1996 season
November 23, 2021
1996 Season Continued
Argideen played Ballinora in the county quarter final at Innishannon and if a team ever got out of jail, certainly Argideen did on that September evening, stuttering to a 3-14 to 3-10 win to advance to the semi-final to play Meelin. An inept performance by many but when the need was greatest a few stepped up to drag the team over the line. Michael O’Callaghan, Niall Ryan and Pat O’Callaghan refused to yield in the backline. Up front Mark Foley with a personal tally of 2-4, illustrated once more (if that was needed) what a marvellous son of Molaga he is.
Argideen were in a different frame of mind at PaircUi Chaoimh when they accounted for Meelin, 2-15 to 1-6 to advance to a first junior hurling county final. On this occasion it was a team effort but Liam Harte, Declan Crowley with his brothers Seamus and John, Barry Harte and Noel Cashman were very much to the fore. Mark Foley continued where he left off at Innishannon and was the chief orchestrator when moved to his favourite position of centre forward. Niall Ryan with eighteen stitches inserted on a head wound a few days before the game, epitomised the spirit and determination needed for the cause and his team mates could not but be inspired by such bravery.
The 3rd. of November 1996 is etched in the memory as Argideen won the blue riband of junior hurling in swashbuckling style at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 3-9 to 0-11, shattering Fr. O’Neill’s defensive record. A point in the first minute by Barry Harte and three first half goals, two from Michael Walsh and one from Mark Foley laid the foundations for this historic triumph. The Argideen defence have to be given credit also for limiting their opponents to a mere five points from play over the hour. Eamonn Guinevan held their most prolific scorer and that was a major contribution. Goalkeeper Finbarr Walsh was called on to make a great save late on as Fr. O’Neill’s tried their utmost to save the day but it was not to be and with Michael Walsh giving a man of the match display accounting for 2-4 and Mark Foley hitting 1-2 with Barry Harte scoring 0-2 and team captain Tony Crowley pointing a free, Argideen carried too much fire power for the East Cork side. All 18 players who did duty on the day together with the extended panel did all “for the sake of the little village”. “Not bad going for half a parish” remarked a proud Canon Michael O’Brien in the jubilant Argideen dressing room after the ground breaking triumph.
On Saturday night, November 27th the victorious panel of players and selectors together with past and present officers of the club were to gather at Monk’s Lane to celebrate the 25th. anniversary of the historic occasion. However, due to the present situation with regard to the rising covid figures and taking the advice of “the powers that be” with regard to social gatherings, the function has been postponed until more suitable circumstances prevail for all.