Tang Intermediate Champions - 1982

1982 TEAM REMEMBERED WESTMEATH CHAMPIONS 1982

Back Row L/R Michael Hanley, Peter Keenan, Martin Malone, Mick Higgins, Joe Carey, Tom Flanagan, P J Duncan, P J Keenan(r.i.p), Mervin English, Christy Flanagan, J J Flanagan, Padraig Coughlan, Willie Flanagan.

Front Row L/R Ben Duncan, Declan Farrell, T J Galvin, Eamon Farrell, Michael Hayes, Eddie Harkins, Tom Farrell, Tom Keenan, Michael Egan, Gerry Neary, Stephen Flanagan Electrifying kick puts Tang through

Tang……………………………….1-8

St Paul’s…………………………...0-6

TANG FOOTBALLERS SHOULD BE “TOUCHING WOOD” IN THANKS-GIVINGFOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY WON THIS WESTMEATH INTERMEDIATE COUNTY FINAL AT CUSACK PARK, MULLINGAR ON SUNDAY.

Like all good “classic” winners, however, they responded under immense pressure by reaching for and finding the all important and electrifying kick which rushed them first past the post- leaving the opposition despairingly flat-footed.

There is no doubt that the margin of victory flattered Tang. It was amassed in a three minute flurry which spanned the end of normal time and that added on for the injury in the second half. It was the unexpectedness of the killer blow goal in the dying minutes which left St Paul’s hopelessly stranded and one had the feeling had ten minutes still remained the maroon shirts would have had run up a cricket score.

The winners did simply as they pleased in those final moments. I n fact they registered almost half of their total score in those lethal installments so very late in the game. Such was far from being the case up until then however. In fact St Paul’s looked a good bet to win this game when they went into a one pt lead with eight mins remaining. They had steadily played themselves right back into the game after slip sliding their way through the first ten mins. Slowly and composedly the Saints grew in stature as the game progressed and they systematically pegged away at Tang’s lead until they eventually caught and then topped the victor’s toll. Indeed but for the lackadaisal efforts of a couple of Paul’s forwards, the losers would easily had battered up an unassailable lead.

Then on the other hand, the winners should never have allowed Paul’s to come within shooting distance. Prodigal in the extreme in their scoring efforts, Tang spurned numerous “easy “goal chances- in fact the chances that came their way were so clear cut and “open” it was hard to believe that they would ever again be presented with such a selection of takeable opportunities. Had they taken a mere fraction of the openings this game would have been well and truly over?

On a beautiful clear skied day in Cusack Park, a credit to it’s tailor’s, the big crowd hardly had time to draw a breath after their initial roar of encouragement on the throw in, when Tang’s Stephen Flanagan pointed a free. Warming to their task, Tang set up camp in St Paul’s half. Indeed the ball did not cross half way line into Tang territory until well into the sixth minute. But Tang threw away a number of scoring opportunities in the intervening minutes. Eddie Harkins had a particularly bad miss in the second min, followed by three wides on the trot by his team mates. A move between Gerry Neary and Stephen Flanagan looked promising- Flanagan was fouled and when the same player swung the ball across the goal, none of his colleagues could do anything with it. It was sent over the endline for a 45 from which nothing resulted.

At last in the 6th min Eddie Harkins pointed from close in but it was small comfort for all their pressure. Shortly afterwards Stephen Flanagan went on a great solo run which took him from midfield to the Saint’s square but with only the goalie to beat, Stephan tried to “place” the ball with the result he shot tamely wide.

Gradually St Paul’s crept into the game. A fast move between Tom McDonnell and Pat Gilson down the right wing caused the Tang goalie Michael Hayes to turn the ball out for a 45, but the resultant kick was cleared. Again Jim Henry gunned a diagonal ball across the face of the Tang goal but inrushing Michael Reilly could not connect.

BEST SCORE

With nine minutes gone and Pauls coming more and more into the match, Tang got a bit scrappy and Jim Henry nearly opened Pauls scoring when he sent wide from close in .Shortly after Ritchie Shaw opened Paul’s scoring, getting on the end of a loose ball, flicked it neatly into his hands and swiveled on his left foot and sent it over the bar for what proved the best individual score of the match Five minutes later Stephen Flanagan showed he too could turn on the style when he pointed from a very acute angle to restore Tang’s slender two pt lead. A minute later St Paul’s were awarded a free which Eugene Dolan took. The ball was cleared but only as far as Eugene Dolan who ran across the goalmouth and sent it over the bar.

Tang missed another great chance of a goal when Gerry Neary set Stephen Flanagan away on a solo run but Stephen over played the ball and a free was awarded out. A goal at this stage would have left Pauls in serious trouble. Gerry Neary increased Tang’s lead in the 22nd min taking a pass from Jack Flanagan and pointing on the run.

Paul’s exerted serious pressure before and after Gerry’s point and looked extremely dangerous on the break away. In fact they looked far more like scoring at times than Tang. Midfield play became very messy with a lot of loose scrappy play ensuing.

CLASS

Now and again however, Tang showed real glimpses of class. Like the move they created between Gerry Neary, Eamonn Farrell, Christy Flanagan and Mervin English which saw them shunt the ball from half back line to a scoring position which unfortunately was thrown away.

Paul’s had their chances too but like their opponents sent them wide of the mark. Eamon Farrell, Tang’s brilliant right half back suffered a very dangerous tackle when going for a loose ball and remained on the ground injured for quiet a while. Referee Carthage Conlon never said a word to the offending player.

St Paul’s Pat Gilson set off on a great run shortly afterwards and his pass to Mick Reilly was added to by Eugene Dolan before Christy Shaw sent over a point. On the stroke of half time Gerry Neary restored Tang’s two point advantage with a kick from 35 metres on the wing.

Half time Tang 0-5 St Pauls 0-3

The score at half time just about reflected the difference between the sides on their first half performance. But Tang must surely have regretted the great chances of getting goals which they missed. The thought must have crossed their minds that they were going to get it hard to follow Athlone and Garrycastle in keeping County titles exclusively in the South of the county.

Gerry Neary and Stephen Flanagan swapped wings on the resumption of play and Stephen Flanagan went on the attack straight away but did not score. Various players continued to attempt scores but to no avail. Then suddenly Paul’s fullforward Jim Henry found himself clear but shot straight at the goalkeeper.

EDGE GONE

The edge slowly wore off the game and really the second half became increasingly lacklustre. Eamon Farrell who was on the receiving end of a bad tackle just before half-time was dealt another heavy blow in the 7th min and remained the centre of medical attention for 3 minutes. However this time there no intent on behalf of the Paul’s player.

In the meantime Jimmy Fitzsimmons came on for Michael Reilly on the Paul’s team. The losers bit into Tang’s lead when Ritchie Shaw pointed in the 10th min after Eugene Dolan was fouled. Although a mere point separated the sides there was an alarming lack of urgency shown by both sides. A pervasive lethargy seemed to overcome the proceedings. T J Galvin came on for Eddie Harkins in the 11th minute and a three minute burst of attacking play by Tang followed but they still failed to increase their slender lead. Two 45 kicks were scant reward for their efforts during their sudden coming to life.

With 15 mins remaining Paul’s had a great chance to equalise when Ritchie Shaw created room for himself but shot wide. Tang were staging something of a rally at this stage and in doing so were leaving themselves a bit exposed at the back. There was always a danger that Paul’s would strike quickly through Clancy or Dolan and get a goal

Front Row L/R Gerry Neary,Johnny Rock,Tom Farrell,Eamon Farrell, T J Galvin.

Middle row L/R Willie Flanagan,Mary Keenan(P J Keenan R.I.P),Tom Flanagan,Padraic Coughlan,Tom

Keenan,Eddie Harkin,Stephan Flanagan,Joe Carey.

Back Row L/R Frank Molloy, Frank Donoghue,Michael Egan, Martin Malone,Mervin English,

Peter Keenan,Michael Hayes,Tommy Dolan,Christy Flanagan,Mick Higgins,Mike Hanley,Ben Duncan,

FOULED

Tom McDonnell was blatantly fouled after a move involving Pat Gilson, Christy Shaw and Tom himself had torn the Tang defence to shreds and Eugene Dolan equalised from the acutest of angles with ten minutes remaining. Two minutes later the writing seemed to be on the wall for Tang when Paul’s nippy corner forward Pat Clancy burst through on another of his penetrating solo runs. He kept a cool head when confronted, steadied himself and whipped over a lovely point which put Paul’s into the lead for the first time.

Almost immediately Tang threw away two good chances and just when it began to look that they had shot their bolt Stephen Flanagan equalised with five mins left. With time ticking away thoughts turned to a draw and indeed the scrappy play at the time gave no hint that anything else was on the cards. Then came the Tang bludgeoning. A seemingly harmless ball swirled across the loser’s goalmouth and looked destined for a harmless hop over the endline. The Saint’s backs seemed to think so and hesitated briefly momentarily. Big Jack Flanagan flashed in and in the twinkling of an eye had the ball in the back of the net. Tang players leapt with delight. Pauls could not believe it. Half a min later Tom Flanagan twisted the knife further by adding a pt and Pauls were not allowed forget the name Flanagan when Christy tapped over another pt two mins into injury time. The icing was on the cake.

Tang deserved to win, let there be no doubt about that. It was the margin of victory that will give a slightly flattering slant to the history books. The winners showed that haven thrown away chance after chance; they still had the character to struggle on until in a spurt of power and precision, they overthrew the stiff challenge of St Pauls.

Now they can look forward to senior football next year and can approach the higher grade with confidence because they comprise a very nicely balanced side with a few exceptionally gifted and dedicated players. For such a small community to be able to produce a side of this caliber is indeed a tribute t o the players, mentors and supporters alike.

Goalie Michael Hayes played well when called on and full back line also deserves praise. Willie Flanagan, Tom Keenan and Tom Farrell all looked sound, capable players who ran themselves into the ground in their efforts. They had a classy half back line in front of them with Eamon Farrell outstanding. Midfield played well in the first half but faded somewhat in the second half. They did however put in a lot of running and cleared up messy defence work on a good many occasions. All the forwards looked dangerous with Gerry Neary and Stephen Flanagan catching the eye most frequent. Jack Flanagan‘s goal will make him a hero for a long time indeed and he played well all through. Brother Tom caused many a Paul’s heart to flutter and made his present felt from the throw in to the final whistle.

A game that will be remembered by Tang followers for its last three minutes.

Man of the Match Eamon Farrell.

Tang Team Michael Hayes, Willie Flanagan, Tom Keenan, Tom Farrell, Michael Egan, , Joe Carey, Eamon Farrell, Christy Flanagan(0-1), Mervin English, Gerry Neary(0-2), P J Keenan, Stephen Flanagan(0-3), Eddie Harkins(0-1), Tom Flanagan(0-1), Jack Flanagan(1-0)

Referee C.Conlon

COMMERATION NIGHT IN Cooney,s , Ballymahon on Friday october 26th

chairman joe foxe

25th Anniversary

Tang Gaa celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 1982 championship winning team in the Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon on last Friday night where a large crowd turned out for this special occasion.

In his welcoming address the chairman, Joe Foxe paid tribute for all for attending, especially some persons who had flown in for this nostalgic event which showed the spirit of this particular team. Joe remarked how times had changed. Nowadays there are physio and benches, hamstrings, groins and strains. Back then there no dressing rooms or showers, Joe remarked “I wonder where the physio would put his bench in Foxe’s field? , changed times indeed” . Joe welcomed County Board Official Pat Lynagh, who said it was often important to look back before going forward. Pat complimented Tang Gaa for honouring their past team and also complimented Martin Malone for his excellent service in refereeing both hurling and football. Pat assured anyone interested in taking up refereeing, that there are lots of courses and help available.

captain Tom Keenan

Chairman Joe Foxe handed the remainder of the night’s proceeding to Eamon Farrell; the MC for the night Eamon ensured the large crowd was well entertained. Eamon recalled several events of 1982 and was able to draw a vivid picture of times gone by, as the audience hung on every word uttered. Eamon presented the players in groups of two or three and each group was warmly greeted with generous applause fro the honour they had bestowed on this small parish. Last but not least was captain of the team Tom Keenan and a hint of sadness as brother P J was also honoured. Tom Keenan paid tribute to other past members of the club who had done tremendous work down through the years, including Michael Galvin, Michael Duggan, Paddy Farrell, Larry Coughlan and Joe Foxe snr. Tom remarked that it was a long time since Tang had won a championship and it was long overdue. Tom wished the present team every success in the near future and it was nice to see Tang claim The Galvin Cup this year

Mary Keenan, Tommy Dolan, Tom Keenan

Chairman Joe Foxe thanked everyone for attending and thanked Cooney’s Hotel for premises and excellent food and service on the night. Joe thanked Secretary Frank Donoghue for making this night possible and MC Eamon for his nonstop banter and excellent handling of the presentation. Johnny Mullen provided the music and the large crowd danced well into the night.

1982 Tang Club Officers

Johnny Rock, Bill Duggen

Club Officers

President Rev John Conlon

Vice –Presidents Tom Carey, Paddy Coughlan

Chairman Joe Foxe

Vice-Chairman Joe Forde

Secretary Ben Lynn

Vice-Secretary Noreen Higgins

Treasurer Frank Tumelty

Ciste Gael Organiser John Harkin

Selectors Michael Duggan, Ben Duncan, Johnny Rock, Tom Flanagan

Team Trainer Tommy Dolan

Committee Ned Farrell, Paddy Farrell, Larry Coughlan, Eileen Galvin,

Collette Galvin and Frank Donoghue.

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Front Row L/R Ben Duncan, Declan Farrell, T J Galvin, Eamon Farrell, Michael Hayes, Eddie Harkins, Tom Farrell, Tom Keenan, Michael Egan, Gerry Neary, Stephen Flanagan