BLARNEY STREET ATHLETIC NOV 94

15/11/94


BLARNEY STREET ATHLETIC



A chance remark by John Dwyer in the play-ground of Blarney Street CBS led to

the founding of Blarney Street Athletic in 1985. John's remark was made in

the presence of Mark Scannell, Tony, Vincent, and John Thompson, and Anthony

Peelo, and was to the effect that they should enter a team in the Cork AUL.



Tom Coleman was an influential figure in that first season. He gave them a

great start by presenting a set of gear and then helped get them the use of

the Hollyhill Community Grounds for the second half of the league campaign.

All the first round matches had to be played away.



The first committee were John Dwyer, Anthony Peelo, Tony Thompson, Finbarr

Scannell, and Ger Sheehan. The present secretary William Paul Thompson has

held his position since 1986. Players from the area and some from

Gurranabraher and Knocknaheeny were recruited and the new club took its place

in Division 3B.



Despite the handicap of playing most of their games away, the newcomers

remarkably won the title and went up to the second division. Blarney Street's

next promotion came last season when they finished runners up to Hill Celtic

and they now play in AUL 1A.



Managers became commonplace in junior clubs over the recent decades and

Blarney Street Ath. have had their share. In that regard, mention must be

made of John Daly. In his time as manager, he did trojan work and was most

unlucky not win a trophy or two.



It would be impossible to mention everyone who has helped the club rise from

third division rookies to a formidable first division outfit. Many local

people have helped in various ways and the area's business community have

never failed to help when approached for sponsorship.



Next season will be Blarney Street's 10th in football and the committee hopes

to do something special to mark the occasion and the achievement and also hope

to be in football for many years to come.



The present committee is Alan Long (Chairman), William Paul Thompson

(Secretary), Anthony Peelo (Treasurer), and Micky Green. Noel Field is team

manager and John McCarthy, better known as Dinny Bobs, is captain.



The current panel is: Brendan Crowley, Pierce Leahy, Alan Long, Paul Gorman,

Bobby Kelly, Ger Cronin, Vincie Thompson, Paul O'Keeffe, John McCarthy, Mark

Collins, Donal Cronin, Alan O'Donoghue, Paul Philips, Paudie Kelleher, Mark

Bennett, Brian Sullivan, Austin Ricken, and Anthony Peelo.