Mitchelstown’s success at U21 grade and Mullin’s five-in-a-row
Mitchelstown have amassed nine U21 football divisional titles since the competition’s inception in 1964, with the first coming in 1966 and the last in 2007. The inaugural win was against Grange a week before Christmas on December 18th.
The team was as follows: M Stack, P O’Neill, E Finn, T Whelan, M Curtin, E Cotter, J J Lynch, P Fenton, E Fleming, M Monaghan, Mce McGrath, J Hyland, J Barrett, M Smith, J O’Keeffe Subs A O Brien, D Lee, M Donegan, M McGrath, J Roche and Ml Duane.
It took until 1975 to see the next championship come to the foot of the Galtee Mountains, but many a supporter tells stories of 1974 when M Mullins who was on the team, was also part of the U16 team who were in a county final with both games fixed for the same day and the compromise was the U16 final would take place in Castlelyons at 3pm and the U21 final in Castletownroche at 5.30pm. Also, in 1974 new rules had been introduced in which aggressive play within the big square resulted in a penalty and Mitchelstown were only awarded frees on at least two occasions. Mitchelstown approached the referee about this rule to be informed he had not been informed of these rules. An objection by the Mitchelstown club stating Mallow had 16 players on the field was thrown out, so Mitchelstown had to wait until the following year for success.
The first of Mickey Mullins fivein-a-row saw Town overcome Milford on a score of 6-10 to 0-5. Wins against Grange and a tough encounter against Fermoy in the semi-final saw them set up a final against neighbours Glanworth in Kilworth winning on a score of 4-11 to 3-06.
The team was as follows: Tom Whelan, Billy Finn, Tadgh Mullins, Danny O’Brien, Billy Baker, Tony Lewis, Aidan O’Brien, Gerry Vaughan, Gerry Ahern, Paul Mullins, Mickey Mullins, Denis Nolan (capt), Billy Cahill and John O’Doherty.
A strong Macroom team put paid to any county title aspirations. The team also retained the title in 1976 but went under in the county to a welldrilled Ballydesmond team.
The quest for three-in-a-row began in earnest and having accounted for Milford in the opening round in April the next game against Glanworth did not take place until August 5th. In what is often described as a game in which no quarter was asked or given ‘Town overcame neighbours Glanworth 0-10 to 3-03. St Finbarr’s proved to be the stumbling block in the opening round of the county.
The team was M Griffin, J Courtney, L Lewis, J Coleman, Billy Baker, Tony Lewis, Davy O’Sullivan, Ken Molan, Martin Dorney, Paul Mullins, Mickey Mullins, Davy O’Brien, Richie Lee, John Brooks and Ger Mulcahy.
With the addition of Mike Shinnick and Donal Cotter the four in a row was achieved in 1978 with Kilshannig, Clyda Rovers and Grange being brushed aside and Kildorrery ousted 2-05 to 0-2 in the final. Bantry put paid to progression in the county championship.
In 1979 the title was retained for the fifth successive year with Mickey Mullins earning a record fifth medal which still stands today, and many feel it should have been six. The North Cork campaign presented no problems to the Mitchelstown unit with wins over Deel Rovers, Buttevant and Charleville. Kildorrery once again provided the opposition but a scoreline of 2-07 to 1-03 saw the magical five in a row achieved. Knocknagree were ousted in the opening round of the county championship. Nemo Rangers were up next in the county semi-final in a game in which Mitchelstown led for most of the hour only to go down by the narrowest of margins 1-06 to 1-05.
1989 - ten years after Mitchelstown landed their last success a
team saw the club field two teams at U21 level. The A team had wins over Killavullen and Charleville to reach the North Cork final against Mallow.
Mitchelstown ran out winners on a scoreline 3-11 to 4-6. A star-studded Nemo Rangers team were given a fright in the opening round of the county with Town going under by 0-4 points. The second team went under to Awbeg Rangers.
Team: Alan Griffin, Tony Mullally, Thomas Gallagher Lyons, John Cleary, Liam O’Grady, Niall O’Donnell, John Donegan, Stephen Byrne, Aidan Keane, Tomas Donegan, Kieran Cotter, John Barrett, Kevin O’Gorman, Dave O’Connor, Declan Power and Padraig Sheedy.
The next victory was in 2002 under the stewardship of John Gubbins who enlisted the help of Kieran Cotter and Declan Molan. The opening round saw them up against a fancied Kildorrery side but 1-5 from the boot of a young Michael Allen saw them progress to the semi-final on a scoreline of 2-7 to 1-5.
Glanworth were next up and the sides could not be separated after 60 minutes, finishing 0-9 to 1-6. Extra time ensued and Mitchelstown added 1-6 to Glanworth’s 0-1 to progress to the final. Abbey Rovers of Buttevant provided the opposition in the final and were strong favourites to take the title but when they lost a man early in the first half. Mitchelstown dug deep and as in the semi-final the teams could not be separated. Extra time was a ding-dong affair and with the help of a 0-7 tally from Michael Allen, ‘Town ran out winners by the narrowest of margins 2-12 to 3-08. A depleted Mitchelstown went under tamely to O’Donovan Rossa in the opening round of the county.
The ninth and final win was in 2007 when a sixteen year old Shane Beston made his debut at adult level. It took two attempts to get over Fermoy in the opening round before
defeating Kildorrery in the semi-final. An emerging Kilworth team proved tough opponents but a 2-06 to 1-05 saw Jonathon O’Sullivan lift the cup for the last time.
The team was Thomas Power, Jonathon O’Sullivan, Kevin O’Gorman, Cian Ryan, Kevin Mullins, Stephen Fox, Eoin Burke, Dave Dineen, Laurence O’Flynn, John Hickey, Ian Fitzgibbon, Michael Shinnick, Paddy O’Callaghan, Shane Cahill, Liam Keane and Shane Beston.
Valley Rovers were given a run for their money in the opening round of the county but again defeat was our lot.
VIRTUAL TASTING
At the time of going to press there are two slots left for the whiskey tasting live from Midleton Distillery on Friday, March 12 by our own master distiller Kevin O’Gorman.
Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a style of whiskey which is unique to Ireland. Midleton produces an incredible range of Single Pot Still Whiskeys including Redbreast, Green Spot, Powers John’s Lane and Midleton Barry Crockett legacy. Hosted virtually from the Midleton Distillery on Friday, March 12, this tasting experience offers plenty of opportunity for conversation, questions, note taking and a bit of music as well. Best of all, you get to nose, sample and enjoy this diverse flavour spectrum from the comfort of your home. We also have a very special sample of Midleton Very Rare which will be the highlight of the evening.
There are two tickets available for the event costing €40 each. There will also be a draw for one bottle of Midleton Very Rare 2021 limited to participants of the tasting only. Contact John Courtney on 087-2070344 or courtneyjohn59@gmail.com or direct
to the club at secretary.mitchelstown. cork@gaa.ie. Tickets will be distributed on a first come first served basis and the link will be sent those participating along with samples closer to the event.
REBELS’ BOUNTY DRAW NOW ON SALE
The Cork GAA clubs draw as it was previously known is being revamped and was launched on Friday, December 4 via webinar. The draw, which will have all cash prizes, has a first prize of €20,000 each month with first prize in April and August €25,000 culminating in a top prize of €100,000 for the December draw. The draw will commence on the weekend of March 27th with three draws. One major change to this draw is that entries will close on March 24th. Patrons who are on direct debit in the old GAA clubs draw will automatically transfer over to the new draw and for those who pay yearly we will be in contact shortly to collect same.
The new format will run from January to December with an all-cash prize fund of over €500,000. For less than two euro a week, not a bad investment considering the potential return. Club officers will be in contact with existing members over the coming weeks. New members can join by logging onto our club website or directly at the Cork GAA website. This draw is open to all and if you want to sign up you can contact the club via email to secretary.mitchelstown.cork@gaa.ie or to draw coordinator John Courtney on 087 2070344. The draw is €100 for the year and if you like you may join with a friend and half the cost. The club will be in contact with existing yearly members shortly as you will need your draw number to renew.