Micheál Ó Briain (Cathaoirleach Bord Roinn Oirthir Chorcaí)
What a roller coaster ride this has been, little did I think that when Tom rang out of the blue about eighteen months ago, what work would be involved.
The History of the East Cork Board in it’s self would have been a massive job, but add to that, all the other bits. All the players that lined out for Cork, all the All Ireland medal holders, Railway Cup medal holders, but most of all the photos. What hours the man must have put in not just locating them and then having to get them named the mind boggles.
Tom is the last man standing of a committee set up by Paddy O’Driscoll. When Paddy went to his eternal reward Tom took on the job himself and what an out come.
In my view this will become the bible of all future historians, and I would ask all the Clubs to take up the baton and publish your history.
Not only has this book all the facts it is also a great read for anyone with only a fleeting interest in GAA matters
On my own behalf it is a great privilege to have this project come to fruit on my watch and been asked to help out was the icing on the cake.
I would like to thank Georgina O’Brien, John O’Brien, and Mary O’Hanlon who helped me out with the typing
Tom on behalf of the Board and all the Gaels of East Cork we are deeply indebted to you for your labour of love over all those years, and also to Ita who stood by you side.
Thanks from the bottom of our hearts
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FOREWORD
Diarmuid Ó’Súilleabháin (Cathaoirleach Coiste Chontae Chorcaí )
Ar son Coiste Chontae ChorcaÍ tá áthas an domhain orm cúpla focal a scriobh ar ócáid foilsithe stair Roinn Oirthear Chorcai (Ui Mac Coille).Molaim go mór gach duinne a bhi páirteach san tionscnamh agus go háirithe an t-údar Tomás Ó’ Muiriasa a thug e féin suas do thuairisc stair Cumann Lúthchleas Gael le blianta anuas.Ráthaim go mbainfidh gach duinne,óg is aosta,a lán taitneamh as an labhair seo comh maith leis na giniúint atá le teach.
On behalf of Coiste Chontae Chorcaí I welcome this latest addition to the history of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael in our county and, indeed, our country. I congratulate all who have been involved in this worthy project and especially the author Tom Morrison who has given a lifetime to recording the history of the GAA long before it became popular to do so. This present undertaking was a staggering one but, as ever, Tom has brought it to fruition in wonderful detail.
Where does one begin with the history of Imokilly GAA? Since the foundation in 1924 to the present day the joys, the heartbreaks, the good, the not so good, the ups and downs are all enclosed in these pages. The deeds of some of the greatest names in Gaelic games, the dedication of a multitude of administrators, the tireless and Trojan work of countless volunteers, and the support and love for gaelic games in the East Cork region are all recorded. The games and players who made the history of Imokilly down through the years will never be forgotten thanks to this publication and it will serve as a reference for all matters GAA for the future generations.
It is important that, while always looking to the future, we do not forget the people who laid the foundations for the wonderful organisation we know and appreciate today. This book ensures that this will not happen in the historic barony of Imokilly.
Molaim aris an dea-obair seo agus tá súil agam go mbeidh an t-aos óg cómh dilis dár cluichi is dár gcultúir is mar a bhi na daoine atá clúiteach s’na leathanachta stairiúl seo.
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TEACHTAIREACHT AN UACHTARÁIN
A chara,
Is cúis mhór áthais dom na focail seo a leanas a scríobh don leabhar iontach seo.
As with all Presidents, I am asked to pen many messages for our various units for a variety of different occasions.
However few come from closer to the heart than this one, given my own first-hand experience of the East Cork board and massive work it has overseen for the best part of 90 years.
My father Paddy served as both Vice-Chairman and Registrar in the 1970s and I too was a delegate to the board.
As with any board – club, divisional or county – it is only as effective as those officers, who work diligently in the dispensation of its responsibilities and in their interaction with delegates.
To that end Imokilly has been well served.
In fact in a remarkable statistic three Rúnaíthe have served for the vast majority of the board’s 87 year existence – Eamon Fleming (1924-’48), James O’Flynn (1954-’82) and Willie Ring (1983-2010).
Of course our games are central to everything we do. They are our raison d’etre and the board has been well served both by successful teams and excellent players in both codes.
Players like Willie John Daly, Mattie Fouhy, Seán O’Leary, Jamesy Kelleher and Liam Dowling and in more recent times, Conor Counihan and Mark Landers.
I acknowledge everyone who has a role in bringing this most important project to fruition and current chairman Michael O’Brien of Aghada in particular.
In recording the colourful history of the board and the wonderful work of so many, you are inspiring the generations that will follow and who will ensure continued prosperity.
Ar aghaidh lenár gcluichí,
