Kiltimagh had the distinction of hosting The Connacht Championship Semi-final of 1943. The match, between Mayo and Galway, was played in The Town Park, on Park Road. Everybody in Kiltimagh, and the surrounding districts, eagerly anticipated the great event.The shopkeepers and publicans, especially, looked forward to the extra business that a large crowd would bring. They prepared by setting out tables on the footpaths, and hiring extra staff for the day. Prior to this, Rev. D. O' Hara and his helpers had expended great energy and money in bringing the pitch to a state of readiness which would befit a match of this importance.

The weather was unkind on the days preceding the game. There were heavy downpours of rain, which saturated the playing surface. Poor drying conditions added to the problems. Still, it was hoped that everything would be in order on the day.

The big day arrived. It was clear and bright. My sister and brother had thought of a way of cashing in on the great occasion. Living just ten minutes walk from the park, our front field was an ideal location for a parking lot. Why not advertise the field as a secure parking area for the throngs of people who would attend the match. Using the scrapings of paint tin and a bit of old plywood, a "Parking Here" sign was quickly erected on the gate leading to the field. A charge was decided upon: two shillings for a car; six pence for a bicycle.

There was a shower of rain in the early afternoon. This was followed by bright sunshine. The crowds began to arrive. The Balla and Claremorris roads were black with people. They made their way to the park, mostly by bicycle, or on foot. There were very few cars. World War Two was on; the petrol was rationed.

The match started, even though it was rumoured that the Galway team were reluctant to play when they saw the sodden pitch. The roar of three thousand spectators carried to our house. All too soon, however, heavy rain fell. The players slipped and slid on the waterlogged surface. It wasn't a day for good football, or any kind of football, for that matter. The players and the spectators were drenched to the skin. Make shift seating sank into the sodden ground near the sideline. It was a great relief to hear the final whistle, with Galway winning by 3-6 to 1-5.

The crowd dispersed quickly. Few people wanted to hang about in wet clothes. It was a great disappointment for some business people in the town, but it was reported that the pubs did quite well. No doubt, people went there for shelter from the persistent rain.

My sister and brother did well in their first business venture. They accommodated two cars, which managed to get out of the wet field, and they had more than twenty bicycles. They had enough money to enjoy Stephen Garvey's band, in The Town Hall, on that night.

- Aiden Burke