Cork Business League’s greatest footballing moment 45 years on

The Wembley Invitational Tournament in the early weeks of June 1981 brought together the cream of Cork soccer at that time. 

The three adult leagues, namely, the Munster Senior League U-23’s, the Cork AUL and the then Cork & District Shipping League along with the Cork Youth League competed in a straight knockout competition consisting of two semi-finals and a final.

The SL would have been rank outsiders to get past a very talented Cork Youth squad in one semi-final at Old Rockmount Park, Rathpeacon on Tuesday, June 9th while the MSL U23’s took on the AUL in the other.

The Youths lined up with four of the successful Tramore Athletic FAI Youths Cup winning team of the following season, 1981/82, namely, Dave O’Connor, Kieran Murphy, Mickey O’Sullivan and Tony Neiland, but were dismantled by two second-half goals from CIE Athletic’s outstanding marksman Pat Downey to finish on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat. 

Pat commented years after that the SL squad wasn’t a true reflection of the talent in the league at the time as clubs were asked to nominate players and not every club had their nominations in on time.

After the MSL U23’s eliminated the Cork AUL 1-0, courtesy of a late penalty, the winners met in the final at the Mardyke on Wednesday, June 17th 1981. 

Pat Downey has fond memories of the game. 

"I can still picture the MSL coming out in brand new gear as we were warming up in Youghal’s (Carpets) gear with the black darn emblem in the middle of the orange jersey."

On a superbly manicured pitch, the SL opened their celebrated opponents up at will in the opening 45 with ‘player-of-the-tournament’ UCC keeper Kieran Buckley producing a number of memorable saves to deny Downey and Fords’ Brendie O’Keeffe on the stroke of half-time.

The MSL, the tournament favourites, put their lethargic first-half display behind them and bombarded former Southport, Blackpool, Cork Hibernians and Cork Celtic keeper, CIE’s Peter Gregson and his heroic defence with waves of sustained attacks. 

Downey again picks up the action.

"Gregson was outstanding, with nothing getting past the Noel Kelleher and our captain, Byrnes’ commanding centre back Harry Speight."

With less than ten minutes remaining, the CIE talisman finally broke the deadlock when he exploded into action with another double strike to bring his total to four in the two games.

Downey, the tournament’s most valuable player, saw for himself the impact the win had on the league’s administrators.

"The league committee of the two Jackie’s, Carroll and O’Driscoll and Mick Mooney were beaming after the match.

"All the MSL committee were there in their blazers which made the victory so special for our committee."

On Thursday, June 25th the AUL challenged the SL at Flower Lodge in a benefit for Martin Curtin of Fords who broke his leg earlier in the season to once and for all determine who was the best representative league in the city at that time. 

While the AUL had an opportunity to beat the recent tournament winners, the SL looked to make it a hat-trick of successes. 

Jerry Geaney’s strong AUL eleven included future Republic of Ireland international, Tramore Athletic’s Kieran O’Regan and Grattan United and former True Temper star, Alfie Davis. 

The sun certainly shone in favour of the underdogs who scored twice in the second 45 through Downey to rightfully claim the mantle of kings of Cork soccer in the summer of 81!

Without conceding a goal in the three matches and Pat Downey scoring six of his team's total, the achievement was greatly enhanced by the excellent partnership of the late Noellie Kelleher and inspirational captain Harry Speight, who marshalled a superb defence to a never to be forgotten victory.

FOOT-NOTE: 

Downey and Gregson made a successful transition to play for Glasheen in the Munster Senior League winning Beamish Cup honours in 1983/84 before returning to Athletic where Gregson won the club’s last top flight title in 1989/90. 

Munster Senior League U23 X1 : Kieran Buckley (UCC): Frank Drummond (Tramore Athletic), Terry O’Shea (Rockmount); Bernard Murphy (do) (RIP), Mick O’Keeffe (Crosshaven); Barry Neiland (Wembley) (capt.) (Mattie Murphy (Tramore Athletic.), Myles O’Neill (Crofton Celtic), John Mulcahy (Crosshaven ), Michael Long (Wembley), Martin Lyons (Ringmahon Rangers), Gerry Collins (Avondale United.).

SL X1: Peter Gregson (CIE Ath.): Kevin Cannon (Aer Lingus) (RIP), Jerry Browne (Postal Workers); Harry Speight (Byrnes) (capt.), Noel Kelleher (CIE Athletic) (RIP); Tommy Searls (Youghal Yarns ‘A’), Tony O’Leary (Fords), Michael Feehan (Byrnes); Brendan O’Keeffe (Fords), Jim Atkins (Youghal Yarns ‘A’), Pat Downey (CIE Athletic).

Referee : Eamonn Fitzgerald. 

Assists: John Bird and Finbarr O’Sullivan.