Jamesie Corcoran has given a lifetime to Brian Dillons as a player and a coach

Brian Dillon’s founded in 1910 is one of the oldest GAA clubs in Cork city and originally located in Dillon’s Cross the club is currently based at the Tank Field, Montenotte.

In recent years the club have acquired playing pitches at Lisahorna, Whites Cross and cater for boys and girls in hurling, football and camogie.

During the longevity of the club, they have had many volunteers and in Jamesie Corcoran they surely unearthed a diehard whose love for the club is astonishing.

So how did all start for the Dillon’s man?

“I was out in Ballyvolane as a young lad and Donie Lyons stopped his car and asked did I play hurling and football with any club and after a chat with my mother the Tank Field was my next port of call for my first training session,” Corcoran said.

Jamesie was involved with the club from a seven- year- old playing right up through the grades and he believes the club did well despite punching above their weight.

“We were always competitive but as a small club it was always tough coming up against Glen Rovers, Na Piarsaigh and St Finbarr’s but we always gave our all despite the underdogs tag,” added Jamesie.” 

The standard in Cork during that era was high but Dillon’s did manage to make a breakthrough at Minor level.

“It was in 1979 that we defeated Passage in the Minor B final double and to be honest we had a superb team that were capable of competing in the A grade, but that win was a relief to all concerned at the club.” 

In the words of Corcoran, he was never a star player but improved as he matured but it was always about being proud of wearing the Dillon’s jersey that drove him on over the last 56 years.

There is little doubt that Brian Dillon’s were a club steeped in football, but two men Fr John and Dave Downey changed the thinking of the club.

“In 1990 Fr John took over the hurling Street League’s and I decided to fall in and help but to be honest I felt that we had taken our eye off the hurling section and it was time to put things right.

“To be truthful, we were knocked out of the hurling in the first round on an annual basis but for me we really set our stall out in 2000/2001 when I joined the coaching staff.” 

Jamesie played up to 2004 before taking over as manager of the Junior A hurling team losing to St Finbarr’s and then another loss the following year to Mayfield where the late Teddy McCarthy was also involved in the coaching staff.

After a 38 year the drought ended in 2006 much to the delight of Corcoran and his selectors.

“We finally cracked it and I suppose for 20 years we were a serious hurling team who probably didn’t get our just rewards.” 

Looking back Jamesie believes margins were small recalling the famous 2016 clash with Mayfield who later went on to be crowned Cork, Munster and All-Ireland champions.

“We missed a 65 and a 21-yard free to beat Mayfield and their goalkeeper Richard O’Keeffe produce the save of a lifetime but look that chapter is closed and Mayfield went on and did the business in style.” 

Now in GAA retirement Jamesie believes the rivalry that existed between Brian Dillon’s and Mayfield is now a thing of the past.

Can these great rivals ever amalgamate that would help survival in the coming years?

“Believe me I have suggested it in recent years, but I am not involved at committee level and I honestly don’t know what the plans are among the people that make decisions from both clubs.

“For the sake of the clubs they should have a serious think about it as the kids go to school together and play soccer together.

“With my present thoughts there will be people turn in their graves from our club but may I also add I do not think it will ever happen as to do anything right there has got to be a genuine will.” 

In recent years Dillon’s have amalgamated with Whites Cross and Delany’s but the Mayfield project doesn’t seem to be on the radar.

For the hurling purist at Brian Dillon’s this season they have dropped down to the Junior B grade in the Seandun division which is disappointing for Corcoran after many decades competing with the elite.

“Let me finally say it’s very disappointing but such is life as our conveyor belt stopped in recent years producing quality hurlers.” 

On a final note, Jamesie wanted to thank two important people in his life.

“To my wife Noelle who is the rock I have leaned on for many years and my friend John (Joggy) O’Leary who has been with me through thick and thin over many years,” concluded Jamesie.