Fundraising walk in Shinrone
Historic hurl to lead out event
How often do you find a 100-year-old song that celebrates a 150-year-old hurling match and mentions the owner of Offaly’s oldest hurl? That honour goes to Shinrone GAA!
Committee PRO Jessie Donnelly said a special fundraiser takes place next Sunday, November 1, with money raised used to expand the club's facilities with pride of place on the walk going to the historic hurl.
“When you think about it, the Shinrone hurl was made for Billy Barry in the 1880s, and it was likely used by Bill when Shinrone beat Honeymount on St Patrick’s Day in 1899.” That match was immortalised in a wonderful song recently uncovered in the National Folklore Collection as follows:
Song:
In summer time in eighty nine
All on the present year
When Ballingarry and Shinrone
Did meet those mountaineers
The word went round upon the ground
Let hat would be their doom
They would gain the day or men they would slay
Before they would go home
God bless our noble father
May the heavens be his guide
T'was he who ruled the field that day
And kept down whiten tide
It's for their noble referee
He tried both scheme and skill
In throwing in some outside balls
To keep them down the hill.
It's for the Ballingarry men
They are all loyal and true
When Martin he was wounded
They thought they would subdue
There was loud cheers from the mountaineers
Whilst proudly they did grin
But O'hone a vick they all got sick
Just as the point went in.
They may go home through Moneygall
Unto their lonely glen
No more to room through sweet Shinrone
With Corcoran or his men
He once took delight to go with White
But now he may go alone
And we will dance and sing and make the valleys ring
Around the green boys of Shinrone
Long life to brave Jack Cleary
That hurled upon the back
For judgment on a hurling field
He never yet did lack
He always looks before he strikes
The way it ought to go
His cunning pucks, I'm sure did vex
The boys of Castleroan
Brave O Paddy Hogan
Your are the boy can run
The ball goes from your hurle
Like a bullet from a gun
You were the praise of always there
Your name they would like to know
But they won't forget you for some time
In haughty Castleroan
There is Maddens two both loyal and true
They will never miss a ball
And if any man go jostle them
He is surely bound to fall
There is Michael Martin swift and sweet
As everyone did know
He always cut the leather
Right through the ranks of Castleroan
The rules were different then notes Ger Murphy of Shinrone Heritage Group. Teams had 21 players a side, with four goalposts: two in the middle for the goal and one at each side for points. The final score was 1-1 to 0-0 in Shinrone’s favour. The match was refereed by John Corcoran and played in Carey’s Park near Barna. Shinrone’s team wore long trousers and green jerseys bearing the harp and shamrock.
And who took to the field? The roll of honour includes Martin Fennell (maker of the Shinrone Hurl), Ned Doorley, Michael Carroll, Michael Martin, Michael and Thomas Egan, John Treacy, William Dunne, John Querck, Pat Hogan, John Cleary, Martin and John Madden, Pat King, John Carroll, William Barry (owner of the Shinrone Hurl), Martin Walsh, William King, Martin Mangan, John Lawlor, Jim Minchin, Tom Collins and John Brerton.
Recognising the vision of our past and present communities, the Shinrone Hurl will be given pride of place at the start of the 5km charity walk. The organisers hope to raise €150,000.
How to donate to fundraiser
You can support the fundraiser by donating through www.idonate.ie (search for 'Shinrone Pitch').
And the committee is aiming for a huge turnout on November 1 for a fun-filled 5km Fancy Dress Walk in support of the new pitch and walkway project. The walk will start at Shinrone Hall, pass through the beautiful Bellefield Gardens and return to Shinrone Hall. It will be a great family community day, with tea, coffee and refreshments provided at Shinrone Hall afterwards.