Bowling

"The loft of the bowl

'Twill make your heart thrill"

Road Bowling has played a major part in the culture of Rylane and the surrounding areas for many years. Unfortunately for many of those early years there are no written records of the achievements of former Bowlplayers. However their names will always be remembered and revered by those closely involved with the sport. Great players such as Rocky O'’Leary, Tom Byrne, Jerry Duggan, John Looney Mick Connors, Murty Shaw and many more were Champions in their own right for many decades.

In 1954 Bol Chumann were formed under the Chairmanship of Flor Crowley and a very capable Secretary in Eamonn O’Carroll who had a great affinity with the people of Rylane over the years. Subsequent to 1954 bowlplaying became much more organised and the general populace had a very different attitude towards the sport, and as a result it became more widespread and popular in Cork City and County and also in areas where road bowling was unheard of.

Under the capable leadership of Bill Barrett, Rylane had their first officially organised tournament in the late fifties. This was followed by another tournament successfully completed by Dan lane, father of Dan lane the supremo of the Rylane Boxing Club. This was in the early sixties after which there was a lapse of six years before bowlplaying was reactivated. This happened as a result of a group of youths, who played scores on each Sunday on a friendly basis, decided to form a committed to organise a local tournament, which was not under the auspices of Bol Chumann na hEireann. This was a very successful venture. The finalists were John Horgan (winner), John Barrett and John Cotter. On this occasion the prizes were sponsored by Patrick Crowley (Post Office). The success of this venture urged the organisers to greater efforts; this entailed a general meeting in Crowley’s Bar on the 14^th May 1968. This meeting heralded the advent of the Rylane Bowling Club

The Officers and Committee elected on that night were as follows:

President: John Looney

Chairman: Murty Shaw

V. Chairman: Maurice Cronin

Secretary: Jerry Long

Ass. Secretary: John Barrett

Treasurer: Denis O’Connell

Ass. Treasured: Denis O’Rourke (Mount Rivers)

Committee: Pat O’Rourke Michael O’Herlihy

Denis O’Rourke (Glounaglough) Michael Coughlan

Tony Cafferkey Dan Buckley

Pat Walsh John Cotter

Padraig Kelleher John Long

John Crowley (Post Office)

On that night a collection was taken up amongst those present, to set up a fund to cover eminent expenses. £7.10s was collected. It is interesting to compare some of the costs in 1968 to 1999.

.....................................1968.......................1999

Bol Chumann Affiliation: £16.10s…….…….£150.00

Advertisement (2 Line) .£ 3s.3p……...........£ 4.89

Stamps ........................£ .3p…….......……£ .30

Bowls ..........................£ 3s.9p…...............£ 3.75

There was approximately one hundred players entered the first tournament. In those days there was not such a comprehensive grading system, and as a result there was an open draw between all entries. There was some very interesting pairings. For example Michael O’Herlihy (Rylane) played Seamus Sexton and was only beaten by a bowl of odds. Michael has not been seen in bowlplaying circles since, whereas Seamus progressed to being All-Ireland Senior Champion. Another example is Dan Twohig (Ballinagree) played John Kenny (Clogheen) and was narrowly beaten. Dan competed for many years without achieving great success, and John gained many accolades in his career including winning three tournaments in Rylane.

Many of the players that competed in this particular tournament became household names in later years. The following is a list of some of those players. Paddy Murphy, Pat Corkery, Mick Murphy, Jack Dinan, Denis Connors, Joe Carley, Con O’ Donovan, Paddy I’Sullivan (Donoughmore), Donie Fehilly (Upron), Jackie Lenihan (Berrings), Thade Roche (Coachford), Eddie J. Murphy, Donie O’Shea (Dripsey) Donal Moynihan (Macroom), Donie Keane (Inchigeela), Mick Crowley (Blarney), Dan O’Driscoll (Clondrohid), Dan O’Leary (Beeing), Paddy Hogan (Whites Cross), John Harrington, Mick Murphy (Waterfall), Denis Twomey, Ned McCarthy (Ballinagree), Batt O’Donovan, Paddy O’Riordan (Aghabullogue), Denis Horgan, Connie O’Reilly (Rylane) and John Joe Donovan (Ballinadee).

Over the past thirty-one years there have been 40 tournaments successfully completed. Bowlplaying in Rylane has gone from strength to strength and is now regarded as one of the most efficient and best clubs in the county. A major advantage Rylane has over the majority of other clubs is that it has a choice of three roads, which insures that there is a continuation of the sport irrespective of whatever problems may arise. Also contributing to that success is the co-operation and assistance the club receives from the local community. Many great players have graced the Rylane Bowling road. These include Mick Barry, Bill Daly, John Creedon, Denis Scully, Pat O’Sullivan, Mick O’Driscoll, Pat Butler, James Buckley, Derry Kenny, Christy Keating, Dooley Mahoney, Donie Lehane, just to name a few. The Rylane Bowling Club are very proud of the part they have played in the advancement of bowlplaying, especially in the area where it is now possible for everybody to play in a grade which is applicable to them. The most important step bowlplaying has taken over the years is that now women have an equal opportunity to play the game.

There have been many changes in personal within the Rylane Bowling Committee over the years, but there has never been a lack of enthusiasm or support over the past thirty-one years. The following are the present officers and committee

President John Barrett

Chairman Denis O’Rourke (Mount Rivers)

V. Chairman Jerry Noonan

Secretary Jerry Long

Treasurer Eolan Sexton

Committee John Crowley (Post Office) Olan Noonan Pat Spillane

Paddy O’Keeffe Catriona O’Rourke Aidan Ronan

Colm Noonan Paddy Ronan Pat O’Sullivan

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