Tradition Runs Deep in Portlaw
by Tannery Towner
In every county there are hurling areas and hurling clubs, and in Waterford Portlaw is such a club and such an area . The tradition of hurling runs deep in portlaw as our greatest national game means a lot to the men and women of Portlaw
Tradition can be summed up by just one outstanding example, in 1888 when Maurice Davin, President of the G.A.A. organised the American Invasion, one of the hurlers who sailed to the United States on September 16th 1888 was M. Hickey, Carrickbeg.
That was Martin Hickey, who’s son, Mick Hickey, hero of so many battles of the thirties and forties, Captain of Waterford in their first All Ireland in 1938, and a star of of the historic breakthrough in 1948, and his son, Martin, has starred for Portlaw and Waterford since the early 70’s.
Portlaw has the ideal blend of a club with its roots in a small town, with a large rural hinterland. Their first hurling success of note was in 1926 when they contested the County Junior Final.
In 1937, Portlaw captured their first senior County title and men like Jim Hunt, Jimmy Phelan, Mick Hennebry, John Power, Paddy Bluett, Mick Hickey, Jim Maher, Tom Halpin, Billy Galvin, Sonny Sullivan, Jimmy Healy, Davy Power, Billy Harney, Tommy Power, Jack O’Neill, Paddy Long, Willie McGrath and Tom Nolan blazed the trail.
Portlaw played its part in the rise of Waterford hurling and they figured in some hectic clashes with Erin’s Own, Mount Sion, Dungarvan and Tallow in the early 40’s.
They were back in the Senior County Final in 1944, when they lost out to the Army 4th Battalion. It took two memorable and controversial games for the army to emerge as champions.
In 1948 Billy and James Galvin, Davy Power and Mick Hickey helped to bring the first senior All Ireland to Waterford. Portlaw’s star, however, was in decline and their next County Final appearance was in the junior grade in 1949 when they lost to famous Tourin.
Lean years followed and Portlaws next success came in 1961 when they defeated Cappoquin in the Junior County Final. It was a hard fought victory and they were now on the long road back to the top again.
1965 saw Portlaw acquire their very own pitch which is now among the best in the County and the same year the Parish joined forces in the senior grade under the banner of Ballyduff/Portlaw.
A major new hurling force quickly made its presence felt and they were defeated county finalists to Ballygunner in 1967 but it was to head to glory days in the 70’s for the majority of those who joined the new grouping one remembers with affection one fine hurler i.e. John O’Donnell (R.I.P.) who displayed his skill in those early days.
In 1970 Portlaw and Ballyduff went their seperate ways and Portlaw became county senior hurling champions for the second time when the other semi-final was not played.
However, glory days were to follow for Tom Cheasty, the Whealans, Frankie, Jackie, Peter and Mossie and all those other fine hurlers with further county senior titles won in 1971, 73, 76 and 77, while they were defeated finalists in 1974, 75 and in Centenary year 1984.
Win , lose or draw Portlaw will continue to form a valuable part of Waterford’s hurling story in the years ahead.