The field is full of shades as I near the shadowy coast,

And a ghostly batsman plays to the bowling of a ghost,

And I look through my tears on a soundless-clapping host

As the run-stealers flicker to and fro,

To and fro;

O my Hornby and my Barlow long ago!

These lines of sweetness and sadness by poet Francis Thompson (1859 - 1907) have forever immortalised the names of A. N. “Monkey” Hornby, the dashing amateur, and R. G. Barlow, the dour stonewalling professional, who played together, for Lancashire and England, in the 1870’s and 1880’s.   The last line is often quoted by people with little if any knowledge or interest in cricket.  It is even included in the Oxford Reference Shelf  Book of Quotations. It is said of Hornby that when he was at the wicket nobody could be certain what was about to happen.  The one thing one could be pretty sure of was that, sooner or later, Barlow would be run out! Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. The foregoing goes to show that the written word does much to ensure that events and characters are preserved long after mere human memory fades away.

At the start of the new millennium therefore this short history aims to document the known history of Lismore cricket.  To date there always have been enthusiasts to take up the reins of their predecessors but such successions in the future cannot be guaranteed.  This history has many gaps and omissions but it may form a basis and a stimulus for further and ongoing research.  One never knows, lost records may yet surface. At the outset, however, to set the scene and to put cricket in some context, it may be worth looking at a brief synopsis of the history of the town itself.

Brief Town History.

Lismore, (in the Irish language, Lios Mor Mochuda meaning Mochuda's Great Eastern Fort) is situated in the west of County Waterford, between the Comeragh and the Knockmealdown Mountains. The river Blackwater flows through the town. Parts of the river are still owned by the Duke of Devonshire. This is one of the few locations in Ireland to have privately owned stretches of river. The town’s population is approximately 1,200.

Lismore is one of the oldest Cathedral towns in Ireland. A monastery was founded here in 630 AD by St. Cartach (also called Mochuda and in English translated as Carthage). It developed into a seat of learning, with up to 20 sites within its boundaries for divine learning.  Lismore was burned to the ground in 1113 and was plundered in 1173 by Norman Mercenaries under Raymond le Gros. The Church of Ireland Cathedral, St Carthages, was erected in 1633 by Richard Boyle The Earl of Cork. The site for Lismore Castle was confirmed by Henry II and constructed by Prince John in 1185. In 1753 the Duke of Devonshire came into the castle and estates through marriage with the Boyle family. Boyle the Scientist and famous for Boyles Law was born here.   The castle is still owned by the current Duke of Devonshire. The family name is Cavendish. Cricket in Lismore is closely connected with Lismore Castle. During the Great Irish Famine (1845-1849) that resulted from the failure of the potato crop in September 1845 and succeeding years, the then Duke of Devonshire was regarded as a “good” landlord.   He is said to have contributed generously to relief schemes and his agent Francis Currey (Great Great Uncle of our Dermot Edwards) ran the Devonshire estate with efficiency, kindness and justice.  Francis Currey died on 17 June 1898 and is commemorated in the stained glass window of Lismore’s St. Carthage’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland).   Undoubtedly the reputation of the Duke and his agent at that time contributed to the good relations that exist between the Castle and the people of Lismore.

Cricket History - The Early Years - 1870 to 1900.

In the “Waterford News” dated 12th September 1851, the following report appeared under the heading “Cricket Match”  as follows “This manly exercise is becoming very popular in this quarter of the country. A match came off on Tuesday 9th September on the lands of J. J. Murphy, Ballymabin between the officers of our garrison and the cricket players of Dunmore”.

The following month the first meeting of the Waterford & Tramore Railway took place. Through the following years teams such as Urbs Intacta, St. Stephen’s Brewery, Kilmacow, Waterford Gentlemen, Cappoquin, Dungarvan, Johnstown Independent, Callaghane and Bessborough all played in the Waterford area. These games took place on grounds in Newtown School, Christendom, Kilmacow, Dunmore, Tramore, Cappoquin, Grantstown and Gracedieu. Records of Cork opponents from 1866 to 1872 include Queens College Cork (now University College Cork), Ballyvourney, Bandon, Dunmanway, Mallow, Macroom, Youghal, Na Shulers and several army teams. The name of Lismore does not appear on either list.

The first mention we have of cricket in Lismore is of a game played on 16th September 1870, when Midleton College were the visitors.  The record shows that in their first innings Midleton made 81 and Lismore replied with 45.  In the second innings, Lismore, presumably following-on (as was the fashion at that time, when the follow-on was the norm even for a deficit of one run!) made 88.  Midleton replied with 57 - a six coming of the last ball (or possibly a lost ball).   It is interesting to note that all the records of this period indicate two innings a side as the norm.

No other games are recorded for 1870.   Only one game is on record for 1871 also.  This was again against Midleton College on 2nd August.   It would appear as if Lismore had put in some practice in advance of this game, because, batting first, Midleton were all out for 7.  Lismore responded with 208 and again bowled Midleton out cheaply for 25.

For the 1872 season we have a full record of the games and also the names of the club committee. C. H. Currey (son of Francis Currey above) is listed as Club Secretary at that time and was succeeded by Bob Power. Lismore won both the first game on 25th June and the return in Fermoy v 7th Fusiliers by an innings.  On July 19th and 20th Cork were the visitors.  Lismore made 92 and had Cork 18 for 6 when heavy rain fell, after which the not out pair put on another 100 and Cork won by 8 wickets.  For the return game in Cork on 5th and 6th September, the Mardyke was “like a snipe bog” with heavy rain on both days and the game was drawn. Four other games were played that year against the army from Cahir and Fermoy, and Midleton College.  All were won easily.   The record for 1872 was P8:W6:D1:L1

In 1873 Lismore “let” Cork make 371 at the Mardyke but had the better of a drawn game (due to rain) on 10th & 11th September 1984. From then the record ceases until some old scorebooks of 1892 - 1896 tell the story of a flourishing game.  In 1893 Youghal came to Lismore and lost.  95 years later to the day (in 1988), they tried again with the same result. On the occasion, Club Chairman, Dermot Edwards, produced the old records to the enlightenment of all involved.  On a similar occasion in 1993, 100 years plus 5 days from an earlier fixture, Lismore repeated a victory of 1893 over Clonmel.

One fact of note, from this period, is that Lismore cricket waited for “summer proper” to play cricket.   The first game of 1872 was on 25th June and the last in early September.  The 1898 fixture card goes from 16th June to 18th August.

Club accounts show expenditure back to 1887.   However from 1899 until cricket ceased during the Great War (1914 - 1918), no records are available.

The records of cricket in Waterford at this time state that on 10th April 1897 Waterford Cricket Club held their first A. G. M. and set about giving cricket a more organised look in the region. The new club was formed out of a team called John Hearne's XI. They started a district league and new teams from the region were formed and joined the league. Denny’s Lane, Dunhill, Tramore, Ballymacaw Ramblers, Emerald, Na Shular, Thomas Francis Meagher, Ballytruckle, Ballyanne, Barrack Street Rovers, The Knock, Portlaw, Skibbereen and Mount Congrieve came into being. “Personalised” teams such as Mr. Brown’s XI and Tom Widger’s XI were formed. The schools and clubs got involved also with Newtown School, Bishop Foys High School, Waterpark, Y. M. C. A. and C. Y. M. S. all entering teams. The grounds where the games took place were at Portlaw, Tramore, Ballymacaw, Woodstown, Waterford and Mount Congrieve. Indeed to this day there is still a field in the grounds of Mount Congrieve referred to as "the Cricket Field". The mid-week league was contested very strongly with large attendance's at the games. Waterford C. C. played teams from Kilkenny, Cork, Lismore, Thomastown, Wexford and Clonmel during this period and they played their home games at Christendom.

By way of a little diversion, it is interesting to note that two cricketers, born in Waterford/East Cork area, played test cricket at this time for Australia.  It should be emphasised there is no suggestion that either player had any connection with Lismore cricket. One Thomas Joseph Dart Kelly (b. 3 May 1844 in Waterford - d. 20 July 1893) played for Victoria and in 2 Test Matches for Australia - both v England.  Both games were at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, his adopted home city, on 31 March 1877(his debut) and on 2 January 1879.

His complete test record is:- MInoRuns   hs    Avg.100   50    Cts. 23 - 64   35    21.33 -     -      1

Not to be outdone, Thomas Patrick (T P) Horan, who was born in Midleton, Co. Cork on 8 March 1854 ( d. 16 April 1916) also played for Victoria and in 15 Tests for Australia all against England in 1876-77 (1), 1878-79 (1), 1881-82 (4), 1882 (1), 1882-83 (4), 1884 (4), including the famous Ashes test  at The Oval in 1882.  He scored 124 before being run out at Melbourne (where else!) on the second day of the First Test (2 January 1882). It is reported that fine driving was the feature of his century.  He scored 26 in the second innings.   His only other score over 50 was 63 scored on day two of the second test at Melbourne (of course!) on 2 January 1885.  As an occasional bowler, he twice topped the test averages for Australia in 1882-83 and in 1884-85.  These were the only seasons that he bowled for Australia.  Not bad in a side containing “The Demon” Spofforth!   He took 6 for 40 in his only extended bowl in the Third Test at Sydney (February 20 - 24 1885).  It is reported that “The fastish Horan, coming on to bowl when Garrett proved ineffective, found a spot made by Spofforth in his follow-through….” His complete test record was:-

MInoRuns   hs    Avg.100   50    Cts.

1527 2471   124    18.84  1    1      6

O?BMRWAvg.

93.1373451431113.00

Note: an over consisted of 4 balls at that time.

The Ground

Lismore C.C. plays cricket on the grounds at the Castle Farm.    The original ground was where the GAA pitch is now situated.  By the time the records come to life again in 1934 a “new” pavilion was built on the adjacent field which was used also for hockey and tennis.  Indeed it is reputed that the present ground was originally the home of the Lismore Hockey Club with many of these players playing cricket during the summer.  It is available rent free to the club by kind permission of the Duke of Devonshire.

Up to the 1940’s the ground featured a beech tree at the boundary of the playing area, behind the bowlers arm.  Various funny and possibly tall stories concern that tree!  However it is long gone at this stage.   The ground also has an elevated area that has caused many a stumble by fielders unaware of its existence - and indeed amongst some of those who should know better!  A modern concrete pavilion, built in the mid-1970s, replaced the original wooden pavilion, a structure of character but limited facilities.  It is not known if any photographs of the old pavilion are extant.The ground, though compact in size, is renowned as one of the finest in Munster.   In addition to club matches it has hosted a number of Junior Interprovincials.   The club has, to date at any rate, resisted the temptation to put in an artificial wicket.  It should be pointed out that this decision may have as much to do with financial considerations as to matters of principle.

The Middle Years - 1920 - 1950

Except for short periods, it is believed that cricket has been played in Lismore since the early days, enduring various ups and downs during that time. Over the years the club members have consisted of local enthusiasts, pupils and past pupils of cricket playing schools (especially Midleton College and Newtown School), returned emigrants and their children, British-born people who have settled in the town and its environs, visitors and players from other clubs which have reorganised or disbanded.  As there is no major hospital or third-level college within its catchment area, the club has not had the services of overseas medical staff, academics or students. We possess a reproduction of a photograph of the Club Committee in 1926, with the names of many of those included.  The caption states that it was taken when the Club won the Bolster Cup.  It is believed this was a local tournament involving Cappoquin, the army in Fermoy, Mallow Cahir and possibly Tramore.  The photograph includes Billy Bolster, the local bank Manager, after whom the cup was named.  A photograph of the Lismore Hockey Team of 1938 demonstrates the close relationship with hockey as it includes many of the same individuals (let’s hope it is not a case of mistaken identity!). Another old photograph showing members of the team, taken at Seafield (near Bonmahon) in 1936, features Jack Feeney (of more anon), John (Jocklin) O’Donnell, Paddy and Gordon Keyes, Jim Casey and Dean Stanley.  Dean Stanley, the local Church of Ireland Rector, came to Lismore in 1934 and remained until his retirement in 1961.  During the period of his ministry he was a key figure in the club as organiser, player and captain.  The Dean had a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, however this may have been somewhat exaggerated in the telling.

Jack Feeney was known to relate stories of travelling by train to play the army in Fermoy during the war. It is uncertain if this was a reference to the First World (Great) War or World War II.   Given Jack’s age at his death (about 65), it is more likely to have been WWII

The Years of Glory    1950 - 1980

As stated above Dean Stanley retired in 1961.  During the 1960’s and 1970’s, Jack Feeney (Club Secretary), Matt Gough (Club Treasurer) and Gus Kingston (Chairman following the Dean) were the main organisers.  Jack, in particular, was a great raconteur.  No doubt some of his stories had a basis of fact but it was never clear which ones!  He was a slow bowler of some cunning even at the end of his days.  Matt was a batsman of the Slasher Mackay,  Bill Lawry  or R G Barlow school.  He recalled, with some relish, that he had been suspended for life twice by the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) for playing foreign games (to wit cricket in his case).  Matt was also a great fundraiser, his Christmas draw always raised the necessary funds to cover the basics for the following season and this skill is sorely missed today. Both were great enthusiasts.  Gus Kingston, a local farmer, was a product of Midleton College.  He played for the club from the early 1940’s to the 1980’s.  Gus was a skilled batsman, an astute tactician and in later years relied on his sturdy boots to effect stops while fielding.  Michael Crowley, a gardener at the Castle gardens, was a diligent and skilled groundsman during this time.

Jack, who worked in the timber yard of Lismore Estates, died on 2nd June 1975 and his brother Pad, who was also an employee of the Estates, died on 30 May 1982 while watching a cricket match at the Club Grounds..  Matt worked in the local County Library Headquarters in Lismore and came to matches almost to the end often acting as the home umpire.  He died on 31st May 1990 at the age of 73. Mr. Albertini, an American who lived in Lismore, was a gentleman cricketer and a club benefactor in the 1950’s and 1960’s and was honoured by being made Life-President of the club.  He was a sparring partner of the boxer Tommy Farr.  In later years he moved to Co. Tipperary and was confined to a wheelchair following a riding accident.

The high point of the Club came in 1958 when Lismore reached the All-Ireland Final of the Irish Junior Cup.  The game was played in Cahir Park, the home of Cahir C.C.  A team photograph published in a book entitled “The Lismorians” shows such stalwarts as Gus Kingston (Capt.), Pad Gough (brother of Matt), brothers Jack and Pad Feeney, Peter Coleman, John Crotty, Trevor Endersen, J. McCarthy, Con Callinan, Michael Crowley and Billy Mullins.  In that final Lismore lost to Dublin side Clontarf. Behind those simple facts lies another story.   Peter Coleman was an English clerical student who came for a month’s holiday to the nearby Mount Mellary Cistercian Monastery.  Matt Gough became aware that he was a good cricketer and recruited him.   Peter was reputed to be the fastest bowler ever seen in junior cricket.  His presence in the side helped Lismore to reach the final by regularly skittling out the opposition batsmen. He came over from England to stay with Matt Gough for the week before the original date set for the final.  However 1958 was a very wet summer and it rained on that day and the game had to be postponed for a week.  In the ‘60s the story was told at the club that Peter unfortunately would not be left come over again for the rescheduled game. This was always followed by “ Maybe if he had played? ……  well! we will never know! It might have been different”.  Some of the players who are still with us tell this sory even today.   As with much of oral history however this is just a legend albeit with a grain of truth.   The scorebook of this historic year remained in the Campion family and it shows that Peter did play but Matt’s brother, Pad Gough, the star batsman of the team did not play and is likely the player who was unavailable for the rescheduled final.    Nonetheless the display of the “country side” in that final came as a surpriseto many. Peter Coleman continued to play for occasionally, off and on, into the early 1960’s before going on to be ordained a priest in the then enclosed Cistercian Order.  He maintained correspondence with Matt Gough for many years. More successes followed through the 1960’s and 1970’s, the club winning the double of the Munster Junior Cup and League in 1965 (Captain Trevor Endersen), and the Junior League in 1964 (Captain Trevor Endersen), 1968 (Capt. - Maurice Thompson), 1973 (Capt. - Paddy Pollard) and 1978 (Capt. Eric Flynn).  In 1965 Lismore also contested the All-Ireland Semi-Final of the Irish Junior Cup losing to Galway.

Trevor Endersen went on to play with Wanderers, Harlequins, Cork County, Railway Union and Munster, by whom he was capped 67 times.  We have photographs of the team that won the double in 1965 and of the 1978 league winning teams.

The role of Ian Cooke, owner of the Lismore Hotel, a cricketer with the club and a Director of the resurgent Waterford FC soccer team of the 1960s also had an important influence at that time.  The resultant friendship that developed between Paddy Pollard and the players on that Waterford F. C. side, led to the arrival on the Lismore team of English born players Peter Thomas, Peter Bryan, Johnny Matthews, Phil Buck and Dave Kirby from 1968 to the mid-1970’s.  Most went on to play senior cricket with Waterford CC established in the mid-1970’s and with Munster.

Alan Cox, a young Englishman who married and settled near Carrick-on-Suir, was a fine spin bowler,  and was a significant assition to the team in the late 1970’s.  He contributed to the Junior League win in 1978 and went on to play for Phoenix in the Leinster Senior League and for Munster for many years.

By the mid-1960’s, following the demise of Tramore club,  Lismore remained as the only cricket club in Waterford (City or County).  The opposition came from Cork Clubs Wanderers, Bohemians, Church of Ireland, Harlequins and Cork County, Limerick Clubs LPYMA and Catholic Institute and later Shannon Diamond, and Midleton College, Glenstal and Bandon Grammar School (all schools playing in early Summer only).  Additionally, games were played regularly against Mount Juliet (based on the Victor McAlmont Estate in Kilkenny, now home of the world renowned Mount Juliet Golf Club), Bagnalstown, the Leprechauns and Na Shuler, the latter two were both invitation itinerant touring sides similar to the Barbarians in the game of rugby. The more widespread availability of multichannel (British) television in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s led to a revival of many clubs throughout Munster.  The growing popularity of limited overs cricket also facilitated expansion.   Both Cork and Waterford developed mid-week and taverners cricket at this time also.  This continued up to the 1990’s.  The format of games changed in the early 1970’s from single innings matches played to a finish or stoppage due to bad light, to limited overs cricket. 

Another memorable event was the club tour to Dublin in 1973.   Games were arranged against Man-O-War and Malahide.   Many stories are told of this tour.   One concerns a player (who shall remain anonymous) who arrived down to breakfast on day 2 a little the worst for wear.  On being asked where he had been the night before, he replied “The Revelation Club”.  The worldly-wise Peter Thomas quickly interjected that it was “The Revolution Club”, a well-known nightclub of that time in Dublin’s Leeson Street.  To this the former retorted “It may have been ‘The Revolution Club’ to you but it sure was a ‘revelation’ to me!”  Another story of that tour concerns Gerry Ambrose, a young player who having played for the club for a number of years had relocated to Dublin to work.  He turned up to join us for the tour with a rather flashy pair of bell-bottomed but tight fitting white pants (fashionable at that time).  He was to learn quickly that they were not really suitable for cricket. Very early on he split them when stooping to field and had to be helped to cover his embarrassment with some safety pins!  Oh! Just for the record, Lismore won both matches but to an extent this seemed almost incidental.

Paddy Pollard, Eric Flynn, Jim Campion and Dermot Edwards, on the latter’s return to his ancestral home in the mid-70’s, took over the reins as the main organisers.     Dermot, a descendant of the Currey’s above, is active to the present day, sometimes playing, lovingly tending the pitch, umpiring and keeping everyone in order.

The end of the Milennium - 1980 - 2000

Paddy, Eric, Jim and Dermot remained at the helm throughout most of the 1980’s.

Following the successes of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, the 80’s were a difficult decade for the club.  For two years at the start and again towards the end of the decade the club failed to field teams.   However, thanks to the efforts of Dermot Edwards and Dennis Mackintosh in particular, together with the encouragement of Dermot Giltinan (Cork County and old adversary and friend), after a few difficult years the club flourished again in the mid-1990’s. Dermot Edwards and Dennis assisted from the mid-1990’s by John Ind and his son David became and remain the main driving forces in the club today.  John played for the Combined Services and the Middlesex 2nd XI in his younger days and has done Trojan work to improve the standards of the younger (and maybe even some not so young) players.  David, a young and skilled all-rounder, who played club cricket in Gloucestershire, has provided strength and solidity to the side since his arrival.

This resurgence culminated in the club winning the Munster Minor (Division III) League and Cup double and the Town’s Cup and finishing runners up in the Town’s League in 1997.  Again we have a photograph of the side that successfully contested in the Minor Cup Final played at Farmer’s Cross near Cork Airport, home of Cork Harlequins C.C., in a game marked by solid performances by the entire team rather than any individual brilliance.  Welcome successes after so many lean years.   Only losses in the very last games of 1999 and 2000 prevented repeat successes in the Minor (Division III) League.

The following is a list of opponents at this time: Clonmel, Waterford Vikings, Dunmore, Jordans, Cork County, Co. Kerry, Listowel, Limerick, University of Limerick, Church of Ireland , Coolmountain, U.C.C.,  Mizen, and Midleton.

In addition to the many players mentioned above, the contributions of many, many, others over the years deserve honourable mention.  Since the 1960’s the following come to mind. Paddy (The Bish) Scanlan, “Kiley” Collins, Frank Tierney (a fine wicketkeeper), Jim Crowley, Denis Moylan, “Happy” O’Connell, Tommy Norris (a slow bowler with a peculiar action reminiscent of the young South AfricanPaul Adams in recent times), George Kingston, Gerard Kennedy, A.P. (Percy) Harris (Percy came following the demise of the Cahir Club, he was a fine batsman in his day, past-President of the Irish Cricket Union and played well into his seventies.  In his late years he ran his own singles only and much to the despair of his batting partners calls for singles responded with a loud and authoritative “NO”), Michael Hickey, Peter and Johnny Cooke, Ronan Doyle, the Edwards Boys (William, a fine all-rounder, the late Robbie and Jamie, a reluctant cricketer), Peter Davies, Tommy Sullivan, David and John Campion, David Campion, Stephen Ahearn (a fine young wicket keeper), Winston Boyle, Ray Bryan, Glenn Hughes, Paddy Byrne, Alan Shane, Andrew Malcolm. Bard Wilkinson, Brian Power, David Dungan [incomplete]

The regular reports in the local press by Dermot O’Leary and Tony Bolger in the 1960’s,1970’s and 1980’s, until Tony’s death in 1984 also merits honourable mention. Many others merit and deserve inclusion, their omission being attributable to lapses of memory rather than their contribution. It would be remiss to give a history of the club without reference to the many ladies and some gents, who looked after providing the teas over the years.  Again the names of those involved from the 1870’s to the late 1950’s are lost to history.  However, since the 1960’s the contributions of the Feeney sisters Mary and Bridget, Joe and Peg Dooley, Noreen Gough, Avril Kingston, Anne Pollard, Tina Flynn, Rose Campion, Jill Edwards and Jackie Ind deserve special mention.  In recent times Dennis Mackintosh, Glenn Hughes and Winston Boyle have also contributed in this regard.

The Future

This brief history gives a general picture of Lismore C.C. going back over 130 years.  The picture that emerges is one of a small village cricket team with the distinct advantage of a dedicated playing ground provided by Lismore estates.  The squad of players is rarely greater than about 20 and that is in good times!   At other times fielding 11 regulars is a struggle.

Over the years many good young players have come along, started to develop but have then had to move on to find employment in the larger cities of Ireland, Britain and even further afield.  The absence of a significant industrial employer in the town over many years has proven to be a particular difficulty. Very occasionally these emigrants have returned and they or their children have joined us again.   Also of importance are the many “outsiders” who have come and settled in the area, many becoming loyal and diligent servants of the club.

The continued existence and the running of the club depends on the presence of a few local enthusiasts and to date, when the old ones lay down the burden, newer, sometimes younger, ones come along and take over.  This is how it has been to date.  Will it last?  We surely hope so.  However, if the worst ever comes about, well, at least this meagre record will exist to show how it was and maybe how it can be again. 

Plans for 2001 are already afoot.   It is intended that the club will again participate in the Minor (Div. III) League and Cup and also in the Junior (Div. II) League.  An “understanding” with our neighbours, Clonmel, should ensure that participation in both divisions should be possible.

Meanwhile, two welcome developments of note are: -

A game against a Duke of Devonshire XI is planned for June 2001 on a date to be finalised (this had been planned for the 2000 season but was postponed due to fixture backlog).

A visit by Western Plains C.C. (N.S.W.) is also on the books and eagerly awaited.  It may be our first visit from a touring side from other than the UK.

In conclusion, therefore, the following quotation of Winston Churchill (in a different context) seems appropriate.

“This is not the end.  It is not even the beginning of the end.  But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning”

Acknowledgements:

My sincere thanks to Dermot Edwards (for the early details).

To Paddy Pollard and Gus Kingston (for their details and memorabilia of the 1950’s and 1960’s).

To Trevor Endersen for his many tall tales and true.

The Campion Family, John, David and Peter for lending me their old scorebooks of the 1950s and 1960s, which helped address some legends and aided my memory of the late ‘60s.

To  Tony Brett, Waterford Vikings CC (for the history of Waterford cricket).

To Dennis Mackintosh (for his prompting to write this and encouraging words).

And in days gone by, the late Jack Feeney and Matt Gough, firstly, for encouraging me to play cricket those many years ago in 1967 and for their many reminiscences, records and memorabilia over the years until their deaths.

References:

Wisden Cricket Almanac (many years)

Test Cricket: Australia v England. -   Ralph Barker & Irving Rosenwater (1969)

Who’s Who of Cricketers - Philip Bailey, Philip Thorn & Peter Wynne-Thomas (1984)

The Summer Game - Neville Cardus (1929)

Rothmans Test Cricket Almanac - England v Australia 1964

Lismore Community Festival 1993, Souvenir Booklet

The Lismorians

The Dungarvan Leader (various editions)

The Cork Examiner

Bloomsbury Dictionary of Quotations - Ted Smart (1991)

A Brief History of Waterford Cricket - Tony Brett, Waterford Vikings C.C. Website

Michael Hickey

Lismore C.C.

February 2001