1959 A GLORY YEAR
By Donal Anderson
Doon won the Limerick County Minor Hurling title in 1959 beating Dromcollogher
in a replay after a lapse of thirteen years.
Doon’s first match was against Hospital/Herbertstown then in the East division,
beating them by a narrow margin. Doon beat South Liberties in the second round
3-10 to 2-8 to reach the East final against neighbours Cappamore. This game was
described by the local correspondent in the Limerick Leader.
In the first half some bright patches of hurling were witnessed, Cappamore were
first to break away and went into an early lead with scores by Johnny Hayes and
Donie Flynn, before Bobby McLoughlin got a goal for Doon. The same player was on
the score sheet just before the interval when he scored a second goal. Jimmy
Blake scored a point to leave the interval score Doon 2-1 Cappamore 1-2. On the
turnover, the game was all one way traffic as Doon held the upper hand all
through, with goals from Bobby McLoughlin and points from Jimmy Blake, Timmy
Martin and Con O’Connell. Doon were worthy winners at the finish.
Cappamore’s only score came from Donie Flynn near the end. The final score was
Doon 3-6 Cappamore 1-3. Others to play well for Doon were Jim O’Donnell, Jim
Allis, John Tierney and Donie Lonergan.
In the county semi-final Doon beat the South champions Effin by 5 -8 to 1- 2. A
feature of this game was the great display of Jimmy Blake who scored 3-5 of
Doon’s total.
The county final at Bruff on August 23rd attracted a large crowd, gate receipts
of 101 pounds 4 shillings and 10 pence, the opponents were West champions
Dromcollogher. This was a hard sporting game with little between the sides, at
the end of the hour the scores were level Doon 3-3, Dromcollogher 2-6.
Many weeks of hard training were endured under the watchful eye of trainer Joe
Keogh before the replay was fixed for the Gaelic Grounds on November 26th. The
attendance was down, no doubt due to the poor weather conditions with the gate
receipts being 75 pounds 16 shillings. The game was played on a soft pitch with
a greasy sliotar. Dromcollogher were the better team for three quarters of an
hour, but a late rally by Doon in the last quarter yielded the vital scores. The
game was carried to a successful conclusion by sheer grit and determination.
Outstanding figure in the fine Doon win was Con O’Connell who played a captain’s
part and who formed a great midfield
partnership with Robbie Walsh. They had a great duel with the Drom pairing of
Dave Geary and Joe Long. Others to play well were Jim O’Donnell and Jamsie
Butler in defence and Jimmy Blake, Timmy Martin and Kieran Bounce in attack. The
final score was Doon 5-4 Dromcollogher 4-5.
Doon’s line out in the final was:
Paddy Treacy
Jamsie Butler Tommy Kelleher
Johnny Tierney
Donie Lonergan Jim
O’Donnell Mixie O’Brien
Con O’Connell Robbie Walsh
Timmie Martin Jimmy Blake
Bobby McLoughlin
David Quirke Kieran Bourke Jim Allis
Joe Keogh from Guitavalla was trainer of this successful Doon
minor team. As a player he won a county junior medal in 1952 and in 1954 he won
a senior hurling county medal with Cappamore while working with the O’Brien
family in Farnane. Joe trained many Doon teams to success including the Under 21
county winning teams of 1966 and 1967. Joe received the East Limerick Old Gael
award in 2004. Joe was married to Mary Kerins who died on 28th of April 2002 and
they lived in her native Ballybricken for many years before returning to live in
Glashan Talann in 2004. Joe Keogh died on 25th May 2006 and is buried in the
local cemetery.
Mickie Nolan from Kilmoylan and later Bohergar, Brittas, Boher, who died on 30th
November 1998 aged 56 years and is buried in the new graveyard Doon. Mickie was
married to Lilly Ryan from Killonan, Boher. Mickie’s son Brian plays full back
for Murroe - Boher seniors and his other son Tony was a selector on the
Murroe-Boher senior team and their other son is John. Mickie has one brother
Paddy in Lisowen and two sisters, Chrissie, married to Jim O’Meara in Toomaline
and Kitty in Kilmoylan.
Con O’Connell from Cooga won an All Ireland Minor medal at corner back for the
Limerick minors in 1958 when they beat Galway in the final. Played with the
Limerick minors for three years, and he played in the 1959 Munster minor final
beaten by Tipperary in Cork. He first came to prominence winning an East medal
at minor in 1955 at fourteen years of age with Doon. He emigrated to London for
a number of years and played with Robert Emmet’s and Sean Treacy’s, winning a
London Senior hurling medal in 1965 in the company of a number of other Doon
players with the Sean Treacy Club. On returning from England he played with the
senior and junior teams and was also club chairman in 1982 and 1983. Con is a
self-employed builder and farmer. Con is married to Nora Ryan Maher from Farnane
Cappamore and they have two sons Michael and John and four daughters, Fionnuala,
Suzanne, Anne, and Therese.
Tommy Kelleher was from the Glebe now in the parish of Cappamore. His father
Denis a native of Millstreet Co. Cork was a guard in Cappamore. Soon after
leaving school he emmigrated to London where he worked as a bar manager for many
years and later owned a pub. He lived in Kingston Surrey and died while on
holiday in Jersey in 1996. He had one brother Bertie who recently retired as a
Superintendant in the Guards in Clonakilty Co. Cork. He had three sisters,
Ursula in Ennistymon, Claire in the USA and Maureen in South Africa.
Jim O’Donnell from Toher road won an All Ireland Senior medal with Limerick in
1973. Played centre back on Limerick team that won the National Hurling
League in 1971. Won Munster senior medals in 1973 and 1974; He was captain of
the Doon senior team in 1965, 1970 and 1972. He won a Kinnane cup medal with
Doon CBS in 1959. He spent a few years in New York and played with the Limerick
team there, and on returning joined the Guards. He served mainly in Dublin where
he played hurling with Faughs’ and then was transferred to Ennis, where he was
promoted to Sergeant. He spent a short time in London and while there won a
London Senior hurling championship medal with Br. Pierces’ in 1972. He is now
retired and lives in Ennis.
Jimmy Blake was son of Jack Blake the local Garda Sergeant in Oola and a native
of Co. Clare. He was a very talented hurler and footballer. He died in July 2001
and is buried in Cork city where he lived after leaving Oola. He played with the
Limerick minors beaten in the Munster final by Tipperary in Cork in 1959. That
year Jimmy and Albie Heuston of Oola were members of the Tipperary CBS team that
won the Harty Cup for the first time. He won a Limerick Junior football medal
with Oola in 1959 and a senior in 1961. He also played senior hurling with Cork
and Limerick, and was also a prominent member of UCC teams that played in Cork
county championships and Sigerson and Fitzgibbon cup matches.
James Allis from Kilmoylan joined the Garda Siochana in 1964 and was first
stationed in Bantry, where he met his future wife, Nuala Sugrue. Following short
periods in Glengariff, Adrigole and Dunmanway, he was assigned to Clonakilty in
1976 where he served until his retirement. James was brother of Pat and George
of Kilmoylan and he had two sisters, Shelia married to Jimmy Byrnes in
Ballyrobbin Cullen Co. Tipperary and Kitty married to John Sullivan in
Caherdavin. Jim had five children Deirdre, Sean, Orla, Séamus, and Peter. Jim
won a Kinnane Cup medal with Doon CBS in 1959.
Jim went to school to the local CBS where he was well known as an athlete,
particularly in sprinting which he continued in his Garda career. While
stationed in Dunmanway he was a founder member of the Doheny’s Athletic Club,
which is thriving to this day. Jim died after a short illness on 16th June 2006
and is buried in Clonakilty graveyard.
Bobby McLoughlin from Cooga and now living in Dualla is a former secretary of
the Boherlahan-Dualla club, brother of Paddy [Boher], Johnny [Cooga], Tommy [Hillview
Grove] and Mickie [Waterford] and has three sisters Kay [Waterford], Anne
[Middlesex] and Emily married to Stephen Clancy in Cooga. Bobby was a manager in
a Co-Op Creamery in Glengoole and is now a self-employed chemical distributor.
His son Garrett is a regular on the Boherlahan - Dualla Senior hurling team and
he has two other sons Mark and Adrian. He has three girls, Louise, Yvonne and
Hillary. Bobby won a Kinnane Cup medal with Doon CBS in 1959.
Timmy Ryan D from Gurtyvihane Oola where he farms is married to Theresa
O’Donnell from Ballyclough Oola. His father Tommy was a native of Carnahalla
Doon. Timmy has three sons Tommy, David and Timmy and two daughters Marie
Therese and Elizabeth. He played in goals for Oola senior football team for many
years and also had a spell as keeper with the Limerick senior football team. He
also was a member of Doon CBS teams that won Limerick Leader and Rice Cup
medals.
Paddy Treacy farms the home place in Gurtavalla and was goalkeeper on the team.
On the night of the replay Doon’s celebrations were cut short when Pakie Treacy,
Paddy’s father died suddenly on the Main Street as celebrations were about to
conclude. Paddy won Leader Cup and Rice Cup medals with the local CBS. When he
won the Leader Cup medal in 1956, his team mates included Bobby McLoughlin,
Jamesy Butler, Robbie Walsh, Mixie O’Brien, James Allis, Timmy Martin, Jim
O’Donnell, and Timmy Ryan D. Paddy is married to Nora Nugent a native of Bodyke
Co. Clare. Paddy has one son Brian who plays with the club’s junior team and is
team manager of the U21 team. Paddy has one daughter Orla. Paddy had three
brothers Mossy, Christopher and Martin who all immigrated to London and are now
dead. He had five sisters Kathleen, who lives in Newbridge, Breda in Clonlara,
Sheila, a Mercy Nun in Nenagh, Noreen lives in Mungret and the late Mary who was
married to Michael Anderson in Coolbane.
Tom O’Donoghue from the Doon Road Cappamore and father of present day Cappamore
player Tommie, Tom has four brothers Paddy, Gerry, Joe and John who played on
the Doon team that won the East minor championship in 1955, and one sister Mary
Looby. Tom is married to Kathleen Coffey from Lackamore who is a first cousin of
corner back Jamsie Butler. Tom won a
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship medal with Cappamore in 1964.
Joe Berkery was club secretary at the time and continued as secretary until
1964. He was also club chairman from 1976 to 1978. He is married to Tess
O’Connell from Cooga, sister of team captain Con O’Connell. He inherited the
harnessing business from his father Brian and later transformed it into a
thriving leather business specialising in dog collars and muzzles and also the
manufacture of sliotars. The business is now run in the Main Street by his son
Tony. Joe had one brother Frank who was tragically killed in a car accident with
Tommy Deere of Assumption Terrace on 7th January 1982. Joe has 10 children, four
boys, Tony, Main Street Doon, James [Dublin], Joey [Newport], and Brian Gerard [Toomaline],
and six daughters, Mary, Annette and Bernadette, all in New York, Rebecca and
Theresa in Limerick and Eileen in Lisowen.
Mixie O’Brien won an All Ireland Junior Hurling medal at corner back with London
when they beat Antrim in 1963. During a spell in England Mixie hurled with Sean
Treacy’s in London, with whom he won their first ever championship, a London
Intermediate medal in 1962. That year Sean Treacy’s also won the Collins Cup in
its first year of competition. Mixie has one brother Pakie, who farms the home
place in Carrigbeg and whose wife Anne is sister of Eamon Grimes, Limerick’s
senior captian in 1973 and owns Anne’s grocery shop in the Main Street which was
formerly owned by the late Annie Darcy. Mixie’s only sister Joanie is married to
Michael Ryan R from Lisowen, Doon and they are farmers in Kilmallock. Mixie owns
a shop and property in Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary where he now lives. He is
married to Anne Lenihan from Newport and they have four children, two boys James
and Michael and two girls Sarah and Mary.
Donie Lonergan from Doon South, son of Dan Lonergan who died in London in 1971
and Kitty Ryan Farmer, one of a family of ten; four boys and six girls; Seamus,
Tom and Patrick and the girls Sheila, Mary [Sr. Camillus], Kathleen, Philomena,
Mairéad and Theresa. Donie worked at Gannon’s Chemist after leaving school and
emmigrated to England in September 1963. He played at half back on the 1959
minor team and played with the juniors until he left for Birmingham winning East
Junior Championship medals in 1961 and 1962. He won a Kinnane Cup medal with
Doon CBS in 1959. He settled in Birmingham where he still lives, he also played
hurling there in the ‘60s.
Timmy Martin from Bank Place and now a well known publican in Sarsfield Street
Limerick; Timmy has three brothers, Richard who runs the family grocery shop at
Bank Place, Liam and Michael both living in Limerick city. His three sisters are
Angela married locally to PJ McNamara; Helen married in Dublin and Patricia who
practices locally and in Limerick as a solicitor. Timmy won a Kinnane Cup medal
with Doon CBS in 1959 and won East Junior medals with Doon in 1961 and 1962.
David Quirke from Main Street Oola has retired as principal of the boys Junior
Primary school in Tipperary town where he now lives. David is married to Pauline
Carroll and has three sons; Alan, David and Paul and one daughter Norma. David
had two brothers, the late Billie who was principal of Oola primary school and
Bertie married to Mairéad Coyle originally from Doon. He has two sisters Anna, a
nun and Colette. David was better known as a Limerick county footballer. He won
a Limerick Senior football medal in 1961 with Oola. He was also manager of the
Limerick Senior Football team at a later stage. In 1964 he was a member of the
Cappamore senior hurling team that won the Limerick senior championship. David
is also a well known owner and breeder of greyhounds.
Kieran Bourke from Moanoola Oola is married to Chrissie Anderson from Coolbane.
Kieran farms the home place and is also a well known owner and breeder of
greyhounds. He has one brother Seamus who lives in Monroe Oola and two sisters
Catherine who lives in London and Breda in Mallow Co. Cork. He won a Limerick
County Junior football medal with Oola in 1959 and a senior football medal in
1961. He was also a member of the Cappamore panel that won the Limerick Senior
Hurling championship in 1964.
Jamesy Butler from Carrigbeg emmigrated to England soon after this victory. He
returned from England and worked for the ESB for a number of years. This summer
he retired as FAS grounds man at the local GAA pitch. Jamesy had seven brothers;
Mick in Bahagha Cappawhite who died on 24th July 2005, Tom in Croughmorka who
died 22nd November 1992, Pat in Carrigbeg, Stephen who died in London on 11th of
January 2001, Ricky who lives in Gloucester, Brian who died on 17th January
1978, and Johnny in Carrigbeg who is the Doon Club’s President. He has five
sisters; Biddy and Kate who are Dominican nuns based in London, Mary who died in
London on 30th March 2000, Ellie in Scotstown Co. Monaghan and Betty who lives
in Elton Co. Limerick.
Johnny Tierney from Clonlusk was corner back on the team and emigrated to London
soon after. He never played hurling in London. He has one brother Mossy who
lives in Dublin where he is a publican. Their farm in Clonlusk is now owned by
their next door neighbour a distant relation Jerry Tierney who is a third cousin
of their late father Maurice. Johnny worked for many years as a crane driver in
London and also owns a number of properties. He is now retired and lives in
Wallington Surrey. He has one daughter Eileen.
Robbie Walsh from Toher whose father Dick was a native of Listowel and came to
Toher as manager of the Co-Op Creamery in 1954. Robbie’s mother was Sarah Ryan
from Kishikirk Boher and her brother Bob won an All Ireland Senior hurling medal
in 1938 with Dublin beating Waterford in the final. Robbie had one brother, the
late John of Toher Creamery and one sister Mary married to Jim Ryan from Oola
Hills and living in Kilfeacle. Robbie lives in Tullamore Co. Offaly where he was
for years a self employed TV mechanic and latterly worked with Tullamore Urban
District Council. He is now retired. He won a Kinnane Cup medal with Doon CBS in
1959.
Dan Walsh comes from a large family in Carrigbeg. Dan has four sisters and eight
brothers, Billy [London], Denis [Limerick city], John [London], Joe RIP, Timmy [Carrigbeg],
Jamsie [London], Ollie [Hillview Grove], and Tony, and sisters Joan [Monaghan],
Mary [London], Frances [London], and Peggie [Carrigbeg]. He was a member of the
army in Collins Barracks Cork for a number of years. He now owns a farm and
lives in Gortdrum Solohead Co. Tipperary.
Peter O’Brien from Kilmoylan emigrated to the US and settled in New York. He
worked as a maintenance man and is now retired and lives in Queens. He is
unmarried. He had two brothers, Mixie married to Mary Ryan Mullins from Toem and
who also lives in New York. His other brother Eddie died in London on 11th May
2007. His sister May emigrated also to New York; she recently lived for a period
in Glasha Talann but then returned to New Jersey to be near her family. Her
sister Biddy was married to the late Jackie Anderson from Coolbane and lives in
Queens New York, his other sister Anne is married to Joe O’Dwyer and lives in
St. Patrick’s Road Limerick city.
Doon’s Captain Con O’Connell receives the Limerick Minor Hurling Cup from
County Board Chairman Pat O’Reilly ofAhane after Doon beat
Dromcollogher-Broadford in a replay at the Gaelic Grounds 1959. Others
identified in photo left to right, DonalAnderson, Jimmy Blake [with cap] Billie
Stapleton, Seamus Allis, James Allis [with cap], Syl Bowles, Kieran
Bourke, Paddy Lonergan, Tommy Kelleher [with cap], Mickie Whelan, Willie
Devitt, Dan Walsh, Tom Stokes, Dick Lonergan.
Doon Minors 1959
The final match was fixed at last, our joy it knew no bounds,
And we took each bus without much fuss, bound for the Gaelic Grounds.
Our colours bright in red and white, we proudly did display,
The game we played, the name we made, will remain for many a day.
Dromcollogher bold in black and gold, came out upon the field,
They were fighting fit and full of grit, determined not to yield,
When the ref did call, to collect the ball, on that gloomy afternoon,
The roof did expand on the Hogan Stand, and the victory for Doon.
Then here’s to brave young Treacy, who saved them well that day,
With Kelleher and Tierney outstanding in the fray,
And hardy Jamesy Butler like lightning on the ball,
When the forwards came against him they met a real stone wall.
Young Lonergan was there again, he always held his line,
On the other wing with swing and sting was mighty Mixie Brien,
O’Donnell too both tried and true, who met the forwards can’t forget,
He met them all both short and tall, he hasn’t been conquered yet.
If ever a captain’s part was played,
‘Twas surely played that day by gallant Connie Connell,
Who played and showed the way, Allis, Walsh, and Martin and McLoughlin too were there,
They chased that ball as certain as greyhounds on a hare.
For the Oola boys will make big noise in fact will make a din,
For we know and say that without their play, that we could hardly win,
Then here’s to Quirke and Burke who did great work to bring victory to our side,
And the hand will shake of Jimmy Blake and we’ll speak of him with pride.
That you’ll leave your mark in old Croke Park,
And let all Gaeldom know,
That Limerick men are fierce again,
That’s the wish of old Bill Crowe.
Bill Crowe