HIBERNIANS 1995

12/2/95




HIBERNIANS - TEAM OF THE MONTH:



Hibernians are the Murphy's Stout AUL Team of the Month for

January. Congratulations to Hibs and to their manager Dan

Cullinane.



The Shanbally side were in the running most months of the season

so far. Like the majority of teams, they had a limited programme

in January but did manage to win the big one: the FAI Junior Cup

area quarter-final against Temple united.



Hibernians enjoyed a great start to the season and went unbeaten

through their section of the Shield (which involved games against

Springfield and Mayfield, two senior sides). The run helped win

them a semi-final place but here they suffered their first defeat

when they were pipped by higher ranked Greenmount Rangers.



Since then they have made great progress in both the Munster and

FAI junior cups. By coincidence, they face College Corinthians

in both. They have lost two games in the premier, one to

champions Passage, but are one of the joint leaders and in with a

very good chance.



This season has also marked the completion of the club's

impressive clubhouse on their own site in Shanbally. The

building doesn't look all that big from the outside but inside

boasts virtually everything a club could need: four changing

rooms, committee room, kitchen area, toilets and showers, and a

referee's room.



The club has had its own grounds since 1987 and added a second

pitch two years later. Both these pitches are wired off and the

whole set-up is a credit to the hard working committee.



The Premier side are no doubt the flag-bearers of this

progressive club but believe it or not they field no less than

eight other teams including a second junior side (in AUL 2) and a

handy under 17 outfit which is managed by founder member Paddy

O'Mahony.



Cullinane, manager of the premier team, is also the club

chairman. The other officers are: Brendan Hayes (vice-

chairman), Gerard Fehilly (secretary), Paddy O'Mahony

(Treasurer), John Jones, Johnny Fitzgerald, Pat McAuliffe (PRO),

and Frank Roche.



Current referee Mikesey Lyons was player-manager with Hibs in

1978/79 when they won their first trophy, the Mall Tavern League

Cup. There was something of a setback for the club in the

eighties when they had to vacate their first pitch.



But things are now very much on the move and they have been quite

successful in recent years. First there were the near things.

In 1989/90, they were runners up, after a play-off, to Bandon in

AUL 1 and runners up also to St John Bosco's in the AOH.



The following year, the second team, known as Hibernians

Athletic, were beaten by Everton in the final of the President's

Cup. In 1991/92, Hibs were again runners up in AUL 1, this time

behind Ballyphehane.



But that same season, they came out on top in the battle for the

FAI area title, beating Rockmount in a thrilling penalty shootout

at Turner's Cross. In 1992/93, they finally won AUL 1 and

promotion to the Premier League. Last season, they beat Macroom

in the final of the St Michael's Cup.



end of story