Mick Mooney Cup Final Programme 2024

2024 CBL Committee

Chairman

Peter Harrington

Secretary

Peter Travers

Acting Treasurer

Peter Travers

Registrar

Joe Murphy

Press Officer

Finbarr Buckley

Disciplinary Secretary

Anthony Golden

Committee Members

Barry Sheehan

Ray Anthony

Shannon O’Dwyer

Jamie O’Sullivan

Non-committee Executive

CBL Fixtures Co-Ordinator

Ashley Todd.

Welcome

Welcome to the 2024 edition of the Cork Business League Mick Mooney Challenge Cup Final!

This season, for the first time in the history of the Mick Mooney Cup, we are delighted to be making use of the newly re-laid pitch at St. Colman's Park, Cobh, home of League of Ireland side, Cobh Ramblers! On behalf of the CBL Committee, I would like to welcome the players, managers, friends and families of Doolan's Cow Bar and UCC United to St. Colman's Park.

This year, the finalists have had to go through a sterner test than usual as this is the first Mick Mooney Cup competition in 10 seasons where it has been contested by 3 divisions. We welcomed back our Second Division this season, to compliment our Premier Division and First Division. However, the outcome has remained the same as this a repeat of last season's Final where Doolan's Cow Bar overcame the challenge of UCC United 2-1 in an enthralling encounter that required extra time.

We have held many Divisional Cup Finals here in recent years, which have always been a great success. We hope that bringing the Mick Mooney Cup down to East Cork this season will lead to a great Final!

Yours in sport, CBL

Secretary

CBL Returns to the Oscar Traynor Cup

CBL squad vs Munster Senior League

CBL squad vs Waterford and District League

Doolan's Cow Bar, A History.

Doolan’s Cow Bar were formed in 2005 by Eamonn and Ciarán Murphy and entered the Cork Business & Shipping League in 2005/06 under the name of Island Tavern.

The club won the O’Driscoll Premier Cup in 2008/09 beating Fermoy Nissan MCM in the final at Turner’s Cross . A name change to its present one of Doolan’s Cow brought a change in fortune and a first Mick Mooney Cup Final appearance in 2012/13 where EMC ran out winners. The league and cup double was achieved in 2015/16 with the club’s most memorable and successful season to date coming in 2016/17 with the acquisition of all four domestic trophies, equalling Youghal Yarns’ feat of 1992/93.

After finishing runners-up to this season’s Mooney Cup finalists in 2017/18, the club won the championship for a third time in 2018/19 and were beaten finalists in both the shield to Satellite Taxis and the Jackie O’Driscoll Cup to Quinlan’s Bar. Doolan’s enjoyed a successful run in both the junior cup competitions in 2019/20 , getting to the sixth round of the Umbro FAI Junior Cup and the fifth round of the Munster Junior Cup, both for the first time in the club’s history. In the FAI Junior, Doolan’s knocked out Castlelack (61), Glen Celtic (3- 2), UCC United (4-1), Valeview Shankill (3-2), before exiting to Mayo Premier League champions Westport United (3-2) at Mayfield Community School. Park United from Mitchelstown were first surrender in the Munster Junior (5-4) at Brigown before wins over Everton (6-1) and Limerick Desmond League opponents, Glin Rovers (1-0) set up the all-Cork derby with Cork AUL kingpins Village United for a place in the last eight at Mayfield Pk. On an atrocious day for football, Doolan’s trailed 3-1 at half-time only to bring the tie to extra-time with a brace from Tony O’Reilly. The home side added a fourth from the penalty-spot in extra-time to progress. Doolan’s turned over East Cork/West Waterford champions

Lismore on their way to the semi-final of this season’s MFA League Champions Trophy with Jamie Murphy and Aaron Hennessy both scoring twice along with Stephen McCarthy in a 5-2 win at Mayfield Community School.

Doolan’s emerged from the Covid pandemic a more potent force than before. As well as landing shield honours in 2020/21, the club won the clean sweep of all four major domestic trophies in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Having already lifted the shield this season and look certainties to win a sixth title in seven seasons, UCC Utd. will need to be at their best to dethrone the holders in the Mick Mooney Cup.

Denis O’Sullivan, Michael McAulliffe and Alvin Harrington currently manage the team who play their home matches at Mayfield Sports Complex.

UCC United, A History.

UCC UNITED was founded by Declan Jordan and joined the CBL in 2007/08 and after a couple of seasons finding their feat in the lower divisions, a breakthrough was made at the end on the 2011/12 season when the club made it’s first appearance at Turner’s Cross in the final of the Frank Linehan First Division Cup.

On Monday, May 21st United put up a gallant performance against an inform MyCork.org outfit who won three-nil on the night before a big attendance of their ecstatic Polish fans. Then UCC boss Aodh Quinlivan was ‘proud of his players’ and went on to comment that the better side won on the night. A glance at the College line-out on night. One would find names like captain Cathal Doherty, Shyam Malla Thakuri and current keeper Walter Messina who would figure in trophy winning teams of the future.

The following season, 2012/13, UCC went on to clinch the first division title ahead of Fox and Hounds, winning by three points and scoring an impressive 54 goals in the process and only conceding 22 in the 18 match programme. An Ian Matthews’ double at Pfizer Pk. on Sunday, May 12th sealed the league winning 2-1 win over Cork Eagles PFC. The league success amply made up for the shield final loss to Marlboro Trust earlier in the campaign. The Jackie O’Driscoll Premier Cup was finally hoisted at the Cross following an exciting revenge 4-3 win over the Eagles on Sunday, May 17th 2015. In the 4th minute Aidan Power’s free-kick was headed past Pawel Kuczynski from close range by Nepalese born striker Shyam Malla Thakuri to register UCC’s first goal in three attempts at Turner’s Cross. After Matej Ludvik equalized within a minute, Thakuri headed in his second for 2-1. Aidan McGuinness and Thakuri went on to add further first-half goals before Arek Szklarczyk and Tomas Radilek reduced the deficit.

The Holy Grail, the Premier title, was finally lifted in 2017/18 in a campaign which saw United become the last team to defeat Doolan's Cow Bar twice in the same season. Cathal Doherty’s father Joe and coach Mike Barr were members of the management team and helped mastermind the season defining 4-1 over Doolan’s at The Farm on Sunday, March 25th 2019 which put the College top for the first time. A brace from current favourite Eric Montgomery and goal each from Ian McCormack and Billy Dunleeput the hosts two points clear of Marlboro Trust and three clear of Doolan’s at the finish.

The disappointing 2-1 extra-time loss to Doolan’s in last season’s decider still rankles with United, who will do everything to prevent a successive loss and finally win the blue ribbon trophy of the league’s calendar.

Doolan’s Cow Bar

Aaron Hennessy

Brian Harris

Brian O’Leary

Cian Hennessy

Claudio Galvez

Craig Keegan

Darren Geraghty

Denis O’Sullivan

Dylan O Donoghue

Dylan O’Leary

Edward Scanlon

Ian Gray

Ian McCarthy

James Cotter

James Murphy

James O’Shea

Jamie Murphy

Jason Creamer

Keith McCarthy

Liam Horgan

Roy McCarthy

Sean O’Sullivan

Paul Koffi

Ross Kiely

Shane Keegan

Stephen McCarthy

Stephen O’Leary

Thomas Kelly

Timmy Allen

Timmy O’Connor

Tony O’Reilly (captain)

PATH TO THE FINAL

Round 1:

4-2 vs Redemption Rovers

D. McCarthy, Murphy (3)

Round of 16

6-1 vs ARC Rovers

Murphy (3), Hennessy, O'Leary, Cotter

Quarter Final

6-1 vs Longboats

Murphy (5), Cotter

Semi Final

5-1 vs Andy Sulls Hair

O'Reilly (4), Murphy

Matchday Officials:

Referee: Jim Hennessy

Assistant Referees: Stephen Madine, Sumate Virak

4th Official: Denis Cronin

UCC United

Adam Lannon

Ali Ahmidat

Andrew Harrington O’Brien

Barry O’Hanlon

Brian Hickey

Brice Pinel

Cathal Doherty

Cian McSweeney

Cian Sweeney

Cihan Harrington

Darragh Kelly

David Foley

Dom MacHale

Eoin Gunnigle

Eric Montgomery

Gavin Naughton

Gerry Moloney

Gokhan Dumlupinar

Gregory Herbert

Ihor Zahorodniuk

Jack Murphy

James McInerney

Jason Murphy

Joe Normoyle

Kevin Galvin

Kieran Maher

Martin Beltran

Matt Ellis

Michael Hayes

Michael McCarthy

Michael Morris

Mo El Shouky

Mohammed Abdulrahim

PATH TO THE FINAL

Round 1:

11-1 vs Curry House Hungry

Tigers

Oriol Giralt Paradell

Paul Murphy

Roger Prat Oliveras

Ronan O’Dubhghaill

Stefano Cremonese

Stephen Barry

Vadym Horobets

Walter Messina (captain)

Wassim Magnin

Yusufu Yusufu

Zeqi Zhao

Maher (4), El Shouky (3), Ahmidat, Sweeney, OG (2)

Round of 16

2-1 vs Swyft Energy

Maher, Giralt

Quarter Final

4-0 vs Jay Bazz

Maher, El Shouky, Ahmidat, Foley

Semi Final

5-1 vs South Coast Sales

Crookstown United Ahmidat (2), Cremonese, Maher, Montgomery

Today’s Squads

Doolan’s Cow Bar (Top) and UCC United (Bottom), who were both 5-1 winners in the Mick Mooney Cup Semi-Finals in Crosshaven against Andy Sulls Hair and South Coast Sales Crookstown United.

The Finalists … how they got there !

HOLDERS Doolan’s Cow Bar and UCC United will contest this season’s 68th Mick Mooney Cup Final in a repeat of last season’s decider writes Finbarr Buckley

Doolan’s were out in round one back on Sunday, January 21st . Second division HBC Redemption Rovers came from two down at Mayfield Community School courtesy of goals from Darren McCarthy after the prolific Jamie Murphy had put the Cow two up by the 23rd minute. However, Murphy went on to score twice in the second-half and end Rovers’ brave challenge.

On the same day, UCC had little difficulty in getting past Curry House Hungry Tigers at the Farm, Kieran Maher scoring four, Mo El Shouky (3), Cian Sweeney, Ali Ahmidat and two own goals completing the scoring. Elsewhere in round one, second division leaders Swyft Energy knocked out fancied premier outfit Martin Harvey Solicitors, 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, Jay Bazz Barbers accounted for OBS 2-1, Andy Sull’s Hair hit Croatia Fermoy for six, four time winners Marlboro Trust got the better of Frame Up FC 3-2, Arc Rovers surprised Satellite Taxis 2-0 and Helio Inter Cork put eight past Fisherman’s Rest Valley Rangers.

The following week Longboats, Cork Hospitals and Healy O’Connor Solicitors advanced at the expense of Cheers FC, NetApp and VIP Carrigaline Town. SCS Crookstown Utd. required penalties to shake off Co. Council after a 3-3 draw and The Weigh Inn defeated RFP Masseytown Utd. three-nil before the second round got underway on Friday, February 9th.

In the all premier tie Jay Bazz defeated Cork Hospitals to become the first team through to the lasteight. Doolan’s showed no mercy to their second round opponents Arc Rovers despite Dean Cummins putting Rovers one up in the

22 nd minute. From there it was all one way traffic as Jamie Murphy (3), Aaron Hennessy, Stephen O’Leary and James Cotter all found the net. UCC had a tough outing against Swyft at Mayfield Pk. winning by the narrowest of margins, 2-1. After Kieran Maher put the College one up, Adam Paul Murphy headed Swyft level before Oriol Giralt headed the winner in the 36th minute. Other second round ties included wins for Longboats over The Weigh Inn and Helio Inter Cork over Healy O’connor Solicitors on penalties.

In the last eight, Andy Sull’s Hair saw off Suro Cars 4-1 and Crookstown disposed of Helio 4-3 before Doolan’s and UCC entered the fray. UCC brushed aside the challenge of Jay Bazz at The Farm, winning impressibly 4-0, Maher, Mo El Shouky, Ali Ahmidat and Dave Foley scoring the decisive goals. Across the city in Crosshaven Doolan’s’ goal machine went into overdrive as the in-form Jamie Murphy scored five and James Cotter one in a 6-1 victory.

The semi-finals took place on Sunday, April 7th, both at Crosshaven, and resulted in convincing 5-1 wins for both finalists. In the morning tie, UCC went behind to an Anthony Hannon 26 th minute opener for Crookstown only to respond with a little help from the elements to score five without reply from Ahmidat (2), Stefano Cremonese, Kieran Maher and the evergreen Eric Montgomery.

Tony O’Reilly was the star for Doolan’s in the second semi against ASH, scoring four times in the course of the ninety. Jamie Murphy was also among the scorers.

And so, the will Sunday’s decider see Doolan’s claim the three-in-row of cup victories or can UCC exact sweet revenge for last season 2-1 extra-time defeat. ALL WILL BE REVEALED!

Cara Partners – Mick Mooney Cup Winners 25

45th Mick Mooney Cup Final

Cara Partners 2; Naval Services 0

CARA PARTNERS AND NAVAL SERVICES

overcame incessant rain and swirling wind in the then AIB Cup Final (now Mooney Cup) at Turner’s Cross a quarter of a century ago on Sunday, May 9 th 1999, writes Finbarr Buckley.

The Navy, who had lost to their opponents in the Shield Final back in December at Novartis Pk., were the dominant side in the opening quarter. Aidan O’Halloran had the ball in the net in the 15th minute only to have it caulked off for a push in the box. As the half progressed Cara got to grips with the conditions and began to put together their well drilled passing game.

Lively winger Danny Hurley was a thorn on the flanks, sending in a number of dangerous crosses. Former Cobh Ramblers link man Niall Abbott went closest to breaking the deadlock before half time when he got inside the back-four only to be denied by a terrific save from Donie Goulding.

With both teams saturated through to the skin, the interval was a welcome break. Cara grabbed the initiative on the resumption and went in front in the 52 nd minute. Rory O’Connor’s long range freekick was only half cleared and the alert Abbott pounced to fire past Goulding. The Navy through everything at their opponents in the final twenty minutes but were caught by a lightening break in the 85 th minute. Another former Ramblers’ hero of the past Winnie Van Wimjen released Stuart Kiely who slotted in the decisive second.

The late and much loved former CBL registrar and president Jackie O’Driscoll presented captain Davie Noonan with the coveted trophy and towering centre-back Rory O’Connor with the man-of-the-match award.

Current CBL press officer Finbarr Buckley and this season’s panel referee Stephen Madine played their part in the final. Finbarr was one of the assistants on the day and Stephen captained the Navy from right-back.

Referee : Robbie Gregan. Assist. Referees: Pat Cronin; Finbarr Buckley.

FOOT-NOTE : The destination of the premier division title in 1998/99 went down to the final fixture between Cara and the Navy at The Farm with Cara requiring a point to become champions for the first time as Naval’s big lead had being whittled away to such a degree that they went into the match two points behind their opponents. Having been beaten in the shield and Mooney Cup finals, the Navy gained sweet revenge by winning 2-1 on the night to dramatically capture their first of two top flight titles. After Cara’s Rory O’Connor and the Navy’s Mick Lannon exchanged first-half goals, Aidan O’Sullivan conjured up a late winner to deny Cara the treble at the death.

Cara Partners (Top) who defeated Naval Services (below celebrating their Premier Division Title that season) in the 1999 Mick Mooney Cup Final.

28 Clubs. 28 Captains. One Initiative.

Our CBL Captain's Armband Initiative took place during January & February in partnership with Head In The Game, Jigsaw & Shine - Supporting People Affected by Mental Ill Health.

Head in the Game Chairperson, Aidan Larkin is proud to have worked with the Cork Business League for this mental health awareness drive:

"Head in the Game are delighted to be collaborating with the Cork Business league to help promote our captains armband campaign. We hope that our campaign will help promote a conversation around mental health awareness across the league.

We initially started the armband campaign back in 2021 within the League of Ireland men’s and women’s divisions and are delighted to see it spread to local leagues like the Cork Business League, we see this as a positive step towards promoting positive mental health and helping creating a conversation around mental health.

We want to thank everyone from the Cork Business League for making this happen and wish all the teams within the league the best of luck for the season."