Roscrea’s run to first All-Ireland Club title
By Liam Hogan
Last Sunday, 19th December, was fifty years to the day since Roscrea made history by becoming the first ever All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling champions when they defeated St. Rynagh’s of Offaly in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr.
The victory made up for the disappointment of losing the County final to Moyne-Templetuohy seven weeks earlier, a defeat that saw the club’s quest for four in a row fail.
The Munster club championship was in its infancy. Glen Rovers won the first final in 1964 and subsequently the winners were St Finbarr’s (1965), Carrick Davins (1966), Newmarket-on-Fergus (1967 & 1968) and Roscrea in 1969.
Opener
The 1971 Munster club campaign began on 7th February, with a home game with Kerry champions Kilmoyley. The Kerry side matched Roscrea for much of the first half leaving the homeside clinging to 3-3 to 1-7 half time lead. It was a different story in the second half as the reds outscored the visitors 7-6 to 0-1 in a game refereed by Donie Nealon of Burgess.
Roscrea scorers: Joe Tynan 3-2; Francis Loughnane 2-2; Joe Cunningham 1-3; Donie Maloney, Harry Loughnane 1-1 each; Willie Stapleton, Mick Minogue 1-0 each.
Two weeks later, Roscrea were hosts again for the Munster semi-final clash with Ballyduff-Portlaw from Waterford. A formidable task for the home side in the knowledge that they had to line out without Francis Loughnane, Jackie Hannon, and Mickey Nolan.
The Waterford side sported a number of inter county players such as John Kirwan, Frank Whelan, Mossy Whelan, and Martin Hickey dominated the first half to lead 0-8 to 0-3 at half time. But with the aid of the breeze in the second half, Roscrea came good as a Harry Loughnane goal and points by Joe Tynan and Donie Maloney had them level. Once Joe Tynan found the net for Roscrea’s second goal there was only one team in it as Roscrea powered on to a 3-10 to 1-10 win.
Roscrea scorers: Joe Tynan 2-2; Harry Loughnane 1-1; Joe Cunningham 0-4; Patsy Roland 0-2; Donie Maloney 0-1.
There was a six-month break to the Munster final. Roscrea had other distractions including victory over Glen Rovers in the 1969 Munster final played on 11th April. Meanwhile Francis Loughnane, Roger Ryan and Tadgh O’Connor had to help the blue and gold in a very busy National Hurling league schedule before turning attention to the Munster championship claiming victories over Clare and Limerick. If that was not enough there was the double mission of North and county championships with plans for the Dan Breen and quest for four in a row top of the agenda.
The Munster Final was played on August 18th against a Clarecastle team which included Oliver Plunkett, Pat Moloney, Tom Slattery, and Pascal Russell, members of the Clare team that played Tipp a month previous, renewing rivalry for Tadhg O’Connor, Roger Ryan, and Francis Loughnane.
This was a one-sided affair. Roscrea played with the breeze in the first half but only managed a 1-6 to 1-3 lead at the interval. But any worries soon disappeared as goals by Donie Maloney, and Jimmy Cunningham put the Reds out of reach, 4-11 to 1-6.
Roscrea scorers: Francis Loughnane 1-6; Liam Spooner 1-3; Donie Maloney 1-1; Joe Cunningham 1-0; Joe Tynan, James Spooner 0-1 each.
Roscrea would have to wait a further three months for their All-Ireland semi-final, away to Ulster champions Loughgeil Shamrocks. Shamrocks hosted the game but reports of the game were limited. Roscrea won 6-8 to 2-4.
All-Ireland Final
The final against St Rynagh’s was played in Birr in deplorable weather conditions but both teams served up some excellent hurling. Roscrea took advantage of the strong wind and goals by Mikie Nolan and Joe Tynan put them 2-4 to 0-1 in front at half time.
It looked as if the Offaly champions might make a comeback when Barney Moylan scored an early second half goal but Joe Tynan’s solo run midway through the second half strengthened Roscrea’s grip. Ten minutes from the end Joe Cunningham added a fourth but St. Rynaghs replied with a string of points but their rally, which included a Basil Johnson goal six minutes from time, came too late as Roscrea won 4-5 to 2-7.
Roscrea were the far fitter side with Francis Loughnane, Joe Cunningham, and Joe Tynan the best of the forwards. Both Mick Minogue and Donie Maloney dominated midfield while the Roscrea half backs of Jimmy Crampton, Tadgh O’Connor and Patsy Roland were outstanding. Tadgh Murphy produced some good saves behind Kieran Carey, Mickie Nolan, and Jimmy Crampton.
St. Rynagh’s twin attackers Barney Moylan and Podge Mulhare suffered injuries and limped off the field but not without playing well while Brian Lyons, High Dolan, Noel Gallagher and Paraic Horan did their best with goalkeeper Damien Martin bringing off some final saves.
Roscrea: Tadgh Murphy; Mick Hogan, Kieran Carey, Brendan Maher; Patsy Roland (0-2f), Tadgh O’Connor, Jimmy Crampton; Mick Minogue, Donie Maloney (Capt); Francis Loughnane (0-3f), Jackie Hannon, Joe Cunningham (1-0); Joe Tynan (2-0), Mickie Nolan (1-0), Billy Stapleton.
St. Rynagh’s: Damien Martin; Alo Horan, Frank Whelehan, Noel Gallagher; Sean Moylan, Paraic Horan, Pat Moylan; Basil Johnson (1-0), Ramie Horan; Hugh Dolan, Pajo Whelehan, Brian Lyons (0-1); Gerry Burke, Barney Moylan (1-3, 0-3f), Podge Mulhare (0-1).
Referee: Franks Murphy (Cork).