Kilmacud Crokes honours Martin White

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2009 saw the 100th birthday of Crokes stalwart Martin White. To mark the occasion Martin accompanied by his daughter, Mary, son, Martin, and grandson, Rossa, was presented with a bound commemorative book of Irish Independent All-Ireland final reports for the past 100 years and three specially framed extracts from the same paper of the three winning finals in which he played. Emphasising continuance, among those who presented to Martin were the son and grandson of his great friend and fellow Crokes stalwart, John Maher, Colm and Johnny.

 
Click here for more images of Crokes honouring Martin White The ceremony took place in Glenalbyn at the conclusion of the Meteor Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens. MC was Tom Rock, Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Secretary, and the speakers were Tom Barry, Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Chairman, Seamus Howlin, Chairman of the Leinster Council and Mick Garry, Chairman Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club. Martin was in fine fettle and confident of another All-Ireland success for his native Kilkenny in the All-Ireland hurling final. As well as many Crokes friends and admirers, a deputation from Martin’s home club Tullaroan was led by vice chairman and All-Ireland medallist Bill Hennessey
 
Best known as an All-Ireland medallist with Kilkenny in the 1930’s Martin has had a long and distinguished association with Crokes hurling. In his native county he played with the famous Tullaroan club. He moved to Cork in the late 1930’s and ended his illustrious playing career with Blackrock in the rebel county in the mid 1940’s. 
 
A few years afterwards he moved to Dublin. Around 1948-49 he became involved with the Crokes Hurling Club, then operating on the north side of the city, through Jimmy Curran - the son of the father and son team that were groundsmen and caretakers in Croke Park for over forty years until 1967. Jimmy’s father, Michael, was one of the founders of the Crokes club in 1921-22. 
 
Martin’s advent coincided with Crokes’ emergence as a force on the then very competitive Dublin senior hurling scene and Martin, initially helped by his Kilkenny playing colleague, Mattie Power, became involved in training the team. Through thick and thin over the next twenty years Martin was a mainstay of the club and gave immense service. As chairman he was one of the key players in the 1966 amalgamation of Crokes Hurling Club and Kilmacud Football and Hurling Club. He was also a selector when the club’s first senior county title was won later the same year. He continued his involvement in the merged club and is currently one of Kilmacud Crokes’ vice presidents. We extend our heartiest congratulations to Martin and family and wish him many more years of health and happiness.
 
For images of the evening click HERE
 
 
 

 Permission to use the extract below from the book “Hurling Giants” by Brendan Fullam, was granted by the publishers Wolfhound Press.

'During my hurling career I made many great friends and comrades. I suppose my comrades on the field should get first place and I think the team-spirit developed with them was a great influence during my life­time. I made many great friends especially team-mates but I think those from other counties made a very lasting impression so much so that, it was the beginning of life­long friendships. Most of those have gone to their great reward but the memory still lasts and we still speak of them as if they are still with us. I think my time in games was worth­while if only to know and remember such very good friends. I was lucky to come on the hurling scene in Kilkenny in 1931 when such experi­enced players as Lory Meagher, Ed Doyle, Mattie Power, Paddy Larkin, Pete O'Reilly, Martin Power and Tommy Car­roll were still playing and young players such as Paddy Phelan, Jimmy Walsh, Jack Duggan, Dan Dunne and Jack Fitzpatrick were coming to begin a fruitful era in the hurling life of the county. All their skills and experience were wanted to cope with the great teams of other counties.'

At the time of writing Martin White is the only surviving member of the great 1931 Kilkenny team that participated in three memorable final games before go­ing under to Cork in the second replay. At times now he feels like Oisin i ndiaidh na F6inne. It was a piece of hurling history that may never be repeated. It was his first season in senior hurling having played junior with Kilkenny in 1930 - and he only took part in the first drawn game ­'the selectors decided they wanted a more experienced player to cope with Cork's star centre-back Jim O'Regan. I'd have liked another go on him. We lost Dick Morrisey through injury it took him four years to recover - and that was a severe blow because Dick who was also a very fine hockey player was a most astute forward. We might have won the second day if Lory Meagher hadn't to retire injured with bro­ken ribs and if Madden the Cork corner­back hadn't to retire injured after an accidental stroke across the forward from Mattie Power. Cork brought on George Garrett, one of the best corner-backs and half-backs that I have ever seen and he proceeded to subdue Mattie.'

I then recalled for Martin an incident in the second game - told to me by Pat Stakelum - and recounted for Pat, on the occasion of a visit to Tommy Carroll, who was in action for Kilkenny in that game. 'The scores were level and time was running out. Kilkenny were awarded a close in free. I stood over the ball to take it. I couldn't miss. Anyone would have scored it. Jim O'Regan the Cork centre-back was standing too close and the referee was putting him back. By the time I was ready to take the free Lory Meagher had arrived on the scene. I stepped back. No one would stand over a free with Lory the King and the peak cap. He bent to lift and strike but two broken ribs from an earlier clash hindered his movement - he failed to rise the ball. Full time followed. The result is hurling history.' There was great concern in Kilkenny about Lory's injury. If he wasn't on the third day many Kilkenny supporters would not have travelled - they knew Lory's worth. The selectors were well aware of the feelings in Kilkenny and arranged for Lory to be seen boarding the train with his hurley and boots - but there was of course no prospect of playing. The ruse led to criticism afterwards among supporters. After the second draw a suggestion was made in some quarters that a half medal be presented to the players of both teams. The idea died and Martin told me that it had its origin in the fact that two Parle brothers from south Kilkenny - who were outstanding oarsmen - drew the world rowing championship. The result - a half medal each to the participants. Martin played his last game with Kilkenny in the 1938 Leinster final when they were beaten in a replay by Dublin. Business matters then took him to Cork where he became associated with the Blackrock Club. In the years 1931-1938 he won many honours in an era that saw Kilkenny produce some brilliant combinations and outstanding hurling artists in several positions. He was proud to be among them. As a teenager in 1926 he saw the men of those days being walked on the roads part of their training programme. Even then he wondered at the wisdom of such an activity for men who came mainly from the land and spent their days walking the land and following horses. He can remember pouring milk into the lid of milk churns to give them a drink as they passed by his home.

He recalled too that when he won a County senior championship with Tullaroan in 1930 he had as a team mate Dick Grace, one of Kilkenny's greats of earlier years who won an All Ireland with Kilkenny the year Martin was born.

After Martin had written his piece for me a few gentle tears fell from his eyes. 'Don't mind me I get a bit sad when I think of all the colleagues who have gone and the memories they bring back. I'm a bit soft that way.'

It was interesting to travel with him through his All Ireland successes and hear about some of those colleagues. 'In the 1932 final against Clare I played at full-forw­ard on Pa 'Fowler' McInerney. He was a big man - at that time 39 years of age - surely one of the oldest, if not the oldest, to have ever played in an All Ireland final. I was a chap of 23 - to me 'Fowler' was an elder statesman of the hurling field. As such I was a little in awe of him as I always had respect for older people. I remember that morning going to Mass and saying to Paddy Larkin I never thought to shave. Lory Meagher turned and said, 'leave it on you boy - you'll look tougher.' 'Fowler's' job was to protect his goalkeeper Tommy Daly and keep me out. I finished the hour with two goals in a 3:3 to 2:3 victory. 'Fowler' was unhappy. He maintained I was in the square for at least one of them. The following morning in a barber's shop he brought it up again. I didn't say anything out of respect. Paddy Phelan was sitting in the corner and he didn't say anything either. I must admit that Clare were most unlucky. They had a fine team with some wonderful hurlers such as Tommy Daly in goal, 'Fowler' McInerney, John Joe Doyle, Larry Blake, Tull Considine and Jim Holohan. Did you know that one Sunday in the mid thirties the Railway authorities sent an engine and one carriage from Dublin to Thurles so that Jim Holohan could line out with his native Clare in a championship match?'

The following year 1933 Kilkenny contested a great final with a young and talented Limerick team. It was the day Johnny Dunne, playing on Mickey Cross, scored the vital and only goal of the game in the second half. The final score was Kilkenny 1:7 Limerick 0:6. No wonder Kilkennymen of the next generation used to say 'why was Mickey Cross when he saw what Johnny Dunne.'

Martin collected his second All Ireland medal. The prize for the 1933 win was a trip to America in 1934 - 'the treat of a life­time'. Here is how An-tIomanaidhe described the 1933 final in the Kilkenny People. 'Victory for Kilkenny and the All Ireland hurling title! What a vibrant phrase! How it thrills us! It has flashed its message North and South. It reverberates from the hills of gallant Tullaroan; it re-echoes softly along the gentle slopes of the Suir in grand old Mooncoin. Yes, Kilkenny's idols are undethroned; Kings of the hurling world they reign supreme. The grand ideal has been realised; the implicit confidence, the unswerving loyalty of thousands of ardent supporters has not been misplaced. Tradition has been maintained, nay, embellished. The 'Black and Amber' flag waves in triumph along the banks of the Nore conveying its joyous message of Kilkenny's tenth All Ireland victory. Every Gael in the country for whom the swish of the caman holds a thrill worships at the shrine of the nation's greatest hurlers, thrice crowned champions within the brief space of a year. The memorable and inspiring scenes at Croke Park on Sunday, the greatest day the GAA has ever had, are beyond adequate description. It seems almost futile to attempt to clothe in words that mighty manifestation of the strength and enthusiasm of the Gael. The 1933 All Ireland hurling final presents a panorama of splendour which leaves one almost breathless with amazement.

Picture it! Forty five thousand spectators a vast sea of faces, surrounding the pitch. The stands, sidelines and enclosures literally choked with cheering thousands and yet thousands more clamouring vainly for admission. It is a record attendance; it smashes all previous ones. Never before has the Association witnessed such a spectacle of almost awe-inspiring magnitude.

And, then, how can one convey an adequate impression of the mighty hurling drama enacted on Croke Park's green sod - that terrific battle between Kilkenny, the champions and Limerick, the challengers? Never before has the headquarters of the GAA seen such a great battle of hurling giants - sixty minutes of desperate conflict, dazzling speed, flashing camans, splintering ash; thirty vigorous, manly combatants leaping through the air, crashing together in ceaseless conflict, striking like demons, fighting wildly for supremacy with a singular tenacity of purpose, returning blow for blow in grim silence, neither asking nor giving quarter, every ounce of strength in those wonderful bodies given in a heroic effort to secure the nation's greatest prize. The very ground trembles from the mighty cheering of the assembled thousands, ever urging their idols, their hopes on to greater efforts. Then, oh joy of joy; comes victory for grand old Kilkenny; victory for the gallant hurlers from the Noreside as the vast crowd repeats its tribute of 1932 and hails the all-conquering champions as the greatest team of a decade - Ireland's greatest caman wielders.'

In 1935 Kilkenny and Limerick again contested the final. In atrocious weather conditions the two teams served up a classic. Kilkenny kept the ball on the ground aided by the occasional flick at which Kilkenny are so adept and Lory Meagher was masterly. With time almost up and the scoreboard reading Kilkenny 2:5 Limerick 2:4, Limerick were awarded a 21 yards free. Surely a draw - did Mick Mackey go for a point? 'The ball was wet and heavy and some say that Mick went for the point but the ball didn't rise sufficiently high and was cleared by Kilkenny. Somehow, I think he went for the winner and if he did he shouldn't. Maybe Mick didn't know it but Jimmy O'Connell the goalkeeper, was a champion handballer. The entire full­back line of Paddy Larkin, Peter O'Reilly and Peter Blanchfleld were all handballers of considerable ability. It meant they had a great eye and good hands - hard to get a goal. If the point was taken it would have been a draw - who knows what would have happened in the replay?'

'I had my hands full for the entire hour in 1935. I began off on Mickey Cross at left ­half-forward - Mickey was among the best half-backs and ground strikers the game has known. I was switched to corner-forward on Mick Kennedy - the Tipperary man who starred so many times with his adopted Limerick and there has never been a closer corner-back in the game. In the second half I was switched to centre ­forward on Paddy Clohessy - one of the outstanding centre-backs of the thirties and hurling history - I'd rather have him with me than against me. He was a great striker of a ball. There was venom in his hurling - he had a great will to win. 'Twas a tough hour. All three are now gone, God be good to them. I remember Mickey Cross telling me that in his early days he played a few games with Limerick in his bare feet - he didn't have boots.'

After such a famous victory it was inevitable that some Noreside Bard would put pen to paper. Here is a verse that describes a few moments from that stirring encounter

A grand stroke by Locky Hurtles towards the square. Martin White flicks out his hand To catch it will he dare? Yes! he turns around and strikes A hard one for the poles And even the great Scanlon Could not save that goal of goals.

Martin feels that hurling was more fun in his day. 'There was less pressure. The sea­son can now be too long. The media publicity is an added burden.' He sees other changes too. 'There is more carrying and running with the ball - much too much at times - where does it lead? - often no­where. Better make the ball do the work ­ save energy. There is less ground hurling and more is the pity. I miss the overhead and centrefield play - Lory Meagher of Kilkenny and Timmy Ryan of Limerick were masters of overhead striking. The lighter ball now lands nearer the half-back line than midfield. In my day everyone manned his position and minded his own territory and there was more first time hurl­ing. When I see the light boots now I often think of the heavy leather ones we used to wear - almost half way up ones legs ­ and the leather cogs as well. I remember one day in New Ross when Dick Cantwell in goal pucked the ball out - it was doubled on in mid air by Lory Meagher and WiIlie 'Wedger' Brennan doubled again to score a point without the ball hitting the ground.'

I invited him to pick his ideal team. 'I could pick one and then pick a couple of more to beat it. 1 could pick the Kilkenny half-back line of Ned Byrne, Padge Byrne and Paddy Phelan and say beat that. At the same time I could name the great Limerick half-back line of Mickey Cross, Paddy Clohessy and Garrett Howard and say beat that - and I could go on and on.'

I first met Martin at the Lory Meagher Heritage Launch at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny on Monday 25th May, 1992. He told me he was the fourth oldest living medal holder - the others being Jim Power the Galway full-back of the 1923 victory ­ Garrett Howard who won his first medal with Limerick in the 1921 championship - and 'Fox' Collins the Cork left-cornerback in the 1929 triumph. Among those present were many stars of yesteryear. Jack Lynch of Cork who officially launched the programme - John Joe Doyle and Mick Falvey of Clare who played in the 1932 final - Jimmy Coffey who won All Ireland honours with Tipperary in 1937 ­ Garrett Howard of Limerick - and indeed many others too.

Martin was fit and well despite his difficulty with his hips. At one stage in the exchanges of banter it looked as if himself and John Joe Doyle were about to challenge each other to a sprint but instead they settled down to a tranquil discussion on clashes from the past - now adorned by nostalgia.

Like to the summer's rain; Or as the pearls of morning dew, Ne 'er to be found again.

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