The Period 1955 to 1960. Events of fifty years ago in the Aghabog club were recalled at a special function in the clubhouse on Sunday October 30th last. Over sixty invitations were sent out to former officers, committee members, players, their spouses, and representatives of the people who have gone to their eternal reward who had served the club in the difficult emigration-ravaged years between 1955 and 1960. The response saw a steady stream of guests arriving at 6.00 clock and by the time the sumptuous buffet meal was served by Mary Mannering and Bridie Kelly, the "House Full" signs were up. Words: John P. Graham. Club chairman Tony McGorman, who opened the formal proceedings, spoke of a football reunion as "not having to be about celebrating winning titles or championships, but of renewing old friendships, games recalled, who played where or when and an occasion too that lent itself to some embellishment of past events and the recollection of amusing moments of yesteryear. "We were delighted that so many people took up the invitation. Macartan Murphy made the journey home from England, Gerry Brady came down from Dublin, and all the former players who are living in the locality turned out in force. It was great to see that because the club is the grass roots of our Association working at its best. Some of these people are now affiliated to other clubs but they came together to talk of times past. They were the heroes of yesteryear for a lot of people, the inspiration for the generations of players that followed them and so the circle goes on. A club is not owned by any individual or group of people but it is in our care to be handed on to the next generation. These people had to take over a club that was out of action for a number of years and the fact that this club survived many obstacles along the way speaks volumes for the officials, players and supporters in those difficult years. At times it might have seemed handier to throw in the towel but they persevered and kept the flag flying. In the early nineties a number of individuals received Hall of Fame awards for outstanding services to the club. We looked at the possibility of continuing that scheme but decided that as these 50th anniversary celebrations coincided with the purchase of "Ned's Meadow", a venue that has strong camogie connections as well and was part of James Travers' time, we would make an exception and make a presentation to all players, officials and committee members of the 1955 - 1960's era. Those presentations, if you like were their 'All Star Awards' for their dedication and commitment to the Club in those years and we wish them all continued good health and good luck in the future." The period that was being recalled was a difficult one with Aghabog coming back into the GAA fold after being out of existence from 1948 following a ban by the County Board. John Connolly, a former chairman, treasurer and secretary of the club as well as serving in a number of positions at county committee level recalled those difficult times in a lucid, sometimes amusing and sometimes emotive address to the gathering on the night, basing his presentation on information gleaned from the archives of the Northern Standard and minute book kept by former club assistant secretary Frank McCabe. "Those of us who have been involved with the Aghabog club over the last thirty seven years or so will have no idea what it was like to not have a football team in the parish. One can only guess the emptiness that prevailed for old and young alike in the 1948 to 1955 period when the football club was out of existence. While the better footballers of that period played with neighboring clubs it left a void for the less gifted players. It is generally accepted nationwide that the G.A.A. club is an integral part of the fabric of a parish, one has only to look at the A.I.B. All Ireland club championship to see the pride and passion that a football or hurling club can bring to a parish, parochial we might be in our outlook, but the G.A.A. club is the heart and soul of a parish for the majority of people. After much soul searching the first move was made to and it was a big step forward when Michael McPhillips, at the behest of John Gallagher, made moves in 1955 to reform the club and bring it back into the fold of Cumann Luthchleas Gael as enough players were then interested to start up a team. We can only try to sense the excitement in the summer and autumn of 1955 when serious training commenced, getting the field, 'Ned's Meadow' mowed, goal posts up. There were fundraising events, plays, concerts, card drives and dances to get the necessary finance in place and these brought the people together with one purpose in mind, getting the team up and running again. The whole saga is well documented in the Aghabog history book that was published for the official opening of the field in 1982. In an article by James McPhillips, the excitement the buying of the jerseys brought to the people of the parish is still palpable. The photograph that was taken of the team that wore the jerseys for the first time in October 1955 in Ned's Meadow, that launched the bid to seek affiliation the following year, has a special place in the annals of the club. Aspiration is one thing, getting the job done, getting the Affiliation accepted, was another. That task was in the capable hands of Michael McPhillips who no doubt with a certain degree of trepidation went to the Monaghan Co. Board meeting in the Spring of 1956 where he had the onerous task of putting the case forward for reinstatement to a gathering of Co. Board Officers and club delegates. His task wasn't made any easier by the fact that the ten year ban imposed in 1948 was not fully served out. Michael's articulate and persuasive words however won the day, with the proposal being seconded by Threemilehouse delegate Francie O'Brien, a big factor in getting the motion passed. How ironic that thirty years later Francie would be welcomed into the Aghabog club as a member, a fore runner to the most successful period ever in our history. Francie has now passed to his eternal reward but his wife Tess was there on the night with her son Brendan, the current team manager. The euphoria of starting a new team stood the club well in competition in 1956, but as emigration started to bite, it became increasingly difficult to field teams in the following years with out the help of players from outside the parish". John went on then to recount reports of games that were played and the silence was audible as he named players and scores from matches in 1956 against Clontibret where , Macarten Murphy, Paddy McCarville Eddie Quigley and Vinny Cosgrove were mentioned as playing well. Moving on to 1957 Macarten Murphy was on the Co. minor panel along with Padge McGarry of Rockcorry, Currin defeated Aghabog 1-6 to 1-3 with M. Martin, Vinny Cosgrove, Frankie McCabe, Paddy McCarville and Felix Kelly prominent. Francie Joe McPhillips was mentioned in a Rockcorry match report as their best player. It was interesting to note that a league game between Tyholland and Aghabog in September was not played as players from both teams had went to the All Ireland semi finals. Moving on to 1958 Aghabog were unable to complete their fixtures and so withdrew from competition. In one game however with Knockatallon the following line out was given in The Northern Standard, H. Murray, M. Murphy, T. Coyle, P. Connolly, E. McCarville, C. Brady, S. McCarville, C. Smyth, J. McMahon, E. Murphy, O.Quigley, S. Keely, F. McCabe, M. Croarkin. Material for compiling scripts for events such as this is hard to come by so and the importance of keeping records could not be better illustrated than when Frankie McCabe, Ass. Secretary in 1959, very generously passed on minutes of meetings, match reports, teams line outs and a couple of very good photographs to the club. We see from his minutes that in 1959 the officers elected were John Gallagher, Vice Chairman, Mick Smyth, Secretary, Gerry Brady, Ass, Secretary, Frank McCabe, treasurer, Pat Sreenan, team capt. Macartan Murphy, vice captain, Gerry Brady, Selection committee, Macartan Murphy, Gerry Brady, Pat Sreenan. His notes tell us that County Convention was held in Ballybay on Sunday 25th January, Gerry Brady, Seamus Smyth and Frank McCabe were the Aghabog delegates and that the first County Board Meeting was held on the 3rd of February with Gerry Brady, Macartan Murphy and Frankie McCabe being transferred without any trouble. Frank's notes brought back to life many enjoyable moments, games, scores, the scorers and they give a great insight into what club life was like then. There were no dressing rooms, certainly no club rooms, no hot and cold showers, well you got a cold shower any time it rained during a match, but those things didn't seem important. He talks of games in Clontibret, Knockatallon, a club that was to eventually amalgamate to form the present Scotstown club, Tyholland and Monaghan. He recalled that the first game that year, 1957, was against Knockatallon with Vincent Hagan the star player helped by Macarten Murphy, Gerry Brady, Francie Joe and Sheeny Smyth. Francie O'Brien was referee and made a very good job of it, took no names or cautioned no one for anything. Team: John Byrne, Tom Durnian, J. McCabe, Tom Coyle, O..Gavan, Macartan Murphy, capt.. Vincent Cosgrove, Frank McCabe, Gerry Brady, F.J. McPhillips, J. Leary. Subs, Gerry Cleary, Kevin Gavan, Bennie Smyth, Short: Gene Quigley, Jim Kelly, Frank Duffy, F. Walsh. The best game of the year, according to Frank, was on Thursday 28th May at Monaghan where we defeated Tyholland by 1 - 4 to 0 - 3. The stars were Gerry Brady, Pat Reilly, Mick Kierans, and Jim Kelly. Everybody said it was the best junior match seen for years. Mind you it was just ahead of the day the boys from Currin came to Aghabog thinking they would beat us off the field, but they found a surprise when we drew with them. It was a good hard game all through but not dirty. People came from everywhere to see the game with over 250 people making up a gate of £100, a tidy sum in those days. We were very unlucky not to beat them, our forwards were very bad but our backs were wonderful. Team line out Pat Reilly, Sheeny Smyth, Macartan Murphy, J. McCabe, O. Gavan, Gerry Brady, Vincent Cosgrove, F. McCabe, V. Hagan, E.J. Murphy, G. Quigley, F.J. M.cPhillips. T. Coyle, M. Croarkin, Phil Hanawin. While the basis of the re-union was initially confined to the 1955 team, it developed up to the 1960 period and so encompassed much more then we initially planned. That however brought in more people into the picture and while those on the 1955 were all home grown the club did avail of the services of players from outside the parish in later years which spread the net even wider. As the years progressed we welcomed players from many areas, Threemilehouse, Corcaghan, Rockcorry, Knockatallon, Killeevan and Clones to name just a few. They came from many counties as well, perhaps the best known one being from Kerry and a man who after guesting for Aghabog later went on to gain high office in our Association. No championships or league trophies were won in those years, apart from a Muintir na Tire tournament win in 1958 when Aghabog beat Tyholland, Joseph Murphy who was secretary of the organisation, presented the medals at a dance in the AO.H. Hall. but I'm sure the comradeship, crack and enjoyment that players, officers, and supporters derived from participating in competition far outweighed the disappointing days. We should not forget that those long years of struggle paved the way for the success we enjoy today. No wonder we enjoyed and appreciated success when it eventually did come in the 1990's and which is captured in photographs around the clubhouse". The 1955 panel was "home grown" as it were, but as the years progressed we welcomed players from many areas, Threemilehouse, Corcaghan, Rockcorry, Knockatallon, Killeevan and Clones to name just a few, and indeed from many counties as well, the best known one from Kerry who went on to gain high office in our Association. The function afforded the club the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of many people, those who stayed at home as it were, those who had to depart and those who joined the club from neighbouring clubs in particular. Coming up for special mention were Michael McPhillips, long time secretary, who kept the tournaments, plays, dances, and fundraising events going in very hard times and who received the Hall of Fame award in 1993. Gerry Brady, always based in Dublin, Macarten Murphy, Eddie Quigley, who is still up there among the best in selling our weekly lotto, Gene Quigley, John McPhillips who incidentally were honored also by the Killeevan club in recent years. Johnny Kelly, a dedicated committee member for many years, the high point no doubt the bringing to fruition the development of the football field in 1982. Patsy Brady, who always looked forward to a good game of cards for All Ireland tickets in years gone by, Francis Carolan, Tom McMahon, remained in farming, Many of the siblings of these people mentioned who resided within the parish boundary went on to play, manage and hold prominent positions for the club, this includes ladies football as well with Oliver Gavan among those who were instrumental in getting the ladies game up and running in Monaghan in 1990. Then were those who came from outside the parish: from Rockcorry, Vincent Cosgrove, Phil Hanawin, a nephew of Hughie Boylan, Jimmy Keely, Francie Joe McPhillips, a great character, if one only went by the few match reports alone then these players were in a class of their own, Tom Durnain, Frank McCabe, Johnny McCabe, Gerry Cleary, Sebastian Cummings, Pearse McCaughey, Padge McGarry. Jimmy O'Leary a valued member of the travelling community, his exploits on the football field still talked about. From Corcaghan and Threemilehouse , Felix Fannin, Eddie Joe Murphy, John Connolly, Pat and Peter Reilly, Sean and Larry McConnon, Packie Hughes, Packie Murphy, Vincent Hagan. The formation of the Sean McDermotts team in 1961 meant that players from this area were no longer available to us. Mick Martin, Eddie Greenan and Macartan from Killeevan. Eamonn Monaghan from Clones was very helpful to Michael McPhillips in those early years, From Knockatallon, Jimmy Cusker, Pat Woods, Gerry Corrigan, Johnny Sherry. By their deeds they shall be remembered and it was an occasion too when those who had passed on were not forgotten with John Connolly recalling the people and their involvement. He started with "Mickey Fitzpatrick, a football legend, was reaching the end of his playing career in1956, John Gallagher, Chairman of the Club in 1955 and a great clubman was always looked forward towards the day when his beloved Aghabog would take their place among the elite clubs of the county. Mickey Croarkin player, chairman, Hall of Fame award in 1992. Paddy McGlone vice chairman in 1958, Mick Smyth vice chairman in 1959 , Pat Sreenan, player and treasurer of the club, for his generosity in selling the club six acres of land in 1979 where we are now situated, which enabled the club to develop a playing field, which was officially opened in 1982, and our Clubhouse in 2000. Pat received the Hall of Fame award in 1994. Tommy Gallagher, brother of John, James and Hughie in Drumlish. was a link with the 1942 team Mickey Kierans of Corleck died at a relatively young age in 1988, Tommy and Frankie Coyle of Annaglough, Tommy remembered as the man who spun the wheel at the annual bazzar. Tommy Coyle of Liscumiskey, Eddie Coyle uncle of Bridie McCarron, Frank McCabe uncle of Oliver Keenan, John McCarville of Effernagh, brother of Paddy and Jim, Sheeny Smyth a popular player, known far and wide. From the drama side, Seamus Smyth of Corleck, who in later years was plumber, electrician, carpenter and taxi driver and was sorely missed on his death, Eddie Mulligan who built the stage in the old A.O.H. hall, Josie McPhillips on the catering committee; they all played their part and we remember them". John then went on to pay a special tribute to two players, Gerry Brady and Macarten Murphy, the latter a man whom he described as helping him to fulfill his own dream as a young lad. He described Gerry Brady as "giving great service to the club although not as involved in the day to day running of the club as others. In a career spanning 1955 to 1976 Gerry never let the side down and could be depended to bring a few friends with him just in case they were needed. Gerry had no peers as a full back and had a promising inter county career in the early 1960' cut short, when he unfortunately broke the same leg in successive years. It was quite an experience to play on the same team as Gerry, Pat, Jim occasionally, and Brendan and why we did not win any major honors in those years with such a backbone to the team remains a mystery. Gerry was later very involved with the Parnell's Club in Dublin, he represented Dublin on the Leinster Council and on Central Council for many years and is one of the Association's top legal experts". Macartan Murphy also had a brief spell with the county team, he was one of those people with great natural ability, and great motivater of players around him. confident, great high fielder, strong kicker of the dead ball, great solo player and could sell a dummy or two. Macartan was a very good coach with young players, long before the arrival of manuals. Always stressing the importance of getting off the ground to field a high ball, bringing it into your chest so that you would not be easily dispossessed, blocking and learning how to kick a ball properly. And no better man to march behind a band. To young people, marching behind a band before a match was always spectacular, a regular feature at the annual sports many years ago. . Macarten would tell us, don't be slouching or trailing your feet. Walk tall, put your shoulders back, march properly, and be proud to wear the Aghbog jersey". And the dream fulfilled? Oh that would take far too long, that like the history of Aghabog from 1961 on is for another day". THE LATE JAMES TRAVERS: AGHABOG REMEMBERS The Aghabog Camogie Man is how the late James Travers is probably best remembered and it would be a title that he would enjoy. Indeed any history of the sporting life of Aghabog would be incomplete without reference to the contribution made to it by James Travers of Calliagh. James was always interested in sport and started a boxing and a swimming club in the area, although the latter was probably no more than a seasonal pastime when the local lads used local "facilities" and as Fr. McCarville put it "togs were not in use". Still it was a healthy pastime as was his next sporting interest and one from which he eventually earned a countywide and even country wide reputation, the sport of Camogie. The game caught on quickly, there were plenty of young ladies interested and soon a team was started and, to quote a local source, "the game spread like wildfire throughout the county and I can still hear the Travers words of encouragement coming from the sideline like "Good Boy Maggie and Good Boy Mary". One of the great players to emerge in the Camogie life of Aghabog at that time was Minnie Clerkin now Mrs Eddie Donnelly of Tyholland and her interest in sport was passed on to her many fine sons who donned the Tyholland Jersey and indeed the county. To mark the memory of James Travers, who departed this life quietly on January 20th 1953., a trophy was donated by Michael McPhillips in his memory in the 1960's and a tournament was run at Aghabog for the Travers Perpetual Trophy which last won Latton. Mrs Margaret Mullen of Genagh remembers the late James Travers and put some thoughts on paper that formed part of the tribute to him on the occasion of the unveiling of a plaque to him on October 28th past. "In the late 1930's and early 40's Aghabog St. Brigid's was one of the highlights of the Parish. Organised by the Parish Priest Fr. Tom Maguire who was a great promoter of gaelic games, the team was managed by a man widely know for his love of the sport, and could be styled as the one and only " James Travers". The team could boast of all dedicated, and some very good players, trained and encouraged by a very able coach Master Hugh Keys from Clones. When the training course was completed " Ned's Meadow" as it was then known was the venue of many an exciting and skilful game. There were no written records kept in those days, so there is no detailed or accurate information available and with my power to remember a bit rusty, it is with regret, that only some of the players and incidents can be recalled. Amongst the best were Maggie Brady (now Mrs. Mallon). She was always in full control both at Club and County level. Then came Minnie Clerkin (now Mrs. Donnelly) mother of the famous Donnelly brothers Tyholland. With Minnie's speed and good judgement the ball seldom missed the net. Next Brigid Coyle (now Mrs. Glenn) was always a sure shot when she got in the vicinity of the goal. Both Minnie and Brigid were also called to play for the County on some occasions. Annie Brady (now Mrs. Deighan) and sister of Maggie, and Brigid Murphy (now Mrs. McGuinness) and Mary Ward (now Mrs. Keane) formed a stonewall defence at the half back line, ably assisted by Bazie Greenan (now Mrs. Murray) at full back. Other distinguished players were Annie McCabe (now Mrs. Shrubba), Rozina Gunn and Gretta Clerkin (now Mrs. Duffy) and sister of the famous Clerkin brothers Threemilehouse. Mary Hackett (now Mrs.Kinsella) mother of Patrick Financial Correspondent with R.T.E. Annie Ellis (RIP) and many others." Such was the influence that James Travers had and the legacy that he left that there was a tribute paid to him in the publication Cumann Luthchleas Gael Coiste Chontae Mhuineachain, Comoradh na Milaoise" where Gearoidín Ní Chléirigh the present secretary of the Monaghan Camogie Board recorded for posterity the contribution that James Travers made. "A prominent figure in Camogie circles in the late 1930's was James Travers, who founded the Aghabog team. He took a very active part in organising matches and keeping Camogie alive. He even wrote verses on players and teams. He looked after the county team and was a familiar figure throughout the county, as on Saturday evenings he thought nothing of cycling from Rockcorry to Monaghan and on to Emyvale and Truagh to make sure the girls were ready for the next day. However, at the beginning of the 1940's camogie experienced a number of setbacks due primarily to emigration, lack of transport and marriage (once a camogie player embarked upon the matrimonial highway, she disembarked from her sporting trail!). Teams began to fall through as players were lost to them. The aforementioned James Travers made a great effort to keep things going and in an effort to salvage some teams he got good players from a different club to come together. This became a kind of a "North Monaghan" selection but it was named Aghabog. It was a very stong team and was almost unbeatable. However, in the early 1940's there is evidence that one team, Corrachara (Bawn) defeated Aghabog in a senior County Final by one goal and one point to no score. Rev.J. Clancy, C.C. Ballybay, County Chairman of Monaghan Camogie Board, not only refereed the final, but presented the winners on the field with the Farney Cup. He congratulated Corrachara and pointed out to Aghabog how they had lost the game"! John Connolly who has a very keen sense of justice regarding the public recognition of people who have contributed to the local community or to the GAA was a prime mover in having a plaque unveiled in memory of the late James Travers. Last year John was also deeply involved in having a headstone erected on the grave of the late Patrick Whelan, a former President of the Ulster Council and he read a citation about the late James Travers before the commencement of requiem Mass. He feels that it is important that the younger generation now growing up will have some appreciation of the outstanding individual who grew up and lived in this parish. The unveiling of this plaque will serve as a reminder, and simply by asking who was James Travers, then his name will remain in the minds and hearts of Aghabog people everywhere. "Today we pay a deserved tribute to the late James Travers of Calliagh a noted camogie personality at club and county level back in the 1930's and 40's. The strong G.A.A. organisation which we know today is as a result of the zeal and dedication that Gaels like James Travers put into promoting our national games in very difficult times, in James's case, camogie. A girl's role in those pre 1930's days around here was as a supporting role and until the advent of camogie, our female counterparts did not play an active part in our association. For girls in the Aghabog and surrounding areas, James Travers opened up a whole new social and sporting outlet for two decades with the introduction of camogie. Camogie players from that era have written and talked about the enjoyment and comradeship that evolved from playing camogie all over the county. We are glad to say that a number of players from that time are still with us today, Maggie Mallon nee Brady, in Crossmaglen, Annie Shrubba nee McCabe, in England, Maggie Nevin nee Moyna, in Dublin, Bridget McGuinness nee Murphy, Aughnamallagh, Smithboro, Mary Keane nee Ward in England, Philomena Dowdell nee Quigley in America, Maggie McPhillips nee Kierans, in Feagh, Teresa Leonard nee Smyth in Garron, Teresa's sisters Mamie and Dympna in England.". John also recalled that James Travers came from a family of three but suffered the traumatic loss of his mother and one of his sisters, Katie, from the bad flu in 1918, with James himself barely surviving the epidemic. "Despite this tragedy, James displayed leadership qualities from early on when he organised many different forms of activities for the youth of his day, but it was his involvement with the game of camogie that he became widely known. While Fr. Tom Maguire, P.P. founded the St, Brigid's club in the 1930's, the role of manager was taken on by James Travers, aided by a Master Hugh Keys from Clones who helped to coach the skills of the game to a very enthusiastic group of girls. It says much for the coaching skills of Master Keys and James Travers that they could take a group of girls with no history of the game in the parish and develop them into one of the most formidable team at that time. In the 1940's with problems arising due to emigration, girls getting married, and lack of transport, due to petrol rationing in the war years 1939 - 45, many clubs were forced to quit. James, determined not to let the game die, gathered all the available girls together to form what was essentially a North Monaghan selection under the Aghabog name. This team was virtually unbeatable in those years. While no records are known of what Co. Championships were won, one that they lost to Bawn is recorded in the history of camogie in Monaghan. It was inevitable that with bringing so much success to Aghabog, that James was called upon to get involved on the county scene. One instance of his dedication to this role was when he would regularly cycle from Rockcorry to Monaghan to Emyvale and on to Truagh to check that the girls were ready for the game the next day. James was also Chairman of Monaghan Co.Camogie Board but the length of tenure in office we were unable to establish. While James was a very progressive farmer he delegated a lot of the responsibility of running the farm to his farmhand, Fred Conlon. Many a good summer or harvest evening he would be seen out cycling trying to get games organised, how he would have appreciated a mobile phone, an "email" or text messaging facilities in those days. Asked why he devoted so much of his time to camogie, James replied that it was his hobby. It certainly was not for monetary reward that James devoted his life to giving and sharing. The fact that people alive today, that knew James, still speak with warmth and affection of the generosity of the man is testament to the legacy he left." This generosity even carried on after his death when he decreed that the total proceeds of his worldly possessions should go to the poor children of Africa. Such generosity is rarely seen in today's world. James's life could best be summed up by the report of his death in the Northern Standard the following week which stated, In all sporting activities James was a wholehearted enthusiast and good sportsman, and all who were associated with him will grieve his loss. James was a great lover of sport and a genial man who was widely known in the county." Speaking on the occasion of the unveiling of the plaque to James Travers, Gearoidin Ni Cleirigh, Runai, Coiste Chontae Camogaiocht Mhuineacháin, spoke of the "very humbling experience" it was "to be asked to speak of Monaghan 'camogs' today at this lovely poignant celebration of the life of James Travers, here in his beloved Aghabog, and I would like firstly to thank John Connolly and the Aghabog G.A.A. Club for enabling Monaghan Camogie Board to associate with this very well- planned and fitting tribute. If I have any regrets it is that when I was writing a history of Monaghan Camogie some six years ago ,I didn't meet someone of the calibre of John who could have filled in the many gaps in my knowledge of the man being honoured here and now. What is most important, though, is that while I may have displayed a degree of ignorance in relation to James 's life, the local community have cherished his memory over the years and seen fit to contribute to today's celebration. That, more than anything else, shows what a man of enormous generosity and selflessness he must have been. Nowadays most of us live in great comfort compared to the people of the 1930's and 40's, the terms 'economic prosperity' or 'Celtic Tiger' did not exist in the language of the ordinary people then. Today we have our mobiles for sending messages, we can e-mail our members with ease, our children are driven to their various activities and they play their Gaelic games, for the most part, on well - appointed pitches with very comfortable changing facilities. Yet ironically, whether because of, or in spite of, all this wealth, never was it so difficult to get volunteers to help with the running of our sports organisations, youth clubs, Parent Associations and so on. But in James Travers we had a man who ably showed that it wasn't the external trappings that really counted, but rather the internal passion, drive and the willingness to get out and make things happen. This was a man not only of great physical stamina, but a man of vision for the future of his community - in other words a decent man who could be solidly depended on". Tony McGorman, chairman of Aghabog's Emmets GAA club spoke of how fitting it was "that today's ceremony is taking place just a few yards from Ned's meadow, the scene of many outstanding games of camogie during James Travers time. To add to the nostalgia of the occasion, I am pleased to say that our club have bought Ned's meadow in May of this year. Hopefully the meadow will again ring out with laughter and fun of children playing games there in the very near future. Today, role models for our young people are two a penny, here today, gone tomorrow, what better role model could we have today for our young people than James Travers, who give unselfishly of his time in promoting a healthy lifestyle for our young people in many forms of sporting activities". Tweet

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