Club History

Reproduced with thanks from The Annals of Churchtown

Prior to the formation of the GAA in 1884 (when hurling pitches were generally referred to as 'goaling fields'), Barra or 'field hurling' was locally popular and was likely played in the 'goaling field' at Leap. Churchtown later provided a number of Scoubeen players to Ballyhea who engaged Charleville in some legendary encounters. Affiliated to the Cork County Board as early as 1890; the Churchtown GAA club was officially founded in 1894. Its original officers were: President, Reverend P. Murphy, Chairman R. Roche, Secretary, J. Flannery, Treasurer, E. Flannery and Captain P. O'Mahony. The Minutes of the 1928 Annual General Meeting of Churchtown GAA over which Mr M Thompson (Chairman) presided are as follows:

'Mr Frank O'Brien (Treasurer) on behalf of the club, presented the chairman with a silver cigarette case as a token of appreciation of his work done for the GAA locally during the year. Mr Thompson, who is sailing for Australia on January 9th [1929], in returning thanks, said he was sorry to be leaving Churchtown Hurling Club, but he hoped to be back again in time to come, and wished the club success for the year 1929. Over sixty members having paid their subscriptions for the coming year, the following officers were appointed to the committee:- President - Reverend Father Roche, C.C. Churchtown. Chairman - Mr M. Donovan, Vice-Chairman - Mr T. Wall, N.T. Hon. Secretary* - Mr J. O'Mahony, Hon. Treasurer** - Mr F. O'Brien, Captain - Mr T. Buckley, Vice-Captain- Mr D. Relihan, Representative on Board - Mr .T Buckley, Proxy - Mr J. O'Mahony, Mr D. Manning, Mr M. O'Keeffe and Mr T. Treacy. Selection Committee - Mr T. Buckley (Capt.), Mr D. O'Sullivan, and Mr D. Relihan. Vice-Captain - Mr J. O'Mahony, Hon Secretary Mr M. Donovan. Chairmen Mr J. Flannery and Mr T. Treacy. Finance Committee - Mr T O'Brien, Mr F. Flannery, Mr M. O'Keeffe, and Mr N. Simcox. Mr M. Donovan, the newly-appointed chairman, returned thanks to those present for the honour conferred on him by electing him to the chair, and said he would do his utmost to try and bring honours to the club for the coming year. He also paid a high tribute to the outgoing chairman, and wished him a safe voyage and a happy and prosperous time in Australia. Mr Thompson having again suitably returned thanks, the meeting ended'.

* Thomas Wall became Chairman at some point during the year 1929
** Jack O'Mahony followed T. Wall as Secretary. Jack was also a referee.

Churchtown's first major success at any level came in 1929 when its hurling team took the North Cork Junior title. In the semi-final at Buttevant on 2 September, Churchtown defeated a strongly-fancied Ballyhea side by 5-0 to 0-1 and survived keen competition to reach the final. The team that defeated Killavullen by 5-3 to 3-1 in the final at the Deerpark, Charleville on 3 November, was selected from the following panel: Tim 'Thady' Buckley (Capt.), Jim Cahalane, Dick Galligan, Frank Flannery, John Flannery, Billy Fitzpatrick, Tim Hedigan, Jim Kearney, Dave Manning, Frank O'Brien, Mick O'Keeffe, Paddy O'Keeffe, Pat M. O'Keeffe, Tom O'Keeffe, Maurice O'Mahony, Dan Relihan, Bill Relihan, Pad Relihan and Nat Simcox. The officials connected with the club's success included Thomas Wall, NT, (Chairman), Tom Treacy, (vice-Chairman) and Jack O'Mahony (Secretary).

The club staged a competition in September 1929 for a trophy which, according to Batt Thornhill (Buttevant, Avondhu and Cork), was known as 'The Churchtown Egg-Cup' and the event was won by Mallow. The Cork Examiner, Monday 23 September 1929, in giving the result of a match in the Tournament, which was refereed by Jack O'Mahony (Churchtown) - Buttevant 5-1, Banteer 1-4) - adds that 'The North Cork Junior Hurling League' match fell through and Ballyhea were awarded the game when Meelin failed to appear. During this era the parish had a second team known as the 'Black and Reds' (after their colours). It featured players who were unable to gain a regular first-team place. This side played several matches at Annagh. Pat O'Brien states that his father (Tom) was a member of the 'Black and Reds' and relates how the second fifteen had the pleasure of beating the champions in a challenge match there.

Ballyhea, thirsting for revenge after their shock defeat in the Championship, took their opportunity at a Tournament at Freemount on 6th October, 1929, in a game that was marred by the broken leg suffered by Churchtown's Tim Hedigan. The result provided an amusing exchange of poetry between the 'Bard of Ballyhea', Con O'Brien and Churchtown's Jack O'Mahony, Club secretary and team selector, and a brother of one of its stars, Maurice. The first poem, by Con O'Brien, published in the Cork Weekly Examiner, was as follows:

The very name of Freemount is music to my ears,
I have not seen that little town,
For quite a score of years.
But Gaelic spirit stirs my blood,
To travel there to-day,
For Churchtown Gaels will cross camáns with famous Ballyhea.

It's the Final for the Medals,
And crowds on every side,
Are filling up the village street,
From districts far and wide.
But mark the group of smiling youths whose laugh rings loud and gay,
And mark my words you'll see them,
Swing the field for Ballyhea!

In Buttevant, a month ago,
They met their Waterloo,
When Churchtown did, what Churchtown tried
For fifty years to do.
But that defeat just rouses the blood of men in Ballyhea,
And they have come to wipe it out,
In Freemount here to-day.

The toss is won by Churchtown;
A gale blows down the field,
They have their chance with wind and sun,
To make their rivals yield.
But, No! though wind and sun give aid.
The half-time figures told;
Four scores for dashing Black and White,
And two for Green and Gold.

Ah, Churchtown! now your chance is gone,
When change of sides took place,
With wind and sun assisting,
You failed to keep the pace.
The tide is now against you,
And the Boys of Ballyhea
Are fleet as deer to finish out
This tournament to-day.

Up goes the ball and smacking shots,
Like bullets pass us by.
The Churchtown posts are peppered hard,
By balls hit low and high.
The score runs up, the goals are eight,
The points exactly four,
Go easy boys!, we don't require
To beat them any more.

Twelve scores to two the final count,
So said the referee.
The medals come to Ballyhea,
And proud the boys may be.
And Tyler, Linehan and Hawe,
Will yet dash through the fray,
In many a field to raise a flag,
For dashing Ballyhea.

The Pigotts and Doherty, too,
With Desmond and O'Brien,
And Geary, Mooney and O'Callaghan,
All fit to toe the line.
The Ryans and Carrolls will be there,
To play as men can play,
And raise the name of ancient fame,
Of good old Ballyhea'.

Such a satirical broadside deserved swift response and Jack O'Mahony replied the following week, with all guns blazing:

Last Thursday in your column,
You gave some verses gay,
As to how the boys of Churchtown
Were beat by Ballyhea
You say the name of Freemount
Brings music to your ears,
To me it does the opposite;
It fills my eyes with tears.

You're careful not to mention
Some items of the game.
To make your poem more popular,
I think 'twould be a shame,
For you to quote the broken bones,
Which marred the play that day
And how the match was really won
By your stars from Ballyhea.

You say that in the Buttevant pitch,
Your Waterloo ye met;
Well that's a fact, five goals to nil
Is a record, you may bet!
You state it took us fifty years
To make your brave team yield,
But, remember, Con, we beat ye once
Upon your father's field.

Twelve years ago we whacked ye here,
In Mr Murphy's ground,
And also up in Cullig,
Before us ye went down.
We'll meet again next year, I hope,
And have another day,
And then we'll prove who are the best,
Ourselves or Ballyhea.

Excuse me Ed., I did not mean
To keep you half so long,
But let me have a handsome prize;
I want it as much as Con.
And when Christmas comes I need not sigh,
I'll spend a jolly day,
I'll treat the boys of Churchtown,
And this is what I'll say:

Success to all the local Gael,
Both daring, true and bold,
Who fought their way through many a fray,
In their colours, Green and Gold.
May you sweep North Cork again next year,
And be ready for the day
When you'll get the chance, the Buttevant dose,
To repeat for Ballyhea'.

The team began to break up soon after their 1929 success and although the club affiliated a team up to 1932, it seemed that interest for the moment had waned. Two or three Churchtown players assisted Liscarroll until 1939 when the Churchtown club was reformed. Although championship success eluded them in those days they did have some tournament success. Players associated with the club during this period included: Jimmy Buckley, Ben Cremins, Father Mossie Donovan, Jimmy Doyle, Patie Fehan, Jerry Fitzpatrick, Willie Fitzpatrick, Bill Gaffney, Jim Grady, Jim Kearney, Denis O'Sullivan (Village) and Christy Stack.
Tim Sullivan, now domiciled in Kerry, tells of a challenge match between Annagh and Granard at Annagh in 1940. Refereed by Jim Irwin, it was a keenly contested affair in which Granard emerged victors. Tim has recorded in verse the names of some of those who featured including: Beechinor who 'sent the white flag floating proudly in the breeze', Jerry Brislane, Dick Bowles, Pat and Bill Carroll, Doyle (Annagh's 'brightest star'), 'Flanagan', who 'hit the highlights, his followers to please', Arthur Kavanagh, Jerry O'Sullivan, Jack Roche, the four Stacks - Dan, Denny, John and Tim and 'brave Walsh at centre field'.

In the late 1940s the club was again reformed with Paddy O'Keeffe as the driving force and trainer. The hurling field was located at Sherlock's, Egmont, and it was considered an excellent surface. Emigration was affecting the parish at this time and consequently there was a shortage of young men to don the Green and Gold. To help get the club started, several who had retired from active hurling turned out including: Jerry Brislane, Mick O'Connell (Ballyhea), Willie Joe Condon, Patie Fehan, Eddie Galligan, Jim Grady, Eddie Guiney, Denny Hawe, Jerry Jewitt, Tom Murphy (Tom always shed his boots), Joe O'Sullivan, Jim Sampson and Christy Stack.

Others who played in that era included Ben Fehin, Jimmy Gordon, Mick Relihan, Christy and John Sherlock, and Brendan Wall. Although they met with little success, a large following attended their every match, many of whom used Dorney's lorry as transport to the game. Some epic encounters with Liscarroll - notably in Ballyhea and Buttevant - were recorded during this period. Following the success of his 'Cottage Rake' in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the owner, F.L. Vickerman donated the 'Cottage Rake' trophy for a tournament. Participating teams included: Ballyhea, Buttevant, Charleville, Doneraile, Mallow, Milford, Shanballymore and St Patrick's (Limerick). Charleville were the last winners of the Cup.

About this time and attempt was made to form a Camoige club. Bridget 'Birdie' Flynn was a leading member of the club. Unfortunately, after playing a few matches the interest waned and the club lapsed.

Patrick Kavanagh recalled the following poem, entitled Annagh versus Granard by Tim Sullivan ('Flanagan'), about a match between Annagh and Granard from 1940 that goes as follows:

'Jim Irwin threw the leather in to start the friendly war,
The Annagh boys came sweeping on with Doyle their brightest star,
Jack Roche held our net intact tho' stormed by many a shell,
And what he'd be worth between the posts the boys from the Marsh can tell,
Jack Stack in the full back line the bulwark of the side,
Each time he cleared those deafening cheers were heard oe'r far and wide,
Dick Bowles was on the left and Pat Carroll on the right,
With Tim Stack, Bill Carroll, and Brislane conspicuous in the fight,
John Stack and Arthur Kavanagh an inch they did not yield,
To brave Walsh and Jerry Booney in the centre of the field,
Up in the mid air they pulled on that ball and many a rush they staid,
Their great display this glorious day throw's Blackrock's in the shade,
When Denny Stack raised the green flag it was a glorious sight,
We saw the dawn of victory break above us with delight,
And Beechinor's sent the white flags floating proudly in the breeze,
and "Flanagan" hit the highlights his followers to please,
The Fitzpatrick Brothers came along with such a speed and straight,
Tim Connell from the background yelled they'd win the Galway Plate.
The sands of time are rushing down the hour glass slow but sure,
The Annagh boys come sweeping on vital scores to secure,
Hark! there's the final whistle gone and Annagh's hopes are sank
and Granard boys ascend the throne by Awbeg's mossy bank,
We raise our hats to those Granard boys, we hail them everywhere,
As champions of this great game may they long their laurels wear.

The parish was very proud when in 1950, Christy Sherlock (Egmont) was selected as goalkeeper on the Cork Minor Hurling team. Christy recalls an incident during a championship match against Waterford; the referee (a substitute referee who specialised in officiating at football games) awarded Waterford a 'penalty' - although at that time, there was no such provision within the hurling code for such an award. Christy faced up to the 'penalty' which, to his relief, the surprised free taker blazed over the bar.

In 1961 the Under-14s won the North Cork Final with a fine victory over Castletownroche. Club Officials were: Chairman; Ned Dorney, Secretary; Bill Flynn and Treasurer: Ned Guiney. The team was jointly trained by Maurice O'Mahony (of the 1929 winning team) and Pat O'Brien. The team (with subs.) was: Michael Browne, Ned O'Donovan, John Doyle, Tommy Duane, Gerry Horgan, Johnny Horgan, Patsy Larkin, Denis Linehan, Michael McMahon, Seamus McMahon, Thomas O'Brien, Johnny O'Connell, Eddie O'Donovan, Kevin O'Leary, Denis O'Mahony, Paddy Joe O'Mahony, Donie O'Sullivan and Tan Simcox (Capt.). Ben Dorney was team mascot.

November 1969 saw a major North Cork title return to the parish after a lapse of forty years. On a day when atrocious weather made stylish hurling virtually impossible, the wearers of the Green and Gold denied Ballygiblin by 0-6 (all six scored by Paddy Behan) to 1-2 at Kildorrery, to bring the Novice trophy home to an ecstatic village welcome. Ned Dorney was a selector and Tim Griffin, trainer, of the team. The victorious panel was: Paddy Behan, John. Bowles, Mick Carey, Paddy Joe Cronin, Paudie Doyle, Joe Egan, Patsy Flynn, Gerry Hallihan, Ned Hawe, Donie Jewitt, Michael McMahon (Capt.), Paddy Joe McMahon, Pakie Morrissey, Jim O'Brien, Mossie O'Callaghan, Kevin O'Leary, Denis O'Mahony, Paddy Joe O'Mahony, Billie O'Sullivan, Danny Relihan and 'Tan' Simcox.
Helen Morrissey has captured the essence of the struggle and the exuberance of victory in the following poem:

The green parks of Churchtown where strong grows the ash,
Have always known hurlers of courage and dash.
The great men who lived by the Annagh's swift flow
We remember so well from the long years ago
In November their boys to Kildorrery came
Ballygiblin to meet in a fast, thrilling game
That was voted by all scientific and fine
In the final North Cork of nineteen sixty-nine.

Danny Relihan minded our goal-posts that day
Full-back Kevin Leary was Churchtown's main stay.
Jim Brien, Jerry Hallihan, Paddy Joe at his side,
John Bowles and Mick Carey withstanding the tide.
Outside centre-field Tan Simcox and Ned Hawe,
Our forwards likewise were six men without flaw.
Donie Jewitt, Pakie Morrissey, Bill Sullivan full.
Mick McMahon, Pat Behan, Denny Mahony pulled.

The game it was thrilling but bad for the heart
For some ground they oft forced us to yield at the start,
And even at half time our spirits were low
But Tim Griffin, our trainer, then set us aglow
We went back for the second half hopeful and bold
Determined to honour our own green and gold
And the saves of Danny Relihan soon thrilled the crowd,
Supported by Leary and his wingers proud

But up in the front we were near a breakthrough
As Simcox and Hawe up in centre-field drew,
Sending up to the six in our gallant front rank,
To resist - Ballygiblin would have needed a tank,
McMahon and Morrissey gathered around,
Jewitt, Sullivan and Mahony came with a bound.
Behan pointed a winner, we shouldered them up,
To the town of Kildorrery holding the cup.

Now tonight here we mention their names with great cheer,
As up go the glasses and down goes the beer,
We remember the Gaels not alone of today,
But all the good men of the years passed away.
And toast that the future may to us extend,
Good hurlers great honours unto us send,
Like the lads in whose praises we all of us join,
Who won the North Cork in 1969.

Churchtown National School team won the South Limerick Schools Final in 1983 beating Anglesboro at Knockainey. The team is shown as picture 127 at Part 6 of this book. Front row: Michael Doyle, James Crowley, Patrick O'Connor, Dermot Carroll, Catherine Lynch, Declan Crowley and Michael Sheahan. Middle Row: Frank Flannery, Padraig Morrissey, Tony O'Flaherty, Pat O'Connell, Paul Crowley, Adrian Corbett and Kevin Flynn. Back Row: John Carroll, Michael Broderick, Michael Lynch, Robert Dorney (Capt), William Murphy, Robert Murphy, Paul Carey and Finbarr Buckley.

Football followers in the parish had to wait until 1985 - and then it was a dual success - at Under-14 and Under-16 level! The Under-14 team took the North Cork Grade 'C' Championship under the watchful eye of trainer Kevin O'Leary. The team (with subs) was: Paul Carey, Dermot Carroll, John Carroll, Adrian Corbett (Capt.), Declan Crowley, James Crowley, Robert Dorney, Michael Doyle, Tony O'Flaherty, John Gaffney, Dan Jones, Michael Lynch, Padraig Morrissey, Robert Murphy, William Murphy, Pat O'Connell, Patrick O'Connor, James O'Sullivan, Maurice O'Sullivan, Christopher Scott,.
The Under-16 panel was: Ger Carey, Paul Carey, Dermot Carroll, John Carroll, Colm Conroy, Declan Crowley, Liam Crowley, Thomas Crowley, Robert Dorney, Michael Doyle, Jimmy Fisher, John Gaffney, Gerard Hedigan, Ger Jones, Tom Jones, Michael Lynch, William Murphy, Pat O'Connell, Pat O'Connor, Seamus O'Connor, Christopher Scott and Philip Sweeney

Having taken the South Limerick School's Football Championship in the 1983-84 season, Churchtown ran up a string of successes: 1989/'90, North Cork School's Hurling Championship and North Cork School's Football Championship; the double was again completed in 1991/'92 and repeated in 1992/'93. The North Cork School's Hurling Championship was again won in 1994/'95, as was the North Cork INTO Mini-Sevens Hurling Championship. The North Cork Football Title returned to Churchtown NS in 1995/'96.

Further success arrived in 1990 when the Junior 'B' North Cork Football Championship was won for the parish. Mentors Christy Stack and John O'Mahony worked with a panel that included many of the successful 1985 Under-16 Champions. The panel included: Paul Carey, Colm Conroy, Liam Crowley, Michael Doyle, Gerard Hedigan, John Hedigan, Michael Hedigan, John Keane, Michael Lynch, John Matthews, Anthony McMahon, Neil O'Callaghan, Michael O'Connor, Patrick O'Connor, Seamus O'Connor, John O'Mahony and Billy Sherlock. Team Mascot was Paul McMahon.

The year 1987 proved a watershed in the history of Churchtown GAA. In that year after nearly one hundred years of Gaelic sporting activity in the parish, the club acquired a permanent home. The name of one man in particular must forever remain synonymous with the acquisition of that splendid playing surface - Father Patrick J. Twohig - Parish Priest of Churchtown 1986-2001. Father Twohig was engaged in protracted negotiations with local landowners before finally setting his sights on Simcox's field adjoining the Maryfield churchyard. Having established a rapport with Nat Simcox during negotiations, Father Twohig enquired as to the lowest acceptable offer that might be entertained. On being presented with this figure, Father Twohig concluded the meeting and promised to return to the negotiating table. Imagine Nat Simcox's incredulity when at the beginning of their next meeting the West Cork priest made an offer for the field below that which Nat had indicated as the his bottom line! Happily, the two men enjoyed a mutual respect, and a deal was brokered shortly afterwards.
The grounds were speedily developed and a state of the art sporting facility, the envy of clubs not only in North Cork, but throughout Munster, now lies with a couple of hundred yards of the centre of Churchtown village. Capital investment by Churchtown GAA since purchasing its village grounds up to 2004 exceeds €735,000: €185,000 in sports field development and a further €550,000 in completing the 500-seater spectator stand with its two dressing-room, three shower-room and ancillary facilities.

An unsuccessful attempt was made in the early 1990s to reform the camoige club, and although the team experienced some success, interest waned after 1995.
The Under-12s presented the parish with both a Hurling Championship and a Football League Title in 1995. A composite list of both panels included: Ann Marie Breen, Jason Carey, Wesley Carey, Adrian Carroll, John Crowley, Patrick Crowley, Kieran Curtin, Michael Daly, Denis Fehan, Diarmuid Fisher, Mark Flannery, Cathal Hawe, Bertie Óg Hawe, Joe Herlihy, Paul McMahon, James Murphy, Brian Nolan, James O'Callaghan, Brian O'Donovan, Ian O'Flynn, Lorraine O'Halloran, Brian Quinn and Joanne Quinn.

The Under-14s also brought hurling and football glory to the parish in 1995 by winning the Football Championship and Hurling League. The composite panel included: James Breen, John Breen, Adrian Carroll, Thomas Crowley, Kieran Curtin, Neily Daly, Denis Fehan, Thomas Fehan, Diarmuid Fisher, Mark Flannery, John Howard, Paul McMahon, Joanne McMahon, James Murphy, Brian Nolan, David O'Brien, Mark O'Brien, Thomas O'Brien, Anne O'Donovan, Brian O'Donovan, Thomas O'Flaherty, Ian O'Flynn, Michael O'Halloran, Anita O'Herlihy, Joe O'Herlihy, Brian Quinn, John Quinn and Noel Quinn.
The Under-16 Footballers completed a bumper year for the parish in 1995 by completing the North Cork League and Championship double. The twenty-one -member panel was: Brendan Breen, James Breen, John Breen, Kieran Crowley, Kieran Curtin, Neily Daly, Paddy Daly, Thomas Fehan, Diarmuid Fisher, John Howard, Anthony McMahon, Paul McMahon, David O'Brien, Mark O'Brien, Thomas O'Brien, Brian O'Donovan, Thomas O'Flaherty, Michael O'Halloran, Kieran O'Sullivan, John Quinn and Noel Quinn.

While under-age success continued through the late 1990s, in 1999 the club finally broke the County Title barrier when they defeated St Mary's (Ballineen) in the County Minor Hurling decider.

The Liam McCarthy All Ireland Hurling Trophy and the Bob O'Keeffe, Leinster Senior Hurling Trophy were seen by Churchtown residents on 30th July 1997 during a presentation at the Community Hall by former Wexford All-Ireland winning captain, Tom Dempsey . It came as no surprise when after the presentation, Churchtown's adopted Wexford-man Jimmy Gordon, filled the Liam McCarthy. Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh also attended this event in the Community Centre which coincided with a self development workshop based on the principals of Stephen Covey presented by Maurice O'Grady and organised by the Churchtown Village Renewal Trust.

Churchtown's Under-21 footballers won the North Cork championship in 1998 beating Grange in Buttevant in the final. Kieran Brennan was captain and the team was managed by Colm Conroy. The panel included: Kieran Brennan (Capt), Denis Crowley, Kieran Crowley, David Murphy, Nat Simcox, Kieran Sullivan, John Quinn, Noel Quinn, Thomas O'Flaherty, Thomas O'Brien, Thomas Fehan, John Howard, John Breen, John O'Sullivan, Brendan Breen and James Breen.
Churchtown's GAA Under-21 hurlers won the North Cork championship in 2000 beating Shanballymore in Charleville. Anthony McMahon captained the team. The panel included; Noel Quinn, John Quinn, Kieran O'Sullivan, Michael O'Halloran, Thomas O'Flaherty, Brian O'Donovan, Thomas O'Brien, David O'Brien, Paul McMahon, Anthony McMahon (Capt), John Howard, Diarmuid Fisher, Thomas Fehan, Ciaran Curtin, Brendan Breen, John Breen and James Breen. The selectors were Michael Relihan, Dick Matthews and Paudie Doyle.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Jim McDaid, TD, visited the village and turned the first sod at the GAA spectator stand and dressing rooms on Tuesday, 23rd
January 2001.

Sunday 8th of August 2004 is a day destined to enter the realms of the folk-history of the parish. This was the long-awaited day when the hurling side emulated the heroes of 1929 and 1969 in bringing a Championship to Churchtown. The weather (as in '69) was not conducive to good hurling, and their opponents Doneraile, aided by a blustery wind, led at half-time by 1-6 to 1-4. In the last quarter Churchtown went a few points ahead and Kieran Curtin's late goal decided the issue. Having lost two finals in the previous three years, supporters were understandably jubilant when the long whistle sounded.
When the team arrived at the outskirts of the village they were escorted by a piper to the village square. A celebration went on for some time and never was 'My Village of Churchtown' rendered with more fervour than on that wonderful night - especially at O'Briens' - proud sponsors of the Green and Gold. Trainer Henry Greensmith and selectors William Relihan and Michael McMahon (captain of the '69 team) were justly proud of their charges: The winning Championship panel included John Breen, Kieran Brennan, Colm Conroy, Kieran Curtin, Joe Delee, Michael Doyle, Thomas Fehan, John Howard, Anthony McMahon, Paul McMahon, Pádraig Morrissey, Brian O'Donovan, Thomas O'Brien, Tony O'Flaherty (Capt.), Brian Quinn and John Quinn.

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