ANNUAL PITCH AND PUTT OUTING 2013 - REPORT
Some fine traditions were renewed at the annual Pitch and Putt outing on 21st
December last. This excellent tradition
started out circa 1974. Very often it has been a stern test of endurance and
fortitude and this year it was no different. Our very own "Anchorman", Matt Cahill, takes up the story ..........
Fiercely capricious winds made fools of the mortals amongst us. Icy cold rain finished the job. We got a taste of what Scott, Shackleton and Kerry man Tom Crean faced in the Antarctic; well, so it seemed at times. Fortunately we lived to tell the tale. It was noted that some of our newer members did not finish the course - an absolute "NO-NO." Their membership will be reviewed at the next committee meeting. In fairness it probably was the worst weather we have ever faced!
Nevertheless some fine scores were recorded notably by the winner Gerry McGrath who was the proud recipient of the Donal O' Donoghue Cup with an outstanding score in the conditions. Gerry Greene took over as keeper and organiser of this institution on our calendar over a quarter of a century ago now. The venue is always the "Old Course" in Glencullen like St Andrews a place full of its own idiosyncrasies and traditions. Our host and course manager George Fox is always in attendance to see that all runs smoothly. Everyone is a winner and the Club Benevolent Fund benefits. All sections of the club participate and the spirit of Christmas reigns. The unity and bon homie are for real.
Having been de-iced we repaired to the popular hostelry, The Blue Light in Barnacullia in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. On this foreboding "Bleak Mid-winter" day, its external attraction of panoramic Dublin views was not visible. No matter as inside its walls, charms of a different sort weaved magic and warmed the golf survivors in an atmosphere which has a rustic feel even if suburbia is but a few well-hit drives away. Unsurprisingly, it did not take long for a great Irish tradition to burst forth; the love of music and song.
Charles J. Kickham from Mullinahone in County Tipperary wrote one of the great Irish historical novels, "Knocknagow" subtitled "The
Homes of Tipperary." The hero "Matt The Thresher" was the ultimate all-rounder on and off the pitch. He was an All Star hurler of the
time and captain of his local team. Had he been a dual player he would have made the county football team too, I would say. Famously he threw the Hammer in the contest against Captain French "for the credit of the little village". Needless to say, he won.
Like so many of the characters in the book he could sing, play an instrument and dance but not always at the same time. In one scene at a wedding a door of the house is taken down and Mat and his sister danced on it. A performace to rival "Riverdance" it was by all accounts. Reflecting later on a grand bit of singing at The Blue Light, I could not help but think that we are part of a rich and musical tradition and we are keeping it going in our own way.
Corkonian Billy Finn started the ball rolling. One of his songs being Munster rugby favourite " Stand Up And Fight." Tús an-mhaith ar fad. It was not long before Liam O' Carroll took up the running with excellent renditions of "The Pogues" songs." Fairy Tale of
New York" in particular was a "showstopper". But that was not all as Liam treated us to some further really entertaining songs. Pat Fenlon stepped into the fray with a rousing "Kelly The Boy From
Killane"
"What's the news? "What's the news? O my bold Shelmalier, With your long-barrelled gun, of the sea? Say, what wind from the sun blows his messenger here With a hymn of the dawn for the free? "Goodly news, goodly news, do I bring, youth of Forth, Goodly news do I bring, Bargy man! For the boys march at dawn from the south to the north Led by Kelly, the boy from Killanne!"
Wonderful stuff and just great to hear it again. When Pat learns all the words, watch out! Up Wexford!
For the holy season that was in it, "Adeste Fideles / O Come All Ye Faithful" was sung. A remarkable thing happened; the carol started as a solo but quickly became a committed choir effort. Almost everbody in the room sang it with feeling, the first two verses in Latin. It was
goose-pimple stuff. You dont realise sometimes what a song or carol means to people or the memories they can evoke. For Dave Egan it brought back to memory times of learning and singing "Adeste" all trí Latin at secondary school. Fond memories of a great tradition were
also stirred for Kevin Mulligan and Matt Cahill who a long time ago boarded at St Patrick's College, Cavan. Every Sunday in December before dinner the entire school stood up and sang with great gusto "Adeste Fideles." Boarding school could be an austere and forbidding
place at times but sometimes leaves you with outstanding memories. This was certainly one. (Gaelic football and trips to play games all over Ulster being another.)
Fittingly it was a latter day Tipperary hurling icon Richie Stapleton who finished proceedings with a fervent and roof-raising "Slievenamon",
written by the same Charles J. Kickham. Richie would give fellow Tipp singer, the late tenor Frank Patterson, may God rest him,
a decent run for his money. Maith an fear.
The Blue Light, a gem of a pub, is located in the Dublin Mountains in Barnacullia which means 'top of the woods' in Irish. The views are spectacular taking in all of Dublin City and Dublin Bay. It's name originates from the story that during the mid 1800'²s when the duty officials in Dunlaoghaire Harbour clocked off, a light signal would be sent to this location on the hill. A signal would then be sent back out to the bay using an old blue ships lantern to let sea smugglers know that the 'coast was clear' to land illegal booty such as rum, tobacco, wine or brandy. Stone masonry and cutting has a long tradition in the area and many of the major buildings and churches in Dublin have been built with the local granite. This is also the only pub in Dublin that still sells turf!
Lá den scoth a bhí ann, beidhmíd arais anuraidh le cúnamh Dé!