THIS weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the longest game in the history of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Back in 1986, a group of 14 players, divided into two teams of seven, played in Kilcornan Sports Field, a full-sized GAA pitch, from Friday evening through to 6pm on Sunday, a total of 60 hours, which remains a Guinness World Record.
The teams were Curraghchase Rovers and Morenane Mighties, and the approximate collective score was an astonishing 1,200 goals and 500 points.
A humble Terence Madigan, who conceived the project and was captain of one of the teams, declared that “we (the players) didn’t make or break any record today. It was the Kilcornan parish that did so.”
He was presented with the match ball, which he still treasures to this day.
John Joe Maher, father of two of the players, gushed how it was “a wonderful achievement. It’s a lot more important than winning an All-Ireland final.”
Mighties: Terence Madigan, captain, Joe Rushe, Pat O’Shaughnessy, Bobby Foley, Donny Maher, Donie Ivess, Martin Grealish.
Rovers: Aubrey Bourke, captain, Donie O’Shaughnessy, Johnny Dunne, Neil Rushe, Ollie Hanley, John Maher and Richie O’Shaughnessy.
Among the 20 referees on duty were inter-county pair John Moloney (Tipperary) and Pat Lane (St. Senan’s, Foynes).
Entertainment across the weekend came from the Newcastle West Pipe Band and the Rathkeale Brass Band, while there was a special appearance by ‘Forty Coats,’ a then children’s star of RTÉ Television.
The purpose was an ambitious fundraiser for the local sports amenity – the marathon exercise raised £12,000, a staggering sum back in 1986.
GAA President Jarlath Burns will attend a special commemorative evening in the Sportsfield this Friday, 5pm-6pm, with refreshments and entertainment afterwards in the adjacent Community Centre.