1918 COOLAMON DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION - Tierney Cup

Round 1 - Saturday July 13: Cooamon 2.2 (14) def by Matong 3.8 (26), Ganmain 4.7 (31) def Marrar 1.7 (13).
R2 - July 20: Marrar 4.17 (41) def Coolamon 3.0 (18), Matong 6.7 (43) def Ganmain 1.8 (14).
R3 - July 27: Ganmain 7.17 (49) def Coolamon 0.0 (0)., Marrar 7.8 (50) def Matong 2.4 (16) 
R4 - August 3: Marrar 3.4 (22) def Ganmain 2.4 (16), Matong def Coolamon on forfeit
R 5 - August 10: Coolamon 3.3 (21) def by Marrar 4.2 (26),  Ganmain 3.10 (28) def Matong 3.4 (22)
R6 - August 17: Coolamon 1.6 (12) def by Ganmain 3.9 (27), Matong 1.4 (10) def by Marrar 3.13 (31).
Ladder: Marrar 4 2 0 16, Matong 4 2 0 16, Ganmain 4 2 0 16, Coolamon 0 6 0 0.

​

Semi final - Saturday August 24, 1918 at Marrar
Matong ...... 1.1 .. 1.2 .. 1.3 .. 1.3 (9)
Ganmain .... 0.1 .. 2.4 .. 2.4 .. 3.8 (26)
Umpie: Mr. D. Frew, of Grong Grong 
Goals - Matong: Tas Flanagan
Ganmain: F Burns, A Gilliard, W Finn

Match report: Although the weather was most unpropitious a big contingent braved the elements and journeyed to Marrar on Saturday last to witness Ganmain and Matong play-off the semi-final of the Coolamon & District Association. As has been the wont this season a special train was chartered to convey the respective teams and their supporters to the convincing ground.

When play commenced a great crowd was present, and a sum of 18 was collected at the gate. The playing area was heavy and in places very slippery, and under these conditions a good exhibition was out of the question. With the ball in a sodden state the players found it difficult to handle, and in trying to pass it to one another they very often greatly astray. The kicking for goal was also very erratic (on the Ganmain side especially so), and palpably easy chances found their way outside the sticks.

Despite all the drawbacks, however, the game was contested with great earnestness by both sides, and the display kept the spectators in a simmer of hope throughout. Matong were without the services of Frank Murphy and "Mick" Murphy - strenuous game against Marrar the previous Saturday haven rendered them "hors de combat." Ganmain were leaving nothing to chance and stripped their best forces. "Wally" Lenon captained Ganmain, and "Paddy" Walsh acted in a similar capacity for Matong.
Play commenced with Matong kicking downhill. The play was fairly even during the first quarter, Matong, if anything, having slightly the best of the general play. In this term Matong scored one goal (Tas Flanagan) and one behind against one point gained by the maroons. Finn, and then in turn Clarkson, missed chances to score close into goal for Ganmain.

After the first change of ends Ganmain soon worked the ball into position and McPhillips notch a minor point. Shortly after Finn marked near goal but only succeeded in raising one flag. Although Matong were playing well, the work of the Ganmain team was irresistible, and before the quarter ended, they put on two goals (F. Burns and A. Gilliard), snapshots, and another single.

The best Matong could do was to register a minor point. The scores at half-time stood - Ganmain, 2 goals 4 behinds (16 pts); Matong, 1 goal 2 behinds (8 pts). The third term was hotly contested, both sides playing with determination. Matong put up one point - the only score made during the quarter.  Early in the final quarter it was apparent that Ganmain had gained the mastery of their opponents, and although the "Magpies" battled out to the end. In this term the maroons scored a goal (Finn) and four behinds to nil.

At the final ring of the bell the totals were - Ganmain, 3 goals 8 behinds (26 pts); Matong, 1 goal 3 behinds (9 pts).
Ganmain were best represented by A Gilliard, F Burns, W Lenon, Clarkson, Townsend, Cox, Slade, Mellor, Curtis and Warren, whilst for the losers, Harold Bean (whose marking was splendid), Bramish, Noonan, Walsh, Flanagan, Simpson, Schultz, O'Mara did good work. Mr. D. Frew, of Grong Grong, appeared to give every satisfaction as central umpire.  Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri Aug 30, 1918. 

​

Final - Saturday August 31, 1918 at Matong Recreation Ground
Marrar ......... 2.1 .. 4.3 .. 6.4 .. 7.8 (50)
Ganmain ..... 0.0 .. 1.0 .. 1.1 .. 1.1 (7)
Umpire: Mr. D. Frew, of Grong Grong 
Goals -Marrar: J Blair 2, J Breheny 2, R Plummer 2, J Langtry, jnr.
Ganmain: E Gilliard 
Marrar: Jim Breheny (capt), Joe Langtry, Bill Scott, Jack Blair, Harry M'Evey, E Pinchbeck, Roy Plummer, Tom Barnes, C Moylan, Joe O'Keefe, W Taylor, F Bolt, Lou Fury, J Langtry, jun., C Glass, C Fury, P Maloney, Pat Gaynor.
Ganmain: Wally Lenon (capt), A and E Gilliard, Owen Egan, F Burns, Ernie Slade, W Clarkson, C Mellor, W Finn, L Townsend, Gus Curtis, J McPhillips, A Warran, Harold Brill, Stan Cox, Val Conlan, H Groutsch, Alf Maskell.

Match report: It is doubtful if ever so much interest was engendered before in any part of the Riverina over a football match, under the Australian rules, as manifested last Saturday, when Marrar and Ganmain met on the Matong recreation ground to do battle in the final of the above association's competition for possession of the handsome silver cup (donated by Mr. Jas. Tierney, of the Royal Hotel, Ganmain) and set of medals subscribed for by the competing clubs.
At all events, it is safe to say that a larger crowd of people has never been known to gather at any one place along the sou'-western line under similar circumstances. It is estimated that the "Special" conveyed between 580 to 600 passengers, and some idea of the size of the concourse can be gauged when it is stated that no less a sum than £34 5s was the total gate receipts.

The big crowd was an orderly one in every respect. No unseemly or objectionable conduct was noticeable, and the only regrettable feature was the "old sore" the encroachment of spectators on the playing space. The weather conditions were in every way ideal for the sport, and the ground with the exception that the grass was a little too long in places was in excellent condition.
Keen rivalry had sprung up during the season between the opposing teams, and neither side or their respective supporters would for one moment listen to defeat. In splendid condition, and brimful of determination, each man of the 36 who took the field was prepared to do his upmost for his town, and the match of the season was anticipated.

Although the finer points of the game were more in evidence than in previous contents, and the combination of the teams much improved, Marrar stood out from the start, as at no phase of the game can it be said did, they look like being defeated. From the outset the winners showed undoubted superiority. Their back line was almost impregnable, whilst their systematic play, individual brilliancy, and skill proved a revelation to their opponents and spectators alike.
The wearers of the "red and blue" thoroughly deserved their win, as the performance was a dazzling one, and easily eclipsed any of their previous efforts of the season. The victors were lustily applauded and congratulated as they walked off the field, and very few begrudged them the honors gained - "Premiers, 1918."  
Ganmain, though so signally defeated, were far from disgraced. In the opening term they handled the ball as often as Marrar, but the younger members of the team seemed too impetuous in their efforts to exchange, and this proved a big factor towards the undoing of the "maroons."
Perhaps no fine compliment could be wished for by the winning team than the opinion expressed of them after the match by the leading player of the Association, who, in reply to the query as what he thought of Marrar, said: "I don't think a team picked from the other three clubs would have a chance with them."
On the side of the winners there were no "passengers," but the bright particular star was Jack Blair. His coolness, unerring judgment, and unselfish play repeatedly gained him the plaudits of the crowd, and his display has not been equaled by any player in this year's competition. Other conspicuously prominent were Scott and Breheny (in the ruck), M'Evey, O'Keefe, Moylan, Barnes, Plummer, Bolt, and J. Langtry, Sen. but every member of the team helped towards the victory.
F. Bolt, one of Marrar's prominent players had been an inmate of the Junee Hospital for a week and only left the institution on the morning of the match, but, despite the doctor's orders to the contrary, he could not resist the temptation to have a go and decided to strip.
For the losers, W. Lenon, Slade, Burns, Mellor, Egan, Warran, Brill, Townsend, A. Gilliard, and Clarkson worked hard to avoid defeat.
Mr. D. Frew, of Grong Grong, carried out the onerous duties of central umpire in a capable manner. He kept the players well in check and was quick to penalise all rough play. Messrs. F. Corbett and R. Armstrong were goal umpires.

Source - Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review / Fri Sep 6, 1918. 

​

 

1918 COOLAMON D.F.A. CLUB PLAYER LIST 

Coolamon: W. Stewart (capt), Ralph Armstrong (vice-capt), Roy Armstrong, F Baldwin, R Brown, Joe Burley, T Crommelin, B Dean, English, J Fallon, G Fromholtz, Ernie and Jim Griggs, Robert and Clarrie Iverach, Jack Leitch, Lucas, C Patterson, C and Jim Robertson, F Robinson, Dave and Jack Rogerson, A Taylor, Cecil Vesperman,

Ganmain: Wally Lenon (capt), F. J. Burns, Harold Brill, W Clarkson, Val Conlon, Gus Curtis, George and Stan Cox, Owen Egan, J Farrell, W Finn, A and Ted Gilliard, Joe Goff, Aub Graham, H Groutsch, B Lenon, L McInnes, Alf Maskell, C Mellor, J McPhillips, Ernie Slade, J Torney, L Townsend, F Wardrop, A Warran.

Marrar: Jim Breheny (capt), Tom Barnes, Jack and Roy Blair, F Bolt, Pat Gaynor, C Glass, Joe and J. Junr. Langtry, Harry M'Evey, Cyril and Lou Fury, P Maloney, C Moylan, Joe O'Keefe, E Pinchbeck, Roy Plummer, Bill Scott, Bill Taylor. 
Matong: Bill Walsh (capt), Paddy Walsh, W Ashton, Harry, Gordon and Maurice Bean, T Bramage, Joe Breheny, Tasman Flanagan, A Gumbleton, R. Henderson, Pat Hogan, W Jones, Lambert, Maher, Frank Murphy, Mick Murphy, J. O'Meara, E Nichols, Ted Noonan, Otto Schultze, Scott, W Searle, Vin Simpson (2).