BROOKLODGE UNITED FEB 2001

BROOKLODGE Utd




Brooklodge Utd are hoping that last Sunday's 2 - 0 win over Lee Rangers will mark a change in fortunes for 2001. They are currently in the bottom half of Murphy's Stout AUL 2B and the glory year of 1992 seems a long way away.



That season, manager Paul McCarthy led the East Cork side to a magnificent double. At Turner's Cross, they defeated East Cork rivals Corkbeg in the final of the County Cup and Mahon Utd in the Saxone decider. Indeed, it might well have been treble triumph for McCarthy's men but Mahon pipped them for the 2B league title.



McCarthy is still playing an active role on the club. He is the current chairman and is also a selector. The other selectors are Neilus O'Mahony and Dave McCarthy. Rob Lotty and Derek O'Leary train the side.



The Lodge did have a couple of good years after 1992 and in 1995, as a first division side, won the St Michael's Cup and were a good runners up to Leeside in the County Cup final two years later. The slide started soon afterwards.



McCarthy and company have been heartened by the loyalty shown. Take Kevin Tobin for example. He has served the club, both as player and committee member, and has pulled on that tangerine and black jersey some 370 times. Tobin has 63 goals to his credit making him the club's second highest marksman.



Tobin, the club treasurer, and Lotty, along with Brian Keane, are the more experienced players in the side which is captained by Bernard Kearney. Others prominent this term are keeper John Walsh, vice captain Shane Fitzgerald, and midfield dynamo Derek O'Leary.



Lotty says that the club's nickname, The Lodgers, accurately reflects their wanderings over the past 16 years: "We have played in Bob Bennett's field, at Sarsfields Court, at Old Christians, at Silverheights, and now at Glanmire Community College." The club is hoping for a permanent berth in the near future on local community pitches.



Brooklodge was founded in 1984 as a schoolboy team and made its way through the minor ranks to junior. The founders were Paul McCarthy, Mick Considine, and Brendan McCarthy (RIP).