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Carlow Senior Hurling Champions 1973

Back Row: Peter O'Neill, Tom Collier, Jim Clerkin, Mick McCarthy, Joe Kelly, Brendan Cavanagh, Cyril Hughs; Stephen Nolan,

Front Row: Terry Byrne, Tim Byrne, Paddy Cummins (captain), Paddy Farrell, Jack Neill, Jimmy Farrell, Tommy Murphy.

BALLINKILLEN Hurling Club, reformed in 1971, had a meteoric rise to success, winning the Junior Championship "in their inaugural year, reaching the Senior final the following year only to be beaten in a high-scoring thriller, then lifting the coveted title in 1973. It is that historic fifteen of 35 years ago that features as our first Classic Photo of 2008, an historic fifteen who beat neighbours Naomh Eoin 5-5 to 2-9 in a hard-fought final played in Dr Cullen Park on October 21,1973.

Ballinkillen's first senior foray in 1972 won them many admirers, beating another neighbour, Erin's Own in the first round before dethroning reigning champions St.Fintan’s of Ballinabranna in a replay semi-final. That ensured the blue and gold brigade started as favourites against surprise packets Palatine in the final but the JJ Canavan inspired Bennekerry boys emerged 4-9 to 0-18 victors of a memorable final in which Terry Byrne scored an astounding 0-14 ... and lost.

Ballinkillen were determined to atone in 1973 and having won the 1972 Bolger (SHL) Cup recorded hard fought wins over St Muffins and St Fintan's to again reach the county final where Naomh Eoin, semi-final replay victors over Carlow Town, provided the opposition: While Terry Byrne was not in as fluent a scoring form as the previous year, he and power-packed brother Tim were, along with Stephen Nolan, the cutting edge to a Ballinkillen attack which had added steel by the positioning of skipper Paddy Cummins, normally a defender, at corner-forward. Tommy ‘Pecker’Murphy kept a good goal while the Farrell brothers, Jimmy 'Larkin' and Paddy 'Beetle' formed a formidable back line along with Joe 'Chap’ Kelly while Cyril Hughes and Mick McCarthy also played notable roles in bringing Ballinkillen their first SHC title.

The new Carlow champions subsequently put up a superb display against the Kilkenny champions, The Fenians (Johnstown) in the Leinster Club Championship, Ballinkillen scoring a fabulous 6-5 in Dr Cullen Park that cold November day. Alas the Henderson/Billy Fitzpatrick powered Fenians amassed 7-13.

Copies of Classic Photographs can be obtained from Leo McGough at leomcgough@eircom.net

Leo McGough

Carlow Nationalist Jan 2008

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