Our Sports Summary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 39, 5 October 1922, Page 31

Our Sports Summary

TIMARIJ. , " (From our own correspondent.) The Marist Brothers’ second Rugby football fifteen recently visited Christchurch and played a match with a junior team, when the visitors won by 12 points to 6, after giving a splendid display of football. The Timaru boys were billeted by some kind friends, and the Brothers desire to express their gratitude for the hospitality shown them — a number of whom had visited the City of the Plains for the first time. The Christchurch boys visited Timaru last Friday and played the return match with the Marist Brothers’ junior A team at Anzac Square on Saturday, when the local boys were just beaten by a try scored near the close of the game. There was a good attendance, of spectators, who were treated to a well-contested game. The visitors were billeted by a number of friends and supporters, and greatly enjoyed their stay in Timaru. ■ The annual seven-a-side football tournament, promoted by the Schools’ Sports Association, was held at the Athletic Grounds on the ‘ 23rd ult. ReV. Brother Palladius is . a prominent member of the controlling committee. The Marist Brothers entered three' teams, and the junior A fifteen were successful in their competition, after playing four times during the day. The following players will receive medals: Masters Mason, Hall, Ryan, Fulton, Henry, Plever, and Gilmore. ■ The members of St. Patrick’s Miniature Rifle Club have had a. very successful season for a young club. Thq members took part in the Timaru > raid tournament, also the South Island championships, and acquitted / themselves remarkably well. The following parishioners and supporters generously donated cash trophies for competition amongst the members: Mrs. F. W. Clark. Messrs. W. McCulloch, P. J. O’Leary. C. Hall. M. Mullins. V. Meehan. M. O’Meegban, T. P. Crowe, M. Houlihan. J. Collins, T. Cronin, J. Murphy, G. B. Laraborn, and R. Rodgers. The prize-winners are Messrs. McCulloch. J. Collins, J. Leigh, AA. Stirling. J. Crow lev, C. Knight, J. O’Leary, AA”. McGrath, G. O’Donoghue, P. Downey, and H. Travis. Mr. Con Byrne very kindlv donated a. fine silver cup for most points in the aggregate, which was von bv the popular secretary of the. club (Mr. F. Bartosh who will retain the trophv till next year. The winner also gained a gold medal (donated by Mr. J. O’Learv), and a handsome challenge medal (donated bv Mr. D. Dovle. jun). The Rifle Club held a successful social last Thursday night, a largo number being in attendance. The social committee’s arrangements were completely satisfactory, and much appreciated. GAELIC PASTIMES. Aonach Tailteann; — The following summary of work done by Aonach Tailteann Council has been issued to all countries concerned: —Appreciating your great work in organising teams in your adopted country to take part in the revived Tailteann Festival, and realising that your disappointment is as great as ours, we hasten to tell von of the hopes wo had, and the preparations we had made that Aonach Tailteann should prove worthy of its noble design, creditable to our island home, and demonstrative of the talent, virility, and recuperative powers of the Irish race. . * On the fertile plains of Meath thousands of years ago the scattered elans were wont to assemble in friendly contest at stated periods. From ancient Annals, poems, manuscripts, and modern history, -it is clear that during the August month all that was best in our ancient nation was wont to assemble. Aonach Tailteann was the big event ,in the social and athletic Gaelic year. Each chieftain brought his retinue of athletes, charioteers, cavalry,, poets, musicians, shanachies, champions of spear and battleaxe,. swimmers and wrestlers. AAe are told the retinue of horsemen alone stretched along the plain below Teltown for six Irish, miles. AAe are told Tailteann was one of the three greatest events in that epoch of glorious chivalry. We are told of the friendly invasions of the Gaelic clans from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Prance; we have in onr annals a picture of peace and plenty, of gallantry and glamor, of social festivity and friendly intercourse, which must ; have had a powerfully cementing influence on the scattered branches of Celtic civilisation. V But Aonach Tajlteann is not gone. The central committee will keep together. After a month or so of respite we start with new vigor on the- enlarged scheme of 1923, and in their working we seek your continued and enthusiastic support. Many fresh items will be included, ■ and, benefiting bv this season’s experience, more exhaustive preparation will be possible. It is proposed to hold an International Congress of Sport in Dublin in August, and here, amongst other matters, the prospects of 1923 Aonach Tailteanu will be fully discussed. Confident that brighter prospects are in store for our country, we Propose to start preparations for an ambitious national celebration next year, lasting a full 14 days, from August 1 to 15. in which no branch of activity in our nation’s life shall be overlooked. From out. the ashes of the past new forms shall grow and brighten Eire. Paul Carroll, the Australian representative for the quarter and half-mile at the Tailteann Games, who arrived at Plymouth recently,, was keenly disappointed

that the Games had to be abandoned, but hopes, nevertheless, to come across next year. •