Inside Track: Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh siad
Inside Track with Joe Carroll
This paper was a solid supporter of Cumann Peile na nÓg, the Dundalk-based branch of the GAA which organised street league competitions for over two decades following its formation in the mid-1960s.
Teams from all over the town were catered for, yours truly having charge of Carrick Road for a time before handing over to another from McDermott’s Terrace, fellow Gaelsman Seánie Coleman. Future Republic of Ireland International, Cathal Muckian, was one of our players.
The Quay, with Eddie Norton the main man in charge, and Hill Street, led by the indomitable Joe McNally, were the big winners in the initial years. They met in several finals, and it wasn’t unusual to have hundreds at the Gaels’ pitch on the Ramparts looking on.
Several future county players cut their teeth in the Cumann, playing afterwards with town teams. Among them were the O’Hanlon brothers, Séamus, Kevin and Cathal, whose Redeemer team was guided by their father, Jim, along with Johnny Duffy and Séamie Reenan.
The coverage provided by the Democrat had a huge part to play in the Cumann’s success.
Match reports were carried each week, along with fixtures, league tables and photos, and this being a time before mobiles and the other devices that are today providing instant news, the Demo was required reading for players and mentors, each Saturday edition eagerly awaited.
Frankie Boland was largely responsible for putting the Cumann notes together. He was part of the Democrat printing team, operating a linotype (this was in the hot metal days), but still found time to get along to games to take notes.
Frankie had the same head for his column each week. It included the words, Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh Siad – praise the young, and they will come.
It was apt at the time, and still is. And it applies to not only Gaelic football, but all sports. Get the youngsters on board, coach them, and rather than give them grief if they get something wrong, encourage them – and, yes, give them credit for getting things right. That applies as much to parents along the line as anyone else.
All of this has come to mind by a communication received from Colm Ross, now living in Dublin but as much as an Ardee St Mary’s man as he was when wearing the blue-and-white jersey.
And there was a further reminder, this one with me throwing a different blue-and-white jersey over my shoulders. We, Dundalk Gaels, won the county Division 3 under-16 league last Tuesday night. (All letters, texts, emails or phone calls, complaining of favouritism, to be sent to the Editor.)
Ross was in his home town – more specifically Páirc Uí Mhuire – for the annual under-16 tournament commemorating his father, Johnny, the weekend before last.
Teams drawn from Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Dublin competed, and at the end of a fine day’s sport, the host club took the honours, beating Dublin’s Na Fianna in the final.
Mary’s centre-half forward, Conor Carroll, was named player of the tournament. Here’s a young man with a good pedigree – his father, Ronan, is the veteran of many Mary’s battles, and might see service in this year’s championship.
Meath team, Syddan/Castletown won the shield, getting the better of Louth’s St Michael’s in the final.
Mary’s – and, indeed, most clubs – know the value of getting the work done at underage level.
It’s now paying dividends for them in senior. All of the current senior team have come through the ranks, with two of them, Seán Callaghan and Tadhg McDonnell, making it on to the country’s under-20 team of the year.
And it’s not too long ago since Jonathon Commins came in from a Louth minor final with a record score. All three have a big part to play in the club’s bid to regain the Joe Ward Cup.