Some Hurling History from Bray Emmets
Monday, January 12, 2009
The first record of hurling in Bray was in 1887 when the
newspaper, Sport, reported that Bray Emmets brought a hurling team
to Courtfoyle, near Ashford on April 17, 1887. Bray Emmets played
their hurling in Dublin at that time and for many years afterwards.
In 1928 they returned to play in Wicklow and they reached the
County Semi Final in 1934 but were beaten by Wicklow Town. The
first significant hurling win for Bray Emmets in Wicklow was
in the 1949 Junior Hurling Championship. This lead to a first
Senior Championship in 1952 when Bray Emmets beat Avondale with the
scoreline of 4-5 to 2-3.
The lineout for that match was: Frank Darcy, Dave Howick, Gerry
Barry, Ned Lawlor, Tom Gavin, Joe Butler, Seamus Quigley, Ned
Dwyer, Pat Burke, Brian Glynn, Paddy Delaney, Pat OBrien, Ned
Maher, Jimmy Jordan and John Evans.
Frank Darcy, RIP, (goalie), Waterford born, was a Post Office
official, married Breda Sherwin and died in 2006. he went on to
become Chairman of the North Board. Paddy Delaney, RIP, Captain,
Kilkenny born, lived in Avondale Park, Killarney park. His son John
won a Junior Hurling Championship in 1984.
Jimmy 'Jiggsey' Jordan, RIP, a native of Avondale resided at
Connolly Square. His son, Pat, was on the 1963 winning team.
Brian Glynn, Galway born, who won a Leinster Junior Hurling
Championship in 1954, still lives in Meath Road, Bray. Joe Butler,
RIP, who was Bray Emmets Club Secretary in the 1950's, was the
driving force in encouraging juvenile Hurling in the 1950's
and went on to play for Dublin in 1948 Senior Hurling
All-Ireland.
Looking back at the history of hurling in Bray Emmets it is
gratifying that Bray Emmets is now going through a significant
revival with so much success at Juvenile level and fielding a
Senior Hurling team which is composed of so many players who have
come from the club's juvenile structures. The Senior team has
established themselves at the top level, now let's look
forward to moving to a new level and challenge for the
Championship!
Can you Name any of this team?
