Historic Shinrone hurl to lead fundraiser walk for GAA pitch

How often do you find a 100-year-old song that celebrates a 150-year-old hurling match and mentions the owner of Offaly’s oldest hurl? That honour goes to Shinrone GAA!

That is one of the wonderful stories to emerge in recent weeks as Shinrone Camogie and Hurling Clubs prepare for their fundraiser walk this Sunday, November 1.

The local organising committee is aiming for a huge turnout on Sunday for a fun-filled 5km Fancy Dress Walk in support of the club's new pitch and walkway project.

The walk will start at Shinrone Hall, pass through the beautiful Bellefield Gardens and return to Shinrone Hall. It will be a great family community day, with tea, coffee and refreshments provided at Shinrone Hall afterwards.

Speaking ahead of the event, committee PRO Jessie Donnelly said the fundraising drive to expand the facilities had “seen so many stories of our GAA heritage become part of daily conversations in recent weeks”.

“We often think that GAA in our community began in 1894,” said Ger Murphy of Shinrone Heritage Group. “Yet we have records in the local papers of Shinrone playing Birr as far back as the 1770s. That’s some 250 years of Gaelic sport here in South Offaly.”

Jessie agrees on the deep heritage of GAA within the community. “When you think about it, the Shinrone Hurl was made for Billy Barry in the 1880s, and it was likely used by Bill when Shinrone beat Honeymount on St Patrick’s Day in 1899.”

That match was immortalised in a wonderful song which was recently uncovered in the National Folklore Collection.

The rules of the game were different in 1899, notes Ger. Teams had 21 players a side, with four goalposts: two in the middle for the goal and one at each side for points.

The final score of the Shinrone-Honeymount game was one goal and a point to nil in Shinrone’s favour. The match was refereed by John Corcoran and played in Carey’s Park near Barna. Shinrone’s team wore long trousers and green jerseys bearing the harp and shamrock.

And who took to the field? The roll of honour includes Martin Fennell (maker of the Shinrone Hurl), Ned Doorley, Michael Carroll, Michael Martin, Michael and Thomas Egan, John Treacy, William Dunne, John Querck, Pat Hogan, John Cleary, Martin and John Madden, Pat King, John Carroll, William Barry (owner of the Shinrone Hurl), Martin Walsh, William King, Martin Mangan, John Lawlor, Jim Minchin, Tom Collins and John Brerton.

“We only recently realised that Gaelic games were played ad hoc on farmers’ fields,” said Ger. “I found it fascinating to read an earlier account of a Shinrone match being played outside the village, in the townland of Clareen, in 1843.”

Having come from fields to pitches, we sometimes have to remind ourselves that the facilities we have today are the legacy of former members, players and committees, said chairperson Sean Ormond.

“That intergenerational footprint, like the hurl and song, reminds us that we are all custodians of that legacy, both past and present.”

Fellow committee member Debbie Cahill agrees. “The Shinrone Camogie and Hurling Clubs are a hive of activity, and the fundraiser is all about building on the past efforts of the community,” said Debbie.

Jessie Donnelly said both the camogie and hurling clubs had an amazing year across all age groups, and that expanding the facilities with a new pitch and walking track was a natural progression.

Turning to the fundraiser, Jessie was keen to acknowledge the community’s amazing work in raising funds.

“So many businesses, fellow GAA clubs and strangers alike have donated to our community-led fundraiser," said Jessie.

"It is very inspiring for us all here in Shinrone to see such generosity as we prepare for the 5km walk. We have lots done, and we have lots to do as we bring our plans from paper to pitch. People’s participation and generosity remind us that we are all part of a wider community.”

Whether by accident or design, the fundraiser on November 1 also falls on the date the GAA was founded in 1884. “Maybe it is a reminder that, just as the GAA founders had a vision, we have one for our clubs here in Shinrone,” added Jessie.

Recognising the vision of our past and present communities, the Shinrone Hurl will be given pride of place at the start of the 5km charity walk.

“Having the hurl with us on the walk gives a focal point to the song and has become a mascot for the fundraising drive as we aim to reach the €150,000 target,” said Sean Ormond. “The hurl is a real symbol of community.”

Readers can show their support for the fundraiser by donating through the iDonate page here: https://www.idonate.ie/event/shinronecommunitynewpitchwal