Roscommon U-21 All-Ireland 1966:
‘The Eighth Wonder of the World’
(For the 40th Anniversary-2006- of a great Roscommon All-Ireland Under 21 Victory).
Noted GAA correspondent John D. Hickey suggested that if Roscommon were to beat Kildare and win the All-Ireland Under- 21 Final of 1966 it would be ‘an eight wonder of the world’. In a glorious hour’s football, after a game of swaying fortunes, Roscommon did just that and the critics were confounded. Roscommon became the first holders of the Clarke Cup, ironically donated by Kildare County Board in honour of a long-serving Kildare official in the third year of the competition. This made up for the disappointment of ’65 when a fine Minor side were beaten in the Semi-Final by Derry.
In retrospect this was a star-studded side but three of the starting side Earley, Cox, Kelly were still only minors such plus O’Gara who came on and substitutes Feely and O’Sullivan. Through the campaign they played with dash and style and the final against reigning champions Kildare was an exhibition of football.
Convincing in Connacht:
They gave first notice of their possibilities with a top class display against Galway in the first round where Pat Nicholson was outstanding. Roscommon 1.9 Galway 1.5. However they just shaded the Semi-Final v Leitrim with the first of series of fine performances from Martin Joe Keane. Roscommon 2.6 Leitrim 1.8.
In the Connacht Final Mayo raced into a six point lead. Ropscommon made some telling switches and Mayo were reeled in by half-time. Roscommon dominated the second half and ended convincing winners. Roscommon 1.15 Mayo 0.9. Dermot Earley accounted for 0.8 of Roscommon’s total.
Close call in Semi-Final:
Roscommon 2.2 Donegal 0.5.
The odd scoreline gives some indication of the game. Roscommon should have won more convincingly but shot an unhealthy number of wides. Tom Heheghan had the side’s only first half score, a great goal, which left them ahead by a point at half time. Heneghan was also involved in the second goal being brought down for a penalty which Jim Keane converted. Heneghan and Martin Joe Keane starred while Roscommon had a great half-back line of Gerry Mannion, Paul Mockler and Colm Shine.
Grand Final Victory:
This game included all that was best in Gaelic football and will rank among the best performances by a Roscommon side in Croke Park. Roscommon started with three quick points from Jimmy Finnegan and John Kelly (2). Kildare responded with five points without reply and led at half-time 0.7 to 0.5. Kildare dominated the third quarter and raced to a six point lead and seemed to be on the way to retaining their title and being the first holders of their own cup. Roscommon restructured their side bringing Earley to midfield and Martin Joe Keane to the edge of the square and Jim (Jumbo) Keane to centre-forward. This had the desired effect and Roscommon came back with a cracking goal from Jumbo followed by another from Jimmy Finnegan after good work from Martin Joe. These goals decided the outcome as the ‘lily whites’ wilted.
In the latter stages it was a total team performance of great passion, character and efficiency. The back line personified a ‘thou shall not pass’ tenaciousness as represented by Clarke and Shine. Up front the speed and accuracy of John Kelly showed him up as one of the outstanding forwards on view among a star-studded cast from both sides. It should be remembered that Kildare were defending champions and were favourites for very valid reasons. Eleven starting players and one substitute had been on the victorious team versus Cork in ’65. The side included quite a number of players who were to become household names not only in their own county but in the broader Gaelic spectrum. These included Ollie Crinnegan (goalkeeper), Pat Mangan, Tommy Carew and Pat Dunny.
Roscommon team Captain, Colm Shine, accepted the Clarke Cup (ironically just presented by Kildare in memory of a long-serving official) from the GAA President Hugh Byrne. By co-incidence it was just twelve months to the day that Mr Byrne had presented Mick Hoare with the All-Ireland Junior Hurling Cup in St. Coman’s Park.
The team made a triumphal tour of the county on their return, breaking with tradition by crossing the Shannon at Tarmonbarry. From there they visited Strokestown and Elphin to an explosive reception in Boyle where Johnny Keaveny’s coal lorry, acting as rostrum,left its mark. The team then visited Castlerea and Ballintubber on their way to a County Board reception in Roscommon town.
The team:
Pat Reynolds (Elphin), Pat Clarke (Boyle), Pat Nicholson (Boyle), Colm Shine (Capt./ Clann na Gael), Gerry Mannion (St. Brigids), Paul Mockler (St Croan’s), Tommy Heneghan (Castlerea), Martin Joe Keane (Creggs), John O’Connor (Roscommon Gaels), Jimmy Finnegan (Castlerea), Dermot Earley (Michael Glaveys U 18), Jim Cox ( St. Barry’s U 18), Marty Cummins (Shannon Gaels), Jim Keane (St. Brigids), John Kelly (Elphin U 18). Substitute used Mark O’Gara, (St Croan’s U 18).
Also on the match programme are Willie Feeley (Rahara U 17!), John Nicholson (Boyle), Ray Sheerin (St. Michaels), Noel Daly (Castlerea, who was ill for the final).
In the team picture are, Frank Fallon (St. Faithleach’s), Oliver Naughton (Padraig Pearse’s), James Beirne (Elphin), Jerome Dufficey (Tulsk).
Also associated with the team K. McGuinness (Tarmonbarry), Adrian O’Sullivan (Castlerea U 18), T. Gacquin (St. Aidan’s), Sean O Donnell (St. Faithleach’s), a total of 28 in all.
The reason I note those U 18 is to give an indication of how young three of their most influential players were. Indeed star player John Kelly says that it was the Minor Championship, not the under 21, that they really hoped to win that year. Being 1966, the 50th Anniversary of 1916, the All-Ireland medals were of special quality as were all All-Ireland medals of that year. The team trainer was Dr. Keenan.
The team were feted at the County Senior Final and as guests of the Roscommon Supporters Club in Dublin in October.
It is fair to say that nearly all of the above went on to give great service to Roscommon as senior players and in other GAA roles within the county subsequently. It was one of the most talented sides Roscommon ever fielded and in ways this year’s minor team has shades of its composition.
In retrospect this was a star-studded side but three of the starting side Earley, Cox, Kelly were still only minors such plus O’Gara who came on and substitutes Feely and O’Sullivan. Through the campaign they played with dash and style and the final against reigning champions Kildare was an exhibition of football.
Convincing in Connacht:
They gave first notice of their possibilities with a top class display against Galway in the first round where Pat Nicholson was outstanding. Roscommon 1.9 Galway 1.5. However they just shaded the Semi-Final v Leitrim with the first of series of fine performances from Martin Joe Keane. Roscommon 2.6 Leitrim 1.8.
In the Connacht Final Mayo raced into a six point lead. Ropscommon made some telling switches and Mayo were reeled in by half-time. Roscommon dominated the second half and ended convincing winners. Roscommon 1.15 Mayo 0.9. Dermot Earley accounted for 0.8 of Roscommon’s total.
Close call in Semi-Final:
Roscommon 2.2 Donegal 0.5.
The odd scoreline gives some indication of the game. Roscommon should have won more convincingly but shot an unhealthy number of wides. Tom Heheghan had the side’s only first half score, a great goal, which left them ahead by a point at half time. Heneghan was also involved in the second goal being brought down for a penalty which Jim Keane converted. Heneghan and Martin Joe Keane starred while Roscommon had a great half-back line of Gerry Mannion, Paul Mockler and Colm Shine.
Grand Final Victory:
This game included all that was best in Gaelic football and will rank among the best performances by a Roscommon side in Croke Park. Roscommon started with three quick points from Jimmy Finnegan and John Kelly (2). Kildare responded with five points without reply and led at half-time 0.7 to 0.5. Kildare dominated the third quarter and raced to a six point lead and seemed to be on the way to retaining their title and being the first holders of their own cup. Roscommon restructured their side bringing Earley to midfield and Martin Joe Keane to the edge of the square and Jim (Jumbo) Keane to centre-forward. This had the desired effect and Roscommon came back with a cracking goal from Jumbo followed by another from Jimmy Finnegan after good work from Martin Joe. These goals decided the outcome as the ‘lily whites’ wilted.
In the latter stages it was a total team performance of great passion, character and efficiency. The back line personified a ‘thou shall not pass’ tenaciousness as represented by Clarke and Shine. Up front the speed and accuracy of John Kelly showed him up as one of the outstanding forwards on view among a star-studded cast from both sides. It should be remembered that Kildare were defending champions and were favourites for very valid reasons. Eleven starting players and one substitute had been on the victorious team versus Cork in ’65. The side included quite a number of players who were to become household names not only in their own county but in the broader Gaelic spectrum. These included Ollie Crinnegan (goalkeeper), Pat Mangan, Tommy Carew and Pat Dunny.
Roscommon team Captain, Colm Shine, accepted the Clarke Cup (ironically just presented by Kildare in memory of a long-serving official) from the GAA President Hugh Byrne. By co-incidence it was just twelve months to the day that Mr Byrne had presented Mick Hoare with the All-Ireland Junior Hurling Cup in St. Coman’s Park.
The team made a triumphal tour of the county on their return, breaking with tradition by crossing the Shannon at Tarmonbarry. From there they visited Strokestown and Elphin to an explosive reception in Boyle where Johnny Keaveny’s coal lorry, acting as rostrum,left its mark. The team then visited Castlerea and Ballintubber on their way to a County Board reception in Roscommon town.
The team:
Pat Reynolds (Elphin), Pat Clarke (Boyle), Pat Nicholson (Boyle), Colm Shine (Capt./ Clann na Gael), Gerry Mannion (St. Brigids), Paul Mockler (St Croan’s), Tommy Heneghan (Castlerea), Martin Joe Keane (Creggs), John O’Connor (Roscommon Gaels), Jimmy Finnegan (Castlerea), Dermot Earley (Michael Glaveys U 18), Jim Cox ( St. Barry’s U 18), Marty Cummins (Shannon Gaels), Jim Keane (St. Brigids), John Kelly (Elphin U 18). Substitute used Mark O’Gara, (St Croan’s U 18).
Also on the match programme are Willie Feeley (Rahara U 17!), John Nicholson (Boyle), Ray Sheerin (St. Michaels), Noel Daly (Castlerea, who was ill for the final).
In the team picture are, Frank Fallon (St. Faithleach’s), Oliver Naughton (Padraig Pearse’s), James Beirne (Elphin), Jerome Dufficey (Tulsk).
Also associated with the team K. McGuinness (Tarmonbarry), Adrian O’Sullivan (Castlerea U 18), T. Gacquin (St. Aidan’s), Sean O Donnell (St. Faithleach’s), a total of 28 in all.
The reason I note those U 18 is to give an indication of how young three of their most influential players were. Indeed star player John Kelly says that it was the Minor Championship, not the under 21, that they really hoped to win that year. Being 1966, the 50th Anniversary of 1916, the All-Ireland medals were of special quality as were all All-Ireland medals of that year. The team trainer was Dr. Keenan.
The team were feted at the County Senior Final and as guests of the Roscommon Supporters Club in Dublin in October.
It is fair to say that nearly all of the above went on to give great service to Roscommon as senior players and in other GAA roles within the county subsequently. It was one of the most talented sides Roscommon ever fielded and in ways this year’s minor team has shades of its composition.
No comments:
Post a Comment