Donie Lyons on his love of GAA and challenges faced by a small city club like Brian Dillons

Brian Dillons is one of the oldest clubs in Cork city and now in its 116th year, it continues to serve the people of Montenotte and beyond at all grades.

Named after the Irish Fenian Brian Dillon, the clubhouse was situated in Dillon's Cross, only 100 metres from his home.

Over the years, the club has produced some outstanding players and adminstrators and in Donie Lyons they certainly unearthed a diehard whose service to the club is over 60 years of unblemished loyalty.

“I was born on the bowling road at Rathcooney and with my father a member of Brian Dillons it was a natural progression for me to get involved,” Lyons said.

To hold any officer’s role in a club is a responsible job but Lyons' commitment was simply incredible.

“I was secretary for over 40 years, and I enjoyed every minute of it as it was all about my love for the club and I have no regrets in the many hours I gave to the role,” added Donie.

Sadly, this season Brian Dillons had to play Junior B hurling in the Seandún division, but Lyons believes there was little else they could have done to avoid it.

“Although it was disappointing for us, I think all the clubs like Brian Dillons have their ups and downs, but I have great faith we will recover in time as the lads are working hard at juvenile level to try and get the show back on the road.

DIFFICULT

“The senior clubs in our area consistently get a couple of players coming through but in reality, we are in an old area and it's difficult to get youngsters involved in the majority of areas of our community.” 

The Brian Dillons club are surrounded by a glut of clubs according to Lyons.

“We have Mayfield on one side, Sars down the road and then you have Delanys, the Glen and St Vincent’s and the reality is that we are all vying for the same players and that’s not an easy task.” 

Schools are also crucial, and Lyons spoke of his pleasure with the progress of the North Mon in the Harty Cup.

“I think it has given the whole community a lift and with Farranferris no longer competing, the Mon are the only northside school competing at the elite tier of colleges hurling.” 

Lyons believes that Rebel Óg hasn’t done clubs like Brian Dillons any favours with their structures.

“Disbanding Bord na nÓg wasn’t a great idea for the city clubs because all it done was kill the local rivalry that young players and their clubs loved to be involved in.

Bord na nÓg played their matches in front of large crowds with city clubs competing against one another. Now all city clubs do is travel all over the county.

“In my book, we have lost the enjoyment and competitiveness that we enjoyed for many years." 

In the noughties Brian Dillons became the nearly, team losing a couple of county finals while also witnessing their great rivals Mayfield clinch the All-Ireland Junior title in 2017.

“We basically had no luck as when you look at Mayfield in the year, they swept the boards we blew a chance to defeat them in the city final but it wasn’t to be.” 

Now 75, he is still active as he looks after the Brian Dillons magnificent facility at White's Cross and attends Seandún and county board meetings for his club.

“I still enjoy my grass cutting and general maintenance and attending division and board meetings gets you to meet lads from different clubs.” 

Indeed, Donie has been a Seandún delegate since 1973 and attended meetings when they took place in Cook Street.

“In fairness Seandún are celebrating 100 years this season and the men that have kept the show on the road for a century deserve all the plaudits.” 

He consistently follows both codes in league and championship over the season.

“I have followed Cork up and down this country for as long as I can remember because I basically love the sport.

“Last season was a huge disappointment in hurling, but I do honestly believe there is an All-Ireland in us as there is some great talent in this county.

“It might take Ben O’Connor a couple of years, but he has the quality and if the players maintain the belief there is no reason why we cannot bounce back.” 

Donie Lyons a man known for his unsung work at Brian Dillons and he has shown over 60 years that his love for the club has always been his number one priority.