County crown was worth the wait for Clyda Rovers
Pat Ryan After some near misses Clyda Rovers’ 1996 success was overdue and well merited
LYDA Rovers’ success in winning the County IFC title in 1996 came after some near misses throughout the early 90s. Clyda were as good as any of the teams, but they found it hard to get over the line. In 1990 they went up into the County Intermediate grade having won four North Cork JAFC titles in a row 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989.
In 1990 Clyda competed in Intermediate grades in hurling and football for the first time ever. In the County IFC they drew with Kilmurry and were beaten in the replay by 2-8 to 0-11. In 1991 they won the County IFL title defeating Nemo Rangers 1-14 to 2-5 in the final
In the county championship they had a point to spare over Valley Rovers. They followed with a win over Newcestown and were now in a county quarter-final against Castletownbere. Clyda and Castletownbere played out a thrilling draw after extra-time 2-10 to 0-16.
The Avondhu side won the replay by 2-7 to 0-10. They were now in their first ever County IFC semi-final a remarkable feat as they were only in their second year in the grade. Their opponents were Ballincollig who ran out victors by 0-11 to 1-2.
Clyda had a win over Kilshannig in the 1992 County IFC opening round by 0-9 to 0-7. They then drew with Castlemartyr and they won the replay by 1-10 to 0-6. Clyda then faced great rivals Mallow in the county quarter-final at Glantane.
Mallow with a goal from a penalty won out by 1-10 to 0-10. In 1993 Clyda Rovers had early round wins over Delaneys and Naomh Aban. They then drew with Bantry Blues in the county semi-final and lost the replay by 2-12 to 0-8.
In 1994 Clyda had a long season. They beat St Michaels and Douglas before drawing with Kilshannig and winning the replay by 0-5 to 0-4. They were now in a county semi-final against Urhan.
Clyda had a 0-17 to 0-9 win over Urhan and they were now in a Co final against Ballincollig. This final in Páirc Ui Chaoimh saw Ballincollig take the title by 2-7 to 2-4.
Clyda Rovers came as strong as ever in 1995. They had a first round win over Macroom in Donoughmore by 1-10 to 1-7.
They then followed with a big win over Erins Own 0-15 to 1-3. In the county semi-final they again faced Doheny’s in Carrigadroichead. The game finished level 1-11 to 2-8. Doheny’s won the replay by a single point at the same venue 1-5 to 0-7.
1996 was a great year for
Clyda Rovers. After the many close calls throughout the 90s at Intermediate level ‘lady luck’ finally came their way. They received a bye in the First Round. They played Valley Rovers in Blarney. Clyda came out on top by 0-7 to 0-5. Two late points by Tom McGlinchey and Robert Walsh secured the win.
In the county quarter-final they met Macroom in Boherbue. Clyda Rovers were victorious by 1-10 to 0-11. The county semi-final was against Millstreet in Newmarket. Clyda Rovers had a big win by 1-16 to 1-6.
They were now in a county final against Carrigaline. This game was played in Páirc Ui Chaoimh. Determination, passion and drive secured the county title for Clyda by 0-16 to 1-5. They led 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time.
Clyda led all through. Carrigaline had a goal in the 43rd minute 0-11 to 1-4. Good work by Pádraigh O’Mullane and Fergal Dorgan led to a great Robert Walsh point. The latter followed with his eighth point that saw the Mourneabbey side crowned county champions by an eight point margin in the end.
Clyda Rovers county winning side was: Tim O’Callaghan, Tom Walsh, Willie Walsh, Brendan Walsh, Cathal Cronin 0-1, Mick O’Shea, Derry Cronin (Capt) Fergal Dorgan 0-1, Cormac O’Sullivan 0-2, Padraigh O’Mullane, Jerry O’Sullivan, Robert Walsh 0-8, John Walsh, Tadhg O’Mullane 0-4, Pat McGuinness. Subs; Martin O’Hanlon for Pat McGuinness, Tim Daly for John Walsh. Gerard Ambrose for Jerry O’Sullivan.