CLUB STORY

AUL DEC 2000

2009-10-05T01:21:00.001-07:00

CORK YOUTHS TAKE ON KERRY

The Cork AUL youths take on the Kerry District League at Turner's Cross on Sunday afternoon (2.00pm) in the opening round of the Snickers FAI Youths Inter-League championship. This competition has produced some thrilling games between the leagues in recent seasons and Sunday's encounter is expected to be close.

Both have been training hard and indeed each side has recorded a friendly win. Kerry pipped the Desmond League in terrible conditions while, on the October Bank Holiday, Cork manager Liam McCarthy guided his charges to a satisfactory away victory over the Tipperary and Southern District League. The goals in the 5 - 4 win were netted by Lee (2), Rose, Fitzgerald, and Dekkers.

McCarthy, who has a training session arranged for the Mardyke tomorrow, has been busy since the start of the season and has seen many of the league's youth sides in action. Douglas Hall, impressing at U18 level this season, have four players selected. Manager Pat Buckley is doing well with Kilreen Celtic in U17 competitions and they also have four on the twenty one man panel.

McCarthy will select from: Kevin Im, Willie Lee, David Bennett, and Gerry Kerins (all Kilreen Celtic); Brian Wilkinson, James O'Leary, Derek Bowen, and Paul Rose (all Douglas Hall); Niall O'Regan, Mick Mehigan, and Danny Lynch (Bandon); Oliver Lynch and Trevor Fitzgerald (Midleton); Killian Lordan and Thomas Dekkers (Ballincollig); Keith Kelleher (Leeds); Darragh O'Neill (Richmond); Alan Whalley (Springfield); Michael McBride (Rockmount); and Derek Peyton (College Corinthians).

The winners of Sunday's tie will be at home to either the Clare or Desmond League in round two while the winners of next Tuesday's match between the MSL and Waterford will travel to take on the TSDL or Limerick.

One of the Cork v Kerry games took place back in 1989 at St Mary's Park where a certain Roy Keane came on as substitute in a 4 - 1 win for the home side. Roy didn't get on the scoresheet but a Rockmount colleague, Eric Hogan, registered a classy hat trick.

AUL JAN 2001

2009-10-05T01:19:00.001-07:00

NEW TREASURER

Paddy Byrne, the recently appointed treasurer of the Murphy's Stout Cork AUL, began playing football with Richmond Boys where one of his opponents was Johnny Giles, then catching the eye with Stella Maris.

Dubliner Paddy went on to play senior league football with St Patrick's, Bluebell United, and Johnson Mooney and O'Brien. Indeed, he played centrehalf with the LSL representative side in a game versus the MSL.

Paddy, who moved to Cork in 1975, is married to Dymphna and they have four children. He has worked with BSS for the past 32 years and is a keen golfer, being a member at the Killarney and Lee Valley clubs. He also enjoys the odd swim.

He joined Ballincollig as soon as he moved to Cork, beginning 23 years as a member, and played a few years with them. He soon joined the committee as assistant treasurer before going on to become treasurer and eventually chairman (a position he held for 14 years, up to his joining the AUL last season). He is now a vice President at Ballincollig.

AUL JAN 01

2009-10-05T01:18:00.001-07:00

CORK YOUTHS TAKE ON CLARE:

The Cork AUL youths take on the Clare District League at Midleton on Sunday afternoon (2.00pm) in the second round of the Snickers FAI Youths Inter-League championship. This competition has produced some thrilling games between the leagues in recent seasons and Sunday's encounter should be no exception.

The match has been transferred from Turner's Cross and the switch, forced by a decision of the MFA Grounds Committee last Monday that gave the Cross to regular tenants Cork City even though the AUL had it booked well in advance, will cause a good deal of inconvenience and expense to the local league, itself a great supporter of the Curragh Road venue where most if not all its finals are played.

Cork have been training hard under manager Liam McCarthy but his plans have been somewhat disrupted by the weather. Cork's first outing was a friendly against the Tipperary and Southern District League where goals by Lee (2), Rose, Fitzgerald, and captain Dekkers, earned the Cork visitors a 5 - 4 win.

The opening round of the championship came in November and, at Turner's Cross, the AUL pipped the Kerry District League 3 - 2, the Cork goals by Paul Rose (2) and Fitzgerald (who'll feel quite at home next Sunday afternoon).

Clare progressed with a victory over the Desmond League and here there is a line of form as Kerry just pipped the Desmond in a friendly. It looks as if Clare will be very bit as good as Kerry, perhaps even better, and that means a close encounter at Midleton's magnificent grounds in Knockgriffin.

Manager McCarthy has made one or two alterations to his panel but will be probably field most of the players that did duty against Kerry. Tramore's Ben Spicer kept a good goal that day. Lee of Kilreen was prominent in midfield while Douglas Hall's Rose was the ace upfront.

McCarthy's panel is: Willie Lee, Kevin Im, David Bennett, and Gerry Kerins (all Kilreen Celtic), Paul Rose, Derek Bowen, James O'Leary, and Brian Wilkinson (Douglas Hall), Ben Spicer and Mark Murphy (Tramore Ath.), Thomas Dekkers and Killian Lordan (Ballincollig), Trevor Fitzgerald, Aidan O'Driscoll, and Oliver Lynch (Midleton), Niall O'Regan (Bandon), Thomas Gettings (Leeside), Michael McBride (Rockmount), Jamie Cotter (Crosshaven), and Keith Kelleher (Leeds). The team bus will depart from St Patrick's Church at 12.15pm on Sunday.

* The remaining AUL game in the group stages of the Oscar Traynor Cup against the Red House League will take place in Tallow on January 28th (kick off 2.30pm).

WILTON UTD 1995

2009-10-05T01:17:00.001-07:00

WILTON UTD - UNDER 17 DIV 2 WINNERS 1994/95:

Quite a few managers of underage sides have mixed feelings about

parents attending matches but that is not the case with Denis

Budden: "Parents were a huge help to me this season, especially

in the provision of transport. They were always willing to help

whether the venue was near or far and saved the club a lot of

money."

Denis was the manager of the Wilton United team that won the

championship in Division Two of the Hurley Supermarket AUL Under

17 leagues and one parent singled out for special mention was

Michael Breen who helped out on the line on matchday.

In 1989/90, Wilton reached the national final of both the Under

17 and Youths Cups but lost the two. The current side is being

geared up to go one better and of the current bunch only skipper

David Spratt is overage for next season.

Their next date is coming up in July when they travel to play in

the Portsmouth Cup where Wilton sides have enjoyed success in the

past. The Under 17s will be one of four Wilton teams making the

trip.

The Under 17 title represents something of a change of luck for

this bunch who have been together since their Under 8 days.

Between cups and leagues, they have been runners up six times.

The bad luck spread into school competitions; nine of the Wilton

lads helped Colaiste an Spioraid Naomh to the national schools

final this season but they lost to St Mary's of Galway in the

final.

Noel McCabe, one of the people who put Roy Keane on the right

road, has been taking an interest in Budden's babes and already

one, Stuart Patterson, has been on trial at Liverpool. Ken

Bruton is due to visit Anfield once activities resume there next

month.

Budden's panel consists of: Eamonn Breen, Adrian Desmond, Kevin

O'Riordan, Brian Burke, Neil Horgan, David Spratt (captain,

Stuart Patterson, Ken Bruton, Martin English, Greg Fitzgerald,

Patrick Englihs, Colin O'Brien, Conor Buckley, Myles Lennon,

Stephen Daly, Patrick Clancy, and Fergus O'Donovan.

WHITETHORN 1993

2009-10-05T01:16:00.001-07:00

These Whitethorn boys weren't so green after all: three months into their

first ever season, the rookies from the Douglas Road picked up the Murphy's

Stout AUL team of the Month Award for November. That was presented last week

at the Lion's Den, home of their top supporter Bill Flanagan.

The Whitethorn handle comes from the fact the "eighty per cent" of the squad

live in the estate of that name. They were founded in 1992 and, after a

series of friendlies, decided to enter the AUL this season. They didn't get

off to the best of starts in League 3A but are now impressing in all

competitions.

Chairman, and top scorer, is Neil O'Donovan. Eddie Thornhill is secretary,

Tony Creagh is treasurer, and the other committee members are Finbarr Hogan,

Charlie Thornhill, Aidan O'Neill, and Darren Kearney.

All the committee men are available to manager Christy O'Donovan and the rest

of the panel is: Stephen Murphy, Denis O'Donovan, Tom O'Brien, Patsy Lyons,

the Meehan brothers (Paudie, Liam, and Christy), Don O'Neill (the most

experienced player in what is a quite a young side), Abdul Kamara, Peter

Coughlan, James Martin, John Drennan, Denis Kenneally, Liam O'Neill, and John

O'Mahony (captain).

WHITETHORN FEB 95

2009-10-05T01:15:00.001-07:00

Whitethorn 9/2/95:

Whitethorn are just a couple of years on the go but are already looking to the

future. The lively southside club intends to enter an Under 12 side in the

Cork Schoolboys League next season.

Brother Cusack of Sullivan's Quay is helping them in organising the young

lads. He has already been a big help to the juniors who train weekly at

Sullivan's Quay's well equipped gym.

Whitethorn, founded by Eddie Thornhill and Neil O'Donovan, started off in

1992/93 and, according to current manager Christy O'Donovan, "played a load of

friendlies". They entered the AUL for the 1993/94 season and immediately made

an impact.

Three months into their first ever season, the then rookies picked up the

Murphy's Stout AUL Team of the Month Award for November. Their victories that

month had included a stunning AOH Cup win over first division Castleview. They

went on to finish third in their league and that gave them promotion to 2A.

Whitethorn are finding the going tough enough at the higher level but the

manager hopes to consolidate their mid table position. He is also hopeful of

causing an upset or two in the cups.

The Whitethorn name comes from the fact that most of the squad live in the

estate of that name off the Douglas Road or are related to people living

there. There is one northsider "allowed" and he is Michael O'Sullivan.

Manager O'Donovan confesses that he doesn't know whether Camerooni Abdul

Kamara is northside or southside.

The current committee are Neil O'Donovan (Chairman), Eddie Thornhill

(Secretary), Tony Creagh (Treasurer), Denis Kenneally, and Mick Byrne (Clubman

of the Year), Mick is also the team's first aid man. Michael Keating is

their President.

The current squad consists of: Patsy Lyons, Mark Kelleher, Eddie Thornhill,

Don O'Neill (the ex Grattan Utd performer), John O'Mahony (captain and Player

of the Year), Tomas O'Brien, Liam Meehan, Michael O'Sullivan, Barry O'Brien,

Neil O'Donovan, Ger Barriscale, Derek Walsh, Peter Coughlan, Denis O'Donovan,

Abdul Kamara, and Christy Meehan.

WESTERN ROVERS

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File created Dec 2004

AUL NOSTALGIA

GOOD YEARS FOR WESTERN ROVERS

Western Rovers, after a few years of near misses, came good on the double in 1983-84 with triumphs in the league (Tom O'Kelly 2A) and in the Enterprise (nowadays the City) Cup.

The league title was the highlight. Here Buttevant took them to a play-off and then a replay. The first game ended scoreless and, two minutes from the end of the Buttevant replay, poacher supreme Frankie McCarthy scored the golden goal to give Western a 1-0 win and the championship.

McCarthy, with 28 goals, was the team's leading scorer while Hugh Cooney was next best with 26. Right back Mick McGregor played with the Cork AUL in the Tayto Cup win in Dunlin and, in the following season, John Horan played with Gerry Geaney's Munster team in an inter-provincial against Leinster. Tony Murphy was the manager and he had invaluable help from colleagues Tim O'Neill and Denis O'Driscoll (now with the AUL, MFA and FAI).

A goal by Sean Walsh, who later went on to a trophy laden career with Temple United and Greenmount Rangers (he is still involved at the ESB Grounds), put Western trough to the Enterprise Cup final, as it was enough to beat scoreless Ringmahon Rangers.

The final opposition was provided by first division Tramore Athletic but this southside derby failed to sizzle and the Rovers scored a surprisingly easy 3-0 victory, their goals by Coughlan, Crowley and McCarthy.

The Western Rovers panel that season was: L. Ryan, M. McGregor, B. Nagle, P. Crowley, A. O'Shea, B. O'Donovan (captain), S. Walsh, K. Ruddy, F. McCarthy, G. Coughlan, H. Cooney, J. Punch, N. Tobin, L. McKenzie, J. Horan and J. Geaney. The first eleven listed provided the starting line-up in the Enterprise final.

Western Rovers took their place in AUL 1A the following season. There was just one automatic promotion place available and that went to champions Ballinlough Rovers. Ballinlough, who had merged with Victoria Athletic before the season, had an instant reward. Donie O'Leary and Dan Cullinane (later to achieve so much with Hibernians) were the managers; Joe Hegarty was captain and John O'Brien the vice-caption.

It seemed that Western's bid for promotion for the second season running had failed. But then came news of a vacancy in the Premier because of the unexpected withdrawal of Cobh Ramblers, a withdrawal that meant 1984/5 was the first season since the founding of the league that Ramblers would not have a team in the AUL.

The vacancy triggered a three team play-off and that involved the three first division runners up: Ballyvolane, Waterloo and Western Rovers. Western played Ballyvolane in the semi-final and the southsiders won a good game 2-1. The final though was a bore. "There was more excitement in watching the grass grow at Turner's Cross than in watching the disappointing final" was one comment at the time. Western though weren't too bothered as they won promotion in the penalty kick shootout that followed the scoreless draw.

Our picture, taken on August 29th, 1984, shows the Western Rovers, starting their AUL 1A campaign in August 1984. Back row (l to r): Sean Walsh, Pat Crowley, Liam Ryan, Kieran Ruddy, John Horan and Aidan O'Shea. Front: Frank McCarthy, Barry Nagle, Ger Coughlan, Mick McGregor, Bernard O'Donovan and Liam McKenzie.

This particular game was against Hibernians, a game that Western deservedly won 3-2, even if one of their goals was hugely controversial. Scores by Liam McKenzie and Pat Crowley had Western 2-1 up against Hibs who had scored through Robert Smyth.

Then, much to the amazement of all present, the referee judged that a Sean Walsh shot had crossed the Hibs line. True, the keeper had been beaten all ends up but the ball hit both posts before bouncing back weakly infield. To add fuel to the fire, the next Hibs attack yielded a goal by sub Richard Jordan. It has to be said though that Western, who had Frankie McCarthy twice denied by the bar, deserved the two points.

And the good news continued for Western in their next game when they finished strongly to beat Kilreen 3-1. Walsh, McCarthy and Ruddy were in top form for the winners who were one down at the start of the final quarter.

Western Rovers were originally founded in 1941 but the unit featured here, based in the Togher and Glasheen areas, was re-formed in 1972 and, by 1981, was regarded as one of the most progressive underage clubs in the city, catering for all ages up to junior in the AUL.

Tony Murphy, now the chairman of the Munster Senior League, had been there since the 1972 start and, at the club's annual dinner in 1982, a special presentation was made by the club to Tony in appreciation of the work and dedication shown by the chairman since the re-forming of the club.

Western Rovers AUL honours: 1980/1, runners up to Castleview in Youths 2; 82/83, runners up to park Utd in junior 2A; 83/84, won 2A and the Enterprise (City) Cup; 84/85, second to Ballinlough Rovers in 1A, winners of play-off for place in Premier League.

WEST END UTD March 2001

2009-10-05T01:13:00.001-07:00

WEST END UNITED

West End United may have caught a dose of the blues when they lost last month's Saxone Cup final to Dripsey Celtic but secretary Ted Crowley, who has spent some twenty five years with the small second division club, reports "a healthy position" in Murphy's Stout AUL 2B.

That healthy league position is down to an unbeaten run. They have won seven and drawn two of their nine games. So well done to the management team of Garry White, trainer Liam Buckley, and the side-line know how of Crowley himself.

Crowley and the West End boys have one major headache this season. And that came about because their pitch in Mahon was taken over for building purposes. Murphy's Farm was offered as an alternative but the bad weather meant that the Bishopstown venue was unplayable. As a result, West End have played all their games away from home.

But it hasn't really bothered them that much. New signings Liam O'Brien (a promising young player from Casement Celtic), Don O'Keeffe (snapped up on his return from Australia), Finn Unnerup (a Dane working in Cork), Noel Murphy (ex Glenthorn Celtic), and Leonard Lyons (ex Grattan Utd), have boosted the squad and brought down the average age dramatically.

The new boys will have some catching up to do. Crowley's twenty five years of service is a shining example. And the torch has been followed by Ian O'Donovan (23 years), the Buckley brothers (Joe 17 years, Liam and Pat with 12 each), Kieran Murphy (15), Garry White (15), and Dave Bannon (10). Even main sponsor Declan O'Sullivan (Ban Ard) has been backing West End for ten years. Who says there's no loyalty in soccer?

Crowley extends an open invitation to young players to join: "We would like them to join the squad. It is a club where great friendships have been built up over the years." Crowley combines the secretary and treasurer jobs while O'Donovan is chairman.

West End skipper Mikesey Lyons didn't enjoy much luck in the 1 - 0 Saxone Cup final loss to Dripsey Celtic but, with nine goals, he is the side's leading scorer by a long way. Coming up behind are Richard Anderson (3), Dave Bannon (2), Roy Anderson (2), Kieran O'Sullivan (2), and James O'Mahony (2).

Super sub O'Mahony is credited with netting the late winner in their best win of the season. That came in the quarter-final of the Saxone Cup and O'Mahony's last minute strike earned them a 2 - 1 victory over fancied Afton Villa. West End have never had any player on a league representative team but Crowley says the powers that be should take a look at Phillip Long: "He is having a great season, never has a bad game."

The panel, which trains every Tuesday and Thursday at Ashton School, is: Pat Buckley (keeper), Damien Hegarty, Damien Murphy, Donal McCarthy, Finn Unnerup, Philip Long, Noel Murphy, Leonard Lyons, Declan O'Sullivan, Roy Anderson, Joe Buckley, Don O'Keeffe, Kieran O'Sullivan, Liam Buckley, Liam O'Brien, Dave Bannon, Kieran Murphy, Mikesey Lyons (captain), James O'Mahony, and Richard Anderson.

West End, founded in the Bandon Road area in 1974, haven't enjoyed great luck in competition. In addition to this season's Turner's Cross loss to Dripsey, they were pipped for league honours in 1988 and 1993. It could all yet come right before the end of the season. If it does, then the efforts of early members such as Hughie O'Connor, Anthony Daly, and Paddy Rice, will be remembered. Not that they'd be forgotten in any case.

WATERLOO MARCH 1995

2009-10-05T01:11:00.002-07:00

Waterloo Mar 1995:

Waterloo, founded in the summer of 1977 at a meeting in the

Waterloo Inn, is very much a family club.

They have three schoolboys sides where the organising and

coaching work is shared by Mr and Mrs Terence McCarthy, Mr and

Mrs John O'Brien, Mr and Mrs Donal O'Leary, and Mr and Mrs Martin

O'Connell. Mary McCarthy is another trojan worker at underage

level.

The Cronins, the Mullanes, the Moynihans, the Hegartys, are other

families closely associated with the club. And the trend is

reinforced with no less than five sets of brothers on the "B"

squad.

Waterloo AFC are just short of twenty years in the Cork AUL and

are looking good for at least another twenty. This progressive

rural club, which draws its players from the Grenagh, Blarney,

and Whitechurch area, has great hopes for the future mainly

because of work being done at underage level where the club

colours are worn at Under 11, 12, and 13. Much of the development

at this level would not be possible without the help of O'Connell

Plant Hire.

The first junior team is not enjoying the best of luck this

season, a far cry from the heady days of 1985/86 when they took

the title in One B and doubled up by triumphing in the County

Cup. The following year, they finished runners up to Temple Utd

in the Premier League.

Martin Cronin was manager for the good years, His son Garrett is

now playing with Cork City. Their next tantalizing taste of glory

came in 1992/93 when they were runners up in the first division.

They now play in One A. Terence McCarthy is the manager and his

assistant is Danny Cronin, an uncle of the Cork City player.

Danny is also the club secretary. He has been with the club

since the early days as has the evergreen Pat Mullane. Tommy

Hegarty is chairman; John O'Halloran is treasurer and Andy

Macken the assistant treasurer. Pat Mullane, Terence McCarthy,

Andy Macken, and Pat Moynihan, are committee members.

The first team squad consists of Trevor Keating, Jim O'Shea,

Denny Hegarty, Pat Mullane, Alan Murphy, Robert Linzell

(captain), Patrick Murphy, Dermot Hickey, Tom Bevan, Joe Murphy,

Johnny O'Halloran, Donal McCarthy, Eamonn Aherne, and Denis

Mullane.

The second team are strong contenders for the championship in

Murphy's Stout AUL 3A. Manager here is Pat Moynihan and his

right hand men are Andy Macken, Patrick O'Riordan, and Brendan

Twohig. Macken is also the team skipper.

The five sets of brothers on the "B" panel are: the Dohertys

(Ger and Pat), Moynihans (Con and Jeremiah), O'Riordans (Dan and

Patrick), Colemans (Seamus and Ciarain), and Dorgans (Aidan and

Donal).

The rest of the panel is: Brendan Walsh, Aidan Forrest, Pat

Brennan, Padraig McDonnell, John Halbert, Sean Murphy, Michael

Twohig, Ger Lotty, Stephen Horgan, Robert Lee, and Macken

himself.

Honours:

1983/84 - runners up first division;

1984/85 - runners up first division;

1985/86 - winners League 1B and County Cup;

1986/87 - runners up Premier League;

1992/93 - runners League 1A.

WATERGRASSHILL UTD 2004

2009-10-05T01:11:00.000-07:00

WATERGRASSHILL UNITED

Newly formed Watergrasshill United haven’t kicked a ball in anger yet but will hold a party at the Fir Tree Inn on Friday week. An amalgamation party!

Such is the enthusiasm created by the coming together of Hill Celtic and Hill Albion that an idea for the party, by new chairman Niall O'Riordan, was quickly adopted at a recent players’ meeting and new secretary John Barton promises “entertainment and munchies will be provided on the night”.

Youth outfit Blackstone Rovers (who play in the East Cork – West Waterford League) are also part of the new combination and Barton says there’s more: “We’ve further cause for celebration with the news that, following the end of their current season, the ladies of Brooklodge Utd will be coming under the Watergrasshill Utd banner. A special invitation to the party is extended to all past players of Celtic, Albion, Blackstone and Brooklodge Utd.”

Hill Celtic founder member Pat Foley is delighted with the new union: “I am thrilled. It is a great step forward. It is great for the village, a rapidly expanding village. It will help us attract more players.”

“Hill Albion have been building a very good underage set-up while Celtic have the experience. It should be a terrific blend and there’ll be no need for divided loyalties in the area anymore.”

Foley, with other founding members such as Billy Sheehan, Donal O'Callaghan and Pat Geary, got Hill Celtic off the ground in 1991. Hill Albion broke away a few years later and they too have some stalwarts in their ranks, such as Derry Desmond (he does great work at underage level), John O'Regan, Har Sheehan and Dean Roche.

AUL chairman Tony Fitzgerald threw his weight behind the amalgamation: “I welcome it. I have no doubt but that it will be good for football in Watergrasshill. They were weakened as they were but now they are on the right road and we wish them well.”

Barton, who has been a key figure at Celtic in recent seasons, looks ahead with optimism: “We see it as a huge benefit to football in the Watergrasshill area, particularly with the amount of development going on in the area. Now, there is one unified club, one entrance point for newcomers and players to the area. Before, there was Hill Celtic, Hill Albion, Blackstone Rovers, etc. People got confused and were unsure of which one to approach. We're taking the strengths of both organisations and hopefully combining into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts”.

He knows there is some hard work ahead: “I think the first 12 months will be difficult, an adjustment period, but the long-term benefits will be immense for both junior and underage. We will be entering three teams in the AUL.”

“There will be schoolboy teams from U7 to U16 playing in the East Cork/West Waterford league. These are the Blackstone Rovers teams, which will now formally be called Watergrasshill Utd. The aim would be to enter an U-17 team into the AUL for the start of next year. This will supplement the large number of underage teams currently under the Watergrasshill Utd banner, including three girls teams, U14, U16 and U18, entered in the Cork Ladies leagues.”

Preparations for the launch of the new club are well underway and already a new crest has been designed for Watergrasshill United. Both current pitches will still be available and the plan is for the three junior teams to be based at Celtic Park while all underage and girls teams will play at Skehanagh Park.

Barton says the long-term plan is “to buy land and develop our own pitches as both Celtic and Skehanagh are rented”. “We are currently actively pursuing this. The colours of the various teams will all be various combinations of the Celtic and Albion gears over the years! The A team will line out with red tops and white shorts, the B in navy tops with blue shorts while the C side will have white tops with red shorts.”

The new committee consists of: Niall O'Riordan (Chairman),: Pat Foley (Vice-Chairman), John Barton(Secretary), Brian O’Farrell (PRO); Har Sheehan and Paul Sharkey (Joint Treasurers) and Steve McNeeley (Trainer).

The first team is likely to play in One B and here the management line-up is Pat Foley, Paul Sharkey and Har Sheehan. Steve McNeeley, Paul Sheehan and Paul Hannon will look after the second team, likely to play in 2B, while the 3rd team selectors are Kevin Hoare, Feargal Murphy and one other to be confirmed.

Steve NcNeeley will coach the junior teams while Derry Desmond and James Hennessy are in charge of the underage teams and have been doing trojan work. Barton again: “Few people, even around the village, know that two of our schoolboys, Gavin Cronin and Daniel O'Riordan, are playing in the Danone U-11 Irish Development team, a fact that deserves wider recognition.”

FLASHBACK 1992/3:

"There was great excitement in the village when we brought the league trophy home", said Pat Foley as he reflected a few years back on their championship win in 3B in 1993.

Celtic had imporved in the opening year and promotion was the aim at the start of the 1992/3 season. The opening match ended in defeat but that setback was brushed aside and the title came to Watergrasshill in May after a play-off against Carrigtwohill.

At one stage, Celtic were six games and twelve points behind Carrig but managed to win all six before taking the title with an extra time play-off goal by Declan Freeman.

The 1992/3 panel: Andy O'Flynn (keeper), Kevin Hoare, Mick Sheehan, Donal O'Callaghan (captain), Mick O'Leary, Moss O'Keeffe, Sean Hegarty, John O'Keeffe, Declan Freeman, John Shine, Denis O'Leary, John Sheehan, Dan O'Riordan, Brendan Walsh, John Barton, and Richie O'Leary.

Hill Celtic honours: 1993, winners 3B; 1994, winners 2B; 1997, winners St Michael’s Cup; 1998, winners County Cup; 2000, winners 1B; 2003, winners 3B. Their greatest cup run didn't produce a trophy. That came in 2001/02 when they led Fairview Rangers in the quarter-final of the FAI Junior Cup before losing in extra time at Fermoy.

VILLAGE JAN 2001

2009-10-05T01:08:00.001-07:00

VILLAGE UTD

Former senior international Miah Dennehy is leading Village Utd out of the doldrums. Miah, as player-manager, has the Mayfield side back at the head of affairs in Murphy's Stout AUL 1B. They are not among the title favourites but are going in the right direction.

Village joined the AUL for the 1991/2 season and won 3A. The following season they topped 2A and kept the sequence going in 1993/4 when they emerged as winners of 1A.

Perhaps the best known character in the extended Village family is chairman John Feighery, known to one and all as Duffy. Duffy was a driving force at the foundation and remains an influential figure; he is their groundsman at Silverheights where dressing facilities are now installed. The other committee members are Kevin O'Sullivans (secretary), Denis Long (treasurer), Dinny Murray (assistant treasurer), Alan McGrath, and Marie Long.

Miah is combing the area for young talent and is also keeping an eye on the Village Utd B side that play in 3B. Manager here is Dinny Murray and his young charges are close to the bottom but showed their potential as recently as last weekend when they handed out a 4 - 1 lesson to title chasers Cobh Celtic.

The Village club has always had plenty of support from the area. The Community Association have helped out with the pitches, the local Harrier Club with dressing facilities, the Fob and Gill and George Butler with sponsorship.

Football wasn't always the priority for Village in recent seasons. Secretary O'Sullivan explains: "Sadly, two of our players passed away in the last few years, John O'Brien and Richard Kelleher. We would like to thank them and their families for what they have done for Village Utd."

Aside from topping the league, Village are going well in the Corinthians Cup and are also looking for a run in the City Cup. The panel is: Paul Attridge, Jason Power (captain), Brian Sheridan, Dominic Casey, Kevin Geraghty, Alan O'Brien, Alan McGrath, Kevin O'Sullivan, Brian Hegarty, Noel Magnier, Dean Coughlan, Conor Jones (leading scorer), Sean Barry, Trevor Cambridge, Nicky and Miah Dennehy.

VILLAGE UTD 1995

2009-10-05T01:07:00.001-07:00

VILLAGE ON VICTORY WAY:

Village Utd, the young Mayfield based club, have had a remarkable

rise to the top division of the AUL Junior Leagues.

They joined the league for the 1991/2 season and won 3A. The

following season they topped 2A and kept the sequence going in

1993/4 when they emerged as winners of 1A, winning the January

Team of the Month Award on the way. And at present, they are one

of the joint leaders in the Murphy's Stout Premier League.

They did have some good cup runs, including reaching last

season's AOH quarter-finals, but knockout success eluded them

until the end of last season when they beat Temple United in the

exciting final of the City Challenge Cup at Turner's Cross.

That was a top notch performance. They were somewhat more

nervous on their other visit to the Cross for the One A

championship play-off against Grattan Utd. But all came well in

the end and they took the big step to the Premier.

Last season was the first time that they entered the provincial

cup. They are quick learners and, this season, are through to

the last 32, the open draw, and a home game against Tramore FC of

Waterford, a game which manager Martin O'Riordan and company are

eagerly awaiting.

O'Riordan has been the manager since day one. He has no great

tradition in soccer, no coaching certificates to his credit. But

he obviously has a winning formula.

Perhaps the best known character in the extended Village family

is chairman John Feighery, known to one and all as Duffy. Duffy

was the driving force behind the foundation of the club and

remains an influential figure. He leaves his chairman's hat

behind on matchdays when he can be seen in action as the team's

medic, complete with tracksuit and baseball cap.

Club secretary is Adrian Saville and the joint treasurers are

Alan O'Brien and Alan McGrath. The other members of the

committee are Martin Cashman (he captained Leeds in an AOH semi-

final), Tony O'Sullivan, Denis Long (the assistant manager), and

Kevin O'Sullivan.

Saville was voted clubman of the year for last season and other

annual awards went to Vincent Long (Player of the Year) and Rory

O'Connor (Top Scorer).

The progress of the club was recognised this season when Jinty

O'Sullivan was picked by AUL manager Martin Heffernan for the

Oscar Traynor Cup panel. O'Sullivan played in the wins over the

Shipping league and South Tipperary and his club wish him all the

best for the campaign ahead.

The Mayfield Community East have been a big help to Village,

allowing them the use of the pitch at Silverheights. Dressing

facilities are provided courtesy of the local harrier club. The

Rockmount club are helping Village stage their Munster cup game

in Whitechurch and Rockmount's help in this regard is much

appreciated.

O'Riordan's captain is Jason Power and the other members of the

panel are: Mark Hutchinson (keeper), Kevin Geraghty, new

signings Mick Healy and brother Christy (both ex ballyvolane),

Aidan Keohane, Adrian Saville, Rory O'Connor, Eddie Roche, Eddie

O'Driscoll, Darren O'Callaghan, Vincie Long, Alan O'Brien,

Anthony Noone, Jinty O'Sullivan, Alan McGrath, Deccie McCarthy,

and Leslie Kepple.

VILLAGE UTD 1993

2009-10-05T01:06:00.001-07:00

Player power is the name of the game at the successful Village Utd club who

this season added the title in Murphy's Stout 2A to that won in 3A last term.

True, chairman John "Duffy" Feighery is a little past his playing days but

players man all the other positions on the committee. Keeper Paul "Taffy"

Lockyer is secretary; treasurer duties are shared by Rory O'Connor, Alan

O'Brien, and Alan mcGrath. Vince Long and Adrian Saville are committee

members while manager Martin O'Riordan is also capable of doing duty as a

player.

O'Riordan didn't have much opportunity to tog out this season as his charges

went through the league campaign unbeaten, clinching the title on the last day

by beating top rivals Castle Celtic.

Besides, they had some great cup runs though all came to nought in the end.

They reached the quarter finals of the AOH (beating Buttevant's Premier side

on the way) and the City Challenge and the semi-final of the Saxone. The

highlight of their Corinthians run was the defeat of Casement Celtic, another

Premier outfit.

Eddie O'Driscoll, with 22, was the top marksman for this young Mayfield club

who are very thankful to the loc oal Harrier Club for the use of their

premises. Other leading scorers were Adrian Saville (15), Rory O'Connor

(13), Jonathan "Jinty" O'Sullivan (12), and Greg Martin (11).

Village, with 61 goals for and 23 against, had the best attack and the best

defence in the league, quite a competitive one. The squad was much the same as

last season, notable additions being Vincent Long, Tony Neiland, and Aidan

Keohane. Saville was vice-captain and Jason Power led the team (as he did

last season).

The full panel was: Paul Lockyer, Kevin Geraghty, Vinny Long, Jason Power,

Dave Butler, Aidan Keohane, Adrian Saville, Alan O'Brien, Tony Neiland, Greg

Martin, Rory O'Connor, Donal Kenneally, Eddie O'Driscoll, Jinty O'Sullivan,

Deccie McCarthy, Martin O'Mahony, Alan McGrath, Anthony Crowley, Kevin Keegan,

and Stephen Egan.

VILLA UTD 1993

2009-10-05T01:05:00.001-07:00

VILLA'S GOOD START:

According to co-manager Martin O'Sullivan, Villa Utd did their best work early

on and 18 points from their first 11 games put them on the way to the

championship in Murphy's Stout AUL League 2. "However", he continued, "We

made hard work of it in the end, losing three games out of four. We then had

two games left and needed three points to take the title".

Villa did better. They won their last two matches, 3 - 1 against Afton Villa

and 2 - 0 away to Crosshaven. It was the first time that Villa won a league

and the first honour for most of the squad who have been with the club for the

past six or seven seasons.

One player, though, was completing a double. Striker Pat O'Callaghan was

getting his hands on the League 2 trophy for the second time, having been

successful with Leeds in 1984.

O'Callaghan, in fact, was the team's leading marksmen with 17 league and cup

goals to his credit from 31 appearances. Ray Murphy was just one short of

O'Callaghan's haul and others to contribute in front of goal were Flor

McCarthy (7), Liam Walsh (7), Morgan Kelleher (6), Martin Meaney (6), and

Michael Brosnan (5).

Villa scored in each of their 32 games, except for one and that was in the

President's Cup quarter-final which they lost 1 - 0 to Afton Villa. They also

reached the last eight of the City Challenge but made earlier exits from the

Saxone, the Corinthians, and the AOH.

O'Sullivan was disappointed with their cup form: "We should have won those

quarter-finals, particularly in the City Cup against Portview in which we led

1 - 0 and missed a penalty before conceding two soft goals. However, we were

quite happy to settle for the league in the end".

Villa Utd were founded in 1981 and entered a second team in the AUL in 1985.

The first team went intermediate in 1991/92 having just won the AOH Cup. In

1986 and 1991, they were runners up in the first division.

Seamus Flynn is the club chairman and the other officers are: Tim McCarthy,

secretary; William Punch, treasurer; John Murphy, vice-chairman. Other

committee members are: Michael Connors, William O'Donovan, Flor McCarthy, and

Martin O'Sullivan.

O'Sullivan's co-manager is Ger Rea who is also team captain. Rea and vice

captain John Murphy were elected by the players before the start of the

season.

The club held a very enjoyable end of season supper dance at which the

following awards were made: Niall O'Connell (Intermediate Player of the

Year); Brian Hennessy (Junior Player of the Year); Jim O'Connor (Top

Intermediate Scorer); and Pat O'Callaghan (Top Junior Scorer). Junior

midfielder Flor McCarthy got the Clubman of the Year Award.

O'Sullivan had great praise for the ECHO coverage of local soccer: "It

certainly boosted the lads during the year when we got some headlines". If

Villa keep it up, they'll get a few more next season.

Three of the 17 man panel took part in all 32 games: keeper Denis O'Driscoll,

centre back John Murphy, and midfielder Flor McCarthy. The other panel

members (appearances in brackets) were: Brian Hennessy (31); Ger Rea (29);

Denis Murphy (26); Sean Carroll (18); Donal O'Halloran (22); Morgan

Kelleher (25); Martin Hayes (22); Michael brosnan (15); Ray Murphy (25);

Liam Walsh (25); Pat O'Callaghan (31); Martin Meaney (20); Willie Punch

(19); and Martin O'Sullivan (3).

The champions for the previous ten years in League 2 are: Brideview Utd

(83); Leeds (84); Douglas Hall Utd (85); Leeside (86); UCC (87); St Mary's

(88); Bandon (89); Greenwood (90); Lakewood Ath. (91); and Ballincollig

Athletic (92).

UCC NOV 2001

2009-10-05T01:02:00.001-07:00

UCC: A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

From the October Saturday that the University College Cork side that play in the AUL defeated their MSL counterparts in the Statoil FAI Junior Cup, people began to give them much more respect. True, they lost in the next round against Greenmount Rangers but gave the hot favourites a good game.

In recent seasons, UCC have been more or less going through the motions in the AUL. That has changed also. Under manager Kevin McNamara, they are very much in the running for promotion. McNamara previously managed the UCC Fresher Youths team and his appointment, along with the win over the first junior side, has boosted the stature of what is regarded as UCC's second junior team.

Last season's squad has been boosted by the influx of new players, mainly from last season's Fresher teams, in particular Ray Hickey, Colin Mangan, John McCarthy, Iain O'Callaghan. Also they have a French international student, Pascal Tournaire, playing up front. On the other hand, they have lost last season's Player of the Year, Paul Gleeson, to the MSL juniors.

The reinforced squad, sponsored by the Bank of Ireland, presents quite a match day problem for manager McNamara: he has no less than thirty players to choose from! Tournaire and midfielder Ray Hickey are the leading scorers and the side is captained by sweeper Mark O'Regan.

The committee, which consists of Anthony Spratt (Chairman), James Murphy (Secretary), Kevin Healy (Treasurer), Paul Irwin (PRO), Paul Wycherley (Quarry Cup Officer), have high hopes for this team. In the short term, they want "promotion, promotion, promotion" and the longer term aim is to establish themselves in the first division and then make a push for the Premier League.

And they are working hard to move up the rankings. They train twice a week, Wednesdays in the indoor hall in the Mardyke Arena, Thursdays at The Farm. Most of the home games are played in The Farm (Curraheen Road) with the odd match in the Mardyke.

Chairman Spratt reckons that their best win of the season to date came last Saturday week when goals from Shane O'Connor and Ray Hickey earned them a 2-1 away win over Douglas Hall. But revenge was close at hand and, a few days later, the Hall won the return 1-0 under lights at the Mardyke.

It was UCC's first league defeat of the season, so last Sunday's away trip to Innishannon became a big test of character. Spratt, who plays in defence, and his colleagues came through with flying colours and goals from.... earned them a 3-0 win and put their promotion drive back on track.

UCC field five teams in all. Cannice Kennedy and Laurence Neville look after the Senior side while Kieran Logan and J.J. Chambers are in charge of the MSL juniors. David O'Donovan and Ken O'Riordan manage the Fresher Junior team while the youths equivalent is guided by Steve Dinan and Mark Stone.

TRAMORE ATHLETIC 1994/95

2009-10-05T01:00:00.001-07:00

TRAMORE ATHLETIC 1994/95

NORM WEATHERS THE STORM

The recent rain-filled winter is rapidly becoming a thing of the

past but will long be remembered by Norman Pratt, manager of Two

A hot shots Tramore Athletic: "We stagnated. No games from

December 10th 1994 to March 19th 1995. This was the biggest test

of my managerial career to date, trying to keep up my own morale

as well as that of twenty others."

Norman and Tramore came through well. Plenty training and

matches galore on all weather pitches kept the lads in trim and

they restarted in style by making immediate progress towards the

top of the league and into the last eight of the Saxone Cup.

This team is a relatively new addition to the formidable line-up

at Tramore Athletic, one of Cork best known and respected clubs.

It came about as an attempt to keep the club's many underage

graduates from drifting away from the colours.

The timing was right for Pratt. He had just been forced to quit

- he had played with Lee Rangers - and was anxious to remain

involved in football. And so the AUL Tramore juniors were started

up in May 1993.

Norman and his assistant Paddy O'Riordan soon had a pool of young

players together and then added seasoned campaigners such as Mick

O'Rourke, Terry McSweeney, and John Holland. The mixture gelled

quite well and had a great run in the league. They eventually

finished third but were in with a shout right up the penultimate

game.

The aim for this season was to go all the way and take the title

in Two A. Key players, such as keeper Alan Creedon, sweeper

Leonard Furlong, and striker Ian Harrington, were retained and

more experience was added in the shape of Frank Murphy, Pat

Roche, Pat Clarke, Liam O'Flynn, Colm O'Farrell, and Ray

Fitzpatrick.

The manager is pretty happy with the way things are going: "We

have assembled the size and quality of squad necessary. We are

handily placed in our league and ready to capitalise on any slip-

up by front runners Kanturk and Park Albion; we have the games in

hand. We are still involved in all cup competitions to date."

Norman knows that his side is but one plank in a Tramore club,

bidding once again to be a major force at all levels of local

football. Behind the team, there is a very experienced and

active committee fronted by Tony Murphy (Chairman), Eddie Byrne

(Treasurer), and Liz O'Donoghue (Secretary).

The manager has a special word of praise for Tony Murphy who gave

him his start in management: "It is a great opportunity for me.

I have a burning desire to lead this team to the first division,

lead them up as champions." He also wants a cup final at

Turner's Cross along the way.

Enthusiastic Norman certainly had this team buzzing and has them

well kitted out too thanks to team sponsors Turner's Cross

Motors. "They are a great bunch of lads, " he says, singing their

praises, "Week after week they show great committement and

enthusiasm in their endeavours to bring success to our great

club".

TOWER STREET ATHLETIC DEC 2000

2009-10-05T00:59:00.001-07:00

TOWER STREET ATHLETIC

Third division Tower Street Athletic had their exciting turn in the giant-killing role in last seasons' AOH Cup. In just their second season, the Street conquered a string of higher ranked teams before bowing to the superior firepower of Leeside in the semi-final at Turner's Cross.

That particular avenue to glory was closed off early this season when they were beaten by Knocknaheeny Celtic, the first defeat for the southsiders since that Leeside lesson at the Cross. The aims are now more modest, perhaps more realistic, according to club secretary Mick Fielding: "Our main aim is to win promotion to the second division and hopefully reach the Cross for the second year running, this time via the President's Cu in which we must play Mallow Celtic in the quarter-finals".

Tower, who underlined their cup pedigree with triumph in the popular Togher Summer festival, will probably start that tie as favourites. A win would put them into the semi-final against Bellmount Rovers. The other semi-final sees Hillington take on Ardmanning Celtic.

Tower Street are one of the fitter third division sides, thanks to the twice weekly training sessions which are supervised by Timmy Coleman and that fitness showed in a 5 - 2 crunch league win over Cobh Celtic, "our best performance of the season to date", according to Fielding.

The secretary reckons that Tower are even stronger than last season: "I feel that the five new signings, Paul O'Flynn, Michael Andrews, Alan Murray, David Kelly, and Declan O'Keeffe, have reinforced our hand. We are stronger all round".

They did suffer a reverse early on when keeper Stephen Carroll was injured in a car crash that will keep him out for the season. "That was a big blow", said Fielding. "But 18 year old new signing O'Keeffe stepped in and has done a marvellous job."

This is the club's third season in the AUL. Fielding formed Tower Street along with current players Neil Greaney and Don Field. The current committee consists of Tom O'Leary, chairman and treasurer; Mick Fielding, secretary; Pat Owens, Timmy Coleman, Michael O'Shea, and Neil Greaney.

Tower Street are head-quartered in Ma Dullea's where Billy O'Driscoll helped them get off the ground and was very supportive. There are now new owners at Ma's and they have continued the backing for the young club, which is hoping to have its first representative honour in the near future. Midfielder Scott Crowley is training with Terry Barrett's preliminary AUL Oscar Traynor Cup squad.

Quite a few clubs like Tower Street fail to last the pace and drop out of football after a few years. But Fielding's committee are there for the long haul: "Our longer term ambition is to buy our own pitch and start up a second team or maybe a youths team. We want to continue getting that team out each weekend and to be successful into the future."

Fielding and Pat Owens are the joint managers of the 3B side. Skipper is John Coleman, the current Player of the Year, and the leading scorers at present are Scott Crowley and Tyrone Looney.

The full squad is: David Kelly, John Coleman (captain), Neil Greaney, Michael Andrews, Tom O'Riordan, Felix Sherlock, Timmy Coleman, Scott Crowley, Murt Holland, Barry Murphy, Peter McKenzie, Timmy McCarthy, Paul O'Flynn, Tyrone Looney, Alan Murray, Anthony Coleman, Declan O'Keeffe, Don Field, and Jim Black.

TOGHER ROVERS 1993

2009-10-05T00:58:00.000-07:00

TOGHER TOPS:

Fair play to Togher Rovers, the newly crowned champions of Murphy's

Stout Two B. Not alone did they win the championship but they also

did well in the sporting stakes: no Togher player was sent off this

season.

It was a very enjoyable season for the southsiders who took the title

with three points to spare over West End Utd. Blarney Street Athletic

were the other major contenders while Wilton and Bosco's also helped

make it quite a competitive league.

But what turned the also rans of the previous championship into the

number ones of the current chart? Jim Haines, appointed player

manager last summer, must take a great deal of the credit.

He brought back players who had left the club and, mixing the

prodigals and the faithful, produced a title winning blend, a team

that lost just twice in the course of the 22 match campaign. Training

sessions at Coffey's Field were well attended and support on matchday

grew by the game.

West End kept up the chase until the end and Togher needed a point

from their last game to clinch the championship. Haines and company

needn't have worried. Skipper Paul Sherlock scored an early goal and

put them on the way to a 5 - 0 win and there were mighty celebrations

once AUL assistant secretary Denis O'Driscoll had presented the

trophy.

Colin Rahilly is chairman of the club (which was formed in 1983). The other

officers are: Kieran Lordan (treasurer), Brendan McCabe (secretary), and

Donal O'Donoghue (assistant secretary).

The panel was: T. Meldrum, B. Doyle, G. Burns, D. Haines, P. Sherlock

(captain), M. McDermott, T. Murphy, K. Haines, M. Roche, E. Haines, K.

O'Sullivan, A. Ryan, M. Fahy, D. Walsh, M. Crowley, T. Welch, and J. Haines.

* Togher, who scored 57 leagues goals and conceded 22, finished with

37 points from 22 games. West End had 34, Blarney Street 29.

Beaumont Rangers were relegated while Mayfield Athletic withdrew

towards the end of the season.

TEMPLE UNITED 1994

2009-10-05T00:56:00.001-07:00

TEMPLE TRIUMPHANT:

For the second season in succession, Temple United won all four

AUL intermediate trophies. How do they do it?

It is not that they are streaks ahead of the others. This

season's shield final was won on spotters as was last season's

league play-off and they've had many other close calls.

They are fit, well organised, ambitious. But so too are most of

the sides at the level. They do have an edge in scoring and much

of that has to do with the penalty area craft of the ex League of

Ireland duo Kevin Kearney and Bob O'Donovan.

They are helped also by the keen competition for places in a very

strong panel. Not too many teams can afford the luxury of

leaving players such as Seanie Walsh and Greg Cooney on the

bench.

Temple, having tasted success, are not about to give up easily.

You never see them easing up in the closing stages of a game.

They don't settle for draws.

If they are behind, they keep fighting away until the last

minute, That helped this season as they scored three in the last

ten minutes to overcome Greenmount in a vital league game.

8

AUL SOCCER 8

______________

TEMPLE CONTINUED:

If they are in front, they don't give the opposition a moment's

rest. Ballincollig, who lost 7 - 3 as Temple clinched the title,

will vouch for that. So too will Mayfield who could have won the

recent Corinthians final on the basis of the first hour's play

but who could have lost by more than 4 - 1 in the closing

quarter.

The killer touch though is just asset. If Kearney and O'Donovan

are most often the executioners, manager Ger Manning has the team

playing as a unit so that the marksmen are well supplied. Temple

play some great football and it is always a delight to see them

in action.

The one disappointment this season was their FAI exit to Cherry

Orchard, the Leinster Team of the Year. It was a high quality

match, with quite a few players from both teams, getting ten out

of ten from the Dublin papers. With a bit of luck in the draw,

Temple can go all the way next season.

* More good news for Temple: ace striker Kevin Kearney is the

clear winner of the Murphy's Stout Golden Boot Award.

DONERAILE 1993

2009-10-05T00:52:00.001-07:00

DONERAILE DO THE BUSINESS:

Two losses from their four opening games was hardly a recipe for championship

success but Doneraile's dithering start was soon put behind them and was

forgotten by the time they took the championship in Murphy's Stout 3A. The

clinching points came against Boher Albion at the end of May; Doneraile had

been unbeaten since the end of October and unbeaten at home all season.

There were two big factors in that impressive home record, according to

secretary Willie Sweeney: "Doneraile had great support at all home games and

we would like to thank everyone who turned up to support the lads during good

weather and bad". The pitch was kept in excellent condition by a dedicated

band of groundsmen: Ger Roche, Billy Feehan, Andy Murphy, Dave Donlon, Tadgh

Donovan, Declan Lehane, Christopher Sheehan, Christy Flanagan, and Jim

Murphy.

Mickey O'Sullivan did a great job as manager, keeping his charges up to the

very high standard now being set by North Cork teams in the AUL. O'Sullivan

had some very tough decisions to make but never shirked.

Jim Murphy is Doneraile president and the other officers are: Andy Murphy,

chairman; Tadgh Donovan, vice chairman; Ger McCarthy, treasurer; David

Donlon, assistant treasurer; Willie Sweeney, secretary; and Edmund Roche,

PRO. The club will hold it annual general meeting on July 10th at 9.00pm.

COACHFORD 1993

2009-10-05T00:49:00.002-07:00

THE COACHFORD STORY:

1969: Con Murphy, Sean Touhy, Tommy Stack, and Michael O'Callaghan,

got together on Good Friday and founded the club. John O'Keeffe was

the manager in the early years and the team became known as "Keffo's

Army".

1981/82: The club's first youth team, managed by Steve Wallace, had a

great season and finished second in the Second Division.

1982/83: Using quite a few of the previous season's youths, a team,

managed by Nick Martin and captained by Thady Delaney, succeeded in

bringing the first honour to Coachford: the title in League Three.

The same season, they lost on penalties to Corkbeg in the semi-final

of the President's Cup in Turner's Cross.

1984/85: A determined bid was mounted to take the pennant in League

2, the aim achieved much easier than expected. The successful side

was managed by Barry Murphy and captained by Mick Walsh.

1985/86: The success story continued. A new manager, John Hogan,

signed two ex Temple players - Frankie Thornton and goal poacher Dan

Greene - and led Coachford to the title in Division One. Not an easy

triumph this time, the title won after a play-off against Castleview,

the Coachford goals in a 2 - 1 victory provided by Timmy Buckley and

Micky Walsh.

1986/87: Hopes were high early on but real life intervened. Young

men left the area in search of work abroad and the panel was

decimated, no fewer than eight first choice players departing.

Relegation inevitably followed.

1989/90: The club's youths won their first ever trophy as they beat

Bosco's in the final of the Second Division Cup. That successful side

was managed by that great clubman Martin O'Mahony.

1990/91: A blend of youth and older players (some returned from

abroad) proved the perfect mix as Coachford bounced back to the

Premier League by once again winning the First Division. They came

very close indeed to making it a double but lost on penalties to

Leeside in the final of the County Cup.

1992/93: Coachford had appointed Finbarr Murphy as manager the

previous year when they finished third in the Premier and were

prominent in the cups. Confidence was high for this season and was

not misplaced as they went on, with Murphy again at the helm, to take

the AOH Cup, the most coveted trophy in Cork junior soccer.

BALLINCOLLIG 1993

2009-10-05T00:49:00.001-07:00

BALLINCOLLIG'S NEW MAN:

Mick McNulty is the new manager of the Ballincollig intermediate side, his

appointment announced at the club's recent annual general meeting. McNulty, a

former goalkeeper with the club and between the sticks for Healy's Bar in this

season's MFA Inter-Pub competition, was in charge of the junior side that

reached this year's Cork area final of the FAI Junior Cup.

Former youth international keeper Finbarr Hogan is stepping down a grade and

will be the player-manager of the first junior side. The second junior team

will again be managed by Martin O'Neill. Youths manager Denis Campion was

also reappointed.

The meeting decided to look into the possibility of fielding a third junior

side as there is a big demand for football in the growing town. Miah Murphy

was entrusted with this task and he will be the manager of any side formed.

"We did not win any trophies," said chairman Paddy Byrne at the agm "but it

was a successful season, even by our own high standards". And who would

disagree. Ballincollig's intermediate team, the two junior team, and the

youths side, all contested finals at Turner's Cross.

But the Cross was not a happy hunting ground in 92/93. Three times the

intermediates lost there, in the Linnane semi-final, the Shield final, and the

League play-off, Temple Utd their conquerors on each occasion.

Ballincollig juniors were pipped by Buttevant in the FAI area final.

Ballincollig Athletic lost the Michael's decider on spotters to Rockmount

while the youths went down to Mallow Celtic in the final of the Second

Division Cup. But Ballincollig have had some good times at Turner's and

they'll come round again.

Byrne was also pleased that all teams, including schoolboys, finished well up

in their leagues and went on to congratulate the managers and

assistants - "people who put themselves out, timewise and financially,

to help throughout the season". He also had a big thank you for the

sponsors and supporters.

The club was also pleased with Byrne, secretary Mick McNulty, and treasurer

Pat Kavanagh, and all were unanimously re-elected en bloc. Also elected were

Martin O'Neill (vice-chairman), Jim O'Shea (assistant secretary), and Christy

White (assistant treasurer).

Ballincollig also held their awards function recently and the Person of the

Year Award went to Denis Campion, the general manager of the club's schoolboy

section. Campion is also the manager of the youths side. Player of the

Year trophies went to Lennie Walker (Intermediate), Martina Horgan (Ladies),

Anthony McNulty (first juniors), Terry Kelly (Ballincollig Athletic), and

Noel O'Mahony (Youths).

CORKBEG 1993

2009-10-05T00:49:00.000-07:00

JOE SHEEHAN:

Corkbeg centreback Joe Sheehan is one of the best known characters in AUL

junior football. He started off with the Whitegate club as an 18 year old

and, except for one season with Bosco's, has played in the Corkbeg defence

ever since and captained the side in the recent County Cup triumph.

Joe is a life long Liverpool supporter and that leads to some lively

conversations between himself and club secretary Jim Reaney, a self proclaimed

Arsenal fanatic. The craic is mighty when Sheehan scores: "We never hear the

end of it", said one player.

Sheehan's honours with Corkbeg include one League 3 championship medal, two

Saxone medals, one President's Cup medal, and the recent County Cup trophy.

Joe, like all in the club, is eagerly looking forward to the 25th anniversary

celebrations later this year.

CASTLEVIEW 1993

2009-10-05T00:47:00.001-07:00

CASTLEVIEW COLTS:

The youths team made it a season to remember for the progressive Castleview

club when they captured the title in AUL Division Two. They scored 85 league

goals, conceded just 21, and were undefeated in the campaign which saw them

see off major challenges from Mallow Celtic, Leeside, Ballincollig, and

Springfield.

Rodney Power played like a product of the old school of centreforwards as the

collected 34 goals in 31 outings. Rodney is one for the future.

But it was, of course, a team effort. Keeper Martin Collins played a major

role and the club will miss him when the new season commences as he has taken

up an apprenticeship in Germany.

Ken Trindles and Paul Donovan shut out the opposition and sent accurate passes

forward for Power, Mark Daly (14), Jason McGillacuddy (7), and Barry Babington

(10), to capitalise on. Paul Smith, Paul McCarthy, and Ken Kiely were trojan

workers, ably assisted by Pat Cooney and Damien O'Sullivan.

Fifteen players were used during the campaign and each was a credit to the

club and to their mentors: Deccie Meehan, William Singleton, Pat Lehane, and

Pat Kelleher. Kelleher is now with the UN peace-keeping forces in the Lebanon

and the club, especially the minor champions, wish him all the best.

The panel: Martin Collins, Gavin Lawless, Patrick Cooney, Damien

O'Sullivan, Kenneth Trindles, Paul O'Donovan, Mark Daly, Paul Smith, Paul

McCarthy, Kenneth Kiely, Barry Babington, Rodney Power, Jason McGillacuddy,

Derek Daniels, and Keith Lynch.

GREENWOOD 1993

2009-10-05T00:46:00.000-07:00

YEAR OF THE GREENS:

It was a memorable year for the third division juniors of Greenwood, the

lively Togher based outfit bringing off a great double by winning the title in

Murphy's Stout AUL 3 and by beating higher ranked Castle Celtic in the final

of the Saxone Cup at Turner's Cross.

Captain Dan McCarthy played a leading role, particularly in the goal scoring

area. The team played 38 games in cup and league and McCarthy ended up with a

grand total of 31 goals.

Greenwood were drawn away in the opening three rounds and emerged with wins

over Kingston Rangers (3 - 2), Dosco Villa (5 - 0), and Boher Albion (4 - 2).

Their first home game was against Southend and here they gained a 1 - 0 win.

In the semi-final, at the ESB Grounds, they defeated West End Utd 2 - 1 and,

after a scoreless final, beat Castle 9 - 8 on penalties.

The league was also something of a nailbiter, Greenwood winning their last

game away to Dripsey Celtic to pip Innishannon by just one point. The top two

had met and played a scoreless draw; it was Innishannon's last game,

Greenwood had three to go and needed to win all three and this they duly did.

They beat Strand 5 - 0 and College Corinthians 3 - 0. Dripsey gave them a

fright and Greenwood had to come from behind. Aidan McCarthy, Dan's brother,

equalised, and Martin Sweeney (the veteran of the side) provided the winner.

The regular panel members were: Finbarr Lynch (keeper), Mick Grainger,

Diarmuid Gillane, Eric O'Mahony, Damien Crowe and his brother Leonard, Peter

Lynch, Martin Sweeney, Brian Mohally, the McCarthys (Dan and Aidan), Tony

O'Leary, Christy O'Callaghan, Steve O'Leary, and Elton Lenihan.

The club were founded in 1976 by Gerard Cronin, Paddy Coen, Denis Linehan

(President), and Pat O'Connor (the current chairman). They started with teams

in the Cork Schoolboys League and the Southside League.

Greenwood first entered the AUL in 1983 with a youths team, following up with

a junior side two years later. The club's first big trophy win was in 1986

when the youths won their Second Division League. The juniors were promoted

from the third division in 1987 and, three years later, won the championship

in League 2.

They spent one year in Division One and then entered the Intermediate league

where they still compete. This season, Greenwood fielded no less than eight

teams: six schoolboys, one intermediate, and one junior.

Liam O'Brien was their well know intermediate manager but he stepped down at

the recent annual general meeting. Liam deserves his break after 32 years in

football, ten of them with Greenwood. But all associated with the club will

welcome him back whenever he decides he has had enough of the quiet life.

The current committee is: Pat O'Connor, chairman; Niall McCarthy, secretary;

Bernard Hughes, treasurer; Neilus Fitzpatrick, Seamus O'Callaghan, Michael

Grainger, Dan McCarthy, Martin Sweeney, Damien Budden, Aidan McCarthy, and

John Budden.

BALLINCOLLIG 1993

2009-10-05T00:45:00.001-07:00

CORKBEG 1993

2009-10-05T00:44:00.001-07:00

AUL 1993 TABLES and HONOURS LIST

2009-10-05T00:43:00.001-07:00

.M:2 1993

MURPHY'S STOUT INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE

team p w d l f a pts

TEMPLE UTD * 22 19 1 2 78 18 39

BALLINCOLLIG 22 18 3 1 60 15 39

CASTLEVIEW 22 14 4 4 52 24 32

GREENMOUNT RANGERS 22 12 4 6 57 35 28

DUNBAR CELTIC 22 12 3 7 49 44 27

MAYFIELD UTD 22 8 5 9 50 40 21

SPRINGFIELD 22 7 7 8 38 39 21

BLARNEY UTD 22 6 3 13 37 59 15

WILTON UTD 22 6 2 14 43 57 14

GREENWOOD 22 6 2 14 39 56 14

VILLA UTD 22 4 5 13 21 51 13

KILREEN CELTIC 22 0 1 21 21 107 1

Temple won play-off.

MURPHY'S STOUT PREMIER LEAGUE

team p w d l f a pts

CRESCENT ATH. 22 16 4 2 49 15 36

ST J. BOSCO'S 22 12 5 5 56 42 29

COACHFORD 22 10 8 4 35 33 28

PASSAGE 22 11 5 6 52 28 27

ROCKMOUNT 22 11 5 6 54 38 27

CASEMENT CEL. 22 9 7 6 40 37 25

BANDON 22 8 6 8 55 50 22

FOURTH BATTALION 22 6 6 10 38 44 18

BUTTEVANT 22 6 4 12 39 50 16

BALLYPHEHANE 22 6 4 12 38 62 16

KILLOWEN 22 4 4 14 26 40 12

LEESIDE 22 3 2 17 26 69 8

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 1

team p w d l f a pts

HIBERNIANS 20 13 5 2 45 18 31

BLACKPOOL CEL. 20 13 3 4 48 31 29

BALLINCOLLIG 20 10 6 4 31 21 26

ALBERT RVRS 19 8 7 4 34 26 23

MACROOM 20 7 8 5 33 31 22

KINSALE 20 7 5 8 33 33 19

KILLUMNEY UTD 20 7 3 10 30 29 17

TEMPLE UTD 19 7 3 9 33 40 17

KNOCKNAHEENY C. 20 7 2 11 32 43 16

EVERTON 20 2 7 11 30 46 11

BISHOPSTOWN 20 3 1 16 32 63 7

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 1A

team p w d l f a pts

PARK UTD 20 15 3 2 44 18 33

WATERLOO 20 13 5 2 38 15 31

BOHER CELTIC 20 11 2 7 44 32 24

GRATTAN UTD 20 10 4 6 36 24 24

NORTH END 20 9 4 7 48 39 22

CASTLEVIEW 20 7 6 7 43 39 20

WESTERN RVRS 20 6 4 10 34 50 16

MALLOW CEL. 20 5 5 10 25 39 15

GLENVALE 20 5 4 11 29 39 14

PORTVIEW 20 4 4 12 23 41 12

BUTTEVANT ATH. 20 2 5 13 33 61 9

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 1B

team p w d l f a pts

BALLYVOLANE 20 16 4 0 54 17 36

BALLINCOLLIG A. 20 13 2 5 51 28 28

CORKBEG 20 9 8 3 41 26 26

BROOKLODGE UTD 20 8 7 5 46 37 23

NORTHVILLA 20 9 2 9 49 47 20

EVERTON UTD 20 7 3 10 22 38 17

MAHON UTD 20 5 6 9 30 41 16

COBH TOWN 20 6 3 11 27 36 15

CENTRAL RVRS 20 6 3 11 44 56 15

YOUGHAL UTD 20 6 2 12 26 38 14

MAYFIELD UTD 20 4 2 14 33 59 10

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 2

team p w d l f a pts

VILLA UTD 20 12 4 4 46 26 28

COLLEGE CRNTHNS A. 20 10 6 4 41 29 26

ARD-NA-LAOI 20 10 5 5 34 29 25

KILREEN CEL. 20 6 9 5 31 25 21

BANDON TOWN 20 9 2 9 46 37 20

GRANGEVALE 20 7 5 8 29 33 19

HIBERNIANS A. 20 7 4 9 36 41 18

LAKEWOOD ATH. 20 6 6 8 37 45 18

AFTON VILLA 20 5 7 8 31 45 17

DOSCO VILLA 20 6 4 10 27 32 16

CROSSHAVEN 20 4 4 12 32 48 12

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 2A

team p w d l f a pts

VILLAGE UTD 22 14 8 0 61 23 36

CASTLE CELTIC 22 14 6 2 54 24 34

KINGSTON RNGRS 22 10 9 3 41 28 29

ALBERT UTD 22 10 5 7 36 26 25

SOUTHEND UTD 22 10 5 7 43 39 25

KILLAVULLEN 22 8 7 7 40 35 23

MAYFIELD 22 8 7 7 36 33 23

FAIRVIEW 22 7 7 8 41 34 21

BLARNEY UTD 22 6 7 9 41 43 19

SHANDON CEL. 22 6 6 10 31 40 18

DUNBAR CELTIC 22 2 2 18 22 62 6

BOHEMIANS 22 2 1 19 25 84 5

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 2B

team p w d l f a pts

TOGHER RVRS 22 17 3 2 57 22 37

WEST END UTD 22 14 6 2 51 16 34

BLARNEY STREET A. 22 14 1 7 55 32 29

WILTON UTD 22 11 5 6 53 47 27

ST J. BOSCO'S U. 22 9 5 8 38 38 23

GLANMIRE 22 6 8 8 37 41 20

COBH CEL. 22 7 5 10 34 38 19

GREENMOUNT R. 22 5 8 9 41 47 18

BARRACK RVRS 22 6 6 10 30 40 18

BALLYVOLANE U 22 6 6 10 30 46 18

BEAUMONT RNGRS 22 4 7 11 32 47 15

MAYFIELD ATH. 22 2 2 18 19 63 6

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 3

team p w d l f a pts

GREENWOOD 22 15 4 3 63 26 34

INNISHANNON 22 14 5 3 42 21 33

PASSAGE WNDRS 22 13 4 5 66 24 30

STRAND UTD 22 12 1 9 39 44 25

C. CORINTHIANS 22 12 0 10 41 30 24

MACROOM U. 22 10 4 8 58 49 24

COLLEGEVIEW 22 10 2 10 43 45 22

DOUGLAS H. WNDRS 22 9 3 10 48 44 21

DRIPSEY CEL. 22 7 6 9 45 42 20

KILLUMNEY 22 5 4 13 43 57 14

SUNDAY'S WELL 22 6 2 14 43 58 14

KENLEY CEL. 22 1 1 20 24 115 3

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 3A

team p w d l f a pts

DONERAILE 20 15 3 2 54 14 33

BUTTEVANT ALB. 20 13 4 3 41 19 30

BOHER ALB. 20 13 3 4 59 26 29

KANTURK 20 13 3 4 37 21 29

PORTVIEW U. 20 12 4 4 40 26 28

PARK ALB. 20 10 3 7 39 27 23

UCC 20 6 5 9 28 38 17

SHANDON ATH. 20 4 4 12 28 59 12

GLANWORTH U. 20 3 3 14 39 64 9

MALLOW TOWN 20 1 3 16 19 50 5

NEWBERRY RVRS 20 0 5 15 14 54 5

MURPHY'S STOUT LEAGUE 3B

team p w d l f a pts

HILL CEL.* 20 15 3 2 59 10 33

CARRIGTWOHILL U. 20 14 5 1 58 31 33

BROOKLODGE A. 20 15 1 4 54 24 31

YOUGHAL 20 11 5 4 55 26 27

BALLINLOUGH U. 20 9 4 7 47 38 22

CORKBEG U. 20 6 4 10 40 43 16

EVERGREEN 20 6 4 10 37 53 16

LEE RANGERS 20 6 4 10 29 48 16

GLENVIEW 20 6 4 10 31 53 16

BALLINTOTIS 20 3 1 16 17 48 7

BEAUMONT C. 20 1 1 18 21 74 3

Hill Celtic won play-off.

BARRY'S TEA YOUTHS 1

team p w d l f a pts

ROCKMOUNT 14 12 2 0 55 6 26

DOUGLAS H. 14 10 3 1 34 10 23

TRAMORE A. 14 6 4 4 29 30 16

LEEDS 14 4 5 5 30 28 13

CASEMENT C. 14 5 2 7 21 30 12

MAYFIELD U. 14 3 4 7 23 26 10

WILTON U. 14 3 3 8 20 46 9

EVERTON 14 1 1 12 18 54 3

AUL YOUTHS 2

team p w d l f a pts

CASTLEVIEW 20 17 3 0 77 19 37

LEESIDE 20 12 4 4 64 34 28

MALLOW CEL. 20 12 4 4 43 25 28

BALLINCOLLIG 20 10 5 5 69 42 25

SPRINGFIELD 20 11 3 6 47 31 25

COACHFORD 20 7 4 9 49 57 18

BANDON 20 6 3 11 39 60 15

BLARNEY U. 20 5 4 11 42 55 14

MACROOM 20 6 2 12 43 70 14

KANTURK 20 5 0 15 42 75 10

CROSSHAVEN 20 1 4 15 26 73 6

Leeside won 2nd place play-off.

HURLEY'S SUPERMARKET UNDER 17 ONE

team p w d l f a pts

ROCKMOUNT 10 9 0 1 48 17 18

WILTON UTD 10 6 1 3 34 23 13

LEEDS 10 6 0 4 31 20 12

PARK UTD 10 5 2 3 35 32 12

DOUGLAS HALL 10 1 1 8 20 48 3

EVERTON 10 0 2 8 8 36 2

UNDER 17 TWO:

team p w d l f a pts

MAYFIELD UTD 10 7 3 0 40 17 17

CASEMENT CELTIC 10 5 4 1 26 13 14

CASTLEVIEW 10 4 2 4 32 23 10

PASSAGE 10 3 2 5 24 28 8

TRAMORE ATH. 10 3 2 5 11 22 8

LEEDS ATH. 10 1 1 8 13 43 3

ROLL OF HONOUR:

Mossie Linnane Cup: Temple United (Ballincollig runners up);

Corinthians Cup: Temple Utd (Passage juniors);

Shield: Temple Utd, (Ballincollig);

Intermediate League; Temple Utd (Ballincollig);

AOH Cup: Coachford (Passage);

St Michael's Cup: Rockmount (Ballincollig Athletic);

City Challenge Cup: Albert Rovers (Grangevale);

County Cup: Corkbeg (Brooklodge Utd);

Saxone Cup: Greenwood (Castle Celtic);

President's Cup: Ard-na-Laoi (Ballyvolane Utd);

Premier League: Crescent Ath. (St John Bosco's);

League 1: Hibernians (Blackpool Celtic);

League 1A: Park Utd (Waterloo);

League 1B: Ballyvolane (Ballincollig Ath.);

League 2: Villa Utd (Corinthians Ath.);

League 2A: Village Utd (Castle Celtic);

League 2B: Togher Rovers (West End Utd);

League 3: Greenwood (Innishannon);

league 3A: Doneraile (Buttevant Ath.);

League 3B: Hill Celtic (Carrigtwohill Utd);

Murphy Youth Cup: Rockmount (Mayfield Utd);

Coca Cola Youth Cup: Douglas Hall (Casement Celtic);

Second Division Youth Cup: Mallow Celtic (Ballincollig);

Barry's Tea Youths 1: Rockmount (Douglas Hall);

Youths 2: Castleview (Leeside or Mallow Celtic);

Imperial Hotel Under 17 League Cup: Mayfield Utd (Rockmount);

Hurley's Supermarket Under 17 1: Rockmount (Wilton Utd);

Under 17 2: Mayfield Utd (Casement Celtic).

Murphy's Stout Annual Awards: Temple Utd (Team of the year); Ger

Manning of Temple Utd (Manager of the Year); Mick McAuliffe of

Rockmount (Golden Boot winner); Billy Falvey (Referee of the Year).

ROCKVILLE 2000

2009-10-05T00:40:00.001-07:00

ROCKVILLE:

"The AOH is our Holy Grail," declared Rockville assistant manager Greg Duggan at this week's Murphy's Stout Team of the Month presentation in the Anglers Sports Lounge.

Bob O'Donovan is team manager and he and Duggan guided the northsiders through the January mud-fields to a unbeaten record of three wins and one draw. That draw was against top side Blarney in the Premier League while the wins were over Park Utd, Killumney, and Blarney Street Athletic, all in the AOH.

The team's fascination with the AOH is due in no small measure to two defeats in recent finals, against North End in 1995 and against Greenmount last season. It irks Duggan and company that there may have been some element of under-performance on each occasion and they want to get another chance to set the record straight.

No under-performance this season though. Just three defeats, one against Greenmount in the league and others, both on penalties, to Pearse in the FAI and to Bosco's, B in the MJC. "We quickly put those defeats behind us, " said Greg, "And now we're concentrating on the league and on the AOH and looking forward to that quarter-final tie against Kinsale".

KINSALE MAYMOUNT CELTIC 2000

2009-10-05T00:38:00.001-07:00

ST MICHAEL'S CUP FINAL - KINSALE v MAYMOUNT CELTIC - TURNER'S CROSS - SUNDAY - 3.00ppm.

US PRESIDENT JETS IN

Maymount Celtic's US based president Mary McDermott will jet in on Sunday morning to take the team's clash with Kinsale in the final of the Murphy's Stout St Michael's Cup (kick off 3.00pm). Mary took over as president after the death of husband Mike, the club's first president.

It should be an action packed afternoon as Maymount and Kinsale are two of the best first division sides currently operating as a glance at their records in this season's national and provincial cups will illustrate. Maymount were in scintillating form as they crushed Temple in their rain lashed semi-final while Kinsale point to their semi-final win over Fairview as their top display of the season.

Maymount, founded in 1995 by William O'Keeffe and John Murphy, have had mixed luck at the Cross in recent years. They lost the President's Cup decider to Innishannon in 1997 but won the Saxone final against Millstreet the following season.

The Cross though hasn't been a lucky venue for the Kinsale lads. They narrowly lost the 1994 County Cup final to Leeside, were trashed by Greenmount in the 96 Linnane, and lost the 1998 President's Cup decider on spotters to Evergreen.

While AUL skipper Peter Jones is perhaps the best known of the Kinsale players, they are far from being a one man band. Team captain Derek McCarthy has played with the AUL this season and is the side's leading scorer. Other impressive performers include Michael Madden (Player of the Year last term), Trevor Irwin (Players' Player of the Year), and hot shots David O'Donovan and Neil Lynch.

Maymount are a well balanced side that carry a huge threat upfront where Thomas Flynn, Niall O'Regan, and Mickey Barrett, are all capable of netting. Add in the midfield power of Kevin Goldsmith and Darren Geaney, the guile of skipper Brian Lee, tenacious defenders such as Derek O'Driscoll, and a brave keeper in Stephen Jones, and it means they go into every game with at least a fifty fifty chance.

Stephen O'Connell is the referee for Sunday's decider and his assistants are Tony Horgan and Noel Ahern.

PREVIOUS WINNERS: Ballincollig (1982); St John Bosco's (83); Carrigaline Utd (84); St Mary's (85); Ballincollig (86); Douglas Hall (87); Mayfield Utd (88); Ballincollig (89); Greenmount Rangers (90); Casement Celtic (91); Bandon (92); Rockmount (93); Hibernians (94); Brooklodge Utd (95); Passage wanderers (96); Hill Celtic )(97); Corinthians Athletic (98); and St John Bosco's (99).

PATHS TO THE FINAL

Remarkably Maymount have scored four in each round on their way to The Cross, setting that pattern with a 4 - 1 win over Brooklodge Utd in round one when Ray Murphy (2 pens.), O'Regan, and O'Driscoll, all scored. Kinsale went one better as they beat Hill Celtic 5 - 2; Thomas Sutherland, Niall Lynch, Derek McCarthy, and David O'Donovan (2), scored.

Both sides got byes to round three where Kinsale came up against a formidable Ballyvolane and pipped their hosts 3 - 2 in a thriller. Jones and Derek McCarthy (2, including the winner) scored for the seasiders. Ken Murphy cracked in a long range decider as Maymount edged out Castleview 4 - 3, their other scores from O'Driscoll, Lloyd Leahy, and O'Regan.

Maymount then needed extra time to defeat College Corinthians 4 - 2. O'Regan and James Long goaled in extra time while the normal time marksmen were Murphy and Flynn. Kinsale slipped past Blarney Street Athletic on a 1 - 0 decision, Jones getting the winner after a terrific run by David O'Donovan.

Kinsale were away to Fairview, a good cup team, in the semi-final and Derek McCarthy's goal was enough to put them through to the Cross. Maymount powered their way to a 4 - 1 victory over hosts Temple Utd. Cracking first half scores by Barrett and Leahy started the southward move and the second half marksmen were Ray Murphy (pen.) and Flynn.

ST JOHN BOSCO'S JAN 2002

2009-10-05T00:37:00.001-07:00

St John Bosco's

Midleton based St John Bosco's, who have won most of the AUL trophies available to them, don't have Player of the Year Awards. "We just don't have them. We believe it is a team game", said long serving secretary Denis McSweeney, ironically winner of an Distinguished Service Award himself at the Cork Soccer Honours in 1998.

Bosco's, long term tenants of Tom Cleere at Water Rock Park, field two junior sides in the league, one in Premier A, the other in AUL 1B. They train twice weekly, at the Midleton Community Hall on Tuesdays and at Midleton AFC's all weather facility on Thursdays.

McSweeney was sombre when training was mentioned: "When we go training this week, we'll be short three players who were with us at the start of the season". The three who have died tragically in recent months are Trevor Desmond, Wesley Murphy and Paddy Long. The lads will always be remembered at Bosco's and indeed the club, according to Sweeney, "has bonded like never before" following the deaths.

The B team, who had already lost some key personnel to newcomers Carrigtwohill at the start of the season, were hardest hit but they have knuckled down and recorded a great semi-final win over Villa Utd to reach the decider of the St Michael's Cup against Blackpool Celtic.

Sweeper James O'Connor is manager of the B team and Sweeney rates him highly: "He more or less had to start from scratch and is doing a good job. He has a high proportion of new players but, though they are finding it hard to score, should manage to stay up and, of course, they'll be going all out in the Michael's final." Captain here is Graham Dennehy and leading marksmen is Willie Crowley.

McSweeney's A team are also going well, through to the 5th round of the AOH and topping the standings in Premier A and all that despite the early season loss of skipper Dave Bailey. Dave picked up the injury after just three game but is expected back next month. In the meantime, ace forward Jim O'Donoghue has taken over as captain. The defence has also been hit by the absence of Kieran Murphy.

O'Donoghue is one of the top scorers while Aidan McSweeney is also doing well in this department. McSweeney senior has strengthened his squad by signing defender Vincent O'Sullivan and former Golden Boot winner Mark Duggan, both from Midleton, while Eric Costigan has returned from Australia where he kept in touch with the club's progress via the AUL website.

It was O'Sullivan who scored the 88th minute winner as Bosco's pipped Alberts 1-0 in what McSweeney reckons was their best league performance of the season. The lowlight was the keenly felt loss to Park United in the Munster Junior Cup.

McSweeney is happy enough with the way things are going and reckons that a league and AOH double are within reach this season. The secretary has been around a long time but that is often the way at Bosco's. Tony Moore of the Meeting Place has been their main sponsor for the past 15 years.

Bosco's Premier A panel: Nigel Berry (keeper), Mark Duggan, Vincent O'Sullivan, Brendan Foley, Aidan Kelleher, Frank Hegarty, John Cody, Eric Costigan, Jim O'Donoghue, Kenneth O'Mahony, Sean Corcoran, Joe Hartnett, Kieran O'Hanlon, Tadhg O'Connor, Aidan McSweeney, Kieran Murphy and Dave Bailey.

ST JOHN BOSCO'S 2000

2009-10-05T00:36:00.001-07:00

St John Bosco's

Water Rock Park, home of St John Bosco's, is always a busy venue. But it has been even busier of late, most of the action off the field as the East Cork club improved its facilities.

New dressing rooms have been installed for both home and visiting teams and the referee has also been taken care of. Thanks largely to the efforts of Barry McGrath, showers have been installed in the old dressing rooms. Barry got valuable help from Dave Crotty, Tom Wallis, Eric Costigan, and Justin Donnelly.

Visitors will be delighted with the improvement and regular visitors will have noticed over recent years a gradual improvement of the pitch surface so much so that it is nowadays rarely unplayable.

Well done to the committee, which is: Frank Morgan (chairman), Denis McSweeney (secretary), Gerry O'Connor (vice chairman), William Brown (treasurer), Billy Ahern, Barry McGrath, and Barry McMahon. Bosco's are delighted with the support received from Tony Moore (Meeting Place), Tom Clear (Water Rock), and SIFCO.

Bosco's are currently top of the pile in Premier A but secretary McSweeney regards the return of keeper Gerry Collins as the best thing to happen this season: "He is just back after being out for over two years. Most people thought he would never play again". Damien Mackessy is another saint on the road back after injury and he is part of the first team panel.

McSweeney is manager of the Premier side while the duties in 1B are shared between Gerry O'Sullivan and Barry McGrath. Quite a few of the Bosco's side have been around for some time. None longer though than East Cork farmer Joe Hartnett who has been ruling the roost in midfield for some twenty three seasons.

The club's immediate ambition, now that they are out of the cups, is to stay in the hunt for honours in Premier A and to improve on their performances between now and the end of the season. They train twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the longer term, the intention is to bring more of the younger players from the B team onto the first team squad.

Kieran O'Hanlon, one time winner of the Murphy Golden Boot Award, and Brendan Foley are the leading scorers in the first team which is captained by Eric Costigan. Midfielder Kenneth O'Mahony skippers the 1B side which have been making a name for itself in cup competitions.

Bosco's were in action in the Mossie Linnane League Cup last Sunday and won 2 - 1, Bailey and O'Hanlon on target, away to Villa United. It was a narrow escape as Villa had a good effort come back off the bar. Next Sunday morning, McSweeney's men will have home advantage for the visit of Ballincollig in the league. This too could be a close one as Martin O'Neill's visitors are better than their position suggests.

Premier A panel: Nigel Berry (keeper), Eric Costigan, Aidan Berry, Aidan McSweeney, Dave Bailey, Joe Hartnett, Kieran O'Hanlon, Mick Boylan, John Boylan, Owen Leahy, Kieran Murphy, Brendan Foley, Justin Donnelley, Kevin Hartnett, Sean Corcoran, Barry McMahon, Stephen Cahill, Muirish Quirke, Liam Kennedy, Damien Mackessy, Billy Ahern, and Mark Lewis.

B team squad: Noel Murphy, Kenneth O'Mahony, Joe Ryan, Jason Bailey, Stephen Leahy, Gerry O'Sullivan (player manager), James O'Connor, Gerry Collins, Dave Barry, Willie Crowley, Paul Horgan, Eric Desmond, Trevor Desmond, Steve Wilson, Kevin McSweeney, Micky Boland, Greg Cahill (just back from America), Shane Kennedy, and Michael O'Keeffe.

SPRINGFIELD 1995

2009-10-05T00:34:00.001-07:00

In the early sixties, when I first became involved in soccer, there was some

disapproval, what with the infamous ban and the rural establishment very much

in favour of the status quo and against the foreign game.

Soccer was said to be alien to our culture. That has been spectacularly

disproved, particularly in the last twelve years or so. As the game has spread,

through parish after parish, it has become an extra choice for our youth, a

new freedom, an extension of our culture.

And an extension that has projected the country on to the world stage in a way

that an introspective culture never could. Who can forget Euro 88 in Germany,

Italia Novante as George Hamilton loved to say during the summer of 1990,

still loves to say, and more recently New York and Orlando.

We Irish showed that we can enjoy ourselves, win, lose or draw. But the

players of Springfield know that you don't have to go abroad to enjoy yourselves.

You have enjoyed yourselves, win lose or draw, at venues in the city and in

villages and towns around the county.

You have enjoyed yourselves because you are a committed group, committed to

one another. You do the training, play the game, and enjoy yourselves afterwards. Sometimes, the craic can be marginally better if you have some silverware on the table. Perhaps that business will be done next year. Thanks for inviting us and keep up the good work.

(B Lyons at Springfield dinner)

SPRINGFIELD 1995

2009-10-05T00:19:00.001-07:00

SPRINGFIELD:

Springfield may not be hitting the headlines on the playing

fields at present but the Cobh club is going well. Long time

Springers activist John Murphy says that support in the town "is

better than ever".

They need all the support they can get. In addition to the

senior and junior sides in the AUL, Springfield run schoolboy

league teams at under 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Besides, every

Saturday morning at the gym in Colaiste Muire, some sixty under

10s, 9s, and 8s, have training sessions.

Paddy McCarthy is the current chairman and the other officers are

Hughie O'Reilly (vice-chairman), John Coughlan (secretary), and

Conor McCarthy (treasurer). The other committee members are John

O'Sullivan, Frank Collins, Christy Ryan, Colm McDonagh, and John

Murphy.

Coughlan and McDonagh look after the senior team and are in the

process of rebuilding, having lost some good players. But there

is more to football than winning and, while Springers are

currently in a lowly position in the AUL Senior Division, there

is a very good atmosphere when this squad gets together.

Springfield were losing quite a lot of the good underage players

to other clubs and while they would never stand in the way of a

player wanting to better himself they also wanted to benefit

themselves from all their good work at underage level. So, this

season they set up a junior team which includes a lot of recent

minors and will no doubt produce some handy players for the first

team.

Hughie O'Reilly is the player-manager with this side and he gets

sideline assistance from John Murphy (who also runs the Under

12s). Robert Murphy, the veteran of the side, is the skipper.

Most of the other lads are about the twenty mark.

Their home form has been excellent and includes a win over

promotion seeking Corkbeg Utd but, as yet, their away form has

been disappointing. That will have to change if they are to

become genuine promotion candidates next season.

The junior panel is: Kevin Condon (keeper), Gary Cox, Brian

Wilson, Jason Hickey, Adrian O'Flynn, Pat Foley, Peter Hurley,

Nino Pipitoni (a Sicilian), Damien Burns, Frank Collins (who

helps run the Under 12s), John O'Flynn, Robert Wilson, Greg

O'Brien, and Peter McSweeney.

The senior panel also has quite a lot of youngsters and is

captained by keeper Brian Farrell. The other players are: Colm

McDonagh (player-manager), Christy Ryan (who manages the under

14s), Christy Fitzgerald, Pat Hurley, Denis Kiely, Con Keating,

Kieran Brady, Val Keenan, Brian Lawton, Martin Cusack, Nigel

Britton, Niall Cloake, and Kieran Walsh.

COACHFORD PASSAGE 1993

2009-10-05T00:16:00.001-07:00

INFO FOR AOH FINAL

Passage panel:

Robert Cole, goalkeeper, 32 years, draughtsman.

Jason Tracey, defender, 17, leaving cert. student at Chriost Ri;

John Flaherty, defender, 26, storeman, AUL representative;

Derek O'Brien, defender, 19, trainee mechanic;

Paul Cronin, defender, 25, fabricator, AUL representative;

Brendan Murphy, midfielder, 36, painter, AUL representative;

Paul Coughlan, midfielder, 20, mason, AUL representative, trials at Newcastle

and Glasgow Celtic;

Thomas Hanlon, midfielder, 26, painter;

Ger Curtin, midfielder, 19, RTC student, AUL youths representative;

Conor O'Connell, midfielder, 23, music teacher;

Aidan Whitty, forward, 19, trainee electrician, AUL youths representative;

Tony Leahy, forward, 20, trainee accountant, AUL representative, trial at West

Ham;

Brian Hennessy, forward, 30, carpenter;

Declan O'Callaghan, defender, 24, butcher;

John Coughlan, midfielder, 22, painter;

Thomas Farrell, goalkeeper, 20, bar tender;

John McIntyre, goalkeeper, 29, fitter.

Florrie Mehigan, manager, painter; current AUL junior manager.

Passage mascots are: Gavin Flaherty (5), Trafford Murphy (3), and Catherine

Mehigan (11).

Passage route to the final:

2nd round: Greenmount Rangers 0 Passage 4 (Paul Coughlan 2, Thomas

Hanlon, and Conor O'Connell)

3rd round: Passage 3 (Hanlon, Aidan Whitty, Paul Coughlan), Crescent

Athletic 2;

4th round: Corkbeg 0 Passage 1 (Conor O'Connell);

5th round: Hibernians 1 Passage 2 (Paul Coughlan, John Coughlan);

semi-final: Passage 4 (Brian Hennessy, Brendan Murphy, Paul Coughlan, Paul

Cronin), Shandon Celtic 0.

Coachford panel:

Mick Murphy, keeper, 29 years, AUL representative;

Toss O'Regan, defender, 30, assistant player manager;

Jim Martin, defender, 23, vice captain;

Mick O'Connell, defender, 28, great in the air;

Derry O'Connell, defender, 23, good reader of the game;

Declan Casey, defender, 31, longest serving player;

Mick Walsh, midfielder, 25, AUL representative;

John McGrath, midfielder, 26, outstanding ball player;

Paddy Martin, midfielder, 21, great balance and two good feet;

John Moynihan, midfielder, 28, powerful midfield anchor man;

Noel Looney, midfielder, 21, recent addition to junior panel;

Timmy Buckley, forward, 25, blistering pace, AUL representative;

Declan Murphy, forward, 28, the club's most consistent scorer;

Paul Neilon, midfielder, 22, AUL youths representative;

Kevin O'Connell, midfielder, 21, versatile performer;

Laim Casey, goalkeeper, 26, valuable reserve;

Shane Lucey, defender, 18, still playing youths;

John Linehan, forward, 18, still playing youths;

Vincent Buckley, midfielder, 18, still playing youths.

Finbarr Murphy is in his second season as the player-manager. He has vast

experience at all levels and is a former schoolboy and youth international.

The ex St Mary's man is a very committed and respected manager and includes in

his honours two AOH Cup medals and two Premier League medals with St Marys and

a MSL 1st Division Medal with Mallow Utd.

Coachford's path to the final:

2nd round: Coachford 1 (Paddy Martin), Corinthians Athletic 0;

3rd round: Fourth Battalion 0 Coachford 0; replay - Coachford 3

(Declan Murphy 2, Paddy Martin) Fourth Battalion 0;

4th round: Coachford 3 (Derry O'Connell, Declan Murphy, and Mick O'Connell)

Bandon 1;

5th round: Coachford 2 (Paul Neilon, Mick Walsh) Casement Celtic 1 , after

extra time;

semi-final: Coachford 0 St John Bosco's 0; Coachford 2 (Declan Murphy,

Timmy Buckley) St John Bosco's 1.

CORKBEG 1993

2009-10-05T00:13:00.000-07:00

ROCKVILLE OCT 1999

2009-10-04T04:41:00.001-07:00

7/10/99

ROCKVILLE FEATURE

Rockville are all set to rock St John Bosco's in the Examiner Munster Junior Cup next Sunday morning. Last Sunday, Bobby O'Donovan's charges turned in an efficient display to defeat Glencairn Celtic in the FAI Cup and a repeat of that form at Water Rock Park should be good enough to deliver a knock-out to Jerry O'Sullivan's first division Saints.

Manager O'Donovan wants to rid Rockville of the bridesmaid's tag. Last season they were runners up in both Premier A and the AOH and in 1994/95 were runners up in the Premier and in the AOH. They still await their first trophy.

Ex League of Ireland player O'Donovan, now in his third season with the northside club, has brought a touch of the professional game to Rockville and it is beginning to show. They are making an impression in the race for the Premiership. Team of the Month Blarney United are leading the way but Rockville are well placed in the chasing pack.

Manager O'Donovan's professionalism is evident in the training programme which started in mid summer and continues two nights a week; one night, under their own lights, at O'Leary's Field, and the second night at the Mayfield Community School facility. The summer preparation paid off when they won the pre-season Michael Dennehy Tournament.

Club treasurer Denis O'Donovan is a man who never seeks the spotlight but he is nonetheless regarded affectionately by all in the club as Mr Rockville. Greg Duggan is chairman and John Hill secretary and the other committee members are: Jimmy Burns, Joe Twomey, Frankie Shaw, Aidan Kearney, Don Carroll, John Cummins, Leo O'Leary, Ger Fenney, and Timmy Murphy. John Cronin is president and the vice presidents are Jerry Keohane and Niall Burns.

O'Donovan and Duggan have recruited three new players this season: Stephen O'Mahony (ex Avondale) and Tony McCarthy and Liam Myers (both ex Villa). Young Jason McGillacuddy was last season's leading marksmen. Defender Maurice O'Neill won the Player of the Year Award while Frank Shaw, the club captain, received the Clubman of the Year Award.

Rockville, who play their home games in the Lakewood complex in Ovens, are determined to be one of the more successful clubs in Cork and one day intend to have their own grounds. Meanwhile, the running of the club is facilitated by generous backing from their number one supporters, the Burns family of the Anglers Sports bar in Old Market Place.

Manager Bob and assistant Greg pick from the following panel: Derek Clarke, Philip Murphy, Derek Long, Maurice O'Neill, Frank Shaw (club captain), John Long, Liam Sheehan, Paul Cummins (team captain), Eamonn Cassidy, Tony McCarthy, Aidan Kearney, Liam Myers, Jason McGillacuddy, Stephen O'Mahony, Dan Cassidy, Damien O'Sullivan, Declan Sheehan, and Cian Horgan.

Keeper Derek Clarke was in the spotlight recently when he switched clubs and grades in midweek. He played with Rockville on Sunday in a premier game against Coachford, played with Rockmount against Cobh Ramblers in midweek, and was back in the Rockville colours by the following weekend. All above board.

Rockville may well have started life as a breakaway from Rockmount but when the parent club had a goal-keeping crisis for the League Cup game in Cobh, Rockville and Clarke came to the rescue.

ROCKVILLE 1994

2009-10-04T04:40:00.001-07:00

Rockville have made a cracking start to the season and fully deserved their

September Team of the Month Award. They won six and drew one of their first

seven games. The victories included two over senior opposition and earned

them a place in the semi-final of the Shield where they lost to holders

Temple, their first and, so far, only setback.

Because the Premier Division outfit are busy on all fronts, including making

progress in the Munster and FAI Cups, they have played just one league game to

date which explains why ace marksman Mick McAuliffe, winner of the Murphy's

Stout Golden Boot two years ago, has yet to figure at the head of this term's

chart. But he has made his mark by scoring the goal in that league win over

Hibs.

McAuliffe's brother Denis also features regularly in the team as do two other

sets of brothers, the Sheehans ( Brendan and Liam) and the Cassidys (Eamonn

and Dan). Mick McAuliffe, John Long, and Frankie Shaw, are currently training

with the AUL Oscar Traynor Cup panel.

Keeper Derek Clarke captains the side. The other members of the panel are:

veteran Ger Cronin, Martin Cambridge, Connor Foley, Declan Sheehan, Aidan

Kearney (a brother of Kevin, the Temple goalsmith), Derek Long, Donal Murphy,

Kieran Warren, and Paul Murray.

Most of the players have been together since their schoolboy playing days with

Rockmount, the club from which they parted during the close season. The

manager is Greg Duggan and his assistant is John Hill. Timmy Murphy takes

charge of the training which is held Mondays and Thursday at the Mayfield

Community School and their home pitch is at the Lakewood Complex in Ovens.

Club chairman is Denis O'Donovan, Duggan is treasurer and Hill secretary.

Other committee members are John Cronin, Jimmy Burns, and Aidan Kearney.

ROCKMOUNT JUNE 1993

2009-10-04T04:38:00.001-07:00

ROCKMOUNT YOUTHS:

Rockmount, for the second season running, brought off a magnificent

cup and league double in AUL Youths Football. For all that, there was

a tinge of disappointment in the voice of manager Harry Peglar as he

reviewed the season: "We had a great run to the semi-final of the FAI

Youths Cup. But we missed three or four early chances in Dundalk".

That defeat by Rangers finished Rockmount's chances of a national

title but they recovered well to win the Murphy Cup and Barry's Tea

League 1. Two late goals gave them a 3 - 1 win over Mayfield Utd in

the cup final and a brilliantly taken score by leading marksman Kieran

O'Connor saw them finish 3 - 2 winners over main rivals Douglas Hall

in the final game of the league. Rockmount needed just a point to

take the pennant while the Hall needed both.

O'Connor collected 27 goals for the season and the other leading

sharpshooters were Ken Dennehy (24), centre-half Denis McAuliffe (23),

Damien Long (17) and John Hurley (17). In the 35 games played,

Rockmount scored 143 and conceded 25.

Harry has been manager for the past four seasons. His assistant on

the line is John Delea and another man who contributes hugely in this

area is Pat Magic O'Callaghan.

Rockmount panel: Noel Cantwell, Ian O'Connor, Denis McAuliffe,

Philip Hogan (captain), John Busteed, Conor O'Driscoll, John

Hurley, Stephen Long, Kieran O'Shea, Kieran O'Connor, Conor

Twomey, Ken Dennehy, Damien Long, and Keith O'Connell.

Hurley, O'Shea, and O'Driscoll, are schoolboy internationals, while

Cantwell, Hogan, McAuliffe, Busteed, Hurley, O'Driscoll, and Kieran

O'Connor, played for the AUL in this season's inter-league

championship.

The Under 17s came close to making it another double. Under joint

managers Aidan O'Mahony and Eddie Henchion, they won their Hurley's

Supermarkets League One but were pipped by Mayfield United in the

final of the Imperial Hotel League cup.

The Under 17 panel was: Stephen O'Donoghue, Brian Quirke, Ken

Cullinane, Conor O'Driscoll, Colin Deveraux (captain), Pakie O'Connor,

Stephen Hegarty, Shane Power, Brian Lenihan, Kieran O'Shea, Keith

O'Connell, Paul Morey, Ger Freeman, Troy Dwyer, John Burns, and Benny

O'Sullivan.

O'Shea, one the leading scorers here, also played at Youths and Under

16 level where he was part of double winning sides. Only that defeat

by Mayfield robbed him of a most unusual triple double.

end of story

ROCKMOUNT 1993

2009-10-04T04:36:00.001-07:00

Rockmount's St Michael's Cup triumph was their first ever in the

competition, a knockout event for teams from the Premier and First

Divisions of the Murphy's Stout AUL and was a fitting retirement

present for manager Denis O'Donovan. During the campaign, Denis had

valuable help from assistant John Hill and coach and first aid man

Greg Duggan (never slow to reach for the water bottle).

The victory was achieved without three top players. Keeper Pakie

Cassidy missed much of the season due to injury while Deccie Courtney

and Philip Murphy, both injured, missed the decider at Turner's Cross.

Reserve youth keeper Dermot O'Brien did the great job in place of

Cassidy and was the hero of the shootout win over Ballincollig

Athletic in the final.

The regular full backs were Charlie O'Sullivan and Frank Shaw, a

powerful pair. In the centre of defence, Aidan Kearney and the

experienced Jamesie Corcoran (who joined the club about seven years

back), excelled.

Player of the Year John Long and skipper Donal Murphy shared the

midfield duties with John Joe O'Sullivan (scorer of the opening goal

in the final), Eamonn Cassidy, and David Ahern.

Striker Mick McAuliffe was guilty of a glaring miss in the final but

any man who scores 41 goals in a season (as Mick did in 92/93) can be

easily forgiven. McAuliffe recently returned to the Cross as a member

of the AUL team and scored twice as they beat their Dublin

counterparts in the annual Tayto Cup challenge. Other valuable

members of the Rockmount squad were the experienced Ger Cronin and

Damien "Dublin" Carthy.

The road to cup glory started with a 3 - 2 away win over Grattan Utd.

O'Sullivan and McAuliffe scored in normal time while Donal Murphy hit

the extra time winner. In the second round tie against visitors

Brooklodge Utd, the Murphy's Stout Match of the Week, goals by

McAuliffe (3) and Ahern earned Rockmount a 4 - 3 advance.

Rockmount were at home again in round three but up against formidable

opposition in Crescent Athletic who were on their way to becoming

champions of the Premier League. Once again McAuliffe did the trick,

scoring twice in a 2 - 1 victory.

Ahern was the striking hero in the thrilling semi-final win over

holders Bandon. The county side led 2 - 0 at the interval. Kearney

and Shaw scored to make it level and Ahern came up with a last minute

winner.

In the final, John Joe O'Sullivan scored an early goal but

Ballincollig equalised before halftime through Finny O'Callaghan. It

stayed at 1 - 1 through the ninety minutes and extra time before

O'Brien's save earned Rockmount a shootout triumph.

The full list of previous St Michael's Cup winners is: Ballincollig

(82); St John Bosco's (83); Carrigaline Utd (84); St Mary's (85);

Ballincollig (86); Douglas Hall (87); Mayfield Utd (88);

Ballincollig (89); Greenmount Rangers (90); Casement Celtic (91);

and Bandon (92).

end of story

ROCKMOUNT 1994

2009-10-04T04:35:00.001-07:00

ROCKMOUNT UNDER 17s:

Rockmount manager Barry Peelo enjoyed his championship season

with the club's Under 17s who won the First Division League. He

had a great bunch of lads, captained by Keith Crowley, and

reckons that they'll do well at minor level next season.

Barry, who had valuable assistance from Mick White, saw his side

lose just once during a season in which Brian Walsh and Neil

O'Regan topped the scoring charts. Shane Power and Steve

Yelverton also made major contributions as did keeper John

Kearney.

Rockmount youths, under managers Harry Peglar and John Delea and

captained by Conor O'Driscoll, won the First Division League. It

was their third successive triumph in the competition and,

remarkably, they didn't lose a league game over the three years.

RICHMOND JAN 2007

2009-10-04T04:33:00.000-07:00

RICHMOND FOCUS

“After relegation from Premier A last year, our aim for this season is to hold our first division status and push for promotion next season,” says Richmond spokesman Gerard O’Shea. “Our long term aim is to reach and maintain Premier Division status and challenge for honours in the cup competitions.”

Ger is the assistant manager this season and the new man in charge is John O’Mahony. O’Shea has been with the club since its beginning, first as a player, then he stepped up to management with nearly every team, at this stage, from schoolboy to girl’s youths and junior. This is John’s first year with the club.

Richmond have a big panel of 23 players, but a very young one. Almost all the players have had a run under O’Mahony. Alan O’Mahony was signed from Pearse Celtic, James Galvin has re-signed from Wilton Utd,while Brendan and Mark O’Shea have returned after been abroad last year. Also added to last year’s small squad are Barry Kelly, Killian Keogh,Conor Kelly, Denis Goggin and Colin O’Shea (ex Cork City, who joined before Christmas).

The scoring duties have been fairly well spread this season. Alan O’Mahony has contributed 9, Paul O’Neill 6, Cian Blake 4, Ben Ahern and David O’Neill 3 each. David is the team captain and Mark O’Shea is vice captain. David O’Neill and Freddy Wood shared last season’s Player of the Year Award and both are still involved.

The club wishes Killian Keogh a speedy recovery from a serious injury he received in a recent game and they all hope to have him back soon.

Gerard reports on the season to date: “Our league form to date has been mixed as the new players took time to settle in but our cup runs have given us the time to get a more settled team and with a few games in hand we should move up the table. Indeed, our best performance of the season came in FAI Cup when we beat a well organised College Corinthians. We really clicked on the day.”

“Our most recent outing saw us pit our wits against a new team in Leeview, in the AOH Cup. New teams can be a bit of an unknown challenge. It was a very open game We scored early, through a Colin O’Shea rocket from fully 30 yards, and late with an equally good goal from Mark O’Shea to seal victory and ensure our passage to the next round.”

“Our junior team is very kindly sponsored by Cork Refrigeration who have been on board for many years now. Sean Walsh has held many positions in the club over the years. He has stepped back this year but can still be relied on for help and support.”

This year’s panel: Stephen Connolly, Eosin Walsh, Donogh O’Shea, Barry Kelly, Mark O’Shea, Kevin Keenan, James Galvin, Freddy Wood, Killian Keogh, Alan McCarthy, Denis Goggin, Ryan O’Halloran, David O’Neill, Ben Ahern, Brendan O’Shea, Colin O’Shea, Alan O’Mahony, Cian Blake, Paul O’Neill, Ian Dineen, Stephen O’Sullivan, Mark Kenny and Conor Kelly.

At present, the junior team plays its home games at the Regional Pk in Ballincollig While the schoolboys and girls teams play in Waterfall. Training is every Tuesday night under lights in Waterfall 7.30-8.30 and Thursdays in C.I.T. all-weather 7-8.

Richmond have in place a very committed and hardworking committee from chairman Gerry Butler, secretary Kevin O’Regan, treasurer Shane O’Neill, PRO Gerard O’Shea and other committee members Valerie O’Donovan, Domonic Twohig and Mick O’Connor.

Gerard says the club currently has teams competing at every age group both boys and girls. “Sadly we have no youths team this year and with the upcoming schoolboy teams we see this as only a temporary setback.”

Updates on the busy club’s affairs, including results and fixtures, can be found at their newly launched website WWW.RICHMONDFOOTBALLCLUB.COM

RICHMOND FEB 2001

2009-10-04T04:32:00.001-07:00

RICHMOND

Richmond football club celebrated 21 years in the game in style last month.

The Waterfall based club has come a long way since its 1980 founding. Nowadays, no less than seven teams are proud to wear the blue and white hooped jerseys. The juniors and youths play in the AUL while schoolboy teams are fielded at Under 11,12,13,15, and 16.

Secretary Gerry Williams says the junior season so far has been very stop start, mainly because of the weather, now foot and mouth: "But we still managed to get to the semi-final of the Michaels Cup. Here, after a mighty battle with our near rivals, Ballinhassig, we went out on a 1-0 score. In the League we have four games played, three drawn and one lost. We have gathered a rather large panel, which we feel is necessary now in the age of heavy work commitments, when it's so hard to get a consistent team out every week".

This season has seen the introduction of new players: Ian Dineen (product of the underage section)and experienced heads Philip O'Sullivan, Roy Summers and Tim Kearney. The management team of Gerry Butler and his assistant Ger O'Shea (one of the founding members) are at the helm for their third season. This year's captain is current Player of the Year Vincent Drinan while Patsy McDonnell is the leading goalscorer. The Youths are managed by Jim Horgan and Ted Bennett.

The junior panel is: Stephen Connolly, Ian Dineen, Vincent Drinan, Mark Kennedy, Dave Waldock, Keven Keenan, Cathal Forbes, Joe Larkin, Gerry Butler, Alan O'Neill, Raymond Prendeville, Patsy McDonnell, Kieran Williams, Luke Bollard, Paul O'Neill, Timmy O'Connell, Brendan O'Shea, Gerry Willaims, Phillip O'Sullivan, Roy Summers and Tim Kearney.

According to Williams the aim for the season is to finish in the top three in the league "and maybe a Cup final thrown in. Our long term ambitions are to own and develop our own pitch and to promote the game of soccer to as high a standard as possible".

The secretary is proud of developments at Richmond Park in Waterfall: "It is on the lands of Denis Riordan to whom we are deeply indebted. We have dressing rooms for both teams and referee and also we have a floodlit training area. Wednesdays and Fridays are the nights for underage training while the juniors are there on Tuesdays. Both Youth and Junior teams train in the Mardyke on Thursdays".

There is a hard working committee at Richmond and it consists of: Sean Walsh, Ger O'Shea, Gerry Williams, Ted Bennett, Jim Horgan, Tim Connolly, Con O'Sullivan and Jim Cahill. Club sponsors include Cork Refrigeration, Castle Cleaners, Ace Control Services, Irish Oxygen, Crulaoi Meats, Castlewhite Developments and The Viaduct Inn.

* Richmond Association Football Club was founded in 1980 in time for the commencement of the 1980/81 West Cork League season. In the season 1983/84 Richmond made history when they completed the "Grand Slam" of West Cork honours- First Division League, Flor Crowley Cup and Carling League Cup.

* The season 1995/96 saw Richmond kick off their involvement in the AUL in Division 2. That season saw them finish mid table, but the high point had to be reaching the last 16 of the Munster Junior Cup. They eventually lost a titanic struggle to Passage (Premier Division) on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

* The season 1998/99 saw Richmond with representatives on both the Cork AUL youths team and the Cork Schoolboys U-13 Norton Cup team.

* Last season the County Cup Final in Turners Cross was a big occasion for the team and the club. However, a very strong Kinsale outfit spoiled the party with a stunning 3-0 victory.

* The club web site address is www.richmondfc.thesportscity.com.

AUL REFEREES 1999

2009-10-04T04:29:00.001-07:00

REFEREES AND MANAGERS MEET:

There were some honest straight talking exchanges at the specially arranged between the AUL U18 and U17 managers and the Referees Inspectors and Society members which took place at the Imperial Hotel last week; the use of foul language by players, the attitude of managers and selectors, allegations of victimisation of reporting clubs, and inconsistency on the referees' part, turned out to be the main topics.

Willie Long, chairman of the local branch of the Irish Soccer Referees Society, was delighted with the chance to talk to the managers: "We do try to get consistency. There is constant coaching on the laws of the games at our fourteen meetings every season; we use videos on the laws and also on first aid; self-correct papers are regularly handed out with questions and multi-choice answers".

"There is a major commitment on the referee's part. Our society helps them prepare match reports, instructs them in how to address players, and also organises testing training sessions at the Mardyke. Those who attend these sessions are encouraged, they get the better games."

Ballincollig manager Denis Campion and Everton manager Noel O'Sullivan both pointed to inconsistency as a major problem. O'Sullivan mentioned an example last season where one of his youth players was drafted in for an intermediate cup game where the use of foul language was not punished while the same offence was being severely punished at youth level even to the point where it was being given more attention than the basic laws.

Bad language was also being used by the odd referee from time to time and Rockmount manager James Corcoran was a recent victim: "Had it been one of my players, I would have taken him off." Corcoran's policy may well be one to adopt at schoolboy level according to Senior Referees inspector Pat Kelly: "Problems are starting at a younger age and good habits at schoolboy level could be a big help later on".

Frank Casey had these words of advice: "Make sure everything is right before the game. Don't draw the ref on you. Make sure shinguards are in place and that socks are tied and so on. Let us work together".

Some clubs were frustrated because they felt there was little they could do about their grievances with a referee. The answer came loud and clear from both the referees and the league management and it was report, report, report.

"But if we report, we will be victimised", was the reply. "Not so", assured Willie Long, "No club is victimised. The match will be reffed as it is on the day, not with reference to the club's previous history. If we come across anything like that, if a referee intentionally robs a team, that referee will be shifted. I am genuine when I say no club will be victimised".

His comments were echoed by branch secretary Christy Byrne who encouraged clubs to report instances of misconduct on a referee's part to the league. "There may even be some benefit in reporting mis-applications of the laws by a referee, you could well be doing him a favour in the long run." If the reports don't come, the league won't know about it, the society won't know about it, and the mistakes, deliberate or otherwise, will continue unabated. So report and break the circle.

At the end of the lively discussion, most present could go along with one of Pat Kelly's closing comments: "We all have a function in football - co-operation is the way to go".

REFEREES 1994

2009-10-04T04:28:00.001-07:00

The current committee of the Cork Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees

Society (ISRS) has an amazing one hundred and forty two years service

between the seven of them.

Vice chairman Eddie Mullins leads the experience stakes; he has been a

referee for 33 years. The others are Pat Kelly (24 years); Denis

Morley (22); Sean Manley (20); Jim McGrath (18); Willie Long (15);

and Christy Byrne (10).

At the recent annual general meeting, Sean Manley was elected chairman

in place of the retiring Derry Barrett. It is Sean's fifth time in

the chair. Mullins was returned a vice-chairman and Willie Long, a

member of the League of Ireland panel, as secretary.

Jim McGrath is in his 12th year as treasurer and Christy Byrne, a

second season FIFA linesman, as assistant secretary. Pat Kelly, a

League of Ireland ref for 14 years and a FIFA ref for five, was re-

elected treasurer while Denis Morley was returned to the committee.

The Cork branch of the ISRS was formed in 1960 and Sam Spillane, one

of the founder members, is still refereeing today. There are 85

members who serve in the League of Ireland, Cork Schoolboys League,

AUL, MSL, and Shipping League. In addition, during the summer months,

Inter-House, Inter-Pub, and Ladies League, are catered for.

A senior ref can be active for 12 months of the year if he so wishes

but it is not easy and, not surprisingly, many prefer to take a break

in summer. Even the regular season schedule can be demanding as the

referee must be prepared to give up every weekend. He has to go out

in all weather conditions and be a peacemaker, timekeeper,

scorekeeper, and often a first aid man, all in one.

The rewards are there, of course, for the successful official: local

cup final appointments, League of Ireland appointments, European club

games, and World Cup ties. But even the regular junior match official

must be quite dedicated. In addition to his weekend dates, he must be

prepared to attend forthnightly Society meetings during the season and

do at least one written and one physical test each year.

Not an easy road. But an enjoyable one. The magnificent seven above

would not have clocked up such mileage if it was all work and no play!

end of story

RATHCOOLE ROVERS 1999 DEC?

2009-10-04T04:27:00.000-07:00

RATHCOOLE ROVERS

Rathcoole Rovers, just four years in the Cork AUL, are already showing more initiative than many established clubs as they seek to conclude the purchase of four acres for two playing pitches in the North Cork townland. The ongoing transaction has been boosted by a loan from the Kanturk Credit Union and by the proceeds of a 400 members draw. Secretary Donagh O'Connor reports that the draw was such a success that another is currently underway: "We have received great support for this; our thanks to all who supported it".

The club, whose players come from Millstreet town, Boherbue, Dromtarriffe, and Lyre, held their first ever social at the end of last season to celebrate a great double. The juniors won the championship in Murphy's Stout AUL 3A and the Under 17s won the Teddy Healy Under 17 League Cup (beating Leeside in a thriller at Turner's Cross).

Awards were handed out on the night and Hugh Sheehan was voted Player of the Year. Kieran O'Keeffe was top scorer with 19 goals and he is threatening to do the same this year and even the best defences find it hard to cope: he scored a cracker against Blarney Utd recently in the FAI Junior Cup. Kevin Murphy was voted Under 17 Player of the Year and the Top Scorer Award here went to Gearoid Murphy. Chairman and manager Alfie Cooney was the recipient of a special award from the players for his commitment to them and to the club.

Alfie's assistant is Michael Guerin and the captain is Tommy McAuliffe. Training could be better and should improve, now that lights have been erected. Alfie shares the Under 17 managership with Teddy Cleary but they haven't followed the success of last year's team, yet!

The juniors though are enjoying a great run and have distinguished themselves in the cups. Because of that, they have played just four league games in 2A and have nine points. They are through to the quarterfinals of the Saxone Cup and have a home date with Evergreen on Friday December 31st (kick off 2.00pm). Wins over Inter City, Fairview, Leeside B, and Ballintotis, have put them through to the last 32 of the AOH.

Rathcoole were very close to getting out of Cork in the FAI Junior Cup. They did get to the last 16 in the area with wins over Premier outfits St John Bosco's (their best performance of the season to date) and Killumney Utd. And they came close to shocking Blarney who came from behind to win on spotters after a 1 - 1 tie.

The Rathcoole officers are Alfie Cooney (chairman), Niall O'Brien (vice chairman), Donagh O'Connor (secretary), Fergal Walsh (treasurer), Hugh Sheehan and Niall Buckley (PROs). The club is receiving great support from the Linehans in the D'Outback Bar. "Long may it continue," says O'Connor.

The current junior panel is: Fergal Walsh, Hugh Sheehan, Tommy McAuliffe, Denis Breen, Niall Buckley, Bryan Cooper, Bryan Hickey, brothers Michael and Donal Cashman, brothers Donagh and Hugh O'Connor, Trevor Murphy, Timmy Cleary, Don Healy, and Kieran O'Keeffe.

GREENMOUNT RANGERS JAN 1996

2009-10-04T04:24:00.001-07:00

TEAM OF THE MONTH (PHOTO):

The sensational performance by Greenmount Rangers in crushing

Kinsale in the final of the Murphy's Stout AUL Shield on December

31st was a major factor in the southside team being voted the AUL

Team of the Month. They had been in top scoring form also in the

semi-final when Cobh Town were demolished 7 - 1.

Other teams in the running for this much sought after honour were

Blarney Street Athletic, Millstreet Celtic, Togher Rovers, and

Albert Utd.

So well done to manager John Lyne and to skipper Davy Cooke.

Dave is a member of a feared midfield triangle that also includes

Shane McSweeney and action man Dougie Browne.

Danger too on the flanks whenever Conor Fitzgerald or Mick

O'Leary get the ball at their feet and start a run and red alert

flashes in all opposing defences when the midfielders or flankers

find goal ace Greg Cooney.

Bertie Lane is one fo the bravest and best keepers around playing

behind a solid back-four that normally consists of Pat Tynan,

Eddie Cotter, the long serving Alan Ramsell, and the recently

signed Anthony O'Brien (ex Crofton).

Brendan Cronin (ex Mayfield Utd) is another relative newcomer to

the squad, a fairly settled one, that also includes Conor Bird,

Ian Mulcahy, Dave Linehan, Niall Greaney, and Don Collins.

Manager Lyne is another long serving Greenmount man and he has

matchday assistance from his brother Denis and Pat Mulcahy.

Mulcahy is also the club chairman and the other officers are

Brendan Black (secretary), Thos Cahill (Treasurer), and Leonard

Corcoran (vice chairman). Other committee members are Eamonn

Corcoran, Paddy O'Callaghan, Denis Lyne, Billy Montgomery, and

Plunkett Carter.

Up to this season, Greenmount Rangers were leading members of the

AUL Intermediate league. They had their success at this level,

winning the Shield in 1991, the Corinthians Cup in 1995.

Their biggest success at junior grade was winning the coveted AOH

Cup in 1970. The 1982/83 season was also a good one with success

both in AUL 1B and the City Challenge Cup. 1989/90 was even

better: a treble was achieved with triumphs in the Premier

League, the St Michael's Cup, and the Champions Cup.

PEARSE CELTIC 1996

2009-10-04T04:21:00.000-07:00

Pearse Celtic (March 1996):

Pearse Celtic, the Murphy's Stout AUL Team of the Month for February, are

thoroughly enjoying their first season in official league football. Largely

because their preparation has been thorough.

Chairman Danny Carroll explained at last week's Team of the Month presentation

by Ricky Grogan of Murphy's Stout, that the club, new to the AUL, has been

organised for the past three seasons: "It was originally formed by a group of

Togher youngsters. The local community, especially Mick Healy, were very

helpful, both with advice and finance".

Danny was the first manager and still holds the job. Having, at the start of

this season, achieved their aim of joining the AUL, Pearse recruited a few

experienced players to help in the league debut. And it has been a successful

debut. Celtic are one of the leading sides in AUL 3 and have been making

waves in the City Challenge Cup.

The full panel is: Shane Barrett, Darren Buckley, Johnny Collins, Pat

Buckley, Paddy Cremin, Dave Dorgan, Andy and Emmett Geary, Finbarr Hayes,

Barry Kelleher, Paul McCarthy, Kieran Morey (captain), Ray Ryan (keeper),

Anthony Morley, Jason Virgo, Mark Nasion, Maz O'Donovan, Richard O'Shea, Tony

O'Sullivan, and Damien Walsh.

The club play their home games at Clashduv Road where they get tremendous help

from groundsman Charlie Horgan. The Pearse officers are Daniel Carroll

(Chairman), Maz O'Donovan (Vice chairman), Tony O'Sullivan (Treasurer), Kieran

Morey (Secretary), and Michael Holland (assistant secretary).

PASSAGE 2002

2009-10-04T03:13:00.001-07:00

PASSAGE

Passage are on the way back. That seems to be the message from the progressive harbourside club that have three teams in contention for three different AUL Leagues at present. The Premier outfit are doing well in cup and league, Passage B are one of the top teams in 2B and the youths are looking good in AUL 1.

Besides, the club formed a separate schoolboy administration this season and that section is going from strength to strength. And that's not all. Passage also run two ladies teams, one senior, the other underage, and here the management is shared by Tina Murphy, James Jordan and Dave Barry.

Chairman John Murphy, who with Paddy Carroll runs the Premier side, is taking lessons from the David O'Leary hand-book and is not getting carried away: "We hope to get a top four finish in the league and get a good cup run. Remember this is a very young side, ten of the squad are twenty three or younger."

There had been a lack of commitment from some Passage players in very recent seasons and Murphy has moved to rectify that: "Our plan for the season is to get a settled group of players who are interested in giving a full commitment and that is what we are getting so far."

The squad has been boosted by the return of Paul Coughlan from Cobh Ramblers and promising youngster James O'Leary, who played with the AUL youths last term, is back from Douglas Hall. The squad has also been reinforced by the arrival of two Ukrainians, Taras Bobko and Oleg Shanrauyk. Team trainer is William "Touche" Murphy and John Gaffney is the skipper.

Coughlan played upfront in the recent AOH win over holders Leeside but the regular duo here is Aidan Whitty and Johnny Carroll. Unfortunately top scorer Carroll looks set to miss the next few weeks as he recovers from a hernia operation.

But chairman Murphy is hopeful that the club as a whole has turned the corner and is delighted with the progress being reported on all fronts. The B team, looking good in 2B, are guided by James Jordan and Brendan "Bags" Murphy while Packie Murphy is in charge of the youths squad. "The club is on a very firm footing and plans are well ahead to celebrate our 30th year in football next season".

The Premier panel consists of Brian Beale, Mervyn O'Connor, Gordon Ryan, Paul Cronin, Gavin O'Connor, Paul Coughlan, John Gaffney, Clifton Gaffney, James O'Leary, Jason Mullen, Liam Curtin, Dave Barry, Mark O'Donnell, John Carroll, Aidan Whitty, Taras Bobko and Oleg Shanrauyk.

PASSAGE DEC 2001

2009-10-04T02:59:00.000-07:00

PASSAGE DEC 2000

2009-10-04T02:58:00.000-07:00

PASSAGE SEEK AOH NUMBER FOUR

First division Ballyvolane stand in the way of Passage as the harboursiders seek a place in the last 32 of the Murphy's Stout AOH Cup. Passage, winners of the coveted trophy in 1994, 1997, and 1998, bowed out of the Munster Junior Cup to a more experienced Temple side recently. Manager John Murphy will he hoping that a similar story will not unfold at Hillington Park on Sunday afternoon. Ballyvolane, with Tony O'Donnell playing as well as ever, are loaded with experience and will make it hard for Murphy's younger outfit.

The Passage side have been stuck in the doldrums for the past two seasons but John took over this term and is building for the future and indeed has already put together a promising squad.

John Carroll has returned from Douglas Hall and his scoring exploits have been a big help to a side that includes four from last season's B string. Keeper Brian Beale captains the team while John Corkery is the assistant manager.

This season, the B side play in AUL 3B and are managed by a couple of Passage loyalists: James Jordan and Brendan "Bags" Murphy. They are well in the running in what is proving to be a very competitive league.

The experience of "Bags", John O'Flaherty, Bryan Hennessy, John Cronin, and keeper Sean Kind, is blending nicely with the youthful exuberance of promising performers such as Clifton Gaffney, Aidan O'Carroll, Pat Quigley, and Neil O'Sullivan. Martin Murphy captains the team and Carroll is their top scorer to date.

Cobh Ramblers ace Paul Coughlan, man of the match for Passage in their 1994 AOH triumph, helps out with the coaching of the Passage youths side, which is managed by Packie Murphy and Dave Dineen, familiar faces on the Passage scene.

They are doing quite well even though the squad is generally very young with two thirds of them underage again for next season. Leading performers include Mark O'Sullivan, Dave Barry, and Liam O'Sullivan. Passage have an important game coming up on Sunday afternoon (2pm) when they entertain underdogs Casement Celtic in the FAI Cup.

PASSAGE 1995

2009-10-04T02:56:00.001-07:00

jan 1995

HAPPY WANDERERS

Passage Wanderers are not the big winners of the AUL. Indeed, it

was only last season that their first team managed a trophy

breakthrough. But the Wanderers, the second team, who have been

described as the underachievers of the Lower Harbour, are a happy

lot and reckon they could do the business this season in either

the Saxone Cup or AUL 2.

John "Bird" Murphy is the Passage manager and his assistant is

his brother Pakie. While most of the Wanderers have endured

nothing but frustration in the search for trophies, Ger Hanlon, a

valuable striker in the team, has had a string of success at

schoolboy level and manager Murphy is hoping that his luck will

rub off on the rest.

Thirty four year old Murphy, a vice-chairman of the club, has

been with Passage for 17 years and has spent five years as

manager of the Wanderers, promoted to League 2 at the end of last

season. He has three players, Adrian and Mervyn O'Connor and

Michael O'Sullivan in his charge, not just for the past five

seasons, but also at underage level for the previous 12.

John Fahy is one of Bird's better known players. Fahy came to

attention as a youngster when he was runner up in the 1979 play-

off of the All Ireland Master Skills competition. He lost out,

in this Under 14 ball control event, to Ken O'Neill, the same Ken

who later signed for Stoke and played with Waterford. Utd.

9

AUL SOCCER 9

_______________

HAPPY WANDERERS CONTINUED:

Jamesie Jordan, popularly know as ZZ top, is the team's captain

and also one of its best known characters. Jamesie's flowing

beard is his trademark and has been, even since his schoolboys

days when it gave many an opposition manager "probable" cause for

objection.

At 38 years old, Brendan "Bags" Murphy is the veteran of the

squad but also emblematic of its lack of success. Brendan has

runners up tokens from the President's Cup (twice), the AOH, the

Corinthians, the St Michael's, the County, Two B, and One A. He

missed out on last season's double by the first team, having just

stepped down to the second.

But he enjoys the game nonetheless and his passing and experience

are valuable assets. He has represented the AUL juniors on quite

a few occasions, starting with a scoring debut against Kerry DL

back in 1986.

Though Brendan and John are not related, one is constantly struck

by the family atmosphere in Passage, one of the friendliest

venues around. They train them young down there: Brendan's son

Trafford (no need to ask who they support) and John's daughter

Edel rarely miss a Wanderers game.

10

AUL SOCCER 10

_________________

HAPPY WANDERERS CONTINUED:

The Passage Wanderers panel is: Brian Beale (goalkeeper), Paddy

Carroll, Mervyn O'Connor, John Fahy, Brendan Murphy, Hugh

O'Neill, Adrian O'Connor, Sean Moynihan, Michael O'Sullivan, John

Cronin, Martin Murphy, Sean Kind, Ger Hanlon (top scored to date

with 14 goals), Johnny Coughlan, and Jamesie Jordan (captain).

PASSAGE 1994

2009-10-04T02:55:00.001-07:00

PASSAGE YOUTHS DOUBLE:

John Carroll scored an incredible 37 goals as he helped Passage

youths to a splendid double in second division football. Under

the guidance of manager Paddy Carroll and his assistant Finbarr

Burke, the harbourside colts won the Second Division Cup and the

title in AUL Division Two.

The league campaign eventually boiled down to a thrilling finish

between Passage and Everton. Passage, who had played second

fiddle to the city side in two previous meetings, came good when

it mattered and won the final crucial contest by 2 - 1. David

O'Neill got the equaliser and that man Carroll supplied the 84th

minute winner.

The Cup final against a fine Macroom side was a thriller all the

way with good quality goals and then brilliant penalty taking in

the 28 kick shootout.

Gordon O'Riordan put Passage in front. Back came Macroom to lead

2 - 1 only for Pat Mehigan's strike to bring the match to extra

time and eventually to that dramatic shootout. Passage missed

just one spotter, unlucky Macroom just one more.

4

AUL SOCCER 4

______________

PASSAGE YOUTHS CONTINUED:

The Passage squad (goals in brackets): Jason Burns, Alan Carroll

(1), Declan Carroll (1), John Carroll (37), Connor Doyle, John

Gaffney (1), Brian Lynch, Pat Mehigan (2), Sean Moynihan (9),

Stephen Moynihan, Leonard O'Brien, David O'Neill (3), Gordon

O'Riordan (16), Billy Stuart (16), Jason Tracy (20).

PARK UTD NOV 2000

2009-10-04T02:53:00.001-07:00

Park United

Mitchelstown's Park United celebrate twenty five years in football with a big bash in the local Firgrove Hotel this Friday evening. Park have won their share of honours but undoubtedly their biggest achievement to date is the provision of top class facilities at Brigown, a set-up that is one of the best around.

Thomas O'Keeffe and Paddy Lane were there at the beginning. Indeed, O'Keeffe was due to play the first ever Park game but had to cry off due to illness and Lane took over. O'Keeffe is now club chairman while Lane heads up the Schoolboys Section. Others involved in the early days included: Mick Ahern, Larry Coleman, Mick Walsh, Mick Brasil, Bill Murphy, Pa Cotter, Tommy O'Gorman. Billy Cahill was the first captain, Georgie Donegan the first chairman.

Nowadays, the club's senior side, managed jointly by Mick Cotter and player Ned Finn, play in the Premier Division of the AUL. The team is much changed from last season with Graham Brooks, Paddy Dunne, and Eamonn O'Connor, coming up from the second string. Thomas Gallagher has returned to first team duty and the squad has been boosted by the arrival of the Enright brothers John and Barry, and by the signing of former Golden Boot winner Brian Barry.

Long time Park official Conor O'Keeffe admits the opening phase of the season hasn't been the best but there have been some very encouraging performances, including a 7 - 1 hammering of Glenvale in the league and a recent 2 - 0 FAI win over Ringmahon.

Both adult teams train each Wednesday evening under Declan Molan. Pat O'Mahony looks after the second team, which is skippered by John McNamara.

Current officers are: Tom O'Keeffe (chairman), Simon Maher (secretary), and Davy O'Connor (treasurer). The other committee members are: Conor O'Keeffe, John Crowley, Mick Cotter, Michael Hennessy, Tony Murphy, Owen O'Callaghan, and Paddy Moloney. There are also Lotto and Schoolboys committees, the latter chaired by Paddy Lane.

Ned Finn captains the first team and the other players are: Alan Griffin (joint winner player of the year last term), Brendan Hannon, Tony Mullally, Peter Conroy (joint winner player of the year last term), John Clery, Joe O'Brien, Eddie Walsh, Kieran Duggan, Aidan McNamara (on the AUL Oscar Traynor team last season), Thomas Gallagher, Pa Dunne, Eamonn O'Connor, Graham Brooks (current top scorer), Davy O'Connor, Barry Enright, Brian Barry, John Enright, Tony Lambert, Anthony O'Brien, and Simon Maher.

Park face a tough encounter on Sunday when they travel to take on Terry Connolly's high-flying Coachford in the Premier League. The second team have a home game in the morning and their visitors are Glenthorn Celtic.

PARK UTD 1995

2009-10-04T02:52:00.001-07:00

PARK UNITED GOING PLACES

Mitchelstown's Park United are making plans to celebrate their 21st

anniversary which falls next season. Secretary Conor O'Keeffe promises to

make it a season to remember "in this soccer mad town".

Since it's formation back in 1975 the club has gone from strength to strength

and currently boasts three junior teams and one under age team with plans at

present to increase the under age teams by another one or two at least over

the next few years.

Park's present home at Brigown is now a permanent fixture and a big contrast

to the "good old days". Park United started off in a field behind Liam Lynch

Park, from where the name of the club originated. In 1977 they moved to

another venue opposite the Dairygold owned grainstore on the Limerick Road.

Then, in 1985, the club purchased some land at Brigown at a cost pf œ15,000

and they have been playing there ever since and "playing very well" according

to O'Keeffe. Indeed, they have quite an impressive list of honours.

The club has engaged in a very large fundraising effort for the last four

years and this, due to the great support received from the people of

Mitchelstown and it's surrounding population, has helped to pay for the first

phase of the development in Brigown.

At present Park Utd are improving the grounds and have already completed the

re-draining of the pitches and have had them re-seeded at a cost of œ18,000.

In addition they have also erected a 100 ft front wall and large entrance gate

complete with club name and motif, which has cost an additional œ7,000.

Even as you read this, work is going ahead to start what will be the biggest

phase of development, that is the building of a club house which will comprise

of four dressing rooms, two store rooms, a committee room, referees room and a

shower block. This work is being supervised by Gary Cotter who has proved

himself a great clubman over the years, both on the field and at

administration level.

Another man who is spearheading the ongoing development is Mike Whelan

(ebullient captain of their President's Cup winning team) who is presently

club chairman. He and Conor O'Keeffe are organising a mini European Cup for

the 21st anniversary next year.

This is not as strange as it may seem. Park travel abroad regularly and have

many friends all over Europe having taken part in tournaments in places such

as England, Scotland, Isle of Man, and more than once in Holland where they

have befriended teams from France, Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, and other

countries.

In fact Park have been invited to Holland again this year and will be setting

off in May to try and capture the perpetual trophy. Now here's a club going

places.

Talking of travelling, Park boasts of a man who has played football all over

the world and that man is Pa Jackson, who is well known throughout the AUL.

Pa's claim to fame is scoring a hat trick in a South African District final,

some years back. What's more, it was played on a beach on Christmas Day.

Pa was also involved in with the Park Utd youths last year when they went on

to win the Coca Cola cup under his management with a great victory over

Mayfield in a thrilling final.

Last season was also a great year for Park Albion, the second team. Managed by

Vincent O'Donnell, they were triumphant in AUL League 3A. Albion, with

player-manager O'Donnell again to the fore, are well in contention for the

title in 2A.

Park's first team manager, Mike Keane, hasn't found things so rosy of late:

mainly due to injuries and a run of bad luck his team are in mid-table in

Murphy's Stout Junior Premier Division at present. However, with players of

the calibre of John Cleary, Tom Gallagher, Ned Finn (doing well in the Golden

Boot), John Piggott and the returning Tomas Donegan at hand, things can only

improve for this talented team.

This year's top scorer is Golden Boot contender Ned Finn who has had life easy

enough up front with the absence of Davy O'Connor through injury. However,

Dave has recently played for the first time in four months and it shouldn't be

long before he is banging them in again.

Most of the current Premier team are made up of the two most successful youths

teams to date, i.e. 1986 and 1994, with Gary Cotter being the exception at

centre half where, at 36, he is the grandad of the team. Excluding Gary the

oldest player is 26 years.

Secretary O'Keeffe looks ahead with confidence: "With the likes of all the

aforementioned people and the many other hardworking club members, including

our female members who have brought a breath of fresh air into the club with

their initiative and dedicated approach, Park Utd has a great future and when

our amenity is finished it will ensure a long life for soccer in

Mitchelstown".

Park United Role of Honour:

1980/81 runners up Division 3

1982/83 winners League 2A

1987/88 winners President's Cup

1988/89 runners up Saxone Cup

1989/90 winners League 2A

1992/93 winners League 1A

1993/94 winners League 3A (Park Albion)

1986/87 winners Second Division Youths Cup

1993/94 winners Coca Cola Youths Cup.

In addition, Park won the North Cork Cup in 1988 and 1990

AUL and MFA 1993

2009-10-04T02:48:00.001-07:00

CORK SOCCER CONTRIBUTORS:

Between them, the O'Driscoll brothers, Denis and Jack, have made a huge

contribution to football in the Cork area. Currently, Denis is assistant

secretary to both the AUL and the MFA while Jack, a member of the MFA, is

chairman of the Cork Shipping League.

Denis played youth football with St Mary's and later served on the committee.

He then became involved with the Cork Celtic supporters club and acted as

chairman for four years.

In 1966, he was a founder member of Tonyville, played with them and served on

the committee for 14 years.

He joined the AUL in 1974 and has been treasurer, secretary, and chairman

(1988/89).

Jack's first involvement with Shipping League football was back in 1966 with

Olympic (later to become Byrne's). When the club folded, Jack stayed with the

Shipping League as a committee member and is still there. He has been with

the league since 1971 and was elected chairman in 1988.

Both the O'Driscolls have been instrumental in the improvement in Turner's

Cross in recent years but particular credit is due to Jack. He is the

groundsman at the venue and the much praised playing surface is his pride and

joy.

NORTHVILLA OCT 2001

2009-10-04T02:47:00.000-07:00

NORTHVILLA:

"Our aims for the season are to win the league and to have a run in the cup, any cup," says Northvilla secretary George Feehan. George is happy enough with the current league position. Northvilla play in a very competitive AUL 2B and are in the hunt and looking forward to next Sunday morning's big derby against title rivals Bohemians.

Manager Tony Goldsmith and his assistant Thomas Woods are getting the best from their panel which consists of Robby O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connor, Dave Murphy, Stephen Goldsmith, Mark Goldsmith, Ger Stanton, Wesley Dennehy, Pat Sheehan, Jason Barrett, leading scorer Liam Dennehy, Thomas Woods, Brian Kelleher, and Paul Freyne.

Feehan's comrades on the Northvilla committee are Thomas Dennehy (chairman), Ger Dennehy (treasurer) and Teddy Dennehy. The Dennehy connection is inescapable if you want to talk about Northvilla football club. Michael Dennehy (senior) was one of the founding members.

Ger is the club's leading all time goalscorer. He also holds the AUL

individual scoring record for one match, registering all ten as the 'Villa

trounced Crosshaven back in February 1979. Ger's brother Liam had a spell with

Cork Celtic while another brother, Thomas, was with League of Ireland clubs

Limerick and Cork Celtic. Former international Miah Dennehy is a cousin.

Northvilla top achievement came in 1995 when they were champions in AUL Premier A. In 1980/81, they defeated Ballincollig in the replayed final of the AUL first division championship. In 1978/79, Northvilla reached the AOH final but lost to Grangevale. Two years earlier, they had been beaten by Garda in the O'Keeffe Cup decider.

NORTH END DEC 1994

2009-10-04T02:45:00.001-07:00

NORTH END 1/12/94:

North End secretary Jim Doherty credits manager Carl Humphries with the

upswing in the fortunes of the first division club this season: "We are making

great progress under Carl's management. His experience in England with West

Ham and during his colourful League of Ireland career has been a great asset

to us and it shows in our current form".

That form was especially good during October when an undefeated campaign

earned Humphries' charges the Murphy's Stout AUL Team of the Month. The award

was presented at a function last week in the Steeple Bar where Barry Sheehan

is North End's number one supporter.

Martin O'Brien is coach to the side which is captained by Paul Lee. Lee and

striker turned defender Jimmy Jones are veterans, having spent close to 20

years in the ranks. Tony Kearney is another long serving member.

In those days, when Jones and partner Sean o'neill, terrorised many a defence,

they were known as Sunbeam. In 1976/77 they won the Third Division and were

runners up in the second three years later.

But this was the time of major redundancies at the Commons Road and, as it

became increasingly difficult to fill a panel from the reduced workforce, it

was decided to change the name to North End, thereby making a connecton with a

famous bygone team of the same name, a connection welcomed by surviving

members of the original club.

Indeed, there are still family connections. Jimmy Jones' father played with

the old North End while Paul and Brian Lee and Kenneth Stephens are also

second generation North Enders. The original North End, by the way, were

based at the old Pigeon Club in Quarry Lane (near Neptune Stadium).

Jimmy Cronin, current chairman, was very much involved in those days and in

1983/84 had the satisfaction of seeing North End win the First Division title.

Honours have been scarce since then but this could be their year.

The improvement on the field has been obvious but there has also been

marvellous work going on off the field and here secretary Doherty, a top class

organiser, comes in for much of the credit. The full committee is: Jimmy

Cronin (Chairman), Jim Doherty senior (Secretary), Dan Jones (Treasurer), Dave

Donaghue and Jim Doherty junior.

Humphries panel is: Paul Lee (captain), Jimmy Jones, Steve O'Leary, Tony

Kearney, Con Connors, Derek Barnes (keeper), Niall O'Connell, Niall Duggan,

Brian Lee, Raymond Murphy, Paul Humphries, John Kenneally, Adrian Hyde, James

Sweeney, Jimmy Morrissey, Martin Murray, Alfie Riordan, Eddie O'Sullivan,

Danny O'Leary, and Ken Stephens.

DOUGLAS HALL EVERTON 2000

2009-10-03T03:19:00.001-07:00

MURPHY YOUTH CUP FINAL - DOUGLAS HALL v EVERTON - TURNER'S CROSS - SUNDAY - 11.00am.

Everton will be contesting their sixth Murphy Youth Cup final in seven years when they take on Douglas Hall at the Cross on Sunday morning (kick off 10.45). Both sides have distinguished themselves this season: Everton had a good run in the FAI Cup while Douglas, also through to the last four of the League Cup, are unbeaten since last October.

Holders Everton beat Mayfield in the 1994 decider and lost to Ballincollig in the following season. In 97 they lost to Leeds, in 98 to Ballincollig, before beating Temple last term. Douglas may not be able to match Everton's record in the Murphy but they did win the Second Division Youths Cup last season.

Douglas secretary Con Harrington is delighted with the fifteen game unbeaten run: "The bulk of this team have won trophies from Under 8 up. Billy O'Neill, Gerard O'Donovan, and Derek Bowen, have represented the AUL this season and six of the panel have senior experience".

Everton, managed by Paul Desmond, Paul Scannell, and Noel O'Sullivan, have also won their share of representative honours. Terry White is perhaps the best known, having played this season for the Irish Senior Schools team and the MFA Under 17 side. Desmond is new to the management team this season and is a major contributor, especially with training.

Douglas Hall squad: Colm McCarthy, David Cotter, Billy O'Neill, Joe McSorley (captain), Barry O'Shea, Rodger Barrett, Eoin O'Brien, Brian Wilkinson, Damien O'Callaghan, James O'Leary, Paul Rose, Cathal Hipwell, Derek Bowen, and Gerard O'Donovan.

Everton panel: Stephen O'Sullivan, Paddy Fielding, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Philip Hayes, Gavin O'Leary (captain), John Desmond, Martin Horgan, Terry White, Richard Barry, Stephen Duncliffe, Michael Ahern, Paul McGrath, Roger Moore, Stephen Houlihan, Gary Murphy, Alan Harte, and Stephen Crowley.

Damien O'Mahony is the referee for Sunday's decider and his assistants are John Thompson and Barry Kelleher.

RECENT WINNERS: St Mary's (1983); Crofton Celtic (84); Casement Celtic (85 & 86); Rockmount (87); Casement Celtic (88); Rockmount (89); Casement Celtic (90); Wilton Utd (91); Rockmount (92 & 93); Everton (94); Ballincollig (95); Midleton (96); Leeds (97); Blarney Utd (98); and Everton (99).

PATHS TO THE FINAL

Each of Sunday's contestants received a bye in the opening round and Douglas had a bloodless victory over Richmond in round two. Everton also had it easy when goals from Stephen Houlihan (2), Gavin O'Leary (2), Laurence Fitzpatrick, and Paul McGrath, gave them a 6 - 0 win over Hibernians.

In December, the Hall came up against cup favorites Temple Utd and Gerard O'Donovan netted a hat trick in a stirring 3 - 1 win. Douglas recently repeated the dose in the league cup to prove that they are a quality outfit.

Everton had it surprisingly tough against lower ranked Dripsey Celtic in the 3rd round though it must be said that Stephen Forde's Mid Cork side have improved throughout the season.

The first game ended at 3 - 3, Stephen Duncliffe, Richard Barry, and John Desmond, on the mark for Everton. The city team fell behind in the replay; White equalised and Richard Barry snatched the winner after his own header came back off the bar.

Douglas Hall were up against Ballincollig in their January semi-final and O'Donovan got the only goal of the game to put them through. O'Donovan also scored with a diving header against Temple in the League Cup so he seems to be the man for the big occasion and is he only Hall player to have scored in the Murphy this season.

Everton had a comfortable enough 4 - 1 win over Leeside in their semi-final. White notched a double while Houlihan and Michael Ahern also scored.

REFEREES AUGUST 1995

2009-10-03T03:18:00.000-07:00

Referee Jack Murphy, recently retired:

Refereed:

FAI Youth Cup final; Munster Youth Cup final; FAI Under 17 Cup

quarter-final; Corinthians Cup final; AOH Cup final; St

Michael's Cup final; Cork area FAI Junior Cup final;

President's Cup final; Saxone Cup final; Harding Cup final;

Lined at:

FAI Youth Inter-league final; AOH Cup final; Cork area FAI

Junior Cup final; Munster Junior Cup semi-final; Murphy Youth

Cup final;

Officiated in all grades of football from Under 11 Schoolboys to

the Premier division of the MSL and also did FAI Intermediate Cup

and Munster Senior Cup matches.

End of Story

WILTON UTD FEB 1985

2009-10-03T03:16:00.001-07:00

Ger Hayes (played with Munster v Leinster in 1985 inter-pro at The Farm, see post)

Munster defender Ger Hayes had been told in the previous year that, at 23, he was too old to turn to the professional game. The Wilton man had been spotted playing for Wilton Utd in an AOH Cup game against Carrigaline in November 1983 and scout Michael Heron, who had been sent down to run the rule over the younger free-scoring Pat Morley, added Hayes to the list.

Heron said he was impressed with Hayes and would be sending on a favourable report on the tall ex striker, then shining in the middle of the Wilton defence. The report would be going to Sammy Nelson, the former Arsenal and Northern Ireland captain, then the coach at Brighton.

The seagulls already had one Cork player on their books at the time and that was the ex Tramore Athletic ace Kieran O’Regan. Tony Grealish and Gary Howlett were other Irish players at the southcoast club. But neither Morley, who would go on to have a distinguished professional career, mainly in the League of Ireland, nor Hayes would be joining them.

Hayes recalls that the timing of the ten day trial – they travelled over on St Stephen’s Day (83) - didn’t help their cause as the staff were too engrossed with the busy post Christmas league programme and not overly concerned about newcomers.

At the end, the Cork lads were seen individually by manager Ray Cattlin. Hayes was told that, while he was a fine player, his age was against him. Ger did go on to win two AOH Cup medals with Wilton and has just finished his term as captain of Kinsale Golf Club.

MUNSTER 1984/85

2009-10-03T03:13:00.001-07:00

MUNSTER 1984/85

Munster 1 Leinster 2
Gerry Geaney’s Munster FA junior team were caught by a late rally in an inter-provincial at The Farm in February 1985. Munster had led from early on but two goals in the closing eight minutes earned the visitors the win.

Munster got off to a great start. In the second minute, a corner by Eamonn McDaid flew directly into the net. But they were regularly under pressure afterwards.

Goalkeeper Declan Higgins of Limerick and defenders Philip O’Regan (Waterford), Ger Hayes and Barry McGovern (both Cork) were in top form and helped absorb Leinster’s sustained attacks throughout the second half.

The visitors were driven on by the excellent form of John Tracey in midfield and while Frank Flynn (Limerick) played very well in this sector, Leinster superiority eventual paid off.

Tracy headed the equaliser with eight minutes to go and then struck the corner, which Ken Gibbons turned home for the winning goal.

The Cork players on the side were McGovern (Carrigaline Utd), Hayes (Wilton Utd), Anthony Hogan (Ballincollig) and John Horan (Western Rovers). Due to the excellent form of Higgins, Cork keeper Ger McGreevey (Greenmount) didn’t get a run at The Farm.

McGovern played his usual sound role as sweeper while right full Ger Hayes didn’t put a foot wrong. The Munster forward line hadn’t much to offer but second half sub Hogan made a couple of strong runs while John Horan, also a sub, got less than ten minutes to show his paces.

And no, that is not Philip Long (second from left on the rear). Temple United and Long’s team St Mary's were the leading cork teams that season but due to their involvement in the area final of the FAI Junior Cup on the following day, Geaney was unable to play a full hand.

Limerick were represented by four fine players, all members of the Star Rovers club: Higgins, Flynn, Boland, and Mullane. Star were the beginning to dominate junior soccer in Limerick at the time and went on to win three Munster Junior Cups in a row in the mid eighties and also reached the FAI Junior Cup semi-final.

Bernard O’Neill, Echo soccer correspondent in Limerick and also a Star player before joining Ballynanty Rovers, recalls that Pat Boland, who captained the Munster side, was an Irish Schoolboy and Junior international and was a top class player while centre-half John Mullane, keeper Declan Higgins and midfielder Frankie Flynn were all top notch performers.

The players that represented Munster that day twenty seasons back were: D. Higgins, G. Hayes, B. McGovern, P. O’Regan, P. Boland (captain), G. Dawney, F. Flynn, J. Mullane, D. O’Callaghan, L. O’Donovan and E. McDaid. Subs used: A. Hogan and J. Horan.

MFA 1993

2009-10-03T03:12:00.001-07:00

MUNSTER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION:

1993:

John O'Sullivan (Cork AUL) was re-elected chairman of the Munster Football

Association when the provincial governing body held its annual general meeting

in Moore's Hotel last Saturday afternoon. John O'Regan (Kerry) was returned

as vice-chairman.

The Council itself later set up a new committee, a cup committee, to look

after the organisation of the senior, junior, and youths, cups. The men

elected to serve here were Liam Lewis (AUL), John O'Donovan (MSL), Mick

Hanley (Desmond), Tony Fitzgerald (AUL), Vincent Cummins (AUL) and Tommy Lewis

(Tipperary).

The MFA delegates to the FAI Senior Council - John O'Sullivan, Vincent

Cummins, and Donie Forde - were returned unopposed. There was an election for

the junior council where all four outgoing were returned and they are: Tommy

Lewis, John Sheehan (Waterford), Mick Hanley, and Sean Kiely (Limerick).

There was a change of personnel in the Protests and Appeals committee where

Ger Delaney (MSL) came in in place of Pasty McCullough. Delaney was the

agreed replacement for John O'Donovan on the disciplinary committee. The new

Rules Revision Committee is: Kiely, T. Lewis, T, Fitzgerald, V. Cummins, and

Jimmy Murphy (MSL).

GUESTS:

In his address to the annual general meeting, MFA chairman John O'Sullivan

welcomed the delegates and extended a special welcome to their guests who were

Joe Delaney, vice President of the FAI Senior Council and assistant treasurer,

and John Fitzgerald who was representing the FAI Junior Council.

O'Sullivan said that the association had had its ups and downs but that in

general it had been a good year for football in the province: "Cork City won

the Premier Division of the League of Ireland, Cobh Ramblers were promoted to

the Premier, Waterford District League won the national youth inter-league

championship, and the Limerick District League were successful in the Oscar

Traynor".

But O'Sullivan voiced a warning as regards discipline, saying he found it sad

and disturbing that players, especially youths players, seemed to be getting

out of hand. He appealed to administrators and club officials, especially

those looking after teams, to take a stand and deal firmly with the matter.

Joe Delaney also addressed the meeting and thanked the association for their

usual warm Cork welcome. He had a special word of praise for Tony Fitzgerald

who had give the national association first class service in the staging of

big matches in Turner's Cross and is now on the steering committee for the

1994 European Under 16 Championships which will be held in Ireland.

Turner's Cross is one of the venues for this finals tournament and Delaney

expressed happiness with the rate of progress at the venue and promised that

the FAI would look at the possibility of further funding to ensure that

everything was in order for 1994.

But he also delivered what he termed as a warning shot to clubs expecting

grants next season. He said that it was his personal view that the recent

grant distribution, which totalled œ500,000, would be the last of its kind for

some time to come. Indeed, he forecast that it would be 1995 before clubs

could expect development grants again.

John Fitzgerald then spoke with a great pride about the achievements of the

provincial teams this season saying there was great credit due to the Limerick

and Waterford Leagues on winning their championships. He congratulated

Buttevant on their great run in the FAI junior Cup and said it proved that

Munster teams were no longer a soft touch.

Most speakers from the top table echoed this pride and other clubs

congratulated during the afternoon included the youths of Rockmount and

Shannon Town and the intermediates of Temple United.

MILLSTREET CELTIC 1997

2009-10-03T03:10:00.001-07:00

MILLSTREET CELTIC

Millstreet Celtic player-manager John Buckley has a feeling that this could be

their year: "This is our fourth season in the AUL and in that time we have

been in one semi-final and two quarter-finals. We are in the semi-final of

the Saxone again this year and are determined to do the business."

For two seasons, prior to joining the AUL, the Millstreet outfit played in the

Kerry District League under the name of West End Utd. But it was more a case

of dead end until the change of direction for 1994/95 which saw them enter the

AUL and win promotion at their first attempt.

Millstreet are expanding: they have added an Under 17 team and are delighted

with the progress of the young lads. Indeed, it was a seventeen team player,

Daniel O'Connor, who was the hero of their recent Saxone quarter-final win

over Bosco's.

The start to this season has been their best ever in the AUL and the juniors

were one of the teams in the running for the Murphy's Stout September Team of

the Month Award with five wins from as many games.

Club secretary Pat Murphy puts it down to the new training regime: "The

players are being pushed all the way this year by their new trainer Pat

O'Callaghan, the ex Cork Hibs player". Murphy, James O'Leary, and manager

Buckley, act as selectors and Murphy says they "are spoiled for choice. With

such competition for places, everyone is giving full committment on the

training ground and on match days".

First choice keeper Jerry Pat O'Leary and indeed player-manager Buckley, the

back-up keeper, have both played a part in this successful run. William

O'Leary, highly rate locally, leads a sound back-line that can include Donagh

McAuliffe, Timmy Kiely, Richie Burke, Jeremiah Keating, and Martin Kelleher.

Buckley and his fellow selectors often have a huge problem in trying to pick

the midfield with good honest players such as Thomas Murphy (captain for the

season), Paul O'Connor, and Gerry O'Brien giving it one hundred per cent,

competing with the more youthful players such as Trevor O'Connor, James Burke,

James Cotter, Finbarr O'Leary, and Thomas O'Leary.

The usual paring upfront is Connie Cotter and Brendan Hickey and they are a

successful duo. Others to play a part in this area can include Jer Noel

O'Leary, Pat Murphy, and John Paul Cleary. The competition for places will be

soon be even warmer as Anthony Barry and James O'Leary are due to return from

injury.

Overall, the team is looking forward to the rest of the season. They have

much to play for in their league (AUL 2A) and are especially awaiting the

Saxone semi-final draw. If they keep up the good work, they'll surely get

another chance in the Team of the Month competition, perhaps even team of the

Year.

MILLSTREET CELTIC 1996

2009-10-03T03:09:00.001-07:00

NEW ZONE FOR WEST END BOYS

(MILLSTREET CELTIC)

It is all change at Millstreet.

Millstreet Celtic, in their second season in the AUL, are very

much in the running for the title in AUL 2A. The changes? They

include a change of management, a change of league, the signing

of new players, and a change of name.

For two seasons, prior to joining the AUL, the Millstreet outfit

played in the Kerry League under the name of West End Utd. But

it was more a case of dead end until the change of direction for

1994/95 which saw them enter the AUL and win promotion at their

first attempt.

Millstreet were one of the teams in the running for the December

Team of the Month Award, a month that started with a sweet 1 - 0

success over Afton Villa in the quarter-final of the Murphy's

Stout Saxone Cup.

On the final day of the old year, table toppers Brogeen Rovers

travelled to Millstreet for what was billed as Duhallow's answer

to a Celtic v Rangers clash (it was not indicated which was

which).

The derby encounter gave Millstreet the opportunity to avenge two

league defeats during last season and they did it in style,

taking the points on a 4 - 0 scoreline. The victory kept

Celtic's title interest on the boil. They are 8 points behind

the leaders but do have six games in hand.

Overall, the team is looking forward to the second half of the

season. They have much to play for in the league and are

especially awaiting the Saxone semi-final clash against high

flying Bandon Town. If they keep up the good work, they'll

surely get another chance in the Team of the Month competition.

MIDLETON 1999

2009-10-03T03:08:00.001-07:00

MIDLETON AFC

Midleton AFC has always been run in a businesslike manner so it is not surprising that the East Cork club, when faced with the problem of how best to handle future developments, brought in a consultant.

Chairman Mick Kirby explains: "The club is getting very big. We have seven schoolboys teams, one youths in the AUL, one junior, one senior and now the Ladies playing section is taking off in a big way. In addition to the teams, some one hundred and fifty kids in the seven to ten year old bracket get training and coaching every Sunday of the year in the local community centre.

We have plans to build an all weather pitch and a completely new clubhouse. We were wondering how best to proceed and asked East Cork Area Development for their advice and help".

The development organization responded by sponsoring a consultant to the club for an eight week spell, which is now coming to an end. Views have been taken from all sections of the club and the consultant is due to give his report very shortly and that will no doubt lead to a lively debate on the night and, one suspects, for many a night afterwards.

The Midleton officers are: Mick Kirby (Chairman), Eddie Allen (Secretary), Michael Desmond (Treasurer), Pa Coakley (PRO), Ger Lehane (Adult Kit Manager), Dermot O'Driscoll (Finance Officer), John Tighe (Ground Development Officer), and Ray O'Connor (Social Chairman). Other committee members are: Mary Woods, Jill Dennehy, Mary Mottalebie, Helen Spitere, Mossie Horgan, and John Coady.

This progressive football club already has its own Website and much of the club business is already computerized: a players database has been constructed which contains all relevant information from registration, membership, home address, phone no. etc. The Website has provided the club with a new means of communication and at the same time allowed the public access.

The modern outlook of the East Cork outfit went a long way towards securing a major high profile sponsor. After a very courteous meeting between club officers and Mr Mike McGrath, the large multi national Stryker Instruments has become associated with the club.

Through the Website Midleton has built up relationships with clubs all over the country, some of which are undertaking similar development plans as the Magpies. Knockgriffin Park is renowned for its facilities and it is the club's aim to constantly improve them for players and members and with Cork Soccer Honours Award winner Kirby at the helm, improve them they will.

DOUGLAS HALL MIDLETON SPRINGFIELD 1999

2009-10-03T03:07:00.000-07:00

CLUBS ON THE NET

Time was when hitting the net had only one meaning in football - that time has passed. Ask Douglas hall, Midleton, and Springfield, three AUL clubs who can be found on the net, the internet that is.

The 'Hall site has been up and running for about 2 years. When Joe Doherty started the site, it was pretty much experimental: "I wasn't sure what, if any, interest there would be. I had been working on my own site and added a few pages for the club".

Over time, the site has evolved and now includes results and fixtures, generally updated on a weekly basis. "This is one of the difficulties", says Joe. "It is always necessary to keep the site updated - there is no point in having and using the internet service without maintaining accurate information".

Another "side effect" has been correspondence from clubs and individuals around the world. So far, Doherty has recorded letters from Italy, Portugal, England, Scotland, Wales, USA, Canada and Mozambique. "Former Douglas Hall players in Belgium and Austria have been in touch, as have Douglas natives in Australia and New Zealand. I like to think that these Douglas people see the site as a link to home - hence the need to maintain accurate information".

Further, with access to the internet now spreading, there is no doubt that Douglas players do access the site and check that their own latest result is included.

Joe says that feedback has been very positive and while maintenance can be time consuming (not always), the effort involved is overall worthwhile. In addition, team managers are now well aware of the need to provide information about their teams - scorers, results, performances and so on - similar to the need to provide information for inclusion in the newspapers.

The Springfield web page is running since last Christmas and is constantly being revamped. It now gives a brief history of the club and has a separate page on each of the teams from Under 11s up to the Premier side. These pages include match fixtures, results, scorers, league tables and some photographs, all of which are updated as soon as the results are at hand.

While the web page could be classified as an 'unofficial' site it has the full backing of the club. Ted Creedon started the page as a hobby both for himself and his son who plays with the U-16 & U-17 sides, but the 'hobby' is now starting to be a regular informative sheet, especially for ex players now abroad.

The Midleton website had a more planned start than the others as it is part of a change in structures and ongoing developments that are currently taking place within the club who see it as a gradual process.

Midleton FC chairman Michael Kirby and his fellow officers decided to enlist the services of Pat Carroll, who had spent a number of years with Churchvilla FC in the role of club development, to re-package Midleton Football Club.

The site has provided the club with a new means of communication and at the same time allowing the public access to what is occurring within the club.

Through the website the club has built up relationships with a lot of clubs all over the country and worldwide some of whom are undergoing similar development plans as the Magpies. Knockgriffin Park is renowned for its facilities and it is the clubs aim to constantly improve them for players and members. It is widely anticipated that within a very short period of time website and email communication will be the norm within a lot of clubs and organisations, it is Midleton Football Club's intention to utilise it to its full extent.

It was decided to look at the entire workings of the club over a three month period .Significant areas included- all playing sections, administration, cost saving measures, club image and presentation , fund raising and club sponsorship

On the playing side Midleton FC is currently going through what can best be described as a "period of transition “with a high percentage of very young players.

The advent of the website along with the development of the all weather playing surface has allowed Midleton FC enhance other areas within the club. All club business is now computerised, a players database has been constructed which contains all relevant information from registration, membership, home address, phone no.etc. It has provided the club with a new means of communication and at the same time allowing the public access to what is occurring within the club.

It was Midleton Football Club's aim to procure a high profile sponsor and the Magpie website went a long way in achieving this when the large multinational Stryker Instruments after a very courteous meeting with Stryker Instruments Mr. Mike McGrath and Midleton FC's officers, Stryker Instruments expressed a desire to become associated with the club. This was seen as an endorsement of the new foundations being put in place by Midleton FC. Through the website the club has built up relationships with a lot of clubs all over the country and worldwide some of whom are undergoing similar development plans as the Magpies. Knockgriffin Park is renowned for its facilities and it is the clubs aim to constantly improve them for players and members. It is widely anticipated that within a very short period of time website and email communication will be the norm within a lot of clubs and organisations, it is Midleton Football Club's intention to utilise it to its full extent.

Billy,

Thank you for your interest in the site, I have enclosed a brief summary as a

text attachment for you.

Kindest Regards,

Pat Carroll

Lisanley,Cloyne,Co.Cork

http://homepage.tinet.ie/~midletonfc//

http://indigo.ie/~tcreedon/springfield.html), Midleton (http://homepage.tinet.ie/~midletonfc) Cork City (at least 4) and Cobh Ramblers. If there are others, I would be delighted to hear of them, because building links on the 'net also helps to build additional links between clubs. Our address is: http://indigo.ie/~joedoc/dhafc.html If you need more information, please let me know, Regards, Joe Doherty PRO Douglas Hall AFC

ST JOHN BOSCO'S DEC 1994

2009-10-03T03:02:00.001-07:00

Denis Mcsweeny 29/12/94:

Denis McSweeney is one of the most successful managers in the AUL junior leagues over the past 18 years. He started his association with St John Bosco's in 1976, became manager a year later, and has led the club to a string of successes at junior level.

Earlier, despite the ban, Denis had played with Crofton Celtic and, later with Tivoli rangers, Killeagh, and Corkbeg. He remembers a great AOH Cup run by Tivoli about 1969 which ended with defeat at the hands of St Michael's of Tipperary.

McSweeney, an imported Kerryman (definitely non-assilimated), is always thinking ahead. Five years ago, his team were in their fourth AOH Cup final, the opposition provided by Hibernians. While Denis was delighted with the march to the final, he was simultaneously boasting about his youths team who had reached the Second Division Cup final.

Most of that youths side now play in the Bosco's Utd team that currently lead the way in AUL 2B and won the Murphy's Stout AUL Team of the Month for December. What's the betting that most of them will be in the next Bosco's side to win the AOH?

McSweeney has two other major sporting interests: Gaelic Football and Manchester United. If you don't see him at a Boscos' game, the chances are he is over at old Trafford supporting Irwin, Keane, and company.

Gaelic football, he'll tell you himself, is his first love and it is not unusual for him to hold down a selector's position in the Midleton GAA club. So it was no surprise that once Sweeney took command that Gaelic footballers figured prominently on his teams. But then so too did hurlers, rugby players, karate champions, and so on.

Bosco's, founded in the mid sixties, were named after a local youth club and the first committee consisted of Tony Moore (today a major sponsor of the club and of soccer generally in the area), Donie Lordan, Declan O'Reilly, Patrick Coakley (the same Pa who later co-founded Fr Murphy's Youth club, the fore runners of Midleton AFC), Ned Lane, and Tony Horgan. Manager was John Cox, trainer was Patrick Roche, and the committee was chaired by Pat O'Hoare who was also chairman of the youth club. Fr John Murphy, R.I.P. was their first president.

Their first real success came in 1973 when they were successful in the County Cup. McSweeney became manager in 1976/77 and took immediate advantage of the abolition of a club rule that had previously restricted the management to picking players form the immediate Midleton area.

By 1980, they were a formidable force and proved it by beating higher ranked Greenmount Rangers in the final of the AOH Cup with the following team: Tony Horgan, Seanie Barry, Declan Barry, Kevin Barry, Denis McSweeney, Joe Hartnett, Ger Glavin (captain), Anthony Aherne, John "Scobie" Clery, Billy Aherne, and Anthony McSweeney.

Bosco's, by the way, were a second division outfit at the time. Skipper Glavin hit both their goals while the Greenmount score was scored by Pat Mulcahy from the penalty spot in that Friday evening match which was the highlight "without a doubt" to date of Sweeney's association with the Midleton based club.

Page 3

That triumph was the start of a great run for the Saints, slowing only when such stalwarts as Paddy O'Sullivan, Anto Sweeeny, Seanie Barry (now refereeing), and Kevin Barry retired and others, such as Willie Glavin, Anthony Ahern, and Dave Crotty, emigrated in the mid eighties.

Highlights from that successful decade (which included a run to the semi-final of the Munster Junior Cup) were the winning of AUL 1 in 1981/82, the St Michael's Cup triumph of 1982/83; in 86/87 they won the County Cup and were runners up in the AOH to Wilton. In the following season, Wilton again beat them in the AOH decider. In 89/90, they won the AOH and AUL 1B, and the youths came second in the 2nd Division Cup.

Sweeney's selection for the 1990 AOH final was: Ger Desmond, Kieran Murphy, Barry McMahon, Ger Glavin, Bobby O'Reilly, Joe Hartnett, Kieran O'Hanlon, Billy Aherne, Aidan Berry (captain), Owen McCarthy (who missed the 1980 triumph because of injury), and Martin Donnelly (Man of the Match). Bosco's won 1 - 0, the winner again by Glavin.

Denis is not just a manager shouting orders to the players from the touchline. Not just a touchline figure well known to referees. Sweeeny is an backroom organiser supreme but is also a frontline worker. Early arrivals, including referees, have seen him with the sleeves up clearing excess rainwater from Water Rock Park and doing a string of other similar tasks: cutting grass, lining the field. Sure, he is a character but a character who contributes.

MAYMOUNT CELTIC MARCH 2000

2009-10-03T03:01:00.001-07:00

MAYMOUNT MARCH ON

Newly crowned St Michael's Cup champions Maymount Celtic intend to march on into the future on young legs. The vibrant northside club already has an underage section in place and indeed the Under 11s won their league last season and that team are topping the U12 league this term while a new U11 team is showing encouraging form.

John McCarthy is chairman of the underage section and others putting in valuable work here are Raymond Murphy, Pascal Kearney, John O'Sullivan, and Joe Galway. Pascal also helps out with coaching the junior side, which is managed by John Murphy. Stephen Jones, who played so well in goal in last Sunday's success, is current Player of the Year while Ray Murphy received the Clubman of the Year Award.

With the extension in activities, the club is searching for a second pitch, as Killowen, where they now play, will not be able to cope. They are also on the lookout for a place of their own but will only buy when the time and location are both right. To fund their various activities, they rely heavily on sponsors such as Eugene's Bar, Gurranabraher Credit Union, and Sunset Ridge.

Manager John Murphy reflected on the sportsmanship of Sunday's beaten opponents Kinsale but was soon looking ahead to Saturday's City Challenge Cup tie away to Greenmount Rangers: "Everyone will want to beat us now". He also pointed out that they had a good run in the Munster Junior Cup before going out in the open draw to Tipperary side Galbally.

The Maymount Celtic president is Mary McDermott and the committee consists of William O'Keeffe (chairman), Bertie O'Neill (vice-chairman), John F. Murphy (secretary), Raymond Murphy (treasurer), Gerry Crowley (groundsman), and Stephen O'Leary.

APRES MATCH

Veteran Kinsale player Michael "Scully" McCarthy had the misfortune to imply, within earshot of Maymount Celtic's US based president Mary McDermott, that the city side had been lucky in Sunday's 1 - 0 St Michael's Cup triumph. There was a quick retort from Mary: "We weren't lucky. We were better!" "Scully", being the sportsman he is, allowed the first lady have the last word.

Much has been made of Kinsale's hard luck at Turner's Cross and one could only sympathise with the seasiders after Sunday's loss when young kids and grown men departed the ground with tears freely flowing.

This was their fourth final defeat there since 1994 when they narrowly lost the 1994 County Cup final to Leeside. Then they were trashed by Greenmount in the 96 Linnane and lost the 98 President's Cup decider on spotters to Evergreen.

The sailors may be earning an unwanted reputation as perpetual bridesmaids at Turner's but, on the other hand, are becoming serial league winners. They took the AUL 3 championship in 98, won AUL 2 last season, and are well in the hunt in AUL 1 this term.

Indeed, they did have some good news on Sunday when Pearse Celtic, their major league rivals, lost unexpectedly to Greenwood. One door closes, another opens. C'est la vie. C'est le sport.

MAYFIELD UTD 1993

2009-10-03T02:58:00.001-07:00

NOTHING BUT THE BEST:

"Nothing but the best" is the motto at Mayfield Utd and one man who

has played a leading role there in recent years is chairman John

Stout.

Last Saturday, John and his hardworking committee had their efforts

over the last six years recognised when Mr Michael Hyland, President

of The FAI, visited the club's grounds to inspect the developments and

to hand over a cheque for œ25,000.

Stout, who played his football with Red City and Castleview, says that

there are still a couple of outstanding items from the 1987 agenda:

an all weather pitch and a gymnasium. "We want to have facilities

good enough for League of Ireland football".

The initial development committee consisted of Stout, Joe Kennedy, Jim

Atkinson and Willie Lettis. The latest phase saw the talents of

Stout, Kennedy, and engineer Nodwell, combined.

The Mayfield chairman was in no great hurry back in 1987: "We set

targets with which we were comfortable though that is not to say that

they were easy".

But the success of Jack Charlton and the senior team in Euro 88

accelerated the development. It created a new respectability for

soccer and Mayfield, like many other clubs, found it easier to talk to

financial institutions.

2

AUL SOCCER 2

_____________

NOTHING BUT THE BEST CONTINUED:

Another accelerating factor was Mayfield's acceptance into the newly

formed AUL Intermediate League. "Intermediate football caught us by

surprise," admitted Stout. "We would have done with another year or

too but we'll soon be catching up".

Stout also played tribute to some of the older players who have shown

great loyalty to the club when times were hard and are now doing their

bit to help the youngsters settle in.

The Mayfield chairman praised the members of Cork Corporation for

"their foresight" in granting the club a long lease of the ground but

also recalled the doubters in the early stages.

The club, grateful to the community for the fabulous support, now

extends an invitation to interested parties to come up and view.

There is training for nine and ten year olds every Saturday morning at

11.30am. Parents are welcome.

3

AUL SOCCER 3

________________

NOTHING BUT THE BEST CONTINUED:

Officers of Mayfield Utd are: John Stout (Chairman), Mick Kennefick

(vice chairman and chairman of the underage section), Joe Kennedy

(Treasurer), Ted O'Mahony (secretary underage). Other committee

members and managers are: Tadgh O'Neill, Ernest O'Mahony, Pat

McClaverty, Willie Lettis, Tom Dennehy, Tony Carroll, Kevin O'Mahony,

Jim Atkinson, Padraig O'Leary, and Pat Saville.

Mayfield is not a male preserve. A Ladies Committee has been formed

recently and, of course, the club has a long and proud tradition of

participation in Ladies Football. They currently field two teams,

under the guidance of Kevin Barry, Pat Quirke, and Pat Saville,

continuing the great work begun by Steve Quinn who died a year ago.

4

AUL SOCCER 4

____________

YOUTH POLICY:

"We gave ourselves six years to get the facilities in place", said

Mayfield treasurer Joe Kennedy last Saturday. "We achieved that and

now we are going to concentrate on getting the playing side right".

Mayfield have targetted their eight underage sides. Kennedy again:

"We are trying to introduce a level of coaching that will produce

quality players to fill our intermediate side, to go on to League of

Ireland level, and hopefully, to produce a few internationals along

the way. We want to be the Home Farm of Cork."

Kennedy talks of it as "an apprenticeship system" and the man giving

the master classes is Limerick's Dave Mahedy, highly qualified both as

a physical educator and as a football coach. Mahedy has been lined up

to make regular visits to the club.

Kennedy is confident of success: "We have great potential in Cork:

Denis Irwin, Roy Keane, Sonia O'Sullivan, Paul Buttimer. It is no

coincidence that there are two Cork players on the Irish senior side

at present". If Kennedy has his way, you could see three or four from

Mayfield on it in the not too distant future.

5

AUL SOCCER 5

_________________

JIMMY NODWELL - PUTTING SOMETHING BACK:

Jimmy Nodwell, a man who has seen action in some of the top European

stadiums, is now playing a key role in the major development by the

Mayfield United Football Club. No stadium there yet but don't bet

against it.

The popular Noddy, a civil engineer with Bord Gais, has brought his

knowledge to bear in the project that is now nearing completion on a

26 acre site that, for the moment, includes four pitches and a very

impressive clubhouse complex.

Jimmy Nodwell, three years with the club as a player, has given them

tremendous commitment. Treasurer Joe Kennedy has nothing but praise:

"Noddy has been responsible for the layout and design and largely

responsible for the seeing through of the latest phase of the

project".

Nodwell, who played in European cup competitions against AZ Alkmaar

(Holland), Southhampton (England), and Real Madrid (Spain), played

underage football with Barrackton, Wolfe Tones and Rockmount and was

capped at schoolboy level in 1974.

Two years later he played League of Ireland football with Albert

Rovers and went on to win nine youth caps and was also part of an

Ireland Under 21 Selection.

6

AUL SOCCER 6

________________

JIMMY NODWELL CONTINUED:

In 78, he made the Inter-League Selection and, a year later, an Irish

amateur selection. Seventy nine also he gained a place on the

Sportswriters Team of the Year.

His major senior honours came with Limerick. They include a Cup

winners medal in 82 and a League Cup winners trophy the following

season. He also holds five Munster Senior Cup medals.

end of story

MAYFIELD UTD JAN 2001

2009-10-03T02:57:00.000-07:00

Mayfield Utd

Mayfield United's juniors, who play in AUL 1B, had a happy Christmas and the celebrations continued into the New Year when they were presented with the Murphy's Stout Team of the Month Award for December.

Bernard O'Neill, who heads up the management trio which also includes Laurence Sexton and Tadgh O'Neill, says they knew they had the bones of a very good team at the end of last season but that it needed strengthening: "Over the last 3 years we had won two leagues and adding some new faces meant increased competition in the squad. We recruited Ray O Mahony, Brian Atkinson, and young Raymond Atkins, Liam Dunnacliffe, Alan Costello, and Padraig Fitzgerald. The squad has been substantially strengthened from last year".

It was skipper Mark Looney who had the honour of picking up the Murphy Award from Aidan Cotter of Murphy's. Mark's attitude and commitment is second to none and he is without doubt one of the most respected and popular members of the squad. The leading scorers this year are Brian Atkinson and Raymond Atkins both with 8 goals, followed closely by Simon O Leary with 6.

Player of the year for 2000 was Mark Bolger. Mark played as centre-half and was superb for the entire season. He has continued that this season but the club may now lose him for a large part of the remainder of the season due to his work

commitments as a new Garda.

Bernard, who is also the club secretary, says that the best win to date was the away league win over Greenwood in November: "We had been beaten by Greenwood 3-0 at home in September and so I was anxious to atone for that defeat. We won on a scoreline of 3-1 and I think the manner of the victory was the most satisfying so far. We played some great football and scored some great goals against a team I rate as one of the best in our division. Our attitude was superb and the lads were on a high afterwards".

It is always nice to have a run in the cups but it is a bonus, according to O'Neill. "The league is without doubt our priority. For me Temple are the team to beat and I keep telling the lads that. I felt that last year the panel was a bit too small to last the pace but with the increase in strength and depth this year we can go very close provided we get that little bit of luck that's always needed".

Bernard's longer-term aim is to take this team to the Premier Division: "We should be up there competing with all the best teams in the AUL for all the top trophies. There are exciting times ahead off the field for Mayfield Utd. And we want it to be the same on the field".

The team of the month presentation took place in the Ashburton Bar, owned by the club's main sponsor Jerry O'Connell. Tadgh O'Neill, through Waxys Bar, is the kit sponsor of the club's adult teams.

The panel: Eric Walsh, Mark Bolger, Declan Keane, Ray O Mahony, Ger Forde, Simon O'Leary, Mark Looney (Capt.),Brian Atkinson, Noel O'Brien, Raymond Atkins, Brian

Mc Sweeney, Keith Hegarty, Alan Long, Alan Costello, Padraig Fitzgerald, Alex

Walsh, Paul Scannell, Liam Donnacliffe.

MAYFIELD - the club's own notes for the above...

We knew last year that we had the bones of a very good team but that we

needed a few new faces to strengthen our hand and also to freshen things

up.Over the last 3 years we had won 2 leagues and adding some new faces

meant everybody got a bit of a boost and it increased the competition in the

squad.We added Ray O Mahony from Tramore Ath. who plays as our sweeper and

has been a great success for us this year.In Midfield Brian Atkinson

returned home after being travelling for the last 2 years and rejoined the

squad and to date has been our joint top scorer with 8 goals,not bad from

Midfield.Another big addition to us was Raymond Atkins.Raymond is still

eligible for youths this year but due to the fact that we have no youth team

we were afraid we would lose Ray.Fortunately for us we didn't and along with

Brian Atkinson he has been the top scorer this year.His pace has caused many

a team problems so far.Brian McSweeney also returned to us after only being

able to play a bit part last season and his strength and pace up front has

given us some extra options.Liam Donnacliffe aslo joined us in the

summer.Liam hadn't played for a while but you can see as he trains that he

will have plenty to offer us during the season.In the last couple of weeks

we signed Alan Costello,who was out with a long term injury and also Padraig

Fitzgerald who was one of our best youth players last year.All in all the

squad has been substantially increased and strengthen from last year.

The management team.

There are three of us involved in the running of the team which is

important.It is very hard for one person to do it by themselves as there is

so much to do.There are myself ,Lawrence Sexton and Tadgh O Neill.Lawrence

ran the team himself until about 2 years ago when work commitments made it

hard for him to give the time he wanted so after he won the 3B league in

1998 I took over and we won the 2B League in 1999 with Lawrence giving me

all the help he could.Lawrence then returned full-time to it himself last

year and we ran the team between us.Tadgh has been involved with Mayfield

teams almost since day one but he had taken a break for a year or so.In the

summer I approached him to get involved again and I was delighted when he

agreed and now the three of us work very well together.We do say however

that it is an easy team to organise as the attitude of the squad of players

makes it very simple for us to run.They are a great bunch of lads who do the

club proud whether on the field or supporting the club in events off it.

Leading Scorers.

Our leading scorers this year are Brian Atkinson and Raymond Atkins both

with 8 goals,followed closely by Simon O Leary with 6.

Captain.

Our captain this year is Mark Looney.Mark's attitude and commitment is

second to none and I think he is without doubt one of the most respected and

popular members of the squad.He never misses a match or training and his

performances get better each year.

Player of the year and similar awards.

Our player of the year for 2000 was Mark Bolger.Mark played as Center-half

and was superb for the entire season.He has continued that his season but we

may now lose him for a large part of the remaining year due to his work

committments,having just joined the Gardai.

Best victory to date this season.

We have had a number of big victories this year,twice scoring 7 goals,but I

would have to pick the league game away to Greenwood in November as the

best.We had been beaten by Greenwood 3-0 at home in September and so I was

anxious to atone for that defeat in the away fixture.We won on a scoreline

of 3-1 and I think the manner of the victory was the most satisfying so

far.We played some great football and scored some great goals against a team

I rate as one of the best in our division.Our attitude was superb and I

think the lads were on a high after the game as they knew themselves we had

done well.

How things are going in the League and cups.

We have won 3 out of 4 in the league the only blip being the 3-0 home loss

to Greenwood in September.And we are in all the cups bar the St. Michaels

where we lost to Pierse Celtic on a day when I had to tog out myself so

short were we and we are out of the AOH,beaten 1-0 after extra time by

Temple who are without doubt the best team we have played this season,but I

felt we more than held our own against them and it could so easily have gone

either way.We are still in both the FAI and Munster Junior cups but we face

a very hard tie in the Munster Junior against Coachford.Still though on the

whole things are going well and we have a lot to play for.

The Panel.

Eric Walsh,Mark Bolger,Declan Keane,Ray O Mahony,Ger Forde,Simon O

Leary,Mark Looney (Capt.),Brian Atkinson,Noel O Brien,Raymond Atkins,Brian

Mc Sweeney,Keith Hegarty,Alan Long,Alan Costello,Padraig Fitzgerald,Alex

Walsh,Paul Scannell,Liam Donnacliffe.

Ground Situation.

We are lucky to have one of the best if not the best set-ups in the AUL.At

Mayfield Utd. Park.We have 4 playing pitches and dressing room

facilities.Sometimes we take it for granted but when you travel to some

teams where you still tog off by the side of the road it brings it home just

how lucky our players are with the facilities that we have.

Training arrangements.

We train 2 nights a week,Tuesday and Thursday.Tuesday nights are spent on

the All-weather pitch in Mayfield Community School from 7-8pm where it is

all ballwork and Thursday nights is over on the hill in Innishowen where our

senior team manager Richard Keating takes the session from 7.30-8.30 and no

ball is in sight.The lads really enjoy this night!Response is excellent on a

Tuesday but we need to do a small bit of work on the Thursday night.

Aims for the season.

It is always nice to have a run in the cups and going far in anyone of them

this year would be a bonus.However the league is without doubt our

priority.For me Temple are the team to beat and I keep telling the lads

that.I felt that last year the panel was a bit too small to last the pace

but with the increase in strength and depth this year we can go very close

with that little bit of luck thats always needed.

Longer term ambitions.

I think with a club the size of ours and with the facilities that we have

then we should always look to be in the highest divison possible.Even though

we are the second team in the club we should be aiming to be in the premier

division of the AUL and winning a trophy on a regular basis.With no

dis-respect to the teams in the 3rd divison I don't think we can ever go

back to the days when our only AUL team was in that divison.We should be up

there competing with all the best teams in the AUL for all the top trophies

week in week out.There are exciting times ahead off the field for Mayfield

Utd. and we want it to be the same on the field.

Committee members.

We have at the moment a very large and hardworking committee.Pat Quirke is

our chairman and to say Pat is a special Character is understating matters

somewhat.From chairing meetings to being the MC and entertainment at club

nights out he has many talents.His passion for the club and his easy going

manner make him a man who gets the best out of people all the time.He does

however like to be referred to as "Mr Chairman".Joe Kennedy is our treasurer

and I think everybody would agree that the current healthy state of our

finances is in most part down to Joes incredible enthusiasm for the club.His

"Super Draws" have become famous but not many people realise the time and

effort that goes into these draws on Joes behalf to make them the success

they are.Sean Lane is our Secretary and the man who is constantly seen with

the pen behind one ear and the phone attached to the other.Sean makes an

incredibly hard job look very easy and he does it in his usual good natured

way.Ernest O Mahony is our vice-chairman.Ernest stepped down as chairman

last year to let Pat Quirke into the limelight but Ernest who along with Joe

founded the club in 1971 continues to be one of the "main men" in the

running of the club and I hope always will.The remainder of the committee is

made up of Richard Keating,Pat Saville,Bernard O Neill,Kieran McCarthy,Tony

Carroll,Kieran O Leary,John O Reilly,Trevor O Leary,Noel Coughlan,Leon

Cramer,Tony Harris,Denis Creed,Ger Byrnes,Peter Fleming,James Carroll and PJ

Brennan.

Sponsors.

The clubs main sponsor is Jerry O Connell of the Ashburton bar.Jerry has

been a very good friend to Mayfield Utd. since he took over the bar in 1991

and we hope he will continue to do so.Our team is lucky to also have Tadgh O

Neill of Waxys bar of Marlboro street as a sponsor.Our adult teams are all

kitted out by Tadgh and it's a very welcome help to what is one of our

biggest expenses.

Last weekends game and next weekends game.

We were beaten last weekend by Temple in extra time in the AOH Cup in a game

I felt we could have gotten something from.We hadn't played for 6 weeks but

I was pleased with the attitude of our lads which is always excellent and I

thought we were more than a match for Temple on the day.They are a very good

side and I think it will take a very good side from any division to beat

them.Next week we are at home to Coachford in the Munster Junior cup which

is another big test of how far we have come.As underdogs we have nothing to

lose and I would be confident of giving them a serious run for it.

MAYFIELD UTD OCT 2001

2009-10-03T02:52:00.001-07:00

MAYFIELD UNITED

Promoted Mayfield United have got off to a great start in Murphy's Stout Premier A. So good in fact that joint manager Bernard O'Neill has had to re-think their targets for the season: "Our original aim at the beginning of the season was to avoid relegation as this was our first year in the premier division. But as things have gone well for us so far we would now like to think that we could be in the running for one of the promotion spots at the end of the season."

"So far in the league we have won 5 and drawn 3 and we were beaten in a

penalty shootout by Kinsale in the FAI Junior Cup. We are delighted with

this start in our first year in Premier A and we hope we can continue the

good form."

Mayfield won 1B last term but had a one big disappointment and would like to make up for it: "A run in one of the cups would also be nice as we felt we didn't do ourselves justice in Turner's Cross in the Corinthians Cup final last year and we would like to put that right."

Mayfield Utd is a very ambitious club and want to continue to improve

and build on the great work that has already been done. The committee would like to eventually get that promotion to the Premier division and have many of their schoolboy players come through and play at adult level with the club. All too often clubs lose players when they come out of schoolboys and Mayfield want to stop that.

All clubs need support and a big club like Mayfield need more than most. Gerry O'Connell of the Ashburton is the club's number one backer while Tadgh O'Neill of Waxys gives incredible support to the Premier A side.

Mayfield have retained the majority of last year's team and have signed a number of new players: Leonard O Regan (ex Leeside and Blarney Street),Robin Triggs (ex

Coachford and St Mary's), Paul Keegan and Damian Morey (from their MJL team) and Trevor O'Sullivan from the club's senior team.

Bernard and Lawrence Sexton continue to run the team but this year have been

joined by Donie Walsh who was with Blarney United last year. Donie is looking after the fitness side of things with the players and has been a huge success with the lads so far.

Leading scorer to date is Keith Hegarty followed by Mark Looney, Robin

Triggs and Ray Atkins. Captain is Declan Keane who took over from Mark Looney as the management "like to change around the captaincy to reward players we feel deserve it. Declan is a Garda and returned to playing with the club when he came back to Cork to work. Declan plays centre half and has been one of our most consistent performers over the last few years".

Player of the Year for last season was Ger Forde. Ger has stepped up to the senior team this year and has settled in well.

O'Neill reckons that their best victory to date was probably against Hillington whom they beat 3-0 in the league last month: "We have met Hillington a number of times over the last few years in cup competitions and could never beat them. So to eventually get one over on a very good side was a confidence booster for the

lads. Plus the Hillington manager John Gaffney is a friend and workmate of

mine so it was nice to be able to enjoy going to work after beating them."

The full panel consists of Eric Walsh, Simon O'Leary, Declan Keane, Leonard O'Regan, Paul Keegan, Robin Triggs, Mark Looney, Alan Costello, Trevor O'Sullivan, Brian Atkinson, Raymond Atkins, Noel O'Brien, Damian Morey, Mark Bolger, Ray O Mahony, Brian McSweeney, Paul Scannell.

They play their home games at their own Mayfield Utd Park (Lotamore) that has 4 pitches, dressing rooms and car park. A lot of money has been spent by

the club on drainage etc. for the pitches and they are hoping to see some return from that this year. The complex was used as a training headquarters by the Latvian team in the recent EUFA U19 tournament.

They train twice a week. On Tuesday nights between 7 and 8pm at Mayfield Community School all-weather pitch and on Thursday nights between 9 and 10pm in the gym at the Sunbeam complex.

Mayfield are very lucky to have a very large strong, dedicated and enthusiastic

committee. It consists of Chairman Pat Quirke, Vice Chairman Pat Saville, Secretary Sean Lane, Treasurer Joe Kennedy and committee members

Kieran McCarthy, Tony Carroll, Anthony Corcoran, Steven Murphy, P.J.

Brennan, Richard Keating, Bernard O'Neill, Lawrence Sexton, Kieran O'Leary, Ernest O'Mahony, Adrian Saville, Trevor O'Sullivan, Niall Farry, Tony

Harris, Noel Coughlan, Leon Craemer, Michael O'Donnell, John Drinan and Dave

Keane.

MAYFIELD UTD FEB 1995

2009-10-03T02:51:00.001-07:00

Mayfield United intermediates 3/2/95

Mayfield United manager Richard Keating is glad he coaxed Mick O'Keeffe back

to football after a long term injury enforced absence: "His enthusiasm and

committment has spread throughout the team." O'Keeffe, who performed in the

League of Ireland with Cork City and Cobh Ramblers, is the most experienced

player in the Mayfield senior squad that won the Murphy's Stout Team of the

Month Award for December.

When Keating, himself a former schoolboy international, took over as manager

at the start of the season he decided to put together a panel that would be

"formidable" for several seasons but one that would also make an immediate

challenge for trophies.

He retained just five from last season's squad, promoted five from the club's

junior ranks, and signed five newcomers. The most recent signing is Ken

O'Neill. This prolific forward impressed for Crofton Celtic in their Munster

Senior Cup game against Mayfield even if he didn't score.

Paul O'Driscoll was another of Keating's captures; this experienced

midfielder came from Wembley. Kieran O'Mahony, who can play in midfield or

defence, was signed from Rockmount. Stephen McCarthy, who along with Steven

Lyons had seen service with Cork City, was recruited from College Corinthians.

The team has played nineteen games to date, winning eleven and drawing three.

Anthony Lotty and Fergus Buckley have been the main scorers and the arrival of

O'Neill should boost the fire-power. Mayfield, now one of the leaders in the

AUL Senior Division, are looking forward to the rest of the season and to

their Munster Senior Cup quarter-final in particular.

Tadgh O'Neill, a Mayfield Utd man from day one, is Keating's assistant

manager. Pat Saville is the dedicated "physio". Fourteen of the fifteen

players come from the locality and the majority, including the manager and

assistant, have played with Mayfield from schoolboy level.

The current panel is: Robert Walsh (keeper), Pat Bozynski, Mick O'Keeffe, Mark

Hurley, Sean O'Donovan, Steven Lyons, Ken Cotter, Paul O'Driscoll, Stephen

McCarthy, Ken O'Neill, Trevor Cambridge, Fergus Buckley, Anthony Lotty, Kieran

O'Mahony, and Richard O'Callaghan.

MAYFIELD 1993

2009-10-03T02:50:00.000-07:00

MAYFIELD ON THE BRINK:

"The future is bright", according to Mayfield United chairman John Stout. And

who'll disagree with this hard-working official. The facilities at Mayfield

are now top class and besides the Under 17s, under manager Jim Atkinson, have

just completed a great cup and league double.

A great double when you consider that they are a second division outfit. It

was perhaps no great surprise that they won their league but was quite a turn

up for the books to see them take out the first division outfits of Leeds and

Rockmount as they won the Imperial Hotel League cup.

The nucleus of the squad have been with the club and under the guidance of

manager Atkinson from their Under 10 days. They have come up through the

Schoolboys League together but trophies, until now, have eluded them, even

though they were always there or thereabouts.

They were undefeated in the league, scoring 40 goals and conceding 14 in their

ten games. They lost just one game over the season. In addition, they

contributed also to the Under 18 side and indeed six of the panel played in

the Murphy Youth Cup final.

The development of top class facilities in Mayfield first came to public

attention in 1987 when George Best turned the first sod and the motto "Nothing

but the best for Mayfield" was coined. Boosted by the spin-off from the

international team success in the European Championships of 1988 and by the

great support from the Mayfield people and with help from the AUL, the

development project took off in a big way.

The original plans were for two pitches but now the fourth pitch is about to

be completed. The magnificent clubhouse will be ready for the new season and

the club is currently looking at the possibility of laying down an all weather

pitch.

Some of the older players, who togged off on the side of the roads in

Templemichael and Knockraha can hardly believe it. They'll enjoy it and

hopefully Atkinson's youngsters and the other to follow will make the best

possible use of it and keep the trophies rolling in. But whether the cups

come or not, Mayfield United are here to stay. The roots are down.

For the record, the successful Under 17 panel was: Leslie Kepple (captain),

Shaun Murray, Conor Jones, David O'Donovan, Martin Weathers, Damien Huggins,

Brian Cotter, Thomas Higgins, Eric Walsh, Ronan McCarthy, Brian McSweeney

(leading scorer, with 16 goals), Ronan Deane, Owen Crowley, Stephen O'Connell,

Gerard O'Donovan, Colin O'Sullivan, Eddie Mulryan, and Liam Donnacliffe.

MAYFIELD UTD JAN 1995

2009-10-03T02:47:00.001-07:00

MAYFIELD UNITED UNDER 17s 20/1/95

Mayfield United, one of the top teams in the AUL Under 17

competitions since they were organised a few years back, are once

again prominent. They are going well in the first division and

have once again qualified for the final of the Imperial Hotel

Under 17 League Cup.

Mayfield were pipped by Kilreen Celtic in last season's decider.

Rockmount will provide the competition in the forthcoming final

which it is hoped to play in Turner's Cross, possibly towards the

end of next month or the beginning of March.

The final should be a thriller between two high quality sides.

Both came through from the same qualifying section. Each had

nine points form five games but Rockmount had the better goal

difference so perhaps there is a pointer there. They have

already met twice this season and each time ended at 2 - 2.

The AUL Under 17 Section was established in 1989/90 and Mayfield

had their first taste of league cup success in 1990/91. Two

years later they recorded a double by winning the league cup and

the second division league.

That leaves manager Ted O'Mahony with quite a lot to live up to.

Ted, who has been looking after this group since their Under 13

days, enters the final with some confidence. This side won the

Under 15 First division in 1992/93 and, a year later, won the

Marina Cup and finished 3rd in the Under 16 premier league.

Stephen Hurley, the lad who devastated Leeds in the semi-final,

is perhaps their best known performer as he has played with the

Cork Under 14s in 1992/93, a season when he clocked up no less

than 41 goals.

Hurley though is more than just a goal scorer. Ted says he is a

also a great worker but "then this is a great team to train".

Winger Jamie O'Byrne skippers the side and has been with them

since his Under 11 days.

Stephen shares the leading scorer role with Kevin O'Mahony who

got two memorable goals in the semi-final. Twin brother Mark,

playing in goal for less than a year, has found his feet (or

should we say hands) quickly and gives the team a lot of

confidence. The O'Mahonys are sons of Ted.

Ted's squad members are: Mark O'Mahony, Declan Cronin, Michael

Spillane, Adrian Nodwell, Daniel Long, Brian Atkinson, Niall

Farry, Kevin O'Mahony, Conor Lehane, Paul Triggs, Stephen Hurley,

Jamie O'Byrne (captain), Kevin Murphy, Niall Twomey, Robert

O'Sullivan, Alex Walsh, and Colm Kelleher.

Mayfield United have always had a youth wing, long before they

established their current headquarters. But underage interest

has exploded in the area in recent seasons, particularly at Under

11.

Ernest O'Mahony, who still enjoys the odd game or two himself

with the "C" team, looks after an Under 11 team in the Schoolboys

League but was overwhelmed with 30 or 40 players turning up on

match days. Ernest's solution, a temporary one, was to pick his

first eleven and arrange a friendly between the remaining players

on an adjoining field.

The numbers continued to grow. Fortunately, Ernest received some

help from interested adults and the club has since started its

own league for the age group. The first games were held on their

new pitches but, because of the deterioration in the weather over

the past couple of months, the games are now played on the all

weather pitch at the local community school on Saturday mornings.

MALLOW UTD 1984-85

2009-10-02T02:05:00.001-07:00

AUL NOSTALGIA 1984/85

Mallow United’s Double Season

The season 1984/85 proved to be a magnificent one for Mallow United and exuberant PRO Greg Hickey described it at the time “as one of unprecedented success, culminating in a double triumph of First Division League title and County Cup.”

“Led by the clinically efficient John Redmond from centre-back, we created a playing record of awesome impressiveness, in all competitions that read: played 48, won 36, drew 7, lost 5, goals for 146, against 55”.

Writing in the 1985 AUL annual, Hickey had praise for the management of the team: “Guided through the testing early stages by the steadying hand of the vastly experienced Tony Allen, who instilled in them the necessary discipline and cohesiveness, their march to the league and cup honours continued unabated after his departure to Cork City”.

“Frank O'Neill, club servant supreme, was the reason for the continuity. An experienced player himself, O'Neill had functioned smoothly as Allen’s assistant and after Allen’s departure his good nature and canny tactical sense quickly won the players to his side.”

Hickey summed up the league campaign: “Mallow’s progress to the league title was as inexorable as it was ruthless. From the 7-0 pasting administered to Ringmahon Rangers on August 29th to the 5-0 championship clinching destruction of Villa Utd on May 14th, they lost just one of the twenty four games they played. They scored 92 and conceded a mere 28.”

But hot favourites Mallow got something of a fright from second division Ballincollig Athletic in the two-legged final of the County Cup. Mallow got something of a fright too when their first round opponents, cup specialiasts St John Bosco's, became known but they survived that hurdle and all others to face the Ballincollig third string in the final.

Mallow should have been forewarned as Ballincollig had already scored a shock semi-final win over AUL 1 champions Farnanes in the semi-final while Mallow’s victims were St Martin’s. It was the Youghal side’s last ever game in the AUL for at the end of the season all the Youghal clubs, including Martin’s and Sarsfields, amalgamated and formed Youghal Utd.

The first leg at Ballincollig ended scoreless. But the underdogs did have the better of exchanges and only some fine goal-keeping by Connie Buckley kept them at bay.

If Mallow thought the second leg would be a formality because of their home advantage they were mistaken. Ballincollig did concede a first half own goal but strikes from Neil O’Donovan and big John Fitzgerald and a five star show by Brian Coughlan had the visitors in front and looking good.

But Ballincollig tired in the closing ten minutes and Tom Scanlon struck a late equaliser. The tie went to spotters and here keeper Buckley emerged as the hero as Mallow took the title on a 4-2 shootout decision.

The Mallow team that did duty for the first leg was: C. Buckley, L. Sheehan, S. Powell, J. Redmond, T. O’Shea, T. Scanlon, M. O’Shea, K. O’Regan, R. Cosgrove, N. O’Connell and P. Barrett and the subs used were D. Finn and G. Buckley.

It wasn't all joy for Mallow. Over Christmas, the father figure of soccer in the town, Frank Clune, passed away at the grand old age of 91. Regarded as one of the great personalities of sport on the Blackwater, he was one of fifteen men who met in the local Central Hotel on November 11th, 1926, to form an association football club.

Frank would become a familiar figure at Mallow games, serving as a player, an administrator and supporter. He had also been instrumental in forming the Thomas Davis Pipe Band and his contribution to the band the club and the town were fittingly acknowledged.

With such a tradition behind them, a thriving juvenile section, and their enthusiasm now rekindled by the double and place in the AUL Premier League, Mallow eagerly looked ahead to the new season, their 60th.

Hickey again: “Voluntary labour has yielded a dressing room complex of which the club and town is justifiably proud. Relations with the local business community and other potential sponsors is at an all time peak.”

The hard working positive minded committee, led by Derry Blake, Ger Spillane (an AUL Distinguished Award Winner in 2002), Willie Mills, John O’Connell, Greg Hickey, Bert Gunning, Tim Kelly and Joe Neenan were all ready and willing to further develop the club.

The photograph was taken before Mallow’s County Cup quarter-final win over Carrigtwohill Utd. It was played n Carrig and the final score was 3-2.

Mallow’s first followed a 14th minute corner by Coakley. Redmond’s header was blocked on the line and O’Connell scored. Noel O’Reilly equalised in the 27th minute but Carrig fell 3-1 down in the early minutes of the second half. Scanlon scored first and then Mick O’Shea put Coakley in to make it 3-1.

Carrig soon got one back when Niall Sylvester converted a spotter after an O’Reilly shot had been handled but keeper Buckley and skipper Redmond led a Mallow shut-out after that in a game refereed by Liam Lewis, later to become AUL fixtures secretary.

MALLOW CELTIC 1993

2009-10-02T02:04:00.000-07:00

KELLY'S HEROES:

Mallow Celtic scored a magnificent triumph over Ballincollig in the final of

the Second Division Youths Cup and the young north Cork club, formed in May

1987, are naturally thrilled, delighted to have the services of their title

winning minors available for the two junior teams next season.

In their first season as juniors, Mallow celtic reached the final of the North

Cork Cup but lost. Success came in 88/89 when they won the title in AUL 3A.

In 90/91, they were promoted as runners up from 2A and now play in the first

division while the second team play in the third.

This is the third season that the club has fielded a youth side and the first

that success has come their way at this level. Much of the credit must go to

hard working manager Timmy Kelly whose commitment was second to none. He

received major help from brother Paul, the team's first aid man.

Timmy picked from the following: Terry O'Brien (keeper), Noel O'Riordan

(captain), John Buckley, Declan Harold, Dominic Connolly, Dessie Curran, Ronan

Boylan, Niall Ducey, Edmund O'Connor, Mark Scanlon, Jason Scuffles, Willie

McDonnell, Denis Scuffles, Liam O'Brien, and Raymond Buckley.

The Kellys were backed up by a hard working committee whose officers are:

Aidan Lehane, chairman; Mick Burke, vice-chairman; Eithne O'Keeffe,

secretary; Noelle O'Keeffe, assistant secretary; Chris Egan and Kieran

Gyves, joint treasurers; and Sam Costello, PRO.

Other committee members are: Michael Whelan, Catriona O'Leary, Noel O'Regan,

Tom Costello, Timmy Kelly, Kevin Egan, Anthony O'Callaghan, Pierse Whelan, and

Coleman Sheehan.

MACROOM FEB 2001

2009-10-02T02:01:00.001-07:00

MACROOM IN MUNSTER ACTION

Macroom is the place to be on Sunday afternoon (kick off 2.30) when the local Premier outfit taken on Waterford visitors De la Salle in the 4th round of the Munster Junior Cup. Macroom, third in the AUL Premier League but inexperienced at this level, can be relied on to give a good account of themselves.

Willie O'Riordan is the Macroom manager and his assistant is Con Foley. The side is captained by Darren Ring and will be looking to the likes of leading scorers William O'Riordan and Red Kirby to give the visitors the blues.

De La Salle certainly had the blues last weekend when they bowed out of the FAI Junior Cup away to Kerry outfit St Brendan's Park. But, despite reportedly attending their captain's wedding on the previous day, the Waterford side lost by just a goal and David Murphy and Peter Dwyer showed that they have what it takes to bother Macroom.

Macroom, who had William O'Riordan and Anthony O'Donoghue on the AUL Youths side of 1998/99, have shown this season hat they are the team for the big occasion. They have won away to Leeside and Greenmount Rangers in the league and scored an impressive 2 -1 away win over Ballinhassig in an earlier round of the MJC.

The Mid Cork side now have their own grounds and dressing rooms complex and their next task in this area is to develop the playing surface and add a car park. On the field, manager O'Riordan's wish is for an AOH and Premier double or at least one of the coveted pair.

The Macroom panel is: Shane O'Leary, Alan Lynch, John Rowan, Norman Kelly, Cormac Linehan, Darra Deasy, Dan Kelleher, Brendan O'Mahony, Darren Ring, Kevin Sheehan, Richie Coleman, Liam Shine, Chris Kirby, Anthony O'Donoghue, William O'Riordan, Tim Corcoran, Red Kirby, Michael Murphy, Tim Murphy, Mark Twohig and Chris Murphy.

Kelly formerly played with Tramore Athletic while Corcoran has returned from Ballincollig's MSL side. Red Kirby and Coleman have been promoted from last season's B team.

The club, which gratefully acknowledges the support received from Looney Car Sales, T.P. Cotter's, The Castle, Murray's, Fitzie's, Supervalu and Spar, is run by the following committee: Willie O'Riordan, president; J.J. Murphy, chairman; Michael Lynch, secretary; Darren Ring, treasurer; Paul Kingston, PRO; Noel O'Riordan, Con Foley, Dan O'Donoghue, Shane O'Leary, John Rowan, Darra Deasy, and William O'Riordan.

Macroom currently field three underage sides and, interestingly, the U12s are skippered by David Golden who is a first cousin of current Cobh Ramblers striker Donal Golden whose father came from the town. William O'Riordan is the U12 manager. Darra Deasy looks after the U14s and their skipper is Brendan O'Connell. The minors, who play in AUL 1, are skippered by Brian Dunton, managed by Paul Kingston.

MACROOM AUG 1995

2009-10-02T02:00:00.001-07:00

MACROOM, AUL 1 CHAMPS 94/95:

Manager Willie O'Riordan guided his Macroom side through a mid

season nightmare that threatened to wreck their title dream in

AUL 1. That bad spell saw just two points collected from eight

but Willie worked the magic; the confidence returned and a

magnificent finishing run saw the title clinched.

The Mid Cork side won their final eight matches, scoring 27 and

conceding just five goals, to leave main rivals Albert Rovers and

Killowen trailing.

Macroom, beaten last season in the final of the St Michael Cup,

didn't have much luck in the knockout competitions this term.

But they did distinguish themselves in the Cork Examiner Munster

Junior Cup. They reached the open draw but found Clonmel Town,

one of the top sides in Munster, just a little too strong.

The side was skippered by Darren Ring, one of the younger

members. J. J. Murphy has been around while - this is his 17th

season - but he showed his scoring touch was as good as ever and

was top marksman with 24 goals.

AUL SOCCER 2

________________

MACROOM CONTINUED:

The full panel was: Niall Kelleher, Michael Murphy, Tim Murphy,

Pat Murphy, Coleman O'Riordan, Kevin Sheehan, Darren Ring, Tom

Kelleher, Christy Kirby, David Kelleher, J.J. Murphy, Dan

O'Riordan, Nigel Daly, Noel Twomey, and David McSweeney.

Macroom, who won AUL 2b in 1987/88, currently field two junior

teams and one youths in the AUL.

AUL 1997-98

2009-10-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

AUL SOCCER ______________________________________________________-

Murphy's Stout Premier League: Greenmount Rangers, Crescent Athletic, Blarney

Utd, Hibernians, Passage, Springfield, Village Utd, Macroom, Coachford, Park

Utd, Togher Rovers, Killumney Utd. (Two to be relegated).

Murphy's Stout Premier "A": Kinsale, Rockville, St John Bosco's, Buttevant,

Ballincollig, Grattan Utd, Albert Rovers, Castle Celtic, North End, Villa Utd,

Kanturk, Leeside. (Two to be promoted, three to be relegated)

Murphy's Stout AUL 1: Ballinhassig, Passage B, Bandon B, Greenmount Rangers

B, Ard-na-Laoi, Grangevale, College Corinthians, Knocknaheeny Celtic, Pearse

Celtic, Hibernians B, Temple Utd, Harp Utd. (One to be promoted, two

relegated).

Murphy's Stout AUL 1A: Hillington, Waterloo, Blarney Street Athletic,

Blackpool Celtic, Blarney Utd B, Ballyvolane, Glenvale, Fairview, Buttevant B,

Doneraile, Northvilla. (One to be promoted, one relegated).

Murphy's Stout AUL 1B: Ballinlough Utd, Bandon, Corinthians Ath., Hill

Celtic, Corkbeg, Mayfield Utd, Churchvilla, Fourth Battalion, Dunbar Celtic,

Leeside B, Cobh Town. (One to be promoted, one relegated).

Murphy's Stout AUL 2: Shandon Celtic, Lough Celtic, Greenwood, Strand Utd,

Everton, Richmond, Coachford B, Killowen, Dripsey Celtic, Douglas Hall

Wanderers, Innishannon, Douglas Celtic. (Two to be promoted, two relegated).

Murphy's Stout AUL 2A: Castleview, Park Utd B, Millstreet Celtic, Glanworth,

Kanturk B, Mallow Celtic, Maymount Celtic, Fairhill Utd, Boher Celtic,

Greenwood Celtic, Brooklodge Utd, Rylane Celtic. (Two to be promoted, two to

be relegated).

Murphy's Stout AUL 2B: St John Bosco's B, Midleton, Glanmire, Barrack Rovers,

West End Utd, Beaumont, Albert Rovers B, Central Rovers, Brooklodge Utd B,

Springfield B, Bohemians, Mahon Utd. (Two to be promoted, two relegated).

Murphy's Stout AUL 3: Macroom B, Villa Utd B, Kinsale B, Lakewood Ath.,

Ballincollig B, Killeady Celtic, Glencairn Celtic, Afton Villa, Ard-na-Laoi

B, Ballinhassig B, Ardmanning Celtic, Ballyphehane Celtic, Bellmount Rovers,

Evergreen. (Two be be automatically promoted).

Murphy's Stout AUL 3A: Grattan Utd B, Donoughmore Ath., Mallow Celtic B,

Castle Celtic B, Churchview Celtic, Newmarket Town, Glen Celtic, Lakelands

Celtic, Hillington B, Rathcoole Rovers, Buttevant C, Ballyclough, Whitethorn,

Glenthorn Celtic. (Two to be automatically promoted).

Murphy's Stout AUL 3B: Lee Rangers, Hill Albion, Passage C, Fourth Battalion

B, Mayfield Utd B, Ballintotis, Glenview, Cobh Celtic, South Cross Ath., UCC,

Dunbar Celtic B, Northvilla B, Corkbeg B, Village Utd B. (Two to be

automatically promoted).

Murphy's Stout Linnane League Cup (eight groups of three):

A - Greenmount Rangers, Rockville, Ballincollig:

B - Crescent Athletic, Kinsale, Grattan Utd;

C - Village Utd, Coachford, Villa Utd;

D - Hibernians, Togher Rovers, Albert Rovers;

E - Macroom, Killumney Utd, North End;

F - Passage, Springfield, St John Bosco's;

G - Park Utd, Castle Celtic, and Leeside;

H - Blarney Utd, Buttevant, Kanturk.

* Winners go through to quarter-finals.

Coca Cola Youths League Cup.

Group A: Maymount Celtic, Ballincollig, Macroom, Coachford, Killumney Utd.

Group B: Richmond, Bandon, Kilreen Celtic, Blarney Utd, Donoughmore Ath.

Group C: Passage, Douglas Hall, Hibernians, Everton, Greenwood.

Group D: Northvilla, Glen Celtic, Hillington, Leeside, Midleton, Leeds.

* Top two in each group will qualify for quarter-finals.

Imperial Hotel Under 17 League CUP:

Group A: Kilreen Celtic, Ballincollig, Clonakilty, Bandon.

Group B: Millstreet Celtic, Boher Celtic, Mallow Celtic, Buttevant.

Group C: Wilton Utd, Casement Celtic, Tramore Ath., Douglas Hall, Everton.

Group D: Temple Utd, Leeds, Rockmount, Mayfield Utd, Midleton.

* Winner of each group qualifies for semi-finals.

Important dates: 10th September - delegate meeting; 18th October - jubilee

dinner.

AUL 1996-97

2009-10-02T01:57:00.002-07:00

AUL LEAGUES 1996/97:

Murphy's Stout Premier League: Blarney Utd, Coachford, Crescent Ath.,

Greenmount Rangers, Hibernians, Kinsale, Macroom, Park Utd, Passage,

Rockville, Springfield, and Village Utd.

Murphy's Stout Premier A: Albert Rovers, Ballincollig, Buttevant, Castle

Celtic, Cobh Town, Grattan Utd, Killumney Utd, North End, Northvilla, St John

Bosco's, Temple Utd, and Togher Rovers.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1: Ard-na-Laoi, Ballinhassig, Bandon Town, College

Corinthians, Douglas Hall Wanderers, Grangevale, Greenmount Celtic, Kilreen

Celtic, Knocknaheeny Celtic, Passage Wanderers, Villa Utd and Wilton Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1A: Ballyvolane, Bishopstown Utd, Blackpool Celtic,

Blarney Ath., Blarney Street Athletic, Boher Celtic, Doneraile, Glenvale,

Hillington, Kanturk, and Waterloo.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1B: Ballinlough Utd, Bandon, Brooklodge Utd, Churchvilla,

Corkbeg, Corinthians Ath, Douglas Celtic, Fourth Battalion, Hill Celtic,

Leeside, Mayfield Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 2: Ballincollig Ath., Coachford Utd, Dripsey Celtic,

Evergreen, Everton, Greenwood, Harp Utd, Hibernians Ath., Killowen, Lough

Celtic, Pearse Celtic, Richmond, Southend, Strand Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 2A: Brogeen Rvrs, Burton Rangers, Buttevant Ath.,

Castleview, Fairview, Glanworth, Mallow Celtic, Millstreet Celtic, Park

Albion, Rathcoole Rovers, Shandon Celtic, Whitethorn, and Wilton Ath.

Murphy's Stout AUL 2B: Albert Utd, Barrack Rovers, Bayside Celtic, Beaumont,

Bohemians, Central Rvrs, Dunbar Celtic, Glanmire, Leeside Utd, Mahon Utd,

Midleton Celtic, St John Bosco's Utd, UCC, and West End Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3: Afton Villa, Ballincollig Utd, Ballinhassig Utd,

Glencairn Utd, Greenwood Celtic, Innishannon, Killeady Celtic, Kinsale Ath.,

Lakewood Ath., Leemount, Macroom Utd, and Villa Ath.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3A: Churchview Celtic, Donoghmore Ath., Fairhill Utd, Glen

Celtic, Grattan, Hillington Utd, Killcastle Celtic, Lakelands Celtic, Mallow

Town, Maymount Celtic, Newmarket Town, and Rylane.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3B: Ballintotis, Brooklodge Ath., Cobh Celtic, Corkbeg

Utd, Fourth Battalion Celtic, Glenview, Hill Albion, Lee Rangers, Mayfield,

Passage Rvrs, South Cross Ath. and Springfield Utd.

Coca Cola Youths League Cup:

Section A - Ballincollig, Maymount Celtic, Donoghmore, Killumney Utd,

Macroom, and Richmond.

Section B - Douglas Hall, Everton, Greenwood, Hibernians, and Kinsale.

Section C - Mayfield Utd, Leeds, Passage, Wilton Utd, and Kilreen Celtic.

Section D - Park Utd, Leeside, Midleton, Grattan Utd, and Blarney Utd.

Winners and runners up go through to quarter-finals.

Imperial Hotel Under 17 League Cup:

Section A - Boher Celtic, Buttevant, and Mayfield Utd.

Section B - Midleton, Carrigtwohill, and Maymount Celtic.

Section C - Bandon, Coachford, and Ballincollig.

Section D - Everton, Hibs, Kilreen Celtic, Leeds, and Hillington.

A, B, and C, are double rounds, D single round. Winners through to semi-

finals.

AUL 1995-96

2009-10-02T01:57:00.000-07:00

AUL LEAGUES 1995/96:

Murphy's Stout Premier: Blarney Utd, Buttevant, Coachford, Crescent Ath.,

Greenmount Rangers, Hibernians, Northvilla, Park Utd, Passage, Rockville,

Springfield, and Village Utd.

Murphy's Stout Premier A: Ballincollig, Ballyphehane, Bandon, Blackpool

Celtic, Cobh Town, Grattan Utd, Kinsale, Macroom, North End, St John Bosco's,

Temple Utd, and Wilton Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1: Albert Rovers, Ard-na-Laoi, College Corinthians,

Douglas Hall, Grangevale, Greenmount Celtic, Killowen, Killumney Utd, Kilreen

Celtic, Knocknaheeny Celtic, Passage Wanderers, and Southend.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1A: Ballyvolane, Blarney Street Athletic, Boher Celtic,

Castle Celtic, Doneraile, Glenvale, Hillington, Kanturk, Park Albion, Tramore

Ath., Waterloo, and Whitethorn.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1B: Ballinlough Utd, Brooklodge Utd, Corkbeg, Corinthians

Ath, Dunbar Celtic, Fourth Battalion, Hill Celtic, Leeside, Mayfield Utd,

Togher Rovers, Villa Utd, and West End Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 2: Afton Villa, Ballincollig Ath., Ballinhassig, Bandon

Town, Coachford Utd, Dripsey Celtic, Greenwood, Harp Utd, Innishannon, Lough

Celtic, Richmond, Strand Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 2A: Albert Utd, Bishopstown, Blarney Utd, Brogeen Rvrs,

Buttevant Ath., Castleview, Fairview, Glanworth, Killavullen, Mallow Celtic,

Millstreet Celtic, Shandon Celtic, UCC, and Waterloo Celtic.

Murphy's Stout AUL 2B: Barrack Rovers, Bayside Celtic, Beaumont Rangers,

Bohemians, Central Rvrs, Churchvilla, Cobh Celtic, Douglas Celtic, Glanmire,

Glenview, Leeside Utd, Mahon Utd, St John Bosco's Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3: Ballincollig Utd, Greenwood Celtic, Hibernians Ath.,

Killeady Celtic, Kenley Celtic, Kilreen, Kinsale Ath., Lakewood Ath.,

Leemount, Macroom Utd, Pearse Celtic, South Cross Ath., and Villa Ath.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3A: Boher Albion, Burton Rangers, Churchview Celtic,

Donoghmore Ath., Glen Celtic, Hillington Utd, Lakelands Celtic, Mallow Town,

Newmarket Town, Rathcoole Rovers, Slackersfield Utd, and Wilton Ath.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3B: Ballintotis, Beaumont Celtic, Brooklodge Ath., Celtic

FC, Corkbeg Utd, Evergreen, Fourth Battalion Celtic, Hill Albion, Lee Rangers,

Mayfield, Midleton Celtic, Springfield Utd.

Coca Cola Youths League Cup:

Section A - Mayfield Utd, Blarney Utd, Kanturk, Buttevant, Grattan Utd, and

Maymount Celtic.

Section B - Leeds, Northvilla, Leeside, Midleton, Park Utd, and South Cross

Ath.

Section C - Wilton Utd, Everton, Greenwood, Passage, Hibernians, and Tramore

Ath.

Section D - Ballincollig, Ballinhassig, Richmond, Coachford, Kilreen Celtic,

and Macroom.

Imperial Hotel Under 17 League Cup:

Section A - Rockmount, Femroy, Mayfield Utd, Midleton, Mogeely, Villa Utd,

Maymount Celtic, and Castleview.

Section B - Tramore Ath., Leeds, City View, Everton, Hibernians, and Wilton

Utd.

AUL Shield:

Section A - Greenmount Rangers, Northvilla, Temple Utd, and Wilton Utd.

Section B - Springfield, Park Utd, Ballincollig, Blackpool Celtic.

Section C - Blarney Utd, Coachford, Grattan Utd, and Cobh Town.

Section D - Passage, Village Utd., St John Bosco's, North End.

Section E - Rockville, Buttevant, Bandon, and Macroom.

Section F - Hibernians, Crescent Ath., Kinsale, and Ballyphehane.

AUL 1994-95

2009-10-02T01:56:00.000-07:00

.M:2

AUL LEAGUES 1994/95:

Murphy's Stout Senior Division: Ballincollig, Blarney Utd, Castleview,

Greenmount Rangers, Mayfield Utd, Springfield, Temple Utd, and Wilton Utd.

Murphy's Stout Premier: Ballyvolane, Buttevant, Coachford, Crescent Ath.,

Fourth Battalion, Hibernians, Park Utd, Passage, Rockville, and Village Utd.

Murphy's Stout Premier A: Ballincollig, Ballyphehane, Bandon, Blackpool

Celtic, Dunbar Celtic, Grattan Utd, Kinsale, Northvilla, St John Bosco's,

Temple Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1: Albert Rovers, Ard-na-Laoi, Ballincollig Ath.,

Grangevale, Hillington, Macroom, Killowen, Killumney Utd, Kilreen Celtic,

Knocknaheeny Celtic, Villa Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1A: Blarney Street Athletic, Boher Celtic, Castle Celtic,

Castleview, Doneraile, Glenvale, Mallow Celtic, North End, Southend Utd,

Waterloo, Western Rovers.

Murphy's Stout AUL 1B: Brooklodge Utd, Central Rovers, Cobh Town, Corkbeg,

Corinthians Ath, Hill Celtic, Leeside, Mahon Utd, Mayfield Utd, Togher Rovers,

and West End Utd.

Murphy's Stout AUL 2: Afton Villa, Bandon Town, College Corinthians, Dosco

Villa, Douglas Hall, Dripsey Celtic, Greenwood, Hibernians Ath., Innishannon,

Lakewood Ath., Passage Wanderers, and Strand Utd.

2

Murphy's Stout AUL 2A: Albert Utd, Bishopstown, Blarney Utd, Buttevant

Albion, Fairview, Kanturk, Killavullen, Park Albion, Portview, Shandon Celtic,

Tramore Ath., and Whitethorn.

Murphy's Stout AUL 2B: Ballinlough Utd, Ballyvolane Utd, Barrack Rovers,

Beaumont Rangers, Carrigtwohill, Churchvilla, Cobh Celtic, Douglas Celtic,

Glanmire, Greenmount Rangers, St John Bosco's Utd, Villa Ath.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3: Ballincollig Utd, Ballinhassig, Cionn tSaile, Coachford

Utd, Greenwood Utd, Killeady Celtic, Kenley Celtic, Kilreen, Leemount, Lough

Celtic, Macroom Utd, Sunday's Well.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3A: Brogeen Rovers, Burton Rangers, Doneraile Celtic,

Fourth Battalion Celtic, Glanworth Utd, Mallow Town, Millstreet, Newberry

Rovers, Newmarket Town, Park Ath., UCC, and Waterloo Celtic.

Murphy's Stout AUL 3B: Ballintotis, Bayside Celtic, Beaumont Celtic,

Bohemians, Brooklodge Ath., Carey's FC, Corkbeg Utd, Evergreen, Glenview, Hill

Albion, Lee Rangers, Leeside Albion, Mayfield.

3

Coca Cola Youths League Cup:

Section A - Mayfield Utd, Everton, Macroom, Ballinhassig, Blarney Utd.

Section B - KIlreen Celtic, Douglas Hall, Bandon, Temple Utd, Leeside, and

South Cross Ath.

Section C - Leeds, Passage, Coachford, Hillington, Mallow Celtic, Northvilla.

Section D - Castleview, Greenwood, Tramore Ath., Boher Celtic, Buttevant.

Imperial Hotel Under 17 League Cup:

Section A - Rockmount, Mayfield Utd, Blarney Utd, Everton, Crosshaven,

Ballincollig, Tramore Ath.

Section B - Leeds, Kilreen Celtic, Castleview, Greenwood, Bayview Utd,

Churchvilla.

AUL Shield:

Section A - Mayfield Utd, Springfield, Dunbar Celtic, Hibernians, Fourth

Battalion, Kinsale, Temple Utd "B".

Section B - Castleview, Blarney Utd, Rockville, Park Utd, Ballyphehane,

Grattan Utd, and Bandon.

Section C - Greenmount Rangers, Wilton Utd, Passage, Buttevant, Ballyvolane,

Village Utd, and Ballincollig "B".

Section D: Temple Utd, Ballincollig, St John Bosco's, Crescent Ath.,

Coachford, Northvilla, Blackpool Celtic.

LEESIDE MAR 2000

2009-10-02T01:37:00.001-07:00

Leeside AFC

Leeside, the proud owners of an excellent playing pitch with top class ancillary facilities - which have just been upgraded to include a large floodlit training area - just can't rest on their laurels.

Club secretary Denis Cambridge explains: "The club is expanding at such a rate that we are outgrowing our present facility. We hope to be in a position shortly to announce new plans for another major development".

The clubs' two junior sides are going great guns and lead their respective divisions. They also field teams in the AUL Youth and U17 divisions and intend to expand the schoolboys section next season. Cambridge has a big thank you for those behind the club: "We get great support from the local community and industries and we have a terrific relationship with Harbour Point, our main sponsors".

"We now have so many recruits to schoolboys that we have had to establish a separate committee to look after them", said Cambridge. "They are led by Martin O'Neill, Gerry Ring, John Hayes, Kieran Hayes, Michael McCarthy, and Denis Hayes, and they are actively preparing teams for the schoolboy leagues next term."

The committee have arranged a fundraiser in Ashbourne Hotel this Friday evening and the aim is to raise enough to take a team to the Bobby Charlton School of Excellence in Old Trafford. Cambridge confirmed that Lee Martin, scorer of the winning goal in the 1990 FA Cup final, will attend and all are welcome.

There were some worries down Little Island way when a new manager had to be appointed this season for the Premier side. In came John Shine and the success continued. He has made clever use of youth and B players and they currently stand proudly at the top of the Murphy's Stout AUL Premier League and are looking forward to their quarter-final in the AOH against Greenmount.

Ger Delea has recently taken over the B side and they head the rankings in AUL 1B. They have won 12 games in a row and will be going all out to make an impact in the County Cup.

Kieran Horgan and John Gettings look after the youths side while Jimmy Barry O'Sullivan is in charge of the U17s. Clubman of the Year Willie Cogan looks after the U13s.

The Premier panel consists of: Gerry Holland (captain), Kieran Mullins, Pat Collins, Tony Neiland, Wayne Barrett, Mick Coughlan, Frank Horgan, Mick Mooney, Frank Walsh, John Corcoran, Steven Walsh, Jeremy O'Sullivan, David Welch, Conor O'Leary, and Barry Lamb. Welch is the current leader of the Murphy's Stout Golden Boot chart and has, along with O'Leary and Frank Walsh, represented Leeside on this year's AUL Oscar Traynor team.

Leeside were founded in 1968 and honours to date include: President's Cup (1985), League 2(86), AUL 1B and County Cup double (1991), County Cup (1994), Youths 2A (1995), AUL 1B and County Cup double (1997), Premier A, Second Division Youths League and Cup double (1998).

LEESIDE FEB 2002

2009-10-02T01:36:00.001-07:00

LEESIDE FOCUS

There is a familiar name in goal for the Leeside Premier side these days. Young Ray O'Connor has taken over the position once occupied with some distinction by his father of the same name. Kieran Mullins, who impressed for Leeside in the Jubilee AOH win last summer, is now in Australia and young Ray has been give his chance.

There has also been a change at management level. John Shine, the AUL Manager of the Year last season, has had to step down due to work commitments and has been replaced by Gerry Holland who is being assisted by Denis Cambridge.

Holland has been a terrific captain for Leeside and was unlucky to miss out on the AOH last season because of injury. Gerry skippered the Leeside A team to two 1B titles, two County Cup triumphs, a Mossie Linnane success and to the championship in Premier A.

The full A panel, much the same as last season, is: Ray O'Connor, Micky Coughlan, Tommy Gettings, Conor O'Leary, Jimmy O'Sullivan, Wayne Barrett, John Corcoran (captain), Steven Walsh, Frank Walsh, Kieran Murphy, Craig Donnelly, Jeremy O'Sullivan, Frank Horgan and Derek Delea. The squad is regularly supplemented with players from the B team.

Leeside had a poor start to the season and won just one of the first five league games. But they have since won six in a row and are now top of the standings. There was also major disappointment in the early stages of all the major cups: the Munster and FAI Junior and particularly in the AOH where they were beaten by Passage.

The second string, managed by Ger Delea and John O'Sullivan, are currently second in 1B. After the disappointment of losing in the semi-final of the St Michael's Cup, John and Ger are looking forward to having a good run in County Cup, a cup that has visited Little Island more than once.

Leeside also field a third junior side and they are more than holding their own in AUL 3B. Managers Kenneth Walsh and Colm Twohig are doing well with a blend of youth and experience.

Chairman Denis Cambridge says that last season has to go down as the best in the club's history because of the AOH win: "It was our third final in four years and we lost the previous two. To win it in Jubilee year made it even more special."

"The season was crowned for us when John Shine won the Manager of the Year Award, a great honour for him and also a great honour for the club. It was the second time in four years that it came to us as Richie Keating won it previously".

The honours didn't stop there. Willie Cogan was awarded Administrator of the Year at the Cork Schoolboys Annual Awards Night. Leeside's own awards went to Conor O'Leary (A team Player of the Year), Edward O'Mahony (B Team), Nick Charalambus (C team) and Wayne Barrett (Clubman of the Year).

Leeside have been long time supporters of the AUL Oscar Traynor Cup side and it was no surprise that they gave John Shine their blessing when he was asked to take over the league team. Cambridge, who assists John with the AUL squad, says; "John is longer involved with the day to day running of the club but he still keeps in contact and Leeside are delighted with the success he is having with the AUL." Three Leeside players, O'Leary, Jeremy O'Sullivan and Craig Donnelly, are on the AUL panel.

Donnelly is of course the leader of the Murphy's Stout Golden Boot with 12 league goals to his credit. He has scored eight in other competitions and six for the Oscar Traynor side.

The big club, sponsored by Harbour Point, Elm Tree, O'Callaghans (Glanmire) and Pepsi, has embarked on what Cambridge terms "a twin track approach to progress". "The first part is to maintain and enhance our status as a top Premier club. To do this we have to develop new coaching skills and, to this end, some of our younger players are attending courses."

"The Schoolboys committee, led by Martin O'Neill, Gerry Ryng, Kieran and John Hayes, are working hard preparing future teams and coaching them in the best traditions of the club."

Cambridge says the second track is to provide proper facilities: "At the rate the club is expanding, we need more pitches. At present, we are in discussions with the Little Island Community Association with a view to developing playing fields in the Carrigrenan area and we are hopeful of a successful outcome."

Cambridge's colleagues at Leeside are Jim O'Sullivan (secretary), Cathal Kelly and Edward O'Mahony (joint treasurers), Brian Cashman, Willie Cogan, Derek Delea, Gerard Delea and Gerard O'Mahony. O'Sullivan gets married soon and his colleagues wish him all the best. Further info on the club is available at their website in yahoo.com; just put Leeside in the search box and go.

Leeside were founded in 1968 and honours to date include: President's Cup (1985), League 2(86), AUL 1B and County Cup double (1991), County Cup (1994), Youths 2A (1995), AUL 1B and County Cup double (1997), Premier A, Second Division Youths League and Cup double (1998), Teddy Healy U17 League Cup (2000), AOH Cup (2001).

LEESIDE 2002 (?)

2009-10-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

Unedited (and undated) NOTES FROM LEESIDE FOR Club focus

Changes for new season

Premier team: (IN) New keeper Dermot O ‘Brien (OUT) Wayne Barrett gone to Australia .Jermy O’Sullivan ,gone to MSL club Rockmount.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Jerry Holland and asst Denis Cambridge. B TEAM John O Sullivan

Leading scorers

Ex keeper Kieran Mullins ,Derek Delea , Craig Donnelly.

CAPTAIN

John Corcoran Vice Stephen Walsh BTEAM Eddie O Mahony vice Jer O Mahony.

Representative Honours.

None , Only honour recently Craig Donnelly winning golden boot award .Craig and Connor O Leary ,Jermy O’Sullivan on Cork AUL team.

Player of the year awards.

No player of the year awards given out yet.

Beat victory.

Our 1 nil win over Blarney ,Our first win over them in 9 league games,hope fully will kick start our year.Team very young needed a win to settle them down.

BTEAM

Leeside b team had a great win over St John Boscos in the St Michels Cup.Winning 6-5 on penaltys after 1all draw.

League

Premier team; Had a very poor start down at the bottom end of the league .Lost ther first game to Greenmount 1nil ,Then only drew two of there next five games losing to Kinsale, Passage and Togher before geting there first win over Blarney by 1 nil Derek Delea getting the goal after 15 minutes.Five points out of twenty one not league winning form.Had a bad start to last season and still nearly won the league.

B TEAM

Going ok in the league mid table had good wins over Passage and local rivals Hill Celtic ,are very confident this team can win the league , have being close over the last couple of years.Had good win over Boscos in the St michels cup.

THE PANALS

Dermot O Brien,Michel Coughlan, Thomas Gettings,Connor O Leary,Jimmy Bar O Sullivan,Stephen Walsh,Derek Delea ,John Corcoran,Colin Ahern,Damian O Leary,Kieran Mullins,Craig Donnelly,Joe Lyons.Ger and Ed O Mahony Barry Lamb.The panal is subsidized from the b team were possible .

GROUND

The club have there own grounds and dressing rooms at the Little Island community centre .Adjacent to the splendid pitch the club have a flood lit training area.

TRAINING

Both teams train on Tuesday and Thursday nights .Jerry looks after both teams on the night.Jerry gets a very good turn out both nights and any new players wanting to join the club can call down either night at around eight o clock.

AIMS FOR SEASON

At the start of the saeson the main aim of the club would have being to win the league but a poor start has probably put that out of our reach ,At this stage a mid table finish is more a relistic goal.Hopefully we can get a good run in one of the cups,we had a lot of success over the last few years in the AOH getting to a number of finals and winning one .Having said that a run in any of the cups would be a bonus.The B team also would love to bring home the County Cup once more,Having won this cup on a few occasions as a player John O’Sullivan would now love to manage a winning team, a league and cup double would go down ok.

LONG TERM

Long term the club would love to develop more playing areas The schoolboys section now have a good structure and hopefully soon we will be able to see players coming through to the junior club every year.At the moment the F.A.I. junior cup is probably beyond us but with a bit more hard work and with the players coming through from the schoolboys its not beyond possibility.

COMMITTEE

Jimmy Bar O’Sullivan,(sec)Derek Delea ,Padrig Purcell,Ger O’Mahony,Ed O’Mahony.Michael Coughlan,Bill Cougan.

SPONSORS

Harbour point are the club main sponsors ,but the club also get support from the local publicans and industries.

LEESIDE FEB 01

2009-10-02T01:32:00.001-07:00

Leeside AFC

"We aim to go one better this season", said Leeside chairman Denis Cambridge at the recent Murphy's Stout Team of the Month Award in Harbour Point. "The aim has to be to win either the AOH or the Premier League, having finished runners up in both competitions to an excellent Blarney Utd side last season".

To help achieve this ambition, Leeside premier manager John Shine, who received the December Award from Aidan Cotter of Murphy's Stout, has added to the squad by promoting Derek Delea and Jimmy O'Sullivan from the B team and inter-league player Thomas Gettings from the youths.

Craig Donnelly, who spent quite a few years playing with Leeside schoolboys, has returned to the junior side and is the club's top scorer with nine goals in as many games.

Cambridge reports that club membership is at an all time high: "We have entered a third junior team to cater for the demand, a side jointly managed by Joe Cunningham, and Martin Purcell."

The chairman maintains that it is important for the club that the second string plat at a high a level as possible: "We want them to be successful and doing well as first team boss John Shine regularly calls up one of two from the reserves to fill gaps in the first team. They are managed by Ger Delea and had a shaky enough start but have settled down and are playing some attractive football and the results are coming."

Gerry Holland is again captain of the first team and John Corcoran vice captain. The full squad is: Kieran Mullins, Wayne Barrett, Mick Coughlan, Gerry Holland, Steven Walsh, Jimmy O'Sullivan, Thomas Gettings, Garrett Linehan, John Corcoran, Derek Delea, Jeremy O'Sullivan, Conor O'Leary, Craig Donnelly, Andrew Sang, Kieran Murphy, and Frank Horgan.

Leeside, in recent years, have been great supporters of the Oscar Traynor Cup team and have regularly supply players to AUL representative sides. Conor O'Leary and Jeremy O'Sullivan figured this term, though the latter's chances were ruined by a fall on the ice that sidelined him for six weeks. Thomas Gettings is a member of Liam McCarthy's AUL youth side that has reached the national quarter-final. Last season's Player of the Year Awards went to Frankie Walsh (Premier) and Derek Delea (One B).

John Shine's hand in early season games was weakened due to injuries and holidays but he reports "that things have turned around now". That point is underlined by a seven game winning streak that helped them take the Team of the Month prize. That streak ended though when they lost on spotters to Maymount in the Munster Junior Cup.

Cambridge says that the schoolboy section is thriving: "We have three teams this year and more teams will be entered over the next few years. We are out-growing our facilities in the Little Island Community centre and we are trying to secure more land. We have secured a second pitch at Ridgid Tools in Mahon but would like something closer to home."

The committee, which gratefully acknowledges the major support provided by Harbour Pint GC and Pepsi Cola, consists of Cambridge, Cathal Kelly, Gerard O'Mahony, Wayne Barrett, and Edward O'Mahony.

Leeside were founded in 1968 and honours to date include: President's Cup (1985), League 2(86), AUL 1B and County Cup double (1991), County Cup (1994), Youths 2A (1995), AUL 1B and County Cup double (1997), Premier A, Second Division Youths League and Cup double (1998), Teddy Healy U17 League Cup (2000).

LEESIDE MAY 2005

2009-10-02T01:29:00.001-07:00

DENIS CAMBRIDGE RIP

Many soccer people were present in Little Island last Saturday (21/5/05). Not for a game but to say a sad farewell to Leeside’s Denis Cambridge who was buried just a long kick or two from the venue he did so much to establish for his beloved club.

“We will not see his likes again,” said Leeside’s Kieran Horgan and there was not, will not be, any argument with that. He fought his club’s corner tenaciously, often fiercely, but once the dust settled on an issue, that was it and there were no grudges held.

Sometimes the good, the very ones we need, die young. At least in this courageous case, there are more than memories. The magnificent set-up at Leeside will stand as testament to his superb unselfish effort and constant interest in the betterment of the club and the community.

Hard to believe that, just a few short weeks back, in the hard fought end game of his life, he was down there on a sunny Sunday morning at his usual place on the line, his courage an inspiration to those of us who face much more mundane challenges than an 18 month battle with cancer.

To his equally courageous wife Geraldine, and to their three daughters, Aislinn, Ciara and Emer, to his mother Noreen, deprived of husband and son in quick succession, to his sisters Marion and Vivienne and his brother Kieran, we extend our sincere condolences on behalf of everyone in local football.

end of story

LEEDS NOV 1994

2009-10-02T01:28:00.001-07:00

nov 94

LEEDS UNDER 17s:

Youthful manager Tony O'Regan is regarded as something of a

wonder worker by people at Leeds, one of the top underage clubs

in Cork.

Tony, formerly a prominent player with Ballyvolane, took over the

team this year and has transformed them from moderate mid table

material into championship chasers. Already, they have qualified

for the second round of the FAI Snickers Cup, are into the semi-

finals of the Imperial Hotel League Cup (by topping their group),

and have gained a place in AUL Division One.

That promise wasn't all that evident last season when, for

various reasons, they struggled to make an impact at the top

level in Under 16. Then along came O'Regan and a new discipline

and confidence became evident. This is O'Regan's first venture

into management, a venture forced on him because his playing

career was cut short by injury.

Naturally enough, it isn't all down to the manager. There are

some smashing players in the squad. Ace forward Gary Quirke is

probably the best known. In one recent weekend, he totted up no

less than nine goals over two games (Under 17 and Youths). Other

prominent members of the squad are defenders Ronan Buckley and

Robert Dumigan.

But each and every one of the squad is valued by the manager:

"The lads show great committment for training and for matches".

They will do well this season but O'Regan expects further

improvement at youths level.

Buckley is the team captain and the other members of the panel

are: Pat Daly, Trevor Hosford, Colm McCarthy, Robert Dumigan,

Gary Quirke, Tony Finn, Marcus McSweeney, Ger Power, Padraig

O'Connell, John Stapleton, Michael O'Donovan, Fergal Healy, Leon

Kelleher, David Hobbs, Kieran O'Keeffe, and Damien Byrd.

end of story

LEE RANGERS 1999

2009-10-02T01:27:00.001-07:00

Lee Rangers haven't won any cups or leagues in their 36 years in the AUL but they did have something of a breakthrough last season when they finished runners up in 3B.

Their sportsmanship and staying power -they have never given a walkover - was recognized by the management committee at the Annual Awards function in the Kiln where president Tony McGeough was the recipient of a special presentation.

"Now that we're up, there's no way we're going back down", declared a happy McGeough. He, secretary Arthur Walker, and Chairman Colm O'Driscoll, are looking to build on last season's performance. They went through the league unbeaten, winning 16 of their 24 games. Alan Murray was skipper and he leads the Rangers again this season.

Dessie Murray will once again act as player-manager though he skipped the opening game against Corkbeg as he couldn't miss the christening of his first child. Liam Power is the assistant and he took charge of the squad which is much the same as last season with the addition of two handy signings in Kieran Horgan and Michael O'Leary.

McGeough's one regret was that founder member and long time inspiration behind the club Brendan Connolly wasn't around to enjoy last term: "though we still think he was there from time. You know, there some shots going wide that ended up in the net!"

Tony is also treasurer and was Clubman of the Year last season. Player of the Year went to ace scorer Pat O'Donovan. Pat knocks in about twenty every season and he'll be hoping to do the business again next Saturday when Rangers take on Hill Celtic B in the opening round of the AOH Cup.

LAKEWOOD 1999

2009-10-02T01:26:00.000-07:00

Fathers and sons together are bringing about a quiet sporting revolution in Ovens. In 1997, with Denis Lucey showing the way, Lakewood Athletic entered their first ever underage side into the Schoolboys League. Incredibly, they now have seven teams competing from Under 11 up to Under 15.

Lucey, an original member of the Lakewood AUL junior side formed in 1981, is not the only founder still going strong in the club. Denis, along with fellow founders Noel Mullins and Joe Dumigan, and Elwyn Moore (a 15 year member), are all prominet at Ovens and each has at least one son playing in the schoolboy teams. Club president John Coleman is another who has been there since the start and his son Trevor lines out with the juniors.

Facilities in Lakewood have been among the best around for many years but recent visitors will have noticed a magnificent fourth pitch, just recently completed at a cost of £7,500. When mature, this will take soon beating.

Donal O'Connor is secretary of the Schoolboys Section; he and his hard-working committee do trojan work for over two hundred boys from the Ovens, Farran, and West Ballincollig areas. They ran a very successful Race Night last year and held their first Annual Golf Classic earlier this month. Thanks must go to the John A. Wood Ltd Sports and Social Club for providing dressing rooms, an all weather surface for winter training, and an indoor hall.

The only requisite for the teams is that they play attacking football as has always been the Lakewood tradition. That policy has already paid off at underage level as the Under 10 team which competed in last year's Southside League won the league and cup double. Now the big hope is that a Schoolboys title will be secured in the near future.

Lakewood Athletic juniors are competing in their 19th season in AUL football. Originally drawn solely from employees of the John A. Wood Ltd, the club opened its doors after two years to counter the effects of redundancies. Many of the current players however work with or have immediate family ties with the company.

Lakewood's first success came in 1985 with the winning of the Third Division League. They also reached the semi-final of the Saxone Cup that year and again in 1987, losing narrowly both times.

Lakewood won the Second Division title in 1991 after a very close fought campaign. The loss of some of their more experienced players weakened the team over the next few years and the club dropped back to the third division.

An influx of young local players greatly improved the playing panel and last season saw Lakewood in the hunt for the championship up to Easter. If this form is maintained, honours will come their way again in the near future.

Mullins, one of the founders, is team manager and club secretary, and Michael Carey, another founder, is his assistant. The current panel is: Daniel Breen, Mark Buckley, Jason Cahill, Paul Coakley, Trevor Coleman, Damien Desmond, James Doyle, Ger Flynn, Robert Holohan, Tim Kelleher (captain), Aidan Lombard, Damien Lordan, Fergus Lordan, Sean Lordan, Eamonn Mitchell, Elwyn Moore, Jason Murphy, Kenneth Murphy, Colm O'Leary, Des O'Leary, and Robert Spillane.

End of Story

LAKEWOOD NOV 2001

2009-10-02T01:24:00.001-07:00

MANY HANDS MAKE LAKEWOOD WORK

Sunday morning is usually a busy time at the Lakewood complex in Ovens. The juniors are normally playing on pitch number one. Another of the four pitches is more than likely staging a schoolboy game while on the adjacent pitches scores of boys and girls are being coached by club members.

Lakewood are lucky in that they have no shortage of volunteers. There are currently over twenty members on the Lakewood General committee. The officers are: Denis Lucey (Chairman), Finbarr O’Sullivan (Vice Chairman), Donal O’Connor (Secretary) and Eddie Doyle (Treasurer).

The pitches at Lakewood are among the best in the league and the training facilities are also situated there. The juniors, who play in AUL 3, train in Lakewood on Thursdays. Training commences at 7.30 on the grass training area and they then transfer to the synthetic pitch at 8.00. A new all weather training pitch is being constructed and then training will be increased to twice weekly.

Noel Mullins, a founder of the club, heavily involved in the schoolboys section and currently joint manager (with Mick Carey) of the juniors, says the main focus for the season must be to gain promotion. "Over the next few years we hope to have a very good crop of young players coming through from our schoolboy teams. It is our hope to offer them competitive football at a higher level than we are currently playing."

"Our success at schoolboys level is very encouraging and with two different teams reaching the semi-final and final of national cup competitions in the last two seasons, hopes for our future look very good. In the longer term, we would hope to progress up through the divisions and hopefully to have at least three junior and two youth teams in the not too distant future."

The current sponsors of the junior side are National Irish Bank. Other club sponsors include Aaltonen Removals, Blackwater Motors, IFG Mortgages, Jim Bob’s (Ovens), John A. Wood Ltd, McNamara’s Super Value, O’Leary’s Lissarda, SynthiGreen, and System Designs.

Lakewood juniors started the season with a large panel. All of last year’s players re-signed and five new signings were added. The latter are very young players who had just finished playing Youth football with various clubs and Barry Casey, Paul Knowles, Trevor Murphy, Gary O’Riordan and Zladko Krisdic (Croatia) have all helped to strengthen the team. Former Cork hurler Tim Kelleher made a welcome return, after a lengthy absence through injury.

On the other hand, the Ovens based club have lost Dan Breen and Davy Garry, who have gone to England and America respectively through work. Eamonn Mitchell will probably be out for the remainder of the season through injury and captain Justin Cronin is another long-term casualty.

Mullins continued: "We started well in the league, by winning our first three games. However we then lost two and we will need to improve on our performances if we are to have a realistic chance of gaining promotion though last week's draw against Bellmount was encouraging. Our biggest victory margin to date was 8-0 against a depleted City Wanderers side. However our best victory was without doubt our 1 – 0 triumph over Ballincollig’s Premier outfit in the Munster Junior Cup."

The Under 17 team, who play in the AUL Premier League, are under the watchful eye of Elwyn Moore and Emmet Farrell. Following a good showing in the League Cup, hopes were high for a the league campaign. However poor turnouts have not helped in the last few games. Mullins reckons that the squad will need to be strengthened and "hopefully with a little more commitment from those already there we could do well in our remaining games".

The current junior panel is: Eoin Byrne, Barry Casey, Paul Coakley, Sean Cunningham, James Doyle, Tim Kelleher, Paul Knowles, Zdlako Krisdic, Damien Lordan (Current Player of the Year), Fergus Lordan, Sean Lordan, Trevor Murphy, Colm O’Leary, Noel O’Mahony, Gary O’Riordan, Robert Spillane. It is also hoped to introduce a few of the Under 17 panel throughout the season.

The Under 17 squad consists of Shane O’Sullivan, Damien Higgins, Stephen Ahern, Cathal Aherne, Conor Cunningham (captain), Brian Donovan, Steven Fenton (top scorer last season), Ronan Walsh, Barry Lordan (clubman of the Year), John Dumigan, Peter Corcoran, Padraig O’Brien, Eoin Donnelly, Gary Lucey and Cathal O’Callaghan.

KINSALE NOV 2001

2009-10-02T01:23:00.000-07:00

KINSALE

Kinsale's cup ambitions have been cut short in recent weeks with away defeats to underdogs Mallow Celtic B in the AOH and to St Oliver's Boys of Tipperary in the FAI Junior Cup. That leaves the Munster Cup and, on Sunday morning, next they travel to take on Garryduff in the open round.

Kinsale had hoped to end their Turner's Cross hoodoo this season and may yet do so via the Linnane Cup. In recent years, the seasiders have had four defeats and no wins at the venue. In 1994, they lost the County Cup decider to Leeside and, in 1996, they were hammered by Greenmount in the final of the Mossie Linnane Cup. In 1997, they were beaten by Rockville in the semi-final final of the AOH and, a year later, lost on penalties to Evergreen in the decider of the President's Cup.

The current club has been on the go since 1969, after the town had been without a soccer focus for some years. And they hit another crisis point about five years back. Then, a lack of dedicated players led to the decision to disband the Premier side and concentrate on the third division team (which at the time consisted of a mixture of quite mature players and promising youngsters). It was a decision that paid off.

The club started playing in Fort Hill in 1969 but were soon on the move and indeed changed pitches six times before returning to Fort Hill in 1985. Talks took place with the County Council and a redeveloped Fort Hill has been their home for the past 16 years.

The experienced Peter Jones, who has given much of his time to training the side over the past two seasons, is the current player-manager. Donal Foran is the assistant manager while Ger Foran and Gerry Rice are also on hand to help out and lend their advice.

The main change in playing personnel this season is the arrival of a new keeper, Sean O'Connell, a young player from the nearby parish of Riverstick who, according to club secretary Gearoid Cummins, is progressing well at the moment. Cummins was quick to acknowledge the major contribution made by last season's keeper David Duffy who has now left to concentrate on his work.

The first team captain is Jeremy O'Donovan and Cummins says this has proved to be a great choice: "Jeremy possesses a strong voice and uses it from his position in the back line." Jeremy is one of a few Kinsale players recently selected by AUL manager John Shine for the Oscar Traynor side; Patsy O'Driscoll, Jones and Derek McCarthy are the others.

Indeed Jeremy was last season's Player of the Year while Cummins himself took the Player's Player of the Year prize. And Jones led by example by clinching the Top Scorer Award with an impressive 25 goal tally.

Kinsale, with impressive wins over Togher (2-1) and Passage (3-1) are big contenders for the Premier League title. Of the major cups, only the Munster remains open to them but the Linnane, postponed last season because of the foot and mouth crisis, could yet give the seasiders another avenue to the Cross and another chance to confront that bogey.

The panel consists of: Sean O'Connell, Trevor Irwin, Patrick McCarthy, Pat Murphy, Patrick O'Callaghan, Sean Foran, Trevor Cass, Gerard Rice (Junior), Leonard McCarthy, Patsy O'Driscoll, Stephen O'Donovan, Derek McCarthy, Mark Hurley, Thomas Sutherland, Jeremy O'Donovan, Peter Jones, David O'Donovan, Gerry Rice (Snr) Gearoid Cummins and Paul Healy.

Kinsale officials are worried that too much football is being played on the one pitch at Fort Hill and the club have a proposal with the Cork County to develop a second pitch on waste ground adjoining the existing field. The pitch is also used for training and the Premier side can be seen there each Tuesday and Thursday.

The fully stretched committee consists of: Paddy Madden (Hon. President), Donal Foran (Chairman), Gearoid Cummins(Secretary), Jeremy O'Donovan (Treasurer), Gerard Foran (Underage Chairman), William McCarthy (Underage Treasurer), Patrick 'O Callaghan, Derek McCarthy. Cummins says that Oscar Madison's is their main sponsor: "We would like to thank Mike Nolan and the staff for their support."

The seasiders' U17s play in the AUL Premier League and are managed by Donie Searls, Michael McCarthy and Patrick McCarthy. The Under 15s are guided by Ger Barry, Denis Jones, Richard Driscoll while the U13s are in the capable hands of T.P. Sheehan, Ger Mooney and Ger Foran.

Kinsale's Recent Record:

'94 County Cup Finalists, lost 1-0 to Leeside

'95/96 Premier 1A section winners

'96 Mossie Linnane Cup Finalists, lost 6-1 to Greenmount

'97 Semi final of the AOH Cup, lost 4-1 to Rockville

'98 Presidents Cup Finalists, lost on penalties to Evergreen after a 1-1 draw.

'98 Won 3rd Div. section, promoted to 2nd Div.

'99 Won 2nd Div. section, promoted to 1st Div.

'00 Won 1st Div section, promoted to Premier 1A Div.

'01 Won Premier A league, promoted to Premier League.

KINSALE JAN 2000

2009-10-02T01:21:00.000-07:00

KINSALE

Re-vitalised Kinsale are going for three in a row. In 1998, they won AUL 3 and a year later topped AUL 2. This season, they are well placed in AUL 1 and their form in the major cup competitions suggests they'll be there or thereabouts in May. Their best cup results have come in the St Michael's and they play the final against Maymount Celtic at Turner's Cross on Sunday week (3.00pm) and that should be a cracker.

The seasiders made three important signings at the start of this season. Peter Jones, the AUL captain, gained some valuable experience with Greenmount Rangers and his return to Kinsale had been a major boost.

Pat Murphy too picked up Premier experience with Hibernians. Keeper David O'Callaghan did play with Kinsale a few years back and was quickly signed up after his recent return from England. David is doing well between the posts.

O'Callaghan's return was timely as veteran keeper Gerry Rice retired during the summer. Michael Scully McCarthy was another long serving player to hang up the boots. Between them they have given over fifty years service. And both are still helping out on the administration side, Rice concentrating on the underage side.

McCarthy is one of a trio of junior selectors who have taken the team from third to first division football in double quick time and Scully has hinted to fellow members Donal Foran and Jeremy O'Donovan that he would like a game or two before the season is out so that he can boast of playing in the seventies, eighties, and nineties.

Kinsale's success this season is in stark contrast to the position four years back as Donal Foran explains: "The biggest decision was taken by the club four years ago when because of the lack of players the committee decided to disband the Premier team to concentrate on the then 3rd division team which consisted of a mixture of mature players and a lot of promising young players. The club achievements over the last number of years can only verify that the decision taken then was indeed the right one".

The panel: David O'Callaghan, Trevor Irwin, Patrick McCarthy, Pat Murphy, Patrick O Callaghan, Michael Madden, Gerard Rice(Junior), Leonard McCarthy, Michael O'Brien, Stephen O'Donovan, Derek McCarthy, Thomas Sutherland, Sean Prior, Paul Kelleher, Jeremy O'Donovan, Neill Lynch, Peter Jones, David O'Donovan, Danny O'Donovan, Michael McCarthy, Gerard Irwin, Gerry Rice (Senior), and Gearoid Cummins.

Committee members: P Madden (Hon. President), Donal Foran(Chairman), Michael McCarthy (Secretary), Patrick O'Callaghan(Treasurer), Gerard Foran (Underage Chairman), and William McCarthy (Underage Treasurer). The committee acknowledges the tremendous support for the past few years from Denis Kiernan and all at The Cordoba Bar.

Kinsale has a thriving underage section and field teams in the West Cork League. Gerard Foran is chairman of the underage section, T.P. Sheehan is secretary, and Catherine Scanlon is treasurer. Some 150 children are involved and other people who help out include Kevin McCarthy and Alan Barrett (Under 8s), Kieran McAuliffe and Seamus McLaverty (U10s), Gerry Rice, T.P. Sheehan, and Catherine McCarthy (U12s), Donie Searls, Michael McCarthy, and Patrick McCarthy(U14s), Ger Foran, Billy Lynch, and Ann Murphy (U14s).