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Soul
It’s the time of the year when F1 teams launch their challengers ahead of the new season. Once upon a time, these launches were glitzy affairs. No expense spared. Even boring old Ron Dennis era-McLaren had the Spice Girls on hand one year to launch their new car. The great recession put paid to all of that unfortunately, and now the pandemic has ensured these things are solely online affairs. Still for a motorsport anorak it’s always fun to see the covers being pulled back on the new cars. This week the new McLaren was launched and, while we may as well be looking at the back of a bus to know if it’s going to be quick or not, there’s always the good folk at the Autosport Podcast to look at the new cars with a more expert and critical eye for us. Some of that stuff might be a little too technical for the casual fan, but even so the Autosport crew – led by presenter Alex Kalinauckas – do a pretty good job of breaking it down in a fairly understandable fashion. There’s another nine launches to go and the podcast will be on hand to cover all of those. And, of course, once the season gets underway they’ll be on hand to guide you through the twists and turns of the new season. Autosport is a venerable institution in the motorsport media and this podcast does a good job of making best use of that.
– Damian Stack
FouR-iRon
Those of you who listen to Off The Ball on Newstalk or read The Guardian from time to time will possibly be familiar with the name Lawrence Donegan, for his distinctive Scottish accent (on radio) and his pithy prose (in the newspaper). In any event, Donegan writes and talks a lot about golf, and in 1996 he took on a project in the best traditions of ‘participatory journalism’, the product of which is Four-iron in the Soul.
Part memoir, part travelogue, part journalism, part voyeurism, Donegan, in 1996, became a golf caddy on the European Tour, carrying the bag for journeyman professional Ross Drummond. Donegan spent the full season – from the Dinemsion Data Pro-Am in Sun City, South Africa in February to the Volvo Masters in Valderrama in October - on his fellow Scot’s bag, and the resulting book is a charming, witty, enjoyable and funny account of the up and mostly downs the pair endured. Donegan - who is an accomplished musician - is a sharp, smart writer, and he carries the reader along with some great insight into how Tour golfers and the Tour itself chugs along in its own little world.
Lynne Truss, in The Times, said of the book: Not since Bill Bryson plotted a random route through smalltown America has such a breezy idea for a book had a happier or funnier result.” For anyone who knows of or reads Bryson, that should be recommendation enough.
DWELLING on Castlemagner Gaelic games and one thinks of their all conquering football and hurling teams of the 1950s and early 1960s. That’s understandable given the unprecedented success of divisional and county success.
Likewise camogie swept through Castlemagner in a wave of enthusiasm and it confirmed Gaelic games became the absolute centre of community life. And how it paid off, Castlemagner men and ladies teams became an inspiration for every Duhallow club.
Castlemagner lifted their first Duhallow Junior Football title in 1947 by virtue of a worthy victory over Dromtariffe. Their hunt for further silverware continued impressively on wins over Canovee, Mitchelstown and Collins to add county honours.
For good measure Castlemagner
wrote a new name on the 1951 Duhallow Junior Hurling Championship roll of honour as further success followed with a second county football collected from 1952.
Castle ‘ threw down the gauntlet in the opening half against Newmarket in the divisional decider, registering their full compliment of scores for the game, 1-7 clocked up and nothing conceded. Subsequently, the Duhallow champions spelled out their intentions, emerging good value for wins over Na Piarsaigh, Donoughmore and Bandon to secure a second title at the Cork Athletic Grounds.
News stories at the time saw Duhallow native Seán Moylan as Minister for Education announce longer summer holidays for schools, the premier of “The Quite Man” starred John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, Elizabeth 11 became Queen of England and Helsinki hosted the Olympic Games.
Castlemagner’s history of that era was packed with success and silverware, camogie took on giant strides too, young girls taking up the recreation, helped enormously by strong family ties with the local GAA club.
Indeed Castlemagner collected a memorable county football and camogie double in 1952 and team member Margaret Grindel recalls a special campaign for the camogie side.
“With the success of the football and hurling teams, girls played on the fields, the growing interest during the late 1940s helped in the formation of the camogie club. And success followed with the winning of the 1952 county championship that took a second replay to determine the result,” said Margaret.
Born in London, aged four years in the height of the War, Margaret moved to Cullen and resided with her grandmother before joining up with her aunt Mary Shine at Croke House in Castlecor.
A historic dwelling, its earlier inhabitant Archbishop Thomas
Croke enjoyed a distinguished career in vocations, the Church and promoting the cause of Ireland’s rich heritage, Croke became the first patron of the GAA and his name has lent itself to the great stadium Croke Park.
No wonder, Gaelic games caught the imagination of Margaret Grindel and participation in the form of camogie during her teenage years. The popularity of football, hurling and camogie was thanks to so many people, particularly Denny Ryan, club chairman and Secretary along with Ballyhass National School teacher Jack Walsh.
“May Ryan, a daughter of Denny was exceptional, she had all the skills of the game and coming from a Gaelic games house, May was a leading light in the launch of the new club,” said Margaret.
“We followed the mens teams, cycled to their games, it was natural that the girls could hurl. With no television and a rural community, the GAA and the camogie were the life of the area, crowds that gathered at Subulter near the quarry during the weekday evenings and Sundays was something else, juveniles, mens and ladies all playing football, hurling and camogie,” she said.
1952 emerged a special year for Castlemagner, the Junior Football teams had regained a county title and the ladies held a key ambition to sample their own accolades.
From a long junior campaign, Castlemagner made everybody sit up and notice on defeating Blackrock in a semi final during Mid December. The village was buzzing with anticipation ahead of a county decider and a meeting against South Presentation.
“A twelve aside championship, the line up was interesting, each team consisted of a goalkeeper, three in the full back line, a centre back, three in midfield, a centre forward and three in the full forward line,” said Margaret.
That final turned into a marathon affair and required three games to resolve humdingers, the issue remaining in the balance during each of the tussles.
“The two drawn games were played at the Blackrock ground in Church Road with hackney cars transporting the team and for the third clash, we cycled to Mallow,” explained Margaret Grindel.
Dwight Eisenhower might had been just inaugurated as USA President yet all interest centred on Castlemagner bid for a breakthrough. Again the sides matched each other stride for stride in the second replay, Castle’ owed much to the competent play of goalkeeper Noreen O’Connell, the prominence of Lil O’Donoughue, Kathleen Madden and Joan Fitzgerald in defence with the tireless endeavours of Ryan and Grindel rubbing off their colleagues from the centre. And the pace of third midfielder Hannah Guiney troubled the opposition, that allowed Castlemagner claim a 2-0 to 0-4 victory.
“We were thrilled to win, ground hurling and hard running won it for us. There was some snow on the ground, we cycled home delighted, the best celebrations surfaced many years afterwards when the GAA club hosted a special Anniversary function to acknowledge the football, hurling and camogie achievements,” said Margaret.
It was a raw February afternoon to claim a breakthrough county triumph, the triumphant Castlemagner panel struggling
to hide their joy comprised Noreen O’Connell. Lil O’Donoughue, Kathleen Madden, Mary Bennett, Joan Fitzgerald, Margaret Grindel, May Ryan, Hannah Guiney, Julia Buckley, Mary Clare Murphy, Nora Duane, Nora O’Connor, Mary McAulliffe and Bridie O’Hanlon.
Some time later, Margaret moved to Ballyhooly and settled, helped to launch a camogie club and dedicated a lifetime service to the GAA club under her marriage name of Lombard.
“I got hooked into the GAA, followed Cork teams, attended the 1954 All Ireland Hurling Final and every Cork Hurling and Football game from 1966. Luckily, I have kept all the match programme and its great to remiss on those games from time to time,” said Margaret.
Key personnel behind the Castlemagner club were D C Murphy, John O’Riordan and Dan Murphy. Interestingly, Margaret became friends with Ballyhooly native Helen Canning who played local camogie and called inter county action with Cork as 1968 goalkeeper.
Helen became a nun and a teacher in Kanturk and helped field Junior and Intermediate school teams. Castlemagner club lapsed for a spell before Sr. Canning became Chairperson and revived the game with a strong input from the Kanturk School catchment area.
It took all of 33 years for Castlemagner to add a second county title on bettering Courcy Rovers to the 1985 staging at Ballyanly. Perhaps a lucky omen for Castle’, team captain was Mary Ryan, daughter of 1952 captain May. Crucially, Castlemagner weren’t found wanting, hurled with far more intensity and made it count on the scoreboard
Team members included Angela Lawlor, Noelle McCarthy, Rose McCarthy, Liz Twomey, Mary Hannigan (Captain), Angela McCarthy, Aine Murphy, Margaret Lucey, Mary Barry, Angela Murphy, Geraldine Hinchion, Deirdre Cronin, Carmel Hinchion, Catherine Sheehan, Moira Sheehan, Eily Kelleher.
That victory gave Castlemagner a massive boost, rewarded on further Junior silverware in 1990 by overcoming Inniscarra in a replay at Grenagh. Team captain Margaret Lucey led by example as did ‘keeper Angela Lawlor with Noelle McCarthy, Liz Twomey and Moira Sheehan featuring in a strong defensive unit. And in attack, Deirdre Cronin and Gerladine Hinchion with an all important goal were prominent.
Credit too to trainer Patie Coakley for his hard work and dedication in bringing home Castle’s third County title with the club’s catchment area boosted by players from Banteer, Kanturk, Kilbrin, Ballyclough and Castlemagner.
A subsequent wait of fourteen years saw Castlemagner claim a dramatic triumph to the 2004 decider with Juliette Twohig lifting the prized silverware. Fortunes ebbed and flowed, ultimately, joy for Castlemagner and despair for Grenagh with a late goal deciding the destination of the spoils.
Castle’ enjoyed a dream two early goals from Imelda McSweeney only for Grenagh get back into the game and a productive flourish changed the course of the contest.
The introduction of two substitutes Marie Feehan and Miriam Noonan injected life back into the Castle’ challenge coupled with a goal from Eleanor Twohig left Castlemagner trailing by two points going into injury time.
Indeed Castle’ weren’t done just yet, a probing ball into the danger area made for a deadly schmozzle, somehow Elaine O Donovan got her boot to the ball to rattle the net and a dramatic win.
Juliette Twohig captained the side that also featured Marie Feehan, Lisa O ‘Keeffe, Carol Finn, Trish Twohig, Elaine O’Donovan, Susan Falvey, Imelda McSweeney, Eilish Gayer, Miriam Noonan, Emma Burke, Karen Murphy, Shelly Twohig, Aine O’Keeffe, Rosie Twohig, Elenaor Twohig, Aine McSweeney, Louise Duggan, Mags O’ Keeffe, Katie O’ Callaghan, Karen O’ Keeffe and Michelle Finn
And from 2008, Castlemagner became the first club to lift a county title at the new home of Cork camogie at Castle Road, Blackrock. Castlemagner’s route to the final saw victories notched over St. Vincents, Ballinascarthy, Passage and Castlelyons in the decider.
Team captain Susan Falvey led the way with a 1-4 tally, ably assisted by Rose Twohig, Eibhlis Gayer and Eleanor Twohig. Still it required a late push for Castle’ yield telling scores, Falvey’s goal came with four minutes remaining on the clock and further points by Imelda Vaughan and Rose Twohig ensured the Cup returned along a familiar route to Duhallow.
Team members included Gail Finn, Michelle Finn, Mags O Keeffe, Eibhlis Gayer, Shelly Twohig, Julie Twohig, Ella Barrow, Cliona Healy, Yvonne Coleman, Katie O Callaghan, Imelda Vaughan, Caroline Kiely, Shelly Twohig, Eleanor Twohig, Susan Falvey, Rose Twohig, Una Twohig and Louise Duggan.
A league title followed for Castlemagner in 2012, a team captained by Áine Cott overcame St. Vincents in a replay.
Treasured fond memories remain of Castlemagner camogie, football and hurling stars of the past, their roots hold a rich and proud history. Its no surprising that the sporting conversations are often nostalgic given the club’s phenomenal success 70 years ago.
A strong team and great camaraderie backboned a special 1952 Camogie side, those traits repeated in outstanding performances over the subsequent decades, Castlemagner proud to be the home of outstanding exponents of the game.
We followed the mens teams, cycled to their games, it was natural that the girls could hurl. With no television and a rural community, the GAA and the camogie were the life of the area
THIS weekend marks the 50th edition of the GAA All Stars – a pretty good time to have a look back to see just how Cork’s footballers have fared out in the area of individual awards.
2020 saw Cork take Kerry out of the championship for the first time in years while also securing promotion to Division 2 of the league however yet another loss in the Munster Final, this time to Tipperary, saw the Rebels again end their season ahead of time.
The powers that be have again put together a pretty serious group of players to compete for the 2020 honours with Dublin, as we have come to expect in recent years, dominating proceedings thanks to another successful year for the boys in blue.
Cork are again short when it comes to the number of nominations received, but after a relatively impressive year there was one space in the shortlist for a Rebel with captain Ian Maguire getting the nod for the midfield competition.
Cork’s on field leader will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to get the All Star as he is up against the likes of James McCarthy and Brian Fenton of Dublin, Colin O’Riordan from Tipperary, Gearóid McKiernan of Cavan and Matthew Ruane from Mayo. Still getting a nomination in such company should be recognition enough that as a player Maguire is definitely heading in the right direction.
The GAA All Stars have been going since 1971 and in that time Cork have managed to secure the Sam Maguire just four times (1973, 1989, 1990, 2010) so it is no surprise that in that time the county hasn’t been at the top of the pecking order with the numbers of All Stars secured – that said, in the half century of the awards the county has managed to bring through a host of top class players and quite a few of have been honoured with the game’s most coveted individual award.
RAY CUMMINS
RAY Cummins of Blackrock was the first Cork player to be recognised with an All Star. Cummins a dual player of the highest quality was the county’s only representative in 1971. He was an exponent of both codes was also honoured in 1973 when Cork football was riding high claiming the All Ireland title that year. Cummins was a versatile attacking player which was evident by claiming his first All Star at centre forward while his second came playing at full forward.
KEVIN JER O’SULLIVAN
A YEAR before Cork’s All Ireland win in 1973 Kevin Jer O’Sullivan claimed his first All Star at wing back. The Adrigole man became a firm fixture in a golden period for Cork football from 1968 to 1975. O’Sullivan has legendary status in Beara as one of the finest footballers to ever come from the division and won his second and final All Star in 1973 with some of the most iconic footballers Cork have ever produced.
BILLY MORGAN
ONE of the most recognisable characters to ever play and manage in the rebel county Billy Morgan was honoured with his one and only All Star when Cork won the All Ireland in 1973. Morgan was a no nonsense keeper that marshalled one of the most formidable defensive sets the county has ever put on the field with Millstreet’s Humphry Kelleher dominant at full back. Morgan Captained the famous inter-county win in 1973 but also claimed a pair of All Ireland’s with his beloved Nemo Rangers. With Nemo, he also won seven Cork county titles, four Munster crowns. As manager Morgan led Cork to four Munster titles in-a-row as well as four all Ireland finals – winning in 89 and 90 – making him the most successful football manager in the county’s history.
BRIAN MURPHY
FROM 1971 Brian Murphy was one of the stalwarts in both of Cork’s hurling and football teams bagging All Stars in 1973 and 1976. Murphy, a Nemo Rangers star for all of 17 years, is still regarded as one of the best dual stars to ever represent the county holding down a corner back spot with Cork from 71 to 1983. Murphy also bagged two a pair of hurling All Stars in that time claiming while winning three All Ireland medals with the small ball.
JIMMY BARRY MURPHY
THE legendary Jimmy Barry Murphy needs no introduction to those that love GAA both her in Cork and much farther afield. Barry Murphy may well be synonymous with the game of hurling, a sport which honoured him with five All Stars, but he was also quite the footballer, winning two All-Ireland medals and also two All-Stars. 1973 and 1974 were the years he made was recognised for his individual talents before he dedicated his sporting prowess to the small ball – a decision that would pay dividends for both himself and his county. Barry Murphy would also go on to manage successfully Cork’s senior hurlers.
DINNY LONG
BACK in the early 70’s Dinny Long was one of the most feared and respected midfielders in the country. An integral part of the famous 1973 team, Long went on to bag two All Stars (73 and 75) for Cork before a successful footballing career with Austin Stacks saw him also collect a pair of Kerry titles. Long won a Munster medal with Cork and followed up with his only Celtic
Cross the same year. A native of Millstreet, Long represented his county 18 times at senior level.
FRANK COGAN
1973 saw Frank Cogan win his only All Star. The nemo man claimed an All-Ireland, National League and four Munster titles with the county during his eight years in red and white. Cogan was also successful with Nemo taking six county, five Munster and three All Ireland club medals. Hugely successful footballer in his day.
DECLAN BARRON
CENTRE-FORWARD Declan Barron was honoured in 1974 for his efforts with Cork – something that was repeated four years later – still at number 11. One league, one all Ireland and three provincial wins go some way to showing just what a talent Barron was during his time with the county. Barron also claimed a club county title as he played with Bantry Blues and Carbery.
DAVE MCCARTHY
TWO Munster’s, an All-Ireland and an All Star in 1976 are the major
achievements for one of Clonakilty’s finest sons, Dave McCarthy. McCarthy took his individual award for his efforts at centre field for the rebels - a place he was more than at home in for both county and his club Clon. McCarthy gave eight years for his county and 20 for his club – a true GAA great.
KEVIN KEHILLY
A pair of All Stars were the highlights of a stellar inter-county career for Newcestown legend Kevin Kehilly. 1980 and 1982. The Carbery man was in the mix with Cork from 1969 to 1984 and while never claiming the top team prize he did play for the rebels on 28 occasions with three Munster medals to his name. Kehilly won All-Stars playing at full back and wing back.
DINNY ALLEN
ONE of the longest serving footballers to ever don the red and white of Cork, Nemo Rangers star man Dinny Allen got the All-Star nod just once, in 1980. Allen played as an attacker with Cork and was honoured for his endeavours at centre forward. Three Munster medals and one All Ireland medal sit proudly in his locker with 18 county, provincial and national medals as a senior Nemo player.
JOHN EVANS
O’DONOVAN Rossa’s John Evans received his All Star in 1983 in the middle of a career spanned eight years – 1980 to 1987. Evans played 16 championship fixtures in that time winning a National League and Munster during a pretty successful spell in the blood and bandage.
JIMMY KERRIGAN
TWO All-Ireland Senior medals as a footballer, two National Leagues, four Munster medals and one All Star in 1983 are the highlights of what was a brilliant career for one of Cork footballs favourite sons, Jimmy Kerrigan. A Nemo stalwart from 78 to 94, Kerrigan, like his son Paul after him, will always be known as a Cork great.
JOHN KERINS
A TRUE Cork great, the late John Kevin’s was honoured as an All Star on two occasions 1987 and 1990 for his efforts between the sticks playing for his beloved Cork.
John claimed six Munster medals, one league and two All-Ireland titles but sadly died at the age of just 39 after a short illness.
LARRY TOMPKINS
WHEN it comes to All Stars there is no Cork footballer that looks down on the legendary centre-forward Larry Thompkins. Tompkins’ move from Kildare to the rebel county in 1987 saw the man born in Naas win his first county title with his adopted home of Castlehaven before winning two All-Ireland Intercounty titles with Cork 89,90. Tompkins won three all Stars 1987, 88 and 89 cementing his place in history as one of the country’s top centre-forwards of all time while on a local level his three county titles and three provincial crowns with “The Haven” means that Tomkins will always have a place in the heart of football lovers up and down the county.
COLEMAN CORRIGAN
MACROOM’S Coleman Corrigan was a footballer of the highest quality that played for Cork between 1981 and 1991. In that time Corrigan bagged two All-Ireland medals, six Munster titles as was honoured in both 1987 and 88 with an All Star. Corrigan played 30 fixtures for Cork in his time as a senior footballer.
NIALL CAHALANE
NIALL Cahalane was one of the formidable centre-backs to ever play for Cork winning a bag load of plaudits and medals along the way. In a career that spanned 14 years he played 36 times for Cork winning Seven Munster titles and two All Irelands and was awarded two All Stars 1987 and 88. Cahalane also won three county titles and three Munster crowns with a powerhouse of a Castlehaven side.
SHEA FAHY
SHEA Fahy may well have started his life and football career with Kildare but he will be forever known as one of the finest players to ever wear the Rebel colours. A midfielder of the highest quality, Fahy played for Cork from 1987 to 1995 winning seven Munster, two All-Ireland and two All Stars along the way. Fahy played a huge part in Cork’s dominance of the late eighties.
CONOR COUNIHAN
IN 1988 Cork’s Conor Counihan was at the peak of his powers and was rewarded with an All Star for his efforts at centre-back for his county. A year later, Counihan was again honoured by the selection committee with his second All Star coinciding with Cork’s retention of the All Ireland crown. Counihan went on to manage Cork to three All Ireland Finals in four years with the Rebels finally taking the spoils in 2010 against down – the last time cork would bring Sam to the banks of the river Lee.
TONY DAVIS
TONY Davis from O’Donovan Rossa was a wing-back of genuine quality. Davis has two All-Ireland senior medals in his trophy cabinet along with seven Munster wins and one league. Davis also has an All-Ireland medal with the west Cork club and is still fondly remembered by those that saw him play the game he loved. Davis’ individual talent was recognised with an All Star in 1989.
TEDDY MCCARTHY
AS players improve in their skills, physique and professionalism one would be forgiven for believing that the players of the past were somewhat inferior however if there was one player that debunks that theory it has to be Cork’s Teddy McCarthy. The quintessential dual star, McCarthy will forever be associated with Cork hurling and football after completing the All Ireland double just weeks apart. Nine Munster titles (six football - three hurling) four All Irelands (two football - two hurling) and surprisingly just one All Star – that came in 1989.
DAVE BARRY
TEDDY McCarthy may be the true dual GAA star of his time, but his teammate Dave Barry goes down as one of the great examples of someone that made it to the highest level in different sports. Barry claimed four Munster medals, a pair of All Irelands, one National League and an All Star in 1989 – never mind scoring one of the great goals of Irish soccer when helping Cork to a famous 1-1 draw against the mighty Bayern Munich – a moment that for many will always eclipse his achievements on a GAA pitch.
PAUL MCGRATH
PAUL McGrath was a wing forward with a gift for doing the right thing at the right time and was rewarded with a pair of All Stars in 1989 and 90 to go with his two All Irelands of the same year. McGrath also has four senior Munster wins under his belt as well as a National League medal – all collected while playing for his county between 88 and 96.
MICHAEL SLOCUM
FROM early in his career it was obvious Michael Slocum was a player of real quality. As Cork Under 21 winning All Ireland captain in 1986 Slocum’s stall was set out. As a senior he won two All-Irelands, a pair of Munster medals and one National League – and well worth his 1990 All Star. A Barr’s man to the core Slocum also went the whole way with his club in 1987.
COLIN CORKERY
COLIN Corkery was one of the most naturally talented footballers to ever play the game Leeside – something that was recognised when he got his one and only All Star in 1993. Corkery never got his hands on Sam Maguire however he did rise the steps of the Hogan Stand on two occasions with Nemo Rangers. A brilliant free-taker with four Munster inter-county medals to his name.
JOE KAVANAGH
JOE Kavanagh, another from the Nemo Rangers assembly line, captained Cork in 2001, one year before the end of his decade long association with the senior football squad. Kavanagh won five Munster titles, one League and an All Star (93) during a career that also him collect two All-Ireland medals with the mighty Nemo. Kavanagh played 36 times for Cork between 1992 and 2002.
STEPHEN O’BRIEN
STEPHEN O’Brien is the holder of two senior All Ireland football medals with Cork and a couple of All Stars for good measure. One of the most flamboyant and exciting Cork footballers of his generation, O’Brien also won an All-Ireland Under 21 medal and National League as well as a host of honours with a hugely successful Nemo Rangers between the 80s and 2000s. With Nemo O’Brien claimed six county wins, six provincial medals and three All Irelands.
MARK O’CONNOR
FIVE Munster medals, one league, one All Ireland and an All Star should go some way to inform just what a talented and effective footballer Mark O’Connor was for Cork. O’Connor got his All Star in 1995 but represented his county to great effect from 1990 to 1999. This Bantry and Cork full back was a colossus at the rear and a key part in Cork’s successes during the 90’s.