The Big Breakthrough

    When the James Stephens' delegates attended the fixtures meeting of the County Board in early 1924, little did they know that this campaign was to be the start of the big breakthrough for the James Stephens' Hurling Club. In the next few years they would progress from being a humble junior tearn with little prospects to become one of the strongest teams in the county. In the first round of the 1924junior Hurling championship the men from the Village were drawn against St. Rioch's on June 4th. Although we have traced no details of this game, clearly we won as we were drawn against Dicksboro in the second round. This was played on Sunday, 26th October, 1924. The result: James Stephens 4-4, Dicksboro 3-0. At the interval the Village led 3 -3 to no score. In the second half the 'Boro scored 3 goals while the Village added 1-1 to run out convincing winners. The Holland brothers and the Larkins starred for the winners. Great jubilation followed this unexpected but thoroughly deserved victory. The supporters walked behind St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band through High Street after the match and there was a victory dance that night.
    We continued our 1924 junior campaign in mid-January, 1925, with a victory over johnstown at St. James's Park in the northern semi-final by 5-1 to 1 -0. Despite the large margin, this was a well-contested game between the physically stronger country team and the lighter and faster Village side. The johnstown backs held out well, but were unable to hold out against the repeated attacks of the Village forwards. The half-time score was: 1 - 1 to no score. The game was contested in a very sportsmanlike manner with Martin Egan of Threecastles as referee. St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band attended. The team selected to play was: J. Walsh, goal; joe Delancy, capt., jack Carroll, Tom Holland, James Holland, John Holland, Paddy Larkin, Peter Foley, Paddy Walsh, Martin Gleeson, Martin Tierney, Marty Coyne, Philly Dwyer, Mi. Bowe, Ker McGrath. Subs: S. Dunne, J. Coyne and M. Larkin.

James Stephens were now in the Northern final where they met Tullaroan on 1 st February, 1925, at St. James's Park, and won by 3 -0 to 1 - 1. We led at the break, 2-0 to 0- 1. It was a great game, brimful of exciting incidents.
    The County final played at St. James's Park, on Sunday, March 15, 1925, resulted in a draw: 5-1 each. The game attracted a crowd of over 2,000. Thomastown took an early lead but the Village drew level and went ahead to leave the score at the interval: James Stephens 4-0, Thomastown 3-0. Thomastown levelled in the second half and then went ahead. A point in the closing minutes earned the Village the right to a replay. Our team: joe Delancy Capt., John Walsh, Martin Coyne, J. 'Sag' Carroll, John Holland, Philly Dwyer, John Dunne, Ker McGrath, James Holland, Peter Foley, Paddy Larkin, Paddy Walsh, Martin Gleeson, Martin Tierney, Tommy Holland.
    The final was replayed at St. James's Park on Sunday, 25th April. Thomastown were forced to line out without some of their key players. The score: James Stephens 5-5, Thomastown 1 -0. The Thomastown backs defended stoutly in this game but were unable to contain the Village forwards. Playing against the breeze in the first half, the Village led 0-4 to 0-0 at the break. Three of the points came from jack Carroll and the other from Tommy Holland. Early in the second period Giceson scored a goal which was quickly followed by another from Tierney. After a sustained bout of pressure on the Thomastown goal, Holland scored another goal. Thomastown then scored their only score - a goal - which was soon answered by a Village point from Bowe and a goal each from Tierney and Giceson. Our team on this historic occasion, the first James Stephens' team to win a County title, was: Martin Coyne, Thomas Meade, John "Creemy" Holland, Tommy Holland, James Holland, Martin Tierney, Peter Foley, Paddy Walsh, Paddy Larkin, John Dunne, Ker McGrath, Michael Bowe, Martin Giceson, Philly Dwyer, jack 'Sag' Carroll.