Curiosity Corner

KNOW YOUR INITIALS

This week it’s DR

1: A record-breaking Irish-trained horse at Cheltenham......

2: ....who may, or may not, have run at this Irish course

3: It was once heard in a Dublin stadium

4: She won fame as a singer, but not as a penalty-taker at the Olympics

5: Totally reliable as a Dublin free-taker

6: Former Dundalk footballer, Francie Callan, transferred to this English League club

7: It’s an acceleration contest between two vehicles

8: A former Louth and Mattock Rangers footballer

9: A meeting of two teams before they play in a more important match

10: He won 47 rugby caps for Ireland

HE SAID

“Amateurism was fun. It was all about the love of the game. It wasn’t a profession back then, with all the attendant pressures that brings. Though we put a horrendous amount of time and effort into it, the whole amateur ethos was refreshing in comparison with now.” Paul Dean, formerly of Ireland and The Lions, on being asked what was the best thing about rugby in his era (the 1980s). He was speaking 15 years ago, when the game wasn’t as professional as it is today.

LOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS & ENDS

Dowdallshil played Cannontown Emmets in the 1934 second division final. They were leasding by 1-4 to 0-2 with 20 minutes remaining when the referee was forced to abandon the match after the Cannontown team walked off, the Drogheda rural side complaining over the dismissal of one of their players. Following an inquiry by the County Board, Dowdallshill were awarded the title and Cannontown suspended for six months....

Roche Emmets’ attempt to win to win back-to-back titles (intermediate and senior) ended with a narrow defeat to Newtown Blues a fortnight ago. However, back in the 1950s, Emmets celebrated championship success two years running, winning the second-tier junior in 1957 and the senior twelve months later.......

As for winning both titles in the same year, Young Irelands did the double in 1950, thirty-two years after another Dundalk side, O’Rahilly’s, accomplished the same. The O’Rahilly’s senior side was captained by Andy Tipping, who later owned a pub in Earl Street, which was a favourite haunt for local and visiting GAA followers....

All-Ireland footballer, the late Jim McArdle, had a club championship record that stands up to the closest scrutiny. He has a strong connection with the Irelands and Roche teams. As an Irelander he player in the two winning championship sides in 1950, mentioned above. Then, after a spell with Stabannon Parnells he transferred to Roche, and in 1957 led them to junior success, followed with a pivotal role in the senior win a year later....

It’s said that you have to lose one before you win one. Twice in the last decade, the senior has been won for the first time by a team that had been beaten in the previous year’s final. Seán O’Mahony’s went down to St Patrick’s in 2015, but bounced back to beat St Mary’s the following year. Same with Naomh Máirtín, who, having lost to Newtown Blues in 2019, collected twelve months later with a defeat of St Mary’s. The only team in the last four in this year’s competition, St Mochta’s, yet to win the title, were beaten in the 2021 final by Máirtín’s....

St Mary’s are going for a third senior/minor double in succession, this year. Both teams have semi-final dates, the under-17s playing St Patrick’s, and the seniors out against Newtown Blues, both matches taking place this weekend. If Mary’s go on to win the minor, they’ll be the first team to complete a three-timer since Roche Emmets in the early 1990s...

ANSWERS

Know Your Initials; 1 Dawn Run, 2 Down Royal, 3 Dalymount Roar, 4 Diana Ross, 5 Dean Rock, 6 Doncaster Rovers, 7 Drag Race, 8 Damien Reid, 9 Dress Rehearsal, 10 Donnacha Ryan.