Clyda Rovers enjoyed huge success in winning 1989 County JAHC title

1989 FLASHBACK Pat Ryan

1989 was a great year for Clyda Rovers, their Junior A footballers won the Divisional title for a record 4 in a row. Their hurlers who had competed in Junior B grade up to the early 80s won the Divisional JAHC title in 1985. They came back four years later and were Divisional winners and Co champions. Clyda took the Div 1 HL title defeating Dromina 2-11 to 1-11.

In the Divisional JAHC they had a win over Kilshannig in Killavullen by 3-10 to 0-6. The quarter final was also played in Killavullen where Clyda came up against

Ballyhooly. In the end Clyda had a 2-15 to 1- 8 win.

The Rovers were now in a semi-final and faced a daunting task against great rivals Dromina. This game was played in Buttevant. In a low scoring encounter the Mourneabbey side were victors by 1-8 to 2-3. Clyda Rovers were in the North Cork JAHC final against Shanballymore a team that had not won the JAHC title since 1942. Clyda were all out for an historic double as their footballers were already after taking the Divisional JAFC title.

The JAHC final was played in Castletownroche before a very large attendance. Following a thrilling contest Clyda emerged winners by 0-11 to 0-10. At half time Clyda Rovers led 0-8 to 0-4. Shanballymore got the lead down to a point. The team in the final was Paul Walsh, Billy Barry, Dan O’Sullivan, John Roche (Capt) Cathal Cronin, Noel Carey, Willie Walsh, Cormac O’Sullivan, Timmy O’Callaghan 0-6, Martin O’Hanlon 0-4, Jerry O’Sullivan, Fergal Dorgan 0-1, Paudie Curtin, Sean O’Leary, Brendan Kelleher. Subs : Brendan Walsh for Sean O’Leary, John Buckley for Fergal Dorgan.

In the County quarter-final Clyda Rovers faced an experienced Midleton side. Following a brilliant display at Castletownroche Clyda Rovers emerged winners by 1-14 to 1-11. Their scorers Timmy

O’Callaghan 0-5, Paudie Curtin 1-1, Martin O’Hanlon 0-4, Jerry O’Sullivan 0-2, Cormac O’Sullivan 0-1, John Buckley 0-1.

The County semi final was played in Kanturk against Kilbrin. Kilbrin had beaten a fancied Na Piarsaigh side in the quarter final. Two goals by Paudie Curtin at vital stages for Clyda gave them a four point win 2-8 to 0-10. The sides were level at half time. Clyda scorers in that game were Paudie Curtin 2-0, Timmy O’Callaghan 0-3, Brendan Kelleher 0-2, Cormac O’Sullivan 0-1, Martin O’Hanlon 0-1, John Buckley 0-1.

The County final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh was a thriller. It finished all square Clyda 0-12 Ballinascarthy 2-6. Clyda played with the wind in the first half, they had 10 wides and only led by 0-7 to 1-1. Ballinascarthy made a great second half fight back and the general feeling was that a draw was a fair result. Clyda scorers Timmy O’Callaghan 0-5, Brendan Kelleher 0-2, Martin O’Hanlon 0-2, Jerry O’Sullivan 0-2, Paudie Curtin 0-1.

The replay took place two weeks later in Cloughduv. Following another very close contest Clyda Rovers were crowned Co champions on a 0-11 to 1-7 scoreline. Ballinascarthy were 0-4 to 0-3 ahead at the break.

Ballinascarthy did well in the third quarter. Clyda’s first score came in the 47th minute from Con O’Sullivan. Brendan Kelleher had some very good points before Timmy O’Callaghan levelled for the third time at 0-9 to 1-6 in the 55th minute. They were level 0-10 to 1-7. Extra time looked very likely. Martin O’Hanlon had the winning point. Clyda were county champions.

Their lineout in the County final was Paul Walsh, Willie Walsh, Dan O’Sullivan, John Roche (Capt) Cathal Cronin, Noel Carey, Timmy O’Callaghan 0-2, Brendan Kelleher 0-3, Cormac O’Sullivan, Martin O’Hanlon 0-2, Jerry O’Sullivan 0-1, John Buckley 0-1, Paudie Curtin, Brendan Walsh, Sean O’Leary. Substitute used mwas Con O’Sullivan 0-2 for Brendan Walsh.