1993 Team Honoured

1993 was an historic year in the annals of Timoleague GAA when Argideen Rangers won the West Cork Junior hurling title after defeating Diarmuid O’Mathuna’s 2-7 to 0-8 at Rossmore on the first Sunday of September. The ghosts of the hurlers of 1934 were finally laid to rest as they were deprived of the title at board room level after defeating Bandon 4-5 to 3-5 at Clonakilty. More recently in 1990, Argideen took Bandon to a replay before agonisingly tasting defeat. It was no wonder that grown men and women shed tears when Barry Harte accepted the Flyer Nyhan Cup that September evening after his team were crowned champions. This time there were no ifs or buts. All the cruel defeats, heart breaking disappointments and lean and barren years were all swept aside and a new era was about to unfold for the club based in the monastic village.

 However, at half time that afternoon after a nervous and unconvincing opening half, the omens were not good and the sides were level at half time 1-3 to 0-6. The interval afforded the team to regroup and a few home truths by coach Sean O’Riordan and selectors Denis O’Mahony, John Foley and Edward Mc Sweeney had the desired affect and Argideen were a different team in the second half.

For the record the team that lined out that day in Rossmore were as follows: Finbarr Walsh, Sean Foley, Eamonn Guinevan, Seamus Crowley, Declan Crowley, Pat O’Callaghan, John Dineen, Ted Crowley, Tony Crowley, Noel Cashman, Barry Harte, Liam Harte, Mark Foley, Brendan O’Sullivan, John Walsh. Subs: Emmett Harrington for Noel Cashman and John Crowley for Liam Harte.

Other valued members of the extended panel included: Sean O’Mahony, Jeremiah D Lehane, Aidan Harte, Sean Deasy, Patrick Harte, Michael Harte, Michael Coleman, Niall Ryan, Shane Ryan, Noel Coomey, Ciaran Harte, Jim Foley, Michael Walsh, Aidan Lawton. John Daly, Kevin Collins, JJ Deasy.

That evening the five Crowley brothers from Skeaf, Ted, Seamus, Tony, John and Declan, sons of Joe and Josie lined out with Argideen, a rare and an historic occurrence on a GAA field.

On Sunday next this Argideen Rangers team of 25 years ago will be honoured at half time during the West Cork Junior “A” Hurling Final between Ballinascarthy and Kilbree at Ballinacarriga. No doubt there will be some tales doing the rounds before and after the ceremony.

On a poignant note, Tim O’Leary who was one of the three O’Leary brothers who played with O’Mathuna’s in that final sadly passed away recently. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. He was given the job of minding Mark Foley and he restricted his decorated opponent to 1-1. It can be said that not too many players have done better.