Dripsey defied the odds as Cork's newest club, winning their way to Croke Park

Dripsey came into existence in 2005, the core of the players having been involved with Inniscarra previously, and they were the best junior club team in the country in 2008.

“The game was played in Ballincollig and we came out on top. Beating a club of their stature gave us greater belief and we went on to beat Carraig na bhFéar in the semi-final by five or six points.”

“Johnny was top-class. He made a huge difference, he was excellent with the players. He was a very calm person but at the same time a great motivator.

“We had seen videos of them, a very good team but on the day, we were very economical, shooting just three wides whilst they had 13.

“We were in an intermediate final in Cork a few years back but a very good Charleville team beat us.
