Carlow Senior Hurlers 1978
Men who hit the league heights
By Kieran Murphy
IT was difficult to establish when exactly this photo was taken but it
is most likely before a senior hurling championship game in Down in
1978. Around that time Carlow played for a year in Division 1A of the
national hurling league.
"Tipp in Thurles and Cork in Carlow. Kilkenny in Nowlan Park. We had won
promotion from Division IB of the league," recalls Sean Ralph.
Michael Murphy played for 16 years for the county travelling the length
and breadth of the country. The players passed the time playing cards on
the bus and trips to Antrim and Down at the time of the troubles still
linger in the memories. "We went to one venue to play a match and there
was a bomb. We had to go and play in Ballygalget instead," recalled
Murphy. "A terrible journey up," noted Sean Ralph.
Back row
Paddy Quirke (Naomh Eoin):
His talents were recognised from an early age when he made his
senior hurling club debut as a 15-year-old. From there he went on to win
many honours playing Railway Cup football and hurling with Leinster. He
is a teacher in Tullow Community School and is living in Newtown.
Mick Kelly
(Ballinkillen):
Quiet man on the team but a no-nonsense defender who went about his job
without fuss. He drives a lorry and lives near Corries Cross.
Pat Kehoe (St
Mullins):
Full forward who had an appetite for goals for both club and county.
After his playing days came to an end he became involved at committee
level and is a former chairman and secretary of the club. He works in
Supervalu in New Ross and is living in Dranagh.
Eamonn Quirke (Naomh Eoin):
Marvellous striker of the ball and deadly accurate in front of goal
he had a wonderful relationship with brother, Paddy, and between them
they helped carry many a day for club and county. He is working in
Avonmore and lives in Ballinree.
Richie Moore (Carlow Town):
He was probably better know for his foptball prowess as a defender
with Eire Og but was an able hurler who could play both in defence and
attack. He is still involved with the club, is self employed and lives
in Carlow Town.
John O'Hara (Naomh Eoin):
Wonderfully skilful hurler who played over 100 times with the
county. Injury shortened his career but he is still involved with
underage teams for club and county. He is a selector with the Carlow
senior hurling team, works in Gorey and lives in Miltown.
John Kavanagh (St Mullins):
A stylish and skilful
hurler, he played in the half-forward line where he enjoyed a long
career with club and county. He is farming in Kyle.
Front row
Michael Murphy
(Ballymurphy):
He enjoyed a 16-year spell at senior intercounty level and played
intercounty football too. More recently he has been involved with Mount
Leinster Rangers, coaches at underage level and rarely misses a game at
any level. He worked in Keenan's for many years and is lives and farms
in Ballymurphy.
Willie Cullen (Palatine): He was
one of Carlow's
greatest ever dual status players. In later years he took up refereeing
while he coached Leighlinbridge and Ballinabranna to win intermediate
football titles. More recently, he is back with the management team in
Palatine is self employed and lives locally.
Sean Quirke (Naomh Eoin): He
was a strong defender
who could turn defence into attack with his long and accurate
clearances. He was on the 1986 Naomh Eoin SFC winning team and is living
and farming in Newtown now.
Tony Whelan (St
Fintan's):
Formerly from Waterford, he won a senior championship medal with Carlow
Town before coming out to Ballinabranna where he also secured a second
medal with St Fintan's. He worked in the sugar company, is retired now
and lives in Carlow.
Sean Ralph (St Mullins): He
enjoyed a long spell
in the county colours and while he originally played with St Mullins, he
now lives in Ballymurphy. He is a carpenter by trade and is a member of
Mount Leinster Rangers.
Mattie Kehoe (St Mullins): He
made over 100
appearances between the sticks for his club making many great saves
while his carefully-placed puck-outs were a feature of his game. He is
still heavily involved with the club, works in Goresbridge and lives in
Bahana.
Michael Nolan (Naomh Eoin):
His never-say-die attitude and swashbuckling hurling won him many
admirers among friend and foe alike. He was also on the successful Naomh
Eoin 1986 SFC side and is currently farming in Shangarry.
Timmy Byrne (Ballinkillen):
Along with his
brother, Terry, he played with the county for many years. He runs a shop
in Ballinkillen where he lives and still attends games the club are
involved in.
Source: The Nationalist Sep 2011
Hurling_Ball_and_Hurley
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