Naomh Abán celebrate 1999 IFC success 

During the Christmas period, Naomh Abán celebrated 25 years since their last county title.

1999 was a special year for the Gaeltacht club as they won the Cork Intermediate football championship when they beat Castletownbere on a scoreline of 1-9 to 1-6 in the final after a replay. 

The team was managed by Jimmy Allen, trainer was Micheál Creedon with Johnny Allen and Mickey Lynch as selectors. The young Naomh Abán outfit included Cork senior stars, Anthony Lynch and Micheál Ó Cróinín, and were ably assisted by Jack Ó Loingsigh and Justin Ó Tuama in the middle of the park. 

In defence, Gary Mór Ó Loingsigh and Paudie Ó Murchú were influential leaders while in the forward department, Seán Francis Ó Cróinín and Dónal Ó Cróinín played pivotal roles in the championship. 

Not alone did Naomh Abán win the Cork Intermediate football championship in 1999, Micheál Ó Cróinín achieved a great feat winning the Cork Senior football championship as captain of the UCC team. They also went on to win the Munster championship, but lost out to Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh in the All-Ireland semi-final. 

On the inter-county scene, Anthony Lynch and Micheál Ó Cróinín played with the Cork senior football team in 1999, winning the Munster championship after a great win over Kerry in the final. The Rebels made it to the All-Ireland final where unfortunately they were beaten by Meath. Lynch went on to win an All-Star award that year.

Naomh Abán will hope history will repeat itself this year. The winning manager back in 1999, Jimmy Allen, has taken over as boss for the 2025 campaign. They reached the semi-finals of the PIFC last year, but lost out by a point to Muskerry rivals Aghabullogue played in front of a huge crowd in Macroom.

With Newcestown’s Carthach Keane on board as coach for a third season, the team in blue and white will be looking to repeat the trick of 1999 and deliver a county title to the people of Ballyvourney and surrounding areas. In their championship group this year, Naomh Abán will meet Rockchapel, last year's IAFC winners Glanmire and Bandon.   

1999 panel:

Donnacha Ó Duinnín, Seán Ó h-Iarlaithe, Gary Mór Ó Loingsigh, Paudie Ó Murchú, Dónal Óg Ó Liatháin, Anthony Ó Loingsigh, Colmán Ó Tuama, Jack Ó Loingsigh, Justin Ó Tuama, Seán F Ó Cróinín, Micheál Ó Cróinín, Diarmuid Ó Loingsigh, Kevin Ó Loingsigh, Dónal Ó Cróinín, Daire Ó Suilleabháin.

Fir Ionad: Micheál Ó Críodáin, Ciarán Ó Luasa, Dónal Ó Loingsigh, Freddie Ó Scannail, Paudie Ó Loingsigh, Paudie Ó Duinnín, Aodh Ó Tuama, Tadgh Ó Scannail, Donnacha Ó Cróinín, Diarmuid Ó h-Iarlaithe.