Early
History
Early
History
Football and hurling were played in Glencar even prior to the foundation of the G.A.A. Many epic contests took place within the parish and against opposition from outside. The late M.P Morris, free lance journalist, recorded some of these games. He dealt mostly with activities in the late thirties and early forties. The following is his account of two matches in the Parish League in May 1941.
" On Sunday last Caragh Bridge defeated Mountain Stage and Ross Rovers drew with Glencar at the Glenbeigh Sportsfield. Rev. Alex O'Hawney C.C refereed the former match, and the final score was :Caragh Bridge 1-2 : Mountain Stage 0-2. The brothers Jones were outstanding for Mountain Stage while Phil McGillicuddy, Paddy Lyne and Sean Teahan were prominent on the other side.
The second game produced faster and more spectacular football. It was a thriller from start to finish. From the throw in, Ross Rovers went off, and the Glencar defence was completely overwhelmed by the series of fast movements. The latter team were certainly playing second fiddle in the opening moiety, but they staged a remarkable recovery in the last quarter. The Rovers conceded a soft goal after the interval when Bowman lobbed in a dribbling ball with both goalie and full-back out of position. Gene McGillicuddy sent over two points from frees and Tom Shea added the equaliser. Dan and Tom Shea and Gene McGillicuddy for Glencar and Tom Campbell, Dermot and Andy O'Sullivan and Batt Donoghue for Ross Rovers are worthy off particular mention. Final Score 1-3 each. Mr. Ml. Casey refereed satisfactorily. "
Within Glencar itself great rivalry existed between Barr an Ghleanna and Bun an Ghleanna - or the 'Tops' and the 'Butts'. These contests were a feature of earlier days. Football remained dormant in the Glen from the mid-forties. Emigration and other reasons took its toll.
The Tops V Butts contests were revived in the late fifties. The first was played at Shanaeashel. A very keen battle ended with honours even. For the Tops, the Mangans, Shea's, Foley, O'Connor, Mahony and Walsh were prominent while the Butts had outstanding players in the Breen's, the Shea's, the Foleys, McGillicuddy, Connor and Griffin. In this game some of the veterans came out of retirement and showed some very classy touches.
A second contest took place in Lickeen. This was a more organised but no less keenly contested affair. A large crowd witnessed a thrilling game which also ended in a draw.
The people of Glencar are proud of the fact that one of their native sons, Pat Griffin, led the Kingdom on to Croke Park on the All Ireland final of 1968. Another Glencar man who gave sterling service to Glenbeigh, Mid Kerry and Kerry was Mickie O'Sullivan of Dreenagh.