PHOTOS: A Great Tradition Revived On Strand Road As U11s Play Houlihan Cup Finals

Team Sean Walsh taking part in the parade.

THE weather may have been unkind, but there was a good turnout at Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club on Thursday evening as a proud Strand Road tradition stretching back almost a century was revived.

The evening saw four under 11 teams from the club take the field to play games for the Houlihan Cup and the Shield.

The Shield Final saw Team Danno Keeffe take on Team Seán Walsh, while Team David Moran faced Team John Dowling in the Houlihan Cup Final.

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The Houlihan Cup was first played in 1928, when three teams representing Strand Street, Caherina and Spa Road competed for the trophy.

Spa Road became the first winners, with the games played in Hanorah O’Donnell’s field – the ground known today as Cahill’s Park.

Enjoying the Houlihan Cup Finals at Strand Road on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

The finals became great community occasions on the Road. Club records recall the area being decorated with buntings, walls being whitewashed and celebrations afterwards in “Tip Toes” – today’s Betty’s Bar.

The Cup was named in memory of Frank ‘Franken’ Houlihan, a lifelong member of the GAA and a proud Strand Road man. Following his death in 1952, the club committee unanimously agreed that the trophy should bear his name.

The competition later waned before being revived for juvenile footballers in the 1970s. Six teams representing different localities took part, with Castlecountess becoming the first winners of the juvenile competition in 1973.

Team John Dowling taking part in the parade.

This year’s competition was generously sponsored by Richie Houlihan and Houlihan’s Bar (An Shebeen).

The evening began with a parade of the four teams to the field followed by the playing of the national anthem…and then the rains came.

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But that didn’t deter the youngsters as Team John Dowling won the Houlihan Cup after a titanic battle with Team David Moran.

The game finished level after full time but Conor O’Shea came up with the ‘golden score’ in extra time. A fantastic game that went right down to the last kick.

The Shield final was won by Team Danno Keeffe after a superb game against Team Seán Walsh. The game was level heading into the last minute, however, Team Danno Keeffe finished strongly with goals from Noah Hussey and Eoin Bulman to earn a hard fought win.

Then it was back to Charlie’s Bar for the presentations of medals to the participants on a special evening for the club. Scroll down for photos…