Hurling has been alive and well in Mullingar since the early 1900s but the present St Oliver Plunkett’s Hurling Club was formed as recently as 1976, following the demise of the previous stand bearers, Pearses.
Pearses had previously enjoyed prominence and won the Senior Hurling Championship of 1962, but were defeated in the finals of ’66 and ’67 as Castlepollard and Raharney, respectively, proved too strong. At what would prove a very historic gathering in The Lake County Hotel, Mullingar, Noel Corcoran and Brendan Walsh led a determined group of hurling enthusiasts who were eager to ensure hurling continued to be played in Mullingar.
It was always going to be a tough ask to follow Pearses, but St Oliver Plunkett’s didn’t take long to get into their stride and won the Junior Hurling Championship in 1978, two years after they were formed.
That team defeated Castletown Geoghegan in the final and it was very interesting to note that no fewer than four of the St Oliver Plunkett’s representatives – Bobby Begley, Matt Murray, Noel Corcoran and Tom Gunn (trainer) – had all previously played with Castletown Geoghegan.
It provided an intriguing backdrop to the final, but on a wet day, it was St Oliver Plunkett’s who coped much better and controlled the match for long spells. A goal from substitute Tom Cole and another from Jim Baker killed off any chance Castletown Geoghegan had of toppling the Mullingar side.
Aside from the aforementioned, the successful side included players like Matt Mullen, Ber Murtagh, Pat Nolan, Brian Gaye, John McDonnell, Davy Doolin, Dan O’Dowd, Benny O’Dowd, John Mulvihill, Terry O’Dowd, Tadgh O’Shea and Kevin Lee.
That success took St Oliver Plunkett’s into Senior level in 1979, but a rocky road lay ahead and they struggled to field. They regrouped as a club and came back, playing Junior hurling again in 1983.
Underage development was a priority and people like the late Tony Donoghue were central to bonding the club together at the time. Tony was an outstanding leader and did wonderful work for hurling in Mullingar during his many years involvement. They worked hard at developing the game among the younger people and a solid underage structure was built up.
SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE
They had a successful underage structure and it helped them grow stronger as Tony O’Donoghue was ably assisted by men like Danny Murray and Paul McGrath, teachers in St Mary’s CBS, Mullingar. Promotion of hurling in the national schools was obviously crucial to its development in Mullingar and this was undoubtedly a factor as St Oliver Plunkett’s gathered momentum.
The club captured its first noteworthy underage title in 1985 when they won the Under 16 ‘A’ title, something which was considered a significant milestone after several near misses in league and championship finals.
It was the start of a positive period and in the next year further progress was made as St Oliver Plunkett’s reached the under 16 final once again where they proved their worth by retaining the title. In 1988 came another big statement of intent as St Oliver Plunkett’s landed the Westmeath Minor Hurling title with a 2-10 to 2-7 victory over the hurling stronghold of Castlepollard.
The Mullingar side had to work hard for victory but they led by two points at half-time, 1-4 to 0-5, keeping a strong Castlepollard side on the back foot. After a very competitive second half, just three points separated the teams at the final whistle, but it was enough to ensure that team captain Kevin Kiernan collected the cup on behalf of a talented side.
Kevin (with an impressive 1-3) and his midfield comrade Noel Nugent (who scored 1-4 from play) were pivotal players on the day. Noel’s goal just nine minutes into the second half was a telling score and it came after a long-range effort found its way to the net. Eddie Casey, Mervyn O’Connor and Barry Kelly were others to impress for a talented St Oliver Plunkett’s outfit.
David Cornally in goal, Declan O’Brien at full back and Patrick Boyce at centre half back all played crucial roles.
The St Oliver Plunkett’s team was: David Cornally, Robert Cornally, Declan O’Brien, Patrick Deasy, Declan Devanney, Patrick Boyce, Brian Smith, Noel Nugent, Kevin Kiernan, Barry Kelly, Eddie Casey, Mervyn O’Connor, Ciaran Heffernan, Paul Moran, Joe Deasy. Subs: Barry Masterson, Eddie Purcell.
The same year saw St Oliver Plunkett’s reach the Intermediate final, but success proved elusive on the day. Naturally they have yearned for success at senior level and they enjoyed a big run in 2013 which took them to the final, but unfortunately Castletown Geoghegan proved too strong on the day, winning an unspectacular match by four points, 1-12 to 0-11.
Thereafter, relegation hit the club and they had to work hard to get back to senior level by defeating Crookedwood in the 2016 Intermediate Hurling Championship decider on a 3-14 to 2-10 scoreline. The struggle continued at the top level and they are currently back in the Intermediate grade where they must work hard to reclaim a Senior place in what is now a very competitive environment.
The hard graft continues at underage level and there has been a renewed effort to get more and more young people coached to the highest level possible. During the 1990s, the club won five under 12 titles, four under 14s, five under 16s and two minor championships. That, allied to their success in five Westmeath Féile finals provided great hope that a successful adult team would emerge and the club will continue to focus on ensuring this happens in the future.
Their progress on the field of play was just one element of a busy and active club, which took a major step when acquiring its own grounds at Robinstown, Mullingar in 1988. They have excellent facilities, including two full-size hurling pitches, dressing rooms and hurling walls.
The club has also contributed greatly to the Westmeath cause over the years and several county hurlers have emerged to don the Maroon and White jersey. The talented Ciaran Curley tasted Christy Ring Cup success with the Lake County, as did Noel and Greg Gavin. Of the current side, Aaron Craig, a former St Oliver Plunkett’s player, is a prominent hurler, while Conor Lynch has been part of the side in recent times.
Notable referees include Terry O’Dowd and Rob Cornally who have contributed greatly to club and county. Barry Kelly is the club’s outstanding whistler and took charge of four All-Ireland hurling finals in a very prominent career at the highest level. His club duties continue.
KEEN TO CONTINUE
The current committee includes Chairman, Liam Dalton and Secretary, Conleth McCormack.
St Oliver Plunkett’s will always remember people who gave so much to the club down through the years before passing to their eternal reward all too soon – people like Tony Donoghue, John Joe Lynch, Ben Kelly, Paul Daly and Noel Nugent. How the club would love to honour those great Gaels with with a senior title in the future and that remains their goal.
Aside from Pearses’ success, Mullingar also tasted Senior Hurling Championship victories in 1903, ’04, ’35 and ’44, so there has always been a proud tradition of hurling in the town which won the inaugural Westmeath senior title, defeating Athlone.
St Oliver Plunkett’s are keen to continue that and they have committed and determined people involved to ensure this happens.
