St Vincent's GAA club continue to do great work on and off the pitch

St Vincent’s Hurling and Football club founded in 1943 continue to do incredible on Cork’s northside and for William McCarthy in his second year back at the helm as chairman, the work continues on a daily basis by many volunteers that give many hours to the cause.

At a recent presentation at Singleton’s SuperValu Hollyhill the club received their annual sponsorship from Tomas Singleton.

“First of all, without Tomas Singleton and his family we would struggle to keep the operation going as we have teams from academy right up to intermediate in both codes so it can be demanding financially,” he said.

The Covid pandemic brought a strain on many sports clubs but in the words of Mr McCarthy Tomas Singleton stook to his principles throughout that period.

“I suppose many sponsorships froze during that difficult time but Tomas was never found wanting when we needed help and I think not alone our club but many sports are helped by this generous man who has the community at heart in many aspects,” he added.

McCarthy has been part of the club for over 59 years when he was introduced by his late uncle Danny Hourigan who was involved with the underage section.

“Although I played hurling up to the age of 35 I never won a medal but it was always about always about representing the club with honour.

“I probably ended getting more stiches that any player in the club but looking I was probably unlucky as many of the leading players had just retired and we were in transition.” 

In recent times hurling seems to have taken a back seat as McCarthy reflected on what he is experiencing.

“Look back in 2006 we won the Premier Intermediate football championship and suddenly hurling became the second code in the club.

“There is no doubt hurling is a more skillful game and in my book our association are not doing enough to promote it and in my book it needs addressing.” 

Promoting GAA in the northside is crucial according the Vincent’s chairman as he explained the structures his club have in place.

“We have five schools in our area with a coach looking after them and we then bring them to our academy where both hurling and football skills worked on.

“Hurling will get a push on as the structures are in place and hopefully I am alive to see it when we will be competing competively in both codes.” 

Local rivalries on the northside is also gone since the inception of Rebel Og and McCarthy believes that’s a loss to the heritage of the sport.

“The way the new structures are in Rebel Og it has taken away the derby games between the Glen, Na Piarsaigh and ourselves as these were the games that people looked forward to both on and off the park.” 

The development at St Vincent’s Pairc Ui Uinsinn is a project William is very proud of.

“When you walk into our complex you will see five pitches, a hurling wall and five dressing rooms and let me add it’s a safe environment for the children in our community.

“Not alone have we produced good players more importantly we produce good people that serve our community well and that’s just as important as winning championships.” 

McCarthy replaced Thomas Gould as chairman who had served 10 years and he took time to pay tribute to him.

“I think anybody will tell you being a chairman of a GAA club is demanding and Thomas gave 10 years of his life which is commendable.

“We have great people just like the Glen and Na Piarsaigh and as proud northside men all we are doing is helping our clubs survive.

“For some strange reason teams in the northside can go into areas and be called undesirable names and to me this is bad work for the people who resort to that kind of behaviour.” 

The one wish for the loyal St Vincent’s chairman is very simple.

“It is my wish to see an indoor hurling and football arena for the kids during bad weather and if that was to happen during my lifetime I would die a very happy man.” 

There is little doubt McCarthy is a passionate man for his club as he concluded by thanking his fellow clubmen.

“There are too many to thank but to all who have helped and continue to help at our club your contributions are greatly appreciated.”