Peadar O'Leary has given a lifetime of service to Cork soccer in many roles over the years

Peter O’Leary, or as he is fondly known in soccer circles Peadar, grew up in the Ballyphehane area with his siblings the late Liam, Teddy, Maureen and Ann, who now lives in England.

He first involvement in soccer is when he joined Casement Celtic in 1970 with some of his friends, which included the late Tony Fitzgerald, the former President of the FAI. 

He joined them in 1971 and spent eight years as treasurer before he took a break, as he was living outside the City and found it difficult to get to games. 

He returned to Casement some years later, however, it was only the beginning of his long journey, as he soon joined the Munster Senior League Committee. 

He is still a member of the MSL and also sit on the Cork Youth Committee and can be seen on match days to present the man of the match awards.

“I'm amazed when I look back on how long I have been involved in soccer to be honest, as I came from a very strong GAA family with my both brothers Teddy and Liam played with Nemo Rangers,” Peadar said.

“I played a little bit of football myself with Nemo, however, I didn’t get the same attention of my two brothers, so I came to the conclusion that I mustn’t have been very good," Peadar said with a big smile on his face.

“I joined Casement Celtic in 1971 with some of my close friends, which included the late Tony Fitzgerald, who went on to become President of the FAI and when he passed away a couple of months ago, he left a great legacy in Irish football, which he will be sadly missed but not forgotten.

“In my first stint with Casement I spent eight years as Treasurer, however, I had to take a break from the game, as I was living outside of the City."

After a spell out of the game things changed for Peadar on his return, when he was asked to join the Munster Senior League Committee in 2003. 

Two years later the Cork Youth League was set up with the amalgamation of the MSL and AUL and Peadar became their first Treasurer. 

He joined some great football men on that committee over the years with Micheal Foley, John Finnegan, Paddy Byrne, Barry Peelo, Tom Fitzgerald, Denis Lyne, Sean O’Sullivan, Richie Browne and Tony Chambers.

“The late Tony Murphy ask me to join the MSL Community in 2003, where I joined Tony Fitz, James Wilson, Paddy Power, Tony O’Leary and George Scannell. 

"They were all great soccer men and gave great service and laid great foundations to the great setup we have today in all the Leagues.

“The Cork Youth League was formed in 2005 with the amalgamation between the MSL and the AUL with three members of both committees forming the new Cork Youth League Committee. 

"I was chosen as one of the MSL committee and became treasurer of the League before I became Chairman in 2012.

“I was glad to be Chairman when we brought a Cork Youth team from the League on a trip to Huddersfield Town as it was a trip of a lifetime and I have many special memories of the trip. 

"The Cork Youth’s winning the FAI Inter League cup in my time as Chairman is also another great memory and it shows all the dedication and hard work of our past and present committee’s have done over the years.

“l am still there treasurer of the MSL and do the match of the week for same, which I enjoy very much as I get to meet different people from different clubs and have formed some great friendships over the years.

“I also still sit on the Cork Youth Committee with Sean O’Sullivan, Richie Brown, Terry Ryan, James Fogarty, Tony Chambers, Denis Crowley and the evergreen Christy Byrne. 

"I sit on the disciplinary committee also and one of my jobs is to collect the yellow and red cards from the various games. 

"So when I go to games some players and managers think they are in trouble, because they could have met me behind the table of a disciplinary meeting, however, when I present the man of the match award they give a great sigh of relief.

“I represent the Youth League on the Munster Football Association and have made many friends around the Country, especially Sean, Richie, Denis, Tony and Christy, but now I leave the heavy lifting to the younger lads James and Terry on the committee as I don’t know where they get the energy from,” Peadar concluded.