‘CROSS EYE Official Matchday Programme of Cork City FORAS Co-op

v Waterford United FC €3 Friday 12 March 2010, 7.45 pm Turner’s Cross Issue 1

Historic day for club that can rise again By Fran Gavin, Director, Airtricity League

It is an historic day at the club entered into exam - the hands of the supporters Turner’s Cross, as Cork inership in 2008. When Tom – the same fans who fol - City FORAS Co-op pre - Coughlan purchased the lowed Cork City all over pares for its first Airtricity club, the FAI and the sup - Ireland now have the oppor - League match. After a porters were pleased that tunity to shape their own turbulent off-season, foot - the club had been given a destiny. ball fans in Cork now have second chance. However, we an oppoartunity to be also warned Mr Coughlan The FAI is fully supportive of part of a very special new that the club could regain FORAS. We believe that this era for Airtricity League stability only if he adhered is a real opportunity to es - football in the Rebel to a sound and sustainable tablish a sustainable, com - County. financial path. Unfortu - munity-based club in Cork. nately, Tom Coughlan chose The days of false promises As Cork City FORAS Co-op a different path. and unrealistic spending take to the field tonight should now be over. The against Waterford United, Despite the efforts of FORAS people running the club now fans will experience many and Quintas to purchase the have no agendas; they are different emotions. There will club, the situation was left supporters who care only be disappointment, of unaddressed and so when about the best interests of course, that Cork is no longer the Independent Licensing Cork football. represented in the top flight Committee met to discuss of Irish football. More impor - Cork City, they were faced The road ahead will contain tantly, however, there will with a licence application many challenges. However, be a tremendous sense of from a club with no tax in the Brandywell last week I pride at having saved senior clearance certificate and no witnessed at first hand, the football in the city, and a plans in place to meet the support, dedication and pas - huge sense of excitement many creditors. Faced with sion of the real fans of Cork about what the future holds. this situation, the licensing football and the commit - committee had no choice ment of the clubs players, Everybody involved in Air - but to deny a licence. and I am convinced this club tricity League football is dis - can rise again. appointed that Cork is not While the shock of recent represented in the Premier weeks will no doubt take Division. Cork City FC was a time to sink in for many huge club with a large and Cork football fans, this passionate fan base. evening’s match is an impor - tant step on the road to a After a turbulent spell under new beginning. The new the ownership of Arkaga, Cork City FORAS Co-op is in

‘Cross Eye Team: Éanna Buckley, Gerry Desmond & Dave Galvin Charting a Course John O’Sullivan, Chairman of FORAS

I would like to welcome make the club a success, but We have been overwhelmed you all to Turner’s Cross these commentators forget by the goodwill shown to a for tonight’s game. A that supporters in Cork are supporters’ owned club these warm welcome also to our more than people who stand past two short weeks. The visitors this evening, who for 90 minutes watching the business community has have made the short jour - game. FORAS counts among come to our aid with gener - ney from Suirside, we hope its members people such as ous sponsorship and practical you enjoy your visit to the Jerry Harris, Joe Hurley, support in terms of accom - Rebel County. Dave Barry and Noelle modation, kit and equip - Feeney who have been vital ment; our good friends here The crest on the jersey of to football in Cork for the in Turner’s Cross also, with your team tonight depicts, last 25 years and more and both the local Community as many local football crests who offered necessary help, Centre and the Turner’s down through the years support, publicity and ad - Cross Tavern opening their have, a play on the Cork vice to ensure that we got doors to us. City coat of arms showing a off on the right foot. Football ship in full sail between two people such as Liam Murphy We are particularly de - towers. On the new crest the were essential as we sought lighted with the ready sup - sea that the ship sails on is to find the right man for the port that has been offered perfectly flat, in sharp con - manager’s role and in help - by the football community; trast to the stormy seas de - ing to identify potential Crosshaven accepting a picted in the past and which players. hastily arranged practice over the past two years have match coupled with the kind been reflected in real life. Within days of getting and welcome offers of train - started Tommy Dunne, ing facilities by Carrigaline We’ve had a busy few weeks Kevin Mullen and Éanna United FC and Blarney since the news broke that Buckley were on board and United. I was lucky enough Cork City Investments FC ensuring that we were al - to spend some time speak - Ltd., had failed to achieve ready heading in the right ing with Carrigaline Chair - the necessary standards for a direction. The work done by man Willie Walsh, and Brian licence to compete in foot - all three in such a short time Martin [under-15 coach] as ball. It fell on the supporters, has been amazing, culmi - Tommy Dunne took his first awarded a First Division li - nating in the outstanding re - training session at their facil - cence, to get our ship afloat sult last week in the ity. The goodwill towards and place a team represent - Brandywell, where a fine Cork City and the opportu - ing Cork City on the pitch in group of players, some expe - nities it can offer young local less than ten days. rienced, some less so played players to play at a high with immense pride in the level while completing their It’s been mentioned by some jersey they wore, cheered on education formed a large Irish commentators that a by a few hundred supporters part of the discussion. We crew of supporters don’t who had made the lengthy hope that over time we can have the experience to bus trip with them. start to build a positive rela - tionship with local clubs. Our goal is to win back the You can do what you’re Many of our 500 FORAS name and play under it in doing right now, attend the members are also members the future. We strongly be - games and buy the pro - of clubs throughout the lieve that the name should gramme and cheer on the county and beyond, who belong only to the support - lads on the pitch. recognise the value of the ers of the club and to the local club structure and who City itself; you are the peo - For the first time in the his - want to give back to it. ple to whom it means the tory of the game in Cork, most, you are the people you can walk into Turners’ In the short term the focus is who have enjoyed the highs Cross and be an owner of to steady the ship, to be as and suffered the lows of the the club. It’s mine, it’s yours, competitive as possible in past 25 years and you are it’s ours and to return to the every game we play and to the people who can do the ship on the crest, we can bring some much needed most to return the name to chart the course. That we pri de back to the game in the its former standing, restoring can start the journey with a City. We want the headlines we pride and trust. Munster Derby against a make to be on the sports pages very strong Waterford and to let everyone focus on There are three ways you United team is a huge football again. can help: bonus. Stephen Henderson You can join the 500+ peo - has put together a fine In the mid-term we’re in ple who currently own the squad that is sure to chal - talks with the Liquidator club and have a genuine lenge at the top of the table about buying the name democratic say in directing this season and it’s great to Cork City Football Club, as our future. www.forastrust.ie welcome back the many fa - well as the intellectual prop - and www.corkcityforasco- miliar faces on the Water - erty of the club e.g. crests op.com have all the details ford side. used between 1984 and you need, or you can attend 2010. We are also supporting the FORAS stalls inside the Finally, I’d like to invite you the Cork City FC underage ground on match nights. all, be you a home or away teams where we are being You can volunteer to help supporter to the Turner’s allowed that opportunity; out on match nights, in Cross Tavern after the game they are currently under the fundraising or even in some - for a fun Sports Quiz. sole ownership of the liq - thing as simple as the clean- uidator. We will continue to up of Bishopstown, our support them: we’re all Cork training stadium, this coming City FC supporters and the Sunday at noon. The more events of recent months of you that get involved, the haven’t changed that. stronger the club becomes.

What would this risky deal us bring Razor’s Rhymes Club name apart and doing the right thing

Democracy Would we be inviting trouble? Unknown debt would quickly double We went along that Friday night Heart says “Can’t let our club die” Not knowing details of our plight Head says “Time to say goodbye It all came clear quite early on We’d something big to vote upon ”Motion carried, 4-hour session, All united in our progression I personally had some reservations The leadership they did us proud Veering more towards club creation Bases covered, on we ploughed

Dunne Deal! Niamh O’Mahony meets the new man at the helm

When former British Prime - uncles - that have played but we had Dave Rogers Minister Harold Wilson in the league, so it really is a and Greg O’Halloran and coined the phrase ‘A week culture for us,” he told Cross there are league champi - is a long time in politics’, Eye. onships between both of he was not thinking about them. Mark McNulty has a football. However, Cork “All of the bad things that league winner’s medal, so City supporters can now have happened in the does Cillian Lordan and relate to that very senti - league in recent years, it Davin O’Neill was a good ment. Plenty has already would take more than that player for us last year. We been written about events to turn me off. There are also had Graham Cummins of the past two months. other people here that are up front, so the core of our Suffice to say, it has been a like that as well. At the end team wasn’t too bad either!. massive relief to get back of it all, this is our life. People to talking about and dis - come and go - they’ll blow “I thought the younger lads cussing football matters. through - and we’ll still want around them did brilliantly. to be involved. It’s not just Derry had most of the pos - From the moment FORAS match day, it’s every day. session but they didn’t really was awarded a First Division We have a hunger and a do anything with it. I was licence, intense speculation passion for it and once you disappointed with the goal about who would be chosen have that, you’ll never just that we conceded - it was a as the new first-team man - give up. free-kick but there were a ager began in earnest. Local couple of things that should - names were mentioned be - ”The 37-year-old had no n’t have happened. We did - fore it was confirmed that choice but to go about his n’t have the ideal Tommy Dunne had agreed business quickly. He had just preparation but the atmos - to take on the task. The over a week to assemble a phere was good and adren - Dubliner was Paul Doolin’s squad for the first away aline got players through to assistant last season and game in Derry and man - the final whistle. comes to the job knowing aged to recruit a group of 16 just how much the game can players before learning that ”Stability is the main aim for mean to people. three - Admir Softic, Declan Dunne, his players and the Edwards and Italian people working behind the “I grew up in a family where Samuele Emiliano - will not scenes at the club in the football and particularly be able to play until the coming weeks. Much has League of Ireland football summer transfer window been accomplished in a short was huge. My father (Theo opens. Nevertheless, a mix - period of time, but there is Dunne) managed UCD. He ture of youth and experience still plenty to do in the com - won league titles and played took to the pitch at the ing months and years, in - for Shelbourne. Richard Brandywell, earning the club cluding the setting up of a Dunne is my first cousin as is a well-deserved draw proper underage structure. Tony Cousins (Longford Town boss) and I’ve have .“People were talking about “The youths are going to be other members of my family the spine of the Derry team, really important. We’re in the First Division, our .“I am looking forward to budget is small, so we’re the season but, being truth - going to have to tap ful, I am also a little appre - into that. There are a hensive. The work and few models that we preparation we would have have from other clubs in liked to have done to set different countries that yourself up for a season has - could work here and n’t been done, so it’s going to which mightn’t cost that be difficult. We’ll have our much. highs and lows but once we get through a season in rea - “Youth development sonably good shape, then I has huge potential for think it will be a success. the club in the future and we should look at “Waterford have a strong ways that our club and squad, they are potential those clubs that players league winners and we are are coming from can under no illusions - getting a form a partnership and result in Derry still doesn’t help each other out. A mean that we’ll be thinking lot of trust and relation - we can win the game - but ships were abused and tations for the season but did we’ll go out there and try to broken in the past number say that his team will be perform to the best of our of years and we’ve got to training on a near full-time ability.” try, as a club, to rebuild that. basis in the coming weeks in an effort to make up for ”The new Gaffer sounded a valuable pre-season time note of caution over expec - lost

In the opposite corner Paul Barry casts an eye over Waterford United

an insurmountable task, of the FAI Cup, to the semi- Last Season: Waterford had left them - finals, and went agonisingly Waterford United were selves with a tougher quest close to a trip to Tallaght forced to endure another in the closing months of the Stadium for the final. Sligo, year of missed and rued op - season than should have in the Showgrounds, ended portunities, as an initially been necessary. their hopes of success, how - strong promotion push was ever, when a goal fifteen later dissipated. And, unfortunately for the minutes from time put Blues, it was a bridge too far Rovers on the road to the The Blues enjoyed a flying to be crossed. The loss at the decider instead. The League start to their second season end of Series Two left a slight Cup saw United go even fur - in the First Division, since rel - mark on the RSC men, as it ther, although still an ago - egation in 2007. Following took two games (and four nising step short of the first round of eleven dropped points) to get back silverware. In front of a matches, an impressive 26 to winnings ways. Waterford packed RSC crowd, Water - points were totalled, leaving failed to extend this winning ford were pipped 3-1 by Bo - United in second place, just run over a more meaningful hemians, to put an end to two points off the top. Shel - stretch of matches, though, their sensational run. bourne were the only side, and the two victories were thus far, to defeat the south- followed up by a draw and Trivia: eastern side. The Dubliners two losses, essentially ending emerged with a 1-0 victory any hopes of winning the Waterford United’s chair - from the RSC in only the sec - league, with three matches man, John O’Sullivan, has ond game, which Waterford remaining. There was still an the same name as our own impressively bounced back outside chance of making chairman from, to propel them to just the play-offs, but this, too, . short of the peak of the was made mathematically Since the name change from table. impossible, when a last Waterford FC, the Blues throw of the dice showed up have triumphed just once in Our Munster rivals began to snake eyes, as another Shels the three major competitions show loss of form in the mid - victory at the RSC created of League of Ireland foot - dle of the season, dropping too much of a points gap. ball, compared to nine tro - two places and eleven points The Blues did finish off the phies prior to 1982. in the process. Although, the season on a high, defeating beginning of the series saw the newly crowned First Di - Similarly, in Europe, Water - Waterford climb to the top vision champions, UCD, at ford have competed in just a of the table, their league the Belfield Bowl. solitary tie, compared to the leadership lasted a mere two ten preceding the name games. Consecutive defeats Although their league chal - change. hampered their successful lenge ended in disappoint - run of results, and a further ment, the Waterford faithful Kevin Murray started every loss at the end of this round can be more than happy single game for United last of matches left the Blues in with their domestic trophy season, without once being fourth place with a six-point exploits. The Blues pro - substituted – that’s just short gap. Although by no means gressed through four rounds of 4,000 minutes of football! As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted... By Jerry Kelly

…ha, ha, just kidding. I've Tommy, sadly, faded out of were all concern there last been told not to mention the LoI scene. On that day, season when Shakey and BLACKMARKER though, down the Cross, you myself went up to see Lims THROUGH THIS BIT. could see Tommy getting play Kildare County. Poor Or, indeed, before that, more and more rattled as, old Kildare. There are sev - BLACK MARKER every time he got the ball, eral former City players at THROUGH THIS BIT. the chorus would ring out - Limerick this season, and it's Which takes us back in "Foxy Tommy, ha ha ha". only an hour away, so that's time to, oh, never mind. going to be some crowd, and Well, if you insist...back to Yeah! Wish we were com - some game. when all the arguments peting to avoid the relega - between fans were trivial, tion spot out of the Premier. We have new trips, to and we had the craic, and NOT! We got history with Salthill Devon and Mervue the Munster Derby was Wa'for. Next! United, to look forward to. The Biggest Game In Irish By the time this goes to Football. *sigh* It's a com - Limerick. You can't beat press, Cork City Football plete disaster, what's hap - Jackman Park on a sunny Club's Youths will have pened, but only in summers' evening, with peo - played their postponed CelTigEra terms. If, like ple sprawled easily among game against Mervue me, you liked the Old the banners on the grassy United's Youths. Let's hope Ireland, and the old bank, that leads up to the the result was a favourable League of It, then, sure, Station Wall, that has peo - one for supporters of Cork here is where the craic is.` ple sitting on it and looking soccer, and not a triumph for over it, but only when we BLACK MARKER THROUGH Waterford. I'm thinking back are in town. Remember THIS BIT. The trip to Mervue to when we played the Blahs playing them in the Cup, at will have added interest in in the League Cup, which the height of BLACK that Johnny Glynn is man - was played, at that time, MARKER THROUGH THIS ager there, one of my all- before the (winter) league BIT? Limerick left the grass time favourite City players. I began. Was it back around long, and narrowed the used think of him as Swash - '98? Tommy Lynch was pitch by two yards on each buckling Johnny Glynn, in player/manager of WU. side. Jackman Park has the me head. I can still see his Mark Herrick had just signed smallest dressing rooms I've celebration that time he for us. Hit the crossbar with a ever seen. Celine and I were headed the ball out of a quickly-taken free-kick from sat outside having a scato - goalie's hands to score. It was inside our half. Sunny, late- logical conversation when the fact that Johnny was off summer day, City won 5-0. the gentleman from celebrating, while everyone Memory? The Shed, in one of Live95FM came down and else was looking at each the genuinely witty, im - politely pointed out that other, going "Is that al - promptu song-moments, we'd been broadcasting bold lowed?" Legend. coming up with "Foxy words across County Limer - Tommy, ha ha ha". Sung to ick via the "crowd-noise" Finn Harps. Lovely club, or no previously existing tune, mike a foot above our un - are they a Co-operative, like so silly as to be brilliant, heeding heads. Limerick is ourselves? Really friendly, hideously under-appreciated great, and the football folk they give you a big pot of in subsequent years as Foxy there are very friendly. They tea into the dressing room at half-time. Pitch is poor there the year before last wearing pink is not daring, enough, but that would be and I'll only start going on he's just violating the age- the heavy clay soil of the about it and then you'd old truth that pink does not northwest, and the fact that have the dreaded BLACK suit men; it's right by the River Finn, MARKER THROUGH THIS which swallows footballs like BIT, and we don't want that Waterford, can't wait. Oh BLACK MARKER THROUGH now, do we? So, moving on - look, I've toured the Division THIS BIT (for reasons of good and we're back where we taste rather than legality). I'll Monaghan, never been started, except BLACK always have a soft spot for there, watched the famous MARKER THROUGH THIS Ballybofey since that night foggy game on telly, and BIT. yer wan tried to set fire to thought the telly was broke; Clipclop's City jersey in But, as Rico wrote (am I al - Stampy's nightclub. That Shels, shmels; lowed to mention Rico, or is kind of mad craic! Sure, you this another BLACK can't buy it! Longford, been there loads, MARKER THROUGH THIS some very funny stories, but BIT?), "Football is like a And then of course, we've you know yourself; beautiful woman". I have already beaten Derry 1-1, the some great stories about biggest moral victory ever, in Athlone, was at the old Rico, but the marker is run - front of the biggest crowd of ground (scary) so a new sta - ning out, so I'll just repeat the night, in either division. dium to visit there (hopefully this one: BLACK MARKER Proof that the First is where not as scary); THROUGH THIS BIT. So, the it's at, this season. I'd better next thing, BLACK MARKER not say too much about Wexford Youths, looking for - THROUGH THIS BIT until, a Derry, just because it brings ward to that one, supposed few minutes later, BLACK back personal memories of a to be a lovely set-up. Al - MARKER THROUGH THIS difficult time I went through though I have to say, a man BIT Tynan! Really!

Carrying the torch Taking the field at the Brandywell, 05 March 2010 Back: Graham Cummins, Cillian Lordan, Mark McNulty, Stephen Mulcahy, Davin O’Neill, Dave Rogers

Front: Eoin Forde, Ian Turner, Willie Heffernan, Greg O’Halloran, Paul Deasy

Pic: Peadar O’Sullivan

Commercial Focus with General Manager Kevin Mullen

For tonight’s Airtricty League umbrella of “Official Kit Part - We’re delighted that joint own - of Ireland first division match ner”. ers Conor Brett and Dougie against Waterford United at Minihane have decided to sup - The Cross we welcome several TONIGHT’S MATCH PART - port the Club tonight and hope key partners, all of whom we NERS they get a chance to enjoy at hope will prove to be long least some of the game. term friends and associates of Tonight we welcome three local the Club! companies who join us as our ADDITIONAL THANK YOU’S! first ever Matchday Partners. CLUB PARTNERS The goodwill towards the club MATCHDAY PARTNERS - has been absolutely superb from Prior to this week’s match we Satellite Taxis so many people and companies. briefly announced that we had Over the past two weeks we secured significant arrangements A huge thank you is extended have called upon many people with three huge companies – to Der and his family who are looking for favours, and would which is a fantastic achievement joining us tonight as Matchday like to take this opportunity to when you consider that we are Partner. Der has been involved thank the following for their only “3 weeks old”! with Cork football for many generous support at such an years and we are delighted that early stage of our history:- Tommy Dunne’s players will he has chosen to so generously wear the Beamish logo on the support the Club for our first Flor Griffin – for the kind dona - front of their shirts, as the famous home game of the season. tion of two laptops and software Cork stout will be unveiled as to allow the staff to start imme - Premier Club Partner at the MATCHBALL PARTNERS – diately in building up this fantas - Munster derby against Water - Sheds of the World tic Club ford United at Turner’s Cross on Friday night. A self confessed rugby nut, Silver Springs Moran Hotel – for owner Mary Cummins has the various use of rooms and fa - One of Ireland’s favourite family thrown her full support behind cilities for staff, players and man - attractions, Fota Wildlife Park the Club and was only too de - agement will have their logo displayed on lighted to accept the invitation the back of the jersey as they of becoming our first ever PosterPlus – for providing a become the Club’s Official Fam - Matchball Partner. Mary will be marvelous backdrop at our re - ily Partner. joined tonight by her football cent press conference featuring mad family in the form of her our distinctive Cork City Foras Cork’s Red FM will have their husband and three sons and will Co-op crest. logo displayed on both sleeves of receive a signed commemora - the jersey, as the Bishopstown- tive football at half-time. GET IN TOUCH! based station take on the role of Official Radio Partner. PROGRAMME PARTNERS – We would be delighted to hear TicketScan from you if you wish to be in - Joining these three fabulous volved with this true and pas - Cork companies as one our Regulars around the country at sionate community asset. Please Partners is Danish sportswear most sporting and public events, feel free to contact Kevin Mullen, firm hummel who will be pro - Cork based TicketScan need lit - General Manager, by email at viding all our teams with play - tle introduction to most support - [email protected] ing, training and travelwear for ers here tonight as it is their staff the next two seasons under the who served you at the turnstiles! Crisis, or A New Dawn? By Ger Byrne

Football is in crisis. That’s a sun, moon and stars, with a So what’s to be done? Well, statement you don’t hear few minor planets thrown in everybody could carry on as often, certainly not from for luck. Beware!! Sometimes, normal; ranting about how major media outlets. The a consortium is a good idea, the club should spend more outlets who want us to particularly if football people money in pursuit of success, or believe otherwise tell us are involved, but people people could start a type of how certain players are would be right to ask revolution. Sensible business “worth thirty million!”, or whether they’ve got specific, practice must be followed for how certain leagues are realistic plans for the club. a start; if you ain’t got it, “the best in the world!” And don’t spend it! This could well of course, every match is The first sign of trouble usu - necessitate a reduction in “thrilling”, “fascinating”, ally comes with responsible in - spending, at least in the short “dramatic”; and whatever telligent supporters getting a term while greater revenue you’re having yourself. nagging feeling that all is not streams open up. It will also And, of course, there are so well. Before you know it, the necessitate sensible people many rich clubs worldwide. club is on the front page of taking charge of proceedings. The truth is, it’s all an act; a the local paper for all the That’s not to say that many giant con-job inspire wrong reasons. We’ve already club owners are foolish, but d by media outlets with a seen major problems in recent some leave a lot to be desired financial interest in conning years here, and in each case, when it comes to running a the bar stool brigade into even Shamrock Rovers a few football club. believing the hype. They years back, when some fans need the audience to justify began to get worried, their The sensible people I refer to the huge sums paid for the concerns were dismissed. In are the supporters. Not the exclusive TV rights. such cases, it’s easy for the barstool brigade or the unre - fans to feel helpless, but times alistic characters with too The main stories in football are changing. many pints on board who over the past year or so, ex - scream for instant success, but cluding tabloid obsession with Here in Ireland, the example those who’ve been there, irrelevant gossip, have been of the Rovers fans is an inspi - done that, travelled the high - the almost constant financial ration to others, to the extent ways and byways in a mini- crises hitting clubs both here that rival fans are trying to bus with no heating; in short, and in Britain. In their quest learn from their experience. In ordinary, intelligent people. for instant success, many irre - Britain, Supporters Trusts, It’s working for Shamrock sponsible club owners indulge after a promising start, have Rovers, it works in other in reckless spending, endan - lost their way a bit, but might sports; our difficult adventure gering the clubs and upset - soon begin to find a voice is just beginning. Football can ting the creditors. The most again. Conversely, it’s a possi - carry on along its merry path dangerous of these is the sin - ble disaster rather than a suc - to destruction or serious re - gle wealthy owner; com - cess story that could provide form can begin right now. monly called the the impetus for revival. The Whatever happens, support - “sugar-daddy”. Even the precarious position of ers groups MUST be involved more benign ones pose a Portsmouth, in “the richest in a meaningful way. In fact, threat to club stability. Sud - league in the world” is con - supporters in Ireland have an den bankruptcy or personal centrating minds. Added to advantage over their cross- tragedy could leave a club that, the sudden realization channel counterparts as the with huge bills to pay and not that most British clubs are ac - sums of money involved are enough money coming in. tually losing a lot of money generally a good deal less has finally registered, at least and therefore a little easier to Occasionally, a consortium in some quarters. raise. comes along promising the The Lively Corner Family Enclosure news with John Kennedy

It’s in our own hands! IT IS your match day experience even before the season begins IN OUR OWN HANDS! A will be a memorable one. We we are one up already! Pat few months ago I never be - look forward to your sugges - and Marie were both part of lieved that I would be here tions that can help make my youth project with Ógra writing these notes! There - your visit to our section even Chorcaí in Farranree before fore it gives me so much more pleasant. The drums are they came here to continue pleasure to welcome each still here along with the flags their voluntary work. We are and everyone of you to and from time to time we will all truly delighted for the Turners Cross! have face painting and so on. both of you! We look forward to families, It has been a difficult few youth groups and local teams It would be remiss of me not months for all associated with and community groups. Con - to ask us to pause for a mo - our great club but now is a tasct me on 087-2662202 as ment to remember those City time for unity, a time to the season goes on to make fans who have lost loved ones move forward together, to be arrangements! since we last gathered here at as a family supporting each the end of last season. Please other. It’s hard to think that At this stage I would like to know that you are in our three weeks ago we were thank Ógra Chorcaí-Cork thoughts and prayers! given the chance to be a new Youth Association for the use club in the League of Ireland, of their drums etc for the year As things stand we are think - three weeks to get a team, ahead. Also we have flags on ing of running a Family En - manager, grounds, training sale here tonight and all closure bus to both Athlone facilities and so on. Three funds raised go towards (Saturday 20 March) and weeks later we are here for FORAS. Speaking of FORAS, Limerick (Good Friday 2 our first home game of the can I invite as many of you as April). If you are interested new season. This is a special possible to join this supporters please contact me on 087- moment in the history of Cork trust. It is this supporters trust 2662202. Also can I remind soccer and one we should all that now owns the club on you that FORAS are having a savour! your behalf. The more mem - fundraiser tonight after the bers we have the stronger we match in the Evergreen Bar Over the close season we become! This is our chance to so why not pop along – it have lost a lot of good players do the right thing for Cork should be good fun! mainly due to off the field is - soccer and put our club at the sues. Can I wish them all well! heart of the community. How We had a great result against In particular, I’d like to men - many have of us have said Derry last week and man - tion Dan Murray, our captain that if we won the lotto we’d ager Tommy Dunne and his for eight years, and Danny save our club! Well €120 is not squad did us proud. Can I Murphy: both were very good the lotto but we have to ac - wish our new Captain Cillian to us here in the Family En - cept that times are hard for Lordan and the team all the closure! some but a monthly standing best for the season! order of €10 is manageable! As in seasons gone by the This is a proud night, a night Family Enclosure is a place for As we gather here tonight I where the new CCFC takes to families to come and support wish to congratulate Pat and the field. This is our city, our CCFC in a positive manner. Marie Sisk, two of our stew - county, OUR CLUB! From the We will with the efforts of our ards here in the Family Enclo - start let’s get fully behind the dedicated team of volunteers sure on the recent birth of the team! do our best to ensure that new son and first child! Yes A New Beginning By Denis Hurley

“After the trauma of the last Football Club did go out of busi - FC may return too, the rest ap - couple of weeks, when the ness, and that is something felt plies. Our club is a continuation club was almost put out of ex - deeply by anybody who had of the spirit that formed Cork istence, it is nice to get back to genuine affection for the club. City FC in 1984 and it is a com - what it should be about – A The natural reaction might be munity formed by the fans and GAME OF FOOTBALL. But of to assume that Cork City Foot - players working towards a com - course it’s much more than ball Club died, and while, tech - mon goal. just a game of football. The nically, it did, Cork City FORAS running of a professional club Co-op is, essentially, the same The rest of the quoted words in is a most expensive exercise – thing, because any fans of the the first few paragraphs are, in expensive in time, and of new entity are those who sup - our view, 100% applicable to course, financially. We have ported City. the situation that we find our - put together a group of peo - selves in. ple who intend to put Cork A parallel that could be drawn is City FC back on its feet. We one between Cork City FORAS We have a dedicated group of need to get a lot more people Co-op and AFC Wimbledon. people who intend to put the involved, to share the work - Like fans of Cork City, Wimble - club on its feet, and the board of load and of course to provide don supporters had their club management of FORAS de - the necessary funding. Whilst taken away from them against serve immense credit for the ef - we have lots of friends who their wishes, and they estab - forts that they have put in, not sponsor us in different ways, lished a new club. On AFC Wim - just in the past few weeks but we do need quite a few more. bledon’s website, they claim the since the trust was first Also of course we need many honours won by Wimbledon FC. established. more people to attend our The explanation given is that home games, buy a pro - “the supporters of AFC Wimble - But also, the club will need more gramme and support us fi - don believe that our club is a people to get involved, to share nancially. In the difficult continuation of the spirit which the workload that will be re - weeks just past we have had formed Wimbledon Old Cen - quired to ensure that the new many good wishes and we trals in 1889 and kept Wimble - club stays up and running. For appreciate the concern felt by don Football Club alive until the first time, the people of Cork the genuine City fans.” May 2002. have a real opportunity to own a part of their very own football Your first reaction upon reading “We consider that a football club club, but with benefits like that that is that we have made a is not simply the legal entity come responsibilities to keep the mistake and that the word “al - which controls it, but that it is the thing going. most” in the first paragraph community formed by the fans should not be in there. The and players working towards a Above all, though, it is nice to above is not a piece of original common goal. We therefore re - get back to the reason that we writing, however; it was on page produce the honours won by first found ourselves supporting 3 of the programme for Cork what we believe was, and will Cork City FC, and the reason City v St Patrick’s Athletic on always be, ‘our’ club, in our com - that Cork City FORAS Co-op February 4, 1996, when City munity.” came into existence – A GAME played its first game since being OF FOOTBALL! saved from going out of business. While the honours won by Cork City FC may, in time, be Of course, as we all know, on awarded to Cork City FORAS February 23, 2010, Cork City Co-op, and the name Cork City So here we are By Gerry Desmond

So, here we are at a foot - thing of rare worth. Some - and every coming weekend. ball match on a Friday thing that is absolutely night. Watching football, priceless, in fact. So here we are at a football talking football – some - match on a Friday night. Yet thing we have yearned for Think about that before the we are also standing and sit - over the long winter game kicks off. Think about ting around the flickering months. We will shout at it again at half time. Think embers of Cork City FC. Our the ref, we will taunt the about it as you sit with a duty as fans, indeed our Blahs, we will sing our knot of your friends around stated purpose as FORAS long-sung songs. We will a table of pints afterwards, members, is to keep that follow the ebb and flow recounting the night’s events. wispy flame alive. We have that ripples before us, Think about it as you wind its spirit tucked safely in our washing us along to vic - your way home. This hearts; we have its history tory or defeat, or neither. evening, this truly historic and tradition under key in And yet what happens on evening, will not come our memories; we still carry the pitch pales in compari - again. our banners, our colours; we son to the broader canvas still chant our songs. Now, of the occasion. For this All things said, there should however, we must maintain evening has been invested have been no game here a vigil around that precious with so much significance tonight. There should have flame and protect it from that it stands as a signal been no football in Cork this the cold winds of fate and moment in the history of season. The reason that the vagaries of the legal sys - the club we love, quite there is a team on the pitch tem. We are the flame- possibly the most signifi - at all, the reason there is a keepers, every one of us; we cant moment since the Leeside presence in the shiny are the guardians of a proud early summer of 1984. new Airtricity League, is be - and grand heritage. We More, it is a signal moment cause a group of supporters have stood up in recent in the entire story of foot - – The Friends of the Rebel weeks and proclaimed that ball in this city. Many of us Army Society – quite simply we refuse to accept that our here tonight now own this refused to accept that Cork club is dead. It is simply com - football club – we actually City FC would die. FORAS, atose. We will stop at noth - own its broken lock, its formed for the guardianship ing to revive it. Nobody shall sunken stock and its cou - of the club, just refused to shake or shackle our belief. ple of empty barrels. But accept it, planned accord - A holding company it was, we own it, and we’ll treas - ingly and methodically, and that died: not a football ure it with the pride of in - salvaged the tradition and club. heriting a precious, spirit of a broken and bat - well-loved thing with an tered club from the ashes of Many here this evening will intrinsic value that only a High Court winding-up have lived through the sad we can fully appreciate. order. Had the FORAS ap - demises of Cork Hibernians Here in this small, little- plication for a First Division and Cork Celtic and Cork known outpost of the licence not been in place – United. There may be some global game, after a re - and it was applied for as a who can recall Cork Ath - lentless catalogue of trials safety net, not an alterna - letic’s collapse. There was no and tribulations, we have tive club – then we’d all be FORAS when those old Cork in our possession some - doing something else tonight clubs departed the Lodge, the ‘Cross and the Mardyke. boycotted after the infa - areas where the club re - They simply died. They are mous ‘busgate’ incident. At - quires people-power. It’s gone. Forever. When Celtic tendances dropped hard to know how much of died, I didn’t attend a game alarmingly, it is fair to say. this is simply an initial charge again for years. I was not Those who left over the past of enthusiasm in the wake of alone; I was part of a disillu - eighteen months or so should the huge frustrations en - sioned generation – to lose not be lost to the game in dured over the last two or Hibs and Celtic within three the way that so many Hibs three years. From this van - short years of each other was and Celtic fans were. We still tage point it would appear shattering. We grieved at have our club. It is in our that the commitment is gen - the time. We were rightly own hands now. Any of you uine and that it will last. pissed off by it and thou - – all of you – who became People are now the true sands of us, literally, just disheartened can be part of strength of this club. Now we walked away from the it now. You can make a – the ordinary fans in the League of Ireland, many vital difference to the club Shed, the Derrynane, the never to return. But a lot of you loved in a way that fans Donie and the St Anne’s End us came back, gradually, of previous Cork clubs simply – can shape the destiny of when Cork City appeared couldn’t. Don’t let that op - this club. We can nurture it; on the scene, though I sus - portunity pass! Life is too we can strengthen it; we can pect just as many, if not short; we all only get so guide it. But first we must more, remained in self-im - many Friday nights. keep the flame alive. posed exile from the game. Cork City FC won new sup - There has been an amazing So, here we are at a football porters but also brought for - amount of goodwill gener - match on a Friday night. mer Hibs and former Celtic ated towards the club in re - Singing our City songs, wear - fans together under the cent weeks, at all levels. It ing our City shirts, waving same flag. Similarly, many has been like a dam-burst our City banners. All of us off City fans became disillu - after a blockage was re - on an unfamiliar road to - sioned over the past couple moved. Particularly impres - gether, come what may, of years. Many drifted away sive is how ordinary fans wherever it will lead us… in disgust at the way the have flocked to volunteer club was being run. Some their services in different

Full circle! When Cork City played its first ever competitive game – a 2:1 Munster Senior Cup quarter final win over Avondale United at Flower Lodge on 19 August 1984 – the ‘Dale’s number three was John Turner. The recent friendly against Crosshaven, the first run out for the fan- based club, saw John’s son Ian lining out for CCFC…in the number three shirt! Absent friends! Two long-standing Cork City fans recently passed on to their eternal rewards. Willy Reilly and Pat Donovan will be missed but not forgotten by their City pals this evening. We extend our condolences to the Reilly and Donovan families, and to Willy’s and Pat’s circle of friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anamnacha dílis. Ground Zero-back where we started by Dave Galvin

Even now, more than 25 broadest sense) have man - lapse of both, that I simply years on, my recollections aged to get it completely forsook the whole Albert of the 22nd September wrong. Once more the cycle Rovers/Cork United experi - 1984, and Cork City's first of failure for senior football ment which immediately fol - ever home league outing, in Cork has reared its ugly lowed on the demise of Hibs endure as resolutely as head, and we are forced to and barely outlived Celtic. ever. Recalling that day start virtually from scratch I’d had my fill of it. in the context of tonight’s again. Yet again, a third game, I’m surprised at party, (FORAS in this in - As things transpired Cork how much I do actually re - stance) is forced to pick up United (mark two) was an member of that Saturday the pieces. experiment doomed to fail - afternoon, not just the ure which ultimately precipi - events at Flower Lodge, If you asked me to speculate tated a shameful absence of but the overall context of about how many were pres - senior football in Cork for a first LOI game on Lee - ent that sunny afternoon in fully two years. At this re - side in two years. I hate to 1984, I honestly couldn’t haz - move it’s difficult for think how many football ard a guess, not even an ed - younger folk in particular to matches I've witnessed ucated one. Suffice as to say understand the real despair over the intervening years that the capacious precincts felt in Cork with the demise and how little if anything I of Flower Lodge were some - of these two clubs, but the can recall about most of what less than overflowing! I anger was palpable and its them. And yet so much of do recall that but for the in - effect calamitous. Much of a what transpired that day sistence of my two brothers generation was lost to LOI a quarter of a century Rob and Tim, who were football on Leeside. You ago, when Waterford commendably zealous in could perhaps compare it in United, just as with Cork wanting to lend support to a terms of having lost Cork City FORAS tonight, pro - new era of LOI football on City FC for good at some vided the opposition for a Leeside, it's highly unlikely point during the pitiful first ever home league that I would actually have events of recent times, but outing, is clear in my been present at all. without the foresight of a mind. FORAS alternative in place The truth was that by this to save the day! As anticipation of a new stage I was well pi***d off FORAS club, a new begin - with the whole League of In any case, I simply hadn’t ning and a first ever home Ireland scene and particu - been able to muster suffi - appearance has steadily larly with what had gone on cient enthusiasm to once heightened in recent days, I here on Leeside over the again darken a LOI door, can't help but reflect on two preceding eight years. In disinclined as I was to shake such noteworthy moments in common with scores of oth - off the disappointment of the history of football on ers, the sudden demise of the what had gone on before. Leeside some 25 years apart. much loved Cork Hibernians To be truthful I was pretty That said; while it may well in 1976, speedily exacerbated ambivalent about the whole be an exciting prospect to be by the agonizing death by a Cork City thing as I made facing into a brand new thousand cuts of an equally my way to the 'Lodge' that chapter nevertheless, the cherished Cork Celtic a mere day. So why then did it all other side of the coin is that three years later, was simply suddenly fit together again? once again here on Leeside too much to bear. Indeed, so What happened to change we, (and I mean we in the disillusioned was I by the col - my perspective? In truth I can’t answer that, at least which has repeatedly repre - finally make the difference? not without withering on ad sented senior football on Only all of us working to - infinitum, but whatever the Leeside stretching right back gether can help to bring reason(s), something clicked to the pioneering days of about a positive answer to for me watching City that Fordsons nearly a century that one. Join FORAS today. day, and I was once again ago, has careered head on Get involved-this is an op - hooked on LOI football. Of into the buffers. The truth, portunity we may never course, little did I realise at however unpalatable, is that again be afforded and it that point as my new found wherever the blame rests, would be nice to think that heroes fairly demolished however you apportion it, this time we really can fi - their more exalted antago - we have finished up back nally nail it. nists from Suirside that this again in the same predica - new and exciting reality ment, a place we never as - would come to play such a pire to but always seem to big part in my life, not least arrive at! helping to bind family rela - tionships across three gener - It begs two questions: will we ations and forging great ever get it right and can friendships along the way. FORAS finally break the And yet we’ve ended up cycle of boom and bust that back in the very same place. has bedeviled us for so long? For all the positives of the Can a first ever supporter - past 25 years, the genuine led ownership initiative, for efforts of so many to make a all its humble origins, an en - difference, the reality once tity answerable only to each again is that the train wreck and every FORAS member,

First meeting – Cork City’s first home league game Cork City 3:1 Waterford United (22 September 1984, Flower Lodge) CCFC scorers – Woodruff 10, Keane 32, Madden 42 (pen) WUFC scorer – Bennett 88 Mulcahy saved McCarthy penalty 29 CCFC: Jim Mulcahy, Clem Mahon, Don Curtin, Donie Madden (capt), Stuart Ashton, Barry Neiland, Liam Keane, David Bleasdale, Jim Leahy, Bobby Woodruff, Paul Crowley Sub: Ian Hennessy for Leahy Manager: Bobby Tambling WUFC: David Flavin, Ger O’Mahony, Derek Grace, Kevin Power, Jim Sutton, Richard O’Neill, Jimmy Donnelly, Vinny McCarthy, Eamonn Coady, Martin Reid, Michael Bennett Subs: Greg Hayes for Coady, Chris Jones for Power Manager: Alfie Hale

Our Boys The Blues CUMMINS, Graham BURNS, Kevin DEASY, Paul BYRNE, Josh GK DEVINE, Michael GK CAMBRIDGE, Gareth DINEEN, John CAREY, Alan FORDE, Eoin CAREY, Paul HEFFERNAN, Willie DUNPHY, Gary LORDAN, Cillian CAPT GRINCELL, David McNULTY, Mark GK HAYES, John MORRISSEY, Gearoid KEANE, Gary MULCAHY, Stephen KEARNEY, John O’HALLORAN, Greg KEARNEY, Liam O’NEILL, Davin It’s KIELY. Willie John ROGERS, Dave Munster KONOPKA, Chris GK TONG, Wesley GK Derby LONG, Seamus TURNER, Ian McCARTHY, Paul WARREN, David Night! MURRAY, Kevin O’SULLIVAN, James Manager: Tommy DUNNE PURCELL, Timmy Assistant: Greg O’HALLORAN SULLIVAN, Vinny WATERS, Kevin Referee: P Sutton Assistant: A Lynch Manager: Stephen HENDERSON Assistant: M O’Brien Assistant: Ray MORAN Fourth Official: G Kelly

Next Home Game: Mervue Utd, 26 March Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Cork City FORAS Co-op, or the Board of Management or members of The Friends of the Rebel Army Society, unless so stated. The Last Shot!

Wille Heffernan

Pic: Peadar O’Sullivan