Seamus McCluskey recalls the wonderful men of 1961, footballers who bought glory to the club for the first time. Over the past few years Toome's excellent St Victor's Park, beside Brennan's Cross, on the Castleblayney-Dundalk road, has proved to be one of the finest and most popular venues in Co Monaghan and quite a number of important championship games, in all grades, have been played there. Surely a great tribute to a magnificent rural club that is relatively young in comparison to some other clubs in the county, and a club that won its first adult championship just forty-two years ago - the Junior Football Championship of 1961. Having won the Dr. Ward Cup in 1958, Toome were an up-and-coming side, and had their eyes set on the Junior Championship but were thwarted at the final stage of that competition by Emyvale in 1959. However, their spirit was truly magnificent and it was obvious that it would not be long before the coveted McCaldin Shield would be finding its way to Toome. Their reward came in 1961. Few could ever have envisaged the amazing final sequence the 1961 championship would have in store for the Toome club. The earlier rounds were quiet and uneventful, happy though in the sense that Toome were on a winning streak and had reached the quarter-final stage. It was then, however, that it all began to happen and it would take no less than five hectic games over the final three rounds before the title was safely in Toome's keeping. The marathon began at Pearse Park, Ballybay on Sunday 5th November 1961 when Toome and 'St Davnet's' lined out in the quarter-final of the 1961 Junior Championship. After a hard fought encounter the sides finished level at 1-8 each, but the signs were there that Toome had something more 'in their tank' than had the opposition. The game was fast and furious all through and, from the start, both sides had their supporters on their toes as they fought tooth and nail for supremacy. After a great first half, the game exploded into a rip-roaring struggle during the second period and justice was probably done when the hospital side snatched a late equaliser. Failure to take full advantage of the strong wind in the opening half proved costly for Toome, who had begun rather shakily but improved as the game went on. The Toome defence gradually found its feet, being expertly led by centre-half Dan Hughes. The forwards, however, did not take full advantage of the opportunities that came their way, and despite having had the elements in their favour, reached the interval a mere three points ahead. Early in the second period Toome brought Tom McBride to centre-field and suddenly they took control of this sector. Owen Joe Donaghy replaced the injured Ned Gillespie and gave the pass that sent JJ McDonnell through for an all important goal and put Toome five points ahead. Eamonn Kirke added a point and it looked as if Toome were 'home and dried' but the hospital side recovered and eventually equalised, to send the teams to a replay. Best for Toome that day were Dan Hughes in the middle of the half back line, getting great support from Gene McDonnell and Brendan Duffy on the wings, while goalkeeper Gerry McMahon, Mickey McArdle, Tom McBride, JJ McDonnell, Mickey Kirke, Peter Kelly and Patsy McKenna also all showed up well. At half-time Toome led by 0-6 to 0-3, Mickey Kirke getting all but one of those scores. In the second period, Mickey Kirke again, along with a goal from John James McDonnell and an Eamonn Kirke point, completed the Toome scoring. The late lamented Paddy O'Rourke had been the referee for that game, and the competition then went into cold storage until the New Year. When the sides renewed hostilities in 1962, there was no doubting Toome's supremacy, as they scored a rather one-sided victory by 1-8 to 0-2. From start to finish Toome played the better and more direct football. They had a decided advantage in teamwork, being well served fore and aft, even though their forwards left it somewhat late before they finally stamped their authority on the game, 1-2 of their total coming in the final couple of minutes. There was little between them at the interval, Toome leading by 0-4 to 0-2, but ten minutes after the re-start they had stretched this to 0-6 to 0-2, and, from there on, never looked like losing. The Toome defence as tightly packed with Gerry McMahon in goals never really tested. Dan Hughes was again in the sheet-anchor of the team and got great defensive help from Mickey McArdle, Colm McKevitt, John J McDonnel and Brendan Duffy. Tom McBride had the game of life at midfield, ably supported by John Connolly, while the forwards were best served by Mickey Kirke, Leo Duffy, Peter Kelly and Patsy McKenna. Mickey Kirke had, as usual opened Toome's account when he equalised in the 11th minute and then put Toome ahead two minutes later. He also had Toome's third and fourth points to leave Toome ahead 0-4 to 0-2 at half-time. Peter Kelly and Mickey Kirke had two quick points to resuming and then came the score of the day, when John J McDonnell sent a '50' all the way for an truly excellent point. Mickey Kirke had another point and Leo Duffy put the icing on the cake when he slipped the opposing goalkeeper and sent to the net for Toome's goal. Final tally: Toome 1-8, St Davnet's 0-2. Toome lined out: - G McMahon, C McKevitt, M McArdle, B Kelly, B Duffy, D Hughes, JJ McDonnell, J Connolly, T McBride, P Kelly, M Kirke, P McKenna, G McDonnell, L Duffy and E Kirke. It was now into the semi-final where they would meet Knockatallon at Pearse Park, Ballybay, on Sunday 25th March 1962. This one turned out to be a bit of a damp squib as Toome proved far the superior side and ran out easy winners by 2-11 to 1-2. Toome were in undisputed control long before the final whistle, in a game that was somewhat spoiled by heavy rain and a strong gale. Toome, however, adapted themselves much better to the conditions and were truly deserving winners. Against the gale in the opening half Toome still led by 1-1 to 0-2 at the break and had things much their own way in the second period, the game being finally clinched by Gene McDonnell's 50th minute goal, and the final ten minutes proving only target practice for the eager Toome forwards. Toome fielded the exact same team that had beaten St Davnet's for this semi-final. Tom McBride was their shining light on this occasion, totally dominating the midfield exchanges from the throw-in. His partner John Connolly was not far behind, while Dan Hughes was again the pillar of the defence, being well supported by Brendan Duffy, JJ McDonnell, Mickey McArdle, Brian Kelly and Colm McKevitt. Up front, Patsy McKenna, Mickey Kirke and Peter Kelly led the way, but truly there was not a weak link in this fine Toome side. Leo Duffy got the first goal and Eamonn Kirke added a point to complete their first half scores while, in the second half, Gene McDonnell (1-2), Patsy McKenna (0-2), Mickey Kirke (0-2), Leo Duffy (0-2), Eamonn Kirke (0-1) and Peter Kelly (0-1) completed their scoring to put them into the final against Aughnamullen at Carrickmacross on Sunday 1st April. Refereed by Phil Brady of Cavan, the final was a dogged affair that ended all-square on a final scoreline of Toome 2-4, Aughnamullen 1-7. Again a gale-force would somewhat rule out all prospects of good football and Toome found themselves in arrears at half-time, 1-6 to 1-2, not bad considering that they had faced the elements, Mickey Kirke (0-2) and Brian McKenna (1-0) being their scorers. In the second period Mickey Kirke again pointed while Brian McKenna netted a penalty, with Mickey Kirke getting the final point. The replay was probably one of the greatest talking points of the 1961 GAA calendar as it saw no less than six players being sidelined, a record that stood until it was equalled in the year just completed (2003) when six players were sent off in the Intermediate quarter-final between Rockcorry and Emyvale at Scotstown. However, it all ended well for Toome, who emerged victors on a 2-8 to 2-3 scoreline. The exchanges were close all through and referee Phil Brady showed that he was going to stand for no nonsense, the first two (one from each side) receiving their marching orders as early as the 15th minute. Toome made a bad start to this one and were actually 2-2 down before they finally woke from their slumbers and cut the deficit with a goal from Gene McDonnell and a point from John Connolly, to leave the score at the break: - Aughnamullen 2-2, Toome 1-1. With the wind in their backs in the second period, Toome raised their standard considerably with the scores coming from John Connolly (0-2), Mickey McArdle (0-2), John McDonnell (0-2), Leo Duffy (0-1), Owen Joe Donaghy (1-0). The final whistle was sweet music for Toome ears and they certainly rejoiced in the victory, that was achieved by this team: - Gerry McMahon, Colm McKevitt, ML McArdle, Brian Kelly, Brendan Duffy, Dan Hughes, John McDonnell, Tom McBride, John Connolly, Patsy McKenna, MI Kirke, Peter Kelly, Leo Duffy, Eamonn Kirke and Gene McDonnell. Sub used: OJ Donaghy Toome were now in senior ranks and would do quite well, winning the coveted 'Intermediate Double' in 1975, but the crowning glory of this hard working club is surely the magnificent venue at 'Brennan's Cross', mentioned in the opening paragraph. With such boundless enthusiasm among their members and with such a fine' show-piece' to offer all and sundry, success on the field of play cannot be that far off for Toome. We certainly hope so. Tweet

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