Introduction

The Gaelic Athletic Association stands for something more then any person, player, or supporter and East Cork is no exception. It is the soul of a sporting organization which goes on season after season as well as making history all the time.

Significant changes have occurred during the past 87 years and a lot of water has passed under the bridges of the barony since the Divisional Board was founded in the Town Hall, Cobh on April 13th 1924.

Compiling and writing this publication was a daunting task, but personally it was a pleasure and a privilege to have witnessed so many events since my first East Cork final between Cloyne and Cobh at Midleton in 1958.

When I began working on the manuscript periodically I did not expect it would take so long. However, I found it necessary to research it to the best of my ability and some essential background information took an extra couple of years to complete.

The Gaelic Athletic Association is more then a mere game. Its part of the East Cork psyche that runs thick with passion regardless of the grade. In retrospect, I feel we do not belong to any particular era. All eras combine to form history and it is history which has the final say.

How lucky we are in this area that our history has singled out so many personalities and events, giving them greatness and giving the rest of us pride in what is ours. The book has required painstaking research to assemble such a large collection of events and it was a difficult decision as to where to draw the line.

Over an eighteen month period East Cork Board Chairman, Michael O’Brien his son John, niece Georgina and Mary O’Hanlon were particularly indulgent with their time and co-operation. Moreover, without their patience end computer skills the end product would have been next to impossible and I’m especially grateful for their assistance and help. It was re—assuring to know that Michael and Margaret were always there when I needed them,

A particular debt is also owed to John Arnold for correcting the first forty years and to Editor Becky Grice of the East Cork Journal’ for sorting out a few problems on a number of occasions. Significantly, a special word of thanks to the East Cork Board for publishing this manuscript.

The search for photographs to compliment the text was one of the most interesting aspects of the project and my deep gratitude is due to the following who submitted same and others who helped in many ways

Denis O’Sullivan, John Joe O’Regan, Brian Lotty, John Joe Cahill, Bertie Murphy, John Corcoran, Pat Walsh, Finbarr Wall, Denis Hurley, Mick Leahy, Richie Lewis, Patrick O’Connor, Frank Keane, Oliver Parsons, Danny O’Farrell, Billy Griffin, Oliver O’Loughlin, Sean Ring, Jim Ahern, Sylvester McAuliffe, Eddie Hogan, Jimmy Aherne, Bill Cody, Sean Twohig, Pat Rigney, Frank Halbert, Michael Holland, Redmond Walsh, Brendan Aherne, Anthony Cashman, Shane Supple, Kieran O’Shea, John O’Donoghue, Aidan Swayne, Denis O’Flynn, Don Hegarty

While every effort has been made to come up with the correct combination, no doubt there will be the occasional error, on that note I hope that words or omissions will not cause offence end I would be delighted to hear from anyone with corrections and additions.

Hopefully, the book will not only jog memories but will inspire young people to work hard at their game and provide us with the heroes of tomorrow.

Finally, walking down the paths of yesteryear has been strenuous but stimulating the presentation here is the resu1t of endless hours of detailed and meticulous work. I hope that it has the same effect on the reader.

Tom Morrison   Oct  2011