Club History
Below you can view our club history. This section is all about how we were formed, the people involved in our success, and progress to date. If you have anything you would like to add, get in touch, or if you have any old photographs we would love to hear from you!
1973-1975 The Foundation of The Club +
On Wednesday June 6th, 1973 a youth soccer team was established in Midleton's Fr. John Murphy Youth Club under the management of Club Chairman Pa Coakley, with current Club Chairman Michael Kirby as Hon Secretary and Robbie Morrison as team Captain. Fr. John Murphy Youth Club, like many other clubs at the time, had no grounds of their own. The local Urban District Council then came to their assistance, offering them use of the land at Rosary Place as a playing pitch.This pitch was also used at the time by Midleton's other club St. John Bosco's. Between June and September of 1973 a team panel was assembled and a number of challenge matches were played.
Acquired from club records of the time, by August 1973, the following players had been signed :P. Foley, G. O'Reilly, R. Morrison, M. Kirby, D. Lynch, P. Duggan, G. Cotter, A. Howick, M. Hogan, P. Duggan, T. O'Sullivan, A. Lehane, G. Murphy, M. O'Brien, A. O'Donovan, J. Barry, F. Lomasney, D. Barry, K. O'Keeffe, N. O'Sullivan, J. Cooney, J. Daly, T. Lynch and A.O'Sullivan.The first club colours were yellow jerseys, blue shorts, and blue socks. These were the colours proudly worn on Sunday morning, 3rd September 1973, at Rosary Place when Fr. Murphy's played their first competitive game. The game was a Cork A.U.L. Division 2 (Section B ) Shield tie vs Killeagh Utd. A nervous local side gave Killeagh a two goal interval lead and although pronouncing themselves very well in the second period, admirably lost 3-1 to a very strong Killeagh team of the time. According to record the following represented Fr. Murphy's on this historic occasion: Pat Duggan, John Cooney, Robbie Morrison (Capt), Jack Daly, Anthony Howick, Anthony Lehane, Michael Kirby, Mike O'Brien, Kevin O'Keeffe, Denis Mulcahy, and Gerard O'Reilly. The 12th man was Deccie Barry. The honour of scoring the first goal for the club was awarded to Anthony Lehane.
The first competitive victory for the club came on Sunday September 24th, when they defeated the Rockmount Rangers by 6 goals to nil. Denis Mulcahy (later to win senior All Ireland hurling medals with Cork) bagged 4 goals and thus became the first player in the club to score a hat trick. Gerard O'Reilly and Anthony Lehane also contributed goals in this landmark for the club.
Fr. Murphy's went on to finish mid table in both shield and league competitions in their maiden season. The Fr. Murphy's team was to spend another season in youth's football and made the 1974/75 season a most successful one by capturing the Cork A.U.L. Second Division Shield and also finishing runners up In the East Cork Cup.
1977-79 +Fr. Murphy's joined the Cork A.U.L. Junior Section in 1975/76. They also had a youth team. After two years in this division they won the Division Shield and promotion to the First Division. In 1977 Fr.Murphy's changed their name to Midleton, due to a Youth Club policy. This saw the first move of the club, when the U.D.C. commenced the erection of houses on the rosary place grounds. Due to the trojan efforts of Fr. Patrick Carroll, who was based in Midleton at the time and was Club President, pitches were obtained at the Cork Marts premises.
This was a great year in the club as they reached the quarter finals of the Cork A.U.L. Junior League Cup, the Cork Area Final of the F.A.I. Junior Cup and the semi final of the County Cup. Also after just one season in the First Division the club also won promotion to the Premier League.
1978-79 +The club started to spread it's wings in 1978/79, with 3 junior teams and a youth team, and a playing staff of sixty junior players and twenty one youth players. The same year the club took their first cup-The Tom O'Kelly Premier League Cup.
They were runners up in the Premier League, reached the quarter final of the Munster Junior Cup, the semi final of the East Cork Cup, the semi final of the A.O.H. Cup and the Cork Area Final of the F.A.I. Junior Cup. Denis Mulcahy established a club record of 40 goals from 47 games.
1979-80 +In 1979/80 the club had to change grounds again, on this occasion to Forrest's Field a property owned by Midleton U.D.C. As it was the intention of the U.D.C. to establish a pitch and putt course and soccer pitch here and the club went ahead and built dressing rooms and shower facilities.
On the playing field the club again reached the final of the Premier Junior League Cup only to lose to Casement Celtic by 2 goals to 1. The club went on their first tour abroad, travelling to London, visiting Stamford Bridge and playing a match against local team St Oliver Plunkett's.
1980-81 +The 1980/81 season saw the Junior side lose Paudie Foley and Jack Daly to League Of Ireland Football (with Cork United). No silverware was captured this season but the U17's reached the quarter finals of the National Cup.
1981-82 +1981/82 saw the introduction of Schoolboy Football to the club under the wing of Teddy Lambe. The U13 team won the Cork League Cup in their maiden season and finished runners up in the league. The Youths team also finished runners up in their league.
1982-83 +In 1982/83 the U14 lads won the league and cup double under the guidance of Liam O'Brien. The Juniors finished runners up in the Saxone Cup and won the Youghal Easter Tournament while the Youths were again runners up in the League, reached the quarter final of the League Cup and the semi final of the Coca Cola Cup. This was also the year that the U.D.C. decide to erect houses on Forrest's Field and for the third time the club were without a pitch. All protests at the decision to build houses on an area designated as an amenity area fell on deaf ears and the club committee took a brave decision to go it alone and purchase their own grounds.A green field site was earmarked at the Kennel Boreen in Knockgriffin. A loan of £34,000 was taken out with the Cork T.S.B. to be paid back over 7 years. A massive fundraising campaign was undertaken and a group of trustees were elected to oversee all aspects of the development. Those elected were Pa Coakley, Mick Kirby, Jack Daly, Gerry O'Sullivan, Tom Connaughton, Teddy Lambe, Gerry Tobin, Donie Wall, Michael Desmond, Seamus Cody, Pat Duggan and Adrian Williams. Work commenced on the new pitches and the grass was sown in May 1984.
1983-84 +During the 1983/84 season the club were forced to use many pitches including Waterock, Corkbeg, Ballintotas, Rohans Lodge and Carrigtwohill A.F.C. grounds. On the playing front the U15 lads won the Cork Area Final of the National Cup and the Cork Schoolboys League. The Youths finished runners up in the league for the third time and reached The semi final of the Coca Cola Cup. Donal Desmond was selected on the Irish U13 squad, Barry Lambe and Jason McSweeney played for the Cork U14 team, while Aidan Berry and Barry Mulcahy made the Cork A.U.L.Youth's squad.
1984-85 +1984/85 saw Liam O'Brien's young magpies now plying their trade at U16 level and sweeping the boards in all competitions. As well as winning everything on offer in Cork at schoolboy level they became the first Cork club to win the U16 National Cup- The Barry Cup. The team lined out in the final as follows : Donal Desmond, Leonard O'Driscoll, Anto Cleary, Ian O'Brien, Jason McSweeney, John Burke, John Morgan, Barry Lambe, John Forde, Mossie Horgan and Mickey O'Regan. Other members of this wonderful squad were Willie Donovan, Barry O'Sullivan, Damien Devlin and Aidan O'Keeffe.
1985-86 +The season 1985/86 saw the club catering for 10 teams. It was the most active one for the committee in years. The club finally received full planning permission for the new development. Three players Ian O'Brien, John Burke and John Morgan were on the Irish U17 squad . This was the first time that a Midleton player was capped for Ireland. Several other players represented Cork at different levels during the season. The U11 team won the Cork Community games and the U14 team won the Marina Cup. The U16 team were runners up in the league and the U17 team Reached the Semi final of the National Cup. The Junior side reached the Cork Area final of the Munster Junior Cup. The U16 team also reached the Final of the prestigious Portsmouth Cup in England.
1986-87 +Sunday August 10th 1986 will forever be inshrined as the most important day in the club's proud history. This day saw the culmination of years of hard work being rewarded and the dreams of football supporters over the decades being realised with the official opening of the present club's permanent home - the magnificent Knockgriffin complex. The official opening was performed by Mr. Pat O'Brien (R.I.P.) then President of the Football Association of Ireland. Then followed a game which marked Midleton's entry to Senior football (having been accepted into the Munster Senior League during the close season) a Munster Senior Cup tie vs Cobh Ramblers.For the record this was the Magpies team Donal Desmond, Martin O'Donovan, John Burke, Freddie Wall (R.I.P.), Jack Daly, Pat Cleary (Capt.), Stephen Forde, John Morgan, Michael Kirby, Declan Horgan and Noel O'Reilly. Substitutes were Steven O'Donoghue and Mick Buckley. Midleton went on to gain promotion to the Premier Division at the first attempt. The U11 team won the Cork Schoolboys League and Rory McSweeney was capped for Ireland at U15 level. Stephen Forde won a place on the Irish Youth and U21 panels. The final honour for the club came when Liam O'Brien was appointed as coach to the U15 Republic of Ireland team.
1987-88 +The 1987/88 season saw Midleton consolidate their position in the Premier League where they finished a creditable fifth. The U14 team finished Runners up in the league. The development at Knockgriffin saw the construction of a covered stand overlooking No. 1 pitch.
1988-89 +1988 - 1989 again saw success on the playing fields. Midleton qualified for the F.A.I. Senior Cup for the first time only to lose to Parkvilla from Co.Meath after two replays. The Junior sidewon the Third Division and the U16 finished runners up in the league. The U12 team won the league and also the Cork Community Games Area final. The schoolgirls U14 side also won the Cork Area Final of the Community Games.Off the field the first Ladies Committee was formed under Chairperson Mary Woods and ran a number of successful fund raising events including a fashion show and race night. A very enjoyable social/fundraising event was held at Youghal Greyhound Track, thanks to the efforts of Albert Ruxton in particular the club's new Health and Fitness centre was opened under the control of Barry Mulcahy. A new kitchen was added to the complex and new dugouts were built on the main pitch. On the administration side the season also saw a new Chairperson for the first time with Michael Kirby taking over from founder Chairperson Pa Coakley.
1989-90 +Off the playing pitch 1989/90 saw further progress in facilities at the Knockgriffin Complex. The No. 1 pitch was enclosed with the erection of a 3 foot high concrete rail. The club also leased another playing pitch adjacent to the No 2 pitch. This was the season which also saw the club win their first senior trophy-The Keane Senior Cup which was won in a dramatic penalty shoot out against Tramore Athletic on St. Patrick's Day.The team was W. O Hanlon, J. Daly, J.Burke, P. Cleary, M. Kirby, C. Mulcahy, R. O'Connor, D. O'Connor,P. Foley, L.Kennedy, J. Morgan. The team also finished runners-up in the Premier League.The U13 team under the guidance of Teddy Lambe won the Cork Schoolboys League. This was also the season that saw an influx of representative honours come to the club. Colman Mulcahy and Dave O'Connor were capped for the Rep. Of Ireland Intermediate team. Rory McSweeney and Billy Woods won places on the M.S.L. Youths side. Damien Connaughton and John Ryan were selected on the Cork Schoolboys U14 squad as were Eugene Fitzgerald, Martin Greene and Vincent O'Mahony on the U13 squad. Teddy Lambe won a Junior Chamber Sports Personalities Award and Pa Coakley won the Hall Of Fame Award.
1990-91 +The season 1990/91 will always be a cherished one for all Midleton football followers when a long term ambition was realised in winning the Premier Division of the Munster Senior League. While the League Championship was the pinnacle this team managed by Liam O'Brien, ably assisted by Colman Mulcahy and Medic Albert Ruxton, also provided an original "Roy of the Rovers" story when the sensationally knocked holders Bray Wanderers out of The F.A.I. Senior Challenge Cup by two goals to nil before a bumper attendance at Knockgriffin.The team on this memorable occasion wasW. O'Hanlon, M. Horgan, D. O'Connor, R. O'Connor, J. Burke, C. Mulcahy, B. Mulcahy, J. Morgan, A. O'Connor, K. Quinn and A. O'Keeffe. Subs were M. O'Regan and P. Cleary. Round 2 saw Midleton at home to St. James Gate and the Magpies were cruelly knocked out by the only goal of the game scored in the 110th minute.This was also the season that saw Michael Kirby hang up his boots after over 700 appearances for Midleton. John Ryan brought further honour to the club by winning 8 caps for the Republic at U15 level. Jack Daly and Paudie Foley were on the M.S.L. Junior Squad as were Billy Woods and Jason Bailey on the M.S.L. Youths squad. Brian Lambe and Michael Cashman were on the Cork Schoolboys U13 team with Lambe winning the "Golden Boot Award" for top goal scorer for the third time. Liam O'Brien was Coach to both U15 and U16 Republic of Ireland teams and Albert Ruxton was rewarded for his sterling work by winning a Junior Chamber Sports Personalities Award. Michael Kirby led a Sub-Committee to run a most successful "Midleton 90's" Festival. It would be remiss not to acknowledge the work of Seamus Cody and John Barrett in their organising of mini-leagues for the U7-U10 age groups during the summer.
1991-92 +1991/92 saw our senior side join a small elite club in winning back to back Munster Senior Premier Leagues. The Magpies mounted the victory rostrum again when they captured the Keane Senior Cup. A ladies team was also formed during the season to compete in the Cork Ladies Football League. A men's Over 35 team also entered the M.S.L. Veteran's Floodlit League. John Ryan who won the Junior Chamber Sports Personality Award was capped 12 times at U16 level for the Republic of Ireland and scored the "Goal of the Tournament" against Spain in the U16 European Championships in Cyprus.
The club itself won the Junior Chamber "Best Club" Award while Liam O'Brien was again coach to the Republic of Ireland U16 squad and was instrumental in Billy Woods securing a 3 year contract with English League side Coventry City.
Thus Billy became the first Midleton player to graduate to an English League club. Liam Walsh was in the Cork Schoolboy U13 squad and Michael Cashman made the U14 Kennedy Cup team. The club supplied four players to the M.S.L. Senior representative side namely : Colman Mulcahy, Dave O'Connor, Kenneth Quinn and Austin O'Connor. On the fundraising side the "Magpie Lotto" was launched and it proved to be a major success. The season also saw the second running of the "Midleton 90's" Festival which was opened by Irish international Niall Quinn.
1992-93 +The season was highlighted by the success of the schoolboys section of the club with the U16 side reaching the semi-final of the National Barry Cup. The U13 team reached the final or the Cork Schoolboys League Cup. The U14 Schoolboys won the League Cup The Senior team were involved in a relegation play off to stay in the Premier League but some controversy off the field ensured that First Division football was to be Midleton's lot for next season. Our U17 side reached the penultimate stage of the National Cup. The Ladies team under the guidance of Albert Ruxton finished 4th in the league. The 3rd "Midleton 90's" Festival again proved to be a major success.
1993-94 +1993 - 1994 saw protracted negotiations re the purchase of a third playing pitch adjacent to the Knockgriffin Complex. The Senior team blew hot and cold to finish a disappointing 5th in the league. U16 team took victory in the Cork Schoolboys League. Danny O'Keeffe received the Junior Chamber Sports Award during the season which also saw the staging of the annual "Midleton 90's" Festival. John Ryan fulfilled his lifelong ambition when he signed a professional contract in England with Brighton. The club was awarded a "Civic Reception" by Midleton U.D.C. in recognition of their achievements over the past 21 years.
1994-95 +After all the celebrations of the club's 21st anniversary had finished it was back to the playing fields and the 1994/95 season proved to a poor one with no silverware coming to Knockgriffin. The " Midleton 90's" Festival was again a great success.
1995/96 +1995 - 1996 was to see an improvement in the club's fortunes.Our Junior side claimed the Division 3 League Champions pennant. The Youth team had a great season and the won the Cork AUL Murphy Cup as well as being runners up in the Premier League. Also our Midleton 90's Festival went from strength to strength.
1996-97 +The 1996/97 season continued where the last one left off and this was the year where Midleton regained their Premier status at both Junior and Senior level by winning their respective First Division Championships. The club continued to grow with an ever increasing membership especially in the Schoolboys section.
1997-98 +This season proved to be one of the most successful ever in the clubs history. The Schoolboy section again came up trumps with the U11 team taking the League title. The Youth side joined both the Junior and Senior sides at Premier when they won the First Division League. The Senior side also brought home silverware when they won the O Connell Cup. Plans were also drawn up for the laying of an all weather pitch which it is hoped will be utilised by all the clubs in the East Cork region. While the past 26 years have been very successful the club is not resting on its laurels and is looking forward to using it as a launch pad for even more success in the new millennium.
1999-2000 +This year Stryker Instruments came on board as Club Sponsors. Sean P. Graham continued to sponsor the Schoolboy section. On the playing fields the year was not a great one. Our Senior team was relegated to the MSL First Division. Our Junior team maintained their Premier League status as did our Youth team. The shining light this year was our Schoolboys section and especially the Under 12 Team. Under the management of John Cody they finished high in the league and were Runners-up in the Cup (losing 3-2 to Maymount Celtic).Five of our players were called up to the Cork Schoolboys Teams. The five were John Coen, Ashley Daly, Paul O'Keeffe, John Barrett and Stephen Mulcahy. Seven teams took part in the Cork Schoolboys Leagues. The Social Committee organised a very successful talent competition (sponsored by Jameson Heritage Centre) for all the winners of the Midleton 90's competitions. During the year after much discussion the management structure of the club was reorganised to cater for future development. Grants were received from ECAD, The National Lottery and the FAI towards the construction of the all weather pitch and buildings connected with this development.
2000-01 +Midleton's senior team won the pre-season Barry Wall Tournament. The Kevin Moran Coaching Camp was held in Knockgriffin and over 80 boys and girls took part. One of the highlights was the visit of former Irish international player Paul McGrath. We had three players represent the club on the Cork Schoolboy teams. They were Stephen Mulcahy and Paul O'Keeffe at U13 and John Coen at U14. Our U12 Schoolboys won their section of the league but were defeated in the league final.Midleton's U17 team had a great run in the FAI Cup. Off the field work continued on the development of our all weather pitches and a fitness room was set up at Knockgriffin Park. Midleton FC also became a limited company mainly to comply with the conditions with regards to funding.
2001-02 +Our main club sponsor this year is Amersham Health, the schoolboy section this year is sponsored by Douglas Renault.
Our teams had mixed success this year. Our senior team under manager, Liam O'Brien and his assistant Coleman Mulcahy won the 1st Division Munster Senior League and promotion to the premier division. They were also chosen as the senior team of the year by the Munster Senior League. Our Junior team under Pat Cleary and John Burke had a mixed season but improved as the season progressed. Our youth team under Danny Healy assisted by Tommy Wallace improved with each game. Our schoolboy section again had a successful season with a number of teams challenging for honours.
Off the field it was a very eventful year for the club. It started with the visit of An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D. to cut the first sod of our all weather pitches. There was great excitement around as we watched the laying of the new surface. We then had the big day, the official opening by the president of the F.A.I., Mr Milo Corcoran among them. Large attendancie that day were Michael Ahern T.D.; David Stanton, T.D.; Members of Midleton U.D.C.; The Chairman of the Munster Football Association, Munster Senior League, Cork A.U.L., Cork Schoolboy League, Midleton R.F.C., Midleton G.A.A. and many other business and sporting organisations. The pitches are a huge success and our thanks go to the sub-committee who planned and supervised the work, John Tigue, Michael Kirby, John Lawless and Paul Horgan.
Another highlight was the international under 19 match between Croatia and Austria. Our awards night was held as usual in the Midleton Park Hotel. Awards were presented to all grades with a special presentation to Karina Richards to mark her selection on the Irish team. Ray O'Connor organised a pub quiz which was held in Joes Bar. Our thanks to Brian Ledwidge of Joes Bar and those who sponsored the night and to quiz masters John Desmond and Ken Murphy. Our senior team had a most successful season. They also had a good run in the intermediate cup and F.A.I. The team travelled to Galway to play Salthill Devons and won.. With a panel of local players the team were presented with the M.S.L. Team of the Month on three occasions and with the M.S.L. Senior Team of the Year.
The Junior team had a young squad of players and a new management team of Pat Geary and John Burke. They went out early in the cup competition. But had some good results in the league. The youth team this season has a very young squad with a new management team of Danny Healy and Tommy Wallace. They finished mid table in the league. The under 15 team reached the quarter final of the cup. They are coached by Steve O'Donoghue who has coached the team from under 11. The Under 14 team under coach John Cody reached last 32 in Ireland and travelled away to St.Catherines of Donegal. John has also coached this team from under 11 and they are always chasing honours. All other teams under 12 under Eddie McCarthy and Dave Harpur, under 11, under Tony McCarthy and Declan Horgan, under 11 B under Denis Walsh and Steve Keenagh and under 14 managed by Matt Burke, all had successful years. The Schoolboy committee organised the under age sessions in the Community Centre and All Weather pitches. Over 100 boys and girls take part each Sunday. Our thanks to Pa Coakley and his hard working committee. Our Lotto is the main fund raiser for the club. Our thanks to the Lotto committee of Pa Coakley, John Horgan, Teresa Horgan, Eddie Allen, Michael Desmond, Mick Kirby and Jo Lehane and to our main club sponsor Amersham Health also our team sponsors O'Regan Engineering and Douglas Renault. Sponsorship is essential to Midleton F.C. A special thanks to the Maple Bar, Niall McCarthy Bar, Linehans Bar and The Meeting Place. Thanks the members of the press and radio for the publicity given to the club during the year. A special thanks to Imokilly People for coverage of club events, also to Canon Troy for notices in the Parish Bulletin.
2003-04 +Our main club sponsor this year is Johnnie Jump up, The schoolboy sponsor was once again Douglas Renault and again our thanks to Moss Kennedy. Our senior team finished third in the league and runners up in the Keane Cup; our junior team won the Munster Junior League and had a run in the cups.
The club had a gala ball to celebrate our 30th anniversary. The ball was attended by representatives of M.S.L., M.F.A., A.U.L., C.S.L. Cork I Referees Association and Cork Ladies League. Also in attendance was Jim McCarthy representing the F.A.I. Also in attendance were town councillors and T.D.’s
Our schoolboys went on a trip to England to take part in a tournament in Bourne mouth. A special thanks to Leonard O’Driscoll who organised this special trip. Our awards night this year was held in the Two-Mile Inn. The senior award went to Barry Goggin, the Junior award went to Martin Hickey with the best young player award to Andrew Knowles and the leading goal scorer was Trevor Fitzgerald. The senior team has a mixed season under manager Coleman Mulcahy and assisted by Kevin Fitzgerald. They reached the final of the Keane Cup only beaten by Avondale after a long penalty shoot-out. They played well all during the league but faded in the last ten games to finish 3rd. Coleman resigned by the end of the season and was replaced by new manager John O'Rourke. Out thanks to Coleman Mulcahy for his service to Midleton F.C. as a player and manager. Also thanks to Kevin Fitzgerald for his time as a player and his first entry into management.
Our junior team had a most successful season. They finished in style by winning the Munster Junior Premier League for the first time. This was a wonderful achievement for a young team under the management of Barry McMahon assisted by Andrew Crotty. Once again our weekly lotto was the main fund-raiser for the dub. Thanks to the Lotto Committee of Pa Coakley, Eddie Allen, Teresa Horgan, Barney Horgan, Mick Kirby, Michael Desmond and Bo Lehane who give of their time to make our lotto one of the most successful around.
Thanks to all of our sponsors especially Johnnie Jump –Up our main sponsor who also sponsor the Player of the Month Awards also those who sponsor signs in our grounds at Knockgriffin Park. Special thanks to the Maple Bar, Niall McCarthy bar, An Teach Beag and Lenihans Bar for their match sponsorship and to McDaids for the sponsorship of our Festival of Football. Thanks also to Matthew, Mike Kirby and Don Woods for the organising of the all weather pitches, To the Imokilly People for coverage of club events also to Leonard O'Driscoll for his publication for our club bulletin and to Canon Troy for notices in the Parish Bulletin
2004-05 +Our main sponsor for the year was Wallis Bar who also sponsored the monthly Player of the Month for the senior and junior teams. The main sponsor of the schoolboy section was once again Douglas Renault and I would like to thank Moss Kennedy for his generous support over the years.
Our senior team had a rather mixed season. They finished mid table in the premier league and won the Keane Cup. Our junior team also finished mid-table and won the Carling Super-Cup. We also started the Midleton Football Academy on Sunday mornings.
We have had two awards nights since our last AG.M. The first was held in the Two Mille Inn for senior and junior teams and for schoolboys on the Sunday afternoon. Last week we had our 2004/5 season awards for the senior and junior teams. This was held in the Midleton Park Hotel. The schoolboy awards is in the process of being organised.
Our senior team has a change of management this season with John O'Rourke as manager with John Ryan as his assistant. The junior team has the successful team of Barry McMahon and Andrew Crotty. The schoolboy teams all had a very good season with the under 16s winning the league and the under 15s winning the cup. Our thanks to all managers for their contribution to the future of Midleton Football Club. Our Ladies teams under 12, 14 and 16 were once again managed by Denise Moore who also organised a number of tournaments on the all weather pitch. The Football Academy which has been mainly held on Sunday mornings has been very successful. It has over 200 registered members with an attendance of approx 120 boys and girls each Sunday.
Our fund raising for the club has as usual been lead by our club Lotto. Our thanks to all our sellers and the Lotto Committee who organised the collection of tickets and the draw itself on Thursday nights. This year we again organised a St Stephen's Day charity event on the all weather pitch. This was a great success with the proceeds going to the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital building fund. We also held a very successful flag day. The pre-season of football once again included the Barry-Wall tournaments for junior teams in East Cork and the Midleton Tournament Trophy for senior teams. Our thanks to McDaids Bar for their sponsorship.
This year we hosted the deciding match in the Eircom 4 nations tournament. The game between Scotland and England was a great success with compliments from all concerned on the facilities in Knockgriffin Park, Our thanks to our sponsors, Wallis Bar, to Seamus Cunningham for his support and encouragement during the year and to our schoolboy sponsor, Douglas Renault and to Moss Kennedy for his support. Thanks to the Maple Bar, Niall McCarthys Bar, An Teach Beag and Lenihans Bar for the support. Thanks also to Robbie Morrison our website manager for the excellent site.
2005-06 +Our main club sponsor was once again Wallis' Bar who also sponsored the Senior and Junior Player of the Month awards. Our thanks to Seamus Cunningham for all his support. The main sponsor of our schoolboy/girl section was Douglas Renault and our thanks to Moss Kennedy for his support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ger Burke for his support of the Football Academy. Also thanks to those who sponsored teams, gear, signs and other events during the year.
The season began with teams representing Midleton FC at under 11, under 12, under 13, under 15 and under 16 at school boy level and senior and junior team in the Munster Senior league and our ladies teams in the Cork Ladies Football League. During October we were host to the U.E.F.A. under 19 group 6 qualifying round with matches Italy v Muldova and Italy v Northern Ireland. The all weather pitches were reopened after having a new surface laid also a new carpet. The pitches continue to be a great success.
Our awards night was held in the Midleton Park Hotel and was our best awards night to date. Awards were made to schoolboy/girls and senior and junior teams on the night. Our senior team had a change of management during the season with Kevin Fitzgerald taking over from John O'Rourke. Our juniors also had a change with Barry McMahon stepping down and Ger Burke and Ian Kirby stepping in. The senior team were relegated to the first division and the juniors finished in the bottom half of their league. Our schoolboy team had a good season while the under 15 team managed by Tony McCarthy were narrowly beaten by Carrigaline in the Local Cup.
The Football Academy was once again a great success. It has over 200 registered members with approx 150 boys and girls in attendance on Sunday mornings. This year we had some new coaches who attended the kick-start coaching course. Our girls teams were managed by Denise Moore and assisted by Jerome Sheehan, who also organised a number of tournaments in the all weather pitches. They are John and Teresa Horgan, Pa Coakley, Michael Kirby, Mossie Horgan, Bo Lehane and Eddie Allen.
This year we once again organised a St Stephens Day charity event on the all weather pitches. This was a great success with the proceeds going to the Midleton branch of A.C.T. The pre-season football once again featured the Barry-Wall tournament for Junior teams in the East-Cork area and the Midleton Trophy for the Senior teams. Our thanks to McDaids Bar for their sponsorship. Thanks to the Maple Bar, Niall McCarthy's, An Teach Beag and Lenihans Bar for their support. Thanks to our FAS workers who do an excellent job in maintaining our clubhouse, dressing rooms and grounds. Thanks to the Imokilly People who carry our notes each week and who publish many photos of our club activities. Thanks to the parish priest for notices in the Parish
2006-07 +Again this year our main club sponsor was Wallis Bar who also sponsored the Senior and Junior Player of the Month. Thanks to Seamus Cunningham, Prop. of Wallis for all his support and encouragement during the year. The sponsor of our schoolboy/girl section was again Douglas Renault and our thanks to Moss Kennedy for support over the years.
Our senior team started the season under Manager, Kevin Fitzgerald and the junior team under manager John Ryan. Following some mixed results and exit from the intermediate cup, Kevin stepped down and John Ryan took over as senior manager. This left our junior team without a manager and our thanks to Ian Kirby who stepped into this role for the remainder of the season. Our senior team were relegated to the new 2nd Division Munster Senior League and our juniors finished in 9th position in the premier junior division. Our under 17 team, under Sean Woodgate and Azzi had a mixed season finishing with a good run of results. Schoolboy teams had a mixed season. The schoolgirl section under Denise Moore and Jerome Sheehan also had a mixed year with a large number of girls on Cork teams. They also organised a number of tournaments in Knockgriffin Park.
Off the field we had our Annual Awards Night in the Midleton Park Hotel. A very enjoyable night was had by 160 people who attended. Our football academy goes from strength to strength with approx 180/200 boys and girls attending each Sunday morning. We now also enter under 7 and 9 teams in the 7 a side leagues.Our thanks to all our sellers and the lotto committee of Mick Kirby, Bo Lehane, Teresa Horgan, Eddie Allen, Pa Coakley, Mossy Horgan and Mick Desmond who organise the collection of tickets and the draw itself on Thursday nights. This year Michael Kirby again organised a St Stephens Day charity event on the all weather pitches. This was a great success with the proceeds going to the Cork Simon Community.
The pre season of football once again featured the Barry-Wall Tournament for junior teams in East Cork. This tournament is not only a great success but a great way for teams to prepare for the new season. Out thanks to sponsors McDaids Bar. This year we organised trips for our under 12 boys to England and our Girls to the European Championship semi-final in old Trafford. Our thanks to our main club sponsor, Wallis Bar; our schoolboy/girl sponsor Douglas Renault; our junior sponsor Mick Daly and all our many other sponsors who sponsor gear, footballs and pitch signs. Stepping down this year are schoolboy managers Sean Woodgate, Tony McCarthy and Brian Barnes. Our thanks to all three for the wonderful contribution they gave to the success of our teams over the years. Retiring this year from his many positions in the Club is Michael Desmond. Michael has been involved in Midleton Football for over 50 years and has contributed hugely to the success of MidletonFootball Club.
2008-09 +Our senior and junior teams had a mixed year. After being knocked out early on in both the Intermediate and Munster Cups and hovering around in the relegation zone for a period, the second half of the season was much better. They finished mid-table and rounded off theseason winning the Kelleher Cup. The junior team under the management team of Barry McCarthy, Fergus Groarke, Brian Lambe and Wayne Kirby also struggled during the season. They were knocked out of the cups in the early rounds and finished 8th in the league. The U- 17s had a good season with some very promising players.
The schoolboy section had a very successful season. We had 4 teams promoted with the U-13 League Winners. We organised a social night to remember the players who won our first junior trophy. Award recipients for the 2008/2009 season were:
Under 12 girls - Chloe Laffan , Tamara Lahane, Chloe Sigerson
Under 14 girls - Hannah Ryan, Shannen Kane, Taylor Krusbel.
Schoolbovs Player of the Year, Most Improved Players, Top Scorers:
U11 - Seanaidh Smyth ,Aaron Butler, Connor Fitzgerald
U11A - Killian Browne, Max O Neill, Kyle Me Carthy
U12 - Josh Deady Conor, Morgan Kalum Deady
U12A - Darrell Hodnett, Martin Walsh, Bill 0 Neill
U13 - Robert Williams, Michael Bester, Patrice Tsbmanga
U13A - Fiach 0 Neill, Daniel Moore, Martinez Cupas
U14 - Emmet Cotter, Mike 0 Donovan, Keelin Kennedy Kelvin Krushel
U15 - Shane Harrington, Josbva Tanadrous, Danny Morrissey
The Club was honoured by Midleton Town Council with a Civic reception. Town Mayor, Ken Murray, congratulated the club on its achievements and the facilities in Knockgriffin Park. We had a stand at the Sports Open Day in St Colmans College to promote membership of the club. We had a workshop in the Midleton Park Hotel to discuss the future development of Knockgriffin Park. The unanimous decision was that we should go ahead with converting the 2 pitch to floodlit, all weather and also erect lights on No 1 pitch and build a new clubhouse. A fundraising committee was formed which has held 2 meetings to date. Our Academy goes from strength to strength. We have approx 200 boys and girls now taking part in the academy.
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