A Convivial All Black and Ireland Engagement in Castleisland

The Séamus Fleming created family history of ‘Timothy Timmy Behane O’Connor – The Kilcusnan and Castleisland All Black’ being presented to his descendants and cousins, Siobhan Fleming, former Irish international; Peter O’Connor and Daniel O’Connor from New Zealand with Castleisland Rugby Club President Bill Horgan (left) at the reption for the family members at the clubhouse at The Crageens. ©Photograph: John Reidy

At the plaque and portrait presentation by members of the family of Timothy ‘Behane’ O’Connor, the Kilcusnin and Castleisland All Black were: Briar O’Connor, New Zealand; Daniel O’Connor, New Zealand and the UK; Colum Nolan, Youth Safety Officer, Castleisland Rugby Club; Ciara Griffin, former Irish rugby team captain; Bill Horgan, Castleisland Rugby Club ??? Siobhán Fleming, former Munster and Irish international player; Peter O’Connor, New Zealand and Brian O’Sullivan, Castleisland Rugby Club PRO. ©Photograph: John Reidy

At the presentation of a commemorative plaque by Daniel O’Connor (left) and Pater O’Connor (right) New Zealand descendants of ‘Timothy Timmy Behane O’Connor – The Kilcusnin and Castleisland All Black (1860 – 1936) to Castleisland Rugby Club officers, Colum Nolan (centre left) and Bill Horgan at The Crageens at the reception for family members from New Zealand and Castleisland at the clubhouse at The Crageens. ©Photograph: John Reidy

While the All Blacks and Ireland are engaged in trying to get the better of each other in the southern hemisphere these days, in Castleisland we had a long promised evening of All Black / Ireland conviviality recently.

The evening proved, yet again, the unifying force that sport can undoubtedly be with a bit of cooperation and reasons in common to celebrate our links.

Irish Born All Black

In this instance, a promise made in 2015 to commemorate the Kilcusnin, Castleisland and first ever Irish born All Black Timothy Behane O’Connor, was followed up on by both Castleisland Rugby Club and Mr. O’Connor’s descendants from New Zealand, Peter and his wife Briar and his grandson, Daniel O’Connor who is currently living in the UK.

The evening also served as a reunion of the current generation of the Castleisland and New Zealand O’Connor clan members and all the branches.

Photographs and Presentations

There were photographs and presentations of a plaque and a rugby ball signed by New Zealand’s Sir John Kirwan and the Castleisland side reciprocated with an extensively researched O’Connor family chart by local man Séamus Fleming.

Timothy Behane O’Connor (1860 -1936) now has a memorial plaque recording his remarkable career as an All Black and an all-round athlete in Castleisland Rugby Club and just a handful of miles from his birthplace.

Club Members Delighted

Club Chairperson, Bill Horgan said that the members were delighted to eventually host the gathering in honour of Timothy O’Connor.

“What he achieved back then was nearly incredible. It would be so even today. But to head off to a new world in the late 1800s and achieve the heights in sport like he did – that’s remarkable and we’re all delighted to have a section of our international wall dedicated to his achievements and his memory,” said Mr. Horgan.

A Satisfying Achievement

In the context of the state of world travel over the past few years, the Castleisland trip and the handing over and acceptance of the various gifts was a satisfying achievement for the travelling party

“We had such a wonderful time in Castleisland.  It was a huge honour to have the local O’Connors, those of us O’Connors who had travelled around the world and the Castleisland Rugby Club come together to honour TB, the first Irish All Black.

“It was great to hand over the plaque, the photograph and also a rugby ball signed by All Black great, Sir John Kirwan to the people of Timothy O’Connor’s birth place,” said Peter.

You can contact The Maine Valley Post on… Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.