Eight Westmeath stories feature in new GAA folklore book

Eight stories from Westmeath have been selected to appear in a fascinating new book on the GAA – written by people at the heart of the association nationwide.

‘Grassroots: Stories From The Heart Of The GAA’, is a treasure trove of GAA memories, tales and incidents spanning over 150 years.

“The book generated an incredible response from every county in Ireland, as well as from the Irish abroad,” said author and journalist, PJ Cunningham, who collaborated with Croke Park on the publication.

“I have included stories not only since the GAA’s foundation in 1884, but from before, through to the Civil War and up to modern times. The collection is, in essence, the first time that this rich oral tradition of sideline and on-field stories have been put together and published in this form,” continued the Clara native.

“It provides snapshots into the history of the GAA, recounted by the people at the heart of the action, whether those stories are happy or sad, dramatic or ordinary.”

Volume one has just been published and such was the response from the GAA community that work has already begun on a second collection.

The first edition includes stories from the rich history of Westmeath GAA. Tubberclair native John Lennon recalls a saga from the 1960s when the junior football decider between his club and Ballynacargy had to go to four games before a winner emerged.

However, it has lived on in memory due to what happened at the denouement of the first game. With the game delicately poised and a replay looking certain, the Tubberclair full-back caught the ball and was about to kick clear when the referee pointed for a 14-yards free-in to Ballynacargy.

After protests lasting several minutes, a number of Tubberclair defenders climbed up on the crossbar and when the ball was kicked into the crowd, the ref called an end to proceedings. But as things turned out, the saga had only just begun.

Kilbeggan man Stan McCormack provides the anthology with a couple of beautiful vignettes about life in his hometown, with a Black and Tan attack having a funny conclusion after they burned down the Dramatic Hall. They purloined the community’s musical instruments from the place and began playing tunes as they walked down the main street, including ‘God Save Ireland’.

Journalist Dermot Gilleece retells a story he wrote for a national paper about a boy, PJ Reynolds, who played in a camogie final between Cullion and Tang in Moate. Gilleece interviewed Reynolds many years after the game took place.

Westmeath writer and man of many parts Bernie Comaskey recalls in this collection his time living in Canada and how a big hurling tournament was eagerly anticipated. Unfortunately, the consignment of hurleys that was due to arrive before the game failed to turn up, resulting in the hurling game becoming a football match.

Other contributors include former Irish soccer international Niall Quinn, Meath legends Sean Boylan and Bernard Flynn, Tony O’Hehir, son of the legendary Michael, former Galway hurling captain Joe Connolly, ex-Armagh player and manager Joe Kernan and RTÉ hurling analyst and former Offaly star, Michael Duignan.

“The folklore and stories that built up around our games are part of the reason that the organisation occupies such a special place in Irish society,” said GAA President Larry McCarthy.

“The GAA has always been about more than just games, it is part of what we are.”

Grassroots: Stories From The Heart Of The GAA (Volume 1), priced at €19.99, is available now in all good bookshops.

*If you have a GAA anecdote or story you would like to share for Volume 2, contact PJ Cunningham at 086-8217631 or at: pj@gaastories.ie.