St Vincent's Jimmy Russell was an unsung hero of many teams over the years

There are many unsung heroes in every sport in Cork and St Vincent’s former star Jimmy Russell he certainly falls into that category.

Russell was a centre field maestro who captained Cork in the 1969 Intermediate All-Ireland hurling defeat to Kildare but his displays for club and county are still recognized by the elder lemons of the sport.

For Jimmy after just celebrating his 82nd birthday reflecting back on the good old days is just what the doctor ordered.

“I was brought up in Blarney Street and playing with the local Blarney school is how I ended up going to play with my lifelong club St Vincent’s,” said Jimmy.

Jimmy started playing with the Saints at the tender age of 13 but he found winning silverware a little difficult during those early years.

“There wasn’t, many competitions that time when trophies were handed out, but I continued to play right up to Minor before stepping up to the Intermediate grade,” added Russell.

Vincent’s had some wonderful talent in 1968 and they were crowned champions after defeating a highly rated Youghal side at the Cork Athletic Grounds.

“We had some great hurlers in the O’Shea brothers Christy, Joe and Brendan and of course the great Paddy Barry was our goalkeeper.” 

The following year Jimmy was given the honour of captaining, Cork in the Intermediate final but it proved a huge disappointing losing to Kildare by the minimum 2-8 to 3-4.

“I suppose when you get to represent your county it’s probably the greatest honour you can get as a hurler and for me to be given the captain’s armband was a joy to behold but to lose the final was one huge disappointment.” 

Nowadays, Jimmy doesn’t get to see his beloved club on a consistent basis but is still very interested on how they are doing in all grades.

“When you get over the 80 mark it gets a bit tougher, but I have been known to take a walk up to the pitches and look at the young guys training and that gives me a lot of pleasure.” 

The present chairman of St Vincent’s William McCarthy praised the skills of Jimmy who he believes was one of the best centre field players the club has ever produced.

“When you saw Jimmy competing with the legendary Gerald McCarthy you could see he was a player of immense talent.

“The competitiveness of Jimmy was unreal as he would go through a wall for you and I am so pleased he is being recognized as players like him don’t come around every year.

“As a club we are delighted that Jimmy had the honour to captain Cork Intermediate hurlers in 1969 and just to round it off our goalkeeper Paddy Barry was captain of the 1970 Senior hurling team,” said William.

The facilities now at St Vincent’s are now up there with the best in this city and county as Jimmy smiled when looking back on the comparison when he played.

“Hand on heart the work that has been done by William McCarthy and many other great volunteers at our club is incredible when you think back that we had two railway carriages to tog off in.” 

The present standard of hurling is impressive but in Jimmy’s words completely different to when he played.

“I am not going to criticise the present standard of hurlers but I think the sport is gone very soft as there is no pulling in the air as well as no ground hurling.

“When I played there were games, I had to face the might of Gerald McCarthy and Justin McCarthy and let me state they were both magnificent hurlers.

“On a personal note I was proud to play in an elite era of hurling as I do feel they was some serious talent during those great years.” 

The recent failure of the Cork Senior hurling team to win the All- Ireland Senior championship was hard to take for Jimmy.

“I heard all the different opinions but for me Cork took their foot off the gas maybe over confidence and the weight of favourites got to them.

“In my book no matter what team represents Tipperary especially when they play Cork, they seem to rise their game but hopefully the lads will get it together this season to lift the doom and gloom of last July.” 

Jimmy lost his wife Patricia in 2025 but his two sons and two daughters ensure he is well looked after.

“Sport is sport but for me family is everything and my final message to every player is to keep showing loyalty to your clubs as hopefully they will all have the memories that I hold dear to my heart.”