This is some of the lads from the 'GAA Killeshin Football team' (above) probably taken sometime around 1937. Most of these lads would have been in their late teen's or early twenties.

When the Killeshin Football team broke-up in 1939, the players were amalgamated with Graiguecullen team. Jack Cowley went on to play for Graiguecullen Club, and played in his first Laois County Final in 1940 with Graiguecullen. Jack was born on 3rd Sept. 1921.

Tommy Murphy took the team off the field over a disputed goal scored by Graiguecullen consequently the team was suspended for a year from playing. 

After working in England for a year with Mick Haughney Jack came back and in 1942 Paddy O'Rourke and Jack Cowley played again and won their first County Championship. A very rare picture indeed!

Michael Brennan's Uncle Mark (Markie) Brennan is standing at the back, and to the right of Jack Cowley. The girl, who is believed to be Paddy Procter's sister from The Mall, Killeshin. One of her sisters or cousin's was married to Hourigan from Ballickmoyler. We also believe that she was Markie Brennan's girlfriend and she was training to be a nurse.

The man wearing the cap is Michael Dwyer. Billy O'Rourke, who was a bricklayer (pulling young lads cheeks to make him smile). Patsy O'Rourke is kneeling centre of picture, Thomas O'Rourke is the young boy at the right of picture and directly behind him is the football team member, and he is another O'Rourke man. The man with the cap may be Michael Dwyer, a teacher from Killeshin School.  Billy O'Rourke was a brother of Thomas O'Rourke. Patsy, John and Martin O'Rourke were brothers, but they were not related to Billy and Thomas O'Rourke.

My grateful thanks to Michael Purcell, Johnny Haughney, Charlie Haughney, Anna O'Rourke and Jack Cowley for helping identify the team members in the picture.

 

(Markie Brennan was Michael Brennan's Uncle who died on 6th November 1939., as a result of injuries received whilst playing football.

GRAIGUECULLEN FOOTBALLERS

 

Source: Michael Purcell c2006  & W. Muldowney 04/2007