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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Kildare => Topic started by: Pennines on Friday 11 March 16 19:32 GMT (UK)
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I am really sorry - it's me again, bombarding this Board with queries.
My husbands grandfather (and his grandfather's brother), both played Gaelic Football in the early 1900s. According to the Kildare Observer, they were frequently listed in the teams of Monasterevin, Roseberry or South Kildare.
My 'grandfather-in-law' was Richard Dowling - BUT appears to have been known and shown in the papers as 'Sticks' Dowling. He played at the positions of half back - or back. He was known as 'Sticks', from then onwards - his grandchildren thought he had only one leg BUT - this nickname appeared during his playing days.
Does any 'officiando' of Gaelic Football in the South Kildare region have any idea how the nickname of 'Sticks' originated for this player please?
(I realise this is a bit of a vain hope that someone will know - but I have to try!)
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The sticks usuall refer to the goal posts (unrights), perhaps he hit them rather than scoring once too often. Could be why he ended up as a half back. ;)
See here from 1935 how 'sticks' was used
http://www.kildare.ie/ehistory/index.php/kildares-failure-cavans-easy-victory/
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Aha --- so 'sticks' were the uprights. I should have figured that out I suppose - still seems strange for a player, other than a goalkeeper to be nicknamed 'Sticks' though.
Sinann - you are always coming to my rescue - I do really appreciate it.
Regards
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Maybe he was skinny??
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That's a good thought! My father in law certainly was --- BUT Richard would surely then have been known as just 'Stick' --- unless of course it was his legs that were skinny!
(I am trying to research and write up this family history - for my husband and his siblings -- I suppose I could leave it as an open question with 'Answers on a postcard to....')
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Nicknames aren't always complementary are they, so perhaps better to leave it open
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Ask on http://kildaregaa.boardonly.com/ ??
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Have you been in touch with the club - monasterevan
www.monasterevangfc.com
then come down the page on left hand side and click on ABOUT
Richard Dowling (Stix) is mention in the 1912 final
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Hallmark --- I have joined the fans forum for which you kindly provided the link - my 'application' to join has to wait for a moderator to approve it before I can correspond. I will let you all know if I get a reply (when I'm allowed on it!).
Rathmore --- do you know I haven't looked at the club's website -- sometimes I despair of myself! Why didn't I think of that. Thank you very much - I will explore your suggestion now. Again - thank you so much.
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Wow - that excerpt from the Club's History is just brilliant and I can include that in the 'write up' of the Dowling family history.
The Mick Dowling also mentioned, was the brother of Richard. Interesting that Richard is called 'Stix' on there - but 'Sticks' in newspapers.
I can't thank you all enough for your help so far with this strange question of mine. (Makes a change from the conventional queries I suppose!)
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The spelling as STIX in the club records would make me question was he difficult to get past? or indestructible? as in the mythical river STYX also spelt STIX?
Nicknames were given for the strangest of reasons
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Thank you My Luck -- that's a good suggestion. Certainly Richard is tending to get good reports in the Kildare press - such as 'Sticks Dowling had a grand game' etc.
I have written to the club now - who have kindly said they will make enquiries. I have told them not to go to too much trouble - but if they have an interested historian there - they may come up with something.
If I do find out the explanation - I'll give feedback on here to everyone has been so good to reply.