History
Men's Hockey History 1894 to 1997
Source: Wayback Machine Internet Archive web.archive.org/web/20091030005817/http://www.ucc.ie/mhc/Archives/1996-1997/history.html
Inappropriate though it may seem for a 25th Anniversary, the Men's Hockey Club was actually in existence as far back as 1894-5. One of the earliest mentions of the club appears in the Cork Examiner of February 11 1895, which describes a match between the Queens College first XI and Glenbrook first Xl. The game ended in a 2 - 2 draw, although the report noted that the students strongly objected to the second Glenbrook goal, thus paving the way for generations of College disgruntlement with umpiring decisions. The following day's paper included a letter from Glenbrook, with corroboration from the 1HU Secretary, arguing that there was little reason for the students to complain, and adding with a damning finality that the result was, therefore, a draw. Yours truly, Glenbrook." However like every other club that formed the first Munster Branch, Glenbrook has now ceased to be, with the result that UCC can justifiably claim to be the oldest club in Munster.
However, any potential breast-swelling has to be somewhat tempered by the fact that UCC's existence has been sporadic to say the least. Even these early years were marred by a lack of continuity, with a series of declines and revivals defining this period. The earliest hockey club notes date from April 1905, in the first issue of QCC, a forerunner to the current Gazette (even since this history was recorded the Gazette has become the 'Unex'). Obviously flourishing at this time, the two college teams enjoyed mixed results in the first half of the season, including a victory over Blackrock Road of 8 - 2 by the second team in the Quarry, with "Nunan's refereeing arousing his supporters' enthusiasm." The club was not afraid to recognise their own limitations, and admitted that the "Grammar School would have beaten us, had not the ball obligingly broken."2
The most interesting aspect of these first accounts is their experience of problems and issues that would continue to arise in later years, and are more now prevalent then ever. The constant problem of maintaining a solid base of membership, despite the fundamentally transitory nature of this membership, has always proved a challenge for the club. Thus, in 1905 it was decided for the first time, to hold the AGM at the end, rather than the start, of the season in order to encourage an influx of players. A related problem was the vexed question of college students playing "with outsiders, and often against us."3 This recurring issue become so problematic in the early 1980's that the college sought, and received, Munster Branch support in attempting to implement a stringent President's Rule.
The 1905 article also alluded to a saga that continues to this very day. The allocation of dressing rooms to a certain club that has always enjoyed special privileges, resulted in this dire warning; "Our Solicitor (a prominent law student) is about to proceed against the [rugby] football club whose committee occupy the pavilion while we wait, shivering in flimsy garb, in the coal hole."4 In the 93 years since the commencement of this action, man has split the atom, walked on the moon, traveled faster than the speed of sound in the skies and on the earth. Ireland, and many other nations have gained independence from a once great empire, while a giant eastern communist bloc has formed, expanded and fallen and the entire world has suffered the rigours of two great wars and come close to an ultimately self-destructive third. Yet, after all this time, the Rugby Club still gets the dressing rooms in the Mardyke and leave us shivering the dank pre-fabs.
The Cork Examiner of April 28 1905 reports on the success of Queen's college in overcoming Blackrock Road in the semi final replay of the Munster Senior Cup. Before an "attendance that assumed large dimensions"5 , Queens found themselves 4 -0 ahead mid-way through the second half, but somehow conspired to garner only a narrow victory of 5 - 4. The hockey notes in QCC were rather more critical of the student's near-fatal late lapse, describing the team as "somnambulists", although Smyth, who scored both goals in the original 2 - 2 draw, got a hat-trick in this replay and justifiably escaped such harsh invective.
The cup final, played a mere two days later against Cork Hockey Club in Blackrock, produced one curious similarity to the next occasion that college would contest a Munster Senior Cup final, 91 years later (and it wasn't the result). QCC reports that "a large crowd of College men assembled and astonished the staid, dignified, hand-clapping - 'well-played' crowd who follow hockey in Cork, by their shouts and enthusiastic cheers - cheers which, by the way, had no small effect on the College play."6 Those who attended the 1996 Final would remember the effect that college support had, if not on the UCC team, then in upsetting the UCC team. Queens' victory by 3 - 2 was a shock result, even for the students who admitted that the competition 'was a series of surprises culminating in blank astonishment when they beat Cork"7, yet they didn't allow sentiment to temper their famously critical reviews; there was no hesitation in singling out Budd as "weak", with O'Conner being "as cool as an iceberg, but with somewhat of its slowness."8
The victorious team: Connell, Maguire, Donovan, Ridge, Gibson, Harrington, Crowley, Price, Smyth, Budd and O'Conner.
The next season saw a marked decline in the club's fortunes, and a large potion of blame was accredited to absent players. Indeed, it is claimed that these rebellious players cost College the Junior League, "It is very regrettable indeed that men declare off when their services are so vital to the interests of the club...It is hoped that this is the last occasion on which we shall have to criticise so severely the actions of any of our members."9 However, one aspect of the club that showed little sign of abating was the QCC contributor's penchant for sarcasm, albeit somewhat cryptic; "Robey did not seem comfortable as he was continually capsizing." His maritime allusions were prophetic as the club sunk without trace for the next 3 years.
The hockey club's passing did not go entirely unnoticed, and articles by the QCC editor, the Ladies Society and the Engineering society lamented the failure of the club to reorganise. The Ladies even suggested the organisation of a Mixed Hockey Club but formed their own club in 1909. An interesting article in 1910, at just about the time that the Men's Hockey Club was re-established comes from the Clubs and Societies page, sharply criticises the dearth of facilities in the college. "How splendid it would be if we could have every one of our clubs - Football, Athletics, Cricket, Hockey, Tennis and Hockey - occupying adjacent or adjoining fields and sharing a common clubhouse, reasonably furnished with dressing and other accommodation. Possibly we might have - and it is badly needed - a Gymnasium ". Barely 90 years have passed and this pertinent suggestion looks set to bear fruition.
Stanley Parke Stoker now emerged as the central figure in reviving the club, and led Queens into a most successful period. This was in spite of the ever-galling problem of Queens students playing against the college for other clubs, and QCC notes reflect the clubs frustrations; "what is needed is a stern ukase from the college council making every such lapse a breach of college discipline."l0 There is also criticism of the players neglectful attitude towards training which was believed to be hindering the blossoming club's chances of success; "no headway is to be made unless systematic practice be the rule rather than the exception." 11 The middle of the 1910-11 season was marked with a healthy optimism, as the seconds continued an unbeaten run while the Firsts, although faring badly in the league, had enjoyed an unblemished record in the Charity Cup. However, self-criticism was never far away and extended mainly to the Firsts apparent apathy. "The Dunmanway match ran perilously near to being a fiasco owing o some of the team considering it too much trouble to travel and then only declaring off at the last moment. 1 hope these champions of sport will one day have the chance of wondering why they were not picked for some home match."12
The present once more shows echoes of the past in describing the faults of college defenders; "The backs did very well but were very foul: this applies especially to Walsh who has an unhappy idea that hockey should be played with his body instead of his stick."13 This allusion to aggressive defender applies to a certain contemporary player, but our predecessors provide a solution; "Puffing Weir in goal was a great idea: he cleared everything that came his way like a Trojan."14
College's mid-season optimism was well justified as Queens won both the Junior League and the Charity Cup, which would be their last trophy for 71 years. The club's members were then mainly medical students, a fact which was to prove awkward, for having beaten Church of Ireland 2 - I and Catholic Institute 3 - 1, the club could not contest the semi-final of the Irish Senior Cup owing to a clash of dates with a medical exam. Despite the Seconds' success, they were castigated for losing their unbeaten record to the Grammar School, and thus threatened their seemingly unassailable lead; "Just think of it, beaten by 11 schoolboys!"15 It shall be left to the reader to decide if this is withering criticism or an invitation to lurid fantasy. This season also saw the first Hockey Ball organised under the auspices of the Mens and Ladies Hockey Clubs, providing " an opportunity to the more juvenile lady students of displaying their Terpsichorean capabilities"16, much as it is today.
A strong college side including Irish international, Fitzmaurice, won the Charity Cup again in 1912-1 3, but his loss was keenly felt the following season. A crucial defeat to the Leinster Regiment in January 1914 cost UCC (as the College was now called) any chance of winning the Senior League and the Quarryman writer noted a worrying trend arising from that match. " It is a pity that good hockey cannot be indulged in without foul play but it is undoubtedly a fact that fouling is becoming more common in Munster Hockey. The final league of that year demonstrates the superiority of the Leinsters who UCC also drew in the Charity Cup, much to their dismay.
Badly beaten, the Quarryman writer cheerfully ponders the following season, blissfully unaware of the 58 year absence of hockey about to be thrust upon the college by World War I; "The half-line was efficient, and also the back division, but the goal-keeping was not all brilliant. Well, now to cricket and tennis, and farewell to hockey till King Winter comes to reign again."17 A huge number of the clubs members joined the British Forces, and most, including Stanley Stoker, failed to return.
| UCC Mens Hockey Club The Modern Era (So Far) - 1972/97 |
The reformation of UCC MHC was originally discussed in Harlequins by Kyrle Allen, Jimmy Beecher and Alan Hickey. Jim Beecher represented the club at the Munster Branch of the Irish Hockey Union at Cahir House Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. On a proposal from Harlequins the club was accepted into Munster competitions.
In those days College grant policy offered little financial assistance to new clubs for the first two years. Accordingly resources were very meagre at the outset. The word was out to all clubs to watch their equipment when playing UCC. The original team played its first match away at Farmers Cross against Harlequins III. Red and black UCC jerseys were borrowed for the occasion before the side eventually organised its own strip, which was predominantly white with red and black trimmings. The first team to compete was:
Archie McKillop
Dan Burke
Kyle Allen
Bert van Mourik
Jim Beecher
Alan Hickey
Ivan Leopold
Ian McElhinney
Larrie Martin
Tom Buckley
Jimmy Bateman
The above were later joined by: Jack Elliot, Richard Parfrey, Neil Cremin, Peter McSweeney, Robbie Allen, Sean O'Neill, Miceal Carey, Michael Walsh, Kieran Walsh, Brian Twomey, Jimmy Corkery, Ian Wolfe, Matt Coughlan, John Traynor, Eddie English, Seamus Keating, Jimmy Crean, Ronan Gleeson.
Later in the 70s saw the following arrivals: Michael Twomey, David McCarthy, Denis Cremin, Lindsay Mulholland, Dave Boylan, Ponsak Vibuljan, Dermot Kelleher, David Lombard, Alan Mattewson, Eugene Desmond, Pat Cahill, Terry Horgan, Ronan Lydon, Eddie Fitzgibbon, Dan O'Donovan, Dan Buckley, Brian 0' Neill, Mark Hayden, Tim Desmond, John Desmond, John Pollock, Ray Foley, John 0' Brien, Michael Hogan, Val 0' Shea, Nabil Ramadan R.I.P., Hugh Twomey, Tom Barker, Conor Foley, Jerry McCarthy, Barry Lordan, George Delafield.
Jimmy Beecher and Kyrle Allen both played on Harlequins I while Alan Hickey, a former schools' international and representative player with Munster, played for C o I (I). Tom Buckley was a performer of note with Glen Rovers while Burt Van Morioka was a volatile Dutchman.
UCCs home pitch at this time was the 'Farm' in Curraheen Road. Pre (and post) match meetings were held at the 'Millwheel' (now the 'Thirsty Scholar'). The club wasn't allowed play on the hallowed turf of the Mardyke at this time (probably reserved for the ladies), but MHC eventually moved to the former Col grounds on Glasheen Road. Here the immaculate surface of the former bowling green served the team well as regards skill acquisition and coaching.
Here (as at the Farm) tactics were adapted to the conditions. Some players perfected the knack of undercutting the ball. Umpires believed it was lack of skill - 'Lack of skill, Sure wasn't it all we practiced in training !!!' This tactic was used principally to intimidate the opposition, particularly members of the opposition who attended College but played for other clubs (the scabs I!!).
Another rule that was regularly flaunted was the restriction of swing to shoulder height. Indeed as the club attracted a number of hurlers (and still does) it's fairly safe to say that the shoulder swing rule was quickly forgotten in the heat of battle. On one occasion a renowned member was sent to the Glasheen Road Pavilion (one months suspension) for this particular offence. Apparently his backswing had 'accidentally' clipped one of the opposition.
In those days, as now, it was quite acceptable to leave either the ball or the man pass but to leave both through together was sacrilege. One character, Sean 0 Neill, 'Nailer' (presumably because he 'nailed' them) was a devil at carrying out this policy. Peter MacSweeney (another character to say the least) met up with him on many occasions, in the sin bin, to plan further strategy.
Also, whenever UCC MHC expected good opposition (relative to the quality of our side this was most weeks) all mowing of grass was abandoned, which tended to level the playing field somewhat. This, together with the 'Nine B' shout was known to drive Harlequins to particular distraction. This often short-circuited the settling down period and the game went, quite literally, into full swing straight away !!!
At that time selection policy was makeshift - if you had a stick you played, a car and you played for the year. College had no umpire until Nigel Hickey was persuaded to help out when he could. He had a car and knew the rules (always a help !!) which gave the boys a reasonable chance of victory. Otherwise, in times when clubs supplied their own umpire, College were often screwed by two umpires from the opposing team (Oh how little has changed ). Given the make up of the people involved in the UCC first XI at that time it scarcely needs saying that this situation wasn't accepted meekly and many a fierce argument ensued over dubious decisions. Despite these inherent drawbacks, the club did reasonably well fielding two teams after the first few years, with the first team just missing out on promotion to the premier division in 1980.
LAB 423 IN THE 1970s
UCC MHC was unique among College clubs in the 1970s. It was the only one with an office address:
Lab 423,
New Science Block,
UCC.
TEL: 2273
This happy state of affairs depended on how long Peter McSweeney decided to spent completing his Ph.D in Chemistry in that self same lab. Everything revolved around that lab, short of training. Committee meetings were held over beakers full of dangerous substances. Moreover the most significant activity which took place there was the recruitment of new players. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the team of the day would gather four floors below in front of what was then known as the 'New ScienceBlock'. Whenever the team was a few players short, all one had to do was get the lift up to Lab 423 and see who was available to play. It didn't matter if your experiment was about to explode. Hockey was more important. Jerseys could be washed in a dish of acetone and be ready to wear in a few minutes. If you hadn't played hockey before, that didn't matter either. Chances were you could stand and hold a stick. If you didn't fancy a run, you could always play in goal !!
Many names were associated with lab 423: Jan van der Puil, Tim Desmond, John Desmond, Humphrey Moynihan, Terry Horgan, Mick Hogan and Peter himself.
Early Intervarsities
1974: In 1974 a joint UCC/UCD team participated as a NUI team in the Intervarsities in Dublin. The opposition that year consisted of Queens, Trinity Shite and NUU. Alan Hickey, Jimmy Beecher, Kyrle Allen, Robert Allen and Ivan Leopold were the UCC players involved.
1978: UCC MHC played in the Mauritius Cup in their own, as opposed to NUI, colours for the first time in 1978. They lost narrowly to Trinity, 6-0, in the first match in the pouring rain in Santry. The second match saw a sixfold improvement in the team's performance, going down by the only goal of the match against New University of Ulster, (formerly Ulster Polytechnic) Coleraine. That was the good news of this Mauritius Cup. The bad news is that the team fell out with the bed and breakfast owner where they stayed. The landlady demanded payment for a player who had mysteriously absconded. As the player had paid what he owed for the first two nights, the rest of the team had no intention of paying anything extra. Seconds later the landlady locked two bedroom doors, trapping the hapless occupants inside. "Wrongful Imprisonment" shouted Eddie Fitzgibbon, a Med Student. "I should have thought of that" answered Dermot Kelleher, who was studying law. The students eventually made a daring escape out of the ground floor windows and assured the landlady that they would chastise the missing student.
1979: This was a momentous year because it was the first time that the Mauritius was played for in Cork. Among other various highlights it was also decided that year to allow RCSI enter the competition the following year, following a particularly forceful speech by Peter McSweeney on the evils of Racism
1981: Player profiles began to make their appearance during the '81 'Varsities. A tradition which still continues today. Some of the more subtle entries included: Pat Cahill (4th Comm.): Suffers from obstruction but the Med students are looking into it. Plays with himself.
David McCarthy (Social Scientist), Goalkeeper: Not very scientific but very sociable, the ladies say. Won't stop a good hard stroke.
Another player, who will remain nameless, Wally McEvilly (whoops !!), had a close shave both on and off the pitch that year. After hitting the post from inches out in a 0-0 with Trinity, his 'post' was also later shaved by his teammates as a gentle reminder of the value of hitting the target when well placed.
: Again the most notable thing about the '82 Varsities (held in Galway) were the player profiles on record. That year both female and male hockey players get a mention: Wally McEviIly; Right Wing: Suffers from brewers droop, so he can only score with the aid of gravity, but as (?) knows he shaved the post last year.
John Hickey; Right Half: Comes too quickly and holds his stick all wrong. Likes to go in on the wrong side!!!
Hugh St. Leger; Right Full: The patron saint off all defences. Can resist anything except a square ball. Very good in the back.
Barbara Johnston: Fast and frisky, this baby is soft and has a good thrust in the right direction. Jane Salter: Can shift quickly with good little pushes. Penetrates all defences.
Dymphna Scully: Ball-Hopper. 48-106-20. A bit of a dribbler. Will tackle any ball. Quick off the mark, slow on the uptake.
The early 80's were marred by the fact that a number of players in UCC played for other Clubs in defiance of the famous 'Presidents Rule', which forbade this. Unfortunately the minutes book for this period was sadly lost. It showed the proceedings of extraordinary meetings which discussed how the rule could be used by the club, even at one stage with the full support of the Munster Brach!
With a shortage of players at the time, the medical students came to the rescue by virtue of the fact that they spent so many years in College, they eventually learned to play properly! Two players stand out from this era; Walter MacEvilly and Eddy Fitzgibbon. The latter held the post of President, Secretary and Senior Captain in one infamous season. One player with world class potential who was not tempted to play for the big outside clubs was a young engineering student called Nabil Ramadan who hailed from Beirut in the Lebanon. Having attended Columbus College, Dublin, he came to UCC with a number of years of experience playing in goal and instantly made it onto the first team, where his defensive record was extraordinary. After playing for six seasons with he club he moved to London the year graduated, where he was tragically killed in a traffic accident.
In 1980 the Senior Xl were runners up to win a place in the top division, being beaten by a fine C of I 'C' team captained by Jim Good. The momentum of the club carried on, helped considerably by Bob Burns and George Treacy of C of I who gave huge commitment to the club by coaching and giving other support. Bob Burns, in particular, held various positions such as President, Coach and Chairman of the Varsities Committee. In 1983 the Club won the coveted AIB sports Club award in the College, and in September 1984, when half the team was still over in Boston working in a McDonalds Restaurants, the Second XI contested the final of the Barber Cup with Ashton. The match went into extra time at one goal each, and with seconds left on the clock, " ... John Wallace soloed into the circle from his right wing position and, making as if to pass the ball back, instead shot from the narrow angle to give UCC its first trophy in 71 years." Other players of that time included the likes of Paul Pollock, Ray Foley, Hugh St. Leger, Dave Lombard, Aiden Kidney, Mark Salter Townsend, Dave Foley, Kevin 'Tulip' Twomey, Clive Olden, John Ellis, Alan Wallace, Andy Godsell, Ken Murphy, Aidan Griffin, Dr. John Kelly and Eamon Canning.
The bogey on the club was truly broken when, within twelve months the club's Senior Xl won the McLean Cup, a trophy which has had the letters UCC carved onto it many times since then. A number of long serving members kept the club in safe hands through the second half of the 80's most notably Denis O'Donoghue, Anthony ~ Jim Roycroft and Robert Daly. Players that also featured Anthony Murphy, Michael Sexton, Frank Sheehan, Gordan Beamish, Ken Walsh, Brian Buckley, Tommy Magher, Tony Beese, Pat Cahill, Robert Connor, Robert Connor, Dave Fitzgerald, Greg Scully and Brian Geroge.
The 90's began brightly with success in the McLean Cup, coinsiding with a major of influx of experienced players from Hockey playing schools such as Ashton, Douglas and Midleton. The victory against Cobh was the first of four McLean Cup successes in the next five years. The following season, the first on the new astro turf pitch, was phenomenally successful, the Firsts leading the way with three Trophies. In the league they won 14 of their 16 games scoring 64 goals and conceding only 4. The only defeat of the season was against Catholic Institute in Limerick, and can be somewhat excused when one considers that a motor cycle crashed into the team bus en route.
UCC reached the plate final in the inter varsities but Limerick proved stiff opposition and the game went to penalty strokes. After several opposition misses, the opportunity feel to Nicholas Spalding to win the game but he was informed that scoring his flick would entail an immediate dis-robing from his teammates. Undaunted by this threat Nicholas slotted his stroke away and fled headlong into the surrounding trees to avoid his pursuing teammates. Unlike Nicholas the Europa Hotel received no forewarning of the consequences of a UCC victory and upon the teams departure it looked like a bomb had hit it. The Europa no longer allows College Hockey teams to stay there. The Second team also won their league and a victory in the Barber Cup made 91/92 a very memorable year indeed. A third team was formed under the guidance of Denis O'Donoghue and Captained by Duncan Blair.
The next season saw the formation of a Fourths team for the first time in the Clubs history, a reflection of the amount of beginners that were being attracted to the game. The firsts reached the semi-finals of the intervarsities for the first time in seven years, but were soundly beaten 4-I by Queens despite taking an early lead. UCC's attitude toward match preparation was not as professional as in recent years and the nigh before the game is a blur of beer fights, and questionable attempts by Aynsley Damery and Graham O'Keefe to disrupt the oppositions sleep. Ivan Maim distinguished himself by getting in a fistfight with almost every member of the squad. Maturity has changed Ivan, and he now reserves his bouts of aggressiveness for encounters with bouncers, opposition players, umpires, barmen, fast food employees, American policemen, small children etc.
The promise of the Thirds, in existence for only three years, bore fruition in 93/94, when they won both the Third Division and the Barber Cup, Captained by the ubiquitous Duncan Blair. The Inter varsities squad looked particularly strong but the event was at first postponed because of a concentrated spell of sectarian violence in the North and then cancelled outright after one day because of treacherous weather conditions. Although finishing a day early, the Men's and Women's teams made the best of it by commencing a marathon drinking session at midday, boycotting the dinner (because they felt like it) and crashing the afters where Simon O'Hara scored with seven girls in 80 minutes. Thanks to league restructuring, fourth place in division one was enough to earn the firsts a place in the newly enlarged Premier division. The Seconds contributed to another excellent season by winning the McLean Club.
1994/1995 saw the appointment of a full time coach to the firsts, Brian Long, and this increased the level of professionalism was reflected in the achievement of several milestones. For the first time ever UCC played in the final of the Inter varsities facing a UU side that they had already drawn with in the Group stages. Unfortunately the loss of Paul Lombard at a crucial stage proved costly and UU ended up winners by 3-0. The Firsts also reached the semi-finals of the Irish Junior Cup, beating South Antrim and Three Rock Rovers before losing to Banbridge.
The experiences of the previous year proved vital as we went one better and won the Inter varsities for the first time. Held in Cork, UCC dominated both the Group matches and the subsequent play-offs fully deserving the 1-0 victory against Queens, Robbie Morris's late goal completing an historic double. Later on in the season UCC reached the Final of the Munster Senior Cup losing 4-2 to an all conquering C of I team. The result was not a reflection of a final that hung in the balance right up to the final ten minutes. The Thirds won the McLean Cup against Harlequins 'D' by two goals to one, including a great strike from the bulky Graham Jackson. The Fourths, who had started as beginners only four years previously, fulfilled their potential by winning the Barber Cup and coming desperately close to winning the league.
Last season was a period of consolidation for the club. The firsts traveled to Cookstown for a daunting match in the Irish Senior Cup but were unfortunate not to win the game. The Inter varsities were a disappointment losing on flicks in the semi final to an inferior Queens team but the drowning of sorrows was a spectacular contrast to the days result. The clubs inspired, and coincidentally, cost-cuffing decision to place the whole team in one room for the week proved brilliantly morale-boosting, if slightly damp thanks to nocturnal emissions from Steve 'Spadework' Dwyer. Paul Lombard's inspiring Gaelic renditions struck fear into the hearts of opposition teams and hotel bouncers alike while Ivan Martin's aggression extended only to giving Mr. Roycroft a fireman's lift and swinging from the roof in both hostel and clubhouse, much to the ire of the IHU President. It is a night that will live long in the memory. The Seconds won their league and the Fourth team was completely replaced by new members who have since shown great promise. 4
UCC MHC 4TH TEAM 1992-96
In 1992 the college fielded a fourth team for the first time ever. The team lost it's first match to C o I 8-2 with Conor 0' Kelly (The man on the telly) scoring the 'Fourths' first ever goal. The first Fourth team included Denis O'Donoghue, Pat Healy (Spartacus, Topper Harley, Eddie Irvine), Benny Aune, Geoff Moore (Augustus Gloop), Rory McCann, Fergal Hayes, Steve 'Gussy' Callan, Tony 'close your eyes and think of England' Beese, Bobbins, Barry O'Sullivan (how refused to shave until we one a match) Conor O'Kelly (Bird), Conor 'Sex fiend' O'Donovan, Simon Butler, Ollie Black and Niall O'Hanlon. The Fourths only won one match that season. This was against Ashton seconds who didn't want to play as they could field only five players. The Fourths insisted however and proceeded to record their first victory 7-2!!!!
The next few years saw many new members flock to the Fourths as most of Commerce was recruited to the cause. Acquisitions included Ken Hughes (Ken was Murphys' Rep. at the time and so he proved very valuable), Gavin Finn, Hugh 'Barndoor' Kiely, Gary 'Hildas' got no hooters' O'Herlihy, Dave 'psycho Hackett,, John 'Saucey' Enright, Ronan 'Dougal' Quinlan, Mark 'Reservoir Puppy' Millard, Andy 'I'm in more Cups than Barrys' Tea' Godsill, Jason 'Flanders' Burns and Dave 'Toons, Luigi, Karl-Heinz Alice, etc., etc, etc, etc' Dwyer.
It took four years for the team to taste any success, even thought he Fourths did manage about seven consecutive 0-0 draws after switching to four-four-two in their third season. This was a notable step forward given the overall 'ability' of the team. Dave Hackett was particularly 'adept' at stopping near post shots, Gary played the off-side rule to perfection, Gussy frequently got us out of Jail with his pace, Benny's hit outs were consistently superb and Patsy didn't fall once.
One notable game that season saw the fourths make the annual trip to Dungarvan to take on Clonmel. Bird had to go in Goal as Hackett was playing Golf in the Costa Del Sol, the Algarve or the Caymen Islands (or some such place). Anyway, the result read Clonmel: Shots 4; College Goals Conceded 4; Bird Shots Stopped Zero; time elapsed 10 minutes. The umpiring was particularly foul in this match, so much so that Gavin Finn, after one particularly poor decision, placed his stick at a 45 degree angle out from his waste and proceeded to rub his hands up and down the shaft of the stick in a graphic manner!! Surprisingly Gavin was sent off for the gesture. In response Gussy picked up the match ball and walked off- "obnoxious in victory, obnoxious in defeat" comes to mind.
95/96 saw the Fourths lose out narrowly on promotion from the third division as well as winning the Barber Cup. This was largely due the efforts of Denis O'Donoghue as Coach and Andy Godsell as playmaker and all round genius. The "old fourths" played their last match that season against C of I Fifths, the team was leading 1-0 at half time when someone realised that this would be the last match that the current team would play together. It was decided that a group hug and a big second half effort was in order. We lost that one 2-1.
Compiled by: John Peare Pat Healy
Thanks to: Pete McSweeney, Dave McCarthy, Ivan Leopold, Denis 0 Donoghue, UCC Archive staff.
1 Cork Examiner, February 12 1895, p3.
2 QCC,April 11 1905, p14.
3 QCC, March 1905, p14.
4 QCC, April 11 1905,p14.
5 QCC, May 111905, p28.
6 QCC, May 111905, p28.
7 QCC, May 111905, p28.
8 QCC, May 111905, p28.
9 QCC, February 20 ~ 906, p45.
10 QCC, December 1910, p31.
11 QCC, January 1911, p30.
12 QCC, February 1911, p71.
13 QCC, February 1911, p70.
14 QCC, February 1911, p71.
15 QCC, March 1911, p101.
I6 QCC, March 1911,p78.
17 Quarryman, May 1914, p132.
(Even though this history reports cover over 100 hundred years of hockey, Jim's varsities report which covers one week is a lot longer !!!)