1942

Kilbrittain 3-3      St. Mary’s 2-4

September 6th    in Bandon

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The Enniskean team, St. Mary’s, went within an ace of creating a surprise in the South West Cork Hurling final at Bandon on Sunday, being only defeated by the much-fancied title holders, Kilbrittain, by the narrow margin of two points.

       Adopting dashing tactics from the start and exploited some fine individual prowess to the full, they succeeded in disconcerting their more methodical opponents in the first half and ran up a goal and four points without reply.

      Even allowing for the fact that they were facing a strong wind, Kilbrittain had not produced their recent form, the forwards being particularly lacking.

      There was a change, however, in the second half and though St. Mary’s never gave up the ghost and were extremely dangerous right up to the end, they were gradually deprived of their lead and were two points in arrears at the finish.

      In the first half the St. Mary’s backs, O’Mahony, Collins, Moriarty and O’Leary were outstanding while at midfield Vaughan and Slyne conceded little to the strong Kilbrittain pair, Finn and Roche. Warren was the inspiration of all their attacks and his deftness and elusiveness were mainly responsible for the lead set up.

The Game

     With wind advantage, St. Mary’s were early on the offensive and after having sent wide twice, opened their account with a neat point from Warren, who was not far off the target a few seconds later. It was now Kilbrittain’s turn, severe pressure resulting in a ‘seventy.’ This was taken by Foley but the defenders eventually cleared to midfield where a free to St. Mary’s saw Moriarty placing accurately for a second minor.

     In the subsequent play the Enniskean defence was severely tested, M. O’Mahony proving exceptionally sound and being strongly supported by Moriarty and O’Leary. The siege was eventually raised and play moved to the other end, where a well-timed point resulted. Following a mid-field tussle, Vaughan sent down to Noonan, who crossed splendidly to Warren.

      The latter was proving the big thorn in the Kilbrittain defence and with a left-handed flick, he sent low and sure to the net.  

      Both sides then attacked in turn without anything tangible materializing until a clearance by Moriarty was improved on by Vaughan who placed Warren in a position to register another point. At this stage Kilbrittain launched repeated onslaughts only to find them stemmed by O’Mahony, Moriarty and their colleagues, whose defence was masterly. Just before the interval, Moriarty put his side further ahead from a ‘seventy.’ Half time score: -

St. Mary’s – 1 goal 4 points

Kilbrittain – Nil.

Second Half

     On resuming, lively exchanges went in favour of St. Mary’s, who forced a ‘seventy,’ which Moriarty drove wide. A little later it became evident that Kilbrittain were getting more of a grip on things and after Sullivan and Con Moloney had cleared in turn, Keohane nipped in to reduce the leeway with a goal. St. Mary’s were not, however, done with it and Vaughan, coming out on top in some midfield exchanges, passed to Noonan, whose delivery fell well in the danger zone, Murphy finishing to the net.

     Exciting play followed, particularly at centre-field, whence it moved to the St. Mary’s goal, which had two narrow escapes, O’Mahony and O’Leary being responsible for averting disaster. However, the pressure was bound to tell and the ball was rushed over the line. After consultation, the score was allowed, St. Mary’s lead thus being reduced to four points.

     A ‘seventy’ taken by Finn was sent wide by O’Regan but Kilbrittain were now giving of their best and Roche placed Keohane who drove to the net.

     Next, Mick Foley placed his team on level terms with a point from a ‘seventy.’ The closing ten minutes were of the hectic variety with both sides all out to clinch the issue. St. Mary’s were presented with two chances but sent wide on both occasions. Kilbrittain were not so lax as when play veered to the other end Holland, receiving from Cowhig, drove over the bar, thus enabling his side to get in front for the first time.

      Up and down hurling ensued with both sides having opportunities of scoring, without turning them to account. Just before the end, Finn added another point for Kilbrittain, thus leaving the score: -

Kilbrittain – 3 goals 3 points

St. Mary’s – 2 goals 4 points

The Teams

     In the absence of Mr. J. Murphy, Innishannon, Mr. Ed. Smith was the referee and the teams were: -

     Kilbrittain – J. Deasy (goal), John Moloney, J. Cahalane, J. J. O’Sullivan, Con Moloney, Liam Hurley, Dan Roche, M. Finn, Batt Bohane, O. Keohane, J. O’Regan, Jer Holland, J. Cowhig and H. Allen.

     St. Mary’s – Tim O’Leary (goal), J. O’Leary, M. O’Mahony, John O’Regan, J. O’Donovan, Liam Moriarty, J. Collins, Tom Vaughan, Denis Slyne, John Warren, C. Noonan, M. O’Brien, J. McCarthy, Thomas Murphy and D. Murray.

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COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Kilbrittain met Tracton in the county championship on October 12th in Kinsale and in front of a large crowd, served up a fine display of hurling. Tracton led at the break by 2-2 to 1-1 and went on to win by 3-2 to 1-2. However, Kilbrittain could have reversed the result had they availed of many scoring opportunities in the second half. Tracton were later disqualified by the County Board.

 

END OF AN ERA

1942 proved the end of a glorious era for Kilbrittain hurling as they weren’t to win the SW championship again for 36 long years, when they again beat St. Mary’s in the 1978 final. One of the main reasons for the decline in their fortunes was the amalgamation of neighbours Ballinspittle and Ballinadee in the 1940s to form the Courcey Rovers Club which went on to dominate West Cork hurling for three decades.

 

SW JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 1942

The SW Junior Hurling Championship for 1942 was– Skibbereen 6-3 v Dohenys 1-0 (March 29) , Bantry v St. Mary’s (April 10) , Timoleague v Bandon (April 19), Kilbrittain v Clonakilty (April 12)

Semi-finals:  Kilbrittain 6-12  Bandon 0-3 (July),     St. Mary’s 3-1  Skibbereen 2-3 (August)

Reigning champions, Kilbrittain, had a resounding 6-12 to 0-3 win over arch-rivals, Bandon, in one semi-final and ‘for the winners, Hurley, a newcomer, Foley, Bat Bohane and the Mahony’s were good in defence; Finn, Keohane, Regan and Holland were best in the other positions.’ 

      In the other semi-final, St. Mary’s surprised Skibbereen, winning by 3-1 to 2-3. 

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COUNTY JUNIOR HURLING FINAL 1942

Winner – Shanballymore.  (Tracton and St. Finbarr’s disqualified)

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Kilbrittain: S.W. Cork Junior A Hurling Champions 1938, 1940, 1941, 1942

Back (L to R) P. Manning, P. Holland, J. O’Sullivan, T. Crowley, M. Foley, J.J. O’Sullivan, D. Roche (capt.. 1941)   Middle (L to R) J. Deasy (capt. 1938), J. McCarthy, Wm. O’Mahony, J. Walsh, J. O’Regan (capt.. 1940), J. Holland.   Front (L to R) D. O’Sullivan, J. Roche, P. Crowley, D. Desmond.