Delegate meeting and AGM to take place soon
The new season, 2021/22, has commenced in some leagues already and the WW/EC Junior League will hold a delegate meeting in early July to discuss the start of the new season. Following this meeting, the league will then hold the AGM to elect a new committee. As we have written on a few occasions, the AGM will see four of the current committee stepping down after a service of nearly 200 years combined to both the WW/EC and the Red House League.
Having spoken with all four officers, they believe some new blood is needed for the league going forward. While it is accepted nationally, the WW/EC Junior League is the smallest league in the country and reading the ‘Blast from the Past’ each week, one can see from the records the years when the league had three divisions and 24 teams playing, 8 in each division. Unfortunately, that was in an era when Jack’s Army was the biggest gig in the country and every child wanted to be a Ray Houghton, Packie Bonner or a Roy Keane. But times have changed and as we all know, time does not stand still and as was pointed out to us by an officer in another code over the weekend, age is only a number. If only the body would react differently!
Our Blast from the Past this week takes us to early in the Millennium, with Oscar Traynor games, Youth Inter-league games, the Liam Fitzgerald Cup, the Fraser Cup and the WW/EC Youth league.
END OF AN ERA
This week we publish a photo of league chairman, Michael O’Neill and secretary, Paddy Pollard taken with the Bolger Cup prior to the recent presentation to Brideview, who defeated Valley Rgs A in the final at Lismore a week ago. For Michael and Paddy, this was their last Bolger Cup final as league officers, as both will retire from the league at the AGM.
Together with treasurer, Paddy Mason, all three played for their clubs in the very first league back in 1971/72 which was won by Lismore. Michael O’Neill played with Modeligo and the two Paddy’s played for Lismore. In that first league there were only four teams - Modeligo, Lismore, Stradbally and Youghal. In the last series of games, Youghal only needed a point at home (a win was 2 points) to Lismore to win the league, whereas Lismore had to win the game to win the league by a point. Lismore won 4-5 to become the first holders of what was then the West Waterford East Cork League. The league then changed to the Murphy League, followed over 20 years as the Red House League, before changing back to the original name, the West Waterford East Cork Junior League.
When Michael retired as a player he took up refereeing and became one of the most efficient “whistlers” in the league and was regarded as one of the best men in the middle. Retiring from refereeing, Michael was elected onto the committee of the Red House League, becomg assistant secretary and then secretary.
June 7th, 2006 Michael was elected chairman of the West Waterford East Cork Junior League and while the rule states the chairman has to step down after three years, Michael was asked to continue for another twelve months which he did and on June 14th, 2010 Michael stepped down as league chairman after four seasons leading the league. He became assistant secretary at the same AGM and has held the post up to July 2019, when he agreed on request from the committee that he take over the mantle as chairman once again. Michael agreed to this request, on condition it was only for twelve months and was to step down at the AGM in 2020.
As we all know, due to the lockdown the AGM could not take place and will hopefully take place in a few weeks time. Michael will carry out his final duties as an officer of the league at that meeting. We cannot forget to mention that Michael was one of the roving reporters who covered games for the league notes each week and all his reports were excellent and very fair to the two teams and referee of whatever game he attended.
As we wrote, Michael has given 50 years service to football in West Waterford East Cork and all we can say is to thank him for his dedication and the time he has given in all those years and the friendships he has made with the clubs.
For this PRO, Michael and his wife Carmel have been wonderful friends during all those years and a friendship that will always remain.
FAI SOCCER SUMMER SCHOOLS
Dates for the 2021 Intersport Elverys FAI Soccer Schools as follows: Lismore and Clashmore will hold their soccer camps from 28th June until 2nd July. Ballybridge will have their camp from July 5th to 9th. Ardmore and Mogeely will hold their camps from July 19th to 23rd. Mogeely will have a second camp from August 9th to 13th, while Castlebridge will hold their soccer camp from 16th to 20th August.
AIRTRICITY LEAGUE
After losing to the then league leaders, Shamrock Rvs at the RSC on the Friday week, Waterford travelled to Bishopsgate to play the team a point below them in the league table, Longford Town. This was a must win game for Waterford and after 17mins, John Martin gave the visitors the lead. But Longford hit back a minute later – 1-1 at half-time.
Within three minutes of the restart, a free to Waterford taken by Jamie Mascoll found Eric Molloy and he had the ball in the net to restore the Blues’ lead. Having got caught in the opening half and not defending the lead, Waterford learned their lesson and played some very good football in the second half. The home team saw a player receive a red card in the last ten minutes. But Longford kept trying and the nerves were evident for the Blues’ management, as referee Ray Matthews played six minutes of injury time. When the full time whistle sounded Waterford had the three points and a four point advantage over Longford. With results from elsewhere on the night, Finn Harps are now third last, seven points clear of Waterford and St. Patrick’s Ath were the new leaders and were visitors to the RSC on Friday night last.
So on two consecutive Fridays, Waterford have hosted league leaders, with Pats following Shamrock Rvs.
Pats came to the RSC on Friday night with many believing Stephen O’Donnell has the best squad at Inchicore for a number of years and rightly sit at the top of the table. It took them just eight minutes to open the scoring with their fast attacking play, with former Dundalk stars John Mountney and Robbie Benson to the fore. 10mins later the league leaders were reduced to 10 players when the referee red carded Alfie Lewis who was deemed the last man as he pulled back Shane Griffin. However, on TV it was clear there were two covering defenders.
Waterford drew level on 35mins when, after a good attacking move involving three players, Shane Griffin first-timed a pass into the net, a score the Blues deserved. This was the score at half-time and also at the final whistle. Both teams had chances in the second half and credit Pats, even a player down, they still had opportunities to take the lead, hitting the bar and they can thank goalkeeper Brian Murphy for a couple of very good saves. Waterford did create chances, including John Martin’s effort coming back off the crossbar.
But a point against the league leaders is more than welcome and does show the improvement in the team since Marc Bircham took over the reins. The team is not perfect and will have to be strengthened next month when the transfer window opens. But at long last after a disasterous start to the campaign, there is a growing confidence with a limited number of fans allowed into the RSC.
This Friday, Waterford make the long trip to the Brandywell to play Derry City whose season has improved in the past six weeks, even though they lost last weekend in Oriel Park to Dundalk. To return home with at least a point on Friday night will be a good result for the Blues.
Cork City travelled to Tolka Park on Friday night to play the leaders and favourites for promotion, Shelbourne and lost 2-1. While Shels were expected to win, Cork City’s performance the previous week when defeating Athlone gave rise for some confidence. The home team were the better side in the opening half and the lead goal arrived on 36mins when former City favourite Kevin O’Connor crossed for Michael O’Connor to head home. This was deserved, as City were being outplayed in many areas, and was the score at half-time.
The restart saw Shels continue to look for goals and they had two chances in only three minutes, but in the 49th minute Cork City struck the equalizer - a break away saw Steven Beattie pass to Cian Murphy and he had the ball in the net. However, within 10mins Shelbourne were back in front when Brennan scored for the home team and this was the score at full time.
This Friday night, Cork City will have Treaty Utd as visitors to Turner’s Cross. Treaty suffered their first home defeat of the season last Friday when John Caulfield’s Galway won by the only goal of the game at the Markets Field. When the sides met in the opening series of games at the Markets Field, the Limerick side came out on top by the only goal of the game. City need to win if they want to have any say in the knockout stages of the league.
Cobh Ramblers had Wexford as visitors to St. Colman’s Park last Saturday night and took all three points with a 3-2 victory. Played on a beautiful sunny evening, the game opened at a fast tempo and chances were created at both ends but not converted until two minutes from half-time when the visitors scored – 0-1 at the break. Within two minutes of the restart, Cobh were level when Darren Murphy scored. Killian Cooper then gave them the lead on the hour and they added a third by Ciaran Griffin following a cross from Darryl Walsh. In injury time, Wexford scored their second but it was too late for any resurgence from the bottom of the league team.
Duty had us at St. Colman’s Park and we enjoyed the game and more so as there were three from Waterford in action for the winners. Ardmore’s Sean Barron had a good game between the posts, while Portlaw’s Darryl Walsh came on as a second half reserve and made an instant impression with his runs and crosses from the left wing. In the final few minutes, Camen Rooney from Clashmore came on and with little time to make an impact, he fitted in well as an attacker. Overall, the Ramblers can be pleased with their performance and victory, which see them leapfrog their neighbours Cork City into third last in the table.
This Friday, Cobh travel to the Carlisle Grounds to play Bray who are midtable and only four points clear of Cobh.
To finish off our Airtricity League segment, we must mention one of our favourite league players, Chris Shields of Dundalk, who played his last game in the league on Friday night. Dundalk defeated Derry City 2-1 at Oriel Park on the night. Shields is transferring to Linfield in the North and will be playing for his new club this weekend.
We have seen Chris Shields playing with Dundalk since he joined the club in 2012 and is one of the longest serving players at Oriel Park. He has won every honour in the domestic game and we were lucky enough to have seen him and met him in the Dundalk glory days under Stephen Kenny. There is no doubt he will surely be missed from his midfield role for the Lilywhites. Along with John Mountney, who is now with St. Patrick’s Ath, and played against Waterford last Friday night, they were the longest serving players in the club.
But it is now a new Dundalk, but there will always be a strong team in the club and under Vinny Perth, we can expect to see them move up the table. But it will not be easy to replace Chris Shields one of the best midfielders we have seen in the past ten years or so.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
As promised we will continue our look back for a few weeks, with reports of cup competitions such as the Liam Fitzgerald Cup and youth cups at local and interleague competition that have taken place since the start of the Millennium.
This week, we commence with season 2005/06 and the Youth Inter-League team that played three games in their group of four with the Cork Youth League, the Kerry League and the Limerick Desmond League.
On 27th November, 2005 the WW/EC Youth Inter-League team travelled to Cobh to play Cork with the home team winning 4-1. The WW/EC goal was scored by D Flanagan.
WW/EC team - Mason, A Roche, M Collins, G O’Neill, S Fraser, G Buckley, M Scanlon, B Keane, S Power, B Coleman, D Flanagan. Reserves - K Murphy, J Roche.
On Saturday, 7th January, 2006 the WW/ EC side played the Kerry League at Modeligo, with Kerry winning 0-6.
WW/EC team - B Keane, A Roche, M Scanlon, G O’Neill, S Fraser, S Power, C Manahan, J Buckley, M Collins, D Flanagan, D Hennessy. Reserves: S Ahearne, K Murphy.
Referee Eric McCarthy, assistants Tom Griffin and Tony Horgan.
On Saturday, 28th January, 2006 the Desmond League were visitors to Modeligo in the third and final group game and the visitors came out on top 0-2.
WW/EC team - Mason, A Roche, B Coleman, S Fraser, G O’Neill, J Hampton, D Kett, B Keane, C Guiry, D Flanagan, K Murphy. Reserve J Buckley.
Referee Tom Griffin, assistants Eamonn Cusack and Paul Browne.
BRIDEVIEW TAKE YOUTH LEAGUE
The same season the WW/EC had a five team Youth League, consisting of Brideview, Cappoquin, An Ghaeltacht, Inch and Ardmore. The league commenced on 8th October, 2005. Some results, saw Cappoquin at home defeat An Ghaeltacht 2-1, with D Kett and S Fives scoring for the winners. Inch lost home to Brideview 0-7 - T Ryan had a hat-trick, Kevin Henley two goals and G O’Neill a penalty with an o.g. completing the scoring. The end of October, Brideview won away to Ardmore 0-3 with K Henley, S Lambden and T Ryan the goal scorers.
Into November and Brideview won at home to An Ghaeltacht 5-1 with B Coleman scoring a hat-trick and goals from K Henley and E Forbes, while A Roche scored for the visitors.
In December, Ardmore lost at home to Inch 2-3. B Keane and J Flavin scored for Ardmore while E Lawton, E Clifford and B Lawton scored for Inch. Cappoquin won at home to Brideview 3-1. M Collins, D Kett and P Barry scored for the home team, with a P Coleman penalty the Brideview reply.
As Christmas approached Brideview were leading the table with Cappoquin six points behind, but with two games less played and Inch in third place a further three points back.
Into February, An Ghaeltacht defeated Ardmore at Old Parish 2-1 with L Walsh and L Kelly scoring for the home team and D Reilly for Ardmore. In the top of the table clash at Tallow, Brideview won 3-2 against Cappoquin with T Ryan, S Fraser and K Henley scoring for the winners and M Collins and K Flynn for Cappoquin.
The in March, Cappoquin defeated Inch at Cappoquin 3-0 with two goals from M Collins and a Wilkinson goal. Cappoquin then went into their last league game three points adrift of Brideview and they needed to beat An Ghaeltacht in Old Parish to force a play-off and this they did, with both Brideview and Cappoquin finishing level on points and a play-off to decide the winners.
So, for the second consecutive season, a play-off was needed with the holders Cappoquin playing Brideview and the game took place at Tallow on 28th April with Brideview winning 3-1 aet. Eric Hickey with 2 goals and B Coleman, while D Kett scored for Cappoquin.
The game was refereed by Eric McCarthy, assistants were Paul Marks and Dec Whelan.
Unfortunately, we do not have the teams that played on the day. Revenge for Brideview having lost the previous season to Cappoquin in a league play-off.
The Fraser Family Cup commenced on 4th March with Ardmore defeating An Ghaeltacht 3-2 at Dysart Park and Inch defeating Lismore at the Castle Farm Ground. Cappoquin and Brideview had byes.
The first semi-final was played on 18th March, 2006 and what a cracker of a game at Ardmore as they drew 3-3 with Brideview. T Ryan with two goals and a G O’Neill penalty were the scorers for Brideview.
The replay took place at Tallow on 2nd April, again ending in a draw 1-1 aet, with T Ryan for the home team and P Healy for the visitors. Ardmore won the penalty shoot-out 4-2.
The second semi-final was played 8th April at Sexton Park with Inch losing to Cappoquin 2-4. E Morrissey and S Power with two goals each were scorers for the winners.
The Fraser Cup final was played at Tallow on 21st April, 2006 with Ardmore and Cappoquin finishing 1-1 aet. D Hennessy for Ardmore and S Power for Cappoquin - Ardmore won 4-2 on penalties.
Ardmore - B Keane, P Lynch, K Murphy, R Faherty, B Hogan, K Murphy, D Reilly, N Lenane, J Flavin, D Hennessy, E Fitzgerald. S Leahy, D Carlton, S Barron.
Cappoquin - I Mason, D Wilkinson, D Leahy, D Kett, J Buckley, M Collins, S Power, P Barry, M McConnell, E Morrissey, K Flynn. Reserve L Coffey.
Referee Tony Horgan, assistants Maurice Hartnett and Paul Marks.
OSCAR TRAYNOR CUP
We now go back to season 2004/05 and we start with the Oscar Traynor Cup with the WW/EC playing in a group of four.
The first group game was played 31st October, 2004 at Cahir against the TS&DL and the home team won 1-0
WW/EC - B Sheehan, S Barry, S Ormonde, D Howard, A Roche, P Quinn, B Carr, R Cronin, A Landers, J Twomey, J Broderick. Reserves - D Martin, D Condon, S Pratt, S Murphy, E Pollard, S Kelly, C Hurley.
The second game was played at Cappoquin on 21st November, 2004 at Cappoquin with the Kilkenny League winning 1-3. John Twomey scored for the WW/EC team.
WWEC - B Sheehan, S Barry, S Ormonde, D Howard, A Landers, S Kelly, JP Grey, P Quinn, J Twomey, J Broderick, L Byrne. Reserves - C Hurley, B Carr Jnr, S Pratt, D Condon, R Cronin.
Referee T O’Sullivan, assistants M Condon and N O’Donoghue.
The third and final group game was played at Ballyduff on 19th December with the Munster Senior League winning 1-3. The WW/EC goal scorer was JP Grey.
WWEC - C Hurley, S Barry, S Ormonde, A Roche, A Landers, S Kelly, JP Grey, D Condon, J Broderick, L Byrne, W Henley. Reserve - M Keating.
Referee Maurice Condon, assistants Eric McCarthy and Maurice Hartnett.
CAPPOQUIN TAKE YOUTH LEAGUE
The same season 2004/05 there were five teams playing in the Youth League - Brideview, Inch, Cappoquin, Ardmore and Castlebridge. Some results - Inch 1 Cappoquin 2, Brideview 6 Inch 1, Cappoquin 5 Castlebridge 0, Inch 3 Brideview 1, Brideview 1 Cappoquin 0, Castlebridge 2 Brideview 2, Cappoquin 5 Inch 1 - Shane Troy scored all five goals here for Cappoquin. Brideview 3 Castlebridge 1.
Both Cappoquin and Brideview finished level and a play-off at Cappoquin saw the home team win 2-1. S Troy and J O’Connor scored for Cappoquin and Michael Curley for Brideview.
Cappoquin - I Mason, D McGrath, M Scanlon, T Looby, J Buckely, T Landers, D Kett, J Dowd, C Wilkinson, K Landers, S Troy. Reserves - J O’Connor, E Walsh, R Landers, P Barry.
Brideview - S Ahearne, E Condon, M Sutherland, G O’Neill, S Power, K Henley, K Casey, M Curley, J Hampton, E Hickey, K Geary. Reserves - J Roche, S Clifford, J Power.
Referee Billy Collins.
CAPPOQUIN MAKE IT A DOUBLE
In the Fraser Cup semi-finals. Cappoquin defeated Castlebridge at Cappoquin and Brideview defeated Inch at Sexton Park.
The Fraser Cup final was played at Lismore on 30th April, 2005 and it finished Cappoquin 2 Brideview 0. Keith Landers scored both Cappoquin’s goals. And so, Cappoquin completed the Youth League and Fraser Cup double in season 2004/05.
Cappoquin - I Mason, J Dowd, M Scanlon, T Looby, J Buckley, T Landers, M Collins, K Landers, D Kett, S Troy, C Wilkinson. Reserves - D McGrath, E Walsh, R Landers, P Barry.
Brideview - S Haearne, E Condon, M Sutherland, G O’Neill, S Power, K Henley, K Casey, M Curley, J Hampton, E Hickey, K Geary. Reserves - J Roche, J Power.
Referee Tony Horgan.
Maurice Collins, Cappoquin was selected for the Munster U17 team that played in the FAI U17 Inter Provincial Cup Competition, held at Letterkenny on April 2nd and April 3rd, 2005.
BALLYDUFF FITZGERALD CUP CHAMPIONS
We go back to season 2003/04 and the Liam Fitzgerald Cup 1st round was played over two legs with 16 teams taking part. We look at the results from the 2nd round which was knockout. Clashmore lost at home to Affane 1-4, Blackwater defeated Cappoquin in a penalty shoot-out at Ballinameela after both sides finished 0-0. Valley Rgs defeated Ardmore on penalties after the teams finished 0-0 and Brideview A won away in Mogeely 0-2.
The quarter-finals saw Modeligo defeat Affane in a local derby at Modeligo 3-1. Blackwater at home defeated Glenview on penalties, after the teams finished level 2-2. Another local derby at Conna went to penalties as Valley Rgs and Brideview A drew 0-0 and Valley won the penalty shoot-out. Ballyduff won at home to Brideview B 2-0.
In the semi-finals, Ballyduff defeated Modeligo 2-0 at Lismore with goals from S Cunningham and S Molumphy. Valley Rgs and Blackwater drew 1-1 at Conna, with Valley getting through to the final winning the penalty shoot-out.
The Liam Fitzgerald Cup final was played at Lismore on 28th May, 2004, final score Ballyduff 3 Valley Rgs 1. B Hannon, S Molumphy and D Twomey scored for Ballyduff, with J Lane scoring for Valley Rgs.
Ballyduff - D Flynn, K Barry, J Scanlon, J Martin, B Kearney, S Kearney, S Feeney, T Molumphy, S Molumphy, B Hannon, J Twomey. Reserves - D Twomey, G O’Donovan.
Valley Rgs - A Dineen, B Hickey, A Carr, P Noonan, B Carr Snr, J Lane, T Rumley, S Twomey, J Carr, J Carr, B Carr Jnr. Reserves - S Hogan, D Hogan.
Referee Paul Pearson, assistants Eamonn Cusack and Maurice Hartnett.
OPEN ROUND FOR WW/EC SIDE
The Oscar Traynor team played in a three team group. The first game was away in Askeaton on 28th September, 2003 v the Desmond League and ended 1-1, with JP Grey scoring for the WW/EC team.
RHL team - B Sheehan, J Crowley, A Landers, J Mangan, S Ormonde, J Broderick, P Walsh, JP Grey, A Collins, L Byrne, A Roche. Reserves - B Kearney, M Cashman, C Radley, E O’Donoghue.
The second game was played at Modeligo on 19th October with the TS&DL winning 0-1.
RHL team - C Hurley, A Roche, A Landers, L Byrne, J Mangan, S Ormonde, P Quinn, JP Grey, J Broderick, JP Ryan, C Kearney. Reserves - J Crowley, W O’Donoghue, M Cashman, E O’Donoghue.
Referee Tom Griffin, assistants Willie Collins and Maurice Condon.
On 9th November when the TS&DL played their group game against the Desmond League at Bansha, the TS&DL won 5-0, resulting in the RHL finishing as group runners-up on goal difference and into the open round for the very first time. The RHL was drawn away to the Sligo/Leitrim League and the fixture saw the RHL travel to McSherry Park, Sligo on 1st February, 2004 with the home winning 2-1 following a last minute goal scored following a corner. The RHL goal was scored by Lismore’s Aidan Roche. We reported on this game a number of months back.
RHL team - C Hurley, A Roche, A Landers, J Managan, S Ormonde, L Byrne, P Quinn, JP Grey, A Collins, JP Ryan, MJ Hennessy. Reserves - P Walsh, J Broderick, J Crowley, R Cronin, S Pratt, M Cashman.
The management team that season was Liam Fraser, Joe Tobin and Paddy Pollard.
INTER-LEAGUE
The RHL Youth Inter-League team played in a two team group with games home and away and commenced with a home game played at Lismore on 16th November against the West Cork League, with the visitors winning 2-5. The RHL scorers were P Walsh and J Kearney.
RHL team - C Hurley, J Crowley, C Baker, S O’Neill, K Casey, P Walsh, J Kearney, M Collins, M Curley, P Kearney, J Donovan. Reserves - R O’Brien, S Troy, E Coleman.
Referee Tom Griffin, assistants Maurice Hartnett and Maurice Condon.
The second group game was played at Drinagh, West Cork on 29th November, 2003 and the home team won 2-1, with Michael Curley scoring for the RHL.
RHL team - C Hurley, J Crowley, S O’Neill, K Casey, R O’Brien, P Kearney, P Walsh, M Collins, J Kearney, M Curley, G O’Donovan. Reserves - W Curley, S Kearney, C Baker, S Troy, R O’Brien, E Coleman.
We hope the above Blast from the Past will be enjoyed by our readers as it brings back a lot of memories from those days. Next week we will take another look into the archives.