DOWN MEMORY LANE
With Hugh Newell

Hugh Newell, Cortoon, remembers playing for Ballintubber in the mid 1920’s and early 30’s. He says, Ballintubber played all of their home matches in Log, a field owned by the Tuohy family. Hugh played wing half back and he remembers playing with john Tuohy, Dick Feeney, John Kelly and Mike McHugh. He singles out Willie Cawley of Ballyburke whom he says was as good as “ a half-score “of players and who could walk through any defence. He also recalls playing with Michael Joyce from Killawalla, John Hennelly from Partry and his own neighbour Pake McGreevy who was as tough as they come.

He also remembers playing with Con McGovern who was a good footballer and had a very good ciotóg. They used to cycle to places like Ballinrobe and Shrule to play matches.

Hugh was also a formidable boxer in his day. He has clear memories of his boxing days in Tuohy’s Loft and recalls many a good ‘scrap’ with Patrick Connor and Malachy Tuohy. Malachy, he says was big and strong and would fairly ‘ give it to you’ if he got you in a corner.