In the month of November Nineteen Fifty-Four
Our ribbons and banners resplendent we bore
To the Athletic Grounds on a late Autumn day;
Castlemagner and Ballinahassig were listed to play.
A crowd had converged on that well-tended ground
Supporters of hurling the county around
To view a stern contest with outcome most vital –
The prized Cork County Junior Hurling title.
First on to the field in the famed Black and Amber
Were the players and subs of our own Castlemagner.
There was no sign of nerves as they shemmied around
And pucked a few sliothars at one end of the ground.
Then Ballinahassig came on to tumultuous din,
In bright Blue & Yellow – they were favourites to win
With their veterans and stars of Division and County
And a couple of ringers who played for the bounty.
The teams took their places, the whistle was blown.
Right fiery they clashed when the new ball was thrown.
Ballinahassig were ready and quick off the mark
And they ran Castlemagner all over the park.
When they struck on half-time with two killer-blow goals
The Castle selectors were scratching their polls.
For the hurling was hard and the marking was tight
And they knew they were in for one hell of a fight.
The second half started – it was more of the same
And it seemed Ballinahassig were winning the game.
Then ‘Small Johnny’ got split and the Castle men raged
And full earnest and fierce in the contest engaged .
Christy Sherlock in goals a sure confidence found.
Bomber Aherne at Right Full hurled straight off the ground.
Davy Mack at Full Back was beneath every ball
And Dan Casey on the Left was a Castle stone wall.
John Fitz at Right Wing played with fervour and will
And bamboozled his man with his speed and his skill.
With touches picked up in the Subulter Rocks,
On that day he was playing clean out of his socks.
Centre Back ‘Small’ Mick Shea played with vigour and sense
And, though short in the shank, was a giant in defence.
At Left Wing Paddy Twohig belied callow youth,
Playing wicked and quick and a dinger to shoot.
Now ‘Small’ Johnny Connell pursued every ball
Our hero at Midfield, he mastered them all.
Brother Christy beside him a Captain’s part played
Sure strong and determined the tackles he made.
The Half-Forward line too, were bright stars of the match
They picked off their scores with great style and despatch;
And thrilled the big crowd with the way they hit back
Score for score with the lauded Ballinahassig attack.
Right Half Seamus Connell played the game of his life,
Winning ball after ball and as sharp as a knife.
Mattie Mack on the Forty was a marksman for frees
And Mick Fitz on the Right was as cool as a breeze.
Right Corner Ned Barrett played cagey and loose
And combined to truss up the Ballinahassigmens’ goose
With Left Corner Dave Barry, so quick on the pull,
And the cook in Hell’s Kitchen, Dan McCarthy at Full.
The scores they were level when the last quarter came
And no man dare predict the result of the game.
Castlemagner dug deep in their courage and pride.
Ballinahassig poured on all the arts of their side –
They stormed up the field, their reward was a free
That was pointed at ease and their camp leapt with glee.
But the bold Black & Amber were quick to revive
And levelled again in a slick forward drive.
With the time running out, and all caution forsaking,
Ballinahassig charged back, Castle’s stout defence shaking.
But wave after wave of the fierce tide was foiled,
And our backs standing firm with the crowd going wild.
Mattie Mack on a solo was despairingly fouled;
‘Time is up, Time is up’ the Ballinahassig men howled.
Bold Mattie stepped up with a calmness sublime –
Ninety yards to the goals and the game on Full Time.
He lifted and struck, the ball flew low and far
Headed straight for the posts – and dropped over the bar!
In the pulsating din the last whistle was blown,
Jackie the Tailor’s old cap to the heavens was thrown.
In the Victoria Hotel the whole team was acclaimed
And Matt Connell was hailed for the victory he framed.
Castlemagner were Champions; the County was won;
Ballinahassig were beaten; all was over and done.
Then we hurried for home in our vans and our cars
And incessantly talked of our heroes and stars.
At Roskeen and at Bannagh the convoy was greeted,
And up at The Cross all the players were treated.
On Subulter Hill a big bonfire was blazing.
There was shouting and cheering, much banter and hazing.
Small children ran wide-eyed, old folk left their sorrow.
Johnny Mack summed it up – ‘there’ll be no work tomorrow!’
In Castle that night there were rich celebrations,
With festive commotion and wild jubilations.
Eddie Donoghue’s Bar was packed out to the door
And the Championship Cup was filled up o’er and o’er.
Now this great hurling victory brought joy to the parish,
A sporting achievement we forever will cherish.
Ballinahassig were good and no skill did they lack
But the great match was won by the Amber and Black.
7.11.1954: CASTLEMAGNER 3-8 BALLINAHASSIG 4-4