Fr O'Neill's hark back to historic 1996 double with new jerseys

Fr O’Neill’s will look to draw inspiration from a historic breakthrough year as they wear special new kits based on those worn by the club in 1996.

The Ballymacoda/Ladysbridge outfit recently launched the jerseys commemorating the junior A double of three decades ago, the first time the club had won either competition.

Adding to the sense of occasion, the successful captains were brothers – current club vice-chairperson Dick O’Neill for the hurling win over Castlelyons and his sibling Ray, who is now senior hurling manager, for the football victory against Youghal.

Club communications officer Séamus Joyce recalls a special period for the club.

“We had been trying to win the hurling for a long time,” he says, “and then we got on a roll in the football too.

“We played Youghal in that and they had actually been nominated to represent east Cork in the county – if they had actually gone on to win that, our game would have effectively been the county final.

“Everyone was on such a high after the hurling that they turned around and kept it going in the football, that was the way it worked out.”

Given the magnitude of the achievement, it made sense to mark it. While the jerseys of 30 years ago were made by O'Neills, the new offering by McKeever Sports is a faithful recreation, featuring a traditional collar, red sleeves and a green and white chevron design. Once again, loyal club sponsors, O'Flynn's Mace of Ladysbridge, receive exposure on the front, reflecting a partnership that has been in place since 2018, with plenty success having club to the club in the intrim.

Once the possibility of wearing special jerseys was raised, the club and McKeever were able to work together to come with something suitable.

“I’ve looked after the gear since day dot and Shane Harrington came to me last year and mooted the idea, saying it would be nice to commemorate the anniversary,” Joyce says.

“We got on to McKeevers and Ronan Milner the local rep and Matthew McCabe in the head office were both great to deal with and they came up with the finished product.

“We haven’t worn them yet, they’re only for championship matches, so the first game will be the east Cork junior against Castlemartyr on Friday week and then the hurling against Kanturk a week later.”