Blaze of Glory: Bonfires greeted first football title

In October 1962, a young Gay Byrne, less than six months into his record-breaking stint as host of The Late Late Show, became the first person to introduce The Beatles on television as the band made their small-screen debut on a local news programme in Manchester which ‘Gaybo’ was moonlighting on.

A few weeks later, on Sunday 11th November to be precise, Kill defeated the Geraldines of Aglish by 1-11 to 2-2 at Fraher Field, Dungarvan to finally clinch the Waterford Senior Football Championship. John F. Kennedy was still the charismatic President of the United States. Forty-eight hours before the following year’s County Final, JFK was assassinated.

Yes, such is the span of time – sixty years ago this weekend – since Kill first claimed the Conway Cup. It would be one of four the club won during that halcyon decade, including a remarkable three in a row. But it’s safe to say the scenes which greeted that inaugural success have never been surpassed in a place that produced some of the Deise’s finest Gaelic football exponents of any era.

The victors included three members of the black & amber-clad Kill side of the early fifties – namely Tom McGrath, Noel Power, and John Flynn – that was so unlucky not to annex the title.

The club had contested no fewer than five county senior football finals (including replays) that decade. Fortune wasn’t in their favour, however, with one heartbreak following another, giving rise to suggestions that Kill were jinxed; destined, it seemed, never to achieve the Holy Grail.

There was even an apocryphal story that a priest had put a curse on them after players a decade earlier chose the pub over the October devotions. But belief was closer to the heart of the matter.

In 1961, under the weight of expectation, the team simply flopped. By the next year, a new Garda was stationed in Kill. Sergeant Dillane took over coaching and training the seniors and was making a right fist of things until he was transferred mid-season.

Yet another sign they were hexed? Local shopkeeper/tailor John Joe Walsh was having none of it. Chairman when the club re-formed in 1945, John Joe was “Mr. Kill” and immediately took over training duties. He’d always encouraged the players to “lay that bogey”. Fittingly, his years of cajoling paid off.

As did Kerryman Dan O’Brien’s ‘schooling’. A new generation of ultra-talented players had now augmented the starting XV. Youngsters Ackie Lennon and Ger Mooney, both dynamic wingbacks, and the blindingly skillful Paddy Duggan up front, made a massive difference in their first senior campaign. All three were products of the famed football academy created by the legendary Kill headmaster and coach.

Flying fit, the players were put through their paces at Whelan’s Field, spending dark evenings guided by John Joe’s bicycle lamp, for which he had an ‘Ever-ready’ supply of batteries. Selectors Gerry Cooney (club chairman), Liam Whelan (secretary), Mike Power (treasurer), Martin Power, and captain Mick Kirwan, collectively helped drive things on.

Overcoming Kilrossanty in the quarters and Stradbally in the semi-final instilled a new-found belief in the team. They were men on a mission, with the advent of youth complemented by lots of experience and grit, exemplified by the born leader that was corner-back Mick Kirwan.

For all their style, Kill were backboned by a cast-iron defence, sheet-anchored by Tom Mooney at number six. Noel Power in midfield and the pure genius that was Monty Guiry at centre-forward, offered a playmaking platform and an exceptional fulcrum in attack.

Add in many more quality starters, plus a clutch of dependable reserves, and Kill comprised the stuff worthy champions are made of. Little wonder then that their western challengers were rated rank outsiders. Still, over 4,000 packed into the Old Boro venue on a lovely frosty afternoon beside the Cunnigar – but the bookies weren’t wrong.

Kill won convincingly, forging a 1-8 to no-score lead by half-time. Hardy corner-forward Joe Tibbs got a goal in the first period to put the winners in the ascendancy and they never looked back. Duggan, Michael O’Regan and Martin Kennedy pointed three apiece and Paddy Finucane and Noel Power added one each.

One of the highlights of the hour arrived with ten minutes left. Having not played all year, the legendary Tom McGrath, who’d togged off for the final, came on to a rousing ovation. That precious metal would be his, at last.

Not that Nicky Whelan could recall Tom’s cameo, nor the long-awaited trophy presentation. He ended up in hospital, slightly concussed as a result of a melee after he saved a penalty (the upshot being a second consolation goal for Gers). The Kill players brought the spoils of victory to his bedside that night.

Earlier they’d been cheered up the road from Shandon to the Devonshire Arms Hotel (now Lawlors) where the craic was at its most mighty. Refreshments flew in all directions. Most of the team were tee-total, but others more than made up for them.

Back in Kill, the Crossroads came alive with unbridled joy as the heroes returned home. Grown men cried as chants of (An) “Cill” filled the village air. Song, dance, and days and nights of jubilation greeted the green & white’s crowning glory.

A bonfire was lit in Corcoran’s Field and players and their admirers jigged in its glow. The party continued all week long in the four local pubs — Cooneys (later Kirwans), Sullivans (now Dunphys), and Faddens (later Corcorans).

When Nicky Whelan finally made it home from hospital the following Friday evening, another almighty blaze was lit below the school. The popular ’keeper was duly toasted (not literally!) by his clubmates, hurled towards the heavens in belated celebration.

Sadly, he and several other members of that historic team have since gone to their eternal reward. You never forget your first one and memories of Kill’s maiden victory, and the outpouring of emotion that ensued, still linger like flickering embers among those who lived the dream.

MAIN PHOTO: The Kill team that finally landed the Conway Cup in 1962 — Back, from left Tom McGrath, Michael Hennessy, Tom Mooney, Noel Power, Martin Kennedy, Ger Mooney, Michael Hayes, Michael Flynn, John Flynn. Front, l-r: Tommy Hennessy, Paddy Duggan, Joe Tibbs, Paddy Finucane, Ackie Lannon, Mick Kirwan – captain, Nicky Whelan, Monty Guiry, Tom Kirwan, Michael O’Regan.