History of Tang GAA Club

Former Players and Supporters 1987 taken in Joe Fox’s field

Left/Right Jimmy Keenan, Ben Lynn, John Coughlan, Eddie Rock, Liam Conlon, Joe Fox, P.J.Murphy, Johnny Rock, Joe Nestor, Frank Tumelty, Larry Coughlan, Paddy Keenan, Ben Duncan, Andy Donohue, Bendy McMorrow, Mick Higgins, Sean Gill, Pat Murray, Joe Carey, Tom Farrell, Denis Bannon, Eamonn Carey, Seamus McCormack.

TANG Recall Team of 1971 after 25 years

Tang Gaa Club celebrated their 25th anniversary of their 1971 championship win in the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule when over 250 people from the area turned out for this nostalgic occasion.

The “Fear na Ti” for the night was local man, Eamonn Farrell. This excellent handling of the event ensured that the large attendance was well entertained.

In his welcoming address the chairman, Ben Lynn, paid tribute to all fort attending, especially the full available panel of the 1971 team. He pointed out that most of them looked as if they could still present formidable effort on the field. He paid a special tribute to the founding officers of the club, who made many sacrifices at the time in order to form Tang Gaa Club to cater for the youth of the area.

Westmeath County Chairman Seamus o Faolain, complimented the Tang Club for honouring their past team and he recalled some of his own “contacts” with Ben Duncan, Joe McDonagh and Paddy Lennon during that era, as he himself was a n

oted corner forward with St Malachy’s who had many titanic struggles with Tang.

The principal speaker on the night was Tommy Dowd, captain of the victorious Meath All-Ireland team, urged those present to continue their dedication and commitment to GAA activities and especially those activities involving underage players. Mr Dowd pointed out that he had been a guest at numerous functions and coaching programmes in Westmeath over the last few years and he hoped that the commitment shown by many would be rewarded not just at club level, but at county level. He even hoped that he might still be around for a Leinster Final clash against Westmeath where some of the Tang players would provide him with worthwhile opposition. He felt that the reputations of the Tang team of 1971, as tough, hard tackling defenders was very comparable with the present Meath outfit and there was a lot of debate whether any of the Meath players would have been able to procure a place on that particular team.

The presentations to the players were made by Chairman, Ben Lynn while the captain of the winning team Tom Flanagan made the presentations to the officials and their representatives. Each individual was presented to the gathering and there was a long and sustained applause for each, as the people of Tang honoured them for the pride and honour they brought to the small parish. The MC, Eamonn Farrell commented that this lay the foundation for many more successful Tang teams. The 1971 team were undefeated in adult competition from August 1970 until October 1971, during which they played a total of 27 games. Many great stories were recalled as “the Lennon touch” featured in the edition of the Irish Press in 1971 stating Tang fullback sailing over the head

s of the Dublin forward line including the great Jimmy Keavney. The day selectors picked the team with “crumbs”, the late Frank Tumelty’s magic bottle: Tom Murray’s historic unequalled 5-1 in a championship match, wing wizards Tom Keenan and Tom Farrell: Mick Higgins and J.J. Flanagan who never missed games during the campaign: Denis Bannon who took a winter break that went on and on-: the unmistakable presence and influence of Tom Fox(jnr) and Dermot Carey whose influence was not just on the field: The Sligo man who came for one game and stayed for ten years: Tony McCormack who started and finished his career with Tang(also played with Mullingar Shamrocks, Carraigdown and Clonakilty, Cork): the man who kick (the ball) with both feet, Tommy Lennon;, the best corner back in the county who never played with the county, Ben Duncan, I could go on and on ….

The popularity of the occasion was marked by the large number of valuable spot prizes on offer, as well as the sponsorship given by Kepak Ltd, Ballymahon and Gilbey’s Ireland, compliments of Tommy Murray, yes the same one who scored 5-1. The dancing went on until late, very late and the whole panel gave a few beautiful renditions under the conductorship of “Cathaoirleach Gilbeys “ ably assisted by the 1971 captain, but in fairness they were better footballers

than they were singers.

The officials of that occasion were : Chairman Joe Foxe (snr)R.I.P represented by his wife Aggie, Secretary Ben Lynn , Treasurers Frank Tumelty : represented by his nephew Mike Tumelty, Larry Coughlan, Paddy Keenan, Paddy Farrell, R.I.P represented by his wife Eileen, Master Joe Smith R.I.P represented by his

wife Rose.

Panellists and officials to receive presentations were Tom Flanagan (Capt), Denis Bannon, Joe McDonagh, Paddy Lennon, Ben Duncan, Michael Higgins, Joe Foxe (jnr), Dermot Carey, T.J.Galvin representing the late Michael Galvin R.I.P, Tom Keenan, Tom Farrell, Tom Murray, Tom Lennon, J.J.Flanagan, Tony McCormack, Vincent Fox, Seamus McCormack, Ben Lynn, P.J.Murphy, Sean Carey, Eamonn Carey, Martin Forde, Johnny Rock, Joe Carey, Benjy McMorrow, Joe Forde, Tommy Fox, Francis Donoghue, Mrs Rose Smith, Mrs Aggie Foxe,

Mrs Eileen Farrell, Larry Coughlan and Paddy Keenan.

Where are they now?

l-r F. Donohue, T. Murray, P. Daly, T. Farrell, S. McCann, J. McCormack

1993 Westmeath Intermediate Champions

Second half revival saves day for Tang Tang 0-6 Maryland 0-6

Maryland almost pulled off a surprise victory against Tang in the Intermediate Football Final at Pairc Chairin in Athlone on Sunday.

Taking their lead from the gritty performance of Ballinagore in the Junior Final, Maryland pulled out all the stops in this Intermediate clash and were unlucky not to see off Tang who struggled for most of the first half, failing to get to grips with the slippery underfoot conditions and the determination of the Maryland players.

However Tang rallied in the second half and were leading in injury time when Maryland dramatically equalised through a superb from Cathal Seery.

Again this match was not for the purists and many will be hoping that the replay will be a better standard of football fitting for a final.

Maryland had a lot to prove and so had Tang and a min of play, both teams had registered their first scores. A pt from play by Maryland‘s Michael Smith was replied by Tang’s Paul Conway. Tang went in front with a pt from Seamus Keenan after five mins but Maryland leveled the scores when Tang fullback, Mike Hanly punched the ball over the bar in an attempted clearance.

Maryland took the lead with a pted free from John Slevin in the tenth min and stretched their lead with another free mins later. Tang replied with a pt from play by Seamus Keenan, however Maryland kept up the pressure and John Slevin was on the mark again in the 21st min to lead 0-5 to 0-3. John Slevin further increased their lead with another pt before half-time.

The rain eased somewhat for the second half and for the first time in the afternoon, the sun shone in Pairc Chairin. Tang, were quickest out of the blocks in the second half but will be disappointed their efforts, Seamus Keenan shot wide when he should have pointed while P.J.Keenan had a chance to put the ball in the net two mins later but the forward hesitated somewhat and T.P.Lowry in the Maryland goal, had a relatively easy task of collecting the ball from Keenan‘s weak punched effort.

But Tang’s Mike Tumelty, after good work by P.J Keenan narrowed the gap to two pts when he pointed after 7mins. At the other end a sense of panic had set in, Maryland’s Joe Smith shot well wide when vital scores were badly needed for his side.

Tang’s revival continued when John Lennon pointed to leave just a single point between the sides. Further Tang pressure paid dividends in the 23rd min when Mike Tumelty converted his second pt to level the match.

Tang’s John Lennon put his side in front in the 25th min with a pt after good work from Tom Forde. Tang came under sustained pressure in the final mins and looked to have held out as the games reached its second min of injury time.

However a flash of inspiration from Cathal Seery ended Tang’s dream of clinching the title for the first since 1990 when the Maryland center-forward sent over an excellent pt from the far right to level the match at 7 pts each.

The replay should be another tight affair and hopefully with better weather conditions, players and supporters can look forward to another afternoon of tense and exciting football.

TANG: Mervin English, Eamonn Farrell, Mike Hanly, Peter Keenan, Padric Reilly, T.J.Galvin, Sean Hanly, Christy Flanagan, John Lennon (0-2), Tom Forde, Seamus Keenan(0-2), P.J.Keenan, Mark Hanly, Mike Tumelty(0-2), Paul Conway(0-1). subs: Tom Keenan for Tumelty(38mins)

MARYLAND: T.P.Lowry, Noel Browne, Michael Connaughton, Danny Connaughton, Stephan Murphy, Matt McCormack, Willie Moran, Tommy McCormack, Fintan McCormack, Kevin Lowry, Cathal Seery(0-1), Michael Smith, Patrick Browne, Joe Smith(0-1), John Slevin(0-4) subs Michael Smith for Paul Browne(30mins) Patrick Browne for Fintan McCormack(48mins)

Tang overcome Maryland in thrilling replay

Tang …………………….1 – 7

Maryland………………..1 - 6

A compact and disciplined display from Tang saw them secure the Westmeath Intermediate Title on Sunday when they had a narrow but deserved victory over a gritty Maryland outfit in a pulsating replay in Pairc Chairan, Athlone.

Unlike the drawn game, this served up a feast of exciting football- with both teams treating the large attendance to a gripping final chapter to this year’s Intermediate final. Littered with action and incident, the 60 mins was probably one of the most entertaining Intermediate Finals of recent years, and it was a credit to both sides that they produced such a thrilling climax after the disappointment of the first game.

The Maryland goal was worth paying the entrance fee alone, and that aside, the football was first class with non stop action throughout the game.

Though Tang deserved their victory, one could not but feel sorry for Maryland’s John Slevin- the man who scored a cracking goal before half-time. In fact the Maryland’s wing forward was his sides only scorer amassing the total of 1-6, and his deadly finishing from placed was a notable feature of the game. In retrospect Maryland was the architects of their own downfall as they were forced to play with 14 men after Fintan McCormack got his marching orders in the 16th min. Then after battling their back into the game and only trailing by the minimum with mins remaining, any hopes of an equalizer were dashed when Tommy McCormack was sent off. In the end these dismissals proved crucial as there were no way thirteen could maintain the frantic pace right up to the end, and they saw victory fade away into the hazy October evening.

DISCIPLINED APPROACH

Though failing to make use of the extra man, Tang were rewarded for their disciplined approach. They refused to become frustrated when they could find no way past the Maryland full-back line in the second half but were rewarded for this patience when Paul Conway kicked the winning pt in the 54th min. Their own full-back line had to withstand a determined rally from Maryland in the closing stages, but with Mick Hanly, Eamonn Farrell and centre-back T.J.Galvin offering their opponents nothing but stubborn resistance, the title was already half way to Tang.

Up front, Seamus Keenan turned in a clinical display, while Tom Ford and Paul Conway proved more than a handful for the overworked Maryland back line. Maryland were best served by Tommy McCormack, who turned in a power packed display at midfield until his dismissal, and their ace marksman Slevin who, despite scoring 1-6 ended up on the losing side.

However there is no doubt that it was the outstanding performance of their back-line, anchored by the spirited full-back Michael Connaughton- that kept them in the game so long.

EARLY TANG GOAL

Maryland opened the scoring when John Slevin pointed in the 3rd min, but 3 mins later they were rocked by an early Tang goal. After fielding well, Tom Forde launched a high ball into the Maryland goalmouth, which P.J.Keenan managed to knock down to the unmarked John Lennon. The Tang midfielder gave Maryland keeper T.P.Lowry no chance- driving the ball hard and low to the back of the net. Moments later Tang were denied a second goal when Lowry saved brilliantly from Paul Conway, but they soon moved further in front when P.J.Keenan kicked their point. Maryland replied with a pt from John Slevin in the 13th min, but were reduced to 14 men when Fintan McCormack was sent to the line for his challenge on Paul Conway. Two mins later John Lennon kicked a superb pt after scything his way through the Maryland defence. At this stage it looked as if Tang were going to coast home, but Maryland had other ideas.

Slevin replied with a brace of pts to reduce the deficit to two pts Five mins before half-time, Maryland sensationally took the lead with a goal of pure class. Switching swiftly across the field, John Slevin latched onto Tommy McCormack’s perfectly weighted through ball. He hopped the ball once before reaching sight of the 20m line and then unleashed a thunderous drive to the far corner of the net. Goalkeeper Mervin English didn’t have a prayer.

To their credit, Tang raised their game immediately and quickly back in front with two pointed frees from Seamus Keenan. However seconds before half-time whistle, Slevin grabbed another point from a free and the sides went in level at the break (1-5) apiece.

Four mins in the second half, Tang regained the lead with a fine pt from Paul Conway, but Maryland were determined not to go down without a fight and Slevin was on the mark again from a free in the 41st min.

Midway through the half, Tang had a chance to rap up the game with two clear goal chances but their tingling nerves got the better of them, and Michael Smith and Conway wasted both opportunities.

However they eventually took the lead in the 54th min with a pt from Conway, after John Lennon and P.J.Keenan combined well to unhinge the Maryland defence.

But Maryland weren’t quite done yet, and they laid siege on the Tang goalmouth with a volley of high balls in the last few mins. However any hope of grabbing a last gasp equaliser were dashed in the final minute when Tommy McCormack was dismissed for a foul on T.J.Galvin, and Tang held their composure to record a memorable victory.

TANG: Mervin English, Eamonn Farrell, Mike Hanly, Peter Keenan, Padric Reilly, T.J.Galvin, Sean Hanly, Christy Flanagan, John Lennon(1-1), Tom Forde, Seamus Keenan(0-3 two frees), P.J.Keenan(0-1), Mark Hanly, Mike Tumelty, Paul Conway(0-2). subs: Tom Keenan for Tumelty(38mins)

MARYLAND: T.P.Lowry, Noel Browne, Michael Connaughton, Danny Connaughton, Stephan Murphy, Matt McCormack, Willie Moran, Tommy McCormack, Fintan McCormack, Kevin Lowry, Cathal Seery, Michael Smith, Patrick Browne, Joe Smith, John Slevin(1-6) subs Oliver Moran for Kevin Lowry(30mins), Tony Lowry for Patrick Browne(44mins) , Joe Allen for Michael Smith(57mins).

REFEREE: D.Maguire ( Mullingar Shamrocks)

Tang wins League to complete double

Tang…………1-8 St Mary’s…………0-7

History was made in the club last Sunday when the League Cup was added to the Championship in a thrilling League Final against St Mary’s in Hogan Park on Sunday.

Tang fielding a changed forward line, were made to work hard and they only moved ahead with ten mins to go when centre-forward P.J.Keenan turning in one of his best performances of the year, crashed the ball to the St Mary’s net. This proved to the turning point as Tang added three more pts in the remaining mins.

P.J.Keenan opened the scoring with a pt after 3mins, but this was canceled by a St Mary’s pt two mins later. Again, it was P.J.Keenan who added a pt in the 15th min after several scoreable chances were kicked wide. However St Mary’s quickly replied with another pt. Seamus Keenan and John Lennon both kicked pts in the 18th and 26th mins but St Mary’s responded on each occasion to leave the score at the interval 4pts each.

Seamus Keenan pointed on the restart but St Mary’s equalised yet again and then took the lead with a pt in the 13th min. At this stage it seemed as if Tang were going to pay dearly for the number of wides they had kicked. On the 17th min after some fine defensive play, Peter Keenan carried the ball out of defence and passed to P.J.Keenan. After shaking off the St Mary’s defence P.J hammered the ball to the roof of the net, for the all important goal that proved the turning point of the match.

A min later, Christy Flanagan pointed a forty yard free and Paul Conway and Anthony Gill added two more pts to ensure that the double was on the way to Tang.

TANG: Mervin English, Eamonn Farrell, Mike Hanly, Peter Keenan, Padric Reilly, T.J.Galvin, Sean Hanly, Christy Flanagan(0-1), John Lennon (0-1), Tom Forde, P.J.Keenan(1-2), Seamus Keenan(0-2), , Tom Keenan, Paul Conway(0-1) Ian Hanly. subs: Eddie Harkin for Tom Keenan, Anthony Gill(0-1) for Ian Hanly