From the magazine "One Hundred and Fifty Years Of Cricket And Sport In
County Carlow"
By N.D. McMillan, B.Sc., M. Inst. P. D. Foot.
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|
1792 |
Garrison V All-Ireland first game of cricket in Ireland on
record. |
|
1793 |
Carlow College opens for lay and ecclesiastical students with
seperate sports field for each. Football, hurling, handball,
leaping, high jump, vaulting, tennis and throwing the slefge/bar
are games in the college. |
|
1809 |
Horace Rochfort born. |
|
1823 |
First recorded game of County Carlow Cricket Club at Avondale. |
|
1831 |
According to Dublin histories founding date of Co. Carlow
Cricket Club. |
|
1833 |
Rochfort becomes High Sheriff of Carlow. |
|
1835 |
M.C.C. authorise round arm bowling. |
|
1839 |
Rochfort and other Carlow players in Phoenix side which plays
first international game in Liverpool. |
|
1842 |
County win 5 away and 2 home games. Ireland's premier side for a
decade. |
|
1845 |
Rochfort marries Elizabeth Cosby of Stradbally Hall. |
|
1847 |
Knockbeg College opens. Gaelic Football played (P.M.) |
|
1848 |
T.F. Maher attempts to revive hurling in Young Ireland movement.
Dr. Croke teaching theology in St. Patrick's. |
|
1851 |
I Zingari visit Ireland for the first time. 1855 I Zingari visit
Ireland sponsored by new Lord Lieutenant Carlisle. |
|
1857 |
Gentlemen V Players match inaugurated with Pat Dooley in side
with three other professionals, rest of the side from the
garrison. |
|
1858 |
D.B. Cashman and Fenian friend attempt to revive hurling in
Waterford. |
|
1859 |
Carlow rowing club founded after first Carlow Regatta. Father
William Delaney of Leighlinbridge moves to Tullabeg from
Clongowes Wood. |
|
1860 |
Tinny Park becomes County Ground. |
|
1861 |
Delaney at Tullabeg institutes Sunday cricket. |
|
1863 |
Na Shuler established at Coollattin with object of encouraging
Provincial cricket in Ireland and tour Ireland in July and
August. |
|
1864 |
Pavilion built in Tinny Park. |
|
1865 |
Carlow College Cricket Club established and defeat County.
Dooley plays for them until 1968. |
|
1866/8 |
Philip Bagenal plays for St. Columba's College. Plays for first
XI in last year. |
|
1867 |
College plays three games, defeat County and Roebuck defeated by
Coollattin. |
|
1868 |
College defeat Leinster easily defeated by Coolattin. P.H.D.
Bagenal in St. Columba's College first XI. |
|
1869 |
Carlow College play St. Mary's Knockbeg, 26th April at Knockbeg.
Scores: 128 to 71. Boys at school of 8 to 12 years-May 31st,
Carlow College play Leinster Club at Tinny Park. Scores 60 to
71. 12th May, Seconds played Thirds at College. Scores 75 to 31. |
|
1869 |
College's John D. O'Mara scores 24 for Ireland against "All
England". Also played Ireland against Zingari Club.
Ecclesiastic's lower status than lay boys. Rowing Club becomes
established on formal basis. |
|
1870 |
Delaney becomes Rector of Tullabeg. Tennis begins. 1870 Club
reinstituted with 50 members. Colours French Grey, rose and
black. Grounds, Tiny and Dunleckey. |
|
1870 |
W. Alexander represents Gentlemen of Ireland several times in
1870's. Origin of Dunleckney (Bagenalstown side). |
|
1871 |
Borris Cricket Club established. Played until 1875 or 6. Carlow
Borough established. Pat Dooley plays for County in 1971-'73. Na
Shuler game in Carlow. |
|
1873 |
Walter Kavanagh's 14 mile drive to Borris with mule and jaunting
car for Castlecomer game in one hour (14 miles) causes sensation
locally. |
|
1873 |
County Carlow football club established by H. Rochford who also
founds County Carlow Polo |
|
1873 |
County Carlow football club established by H. Rochford who also
founds County Carlow Polo Played at Tinypark House Ground.
Rochford President 1873 - 1874. Rugby intoduced into Ireland.
Club house, now St. Brigid's Hospital, built. |
|
1874 |
Ballinagar team with both Dooleys destroy County. |
|
1874 |
Na Shuler's game. Carlow 18 play I Zingari on 20/21 August and
win by 7 wickets. K.D.G. Regiment under E.A.C. Beecher play most
exciting game of year in Carlow. A 31 piece band played during
the game. |
|
1875 |
Rev. J.P. Maraffy (also in 1878), also Lord Rathdonnell, then T.
Me L. Bunbury, played 1876. |
|
1875 |
County lose to Phoenix 16 games played, 6 won, 8 lost, 2 drawn. |
|
1876 |
Pavilion improved. |
|
1877 |
Horace Hamilton top of Dublin University Cricket Club averages
for first time. Later became Carlow solicitor. First test match:
England versus Australians. |
|
1878 |
Carlow crew (fives) beat Wexford twice — their biggest rivals. |
|
1879 |
Borris beat County at Borris, led to famous 100 yard race
between Major Tanner and 2nd Lieutenant John Watson. American
tour of Irish side. H. Hamilton important member of American
tour party. |
|
1879 |
Michael Cusack and Patrick William McNally meet and decide to
persue policy of reviving Gaelic games and athletic association
begins to take shape. The latter fenian died in prison soon
after. Temperance band plays at Regatta. |
|
1880 |
Horace Hamilton destroys Australian tourists. A truly great fast
bowler. |
|
1880 |
County play Na Shuler. |
|
1881 |
No games for County. |
|
1882 |
Ecclesiastics at Carlow College play rugby. Carlow College Rugby
Club formed. |
|
1883 |
R.C. Rike, notable hurler joins club. Irish Republican
Brotherhood Supreme Council decree steps which launch athletic
movement. Michael Cusack entrusted with the task of founding
G.A.A. |
|
1884 |
Cusack and delegation approach Fenian Bishop, Most Rev. Patrick
Duggan, P.P., and gain blessing from him for the new association
which involves Dr. Croke of Cashel. This gained initial support
of Irish Hierarchy. G.A.A. founded. Membership of Rowing Club
reaches 95. |
|
1885 |
Crew sent to Graiguenamanagh on the condition that the race be
confined to amateurs. Henry Bruen, a slow bowler toured Canada
and the U.S.A. with E. J. Sanders' English team and was their
most successful bowler, with 63 wickets at less than 6 runs
apiece. |
|
1887 |
Ban introduced by G.A.A. |
|
1888 |
H. Rochfort gives up polo and hunting. |
|
1889 |
Rowing Club rules printed. |
|
1890 |
Dooley brothers playing as professionals for John Kenny at
Ballinagar. Notable games against regiments with much food,
cases of wine and beer. |
|
1892 |
All lay students transferred from Carlow College to Knockbeg. |
|
1894 |
H. Rochfort dies at his Dublin residence, 30 Upper Mount Street,
in May. Buried at Clogrennane, Co. Carlow, in Churchyard
overlooking family residence. Stuart Duckett is Rugby Club
President until 1898. |
|
1895 |
Fr. Matt Cullen, a rugby enthusiast becomes rector at Knockbeg
and reinforces game and discourages Gaelic. P. MacSuibhne.
Horace Hamilton dies at 30 playing billiards. |
|
1898 |
Carlow College was first provincial team to play hi Leinster
Senior Cup (Rugby) when they lost by 3 points to nil against
"Wanderers". |
|
1899 |
Michael Governey, President of Football Club until 1903. Carlow
Golf Club established on 9 hole course at Gotham. Captain
Duckett Stuart first Captain. |
|
1900-10 |
Gaelic football and hurling come to the fore in Carlow College. |
|
1902 |
Gaelic match: Castledermot Volunteers V Bally-racket. |
|
1903 |
Regular Gaelic League notes. Graiguecullen G.F.C. founded. 7th
March, Irish article Giorm an Lae gCeatharlach. Barrow Rangers
G.F.C. play Blue and Whites of Wexford. February 21st, Ladies
Hockey: Athy 2; Celbridge 0. Most famous rowing victory at
Chapelizod by Carlbw Four: Bell, Boake, Duggan and Orr, the
premier crew of the year. Daniel Ross, President Rugby Club. |
|
1904 |
Provincial Towns Cup first victory. J. Kane Smith, President
Rugby Club until 1929. |
|
1905 |
Carlow Wanderers Cycle Club, 1st July ride to Fenagh via
Fighting Cocks. First soccer match on Fair Green. |
|
1905 |
June 3rd: Nationalist; Carlow College 75 V Blackrock College 89
for 9. County Carlow fixtures July 19th Co. Kildare (Naas), 22
July Co. Kilkenny, 26th Co. Wexford, 27th Phoenix, 31st July and
1st August Nashuler, all at Dunleckney, 8th August Co. Kilkenny
(Away), 16th August Phoenix (Away), 21st August Wexford at
Newtownbarry. |
|
1906 |
Hockey in Athy on March 3rd, August 26 Phoenix Park, Polo Carlow
2, Antrim 4. |
|
1907 |
"The Gael and his influence in American Athletics", a long
article in the Nationalist by W. Fletcher, New York, 28th
September. 7th December,* meeting is held in Town Hall to
reorganise Hockey Club. August 27th, whole page of Gaelic League
activities, Portarlington, Wicklow, Muinebridge in a 15 mile
cycle race at Baltinglass. |
|
1908 |
Carlow Nationalist large report of handball game at Baltinglass. |
|
1908-13 |
Liam Egan in the Centenary Book tells of how popular rugby was
at Knockbeg in this period. Played an annual scallion match,
Kildare - Leix, "The Bog-men" students play rest of college.
Gowran and Borris played Knockbeg at cricket. |
|
1909 |
Boxing introduced at Knockbeg. Carlow Golf Club lose 4 -7 to
Borris. Away game, 20th March, Nationalist. In hockey mixed team
beat Templeogue 9 - 2. |
|
1910 |
H. Bruen still playing for Na Shuler. |
|
1910-14 |
J. P.Quinn of Bagenalstown wins 12 rugby caps, played regularly
for cricket club. Knockbeg team play hurling match at Cnoc Beag.
P. Swayne in team. Padraig Pearse gave striking address after
match. |
|
1911 |
Bruen family give cricket club use of five acres on Dublin Road,
now tennis club. Pavilion erected. "A great meeting of great
athletes — Splendid cycling contents" July 15th. Mr. Lyons and
Nolan, Joint Honorary Secretary of Organising Committee of this
famous sports meeting at Asylum Grounds. Banked cycle racing.
Gaelic representatives for the first time. |
|
1912 |
Rugby reintroduced in Carlow College as a fun game only
Provincial Towns Cup win. |
|
1913 |
Knockbeg V St. Kiernans hurling, 21st May. Score 5-1 to 3-1.
Ball-alley built at Knockbeg. Provincial Towns Cup. |
|
1914 |
Rector P.J. Doyle under the influence of Gearoid O'Sullivan and
he ended rugby and cricket at Knock-beg, Tennis replaces cricket
at Knockbeg and court built on pitch. |
|
1916 |
August 12th, Nationalist headline "Fishing on Barrow - Proposed
new club". Fishing Club proposed by T. Murphy to protect trout
stocks in river. |
|
1917 |
Sinn Fein set up Queen's C. Executive, 8th September.
Nationalist headline, Sinn Fein prisoners (Passed by Censor),
29th September. |
|
1919 |
Provincial Towns Cup. |
|
1921 |
Regatta proceeds donated to St. Vincent de Paul Society. |
|
1922 |
Henry Bruen gives lease for Golf Club at Deerpark, on 18 holes.
Provincial Towns Cup. Carlow Aquatic Sports: Postponed. Notice
in Nationalist, 22nd July: War situation probably the cause.
22nd July, tennis: County Carlow Cricket and Tennis Club: An
American Open Tennis Tournament will be held at the Club
Grounds, Oak Park, on Wednesday, August 2nd, 1922. Announcement
of Oyks, Hon. Sec. J.C. McHugh, Hon. Tres. |
|
1923 |
Large article on putting technique, 31st March, Nationalist. |
|
1926-27 |
Rugby reintroduced into Knockbeg. |
|
1927 |
Fr. Peadar MacSuibhne new Rector strongly favoured Gaelic, holds
vote and boys disappointed at changeover. C.R.C. wins President
Cup at Carlow Regatta. Graiguecullen G.F.C. expelled by Carlow
County Board because of death after row between Milford and
Graigue in 1926 County Final at Rathoe. In period 1903-1927 won
twelve senior County championships. |
|
1928 |
Graigue, Laois County Champions (Senior). |
|
1929 |
Rowing Club Committee very insular and concerned mainly with
building up fleet of pleasure boats rather than competition and
club declined until '30's and '40's. Period 1928 - 32 is zenith
of C.R.C. competitive racing. Provincial Towns Cup. Dr. T.A.
Greene President of Rugby Club. Carlow Cricket Club
re-established. |
|
1930 |
J. Kane Smith President Rugby Club until 1956. |
|
1931 |
Provincial Towns Cup. |
|
1933 |
C.R.C. fails to hold Regatta and ceases its affiliation to
I.A.R.U. Eustace Duckett XI founded. Provincial Towns Cup. |
|
1934 |
Carlow Rovers A.F.C. win League. |
|
1937 |
Golf Club course redesigned by Mr. Simpson. Establishes today's
course. |
|
1939 |
Eustace Duckett's XI plays its last game. |
|
1944 |
Carlow Gaelic Football reaches its highest point with win in
Leinster Cup and defeated in semi-final of All-Ireland by Kerry. |
|
1947 |
C.R.C. resources touch rock bottom. Club in peril. |
|
1948 |
Soccer played in Carlow College. Three Australian cricketers in
Carlow. |
|
1950 |
Oxford Authentics on their Irish tour play at Bagenalstown.
First Scratch Cup in Ireland, the Midland Scratch Cup run for
first time and won by J .B. Can. Paddy Governey and Ray
McDonnell are two members of the Committee of four who establish
this competition. |
|
1953 |
Carlow crew travels beyond Wexford for first time for more than
two decades. |
|
1954 |
Tennis Committee at Knockbeg want to take over soccer pitch.
Irish Close Championships at Carlow Golf Course. Won by Joe Can. |
|
1955 |
Carlow Regatta has twenty four crews from outside the town. |
|
1956 |
Patrick C. Bergin President of Football Club. |
|
1957 |
Provincial Towns Cup. |
|
1958 |
Francis J. Lanigan President of Football Club. |
|
1960 |
Golf Club House burnt down. Marcus P. Rudell President of
Football Crab. Barrow Rovers A.F.C. founded by T. Hennessy.
enter Kilkenny League. Played all games away as they had no
soccer pitch. |
|
1961 |
Provincial Towns Cnp. Desmond McEarly President Football Club. |
|
1962 |
Patrick J. Ryan President Football Club. |
|
1963 |
New Club House at Golf Club opened. |
|
1964 |
Provincial Towns Cup. H.A. Ewing President Football Club. Barrow
Rovers win McCalmont Cup. Beat Green Celtic in final. Captain,
V. Nockter. |
|
1965 |
Graiguecullen G.F.C. senior Laois champions. Carlow C.C. fails.
In the period 1928-1965 won thirteen championships. Provincial
Towns Cup. R. McDonnell President of Football Club. |
|
1965 |
Irish Dunlop Professional Tournament held at Golf Club. Won by
Christy O'Connor (Snr.) with 68 course record. |
|
1965 |
Carlow soccer league formed. 8-10 teams. Park Celtic formed
playing at Closh Pumps entered Wexford League. Barrow Rovers win
Carlow League, Cup and Shield. J. J. Farrell Captain. Manager T.
Hennessy. Played Closh Pump. |
|
1966 |
Celtic runners up in Wexford League. |
|
1968 |
Rugby Club move to Oak Park. Provincial Towns Plate. |
|
1969 |
Park Celtic joined Kilkenny League. The under 11's win League.
First team to win Junior Shield. |
|
1970 |
Park Celtic beat Belfast Dockers F.C. at Celtic Park, Belfast
3-1 to win I.T.G.W.U. Dockers Shield. |
|
1970-71 |
Barrow Rovers champions of newly formed Counties League Div.II.
Ground Pacelli Park, Graiguecullen. Park Celtic under 12 win
Carlow League. |
|
1971 |
Barrow Rovers runners-up Div.I. Unbeaten at home. |
|
1972 |
Barrow Rovers champions of Counties League Div.I. Undefeated.
Won Counties Cup. Won Midland area of F.A.I. Junior Cup. J. J.
Farrell Captain. Manager, Ronnie Bell. Park Celtic win F.A.I.
Junior Cup beating Edenderry. Win Counties League. |
|
1973 |
Community Games begin. |
|
1973 |
Provincial Towns Plate. Patrick J. Ryan President Football Club.
Barrow Rovers enter Leinster League Div. I. (Sunday). Champions
in League comprising Dublin based teams. First team outside
Dublin to win this honour. Beat Carnough Rovers in play-off for
the title. |
|
1974 |
Rugby Clubs decide to re-establish County Carlow Cricket Club.
Barrow Rovers finish 4th Premier League. Vacate picture at
Pacelli Park and forced to combine with another local team, Park
Celtic, to form Carlow Town. Pitch at Youth Centre. |
|
1975 |
Carlow Rangers A.F.C. founded as Milford Rangers. Carlow Town
Premier League Counties Champions. |
|
1976 |
Carlow Town winners of Midlands area F.A.I. Junior Cup. Winners
of Subsidiary Cup. |
|
1977 |
Provincial Towns Cup. Carlow Town runners-up in Counties Premier
League and Midland area F.A.I. Junior Cup. Won Counties Cup. |
|
1978 |
Carlow Town fold. Second Irish Close Championship played at Golf
Club. |
|
1979 |
"Sport for all" begins in town. |
|
1981 |
A.W.B. Dawson President of Football Club. Askea running track
opened. County Carlow runners-up in the Junior Leinster Cup,
beaten by Halverstown. |
|
1982 |
St. Leo's running track opened. N. McMillan President Carlow
Rangers A.F.C. Carlow Rangers win Kilkenny 1st and 4th
Divisions, both Divisional cups and the Carpenter Cup. |