History

 

                                                                                        

 

Clane GAA – The Club

Clane GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club in Clane, County Kildare, Ireland, winner of 17 Kildare county senior football championships, 16 county senior hurling championships and Kildare club of the year in 1975. Clane players are credited with bringing the handpass into Gaelic football. Richard Cribben was regarded as one of the best players in the game in the 1890s and played on the international team that played England at Stamford Bridge in 1896. Pa Connolly (a Cuchulainn All-Star award winner in 1963) and Tommy Carew featured on the Kildare football team of the millennium. Martin Lynch was an All Stars Award winner in 1991. John Finn was an All Stars Award winner in 1998.      

History

Clane town sports pre-date the GAA, those of June 12, 1884 on a field opposite the Dispensary House being reported as “ayquel to Punchestown” by the Leinster Leader. Dr O’Connor, organizer of the 1885 sports became first chairman of Kildare county board. A Leinster Leader report on April 1887 claims Clane had ‘the honour of being the first club to be established in County Kildare.’ Clane were first Kildare football champions, a Clongowes Teacher member of the team Professor Crowley was later accredited with having invented the handpass. RIC records from 1890 show that Clane William O’Briens had 50 members with officers listed as CJ O’Connor (who was also first chairman of Kildare county board) John Geoghegan, Maurice Sammon and James Archer. A set of white jerseys from a house rugby team at Clongowes, used by the club after 1901, were used for the 1903 All Ireland final leading to the tradition of Kildare wearing all white as their county colours: the Lily Whites.      

Gaelic Football

The Clane-Roseberry duopoly between 1901 and 1910 was responsible for raising standards in Kildare. Eight Clane players Larry ‘Hussey’ Cribben, Bill Merriman, Ned Kennedy, Joe Rafferty, Jim Wright, Bill Bracken, William ‘Steel’ Losty and Johnny Dunne participated to Kildare’s cathartic twice-replayed home final appearance against Kerry in 1903 and first All Ireland success in 1905. By the time the club was seriously affected by the Irish Civil War, it had won eight county titles. Pa Connolly spear-headed the revival of the 1960s which resulted in three more titles, including the dramatic comeback of 1967 which turned a four point deficit into a six point win in the final ten minutes. Martin Lynch was the star of the 1990s when Clane won four more titles in a six year period. After Clane won the 1997 county championship with nine Kildare players in the line-up they went to the Leinster Senior Club Football Championship final, eventually losing to Erins Isle, and provided six players for the Kildare team that reached the 1998 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final.      

In recent years the footballing ability, and motivational skill, of Michael Weld has seen the Junior C team challenge for honours time and time again.      

Hurling

The decision of Dick Brien to bring a set of hurleys to Clane and the appointment of Wexfordman, John P Lacey, as secretary of the Clane club in 1903 established hurling in the club. Clane went on to win 16 titles before 1922, including a famous comeback against Landenstown from seven points down in 1920. A split in 1922, probably related to the civil war, led to the establishment of Mainham hurling club. In their glory period Clane had lost just two finals, to Maynooth on objection in 1913 and to Celbridge when some of their players were missing in 1921. They returned to senior ranks in the 1990s. David Harney was Kildare club hurler of the year in 2004. League Champs 2009      

Camogie

The club was founded in 1931 when Bridie Ennis was listed as ‘one of the best players in the county.’ Clane won the county championship in 1939 shortly before the club lapsed and the best players joined Sallins. A team trained by Wexford man Ned Coughlan won the 1953 league and championship, the 1962 senior league, but the club lapsed again 1966-1976. Clane revived in 1976 and won league and championship in 1977 wearing the green gym-slips of the local Scoil Mhuire. They won junior league and championship in 1980 but lapsed in 1983 when the best players joined Prosperous. Geraldine Dwyer and Marianne Johnson were selected on the Kildare camogie team of the century.      

Honours

Bibliography

  • Clane GAA A Century – A History Of The Club And The People (Clane GAA Club) 1985, 528pp).
  • Kildare GAA: A Centenary History, by Eoghan Corry, CLG Chill Dara, 1984, ISBN 0-9509370-0-2 hb ISBN 0-9509370-1-0 pb
  • Clane’s Golden Era  – Gaelic Games 1985 – 2000 by Pat Lynch
  • Kildare GAA yearbook, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 2000- in sequence especially the Millennium yearbook of 2000
  • Soaring Sliothars: Centenary of Kildare Camogie 1904-2004 by Joan O’Flynn Kildare County Camogie Board

Role of Honour

Mick Sammon      

Mick Sammon was an All Ireland medal winner in 1919 playing in midfield. He is Clane’s sometimes forgotten connection with Bloody Sunday, November 21st 1920. On that fateful day, Mick was the referee in Croke Park when the Black and Tans opened fire on players and spectators and killed a number of civilians including two players one being the captain of the Tipperary Team, Michael Hogan.      

Des Marron      

Des Marron was a goal keeper when he won a Leinster football medal in 1956. This was the first senior county medal to come to Clane since the heyday of Kildare football, the last time being 1928. Des also played with his beloved Clane when they won their senior football championship in 1963 after a gap of forty seven years.      

Peter Marron      

Peter Marron who served as president of the GAA club was a most respected and influential member of the committee. A man of great foresight and vision he was instrumental in convincing the GAA to purchase the land where Conneff Park stands today. He also trained the intermediate football team that won the 1949 championship.      

Larry Hussey Cribbin      

Larry, one of the most famous Kildare players to wear the white jersey won four senior football medals between 1901 and 1916. However in senior hurling he won fifteen medals between 1901 and 1916 with Clane. At national level Hussey won three Leinster and two All-Ireland medals in 1905 and 1919. He played on the Railway Shield Leinster team that beat Connaught. In May 1906 Hussey was a member of the Kildare team which captured the Dr. Croke Cup by beating Mayo. He won his last All Ireland medal, in goals, at forty years of age in 1919, being one of the oldest men to win an all-Ireland medal. Hussey also won a Leinster 2nd Division hurling medal with Kildare in 1905. It is said Larry Hussey Cribbin won forty six championship medals in football and hurling.  

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James Comiskey 1972 – 2010

A Tribute by Ray Kiernan (Friend)

   

  

James Comiskey was born in New York just over 38 years ago.  Along with his sister Helen he spent the first 20 plus years living there.  James’s mam Phyllis and dad Eugene both hailed from Cavan.  As a teenager and young man James spent many of his summers there, having many happy memories of those days.  It was on one of those trips home to Cavan 17 year’s ago for his cousin Philip’s wedding that James met the love of his life Catherine, a meeting that changed his life forever.  He moved over to Ireland permanently the following year.  He stayed with Catherine’s sister Tina and her husband Tossie initially before moving to Maynooth where Catherine and he married 10 years ago.  Their first son Conor was born nearly 9 years ago followed by Dean 2 years later. 

 They moved as a family 7 years ago to Clane and it was here in Clane that James was happiest.  As his 2 boys Conor and Dean grew up James became involved with Clane GAA club where they both played football.  It was also in this club that both James and Catherine made a lot of good friends and both became involved in the clubs activities. 

 James was a well respected person.  He was deep, a deep thinker and took his time about making friends.  When he did call you his friend he would do anything he could to help you.  If you needed his help you only had to ask.  As a friend no matter what, he would always back you up. 

 James could turn his hand to most things and was as a tiler and carpenter who prided himself on the quality of the work he did. 

 He had a quirky sense of humour, liked practical jokes and loved wind ups, especially among his friends in the GAA club.  He never once minded being on the receiving end as long as there was a bit of fun and craic to be had. 

 James liked a bet, nothing major, a few Euro’s on a lucky 15 or a 3 all score forecast in the soccer.  He never went for the straight forward bet, it had to be outlandish and the more outlandish the better.  Catherine often joked with him about the bookies being his second home. On the morning after James passed away his older son Conor even stuck his head into the bookies to let them know his Dad would  not be coming in again. 

 James was good company. He was knowledgeable.  He would talk about anything, politics, the war in Iraq, the economy. 

 He loved most sports from racing to baseball, golf to hurling.  He was a fan of the NY Jets and all his life kept an eye on how they were doing.  Unfortunately he was also a fan of Liverpool FC, a passion not shared by his 2 sons.  Conor sadly opted for his Mam’s team Man U. while Dean far more sensibly picked Celtic and Chelsea. 

 But James’s real sporting passion was Gaelic football.  Cavan, the county of his parents his first love.  He was very proud in 1997 heading to Croke Park to see his cousin Philip line out for Cavan in that years All Ireland semi final.  One of his proudest boasts.  Mind you the jerseys he bought for that occasion didn’t get many more outings. 

 But it is here in Clane that James’s passion for the game increased once his 2 boys, both talented players, started playing.  He loved bringing them training and going to their matches.  Last year he started helping Tony O’Grady and the lads coaching the under 8’s something he really enjoyed. On the day before James died, he had taken over the management of the U8 team on which Dean was one of the stars – a proud day. Indeed, as the funeral cortege entered the church ground on that very warm September morning it was greeted by a Guard of Honour formed his team and fellow coaches. His popularity reflected by those who had travelled long distances and taken time off work simply to honour his short stay with us in this life. 

 He got great joy watching those U8’s play, the pride written all over his face.  He’d ring to tell you how they got on in training, and if you missed a game he’d give you all the details of their performance.  He would tell the 2 boys to enjoy the match, do your best, keep your eye on the ball and most importantly kick with your left foot as much as possible.  Good advice. 

 James loved bringing the lads to the to the big Kildare games. The Kildare v Down game on the Sunday was the sort of day he loved.  He shared Conor and Dean’s excitement and even though he was a son of Cavan he didn’t mind donning the white jersey of his sons’ county for the day.  He shouted for Kildare as passionately as any of us.  He shared equally our disappointment, feeling for his 2 lads.  James gave the “unbiased” opinion after the game that yes Down played well, but 4 blind umpires and 2 bad decisions didn’t help.  Afterwards up to the GAA club to meet Catherine and the friends he loved, have a few pints and the craic he so enjoyed.  His kind of day. 

 Last year, James fulfilled one of his long held ambitions to go back home to the States and bring Catherine, Conor and Dean to visit Grandma, Grandpa, Helen and meet all their American cousins.  To bring the 2 boys on their first plane journey, this trip meant a lot to James. 

 This summer he fulfilled another ambition to go on a holiday outside Ireland with his family, taking in a trip on a big boat which he knew the 2 boys would love.  They spent a great week in Wales with some of Catherine’s family Bernie, Kevin, Tina, Tossie and their collective 4 children.  These 2 trips were important to James because above all else he was a great family man. 

 He was first and foremost a devoted husband and a loving dad. His passion was the GAA and the many friends he made in Clane GAA club. 

 The great love of his life was always Catherine. The great love of Catherine’s life was and always will be James. 

 His pride and joy his 2 boys Conor and Dean.  The apple of each eye.  He was a great father, the best ever.  He will always be watching down on Catherine and his 2 boys, proud as ever. 

 We all loved James and he will be sadly and sorely missed, never forgotten by any of us. 

 God Bless. 

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 SEAN CRIBBIN :   Length of Years

1922 – 2010

       

       Seán Cribbin, community worker supreme, was laid to rest, just yards from his ancestral home in Mainham, on Sunday February 21st 2010. A legend in his lifetime, known all over Co.Kildare, respected by all GAA clubs in the county, he had completed an exciting and action-packed journey of life.  He was in his 88th year.  Seán was steeped in Gaelic games of football and hurling.  How could he escape?      

The Late Sean Cribbin RIP with his wife Breda

  

Born in 1922, Kildare had won All-Irelands in 1905 and 1919.  Two others would be added during the first six years of his life, 1927 and 1928, Kildare, the first County to lift the Sam Maguire cup in 1928.  With eight Clane men on board at the beginning, local pride was intense.  Great fireside stories of mighty deeds on the field of play, told and re-told.  Larry “Hussy” Cribbin, winner of two in ’05 and ’19, his ferocious strength, centre back Bill Merriman, Joe Rafferty, “Steel” Losty, J.Dunne, J.Wright, Ned Kennedy and Bill Bracken – names etched forever in the memory of Seán.  Several of them worked at Clongowes Wood College, heroes in the flesh.  He lived nearby. He visited them as a boy, they at work.  He listened to the baker, the tailor, the butcher, the ploughman.      

There were stories of the one that got away 1903,  the home final, against Kerry, played three times before a winner emerged, two years behind schedule, 1905.  Drama, in all three.  “Time, time” chanted the Kildare supporters.  They lead by a point.  A Kerry goal. “The goalie took the ball behind the line” said one umpire, “Not so” said the other.  The referee awarded the game to Kerry. Kildare’s objection.  The match re-fixed for the 27th August ’05.  Kerry missed a penalty.  The ball burst.  The game ended level.  The ref mistakenly awarded the game to Kerry.  The referee collapsed, recovered and corrected his mistake.  The third stanza was fixed for Cork on October 5th 1905.  Crowds swelled to over 20,000, fifteen special trains, record gate taking 270 pounds.  The G.A.A. had taken firm roots in the minds of the people – all mouth-opening-wide stories for the boy, Seán.      

He would become Clane’s memory man, the heartbeat of the club for decades. Elected secretary in 1945 at the age of 23, he fulfilled his duties with impeccable dedication for 25years.  Treasurer 1970-1982, twelve of the busiest years for the club.  Sgt. Peter Marron spotted some land on the Prosperous Road.  It was wet and soggy, seven or eight small fields.  Seán and Joe Bracken decided it could be developed.  It would take some effort and money.      

Carnivals were organised, marquee dancing, 3 nights per week for seven weeks in summer, close to eight years.  There were Pony Races, Donkey Derbies, Field Days and Tournaments, Tin Can Alley and Wheel o’ Fortune, shilling pieces and half crowns.  They added up. Support for the fledging Post-Primary school, local needs.  Large concrete pipes in place, hundreds of lorry loads of clay, stone picking, dressing rooms, a hall to be built.  Eventually, green fields.  “When my work is all done and my race here is run….” sang Jim Reeves.      

Seán’s funeral cortege halted at Conneff Park on Saturday evening.  The young men of Clane 2010 shouldered his coffin high, to the village Church gate, his final visit to the place he loved, Clane his Jerusalem, everything except the Palm branches.    The crowds were magnificent, many clubs represented, Pat Mangan from Carbury, Joe McTeague from Ballyteague, Martin Mulligan from Cappagh, Patsy Power from Raheens, many others.  Pat Griffin came from the deep south of Munster.  Clane G.A.A. paid its tribute at the church ceremony, words inadequate at times.  His son, Sgt. John Cribbin paid a lovely tribute.  Fr.Conor Harpur S.J. celebrated his funeral mass, the college and the Cribbins always close. Fr.Paul O’Boyle P.P., Fr.Denis Harrington, Fr.P.J.Byrne P.P.Kilcock and Fr.Richard, a family relative were all in attendance.  Clane G.A.A. ladies committee served dinner to 200 friends.     

 Seán Cribbin speaks no more. But if he could, he would warn all: “Hands Off”.     

1.    Clane was the first club in Kildare, developed from an athletics sports event in Clane on the 24th of June 1884 (see Leinster Leader 31st May 1884).      

2.    Tommy Conneff, the world champion runner, ran his first race at the sports day in Clane on the 4th of June 1885.      

3.    Clane gave the white jersey to Kildare.  Clongowes Wood College wore white. (see photo of the 1926 rugby cup winners on display at the college).  Clane men working at the college often borrowed the jerseys for the club.  The white was worn by Kildare in the 1903 All-Ireland Final, Clane being the County Champions, eight of the players on the county team.  Also white flour bags were collected at the college bakery and made into jerseys in earlier times.        

To his wife Breda, his family John, Breda, Dominic, Sheila and Richard, our deepest sympathy.  We remember his first born Pat, who died in 1988, aged 26 years.      

Solas Dé dá anam go deo.      

R.I.P.