley, August 1978. Young men on the Dept. of Education Youth Employment Scheme take instructions. (L to R.) Larry Murphy, Paddy Walsh, Eugene Deegan, Redmond Cody, Donal Johnson, Kieran Murtagh, Pat Fitzpatrick, Dan Quigley, Hugh Corrigan, Ned Moran, Eamonn Doyle.
The Scheme commenced on the 17th July, 1978 and the first £3,000 tranche of the Grant was paid over to the club a week later. The boys’ first task was to enclose the pitch area with post and rail fencing. For this they were ‘apprenticed’ to clubmen and brothers Tom and Andy Deevy and Mayoman Cyril Keegan. They also tended to Ned Moran to build the roadside wall and in the process learned how to mix cement, use a trowel, plumb lines and lay blocks. With great enthusiasm and when not fully ‘apprenticed’ on site otherwise, they built a low boundary wall of their own behind the city goal. Not quite a masterpiece, it must be said and it did evoke some ‘wise’ comment - sometimes by those who themselves never laid a block in their lives - but it stayed in place, provided security and direction, and served the club well for years to come. A monument to enterprise and enthusiasm!
Co-ordination
I already was tasked with coordinating and supervising The Youth Employment Scheme but because the Scheme was sanctioned on the basis of its direct connection to the building of the clubhouse, I was now delegated by the club to coordinate the latter also. Thus the building of the clubhouse officially started on that date also.
We were up and running.
We were up and running.
A Year Unfolding.
Given the manner in which the club had decided to build the clubhouse, involving as it would, a number of individual contractors, tradesmen, youth workers and volunteers on site, and a number of committees, advisors and building suppliers off site, co-ordination and accountability was always going to be a challenge, even more so without a foreman. Also, The Government Grant Scheme required the submitting of weekly written progress reports on each youth worker. In order for me to make a decent attempt at all of this it became necessary to document events daily and I began to keep a diary.
I saw fit to do so primarily because of the Grant requirements and for co-ordination and accountability to the club, but also very much as a record of something which immediately began to impact greatly on all of us – that of the outstanding, voluntary and often unsolicited help of so many extraordinary people from both within and without the club.
For the year long duration of the project, daily contract work by various contractors, tradesmen and youth workers, was augmented by assorted groups of club members and others who arrived regularly and willingly on site by day and by night, at weekends and on bank holidays. Men and boys who were ‘apprentice’ mortar mixers, scaffolders, block layers or plasterers one week, became ‘apprentice’ carpenters, plumbers or electricians the following week and just as easily morphed into ‘apprentice’ roofers, tilers or painters when the need arose. A commitment to the tedious, the wearisome or the mundane was just as readily forthcoming. Multi taskers without equal, all ready, all willing, all powerful.
These diary records contain an account of progress over the course of the year-long development, noting the sequence of the work and the contributions of many involved. It will be appreciated that whilst the contents are factual and accurate as far as they go, they do not, and could not, paint a full picture of everything that went on over the period, or the names of everyone connected. All the members on those relevant sub committees would have been present on site for some time almost every day over this time and would have attended many meetings besides, both on and off site. To record details of all activity and everyone’s involvement would have required a 14 hour presence on site most days as well as a keen awareness of all that was going on off site and in the other sub committees, and a far bigger diary. Furthermore, a simple entry like ‘roof tiling completed’ could never do justice to the extent of that work, the number of workers involved or to the enormity of their efforts. However, they do record a story.
The snippets of information that follow are gleaned from the records month by month over the course of that year. It isn’t practical to include all details of all activity and I apologise in advance to any involved then whose work is not acknowledged.
I saw fit to do so primarily because of the Grant requirements and for co-ordination and accountability to the club, but also very much as a record of something which immediately began to impact greatly on all of us – that of the outstanding, voluntary and often unsolicited help of so many extraordinary people from both within and without the club.
For the year long duration of the project, daily contract work by various contractors, tradesmen and youth workers, was augmented by assorted groups of club members and others who arrived regularly and willingly on site by day and by night, at weekends and on bank holidays. Men and boys who were ‘apprentice’ mortar mixers, scaffolders, block layers or plasterers one week, became ‘apprentice’ carpenters, plumbers or electricians the following week and just as easily morphed into ‘apprentice’ roofers, tilers or painters when the need arose. A commitment to the tedious, the wearisome or the mundane was just as readily forthcoming. Multi taskers without equal, all ready, all willing, all powerful.
These diary records contain an account of progress over the course of the year-long development, noting the sequence of the work and the contributions of many involved. It will be appreciated that whilst the contents are factual and accurate as far as they go, they do not, and could not, paint a full picture of everything that went on over the period, or the names of everyone connected. All the members on those relevant sub committees would have been present on site for some time almost every day over this time and would have attended many meetings besides, both on and off site. To record details of all activity and everyone’s involvement would have required a 14 hour presence on site most days as well as a keen awareness of all that was going on off site and in the other sub committees, and a far bigger diary. Furthermore, a simple entry like ‘roof tiling completed’ could never do justice to the extent of that work, the number of workers involved or to the enormity of their efforts. However, they do record a story.
The snippets of information that follow are gleaned from the records month by month over the course of that year. It isn’t practical to include all details of all activity and I apologise in advance to any involved then whose work is not acknowledged.
July 1978
Preparation of the clubhouse site and the entrance to it required that much extra filling be sourced and delivered. Tommy and Luke Roche, Seamus Dowling, Tommy Gregg and Paddy Walsh with their tractors and trailers spent all that first Saturday drawing over 100 loads of gravel from the new Industrial Estate opposite to help make an inward roadway. Gerry Cuggy with his JCB was kept busy all day levelling what came in and between them all, the road was laid and the clubhouse site area was cleared and prepared. So that no time would be wasted by going home, it was seen fit that all should go down to Langton’s for a quick dinner at a total cost of £7. No expense would be spared!
Such was the irregularity of the terrain behind the goal and the depth of area to be filled that we needed a second JCB the following week and Fr. Tom sourced one somewhere on the Industrial Estate. This became a feature of all future work – that of some club member always knowing where to find someone or something when needed, often at very short notice. By the end of the month we had a serviceable roadway laid and all foundations were dug out, poured, set and ready.
Such was the irregularity of the terrain behind the goal and the depth of area to be filled that we needed a second JCB the following week and Fr. Tom sourced one somewhere on the Industrial Estate. This became a feature of all future work – that of some club member always knowing where to find someone or something when needed, often at very short notice. By the end of the month we had a serviceable roadway laid and all foundations were dug out, poured, set and ready.
August 1978
Ned Moran had been contracted to do all the blockwork and the first 1,800 blocks arrived from Roadstone on the 1st. One of Des Hehir drivers, when delivering a further 2,500 blocks a few evenings later, got his lorry stuck in the as yet unsettled roadway at the back of the goal and the blocks had to be unloaded manually, carried some distance and stacked by club members who happened to be around at the time – Jim Rice, Eamonn Daly, Mickey Dooley, Paddy Langton and Paddy Fitzpatrick. They were ably assisted by our Under 16 hurling and football squads who were called upon in mid training to also come to the rescue. We put this down to Strength and Conditioning - long before the popular use of that term. Over time we would see some 17,000 blocks delivered, unloaded, lifted and laid, with much of the heavy work done voluntarily by club members. Within a month of the start, young club members on the Youth Scheme had got their Leaving Cert results, some of whom then left to set out on their own lifetime career paths, and were duly replaced by others.
September 1978
Walls began to rise. Girders, door and window lintels were supplied and forklifted in by Jack Mockler from the Hebron Industrial Estate. Joe Hennessy of Tullaroan hurling fame, and Castlecomer Road, was engaged to do the carpentry work, most of which initially was done at night time after his own normal day’s work and with club members in attendance to help him. He was joined at later stages by two other carpenters, his twin brother Bill, who created an identity problem for some, and by Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Kilkieran. Sean Casey, Club Secretary was our ‘go to’ man in Chadwicks on the Hebron Rd. for most materials and Sean organised and arranged delivery of everything required. And on one night the record shows that some of Sean’s timber was stolen - the timber thief who had stolen the seating planks earlier still perhaps active.
All scaffolding required erecting, dismantling and constant moving to facilitate whatever work was in progress at the time and this was carried out night after night by club members under lights of their cars parked on the pitch.
Another £6,000 of the Dept. Youth Scheme Grant arrived before the month was out and many of our young club members set off with us through the night to join a quarter of a million other young people to meet the Pope first thing in the morning at Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway. The two are not connected.
All scaffolding required erecting, dismantling and constant moving to facilitate whatever work was in progress at the time and this was carried out night after night by club members under lights of their cars parked on the pitch.
Another £6,000 of the Dept. Youth Scheme Grant arrived before the month was out and many of our young club members set off with us through the night to join a quarter of a million other young people to meet the Pope first thing in the morning at Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway. The two are not connected.
October 1978
Florrie & Lou McCarthy of James Stephen’s GAA Club were contracted to do all plastering work at a cost of £4,000. Tyrone native Eugene Orr of Shandon Park, who was head electrician at Smithwick’s Brewery, generously offered his services to design and oversee all electrical work. Electricians and club members, brothers Dermot and Tommy Tyrrell and Con Moore began the work and were joined later by other volunteer electricians Eoin Moran, Dessie Byrne, Ed Hoban and John Burke. Richie Delaney and Paul Moran were a constant presence with them.
Roof tiles from Birdhill, Nenagh @ £208 plus 10% VAT per 1,000 were ordered as were windows and doors from Hearn’s Joinery of Callan at a cost of £1,900.
The signs of winter fast approaching made us all realise that there was still a massive roof to go on and whilst Joe and Bill Hennessy needed the help of extra carpenters, it began to dawn on us also that we needed the help of someone with good overall building experience to guide us through. We sought out local builder Ned Wallace of O’Loughlin Road and he started with us on the 19th October. It proved to be the best move yet. No one man could have replaced him. Apart from his own considerable workload, he became the ‘father figure’ on site, guiding, directing and advising, all with good humour and understanding and all without fuss or bother. He was invaluable.
Roof timbers now arrived from Chadwicks which were promptly cut and prepared by Ned in a hastily assembled workshop at the back entrance to St. John’s Presbytery. For this purpose, Des Hehir offered a ‘scut truck’ which was then driven by Fr. Tom to ferry those timbers to and from the building site. Luke Roche and Declan Byrne, both seconded from the site crew at the time, became his ‘able assistants’. And so, with help from a host of club members, many continuing to work at night and still under car lights, Joe, Bill, Ned and our Youth Scheme boys soon had all roof timbers in place. Everyone worked throughout Bank Holiday Monday in October. One afternoon we had no one to drive Tommy Roche’s tractor and local curate Fr. Pierce Malone, donned more appropriate clothing and took over. God works in strange ways.
Tony O’Dalaigh, Department of Education Inspector, checked in on our Youth Employment Scheme. All progress reports and requirements of the Scheme were fine with him and we put down a marker for more money, if such became available. It did and we got an extra £2,000 in course.
The country was now experiencing a cement strike and with normal supplies halted and stocks rationed, we were forced to seek out bags of cement where ever possible. Sourcing and acquiring such a precious commodity at this time wasn’t easy and put pressure on us all, but once the dilemma became known generally, people began to arrive out of the blue with a bag or two of the precious product. In fact, during the entire project, we were also to experience a Banks’ strike, ESB blackouts, petrol rationing, phone disputes, timber shortages and a hauliers’ strike – all creating difficulties and disruptions. It was not an easy time.
And just in case anyone felt that the games were being neglected with all of this going on, we won the County Minor Hurling Final against Mooncoin and beat Lisdowney to win the County Intermediate Hurling Final. We entered Senior Hurling ranks for the first time. Reports of these games are all included in ‘The Continent Abu’.
Roof tiles from Birdhill, Nenagh @ £208 plus 10% VAT per 1,000 were ordered as were windows and doors from Hearn’s Joinery of Callan at a cost of £1,900.
The signs of winter fast approaching made us all realise that there was still a massive roof to go on and whilst Joe and Bill Hennessy needed the help of extra carpenters, it began to dawn on us also that we needed the help of someone with good overall building experience to guide us through. We sought out local builder Ned Wallace of O’Loughlin Road and he started with us on the 19th October. It proved to be the best move yet. No one man could have replaced him. Apart from his own considerable workload, he became the ‘father figure’ on site, guiding, directing and advising, all with good humour and understanding and all without fuss or bother. He was invaluable.
Roof timbers now arrived from Chadwicks which were promptly cut and prepared by Ned in a hastily assembled workshop at the back entrance to St. John’s Presbytery. For this purpose, Des Hehir offered a ‘scut truck’ which was then driven by Fr. Tom to ferry those timbers to and from the building site. Luke Roche and Declan Byrne, both seconded from the site crew at the time, became his ‘able assistants’. And so, with help from a host of club members, many continuing to work at night and still under car lights, Joe, Bill, Ned and our Youth Scheme boys soon had all roof timbers in place. Everyone worked throughout Bank Holiday Monday in October. One afternoon we had no one to drive Tommy Roche’s tractor and local curate Fr. Pierce Malone, donned more appropriate clothing and took over. God works in strange ways.
Tony O’Dalaigh, Department of Education Inspector, checked in on our Youth Employment Scheme. All progress reports and requirements of the Scheme were fine with him and we put down a marker for more money, if such became available. It did and we got an extra £2,000 in course.
The country was now experiencing a cement strike and with normal supplies halted and stocks rationed, we were forced to seek out bags of cement where ever possible. Sourcing and acquiring such a precious commodity at this time wasn’t easy and put pressure on us all, but once the dilemma became known generally, people began to arrive out of the blue with a bag or two of the precious product. In fact, during the entire project, we were also to experience a Banks’ strike, ESB blackouts, petrol rationing, phone disputes, timber shortages and a hauliers’ strike – all creating difficulties and disruptions. It was not an easy time.
And just in case anyone felt that the games were being neglected with all of this going on, we won the County Minor Hurling Final against Mooncoin and beat Lisdowney to win the County Intermediate Hurling Final. We entered Senior Hurling ranks for the first time. Reports of these games are all included in ‘The Continent Abu’.
November 1978
Paddy Fogarty and John Skehan of the ESB, called and advised us and their work crews soon arrived. Jackie Byrne, Ollie Bergin and Seanie Tyrrell were our volunteer plumbers and they worked tirelessly throughout. And Jackie’s brother Jim gave invaluable help later. Windows arrived from Hearns but needed to be treated. Under age players who were on site that day - Leo and Declan Byrne, Paul Cleere, David Goulding and Pat Fitzpatrick -were assigned the task and painting contractor Paddy Guidera supplied whatever teak oil and brushes they required.
The Club’s November Draw netted a profit of £3,376, and Eddie Keher, Newpark Lawn and AIB, who at the time was a valued member of our Finance Committee, had his Book Launch (‘Eddie Keher’s Hurling Life’) at Kilkenny Castle.
It took a massive effort from all to get the whole roof area lathed and felted. Some, who were never on a roof in their lives, once guided by Ned and Joe, turned into promising ‘roofers’. Some 2,600 roof tiles arrived from Birdhill and 1,600 more the following day, all unloaded, carried and stacked manually. Arriving for work on Sat. 25th were electricians Dermot Tyrrell, Eoin and Paul Moran, plumbers Seanie Tyrrell and Jackie Byrne and helpers Kevin Robinson, David Goulding, Paul Cleere, Pat and Ger Fitzpatrick, David Galvin, and Eamonn Leahy. Luke Roche, Jim Rice and Tommy Gregg came with their tractors and trailers.
Dozens of empty water barrels on which to erect platforms for men to plaster the lounge ceiling were delivered by Michael Kavanagh and uplifted into place on the first floor by a chain of helping hands. The entire area was suitably ‘platformed’ before nightfall and ready for the plasterers first thing on Monday morning.
An ESB crew also came on Mon. 27th, finished their connections, switched us on and then joined their colleagues on strike. We had only intermittent light for a time afterwards, but thankfully no more need of car lights.
Weather was again beginning to be a problem and plasterers were hampered by severe frost. The huge task of scudding the Ball Alley and dressing rooms’ walls began and scaffolding had to be changed nightly for work the following day. Eugene Orr secured an aluminium mobile scaffolding rig from Smithwick’s, ideal for work on the inner high walls and ceiling in the ball alley. And on one occasion, Paraic Leydon and Eddie Leahy helped paint the ceiling from this wheel rig, pushed around for them by Fr. Pierce Malone and Fr. Tom’s brother Billy, both of whom had arrived that night just to see what was happening. All help was appreciated. Nobody was turned away.
Glass for all the windows was supplied and fitted by Bill Larkin and Paddy Nolan of Kilkenny Glass and Ned Wallace began fitting doorways.
The Club’s November Draw netted a profit of £3,376, and Eddie Keher, Newpark Lawn and AIB, who at the time was a valued member of our Finance Committee, had his Book Launch (‘Eddie Keher’s Hurling Life’) at Kilkenny Castle.
It took a massive effort from all to get the whole roof area lathed and felted. Some, who were never on a roof in their lives, once guided by Ned and Joe, turned into promising ‘roofers’. Some 2,600 roof tiles arrived from Birdhill and 1,600 more the following day, all unloaded, carried and stacked manually. Arriving for work on Sat. 25th were electricians Dermot Tyrrell, Eoin and Paul Moran, plumbers Seanie Tyrrell and Jackie Byrne and helpers Kevin Robinson, David Goulding, Paul Cleere, Pat and Ger Fitzpatrick, David Galvin, and Eamonn Leahy. Luke Roche, Jim Rice and Tommy Gregg came with their tractors and trailers.
Dozens of empty water barrels on which to erect platforms for men to plaster the lounge ceiling were delivered by Michael Kavanagh and uplifted into place on the first floor by a chain of helping hands. The entire area was suitably ‘platformed’ before nightfall and ready for the plasterers first thing on Monday morning.
An ESB crew also came on Mon. 27th, finished their connections, switched us on and then joined their colleagues on strike. We had only intermittent light for a time afterwards, but thankfully no more need of car lights.
Weather was again beginning to be a problem and plasterers were hampered by severe frost. The huge task of scudding the Ball Alley and dressing rooms’ walls began and scaffolding had to be changed nightly for work the following day. Eugene Orr secured an aluminium mobile scaffolding rig from Smithwick’s, ideal for work on the inner high walls and ceiling in the ball alley. And on one occasion, Paraic Leydon and Eddie Leahy helped paint the ceiling from this wheel rig, pushed around for them by Fr. Pierce Malone and Fr. Tom’s brother Billy, both of whom had arrived that night just to see what was happening. All help was appreciated. Nobody was turned away.
Glass for all the windows was supplied and fitted by Bill Larkin and Paddy Nolan of Kilkenny Glass and Ned Wallace began fitting doorways.
December 1978
On Saturday, 2nd, Fr. Tom, Kevin Robinson, Seanie Tyrrell, Eamonn Leahy, Benny Cleere and Anthony O’Driscoll began work at 8am to erect scaffolding all along the back of the building which was needed to tile the roof. Ned Wallace and Joe Hennessy worked all day with a further army of assistants as did Jackie Byrne and Ollie Bergin at plumbing.
All heads of sub-committees met on site on Sunday to review and advance progress with Fr. Tom, Paraic Leydon, Seamus Dowling, Eddie Leahy and Andy O’Driscoll attending. The 1000 Club Draw on the following Night netted the Club a further £1,231 profit.
After the normal day’s work on Tuesday 5th, another group arrived at night to do whatever was required, to tidy up and make ready for the following day – Benny Walsh, John Skehan, Larry Walsh, Fr. Tom, Paraic Leydon, Richie Delaney, Peter Dowling, Eddie Leahy, Jim Rice, Anthony O’Driscoll, Sean Casey, Pat & Ger Fitzpatrick, Mickey Dooley, Luke Roche, Michael Lannigan, Ollie Bergin and Pat Ward. And there was work for all. Pat Ward became our ‘scaffolding engineer’ and he arranged and directed many of its movements. Michael ‘Blondie’ Lannigan was a constant presence on site by day and by night to turn his hand to any task required, inside or out. Tiling the roof was a massive undertaking and this started on Wed. 14th with Ned Wallace guiding us all. Helping were Tommy Gregg, Luke Roche, Seamus Dowling, Mick Nolan, Fr. Tom, Michael Lannigan, Willie O’Brien, Tommy Moylan and Paraic Leydon. On the following Saturday, in bitter wind and cold, an additional band of helpers completed the job. Thousands of tiles were manually taken across from the stockpile, lifted up four tiers of scaffolding and ferried all around the roof via one long chain of helpers. A photo taken on the day by Fr. Tom tells its own story. To everyone’s great relief, the building was finally enclosed just before the snows arrived at Christmas.
PICTURES TELL THEIR OWN STORIES
EXPRESS DELIVERY. Roof timbers being unloaded from the roof rack of Ned Wallace’s Austin A.40 by Dan Quigley, Benny Cleere, Michael Lanigan & Paul Cleere . Ned kneeling, unties the ropes and Joe Hennessy & Ned Moran wait patiently on high.
WHAT NEXT? Creating a first floor lounge. Joe Hennessy (Carpenter) and Ned Moran (Block layer
A HIGHER CLASS. Ned Wallace instructs some of his Youth Scheme ‘roofers’.
DECEMBER, 1978. Completing the tiling of the roof in bitterly cold and bleak weather. On the roof (l to r) Eamonn Doyle, Ned Wallace, Eddie Leahy, Sean Casey and Luke Roche. On the scaffolding lifts from the top, Anthony O’Driscoll, Paul Cleere, Ger O’Connor and Tommy Gregg and on the ground, Benny Cleere. Others in the chain that day, but out of picture, were Ger Fitzpatrick, Seamus Dowling and Paraic Leydon.
After the Christmas break all were back on site on the 27th and between then and the New Year work was carried out in seriously cold weather. Ned Wallace, Joe Hennessy, Paraic Leydon, Eddie Leahy, Anthony O’Driscoll, Luke Roche, Peter Dowling, Mick Nolan, Marty Brennan, Dick Guilfoyle, Fr. Tom, Sean Casey, Andy O’Driscoll, Lou Walsh, Willie O’Brien, Kevin Robinson, Dermot Tyrrell, Pat Ward, Donal Johnson, Eamonn Leahy, Michael Cleere, Benny Cleere and Eoin Moran were all there for longer or shorter periods. Everyone had a use, everyone had a task and everyone was of benefit.
And as if to celebrate the winding up of an amazing few months and achievement, Andy and Biddy O’Driscoll brought down piping hot soup for everyone. Maura Leahy sent over tea and cakes with her daughter Teresa, Mickey Dooley arrived with a crate of beer and a bottle of brandy appeared out of somewhere. In an atmosphere of quiet satisfaction, seated amidst the dust and rubble and supping from paper cups, we had an impromptu ‘on-site’ party, good humoured banter and wished each other a very Happy New Year.
And as if to celebrate the winding up of an amazing few months and achievement, Andy and Biddy O’Driscoll brought down piping hot soup for everyone. Maura Leahy sent over tea and cakes with her daughter Teresa, Mickey Dooley arrived with a crate of beer and a bottle of brandy appeared out of somewhere. In an atmosphere of quiet satisfaction, seated amidst the dust and rubble and supping from paper cups, we had an impromptu ‘on-site’ party, good humoured banter and wished each other a very Happy New Year.
January 1979
During the first week in January, we were comforted by the fact that the building was now largely enclosed and work could proceed at pace indoors in relative comfort. And right on cue it started to snow again. Frost and frozen water hampered plastering progress but nevertheless work continued when possible on floors, walls and ceilings, whilst carpenters, electricians and plumbers remained busy. Fitting timber bridging for both lounge and ball alley floors were Paraic Leydon, Richie Delaney, Eddie Leahy and Mickey Dooley.
On site also at this time, to attend to whatever was required were Jim Rice, Luke Roche, Liam Burke, Sean Casey, Paddy, Pat & Ger Fitzpatrick, Marty Brennan, Seamus, Martin & Peter Dowling, Mick and Joe Nolan, Tommy Roche, Fr. Tom, Tommy Gregg, Seamus McEvoy, John Skehan, Benny & Paul Cleere, Anthony Bergin, Kevin Robinson, Michael Lannigan, Matty Byrne, Marty Hanlon, Paddy Bergin and Timmy Grogan. Andy continued his soup runs periodically.
We travelled to schools in Castlecomer, Rathnure in Wexford and Camross in Laois to ‘buy’ and collect discarded school desks which were then cut, prepared and fitted by Ned Wallace to construct the entrance stairway. To source floor and wall tiles we travelled to Limerick.
Once Holden’s of Callan had erected fascia boards, chutes and gutters, all scaffolding was taken down, stacked and later removed. That work alone required an enormous physical effort by everyone. And now began the massive task of painting. Club member Paddy Quinn of John St. very generously sponsored all the paint required and under the guidance of painters Paddy Guidera (Snr.), Paddy Guidera (Jnr.) and Michael Drennan, who themselves worked tirelessly throughout, club members again went to work at this in earnest.
Additional grant monies were sought from the Department and we got an extra £2,000 for the Youth Scheme. At this stage we had spent £29,000.
And this month too, O’Loughlin Gaels won two more Co. Championships - the Minor Football Co. Final against St. David’s of Glenmore/Tullogher and the Under 16 Football Final v St. Lachtain’s, Freshford. The Club had already won the U16 Football League title and these were now our 4th and 5th County titles for 1978. The games were far from being neglected and again these are all recorded in Conor Denieffe’s ‘The Continent Abu’.
On site also at this time, to attend to whatever was required were Jim Rice, Luke Roche, Liam Burke, Sean Casey, Paddy, Pat & Ger Fitzpatrick, Marty Brennan, Seamus, Martin & Peter Dowling, Mick and Joe Nolan, Tommy Roche, Fr. Tom, Tommy Gregg, Seamus McEvoy, John Skehan, Benny & Paul Cleere, Anthony Bergin, Kevin Robinson, Michael Lannigan, Matty Byrne, Marty Hanlon, Paddy Bergin and Timmy Grogan. Andy continued his soup runs periodically.
We travelled to schools in Castlecomer, Rathnure in Wexford and Camross in Laois to ‘buy’ and collect discarded school desks which were then cut, prepared and fitted by Ned Wallace to construct the entrance stairway. To source floor and wall tiles we travelled to Limerick.
Once Holden’s of Callan had erected fascia boards, chutes and gutters, all scaffolding was taken down, stacked and later removed. That work alone required an enormous physical effort by everyone. And now began the massive task of painting. Club member Paddy Quinn of John St. very generously sponsored all the paint required and under the guidance of painters Paddy Guidera (Snr.), Paddy Guidera (Jnr.) and Michael Drennan, who themselves worked tirelessly throughout, club members again went to work at this in earnest.
Additional grant monies were sought from the Department and we got an extra £2,000 for the Youth Scheme. At this stage we had spent £29,000.
And this month too, O’Loughlin Gaels won two more Co. Championships - the Minor Football Co. Final against St. David’s of Glenmore/Tullogher and the Under 16 Football Final v St. Lachtain’s, Freshford. The Club had already won the U16 Football League title and these were now our 4th and 5th County titles for 1978. The games were far from being neglected and again these are all recorded in Conor Denieffe’s ‘The Continent Abu’.
February 1979
By now there was serious local and national interest in what was happening and several visitors calling. Many locals together with Club and County GAA officers from various parts of the country began to arrive to view, inspect and enquire. Fire Chief and clubman Hugh Corrigan of Newpark Drive gave us fire safety advice. Doors were delivered from Hearns in Callan. Electrical, carpentry, plumbing and plastering work continued at pace. More club members Pat Cantwell, Joe Mulcahy, Tommy Moylan, Tommy O’Brien and Patsy Fitzgerald rowed in now wherever needed. Electricians Ed Hoban and John Burke added their help at electrical work arranged and supervised by Eugene Orr who attended night after night.
March 1979
Sammy Kirwan joined the plasterers’ brigade and Dick O’Connell secured extra cement mixers for us. Trenches for water and sewerage pipes were dug out by Gerry Cuggy and Maurice Nolan, Marty Brennan and Tommy Gregg came in to assist with tractors and trailers. Anthony Bergin then levelled the area afterwards with his grader. Joe Hennessy and his helpers began to erect seating on the ball alley balcony and later to construct the building’s fire escape.
We were all taught by Ned Wallace the technique of laying maple floors and both ball alley and lounge areas were tediously completed.
All work was coming together nicely. And one could sense an air of anticipation about as the Club’s AGM was held in John’s Hall.
We were all taught by Ned Wallace the technique of laying maple floors and both ball alley and lounge areas were tediously completed.
All work was coming together nicely. And one could sense an air of anticipation about as the Club’s AGM was held in John’s Hall.
April 1979
April saw the weather improve sufficiently to now begin the process of sodding the various parts of the pitch which had been opened during the earlier drainage work and our Minors and Under 16s, fresh from their ‘on-field’ exploits, helped out. Top soil was sourced from Joe O’Shea of Castle Engineering in Maudlin St. and delivered by Mick Nolan. Sods were procured from the ‘angle’ at Nowlan Park and the groundsman there, Jimmy Bergin of Brownstown, gave great assistance. More tractors, trailers and helpers were needed and more arrived.
Electricians Dessie Byrne, Ed Hoban, John Burke and Owen Moran– all of whom originally came on site to see what was going on and then found themselves helping to wire the place - were again at work. Jim Byrne of Newpark likewise joined his brother Jack and the other ‘resident’ plumbers.
Work continued throughout the Easter Weekend and besides those already mentioned Anthony O’Driscoll, Jimmy O’Neill, Pat Ward, Matty Byrne, Andy O’Driscoll, Benny Walsh, Patsy Fitzgerald, Cyril Keegan, Mickey Dooley, Martin Brennan, Sean Casey, Eddie Leahy, Jim Rice, Declan Byrne, Paddy Fitzpatrick and Patsy Foley all arrived to help.
We had meetings in Croke Park with Sean O’Siochain, Ciaran O’Neill, Joe Lynch (Handball CEO) and Pat Quigley (PRO) about further grant applications and these were ultimately successful.
Electricians Dessie Byrne, Ed Hoban, John Burke and Owen Moran– all of whom originally came on site to see what was going on and then found themselves helping to wire the place - were again at work. Jim Byrne of Newpark likewise joined his brother Jack and the other ‘resident’ plumbers.
Work continued throughout the Easter Weekend and besides those already mentioned Anthony O’Driscoll, Jimmy O’Neill, Pat Ward, Matty Byrne, Andy O’Driscoll, Benny Walsh, Patsy Fitzgerald, Cyril Keegan, Mickey Dooley, Martin Brennan, Sean Casey, Eddie Leahy, Jim Rice, Declan Byrne, Paddy Fitzpatrick and Patsy Foley all arrived to help.
We had meetings in Croke Park with Sean O’Siochain, Ciaran O’Neill, Joe Lynch (Handball CEO) and Pat Quigley (PRO) about further grant applications and these were ultimately successful.
May 1979
The design of the clubhouse bar, counter area and kitchen were our own choices and all detailed carpentry work was carried out by Joe and Bill Hennessy. Screeds went in for a number of cement floors and timber floors were now sanded. Radiators were fitted and front paths were laid by club members who made themselves available as soon as the Readymix arrived. Wall and floor tiles came from Limerick and immediately the tiling of all areas commenced by an array of newly ‘apprenticed’ tilers, coached by Ned. Electrical and plumbing work continued as usual and everyone worked on the May Bank Holiday. The floor of the lounge was varnished by a team of helpers, and teachers Tommy O’Brien and Diarmuid Shortall spent a day varnishing the floor of the ball alley. Des Hehir organised final loads of dolomite for the car park area and Tommy Roche came in to spread it.
Donald McDonald of Dunbell supplied and constructed a beautiful marble fireplace in the lounge, not finishing his work until midnight.
And to show their support for all that was happening, the new Adm. in St. John’s, Laoisman Fr. Lar Dunphy, and his Parish Finance Committee organised a £3,000 loan from parish funds which was of great help at the time and very much appreciated. This was later repaid with interest.
Donald McDonald of Dunbell supplied and constructed a beautiful marble fireplace in the lounge, not finishing his work until midnight.
And to show their support for all that was happening, the new Adm. in St. John’s, Laoisman Fr. Lar Dunphy, and his Parish Finance Committee organised a £3,000 loan from parish funds which was of great help at the time and very much appreciated. This was later repaid with interest.
June 1979
A Club Licence was sought and granted in Kilkenny Circuit Court – Judge Fawsitt at pains to compliment and offer congratulations to all involved and his good wishes to the club for the future.
The lounge/bar area was now just completed. Various drinks companies made their deliveries and our ‘bar staff’ under Pavilion Chairman Paraic Leydon stacked shelves, fitted pipes and kegs, unpacked and washed glasses and did all the usual preparatory work for the Opening. Down went an impressive £1,000 floor carpet and Jim Bourke of Lacken Drive and High St. erected rails and curtains.
Bar furniture, tables, seats and stools arrived from Darby’s in Navan on Friday evening the 22nd and it looked for a long time that the larger ‘made-up’ seating units would not fit through the doors into the lounge. The only feasible entry point was via the fire escape door and this presented a huge challenge. Following lots of head scratching, nothing was working. Then one last try, another lift, another twist, another angle and suddenly success. We now had several expert furniture removers! All of this happened shortly before 6pm on that evening and we were due to open unofficially to club and family members at 8pm. Timing was everything. Paraic Leydon - whose singular contribution in his role as Pavilion Chairman then, and over those initial teething years, can never be adequately acknowledged - had everyone and everything in immaculate shape.
John Skehan, Richie Delaney, Ollie and Anthony Bergin were our first volunteer barmen for the evening and Fr. Tom and Ned Moran had the pleasure of being served the first drinks, followed by Ned Wallace and Joe Hennessy.
A full house, an impressive scene, a vibrant gathering, a relieved workforce, an evening to remember and a home at last.
The newly formed Ladies Committee prepared and presented a sumptuous spread for all.
The lounge/bar area was now just completed. Various drinks companies made their deliveries and our ‘bar staff’ under Pavilion Chairman Paraic Leydon stacked shelves, fitted pipes and kegs, unpacked and washed glasses and did all the usual preparatory work for the Opening. Down went an impressive £1,000 floor carpet and Jim Bourke of Lacken Drive and High St. erected rails and curtains.
Bar furniture, tables, seats and stools arrived from Darby’s in Navan on Friday evening the 22nd and it looked for a long time that the larger ‘made-up’ seating units would not fit through the doors into the lounge. The only feasible entry point was via the fire escape door and this presented a huge challenge. Following lots of head scratching, nothing was working. Then one last try, another lift, another twist, another angle and suddenly success. We now had several expert furniture removers! All of this happened shortly before 6pm on that evening and we were due to open unofficially to club and family members at 8pm. Timing was everything. Paraic Leydon - whose singular contribution in his role as Pavilion Chairman then, and over those initial teething years, can never be adequately acknowledged - had everyone and everything in immaculate shape.
John Skehan, Richie Delaney, Ollie and Anthony Bergin were our first volunteer barmen for the evening and Fr. Tom and Ned Moran had the pleasure of being served the first drinks, followed by Ned Wallace and Joe Hennessy.
A full house, an impressive scene, a vibrant gathering, a relieved workforce, an evening to remember and a home at last.
The newly formed Ladies Committee prepared and presented a sumptuous spread for all.
LADIES COMMITTEE. (Back) Biddy O’Driscoll, Eileen Cleere, Ann Galvin, Bridget Byrne, Mary Fitzpatrick, Kay Keher, Kay Skehan, Mae Doyle. (Front) Geraldine Roche, Marie Roche, Esther Maher, Teresa Byrne, Maura Leahy.
The Diaries Close, a Cycle Ends and Another Era Begins
CLUB OPENING - FRIDAY, 22nd June, 1979
GOOD LUCK TO ALL. First Drinks are served to Fr. Tom Murphy and Ned Moran by barmen Richie Delaney, Anthony Bergin, Ollie Bergin and John Skehan. Right drinks, wrong people
WORK WELL DONE. Two gentlemen and outstanding tradesmen - Joe Hennessy and Ned Wallace
THE RUSH IS OVER. Sean Casey (Secretary), Eamonn Doyle (Treasurer)
LOYAL SUPPORT. Paddy Quinn, Billy Sullivan, Dorothy Quinn, Fr. Tom Murphy, (Youth Chairman) and Paraic Leydon (Pavilion Chairman)
Official Opening
The Clubhouse was officially opened on Sunday, 26th August 1979 by GAA President Paraic Mac Floinn (Down) and blessed by Fr. Lar Dunphy, Adm. St. John’s. To mark the Opening, five O’Loughlin Gaels club teams representing all age groups and codes took part in challenge games throughout the day with opposing clubs - Dicksboro, Rower/Inistioge, Thomastown, John Locke’s and Mooncoin. All Ireland champions Pat Kirby (Clare) and Peader McGee (Mayo) played an exhibition handball game.
Later in the evening everyone involved in the construction of the clubhouse was invited by the Club to a ‘Congratulations and Thank You’ Dinner in Newpark Hotel. Some 300 attended. So impressed was he that evening, by what had been achieved, and to show his appreciation of what a community and club could do, Bobby Kerr, Managing Director of the Hotel, generously waived the entire bill, a magnificent and much appreciated gesture for which he was accorded a prolonged standing ovation.
TRADESMEN AND CLUBMEN AFTER THE OFFICIAL OPENING….Joe Hennessy, Eamonn Doyle, Ned Moran, Ollie Bergin, Ned Wallace, Ger Cuggy, Con Shea, Jackie Byrne, Andy O’Driscoll, Eoin Moran, Paddy Guidera, Tommy Tyrrell
Costs
The total cost of the work came to roughly £60,000. This included some £3,500 spent on development of the grounds, £35,000 on building materials and £20,000 on labour costs. The diaries help break this down further. No club member received any payment throughout, nor did any claim or accept any ‘out of pocket’ expense. It was estimated afterwards by our architect Colm O’Cochlainn that had the project been put out to tender it would have cost an estimated £100,000 more.
As shown earlier the Club received £12,000 from The Dept. of Education for the Youth Scheme and £3,500 from Kilkenny Co. Council. Grants arrived in course for drainage, dressing rooms, showers, press box and ball alley as follows -£2,400 from the Central Council of GAA, £800 from the Leinster Council and £500 from the Irish Handball Council. Winning the AIB sponsored All Ireland GAA Club of the Year later, much of which was an acknowledgment of these achievements, added a further £2,500.
As shown earlier the Club received £12,000 from The Dept. of Education for the Youth Scheme and £3,500 from Kilkenny Co. Council. Grants arrived in course for drainage, dressing rooms, showers, press box and ball alley as follows -£2,400 from the Central Council of GAA, £800 from the Leinster Council and £500 from the Irish Handball Council. Winning the AIB sponsored All Ireland GAA Club of the Year later, much of which was an acknowledgment of these achievements, added a further £2,500.
Membership and Committees
Membership, which now included handball, social and of course, ladies, had by this stage increased fivefold and a new Club Constitution drawn up and adopted during the year required that there be a number of committees in place each year from here on.
CLUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1979. (Back) Andy O’Driscoll, Tommy Roche, Seamus Dowling, Tommy O’Brien, Marty Brennan, Luke Roche, Paraic Leydon. (Front) Eamonn Doyle, Fr. Tom Murphy, Jim Rice, Tommy Gregg, Sean Casey.
CLUB COMMITTEES 1979
Club Executive Committee - Jim Rice (Chairman), Tommy Gregg, (Vice Chairman), Sean Casey, (Secretary), Eamonn Doyle, (Finance), Martin Brennan, (PRO), Paraic Leydon, (Pavilion), Luke Roche, (Games), Fr. Tom Murphy, (Youth), Andy O’Driscoll, (Grounds), Tommy Roche, (Social/Cultural), Tommy O’Brien, (Handball), Seamus Dowling (Field ).
Hurling/Football – Jim Rice, Luke Roche, Marty Brennan, Eddie Leahy, Sean Casey, Noel Walsh, Dermot Tyrrell, Eamonn Daly, Peter Flannery, Tom Cunniffe, Paraic Leydon.
Grounds & Field – Andy O’Driscoll, Seamus Dowling, Joe Maher, Patsy Fitzgerald, Matty Byrne, Pat Ward, Michael Lannigan.
Handball – Tommy O’Brien, Ger Fitzpatrick, Gerry Shortall, Alice Holden.
Finance – Eamonn Doyle, Donal Johnson, Marty Hanlon, Eddie Keher, Neddy Brennan.
Pavilion –Paraic Leydon, Sean Casey, John Skehan, Paddy Fitzpatrick, Richie Delaney, Ollie Bergin, Anthony Bergin, Michael Dooley, Pat Langton.
Social: Tommy Roche, Fr. Lar Dunphy, Br. Norbert, Benny Walsh, Mick Cantwell.
Youth – Fr. Tom Murphy, Eamonn Doyle, Anthony O’Driscoll, Peter Dowling, Liam Burke, Nicholas O’Connor, Mick Nolan, John Skehan, Timmy Grogan, Mick Cleere.
Ladies: Mary Fitzpatrick, Maura Leahy, Kay Skehan, Betty Leydon, Marie Roche, Geraldine Roche, Kay Keher, Mae Doyle, Esther Maher, Bridget Byrne, Biddy O’Driscoll, Eileen Cleere, Ann Galvin, Teresa Byrne, Mary Cantwell.
Hurling/Football – Jim Rice, Luke Roche, Marty Brennan, Eddie Leahy, Sean Casey, Noel Walsh, Dermot Tyrrell, Eamonn Daly, Peter Flannery, Tom Cunniffe, Paraic Leydon.
Grounds & Field – Andy O’Driscoll, Seamus Dowling, Joe Maher, Patsy Fitzgerald, Matty Byrne, Pat Ward, Michael Lannigan.
Handball – Tommy O’Brien, Ger Fitzpatrick, Gerry Shortall, Alice Holden.
Finance – Eamonn Doyle, Donal Johnson, Marty Hanlon, Eddie Keher, Neddy Brennan.
Pavilion –Paraic Leydon, Sean Casey, John Skehan, Paddy Fitzpatrick, Richie Delaney, Ollie Bergin, Anthony Bergin, Michael Dooley, Pat Langton.
Social: Tommy Roche, Fr. Lar Dunphy, Br. Norbert, Benny Walsh, Mick Cantwell.
Youth – Fr. Tom Murphy, Eamonn Doyle, Anthony O’Driscoll, Peter Dowling, Liam Burke, Nicholas O’Connor, Mick Nolan, John Skehan, Timmy Grogan, Mick Cleere.
Ladies: Mary Fitzpatrick, Maura Leahy, Kay Skehan, Betty Leydon, Marie Roche, Geraldine Roche, Kay Keher, Mae Doyle, Esther Maher, Bridget Byrne, Biddy O’Driscoll, Eileen Cleere, Ann Galvin, Teresa Byrne, Mary Cantwell.
County Intermediate Hurling Champions 1978
Back (l. to r.) Eamon Goulding, Dermot Tyrrell, Sean Casey, Richie Delaney, Luke Roche, Michael Lannigan, John Mulcahy, Pat Ward, Michael Dooley, Jim Rice. Front (l.to r.) Eddie Leahy, John Skehan, Anthony O’Driscoll, Anthony Bergin, Kevin Robinson, Peter Dowling, Seamus Dowling, Benny Walsh. Also Ollie Bergin, John Martin, Eugene Deegan, Jim Gibbons, Joe Mulcahy.
County Minor Hurling and Football Champions 1978
Back. (l.to r.) Brian Tyrrell, Pat Fitzpatrick, Simon Brennan, Leo Byrne, Ray Brophy, Mick McGrath, Cyril Doheny, Redmond Cody, Paul Moran, Tommy Moylan, Joe Nolan, Benny Cleere, Declan Byrne. Front: (l.to r.) Seanie Tyrrell, Hugh Corrigan, Eamon Leahy, Brian Donovan, Michael Cleere, Ger Fitzpatrick, Donal Johnson, Paul Cleere, David Galvin.
County Under 16 Football Championship & League Winners 1978
Back (l.to r.) David Goulding, Benny Cleere, David Galvin, Kieran Maher, Michael Geoghegan, Dinny Tyrrell, Gabriel Kelleher, Brian Fitzpatrick, James Denieffe,Nicky McGrath, Ger Fitzpatrick. Front (l.to r.) Dan O’Driscoll, Peter Hennebery, Paul Cleere, John Fitzgerald, Ollie Murphy, Liam Tyrrell, Patrick Leydon, Eamonn Leahy, Liam Leydon. Foreground Towdy Lawless, Joe Kennedy.
CONCLUSION
I look back now with the clear vision of hindsight and hopefully, a decent memory. I believe that I speak for some who were closely involved at the outset when I say that the whole clubhouse project as planned might very easily not have started or worse still, have failed.
Had we properly recognised in advance the magnitude of the challenge ahead; had we fully appreciated some of our own shortcomings in undertaking it in the way we did, or had we realised the extent to which we would become dependent on the skills, guidance and generosity of a handful of local tradesmen and professionals, we probably would not have gone down that road in the first place. Some of us, at least, were way outside our comfort zones.
That said, ignorance of what lies ahead and having to move outside comfort zones aren’t always bad things and need, challenge and enthusiasm can make up greatly for many deficits elsewhere. The importance of a collective commitment, seriousness of purpose, and faith in the response of a community could not be underestimated and it was this overwhelming response, perhaps more than anything, which gave us the energy to continue and the desire to succeed. Sometimes luck can play its part, and it did, but sometimes too, we are required to make our own luck and if we were to await the perfect moment, I’m not sure that it would have arrived and I’m not sure that the project would ever then have begun.
Hindsight should also acknowledge that we were then working very much to the building norms, standards and rules of yesteryear and these were very different from some of those in place on sites today. There were no preparatory courses required, or available, for our young workers. There was none of today’s labour saving equipment, few on-site regulations and no inspections. No high visibility vests, hard hats or protective clothing were legally required and none provided other than a few pairs of gloves and goggles. The chances of accidents, injuries or other mishaps would presumably therefore have been greater. Thankfully, not to have had any such mishaps or tragedies can be attributed in part to good luck, in part to youthful athleticism but mostly to good guidance and good common sense all round.
All of that however, was yesterday and the world we lived in then is past. It is sobering now though to realise that in today’s regulatory world all that work would need to be arranged differently, and the entire venture as undertaken then could not now happen. And maybe that’s as it should be but it doesn’t lessen, diminish or take from what occurred then, or from the extraordinary work ethic, commitment and self-reliance of so many generous and wonderful people in both club and community at that time. Were those qualities ever to vanish we would have lost something very precious indeed
This account covers a very short period in the life of O’Loughlin Gaels and has its focus mainly on the provision of facilities at that time. There is much, much more.
Over the years and right up to the present, there have been significant further additions, alterations and upgrades to the original Clubhouse, and the grounds have been greatly extended, developed, improved and enhanced. There have been many memorable and historic games from 2000 onwards. All of this involved outstanding work by successive generations of club officers, members and players, and all make for remarkable journeys, achievements and stories in themselves.
Many of these were club defining moments and all are growing more distant with each year of passing. It would be good that they are told and recorded.
Had we properly recognised in advance the magnitude of the challenge ahead; had we fully appreciated some of our own shortcomings in undertaking it in the way we did, or had we realised the extent to which we would become dependent on the skills, guidance and generosity of a handful of local tradesmen and professionals, we probably would not have gone down that road in the first place. Some of us, at least, were way outside our comfort zones.
That said, ignorance of what lies ahead and having to move outside comfort zones aren’t always bad things and need, challenge and enthusiasm can make up greatly for many deficits elsewhere. The importance of a collective commitment, seriousness of purpose, and faith in the response of a community could not be underestimated and it was this overwhelming response, perhaps more than anything, which gave us the energy to continue and the desire to succeed. Sometimes luck can play its part, and it did, but sometimes too, we are required to make our own luck and if we were to await the perfect moment, I’m not sure that it would have arrived and I’m not sure that the project would ever then have begun.
Hindsight should also acknowledge that we were then working very much to the building norms, standards and rules of yesteryear and these were very different from some of those in place on sites today. There were no preparatory courses required, or available, for our young workers. There was none of today’s labour saving equipment, few on-site regulations and no inspections. No high visibility vests, hard hats or protective clothing were legally required and none provided other than a few pairs of gloves and goggles. The chances of accidents, injuries or other mishaps would presumably therefore have been greater. Thankfully, not to have had any such mishaps or tragedies can be attributed in part to good luck, in part to youthful athleticism but mostly to good guidance and good common sense all round.
All of that however, was yesterday and the world we lived in then is past. It is sobering now though to realise that in today’s regulatory world all that work would need to be arranged differently, and the entire venture as undertaken then could not now happen. And maybe that’s as it should be but it doesn’t lessen, diminish or take from what occurred then, or from the extraordinary work ethic, commitment and self-reliance of so many generous and wonderful people in both club and community at that time. Were those qualities ever to vanish we would have lost something very precious indeed
This account covers a very short period in the life of O’Loughlin Gaels and has its focus mainly on the provision of facilities at that time. There is much, much more.
Over the years and right up to the present, there have been significant further additions, alterations and upgrades to the original Clubhouse, and the grounds have been greatly extended, developed, improved and enhanced. There have been many memorable and historic games from 2000 onwards. All of this involved outstanding work by successive generations of club officers, members and players, and all make for remarkable journeys, achievements and stories in themselves.
Many of these were club defining moments and all are growing more distant with each year of passing. It would be good that they are told and recorded.
Eamonn Doyle, 2015
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