Jim Power (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Jim Power was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Tynagh and with the Galway
senior inter-county team in the 1920s.
, County Galway
in 1894. He was educated locally and lived in Galway for all of his life. As well as being a member of the first Galway team to win the All-Ireland hurling title he lived to see his native-county win three more titles in 1980, 1987 and 1988.
Power died in May 1998. At the time of his death he was the oldest surviving player to have won an All-Ireland medal.
with his local club in Tynagh and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title in 1920. Power added further county medals to his collection in 1922, 1923, 1925 and 1928.
senior inter-county team in 1918. Galway, however, was the strongest hurling county in Connacht
and the team were virtually unopposed going into the All-Ireland series every year.
In 1922 Power won a Connacht title following a victory over Roscommon
, however, it would be 1923 before Galway reached the All-Ireland final. Limerick
, winners of the All-Ireland semi-final over Donegal
, were the opponents, however, the team refused to play until all Civil War
prisoners were released. Limerick were initially disqualified and the title awarded to Galway, however, the game eventually took place. Mick Gill’s tactic of dropping the sliothar into the square paid dividends as Galway won the game by 7-3 to 4-5. Not only was it Power’s first All-Ireland
title but it was also the first time that the county had won the championship.
Galway triumphed over Tipperary
in the All-Ireland semi-final in 1924, however, Dublin
defeated Power’s side by six points in the championship decider. The following year Power withdrew from the county panel because of a disagreement and it looked as if his inter-county career was over.
Four years later in 1928 Power was back as captain of the team. That year Galway got a bye into the All-Ireland final without even picking up a hurley. Cork were the opponents on that occasion and trounced Galway by 6-12 to 1-0. After the game Power took umbrage at the physical treatment of Mick King
by some of the Cork players. At the final whistle he threw down his hurley onto the ground and retired from hurling.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Tynagh and with the Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
senior inter-county team in the 1920s.
Biography
Jim Power was born in TynaghTynagh
Tynagh is a village and parish in south-east County Galway in Ireland.-Origin of the name:Recorded as Tyneaach , Teacneaghe , Theaneac , its current name is a contraction of Teach nEachach, 'Eochu's house'. In medieval Irish sources it is referred to as Teach nEachach, or 'the house of Eochu'...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
in 1894. He was educated locally and lived in Galway for all of his life. As well as being a member of the first Galway team to win the All-Ireland hurling title he lived to see his native-county win three more titles in 1980, 1987 and 1988.
Power died in May 1998. At the time of his death he was the oldest surviving player to have won an All-Ireland medal.
Club
Power played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club in Tynagh and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title in 1920. Power added further county medals to his collection in 1922, 1923, 1925 and 1928.
Inter-county
Power first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the GalwayGalway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
senior inter-county team in 1918. Galway, however, was the strongest hurling county in Connacht
Connacht Senior Hurling Championship
The Connacht Senior Hurling Championship was the premier "knockout" competition in the game of hurling played in the province of Connacht in Ireland. The series of games were organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and were played during the summer months.Over the last number of years the...
and the team were virtually unopposed going into the All-Ireland series every year.
In 1922 Power won a Connacht title following a victory over Roscommon
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
, however, it would be 1923 before Galway reached the All-Ireland final. Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
, winners of the All-Ireland semi-final over Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
, were the opponents, however, the team refused to play until all Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
prisoners were released. Limerick were initially disqualified and the title awarded to Galway, however, the game eventually took place. Mick Gill’s tactic of dropping the sliothar into the square paid dividends as Galway won the game by 7-3 to 4-5. Not only was it Power’s first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
title but it was also the first time that the county had won the championship.
Galway triumphed over Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
in the All-Ireland semi-final in 1924, however, Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
defeated Power’s side by six points in the championship decider. The following year Power withdrew from the county panel because of a disagreement and it looked as if his inter-county career was over.
Four years later in 1928 Power was back as captain of the team. That year Galway got a bye into the All-Ireland final without even picking up a hurley. Cork were the opponents on that occasion and trounced Galway by 6-12 to 1-0. After the game Power took umbrage at the physical treatment of Mick King
Mick King
Mick King was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Castlegar and with the Galway senior inter-county team from 1923 until 1935. King is regarded as one of Galway’s greatest-ever players.-Club:...
by some of the Cork players. At the final whistle he threw down his hurley onto the ground and retired from hurling.