The Stephenites of 1889

The Stephenites of 1889

The long series of victories, the brilliant career of the club, had culminated in a crowning success—the Championship of 1889, and like other victories it brought out once more immortal words:

Their fame resounds from coast to coast,

From mountains to the sea;

No other town could ever boast

The famous slogan – “Victory!”

Later on that day after they defeated Balla Granuailes, more poetic words were written:

Take off your hats to the Gaels who strode

To victory splendid and high;

Stand by the side of the road

And cheer as the winners go by.

After the contest the Balla men were entertained in the Mechanics’ Hall in Lower Knox Street by the Stephenites, and a poet wrote these words after the entertainment:

Three cheers went up for Larry Doolan—

Three times three –a wild hurrah;

Every man in the hall was for Doolan—

Doolan, the genius, from old Ballina.

Among the Ballina boys who fought valiantly were: Messrs. J. Temple, R. Moore, P. Rooney, P. Scanlon, D. Fitzgerald, James Judge, “Gen. Grouchy” Kilgallon, D. Regan, M. Jordan, M. Keane and M. Hogan.

On 21^st September, 1889, Mr. J. Melvin presided when the following appointments were made: Captain, J. Temple; Vice-Captain, M. Hogan; secretary, J. Halpin; treasurer, J. Lavelle. Committee: Messrs. P. Scanlon, E. Keane, J. Harte, P. Murray, J. Browne, J. Padden, J. Barratt and J. Melvin. Delegates to Co. Convention: Messrs. T. Courell and J. Temple.

Later that month, in the late offices of the Western People, kindly given by Mr. James Carroll, Mr. P. Hefferon was unanimously elected president

Writing in the “Western People” from New York, a person who signed himself “Old Timer” (possibly an old Stephenite) wrote these words after recalling some of the past histories of matches:

“I remember, I remember, the famous Stephenites of old,

When the gifted Larry Doolan sang their victories untold.

Still they battle for the flag, while many thousands yell,

But where is Andy Corcoran, and where is Frank Courell?

“I remember, I remember, Bob Marsh’s guarded lair,

And Willie Boshell’s famous reach away up in the air;

Still they battle for the goal as oft they did of yore,

But where is our own “Pawrig” who kept out many a score!

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At a Stephenites’ Annual Ball in New York, the American correspondent of the Western People wrote these words:

“Then drink to the harp with the shamrocks about it,

May Stephens’ old Gaels never weary or lag,

But rally like men when they hear that cry shouted—

Stephenites charge and protect your old Flag.”

Later on in the column he wrote:

“Ye Stephenites from dear Mayo—

Where e’en the breed of sheep is good;

Where the lovely Moy and Bunree flow—

The fields we trod—our neighbourhood.”

During the Ball Mr. Joseph P. Walsh followed George Jordan from King Street, Ballina, who received tumultuous cheers with his rendering of  “The Men of the West”. Joseph P. sang “The Colleen Bawn”, and the writer then added these lines from Doolan’s poem to his report:

“Then God save the green, let that flag be unfurled,

Our patriot’s colour no wonder we brag;

That we, like all Irishmen over the world,

To victory follow the Stephens’ Green Flag.

These are the words written by Larry Doolan—

“The Stephens’ Green Flag”

or The Stephenites Banqueting Song

( Air: “The Old Tattered Flag”)

We meet, brother Gaels, see the hour approaches,

Unfold the old flag, let it float in the wind;

Its emblems are stainless, beyond all reproaches

The harp of dear Erin and shamrock entwined;

Our forefathers carried that banner to glory,

And placed it triumphant on mountain and crag;

And we, like true Irishmen, over the world,

To victory follow the Stephens’ Green Flag;

Then God save the green, let that flag be unfurled,

A patriot’s colours, no wonder we brag;

And we like true Irishmen over the world,

To victory follow the Stephens’ Green Flag.

Steady the forwards, all backs take your places,

Each man do his utmost, then there’s no one to blame;

And if we fail nobly it cannot disgrace us,

For oft in the past we have proved ourselves game;

And many’s the time in the heat of the contest,

When clean worn out like a hunted down stag,

One look at our banner brought new hopes of conquest,

Then forward we rushed to defend the old flag.

The first time that this song was sung by the composer was at the Gurteens Crossroads on a Sunday afternoon when he accompanied the Stephenites to Crossmolina to play the Dr. Crokes. Incidentally he wrote his most famous song –The Rallying Song of the Stephenites to that stirring air “Marching Through Georgia” in the house once occupied by the Hanlon family (a small sweet shop on the corner of McDermott Street and Teeling Street. It was later in the hands of the Corcoran family and later still in the possession of the Daly family. It is now lying derelict).—(P.J.C.).