The historic Minor A Football Team celebrate 25 years
February 11, 2025
On Friday 7th March, Ballygarvan GAA club and community will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Minor A County Championship, where Ballygarvan lifted their first ever u-18 football title.
But, before that historic achievement, this fine team of young players were already making waves for themselves, winning the Minor A Football League and the South East Minor A Football Championship for the first time .
In a thrilling final against the holders Kinsale, who were the year’s previous winners, the red and whites were ready to put on an entertaining display of football. Ballygarvan may have started slowly playing Kinsale, which was played in the blue and whites home grounds, but they settled quickly taking scores. A free from Liam Dillion, points from Ken Ashman, Ger Spillane, John Barron and Dave Murphy saw Ballygarvan edge away with a 0-7 to 0-1 score. Kinsale were never too far away but found it hard with a strong backline of John Lynch, Gary Corcoran and Donal Browne hold the reins tight. The home team found a goal opportunity just before the half time whistle with a penalty to bring them back into the game, but Ballygarvan goalkeeper and Captain John Murphy stood solid and prevented the incoming ball from passing him. Ballygarvan had the same intention as the first half, to stay strong coming out in the second half. Two early points from Padraig O’ Sullivan extended their lead. Kinsale were awarded another penalty in the 40th minute, taken and scored by Barry Grey. This closed the margins, however, half back Alan Murphy replied swiftly after backup from brother Dave and Thomas Corcoran. However, Kinsale were not backing away from this, and returned with a goal, followed by a point shaking Ballygarvan. With a score of 0-10 to 2-03, it certainly was all to play for. Our young team were determined, and score replies from Martin Doody, Ger Spillane and Liam Dillion saw the stretch begin again. With the nail-biting minutes ticking away for the supporters on the bank and for the coaches paving the sidelines, the lads in red and white had it all in control. Points from Shane O’ Leary and Liam Dillion made sure that Ballygarvan stopped Kinsale from taking their second title in a row. Ballygarvan won their first ever Minor A football league with a score of 0-16 to 2-04. They now had a County A Football League Championship to prepare for.
Panel: John Murphy©, Gary Corcoran, John Lynch, Donal Browne, John Barron, Shane O’ Leary(0-01), Martin Doody(0-1), David Murphy(0-1), Gerard Spillane (0-2), Liam Dillion(0-3), Ken Ashman(0-4), Padraig O’Sullivan(0-3), Alan Murphy(0-1), Thomas Corcoran, Colm O’ Concubhair, Owen O’ Neill, Brian Murphy, Brian Quilligan, William O’ Halloran, Calvin O’ Donoghue, Eoin Rowe, Conor Daly, Adrain O’ Donovan.
As fate would have it, these two sides would meet again in September of the same year in the South -East Minor A Walsh’s Pharmacy Football Championship Final. In this match, it took Ballygarvan longer to settle, as Kinsale were all out to take this title after their loss a few months previously. A goal scored by Barry Grey within the first ninety seconds saw Kinsale mark the scoreboard. Ballygarvan’s Liam Dillion replied with two points from frees, but, again Kinsale came back quickly with another goal by Grey stretching the lead. Padriag O’ Sullivan with support from his teammates Colm O’ Concubhair, Liam Dillion and Martin Doody, scored two points making the score 2-0to 0-4. There was work to be done by Ballygarvan, and they knew it. Another goal and a point from the blue and white side they had total control with the final minutes of the first half passing, or did they? Rising , Ballygarvan started to take a little back, gaining their confidence and showing their true potential with Shane O’ Leary, John Barron, Ger Spillane and Ken Ashman winning good possession . It was Colm O Concubhair, scoring a much-needed point, shortly followed by kick of the ball into the back of the Kinsale net just before the break saw them just two points down with a scoreline of 3-1 to 1-5. The second half began with a goal disallowed for Ken Ashman as the referee deemed him to have been fouled, but Liam Dillion converted the free nicely. Ballygarvan began to take over the game after a score in the 35th minute from Kinsale’s Dan Hurley, which was to be their last. Liam Dillion scoring three needed points to see the scoreboard change to 3-2 to 1-09 with fifteen minutes to go. Ger Spillane lofted a great score over, with Shane O’ Leary, John Barron, Ger Spillane, David Murphy and Liam Dillion playing superbly, as well as ken Ashman who gave 2 more points, Kinsale could not respond. The bank and sideline erupted at the final whistle; the Bally boys had done it again, taking the club’s first South- East Minor A Football Championship title.
Panel: J. Murphy, G. Corcoran, J. Lynch, D. Browne, J. Barron, S O’ Leary, M. Doody, D. Murphy, G. Spillane (0-1), P O’ Sullivan(0-2) K. Ashman(0-2), L. Dillion(0-6), A . Murphy, B. Quilligan, C O’ Concubhair(1-1), W. O’ Halloran.
The local newspapers were busy with predictions before the Minor A Football County Championship Final, with all eyes on our league and South- East Champions who beat kilmurry in the County semi-final. The final on the 28th of November in Eire Og was against Sam Maguires who were steeped in Football traditions.
Under the continued guidance of their manager Paddy Ashman and coach Pat Carolan, the Ballygarvan team entered the pitch grounds knowing they were up against a very strong side, but, also knowing they would themselves give 110% ad that is exactly what they did
With an opening score from Liam Dillion and a goal from Colm O’ Concubhair the scene was set, marker laid. The opposition replied with 3 points. Ballygarvan were hot on their heels with strong performances from John Lynch, Shane O’ Leary, Ger Spillane and David Murphy. The Dunmanway side again responding, bringing the scoreline at halftime, Ballygarvan 1-5 Sam Maguires 0-6. Ballygarvan increased their score early in the second half when David Murphy pointed a long range free, closely followed by a point from Maguires’s Damien Carroll. Again, in this game, our young lads were not going to panic and showed powerful strength and determination. William O’ Halloran and Ken Ashman, placing the ball over the bar saw them lead 1-8 to 0-7 with 50 minutes clocked. Sam Maguires tipped 3 more points closing the score with time also closing. Not to be shaken or knocked, a final point from Padraig O’ Sullivan was enough to have them crowned County Champions with a closing score of Ballygarvan 1-9 Sam Maguires 0-10.
While the supporters joyfully surrounded the teenage Ballygarvan team, club president Donal Twomey looked on emotionally and proudly of what was just achieved. Captain John Murphy thanked the players and their trainer/selector Pat Carolan and manager Paddy Ashman. He also thanked the Ballygarvan supporters before accepting the cup from Sean Keohane, treasurer of the Cork County Minor Board and also Aidan Hurley of AIB Bank, the Championship sponsors.
Panel: John Murphy, Alan Murphy, John Lynch, Donal Browne, Shane O’ Leary, Martin Doody, Gerard Spillane, David Murphy(0-2), Brian Quilligan, Ken Ashman(0-1), Liam Dillion(0-4), William O’ Halloran(0-1), Thomas Corcoran, Colm O’Concubhair(1-0), Padraig O’ Sullivan (0-1) for William O’ Halloran
Article Ref: The Southern Star, The Cork Examiner, The Echo 1999
Photo Ref: The Cork Examiner/The Southern Star 1999
