Crofton Celtic recall epic 51-game campaign that led to FAI Intermediate Cup joy

Crofton Celtic celebrated the 40th anniversary of their Intermediate Cup victory over neighbours Everton in the Kiln Bar, home of Heineken Ireland main sponsors of the Munster Senior League.

The festivities continued afterwards in the new Southgate Bar at the end of Barrack Street and it was a memorable way to mark what remains a landmark achievement by the club.

Jim Cashman, Cork hurling great, hosted the event on behalf of Heineken Ireland and Crofton chairman Sean Cotter kicked off proceedings, thanking the sponsors, the Munster Senior League for their help, and co-organisers Tommy Searles and Jim Murphy, along with photographer Peter Dineen.

Crofton are heading towards their 80th anniversary in 2028 and continue to compete at Over 35 level while they have travelled around Europe over the past 10 years, culminating in a veterans’ tournament that Crofton hosted in Cork last year. They were also head to Vienna this year to compete.

The Intermediate Cup were in the spotlight and the majority of winning team from 1986 were in attendance. The memory of the two deceased team members was honoured, Ger Harrington, the captain on that victorious day, and Tony Sheehan.

This group of players, as well as winning the Intermediate Cup also secured the Beamish Cup the same year beating Avondale 1-0 at Turner’s Cross. they Then went on to win the inaugural Munster Senior League Premier Division Title the following year in an epic final game of the season with a 3-2 victory over Tramore Athletic.

Two years later, in the 1988-‘89 campaign, they captured the O’Connell Cup defeating Tramore 2-0 at Turner’s Cross.

They were also involved in two major FAI Cup ties during those two seasons. First up was the clash with Cobh Ramblers during the '85-'86 season where after a 0-0 draw in Turner’s Cross, Crofton were narrowly beaten 1-0 I n the replay at St Colman’s Park.

Then in the ’86-‘87 season they travelled to the Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers. A replay looked highly likely as entering the final 10 minutes the game was tied at 2-2, only for the League of Ireland team to score two late goals and finish 4-2 winners.

The club played 51 games in all competitions during the Intermediate Cup winning season with goalkeeper Finbarr Hogan playing in all 51.

The path to the final started off with a bye in the first round. Next up was an easy victory over league newcomers St Ailbes from Tipperary who they beat 4-0 in Killeady with goals from Ger Harrington, Martin McCarthy, Laurence Neville and Anthony O’Brien.

In the next round Crofton were drawn away to Ringmahon Rangers that turned out to be one of Crofton’s toughest games. After a 0-0 draw in Ringmahon Park, they prevailed in the reply in Killeady 2-1 with goals from Harrington and McCarthy.

This put Crofton into the quarter-final with away to Dublin kingpins Bluebell United, who they faced three times in the space of a month. First up was an FAI Cup tie that finished 0-0 in Killeady before the replay in Dublin which Crofton won 1-0 with a goal from Laurence Neville.

The following week saw the FA Cup ties against Cobh Ramblers and then it was back to Dublin again to take on Bluebell in the Intermediate Cup quarter-final. After a magnificent display, Crofton emerged with a 1-0 victory and a place in the semi-final courtesy of a goal from Robbie Cuthbert.

Crofton were drawn against another high-ranking Leinster Senior League club Ballyfermot United in the semi-final. At a wet Turner’s Cross, Ballyfermot took the lead in the first half that was cancelled out by a goal from Sean Cotter midway through the second half and within minutes Sean Mullins struck the winner.

The final was on April 20, 1986 at Turner’s Cross, an all-Cork affair with near neighbours Everton. Crofton prevailed on the day with a magnificent hat-trick from midfielder Sean Cotter as Crofton proved too strong for a youthful Everton.

Ger Harrington the Crofton captain was presented with the Pat O’Brien FAI Intermediate trophy amid huge celebrations.

TEAM: 

Finbarr Hogan, Seanie Murphy, Anthony O’Brien. Christy White, Martin McCarthy, Laurence Neville, Liam Howe, Sean Cotter, Sean Mullins, Robbie Cuthbert, Micky Jones, Ger Harrington, Tony Sheehan, Anthony Morley. 

Manager: Pat O’Sullivan; 

Assistant Manager: Tommy Searles.

Also in attendance were members of the Crofton Munster Senior League winning team of 1978-’79 and the current Over 35 squad.

Munster Senior League chairman John Lyne praised the club for winning the Holy Grail of senior football and encouraged the club to reach its 80th anniversary. Crofton president Jim Murphy encouraged the Over 35 team to keep the club going.