Cork soccer community in mourning as Bobby Brohan, a great character and goalkeeper passes away

The Cork soccer community said goodbye to one of its outstanding goalkeepers when Bobby Brohan, the last survivor of the great Evergreen team of the late 1950s, passed away peacefully at Cork University Hospital, surrounded by his beloved family on Monday.

Bobby came from a famous Blackrock hurling family and was nurtured in the skills of Gaelic games by the Christian Brothers at Sullivan’s Quay. His tutors may have been disappointed when he began dabbling in the “foreign games”, but there was no turning back. 

He played underage with the Rockies before tasting the forbidden fruit with Ringmahon, and gradually soccer began to take over.

It still seemed likely that he would eventually follow his brother Jimmy’s footsteps and choose hurling, but a remarkable season with Ringmahon changed everything.

In 1955, Bobby was selected for the Ireland schoolboy team to face England in Luton.

He spent the first half on the bench as the boys from the Emerald Isle endured a nightmare, trailing 9-0. 

Bobby was introduced after the interval and what followed was extraordinary. 

Like an octopus, he seemed to have a hand for everything the goal-hungry Saxons could throw at him. 

England failed to add to their nine-goal total during his time on the field.

The 17,000 spectators recognised the remarkable performance and, in an unprecedented gesture, both teams stood aside to allow Bobby to take centre stage as he received a standing ovation.

The following season brought further evidence of his shot-stopping ability. 

Bobby entered the record books when he did not concede a single goal as Ringmahon swept to the Under-16 League Championship. 

He was also doubling up in minor football with Ringmahon and, despite his tender years, was selected for the Cork AUL Junior side which became the first Leeside team to win the Inter-City Trophy, defeating Dublin in the decider.

At Evergreen, coach Tommy Morony clearly believed that if a player was good enough, he was old enough. 

When the experienced Derry Barrett retired, Morony had no hesitation in throwing the young Bobby in at the deep end. 

Evergreen became involved in a dramatic three-way title battle with Shamrock Rovers and Drumcondra, with Shams taking the championship and Drums finishing runners-up. 

Bobby was “on fire” the following season, conceding just 27 goals throughout the campaign as Evergreen again finished bridesmaids behind champions Shams.

When Kevin Blount arrived at Turner’s Cross, Bobby moved on to Cork Hibs, where he spent six seasons. 

Once again, national honours narrowly escaped him when he was goalkeeper on the Hibs team defeated by Shelbourne in the 1963 FAI Cup final.

His time with Hibs also gave him the pleasure of playing regularly alongside his younger brother John. 

Midway through the 1967 season, Bobby handed over the goalkeeper’s gloves to Joe O’Grady and settled into what appeared to be a well-earned retirement.

But there was still another chapter to come. In 1968, the former Irish Amateur international, who had won several caps at that level, came out of retirement to help Waterford.

Looking back on a remarkable 12-year career in top-flight Irish football, Bobby had every reason to be happy with what he achieved. 

He played alongside and against many of the finest players the Irish game produced and earned the respect and affection of those who saw him perform.

In 2012, his place among Cork football’s greats was formally recognised when Bobby Brohan received the Cork Soccer Hall of Fame Award. 

His name was added to a distinguished roll of honour that included, among others, Donie Wallace, John Coughlan, Ray Cowhie, Jackie Morley, John Herrick and his brother John.