Remembering two of Bal's finest ever GAA stalwarts

Sam Kingston and Edward Nyhan both left lasting legacies

On the approach to Christmas, we remember two of Ballinascarthy's finest players who passed away in relatively recent times. Sam Kingston and Edward or Ned Nyhan, as everyone knew him, were loyal stalwarts of the club, both on and off the field. Eleven years after the foundation of the club, both made their appearance on the successful 1956 junior football team that defeated Sidbbereen in the final. They were minors at the time and played their part in a victory, which was the first major breakthrough for the club since its foundation. Sam lined out at corner back while Ned played in the comer-forward position.

Sam was an outstanding athlete and fielder and over the years in both championship and league action was called on to mark players of the calibre of Bantry's Declan Barren and was one of the most successful defenders to curtail the ace inter-county forward.
He was an imposing towering figure who ruled the edge of the square with assuredness and instilled complete confidence in his fellow defenders. His clearances were always astute and well directed. Equally prolific at both codes, he rarely missed a game and was always consistent.
Ned was himself an excellent fielder and an all-round player who had style, pace and an ability to shoot from both left and right.
A dapper forward, he deftly finished some delightful scores and showed great dexterity. He was also a man that wore his heart on his sleeve and everyone knew exactly where he stood on any club issue. Both played in an era that saw almost all town teams, with the exception of Clonakilty, competing at junior level, with no intermediate grade in existence at this time.

Following the 1956 victory, it was expected that Bal would enjoy continued success in the years ahead but Dohenys proved to be the dominant force in the division, winning four-in-a-row (1956 to '59). With a blend of experience and younger players like Ned and Sam, Bal were expected to capture the honours in 1960 but Bandon re-graded from senior ranks and success was once again thwarted as Bal lost out in a replay.
The following year was significant in that the club, on the proposal of Ned, decided to enter a hurling team for the first time at Junior 2 level.

The AGM was held in Ted Holland's garage with comfortable seating provided in the form of bags of pulp. In fact, it had almost concluded when Ned made the proposal and after some discussion it was agreed to enter a team in the " championship only, so that it wouldn't in any way interfere with the business of football.
The rest, as they say, is history and it was to be the starting point of what was eventually to become a most important decision in the history of the club. Sam represented the club on the Carbery panel that same year.
Bal suffered agonising defeats during the 1960s and in 1969 the team (see photo) was trained and coached by Ned in Patrick Hennessey's field opposite the church at Kilmalooda.

There were several evenings that the headlamps of cars were used to illuminate the field so that training could be completed under his direction. The team was captained by Frankie Harte and the final against Bantry was a game Bal should definitely have won.

Most reports of the game stated that Bal were the better footballing team but it was yet again a case of so near and yet so far. Sam played a major role at full back, but the side didn't take their chances early in the game and also gifted Bantry a decisive goal. It was probably the most agonising defeat for the club to that point, having beaten
Courceys, Carbery Rangers and Dohenys before a repeat final meeting with Bantry who were worthy winners the year before. Bal would finally lay the Bantry bogey in the 1971 league final, defeating the seasiders by the narrowest of margins. Bantry rallied late with Hunt and Barren combining for a great goal.

However, Bal were destined to win this one and held out 1-6 to 1-5. Yet again amongst the list of best players noted by the match reporter was Sam Kingston

Sam continued to play into the 1970s and lined out for the club in the 1971 hurling final against Bandon. Although beaten on the day, the game was much closer than the score would suggest and the absence of John Frewen through injury was also a major blow. Ned retired a few years before Sam and moved from the village but always kept abreast of club activities.

A testament to both men was the number of GAA colleague? who took part in the guard of honour at Clonakilty and Bandon respectively. Many forrner team-mates and associates who had long since left the area returned to pay their respects to two of the finest players to wear the club colours.

Ar dheis De go raibh a nana macha dilis.

Courtesy of The Southern Star Tweet

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