Coachford soccer club gearing up to celebrate 50 years on the pitch
GALA DINNER ACKNOWLEDGING ‘THOSE GIANTS OF MEN WHOSE SHOULDERS WE NOW STAND ON‘
IT is often the case that all good things start from humble beginnings, something that could be readily said about Coachford AFC, which this year is celebrating five decades since its formation.
On Good Friday in 1969 five young local men met in a room behind the village church to thrash out a fledgling plan to form a local soccer club, an ambitious proposal by any standards in a region where the GAA was king.
Coachford AFC started off playing in borrowed fields with only very basic amenities and players togging off in their cars or up against a ditch. The pitchers were barely lined, the goals had no nets, the line-up depended on who turned up on Sunday morning for a match and mid-week training was more of an aspiration than an actual reality.
Over the past five-decades, in no small measure due to the many volunteers who have guided the club through think and thin, Coachford has not just survived but it has thrived and grown to become one of the most successful in the county.
Its junior team has played in the Premier Division of the Cork AUL for many seasons and players are coming from outside the area to play for the club.
Its playing and training facilities are the envy of clubs across the country and their under-age and adult teams have can avail of top class changing facilities.
The trials, tribulations, turmoil’s, tragedies, but above all successes of the club over the past five-decades will be recalled at a gala 50th anniversary dinner taking place at the Orial House in Ballincolllig this coming Saturday evening.
Coachford AFC chairperson Liam Casey said the event would give founding members, supporters and past players and all who have contributed to the club becoming “one of the bright and long lasting stars in Cork soccer” an opportunity to share in celebrating its success.
“There is no denying the early years were tough but then success never comes easy. The last 50-years have been a roller coaster of a ride at times and we are so grateful to those that went before us who believed that a soccer club in a rural GAA heartland was a possibility,” said Liam.
He said they made sure the club kept going, kept fielding teams, kept competing and, above all, “kept believing”.
“Our gala dinner is an opportunity for us to acknowledge those giants of men whose shoulders we now stand on,” said Liam.
“It’s an opportunity for us to thank all those who struggled in the early years to not only keep the club going but to have the vision to work towards us having our own place, our own grounds and a place from where we could make a future for this generation and the ones who will follow us” he added.
Club treasurer Peter O’Riordan said the club also owed a huge debt of gratitude to the many supporters “that have always been there for us”.
“Our friends, parents and neighbours who have always come out to cheer us on even when we might have had no chance at all of getting a result. We have planned a night for us to celebrate with them as well and to thank the soccer community and indeed the whole community for their on-going support of Coachford AFC through thick and thin,” he said.
“The dinner will also celebrate our success in this year’s Mossie Linnane Cup.”
Tickets for Saturday nights bash, which will also include music by Deuces Wild and a late night DJ, are available at Coachford Post Office, Cooney’s Filling Station, Murphy’s Centra and committee members priced at €40.