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This 2nd. article chronicles the last time Clonakilty AFC won the
Beamish Cup back in the 1994 / 1995 season. As this year marks the
tenth year anniversary of that famous victory, the following article
takes a look back to the build up the final and the game itself with
contributions from some of the people involved. |
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 Clonakilty
AFC - Beamish Cup Final - 1994/1995 Season - PART TWO |
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Introduction:
Welcome
to the second installment of the Beamish Cup Final 1994/1995.
This is a look back at that Beamish Cup final victory
for Clonakilty AFC from that day in 1995.
In this article I concentrate on both Clonakilty AFC's background
and more importantly, the actual players involved that day with
extracts taken from the Official Match Programme and any additional
information I could find.
Part TWO looks at the profiles of the players involved that
day from the Clonakilty team that day and once again, recounts
what else was happening in Ireland and the rest of the world
in that year of 1995...
Hope you enjoy it! Please email me clonafc@gmail.com
and let me know what you thought of the article.
Ger. McCarthy |
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What
else was happening way back in 1995? |
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- Ireland's
Hepatitis C scandal goes back over eighteen years.
Hundreds of people have been infected by contaminated
blood products.
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- OKLAHOMA
CITY, USA: A huge bomb blast destroys a government
building. 168 people die. American right-wing extremists
are found to be responsible.
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- Prince
Charles visits Ireland in June. Taoiseach John Bruton
extends a royal welcome to the Prince.
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- Drumcree:
after a three-day stand-off between Orangemen and
the RUC, an Orange parade is allowed to pass through
a nationalist area. Although the marchers go down
the Garvaghy Road in silence, there are triumphant
celebrations in the centre of Portadown.
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Clonakilty
AFC background:
The official match program gave the following background to
Clonakilty AFC club prior to the final:
" Clonakilty A.F.C. was founded in 1967 and has been active
ever since then. Initially the Club was affiliated to the Cork
AUL but has in recent years been a member of the West Cork League
and at present the Club has a total of 5 teams, 4 under age
and one Junior competing in the various Leagues. In addition
the Club is represented in the Cork Ladies Soccer League since
1994 and it is hoped to have an U10 team this year in the Cork
City Southside League.
During the past 28 years the Club while enjoying some good times,
has more importantly survived some very lean times and in the
past 6 years the Junior team has progressed from the bottom
of the Third Division to presently being second in the Premier
Division of the West Cork League and in addition to today's
Cup Final are also in contention in the Carling League Cup and
Munster Arms Premier Cup.
The Club has been able to keep pace with the ever expanding
and successful West Cork League and has been able to field a
competitive team as each new under age level has been introduced.
The Club welcomes these developments by the West Cork League
as in the long term they will consolidate Clubs position rather
than being just one or two teams.
In addition these Under Age Leagues are a natural progression
of the work undertaken by the Club at indoor level during the
winter months. These indoor activities were first undertaken
by the late Henry Ward and have since been greatly expanded
by the tireless efforts of Ter Hurley whose commitment to under
age soccer knows no bounds.
Today's squad includes no less than 5 players who were members
of the Clubs first Youth Team in the West Cork League and 3
players from the Clubs first U16 Team. The current season is
the Clubs finest for many a year, since, apart from the Junior
Team the Youth Team is well placed to win its League as are
the U16 and U14 teams. The U12 were runners up in their league
and are in the Final of the U12 Cup." |
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Interview
with Clonakilty AFC's Captain, Malcolm Harte:
The official match program conducted the following question
and answer session with Clonakilty AFC captain Malcolm Harte,
prior to the final. I played on the same under 18 and junior
teams with Malcolm for a few years and he was a very sporting,
but tough defender that served the club with great distinction.
He also played for West Cork League Premier club, Lyre Rovers
as well.
Malcolm or 'Mal' as he was known, was a bit of a heavy metal
head at the time, as the Q&A session below will testify.
He supported Man United , but sure we all have our crosses
to bare I suppose. He played in both centre and full back
positions for ClonAFC over the years and like a true captain,
even scored one of the goals in the Beamish Cup final itself.
He is currently working in Cork as an accountant.
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Date
of Birth |
24-10-73 |
Occupation |
Student |
Weight |
12st |
Most
Difficult West Cork Opponent |
Micheal
O'Donoghue (Derrygrea Wanderers). |
Favourite
West Cork Ground |
The
Showgrounds, Clonakilty. |
Favourite
West Cork Player |
Steve
Mohan (Togher). |
Hobbies |
Sport
in general |
Other
Sports Played |
Gaelic
Football |
Favourite
TV Programme |
"Match
of the Day" |
Favourite
Food |
Chips |
Favourite
Band |
Bon
Jovi |
Likes |
Rock
Music |
Dislikes |
Being
a Substitute |
Personal
Ambition |
To
win a Beamish Cup Medal |
Which
Person would you most like to meet |
Pele
of Brazil |
Favourite
other Sportsman |
Mark
Hughes (Manchester United) |
Favourite
Irish Player |
Steve
Staunton (Aston Villa) |
Favourite
International Player |
Eric
Cantona (Manchester United) |
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Introducing
the ClonakiltyAFC Beamish Cup Final Squad on duty that day:
The official
match program gave the following player profiles of the Clonakilty
AFC team on duty for the final. I have included in ITALICS
the actual match programme information on each player and added
whatever details of my own.
| Image
of Player |
Match
Programme Player Profile + Additional Information |
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PETER
"Pizza" O'DRISCOLL (Goalkeeper)
"Surprisingly the smallest member of the squad
but his quick hands and a good head to read the game
makes him a fine dependable 'keeper."
One of the best keeper's ever to pull on the ClonAFC
jersey and had to follow in the footsteps of the legendary
John O'Reilly. Small in stature but with blessed great
athleticism, he played all the way through the under
age teams until he graduated to the senior ranks.
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PADRAIGH
"Pokey" WHITE (Defender)
"A brick wall ready for any challenge thrown his
way - every forward's nightmare. Padraig played for
the Irish Prison Services International Squad that season."
The hard man or 'Stuart Pearce' of the team in
those years. Scored a goal in the Beamish Cup final
itself and was a member of the Clonakilty GAA Senior
Championship winning team in 1996.
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JOHN
"Mousey" LEAHY (Defender)
"Mixes it with the best, John always gets right
stuck into the action and is most dangerous coming forward
out of defence."
One
of the hardest and most committed players ever to wear
the Clonakilty AFC jersey. Was a rock in the heart of
the club's defence and one of our best defenders for
many years. Currently plays for our arch rivals Clonakilty
Town in the West Cork League.
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RORY
"The Patient" CROWLEY (Defender)
"A most consistent and dependable performer
who dominates the air, and is a tower of strength in
the centre of their defence."
A
colossus in the heart of the Clon defence for many years.
Served the club with great distinction and formed a
legendary partnership with John Leahy.
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PAT
"The Lion Heart" GRIFFIN (Defender)
"A most stylish sweeper who reads the game
so well and is a pleasure to watch as he displays his
wares in the Green & Red colours."
One of the three Griffin brothers who represented the
club with great distinction for many years. Spent most
of the 90's reminding everyone about Man. United's dominance.
A member of the Clonakilty GAA Senior Championship winning
team in 1996. |
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MALCOLM
"The Gent" HARTE (Defender)
"Captain of today's Beamish Cup Final side
- a good all rounder always reliable and makes good
use of the ball. Clonakilty's "Player of the Year"
last season, this young player has a most promising
future in the game."
See Q & A section above. |
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GORDON
"Bottoms Up" HARTE (Defender)
"Still an Under-Age player and an inspiration to
all around him. Dogged by injury of late which has prevented
him from holding down a regular place in the first eleven.
"
Younger brother of Jason, this player played at both
under age and senior level for the club. Was a key member
of the all-conquering Timoleague side that won numerous
trophies in the 90's. Now plays for Lyre Rovers in the
WCL Premier league.
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DENIS
"The Whippet" ENRIGHT (Defender/Midfielder)
"The Vice-Captain of the team. Denis is lightning
fast and makes you wonder if the ball has buck teeth
and long ears!! Makes good use of possession and a magnificent
crosser of the ball."
Denis was a dazzling winger who represented the club
for many years and swung in millions of crosses and
created loads of goals for the Clon AFC strikers. Another
member of the Clonakilty GAA Senior Championship winning
team in 1996. |
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JONAS
"The Quiet Man" HARTE (Defender/Midfielder)
"Another most promising player with a wonderful
head and most strong on the ball. Will not leave the
Green & Red down if called upon today."
Younger brother of captain Malcolm, Jonas was a great
asset to the Clonakilty side for many years. Also served
Lyre Rovers with great distinction for many years.
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JASON
"The Boss" HARTE (Defender/Midfielder)
"Loyal to the Club to the last - "The
Boss" is always ready, willing and able to answer
the Clonakilty call."
Has there ever been a greater warrior for Clonakilty
AFC in the long history of the club? A player who gave
his all and was always willing to lend a hand when called
upon by the club.
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DAVE
"Send Me" PEGLAR (Midfielder)
"Clon's latest import, a good strong player
always hungry for a slice of the action. Dave is a most
valuable asset to the squad."
The 'mad scientist' was one of the classiest players
ever to pull on the jersey for Clonakilty. Became a
Chelsea fan as soon as the millions started rolling
in to Stamford Bridge.
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WILLlE
"The Worker" GRIFFIN (Midfielder)
"The eldest of three brothers in the Clon squad.
Full of energy, Willie runs well both on and off the
ball, and is always there to pick up the play when most
needed."
The 'elder statesman' of the team but also one of the
club's greatest servants and a real warrior in midfield
for many years. Current manager of WCL Premiership side
Lyre Rovers. Man of the match in the Clonakilty GAA
Senior Championship triumph in 96'.
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CHRIS
"Nutter" CONNOR (Midfielder)
"The Player/Manager of the side who always
gives 100% for the Clonakilty cause. A fine footballer
who leads by example. Chris can be relied upon to have
his charges fully tuned this afternoon."
The longest and oldest serving player with the club
is manager of the current team in the 2005 season. Arrived
in Clon many, many, many years ago when everything was
in black and white, on his penny farthing and has been
involved with the club ever since. |
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MICHEAL
"Babog" Griffin (Midfielder)
"The youngest of the three Griffin brothers in
today's squad - Micheal is ice cool under pressure and
possesses great control of the ball. A player to look
out for in Cannon Crowley Park today."
The legend that is 'Mikey' has been playing for Clonakilty
AFC soccer club longer than he hasn't. He is back playing
this year with the club and is acquitting himself very
well. Youngest of the three Griffin brothers who represented
the club.
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JOHN
"Tip" O'BRIEN (Forward)
"Probably the most improved player of the side
this season who gains great height in the air and commands
wonderful skill of the ball."
Known affectionately to his friends as 'Homer', this
player represented the club at under-age and senior
level and scored many goals before retiring to become
a full-time, semi-professional golfer.
Homer gets in at least 36 holes a day, if his day job
as a pig farmer in Tralee doesn't interfere too much...
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JONATHAN
"Tap" HUNT (Forward)
"Another player with fine ball control who
holds up the play well. Clonakilty's top scorer who
pops up from nowhere to find the opposition net. A skillful
striker."
Known to his friends as 'Scuzz', this diminutive player
is still terrorizing defence's in the WCL as he currently
plays up front for the Clonakilty AFC junior team. Jonathan
played for a few years with Timoleague in the West Cork
Premier division and won numerous trophies.
Works as a UN Peace Keeper in the many war torn areas
of West Cork... |
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TOM
"The Hair" AHERN (Forward)
"Unlike his hair do, Tom fits well into place
leading the Clonakilty attack and lays off the ball
nicely. Another with a bright future."
Assumed the nickname 'Axl Rose' when representing his
college (University of Limerick) for wearing that famous
red bandana to keep the hair out of his eyes.
He now owns a hair salon in Dublin called "Ahhh-bolsutely
Fabulous" and has built up a substantial following
of both male and female clientele with his daring new
hair-do's. |
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That's
it for now, but please check back to the web-site soon for PART
THREE when we will look back at both the Junior and Youth Cup Final
results from that day and all the reaction as well. |
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Ger
McCarthy |
