Memories of the Thirties
[HISTORY]
AHENURE HURLING TEAM OF THE THIRTIES
Micksie Connell, Dan roche and Jim Gethings can remember the hurlin scene in Callan in the 1930's. In 1931 they reached the Junior final against Danesfort and were beated by two points. This team included Danny (Ducker) Hoyne in goal, larry (Cracker) Meagher, Paddy (Waxy)Hogan, Jim Burke, Willie Lyons, Ber Madigan tom Power ( Captain), Phil Leahy, Jack Corcoran, Johnny Madigan, Mick Madigan, Jim Gethings, Frank (Kaeser) Meaher, Jack foley, Watty Purcell (father of Inter-county star Kieran).
In 1932 John Lockes had only a minor team. They were beaten in the Minor County Final by Eire Og in a replay. The line out of this team was as follows: John Kelly, Mick Coonan, Tom Cahill, Jim Mackey (Windgap), Paddy (Sonny) Walsh, - who was killed in the 2nd World War, Micksie Connell, Mick Hayes, Dan Roche, John Walker, Fr. Paddy Fennelly, Jackie Cahill, Tommy (Totty) Shea, Bob Woodgate, Paddy Larkin, Paddy Griffin. In 1932 they reached the Intermediate Final. They played two draws before Conahy came out on top by two points. In 1934 they went down to Tullaroan in the Senior Championship. In 1935 success came at last in the Intermediate Championship with a fine win over St. Kieran's of Johnstown.
The team that year included; Jim Burke, John Kelly, tom Cahill, Paddy Roche, (brother of Dan Roche) Dan Roche, Micksie Connell, Ned Molloy, Phil Leahy (a most dedicated player and club man who wore the county jersey fron 1926 to 1935 in Junior hurling) Ned Leahy, Jackie Cahill, John Madigan, Mick Madigan, Paddy Griffin, Frank Meagher, Jack Foley, Jack Fitzpatrick. In 1936 they were beaten by Mooncoin in the Senior Championship, Micksie recalls that there were seven Duggans on the Mooncoin team that year.
In 1937 they were regarded. Dan Roche and Jackie Cahill played Senior with Tullaroan that year. Val Madigan from Callan who was in the States came home and hurled with Tullaroan. He played in the Senior All-Ireland at Killarney that year and played Junior with the John Lockes in his later years. In 1938 no John Lockes team was affiliated following a mix-up over who was to attend the Southern convention. Callan players were divided between Dunnamaggin and Ballyline, Micksie Connell, Dan Roche and Totty Shea won the Junior Championship with Ballyline that year. John Lockes had to go Senior in 1939 and were joined by the Longs of Dunamaggin. Ironically, they were drawn against Ballyline in the First round of the Championship and were beaten by them. Kev. Cahill, home from the States had £20 on John Lockes and had a bus booked for a Carnival in Castlecomer to celebrate victory. However one of the Longs, who was playing in goal was injured and Kev. came in as sub goalkeeper and the stake money dwindled away at £5 per goal. Callan man, Martin power who played with Army Metro in Dublin won three All-Ireland Medals with Kilkenny during the 1930's. Jacksie Cahill and Paddy Walsh won All-Ireland medals for 1932 and Dan Roche and Jacksie Cahill again won Leinster Minor medals in 1933. This is the story of the hurling scene in Callan in 1930's as recalled by these three men who were actively involved in those years.
JOHN LOCKES - 1932 MINOR COUNTY FINALISTS