The 1960s – a great period for Castletownroche GAA
Castletownroche GAA Club were formed in 1888. The club has enjoyed huge success, but it is hard to beat the period from 1960 to 1969.
In 1960, three hurling teams were fielded - junior, novice and minor. There were also two football teams, both junior and novice. At juvenile level, the club had teams playing Under 14 and Under 16 hurling.
The junior A hurlers started off 1960 well with wins in the local tournament against Kildorrery. They defeated Mallow seniors in the Tommy Long Cup final in Mallow.
Confidence was high when they played Kilworth in the JAHC at Kildorrery in June. The team hit poor form and were lucky to win by a point. Defeat followed however, at the hands of Doneraile in the Shanballymore tournament and Castletown’s chances of winning the North Cork looked slim. The side followed with JAHC wins over Doneraile and Shanballymore to reach the North Cork final. In the final, played in Kildorrery, Castletown’ defeated Allow Rovers (Freemount) by 7-5 to 4-3. At half-time Castletown’ had led by 4-4 to 1-2, but the game didn’t truly come to life until the final 20 minutes, when Rovers mounted a great rally.
In the county quarter-final, Castletown’ met Nemo Rangers in Fermoy. The Avondhu side won by 6-7 to 4-3. Best for Castletown’ were Johnny Browne, Dave Murphy, Bobbie O’Sullivan, Henry Hazelwood, Richie Browne and Jim Hogan.
Their county semi-final was a meeting with Bandon in Coachford. The game was very evenly contested in the first half with Castletownroche holding a one point lead at the break, 0-3 to 0-2. Three goals in the second half by Richie Browne helped them to a 3-8 to 1-5 win.
The county JAHC final was played in the Athletic Grounds, Cork with Cloyne providing the opposition. The game attracted about 4,000 spectators and was adjudged by many good neutrals to have been one of the best games that year. The sides were level in the dying moments before
Richie Browne pointed a free. Johnny Browne had been outstanding at centre back. The final score was 3-6 to 4-2.
Castletownroche team: Billy Barry, Dave Murphy, Willie Browne, Bob Galvin, Denis Mellerick, Johnny Browne, John O’Keeffe, Bobbie O’Sullivan, Christy Flynn, Paddy Noonan 0-2, Richie Browne (capt) 1-3, Henry Hazelwood 0-1, Jamesy Magnier, Joe O’Donoghue 1-1, Cal O’Keeffe 1-0. Subs: Ed Galvin for Jamesy Magnier, Jamesy Magnier for Cal O’Keeffe.
For the second year in a row Abbey Rovers reached the JAFC semi-final. They had a win over Fermoy, but lost to Mitchelstown in the semi-final, held in Kildorrery.
In 1960, the Castletown’ club purchased their new playing fieled. The total cost of the field and its development was £4,000. It was fully paid for by the official opening, held on May 10, 1964. To this day, Castletownroche GAA grounds is regarded by very many Gaels as the finest hurling field in the county.
1961 – COUNTY IHL WIN
1961 saw the club back in intermediate grade after a lapse of 34 years. They got off to a flying start, having a first round county IHC win over St Finbarr’s in Mallow, by 7-6 to 2-3. This was the game in which former Waterford inter county star, Johnny O’Connor, made his championship debut with Castletown’, having a splendid game. The game was part of a double header in Mallow, with Charleville doing battle with Glen Rovers in the same grade.
Playing against a strong breeze in the first half, Castletownroche found themselves behind early on 2-3 to 1-0. They edged ahead 11 minutes into the second half and led for the rest of the game. Billy Barry in goal, Johnny Browne and Johnny O’Keeffe excelled in defence. Others to do well were Christy Flynn and Henry Hazelwood.
In the next round Castletownroche faced Midleton in Fermoy. The Avondhu side got off to a good start and were 4-4 to 2-2 clear at half-time. Midleton put in a huge rally on the changeover. In a very close finish Castletown’ held out for a 6-5 to 5-6 victory. Castletownroche scorers were: Richie Browne 3-4, Joe O’Donoghue 1-1, Christy Flynn 1-0 and Dan Barrett 1-0.
Castletown’ were now in the county semi-final and they faced Bandon at the Cork Athletic Grounds. The Carbery side started well and were 1-2 ahead after 15 minutes and it looked as if the Avondhu side were in for a difficult time. Four minutes later the sides were level, when Richie Browne crashed home a great goal. Bandon then failed to raise a flag until the 55th minute and in the end, Castletownroche were victorious by 6-7 to 4-2.
Castletownroche team: S Mannix, D Murphy, W Browne, R Galvin, J O’Sullivan, J Browne 0-1, J O’Keeffe, C Flynn, P Noonan, R O’Sullivan, J O’Connor 1-0, J Noonan, J O’Donoghue 2-0, J Magnier 1-0, R Browne 2-6. Sub: H Hazelwood for R Browne.
Another milestone in the history of the club was recorded, when the team in their first year up in the intermediate grade after a lapse of 34 years - during which tome the team toiled in the novice and junior grades with mixed fortunes - were back once more in the county final, where they faced the might of the renowned Glen Rovers’ second team. This encounter turned out to be a long remembered game for the many Castletown’ followers.
The match in Riverstown saw the Avondhu side slow to start. Glen Rovers set the pace being 2-2 to 0-5 ahead at the break. Johnny O’Connor pointed on the resumption. Glen Rovers had just one point in the second half which was the equaliser, 2-3 to 0-9.
Castletown’ scorers were: Richie Browne 0-4, Johnny O’Connor 0-2, Johnny Browne 0-1, Henry Hazelwood (capt) 0-1 and Pat Noonan 0-1.
The replay, held again in Riverstown, saw Glen Rovers hit a purple patch for four minutes in the second half when they recorded four goals, to emerge winners by 4-6 to 1-6.
The Castletown’ team in the replay: S Mannix, D Murphy, W Browne, R Galvin, P Noonan, J Browne, J O’Sullivan, R O’Sullivan, H Hazelwood (capt), C Flynn, J O’Donoghue, D Barrett, J Magnier, J O’Connor, R Browne. Sub: Ed Galvin.
There was compensation in 1961 however, as Castletownroche won the county IHL title, defeating Tracton in the final by a single point, 4-2 to 3-4. Their scorers were: Richie Browne 2-1, Pat Noonan 1-0, Johnny Browne 1-0 and JJ Browne 0-1.
Five members of the 1961 side, namely Bob Galvin, Johnny Browne, Richie Browne, Johnny O’Connor and Bobby O’Sullivan, all played in the county SHC final loss to Blackrock (4-10 to 3-7). In 1961, both Johnny and Richie Browne played with the Cork intermediate hurlers that defeated Limerick (q-final) and Galway (semi-final) in the Munster campaign. Cork lost out to Tipperary however in Thurles by 3-10 to 2-12. In that final Richie Browne scored 1-6 and so impressed were the selectors, that he was chosen on the senior team to play Waterford in the Munster semi-final two weeks later. He retained his place on the team for the Munster final when Cork lost to Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick before a record crowd of over 61,000 who paid, along with the thousands who gained entry when the gates were forced open.
Also in 1961, Abbey Rovers reached the JAFC final where they were well beaten by Mitchelstown 5-10 to 1-3.
1962 – ABBEY ROVERS RECORD 2ND NOVICE TITLE
Castletownroche, having won the county IHL in 1961, were in senior hurling league in 1962. They had early league wins over Midleton, St Vincent’s, Blackrock and St Finbarr’s. The win over Blackrock was the most noteworthy. Blackrock dominated the first half, leading at the break 4-3 to 3-1. A goal and two points by Richie Browne had them level. In the end Castletown’ were winners by 6-5 to 4-4. Goalkeeper Stephen Mannix was outstanding. Bobby O’Sullivan and Johnny O’Connor excelled at midfield, while up front Jimmy Hogan, Richie Browne and the Noonan brothers, Paddy and Hilary, were in great form.
Castletownroche were now expected to do well in the county IHC. They faced Carrigaline in the first round. Carrigaline had an early goal and held the lead throughout and in the end, were victors by 3-6 to 1-3.
Castletownroche team: S Mannix, J O’Riordan, W Browne, D Murphy, J O’Sullivan, J Browne, R Galvin, R O’Sullivan, P Noonan 0-1, J Sheedy 1-1, C Flynn, H Noonan, J Hogan, R Browne 0-1, JJ Browne.
The finals of both the Killavullen and Shanballymore tournaments were both lost to Kilworth during the summer months.
The intermediate hurlers made amends later in the year when they defeated Carrigaline in the Seamus Long Cup competition, run by the County Board. This was played in Riverstown and Castletownroche emerged winners by 6-10 to 2-4.
That year, the club’s minor hurlers had wins over St Patrick’s, Fermoy and St Mollagga’s, Kildorrery, but lost out to Dr Croke’s, Doneraile in the semi-final. The U14 hurlers won the divisional title, but lost to Cloyne in the county championship.
Late that year, Abbey Rovers brought the 2nd novice football title to the club, when they defeated Rathluirc Rovers in the final by 1-6 to 0-3.
Abbey Rovers winning side was: Pat O’Sullivan, Fred O’Riordan, Willie Barry, John O’Riordan, Donal Cotter, Denis Mellerick, Paddy Noonan, Johnny Browne, Tom Clancy (capt), Bobby O’Sullivan, Christy Flynn, Dan Barrett, JJ Browne, Tim O’Sullivan,
Richie Browne.
Abbey Rovers were only 5 years in existence and in that time they secured two novice titles (1958 and 1962). They reached the JAFC final on two occasions 1959 and 1961, losing both.
In 1962, Hilary Noonan played with the Cork minor hurlers who defeated Clare 5-10 to 4-3 in the Munster semi-final. However, they lost out to Tipperary in the final by 4-11 to 4-1. The same year Johnny Browne joined his colleague, Bob Galvin, on the Cork intermediate hurling team, but once again the Rebels lost out in the Munster final to Galway.
The final of the 1962 county SHL final (played in December 1963 in Fermoy), saw Castletownroche face UCC. UCC came into the game fresh from their county final victory over Blackrock (4-17 to 5-6). They fielded a very strong side, which included the late Mick McCormack (Tipperary), Jim Byrne (Waterford), Dan Kelleher (Cork), Noel Gallagher (Youghal and Cork), John O’Halloran (Cork and Blackrock), and Mick Mortell (Charleville). UCC led at half-time 2-3 to 1-2. Johnny Browne at centre back excelled, but the overall balance of the College side saw them winners by 2-7 to 1-3.
Castletownroche team: JJ Browne, D Murphy, J O’Riordan, K O’Farrell, J O’Sullivan, J Browne, P Noonan, S Murphy, R O’Sullivan, J Hogan, E Galvin, H Noonan, J McCarthy, C Flynn, R Browne. Sub: D Browne for H Noonan (inj).