Brideview complete three in-a-row in 2000/2001
We all waited with bated breath last Tuesday night to hear what the Taoiseach was going to say regarding lifting some restrictions in level 5, with a return to sport high on our wish list. The announcement that we will not see underage sport return until the end of April was disappointing to everyone, however at least, especially the small ones, now know they have a return date for non contact sport. This we believe is a start and hopefully we will see sport, amateur sport, return by the end of May or early June.
We are all hopeful that the figures over Easter will not cause problems for the restrictions to be lifted. With the vaccines now being rolled out much quicker, there is great optimism that there will be a return to a form of normality that we were all used to, but an acceptance that the normality we once knew will not exist for some time to come.
Through our notes in the past twelve months we have consistently asked everyone to abide by the guidelines. We ask this again this week, as we believe we can have a summer to look forward to and hopefully get back to playing the game we all love so much.
In our Blast from the Past this week, we concentrate on season 2000/2001, that saw Brideview complete the three- a-row of league titles.
WORLD CUP
Ireland travelled to Hungary on Tuesday night last to play Quatar - World Cup hosts - in a friendly international. With Ireland losing both World Cup qualifying group games against Serbia and Luxembourg the previous week, Ireland’s chances of qualifying are as good as over, unless there will be some form of miracle.
Within 5mins play on Tuesday night Ireland took the lead from a James McClean strike and this raised hopes, falsely, that we may see a few more scores. Unfortunately, this did not happen and in fairness, the Irish display was not encouraging. Quatar equalised within minutes of the second half restart and could have gone on to win as they created more chances and the lack of scoring power was evident with two goal scoring opportunities in the second half that fell to Shane Long and at the end to Josh Cullen, with both failing to find the net.
Stephen Kenny’s critics have had plenty of airtime and column inches in the past week, and as the Irish manager said at a press conference, “the critics are coming out of the woodwork” and it is disappointing to hear those that wore the green jersey being so critical, when everyone knows that Kenny does not have the players at his disposal now, in comparison to the Jack Charlton era. The players he has at present are playing in the lower divisions in England, with a number of these players out on loan from other clubs.
We are always delighted to see players that have played in the League of Ireland getting opportunities to play for the senior international team and the present squad has many players that Kenny has brought through the Irish underage system, from U18s and U20s. These players take time to settle into the senior squad and we believe the building process will take time, especially coming from the Martin O’Neill and Mick McCarthy era. Looking back at that time, not many young players were given the chance and now the current manager has to build a new team. As many know we are big fans of Stephen Kenny and his record in the national league, especially with Dundalk, is unquestionable.
This is a subject we will spend much time writing about in the future.
AIRTRICITY LEAGUE
Waterford made the long trip to the Brandywell Stadium on Saturday last to play Derry City and came away with the three points following a 1-2 victory. According to the various reports, this was a shock win as Waterford had lost their two previous league games. A Shane Griffin free kick on 30mins went all the way to the net for the opening score and they held this lead until the 45th minute, when Derry equalised. But the Blues restored the lead 5mins after the restart when Waterford were awarded a penalty, when home ‘keeper Nathan Gartside fouled Oscar Brennan in the area. Brennan took the spot kick himself, but Gartside saved, only for Brennan to hit the rebound home for the lead goal, which they held to the end of the game. Brennan received a red card for two yellows - a second yellow with 10mins remaining - but the Blues held on for their first win of the season.
This was a great result as through the years, the Brandywell has not been a happy hunting ground and not many gave Waterford a chance. This win will definitely help motivate the team as they have to make another long journey this Saturday to Finn Park in Ballybofey to play the high flying and joint leaders, Finn Harps. Harps have played three games, winning two and drawing last Saturday away to Drogheda, a team that already defeated Waterford. Manager Ollie Horgan has a very good side this season and the start so far proves this. However, with the win last Saturday in Derry, Waterford will travel with some confidence to a venue that has never been kind to any Blues team through the years and to come away with at least a point will probably be looked upon as a success.
The following week, Waterford will play at home to Bohemians on Friday, 16th April.
Cork City made the trip to South Dublin on Friday night to play Cabinteely and drove back down the motorway pointless after losing to an own goal. City were expecting to get at least a point here, but while they did create a number of chances, they lacked the final touch. The winning goal came in the second half when a cross was deflected by City centre half, George Heaven, past ‘keeper McNulty. This was a disappointing result for Colin Healy and his team and this Friday night they have Athlone Town as visitors to Turner’s Cross. Town defeated John Caulfield’s Galway last Friday night 3-1 and are in joint second spot.
Cobh Ramblers had UCD as visitors last Saturday night and the students ran out easy 0-4 winners. We were at the game and have to say Cobh did not play as well as they did the previous week against Cork City, a game we believe they should have at least got a draw from. The Ramblers played well for the opening 25mins, but gave away a goal on 27mins that should have been dealt with by the defence and ‘keeper. The visitors scored a second before half-time and when they conceded a third from a free kick early in the second half, the game as a contest was over. UCD scored a fourth late in the game for a deserved victory.
The Cobh management were disappointed with the display and they will look to get their season up and running this Friday when they travel to the Markets Field to play the new Limerick club, Treaty Utd. Treaty picked up their first win at home last Friday when defeating Wexford 1-0 and from reports, they have a solid team. Cobh will have to play better than last Saturday to get a point.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
This week we are taking a look back at season 2000/01 which was the season Brideview became the first club in the league to complete a three-in-a-row of league titles. This was also achieved by Kilworth in 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18.
At the AGM of season 2000/01 which was held at the Red House Bar, Lismore on Monday, 17th July 2000, the league chairman welcomed the large attendance with just one club, Ballyduff, marked absent. Also present was Tony Fitzgerald, chairman Munster Football Association and Ger Delaney, secretary MFA. The reports of the secretary Michael McBride and treasurer Pat Casey were adopted by the clubs.
In his address to the meeting, Tony Fitzgerald said he was delighted to be present. He complimented the league on the Confined Draw and felt it was a wonderful way for clubs to make money at no risk, that would help the clubs with their annual expenses.
The election of the committee for the 2000/01 season then took place, resulting in: Chairman Paddy Pollard, vice chairman Liam Fraser, secretary Michael McBride, assistant secretary Luke O’Brien, treasurer Pat Casey, league registrar Eamonn O’Shea, fixture secretary Jim Foley, PRO Sean Kerins, disciplinary committee - Tom Power, Liam Troy and Jim Foley. Representative to the MFA and FAI, Paddy Pollard.
Season 2000/01 turned out to be the longest season in the history of the league due to bad weather over Christmas and all games were suspended from March 9th to March 25th, due to an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Ireland.
At the delegate meeting held 21st August, the draw for the Tony Bolger Cup took place. There were 23 teams in the draw, with the losers playing in the Bolger Plate. The Bolger Cup and the Bolger Plate were sponsored by the Dungarvan Leader.
The four hosts and venues for the confined Super Draw were announced at the meeting. Saturday, 14th October hosted by Valley Rgs at The Plough, Curraglass; Saturday, 4th November hosts An Ghaeltacht at John Paul’s Bar, Sean Phobal; Saturday, 25th November hosts North Cork League at The Ramble Inn, Mitchelstown; and Saturday, 16th December hosts Affane FC at The Tavern, Cappoquin.
Some results from the opening round of the Bolger Cup - Inch lost at home to Valley Rgs A 2-3, Brideview B lost at home to Pinewood 0-2, Brideview A defeated Blackwater in Tallow 7-1, with Eoin Murphy and Dermot Henley scoring 2 goals each, and S Pratt, P O’Brien and JP Grey scoring a goal each. Ballyduff at home hammered Mogeely 8-1 with Owen Corcoran scoring 4 times, Brendan Hannon (2) and a goal each from B Kearney and G Hickey. A Damien O’Donoghue goal saw Kilworth win at home to Modeligo. Goals from Dan Shanahan and Eoin Bennett were enough for Lismore to defeat neighbours Glenview at Lismore, Castlebridge at home scored 6 goals in defeating An Ghaeltacht with B Fitzgerald scoring 3, two from Johnny O’Sullivan and P Donnelly. Dungourney breached regulations and Cappoquin advanced to the next round, while Araglin breached regulations and Clashmore advanced to the next round.
In the next round, Gortroe lost 1-2 to Castlebridge with goals from G O’Riordan and K Cotter, while P Foley scored for the home team. Brideview A defeated Cappoquin 4-0, Lismore and Kilworth drew 3-3 a.e.t. at Lismore with the home team winning 3-1 on penalties. Wayne Hennessy scored six times at home as Ardmore defeated Clashmore 9-1, Valley Rgs A defeated Affane 5-0 at Conna and Ballyduff won in Tallow against Brideview B 2-4.
In the quarter-finals, Ballyduff lost at home to Brideview A 1-2, Ardmore won at home to Valley Rgs A 3-2, then, in the semi-finals Brideview A defeated Kilworth in Conna 6-0 and Castlebridge defeated Ardmore in Tallow 6-2.
The final was played on 29th October at Lismore and Brideview won 3-1 against Castlebridge. The Brideview scorers were Paul O’Brien with 2 goals and a JP Grey converted penalty. Darren Sheedy scored for Castlebridge.
Brideview A - B Sheehan, B Henley, R Henley, J Beecher, D Martin, E Simms, S Barry, JP Grey, D Henley, S Pratt, P O’Brien. Reserves - J Doyle, J Tobin, Philly Curley, T McSweeney.
Castlebridge - M Sheehan, M O’Sullivan, G Leech, P O’Brien, Jim Turner, K Cotter, P McNulty, C Hegarty, D Sheedy, P Donnellan J O’Sullivan. Reserves - B Fitzgerald, Jonathan Turner, G O’Riordan, J Hartnett.
Referee Eddie O’Shea, assistants Tommy O’Sullivan and Willie Collins.
Pinewood were removed from the cup having defeated Brideview B because they played an illegal player and thus played in the Plate and lost to Glenview in Melleray 3-2, with the home scorers P McGrath, B McGrath and T O’Donnell. Araglin at home defeated Dungourney 6-1 with goals from T Kenneally, T Browne, M Finn, P Buckley, J Kearney and D Twomey; Blackwater won at home to Mogeely 4-2 with C Radley scoring 2 goals and a goal each from S Cotter and K Cotter. Modeligo lost at home to An Ghaeltacht 1-5 with goals from T Power, D Condon, L Whelan, D Lenane and an OG. E Quinn scored for the home team. Elton Pierce scored 5 goals as Accrington beat Valley B at Fermoy 8-0
The quarter-finals saw Araglin and Blackwater finish 2-2 a.e.t., with Blackwater winning 5-4 on penalties, while Accrington and An Ghaeltacht drew 4-4 aet at Old Parish, Accrington winning on penalties. Inch and Glenview had byes into the last four.
Inch defeated Blackwater 3-1 at Cappoquin, while Accrington defeated Glenview in Lismore 2-1.
The Bolger Plate final was played at Lismore on October 29th with substitute M Byrne scoring the only goal of the game to give Inch victory.
Inch - D Flynn, M Coleman, K Nolan, P O’Mahony, D Fogarty, J O’Connor, K Griffin, N O’Connor, E McCarthy, I Walsh, J Treacy. Reserves - T Murphy, M Byrne, P Griffin, A Gibb, D Heffernan, C Crowley, P Murphy, K Ryan, T Barry, T Kiely.
Accrington - A Hyland, J Tobin, J Gallagher, S McCarthy, N Gowen, A Carey, D Cahill, J Hegarty, B Carey, S Carey, E Pierce. Reserves - C Cooney, D Gill, L Flynn, A O’Mahony.
Referee was Noel O’Donoghue, assistants Len Fraser and Maurice Hartnett.
LEAGUE
The league commenced on Sunday, 8th October. Some results from the opening few Sundays saw Lismore at home defeat Mogeely 4-0 with goals from B Walsh, M Ormonde, M Landers and E Pollard. Ballyduff and Valley Rgs played a 2-2 draw at Ballyduff with M Molumphy and E Corcoran scoring for the home team and Terence Rumley scoring for Valley. Goals from T Power and J Hennessy saw Ardmore win away to Dungourney 1-2, with John Cody scoring for the home team. A few Sundays later, Brideview defeated Lismore 3-0 in Tallow with Stuart Barry scoring twice along with Eoin Murphy. Ballyduff won in Ardmore 0-3 with 2 goals from B Kearney and a goal from B Hannon.
Into November, Ballyduff lost at home to Cappoquin 1-3, Lismore won at home to Valley Rgs 2-1 with Michael Shanahan scoring the Lismore goals and Gordon Bryan replying for Valley; Ballyduff and Brideview failed to score at Ballyduff, while Cappoquin and Ardmore drew 1-1 at Cappoquin with Pat Sullivan scoring for the home side and Johnny Hennessy scoring penalty for Ardmore.
Games were lost due to bad weather in December and in early January, Brideview won away in Cappoquin 2-3, while Mogeely won at home to Ballyduff and Ardmore and Lismore drew 1-1 at Ardmore.
In the middle of January, Dungourney withdrew from the league and the league decided that only one club would be relegated and two clubs promoted.
Valley Rgs defeated Brideview in Tallow 1-5 with Billy Carr Snr and Gordon Bryan scoring two goals each and a goal from Sean Twomey; Denis Martin replied for Brideview. February saw Brideview defeat Mogeely at Tallow with a Michael Keating goal, Ardmore lost at home to Valley Rgs 0-4 with Gordon Bryan scoring a hat-trick. It was becoming a battle for the title between the holders, Brideview and their near neighbours, Valley Rgs. At the end of February, Brideview completed the double over Mogeely winning 5-1, with Paul O’Brien (x2) and a goal each from JP Grey, M Keating and S Pratt, while Jake O’Shea scored for Mogeely.
Then came the cancellation of all sports in the country throughout March due to the Foot and Mouth Disease.
When the league resumed in April, Lismore lost at home to Ballyduff 1-2 with Shane Cogan scoring both Ballyduff goals and Alan Landers converting a penalty for the home team. Cappoquin won at home 3-0 to Mogeely, with Pat Landers scoring 2 goals and Conor Gleeson also getting a goal. Brideview won at home to Ardmore 4-1 with M Keating scoring a hat-trick along with D Henley, while R Hennessy got the Ardmore goal.
Mogeely were relegated on 8th April when losing to Valley Rgs in Conna 7-0 and this win saw Valley keep the pressure on Brideview. Brideview defeated Ballyduff in Tallow 5-2 at the end of April and we then went into May 13th for the big local derby in Tallow between the top two. A point and Brideview were the champions and a win for Valley Rgs and there would be a play-off. However, a Paul O’Brien goal was enough to give Brideview the two points and the league title for the third consecutive season. Valley Rgs finished runners-up for a second consecutive season.
In the 1st Division, the two promoted teams from the previous season met at Castlelyons in the opening game and we had a seven goal thriller with Castlebridge defeating Ballybridge 4-3. Darren Sheedy scored twice with a goal each from Paul Donnellan and Joe Hartnett. Gortroe won away at Inch 1-2 with Leonard Byrne and A Leahy scoring for the winners and T Murphy scoring for the home team. Pinewood lost at home to An Ghaeltacht 3-4 and Blackwater drew at home to Araglin 1-1.
The end of November saw Castlebridge pick up more points with a win at Sexton Park 1-2, with goals from Joe Hartnett and Paul Donnellan, while Inch replied through a T Murphy converted penalty. Ballybridge lost at home to Gortroe 1-2 and then we had a break thanks to the bad weather. In November, Castlebridge continued their winning ways with a 3-0 home win against Araglin thanks to goals from D Sheedy, P Donnellan and K Crotty. Pinewood drew at home 2-2 with Gortroe and Ballybridge won away at Inch 0-2.
In the middle of November, An Ghaeltacht surprised Castlebridge at Old Parish as they defeated the league leaders 2-1, Ballybridge lost at home to Pinewood 1-3, Gortroe drew at home with Araglin 3-3 and Inch defeated Blackwater 3-0.
Early December, Inch won away at Gortroe 2-3, An Ghaeltacht defeated Pinewood 5-3, Castlebridge got back to winning ways with a win away in Ballymacoda 0-4 and the East Cork team were top of the table at the end of 2000.
Castlebridge won at home to Pinewood 4-2, Araglin won at home to Inch 5-3 and Gortroe had a home win against An Ghaeltacht 5-1 and this win saw the East Cork team in a challenging position. February saw Gortroe pushing for the top spot with a win in Old Parish 4-6 and a home win 1-0 against Pinewood, while a K Fitzgerald goal at Araglin saw the home team defeat Castlebridge.
The month of March was lost due to the Foot and Mouth Disease and when the league returned, Gortroe lost points from a win in February, having an unregistered player on their match day card. Sunday, 1st April the top two met at Castlelyons with Castlebridge winning 2-1 thanks to two goals from G O’Riordan.
April 29th saw Castlebridge and Gortroe play the games that would determine who would be promoted as champions and the honour of being promoted as champions fell to Castlebridge, after drawing at home with Blackwater 2-2 with goals from G O’Riordan and D Sheedy.
At the same time, Gortroe were winning at home to Araglin 4-3 with goals from M McCarthy, K Lonergan and 2 goals from A Leahy. The two newly promoted teams met at Gortroe on 2nd May and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. On 13th May, Castlebridge played their last league game in Division 1, losing away to Pinewood 5-2 - G O’Riordan scored both goals for the champions.
In the 2nd Division, Accrington got off to the perfect start when easily defeating Affane away 0-6, with 2 goals from S Carey and goals from S McCarthy, A Carey, E Pierce and an o.g. Valley Rgs B drew at home with Clashmore 1-1; Brideview B defeated Modeligo in Tallow 3-2 with goals from P Sheehan, P Tobin and an o.g. to 2 Nicky O’Donovan goals. The middle of October and Kilworth lost at home to Clashmore 2-3, with B Gill and L Condon scoring for the home team. The following week, Clashmore lost at home to Glenview 1-2.
Then in November, Accrington had a big win in Fermoy 5-1 against Brideview B, with two goals each from E Pierce and S Carey and C Crowley, while Ian Farmer scored for the visitors. Kilworth won at home to Affane 3-0 with goals from B Gill, D O’Donoghue and N Cotter. The middle of November saw a local derby at Kilworth which ended 1-1, with J Cahill scoring for Kilworth and D Gill scoring for Accrington. Two goals from D Whelan saw Modeligo at home defeat Glenview.
After a break due to the weather, Accrington continued to set the pace with a 5-0 home win against Affane, a 1-1 draw away in Conna and the Sunday before Christmas, a hat-trick from Elton Pierce saw them win 4-0 away in Modeligo. At the same time, Kilworth were keeping the pressure on the leaders with a 1-5 win in Clashmore and a 0-3 win in Conna. The first week in January saw the two neighbours continue to set the pace and Accrington won 2-0 at home to Clashmore, Kilworth winning 6-0 at home to Brideview B. The two sides met on 28th January in Kilworth with Accrington winning 2-3. Kilworth goals were from B Gill and W O’Donoghue, while for the winners D Gill scored 2 goals along with L Flynn. Accrington were now in the driving seat.
Kilworth got back to winning ways with a win the following week in Tallow against Brideview 1-4, while the last Sunday in February saw Accrington lose at home to Modeligo 1-2, with D Whelan and JP Ryan on the scoresheet for the winners and J Hegarty for the losers.
The Foot and Mouth Disease caused the month of March to be lost and when football returned on 1st April, Accrington’s 1-4 victory in Melleray against Glenview saw them promoted and when they travelled to Clashmore the following Sunday and won 2-6 and crowned league champions. A Carey had a hattrick, while J Hegarty, D Gill and D Cahill also scored.
Two weeks later, Kilworth were promoted as league runners-up when they won at Modeligo 1-4.
So, this is a look back at the three divisions for season 2000/2001, a season that saw Brideview become the first team to complete the three-in-row and Castlebridge win promotion in two consecutive seasons. Accrington were promoted from the 2nd Division and also played in the Bolger Plate final, losing to Inch 1-0.
The Dungarvan Tyre Centre Cup commenced in February and some results show Affane defeated neighbours Cappoquin 1-3, with Michael Walsh scoring for Cappoquin and J Meagher with two goals and a James Crotty goal for the winners. Kilworth won at home to Araglin 3-2 with goals from D O’Donoghue, W O’Donoghue and L Condon, while D Browne and M Finn scored for the losers. Accrington won at home to Brideview B, with A Carey and S Carey both scoring two goals each in a 4-0 victory, An Ghaeltacht lost at home to Castlebridge 2-3, T Power scoring both goals for the home team and J O’Sullivan, K Cotter and P Donnellan scoring for the winners. Two Michael Shanahan goals saw Lismore win at home to Blackwater.
In the next round, Kilworth defeated Valley Rgs B 3-2, Affane lost at home to Pinewood 2-3 aet, Valley A beat Inch 1-2 at Inch, Castlebridge won away to Ballybridge 0-4, Brideview A defeated Ardmore in Tallow 2-0, Modeligo won away to Gortroe 0-2, Lismore won at home to Accrington 3-1, while Ballyduff had a big win away to Mogeely 1-7.
In the quarter-finals, Castlebridge won at home to Brideview A, Lismore won away to Kilworth, Ballyduff defeated Pinewood in Ballymac and Valley Rgs A won in Modeligo.
The semi-finals saw two local derbies played in Tallow on Sunday, 6th May with Valley Rgs A defeating Castlebridge 2-0 and Lismore defeating Ballyduff 2-1. This then paved the way for the final between Lismore and Valley Rgs A on 20th May at Tallow.
We reported on this final last season and the report from PRO Sean Kerins informs us that it was a final that never lived up to expectations and lacked excitement. The only goal of the game was scored by Lismore’s Peter Howard from a free kick, that gave Valley ‘keeper Shane Fitzgerald no chance.
Lismore panel - K Hornibrook, D Whelan, P Reaney (capt), M Ormonde, A Landers, A Roche, D Howard, W Cunningham, B Prendergast, M Shanahan, G Ballentine, M Keane, O Dowd, P Howard, B Walsh, G Howard, S Ormonde, L Casey, C Tobin, J Dalton.
Valley Rgs - S Fitzgerald (capt), G Lynch, J Rumley, S Twomey, B Hickey, A Hogan, N Riordan, A Carr, B Carr (snr), B Carr (jnr), S Kearney, P Noonan, D Farrell, G Bryan, T Rumley, C Hogan, J Carr.
Referee Sean Kerins, assistants Michael O’Neill and Tom Griffin.
The Liam Fitzgerald Cup was won by Cappoquin who defeated Valley Rgs A in the final played at Tallow on 8th June. Maurice Condon was referee, assisted by Maurice Hartnett and Paul Marks. Unfortunately, we do not have the list of players of either team.
There was also an U18 league and cup competition the same season and the league was won by Lismore, who then went on to play Kilworth in the final, with Lismore coming out on top 2-0. The U18 cup semi-finals saw Lismore defeat Gortroe and Kilworth defeat Clashmore. The final was refereed by Paul Marks, with Maurice Condon and Martin Hurley his assistants. The final score was Lismore 2 Kilworth 0 - the two Lismore goals scored by B Heneghan.
This concludes our look back at season 2000/01 and next week, we will delve back into the archives once more to take a look back at another season.