Gallant Old Blues: Celebrating 150 years of St Finbarr's Hurling and Football Club
The St Finbarr's team which defeated Gowran in the 1985 Féile final in Wexford. Back row: John 'Diver' Casey, Don McCarthy, Alan Santry, Barry Looney, John Leahy, Fin Lehane, Dom Corcoran, Kieran Murphy, Tony Doolan, Donal Scannell, Ronan Lehane, Sean Crowley, Pat Corcoran, John Nason. Seated: Stephen Mehigan, Eddie McCarthy, Damien Crowe, Eamon Fitzpatrick, Kevin McTernan, Paul Ryan, Gary Ring, Derek Ryan, John Morey, Jim Bradley, Tony Leahy, Billy O'Shea, Ray Kelleher. Front: Aidan Murphy, Mick Aherne, Brian Maher. Coaches: Charlie Cullinane, John Hodgins. Ref Exam photo. PC
The 150th anniversary of St Finbarr's GAA Club is just a couple of months away, and the first event in a busy 2026 calendar will be the launch of 'Gallant Old Blues – A 150-Year History' at St Finbarr’s Pavilion on Friday from 6pm.
This landmark publication commemorates the club’s proud legacy and its vital contribution to Gaelic games and Cork life.
St Finbarr’s existed in 1876 — eight years before the GAA itself — and has since grown to more than 1,000 members, a beacon of community pride and sporting excellence.
The early years of St Finbarr’s were marked by disorganisation and tough conditions, yet the club’s competitive spirit earned them the nickname “The Invincibles.”
Historical records trace games in the area back as far as 1844, revealing deep roots in Cork’s hurling tradition.
The late 19th century brought political upheaval that shook the GAA.
The Kitty O’Shea scandal and the ensuing Parnell split saw membership drop dramatically.
St Finbarr’s was not immune — twelve members famously left to join Redmonds, later dubbed the 'Twelve Apostles'.
Many Barrs men were also active in the Volunteers, among them were commanding officer Connie Neenan and Joe Murphy,.
Long before social media and live radio updates, the Barrs had their own 'communications officer' — Dick Barry, the club bagman who carried homing pigeons to matches.
At half-time and full-time, he’d send the scores fluttering back to Bandon Road, where supporters anxiously awaited word.
It’s one of the many charming tales featured in the new history.
The 1980s proved a golden era. Between 1974 and 1984, the club won ten senior county championships and four All-Ireland titles, a rare double-code dominance matched only by Cuala.
Dual stars abounded, bringing success and pride to Togher and beyond.
No history of St Finbarr’s is complete without recalling the 1926 Cork County Hurling Final — when the Barrs faced the mighty Blackrock, then both county and All-Ireland champions.
The odds were daunting, yet what followed remains one of the most dramatic contests in GAA history.
Just a fortnight after defeating Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final, Blackrock met St Finbarr’s on November 7, 1926.
With ten of their All-Ireland side on the field (to the Barrs’ two — Dr Kearney and Dannix Ring), most expected an easy 'cakewalk' for the Rockies.
Everyone, that is, except the Barrs' faithful.
From the throw-in, Blackrock struck for a goal inside a minute — only for the referee to disallow it. Moments later, Denis 'Scarbour' Ring sent the Barrs ahead.
Then chaos erupted: within five minutes three players —the legendary Eudie Coughlan and Paddy Delea of Blackrock, and Scarbour Ring of the Barrs — were sent off for separate punching misdemeanours.
After a long stoppage, during which an abandonment was contemplated, play resumed and the Rockies dominated, leading 3–3 to 1–1 at half-time.
Early in the second half, Blackrock stretched their lead to eleven points, 5–4 to 2–2, and the game looked settled.
However, Blues launched an extraordinary revival.
Goals from Kenneally, O’Connell, and Clarke set the crowd alight, with many spectators who had already left the ground rushing back to witness the drama unfold.
In the dying moments, the Barrs trailed by two when awarded a 70.
Dannix Ring’s delivery dropped into a heaving goalmouth, where a desperate scramble ended with the sliotar forced over the line. The final whistle sounded immediately after.
The Gallant Old Blues doesn’t just chronicle senior triumphs.
Every grade and every championship from U16 to senior is included across 512 illustrated pages.
You’ll find stories such as Brendan Driscoll’s remarkable 1975 season, when he won 10 medals as part of the Barrs minors who swept every A and B hurling and football competition in Cork.
Camogie, ladies football and handball all feature, as does the old Lough Parish League.
Interviews with Charlie McCarthy, Jimmy Barry Murphy, Gerald McCarthy, Tony Maher, Ian Maguire, Paddy Hayes, Gemma O’Connor and others sit alongside guest essays from Dave Hannigan, Denis Walsh, Eimear Ryan, Diarmuid O’Donovan and Micheál Ó Laoighre, who explores the game’s pre-GAA origins.
Not to be missed is an evocative piece by the late renowned poet Paul Durcan – an outsider but a self-confessed secret admirer.
Not forgotten are the unsung heroes, extraordinary committee personnel, countless members, great characters and lifelong supporters who form the heartbeat of the club.
In short, there’s something in The Gallant Old Blues for everyone — from the lifelong club supporter to the casual reader who loves a good Cork story.
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