St Vincent's will keep working hard despite challenges in terms of underage numbers

Another testing year for the majority of clubs on Cork’s northside, but for St Vincent’s chairman William McCarthy, the work continues to bring stability.

In recent weeks Vincent’s were relegated from the intermediate football championship after losing a play-off by the minimum to Dromtarriffe.

“It was disappointing, no doubt, as we were a senior club not many moons ago, but as the years have matured, numbers became sparse and when your conveyor belt slows down the inevitable will happen,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy is adamant that they have the right structures at juvenile level to get the club back on an even keel.

“I suppose we took our eye off the ball like many city clubs in the northside and we are now addressing it big time with five schools in our catchment area.

“We are working with a coach in each school, but that will take time and we are at a stage of building the house but only at the foundation stage,” added William.

The Intermediate relegation was disappointing with players and manager John Paul Murphy gutted, but McCarthy is confident the rebuilding will be done in a workmanlike fashion.

“We are now in the Premier Junior championship and it may suit us for our rebuild as we have several minors coming through and they will get valuable experience.

“I do know our present executive committee are working with John Paul Murphy to put a plan in place and we will discuss the issues and solutions that we feel can take us forward.”

Reflecting on the season overall, McCarthy believes they are plenty of positives.

The juvenile section is doing okay; numbers were low, but when you compare us to Carrigaline, Douglas, Sarsfields, and Ballincollig, all towns with huge housing developments... how can we compete with those clubs?

“We are in an area that is old in the sense of the estates and it is hard to believe there is no third-level college on Cork’s northside. The ministers in Cork should hang their heads in shame for the way the people have been treated.”

Education is crucial.

“I have said it for years that education hasn’t happened in the northside and coupled with the housing shortage we are hard done by.”

Amalgamation has saved many clubs on the northside.

“We have amalgamated with Brian Dillon’s and Delanys in underage at U12, U14, U16, and minor in independent teams and now we are waiting for ratification from the county board as we feel it will help all concerned survive.”

In recent years, St Vincent’s have produced a number of quality players who represented the club with pride in colleges hurling.

“We had eight players involved with the North Mon Gaescoil in the Dr O’Callaghan winning team and Harty Cup semi-finalists and we are very proud to have these lads representing our club.”

OVERBOARD

Some of the abuse thrown at teams from St Vincent’s and many northside clubs at matches is unacceptable according to McCarthy.

“I think some teams tend to go overboard with the word ‘scumbag’ and I can tell you right now, any team that come to play at Páirc Uinsinn are always very complimentary.

There isn’t any of us angels, but just because we are born and bred ‘norries’ doesn’t give people the right to insult us and I am really annoyed with some of the stuff I have heard at matches.”

A few months ago, St Vincent’s hosted a book launch which was a huge success and tinged with sadness.

“ The Croppy Boy Way and was written by Gerry Corbett and the late Jimmy O’Shea and we had up to 300 people in attendance.

“These two men have been involved with our club all their lives but sadly Jimmy died days before the launch and was buried on Monday after it, and I can tell you right now it was a week I will personally never forget.

“The O’Shea family is renowned; seven brothers are part of the heritage of our club and Gerry Corbett lost his brother Joe, who helped with the proof-reading of the book.”

LEADERS

One stat stood out.

“Three St Vincent’s people did it at the top level. Paddy Barry, who captained Cork in the 1970 All-Ireland hurling final, Amy O’Connor lifted the O’Duffy Cup when captaining Cork in 2023, and Paddy O’Shea was involved in Cork’s All-Ireland team of 2010.

“We are proud of all our players and treat them with respect, but when you get players from a small club representing you at inter-county level it is very special.”