JS SUPPORT GROUP: The club’s JS Support group, with the approval of the Gardai and Alone, continues in operation to help with collections/deliveries for the senior citizens of the parish should they be required. The dedicated number to contact is 083-0748676, where co-ordinator, Kevin Hennessy will take the request and pass the message to the team member on duty, who will collect and deliver to the recipient’s door step, adhering to hygiene and distance protocols. All club members signed up to operate the scheme have been vetted through the Kilkenny GAA scheme in collaboration with the Gardai. Typically, in times of crisis, like now, most people have family and friends helping out, but do remember, the JS Support scheme is available, for anyone, at short notice, should the need arise.
1969 CHAMPIONS REMEMBERED: Some 50 years on from Sunday, 19th April 1970, it’s appropriate to reflect back on a landmark day in the club’s long history. Certainly the winning of the delayed 1969 Kilkenny senior hurling title, beating The Fenians, 8-05 to 2-07, in April 1970, was a milestone event, bridging a 32 year gap since the club’s last senior title win in 1937. Importantly, it was also a triumph for the youth policy adopted by visionaries like, the late, Bill Cody and Sean “Georgie” Leahy who re-invigorated the club, recruiting new players and developing “home grown” talent over the previous 7/8 years. Throughout the 1960’s the senior team struggled to make an impact at the highest level and was at a crossroads, due to emigration, lack of interest and the rising age profile of the 1955 junior champions, resulting in an internal debate as to whether or not to regrade to junior level. Thankfully, pride and memories of former glories won out and the rebuilding started in earnest. It should also be remembered that by the mid 1960’s, hurling in Kilkenny city was at a low ebb, James Stephens, despite being in the doldrums for years was the only senior club team left in the city following the demise in the early 1960’s of the Dicksboro club (last title 1950) and the Eire Og team (last title 1947). Thanks then to the newly adopted youth policy which yielded Kilkenny minor championship victories in 1966 (v Ballyhale ) and 1968 (v John Lockes) a new self belief was developing within the club. The 1968, 2nd round championship defeat to St. Lactain’s (Freshford), 1-07 to 0-06, disappointing as it was, gave some clear indications of what might be possible with this group of players. New ground was broken when a serious training regime was put in place for the 1969 championship in Kenny’s Field (behind The Village Inn) under Cork native and international athlete, Denis Twomey, a brewer with Smithwicks Brewery. The long road to the final started on 15th June ’69 with a comfortable, 6-06 to 1-06 win over Erin’s Own. Sadly, long serving, two term chairman, Mick Larkin (1942-’53 & 1958-’69) took ill during the game and passed away later that day in St. Luke’s Hospital. On Sunday 26th October another facile, 7-18 to 2-09 victory followed against St. Senan’s (Kilmacow), before facing into the now memorable trilogy of games in the championship quarter-finals against the mighty Bennettsbridge, recognised as one of the greatest club teams of that era. In the first game, the star studded ‘Bridge team raced into an 8 point lead and looked to be heading for the expected victory, before a determined James Stephens fight back nearly stole the game with a late goal, only for Seamus Cleere to level the game at 3-07 to 2-10 in what was described as a “hectic senior hurling tie” with a point from a free in the dying moments of the game. In the replay on Sunday 26th October, the Village led throughout, in what was reported as “ a see-saw thriller”, only to be deprived of victory by a last gasp Mick McCarthy point for ‘The Bridge, still determined to stay in the title race. The stage was now set for the 2nd replay on 9th November ’69 before a large attendance on a wet Sunday evening in Nowlan Park. The game turned in James Stephens favour in a 6 minute spell, from 24th minute to the half time whistle, when team captain, Mickey “Socks” Dunne shot to the net, followed by a goal from a long range free by Phil “Fan” Larkin and a third goal, on the stroke of half time from Mickey Dunne. There was no comeback for ‘The Bridge, at the 3rd attempt, as James Stephens ran out 4-03 to 2-02 winners to earn a semi-final place against Galmoy, who, themselves had unexpectedly dethroned the reigning champions, The Rower Inistioge. In the semi-final on 30th November ’69, according to reports, “James Stephens played with confidence and their approach work was perfect, combining well and their striking was top class”. Despite battling gamely, Galmoy were no match for the better balanced city team who won through to a first county final appearance since 1937 on a comfortable 4-11 to 1-07 score line. With the winter drawing in, the final had to be put off until the new year, but training continued in bitter cold weather conditions and under lights (car lights) in Kenny’s field. The novel pairing of the 1968 Kilkenny junior champions, Fenians (Johnstown) and James Stephens drew a record crowd of 12,000 to a damp Nowlan Park for the county final showdown on Sunday 19th April 1970. However, the big attendance was to be disappointed as James Stephens hit the ground running, shooting into an 11 point lead by the 5th minute, thanks to goals from Sean “Georgie” Leahy (2mins & 3 mins), Ned Byrne (5mins) plus points from Sean Brennan (4mins) and captain, Mickey Dunne (3Mins). There was no way back for The Fenians against a watertight defence marshalled superbly by full back, Phil “Fan” Larkin, with solid back up from brother, Paddy and cousin, Philly Larkin (shop). Centre back, Niall Morrissey and his wing men, brother, Eamon and Mick Leahy gave nothing away to the much feared Fenians half forward line of Tommy O’Connell, Pat Delaney and Johnny Moriarty. Sean Brennan (0-01) and Mick Taylor enjoyed one of their greatest hours at midfield, mastering the many switches employed by The Fenians to curb their influence on the game. On the day, the Fenians defence simply could not come to grips with the James Stephens attack which operated at full capacity with outstanding displays from Phil “Fess” Brennan, Ned Byrne (4-00), Sean Leahy (2-03) Eddie Tallent (1-00), Mick Crotty (1-00), and captain, Mickey Dunne (0-01). The historic win was sealed long before the final whistle. To cap an outstanding year, it should also be remembered that one month later, in May 1970, James Stephens won the 1969 Kilkenny U-21 county title, the 1st in this grade for the club, with an emphatic 5-17 to 0-03 county final victory over St. Senan’s (Kilmacow). It was also the first of six consecutive county final appearances in the new grade,(started in 1967) only winning two (1970 v Ballyhale) and losing the rest including a “hat trick” of defeats to Ballyhale Shamrocks from 1972 to ’74. Nevertheless, the foundations were laid for a “golden era” to follow over the next two decades, which yielded a further three county senior titles (1975/’76/’81), two Leinster (1976/’82) and two All-Ireland club titles (1976/’82) for the club. The 1969 panel included Ml. Moore, Philly Larkin, Phil “Fan” Larkin, Paddy Larkin, Eamon Morrissey, Niall Morrissey and Mick Leahy, Mick Taylor, Sean Brennan, Eddie Tallent, Mick Crotty, Phil Brennan, Eddie (Ned) Byrne, Sean “Georgie” Leahy, Mickey “socks”Dunne (capt)., Jimmy Holohan, Des Murphy, Patsy Dowling, Jimmy O’Brien (Fiacres Place), Mick “Muggers” Larkin, Michael Drennan, Jimmy O’Neill, Liam Tyrrell, Denis McCormack, Noel O’Sullivan and Tommy Hickey.
“THE BEST VILLAGE TEAM EVER” CHALLENGE: Over the last fortnight, social media experts, Richie Cody, Mark Tyrrell and Syd Harkin set the club’s many Twitter/Instagram users a challenge to select “The Best Village Team Ever”. With over 27 All-Ireland medal winners going back to the Paddy Larkin era of the 1930’s straight through to Eoin Larkin of the 2015 team and 10 GAA All-Stars to select from, it certainly was a tall order. Nevertheless, the “Twitterati” responded enthusiastically over the two week to the challenge and came up with the following selection: No1 Francis Cantwell, No2. Phil “Fan” Larkin, No3. Brian Cody, No4. Jackie Tyrrell, No5 Joe Hennessy, No6 Philly Larkin, No7 Peter Barry, No8 Brian McEvoy, No9 Eamon Sheehy, No10 Gary Whelan, No11 Eoin Larkin, No12 Liam “Chunky” O’Brien, No13 Eoin McCormack, No14 Mick Crotty, No15 Matthew Ruth. Congrats to the honoured, 15, well deserved. The latest project devised by the Social Media team is a nightly quiz with questions related to club teams/ players/honours/titles achieved etc., to test the knowledge of the club’s many Twitter/Facebook followers.
BEST WISHES ON RETIREMENT: We send congratulations to Brian Tyrrell who stepped down from his post as Senior executive Officer after 40 + years of service to Kilkenny Tourism and the Kilkenny Borough council, in recent weeks. Brian is a son of the late club president, and captain of the club’s 1955 junior championship winning team, Sean Tyrrell and his wife, May, O’Loughlin Road, Kilkenny. In the 1990’s, Brian gave invaluable help to the club in the complex search for title deeds etc., when going through the process of purchasing the ball alleys and the ground surrounding the playing field in Larchfied. The strong Tyrrell connection with the club continues to this day as, Brian’s brother, Michael, was the club’s Bord na nOg delegate in the 90’s and a member of the club’s officer board, while Eamon is currently a junior selector and social club treasurer.
INTO APPOINTMENT: Congratulations to St. Patrick’s Boys School Principal, Joe McKeon who has recently been elected as vice president of the INTO. Joe, a Cork native, succeeded Kilkenny hurling supremo, Brian Cody on his retirement as principal of “The Boy’s School” 5/6 years ago. We wish him well in his new appointment.
LOTTO SUSPENSION: The club’s loyal Lotto supporters should note that the draw continues to be suspended, for as long as the Covid 19 pandemic lasts, in the health and safety interests of our many promoters. When the draw resumes the jackpot for the first draw will be €16,200.
