Un-Laoised

Kiltimagh bank manager and the stars of Laois

People and Places
Michael Commins

TWENTY five years ago this week, Laois hurlers recorded their one and only Leinster U-21 title victory with a 3-14 to 4-8 win over Wexford in a thrilling encounter at Croke Park. Gerry Ring, who is now manager of the Bank of Ireland in Kiltimagh, was a member of that special team. He hurled in the defence on the day.
The O’Moore county enjoyed a hurling renaissance in that decade with their senior hurlers involved in a few massive games with neighbours Offaly. Indeed, the 1985 Leinster hurling final was unique in the fact that neither Kilkenny or Wexford were finalists. Instead, it was a clash between Offaly and Laois with the Faithful County emerging as winners.
The 1983 Under-21 championship saw Laois deliver some top drawer performances. After their Leinster final victory, they were somewhat unfortunate to come up against one of Galway’s fine U-21 teams which included such emerging talents as Peter Finnerty, Tony Keady, Ollie Kilkenny and Michael Coleman. Galway defeated Laois and went on to beat Tipperary in the final.
A year later, Laois were involved in two epic U-21 Leinster semi-final games with Kilkenny. They drew the first match and were leading going into injury time in the replay when Kilkenny struck for a late goal to break the hearts of that fine young Laois team.
A special celebration of the team of 1983 will be held later in the year when the members will be introduced to the crowd at the Laois Hurling Final in O’Moore Park. Afterwards, they will be guests at a reunion dinner in the town. Gerry Ring is ‘banking’ that this will be a very special day for Laois hurling Gaels!

Trip down memory lane for Stars of Tuam

THE Tuam Stars Centre was the venue for a recent nostalgic reunion of some of the men who donned the jersey of the famous North Galway club back in the 1950s and 60s era. It was something of a golden era for Tuam Stars who won several Galway senior titles in those times.
There was a special welcome for Crossmolina native, John Nallen, who was meeting some old sporting colleagues for the first time in many years. John served with the Ulster Bank and his work assignments took him to various counties. He had the distinction of playing senior football for Mayo, Galway, Cavan and Meath during his long career.
Peter Kane, originally from Renvyle, and the holder of several senior medals with the Tuam club, said he was delighted to meet up with John Nallen again. “John was a great footballer, very committed and always gave his best. He was a big man on the field and it was no surprise that he was sought after wherever his job in the bank took him in those years. All the lads were delighted to see him again.”