Football pride to village
fare on offer fell short of expectations with Cullen securing a 0-9 to 0-4 victory.
“There was pressure on both teams, Cullen’s previous title has dated back to 1939 and Boherbue hadn’t won since 1935. We adopted more of a defensive strategy to blot off a number of their key players such as Pat Moynihan, that hindered the standard of football on view,” said O’Mahony.
Indeed scores were pretty difficult to come by in the opening half, Cullen’s superior speed made inroads only for Boherbue to look more dangerous closer to goal. Still defences dominated and a 0-3 apiece tally at the interval confirmed a tense affair.
However, Cullen raised the intensity levels on the restart, county minors Long and Morley worked a fine understanding. Boherbue spurred on by Denny O’Keeffe attempted to stem the tide yet a superb Cullen rearguard locked the Boher’ attack in a secure bind.
At the opposite end, driving runs and ball winning ability allowed Cullen attack gather a return for their workrate with points delivered by Patsy O’Leary, Batt O’Keeffe and the Morleys confirmed worthy new champions.
A proud Cullen captain John O’Mahony accepted the Championship Cup from Dan Joe O’Connor, Chairman, Duhallow Junior Board much to the delight of supporters. Owing to the impending All Ireland Minor Football Final, formal celebrations were delayed, the wait worthwhile for the occasion was graced by Divisional, Munster and All Ireland silverware.
Some weeks later, Cullen completed the triple crown for the only time in the club history on adding the Examiner Cup by defeating Castlemagner to add to their Championship and Nevin Cup haul. That came at a price for a number of injuries were picked up as Cullen faced into a county championship and incurred a defeat to Kilmurry.
Though the years roll on, the talents of a young 1967 Cullen Junior Football team remain spoken as a richly talented side that dominated domestic competitions and the fruits of their labours tasted sweet at the close of a rewarding season.
CULLEN: JJ Singleton; Dan Dennehy, John Murphy, Paddy O’Sullivan; John O’Mahony, Denny John Hickey, Jerry O’Sullivan; Denny Long, John O’Sullivan; Sean Cremin, Batt O’Keeffe, Dan Morley; Patsy O’Leary, Donie O’Keeffe, Larry Morley. Subs: Mick O’Sullivan, Liam Fitzgerald, Tim O’Connor, Sean Murphy, Con Hickey, Donie Hickey. Selectors: Larry Singleton, Ned Cremin, Geoff O’Sullivan
BOHERBUE: Michael Murphy, Dan Collins, Mick Aherne, Donie Buckley; Colman McCarthy, Jer Dowling, Davy McAulliffe; Jerome Ryan, Denny O’Keeffe; Pat Moynihan, Bob O’Riordan, Brendan Dennehy, Corney Vaughan, Seán Linehan, Patsy McAulliffe