Mayfield GAA chairman: Hard work will continue to keep young players engaged

Mayfield GAA Club, founded in 1897 and now in its 127th year of competing in the Seandún division, is an integral part of their community.

This year, a younger committee continues the hard work and for Liam Crowley, in his first year as chairman, it’s about focusing on the job at hand.

Crowley joined the club as a 14-year-old, when the family moved up from Dublin Hill. He was pucking a ball against a wall near his house at Sli Gartain and was spotted by club stalwart Seanie McCarthy.

“I played all my juvenile career and then into the adult scene right up to 2008, until I emigrated to Australia.

“I captained the club to win a city hurling championship and also the football team and my years from 2000 until 2007 was a great era,” Crowley said.

After returning from Australia, Liam decided to give something back to the club.

Mayfield has been a great club for many men like myself, who gave us the foundation to do better things in life, as I believe the GAA is a great stepping stone to get involved in the community.

February 2017 will long live in the minds of Mayfield players, members, and supporters, when they were crowned All-Ireland Junior champions by defeating Kilkenny side Mooncoin.

“For me, personally, to be in Croke Park that day, watching the lads at GAA headquarters putting in such a wonderful display, was incredible. And the sight of Nicky Kelly scoring the winning point was a memory that will stay with all of us.”

The contributions that various people have put into the club came in for special praise from the club chairman.

“I wouldn’t even attempt to start naming them all, but when I think of the late Sean Lucey, and nowadays, although stepping down from the role as club chairman, Sean McCarthy continues to be a great clubman still there for advice and has the role of fixtures secretary.”

After a few years of no silverware, the last couple of seasons have been encouraging.

“We went to the semi-final last season in the Intermediate Hurling Championship and we play Erin’s Own this weekend in the quarter-final, so we are still a competitive side.”

STRONGER

The footballing side of the club has also seen a turn for the better.

“We won the Seandún Junior A championship last season and in the mix again this year and thankfully we are getting stronger with a few new players coming through the ranks.”

Although the majority of clubs on the northside are struggling to get numbers, Mayfield battle against the odds.

We have been lucky that we managed to get a few through, but, in reality, the challenges are huge with all northside clubs. As you can see outside of Ashmount there has been no house building in our community.

“We have seen almost the end of that and when you are the third-oldest suburb in Cork it’s not easy to find players, but the work will continue.

“Terry and Anthony Lotty and Maurice Barry do savage work and now we have Paul Condon and Colm Bond getting involved, so we have some good people looking after the kids.”

A hurler in Nicky Kelly’s class was nurtured by the club and the academy’s aim is to encourage all young players to be the best they can.

“Nicky is a quality guy, who has given our club so much on and off the park and his dedication over many years has been incredible, but players like him are a one-off, but, yes, we will continue to stride in trying to produce talent of his kind.”

The running of GAA clubs is now equivalent to a business but Crowley praised the work that the elder lemons still do for the club.

“Cormac O’Connor, Eddie O’Loughlin, Brian and John Walsh are all willing to help and I am not afraid to ask for advice as these people are stepped in Mayfield history.”

The new young brigade of the Mayfield committee, including Denis Buckley, Olan Bond, and Brian O’Leary, is now setting its sights on keeping the operation going, including overseeing the club bar and Riverview Fitness Centre.

“We are a club that welcomes people to get involved with their children and will continue to serve our community to the best of our ability.”