Glasheen AFC: 100 not out for one of Cork's most storied clubs

When Glasheen AFC celebrates its 100th anniversary dinner next month, it will mark far more than a date on a calendar.

It will be a celebration of a century of football, friendships, family connections, great players, memorable teams and, above all, the people who have kept the club alive through good times and difficult ones.

For former player and current committee member Don Ellis, the centenary is a particularly special occasion. His connection with Glasheen runs deep. His father, Tom Ellis, played with the club for many years and also held the Treasurer role within the committee. Tom was also from the Glasheen area, making the club an important part of the Ellis family story.

“I’m privileged to be part of the committee especially as we celebrate the centenary year,” said Ellis.

Historic

“Glasheen’s history is filled with outstanding sporting moments. Among the most remarkable came from the youth team of 1957, which won five trophies, including the FAI Youth Cup. Their season was extraordinary: they played 38 games and won all 38.” 

The club won the Munster Senior League in 1962, while the youth team that lifted the FAI Cup in 1966 went on to produce a remarkable group of players.

That side included six internationals, the famous Barry McGann, John Blondie Carroll, Peter Cox, Tom Barry, Sean Dennehy and Con Hurley. That list was a huge indication of the calibre of talent that has passed through Glasheen over the years.

For Ellis, the list of notable Glasheen figures is a long one.

Names such as Ger Cronin, Dave Fahy, Ginger Healy, the Moloney brothers, John Carroll, Donie Wallace, the Murphy brothers, the Swann Brothers, the Murrays, Barry McGann and the Flynn family are among those he remembers, but he is quick to point out that there are simply too many people to mention individually. 

"And is already dreading phone calls this week from people he has forgot to mention,” laughs Ellis.

That is perhaps one of the defining features of Glasheen.

Its history has never belonged solely to the star players. It has been built by generations of ordinary people giving extraordinary commitment to their club.

Ellis himself remembers playing on the Farm from U11 and U12 teams with friends he still has today. Later, as a player, he went on to captain the junior team for several years. Today, he sits on the committee, helping to guide the club into its second century.

The colours themselves carry history too. The famous blue and white hoops have long provided a visual link with the Glasheen area and remain instantly associated with the club.

But maintaining a football club for 100 years requires more than colours, memories and tradition.

It requires volunteers.

Ellis stresses the vital role played by those who have given their time to fundraising, looking after pitches and equipment and carrying out the countless jobs required to keep a grassroots club functioning.

“Fathers and sons have played together through the years, helping to pass traditions from one generation to the next. That continuity has helped us as a club to survive periods when maintaining a club has become increasingly difficult, particularly with competition from other sports and the challenges facing grassroots football. 

“Today, we has around 50 members and we operate one team — our junior side — made up of a mixture of youth and some older, familiar faces.” 

In itself, that is a remarkable achievement.

While many clubs have disappeared or struggled to survive, Glasheen continues to take the field.

The centenary has also provided an opportunity to reconnect with the past. A successful golf classic was had and a book launch at the Heineken Brewery brought former players, managers and old friends together, giving many the chance to reminisce and catch up after years apart.

For Ellis, those reunions are an important part of what the anniversary represents.

“The club means so much to me because of my father Tom, because of the friends I have made through football and because of the generations of people who have worked tirelessly to keep Glasheen going.” 

Strong foundations

As the club reaches its century, there is an understandable sense of pride — but also a determination to look forward.

Ellis hopes Glasheen will continue to “grow and evolve” while retaining the foundations built by the people who have gone before. One hundred years is a magnificent milestone. But perhaps the greatest tribute to Glasheen is simply this: after a century of change, the club is still here.

Still playing. Still bringing people together.

And still proudly carrying the name of Glasheen into the next 100 years.