Young Soldier Dies of Injuries Sustained in G.A.A.
Games.
It is rarely that injuries received by players in athletic
games are attended with fatal consequences, but in this respect one of
the saddest tragedies in the history of the G.A.A. occurred on Sunday
the unfortunate victim being Denis Haughney, of Graiguecullen, an old
member of the Young Ireland Club, and a Sergeant in the garrison of the
Carlow Brigade of the I.R.A. stationed at Carlow Barracks.
Palatine and Graiguecullen met at Carlow in the first round of the
Senior County Championship, and while the game was strenuously contested
there was no bitterness or bad feeling between the opposing members of
the teams. At half time both teams had drawn level, and the game had
just restarted when poor Haughney received what proved to be his fatal
injuries. He and a club- mate named W. Hogan, who were playing in the
forward division, jumped together for the ball which was being thrown in
from the touch - line : Both were travelling rapidly at the time and
neither of them seems to have seen the other, until they crashed into
each other with terrific forces,
Haughney receiving the full force of
young Hogan’s knee in the stomach and viscera. The collision was truly
accidental and was not contributed to in any way by any man on the
Palatine side. At the time no more attention was paid to the accident
than to the innumerable similar incidents which occur in hurling or
football. A substitute was procured and the game was concluded. Young
Haughney was seen to be seriously injured, however, and some of his
companions from the Military Barracks, who were present at the game
procured a Crossley car and had him conveyed to the County Infirmary,
where he was attended by Dr. O’ Meara and Dr. Doyle, who declared that
he was very badly hurt. He suffered intense pain on Sunday night and
Monday, and vomited blood frequently. On Monday night a Specialist was
procured, but he pronounced his case as hopeless, and the poor young
fellow lingered until 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday, when he passed away.
“Buller”, as he was familiarly and generally called, was a general
favourite with everybody. He was one of the neatest and most manly
exponents of the Gaelic code in Ireland, and his death will come as a
shock to all who knew him far and wide. He was the hero of many a game
and his quite unassuming manner made him a lovable character. He was a
gallant Irishman, too, and his country, and his colleagues, both in and
out of the army, will miss him sadly. He was an old member of the I.R.A.
and prior to joining the Garrison Force was Quarter - Master of H
Company First Battalion Carlow Brigade, and in every capacity he was an
intelligent and patriotic soldier. When his remains were removed from
the County Infirmary to Graiguecullen Church on Tuesday evening his
comrades - in- arms formed a Guard of Honour.
The Brigade Staff headed
the funeral procession and the Advance Guard was in charge of Captain
Lawler. Captain J. Byrne was in charge of the Body Guard which was
composed entirely of sergeants while the rearguard was in charge of Lieut Mc Darby. There was a huge attendance of the general public
present, and the coffin, which was draped with the Tri - colour, upon
which was laid the dead soldier’s uniform and the football jersey which
he wore when he received his fatal blow. The coffin was carried
alternately by his old club mates of the G.A.A., and some of his old
uniformed companions. The remains were placed in the nave of the Church
and a Guard of Honour posted over them.
During his last hours he was attended by many of his old friends,
with whom he conversed cheerfully. He died very bravely and happily as
befitted a soldier of Ireland, and one of his last acts was to send for
his old friend and companion, Willie Hogan, who was unfortunately and
accidentally the cause of his regreted demise and tell him to cheer up
and forget all about the accident, and that he was in no way responsible
for anything that happened. Poor Hogan was terribly affected, as were
indeed all who were in any way associated with poor “Buller.”
Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at Graiguecullen Church on
Wednesday, for the repose of his soul, and the funeral on Thursday,
which was attended with full military honors, was one of the largest
seen in Carlow for years. The Guards Band, I.R.A., Kilkenny, and
Graiguecullen Band preceded the hearse. The interment took place in the
Republican plot, St. Mary’s Cemetery, and the Last Post was sounded and
three volleys fired over the grave as the remains were lowered.
The
chief mourners were - Edward Haughney (Father); Mrs. Johanna Haughney
(Mother); Martin and Michael Haughney (Brothers); Bridget, Katty, and
Mollie Haughney, and Mrs. E. Shaw, Mrs. J. Doyle, and Mrs. A. Harte
(Sisters); M. Doyle and E. Shaw (bothers - in - law); Michael Hogan,
Willie Hogan. J. Sleator, etc,. etc. Go ndeanaidh Dia trosaire ar n anam.
The Rev. M. Bolger, P.P.; Rev. W. Fanning, C.C, and Rev J Dunny, C.C,
officiated at the graveside.
The Late Sergeant Haughney.
The following letter has been sent for publication by the Secretary,
Graiguecullen G.A.A.:-
Graiguecullen, July 3rd, 1922.
A Chara - Allow us to return our most sincere thanks to the
Graiguecullen G.A.A. for their kindness and sympathy towards us in our
recent trouble. It is but in keeping with the past record of the
Graiguecullen footballers that they should act as true men in times of
sorrow as well in times of victory.
In connection with poor “Buller’s” close friend Willie Hogan, we
wish to state that no blame whatever attaches to him. If it had been
the case that “Buller” had by accident, inflicted a fatal injury on a
near relative of Willie Hogan’s, we are sure that Willie himself would
be the last man in the world to think anything the worse of “Buller”
on that account. Our feeling in this matter are best expressed in the
words used by out dear boy before he died. “Cheer up, Willie, and
forget all about the accident. You are in no way responsible for
anything that happened.”
Sinne, le mess mor,
The Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters of D. Haughney.
Note:
- Dennis was only 26 years of age when he died in June 1922.
- He was an uncle to Tom "the busy
man" Haughney who in the 1930s /
40s played senior football for Laois and was at one stage captain
of the Laois team.
- Source: Michael Purcell c.2007
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Mike Haughney
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