By John Twomey
In January 1929 Dan O’Donoghue from Boulaling near Riverstick saw the first light of day and this formidable and enduring Ballymartle Hurler is still in fine fettle as he enjoys and relishes his 95th year in existence.
VISITING A VIRTUOUS MAN
On a pleasant August morning I drove past Heathburn Hall and to nearby Cullen to link up with my old friend and former distinguished Secretary of the South-East Board, Liam Webb. Our mission that morning took us on a short trip down the road to Boulaling near Riverstick to keep an appointment with Carrigdhoun’s oldest Hurler Dan O’Donoghue. We arrived at his neat and pleasant country cottage – just at the entrance to the old Hurling Field in Riverstick - . The man of the house was at the door to greet us with a broad smile and a welcoming hand and the clock began to wind back immediately.
THOSE BYEGONE YEARS
Dan was born in January 1929 and as a youngster attended Ballymartle N.S where Jeremiah Kelleher was Principal Teacher and Mrs. Hickey was second in command. His father was the local Postman and his mother had a very close connection with the local Ballymartle Hurling Club – she washed the jerseys. A common site passing along the local road was a line full of the Ballymartle green and gold jerseys blowing in the wind. One of Dan’s first job was working with Cork Co. Council following a Steamroller which pulled a caravan. He later became a lorry driver. The war years were very tough with food scarcities, rationing and the issuing of coupons. Like so many other people he immigrated to England and returned home after retirement. He was a great believer in getting up early in the morning and he drove all his life right up to this present day.
HURLING
The heart and soul of the local Community was The Ballymartle Hurling Club, enriched with a proud and noble tradition. It was the goal of all ambitious young lads to don the green and gold. Ballymartle had produced some great players over the years who served the Club and County. Sean “The Ploughman” Noonan brought the first All-Ireland Medal to the Club in 1925. Himself and Leo Brady of Shamrocks were the two South-East men on the winning side. Dan was a very keen and enthusiastic player and enjoyed every minute on the field and was lucky to play with and against some of the finest hurlers of the time. Immigration took him to England but he came home in 1952, a historic year in the Club. Dan rejoined his colleagues and old friends to form a fine team that took Divisional and County honours. The County final was played in Carrigaline on 23rd of November against the City Champions Lough Rovers and ended in a draw, Ballymartle 3-6 Lough Rovers 4-3. The replay took place on Sunday December 6th in Carrigaline and on the scoreline of 2-10 to 3-5 Ballymartle were County Champions brilliantly led by their Captain Sonny O’Mahony. The Cup was presented to Sonny by Con Murphy (Valley Rovers) the then Vice-Chairman of the Co. Board. The following was the Ballymartle team on that famous day; B. Barry, T. Kelleher, J. Hanlon, D. Donoghue, T. Walsh, P. Walsh, S. Kelleher, S. O’Mahony (Capt.), A. Murphy, D. Walsh, S. Nyhan, B. O’Regan, C. Corkery, P. Deasy, C. Kelleher. The Referee was Charlie Conway from Blarney.
CARRIGDHOUN SENIOR HURLING
In 1952 Dan was selected to play with The Carrigdhoun Senior Hurling Team scheduled to meet Charleville in the first round of the Championship in the Cork Athletic Grounds on Sunday June 8th. The team included some formidable players drawn from Clubs around the Division. This was an exciting game with victory in the balance right up to the end, Carrigdhoun winning 4-6 to 3-5. It took some brave and stern defending to seal victory with Dan and his fellow backs not found wanting on the day. The Carrigdhoun Team was: F. Daly (Valley Rvs.), P. Walsh (Ballymartle), Con Murphy (Valley Rvs.), J. O’Leary (Carrigaline), D. Donoghue (Ballymartle), D. O’Donovan (Carrigaline), S. O’Mahony (Ballymartle), T. Brady (Tracton), J. O’Mahony (Passage), C. O’Leary (Ballinhassig), R. Andrews (Shamrocks), B. Barry (Tracton), C. Kelleher (Ballymartle), I. O’Flynn (Carrigaline), C. Cooney (Carrigaline). The Referee was F. Barrett (St. Finbarrs). Dan is now the last man standing.
GALLANT AND SPORTING PLAYERS
Dan was fortunate to play with some great Ballymartle and Carrigdhoun Hurlers. Sonny Mahony, Sonny Nyhan, Bob Regan, The Kellehers and the Walsh’s were all admired and in the Divisional Team he had special mention for Con Murphy, Daithi O’Donovan and Con O’Leary. Christy Ring was unrivalled, Jack Lynch, the great dual All Ireland winner, Kinsale’s Jack Barrett were among the Cork County Senior Stalwarts. A true local friend was Pad Joe Cronin who spent some time in England too. Before 1952 ended Dan returned to England where he would remain until retirement and come home for good. His beautiful cottage is his home and palace where he busies himself manicuring the lawns, trimming the hedges and taking out the paint brush too, all a testimony to his non-stop pace in life.
To-day Dan O’Donoghue, the oldest surviving Carrigdhoun Hurler, stands proudly with his old caman.
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