1930 Folklore Collection

The following account was given recorded by School Teacher Katie Bolger in 1938. It was given to her by Thomas Coady of Grange Upper who was 84 year of age at the time. Thomas Coady recollects how hurling was introduced in the parish and recounts a hurling match between the townland of Rathduff and Rathnure which took place in the early 1900's.

Hurling has only been introduced into this parish for the past thirty years or thirty five years. It was Mr. Laurence Maher, a native of Castlebridge, Wexford, who came to this district about that time, to work with Mr. John Quigley, Ballybawn Mills. He formed the famous Tomanine hurlers, and won several matches throughout the County.

Some of the noted hurlers of this team are still living. They are Messrs. Laurence Higgins, the brothers Furlong (2) John Heatherton, James White, William Holohan, Thomas Murphy, and James Burke. Parish played against parish at that time, and townland against townland.

About 30 years ago there was a hurling match between the townland of Rathnure, and the townland of Rathduff. There were 17 on each side. Laurence Maher, Ballybawn was the captain of the Rathnure team. The goals were the ditches of the field. They wore no colours, but had their coats off. They had no rules, no referee, and no laws.

The hurling ball was just the same as the one used at the present time. There was no marking on the field, for they played throughout the whole field. Their hurleys were made of bent ash stick, and bush stick. They made them themselves. Rathnure won the match. They had two goals while Rathduff had only one point.