Author Topic: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?  (Read 2035 times)

Offline Pennines

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Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« on: Friday 11 March 16 19:32 GMT (UK) »
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!)
Places of interest;
Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Southern Ireland, Scotland.

Offline Sinann

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Re: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« Reply #1 on: Friday 11 March 16 20:03 GMT (UK) »
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/

Offline Pennines

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Re: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« Reply #2 on: Friday 11 March 16 20:23 GMT (UK) »
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
Places of interest;
Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Southern Ireland, Scotland.

Offline hallmark

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Re: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« Reply #3 on: Friday 11 March 16 20:29 GMT (UK) »
Maybe he was skinny??
Give a man a record and you feed him for a day.
Teach a man to research, and you feed him for a lifetime.


Offline Pennines

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Re: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« Reply #4 on: Friday 11 March 16 20:35 GMT (UK) »
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....')
Places of interest;
Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Southern Ireland, Scotland.

Offline Sinann

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Re: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« Reply #5 on: Friday 11 March 16 20:57 GMT (UK) »
Nicknames aren't always complementary are they, so perhaps better to leave it open

Offline hallmark

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Re: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« Reply #6 on: Friday 11 March 16 21:15 GMT (UK) »
Give a man a record and you feed him for a day.
Teach a man to research, and you feed him for a lifetime.

Offline rathmore

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Re: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« Reply #7 on: Saturday 12 March 16 11:46 GMT (UK) »
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

Offline Pennines

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Re: Any Kildare Gaelic Football Buffs Out There Please?
« Reply #8 on: Saturday 12 March 16 12:25 GMT (UK) »
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.
Places of interest;
Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Southern Ireland, Scotland.