MINORS HURLERS 1955: It was on this day 65 years ago (Sun 4th Sept 1955) that our Minor Hurlers won the Club’s first ever Co. Championship title when they defeated a fancied Ballyheigue outfit in Austin Stack Park on a score-line of 9-4 to 2-2. Many of that team went on to represent the Club at Senior Hurling level during the sixties and early seventies and were the backbone of some great Senior teams that were most unlucky on at least three occasions (1968, 1969 and 1974) not to bring home a Senior Championship title to the Club. The Kerryman report of that 1955 MH Final said Stacks had a very well balanced side composed of some great-hearted triers with an abundance of determination. The Report continued – Star of the side was full back and team captain, Jimmy Murphy and with a leader like him his side just could not lose. Little behind him in defence were Christy McQuinn, David O’Rourke and George Foley. Slattery in goal was safe under pressure.
he Report continued – Brendan Dowling and Frank Tiernan were great triers at centre field and gave great service to their forwards. Any attack that scores 9 goals must 100% co-operation from each member, but one man in particular deserves special mention, Tom O’Keeffe, full forward. Tom was a constant danger to the Ballyheigue defence and his tally of 3-1 shows how successful he was.
The team lined out as follows – Moss Slattery, Dave Barry, Jimmy Murphy (Capt), Seán Quilter, George Foley, Christy McQuinn, Daithí O’Rourke, Brendan Dowling (1-0), Frank Tiernan (0-1), Seán O’Donnell (1-1), Jimmy Hayes (1-0), Dominic Foley (1-0), Johnny Brosnan, Tommy O’Keeffe (3-0), Tim Barrett (2-2).
Sub used: Benny Hayes.
Rest of Panel: John Barry, Brendan Cronin, Sammy O’Connor, Seán O’Farrell, Mike Quirke, Brendan Walsh.
Selectors: Eddie Barry, Paddy Drummond. Joe Mulchinock, Dan Ryan.
