Mallow IFC footballers reached the summit in 1992 with county title

MALLOW footballers have been to the fore over many years. They have competed at Senior and Intermediate level all the time They never won county JAFC title but did take Avondhu JAFC titles of 1929, 1933 and 1984. In 1989 Mallow had a very successful year. Their Intermediate footballers reached the county final where they drew with Rockchapel in Milford 1-10 each. The replay a week later saw Rockchapel take the title by 0-9 to 0-4. Mallow had a lot of success at Under 21 level including county titles of 1995 and 2000. In 1992 they came with a very strong side. There were three clubs from Avondhu in the County IFC. Clyda Rovers and Kilshannig were drawn against each other. Mallow received a bye and faced Millstreet who had defeated St. Vincent’s in the first round. Mallow had a four point win over Millstreet in Kanturk 1-10 to 0-9. That result opened the way for a County quarter-final meeting with Clyda Rovers who had defeated Kilshannig 0-9 to 0-7. Mallow and Clyda Rovers drew a huge crowd to Glantane. Mallow led 0-5 to 0-3 at half time. A Ronan Sheehan goal from a penalty edged Mallow 1-7 to 0-6 ahead. Further pressure had Mallow 1-10 to 0-8 ahead after 56 minutes. In the end Mallow were victorious by 1-10 to 0-10. Their team was Niall Gallagher, Ray Scanlon, Pat Healy, Dan O’Keeffe, Stena O’Donoghue, Pat Buckley, Sean Murphy, Kieran Mills 0-1, Matt Fallon, Sean Browne 0-2, John Walsh 0-2, Mick O’Donovan 0-1, Don O’Shea, Ronan Sheehan 1-4, James O’Mahony. Sub: John Willis for James O’Mahony. After having a four point win over Millstreet, it was down to three in their quarter final with Clyda. The County semi final was played in Ballyanley. On this occasion Mallow had two points to spare over St. Finbarr’s 0-8 to 0-6. The county final was in Páirc Uí Chaoimh where Kilmurry provided the opposition. On this occasion Mallow won an historic first ever County IFC when they had a single point to spare over Kilmurry by 1-13 to 2-9. Kilmurry started well. Mallow improved with inspirational captain Seamus Murphy. John Walsh had a point just before half time that cut the lead 0-8 to 0-5. Mallow did well on the restart. A pointed free by Ronan Sheehan was followed by a goal by Seanie Browne as Mallow led by three points. Kilmurry replied with a goal and a point. Mallow hit three points in a four-minute spell by Don O’Shea, Seanie Browne and Roy Cunningham. Niall Gallagher made a vital save in the 55th minute. Donal O’Sullivan levelled. John Walsh with a very late point secured the title for Mallow. After the game County Board Development Officer, the late Liam Ware (Mallow), had the honour of presenting the cup to Seamus Murphy. In 2007 and 2017 Mallow were crowned County Premier IFC kingpins.