'Reeling in the Years' - 1954 & SFC semi final v Rhode

Post date: Jul 20, 2018 3:19:3 PM

By David Farrell

With Edenderry and Rhode set to face off on August 4th in the Offaly SFC it will mark 100 years to the date since the teams faced each other on 'Gaelic Sunday' 1918. We take a trip down memory lane and revisit their clash in 1954 as well as discovering what else was happening in Edenderry at the time.

In 1954, Edenderry were the reigning senior football champions having defeated Rhode in the previous years final. They were aiming to appear in four finals in a row having won the 1951 & 1953 titles and lost to Durrow in 1952.

In the opening round they faced off against Cloghan, the team they beat in the '51 decider, and they comfortably accounted for them with a dominate display despite the absence of Christy Carroll and Archie McLoughlin who had been replaced by Paddy Flanagan and Sean Tyrrell who was making his championship debut.

Early scores from Sean Connell, Joe Groome and Joe Bowman were followed up by goals from Sean 'Hooper' Farrell and a special goal from Sean Foran from a 60 yard free. Cloghan failed to score in the opening half and points from Michael Nolan and Sean Foran in the second half secured a 2-8 1-1 victory.

Fran Gorey. Tom O'Neill, Sean Foran, Sean Farrell, Sean Connell & Michael Nolan were the stand out performers on the day with the scores coming from the following: Sean Foran (1-1), Sean Farrell (1-0), Michael Nolan (0-3), Joe Groome (0-2), Joe Bowman & Sean Connell (0-1).

(1953 team in Nolan's Hall)

For the 1954 Offaly senior football championship semi final old rivals Rhode and Edenderry were set to face each other in a repeat of last years county final. Edenderry were favourites for the game but Rhode had other ideas and had improved their team with the addition of three St Mary's (Geashill) players Jackie & Tommy Byrne and Pierce Dunne .The twelve time county champions were seeking their first title since 1949 and having lost two finals since then they were determined to put that right. They held a half time lead of 0-5 0-2 with Edenderry's only scores coming courtesy of Michael Nolan Sean Foran.

Edenderry improved in the second half and the game was tied at 0-6 a piece due to the accuracy of Edenderry's Archie McLoughlin who kicked four points but with just minutes remaining the iron man Mick Casey pointed a close range free and Rhode won the game 0-7 0-6.

The Edenderry team that was as follows: Liam Moran, Tom O'Neill, Joe Dillon, Sean Farrell, Fran Gorey, Alo Brady, Joe Corcoran, Sean Connell, Sean Foran, Christy Carroll, Archie McLoughlin, Michael Nolan, Noel Connell, Joe Groome, Mickso Connell.

IN OTHER NEWS:

What else was happening in Edenderry in 1954?

THE AGM:

Held at Fr Paul Murphy's hall, the honorary life patron Fr Killian made an unexpected but most welcome appearance at the club AGM. He received a rapturous and prolonged applause before congratulating everyone at the club on the hard work they had put in building the wall around the grounds. He encouraged the club members to continue 'their splendid work' and finish the pitch. He also congratulated the club on winning the 1953 senior football championship. Solicitor Frank Byrne (also honorary secretary) presented the accounts which showed the club had an expenditure of £900 but a credit balance of £281. It was costing a fortune to run the club he said and he encouraged everyone to support this year's carnival. Kevin O'Kennedy was re-elected as chairman and paid a glowing tribute to John Blong the captain of the 1951 & 1953 winning teams who was rumoured to be 'hanging up his boots'. Mr O'Kennedy stated he hoped it was just a rumour.

UNEMPLOYMENT IN EDENDERRY:

At the Edenderry town commissioners meeting Mr Kevin O'Kennedy highlighted the gravity of unemployment in the area and called for immediate measures to remedy the situation. Mr O'Kennedy protested that no schemes had been formulated to allow for the many men who had been let go by Bord Na Mona shortly before Christmas and that not one penny of £6000 allocated for the area would be spent in Edenderry. Mr W Byrne (Chairman) said the town got scant recognition from Offaly County Council and get the minimum of grants possible. He said "We get the minimum of grants that are going - If there are a few Ha'pence left over maybe they will be scattered around here".

TRANSFER NEWS:

In the January 23rd edition of the Leinster Leader it is speculated that Edenderry and Offaly legend Christy Carroll will transfer to Rhode due to the fact he was working in the Rhode parish.

SHEAN HOSTEL & NEW POWER STATION:

It's reported in January 1954 that the hostel in Shean may be used to house bog workers from the Derrygreenagh bog near Rhode. The hostel, which was described as one of the most picturesque hostels in the midlands had been idle for some time. Derrygreenagh bog was been prepared for the production of milled peat and for the erection of a milled peat power station.

SENIOR MEDAL PRESENTATION - RHODE MEN ATTEND:

Fr McWey calls on Offaly county board to allow Edenderry to host more matches as it is "One of the finest Gaelic parks in the country" and Edenderry supporters deserve to see games. Edenderry Chairman Kevin O'Kennedy congratulated the team on their win and said he was especially glad to see that the Rhode men had attended. He stated that there was always plenty of rivalry between the two sides but that last years final proved it was a good sporting rivalry and he called for the Rhode men to receive a round of applause. All in attendance duly obliged and they were given a warm welcoming.

ARCHIE TIES THE KNOT:

Archie McLoughlin, one of Edenderry's best forwards, tied the knot in March 1954 to local woman Susie Murphy from St Francis Street. Archie, the son of a Garda from Clara, was a staff member of UP Stores and a well known inter-county footballer.

(The original 'Footballers Wives')

THE CARNIVAL:

The annual carnival was held from May 13th to May 24th with the outstanding attraction being 'The Wall of death'. There was also Fortune Telling, Balloon Football, Tug O'War, Clock Golf and a Baby Show

7 A-SIDE CHAMPIONS:

Edenderry won the 7 a-side tournament in June 1954 when they beat Tullamore 1-6 0-5. The game was turned on its head after a superb solo run from defence by Sean 'Hooper' Farrell to score a great goal for Edenderry. The winners were given a voucher on which gabardine coats could be purchased.

SEAN FORAN DOMINATES THE COUNTY SCENE:

Edenderry footballer Sean Foran captained Offaly in May to victory over Wexford and reports at the time state "without Foran's excellence and dominance the game was lost". Sean Farrell, Tom O'Neill, Christy Carroll, Archie McLoughlin and Paddy Fenlon also featured.

(The late Sean Foran pictured at his home in 2009 with his wife Gretta)