CLUB STORY

A Cork soccer resource. This is an archive of mini club histories that I have published over the years. To find your club, check the label list on the left side or else use the "search the blog" box above. If you spot any errors (esp. in dates) contact cork.billy@gmail.com

Monday, October 5, 2009

AUL DEC 2000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

AUL 1993 TABLES and HONOURS LIST

.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

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

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

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

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.