St Vincent’s stalwart Kevin Goulding thrilled with Cork camogie role

Cork camogie enjoyed a double All-Ireland triumph at Croke Park earlier this month, the senior and intermediate sides capturing the big prizes.

Kevin Goulding was a selector when the Rebels beat Kilkenny by the minimum, a thrilling win according to the St Vincent’s club man.

“It all started for me playing Street Leagues at St Vincent’s where I was part of the Harbour View Road side and that was as a six-year-old. Now 41 years later I have no regrets as I have some wonderful memories with this club."

The influence of his brother John also played a big part in Kevin joining the northsiders.

“Yes John was a few years older so I just followed in his footsteps and it soon became very much part of our lives,” added Goulding.

Starting at underage level where he picked up a few titles it was when he reached the age of 18 when it all began to happen for him.

“I played intermediate football when I was 18 and ended up with two county medals, in 2006 and 2012. And as a matter of fact, I played Junior B football last season and that would give me over 40 years of service playing.” 

Up to recent years when you won the Premier Intermediate Football Championship, you automatically went to the top tier of Cork football and Kevin believes his beloved Saints were unlucky over the years when they did move up.

“When we first got promoted there were too many key players injured like Johnny Buckley and Anthony Fenton as the 2006 season went into late November.

"Losing big players didn’t help and we played St Finbarr’s in the 2008 Premier Intermediate final and lost after a replay." 

After losing three consecutive semi-finals in 2009, 2019 and 2011 the losing streak came to an end in 2012 when Vincent’s were crowned champions.

The move back to the senior ranks was widely anticipated for the 2013 season.

“We actually got to the quarter-final where we played Castlehaven and although it was a tight game we had two players sent off in the second half but despite a relatively good season we went down again in 2014 as ageing players caught up with us." 

COMMITMENT

The dedication of Kevin saw him take over as manager for the next two years.

“I knew the lads including myself were getting on but we managed to avoid relegation and that was testament to the spirit that was built into to these guys since they were schoolboys.” 

The lack of housebuilding in the northside has affected clubs there.

I along with many players had to move out of the area when we got married and many of our kids are playing in every corner of this county and that’s a harsh reality." 

The new love in Kevin’s colourful career is camogie as he began taking an interest when his daughter Keeley started playing in 2012.

“I got involved with Keeley at Rockbán since she was old enough to hold a hurley and I am proud to say she captained Cork at U16 level and this year she represented Cork at football and camogie in the minor grade.

“Sadly Keeley suffered a cruciate injury when she was only 15 but thankfully she is back up and running and enjoying sport." 

It is now a fortnight since Cork were crowned champions at Croke Park and Goulding is grateful to team manager Donie Daly from Youghal for getting him on board.

“I was involved with Donie at Cork U16 level so we went for the Minor job this season but were unsuccessful but maybe it's because our daughters were involved in playing.

“When the intermediate job became vacant we went for that position and thankfully were successful and the rest is history and we reached the summit in style.

“The amount of work that Donie does is just incredible as he consistently scouts opposition but on the local scene he is always at matches looking for new blood and for me the All-Ireland was just reward for this great man.” 

To win the biggest prize takes an incredible effort from the players and management.

“From the players to all the backroom team this was a massive project and I was very honoured to be part of a great team.”