A new chapter in Ballyphehane's proud GAA history

EVERYTHING is seemingly on an upward trajectory on and off the playing field for Ballyphehane GAA club.

The city side have made huge progress in recent seasons by claiming success on the field while also bringing in new members and new players into the club. 2022 was an historic one for the team in blue and white as they won the city JBFC title and then the county JCFC.

Last year saw the group claim the Seandún Division 3 football league and were denied back-to-back county crowns after being edged out by St Oliver Plunkett’s in the county JBFC decider.

This year, Ballyphehane will play in the Seandún JBFC and also the confined county JBFC. And while things are looking up on the pitch, it was agreed by many within the club that their facilities would need to improve if they wanted to kick on. The clubs previous manager of the junior B football team Steven Buckle, who enjoyed wonderful success at the helm, touched on the facilities in a lengthy interview with this scribe before last year's county JBFC final.

"I do believe the club has huge potential. We have a very good team and there are brilliant people involved in the running of the club. We now just want help from the Cork County Board. It will take time though.

"We are based in Tramore Road but it’s not sustainable long term. Over the last few weeks, the club have tried to talk to the Cork County Board. We are hopeful that there will be good news in the not too distant future.

"There is a GAA pitch that was used by Redmonds years ago that is in our parish and we are hoping some deal can be done there. It could be the lift off that we need to push on.” Buckle concluded.

That interview was conducted last July, and eight months later there was white smoke. Ballyphehane were given the keys to Redmonds GAA grounds last month on a short term deal, which will be reviewed in September.

The pitch is situated in Lehenaghmore on the southside of Cork City and this could potentially be a gamechanger for Ballyphehane GAA. The club are very thankful to the Cork County Board and there is confidence that their stay in Redmonds grounds will go beyond September.

The work the members and volunteers have put in to bring everything up to standard has been remarkable and the pitch is like SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, fit to hold any match, which isn’t a surprise considering the club has hired a full-time groundsman, Cathal Browne.

The stars are aligning for the proud city club and they will hope 2024 is one to remember on and off the field.