Congratulations to the new winner of the Billy Byrnes Cup today. He was awarded the cup for his contribution to sport, especially soccer, hurling and Spikeball, his enthusiasm and encouragement of younger students. Comhghairdeas!
The award is for a student sportsperson who has excelled both on the sports field and in the promotion of cooperation and sporting endeavour within the school.
Last June Billy’s cousin Richard and Richard’s son Paul travelled to Clontuskert from England on behalf of the Byrnes family to award the Memorial Cup for the first time. Richard Byrnes was born in County Derry Northern Ireland, brought up there and subsequently left Ireland to work in Yorkshire, where he now lives. He recalls many happy days during school holidays, visiting Clontuskert and the family home where his father (Patrick Byrnes) was born and brought up along with John Byrnes – Billy’s father. His father Patrick attended Clontuskert School at the beginning of the 1900s along with his brothers William, Richard, John and a number of sisters. Richard and Paul were delighted to visit the school, St Augustine’s Church and Billy’s last resting place in the family grave, overlooking Clontuskert GAA field. Paul, who spoke on behalf of the Byrnes family, commended the sporting endeavours in the school and complimented the students on the presentation and film on sporting life in Clontuskert that they delivered to a packed school hall.
Billy Byrnes was an outstanding athlete from Clontuskert who excelled in the sport of hammer throwing. The Clontuskert Heritage Group book; The Parish of Clontuskert, Glimpses into its Past describes Billy as a ‘muscular man standing six feet three inches tall, weighing sixteen and a half stone. He participated in this first major contest, the All-Army Sports in 1949, when he won the 56lb. distance event. Among Billy’s most notable successes were: Connacht Hammer Champion in 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957; All Ireland 16lb. Hammer Champion in 1949, 1950, 1953 and 1954, All Ireland 56lb. throwing weight in 1949, 1950 and 1954.’ The book outlines the stir he caused in Irish athletic circles and how he was spoken of as a prospective Olympic team member and a possible successor to the great Dr. Pat O’ Callaghan. However a persistent back problem meant he had to retire prematurely from athletics cutting short what was such a promising career. Joe Molloy of Clontuskert Heritage Group spoke of his memories of Billy and his successful career as a dairy farmer. The Billy Byrne Memorial Cup will be awarded on a bi-annual basis within the school and will serve as a reminder of Billy’s place in Irish sporting history.
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