Ian O'Driscoll
Liam Anthony White

Memories are made of this.

What a day. For those lucky enough to be involved with the Clonakilty AFC club over the last three years (for some much longer than that) last Sunday saw the culmination of three remarkable years. Clonakilty AFC lifted the Beamish Cup for only the second time in their 40 year history and the first time since 1995. A 2-0 victory over a gallant Bunratty United sparked wild celebrations long into the night and Bank Holiday Monday morning.

The match report of this famous Clon AFC victory will appear in the coming weeks but the abiding memories of a tight cup final will include the heroic efforts of the Clon back four, the man of the match performance from Ian O'Driscoll, the Polish supporters who sang and chanted continually throughout the game, the Mandy tap-in to make it 2-0, the blustery wind that made playing conditions difficult on the immaculate Baltimore Road playing surface, the roar at the full time whistle, the celebrations in the middle of the pitch, the presentations being interrupted by the "Polish Bumps", Paddy Mac's Clonakilty flag being unfurled backwards, the handles of the Cup falling off within 10 seconds of returning to the dressing room, the cork off Witlod Fraceck's champagne nearly removing John O'Brien's forehead, the lingering smell of champagne on the playing kit, the singing, the dancing, the relief, the sheer joy and finally the realisation that this young team had finally come of age on the most important day of their AFC career's so far.

A word for the runners-up. The nicest compliment that can be made about Bunratty United is that they looked every inch a Beamish Premier League side throughout the final. The manner in which they attempt to play the game is similar to the AFC. Get the ball on the floor and pass it. They will naturally be disappointed to lose a cup final after such a tremendous run but Bunratty have a young squad full of quality players and a conveyer belt of impressive footballing youth talent on the way through. It is only a matter of time before they return to the Premier League and the Beamish Cup final.

The scenes which greeted the locals in the town of Clonakilty on the evening of the Cup final win will never be forgotten. Club stalwart, Paddy McCarthy, led the cavalcade of cars into the Brewery town while manager, Chris Connors, Captain Martin White and Man of the Match Ian O'Driscoll held on for dear life atop the Lorne Edmeade van. Tawnies Crescent must have thought it was singing sensation Deirdre Hayes and her army of supporters back again with all the noise but instead they left their armchairs to witness the first Clonakilty AFC Beamish Cup victory parade since 1995 taking place.

Loyal supporters of the AFC, DeBarra's public house, offered the perfect environment for the thirsty squad and the AFC playing staff did not disappoint. Roaring and singing to the musical beat of Ciaran Calnan's band, the AFC players, coaches and supporters sang and danced long into the night. Some left for their beds at closing time but most continued the party long into the night via the venue and then to the grand opening of Chris Connor's new nightclub at the end of town.


It was the perfect day for the AFC. All the sweat, blood and tears, hard work, tantrums, long strand runs over the dunes, training ground disagreements, lost matches, silly arguments, superb goals, memorable performances of a blockbuster season were all forgotten on one never to be forgotten day when everything went right for the AFC and the Beamish Cup returned to the Brewery town for the first time in over a decade..

What next? A period of recuperation for those who celebrated too excessively and then back to the training pitch on Friday night where thoughts will turn to the Baltimore Road ground for a mouth-watering league encounter with Skibbereen on Sunday.

Ger McCarthy

Bunratty United.................0

Clonakilty AFC won the coveted Beamish Cup for the first time in their illustrious 40 year history after a well deserved and merited victory over Bunratty United at Baltimore Road, Skibbereen, last Sunday.

Clonakilty who played against a strong breeze in the first half held a slender one goal advantage at half time courtesy of an Ian O’Driscoll far post header. Clon doubled their advantage three minutes into the second half when Liam Anthony White struck to secure the prestigious Beamish Cup trophy which Clon will hope will act as a catalyst towards bigger and brighter things in the not too distant future. Bunratty served up a workmanlike performance but couldn’t find the spark necessary to penetrate a superb Clon defence who were brilliantly inspired by centre half pairing Nick Harrison and Ian O’Driscoll who ensured Bunratty danger men ace attackers Seamus Kelleher and Dan O’Callaghan were well marshalled throughout the game. Bunratty who are a young and improving team will learn from their Beamish Cup run and will emerge a better team as a result of the valuable experienced garnered.

The game started tentatively with both sets of players displaying signs of nerves and anxiety which resulted in a reluctance to get on the ball in a tense opening period. A gale wind blowing across the pitch rendered playing conditions difficult for both sides. Clon struck for the vital opening goal when a pinpoint set piece delivery from Martin White was met at the back post by a glancing header from Ian O’Driscoll to give Clon a dream start. The game was being played at a frantic pace with both teams showing true commitment and passion. Bunratty nearly got the equaliser they so desperately craved but Dan O’Callaghan’s near post shot after a neat cross from Kevin O’Brien was spectacularly cleared off the line by Ian O’Driscoll.

Bunratty who were playing with the aid of the wind in the first half were controlling the majority of possesion but failed to penetrate or threaten a well organised and resolute Clon defence. Clon who adopted a 4-5-1 formation got their tactics spot on as their tremendous work ethic and constant harassing never allowed the Bunratty players to settle on the ball nullifying their attacking threat. The Clon central midfielders provided an excellent defensive blanket in front of their back four allowing industrious and energetic midfielder Martin White to play in a roving role to brilliant effect just behind lone striker Noel Jordan. Veteran striker Jordan ploughed a lone furrow up front and used all his experience to hold the ball up well and work the channels very well.

Clon who were quite content to soak up the Bunratty pressure before breaking with poise and purpose nearly doubled their advantage but Darren O’Mahony was out early to foil a superb Noel Jordan run and shot. Clon who were playing the more incisive and controlled soccer kept possession very well allowing them to pierce the Bunratty defence at will but couldn’t apply the clinical touch when needed. Mesmerising skill by Liam Anthony White down the left wing allowed him the time to eke out a perfectly flighted delivery which was met by an audacious volley by Martin White whose attempted bicycle kick was just a fraction off target. Clon were now applying fervent pressure on a beleaguered Bunratty back four as they began to dominate proceedings.

Martin White, the inspirational captain for Clon, was pulling the strings in a creative role linking to good effect with Noel Jordan. A neat flick from White released Noel Jordan into space on the stroke of half time but his shot from the edge of the area flashed agonisingly just past the post. Clon re-emerged after half time with renewed vigour and application after a perfect first half display wasted little time in putting the match beyond reasonable doubt with Liam Anthony White notching their second goal of the game within three minutes of the restart. Martin White engaged on a dazzling jinking run before his delightful cross was emphatically met by Liam Anthony White to billow the net from six yards to leave Bunratty facing an uphill struggle.

Bunratty to their credit never let their heads drop and should have pulled a goal back but were guilty of spurning a glorious chance which could have changed the outcome of the game. Kevin O’Brien’s inswinging corner was met by unmarked full back Kieran Cotter but his header lacked direction and went harmlessly over the bar. Bunratty reshuffled their line-out reverting to a three man defensive line up with Liam Hegarty moving into central midfield as they bravely threw caution to the wind in the last quarter of the game in a desperate attempt to salvage their Beamish Cup aspirations. A precise through ball from Eoin Kelleher gave Seamus Kelleher his first opportunity in front of goal but his shot from an acute angle was just off target. The Clon defence repelled everything Bunratty could muster at them and indeed Clon were unlucky not to add to their lead in the closing stages as they exploited the gaping holes Bunratty were leaving at the back. Darren O’Mahony showed his goalkeeping prowess thwarting Noel Jordan with two fine saves to keep the score at a respectable level.

Bunratty applied incessant pressure in a bid to stage a grandstand finale but couldn’t break through the Clon cover and were restricted to long range drives in a frustrating finish. Clon withstood the late Bunratty onslaught to seal their triumph sparking jubiliant scenes amongst their very large and vocal travelling support when team captain Martin White was presented with the Beamish Cup to seal a memorable triumph.

Clonakilty AFC: Padraig Horan, Eoin O’Donoghue, Ian O’Driscoll, Nick Harrison, Donal O’Donoghue, Daniel Herod, Shane Buttimer, Michal Ardelli, Liam Anthony White, Martin White, Noel Jordan. Subs used: Aidan Pendlebury, Piotr Stankiewicz, Colin Lynch.

Bunratty United: Darren O’Mahony, Kieran Cotter, Kieran O’Callaghan, Liam Hegarty, Calvin McSweeney, Kevin O’Brien, Eoin Kelleher, Ger Hurley, John O’Callaghan, Dan O’Callaghan, Seamus Kelleher. Subs used: Damien Hegarty, Declan McSweeney.

Referee: John Desmond.

Assistant Linesmen: John Reidy and Michael Daly.