GRATTAN UNITED
Grattan United youths, who take on Casement Celtic in this evening's Youths One League Cup at Turner's Cross (7.00pm), are following in a proud tradition: next season, Grattan will celebrate their 75th anniversary.
The current youths squad has come from Grattan's close working relationship with Nu-Farm Schoolboys Club and is managed by Martin Cambridge and Martin O'Leary.
Grattan's treasurer Don O'Leary is delighted with the progression of the relationship over the past couple of seasons: "It is our intention to keep the arrangement going as it benefits both clubs. It certainly provides us with a great source of talent and two of the current team, Timmy Long and Eoin Kiely, have been selected by the AUL Inter-league manager this season".
Casement, already crowned first division champions, will probably start as favourites this evening but Grattan, though they may lack experience of Turner's Cross, are a big game team. They have already beaten Casement in a crunch league tie and have registered a great cup win over Temple Utd, the premier champions.
O'Leary also reports that developments are continuing on their grounds: "As you know, O'Neill Park is named after our president Denis O'Neill and we have made great strides there recently. Just three years back it was wasteland. Now we have developed a reasonable playing surface, provided temporary dressing rooms, and erected perimeter fencing".
He says the bulk of their finance comes from the weekly Lotto draw. It is held every Monday night at Pat O'Sullivan's Bar where Frances and Michael Byrnes are great supporters. The youths benefit from support by Duggan's Glass.
The work of fund-raising never stops according to the busy treasurer: "We presently have an application for funding from the Dept. of Sports under the Sport Capital Programme 2000. The outcome of this will dictate the pace of future developments at O'Neill Park where the completion of the fencing and the erection of permanent dressing rooms are our main targets. We would also like to give credit to our local TDs who have been very supportive of the development".
Grattan Utd also run a junior team and had their biggest taste of success in 1996 when they defeated Togher Rovers in the final of the AOH Cup. This season, joint managers Pat Caulfield and Derry Barrett have been building a handy side in One A and one that will be challenging for the title next season.
Denis "Dinny Pop" O'Neill is the current president and Tony Hyde is vice president. The current committee consists of George Murphy (chairman), Joe Lynch (secretary), Don O'Leary (treasurer), Eddie O'Riordan, Frank Geaney, Gerry Moynihan, John Chambers, Kevin Moynihan, and Mick Murphy.
Showing posts with label Grattan Utd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grattan Utd. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
GRATTAN UTD 2006
Grattan Utd 2006
Denis Pop O'Neill was honoured at Grattan United’s 80th anniversary function in the Kiln last evening.
Grattan United PRO Joe Lynch, like everyone else in the Northside club, has the greatest respect for O'Neill, their long serving president: “He is an icon of local football, a pioneer. The likes of himself and the late Christy McGrath are among the unsung heroes, now almost a lost generation.”
“I honestly don't think that Denis O'Neill has got the credit he deserves. He is a stalwart, a legend down the years. Remember him taking the gear down to Church Road on the bar of the bike and a couple of extra pairs of boots there too. There is not much of that kind of loyalty and commitment around anymore.”
Grattan won the coveted Murphy’s Stout AOH Cup ten years back and last evening’s function served as a reunion for the successful team. PRO Lynch thanked Murphy's for their hospitality saying that they provide a great deal of support for local sport.
The club’s plans for their base, O'Neill Park, are proceeding well and proposals for Phase Two are close to the planning application stage. Lynch says that this will include dressing rooms, showers and meeting facilities to replace the temporary structures that have served them so well for the past few years.
“We are getting a great feedback in the area. City Hall have been very helpful, recognizing the value of what we do. We put in much work ourselves to meet the right criteria and that puts us in a good position to avail of the various sports grants schemes.”
Roll of Honour:
1976: AUL Third Division Shield.
1980: City (O’Keeffe) Cup.
1981: City Cup.
1981: Youths 1 League Cup.
1982: AUL 1B
1982: Youths 2A.
1989: City Cup.
1996: AOH Cup.
2000: Youths 1 League Cup.
2001: AUL 1A
2002: Youths League Cup.
2004: Linnane League Cup
2004: Murphy Youth Cup
2006: Premier A.
Denis Pop O'Neill was honoured at Grattan United’s 80th anniversary function in the Kiln last evening.
Grattan United PRO Joe Lynch, like everyone else in the Northside club, has the greatest respect for O'Neill, their long serving president: “He is an icon of local football, a pioneer. The likes of himself and the late Christy McGrath are among the unsung heroes, now almost a lost generation.”
“I honestly don't think that Denis O'Neill has got the credit he deserves. He is a stalwart, a legend down the years. Remember him taking the gear down to Church Road on the bar of the bike and a couple of extra pairs of boots there too. There is not much of that kind of loyalty and commitment around anymore.”
Grattan won the coveted Murphy’s Stout AOH Cup ten years back and last evening’s function served as a reunion for the successful team. PRO Lynch thanked Murphy's for their hospitality saying that they provide a great deal of support for local sport.
The club’s plans for their base, O'Neill Park, are proceeding well and proposals for Phase Two are close to the planning application stage. Lynch says that this will include dressing rooms, showers and meeting facilities to replace the temporary structures that have served them so well for the past few years.
“We are getting a great feedback in the area. City Hall have been very helpful, recognizing the value of what we do. We put in much work ourselves to meet the right criteria and that puts us in a good position to avail of the various sports grants schemes.”
Roll of Honour:
1976: AUL Third Division Shield.
1980: City (O’Keeffe) Cup.
1981: City Cup.
1981: Youths 1 League Cup.
1982: AUL 1B
1982: Youths 2A.
1989: City Cup.
1996: AOH Cup.
2000: Youths 1 League Cup.
2001: AUL 1A
2002: Youths League Cup.
2004: Linnane League Cup
2004: Murphy Youth Cup
2006: Premier A.
GRATTAN UTD DEC 1994
Grattan Utd 8/12/94
Grattan United, founded in 1926, are one of the oldest clubs in Cork soccer
but the emphasis is very much on youth at present.
The committee has received a reviving injection of new blood in recent years;
their youthful team won promotion to the AUL Premier Division at the end of
last season and there is a strong ambition to field an Under 17 team next
season.
The club's pride in its long tradition was underlined at a recent reception in
Pat O'Sullivan's when chairman Joe Lynch, for so their distinguished
goalkeeper, announced that they were returning to their original colours and
crest. Top supporters, Mick and Frances Byrne, presented two sets of gear,
one for home use, the other for away games. The new home strip features the
original blue and white vertical stripes.
About three years ago, the club was on a downward slide but Lynch and company
put new life into the committee. Last season was one of their best and
included a Murphy's Stout Tema of the Month Award.
They were regular visitors to Turner's Cross. They surprised Ballincollig in
the AOH semi-final but lost the final to Passage. They also lost the One A
League play-off to Village Utd. In a hectic end of season campaign, they also
reached the St Michael's semi-final but went out at the ESB Grounds.
However, the team's improvement was recognised when the AUL management
committee promoted them to the newly formed Premier "A". While they are in
with some much more experienced teams, they are more than holding their own.
Longest serving member Dinny "Pop" O'Neill is Grattan's life President. Joe
Lynch is chairman and the other officers are George Murphy (vice chairman),
Paul Lynch (secretary), and Tony Hyde, another long serving member with 28
years to his credit, is treasurer. Pat Caulfield, Martin Doocey, and Frank
Geaney, also serve on the committee.
Noel Harris is the Grattan skipper and the rest of the panel is: Paul Cleary
(goalkeeper), Paul Lynch, Martin Doocey, Robert O'Callaghan, Terry Murphy,
Jason Kerins, Pat Caulfield, John Caulfield, Paul O'Reilly, Eddie O'Riordan,
Mick Murphy, Jim Walsh, Frank Geaney, Joe Galway, Paul Sloan, and Michael
Greene. Joe Lynch is the team manager and his assistant is George Murphy.
Grattan United, founded in 1926, are one of the oldest clubs in Cork soccer
but the emphasis is very much on youth at present.
The committee has received a reviving injection of new blood in recent years;
their youthful team won promotion to the AUL Premier Division at the end of
last season and there is a strong ambition to field an Under 17 team next
season.
The club's pride in its long tradition was underlined at a recent reception in
Pat O'Sullivan's when chairman Joe Lynch, for so their distinguished
goalkeeper, announced that they were returning to their original colours and
crest. Top supporters, Mick and Frances Byrne, presented two sets of gear,
one for home use, the other for away games. The new home strip features the
original blue and white vertical stripes.
About three years ago, the club was on a downward slide but Lynch and company
put new life into the committee. Last season was one of their best and
included a Murphy's Stout Tema of the Month Award.
They were regular visitors to Turner's Cross. They surprised Ballincollig in
the AOH semi-final but lost the final to Passage. They also lost the One A
League play-off to Village Utd. In a hectic end of season campaign, they also
reached the St Michael's semi-final but went out at the ESB Grounds.
However, the team's improvement was recognised when the AUL management
committee promoted them to the newly formed Premier "A". While they are in
with some much more experienced teams, they are more than holding their own.
Longest serving member Dinny "Pop" O'Neill is Grattan's life President. Joe
Lynch is chairman and the other officers are George Murphy (vice chairman),
Paul Lynch (secretary), and Tony Hyde, another long serving member with 28
years to his credit, is treasurer. Pat Caulfield, Martin Doocey, and Frank
Geaney, also serve on the committee.
Noel Harris is the Grattan skipper and the rest of the panel is: Paul Cleary
(goalkeeper), Paul Lynch, Martin Doocey, Robert O'Callaghan, Terry Murphy,
Jason Kerins, Pat Caulfield, John Caulfield, Paul O'Reilly, Eddie O'Riordan,
Mick Murphy, Jim Walsh, Frank Geaney, Joe Galway, Paul Sloan, and Michael
Greene. Joe Lynch is the team manager and his assistant is George Murphy.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
GRATTAN UTD OCT 1995
Dinny "Pop" O'Neill is one of the grand old men of Cork football. Scratch that old. Sunday morning week was a bad one up in Knocknaheeny and the first Grattan Utd man up was Dinny, the 71 one year old getting on with his usual job of hanging the nets.
Dinny, now the club President, remembers watching Grattan play as far back as 1932. He eventually played junior and intermediate with the club, following spells with St Paul's and Freebooters.
They were one of the leading intermediates club and, as juniors, were founder members of the Cork AUL in 1947. Since then, championship triumphs have been rare for Grattan. Their latest success was in the City Cup in 1988/89.
Georgie Murphy and keeper Joe Lynch have given great service to the club over the years and it is they who are now providing guidance as the team, who play in One A, is being rebuilt. George is delighted that they have been able to attract new blood to the club and hopes to be challenging for promotion next season.
Dinny "Pop" reckons that the standard of junior football has gone down over the years. He could get an argument on that score around Knocknaheeny, the home of Temple and Castleview, among others, but no one will argue that Dinny's level of enthusiasm has diminished. Long may he continue putting up those nets.
Dinny, now the club President, remembers watching Grattan play as far back as 1932. He eventually played junior and intermediate with the club, following spells with St Paul's and Freebooters.
They were one of the leading intermediates club and, as juniors, were founder members of the Cork AUL in 1947. Since then, championship triumphs have been rare for Grattan. Their latest success was in the City Cup in 1988/89.
Georgie Murphy and keeper Joe Lynch have given great service to the club over the years and it is they who are now providing guidance as the team, who play in One A, is being rebuilt. George is delighted that they have been able to attract new blood to the club and hopes to be challenging for promotion next season.
Dinny "Pop" reckons that the standard of junior football has gone down over the years. He could get an argument on that score around Knocknaheeny, the home of Temple and Castleview, among others, but no one will argue that Dinny's level of enthusiasm has diminished. Long may he continue putting up those nets.
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