1943

Three in-a-row for  Drimoleague “Rock Rovers”

Another replayed final

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SW Junior A Football Championship 1943

Round 1  -  Skibbereen 2-2    Bantry 2-2     March 29^th  in Drimoleague

A sloping pitch dominated the trend of the game. The game was tame and patcht until the closing stages when Bantry fought back to level. Skibb dominated the first half and, despite missing many scores, led by 2-2 to 0-1 at the break. The two goals came from T. O’Driscoll. Tim Harrington came on at half time for Bantry and made a big difference. Bantry’s two goals in the second half were rushed affairs and blows were exchanged towards the end when tempers became frayed. (Teams)

Round 1 Replay  -  Bantry 2-2   Skibbereen 1-3      April 18^th  in Town Park, Skibbereen

Bantry conceded home ground for the replay. A strong breeze dictated the game but, overall, the play was poor and neither side looked properly trained. Bantry contained more leadership and understanding and that made the difference. Skibbereen, playing with the breeze, led by 1-2 to nil at the break, the goal coming just before half time from O’Connell. A goal by Minihane, set up by Barron, closed the gap, but some fine defending by the Skibb backs kept the Blues at bay until the dying minutes when O’Sullivan struck for the winning goals. The referee was J. O’Driscoll, Whiddy Island. (teams)

Round 1  -  Bandon  Timoleague

Round 2  -  Bandon/Timoleague   v  St. Mary’s

Semi-final  -    Rock Rovers, Drimoleague 3-2   Bantry Jnrs 2-1   July 18^th  in Drimoleague

Described as the Area 2 final, Rock Rovers (Drimoleague) qualified for their third divisional final in a row when they beat a strong Bantry junior side that included Harrington, Barron and Fitzgerald. Against the breeze Drimoleague had an early goal from Collins and led at half time by 2-0 to 1-1. Starting the second half the Scorchers had points from the outstanding Grace and Deane but Bantry replied with a goal. However, that was to be their final score and the champions secured their win with the best goal of the game from O’Sullivan. Referee, E. Forbes, N.T., Drimoleague.

SOUTH-WEST JUNIOR A FOOTBALL FINAL 1943

September 26^th        in  Town Park, Skibbereen

Rock Rovers, Drimoleague 1-6   Carbery   Rangers 2-3

For the second year in a row, Drimoleague and Carbery Rangers met in the final and the poor standard of football was redeemed by the closeness of the scores and the pace of the play. Strangely, the Scorchers failed to play as a team, depending on individual efforts, and Rangers looked the better side. In the end it was Drimoleague’s spirit and determination that enabled them to survive.

    Pivotal to Ross on the day was Jack McCarthy, especially in the second half against the wind. O’Neill and Grace held the Drimoleague defence together, while Twomey and Deane were the two smartest forwards on view.

     St. Fachtna’s Silver Band played the teams onto the pitch.

     With the breeze, Rangers had the first score, a rushed goal, and O’Mahony followed with a point from a free. Play was of an even nature for the remainder of the half, Rangers kicking two points, from O’Mahony, and Drimoleague responding with three points from Twomey, two frees, and Deane. It was Rangers in front by 1-3 to 0-3 at the break but the Scorchers had the wind in the second half.

     The second half saw Drimoleague registering two early points, one from a 50 by Grace, and the gap was down to a single point. Twomey pointed another free to level the scores. The pace was fast and furious as Rangers played well against the wind and when Jack McCarthy set up Lane for a goal, they were in front again. Undaunted, back came the Scorchers and a rushed goal had the sides level again. A point by Jimmy McCarthy seemed to signal a win for Rangers as they hung on grimly but Drimoleague had the last say when Deane raced through for a levelling point a minute from time.

     Final score was a draw, 1-6 for Drimoleague and 2-3 for Rangers.

     The referee was Tim O’Regan, Skibbereen.

      Drimoleague: Michael Collins, Thomas O’Neill, Christopher Grace, Christopher Crowley, Patrick J. Crowley, Denis V. Carey, Vincent Collins, Cornelius McCarthy, Denis McCarthy, Philip Twomey, John J. Cahalane, James Forbes, John Collins, Henry Deane, John McCarthy.

       Carbery Rangers: Patrick Hayes, James Hodnett,  Richard Carey, Michael O’Donovan, Patrick Kelly, John McCarthy, Timothy O’Mahony, Daniel O’Regan, William Noonan, John Lane, Joseph O’Leary, Thomas Collins, James McCarthy, Seán Griffin, Timothy Collins.

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SOUTH-WEST JUNIOR A FOOTBALL FINAL REPLAY 1943

October 10^th         in  Town Park, Skibbereen

Rock Rovers 2-1    Carbery Rangers 0-4

Wretched weather conditions not only kept the crowd down but the greasy pitch and ball militated against good football. Drimoleague had improved on the drawn display but still conceded to Rangers on some skill factors. Rangers, however, looked uneasy and unsettled at times, often neglecting to mark their opponents.

     Drimoleague were in control at midfield, mainly thanks to the efforts of newcomer, Kevin O’Donovan, the interprovincial college player. The back line was considerably improved and outshone the forwards on the day.

     St. Fachtna’s Silver band provided the musical entertainment despite the weather.

     Drimoleague had the first score after ten minutes when the greasy ball slipped from the goalkeeper’s hands and Deane finished to the net. Rangers did a lot of pressing but missed a number of chances, following which Drimoleague were awarded a penalty and O’Donovan converted. Rangers responded with two points and it was Drimoleague in front by 2-0 to 0-2 at the break.

      Heavy rain made conditions even worse in the second half and only O’Donovan for the Scorchers seemed able to kick the ball properly. Cahalane added a point to their total but that was to prove their last score as Rangers staged a comeback. Points from O’Mahony, a fifty, and Lane cut the lead to a three points but, try as they might, Rangers couldn’t secure an equalising goal against the outstanding Drimoleague defence.

     Final score was 2-1 to 0-4, Drimoleague completing the three-in-a-row.

     Fr. John McCarthy, Baltimore Fisheries School, was the referee.

           Drimoleague: Michael Collins, Thomas O’Neill, Christopher Grace,   Patrick J. Crowley, Philip Twomey, Denis V. Carey, Christopher Crowley, Cornelius McCarthy, Daniel McCarthy,  Kevin O’Donovan, James Kennedy, Hugh O’Donnell, John J. Cahalane,  Henry Deane, John Collins.

       Carbery Rangers: Patrick Hayes, Patrick Kelly,  Richard Carey, James Hodnett, James McCarthy, John McCarthy, Timothy O’Mahony, Daniel O’Regan, Brian O’Sullivan, Séamus Condon, William Noonan, John Lane, Thomas Collins, Seán Griffin, Joseph O’Leary.

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County Championship

Owing to travel difficulties, Rock Rovers had to concede a walkover in the county championship. Bere Island beat Commercials in the county final in Dunmanway.

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County Junior Football Final 1943

Bere Island 5-4   Commercials  1-3, November 28th  in Dunmanway

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Drimoleague 3 in-a-row team pictured at a re-union in the 1960s.

Back (L to R) Curly O’Donovan, Vin Carey, Harry Deane, Con McCarthy, Christy Crowley, Christy Grace, Dinnie Driscoll (rúnaí), Pat Joe Crowley, Vinnie Collins.     

Middle (L to R) D.D. Cahalane, Jackie Collins, Paddy Crowley, Dan O’Connell, Charlie Sullivan, Edward Forbes, Jimmy Forbes.   

  Front (L to R) John O’Donovan, Mickie Collins.