Tirconaill Senior Hurling Final - Big Victory for Ballyshannon
Senior Hurling Championship Final
30 November 1924
Aodh Ruadh 5-8
Letterkenny 0-1
Specially contributed. Donegal Democrat Friday, 5 December 1924
Erne Park, Ballyshannon
A front page advert in the Donegal Democrat ahead of the 1924 county final. Click for a larger version.
In Erne Park, Ballyshannon on Sunday last, Letterkenny and Ballyshannon teams met to decide the Senior Hurling tie. Favoured with beautiful weather and a nice ground, a lively and interesting game was witnessed. The homesters, a fast and young team, were superior throughout, and won by a big margin. Individual members of the Letterkenny team gave a very creditable display. Their forwards however, finished badly and were not a match for the opposing backs. They were handicapped by the absence of Taylor, White and Kelleher.
The play
Ballyshannon bounded off from the throw in, but the forwards sent wide. The passages were evenly distributed and a fast pace, in which speed was invaluable, was set. P Rooney and Bro. Cassin opened some sharp attacks on the Letterkeuny Citadel. J. Rooney was tested between the Ballyshannon posts, but cleared in fine style.
Keating who was conspicious in midfield play, opened the scoring with a point far out. A number of attacks by Allen and Connolly were repulsed, and Dempsey equalised for the homesters after ten minutes play. Both teams were now settling down to the game, which was followed with great interest by the spectators.
Following a combination bout between H Gallaghsr and P Rooney, Bro. Cassin sent in a long drive which. M Daly finished for a grand goal. Following the puck out Shannahan sent well in for Letterkenny, but a wide resulted. A free for the homesters was taken by Doyle wko sent over for a point. The half-time whistle found the scores as follows :
BALLYSHANNON, 1 goal 2 points.
LETTERKENNY, 1 point.
On resuming, the Ballyshannon forwards attacked with vigour, and following a great drive by P Rooney, Dempsey put the homesters another goal ahead. The visitors broke away and Tuohy sent well in from the wing, but a wide resulted. A series of attacks by Connolly and Tuohy were cleared by the homesters, Clooney, Lenihan, and Daly showed up in great style. O'Connell and Nash were very conspicuous in mid-field; Dempsey securing from the former, added another goal for Ballyshannon.
After a bout of mid-field play, Bro. Cassin sent in an overhead point from far out. The game lacked nothing in vigour and up and down play ruled.
Connery in the homesters forward line, was always a danger to the Letterkenny backs. Following a grand centre drive from him, Doyle sent through for another goal.
Nothing daunted, Letterkenny broke away in surprising style, and Tuohy Counolly and Allen kept up a great attack on the homesters Citadel. Rooney's clearances were applauded on several occasions. A free for Ballyshannon eased the presure, O'Connell placing the ball among the forwards and an exciting tussle took place. Mulhall, who was an outstanding player in the defence, cleared. Connery with a lovely shot sent in to the goal mouth, but Mulhall and Keating again saved. The attack was renewed and following a pass from the wing, Bro Cassin sent into the net for another goal, the last score of the game.
With five minutes to go. the visitors broke away again, but were held by the opposing backs. Daly. Rooney, and Sheerin frustrated any efforts to score. The full time whistle,which was blown soon afterwards, found Ballyshannon deserving winners, the final scores; being, BALLYSHANNON, 5 goals 8 points, LETTERKENNY, 1 point. Mr DJ Crowley, (Bundoran) gave entire satisfaction as referee.
| Vital Statistics |
|---|
| Teams |
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Aodh Ruadh J Rooney goal. Lenihan Captain; Clooney, P Nash, S Collins, P Rooney, M O'Connell, H Gallagher, J Daly, Bro. Cassin, M. Daly, Sheerin, Dempsey, Connery and Doyle. |
|
Letterkenny S Curran goal; B Keating Captain; M Ryan, M Connolly, J Fingleton, D McManus, T Tuohy, W Allen, J Braden, T Shannaghan, T Robinson, D Heuston. C McKinley, G Dillon, N Mulhall. |
| Referee: DJ Crowley, (Bundoran) |
THE HURLING FINAL
(Some Impressions.)
By 'FELIX'
I was one of the lucky number that vvisted Erne Park on Sunday last to see the County Hurling Final. When I arrived by at 2.30pm, I found the grounds occupied by a set of dashing young hurlers, whom I found were to represent the town by the "Winding Banks of Erne."
They had discarded their club colours - Blue and White - for those of a different hue - black and yellow. Letterkenny were donning blue so a change was deemed necessary by their opponents.
Who was going to win this final? I had heard the quesiton asked and answered on numerous occasions. One day I heard Letterkenny would sweep all before them ; the next day I heard opposite, - so I was determined that I should go and see for myself
I had an hour's wait before the boys from Letterkenny arrived. A breakdown was the cause of the delay. Right enough - a load from Dungloe had reached their destination at 2.15 - but it was 3.30 before the remaining players turned up.
Do I complain of waiting? Not a bit. I would go again and wait four hours instead ol one to see such a match. At 3.40pm the Players from the Cathedral town were on the grounds, and fully five minutes elapsed before the hand-shaking and smiling recognitions by players on either side were completed. Here, again, I was forcibly struck by that social spirit - which is one of the virtues of the GAA. It is something to look forward to by Irish youths, and is a pleasing memory in old age
Now for the game. I have been present at bigger and more scientific games - but not at one which was played in a more friendly spirit. And it was a fast game - and a pleasing game to the spectators. Ballyshannon were the lighter - but the faster set of players. They were quicker on the ball, and their clearances were very creditable. How they maintained their speed right through, I do not know -but perhaps that "Kruschen feeling" of the previous Sunday stood to them!
Can I say anything about the defeated team. I certainly can. They were a sporting crowd and took their defeat in the best of form. The scoring, too, can hardly represent the run of the play as Letterkenny deserved, at least, two goals more. Their forwards, however, found it impossible to penetrate the regular network of opposing backs.
It is twelve years since a County Final came to Ballyshannon. Thanks to the new and energetic Committee and members of the present Club—backed up by dint of perseverance within - and by the generous financial support of the people of the town - the laurels have come at last.
My hat goes off then to the gallant fifteen who won the final. May they, as time rolls on, play a brave part in the game of life! To the reserves, and those who stood down in the final selection - I also give my congratulations. It often takes more courage to step aside than it 'does to take part in the encounter.
The 30th November, 1924, will retain a pleasant memory for me - a memory of the yellow-clad team which won the County Final.
Last modified: Sunday, 19 July 2020 at 5:18pm