82…What a good year for the Roses Shamrocks…(the way I recall it)
Hard to believe its 40 years ago, though like others I’m sure, the creaking joints and aches & pains are proving that it is. All those thumps, kicks and hits are telling now (that was only at training). A good year, mixed with excitement, disappointments and some great craic. A great panel of players who set high standards for each other in ‘82. Tough year in terms of the number of times we ‘lapped’ the field and miles covered building up fitness levels. Niggly injuries on Friday night games that carried on into another game come Sunday, with no time to recover. No fancy named muscle injuries thatcouldn’t be cured by our physio back then, Micky Rooney, with his bottle of ‘holy water & magic sponge’. We were still years away from knowingwhat a ’hamstring injury’ was!
The year started off well though not winning as freely as previous years but still staying ahead in the league. The team starting to get a system going. Moving away from catch and kick, to more of a handpass and short kick pass to the runners wearing green. Of course, at times some of these kick passes would go astray and the roar from the line was ‘Jaysus use your fist’. Our renowned full backline,well some of them, viewed that as the queue for an unfortunate forward to get a ‘Tightner to the back of the lug’!
Fermanagh also going well and assisted by a few Shamrocks players made it to Ulster Final. (so close)League games became scarce to give them a chance,so we took part in a lot of tournaments and as Red put it, ‘Handier than doing laps’. But training did pick up, as we were determined to do well in the Championship that year after previous disappointments. No-one considered us a favourites because of failing last 2 years, we were known around the county as only a league team. Training changed, less laps now and onto ball work and backs against forwards. The forwards would have needed sponsorship by Dunnes/Penney’s, cause some of them backs (Lynchie) just hated t-shirts with a passion. We were going through 2-3 a week!
I can’t recall too much about early Champ games at all other than we got by Teemore who had beaten us in 81. Eventually making it to our 1st final, against a very good team and near neighbours St Pats. We also seemed to have gained extra players to train coming up to the final and especially the night Herald photogher arrived. I remember the photo-fits in the Herald, some had got taller, younger & some had even got a ‘trade’ by then. The final, played inthe recently opened Brewster Park, a big open pitch that became a favourite of ours. A good vocal crowd turned up for both teams. We struggled early on toget to grips with St Pat’s star men but just before half-time we took the lead and never looked back. I do remember hearing afterwards that Owenie Clerkin wagered £100 that we’d win by a margin. A bet with a Donagh man when we were behind in 1st half…confidence or what! Great celebrations with supporters both on the pitch, in the Gaels clubhouse and on the bus on way home.‘The Green Green Grass of Home’ got murdered several times(you know who you are!). The Parade through the village with New York Gold Cup, all the supporters out cheering. A few lemonades were drunk that night.
Then onto Ulster club, can’t recall much about Carrickcruppin game other than the big crowd in attendance, Shamrock supporters and neutrals. The distinctive shouts of Francy & John Rooney above everyone,’C’mon The Shamrocks’. Next was Castleblayney, a team full of county stars, in their own backyard. An even bigger crowd of Shamrock supporters turned up and half of Scotstown arrived to give them a hand. Then at the end, they gave the Blayney support theback of their hand! We won the game that day in the 1st half. They seemed more interested in trying to take men out than play football.
Semi-final against Castlewellan, another team full of stars, McAlarney, Toners, McElroy etc . We got an early goal to settle us and kept the lead throughout but under a lot of pressure especially in the 2nd half. However, we managed to work a late goal and few points that seen us clear. I recall some dubious decisions near the end by the Monaghan Ref Murray in our favour. Also some brilliant defending inthe final 10 minutes to keep them out as they neededgoals. I can still see Gnasher, coming out of a melee with the ball and soloing through a few tackles until he got to the halfway line before releasing it. And, you know, to this day it’s still being debated ‘Who was he trying to pass it to?’
Training stepped up another gear but now we had only half a pitch to do laps on. Half the pitch flooded and the other ‘up to our knees in clabber’. Hugh Pat & Tommy and a few others had rigged up some lighting on one side so we could at least see each other. A great job at the time and a big help to the training. And, when we were on our knees withexhaustion with maybe 5 minutes or so to go, Tommy Murray’s secret weapon, John Joe McNamee was there to help and offer encouragement. Indeed, some of the boys (esp Spillane) got great strength from it, cause through gritted teeth, up and away after him to the finish. Down then to the flooded end to washbefore heading into the 6 x 8 hut to change, with alight that wouldn’t draw a moth. Trying to get your Kacks on, balancing on one leg while getting elbowed by others trying to do the same. Whilst saying a wee prayer that they were your own because you wouldn’thave strength to do it all again!
The Club Final, played high up in Coalisland against St Galls, with a gale force wind straight down the field. It was the major player that day. Would we have fared better if we had got it 1st half? I think maybe so, we’d have got into the game early. Maybe we were just too green and not used to the big occasion like them Belfast boys! Talked over everything but didn’t take the weather into account and how to play it. Jeez everything they hit went over, everything. The big full forward hit 2 over his left shoulder from the end-line and the wind carried them over. They scored a placed-kick from the over 70 yards out, 10 points to a goal lead at the break,that gave them the platform to hold out. 2nd half we improved but not enough and they were deserved winners. They got to watch us in the semi final so maybe that gave them an advantage too, they got their team set up matches right against us. Mal Donaghy‘s, (soccer fame) brother came to mark me & he stuck to me like that stuff on a shovel. Disappointing at the end of the game & my input to it, just never got going like earlier games. (I think I’ve got over it now)
But we still had something to play for, the delayed league final. We won that about a few weeks before Christmas. Think we beat Erne Gaels who had a long wait to play us. So our 1st double and Juniors winning their League final made it a very good year for the panel. Definately a year to remember. The winning of matches, the extra training, the Ulster club games, the great craic at training even with the slapping through mud and water, encouraging each other on helped create a bond within the panel that stood with us for years after.
We have all had close family, close friends, supporters, colleagues who have passed on since and they won’t be forgotten when we gather on the 27th. I’d like to just mention a few, who were a big part for me back then and had come with me through underage etc…. my brother Mickey, John Mohan, Seamus Callaghan and Benny McDermott (Manager,Coach, Trainer & Supporter) who put some of us onto the Senior team before we turned 15… and also Mickey Joe who, well, he just always seemed to have been there……and if you had the time after a game or as the evening went on, he ‘could fill your ear’ with who was playing well and who should be subbed.
There’s a lot I haven’t been able to recall, and there probably was very little recordings of the time but come the 27th I’m sure others will be able to regale their version of ’82. Just a word of caution … If it’s Red or Herbie that’s telling it just remember,it will probably come with ‘added interest’ on top. And if big Mick starts it’s definately time for home!…
Here’s also hoping that some of the panel can bring some of their old memorabilia on the night too…….Something like the very popular Plastic VG Store football kit-bag, Gnasher maybe digging out the oul duffle coat or Herbie’s selection of odd football boots.
Hopefully see you all 27th!
