Lismire joy as they celebrate county triumph

LISMIRE took time out from the sweat and toil of a hectic season to celebrate county success at a function that was held in the Killarney Heights Hotel.

Founded in 1972, the club ended a long 51 year wait to collect a county title when they won the County Junior C Football Championship title beating Ballinacurra in the final at Pairc Uí Rinn.

It was no wonder then that the club had plenty of reason to celebrate with players, management, officers and supporters convening in the presence of Chairman of Duhallow GAA Steven Lynch and Tony McAulliffe, the county Safety and Facilities Officer.

Lismire has enjoyed productive runs over recent seasons yet their hopes of county glory always came up short including a defeat to Araglen in the 2021

Final.

With plenty of encouragement from the early rounds of the 2023 campaign, Lismire made light work of Rochestown prior to securing a good win over Grange.

A tougher semi final beckoned and it was one which saw Lismire staging a late comeback to secure a dramatic victory over Gleann na Laoi. That set up a clash against Ballinacurra at Pairc Uí Rinn where late scores allowed Lismire bounce brilliantly into the limelight.

Club Secretary Karen Field expressed delight at a rewarding occasion, thrilled for Lismire finally getting to collect a long awaited county title.

“We were defeated by Araglen in the 2021 final, naturally disappointed, but we came back strongly and gained reward for our commitment on this occasion. Thanks are extended to the players and management for their commitment, likewise, our supporters were brilliant, it was just terrific to gain an outright county victory,” said Karen.

The triumphant Lismire panel included Thomas Stritch, Paddy Buckley, Seán McSweeney, Conan Walsh, Liam Geaney, Michael McSweeney, Jeremy Lawlor, Eamon Hayes, Conor Sheahan, Jack Sheahan, Rory Sheahan, Cian O’Sullivan, Damien Finn, Mark Field, Darragh O’Keeffe, James Moynihan, Diarmuid O’Connor, Darragh Kearney, Cathal Field, Stephen Bourke, Seamus Cronin, John Daly, Shane Murphy, David Allen, Stephen Kiely, Oisín O’Connor, Darren O’Sullivan and Jamie Finn.

The team management consisted of James O’Neill, Maurice Angland, Tim Ahern, Paudie Denn, Ollie Kearney and Marie McSweeney.

Darren O’Sullivan in the company of Meabh O’Connor and Siobháin McSweeney at the Lismire Victory function.

Anne O’Relly, Sheila McSweeney and Joan Sheahan at the Lismire GAA function.

Lismire GAA Secretary Karen Field and Chairman Maurice Field pictured with Tony McAulliffe, Co. Safety and Facilities Officer and Steven Lynch, Chairman, Duhallow GAA at the GAA Victory function.

Maurice Field, Chairman, Lismire GAA makes a presentation to retiring football coach Maurice Angland in the comany of team management Paudie Denn, James O’Neill and Tim Aherne at the club victory function. All photos by John Tarrant.