Big celebration ahead for former players of Roches Stores FC

Former players and supporters of Roches Stores FC along with staff members of Cork’s iconic department store will attend a unique function at South County, Douglas on Friday week next, May 15TH, to celebrate four anniversaries in the club’s thirty-two tenure in the Cork Business League (1976-2008).

First, the club joined the league in August 1976, fifty years ago, ahead of the 1976/77 season. 

In would take ten years to win its first trophy, forty years ago in 1985/86, the then named Byrne Cup, now Premier Cup. 

Five years later in 1990/91, thirty-five years on, the league’s blue ribbon trophy, the AIB Cup Final , now Mooney Cup, was reached for the first time before in 1995/96, thirty years ago, the cup was won for the first time.

Those attending will not alone be meeting for the first time in many years but will have the opportunity to relive some of the club’s greatest triumphs. 

A number of distinguished service awards will be made in the function room which will be adorned with photos, match programmes and other club memorabilia. 

Former Roches Stores staff members are also invited to attend in what has the makings of a memorable staff re-union. 

For further details contact Finbarr Buckley on (086) 0712638 or by email on finbarrbckl@gmail.com.

The club sought membership to the league in August, 1976 through its delegates Theo McAuliffe and Billy Falvey. 

Success in the early years proved elusive before the appointment of Falvey as manager in 1979/80 led the club to promotion to the first division behind champions True Temper. 

Relegation followed two seasons later before another inspirational appointment, that of former Irish junior international and Blackrock winger Aidan Draper, as manager and Dave Sheehan as his assistant took the club to promotion and a first Byrne Cup success in 1985/86 in only their second season at the helm.

Wins over OLH United, Garda A, Co. Council, City Hall, on penalties, and Hickeys set up a final encounter with the holders and all conquering team of the eighties, Postal Workers at Pfizer Park on Sunday, May 18th 1986. 

In a thrilling final Anthony O’Reilly set up Kevin Callanan to give Roches a first-half lead. Mid-way through the second 45 John McGrath equalizer for the Workers to take the tie to extra-time and the resultant penalty shoot-out. 

With the teams level a three kicks apiece, the late Noel McCarthy stepped up to beat Tom Archer and create history by scoring the winning penalty in the first ever final shoot-out.

After another Byrne Cup was secured the following season followed by a shield final defeat to an emerging Liebert in 1988/89, the club reached and a first AIB final appearance in 1990/91. 

Wins over Youghal Yarns, Aer Lingus and Irish Steel after a replay and Ridge Tools in the semi-final, again after a replay, sealed a final duel with shield and champions elect Cork Examiner at Munster FA Turner’s Cross on Sunday, May 5th 1991. 

In front of one of the biggest attendances at a cup final, an early own goal gave Examiner the springboard to add further second-half goals courtesy of Don Bevan and Jim Nodwell on what proved a hugely disappointing afternoon for the Patrick Street side.

In would take five seasons for wipe away the disappointment of the cup final defeat when a return to headquarters resulted in a 4-1 win over Cara Partners on Sunday, May 5th 1996 under the management of former stars Tommy O’Donovan and Anthony O’Reilly. 

Wins over Old Mill, CIE Athletic, Postal Workers and Garda made Roches favourites to overcome surprise first time finalists, third division Cara Partners.

The underdogs asked all the early questions but the first division leaders defended in depth before going in front in the 7th minute. 

An attack down the right led to Aidan McSweeney crossing for man-of-the-match John O’Neill to fire past Liam Hawkes. 

On the half hour a Leo Jones’ free- kick on the halfway line picked out Seanie Farrell whose cushioned header was in turn headed in by McSweeney for two-nil. 

There was still time for McSweeney to head a third before the break from Noel McCarthy’s left wing cross. 

Cara came out with all guns blazing in the early stages and deservedly reduced the deficit through Willie O’Brien in the 55th minute. 

With fourteen minutes remaining a McCarthy penalty restored his side’s three goal lead which remained intact to the final whistle.

Roches went to within a hair’s breadth of winning the double only to be pipped in a play-off a week later by Smurfits. 

And so, two further cup wins and two shield triumphs followed in the intervening years before dwindling numbers forced the club to pull out of football in 2008.