The Avondhu

60 YEARS ON

Part 4 - continued from last week

BY PADDY RYAN

AVONDHU HURLED DEFIANCE AT BEST EFFORTS OF STUNNED GLEN Avondhu 5-11 Glen Rovers 4-7

Avondhu senior hurlers gave a tremendous display of power packed hurling when sending county champions Glen Rovers crashing to a sensational defeat in the semi-final of the county SHC at the Cork Athletic Grounds on Sunday, August 27 in 1961. The winners’ hopes of regaining the title they last held in 1952 loomed very large as a result of this great victory.

Glen Rovers were lucky not to suffer a heavier defeat. In the opening half over-eagerness in attack cost Avondhu at least two goals. Again, just before full-time further scores were missed.

Avondhu set a cracking pace from the start, and dictated an open game to the champions. But it was not until ten minutes before the interval that they really found their scoring range. In a devastating spell, they tore holes in the Rovers defence and led by 3-8 to 1-3 at half-time.

The Cork City men rallied strongly at the start of the second half and whittled down their arrears to a point. But Avondhu held on gamely, and in a storming finish outpaced the champions to finish very worthy winners.

So well did the Avondhu players rise to the occasion that it would be invidious to single out anyone for special mention.

EQUALISER

Aided by the breeze in the first half, Avondhu opened the scoring when Richie Browne pointed a free a minute after the throw in. Seconds later Paddy Behan added another point. ‘Glen’ then went on the attack and Patsy Harte opened their account with a point. Shortly afterwards, from far out on the left wing Christy Ring cut over the equaliser. The first goal came when Johnny Clifford whipped an overhead ball to the Avondhu net.

Paddy Behan replied with a point for Avondhu, who then went on a scoring spree through Richie Browne 2-4, Johnny O’Connor 1-1 and Billy Hegarty 0-1, that gave the divisional team an interval lead 3-8 to 1-3. Rovers’ only score during this period was a point by Christy Ring.

The champions rallied to score 3-1 in the opening quarter of the second half, through Mick Quane 3-0 and Sean Kennefick 0-1. Then came the most spectacular movement of the hour - Richie Browne gained possession 55 yards from the ‘Glen’ goal. He moved quickly on a solo and got within the ‘21’ when he was fouled. He pointed the resultant free.

Play swung to the other end and Johnny Clifford kept Rovers’ hopes alive when he tapped over a neat point - 3-9 to 4-4. A ‘switch’ in the Avondhu attack saw Paddy Morrissey go to full forward and Johnny O’Connor moved to the ‘40’. The former Waterford player heralded his entry to his new berth when scoring a vital goal from 30 yards out. Back came the ‘Glen’ and a hurleyless Christy Ring kicked over his side’s sixth point.

In the last 10 minutes Johnny O’Connor (1-1) and Paddy Behan (0-1) put Avondhu in a safe position. The losers’ only reply during this period was a point by Johnny Clifford.

LATE START

Johnny O’Connor was late for the start of the game because of a car mishap and he later replaced Mick Kearney on the Avondhu team. In the preceding Dick Barrett Memorial Shield Ground Hurling Tournament, St Finbarr’s defeated Avondhu by 5-3 to 2-2.

ALL ROUND PERFORMANCE

The Avondhu team displayed determination, pluck, pace and combination. Shanballymore’s solitary representative, ginger-haired goalkeeper Donie Curtin performed his duties in splendid fashion. Though confronted by no less a trio than Christy Ring, Mick Quane and Johnny Clifford, he was the essence of coolness and effected delightful clearances, particularly in a testing third quarter.

Mick Cowhig, who came on the team for the injured right corner back Michael Dunne, rose brilliantly to the task of keeping the famed Christy Ring in check. Ring did slip through on a number of occasions but could only notch points. Fullback John Stack (Doneraile) was also very sound. His play allowed goalkeeper Curtin plenty of light, and although Quane goaled three times, the Doneraile man added immensely to his reputation. The Farrahy man Mick Flynn, amazed the attendance with his lengthy good deliveries. At left corner-back he kept the 1954 All-Ireland player Johnny Clifford well in check.

The Avondhu halfback line played a big part in the triumph. Centre back Johnny Browne gave an exhibition of brilliant anticipation and striking. In the first half Eamonn Goulding could not subdue the Castletownroche stylist and Christy Ring fared little better when he moved out to the ‘40’ near the end. Wingbacks Chris Morrissey (Newtownshandrum) on the left and Ballyhea’s Jerome O’Keeffe opened shakily. After the first quarter, they settled down to master all opposition for the remainder of the hour. They kept tenaciously with their opponents and pulled first time on almost every ball.

At midfield the Avondhu pair of William Frawley (Fermoy) and Bill Hegarty (Kilworth) were a success. They were a little subdued at the start of the second half when former Galway player, Joe Salmon and Eamon Goulding took control. However, in the closing stages the Avondhu men were completely in command and the sturdy and fit William Frawley improved as the game progressed.

BADLY BEATEN

Castletownroche’s Bobby O’Sullivan came on as a replacement for right half forward John White, whose hand was injured some weeks prior. O’Sullivan put plenty of heart into his hurling, though faced by former county player Mick McCarthy. On the opposite wing Paddy Behan (Ballyhea) had one of the best games of his career, combining all his hurling skill with fiery determination.

A word of praise to the losers’ centre back Jerry O’Sullivan who gave a brilliant display of defensive hurling. This inter-county star was one of the best players on view. The fact that Paddy Morrissey (Newtownshandrum) failed to break even with the talented Glen man is no reflection on his endeavours.

Paddy Behan was called to the ‘40’ for a while to mark O’Sullivan and Johnnie O’Connor also played there. These changes failed to curb O’Sullivan’s effectiveness. Sean Kennefick, Glen’s right halfback, also impressed particularly in the second half.

Avondhu held complete mastery in the full forward line where the losers’ rearguard of Sean French, John Lyons and Francis Regan were bothered and bewitched by the wiles of Richie Browne, Johnny O’Connor and Raymond Ennis.

Browne and O’Connor had a scoring tally of 5-7 between them. On the right wing, the Fermoy lad Ennis laid out some grand crosses for his colleagues.

In the losers’ goal, Sean O’Brien was far from happy. Midway through the second half he was

badly beaten from long range by Johnny O’Connor for a goal that had a very important bearing on the result.

Avondhu: Donie Curtin (Shanballymore), Mick Cowhig (Fermoy), John Stack (Doneraile), Mick Flynn (Farrahy), Jerome O’Keeffe (Ballyhea), Johnny Browne (Castletownroche), Chris Morrissey (Newtownshandrum), Willie Frawley (Fermoy), Billy Hegarty (Kilworth), Bobby O’Sullivan (Castletownroche), Paddy Morrissey (Newtownshandrum), Paddy Behan (Ballyhea), Mick Kearney (Fermoy), Raymond Ennis (do) and Richie Browne (Castletownroche). Sub: Johnny O’Connor (Castletownroche) for Mick Kearney.

Glen Rovers: Sean O’Brien, Sean French, John Lyons, Francis Regan, Sean Kennefick, Jerry O’Sullivan, Mick McCarthy, Joe Salmon, Noel Lynam, Patsy Harte, Eamonn Goulding, Dave Moore, Johnny Clifford, Michael Quane and Christy Ring (capt). Sub: Frank Regan.

Referee: Pat Cronin (St Finbarr’s).

ON A HIGH

In the lead up to the county final, Avondhu had a good win over reigning Limerick county senior kingpins, Kilmallock at Ballyhea on a scoreline of 3-9 to 2-3.

Facing into the county final, Avondhu were on a high after defeating the reigning champions Glen Rovers in the semi-final. Glen were going for 4-in-arow having been county champions in 1958, 1959 and 1960. In a 30 year period Glen Rovers were county champions on 20 occasions. In the period 1953 to 1969, Glen Rovers were the dominant side having won the county SHC titles of 1953, 1954, 1958-60, 1962, 1964, 1967 and 1969.

Blackrock at the time of the 1961 county final, were far ahead of all other clubs in the county with success. They had been successful 21 times coming into the 1961 county final, and at that time had 3 times more successes than their nearest rivals, Glen Rovers. Most of the Rockies’ titles were won in the early years. Their last win before 1961 was in 1956 and that was after a lapse of 25 years.

AVONDHU FADE AFTER A GREAT START Blackrock 4-10 Avondhu 3-7

Avondhu’s hopes of winning both county senior titles in 1961 were quashed on Sunday, September 17 by a very fit and crafty Blackrock hurling fifteen, at a sun-drenched Cork Athletic Grounds. Before an attendance of 18,200, the teams were played around the pitch by the St Colmcille’s School Pipe Band, Blarney St, Cork.

On the run of play Blackrock deserved to win. The manner, in which they fought back after Avondhu had taken a 1-2 lead after six minutes denoted craft and experience, attributes to which the divisional side had no effective counter. The divisional team were trailing 2-3 to 1-4 at half-time.

Avondhu played fast and open hurling in the early stages with very beneficial results. But then they allowed the ‘Rockies’ to dictate a close game and the result was fatal.

AN EARLY LEAD

Mick Cashman, the winners’ centre halfback, was not very prominent in the game at the start. His opponent Paddy Morrissey often distributed a series of well-directed passes to the wings, with an occasional effort at scoring. This open play enabled Avondhu to take an early lead.

But then John White, right wing, faded with the result that his opponent Willie Coughlan and midfielder Mick Waters forged a strong Blackrock offensive weapon, which became more effective as the second quarter progressed. The changing of Paddy Morrissey from the ‘40’ gave Mick Cashman the scope he required, and he proceeded to play a great part in Blackrock’s win.

The expected Avondhu dominance at midfield never materialised to any great effect. Billy Hegarty did well on Roger Ryan, but his colleague Frawley was too busy engaged in trying to halt Blackrock’s raids down the left wing. The Avondhu pair played a prominent part in the semi-final win over Glen Rovers when they were allowed a good deal of latitude. But they met a much more tenacious pair in the ‘Rockies’ Ryan and Waters. Johnny Browne, Avondhu’s stylish centre halfback, was not as prominent as usual.

A GREAT GOAL

Chris Morrissey was the real kernel of the half back resistance. In the first half in particular his striking and fiery tackling saved many dangerous situations. Jerome O’Keeffe was replaced at right halfback by Arthur Quinn in the second half. Many in the large Avondhu contingent could not understand the necessity of such a move as O’Keeffe had been playing reasonably well.

Paddy Behan opened well at left half forward against Tom Connolly. He was at his best when the game was open. However, he faded in the subsequent close exchanges. With the exception of Richie Browne, the Avondhu full forward line was well held by Jimmy Brohan, Dan Brennan and Jim O’Brien. Johnny O’Connor caught a tartar in county fullback Dan Brennan who never gave him an opening. Raymond Ennis scored a great goal off Jimmy Brohan at the start, and denied the county star his customary lengthy clearances through tenacious marking.

UNHAPPY HOUR

Poor strategy kept Richie Browne out of prominence in the first half. He was starved of opportunities because play was concentrated on the opposite wing. He did not come well into the game until moved to the opposite corner on Jimmy Brohan.

No blame can be laid on the Avondhu fullbacks for the reverse. Fullback John Stack though unspectacular did a great job in holding the ‘Rockies’ top marksman, Noel O’Connell scoreless in a hard hour. Mick Flynn made no serious mistakes and newcomer Bobby Galvin fitted in well to the rearguard.

It was an unhappy hour for the Avondhu goalkeeper Donie Curtin. He was beaten by Billy Galligan from 40 yards range for the ‘Rockies’ first goal and he thought the third goal was going wide.

Throughout the 1961 county SHC, Richie Browne (Avondhu) was the top scorer with 9-11 from four games. Paddy Barry (Sarsfields) was 2nd with 6-5 from 3 games. Christy Ring (Glen Rovers) was in 3rd place with 2-16 from 3 games. Noel O’Connell (Blackrock) was in 4th spot with 5-5 from 4 matches.

Blackrock scorers: Billy Galligan 1-5, Jeremiah O’Leary 1-1, John O’Halloran 1-0, Michael Murphy 1-0, John Bennett 0-2, Mick Waters 0-1 and Mick Cashman 0-1.

Avondhu scorers: Richie Browne 1-3, Paddy Morrissey 1-2, Raymond Ennis 1-0, Paddy Behan 1-0 and Billy Hegarty 0-1.

Blackrock: John Dempsey, Jimmy Brohan, Dan Brennan, Jim O’Brien, Tom Connolly, Mick Cashman (capt), Willie Coughlan, Roger Ryan, Mick Waters, Jeremiah O’Leary, John Bennett, Billy Galligan, John O’Halloran, Noel O’Connell and Michael Murphy.

Avondhu: Donie Curtin (Shanballymore), Bob Galvin (Castletownroche), John Stack (Doneraile), Mick Flynn (Farrahy), Jerome O’Keeffe (Ballyhea), Johnny Browne (Castletownroche), Chris Morrissey (Newtownshandrum), Billy Hegarty (Kilworth), Willie Frawley (Fermoy), John White (do), Paddy Morrissey (Newtownshandrum), Paddy Behan (Ballyhea), Raymond Ennis (Fermoy), Johnny O’Connor (Castletownroche), Richie Browne (do). Subs: Arthur Quinn (Newtownshandrum) for Jerome O’Keeffe and Robbie O’Sullivan (Castletownroche) for John White. Referee: Charlie Conway (Blarney).

Panel members who were involved during the year were Michael Dunne (Kilworth), Michael Kearney (Fermoy), Jerry Keating (Kilworth), Mick Connors (Kilworth), Gerard Sheedy (Shanballymore), John O’Donovan (Araglin), Tom McCarthy (Kilworth), Seamus Deane (Killavullen), Denis Cole (Doneraile), Jackie O’Donoghue (Sons of Liberty), Bob Galvin (Castletownroche). Mentors Sergeant Gleeson (trainer), Sonny O’Neill (Castletownroche) (selector), Tadhg Ryan (Newtownshandrum) (selector) and Derry Gowen (Fermoy) (Board chairman - selector).

SPORT

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