Nuachtlitir Cumann Fánaithe na Claise Vol 9 Issue 02 Lotto Results Last Week's Numbers: 7, 8, 9, 21 (Draw Sun 06 th Jan) No Jackpot Winner Next week s lotto at: The Brinny Inn Jackpot 5,300 20 Winners: Canon Michael O Brien Cup 1. Kay Murphy, c/o Downs Centra. 2. Cat, Shell & Chris Hayes, c/o Downs Centra. 3. Sharon McCarthy, c/o O Sullivan Centra. 4. John & Tricia, c/o Twohig s. 5. Roisin Burke, Ratharoon. 6. Helen Harte, Ballinascarthy. 7. Tim, Bill & Ellen Casey, Innishannon. 8. Tim Mc Carthy, Clondrohid. 9. Anne Lehane, Dunmanway. 10. Bernard Bugler, Kilnagnady. Page 1 of 6
Canon O Brien Cup, Cork v UCC On Sunday January 06 th last, Cork played UCC in the Annual Canon O Brien Senior Hurling Cup, which honours Valley Rovers man Archdeacon Michael O Brien and his contribution to the GAA. The Canon, as he was affectionately known, was an iconic figure in the great halls of UCC and equally successful with various Cork teams and clubs throughout the county and it is only right and fitting that his memory lives on with this annual event featuring Cork and the Western Road college. Last Sunday s game had another Valley Rovers connection as Chris O Leary started in the no. 5 shirt for UCC. Cork were victorious on the day with a narrow one point win on a scoreline of 1-24 to 1-23, but well done to Chris who scored 5 points from wing back, one from play, & had a great game overall. The O Brien family donated the trophy back in 2013, with the wish that it would be played for every year between the two teams that were so very close to his heart. The cup is a replica of the Fitzgibbon Cup and is on display in the trophy cabinet in the Mardyke Arena. Michael s brother Dermot O Brien is pictured above presenting the cup to cork Captain Christopher Joyce, following their victory on this most recent occasion. The Canon coached Valley Rovers Hurlers to the County Final of 1966 (seen in the photo on the right, talking to the Rovers players prior to 1966 County Final against Carrigtwohill) as well as St Finbarr's Farranferris Harty Cup sides to win four titles in a row, along with two Al-Ireland wins in the 70s, and many of those players were to make an impression with Cork and UCC in later years. The Canon was linked to many of the Cork minor winning teams of the 70s also, but he left his biggest mark when he was part of the management of the victorious Senior All Ireland teams of 1984 and 1990. During this period Canon O Brien, along with Dan Beechinor and Willie J Smyth, led the famous UCC Fitzgibbon sides to eight titles in a row (1981-1988). Amongst the students of that era were some of the great UCC players including Nicky English, Paul O Connor, Tomas Fitzgibbon, Ian Conroy, Ger Cotter and Cathal Casey. In all he won ten Fitzgibbon Cups in eleven years. Page 2 of 6
Valley Rovers remembers the late Paul Farrell It was with great sadness that we learnt of the untimely passing of our colleague & great friend Paul Farrell, last month. Paul was a prominent feature on many a management team over the past few years & has the unbelievable achievement of being a mentor with teams that won 12 titles for Valley Rovers over the last 8 years. Paul s Roll of honour includes; A memorial mass will be held this Saturday, January 12th at 6.30pm in St. Mary s Church, Innishannon for the late Seán Gilligan (The Village Butcher, Innishannon) who died last November. Members of Sean s family from Co. Laois will travel to Innishannon for the mass. Following the mass food will be served in Johnny Crowley s and a presentation to the Irish Cancer Society will take place at 9pm. Seán was a very prominent member in our community before his untimely death and we ask that the mass and presentation will be well attended. 2010 Minor non exam League 2011 Minor premier 2 county 2013 U21 SE A title and County title - first time in the clubs history 2014 U21 SE title 2015 U21 A & B SE titles and County A title 2016 U21 A SE title and winners of the Senior Tom Creedon Cup which was the first Senior football trophy to come to the club 2016 Junior A SE League title 2017 Junior A SE Championship winners for the first time in 21 years. Paul was an extremely popular member of our club which was evident by the large turnout of Valley Rovers members for his funeral. Paul s passing has left a great void in the club & he will be sorely missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam Page 3 of 6
Back in August 2018 Ben Murphy was the winner of the Union Hall Superstars, in which he represented Valley Rovers. Half of this prize money has generously been donated to Marymount Hospice & Ben is pictured below presenting a cheque for 1500 on behalf of the club. Well done again Ben! Our own Daire Kiely got a nice write up in a special Evening Echo sports supplement published in last Fridays Jan 4th edition for anyone that might of seen it. Ger McCarthy wrote The Valley Rovers and Cork LGFA star Daire Kiely enjoyed a standout year and played a prominent role for west cork ladies in the senior championship. Well done Daire! Page 4 of 6
Valley Rovers History There will be an important Camogie club meeting on the Thursday 17th January in Barrett s Lounge Innishannon at 8pm This Meeting will finalise the committee positions & set out the club pathway for 2019. We encourage all existing players, coaches, & parents of each Juvenile player to attend this meeting & be part of the club development as we look to further build on all aspects of the club & make it a central part of the wider Valley Rovers community. We welcome and would be delighted to see new members attend and be a part of the club. It s a fantastic way to get to know people in the parish and feel part of the community. Remember you don t need to be a player or have a daughter playing to be a member! Valley Rovers are in the process of gathering information with the view of recording the History of Gaelic games in the parish in a book. This project is covering all aspects of Gaelic games, be it Hurling Football, Camogie and Ladies Football. Thanks to those who bought Historical items along to the hall last Sunday for the club to use, it is much appreciated. It's still not too late to contribute though. Please Contact any officer or email valleyrovershistory@gmail.com If you have any memorabilia, pictures, old medals, old minute books, old AGM reports etc in your procession. Remember it is not just information from the starting days of the club we require; it is information from all decades up to 2018. All information is welcome and we will endeavor to include as many items as possible. For more details or any queries please contact John Lynch (Knockroe) at 0877617532 or any club officer Hope to see you there! Page 5 of 6
Photographers & reporters needed!! Calling on any budding photographers or match reporters that may be interested in submitting items to the newsletter in 2019. The newsletter & club overall is always looking for information on club related matters on a weekly basis so if you have an interest in photography or attend any of the club games or events, please feel free to send in any photos or reports. They can be emailed to pro.valleyrovers.cork@gaa.ie or you can post to Twitter but remember to tag @Valleyroversgaa on twitter. The Newsletter is there for all sections of the club be it Adult, Juvenile, Camogie and Ladies Football and we are only too happy to promote everyone that wears the green and white but it cannot be done without your help. So get snapping and writing and promote the club so everyone can feel part of it. Thank you Valley Rovers GAA Contact Valley Rovers Phone 0857038198 Email chairperson.valleyrovers.cork@gaa.ie secrectary.valleyrovers.cork@gaa.ie pro.valleyrovers.cork@gaa.ie Website: www.valleyrovers.com Every effort has been made to ensure the contents of this newsletter are correct, however we take no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misprints that may occur in this publication from time to time Page 6 of 6