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The Lahorna De Wets dominated North Tipperary during the opening decade of the twentieth century. The club fielded not only
a senior team but a successful junior side also. For instance, in the 1904 junior final at Borrisokane, De Wets defeated
Toomevara by a score of 6-9 to 0-0. The name "De Wet" came from the famous Boer War general and reflected the strong
anti-British sentiment prevelant in Ireland at the time. Lahorna ( or Loughourna ) is, of course, the name of a townland in
the parish. Most of the De Wets hailed from the neighbouring parish of Kilruane, but Mick Moloughney and Dan Ryan were both
prominent members of the senior team during its decade of success.
Mick Moloughney (1872-1942 ) - widely known by the nickname, "The Pedaller" - lived on the "New Line"
at Loughourna. Dan Ryan lived in the same townland in the house afterwards occupied by the Starr family. Some people believe
the club was called Lahorna to ensure that Mick Moloughney would play for it. Mick's brother Jack, Will Flannery of Glown,
and Dinny Hogan of Ballycraggan all hurled with the De wets junior team. Another popular member of the club was Tobias Stapleton
of Loughourna, who died at a young age in 1904."It was an affecting sight", commented the Nenagh Guardian of 13
February 1904, " to see some stalwart members of this now famous team shedding sad tears over their departed comrade".
Mick and Jack Moloughney of Loughourna were respectively uncle and father to neddy and Billy Moloughney, both of whom
hurled for Killadangan and Tipperary. Neddy won an All-Ireland medal as a goalkeeper with the tipperary minor team in 1952
and later played in a number of Leauge games with the senior team. He also came on as a substitute in the championship against
Cork in 1957. Billy played at full-forward on the Tipperary team that defeated Dublin in the 1961 All-Ireland final. Billy
had been brought on as a sub in the previous years decider when Tipp fell to Wexford. In addittion to his All-Ireland honour,
Billy won a Munster minor medal in 1950, Munster senior medals in 1960 and '61, an Oireachtas medal in 1960, and National
League medals in 1960 and '61.
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