By Ollie Byrnes
The name DALY is synonymous with sport and sportmanship in Clarecastle. As far back as 1908 Big John Daly won senior football honours with the local club "Robert Emmets". Michael Daly was one of the founders of the hurling club about 1912. In the 1940’s and 1950’s the brothers Haulie, John and Pat-Joe Daly were prominent Clare hurlers.
Haulie, who made his debut with the Magpies in 1940, captained the Clare team to win the league in 1946 at Croke Park. Haulie lined out at wing forward while John played in goal. The team was –
John Daly
Dan McInerney Pappy Callaghan Phil Byrnes
Des Carroll Dermot Solon Brian MacMahon
Austin Hannon Jackie Solon (1-5)
Matt Nugent (1-0) Bob Frost Haulie Daly (0-3)
Mick Halloran Joe Whelan P.J. Quane(0-1)
Subs. J. Minogue and Pake Lyons
This side also captured the Munster tournaments – Thomond Feis and Arus na nGael in 1946. However, Haulie felt the teams of 1949 and 1950 were the best sides he played on. He was honoured by the Munster selectors in 1948 and 1949. In an illustrious career spanning sixteen years he collected three senior championship medals with Clarecastle in 1943, 1945 and 1949. He regarded Mick Marnell (Kilkenny), Seamus Bannon (Tipperary), Pat Stakelum (Tipperary), Pake Lyons (Whitegate), and Donal O’Grady (St. Josephs) as amongst the best men he met on the hurling pitch. His nephew, Anthony Daly, captained Clare to All-Ireland honours in 1995 and 1997.
As well as his sporting involvements, Haulie was a life-long member of the Fianna Fáil party. He was elected to Clare County Council in 1974 and was re-elected in 1979. During his second term on the Council he acted as vice-chairman.
Haulie Daly died, following a short illness, in June 1991 at the age of 69.
