Despite the famous successes of the Seniors in the 80/90′s, the only All-Ireland in the club’s history comes from a bunch of players still togging out.
In August 1994, a few carloads headed off to Kerry for the weekend and came back with An-Ireland Title. Well, if you going to win an All-Ireland, where better to do it than in Kerry.
Back Row (L to R) – Pat Farrelly(Manager), Kevin Corrigan, John Cunningham, Ciaran Boylan, Terence Tinnelly, Gavin Sheenan, Tom Harney (Selector), Padraig Farrelly, Eugene Hughes, Thomas Wakely, Ryan McCormack, Seamus Morris ( Selector).
Front Row (L to R) – Anthony Corcoran, Ryan McKenna, Neville Carolan, Shane Russell, Alan McCabe, Niall Smith, Thomas Cunningham, Enda Reilly, Ronan Lynch
The club was hosted by Rathmore and the weekend started well when we proved “unwelcome guests” on the field defeating the host team. On the Saturday morning they claimed their second Kerry scalp by beating Spa, before setting up a winner takes all clash against the Wexford champions.
Victory here saw them through to the semi final. On the Saturday afternoon, they renewed old club rivalries when they faced Scotstown (Monaghan) in the semi-final. The lads turned in their best performance of the weekend and beat the Monaghan lads by 2-3 to 0-2 with goals from Anthony Corcoran and Eugene Hughes.
In the final they faced Fethard (Tipperary) and against a strong wind trailed 0-4 to 0-1 at the break. However, playing with the elements and a fierce determination they clawed their way back into things and points from Ryan McCormack, Anthony Corcoran & Thomas Cunningham gave them a 0-5 to 0-4 lead approaching the end.
Fethard threw everything at our lads to push for extra-time but some resolute defending saw them victorious by a solitary point, much to the relief of the nail-bitten adults on the sideline.
The team came home that eveninge to a heroes welcome and in a reversal of previous occassions it was the Senior team who lead the celebrations on the road for the victorious youngsters on the lorry!
A fantastic weekend for all involved and one that will not be forgotten. 15 years ago this August lads. For those of ye still involved with the Senior panel, might be a nice round figure to bookend that success with a county championship….
