Ballyhea GAA Club

Introduction To Ballyhea GAA Club..

  "Oh! Ballyhea,'tis well I knew thy hurlers of renown
Who bore the "Black and White" to fame on many a Munster town
When dashing style and skill and speed won many a glorious day
And thousands cheered, but no man feared, for peerless Ballyhea."
Con O' Brien of Ballynagearagh, The Bard Of Ballyhea, penned these lines more than fifty years ago about the hurlers of Ballyhea.

He was referring to the great Ballyhea team of 1895-1903. The same lines could have been writen about the great men of 1926-31, the doughty warriors of the fifties or the modern day heroes of the new millennium. More than a century is encompassed between these dates. Yet, during the greater part of that space of time the name of Ballyhea has been synonymous with hurling teams of dashing style and skill and speed

A stranger would be forgivenfor thinking that Ballyhea must be a place of fairly large area. Yet it is one of the smallest parishes in the diocese of Cloyne. It has a population of a little over a thousand people who are distributed over about two hundred and sixty houses scattered throughout the parish. It is bounded by the Co. Limerick Border on the east and north-east. The Ballyhoura Mountains, so beautiful in Summer and early Autumn, look down on it. The land, as far as the eye can see, is rich and fertile and ideal for the dairying industry. But, yet, Ballyhea lacks the focal point of any rural parish - a village.

Con O' Brien described it in one of his poems, thus:

"There's neither town nor village here,
Not even half a street,
But we have hills and valleys green,
You'll find it hard to beat."

Ballyhea is located in North Cork situated between Buttevant and Charleville. The parish of Ballyhea is one of the smallest in the county with a population of around 1000 people. The GAA club in Ballyhea has been in existence for over 115 years,being formed in 1884.

During its history the club has won County Championships in Senior , Intermediate, Junior and Juvenile Hurling. In recent years a Camogie Club has been set up and 2 County Titles have already been won by this fledgling club. All-Ireland Hurling medals have come to the parish at most grades with the two Senior medals , in 1986 Johnny O Callaghan and 1999 Neil Ronan.

Where Hurling Is A Religion ..

  Since the foundation of the Ballyhea G.A.A. Club in 1884, The "Black & White"
has been worn honourably by young and old and supported far and wide.
Ballyhea GAA Club has been in existence for over 115 years. The history of the club published in 1984 say the first GAA meeting took place in Jim Powers's Forge in the townland of Pruntas in late 1885 or early 1886. Present were Jim Power, Pruntus, Maurice Malone, Shinanagh and Johnnie Linnane Ardskeagh. From these humble beginnings the club grew and grew to what it is today. During its history the club has won County Championships in Senior, Intermediate, Junior and Juvenile Hurling.

Over the years Ballyhea players have helped Avondhu to County success. 1952 saw Lack Morrissey (R.I.P.) play in goal, Mick Quinn (R.I.P.) was corner-back, Jim Walshe (R.I.P.) was full-forward. 1966 saw Billy Fitzgibbon, Jack Russell, and Pat Behan (R.I.P.) win the elusive Senior County medals. All-Ireland medals have come to the parish from most grades, Vocational Schools Colleges, Minor, Under-21 and the two Big Ones, Johnny O' Callalghan in 1986 and Neil Ronan in 1999.

In 1999 our Under 14 team won the County Final, only to be narrowly defeated in the City V County final by Douglas. In 2001 the club won three county title's in one year. Our Minors completed the County Double by winning the Minor "A" Championship and League, while our U-16 hurlers won the "Premier" County Title. This was indeed a great achievement for our club. Incidently our minors were unbeaten for the whole 2001 campaign !!!! In that same year our juveniles won an outstanding 8 Titles, including 3 North Cork C'ship, 2 North Cork Leagues and as mentioned above 3 county titles. A magnificant achievement in any language.

At present the club caters for 3 adult Hurling Teams; Senior, Junior, and Under-21 as well as Junior Football. We also have a very strong Juvenile Club, catering for Minor, U-16, U-14, U-12, U-10 and more. We are lucky to also have a strong Camogie Club who won Under-12 County honours in 1999, and reached the County Semi-Final in Under-14. Our Past Player and Supporters Committee is another vital part of the Club.

The Gaels Memorial Park has been a great servant to the parishioners of Ballyhea and North Cork, but the demands placed upon it now necessitate the purchase of a second playing field. This is why we have launched a fundraising scheme in the form of a Super Draw. With your help Ballyhea G.A.A. can develop the facilities needed to cater for the demands of generations to come. At Present Ballyhea GAA facilities include a well laid out sportsfield, with a large car park. Our Clubrooms consist of Large Hall, museum, two meeting rooms, dressing rooms and a fully laid out kitchen.

Except for a short spell from 1916-1926, Ballyhea has always been in the Championship draws. The Club regained Senior status in 1980 and has continued in that grade since. In that time the Club has contested two County Finals and a number of Semi-Finals. A lot of young players come through our youth system each year to fill the void by retirement.

We have over a century of Hurling in all grades in Ballyhea.
Hopefully the parish will enjoy another 100 years of the same

Roll of Honour ..

Adult Team Roll Of Honour
Munster Titles
Munster Intermediate Club Hurling League Champions | 1 (2004)


County Titles
County Senior Hurling Champions | 1 (1896)
County Senior Hurling Runners-Up | 4 (1889,1895,1984,1995)
County Intermediate Hurling Champions | 2 (1931,1980)
County Junior Hurling Champions | 3 (1930,1955,1976)
Liam Breathnach Cup Winners | 1 (1994)


North Cork Titles
Junior "A" Hurling Champions | 10 (1930,1949,1950,1953,1955,1958,1959,1965,1975,1976)
Junior "B" Hurling Champions | 4 (1944,1948,2002,2007)
Junior "A" Hurling League Champions | 2 (1928,1975)
Junior "B" Football Champions | 3 (1949,1951,1983)
U-21 "A" Hurling Champions | 11 (1981,1983,1984,1985,1992,1993,1995,1996,2002,2003,2005)
O'Leary Cup Winners | 3 (1984,1986,1995)
Autumn League Junior Hurling Winners | 1 (1995)
Avondhu Cup Football Winners | 1 (2000)



Juvenile Roll Of HonourCork County Championships
U-18 "A" Hurling Champions | 1 (2001)
U-16 "Premier" Hurling Champions | 1 (2001)
U-14 "A" Hurling Champions | 1 (1967)
U-12 "B" Hurling Champions | 1 (1985)

Cork County Championships (Country Section)
U-16 "A" Hurling Champions | 1 (1991)
U-14 "A" Hurling Champions | 1 (1999)
U-12 "B" Hurling Champions | 1 (1985)
U-15 Dennehy's Cross Hurling Champions | 1 (1988).

Cork County Leagues
U-18 "Premier" Hurling League Champions | 1 (1993)
U-18 "A" Hurling League Champions | 1 (2001)
U-16 "A" Hurling League Champions | 1 (1989)

North Cork Championships
U-18 "A" Hurling Champions | 10 (1974,1979,1980,1982,1988,1991,1996,2000,2001,2004)
U-18 "A" Football Champions | 1 (1993)
U-18 "B" Football Champions | 2 (1990,1991)
U-16 "A" Hurling Champions | 5 (1978,1986,1989,1991,2001)
U-16 "B" Hurling Champions | 1 (1972)
U-16 "B" Football Champions | 3 (1979,1985,1991)
U-15 "A" Hurling Champions | 5 (1988,1989,1990,1998,2000)
U-14 "A" Hurling Champions | 4 (1967,1987,1989,1999)
U-14 "B" Hurling Champions | 6 (1966,1982,1983,1984,1994,2006)
U-14 "A" Football Champions | 1 (1999)
U-13 "A" Hurling Champions | 1 (1995)
U-13 "B" Hurling Champions | 2 (2001,2007)
U-13 "C" Football Champions | 1 (2006)
U-12 "A" Hurling Champions | 1 (1998)
U-12 "B" Hurling Champions | 5 (1984,1985,1988,1991,1994)
U-12 "B" Football Champions | 1 (1997)
U-12 "C" Football Champions | 1 (2007)
U-12 "D" Football Champions | 2 (2003,2006)
U-11 "B" Hurling Champions | 1 (2004)

North Cork Leagues
U-18 "A" Hurling League Champions | 4 (1987,1996,1998,2001)
U-16 "A" Hurling League Champions | 1 (2001)
U-16 "B" Football League Champions | 1 (1979)
U-14 "A" Hurling League Champions | 2 (1999,2000)
U-12 "A" Hurling League Champions | 1 (1997)
U-12 "B" Hurling League Champions | 3 (1992,1994,2003)
U-12 "D" Football League Champions | 2 (2003,2006)

Jack O' Sullivan blitz
Ballyhea | 5 (1992,1996,2003,2004,2006)
Blackrock | 3 (1993,1998,2002)
Kilmallock | 2 (1999,2001)
Newtown | 2 (1994,1995)
St Marks | 1 (1997)

The First County Title..

In 1896 Ballyhea made hurling history when they won the Cork Co. Senior Hurling Championship. In the summer of that year Ballyhea were invited to compete in the Charleville Gaelic Tournament. Ballyhea and Doneraile were paired to meet in the opening game of the tournament. Ballyhea team turned up on the appointed day and took their places on the field. However, Doneraile team failed not only to turn up, but did not send a letter of apology to Ballyhea for their non-attendance. Ballyhea remained on the field until six o'clock and were awarded the match. Ballyhea refused to allow Doneraile compete again for the tournament. Some friction arose between the Tournament Committee and Ballyhea. The Tournament Committee ignored the ruling of the referee and ordered the match to be re-fixed. Ballyhea were not agreeable to this and it would appear they took no further part in The Tournament.

Ballyhea defeated Redmonds in the semi-final of The Co. Championship at Mallow, on the score of 3 goals 4 points to 6 points. During the course of play a Cork woman, who had been standing near the Redmonds goal and did not like the tactics of the Ballyhea forwards, rushed in with her umbrella to support the Redmond's goalkeeper in his defence of the goal during a Ballyhea attack. One particular Ballyhea forward was the object of her offensive. "Don't touch him again, you dirty clown," she shouted, "that's nice play to catch a young fellow. I'll settle you with this (the umbrella) if you do it again."

Ballygarvan beat Midleton in the second semi-final. Midleton asked for a replay and appealed to the Central Council that the match be not awarded to Ballygarvan. They further requested that if Ballygarvan refused to meet Midleton in a replay that Ballyhea be declared Co. Champions. Midleton failed in their appeal.

Ballyhea met Ballygarvan in the County Final at Mallow on 6 December, 1896. The Cork Examiner of 7 December 1896 described the game as follows: "Ballygarvan won the toss and played with the wind which was blowing lightly from the west. Ballyhea instantly pressed their opponents and, after some exciting play in the Ballygarvan quarter, scored a point. The leather was now carried down the field by Ballygarvan. Through some excellent hitting Ballyhea brought the ball back and again invaded the quarters of their opponents. Ballygarvan were well equal to the occasion and, carrying the leather quickly down the field, scored a point. Play was now taken to midfield, from which position Ballyhea occasionally placed their opponents on the defensive. But Ballygarvan admirably succeeded in preserving their posts. Their success did not rest here, for they ultimately sent the ball down the field and scored a goal. Mid-field was again the scene of operations. But Ballygarvan soon changed it for they, through really capital play, carried the leather into the enemy's territory and scored a point. The play was now rather slow and was for some time confined to midfield. But eventually Ballyhea got the best of it and gained a point. The ball was made to travel at this stage and, after some capital play on both sides, Ballyhea gained a point. Half-time was almost immediately called, the play standing: Ballygarvan 1 goal 2 points, Ballyhea 3 points.
On changing sides Ballyhea charged their opponents and in quick succession gained two goals. After a short delay caused by injury to a Ballygarvan man, play was continued, and, taking possession of the ball, Ballyhea, within a short space of time, added a goal and four points to their score. It was by this time evident that all the play was in the hands of Ballyhea, for they quickly increased their scoring by two more goals and three points. Ballyhea continued to hold the field and after an interval scored another goal. The ball was travelling quickly up and down the field. Ballygarvan were showing up well, when the time was called and the result declared to be - Ballyhea 6 goals 10 points, Ballygarvan 1 goal 2 points. Mr. Patrick Coughlan (Blackrock) acted as referee, and gave the utmost satisfaction."

The Ballyhea team was as follows: J. Murphy, [Capt.], R. Mooney [Vice-Capt.], M. Flaherty, P. Bartley, M. Leary, M. Flaherty, P. Daly, D. Higgins, J. Roche, P. Gorman, T. Gorman, M. Reidy, W. Dwane, D. O'Brien, J. Walsh, W. Fennessy, J. Murphy.

Ballyhea, as Co. Champions, now had a crack at the Munster Championship. Their opponents were the famed Tubberadora from Tipperary. The game was played in Kilmallock. But tempers ran to fever pitch and the game had to be abandoned. The replay was fixed for Jones' Road, Dublin (now Croke Park). Ballyhea travelled by train to Dublin on the Saturday prior to the game. For the replay Ballyhea tried to recruit players from Blackrock and Aghabullogue. The sought and hoped-for aid never came. Late travelling and too much liquid refreshments left the Ballyhea team in anything but a fit condition for a Munster Final. Tubberadora won by 7 goals 9 points to 2 goals 3 points. For many years afterwards it was felt that Ballyhea were capable of beating Tubberadora. In the - All-Ireland Final Tubberadora defeated Commercials of Dublin by 8 goals 14 points to 4 points.

It is worth noting that in 1896' Blackrock were beaten in an early round game of the Co. Championship by Redmonds whom Ballyhea easily beat in the semi-final. However, in 1897 Ballyhea lost their title, their conquerors once more being Blackrock. Blackrock went on to win the Co. Championship beating Aghada in the final. Blackrock were defeated in the Munster Final at Tipperary Town by our neighbours Kilfinane representing Limerick. Kilfinane went on to win the All-Ireland Final, beating Tullaroan of Kilkenny at Tipperary Town. The game was played on 20 November 1898. The Kilfinane team that won the All-Ireland were beaten three times by Ballyhea, twice in one year and once the following year. These victofes were achieved in tournaments. Ballyhea competed in the Kilfinane and Churchtown Tournaments in 1897. They also played Caherline at Elton. The game was not finished. It was abandoned with Ballyhea leading by two goals and one point. It was one of the toughest games in Ballyhea's hurling history because ten of their men were taken off the field injured and they carried the scars of battle for many a day.

The 1898 Munster Final was played in Kilmallock in November 1899 between Blackrock representing Cork and Tubberadora representing Tipperary. Tubberadora won on the score one goal thirteen points to Blackrock's one goal two points. Blackrock included Mike Flaherty, Matt Flaherty, Bob Mooney and Pat O'Gorman of Ballyhea in their line out. At the turn of the century Ballyhea found new rivals in St. Finbarrs. The teams met in the Co. Championships of 1900, 1901 and 1902. But unfortunately Ballyhea were the losers on each occasion. They were dogged by ill-luck off the field also. On one occasion Ballyhea were paired to meet St. Finbarrs in the championship at Mallow Town Park. The team travelled to the venue in a long car which broke down at Two-Pot-House on the way. A message about the mishap was conveyed to the St. Finbarr's mentors at the venue. Finally the team straggled into the venue over an hour after the scheduled time for the game. By this time the Barrs had claimed the match and so Ballyhea were denied the opportunity of revenge just as in 1896 Redmonds prevented them inflicting revenge on Blackrock.

The following are the names of the Ballyhea 1901 team - Pat Bartley, Castlewrixon; Pat and Tom Gorman of the Old Road; the brothers Mike, Jer and Matt Flaherty of Ballynoran; Jack and Matt Hawe of Dromin; J. O'Brien, Ballinagrath; Danny Brien at the chapel; Jer Murphy, Castlewrixon; Denis Reidy. Glenmore; Walter Lenihan, Ballinagrath; M. Madden and Bob Mooney of Pruntas; Jim "Post" Walshe of Ballycosgry; and Jack Roche of Shinana. Mike Flaherty was captain and Bob Mooney was vice-captain. Rev. Fr. White was curate in Ballyhea in the 1890s and early years of the last century. He was very much involved with the team as one of the mentors. Maurice Hassett was the energetic club secretary for many years. He worked at the creamery for many years. His death was regretted by a wide circle of friends and neighbours. Other officials associated with the team were Ned Scully, Michael Fox, N.T., David McDermott, Peter McDermott, Dan O'Brien and the Brassill Brothers. In the list of players of the 1901 team one name in particular is worth noting; it is that of Walter Lenihan who was a member of the team that won the Co. Junior and Intermediate Titles thirty years later.

In 1902 the hurling teams of Doneraile and Shanballymore were amalgamated. Ballyhea met and defeated this combined team in the final of the Kildorrery Tournament in 1902. After the match the Ballyhea players and followers retired to Clancy's Pub to celebrate. A youngster, who was then, and remained all his life, a staunch supporter of the black-and-white was in the pub. The captain, Jer Murphy, was sitting on a stool with a pint beside him. The old captain caught the youngster by the knees and said - "sit down there until we discuss the victory of an age." Little did he realize how prophetic his words were. With one exception, twenty-five years were to elapse before Ballyhea were to secure another important victory. This sole victory was achieved against Ballyagran in the 1904 Charleville Tournament. The following was the Ballyhea line-out: P. Bartley [goal], Mick Flaherty [Capt.], Matt Flaherty, Paddy O'Sullivan, Bob Mooney, Jack Kelleher, Tom O'Brien, John Sheedy, Denis Reidy, Paddy O'Gorman, Tom O'Gorman, Patrick O'Leary, Thade Walsh, Danny O'Brien, Bill [Walter] Iinehan, John Winters, Paddy Kelleher.

The practice field for the Ballyhea hurlers was in Castlewrixon, on the north-western slopes of the Ballyhoura Mountains, overlooking the flat plain that carries the lazy "gentle Mulla" of Spenser, or the Awbeg as we know it. Not far from it stood Ballyhea Castle which was destroyed by Jephson of Mallow in 1641. Nearby at Pipers' Screen lived Fr. John Power of "the Cures", Parish Priest of Ballyhea from 1811 to 1849. Each night to this venue converged for practice men and boys from the Old Road, Pruntas, Glenmore, Garrane, Ballynoran, Ballinagrath, Shinana and Ballyhoura. For many of them it was a two or three mile trek across the countryside after their day's toil. From Monday to Saturday they gathered there, and on Sundays too, when there was no match to attract them.

Inevitably, the passage of time took its toll and the great Ballyhea team, which first came to prominence in 1889, began to break up. The reasons for this were various. Many of the great players were forced to "call it a day" as their "great day's were now behind them. Emigration now became a fact of life in the parish due to lack of employment at home. During the years of The Great War, 1914-18, a number of young men from the parish joined the British Army, influenced no doubt by the presence of Col. Harrison in the parish. More young men joined The Volunteers in 1919 and did their "bit" in the War of Independence, 1919-21. Then came the Civil War of 1922-23. Like every other part of the country the people of Ballyhea were split in their allegiances.

It would appear that Ballyhea ceased to participate in the Cork Senior Hurling Championship towards the end of the first decade of the Twentieth Century, In 1912 Ballyhea fielded a junior learn which made little impression. In 1913 they lost to Charleville in the junior championship at Liscarroll. From 1914 to 1926 there was no Ballyhea team competing in championship hurling. A number of Ballyhea hurlers joined with players from neighbouring clubs to form the "Magpies" team which played under the colours of black-and-white. This team won the Middle Grade Championship in 1915. Among the Ballyhea section of the "Magpies" were - Walter Lenihan, Dan Ryan, P. Crowley, H. Connors, J. Casey, W. Connell, Michael (Tyler) Connell and later Bill (Hub) Pigott. They beat Shamrocks in the 1915 Co. Middle Grade Final at Mallow. But the War of Independence saw the demise of this team as well.

The Seed is Sown..

At three o'clock on Saturday afternoon November 1, 1884 Michael Cusack opened the meeting, that launched the Gaelic Athletic Association, in the billiard room of Miss Hayes' Commercial Hotel, Thurles. Present along with Cusack were Maurice Davin, John Wyse Power, John McKay, J.K. Bracken, Joseph O'Ryan and Thomas St. George McCarthy. There were a few other people present, possibly as many as six, Reports of the meeting were published in the newspapers of the day. Ballyhea people read about it in the Cork Examiner. The Examiner account of the meeting was written by McKay, then on the staff of the Examiner.

Hurling under G.A.A. rules became popular as the new association spread from parish to parish. Besides hurling and football athletics were very much a part of the G.A.A. scene. Indeed until 1887 or so hurling and football were usually subsidiary events at athletic meetings. Michael Cusack wrote that "the Association swept the country like a prairie fire." The first G.A.A. meeting in Ballyhea was held in Jim Power's Forge in Pruntas. More than likely this meeting took place in early 1886 or late 1885. Present were Jim Power, the blacksmith, Maurice Malone, Shinana, and Johnnie Linnane of Ardskeagh. It is possible that there were others present, as well, but we have no record of any other names. The three men, whom we have mentioned, picked black and white as the club's colours. It was also decided that the club team should wear caps, which were to be of different colours to the jerseys. The colours chosen for the caps were green and magenta. Modern day followers may, sometimes, wonder why the colours black and white were chosen? At the time of the club's foundation, people from the area were distinguished at race meetings and other social gatherings by the profusion of the colours black and white in their clothing. This arose from the custom of weaving white and black wool in the area.

The year 1886 saw the sturdy birth throes of the G.A.A. in Co. Cork. Over 20 clubs, hurling and football, joined the Association. They were Cork Nationals (now known as Blackrock), St. Finbarrs, Aghaballogue, Blarney, Ballygarvan, Ballyhea, Glanmire, Knockraha, Cobh, Carraignavar, Glandulane, Macroom, Midleton, Lisgoold, Riverstown, Little Island, Knockaney, Carraigaline, Ballincollig, Kinsale and Inniscarra.

Ballyhea team played its first hurling match under G.A.A. rules on the 26 May, 1886 against Buttevant "Brigadeers." The match was played in Connors' Field in Ardnageeha. That field is now owned by Edmund Rea. Buttevant Brigadeers were the team marshalled by the enthusiastic Fr. Con Buckley, then a priest in Buttevant parish. The Gaelic Grounds in Buttevant is named in memory of him. A return match was played in Buttevant where an after-match meal was given to the Ballyhea team to repay them for the hospitality they had shown to the Brigadeers when they visited Ballyhea. The number of players taking part in these games was twenty-one. The size of the pitch was 196 yards by 140 yards for hurling and 140 yards by 84 yards for football. In 1884 and 1885 the duration of play was 1 and a Half hours, but it was shortened to one hour in 1886. More than likely Ballyhea's first games were of one hour duration. Goal posts had a cross-bar between each set. In scoring it was the goal that mattered No amount of points equalled a goal. Points mattered only if teams scored no goal or scored an equal amount of goals. A point was scored when the ball was driven over the cross-bar or when a defender put the ball over the end line. Wrestling was permitted if two players came on the ball together. The referee allowed only one fall and the remainder of the players were to go on with the game. The formation of a team was goalkeeper, eight backs, six centres, and six forwards. Centres and forwards were to advance in the form of a wedge with the wings closing round and keeping the ball in front of the opposing team's goal until it was driven through. We regret to say that it would appear that Ballyhea lost those two games to the Brigadeers.

The first record of a Ballyhea win in a hurling game under G.A.A. rules was in 1888. In that year Ballyhea beat Buttevant to win the Kildorrery Tournament. They then beat Doneraile in the latter's own tournament. The following is a list of the Ballyhea "twenty-one" in 1888 - Paddy and Tom Quinn from the Old Road, John Downey, Moss Foley the captain, the brothers Mick and NickFoley of Farran, Pat Clancy and P. Dahill from Ballynadrideen, Jim Power the blacksmith, Jack Mooney, the athlete, from Prunlas, Ned Linehan and Jim O'Connell of Ballinagrath, Jack lehane of Rathglassane, Ned Riordan of Rathmorgan, Jim Casey of Cooleens, Mike Kelly from the Pike Cross, Sim Flaherty from Ballynontn, John Barrett of Ballyhoura, Tom Feore of Glenmore, and the brothers John and Jim Herlihy of Castlewrixon.

Ballyhea had a second team in the year 1888. This second team competed in and won the Dromina Tournament in that year. The tournament was held under the auspices of the "William O'Brien" Hurling Club, Dromina, whose secretary was a man named W. Hayes,. The names of the second Ballyhea team were - J. O'Callaghan, captain, P. O'Callaghan, D. O'Callaghan, T. O'Callaghan, P. Leo, P. Fitzgerald. E. Hassett, B. Walsh, F. Boddy, D. Dwane, J. O'Connell, W. Bourke, T. Rea, P. Clancy, J. Ryan, J. Browne, J. Fennessy, W. Condon, M. Lehane, W. Mahony, and M. Flaherty. The winning Ballyhea team were presented with a shield. This shield was discovered by Brendan Culloty of Ballynadrideen some years ago when he was demolishing an old house. He in turn, gave it to Michael O'Brien, formerly of Ballynadrideen and now living in Charleville. It can be now found in the club Pavilion in Ballyhea.
Another event of importance, both national and local, took place in 1888. The G.A.A. decided to send the cream of its athletes, hurlers, and footballers to America to popularize the Association among the Exiles. This event is known as The American Invasion. Ballyhea's Jack Mooney was one of the chosen forty-eight participants, who left Cobh, or Queenstown as it was then known, on 16 September, 1888, The group were dressed in kneebreeches and Irish tweeds. They each carried a blackthorn stick which had been presented to them. They competed in 10 different cities. Jack Mooney won the furlong, or 220 yards, race at Boston. Despite the excellence of the performances served up by the Irish Sportsmen, the trip was not a financial success because of the inclemency of the weather and the clash with the Presidential Election Campaign which was then in full swing.

At the end of 1888 a dispute arose at the Cork Co. Board of the G.A.A. Arising from this dispute two Co. Boards functioned for a while. The Association recognized the Board which functioned under Mr. E. Crean as Chairman, even though only about ten per cent of the clubs in the county affiliated to it. The second Co. Board, comprising ninety per cent of the clubs in the county, was under the chairmanship of Fr. O'Connor, a priest from the Lough Parish. Ballyhea affiliated to the O'Connor Board in 1889 and 1890. Indeed the only top-class hurling team to adhere to the Crean Board was Aghabulloge. Ballyhea reached the County Final (O'Connor Board) in 1889. They were beaten by Blackrock in a low scoring decider at Mallow on 8 September, 1889. The score was: Blackrock One goal and Two points to Ballyhea's One point. The Ballyhea team lined out as follows - Sim Flaherty, P. Dahill, J. Casey, P. Quinn, J. Connell, P. Bartley, P. Daly, J. O'Connell, M. Lehane, P. Clancy, J. Herlihy, J. McMahon, P. Foley, N. Foley, P. Burke, T. Reidy, M. Boddy, J. Barrett, J. McCarthy, J. Downey, and J. Murphy.

It is interesting to note that Blackrock are recognized as the official Co. champions for that year. In 1890 the O'Connor Board Championship was won by St. Finbarrs. Aghabullogue won the Co. Championship of the Crean Board and they are recognized as Co. champions for that year. It is interesting to note that Aghabullogue, as a result of being recognized as Co. champions, went on to bring the first All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship to Cork in that same year.

Pre GAA Days..

In 1980 a massive book - "Sceal na hlomana" by An Br. O Caithnia was published. This book deals with the history of hurling up to 1884, - the year the G.A.A. was founded. It is clear that before 1884 there were two types of hurling. One was a parish to parish game called 'scoubeen'. The other type was played within a single field as at the present time. In the game played within a single field the scoring points were some objects on the end ditches, such as two bushes. A goal was scored by sending the ball over the ditch into the next field, between the selected markers. An account, of the game of hurling is given in John Dunston's Letters written in the 17th. century. Dunston states that when the cows were casting off their hair that the Irish pulled it off their backs and worked it with their hands into large balls which grow very hard. This ball was used at the hurling and it was struck by a commaan which was a stick about 3 and a half feet long in the handle. At the lower end it was crooked and it was about 3 inches broad. On this broad part he states you could see one of the gamesters carry the ball, tossing it for forty or fifty yards in spite of the adverse players. When he was likely to lose it he generally gave it a great drive towards the goal. Sometimes, according to Dunston, the player in question missed the ball and knocked one of his opponents down. No resentment was shown at injuries. In fact Dunston states that players seldom came off without broken heads or shins in which they gloried very much.

Dunston further states that these games of hurling were played sometimes between parishes or baronies. The teams consisted of ten, twelve or twenty players and the prize was generally a barrel or two of ale which was drunk off on the field. It appears that the losers got some of the ale too. The goals apparently were two hundred or three hundred yards apart. The players, according to Dunston, were of the younger and most active among them and their kindred and mistresses were usually spectators at the hurling game. Two or three bagpipers attended the winners at the barrel's head and then played them out of the field. Dunston states further that two thousand people attended some of these games.

The two types of hurling, - scoubeen and barra or field hurling, were played in Ballyhea in the years before the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in 1884. This fact is stated by Patrick Bradley in his book - "While I Remember." Bradley was born in 1858 and he lived for some years with his aunts, the Howards, who lived in the townland of Pruntas in the place where Charles O'Callaghan now lives. Bradley states in his book that the hurleys used in field hurling and scoubeen did not differ very much from the ones used in hurling under G.A.A. Rules in the first quarter of the Twentieth Century. The earliest ball he remembered was called a "roancheen". The roancheen was made of old wool from the worn stockings on a centre of cork, and it was covered with hair. Later on a ball called a "slitter" was used. The inner parts were the same as those of the roancheen, but they were covered with leather, by the local shoemaker. The "slitter" was twice the size of the present day sliotar. The hair for covering the roancheen was spun in the same way as for "spancels", but much finer, and it was considered quite an art to turn out a regularly round ball.

Practice was known as "puck about". An ordinary match included all the players available. Two leaders tossed, not a coin, but a hurley, right or left - for first call. The term captain was not used at that time. The selection went on until the roll-call was finished, and all the players lined up on opposite sides. The numbers in teams varied, but the average would probably amount to fifty. After the selection of sides the players went to the middle of the field, where the ball was thrown in, and play commenced.

There were few rules, but one, generally recognised and fully enforced, referred to the "highraddy". When the ball was driven into the dyke or ditch opposite the goal point it was considered out of play. A player from each side was selected, and they stood toe to toe opposite the goal with their hurleys raised. The ball was thrown high up between them. One player tried to drive the ball between the goal points over the fence into the next field and thereby score a goal for his team. The other player tried to clear for his side. This oftenled to exciting crashes, and the ash often failed to stand the strain of the impacts, the opponents putting every ounce of strength into their efforts to score or save for their sides. An expert player often scored a goal without this ordeal by lifting the ball on the boss of his hurley and getting it over the fence before being challenged by an opponent. This feat meant special skill. Another way of lifting a ball was by giving it a snick in the side. This was called a "dreebeen" and it required both quickness and dexterity. Apparently there was some idea of an "offside rule, for when a player got deliberately in your way you called out "Dhush".

Patrick Bradley then describes a "scoubeen" match between Ballyhea and Charleville that took place in the 1870's. A "scoubeen" differed from a "barra" or "field game" in several important points. The first difference was that there was no limit to the number of players on either side. There was a free hand to draw hurlers from any distance. There was no defined goals or landmarks. When the ball was thrown up the cry was "All for home" as the aim of each "scoubeen" team was to bring the ball home to its own place. Therefore the game swept on regardless of obstacle, over hedges or ditches, roads or rivers. For this famous "scoubeen" match of the 1870s Ballyhea recruited players from the neighbouring parishes of Churchtown, Buttevant, Doneraile, and as far south as Mallow. Charleville brought contingents from Garrienderk, Rockhill, Colmanswell, Bruree, Feenagh, almost up to the Shannon. The game started on the Hill of The Old Pike. The object of the play was to take the ball either to Charleville or some selected place in Ballyhea.

When the ball was thrown up, after some equal returns and intensive and exciting play on the hill itself, the ball was got over the first fence to the south and then playing with an incline, the Ballyhea side kept the ball practically on the move without any serious check. Ballyhea got the ball over the first fence, not by a "highraddy", but by lifting the ball on a hurley boss. This was a very difficult task to do considering the number of players involved in the game. Patrick Bradley estimates that five hundred players took part in the game. So it is easy to visualise how difficult it was to get the ballon a hurley boss. According to Bradley there were two thousand spectators at the game. The play continued through a meadow flooded with a foot of water, as well as other serious obstacles, until it reached the banks of the Awbeg River. At this point Charleville conceded the match as they realized that they could not get the ball out of the area where it was. This area was known as "Madigan's Marsh". Apparently Ballyhea scoubeen players were very anxious to bring the ball to this place as "no one born could bring a ball out of there". An old rule of hurling was that "the ball should always be the object of the game." However on this occasion hurleys were used for "uses other than striking the ball". Still nobody was killed and very few were seriously injured.

Another scoubeen match was held between Ballyhea and Charleville. On the second occasion Charleville won and their players actually carried the ball into the town. "Scoubeen" was not general throughout Ireland but was confined to certain districts in the south of the country. Ballyhea played "scoubeen" games against Buttevant, also, in the Velvetstown area. Buttevant played similar games against Churchtown and Liscarroll combinations in the terrain close to the present St. Brigid's Cemetery on the Buttevant to Liscarroll road.

The following is a list of some of the better known of the scoubeen players in Ballyhea in the years preceding the founding of the G.A.A. - S. Flaherty, D. Walshe, P. Walshe, N. McCarthy, Tom Connell, S. Desmond, M. Fitzgerald, J. McNamara, 'Kane Mahony, P. Connell, N. Hurley, J. O'Shea, W. Burke, P. Brosnahan, J. Reidy, P. Cowhey, "Rairey" Walshe, T. O'Meara, J. Nunan, D. Browne, W. Murphy, P. Boddie, L. Brassill, J. Flynn, "Gorsoon" Connors, M. Daly, "Fuadach" Doherty, "Daisy" Connors, Mike Walshe, J. Ryan, T. Fitzgibbon, P. O'Leary, M. Clarson, and Billy Howard.

Solo-runs were very popular in scoubeen. The art of "solo" was known as "fuadach". Each parish had its own "fuadach" man. Denis Doherty filled this role for Ballyhea and he became known locally as "Fuadach" Doherty. Indeed his family became known as the "Fuadach" Dohertys. Denis Doherty's job was to get the ball on his hurley and run as fast as he could for home. He was a man of exceptional athletic ability. At the age of sixty-five years he was able to clear a kitchen table in a standing leap. For the bet of a pint he did a "standing-leap" over the counter of Dick Connor's pub in Charleville. That pub is now owned by the Mulcahy Family. On another occasion at Cahirconner, out of a challenge, he jumped over a half-door through a doorway having taken only about a ten-foot run. The remarkable feature in this performance was that he had little scope above the half-door to get his body through. It was little wonder that the name of "fuadach" was assigned to him on the scoubeen fields.

William Murphy of Liscarroll was another noted player in those days. This man's fame will live long in local history for his feat in throwing a sledge over the walls of Liscarroll Castle. The late Con Walshe of Castledod told Jim Meagher that he remembered seeing Murphy play. He told of an incident in a "scoubeen" match between Ballyhea and Liscarroll parishes. In the course of play Murphy was unfairly tackled by a Ballyhea player. Murphy, a man of great build and physique, dropped his hurley and catching the Ballyhea man by the neck of the coat and seat of the pants, he heaved him over the ditch. The Ballyhea man concerned was an employee of Walshes' of Castledod, and had to suffer the jeers and jokes of his fellow-workers for many a day.

Another Ballyhea player who dared to tackle Murphy was William Burke of Cooline. Burke, by all accounts, was a hurler of exceptional skill. He was small in stature, and had a very clever knack of upending opposing players with a tackle which certainly would not be permitted under the present-day rules of the G.A.A. Hurling was not as fast then as it is nowadays. Very often, in a scoubeen match, the ball remained practically on the same spot whilst players endeavoured to hurl it backwards and forwards.

Outside this battling group, there was a circle of players in half-crouching positions, with hurleys at the ready, yelling and shouting, and hoping that a chance stroke would send the ball their way. Burke usually maneouvred on the outside, and when the ball was likely to move in a certain direction to a dangerous player, Burke came from behind, ran his head between the legs of the crouching opponent and upended him on the spot.

When he tried this trick on William Murphy of Liscarroll, Burke found himself locked in a vice-like grip between the knees of the Liscarroll giant. The yells of the Cooline man failed to soften the heart of Murphy, who did not release his grip until Burke was completely exhausted. Men took great pride in marking or receiving a wound from a great player such as Murphy, and it was their custom to move conspicuously around the parish, during the week following a match, displaying their cuts and bruises.

Con Walsh also recalled that his elder brother was one of the Ballyhea men who played in the scoubeen game against Liscarroll. He received a head-wound in the play. The only first-aid treatment available was the tying of a handkerchief around the head. It was not very effective, and the blood continued to ooze through it whilst he played.

There was no referee, goal umpires or linesmen in a scoubeen match. If things were not going right, there were enough people present to rectify matters. How they chose to do so was another day's work.

The game of football was popular in Ballyhea at one period before the founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Those were the days when, like scoubeen, there were no set rules for the game. A player was permitted to pick and run with the ball until he was dragged down, somewhat in the same manner as rugby is played nowadays. The game was known as "Caid". There is. no written record of any game of "Caid" that was played in Ballyhea. It would appear that its popularity had died out long before the "scoubeen" match between Ballyhea and Charleville which we mentioned earlier in this chapter. It is more than likely that no games of "Caid" were played in Ballyhea after The Great Famine of 1845-48. With the dying out of "Caid", hurling in its two forms prospered. John Ryan of Cooline did much to popularise the game of hurling. He was the prime organiser of all matches played in the district.

With such a long and deep-rooted tradition of hurling, in its different forms, it is no wonder that the seed sown by the infant Gaelic Athletic Association found such fertile soil in the parish of Ballyhea. Furthermore, it was not just accidental that this young G.A.A. seed quickly bore fruit and has continued to flower for the past century.