GRAIGUECULLEN FOOTBALLERS
For many years past the Graiguecullen teams have been outstanding. We
should never forget them or their supporters who included all the people of
the parish and great numbers from the neighbouring parishes. Jack Kelly was
a wonderful football trainer. There was nobody more dedicated than he. He
gave from his own pocket to help, and in order to bring honour to Graigue.
He made his own rules for everything. He was like a father to all
Graiguecullen youth. No one would say no to his bidding. His house smelled
of embrocation and Sloan’s Linament for sprains and swelling. He’d talk
football for twenty years back, every kick of the game.
Tom Moran, Maher Road, played for Graiguecullen. Christy Lawlor,
sixty, a great mouth-organ player, married Miss McDarby. He was the big
drummer in the pipe band and a great supporter of football. Sergeant Major
Denis Moran helped everybody. Rexie McDonald, ploughman at Knockbeg was
captain of the Laois team in the All-Ireland and U.S.A. He was very strong
and very well liked. Tommy Murphy, the world idol, the greatest footballer
Ireland produced. Everyone in Ireland and U.S.A. liked him and called him
the boy wonder. His father, Andy Murphy, Knockbeg steward, formerly of
Tinryland won high acclaim as a footballer in his day. He cheerfully helped
every person in need. Barney Hennessy, the idol of Graigue in his day. One
of his hobbies was greyhounds. His sons have the great dance band.
Fr. Sean McWey C.C. and his brother Brendan were outstanding Laois
players. Mick, Cutchie Haughney, a great Graiguecullen and Laois footballer,
was also a good clubman for Graiguecullen. Uncle of Fr. Denis Haughney now
in U.S.A. Ned Hogan, Chapel St., on the Henry St. corner was the father of
Willie Hogan, red-haired, and Martin Hogan, both good footballers who made
football history with Graigue. Jim Nolan, Henry St., a good organiser for
G.A.A. and parish funds is now chairman of Carlow U.D.C. Paddy, Brownie,
O’Rourke who lived at St. Clare’s Road, wrote pleasing poetry. A great
worker for the club and St. Fiac’s Hall, he was highly esteemed.
The teams trained in Knockbeg in 1936 when they went to the
All-Ireland final and to U.S.A. Then in 1937/8, Fennells gave their field
for football. Martin Comerford’s family were Connemara pony-buyers who gave
the name Connaught Well Lane in Sleaty; their ponies used to drink there.
The Fitzgeralds of Dwyers’ Hill were basket-makers and great chair-makers.
Martin McDarby the mechanic is well remembered.
Dan Brennan had his forge on the corner of Killeshin Road and Chapel
Street. Dan had a cheery kindly word for the many people he met. Paddy Byrne
now of Castle Hill was known as the Nipper, as he was the youngest on the
junior football team. Barnie Hennessy, of Chapel St. played rugby at one
time. He was renowned for his long fifties; they were generally 60 or 70
yards long. He was greatly encouraged by his sons who used to shout: “Over
the bar, dad.” He was a legend in football all over Ireland. Tommy Murphy:
famous All-Ireland footballer, formerly of Knockbeg, now of St. Lazerian’s
Terrace. Cutchie Haughney, Mick, who lived at the Numbers was a great
Graiguecullen and Laois footballer. Captain of the senior team, he rallied
the team that beat Stradbally in the final. He played with Laois in U.S.A.
Busyman Haughney, Tom, played for Graiguecullen and Laois. Captain Ned
Price, of Chapel St. was a great footballer and the idol for years of the
team. He specialised in long kicks.
Mike S.A.B. McDarby, blacksmith, of Maryboro’ St. even at 70 was a
great athlete and dancer. He was a talented staff thrower. He was major of
the Fife and Drum Band. He was a great friend of Eamonn De Valera, Taoiseach
and Uachtaran. When Mike was ill, Mr De Valera visited him. Desie Connolly
of Ballyfoyle was a noted Graiguecullen and Laois player. Eddie O’Neill
lived in Henry St.; his son Miley is a Laois footballer. Tommy Proctor of
Church St. is a Graiguecullen player.
Ned Hogan, Chapel St., father of Willie and Martin, Bunter Hogan, Ned,
of Henry St., a strong supporter of the junior team. Sergeant-Major Denis
Moran of Sleaty St. is very talented. Jack Harte of St. Fiacc’s Terrace is
highly esteemed. Jack Kelly of Sleaty St., well-known football trainer lived
for football. He read, talked and argued about football with the players who
crowded into his house each night. He organised the Graiguecullen teams who
used to practise in Knockbeg. Brownie, Paddy, father of Seamus O’Rourke of
the Nationalist was a talented poem-writer.
Church St., with its white-washed houses, with a stone outside each
door was noted for its good men and also for the number of pigeons and
goldfinches that were sold there. The statement that the birds that were
sold were back the following day need not be taken too seriously. The
Fennell family are often mentioned in Graiguecullen. They were expert
farmers, the best of neighbours and the best friends the Graiguecullen teams
had. Their main outside interest was football, especially the Graiguecullen
teams.
Many of those named in these notes have gone to their eternal reward.
They were wonderful people; we should pray for them and hold their names in
honour. R.I.P. We thank Liam Bolton and Tommy Whitney for their valuable
help in compiling these notes.
Source: 'The Parish of KILLESHIN, Graiguecullen'.
1972. by P. MacSuibhne.
