Nebuchadnezzar went mad.....

"Too whit- too whoo, a merry note while greasy Joan doth keel the pot”

The sight of Harry Clifford brazenly jigging on the lockers after lights out in the 3rd line open dorms; the extraordinary pace (and hairy chest) of Johnny Hickie at age 13; all of us meekly queuing for our weekly shower at the pool, butt naked, clutching a facecloth to shield our modesty in Rudiments (Tony, more generously proportioned,required a hand-towel); Bertie Brereton, the legend that he was, writing “work hard and be happy” on the blackboard; Brian Lennon (a.k.a. Ronnie Drew), through gritted teeth and with justification, telling me after yet another transgression,”’you're the worst bastard I have ever met, and MacManus, I’ve met a lot of bastards…”; 

The 8pm mad dash for the old gym to play indoor soccer after study in Grammar - sweaty, competitive, exhilarating - 10 a side, if you were too late, tough luck!

That crazy OPEC oil embargo in 1973, with no electricity and the ensuing mayhem at evening study; the juddering, shaking, pock marked hands of the Infirmary doctor as he administered cholera injections; Wally was called “Gaston” in Eimer McDermott’s French class; Who did you prefer-Miss Ruane or Mademoiselle Bachelerie?(verdict-they were both gorgeous); Shadow-boxing with Oggie-Doggie (my uncle Tom) in the lunch queue; Ned McQuaid’s lavish moustache age 15; the fleeting, intense obsession we had with bridge in Syntax; Kevin O’Connor’s rise and rise as an incredible tennis player of national stature, yet so humble and understated; Mickey O’Dowd’s kind, twinkling eyes and infinite patience; ELO, Supertramp,10cc, Pink Floyd, Genesis, the Eagles, Bob Marley, Earth Wind and Fire, Billy Joel. 

Marty Coyne crooning along with Bill Withers after the Mt Anville social ”lovely day, lovely day, just a lovely day…” (yes, he was in love again), and he wasn’t the only one. Sadly, I was dumped a few weeks later); 

The mountains of mouth-watering fresh bread and spuds we ate. Bob Kryger’s arrival, with his broad NY accent and American warmth; Tigger concussed, unconscious and hospitalised v Blackrock, a chilling, visceral memory. The hot girl working in the ref when we were 17 (come on, you remember her), Martin Moloney’s vast intellect on all matters historical; Jono, Paulie and Jack’s band performance that brought the house down and blew us all away; trying, and failing (after a day), to maintain silence on the Manresa Mouse retreat; Barry’s gentle giant/monster hulk off pitch-on pitch persona; Gucko absolutely hammering full tilt into the unpadded upright on the senior pitch one wet, cold training session-and getting up unscathed and running on ( they breed them tough in Ballinrobe); 

The classic Howick-Shanahan comedic duo in Coriolanus;  Doggo Bolger being awarded the “Alo” trophy in Rhetoric to universal approval; Greg’s immense strength of character as he sealed victory with that 60m kick at Lansdowne Road. Finally, the seismic shift that took place in CWC ethos with the arrival of Philip Fogarty and the unique force of nature that is Mick Sheil.

Flute-flute-pipe, flute-flute-pipe, zith-zith-zither, zith-zith-zither…Nebuchadnezzar went mad, mad-mad, fell down in a rage, mad rage…

written by Mike Mac Manus    #MauraCrannyRIP

The Special One.....

The 17th of March 1978 will always be a special memory for everyone in Clongowes at the time. But especially those of us in Panel 1. The truth is we overcame huge psychological and physical hurdles to win a Leinster Schools Senior Cup that we probably had no right to win. 

I guess when your school hasn’t won a senior cup in 52 years it is not surprising that you become conditioned to losing gracefully. The main reason 1978 was SO dramatically different though, was down to the arrival in Clongowes of one Michael Sheil.

Being a somewhat humbler sort than Jose Mourinho he certainly never called himself “The Special One” but there is no doubt he was special.

Greg Dilger, CWC Captain 1978

Over the years so many compliments and tributes have been paid to Michael that it is difficult to say anything particularly original. Yet to say that he was one of the most influential people in our lives is no exaggeration. 

Of course, he was a brilliant and innovative rugby coach - way ahead of his time. His training sessions were sharp and purposeful. Never before did we have such a clear vision of what we were doing both as individuals and as a team. He sensitively let you know what your weaknesses were and what you needed to do to improve. 

Woomba Woomba Woomba
Lansdowne Road Macrh 17th 1978

He wasn’t slow to let you know when agreed standards weren’t met. But was also hugely encouraging about what we did well and helped us to build on that. He helped us to understand and believe that it was worth doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well. 

He was enlightened and confident enough to bring in specialist expertise in the shape of Roly Meates and Ollie Campbell. That’s real leadership. Many coaches of that era might have been a bit too proud and threatened to do that. But as I already said - “he was way ahead of his time!”

The way he pulled together a bunch of ordinary guys who in all honesty had never shown any cup winning potential through the previous five years and turned us into a winning outfit, is quite simply an incredible coaching achievement.   

Vinny Murray, Martin Nugent with Noel Turley 1988 LSSC Final v St Michael's
Photo ©RMcDermott

Off the field as Higher Line Prefect he was even more influential. I think I can safely speak for all of our group by saying he tried to make us better people. He challenged us constantly. He helped us to think better about life and what was important. He wasn’t alone in this - we had some wonderful other Jesuits and teachers during our years in Clongowes - but he stood out a mile! 

Looking back, it’s clear he was a driving force in creating a culture of excellence - not just in Clongowes rugby, but in Clongowes generally.

And yet we know that WINNING was never Michael Sheil’s obsession. He was much more interested in helping individuals and teams to get better. After that the results would look after themselves. I suppose that’s why he enjoyed coaching the Super Thirds every bit as much as the SCT. 

Birthday Boy
Photo Robert Kryger

Michael Sheil always refuses to accept praise for the ‘78 Cup win without sharing it with his great friend the late great Vinny Murray. 

Vinny played a major part in our success and went on himself to lead Clongowes to even more Senior Cup success before he sadly passed away in 1999. Not surprisingly Vinny would always say that Michael Sheil taught him everything he knew.

The great man celebrated his 80th birthday in June this year. A very simple calculation reminds us he was only 40 back in 1978. 

And we thought he was ancient.

Greg Dilger on behalf of Rhetoric 1978 and Panel One

Back Row Vinny Murray, John Bolger, Mark Collis, Con Clifford, Tim Meagher, John Rock, Willie Burns, Mick Sheil
Front Row Martin Coyne, Ambrose O'Sullivan, Barry Walker, Greg Dilger (Capt), Dermot Waldron, Gerry Healy, Freddie Browne
Seated; Tony O'Sullivan, Mark Attride (RIP)

CWC 1978 Memories