Is mór an athais dom fáilte a chur romhaibh go léir go dtí Stáid an Ghearaltaigh inniú. Ba mhaith liom fáilte speisialta a chur roimh na fóirne ó Ráth Mhór agus Cill Cuimín sa chluiche sinsir agus Lios a’Troí agus Cúl i gcluiche peil idirmhéanach. Tá súil agam go mbeidh cluichí iontacha agus spoirtiúil again inniú. Táim cinnte go mbainfidh gach éinne an taithneamh as an lá.In today’s opening game Listry and Cordal contest the Intermediate Championship Final. These teams have done battle on many occasions and it is great to have this final as a curtain raiser to the O’Donoghue Cup. I wish both sides the best of luck in their quest for the Fr. Galvin Cup.Today’s O’Donoghue Cup final is indeed a very special one as it is the first time Rathmore and Kilcummin have met in a final. Kilcummin were last victorious in 1973 and Rathmore in centenary year 1984. With a 32 year and 21 year wait motivation and hunger should certainly not be a problem, but overall let’s hope for a clean and sporting game of football. A huge amount of effort and determination have brought these two teams to today’s final so on behalf of everyone I wish both sides the very best of luck.I would like to thank our sponsors “The Aquila Club” part of the famed GlenEagle complex who have been associated with the O’Donoghue Cup competition for many years. On behalf of the Board I thank them for their continued confidence in our endeavours. Indeed I would like to thank all our sponsors for 2005 and I look forward to working with them again in the New Year.The Proceeds from today’s programme will again go to St. Pats Hurling Club and Bórd na n-Óg Chiarraí Thoir. Tremendous work continues to be done for the youth of the division and Board coach Vince Cooper’s contribution has been invaluable. Many thanks to everyone who helped in compiling today’s programme especially to the Editor, Board P.R.O. John O’Leary. I wish to congratulate our 2005 All Stars, Michael Mc Carthy, Colm Cooper, Diarmuid Murphy and Tomás Ó Sé, . Best of luck for the year ahead.
A special word of thanks to the Fitzgerald Stadium Committee for the use of their wonderful facilities today and throughout the year. I welcome Radio Kerry and the members of the Press and thank them for the coverage of our games throughout the year. I also welcome the Cullen Pipe Band and thank them for their attendance here today. Please give them a big welcome. Finally I wish all clubs and supporters the best of luck and hope everyone present has an enjoyable day.Is Mise, Gearóid Ó Gealbháin
Cathaoirleach Bórd Chiarraí Thoir CLG.
| Teachtaireacht An Uachtarán |
This is a first. Was there ever a Teachtaireacht an Uachtarán CLG for a Divisional Board final before? Unlikely. Bhuel, an rud is annamh is iontach. Buíochas do Bhórd Chiarraí Thoir as ucht an seans a thabhairt dom an cúpla focal seo a scríobh. And I’m writing it from the heart of Longford – the Longford headquarters – Pearse Park. What have the Ryder Cup and the O’Donoghue Cup got in common? They are among the smallest but most prestigious cups in the world. Exaggeration? Try telling that to the mighty men of Kilcummin and Rathmore as they battle for possession of that priceless piece of silverware – symbol of football supremacy in the heartlands of Sliabh Luachra.Am I supposed to be neutral today? Would a cat be neutral if he saw another cat eyeing the same mouse? I know Rathmore well. I have many cousins there amongst the Kelly, Cooper and O’Leary clans. I have some great friends there. Recently when in Boston for the Railway Cup, Mike O’Connor, ex Rathmore footballer, was my ever present friend and chauffeur. I am most grateful. But even gratitude has its limits. The savage loves his native shore and while blood is thicker than water, and I love my cousins and friends in Rathmore, boundary ditches are thicker than blood and that boundary ditch at Raheen dictates that those on either side of it are unadulterated partisans for one hour today. Neutral? Neutral my ***!!! At the same time we want a great sporting game, true to traditions of our ancestors, our joint heritage and our noble game. Give it your best shot boys. No more can be asked for. And whoever wins will be warmly congratulated by friend and foe. Then we’ll all be friends again. But for one hour, one great hour, we’re colour blind or blind in favour of one colour. Have at it boys!During the week I learned of the unexpected death of that true gentleman, a loyal GAA man, Donie O’Leary of Spa. I regret not being around for his funeral. What a great man – always positive, encouraging and sporting. He will be sadly missed and he'd definitely be at the final today if he were still alive. To all his family and friends and colleagues in Spa, I extend my deepest sympathy.Ciarraí Thoir AbúCorn Uí Dhonnchú go deoLe dea-mhéinSeán Ó Ceallaigh
Úachtarán CLG.
So as we play the 6th final of the new century, where have the titles gone? Dr. Crokes, who already have 3 titles to their credit in the new century, were team of the nineties with 5 titles, while the black and amber side were also team of the fifties (4 titles) and sixties (6 titles). Spa, (5 titles), came strongly in the seventies to claim half the titles on offer, while Dr. Crokes and Spa were each victorious on 3 occasions during the eighties. In 1998, Currow became the 9th club to win the trophy, only Cordal, Firies, Fossa and Scartaglin have yet to win the cup.
Club Finals Titles Club Finals Titles
Dr. Crokes 36 21 Rathmore 9 3Spa 15 10 Currow 3 1 Legion 12 4 Kilcummin 4 1Glenflesk 10 6 Listry 1 1Gneeveguilla 12 4 St. Finan’s 1 0
Donal Casey - Scartaglen.
Donal has been refereeing for the past five years, three of those at senior level. Today he referees his first O’Donoghue Cup final having also taken charge of the semi final between Rathmore and Spa. He has refereed at county championship level for the past two years and also refereed the county Minor semi final and county Novice finals in 2005. His playing career at senior level with Scartaglen spanned a period of over twenty years and he subsequently went on to train the team for two years and has also had a few periods as a selector with the club.
A carpenter/window installer with Munster Joinery, Donal is married to Mary and they have two children, Bríd and Niall. His umpires for today’s game are his usual quartet of Mike Murphy, Jack O’Connor, Donie Murphy and his son, Niall.
Having received byes to the quarter final of the competition, both Kilcummin and Rathmore have played just two games each on the way to today’s final.Kilcummin needed extra time to emerge from their meeting with Currow in the Quarter final. Currow, with the aid of a strong wind led by 7 points to 4 at half time, and they increased this lead to 7 points early in the second half when Denis Dennehy finished to the net. Some glorious points from D.J. Fleming rescued Kilcummin however to send the game into extra time, 0-14 to 1-11. The sides were still level at half time in extra time but a goal in the final period from Michael O’Connor secured victory for Kilcummin.In the semi final, Kilcummin dethroned holders Dr Crokes when, recovering from a jittery start, they led by 6 points to 4 at half time, a great point from Michael McCarthy being the highlight of the half. Some great scores from Ben Brosnan set them on their way in the second half and they withstood a determined Dr Crokes fight back to emerge deserving winners.Leading scorers, D.J. Fleming (0-15) and Eamonn O’Donoghue (0-6) A point a minute into injury time from Michael A. Kelliher, gave Rathmore victory over Legion in their quarter final tie. Having had the aid of a strong wind, Rathmore led by 5 points to 2 at the break with Aidan O’Mahony pointing from fifty yards out on the wing as the half came to a close. The winners increased this lead to 8 points to 2 early in the second half before Legion hit back to level the game with the help of a Michael B. O’Donoghue goal. Pointed frees from Michael A. Kelleher and an inspirational score from Aidan O’Mahony restored Rathmore’s lead before Kevin Breen equalised once more. Kelliher then struck for the match winning point.In the semi final, Spa had the better of the first half and led by 6 points to 3 nearing the interval, however, points from Michael A. Kelliher and Damian Casey left just a point between the sides at the break. The sides traded point for point on the resumption and were still deadlocked with three minutes to go. However Rathmore showed their mettle with four points in as many minutes, including two great points from Michael O’Riordan and John Buckley, to see them through to the final.
Leading scorers, Jerry Murphy and Michael A. Kelliher, (0-6) each.
O’Donoghue Cup 2005
1st Round:
Spa 0-14 Firies 0-11
Fossa 0-11 Listry 0-8
Currow 1-10 Glenflesk 0-8
Legion 2-20 Cordal 1-7
Gneeveguilla 1-14 Scartaglen 0-8
Quarter Finals:
Kilcummin 1-18 Currow 1-16 AET
Spa 1-14 Fossa 0-9
Rathmore 0-12 Legion 2-5
Dr Crokes 3-13 Gneeveguilla 0-9
Semi Finals:
Kilcummin 0-12 Dr Crokes 0-9
Rathmore 0-13 Spa 0-9
Final
Rathmore 0-8 Kilcummin 0-7
| Thanks for the memories Deccie |
When Declan O’Keeffe trooped off the Fitzgerald Stadium turf after last year’s O’Donoghue Cup final defeat at the hands of Dr Crokes, few would have believed that they had witnessed his farewell to the famed red and white geansaí of his beloved Rathmore. O’Keeffe, a Garda, now stationed in Killalloe, Co Clare, states that the two hundred miles round trip home for training and matches was just too much; “I could not give the commitment to Rathmore that I would have liked to give. I would be missing a lot of training and that would not be satisfactory”.That statement in itself says a lot about the man, one of the best custodians that this county, or any county for that matter, has produced. O’Keeffe gave outstanding service to the border club in all grades and though he will be just thirty four next birthday, he kept goal for the senior side for an amazing sixteen years having made his senior debut in 1989. He was always willing to give a hand and spent many hours coaching would be goalkeepers in the club.Declan won county Junior and Intermediate medals with Rathmore and collected three county senior championship medals with East Kerry, however, I am sure that the one regret he will have following a long and successful career is that he did not win a coveted O’Donoghue Cup medal. He played in five finals (including a replay in 1999), but was on the losing side on four occasions, three of those defeats being at the hands of Dr Crokes.Married just last October to Eilísh, (also a Garda, stationed in Gort), from the Quin area where he now resides, O’Keeffe has many happy memories from his long playing career with Rathmore; “The county Junior and Intermediate victories of 1998 and 1999 were the highlights really and we had great days with East Kerry from ‘97 to ‘99; a pity they had to end!”The Rathmore man first made his mark in the Kerry colours in 1990 when he kept goal as Kerry went under to a Meath team that included Graham Geraghty in the All Ireland minor final of that year and Meath were also to thwart his Under-21 ambitions when they defeated Kerry in the 1993 final.Declan collected his first major honour in 1994 when a particularly strong Kerry Junior team that included Donal Daly, Dara Ó Cinneide and John Crowley, trounced Galway in the final. O’Keeffe made his senior debut the following year in the League against Donegal, and in 1996, he made his championship debut against Tipperary.Thereafter, O’Keeffe established himself as Kerry’s number one keeper, a position he held down until he dramatically retired in February 2004, two or three games into the new season. Along the way he collected two All Ireland senior medals, one National League, one Railway Cup, two All Stars (1997 and 2000), seven Munster championship medals and represented his country in the compromise rules against Australia. Not a bad haul of trophies by any standard!“It was great to win two all Irelands and to get the opportunity to play with Kerry and such a great bunch of guys. Playing with Munster in 1999 and with Ireland in the Compromise Rules against Australia the same year were other career highlights”, he recalls.
Declan always had a great rapport with the supporters and the bigger the occasion the better he enjoyed it. My own particular abiding memory of him were his displays in the drawn and replayed semi finals against Armagh in 2000, but you always got value for money when Declan was around. He now plays his club football with Clooney/Quinn, an intermediate side. We wish him well in the future. Thanks for the memories Deccie!
John O’Leary.
Kilcummin have the distinction of having won the very first East Kerry league title way back in 1925 when they defeated Killorglin in the Cricket Field on the Muckross Road and they also have the distinction of having played in the very first O’Donoghue Cup final when Legion emerged winners in 1954. Today they play in their fifth O’Donoghue Cup final and they have one title, gained in 1973 at the expense of Glenflesk following a replay when Dan Dwyer led his side to victory. Their best chance of adding to that title came in the final just two years ago. Leading by four points with just eleven minutes to go, they left the initiative slip to a strong finishing Gneeveguilla side.Rathmore are appearing in their tenth final and they have three titles to their credit. In 1963, under the captaincy of Connie Doherty the red and whites became the first rural side to break the monopoly of Dr Crokes and Legion in the competition. In 1978, Mike O’Sullivan led his side to victory over Dr Crokes, and in 1984, under the captaincy of Johnny Kelly, Rathmore had the distinction of winning the final in Centenary year. Today they are attempting to stem a sequence of four final defeats, three of those at the hands of Dr Crokes.
The following is a list of finals in which Rathmore and Kilcummin have appeared:
1954: Legion 1 - 8 Kilcummin 1 - 0
1957: Dr. Crokes 4 - 11 Rathmore 1 - 2
1963: Rathmore 2 - 5 Dr. Crokes 0 - 4
1966: Spa 1 - 8 Kilcummin 1 - 4
1967: Legion 1 - 11 Rathmore 2 - 4
1973: Kilcummin 1 - 9 Glenflesk 0 - 7 (R)
Kilcummin 2 - 10 Glenflesk 2 - 10 (D)
1978: Rathmore 1 - 9 Dr. Crokes 1 - 5
1984: Rathmore 1 - 7 Legion 0 - 6
1993: Dr. Crokes 2 -12 Rathmore 0 - 13
1999: Glenflesk 0 - 11 Rathmore 0 - 11 (D)
Glenflesk 1 - 12 Rathmore 1 - 9 ®
2002: Dr. Crokes 0 - 10 Rathmore 0 - 6
2003: Gneeveguilla 1 - 11 Kilcummin 0 - 12
2004: Dr Crokes 0-14 Rathmore 0-10
| Kilcummin - Still Seeking that Elusive Second Title |
Founded in 1910, in the early years the Kilcummin club played in various fields throughout the parish before the old sports field was purchased in 1937. Kilcummin won the first East Kerry League title in 1925, a game that was played in the Cricket Field on the Muckross Road, however, the club had to wait another forty eight years to win their next East Kerry senior title, the O’Donoghue Cup in 1973. That historic team, who defeated Glenflesk after a replay (1-9 to 0-7), was captained by Dan Dwyer and lined out as follows: Sean O’Connor, Fr. Seamus Kelly, Liam Horan, Andrew O’Sullivan, Billy Doolan, Micheál Doolan, Johnny Healy, Johnny Doolan (0-1), Fr. Larry Kelly, Dan O’Connor (0-5), Br. Padraig Kelly (RIP), Tim Sheehan, Sean Kelly (0-1), John O’Sullivan, Dan Dwyer (1-2). Subs; Timmy Lynch, Dan Healy, Monty O’Sullivan, Dermot Moynihan, Con Lynch, Brian Kelly, Liam Doran and Dermot Kelly. That team, trained by the great Fr. Brian Kelly, went on to capture the O’Sullivan Cup in 1977.The seventies also saw the dawn of a new era with the emergence of a very successful juvenile organisation and the big breakthrough at that level came in 1979 when Kilcummin won their very first county juvenile title when current trainer Denny O’Connor captained the Under-16 side to success. This success led to the winning of the East Kerry minor league the following year.The eighties and nineties saw Kilcummin juvenile teams capture county and East Kerry titles in all divisions and the senior team captured the O’Sullivan cup in 1983, 1989 and 1991. Also in 1991, the club won the county junior championship with victory over Glenbeigh and followed this up with E.K. super league (D.2) titles in 1992 and ’93.The middle to late nineties saw a new crop of young players emerge with Kilcummin winning three E.K. minor titles in a row (1996 to 1998) and contesting six E.K Under-21 championship finals between 1995 and 2000 winning four in-a-row (1996-1999). Little wonder then that success followed at senior level with 1997 being a defining year in the long history of the club with the winning of the county intermediate championship (when trained by present trainer, Denny O’Connor) followed by entry to the county senior championship and Division 1 league status in 1998. While an appearance in the 2002 county final was a memorable occasion, success in the O’Donoghue Cup has so far eluded this team, though they did come very close two years ago when narrowly defeated by a Gneeveguilla side who finished in style.The club has had some major achievements in Scór competition in recent years with All Ireland successes in solo singing and set dancing and this year, Helen Kerins reached the All Ireland finals in the INEC in the solo singing category.2003 proved to be another milestone in the club’s history when Kilcummin native, Sean Kelly was inaugurated as Uachtarán CLG and just recently, for the second time during his term in office, Seán had the honour of presenting an All Star award to his fellow Kilcummin clubman, Michael McCarthy, who excelled with Kerry in the past year. The club wishes to warmly congratulate Mike on achieving a third All Star.
In recent years, Kilcummin and Rathmore have clashed in championship football and each time just a point or two has separated the sides, hopefully today the result will favour the wearers of the red and green and a second O‘Donoghue cup title will make its way to Kilcummin. We wish the players, trainer and selectors the best of luck.
Michael Pigott, P.R.O. Kilcummin GAA Club.
| The Times They Are A-Changin in Rathmore and Beyond! |
In 1963, the legendry singer/songwriter Bob Dylan wrote one of his most profound and greatest hits called The Times They Are A-Changin:
It’s over 21 years since Rathmore Captain Johnny Kelly walked half-way up the steps at Fitzgerald Stadium to hoist the O’Donoghue Cup over his head. How the times and things have changed since that day on August 18, 1984. Tom O’Sullivan and Aidan O’Mahony were hardly out of short pants, let alone into a Kerry jersey. How far the two and others in the club have come.
Just a week before that final, hundreds flocked to Farranfore Airport to gaze in awe at a concorde swooping over the runway. It was history in the making then, and newspaper coverage of the event recalled how “the air was heady with smells of fresh-cut grass and chips cooking. Courtney’s Circus and magician Billy Lehane were drawing children like bees to honey“. Today, any of us could fly from Farranfore to a multitude of destinations. Were any of us to leave from Farrranfore right now, we will have landed in Dublin, Frankfurt/Hahn, London or Lorient in France before Fitzgerald Stadium will have fully emptied this evening.
Later that year, Martin Ferris, was arrested on board the Marita Ann after the Gardaí and the Navy foiled his attempt to smuggle seven tonnes of ammunition and explosives from the US - the biggest IRA arms haul in the Republic since 1973. Who would have thought that 21 years later, Martin Ferris would have served 10 years in prison, gotten elected to Kerry County Council and the Dáil, sat face-to-face with Tony Blair and seen his daughter become mayor of the county?
Had you taken up the long odds given on Rathmore winning the final in 1984 and splashed out with the winnings, you could have easily got on the first rung of the property ladder; A four bedroom bungalow on the Muckross Road in Killarney sold that week for £42,000, that’s just over €53,300 in today’s cash.
The whole country would probably have endorsed the decision to name Pat Spillane as Kerry person of the Year in 1984. Were it today, Spillane might still shade it, but he could certainly discount the northern vote.
And do you remember the heart-wrenching tug-of-love that took place in Gneeveguilla in the summer of that year? The Dixies were billed to play at the carnival in Gneeveguilla. But Rosy was leading Kerry to a centenary All-Ireland. The Dixies were heroes, but O’Donovan proved to be the real legend in the end.
There are many changes for the better since August 18, 1984. There are also those things we wished never had changed; there are those who left us in 1984 and since that parted this earth long before we hoped they would.
The GAA (as an institution) has and will continue to change, despite staunch resistance from the traditionalists. Institutional change is a part of life.
What hasn’t changed in the GAA since 1984 is pride of place and love of jersey. It is the fundamental and steadfast keystone upon which the GAA has so soundly rested since its foundation.
There is as much pride in the red and white jersey today as there was 21 years ago. Things like bringing home the O¹Donoghue Cup is what roots a whole parish in a sense of community and identity. It’s almost worth dying for. Just ask Johnny Kelly.
Aidan O’Connor. (Aidan, is chief news reporter with The Kerryman)
| Meet the Rathmore Management Team |
Kieran O'Keeffe
Kieran is a manager with the family oil company and has won East Kerry
League, East Kerry and Duhallow Invitational Under 21 medals.
Like his two colleagues, this is Kieran’s first taste of senior management
and he admires the pride the GAA instils in your local parish and the
friendships made through involvement in the GAA. Kieran, who is married to
Kay, was chairman of Rathmore for three years in the mid-nineties.
Padraig Murphy
Padraig made his senior debut in 1984 and gave 17 years service to the
senior team winning an O’Donoghue Cup medal in centenary year, followed by
County Intermediate and Junior medals. This is also his first year involved
in senior management and he admires the collective spirit and sense of
community created by the GAA. A teacher based in St. Johns in Cork, Padraig
lives locally, is married to Bernie and they have two children, Sadha and
Dan.
Donie O’Connor
Donie joined the management team this year and brings with him a wealth of experience both as a player and selector. He won an O'Donoghue Cup medal with Rathmore in 1984 and followed this with county Junior and Intermediate medals and was a selector with the three in-a-row East Kerry winning team 1997- '99. Donie admires the "Dermie Moynihans" of Clubs around the county and would favour a "mark" when a player fields a ball from a kickout, thus eliminating fouling. He does not agree with the situation whereby club championship football grinds to a halt during the summer months and states that his most memorable sporting moment was Den Joe Crowley scoring that memorable goal in the 1970 All Ireland against Meath. Donie likes to relax by watching The Sopranos, reading and travelling. A Computer Programmer by profession, he is married to Bridette, and they have two children, Marie and Marc.
Willie Maher - Gentleman of the GAA
Willie Maher must have created some kind of history in 1980 when, after he received a pass from Ambrose O'Donovan, he cracked home a goal with his first touch of the ball in Croke Park.That was approx. three minutes into the All Ireland minor semi-final against Meath and Kerry went on to win the All Ireland that year and so Willie claimed his first All Ireland medal.
From an early age it became clear that Willie would make it all the way to the top as, at eight year of age, he lined out for the Milltown/Castlemaine U-12s as they reached the Mid-Kerry U-12 final. From there on in he gave over twenty five years dedicated service to the club, winning almost every honour in the game.
At County level he holds medals at all senior grades, Novice (1979), Junior (1990), Intermediate (1991and 1994) and Senior (1992 with Mid Kerry)
Indeed in the 1979 Novice final he scored 1-1 at the tender age of 16 years when Milltown/C.Maine beat Knocknagoshal to win their first title at county level.
After two years on the Kerry minor team he progressed to the senior ranks and played his first senior Munster final in Killarney's Fitzgerald Stadium in 1984, scoring a goal as Kerry overcame Cork to claim the title. However, later that year his promising career took a setback when he picked up a serious leg injury in an U-21 county championship game.
Having won County U-21(with Mid Kerry) and National League honours ( v Galway), his crowning glory came in 1986 when, after recovering from that broken leg sustained two years earlier, he fought his way back into the County panel and lined out at No 10 as Kerry staged a dramatic comeback to beat Tyrone and claim another three in a row. Even though he didn't score on final day he certainly played his part and indeed was hugely instrumental in getting them there. He was introduced as a first half sub in the semi - final against Meath and with the game finely poised after the interval, he ran on to a Jack O'Shea flick to score a cracking goal which turned the game in Kerry's favour. His performance insured he kept his place for the final. He collected another Munster senior medal in 1991.
Willie was captain of the Mid Kerry team that lost the 1990 final to West Kerry but gained that elusive county senior championship medal when they returned, backboned by Milltown/Castlemaine players, two years later and defeated St. Brendans in the final to capture the Bishop Moynihan Cup.
During his playing career with Milltown/Castlemaine Willie trained both senior and minor teams and despite living in Kilcummin continued to show allegiance to his home club until 1998 when he eventually transferred to the East Kerry club.
Since his transfer he has both played with and trained the Kilcummin senior team, picked up another county division 2 medal and was a member of the panel that reached the 2002 senior county championship final.
He names his father and mother plus former Milltown/Castlemaine trainer Jeremiah Kerins as the people who had the biggest influence on his career, while he also has great admiration for the one and only Mike O'Dwyer. And of course Dermot Moynihan has had a major influence on him since his move to Kilcummin!
Willie is admired on and off the field both inside and outside the county and is known as one of the true gentlemen of the GAA. Indeed in a recent interview given to the Kingdom newspaper current referee and former Laune Rangers goalkeeper Peter Lyons named him, along with Mikey Sheehy, as the most feared forward he ever faced. And they say that is the biggest accolade one can get, to be revered by your closest enemy!
Willie is married to Noreen and they have six children, Thomas, Eileen, Donal, William, Noreen and Kate.
Mike Carroll
Meet the Kilcummin Trainer -Denny O’Connor
During a long playing career, Denny won a County Junior Championship medal and East Kerry O’Sullivan Cup, Senior and Junior League titles. His first period in charge of the senior side coincided with arguably Kilcummin’s most successful era in the club’s long history, winning the County Intermediate title in and qualification for senior status in 1997, and the following year, the club gained promotion to Division 1 of the County league.Denny likes the community spirit engendered by the GAA, however, he bemoans the fact that competitions drag on too long.His favourite player – not surprisingly – is Michael McCarthy and he rates Peter Lyons of Laune Rangers as the best referee around. He likes to relax by watching comedies or westerns on T.V. and visiting his favourite local, Lals! His most memorable sporting moment is the winning of the County Intermediate title in 1997 with Kilcummin and he also confesses to have a big interest in athletics. His selectors are Willie Maher and Donal Dwyer.
Denny, a taxi driver, is married to Tess and they have three children, Gavin, Rachel and Shauna.
Ronán O’Connor – KilcumminAge: 25
Occupation: Engineer
Despite being just twenty five years of age, Ronán has a long list of achievements to his credit including 1 Munster Minor championship medal with Kerry, 3 East Kerry Minor titles, 4 East Kerry Under 21 titles, 2 East Kerry Senior League titles and a County Intermediate medal from 1997. He states that Dan Dwyer and Ed O’Neill were the biggest influences on his career to date and while he likes the socialising aspect attached to the GAA, he admits to not liking training!His favourite player is Kieran McGeeney of Armagh, favourite referee is Peter Lyons and Semple Stadium in Thurles is his favourite venue. Ronán likes to relax by watching his favourite T.V. programme, Scrubs, or his favourite film, Training Days, or by listening to Rod Stewart. He likes golf and soccer, and interestingly, he says that his most memorable sporting moment is Clare’s hurling breakthrough in 1995.
The Courthouse in Cork is his favourite socialising spot and Mohammed Ali is a sporting hero of his.
Tim Cronin - RathmoreAge: 27
Occupation: Fitter
Tim has a long list of achievements to his credit, especially at county level where he holds 2 county senior championship medals, county Intermediate, Junior, Under 21, and Minor championship medals, and county Div. 1 and 2 League medals. He also holds an All Ireland Vocational School medal and 1 E.K Minor medal.Tim likes the friends you make through the GAA but dislikes the "inconsistency in refereeing". Tim is a home bird at heart and names Tom O'Sullivan as his favourite player, John Buckley as his toughest opponent and Seamus Cooper as being the biggest influence on his career. His favourite venue is Rathbeg and he says that today's whistle holder, Donal Casey, is his favourite referee!
Tim likes to socialise in The Top of the Hill and relaxes by watching his favourite film, Braveheart. His most memorable sporting moment was winning the county Intermediate title.
Age: 24
Occupation: Computer Analyst
Honours Won: 1 Duhallow U21
1 East Kerry Minor
County League Div. 1 X 2 titles
Toughest Opponents: Dr. Crokes
Biggest Influence on Career: Maurice Joe O’Connor
G.A.A. Likes: Social Life
G.A.A. Dislikes: No closed season
Favourite Player: Stephen Lehane
Favourite Referee: Peter Lyons
Favourite Venue: Rathbeg
Favourite T.V. Programme: CSI Miami
Favourite Film: Shawshank Redemption
Favourite Leisure Pastime: Swimming
Favourite Other Sports: Badminton
Favourite Socialising Spot: Dan Batty, Knocknagree
Favourite Singer/Group: Shania Twain
Most Memorable Sporting Moment: East Kerry Minor Title
Other Sporting Interests/Heroes: Roy Keane
Age: 19
Occupation: Sales Assistant
Honours Won: 3 East Kerry Minor
2 Munster V.E.C (Kerry Techs)
Toughest Opponents: John Tuohy
Biggest Influence on Career: Mother, Club Trainers
G.A.A. Likes: Training, playing games
G.A.A. Dislikes: None
Favourite Player: Maurice Fitzgerald
Favourite Referee: Aidan Mangan
Favourite Venue: Fitzgerald Stadium
Favourite T.V. Programme: One Tree Hill
Favourite Film: Scarface
Favourite Leisure Pastime: Watching T.V.
Favourite Other Sports: Soccer, Swimming
Favourite Socialising Spot: Cork
Favourite Singer/Group: Jay-Z
Most Memorable Sporting Moment: Winning East Kerry Minor Championship
Other Sporting Interests/Heroes: Denis Moynihan (The Clerk)
Occupation: EBS Employee
Honours Won: 1 Munster U211 New York Championship2 EK U21 Championship2 EK Leagues2 EK Minor Championships
Toughest Opponents: All opponents
Biggest Influence on Career: Parents
G.A.A. Likes: Friendships made
G.A.A. Dislikes: Lack of championship games during the summer
Favourite Player: Colm Cooper
Favourite Referee: They all do their best
Favourite Venue: Fitzgerald Stadium
Favourite T.V. Programme: Friends
Favourite Film: Jackass the Movie
Favourite Leisure Pastime: Playstation
Favourite Other Sports: Soccer
Favourite Socialising Spot: Corkery’s
Favourite Singer/Group: Robbie Williams
Most Memorable Sporting Moment: Playing in the County Final with Kilcummin in ‘02
Other Sporting\Interests/Heroes: Roy Keane, Lance Armstrong
Age: 24
Occupation: Accounts
Honours Won: 2 EK U21 Championships2 Senior East Kerry Senior Leagues
Toughest Opponents: Seanie O’Leary
Biggest Influence on Career: Father
G.A.A. Likes: SportsmanshipG.A.A.
Favourite Player: Maurice Fitzgerald
Favourite Referee: Peter Lyons
Favourite Venue: Fitzgerald Stadium
Favourite Film: Braveheart
Favourite Leisure Pastime: Pool
Favourite Other Sports: Soccer
Favourite Socialising Spot: Cork
Favourite Singer/Group: U2Most Memorable Sporting Moment: Italia ‘90
Rathmore Win their Fourth Title |
Rathmore 0-8 Kilcummin 0-7
Rathmore are The Aquila Club East Kerry Championship - O’Donoghue Cup - champions following a narrow victory over Kilcummin at Fitzgerald Stadium. It was a victory they thoroughly deserved. They hit the ground running from the start and though they never put daylight between themselves and the gallant losers, they left nobody in any doubt that the better team won on the day. It was by no means a classic final - there was simply too much at stake, with both clubs hoping to put an end to years in the O’Donoghue Cup wilderness. It was fitting that Jerry Murphy should show Rathmore the way with a fine point after six minutes, he had endured the agony of the losers dressing room on four previous occasions. It was all Rathmore in the opening exchanges and were it not for some poor finishing, the winners would have put at least four or five more scores on the board in the opening quarter. As it was, they had just a slender two point lead, 3 points to 1 , to show for their endeavours at that stage.There was very little movement up front in the Kilcummin attack and rarely did we see them taking on the Rathmore defence in which Tom and Dan O’Sullivan and Aidan O’Mahony were superb. Rathmore were ruling the roost around the centre and it was only when Kilcummin moved Michael McCarthy to that area that Kilcummin began to move with any fluency. McCarthy hammered a shot off the post with keeper Hughes beaten all ends up in the 22nd minute and we will never know what a goal at that stage would have done for Kilcummin’s confidence. Sean B. O’Doherty had a good point five minutes from the interval to leave just the point between the sides at the break, 0-4 to 0-3). Rathmore must have been disappointed to be going in just a point to the good and the lead was certainly scant reward for their first half endeavours.Scores were certainly at a premium, and when Jerry Murphy again showed Rathmore the way early in the second half little did we know that his point would be the last from play of the game. John Buckley was beginning to leave an imprint on the game around the centre as Kilcummin continued to struggle with their game, however Rathmore could never put the game out of reach of their opponents. Kilcummin needed a break, any kind of a break, but with Tom O’Sullivan excelling and Tim Cronin finishing like a train Rathmore were not to be denied their hour of glory . Jerry Murphy could have wrapped it up when, after pointing from a free after a foul on Tim Cronin, he almost chipped Brendan Kealy following a poor kick out. That was in the 25th minute and though play continued for another nine minutes there was never any doubt as to who the winners would be. Tim Cronin’s block-down in the final seconds as a Kilcummin attacker lined up the equaliser was typical of the never say die attitude that won the day for the men from the east.So Rathmore end their four final losing sequence and few could begrudge the likes of Jerry Murphy, Dan O’Sullivan and Owen Doherty their O’Donoghue Cup medal - all three of them were on the losing side on each occasion. Rathmore had many heroes on the day none more so than the likes of Tom O’Sullivan, Dan O’Sullivan, inspirational captain Tim Cronin, John Buckley, Michael O’Riordan and the evergreen Jerry Murphy.Kilcummin never reproduced the form that saw them defeat Dr Crokes in the semi final. Their attack especially never functioned with any fluency and two points from play over the hour tells its own tale. Their defence coped well under pressure and could not be faulted however it was further a-field that their troubles began. Teams and scorers: Rathmore: Jameson Hughes, Kieran Cahill, Tom O’Sullivan, Dan O’Sullivan, James O’Sullivan, Aidan O’Mahony, Kieran O’Sullivan, Tim Cronin (Capt.), John Buckley (0-2, 0-1 free), Michael O’Riordan (0-2, 0-1 free), Daniel O’Sullivan, Shane O’Neill, Ian Kelliher, Damien Casey (0-1, free), Jerry Murphy (0-3, 0-1 free). Subs: Brendan Nagle and Owen Doherty. Kilcummin: Brendan Kealy, Kevin Bruton, Kieran O’Donoghue, Tommy Brosnan, Tommy Cooper, Michael McCarthy, Danny O’Riordan, Eamonn O’Donoghue (0-3, frees), Kevin Gorman, Padraig Kelly, Ronan O’Connor (Capt), Michael O’Connor (0-1), Ben Brosnan, D.J. Fleming (0-2, frees), Sean B. O’Doherty. Subs: Paul O’Donoghue, Shane McSweeney, Paul McCarthy.
Referee: Donal Casey,(Scartaglen).
At a function in The Gleneagle Hotel on the evening of the game, Rathmore and Kerry star Tom O'Sullivan was named Man of the Match following his side's victory over Kilcummin in The Aquila Club East Kerry Championship - O'Donoghue Cup Final yesterday afternoon. It was Rathmore's first title since 1984.
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