Derek Kavanagh
Encyclopedia
Derek Kavanagh is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football
with his local club Nemo Rangers
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 2003 until 2010.
. Kavanagh's passion for soccer changed when his older brother Joe
joined the Cork minor football
team. Three Kavanagh brothers (Joe, Larry, Derek) would subsequently play together with the famous Nemo Rangers club on the south side of the city. Derek is also famous for being one of the youngest members of The High Street Warriors - a loose collective of High Street natives with particular ties to the Tonyville cul-de-sac. The group was famed for late night games of tip the can, endless games of Nods and Volleys, brutal games of Runaway Runaway Knock
, and imposing their dominating presence over Warrior Square (just opposite Zico's Pizzas). The shadowy group have always declined public comment and a full membership list has always eluded the authorities though local folklore suggests a rite of passage involved each member scrawling his name into the Capwell Road street sign (usually with Tipex or a nail).
club in Cork city and has enjoyed much success. He first came to prominence as a player on the club’s minor team that captured the county minor championship
title in 1999. Kavanagh later joined the Nemo under-21 football team, winning back-to-back county championship
winners’ medals in 2001 and 2002.
By this stage Kavanagh had made his debut with the Nemo Rangers senior team. He secured a county championship winners’ medal in this grade in 2000, following a ten-point defeat of divisional side Carbery
. Nemo later represented Cork in the provincial club championship and even reached the final of that competition. An 0-11 to 0-7 defeat of Kerry's Glenflesk
gave Kavanagh a coveted Munster
club winners' medal. He later lined out in the foot-and-mouth delayed All-Ireland club final, with Mayo’s Crossmolina providing the opposition. Nemo looked to be in the driving seat, however, a second-half comeback, inspired by Kieran McDonald, saw the momentum switch to the Mayo side. A late Colin Corkery
goal narrowed the deficit to one point, however, Nemo were eventually and narrowly defeated by 0-16 to 1-12.
In 2001 Kavanagh secured a second county championship title as Nemo Rangers trounced Bantry Blues
in the final. A second Munster club winners’ medal was quickly secured, after a 1-11 to 0-10 defeat of Fethard
. Kavanagh subsequently lined out in his second consecutive All-Ireland club final, this time with Ballinderry providing the opposition. The championship decider was switched to Semple Stadium
because of the reconstruction of Croke Park
, however, a change of venue did not suit Nemo. Goals by Gerard Cassidy and Declan Bateson gave the Derry side a comfortable 2-10 to 0-9 victory. It was a second consecutive All-Ireland defeat for Nemo.
2002 saw Nemo becoming the first team in nearly sixty years to win three county championship titles in-a-row. A third consecutive Munster club title quickly followed for Kavanagh, as Nemo trounced Monaleen of Limerick by 4-15 to 0-6. For the third successive year Kavanagh subsequently lined out in the All-Ireland club final, however, Nemo faced the prospect of becoming three-in-a-row losers. Crossmolina provided the opposition for the second time in three years and the game was a close affair. Colin Corkery scored six points to give Nemo a merited 0-14 to 1-9 victory. At the third time of asking Kavanagh had finally captured a coveted All-Ireland
club winners’ medal.
After failing to secure a fourth successive county title in-a-row, Kavanagh won ahis next county championship winners’ medal in 2005 as Muskerry
were defeated by ten points. He later missed out on Nemo’s Munster club final victory.
In 2006 Nemo retained their county title with Kavanagh securing a fifth county championship medal.
The club made it three-in-a-row in 2007 following a defeat of Ilen Rovers
before later facing Ballinacourty in the Mulster final. Nemo never really looked troubled and a 1-10 to 1-7 score line gave Kavanagh a fourth Munster club winners' medal. Another All-Ireland final appearance in two years soon followed with Dublin side St. Vincent's
lining out against Nemo. Kavanagh's side fought back from a six point deficit, however, they still lost out by the narrowest of margins on a score line of 1-11 to 0-13.
In 2008 Nemo Rangers had the chance to make history by capturing a fourth county title in succession. All went to plan with Kavanagh's side lining out against Douglas
. Nemo proved that they were the best club side in Cork once again with a 0-13 to 0-5 defeat of their nearest neighbours. It was Kavanagh's seventh county winners' medal. Nemo, however, were later ambushed by eventual Munster champions Dromcollogher-Broadford in the subsequent provincial club series of games.
Nemo failed to secure an unprecedented fifth successive county title in 2009, however, this was only a temporary blip as the following year Kavanagh won an eight county championship winners' medal.
title in that grade following a 1-12 to 0-8 defeat of Limerick
. Cork were subsequently defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. Kavanagh enjoyed no further success with the county under-21 footballers.
In 2003 Kavanagh made his debut with the Cork senior footballers. It was an unhappy period as the team hit rock bottom in Kavanagh's debut season, culminating in an embarrssing defeat by Roscommon
.
In 2006 Kavanagh was appointed captain of the Cork team as 'the Rebels' began to emerge from the shadow of their greatest rivals Kerry
. That year the team lined out against 'the Kingdom' in the Munster final once again. That game ended in a 0-10 apiece draw. The replay saw a much fresher Cork team defeat Kerry by 1-12 to 0-9. James Masters
proved the hero of the day, as he scored 1-7. Kavanagh had finally secured a Munster
winners’ medal in the senior grade. The quirks of the championship saw Cork face Kerry again in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final. In a similar pattern to previous encounters Cork failed to beat Kerry at Croke Park
. A 0-16 to 0-10 score line resulted in Kavanagh’s side being defeated.
In 2007 Kavanagh was captain again as Cork narrowly lost their Munster crown to Kerry. In spite of the 1-15 to 1-13 defeat Cork still had another chance to claim the All-Ireland title. Cork later did well in the All-Ireland series and finally qualified for the All-Ireland championship decider. Kerry, however, were the opponents. While the first-half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second-half and a rout ensued. At the full-time whistle Cork were trounced by 3-13 to 1-9.
In 2008 Cork gained a modicum of revenge on Kerry when sides met in the Munster final. Kerry were cruising by eight points at the interval, however, Cork stormed back in the second-half. Kerry could only muster three points as Cork secured a memorable 1-16 to 1-11 victory. It was Kavanagh’s second Munster winners' medal. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.
The following year Kavanagh became a bit player on the Cork team as a recurring hip injury took its toll. He missed Cork's Munster final defeat of Limerick
but did make a brief cameo in the subsequent All-Ireland final showdown with Kerry. Cork had a 1-3 to 0-1 lead early in the opening half, however, the Kerry team stuck to their gameplan, helped in no small part by a Cork side that recorded fourteen wides. At the final whistle Kerry were the champions again by 0-16 to 1-9.
In 2010 Kavanagh returned for one last chance at claiming a coveted All-Ireland medal. Cork failed to impress throughout the championship, however, the team still qualified for a third All-Ireland final appearance in four years. Down
provided the opposition on that occasion in the first meeting between these two teams since 1994. Cork got off to a lightning start, however, they eased off and trailed by three points at the interval. Paul Kerrigan
got his sole point of the match to put 'the Rebels' ahead for the first time in fifty minutes as Kavanagh entered the game to make a midfield cameo. Cork stretched the lead to three points, however, Down fought back. At the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 0-16 to 0-15 and Kavanagh finally picked up a coveted All-Ireland
winners' medal.
In November 2010 Kavanagh announced his retirement from inter-county football.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Nemo Rangers
Nemo Rangers GAA
Nemo Rangers Hurling and Football Club is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club on the southside of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1922 and is primarily concerned with the game of Gaelic football, though interest in hurling has escalated in recent years.-History:Nemo Rangers...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 2003 until 2010.
Biography
Kavanagh was born in the Turner's Cross suburb of Cork city in 1980. The youngest of five sons (Pat, Larry, Joe, Paul, Derek) his first sporting love was soccer. Three Kavanagh brothers played with Casement Celtic and Tramore Athletic, two fierce city rivals, and grew up near Turner's Cross, home of the newly-formed Cork City F.C.Cork City F.C.
Cork City Football Club is an Irish football team that plays in the League of Ireland. Founded and elected to the league in 1984 to continue the long tradition of Association Football in Cork, City's traditional colours are green and white with red trim, and the crest is a variant of the Cork...
. Kavanagh's passion for soccer changed when his older brother Joe
Joe Kavanagh
Joe Kavanagh is an Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Nemo Rangers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1992 until 2002. His brother, Derek Kavanagh, also played football with Cork.-References:-Teams:...
joined the Cork minor football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
team. Three Kavanagh brothers (Joe, Larry, Derek) would subsequently play together with the famous Nemo Rangers club on the south side of the city. Derek is also famous for being one of the youngest members of The High Street Warriors - a loose collective of High Street natives with particular ties to the Tonyville cul-de-sac. The group was famed for late night games of tip the can, endless games of Nods and Volleys, brutal games of Runaway Runaway Knock
Knock, Knock, Ginger
Knock, Knock, Ginger or Knocky Door Ginger were the names for the game dating back to 19th century England or possibly before to the Cornish traditional holiday of Nickanan Night. This game or prank is played by children in many cultures. It involves knocking on the front door of a victim, then...
, and imposing their dominating presence over Warrior Square (just opposite Zico's Pizzas). The shadowy group have always declined public comment and a full membership list has always eluded the authorities though local folklore suggests a rite of passage involved each member scrawling his name into the Capwell Road street sign (usually with Tipex or a nail).
Club
Kavanagh plays his club football with the famous Nemo RangersNemo Rangers GAA
Nemo Rangers Hurling and Football Club is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club on the southside of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1922 and is primarily concerned with the game of Gaelic football, though interest in hurling has escalated in recent years.-History:Nemo Rangers...
club in Cork city and has enjoyed much success. He first came to prominence as a player on the club’s minor team that captured the county minor championship
Cork Minor Football Championship
The Cork Minor Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition for Gaelic Athletic Association players under the age of 18 in County Cork, Ireland. This competition is also known as the Premier Minor Football Championship and is played on a county-wide basis. The competing clubs do not play...
title in 1999. Kavanagh later joined the Nemo under-21 football team, winning back-to-back county championship
Cork Under-21 Football Championship
The Cork Under-21 Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition in County Cork, Ireland for players under the age of 21. Clubs affiliated to Cork board compete to win this championship. All eight of the divisions in Cork organize their own championship...
winners’ medals in 2001 and 2002.
By this stage Kavanagh had made his debut with the Nemo Rangers senior team. He secured a county championship winners’ medal in this grade in 2000, following a ten-point defeat of divisional side Carbery
Carbery GAA
Carbery GAA are a divisional team from the south-west division of County Cork, Ireland, in ancient Carbery. They compete in the Cork Senior Football Championship. They competed in the Cork Senior Hurling Championship up to and including 2010. They did not enter a hurling team in 2011...
. Nemo later represented Cork in the provincial club championship and even reached the final of that competition. An 0-11 to 0-7 defeat of Kerry's Glenflesk
Glenflesk GAA
Glenflesk is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from County Kerry, Ireland.-Honours:* East Kerry Senior Football Championship 6: 1988, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001* Kerry County Club Championship 1: 2000...
gave Kavanagh a coveted Munster
Munster Senior Club Football Championship
The Munster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Munster. The winners will represent Munster in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. East Kerry were the first winners of the Munster senior...
club winners' medal. He later lined out in the foot-and-mouth delayed All-Ireland club final, with Mayo’s Crossmolina providing the opposition. Nemo looked to be in the driving seat, however, a second-half comeback, inspired by Kieran McDonald, saw the momentum switch to the Mayo side. A late Colin Corkery
Colin Corkery
Colin Corkery is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Nemo Rangers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1993 until 2004.-Club:...
goal narrowed the deficit to one point, however, Nemo were eventually and narrowly defeated by 0-16 to 1-12.
In 2001 Kavanagh secured a second county championship title as Nemo Rangers trounced Bantry Blues
Bantry Blues
Bantry Blues is a Gaelic football club based in Bantry, County Cork, Republic of Ireland. The club is affiliated with Cork GAA and to the Carbery division. The club has always been primarily a Gaelic football club, but has fielded hurling teams also...
in the final. A second Munster club winners’ medal was quickly secured, after a 1-11 to 0-10 defeat of Fethard
Fethard GAA
Fethard GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football club located in the village of Fethard, South Tipperary in Ireland. The club is part of the South Division of Tipperary GAA...
. Kavanagh subsequently lined out in his second consecutive All-Ireland club final, this time with Ballinderry providing the opposition. The championship decider was switched to Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
because of the reconstruction of Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, however, a change of venue did not suit Nemo. Goals by Gerard Cassidy and Declan Bateson gave the Derry side a comfortable 2-10 to 0-9 victory. It was a second consecutive All-Ireland defeat for Nemo.
2002 saw Nemo becoming the first team in nearly sixty years to win three county championship titles in-a-row. A third consecutive Munster club title quickly followed for Kavanagh, as Nemo trounced Monaleen of Limerick by 4-15 to 0-6. For the third successive year Kavanagh subsequently lined out in the All-Ireland club final, however, Nemo faced the prospect of becoming three-in-a-row losers. Crossmolina provided the opposition for the second time in three years and the game was a close affair. Colin Corkery scored six points to give Nemo a merited 0-14 to 1-9 victory. At the third time of asking Kavanagh had finally captured a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament run since 1971, played between the thousands of senior football clubs in Ireland. The current champions are Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh, who defeated St. Brigid's of Roscommon on March 17, 2011 to win their...
club winners’ medal.
After failing to secure a fourth successive county title in-a-row, Kavanagh won ahis next county championship winners’ medal in 2005 as Muskerry
Muskerry GAA
Muskerry GAA is a Gaelic football and Hurling division located in the in the middle region of County Cork, Ireland. It is one of eight divisions of Cork GAA County Board. The division includes clubs from the western parts of Cork city to the county bounds with Kerry...
were defeated by ten points. He later missed out on Nemo’s Munster club final victory.
In 2006 Nemo retained their county title with Kavanagh securing a fifth county championship medal.
The club made it three-in-a-row in 2007 following a defeat of Ilen Rovers
Ilen Rovers
Ilen Rovers is a Gaelic football club in County Cork, Ireland. The club is affiliated to Cork GAA and Carbery GAA divisional boards.The farming and fishing community of Ilen Rovers hails from the estuary of the River Ilen, the West Cork river that flows through Skibbereen before entering the sea...
before later facing Ballinacourty in the Mulster final. Nemo never really looked troubled and a 1-10 to 1-7 score line gave Kavanagh a fourth Munster club winners' medal. Another All-Ireland final appearance in two years soon followed with Dublin side St. Vincent's
St Vincents GAA
St Vincents is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Marino, on the northside of Dublin, Ireland. The club was founded in 1931, originally in Raheny, but it moved to its home in Marino in 1987. St Vincents merged with Marino Camogie Club in 1997 to form the St Vincents Hurling, Football and...
lining out against Nemo. Kavanagh's side fought back from a six point deficit, however, they still lost out by the narrowest of margins on a score line of 1-11 to 0-13.
In 2008 Nemo Rangers had the chance to make history by capturing a fourth county title in succession. All went to plan with Kavanagh's side lining out against Douglas
Douglas GAA
Douglas GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the Douglas suburb of Cork, Ireland. The club participates at different levels in hurling, Gaelic football, camogie and ladies football. The club is part of the Seandun division of Cork GAA....
. Nemo proved that they were the best club side in Cork once again with a 0-13 to 0-5 defeat of their nearest neighbours. It was Kavanagh's seventh county winners' medal. Nemo, however, were later ambushed by eventual Munster champions Dromcollogher-Broadford in the subsequent provincial club series of games.
Nemo failed to secure an unprecedented fifth successive county title in 2009, however, this was only a temporary blip as the following year Kavanagh won an eight county championship winners' medal.
Inter-county
Kavanagh first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor football team in the late nineties. After enjoying little success in this grade he was an automatic choice for the Cork under-21 football team. In 2001 he won a MunsterMunster Under-21 Football Championship
The Munster Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Munster, in Ireland....
title in that grade following a 1-12 to 0-8 defeat of Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
. Cork were subsequently defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. Kavanagh enjoyed no further success with the county under-21 footballers.
In 2003 Kavanagh made his debut with the Cork senior footballers. It was an unhappy period as the team hit rock bottom in Kavanagh's debut season, culminating in an embarrssing defeat by Roscommon
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
.
In 2006 Kavanagh was appointed captain of the Cork team as 'the Rebels' began to emerge from the shadow of their greatest rivals Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
. That year the team lined out against 'the Kingdom' in the Munster final once again. That game ended in a 0-10 apiece draw. The replay saw a much fresher Cork team defeat Kerry by 1-12 to 0-9. James Masters
James Masters (Gaelic footballer)
James Masters is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Nemo Rangers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 2005 until 2010.-Biography:...
proved the hero of the day, as he scored 1-7. Kavanagh had finally secured a Munster
Munster Senior Football Championship
The Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
winners’ medal in the senior grade. The quirks of the championship saw Cork face Kerry again in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final. In a similar pattern to previous encounters Cork failed to beat Kerry at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
. A 0-16 to 0-10 score line resulted in Kavanagh’s side being defeated.
In 2007 Kavanagh was captain again as Cork narrowly lost their Munster crown to Kerry. In spite of the 1-15 to 1-13 defeat Cork still had another chance to claim the All-Ireland title. Cork later did well in the All-Ireland series and finally qualified for the All-Ireland championship decider. Kerry, however, were the opponents. While the first-half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second-half and a rout ensued. At the full-time whistle Cork were trounced by 3-13 to 1-9.
In 2008 Cork gained a modicum of revenge on Kerry when sides met in the Munster final. Kerry were cruising by eight points at the interval, however, Cork stormed back in the second-half. Kerry could only muster three points as Cork secured a memorable 1-16 to 1-11 victory. It was Kavanagh’s second Munster winners' medal. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.
The following year Kavanagh became a bit player on the Cork team as a recurring hip injury took its toll. He missed Cork's Munster final defeat of Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
but did make a brief cameo in the subsequent All-Ireland final showdown with Kerry. Cork had a 1-3 to 0-1 lead early in the opening half, however, the Kerry team stuck to their gameplan, helped in no small part by a Cork side that recorded fourteen wides. At the final whistle Kerry were the champions again by 0-16 to 1-9.
In 2010 Kavanagh returned for one last chance at claiming a coveted All-Ireland medal. Cork failed to impress throughout the championship, however, the team still qualified for a third All-Ireland final appearance in four years. Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
provided the opposition on that occasion in the first meeting between these two teams since 1994. Cork got off to a lightning start, however, they eased off and trailed by three points at the interval. Paul Kerrigan
Paul Kerrigan
Paul Kerrigan is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Nemo Rangers and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 2008. He is the son of Jimmy Kerrigan, a footballer of note in the 1980s.-Club:Kerrigan plays his club football with the famous Nemo...
got his sole point of the match to put 'the Rebels' ahead for the first time in fifty minutes as Kavanagh entered the game to make a midfield cameo. Cork stretched the lead to three points, however, Down fought back. At the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 0-16 to 0-15 and Kavanagh finally picked up a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
winners' medal.
In November 2010 Kavanagh announced his retirement from inter-county football.