Chapter 18
The G.A.A. in Boherbue

This is an extract from book “Sport in Boherbue” not yet published.

No organisation has done more for rural Ireland than the Gaelic Athletic Association (G.A.A.). It has created recreation and entertainment for the people, it has highlighted the importance of the Parish and the rules of the association and their application have brought a much-needed discipline (especially in the past) into the lives of those who play Gaelic games. At one stage "faction fighting" bedevilled the Association.
The G.A.A. is a thriving organisation in Boherbue. We are a small unfashionable club with little claim to fame. Honours won have been few and far between but those people who organise the local club and the players from JUNIOR level to the UNDER 12 level are the soul of the parish.
There was always an interest in the G.A.A in the parish, dating back almost to the time when the Association was founded in 1884.Even though we first entered the G.A.A. scene as a Hurling club (affiliated at the first meeting of the new County Board on 13\1\1888), Gaelic football has always been the number one game in the parish. I have often wondered if this is due to the fact that we and the other non-hurling parishes in west Duhallow are in the diocese of Kerry.
The following interesting information appears in the Cork Examiner re the Boherbue club in the last century. On the 28\12\ 1888, we were beaten by Dromtariffe’s second team in the Kanturk tournament on the score 4pts to 2pts. On the 2\2\1889, at the O’Brien County Board meeting, Boherbue club
affiliated as a football club. On the 26\4\1889,O’Brien Board under the heading “events in Duhallow” Boherbue V Knocknagree. No result was given. On the 10\5\1889,Boherbue played Dromtariffe’s second team and were defeated. Being beaten by Dromtariffe at that time was no shame as they were one of the leading clubs in Cork. Going into the 20th century it is recorded in the History of Millstreet G.A.A. by Jim Cronin that in a tournament that took place in 1901, Boherbue got a bye in the first round, were beaten by Dromtariffe in the next round who themselves were beaten by the eventual winners Kanturk. In the same book we read "In Sept 1905 Millstreet travelled to Boherbue to take on the newly established local team in a challenge contest and won by six points to one." In 1909, a meeting was held in Boherbue to establish a football league for the following teams: Kanturk, Castlemagner, Cullen, Millstreet, Dromtariffe, Newmarket and Knocknagree. Notice that Boherbue had not a team but the secretary was a J. Daly, Boherbue. Thus it can be seen that the present Duhallow area was recognised as a natural entity long before it was formally established in 1932.

As far as I know, Duhallow teams were allowed compete in the Avondhu area in 1925 and local folklore tells of famous matches against Sons of Liberty and Ballyhea from that division. In Fermoy G.A.A. history, it is recorded that Fermoy defeated Boherbue in the first round of the 1926 Junior championship.

However, a Football Club had never been a permanent feature of life in the parish until 1946 when a young assistant curate Fr. Jeremiah Dillon organised a Parish League from which grew the present day club. The present day club became a modern club on Saturday, July7th, 1979 with the opening of the Patsy O'Sullivan Memorial Park ---- Patsy had been a player and administrator.

Duhallow Division:-
Since the Duhallow G.A.A. Board first ran its competitions in 1933,Boherbue has won all the domestic trophies at one stage or another and all the Juvenile competitions since that Board was formed in the 1950's. (You had school shield games in the 1930's but they were discontinued due to the World War I presume). Millstreet defeated Boherbue in the school shield in 1933.

In 1933, the Duhallow Board was formally established with the following officers: Chairman, F.J. Hayes; Vice-Chairman, J.G. O'Connor;
Secretary, J. Nevin; Treasurer, J.V. Burton;
Registrar, Wm. O'Donoghue Football Draws:- Blackwater Rovers v Boherbue; Newmarket v Kilcorney; Cullen v Millstreet; Gortmore v Dromtariffe; Lyre Bye

Board Officers:-
We have also supplied Board Officers at various times, e.g. Dan Moynihan, Ruhill, Patsy O'Sullivan, Village, Phil Sullivan, Gneeves. We have supplied three secretaries to the Juvenile Board, Louis McCarthy and Dan Murphy and Stephen Lynch. Jim O'Connor has also served as Vice-Chairman of that Board.
Stephen is now secretary of Duhallow Junior Board.

Honours:-
Junior Football Championship: - (3) 1935,1972,1988 In this competition, I think that we hold the record of being beaten in more finals than any other club, three wins from fourteen appearances.

Examiner Cup (inaugurated in1937) :-(5) 1946,1949,1966,1988,1989.

Nevin Cup (inaugurated 1961): - (5) 1962,1968,1971,1976,1978. Jim Nevin was a former Secretary of the Board -- a Tipperary man.

Novice Football: - (1) 1976. This competition is now called Junior B. since
1980 . We were beaten in the Final of this competition in 1949 and 1950.
Junior B. Football: - (Group 2) (3) 1984, 1987, and 1989.
Under 21 Football: - (1) 1987 Beaten in several finals.
Minor Football: (inaugurated 1936) (5) 1936, 1964 and 1998 and as Araglen Rovers, a Boherbue \ Cullen combination in 1984 and 1985. Macroom beat the 1964 team in the County final, country section. The 1998 team was beaten by Glanmire. The 1936 team was beaten by Sarsfields now Glanmire Gaelic Football Club.
The above tables need revision

Our only claim to fame in the hurling world is that the father of the great Willie John Daly, Paddy “the Jock” Daly was born near Keelnahulla Cross and via Derrygallon, he settled in Carrigtwohill where the illustrious Willie John was born. He won three All Ireland hurling medals with Cork 1952, 1953, 1954. Willie was a great hurler in an era of great hurlers. Christy Ring belonged to that era --- what more need I say.

Great players:-
The Linehans, were the greatest Gaelic football family to come from Boherbue. They were born in a thatched house adjacent to the Parish Hall, the first house in the townland of Derrynatubrid. The three brothers, Peter, Jack and Henry all played with Fermoy and with Cork. They played together for many years with Fermoy but never played together with Cork. Peter and Jack played some challenge games with Boherbue at the start of this century (20th). How did the Fermoy connection come about?
Although their father Paddy was a Carpenter, Peter went to Fermoy at the beginning of the century, in his late teens, to learn the trade from a man called Creedon. Jack, 1885-1968 followed him a few years later and Henry (1891-1982) followed the clan and learned his trade from Peter. Peter and Henry were to spend the remainder of their lives in Fermoy although they were also associated with a little village called Coolagown, a few miles from Fermoy, in the parish of Castlelyons. Peter married a young National teacher from Beara and reared a talented family, academic and sporting. His son Matt, a famous cyclist was tragically killed in a cycling accident. Peter died at the age of sixty five.
The highlight of Peter’s sporting career came in 1906 when he played for Cork against Dublin in the All Ireland Football final. Dublin won on the score 6points to 5 points. Peter got one of the Cork points.
The people of Boherbue can be very proud of this great family.
“I bpáirc peile Dé go raibh a nanama go deó.”
I am very grateful to Kathleen Cranitch (nee Linehan), Michael Barry, author of Fermoy G.A.A. Club History and Jimmy Cronin author of Millstreet G.A.A who helped me in my article on the Linehans

Players who played with Cork 1946 - 2000:-
Noel McCarthy, Cork minor 1947 and several National League games.
Paddy McCarthy, Cork minor 1948,1949. Also played with Clare seniors. Coleman McCarthy, Cork minor 1964. Beaten by Offaly in All Ireland final
The McCarthy brothers were great servants of Boherbue football. Noel was, in my opinion, the best player Boherbue ever had.
Kevin O'Keeffe, Cork minor 1951.
Finbar O'Keeffe, Cork minor 1957,1958
Brothers…Great players… who was the better?
Noel Drew, Cork minor 1960.
Kieran Lenihan, Cork minor 1989.Cork under 21, 1991,1992. He also toured Australia with an under age Cork team in 1988.
Brendan Dennehy, Cork Junior, 1972.
Fr. John Fitzgerald played Senior football for the Combined universities and
for Cork as a goalkeeper. He won a Sigerson Cup medal with Maynooth in 1976. He played with Cork 1979-81 and won a National League medal in 1980 as a sub. goalkeeper.
Dan O’Connor, was a sub on the Cork under 21 team in 1982, beaten by Roscommon. He was also a Cork junior.
Kevin Murphy, Cork Minor, 2000. All Ireland Champions..
We are indeed very proud of Kevin who brought honour to our village and parish in 2000A.D.

Cork Examiner, Friday, July 6th, 1979
Patsy O'Sullivan Memorial Park - Official Opening Tomorrow at 7p.m.
On Saturday night next, July 7th, at 7 pm the new G.A.A. pitch in Boherbue will be officially opened by Mr. Con Murphy, past president of the G.A.A and blessed by local parish priest, Fr O’Donovan. Following the ceremonies, the Patsy O’Sullivan Memorial Park will be the scene of what will be surely a highly entertaining and exciting inter- county football challenge game between Dublin and Cork.
The opening of the park will be the culmination of a project started back in the 1960’s when an enterprising committee spearheaded by the late Patsy O’Sullivan, to whose memory the park has been dedicated, purchased eight acres from Seán Lenihan at Derrinatubrid with a view to developing it as a playing pitch.
However, following a survey, it was discovered that it would be unsuitable for such a project and the idea had to be left for some time.
The trustees of that first ground were Con Murphy, James J McAuliffe, Denis P. O’Sullivan and Rev. Eugene O’Connor.
The club leased land for use from a local farmer and they have also been very fortunate to have had the use of the playing pitch in the local comprehensive school, courtesy of the head-master and the school board.
The field they leased was sold to them for use as playing
pitch by Mr Christy Feehan and the club paid particular tribute to him for his co-operation and understanding down through the years. In addition to the five acres purchased from him they also bought an additional half- acre from Tim O’Sullivan who facilitated them in every possible way.
The new field cost in the region of £30,000 and it is a fitting tribute to the endeavours of all club members who worked for the fruition of a dream come true.
The club got off to an excellent start for they sold the land at Derrynatubrid for £16,000 to a local farmer and this enabled them to go ahead with the development of the other ground at Gneeves which is located close to the village of Boherbue.
Further fund raising efforts were undertaken including a local annual festival which has been very successful.
The levelling of the Ground at the new pitch was undertaken by Mr. Dan J. Fitzgerald of Ballydesmond and once this was completed a team of voluntary workers moved in. They devoted much of their time and efforts to working at the grounds and the results of their endeavours will be seen tomorrow.
The seeds for the field were provided free of charge by Suttons of Cork and the club had a special word of thanks for Mr. Michael Murphy* of that company.
The opening of the new pitch signifies a very important event in the history of the club which finds its roots at least as far back as the 1930’s. The field is completely fenced in and it is hoped that work will commence shortly on new dressing rooms complete with all modern facilities.
The trustees of the new pitch are Con Murphy, Denis Conroy, James J. McAuliffe, Denis P. O’Sullivan, and Denis J. McCarthy.
The officers of the Club are :- Chairman, Phil O’Sullivan, Secretary, Tom Lovett, Ass. Sec, Pat O’Connell, Treasurer, Jim O’Connor, N.T Registrar,
Charles Ankettell, Board Rep, Pat Walsh.
Committee:- Tom Punch, Con Reen, Pat Walsh, Seán Lenihan, Frank Lenihan
and Cyril Lovett N.T,s
There will be a reception following the match in the Community School.

* A native of Ballydesmond.

Some of the people responsible for making our dream come true.
Front row :- Paddy Walsh, Jim O’Connor, Cyril Lovett, Phil O’Sullivan, Tom Lovett, Con Reen, Pat Joe Ryan.
Back Row:- Mick Daly,Eamon O’Sullivan, Chas Ankettell, Donie Buckley, P. J. Keating, Tom Punch, Thomas Ankettell, Jerry Daly, Frank Lenihan

John Joe Brosnan Reporting on the 1972 Duhallow Final
Boherbue sweep to glorious success Boherbue 2-8 Ballydesmond 2-5:-
All the frustration and disappointment experienced during thirty seven years of fruitless endeavour gave way to wild scenes of jubilation as Boherbue swept to victory over Ballydesmond in the Duhallow Junior Football final at Banteer on Sunday. The long, long wait came to an end after a tense game in which Boherbue played the better football but failed to open up a gap that would have made the issue safe for them. Instead they had to fight very hard to prevent Ballydesmond from going through for the equalising goal in the closing minutes.
It would have been hard luck on Boherbue if they had been caught on the post and if it had happened they would have nobody to blame but themselves, for they only scored a point in the second half although managing to win the major share of the play during this period.
They led by five points at half time (2-7 to 2-2) and must have been reasonably confident of victory although having to face the wind after the changeover. For the first half had seen them play very forceful football which put Ballydesmond on the wrong foot from the start and kept them there during the half hour.

Shaky Ground:-
The first four minutes of the second half provided three points – two for
Ballydesmond and one for Boherbue – but after that both attacking divisions seemed to run out of inspiration and the final 26 minutes of the Game yielded only a single point, which was scored by Ballydesmond forward Thade Healy eight minutes from time
The Boherbue forwards seemed to lose confidence in themselves early in the second half. Balls, which should have been tapped over easily from, frees and from play were sent wide and then a mood of desperation set in. The upshot was that Ballydesmond remained within four points of the challengers for eighteen minutes and then when they closed it to three with Eight minutes left, Boherbue were on shaky ground.
It was the opinion of most people in the big attendance that if Ballydesmond had goaled then, the title would be theirs for a major score would probably have given the team the lift which eluded it right through the game. But to Boherbue’s credit they dug in firmly and repulsed all attempts to storm their citadel.
The best football in the game was seen in the first half, which provided some fine open play and a series of excellent scores. It remains something of a mystery why the standard dropped considerably in the second half.
Boherbue had a good point in the first minute when Corney Vaughan got his fist to a ball dropping into the square from a kick by Pat Moynihan and directed it over the bar. In the 7th minute Donie Buckley added a point from a free.

Great Lift:-
Ballydesmond, who won the title for the first time last year came into the picture in the 9th minute when Thade Healy slammed to the net from a cross by Andy O’Connor. In the next six minutes Boherbue scored three points to Ballydesmond’s one, giving them a point lead (0-5 to 1-1) at the end of the first quarter.
Then in the 16th minute Boherbue’s fortunes got a great lift when Donie Buckley got possession from a centre by Brendan Dennehy and made no mistake with a great drive to the net.
Ballydesmond were back with a bang eight minutes later, however, when Andy O’Connor grabbed the ball from Sean Kelly’s long kick into the goalmouth and slammed it past Boherbue goalkeeper Bill O’Keeffe.
The last five minutes of the first half saw Boherbue extend their lead. Donie Buckley had two points and then two minutes before the break, Jerry Daly goaled. Almost on half time Danno Dennehy had a Ballydesmond point from a free.
At half time it was a question of whether Boherbue would go on to play the confident brand of football that had characterised their play in the first half, or whether Ballydesmond, who had not yet come out of their shell, would wear them down and produce the type of play that won them last year’s title?
The second half proved frustrating for both teams, Boherbue, who were still making most of the running, were unable to add to their early point, but Ballydesmond, with fewer opportunities, were no more successful in their scoring efforts. So the game developed into a hard relentless battle for the upper hand, with both sets of defences dominating the play.

Tense Finish:-
The final minutes of the game were very tense as Boherbue clung to their three point lead, even then passing up opportunities to increase it. Ballydesmond made a few brave attempts to burst their way through for the equalising goal but they were foiled on each occasion and then the final whistle signalled that Boherbue’s long wait was over.
Boherbue owed their victory to a solid display by the team as a whole, with Bob O’Riordan and Pat Moynihan doing very well at midfield, Jerome Ryan proving a powerful bulwark in a good defence and Donie Buckley emerging as the shining light in attack especially in the first half.
Buckley continued to show up as Boherbue’s best forward in
the second half even though he was marked very closely…???????…
(TWO lines missing from Account in Paper)
Ballydesmond were toiling at midfield for a good part of the game and with a strong Boherbue half-back line beating back numerous attempts to get the ball through to the inside men, they had to make do with a good deal less of the play than their opponents. Thade Healy made a brave effort to rally the forwards in the second half but this in itself was not enough. The defence as a whole played very well, marking so closely in the second half that the Boherbue forwards were put right off their game.

Scores for Boherbue: Donie Buckley 1-6 (0-4 frees), Jerry Daly 1-0, Corney Vaughan, Bob O’Riordan,0-1 each

Scores for Ballydesmond: Thade Healy, 1-1, Andy O’Connor,1-0, Danno Dennehy 0-2 frees, Tom Murphy and Dan O’Connor 0-1 each.

Boherbue:-
Back Row: - Charlie Breen, Phil O'Sullivan, Billy McAuliffe, Pat Joe Ryan, Frank Linehan, Cornelius Vaughan, John Moynihan, Donie Buckley, Joe Walsh, Tom Punch, Bob O'Riordan.
Front Row: Bill O'Keeffe, Frank O'Sullivan, Jeremiah Breen, Jerome Ryan, Jerry Daly, Pat Moynihan, Brendan Dennehy, Mick Daly, Tom Courtney.

Ballydesmond: - T. Fleming, J. Healy, C. O’Connor, T. Murphy, N. O’Connor, T. Dennehy, B. Scollard, S. Kelly, D. Dennehy, T. Murphy, T. Healy,
D. O’Connor, J. Murphy, J. Murphy, A. O’Connor, T. O’Leary.
Subs: - T.J. O’Connell for J. Healy, J. Walsh for J. Murphy
Referee: - John Joe Kavanagh, Glenlara

John Joe Brosnan Reporting on 1988 Duhallow final
Fitzgerald's goal clinches title for Boherbue:-
All the disappointments and near misses of the past were forgotten by Boherbue supporters on Sunday when, at their own venue, they finally turned the tables on old rivals Knocknagree to take the Duhallow football title for the first time in sixteen years and their third time in all.
There could be no disputing the fact that Boherbue fully deserved their win, for their in-depth strength proved too much for a Knocknagree side which included seven members of last year’s minor side. It is obvious Knocknagree need a bit more time to achieve the balance and the maturity to get back where they left off in 1984.
And yet, despite Boherbue’s advantage in physical strength, Knocknagree played well enough to stay in contention until four minutes from the end , when a goal by John Fitzgerald sent Boherbue into a seven point lead and clinched the title for them.

Tension:-
After having led by four points at the interval, Boherbue stayed in front all through the second half, their lead fluctuating between three and six points. But they were never in a position to feel secure, for Knocknagree battled on with considerable spirit and when they reduced the margin to four points with ten minutes to go, at a time when they were enjoying an advantage on the play, there was considerable tension around the ground.
However, Knocknagree’s efforts to make the final push and especially to go through for the goal that might have sparked off a dramatic finish failed against the strong and resolute Boherbue defence. But there were a few anxious moments as the ball bobbed dangerously around the square.
The Knocknagree come back effort had come after a period of Boherbue supremacy and it died when Fitzgerald’s goal put the destination of the title beyond doubt.
On holding ground after heavy rain in the previous week, the game provided a good standard of football and plenty of tension, but real drama and excitement was absent because of the fact that the fortunes of the game never really changed after Boherbue had taken a four point lead by half-time.
They owed their victory to a good all-round display, with the defence showing no weaknesses, midfielders Séamus O’Sullivan and Andrew Murphy playing strongly and John Fitzgerald proving a real opportunist in an attack in which youthful players Kieran Linehan and Donie Vaughan combined well with the other forwards.
Séamus O’Sullivan was probably Boherbue’s man of the match for a power packed performance which took him over a fair amount of the pitch and one was always conscious of the strong and adventurous play of Dan O’Connor at left half back. But indeed there were many other good individual performances on a side which impressed in all sectors.
Knocknagree were not able to achieve the same balance but it is to their credit that they managed to put up such a good show despite that. It is certain that they would have been in trouble much sooner had it not been for a great display at centre back by Denny O’Connor in the first half. The defence generally played well and John C. Horan and Donal O’Connor worked hard at midfield while Finbar O’Connor and Niall O’Connor tried repeatedly to open up the Boherbue defence. But generally, the Knocknagree forwards were not strong enough to make any meaningful penetration and it is significant that they had to depend on frees for four of their eight points.
John Fitzgerald’s contribution to Boherbue’s tally was one of the most significant things of the game. Most of his scores came from half chances and quick thinking. He was never given much space but managed to score 1-4 from play despite that.
The first quarter of the game saw a slow build-up to the real battle.
Both sides played carefully, with defences dominating and the only scores in sixteen minutes were two points from frees by Knocknagree’s Niall O’Connor and a similar score for Boherbue by John Fitzgerald.
Then over a twelve minute period, came six points for Boherbue without reply. The strong play of the Boherbue half-backs and midfielders began to tell and John Fitzgerald (0-4) , Dan O’Connor and Jeremiah Dennehy found the target before Niall O’Connor pointed another free for Knocknagree just before the interval, at which stage Boherbue led by 0-7 to 0-3.
Cormac Lenihan increased Boherbue’s lead after a good move involving Kieran Lenihan soon after the resumption, but then Knocknagree’s hopes were revived with points from Niall O’Connor and Donal O’Connor, who had moved in from midfield to the half-forward line. However, Boherbue gathered strength again and had points from John O’Sullivan ---- a great score from far out on the wing ---- Kieran Linehan and Donie Vaughan to boost their lead to six points.
Entering the last quarter, Knocknagree stepped up the level of their performance and began to win a lot of the play. Points by Niall O’Connor (free) and Donal O’Connor had the margin down to four points and Boherbue had some reason for concern. But Knocknagree, although trying hard, were unable to get through for the goal they sought and when it came at the other end four minutes from time, when John Fitzgerald picked his spot well before putting a ground shot beyond the reach of John Murphy, it was all over.

Scores for Boherbue:
J. Fitzgerald 1-5, C. Lenihan 0-2, D. O’Connor, J. Dennehy, J. O’Sullivan, D. Vaughan, K. Lenihan, 0-1 each
Scores for Knocknagree:
N. O’Connor 0-6, D. O’Connor 0-2
Boherbue: -
J. O’Connell, J. Murphy, B. McAuliffe, J. Breen, C. Lenihan, D. O’Sullivan, D. O’Connor, A. Murphy, S. O’Sullivan, J. O’Sullivan, J. Dennehy capt, K. Lenihan,
D. Punch, D. Lenihan, J. Fitzgerald.
Sub: - Donie Vaughan for D. Punch
Knocknagree: - J. Murphy, G. Sweeney, M. Hickey, S. Fleming, B. O’Connor, Ds. O’Connor, S. Sheehan, J. C. Horan, Dl. O’Connor, F .O’Connor, P. Mahoney, P. O’Connor, B. J. O’Connor, N. O’Connor, D. Fitzgerald
Subs: - Bertie Hickey for S. Fleming, Ds. Buckley for B.J. O’Connor.

Duhallow Junior Football Champions 2017

The Corkman 7th September 2017:
Another chapter in the history of the local GAA club was written at the Kanturk club grounds of Wednesday evening last, August 30, a chapter that was started but unfinished at the same venue on the previous Sunday, August 23. It was written by a combined group of young footballers and mentors who brought glory and honour to this club, to Boherbue parish and to all within.
What excitement, one had to see it to believe it as tears of joy flowed freely from both young and old.
Hearts were throbbing with delight -- hugs and kisses all round - Boherbue were Duhallow Junior A football champions, and were they going to enjoy and relish the moment,
It hadn’t come easily, it had to be cared out both on the field of play and on the sideline,
In the drawn game, Boherbue had come from 5 points down in the losing minutes to snatch a draw, but they did so. Their never give up attitude, their willingness to battle on despite the challenge plus their ability to take the game to their opponents when most needed reaped their just reward.
Worthy champions, they thoroughly deserved their victory -- its been a long time coming which makes it even sweeter. The final scoreline of 1-12 to 0-14 (for Knocknagree) tells its own story, it had to be eyes on the ball all the way.
Duhallow Board chairman Joe Kearns (who’s wife Mary is a loyal Boher supporter) presented the trophy to team captain Daniel Buckley who raised it aloft to a tremendous cheer from the massive Boher following, many of whom had travelled from outside areas to share in the moment.
The spirit of the Club was floating in the air, everyone was so proud to be part of it, mobiles were ringing with messages of congratulations, it was simply electric -- nobody wanted to leave the field.
On arrival back home, the team paraded from the East End to the Square where the players were introduced to a huge gathering from a platform compliments of Andrew O’Connor.
Club chairman and selector Aidan Buckley complimented all involved especially the team management and in particular manager Alan Lync, the players selectors, supporters, those who helped in anyway with training, food etc.
Fellow selector John Murphy then introduced the players and they received a rapturous welcome, especially man of the match Niall Murphy. The setting concluded with Adrian Murphy and Daniel Buckley making an attempt to sing, but that was quickly called to a halt when manager Lynch took ‘the mike’ to sing a verse of the Green and Gold of Boherbue.
The celebrations then moved to the local hostelries until the early hours.
Congrats to all involved -- it was a title achieved through a combination of good planning, hard graft, dedication and love of your Club, your home, your area.
Panel: Daniel Buckley, Kevin Murphy, Niall Murphy, Tim Murphy, Daniel Moynihan, Mikie O’Gorman, Patrick Murphy, Billy O’Gorman, Kevin Cremin, Alan Guerin, Adrian Murphy, Richard Moynihan, Andrew O’Connor, Michael O’Connor, Jerry O’Connor, Bertie Buckley, Dermot Cremins, Daniel Murphy, James Casey, Conor O’Riordan, David O’Connor (inj), John Corkery (inj). Denis O’Sullivan, CJ O’Sullivan, Donal O’Connell, Jack Daly, Bryan Herlihy, Stephen Aherne, Kieran O’Connell, Colin O’Keeffe, Hugh Patrick O’Connor, Ross O’Connor, Liam O’Keeffe, Oisin Healy, Patrick Daly, Jerry O’Sullivan.
Team management: Alan Lynch, Aidan Buckley, Enda Aherne, John Murphy, Kieran Lenihan, Anthony Buckley.
Physio: Megan O’Mahony, Danny McAuliffe.

Boherbue Juvenile Club

The continuity of any club depends on the supply of players coming through the under-age ranks. In pre-war times, you had under age tournaments and in my research I have come across an account of a game between Boherbue and Millstreet in the 1930’s. I can remember inter schools games between Boherbue and Drominarigle being played where the O’Connell, Clancy, Galvin housing estate is situated. The Shines, O’Hallorans, Hartnetts and -- were the backbone of the Drominarigle contingent in their efforts to subdue the “manly” villagers. Many of these games ended in fights but we always “made up” and looked forward to the next encounter. Noel McCarthy, his brother Paddy and Kevin O’Keeffe were the village stars during those war-years encounters. The country school-boys often had to be sent for if a fight was brewing. Billy Jack Jim O'Connor was our trump card on these occasions.
I can also remember a “hiding”we got from Derrinagree school around 1942 when Brendan O’Riordan and Patsy O’Sullivan were our big players and Ted Pigott was their super star. We thought that Derrinagree were unbeatable and then we were put further back in the “pecking order” when we heard that Rathcoole School could beat Derrinagree. All these games were arranged between the teachers of the various schools and that inter school rivalry was instrumental in keeping up a constant supply of players for the adult grades.                                         
The G.A.A. minded teachers were the Juvenile Board at the time. Juvenile Football and Hurling were properly organised in Duhallow in the early 1950’s and the first team of account that emerged was “Na Piarsaigh” a combination of clubs from West Duhallow whose good players were moulded into a county winning combination. Paddy Dillon, N.T. Foyle, John Brendan O’Keeffe, N.T. Glashakinleen and Jimmy Collins, Tureendubh were the chief mentors of this successful team. Boherbue were represented on this team by Timmy Daly and Finbar O’Keeffe. 
Boherbue entered the Juvenile scene in 1957-58 when Louis McCarthy,  Danny “Boy” O’Connor, Connie O’Mahony and Finbar O’Keeffe started rounding up the under-age talent in the parish. After a weak beginning, success came in 1960 when we won the under 14 title. In the inter-divisional campaign, we were beaten by Fermoy after a great game. This under 14 team of 1960 formed the nucleus of the under 16 winning teams of 1961 and 1962 and the 1964 minor champions. We also had very good unsuccessful under 14 teams in the early sixties but Millstreet and Cullen were our bogey teams at that period. Curate Fr. P.J. O’Sullivan was very helpful to the fledging club. Louis McCarthy was secretary of the Duhallow Juvenile Board during that golden era, secretary since March 1958.
Ever since those far off days, Juvenile Football has thrived in Boherbue under the leadership of Frank O’Sullivan, Jim O’Connor N.T. and Dan Murphy who in his playing days captained a team that very nearly won the county under 14 title. Jim O’Connor presided over the seven Sciath na Scol victories in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The Juvenile Club is still in good hands, stronger than ever with a hard core of amazons leading from the front. Since the 1960 success, Boherbue Under-Age teams have won every honour in every grade in Duhallow and in recent years have become a club to be reckoned with at county level.
The Spirit of Knocknagow is definitely alive at under-age level in the parish.

Back Row:- Finbar O'Keeffe (selector), Bill O'Sullivan, Tureenavuscane, Timmy O'Keeffe, Derryleigh, Jack O'Connor, Knocknacurra,
Patsy Aherne , Drominarigle, Michael Murphy, Ruhill, Mickey Joe Murphy, Ruhill, Danny "Boy" Courtney, Islandave,
Connie O'Mahony, Joe Mulcahy.
Middle Row:- Louis McCarthy (selector), Pat McAuliffe, Jerry O'Leary, Gneeves, Timmy Galvin, Mentyfluigh, John Guerin, Derryleigh,
Coleman McCarthy, Laharn, Paddy Joe Greaney, Knocknamucla, Christie Herlihy, Tureenavuscane, Denis P. O'Sullivan, Garda Barry.
Front Row:- Fr. O'Connor, Seamus O'Keeffe, Drominarigle, Patsy McAuliffe, Laharn, Pat Courtney, Islandave, Pat Moynihan, Acres,
Johnny O'Sullivan, Gleannrioch, Denny O'Keeffe, Drominarigle, Brendan Dennehy, Laharn, Fr. O'Sullivan (selector).

Boherbue U12 County Champions 2008

Back Row:- Colin O'Keeffe, David O'Keeffe, David O'Connor, Eddie Kiely, Andrew O'Connor, John Paul Breen, Richard Moynihan, Alan Cremin,
Daniel Moynihan, Nathan O'Sullivan.
Front Row:-Bryan Herlihy, Brian O'Keeffe, Timothy Murphy, Peter Murphy, Shane Flynn, Adrian Murphy, CJ O'Sullivan, Michael Daly, Steven Ahern.

Boherbue U16 County Champions 2010

Back Row:- Jimmy Herlihy, David O'Keeffe, Kevin Scannell, Ds O'Sullivan, Timothy Murphy, Dermot Cremin, Billy O'Gorman, Kenneth Lawton,
Tadhg Walsh, Eddie Kiely, Daniel Buckley.
Front Row:- Adrian Murphy, Andrew O'Connor, Liam Daly, Niall Murphy (Capt.), Dl. Murphy, Alan Cremin, James Casey, Steven Arern. On Ground:- Alan O'Sullivan, Kevin Cremin.

Boherbue, winners over Inniscarra in the Co. Premier 2 Football League Final

Back Row:- Liam O'Gorman, Alan Lynch, Eddie Kiely Paul Shine, Richard Moynihan, Daniel Moynihan, Denis O'Sullivan, Kenneth Lawton,
Billy O'Gorman, Tadhg Walsh, Daniel Murphy, David O'Keeffe, Andrew O'Connor, Jimmy Herlihy, Alan Guerin, John Murphy.
Front Row:- Aindreas O'Connor, Brian O'Herlihy, Shane O'Flynn, Peter Murphy, Alan O'Sullivan, Daniel Buckley (Capt.), Stephen Aherne,
Adrian Murphy, Kevin Cremin, Timothy Murphy.

Boherbue Ladies Club History

Boherbue Ladies Football Club was formed in the mid 1980's. In those days, before the sport was organised, Challenge games were arranged against ladies from adjacent villages. These games were a novelty at the time and they added an extra dimension to carnival programmes. Records show Boherbue played Rockchapel In the Festival final in July 1989. Mourne, Kilshanig, Rockchapel and Liscarroll were other venues for games from 1989 to 1993.
The Boherbue club caters for girls from the under 10 grade to under 21 plus Junior teams. The club is really an amalgamation of the young ladies from the Cullen, Knocknagree, Kiskeam, Newmarket, Ballydesmond and the Boherbue areas - The Sliabh Luachra Belles.
The 1990's was a time for and development and teams were entered in the under 12, 14, 16 and minor grades. Great progress has been made since 2001, county titles have been won in all grades and many players have played for the county. We can be very proud of the following success table.
2005 County Minor C winners.
2006 County under 21 C winners.
2007 under 16 B winners.
2009 under 12 C winners.
2010 Under 14 A winners.
Sinead Heelan, Anita Enright, Marika Cottrell, Aine O'Herlihy, The O'Connor Twins, Claire and Caroline, Julie Dennehy, Orlaith McAuliffe Shauna Kelly, Evie and Beatrice Casey have all played for Cork in the under 10-18 teams since 2005.
Ladies football is the fastest growing sport in Ireland.
Addendum:- On December 9th 2011, the ladies team won the county under 21 Grade A title, defeating Bride Rovers in the final at Mallow.
I am grateful to Jerome Casey for the above information.

Scór Competitions

The aims of the G.A.A. cover every aspect of Irish Life and in recent years the cultural aspect is being catered for during the Winter months when physical activities cease during the closed season. They really are an expansion of the old Oireachtas competitions with all age groups displaying their skills.
Every aspect of the G.A.A. is now being catered for in the parish and our Roll of Honour in Scór competitions is written in Gold - success after success at local and national level.