7/4/2024
David “Sniper” Hurley’s Schooldays.
David “Sniper” Hurley is carried from the field by his School Chums at Saint Mary’s Grammar School, Sidcup, in 1961.
He had just scored a Hat-Trick in the final Soccer Match of the Season against another local School, to run up a tally of 53 goals for the Season.
His team-mates, aware that he only needed three goals to break the record, “went bananas” when “Sniper” Hurley scored the third goal needed in the very last minute of the match. In doing so, he had broken the School’s Under-12 Goal-Scoring record, previously held by Peter “Titch” Druce.
The unalloyed joy and pride of “Sniper” Hurley, in achieving this wonderful feat, was immediately demolished by the Referee, Fr. “Mugsy” McKeown.
Fr. “Mugsy” McKeown announced, in a smiling manner, that the record held by Peter “Titch” Druce, of Campion House, of which Fr. “Mugsy” McKeown happened to be House Master, had NOT been broken, as Hurley, he said, had only scored 46 goals for the Season. Hurley, who had assiduously recorded every goal he had scored during the Season, knew this to be incorrect.
The conclusion drawn by all was that Fr. “Mugsy” McKeown, was keen to ensure that his House, Campion House, continued to hold the Goal-Scoring record.
Campion House had for years been the champion House in every sport throughout the School and had become accustomed to winning everything.
MORE SCINTILLATING TALES, SAGAS, STORIES, AND OUTRAGEOUS EMBELLISHMENTS, OF SCHOOL-DAYS AT SAINT MARY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, SIDCUP, WILL FOLLOW IN THE NEXT EDITION OF “THE BOY’S WEEKLY” (only 1½d from all good newsagents).
Further to the above, and underscoring the veracity of my claim, herewith the
INTER-HOUSE CHAMPIONSHIPS 1967-1968.
The John Gannon Cup for Athletics was awarded to CAMPION HOUSE.
The Currie Cup for Senior Inter-House Relay was awarded to FISHER HOUSE.
The Outred Cup for Senior Rugby was awarded to CAMPION HOUSE.
The Kopczyk Cup for Junior Rugby was awarded to CAMPION HOUSE.
The Senior Cross-Country Championship was awarded to CAMPION HOUSE.
The Junior Cross-Country Championship was awarded to CAMPION HOUSE.
The Inter-House Cup for Swimming was awarded to FISHER HOUSE.
The Roche Bowl for Tennis Championships was awarded to CAMPION HOUSE.
The Cricket Championship was awarded to CAMPION HOUSE.
The Kopczyk Cup for Gymnastics was awarded to CAMPION HOUSE.
The Victor Ludorum was awarded to Stephen Strangeway.
Out of the eleven Sporting Awards, EIGHT went to CAMPION HOUSE.
Fr. “Muggsy” McKeown must have been working overtime.
I demand a re-instatement of my 1961 Under-12s Goal-Scoring Record !!!