Memories on app to date 1951, 1966, 1978 and 1982
VICTORY OVER BRUREE.
Irish Examiner March 29th 1951
Cappamore 6—2; Bruree 5—1.
Despite a high wind and a heavy drizzle of rain, a good attendance saw a fine exhibition of hurling at Bruree when Cappamore defeated the local team by 6—2 to 5—1. ¦ .
The teams last met in the Limerick County Junior Hurling semi-final of 1949 and after a great game on that occasion. Cappamore emerged victorious. Yesterday, in an equally good exhibition, and with most of the 1949 team, they repeated that performance.
It was a game, however, that Bruree could have won. They held a comfortable interval lead after playing with the breeze, but were perhaps over-confident entering the second half, in which Cappamore fought back with characteristic determination. Five minutes from the end. Cappamore were ahead by a point, and then smashed home a coal that seemed to clinch the issue. Bruree however, made a gallant rally to get on terms •and sent the ball to the net but the score was disallowed, and the game finished shortly after to give Cappamore a merited win.
A treat to watch were the duels between Michael Potter, the young Bruree hurler who has appeared recently on the Limerick S.H selection, and John Mulcahy. Cappamore, who is a "regular ' on the Limerick selection and was on the Munster selection in the Railway Cup games. Best for Cappamore were Mulcahy and Creamer, while Potter, Jones, Carroll and O'Brien played well for Bruree
FOUR IN A ROW FOR BRUREE.
Irish Examiner September 10th 1951
Bruree, 6—7; _Knockaney_, Nil.
For the fourth year in succession Bruree won the South Limerick hurling championship title when at Kilmallock yesterday they defeated Knockaney in this year's final on the score six goals and seven points to nil for Knockaney. To their brilliant defence goes most of the credit for Bruree's convincing win. Time and again during the game the defence .was tested, but apart from conceding a number of seventies the Bruree back line and goalkeeper held their lines Intact. Mick Sexton, the veteran of the team, who has been playing hurling since 1925 was really sound in goal. Despite Knockanev's failure to score the game was very keenly contested. This was particularly so in the first quarter, when it was anybody's game and fine hurling was witnessed. Then came the scores that really broke Knockaney's resistance and from which they never seemed to recover. The Knockaney defence was faulty at this stage, while at the other, end their forwards failed to turn opportunities to account. .Notwithstanding the fact that the game was played for the most part in a drenching downpour the match reached a high standard and will rank amongst the best In the annals of the south Limerick G.A.A. Play was thirteen minutes In progress before J. Kearney opened the scoring with a goal tor Bruree and then as many minutes J. Simcox had two further goals for Bruree from frees. J. Simcox. C. Simcox and C. Carroll each had points for Bruree who led as the interval by 3—3 to nil.
In the second half J . Simcox. B. Mullane and M. Riordan scored for the winners.
Mr. William Donoghue, Limerick, refereed.
At the conclusion of the game Mr. P. J. Ryan, chairman of the South Limerick Board G.A.A . presented the Gleeson Cup, the championship trophy, to Mick Mullane captain of the Bruree team.
Point Win In Limerick Junior Final
The Cork Examiner Monday, October 22nd, 1951
Bruree 5—6; South Liberties 6—2.
The Co. Limerick Junior Hurling final at Kilmallock yesterday between _Bruree and South Liberties ended in a welter of excitement the former running out victors by a point margin five goals and six points to six goals and two points for Liberties. For Bruree it was a triumph of determination because the team did not win a Co. Championship since 1893.
The real highlights of the game came in the last quarter entering when Bruree were a goal ahead. Three points in as many minutes gave them a two clear goals lead. Time was running as Liberties staged a to or die rally as O’Dea shot to the net but Potter strengthened Bruree’s lead with a nice point from a free. Two minutes from the end O'Dea again went through for a fine goal and with the delivery the game ended after a most exciting finish.
The standard of play was very good particularly in the closing stages when after a game played at a terrific pace, the speed was so fast that it thrilled the attendance that was a record for a junior final.
Liberties had the better of the exchanges in the first half and led at the interval by three goals and two points to two goals and one point. Immediately on the resumption they had a goal and things did not look good for Bruree who however fought back in characteristic style and at the end of the third had smashed home three goals to put them ahead by two points. Scores came then in quick succession from that to the end and while all credit goes to the losers for having staged a wonderful rally there can be no denying Bruree's right to their first County title in more than half a century.
Appreciation of the efforts of the hurlers was shown by a wildly excited crowd of supporters who chaired members of the team off the field. Mick Potter must undoubtedly be rated the best of the Bruree team. Playing centre field, he was up to the defence and down to the attack at all times. Bertie Mullane also adopted a roving commission that paid dividends and Burke, Jones, Simcox and O'Brien were others to play well for Bruree. South Liberties were best served by Dooley, Power, Butler, Clifford and Portley.
Three minutes after the start J. Simcox drove to the net for Bruree and in the next minute J. Dooley pointed for Liberties who took the lead when the same player sent to the net from a 35 yards free. B. Power (Liberties) shot a nice goa! and Potter from a free had a point for Bruree. It was level pegging entering the second quarter when J. Simcox sent to the net and then Liberties had the better of matters. J. Dooley sent to the net from a 70 and T. Clifford had a point to leave the score at the interval South Liberties 3—2, Bruree 2—1.
Shortly after the resumption B. Power goaled For Liberties, but then Bruree took up the running and F. _Mullane had two smart goals to leave only a point between them. Bruree were in the lead by two points when C. Carroll shot to the net and points then came to Bruree from C. Simcox and B. Mullane. Time was running out as Liberties fought to level the scoring and O'Dea drove to the net. M. Potter (Bruree) pointed from from a free and there was tense excitement as O'Dea crashed to the net to leave only a point between the teams, but time ran against Liberties and the game ended with the score a point in favour of Bruree.
Mr. T. _O'Sullivan (Army. Limerick) was referee
Junior Hurling Championship 1951
Front Row(L to R) M.Sexton, B.Mullane, G.Simcox, M.Mullane(Capt), J.Burke, JJ.O’Brien, C.Simcox(Vice Capt)
Back Row(L to R) J.Kearney, C.Carroll, J.Canty, E.Barry, F.Mullane, M.Potter, P.Fitzgerald, M.Jones
The Team of ‘51
1951 being the date of the year,
To gain County colours two teams did appear,
From the East came South Liberties, fearless and free,
From the South came the champions, the stars from Bruree.
That day to Kilmallock the thousands did hike,
In trap-car and motor in lorry and bike,
To see the great contest long remembered t’will be,
When they won County honours the stars from Bruree.
Mick in gap was a treat,
As he stopped all attacks and blocked balls for Bruree,
Mick Mullane, our full back and a hurler so grand,
To find his equals you’d travel the land.
On his right played Ned Barry who hurled so fine,
On the left he was partnered by J.J. O’Brien,
Canty, Murphy and Riordan did do sterling work,
And so did the dauntless and fearless Jim Bourke.
From Howardstown Con Carroll of Fr. Joe fame,
And also Mick Potter the star of the game,
The two brothers Simcox both Gerry and Con,
Oh! They are a credit to where they came from.
Long long may they live in good health may they be,
To bring further honours to the Maigue by Bruree,
To Commandant O’Reilly all credit is due,
For training and coaching the hurlers in blue.
Pat Potter, our chairman has reaped his reward,
As so has that veteran forward Mike Ward,
Now if you should happen to travelling be,
The big county cup in the village, you will see,
Where the people ae friendly as friendly can be.
In the home of the hurlers the place called Bruree.
