Tassan Rovers GAA () was a Gaelic football team in Tassan, County Monaghan, Ireland. The Tassan team came together in early 1937 and participated in the Junior League Mid Monaghan section. The team was managed by Francis Brennan, John Mulligan, Peter Flanagan and Frank Murphy. Paddy Morgan, Lisdrumgormely was also associated with the team. The Tassan team wore red jerseys and trained and played football in a local meadow field known as the "Boggan".
History Foundation The first reference to the newly formed Tassan team was recorded in a league table in the Northern Standard newspaper of 19 March 1937. Note: All references to The Northern Standard can only be physically viewed from the microfilm archives in the Clones Library, Clones, County Monaghan A locally compiled document titled A Brief History of Tassan Rovers GAA Team 1937 to 1941 serves as the source for the majority of facts found in this article.
Ballybay go under at Tassan
The first reported game and victory against Ballybay Pearse Brothers was reported in the Northern Standard on Friday 26 March 1937:
"Ballybay Juniors travelled over to Tassan, near the Armagh Border on Sunday evening last where they suffered a big defeat in a League fixture. The visitors opened well and starting off at a brisk pace opened the score from a penalty taken by Finnegan, and Wynne tipped over a point. Ballybay's big following sent their hats in the air over this sweeping bit of play. Tassan soon settled down, Maguire sending in a rasping shot that found the net. Several rushes by the home side were successfully warded off by Duffy and Dowd on the defence line and Ballybay was leading by a point at half time. On the change over Mulligan leveled the score and Wynne was again in the limelight for Pearse Bros. Excitement ran high when he put the town lads leading by a goal. Tassan's turn came when their sure shot Maguire drew even. Up to this the contest was an equal battle, but towards the close Tassan took over control and kept scoring at regular intervals. Final result Tassan 4 goals 5 points; Ballybay 2 goals 2 points. The forward line from the town was a weak combination that needs overhauling. The defence was praiseworthy, but it was impossible to hold those hefty gaels from the border. Mr. P. Duffy was an impartial referee."The Northern Standard, 26 March 1937
Junior, Ballybay 2-1; Tassan 0-7
The return game with Ballybay was recorded in the Northern Standard on 9 April 1937:
"Sunday last saw a great turnout of people to the Athletic grounds where the County Board had arranged a double fixture. The opening Junior tie was between Tassan and Ballybay. The town team playing with the wind were slow to settle down. For the first 15 minutes the exchanges were kept in mid-field, then John Wynne that clever forward, moved up and scored the first point. After this there was good tackling and the contest grew livelier. Several onsloughts by Tassan tested the Ballybay backs and the second score came to Tassan when in a melee round the Ballybay goals, Mc Elroy tipped over. The visitors kept pressing and added two further minors and the score at half time was Tassan 3 points; Ballybay 1 point. On the change over Ballybay got away, their forwards, Wynne, M. West and Linden, in good hand passing, netted a goal per West. On the kick out Leo Kearney rushed into the net from about 20 yards out. Tassan then pointed per F. Mulligan (2), Mc Elroy (2), and the full time result read: Ballybay Pearse Bros. 2 goals, 1 point; Tassan 7 points. Mr. Flanagan was an impartial referee."The Northern Standard, 9 April 1937
Tassan 3-2; Latton 1-0
The next game was covered on page 7 of the Northern Standard Friday 23 April 1937:
"Latton juniors made a rather poor display in their opening game of the season at home on Sunday against Tassan. They need a lot of training on the nice points of the game. Tassan, a new team, are a well selected team of promising youths, who bid fair to shed lustre on central Clontibret this season. Latton made a brilliant opening and were first to goal per Carragher, who with Mc Guinness and Mc Cabe made a strong trio. Wm Mc Caughey from a rasping shot replied for Tassan. When the visitors spread out they took possession, Maguire pointing and Mc Mahon goaling, put the issue beyond the region of doubt. Several tries by Latton saw the forwards finish weakly and the Clontibret team won easily on the score: - Tassan 3 goals, 2 points; Latton 1 goal. Mr. Sweeney made an admirable referee. Tassan were well served by J. Connor in goals, P. Brennan (capt.), Mulligan, Morgan, Maguire, Mullen (2), Woods, Mohan, McMahon, Cravens, M. Brennan."The Northern Standard, 23 April 1937
Junior, Doohamlet 1-1; Tassan 0-4
Recorded in the Northern Standard from Friday 14 May 1937:
"There was a stiff tussle for honours in the Junior game at Tassan on Sunday where Doohamlet travelled and was early to goal per M Cormack. Tassan made several drives to reply but O'Neill's concentrated on defence work and Mc Gahey's scores were restricted to minors. However, he tipped over three, but Keenan put his side ahead by a point and looked like winning when near the close Craven's drew level. Result - Doohamlet O'Neill's 1 goal, 1 point; Tassan 4 points."The Northern Standard, 14 May 1937
Junior, Doohamlet 0-6; Tassan 1-0
From an extract found on page 7 of the Northern Standard Friday 21, May 1937:
"Doohamlet O’Neills defeated the neighbouring team Tassan Rovers in the Junior fixture on the sheep walk last Sunday. Were it not for Beanie Keenan who got over 2 points in the opening half the contest was so even that it nearly ended scoreless. During the second moity Tassan goaled per Brennan and again pointing up frequently added 4 minors. Result: Doohamlet O’ Neill's 6 points, Tassan Rovers 1 goal."The Northern Standard, 21 May 1937
Junior, Tassan 0-9; Latton 0-7
Northern Standard extract Friday 28 May 1937 page 7:
"Those who followed the fortunes of the game are asking where is Tassan, as a noted combination of promising athletes have got going for there this season. Tassan is an historic townland in Clontibret, near Annyalla, where Archbishop Sylvester Mulligan was born. Latton went over there last Sunday for a junior league fixture and a fast game of points resulted. These minor scores came frequently throughout the hour as every inch of sod was contested and it was mere luck that give the same side victory on score : Tassan Rovers, 9 points; Latton O'Rahilly's, 7 points"The Northern Standard, 28 May 1937
Promising progression in the division, 1937
By 18 June 1937, Tassan had progressed to the top of the Mid - Monaghan Junior division with 9 points on the table, two points ahead of Doohamlet, three points ahead of Castleblayney and seven points ahead of Ballybay and Latton.
1938
1938 commenced with a pre-season friendly against Cremartin on 25 February, listed on the Tassan team were T. Moen (captain), H. McEnaney, B. Carragher, M. McCaffrey, C. Brennan, P. McAtavey, P. McKenna, J. McKenna, J. Spinks, P. Flanagan, J. Cunningham, F. O’Kane, M. Tomney, T. Morrow, E. Carr. Tassan were competing in the Junior League North.
Tassan opens their account, Tassan 3-11; TullyCorbett 1-3
Page 7, Northern Standard extract Friday 8 April 1938:
"In the opening game of the Monaghan Junior League at Tassan (Clontibret) on Sunday, the home selection defeated Tullycorbett Sons of St. Patrick in a fast game. Mc Ginn and Traynor gave great service to the visitors, but Tassan are a promising lot who play the game. Result – Tassan, 3 goals, 1 point; Tullycorbett, 1 goal, 3 points."The Northern Standard, 8 April 1938
Return game, Tassan 3-4; TullyCorbett 0-2
Northern Standard extract Friday 15 April 1938, page 7:
In the return game held on Sunday 10 April 1938 "Tullycorbett Sons of St. Patrick at home on Sunday were off form for the Junior League contest and went down hopelessly before Tassan on a score of – Tassan, 3 goals, 4 points; Tullycorbett, 2 points."The Northern Standard, 15 April 1938
Tassan in scoring form, Tassan, 2-14: Truagh, 0-4
Northern Standard extract Friday 6 May 1938:
"One sharp shooter on the Tassan side, a promising Maguire athlete tipped over no fewer than 14 points in the Junior League game at home on Sunday against Truagh. Another colleague sent in 2 goals and in this rain of fire Truagh got 4 points. It was an awful hour of scores, Tassan 20 points and Truagh 4 points. These Tassan juniors will take a good deal of the lead in this year's championship. From near the Armagh Border in central Clontibret they are all athletes of much promise."The Northern Standard, 6 May 1938
Clontibret contest, Tassan 3-3; Cremartin 1-7
Northern Standard extract Friday 13 May 1938: "Those expert Clontibret Juniors from Cremartin and Tassan had a big battle for honours in the Junior League at Tassan on Sunday. Both sides fought strenuously, strong tackling and dashing tactics being special features of the contest. Atkinson and Flanagan showed up well for Cremartin, but there is no stopping of the Tassan lads, especially Maguire. Result – Tassan, 3 goals, 3 points; Cremartin 1 goal, 7 points."The Northern Standard, 13 May 1938
Game at Cremartin, Cremartin 1-3; Tassan 0-3
Northern Standard extract Friday 20 May 1938:
"Cremartin Shamrocks gained a victory over their neighbours, Tassan in the Junior League on Sunday last, when, despite the unfavourable weather conditions a large and enthusiastic crowd lined the Cremartin pitch. It was the only fixture of note in central Monaghan last Sunday and as both sides have won honours on the field many who followed the fortunes of the game were anxious to see them play. The Shamrocks were a little lucky to get a great goal win, but they adapted themselves better to the prevailing local conditions and made good ground work. Maguire was prominent for the visitors, and Atkinson got into his usual stride near the close to win for the home team. The score was : Cremartin 1 goal, 3 points, Tassan 3 points."The Northern Standard, 20 May 1938
Division progress 1938
Both Tassan and Cremartin were equal at 10 points on the Junior League North on 20 May 1938, followed by Tullycorbett at 2 points and Truagh with no points.
1939
Outbreak of war in Europe
In 1939, at the start of the Second World War, the main industry in Ireland was agriculture and many small farms in Tassan produced flax, potatoes, corn, vegetables and had an abundance of bog which provided fuel to neighboring areas. The closeness of the border with Armagh also provided an opportunity to make an income from smuggling goods and supplies which were scarce on either side, this was always risky but the challenge of evading the Customs and making a few bob was attractive and fostered a sense of close community spirit and resilience during difficult times. The outbreak of war disrupted the fixture list for football games, rationing of fuel made it difficult for players to get to games, scarcity of the day to day items lead to rationing of tea, sugar and other goods, the reporting on games was also impacted by a shortage of paper. Ireland remained neutral during the war and a state of emergency was declared in 1939, which included censorship of the press and correspondence. The local paper focused on events in Europe and on National issues with little emphasis being placed on sporting activities.
Northern Standard extract Friday 17 March 1939. Junior Competition : Oram V Tassan on 19 March, Referee Mr E.Sweeney Northern Standard extract Friday 28 April 1939. Junior Competition : Tassan V Carrickatee at Tassan, Referee Mr P. Mc Cluskey Northern Standard extract Friday 27 October 1939. Junior Competition : Tassan V Blackhill on 12 November 1939.