Jack McHale was one of the best centre-halves to ever play for Castleview

When Jack McHale passed away recently another link to the great Castleview side of the 1960s was lost.

Jack's sudden passing in October has left a huge void, not only in his family's lives, but to soccer people all over Cork, as Jack was regarded as one of the finest centre-halves that played in the 1960s. 

Jack, from Cathedral Road, a Mon boy, played hurling with the Glen Rovers and most of his soccer career with Castleview, Youghal Carpets and O'Connell's Bar.  

A gentle giant off the field, he was not one to be messed with on the field, but he also loved to play football the correct way. 

He refused to play the ball long for the sake of it, preferring a pass to a team mate if it was on. It was when he took up employment as a teenager in Murphy's Brewery that his head was turned fully to soccer and his GAA career petered out.

Castleview were quickest off the mark and on spotting the teenager displaying maturity beyond his years, swooped to sign him.

He fitted seamlessly into the pivotal role at the heart of the defence.

Similar in style to Patsy Dorgan, who was plying his trade at the same time with Cork Hibs, Jack had brilliant positional sense, was good in the air and an accurate distributer. 

In 1962, Castleview's trophy accumulation was the best ever recorded by a team since the AUL was founded, winning every trophy competed for in the province, including a 4-1 demolition of Southend (Waterford) in the Munster Junior Cup final. 

They then contested the FAl Junior Cup final, but they succumbed to the power of Swilly Rovers. 

Still, they had a wonderful season, one that Jack and his Castleview team-mates treasured for evermore.  

That particular squad dominated Cork soccer in the early 1960s and earned Jack two AOH Cup medals from four final appearances. 

He represented the AUL in the Oscar Traynor Cup and finished his career in the colours of Youghal Carpet Yarns. 

Those with memories of the popular Pub Leagues of the '70s will recall the frantic search for match-fit players in the over-35 category and Jack was top of the most wanted list. 

He was lured over the bridge to help O'Connell's, Douglas Street, win back-to-back Smithwicks Cups. 

In Castlevew's history, they have been blessed with magnificent centre-halves and Jack McHale definitely fits into that category of greats with the View.  Tall as centre-backs go, he never resorted to unfair play, instead his perfect timing in the tackle and intelligent passing were facets of his game which led him to be recognised as one of the best. 

Some great junior soccer players have been awarded with the AUL Distinguished Service Award in recent years and Jack was deservedly added to that formidable list in 2017.

Another Castleview great, Declan Meehan remembers Jack in his playing days and meeting up with former players supporting the View over the years.

“There’s always debates on who was the best centre-half the played with the View and I will have to say Christy Lynch, however, Jack McHale is a very close second,” Declan said.

“We were blessed with brilliant defenders over the years with the likes of Brendan Mulcahy, Maurice Caulfield, Jamie Barry, Seanie O’Leary, Denis Bennett, Ian O’Brien, John 'Speedy' O’Donovan and Danny Devereaux. 

"Although I never had the pleasure of playing with Jack, I played against him once when I played with Red City.

"However, I can remember him when he played with the club and he was an extremely good footballer, he could do everything, good in the air, very disciplined and difficult to go pass and was an excellent reader of the game,” Meehan added.

GENTLEMAN

Another Castleview man who is steeped in the club is Pat Cummins and he also paid tribute to Jack and what his passing meant to the northside club.

“What can I say about Jack that has not been said a million times already, but the most important thing that I will say is that Jack was a complete gentleman,” Pat said.

“I remember in the early days when Jack played with Jamie Barry, Jack was the brains of the operation, while Jamie was the enforcer in the team, he used to tell Jack if any player passes you, stay three of four feet back because he won’t pass me.

“They were wonderful memories I have of Jack playing and after he stopped playing he would always go to our functions with his late wife Betty. Then he used go to all our home games and joined the 'Container Lads' as they were known.

"They were a group of old players who used to watch games from the same place every week. I'm not sure how much of the games they saw as they were always laughing and joking. They were a great group of friends, sadly no longer with us today,” Cummins added.