THE LATE JOHN CAREY R.I.P.

We were all very saddened last week to hear of the sad passing of esteemed Kilworth native, club Vice President, former teammate, mentor, officer, and a much loyal friend to many, John Carey. John, both a fiercely proud family and Kilworth man was also a much noted GAA man in his playing days and won many accolades down through the years in both hurling and football including ultimate honours on two occasions. He played a prominent role in the Kilworth Junior A county winning hurling team of 1967 and also holds the prestigious Cork Senior Hurling Championship medal which was won with the Avondhu Senior Hurling team in 1966. John was also at the forefront in bringing football glory back to the club, and in 1964 he captained Kilworth to their first ever success with the round ball as they defeated the Sons of Liberty (who were a football team comprised from the Parish of Ballyclough and Kilbrin) to give Kilworth their first ever Novice football title.

John proudly donned the red and white Kilworth colours throughout his playing days always giving his utmost and was a major player at the heart of Kilworth’s great successes and inspirational teams during the 1960’s. From an early age John graced the GAA fields of North Cork and beyond, and he was a familiar figure to wear the Kilworth jersey during Kilworth’s golden age in the mid 1960’s collecting North Cork Junior A Hurling Championship titles in 1961, 1966, 1967, & 1971 against Kildorrery, Araglen, Freemount, and Liscarroll, respectively. The first of these memorable spectacles included inking his initials into the history books as part of the contingent of players that brought Kilworth their first ever North Cork Junior A Hurling title to become the kingpins of Avondhu.

However, the roller coaster year for John was to be 1966 as along with Kilworth claiming the North Cork Junior A League and Championship double over Newtownshandrum and Araglen respectively, he topped up on this success with a Senior County medal when as part of the Kilworth contingent composed of Johnny Hogan, Fred Sheedy (R.I.P.), Jerry Keating, Danny Fenton, Sean Long (R.I.P.), and Pad Coughlan (selector R.I.P.) he proudly wore the number four, black and amber coloured Ganzi of Avondhu to capture the Cork Senior Hurling Championship title with a one point victory over UCC.

The following year John once again played a central role with the Kilworth hurlers as following a North Cork final win over Freemount, they went on to capture the 1967 Cork County Junior A Hurling Championship title for the clubs very first time as they overcame Cloughduv at the Cork Athletic Grounds on a final scoreline of 3-11 to 2-07. Switching codes, John was also a very accomplished footballer who won North Cork Junior A Championships with Glanworth in 1962 as captain and again in 1963 defeating near neighbours Grange on both occasions and was fiercely unlucky to miss out on a County Senior Football Medal with Avondhu in 1961 due to injury.

A strong, dependable, and crisp striking player in his heyday, John was a versatile athletic whose judgement of the ball unhindered his capabilities to play in almost any position on the playing field and was one of the most prolific players over the years to don the Kilworth jersey. John’s playing career spanned across many decades and following his retirement he duly took up numerous roles both within the adult and juvenile clubs including a term as club chairperson of the adult club in the early 1970’s which coincided with the official opening of the now former GAA dressing rooms in 1972. Also a keen Golfer, John celebrated more success, this time with golf clubs instead of camán’s, when as part of the 1998 Fermoy Golf Club senior team they claimed the highly sought after All-Ireland Senior title which was played at Woodenbridge Golf Club in Co. Wicklow. A remarkable man with a legacy spanning across many generations, his sons and grandchildren continue to proudly represent the club today both on and off the GAA, Camogie, and LGFA fields of play. 

The large crowd that turned out for his removal at his family home in Monadrishane, followed by his requiem mass in Saint Martin’s Church Kilworth, and burial in Kilcrumper new cemetery were testament to the respect that he held. With the red and white Kilworth flag draped on his coffin and the guard of honour that was formed by GAA, Camogie, & LFGA members, friends and colleagues, it was a fitting testament for the man himself, and he will be profoundly missed by everyone associated with the club, his wide circle of friends, and his loving family.

To John’s wife Mary, children Colm, Seán, & Brian and all of the extended Carey families, together with his wide circle of friends and neighbours we extend our deepest sympathies. May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace. R.I.P

CLUB LOTTO CONTINUES TO RISE

There was no winner of last week’s lotto jackpot of €16,200 held on Monday August 18th, the numbers drawn were: 15, 26, 27 & 30. The lucky dip winner of €50 was Rory Crowley c/o Online. The lucky dip winners of €25 each were John Kiely c/o Online, John Aherne c/o John Twomey, & Claire Howard c/o Online. The jackpot prize on Monday August 25th is €16,400. Tickets cost just €2 each or three lines for €5 and they are available online, in the local business outlets or from your usual local sellers. As always, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY

The club would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Cotter family, Fermoy, the Crowley family, Curraghagalla, Kilworth, and the O’Grady family, Shanballymore, following their recent bereavements.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Friday, August 29th; Denis Gallagher Refrigeration JB2HC - Round 3; Kilworth V Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels in Doneraile at 6.30pm.

Sunday, September 07th; Co-Op Superstores PIHC - Round 3; Kilworth V Ballinhassig in Rathcormac at 2pm.

Please keep a watchful eye on club social media platforms for fixture updates etc.

MAIN CLUB SPONSORS: Mike Walsh Pharmacy, The Village Inn, Aherne’s Pub, KDC Ltd., Kilally Stables, Mitchelstown Dental Clinic, Joe & Trish Bonner, and Centra Kilworth.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

The following poem was composed by the late Christy Lucey (R.I.P.) after Kilworth’s 1967 Junior A Hurling Championship County Final victory over Cloughduv. Christy, a native of Castlemagnier, Duhallow was a great character, clubman, an excellent club head groundsman, and an equally great fundraising person for the club, and was highly involved within the club right up until his passing in 1994.

Kilworth’s first County Title - by Christy Lucey.

As I sat down one evening, I could see a picture clear,

At times it looked so far away and times it looked so near,

A picture of the Kilworth team in their vivid red and white,

To hang upon the bedroom wall and proudly think at night.

Yes, think of that glorious victory on a cold November day,

Although the weeks they have slipped by, it seems like yesterday,

We’ll never forget Johnny Hogan, with the County Cup in hand,

A big parade would follow, with the Fermoy Pipers Band.

Cloughduv took up the running when the ref threw in the ball,

They looked so good all around the field, and a backline like a wall,

I thought we’d need a storm, to shift and crack it wide,

When the half time whistle sounded, we were seven points behind.

But the second half it started, we took the time and all,

The red and whites they stormed in and busted down the wall,

A pass from Padraig Farren found Casey waiting there,

He hammered home a brilliant goal from just outside the square.

The forward line was rampant, and the scores they quickly came,

Dave Riordan struck top form, in that all important game,

Dinny Condon and Dick Carey cut loose with every fling,

Or the way in which Fred Sheedy went on solos up the wing.

Our backline will be spoken of, for many and many a day,

With Hogan, Russell and Seanie Long, they swung the game our way,

John Carey and Jim Condon kept the Kelly's in control,

Lar Flynn, who starred as our full back, Liam Shanahan manned the goal.

At center field we had a pair, they never let us down,

Every ounce they gave us there, to help bring home the crown,

A substitute was introduced, Patsy Mahony was his name,

He quickly made his presence felt, with a goal in the frame.

So they won the County Title, their first in history,

The parish is quiet proud of them, and well they ought to be,

I’ll get the nail and hammer, put that picture on the wall,

In years to come we can look back, and that team we will recall.