Thomond Feis

Thomond Feis
Detail of the Thomond Feis trophy
IrishFeis Tuadh-Mhumhan
Codehurling
Founded1913
Abolished1956
RegionMunster (GAA)
TrophyThomond Feis Shield
Most titlesLimerick (14 titles)

The Thomond Feis /ˈθoʊmənd fɛʃ/, also referred to as the Thomond Shield, Thomond Tournament or Thomond Feis Shield,[1][2] was an annual hurling competition organised by Conradh na Gaeilge (the Gaelic League) between 1913 and 1956 for four of the inter-county teams in the province of Munster in Ireland. It was always played in Limerick City.[3][4][5][6] It was named for the ancient kingdom of Thomond (North Munster), which covered most of counties Limerick and Clare, as well as part of County Tipperary. Cork also competed, despite County Cork not being part of historical Thomond.[7][8]

The series of games were usually played in the summer months after the completion of the National Hurling League and before the start of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship. The prize for the winning team was a special set of gold medals for the winning team. The tournament was effectively a pre-season warm-up for Munster's top hurling teams and was played as a straight knock-out.[9] The competition was run by the Irish-language organisation the Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaeilge), leading occasionally to conflict with the Gaelic Athletic Association who ran most hurling competitions.[10]

The Thomond Feis was a pre-championship hurling competition, with large crowds attending games. Taken seriously by players, it offered a good indicator of a team's upcoming championship form.[11] Over time, however, it fell out of favour and was eventually scrapped. The Shield awarded to winners is on display in the GAA Museum.[12]

Roll of honour

Team Wins Years
Limerick 14 1913, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1928, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1940, 1944, 1945, 1947
Tipperary 8 1915, 1916, 1924, 1927, 1930, 1931, 1949, 1951
Cork 7 1914, 1926, 1936, 1941, 1948, 1952, 1954
Clare 3 1929, 1946, 1956

The tournament was not played in 1917, 1918, 1919, 1921, 1923, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1953 or 1955. The 1950 tournament was unfinished, with Cork and Tipperary to meet in the final.[13]

References

  1. ^ https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/nostalgia/540448/then-and-now-tradition-of-games-will-return-tom-aherne.html
  2. ^ https://carrigtwohillgaa.com/content_page/10062656/
  3. ^ "Kilkenny aim to replicate Cork's four-in-a-row - HoganStand". hoganstand.com.
  4. ^ Rouse, P. (2015). Sport and Ireland: A History. United Kingdom: OUP Oxford.
  5. ^ https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/109232/President-of-the-GAA-to-unveil.html
  6. ^ "Danno Mahony: a Charleville great honoured". The Corkman. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  7. ^ "Hurling final in July: Shame on GAA for ending proud tradition". echo live. 20 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Town mourns one of the greats of Cork hurling". Irish Independent. 29 March 2012.
  9. ^ Hannan, Gerard (14 January 2024). "LIMERICK THRIVES IN THOMOND FEIS TOURNAMENT WITH VICTORIES FOR HOMETOWN AND TIPPERARY".
  10. ^ Moore, C. (2012). The GAA V Douglas Hyde. Ireland: Collins Press.
  11. ^ "John Dan OMahony honoured for service to Rathluirc GAA". Irish Independent. 31 January 2003.
  12. ^ O’Sullivan, Jim (5 April 2008). "Tributes pour in for Tipp legend Stakelum". Irish Examiner.
  13. ^ "The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games: FULL GAA RECORDS FROM 1887 TO 2021 INCLUSIVE" (PDF). GAA.ie. p. 118.
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