This story begins at a committee meeting on an evening in February 1933,  held in the Mechanics Institute. Corinthians had  been in existence for only one season.   It was decided that they would travel to Dublin for the Ireland v Scotland Fixture.  They arranged a fixture with Dublin University College 2^nd fifteen and an overnight for the International game on the Saturday.  As the Great Southern Railway rate of 16 shillings a head was too expensive,  it was decided to travel with the Galway Omnibus Company of which its manager Mr Sparrow been a member of Corinthians and allowed a better rate of 12 shillings and 6 pence.

Weather Ahead

Weather forecasting at the time was more than eratic and uninspired guesswork.  The team (which was captained by Jack Browne) and alickadoos assembled at Eyre Square for the trip.   The instincts and a cloud laden sky was enough to warn them that the journey would not be the most comfortable that they ever had.  This Corinthian team were a youthfull side, however,  made up of mostly ex Bish players and a few Jes thrown in for good measure, nothing daunted as one would say as they, took off for Dublin.

A light fall of snow, driven by an east wind,  greeted them at Oranmore but things soon got worse.  A blizzard of growing intensity developed and within a half mile of New Inn the Omnibus had slowed to a crawl and became embedded in a four foot snow drift. They vacated the bus and made their way to a premises which happened to be the local Garda Station.  It was about noon at this stage.  The Guards made them welcome and gave the visitors the full use of their day-room.  The day slipped by with no let up of the blizzard and  the travelers were comfortable near a roaring fire.  They learned later in the day that like themselves, a bread van was marooned a few hundred yards further on with a plentiful supply of confectionery on board.  The ravenous Corinthian outfit had commandeered all of the van’s  contents which had disappeared entirely by tea-time.  The night passed by with spinning of yarns,card playing, etc.  The most vivid recollection, made by Brian O’Connell, the clubs first secretary is the “Griff” (Paddy Griffin) holding court in front of the open fire laying down the law and threatening fire and brimstone on the next …. how’ your father etc etc ..who left the door of the day room open behind them when they went out to relieve themselves.

The unfortunate Barracks housekeeper kept brewing tea until dawn broke.  The bedraggled group decided that their best course of action was to head for Woodlawn Railway Station and hope for a train going east or west.  On their way they retreaved some of their luggage after climbing into the back of the Omnibus.

A Bedraggled Lot Make Their Way Back Home

The snow was thick and walking conditions were almost impossible but the members of the team were attired in their rugby boots and socks which formed a slight form of protection.  The allicadoos were worse off and had to walk on top of the roadside wall.  They reached Woodlawn Station in two hours (a distance of five miles) only to find there was no chance of getting a train, due to the snow being two feet high on the railway line.  On route to the station they enquired at a house (Mrs Rafterys as was learned later)whither there was any place where they might get a meal for over twenty persons (this was about eleven am).  Mrs Raftery said no, but invited them in and preceded to feed the whole Corinthian flotilla, in relays,  with beacon and eggs.  Misses Raftery was ably assisted by two or three of her children and a maid.  After the meal and all the thank yous the group headed for the station again.

They then decided to walk the permanent way all that distance of twelve miles to Lathery Station hoping to catch a train into Galway. This they achived walking in two feet of snow in football boots etc.  They sang all the way to Athenry with that man again ,“The Griff”,  leading the way.  His favourite was“To the table down in Maurys”, which got many a rendering down the years. Other songs to be heard sung by the miles men working on the permanent way was the “West Awake” and” Corinthians are we”

There were many tales told of that famous journey, one of which was of the treasurer “Bubbles O Flaherty”sliding down the embankment, covered by snow.the only item to be seen was his hand pertruding from same holding on to the money bag for dear life.   They achieved the trek to Athenry in two and a half hours where they got a great welcome.

They caught the four thirty train to Galway a damp and weary bunch,but their greatest welcome was at Galway Railway Station as news of there trek had spread to their wives and girl friends.

Some weeks later a group headed to Woodlawn consisting of Mr G H Warner(President),Miko Gallagher,Jack Browne and of course Paddy Griffin where a presentation was made of a Silver Plate and coffee/tea set for her kindness and hospitality which was suitably inscribed.  The rest of the personnel on that journey were M Browne,J Deacy,M Deacy,G Mahony,T Mullins,W Toner,H Flatery,D O Donovan,J Reid,G Glynn,”Brod” O Halloran and first secretary of the club Brian O Connell who along with Brod,  were the main suppliers of the tale.

Story brought to us by Brendan Cassidy

 Success was immediate, with the club winning the Connacht Senior Cup in its inaugural year in March 1933. Corinthians retained the cup the following year, 1934. The Connacht Senior Cup, like the other provincial cups, was at that time the major event of the rugby season. There had been an All Ireland competition for the Bateman Cup but it had been discontinued some ten years earlier.

Pictured:

M.Browne, M. Reid, M. Deacy, B. O’Halloran, J. McDermot, N. Toner, J. Reid

P. Griffin, Ned Shae, J. Owens, J. Browne, J. Mahoney, J. Tierney, B. Toner, Jack Deacy

T. Brenelly – Referee

The second  half was much of the same with both exchanging penalties Murphy for Corinthians and Lawton for the home side.The Cloonacauneen outfit stuck too there game plan going what they do well keeping the ball tight in the conditions.But with only five minutes left the home side got the try they craved for with winger Chris Cochrane getting the touchdown in the corner after poor defending by the visitors Lawton converted same leaving the tie at the full whistle thirteen points apiece.Extra time was a dour affair with both teams playing it tight but it was the visitors who eventually gave away a penalty for Lawton to convert and send into the final against Bruff.This was heart breaking for captain Pat Cunninham and his troops but they are out again on St Patricks Day when they take on Galwegians the ould enemy for the Glynn Cup which should be a great affair especially with the under age involved and ladies also.

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