Club’s first county title secured in 1993
1993 was a momentous year for Ballygiblin GAA Club, when the junior hurlers brought home their first county title, with Declan Power captaining a side that overcame Belgooly at Páirc Uí Rinn.
In the end goals were the deciding factor and after no less than 87 gatherings during that year – between training sessions, challenge games, league and championship – the side trained by Alan McCormack, along with the ‘selection committee’ of John O’Brien, Jerry O’Keeffe, Batty Duggan and Jerry O’Brien, secured the much coveted Cork County Junior B cup.
Credit was also afforded to physical trainer Richard Lee, along with the sterling work of men such as Jim Moher, JJ Lynch, Connie McGrath and Ned Barry, who ‘ looked after these sides from their U12 campaign right through juvenile ranks’.
The path to the final in ’93 saw the side meet their ‘ toughest opposition in Avondhu’, as reported by their PRO at the time – ‘They were held to a draw early on by Araglin and Killavullen, they then lost to Churchtown in the 4th round. Having overcome Araglin in the North Cork final, the pressure was not as bad as the side had an easy win over Tullylease in the county quarter-final, winning 7-13 to 1-1. In the semi-final, victory was achieved against Ballyphehane on a scoreline of 2-14 to 2-4’.
A ‘highly entertaining’ county final against Belgooly took place on Sunday, October 17th, with the standard of caman wielding described as ‘exceptionally high’. 1-1 in the opening stages, courtesy of a pointed Declan Power ’65 and a green flag from Brendan Moher, set the men in red and white off to the perfect start.
The opposition however possessed two wing backs ‘as good as one sees in any team’, and placed Ballygiblin under ‘severe pressure’ in the half back line, throughout the first half and early into the second half. The sheer determination of Jackie Slattery, Jim Kenneally and Declan Power kept Belgooly from getting that all important early goal, with Mossie Roche also ‘very alert’ as the Bally’ netminder on the day.
Ballygiblin were ‘just about breaking even’ in midfield in that opening half and after 23 minutes, Belgooly had drawn level 1-3 to 0-6. The Ballygiblin PRO’s match report noted that the opposition ‘lacked cohesion up front and mainly depended on Jim O’Dwyer at corner forward’, who got 6 points, primarily from frees. Further points from Seamus Fox and Dave Moher kept the eventual winners in contention, as Bally’ led at half-time 1-6 to 0-7.
3 SECOND HALF GOALS CRUCIAL
A run of four points in the opening 9 minutes of the second half saw Belgooly take a two point lead, 0-11 to 1-6, and also registering two wides in this period, ‘even the most ardent Ballygiblin follower must have felt that they were going to be denied their county title, with Belgooly going forward in droves’.
It was ‘definitely curtains’ for Ballygiblin had the opposition scored during this early period of second half dominance, the Bally’ PRO surmised in their post-match analysis. Thankfully the entire full back line and goalie Moss Roche done their job effectively, allowing Ballygiblin to find ‘a new lease of life’. With Declan Power and Diarmuid Lynch getting on top, allied with some good clearances from Anthony Hanrahan, the tide began to turn. A second goal, this time with Paul Barry getting the final touch, ‘had a devastating effect on Belgooly who had played so well up to then’. Only three minutes later, Brendan Moher set up Seamus Fox for a goal, to place the winners 3-6 to 0-11 ahead.
Anthony Hanrahan and Keith McGrath were introduced in the second half to help rally the troops. A quick pointed response from Belgooly only further spurred on the Bally’ boys, who registered goal number 4 courtesy of Kevin O’Gorman – 4-7 to 0-12.
Belgooly registered their only goal, but in the last 6 minutes some great points by Dave Moher, Paul Barry and Kevin O’Gorman saw Ballygiblin home and hosed, to claim their first county title by a three goal margin, 4-12 to 1-12.
Many members of the divisional 1963 and 1979 sides were seen to shed tears of joy, as the County Board chairman presented the cup to Declan Power. It was also noted in the PRO’s postmatch report, that Michael Buckley, a member of the 1963 North Cork winning side, flew home from Australia to be present on the day.
Team: Mossie Roche, Jackie Slattery, Jim Kenneally, Declan Moher, Damien Crimmins, Diarmuid Lynch, Declan Power (capt), Trevor Lynch, Willie Kenneally, Kevin O’Gorman, Seamus Fox, Dave Moher, John McGrath, Brendan Moher, Paul Barry. Subs: Anthony Hanrahan for Damien Crimmins, Keith McGrath for Trevor Lynch.