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The history of Timahoe G.A.A. Club, like most other clubs owes a debt of gratitude to players and officials of former years. Let us now remember those members, many of whom are now deceased but who helped to make the G.A.A. in Timahoe the strong and influential organization that it is today.
I hope this piece of Literature will rekindle memories of yesterday years and entice us to support our national games in the future.
The Timahoe Club has created a special niche in the history of the G.A.A. in Laois and while the red and white colours have enjoyed their share of success they are also synonymous with a "never say die" spirit of determination, while enjoying all the attributes of fair play and sportsmanship. Timahoe have also fielded players who have worn the blue and white of Laois with distinction.
In the earlier years of the Timahoe Club, two men maintained the enthusiasm and spirit of the GAA in Timahoe and were practically the founders of the club in the 1930's, these men were Johnny Willoughby and William Bolton, who laid down the foundations for future years to come.
Today the club is a thriving organisation with players and mentors alike striving to achieve footballing and hurling excellence in a competitive game.
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The Timahoe Club initially started their GAA quest in the village green, right in the heart of the picturesque village. Inevitably, the club would have to find more suitable grounds so they hired fields from Mr. Bill Ramsbottom and Mr. Jim Dunne of the Bush to facilitate a pitch and training facilities for club use. In future years, lands were bought under the Land Purchase Acts, details which proceed as follows:
Details of Folio location & Purchase from the Irish Land Commission
Lands of Cremorgan - Folio No 13179 Contae Laoise.
Under the Land Purchase Acts of an Estate entitled "Estate of the Irish Land Commission" (Formerly the estate of S.G Atkinson). A parcel of the said estate containing 4750 acres of Cremorgan, Barony of Cullenagh was sold under section 4 of the Irish Land Act 1903 to Sean Brennan, William Bolton and Laurence Brady as Trustees.
In 1948, Patrick J Campion was appointed as a Trustee to replace Sean Breannan who had resigned. When Patrick J Campion, William Bolton and Laurence Brady died, new trustees were appointed to replace them:
They signified their willingness to act as new trustees and on the 13th of January 1981, they were appointed as trustees of Pairc Mhochua by the Minister of Agriculture.
- Patrick Fitzpatrick, Kyle, Stradbally.
- Thomas Keightley, Cremorgan, Timahoe.
- Richard Miller, Raheeenduff, Timahoe.
- Sean Ramsbottom, County Chairman of Laois GAA(former).
- Michael Delaney, Leinster County Secretary of the GAA.
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The Timahoe team competed in the Laois Championship in the early decades of the century. Lack of success caused dissatisfaction among some of the players and resulted in them joining neighbouring clubs like Ballyroan and Stradbally and forced the club into oblivion for some years.
Among the many Timahoe to show prominence with other clubs were Ned Cahill, Mick Moore, Ned Bradely, Jack Bradely(Father of Tom Joe), Mick Kenna and others who all went on to win Senior Championships with Ballyroan.
The 1930's
No orgainised matches or teams were really in existence in Timahoe until the 1940's although there is photographic evidence of the club fielding a junior team in 1938.
The 1940's
Incredible bad luck saw Timahoe defeated in four intermediate football finals in a row from 1945 to 1949, a shattering experience for many cubs but perseverance finally paid off and eventually titles were won. Among those on those teams were: John Daly (goals), Martin Clancy, Paddy Lalor, Denis Lalor, The Bergins(Andy, Paddy, Chris and Ned), Joe Styles and Sean Ramsbottom.
Sean Ramsbottom
Sean made his place as a county minor in 1945 and 1946, in 1946 the county minor side was piped by a strong Dublin side in the second round of the Leinster Championship. This Dublin side not only went on to win the All-Ireland title that year but also provided many of the stars of the Dublin senior teams of the fifties. Sean also made an impression off the field of play in his role as Chairman of the county board and succeeded in the upgrading of the facilities at the pitch in 1938. He is still involved in the GAA, an avid fan of our club - he is indeed a valuable member of our GAA community.
The 1950's
Commencing with an U14 title in football in 1955 the club reaped further successes in the under age grades by taking two under 16 titles in 1955 and 1956 and a minor football title in 1958 defeating Portlaoise by 7 points.
The team was as follows:
J Miller
M Mc Donald M Carroll J O' Connell
M Ramsbottom J Miller P Delaney
S Ramsbottom J Miller
T Swaine D Delaney P Scully
P Fitzpatrick J Miller M Delaney The 1960's
The 1960's Reaching the Junior Football Final in 1960, Timahoe were somewhat unlucky to be beaten by Kilcavan before stepping up to take the Intermediate title two years later. The village of the Round Tower fielded an almost new young side to win the Intermediate title in 1962.
The Clubs initial entry to the Senior Football final did not reap the result we all would have wished for but while Timahoe were defeated in 1964 decider, the compensation of winning the 1964/1965 Laois Senior Football League softened the blow. The reached the final again in 1965, only to be beaten by a Graigcullen team. On reaching their first ever U21 final, they were beaten by a strong Portlaoise side. Another Senior Final defeat in 1968 by Portlaoise yet again heralded a win beckoning … However an U21 Football tile in 1968 compensated somewhat for the Senior defeat of the same year, and also gave the strength and encouragement that was needed to win the senior title in 1969.
1969
This was the Clubs greatest victory in which Timahoe dethroned a four in a row seeking Portlaoise side. A poem written to the Editor of the Leinster Express following the 1969 football final, sets the scene:
A Tribute to Timahoe
(Laois Senior Football Champions of 1969)
Your glasses clink, a toast we'll drink to a gallant football team,
Who in the year of sixty-nine, at last attained their dream,
Portlaoise Town, who sought the crown, for the fourth time in a row,
Could not survive the power and drive of the men from Timahoe
A toast to Tom-Joe Bradely, the scoring Captain brave;
To goalie Jimmy Egan, who made many a glorious save,
To John Miller and the Bergin boys, who formed the full-back row,
Their sailwart play oft' saved the day for gallant Timahoe,
Now toast with me the half-backs three, whose play was sheer delight.
Tim Clancy, Mark Delaney and Pat Scully on the right,
A midfield pair, who did their share right from the signal "go"
Bravo to Millers, Tom and Bob - well done for Timahoe.
Your voices raise, two more to praise, of this great Miller line,
Right well did forwards Dick and Jim with Tommy Carroll combined,
At right-full, Johnny Clancy and at centre-full "Big Joe"-
Each had a say, on final day, in the score for Timahoe.
Lets toast again - those loyal men who from the teams reserve,
Mark "Romsbott", Mangan, Carroll, "Len Fitz."- a word of praise deserve,
Always at hand to take their stand, thus plainly did they show,
They love their Club- each faithful sub - they love old Timahoe.
Now if I may, I'd like to say, about the final game-
As sporting and as a clean a game, I'd like to see again,
The first ones to congratulate and praise their worthy foe,
Were Portlaoise Town, who lost their crown to gallant Timahoe!
The 1970's
The success of 1969 was followed by a senior league title in 1970. In 1973, Timahoe reached yet another senior football final only to be defeated by St. Joseph's.
The Players were
J. Egan, J. Kennedy, J. Miller, T. Keightley, T. Clancy, M. Delaney,
J. Quigley, B. Miller, T. Miller, D. Lalor, J. Ramsbottom,
TJ. Bradley, M. Carroll, D. Miller, J.Dalton
Success was the name of the game in 1976 when a double glory came to the club, both the Junior hurlers and the footballers were victorious.
In 1978, Timahoe were again in the spotlight, they reached the Senior final, but were again pitted against a St. Joseph's team which defeated them as they previously did in 1973.
The 1980's
In 1988, a youthful up and coming Timahoe team appeared with their hopes set on victory but again to their disappointment they were deprived of ultimate glory at the hands of Portarlington.
The 1990's
The victory of the many juvenile teams and an U21 parish team title in 1992 has yet to reap further rewards as a Senior team in the 1990's, but the talent is there and in future years to come it is certain that a senior title is on the horizon.
More recently, in 1997 the club's Junior hurlers beat Slieve Bloom and in 1999 the senior team was re-graded to the intermediate ranks. Undoubtedly there are victory bells ringing in the not too distant future.
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In 1973, work on the provision of dressing rooms and a pavilion was undertaken. Players and mentors co-operated in up-grading the club grounds with the needed basic necessities. These developments were officially opened by the President of the G.A.A. - Mr. Paddy Buggy in 1983. These dressing rooms basic as they were, did not comply with the basic standards and consequently were substantially improved in future years.
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Plans were drawn up in the late 80's for a new dressing room complex including four dressing rooms, showers, indoor and outdoor toilets at the cost of between 25000 and 30000 of which 3000 came from a GAA grant and 5000 from the National Lottery Fund.
The funding of the complex was raised by the selling of 100 tickets, which were entered in a raffle. Local farmers undertook to rear a heifer for twelve months with all profits being donated for the funding of the complex. Race nights were also held in Newbridge and Kilkenny.
The complex came into fruition in 1992 and was formally blessed by the then curate Fr. Aughney C.C and is not yet at the moment officially opened.
These dressing rooms are a valuable asset to the club and are maintained to the highest standards by all and especially Ted Delaney. The club can be very proud of their achievements, as many clubs in the county are without these facilities, perhaps the clubs tenacity in raising the funds for such a complex may act as a catalyst for so many other small clubs in the county.
1997
These dressing rooms are used by many sporting organisations including the clubs juvenile, minor junior and senior teams. The Ladies football team, the primary school and the county teams also use the facilities, indicating the high standard of the facilities.
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No marks for guessing who is the famous footballer ever produced by Timahoe. It is Bobby of course, a man and a sportsman who has given unequalled service to his club and province. Bobby showed his ability as a footballer of class from an early stage. He helped Laois win a Leinster minor title in 1967 and two years later added a Leinster U21 medal. That same year - 1969, is also a very special year in the history of the Timahoe club as it is the year it emerged for the only time as the champion club in Laois at Senior level. Bobby along with four of his brothers John, Tom, Jim, Dick contributed in a major way to that famous win.
Bobby added a Railway Cup medal to his collection I n1975. Down through the years he has served Laois with Distinction and as a "thank you" to the footballers of Laois he organised a trip to the US for the players in 1981. He remains a very important element in Laois GAA circles but in recent times he is playing in a managerial position with the Carlow County Football Team. He will always remain a true Timahoe man and a sportsman supreme.
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The future of Timahoe GAA will hopefully be a bright one particularly with the appearance of fine young Timahoe talent that made its mark on the 1998 Laois Minor team who were denied All-Ireland glory by a determined Tyrone team. The two Timahoe lads were Benny O'Connell and Podgy Clancy. Combining the energy and talent of our young players with the experience of older players will certainly bring glory and years of success to the village.
I would like to pay special tribute to some of the former players of Timahoe who helped in the production of this project - Mr. Jim Sayers, Mr. Dick Miller, Mr. Sean Ramsbottom and Mr. Billy Anthony.
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Last Revised: 18 October1999
