INAGH-KILNAMONA MAY BE enjoying their first-ever journey into the Munster Championship, but their predecessors have previously encountered semi-final opponents Thurles Sarsfields on the field of play.

Back in 1908, when the Clare senior hurling title last returned to the parish under the Kilnamona banner, Thurles Blues, as they were known at the time, were the corresponding Tipperary victors.

In those days of local champions representing their counties in the All-Ireland Championship, that set Kilnamona and Thurles on course for a semi-final meeting.

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Those were the glory days of Kilnamona hurling, which delivered three titles in seven years. 

Before their encounter with Thurles, Kilnamona had earlier competed on Tipperary soil in 1906. With a prize of 17 free-wheel bicycles for the victors, the Nenagh Hurling Tournament attracted as many as 63 teams from nine different counties to enter. 

The manufacture of their grand prize came under scrutiny as the organisers took to newspapers offering £10 to charity for anyone who could prove the bikes were “not Irish-built machines”, with models made available for display in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick.

It was hailed as “one of the greatest and grandest achievements yet to be recorded in the brilliant history of the Gaelic Athletic Association” by its Clare-born founder Michael Cusack.

Amid large crowds and media attention, there were unimpressed reviews of Kilnamona’s 1-3 to 1-5 loss to Rathdowney, labelled “a very uninteresting contest from beginning to end”.

The tournament received some rave reviews, but the logistical difficulties of transporting dozens of teams to and from Nenagh for a competition that spilled into the following year. As the History of Kilnamona notes, it all proved too much for the organisers and the tournament was abandoned.

Kilnamona showed sufficient improvement to regain their Clare title in 1908 after defeating now partners Inagh, their other neighbours Kilmaley, and defending champions O’Callaghan Mills in the final.

They equally took care of Limerick in the quarter-final by 5-7 to 1-11.

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Kieran Rossiter and Thurles Sarsfields substitutes watch the closing moments of the Tipperary senior hurling final. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO

Thurles were led by their iconic captain Tom Semple in collecting their fourth Tipp title in five seasons in 1908.

Combined with a sprinkling of players from the Horse and Jockey and Moycarkey clubs, they claimed the 1906 and 1908 All-Ireland titles, beating Dublin in both finals. The latter clash went to a replay, which was played at Athy in June 1909. 

As Thurles made a quick turnaround for the 1909 championship, they were established as the pre-eminent force of the age. Meanwhile, Clare had lost to Kerry in the previous year’s championship. 

That would result in the Kingdom’s last Munster final. Three-quarters of an hour after the scheduled throw-in time, it was announced that Kerry wouldn’t be able to field a team, handing Thurles a walkover. Thurles proceeded to play a challenge match, with their extra numbers shoring up a ‘Kerry’ team in farcical scenes.

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Onto the 1909 championship and Thurles and Kilnamona met as county representatives at Market’s Field in Limerick. Unlike the forecast for Sunday at Cusack Park, the weather conditions were “disposing more towards a siesta than to a trying open air competition under a tropical sun”.

Special trains were put on from Ennis, Thurles, and Tipperary, while a football challenge between Tipp and Limerick was organised for later that afternoon.

Amid much fanfare, Thurles marched into town behind a pipe band. Kilnamona held the loyalties of the majority among a large crowd.

In contrast to their efforts at the Nenagh Hurling Tournament, the Kilnamona men and a few additions from surrounding clubs served up a “very fine exhibition” against the All-Ireland champions.

Clare goalkeeper John Brody was highlighted for particular praise, although Tipp went into half-time 2-6 to 1-4 ahead. Yet Thurles had their keeper James O’Brien to thank for protecting their cushion for a finish in a 4-10 to 2-9 success.

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Aidan McCarthy lifts the Canon Hamilton Cup at Cusack Park. Natasha Barton / INPHO Natasha Barton / INPHO / INPHO

Thurles went on to retain their Munster title with a stirring comeback against Cork. Trailing by seven points with their bloodied leader Semple off the field, Cork fans were spotted releasing pigeons to carry news home of a near-certain win.

Patched up, Semple returned with the rallying cry that Cork think it is all over. Tipp reeled off 1-8 without reply to take the glory.

Tipp had never been beaten in eight All-Ireland finals, but that record would come unstuck on 12 December 1909 at the Cork Athletic Grounds.

The club history notes that the near-waterlogged pitch didn’t suit the Blues’ ground-hurling style as Kilkenny, represented by Mooncoin, emerged triumphant by 4-6 to 0-12.

Both Kilnamona and Thurles entered decline in the years following that championship.

Thurles won county honours in 1911, but waited 18 years until usual service was resumed. They made it 37 Tipperary titles last month.

For Kilnamona, it’s been a 117-year road back to this point.