The Famine Is Over

St. Charbel - Miracle Worker

By PAUL GALLAGHER

It’s a lifetime ago since Castlemagner experienced footballing success at Junior level in Duhallow. It was indeed back in 1961, a year in which John F Kennedy was inaugurated as 35th President of the USA; a little bit closer to home the Berlin wall began its construction and a littleknown Scottish singer Donovan, (now residing in Castlemagner), was at the beginning of his musical career.

In 1961 Castlemagner captained by the late Sean Crowley was at the end of a glorious era where ten Duhallow titles and three county titles were won in a period between 1947 and 1961. Little did that team know that it would be so long before the cup was brought back to Castle. Indeed the club’s last appearance in a Duhallow football final was in 1966 against Knocknagree, the team they faced on Sunday 22nd October 2023.

The tides were indeed turning, as in 1966 Knocknagree beat Castlemagner in a replay to land their clubs first ever title at Junior level.

But Sunday 22nd October 2023 was the time to set the record straight and that is exactly what Castlemagner did. The team under the hugely influential leadership of their captain Donal Gayer went to battle. Castlemagner played a much more fluent, open brand of football choosing at all times to move the ball forwards, constantly probing for openings in Knocknagree’s rearguard. Aside from a shaky opening few minutes by Castlemagner until Jack Cott got onto the end of a high ball put into the square by Danny Lenihan to divert the ball to the back of the net, the result was never really in doubt. The hunger and will to win every breaking ball and fight hard for each other to put scores on the board saw them over the line with much to spare.

Castlemagner Team and substitutes that lined out against Knocknagree in the Duhallow Junior Football Final

Sterling performances from all in Black and Amber throughout the hour entertained the large crowd in attendance.

Tadgh Fitzmaurice was singled out with a Man of the Matchwinning performance but there were many men in the Black and Amber that can be hugely proud of their contribution over the hour. The final whistle when blown by match referee Denis O Leary was met with a huge outpouring of emotions by all from the parish. The long wait was over. This club has worked hard to get where they are now (a Duhallow title in the bag), none more so than the players themselves who have spent the last year on this quest. Early morning gym sessions in Charleville, mountain climbing in the Ballyhoura’s and on Carrauntohill have brought these lads to the summit and yet they want more.

The Castlemagner team in the pre-match parade behind the Newmarket Pipe band

The ultimate opportunist, Jack Cott seizes on hesitation in the Knocknagree back line to pounce and score the games only goal

The cup was presented by Steven Lynch representing the Duhallow Board and the celebrations began. Castlemagner will now go on to represent the division in the county when they will meet Barryroe, the winners of the Carbery division on Sunday 5th November in Macroom. Celebrations back in the village continued with the team led by a piper to the community hall where all team members were on stage to meet the crowd and lift the cup.

There is no doubt that they will enjoy this victory for a few days but the air of optimism around the place about this team is that they will bring more honours to the club before they are finished. Maybe we are at the brink of another golden era for the club who knows….

The Castlemagner team that lined out were Trevor McAuliffe, Tadgh Fitzmaurice, Liam O Riordan, Daniel Murphy (0-01), Donal Gayer (Captain), Conor Murphy, Cillian O Sullivan (0-01), Conor O Sullivan (0-01), Shane Cronin (0-01), Daragh O Sullivan (0-02), Kyrle Holland (0-03), Evan Magner, Cormac O Sullivan, Danny Linehan (0-04), Jack Cott (1-00). Substitutes: Conor O Sullivan (0-01), Alan Morrissey, Aaron O Keeffe, Denis Lucey, Alan Lucey