*Photographed is a Tulla team of the late fifties. Back L-R: T. Flynn selector. D. Brassil, J.Minogue, M.O’Rourke, M.J. Quigney, P.McNamara,T.Byrnes, D.Walsh manager. Front L-R: P.J.Fahy, J.Hynes, T.Meehan, C.Lynch, D.Conheady, J.Danaher.

Late last month, I watched online the Requiem Mass from St. Peter & Paul’s Church Tulla for John Minogue of Glendree.

By Paddy Brassil

In normal circumstances I would have made the five hour round trip from my house here in Cork to pay my respects to John but because of restrictions due to COVID this was not possible.

When, as a young lad, in February of 1957, I cycled out to Kennedy’s land in Miltown to train for cross country running with Tulla A.C., the people that offered me friendly encouraging words that Sunday morning were Dermot Walsh, Jimmy McGrath, Paddy Fitzgerald and John Minogue.

The one thing that has stayed in my mind about the course is that there was a trench at the lower end and while older lads jumped over it I had to jump into it to get through.

Tulla A.C. was formed in November 1952 and proceeded to win the Clare senior for the first five years of its existence. John scored in all five. I remember the fifth, held in Miltown on St Patrick’s Day 1957. The girls secondary school in Tulla was officially opened on the same day and my brother Donal was allowed home from St. Flannan’s College for the day.

The College authorities didn’t know that the real reason he wanted to go home was to assist Tulla in retaining the Clare senior for the fifth year in a row, he finished fifth scoring man.

In those days cross country running wasn’t considered a sport in St. Flannan’s. I was denied permission to run in three Clare youths championships, missing out in an All Ireland win in 1961. I am delighted to say that nowadays St.Flannan’s College win All Ireland cross country championships almost every other year and that is due mainly to the great input by Fr. John Jones of Clonloum O’Callaghan’s Mills.

John Minogue was the first Tulla clubman to bring an All Ireland gold medal back to Tulla when Clare won the All Ireland junior championship at Ballgriffin, Dublin in 1953. In doing so, he paved the way for John Danaher, Joe Lynch, Tom Byrnes and Tony Durack to follow.

John’s great friends and team mates Dermot Walsh and Paddy Fitzgerald had previously won All Ireland’s with O’Callaghans Mills and Feakle in the 1930’s and 1940’s and it was fitting that John won his also.

In reminiscing with Tom Byrnes and John Danaher last weekend it was clear that they both held John in very high regard. The last time that I spoke with John was at Joe Lynch’s funeral and he invited me to Glendree for a chat sometime. Unfortunately in recent years my visits back home have not been as frequent as before and that trip to Glendree never materialized. It was my loss as John was a great raconteur. This I learned from Historian Tomas MacConmara’s interviews with John.

To John’s daughter, Bridget and extended family I offer my deepest sympathy on their sad loss. On my next visit to Tulla, which I hope is soon, I promise to make my way up the Hill to pay my respects to John and all that lie there and maybe I will make a trip to Glendree to hear the cuckoo. John you were a true gentleman R.I.P.

Related News

ennis o'connell street works 05-11-24 17
Long-running Ennis public realm works on target to finish on time
killaloe canal 1-2
Teenage girl 'scared & angry' after boy (14) 'humped' her from behind in Killaloe
Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (8)
Welcome July: time to deadhead & bloom on
bus éireann shannon 343 ennis
NTA to announce launch details of Ennis town bus service

Advertisement

Latest News
ennistymon booktown 1
Booktown festival returns to Ennistymon
éire óg vs ballyea 04-07-25 david reidy paddy smyth 1
Éire Óg retain Division 2 League title in derby decider
ennis o'connell street works 05-11-24 17
Long-running Ennis public realm works on target to finish on time
killaloe canal 1-2
Teenage girl 'scared & angry' after boy (14) 'humped' her from behind in Killaloe
1 DSC_9129
Clare will have 'one hell of a shot' in quarter-final with Waterford - Carmody
Premium
killaloe canal 1-2
Teenage girl 'scared & angry' after boy (14) 'humped' her from behind in Killaloe
1 DSC_9129
Clare will have 'one hell of a shot' in quarter-final with Waterford - Carmody
inagh kilnamona v clonlara 05-09-21 30 kevin hehir paraic o'loughlin
Inagh/Kilnamona chase first senior title & Clonlara aim to regain silverware
east clare memorial pat hayes
Hayes accusses Tipperary councillor of spreading 'misinformation' on Killaloe to Ballina pedestrianisation
1 DSC_9388
'If he wants to stay he will' - seventh season likely for Lohan

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement