An mbeidh a leithéidi ann arís ?

[Rossfan]

REMEMBER 1944 .    

September 24th , marked the 65th Anniversary of Roscommons last All-Ireland Senior Football Title win. The following is a brief look back at that remarkable season.

The campaign began with a draw against Sligo n the Connacht Semi-Final at Boyle. In the replay, also at Abbey Park, the champions came out on to on a scoreline of 0-13 to 1-6. In the Connacht Final, played in Tuam, they defeated Mayo 2-11 to 1-6. Cavan, beaten All-Ireland finalists in 43, were the next opponents. It took a replay to overcome the Breffni men in their previous meeting but this time the task was much easier. Final score Roscommon 5-8 Cavan 1-2.

Kerry, who at the time had won 15 All-Ireland Senior Football titles were the team that stood in the way of Roscommon retaining their All-Ireland title.
On front of a crowd of a record crowd of 79,245 at Croke Park, the ball was thrown in at 3:15pm. Roscommon made a good start with Donal Keenan scoring a free a minute into the game, after a foul on Jimmy Murray. However this lead was to last just six minutes as Kennedy of Kerry scored a goal and this was followed by a point by Dillion. Roscommon responded with a goal from Frankie Kinlough and points from Keenan (2) and Jimmy Murray to lead 1-4 to 1-2 at half-time. The second half began in a similar fashion; Liam Gilmartin scoreed a point but then Kerry scored a goal and two points without reply to move into a two point lead (2-4 to 1-5) after 17 minutes. The reigning champions werent going to go down without a fight and drew level with six minutes to go. Frankie Kinlough then put Roscommon into the lead and Donal Keenan added another in the 28th minute of the second half: his sixth of the game. The men in primrose and blue continued to apply the pressure until the Referee P. Mythen from Wexford blew the final whilstle. It was all over - final score: Roscommon 1-9 Kerry 2-4!
Roscommon retained their title and in doing so became the first Connacht County to win two successive All-Ireland titles. Jimmy Murray again accepted the Sam Maguire Cup and became the first man to captain a team to two successive wins. He is also one of only eight captains to lift the Cup on two occasions .

The Irish Independent report from Monday, September 25th 1944 lead with the headline "79,245 see Roscommon Triumph" " Champions strong finish thrills record crowd" .
In the report Roscommon were described as " Worthy Champions". "Roscommon were clearly the better balanced side. They put great determination into their play, fielded well and excelled in combination and judgement.

Team and Scorers:

O. Hoare, W. Jackson, J.P. O Callaghan, J Casserley, B. Lynch, W. Carlos, P. Murray, E. Boland, L Gilmartin (0-1), F. Kinlough (1-1), J. Murray (Capt.) (0-1), D. Keenan (0-6), Dr. H Gibbons, Lt. J. McQuillan, J.J. Nerney
Subs: Dr. D. McDermott (for Nerney) , M. Heavy, P. Beasty, P. Hannelly, P. Conlon, F. Glynn, J Briens






Different  days ...Ros and Cavan the powers of the land.
Mind you Sligo were even then putting it up to the All Ireland Champions


Under Captain Jimmy Murray's lead, a
skipper born and bred,
Proudly around Croke Park they
marched, erect with stread tread,
Resolved to show to every Gael at
home and far away,
Once Roscommon's valiant sons
would nobly win the day
Serene they looked, so cool and calm,
in colours gold and blue,
Circling around the mighty ground of
bright and dazzling hue.
Owensie Hoare was to the fore, Bill
Jackson to his right,
McQuillan shone before the throng
with undiminished light.
Maddening shouts of wild delight for
Murray rent the air,
Oh! Proud were we when every call
found gallant Jimmy there.
Nerney small, Gilmartin tall, Casserly
at left back.

Elusive Phelim Murray and young
Doctor Derry Mac.
Verily brave, "Doc" Callaghan saved
in that eventful game.
Enough will never written be of Donal
Keenan's fame.
Review of news must also sing of gallant
Brendan Lynch,
Young Carlos played at center half
and never budged and inch.

Time must ever cherish Kinlough's and
Boland's play,
Ingenious Dr. Gibbons, who was
always in the fray.

[SLIGONIAN]

Well that was our Nace O Dowd era I think...my Dad recounts the late 60s where he said we were always Galways toughest opponents on the way to their 3 in a row. Even in my era we gave Galway tough games on the way to their AI...probably our most competitive era last 15 yrs but we mostly always have despite not winning much. Armagh and Kerry we gave serious tests too on the way to their AIs. Wont be long till we win Sam, definitly within the next 15 yrs .

Why was both games in Roscommon?

[Rossfan]

Sligo probably had no pitch or else Boyle was the most accessible place for both Counties bearing in mind the war time travel restrictions.
How 79,000 people got to Dublin is of course the stuff of legend with bicycles,walking pace trains and lifts on top of lorry loads of turf among the tales I heard.
As an aside did any other County manage to match our great feat of beating Kerry in All Ireland Finals at Minor/Junior/U21 and Senior?
(We all know Mayo/Westros didnt anyway  )

[SLIGONIAN]

Sligo probably had no pitch or else Boyle was the most accessible place for both Counties bearing in mind the war time travel restrictions.
How 79,000 people got to Dublin is of course the stuff of legend with bicycles,walking pace trains and lifts on top of lorry loads of turf among the tales I heard.
As an aside did any other County manage to match our great feat of beating Kerry in All Ireland Finals at Minor/Junior/U21 and Senior?
(We all know Mayo/Westros didnt anyway  )

Jees there some tales all right..they must of left a week before the game to get there in time, id say a conveyor belt of tractors made there way all right ...

Not a bad feat, Rossfan, not a bad feat at all.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Ni bheidh, gabh mo leithscéal 

[muppet]

No.