Glen Rovers GAA
Encyclopedia
Glen Rovers is a Cork
-based Gaelic Athletic Association
club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool
areas of Cork city
, Ireland
. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling
.
and the execution of the leaders took place in the same year that the Glen was founded. These events left such an impression on the minds of the Irish public that it was decided to add a black band to the jersey to honour the recently deceased patriots. This distinctive and unique hooped jersey has been used ever since.
The Glen Rovers crest is also unique, and features a modernized Celtic cross
with the image of the north side glen in the centre. The crest also features two crossed hurley
s.
leader Brian Dillon
was established at Dillon's Cross.
The new club - Brian Dillons GAA
- won the county minor hurling championship
in 1915; however, due to World War I
the winners’ medals were not presented. In 1916 Brian Dillon's lost to Lisgoold in the county junior hurling championship
, however, the medals from the previous year had still not been presented. Because of this a decision was taken to form a new club at the other side of "the Glen". The club, called Glen Rovers GAA, was established late in 1916 and affiliated the following year. The new club was closely linked with the local St. Nicholas' Gaelic Football Club
on the north side of Cork city. Both clubs are based in a working-class area of the city.
From its foundation the club competed at both minor and junior levels. Success came quickly to the club as county minor
titles were won in 1922 and 1923, followed by a county junior
title in 1924 and a county intermediate
title in 1925.
in 1926. The club contested its first county final in 1930, however, the side lost out to a star-studded Blackrock
team. 1934 saw the Glen line out in their second county final with their south side rivals St. Finbarr's
providing the opposition. On that occasion history was made as Glen Rovers captured the county title for the first time with a 3-2 to 0-6 victory over one of the stalwart teams of the county.
In 1935 Glen Rovers made it back-to-back championship titles with a second consecutive county final win, this time over Carrigtwohill
.
Title number three was gained at the expense of Sarsfields
in 1936. "The Glen" reached the county final again in 1937, and they had a 3-5 to 1-0 victory over Carrigtwohill
for the second time in three years. 1938 saw Midleton
provide the opposition as Glen Rovers sought a record-breaking fifth county title in-a-row. Once again the north side men had too much and Joe Lee led Cork to a 5-6 to 1-3 victory and a fifth consecutive county title.
In 1939 Jack Lynch
took over as captain of the team, and the Glen contested their sixth county final in-a-row. However, in taking on the famous Blackrock club, Glen Rovers were facing their sternest test. The final was a contest between the new and the old and was billed as "the game of the century". At half-time Blackrock led by a point, however, at the final whistle the Glen were the victors by 5-4 to 2-5.
1940 saw Jack Lynch lead out the Glen in the county final once again. Sarsfields provided the opposition on that occasion in a game remarkable for the scoring of 17 goals. Charlie Tobin
captured six of those goals as the Glen won by 10-6 to 7-5. It was the club's seventh county victory in-a-row and provided a swansong for Paddy ‘Fox’ Collins
, the first of the Glen "greats", who retired from hurling following the victory.
The 1941 championship marked the last of the eight successes, representing an accomplishment that has never been equalled since. The title was won with a 4-7 to 2-2 victory over Ballincollig
. This victory marked the retirement of many of the club stalwarts who had contributed so much to the record-breaking run. The occasion was also noteworthy as it marked the arrival of the legendary Christy Ring
as a new force with the Glen.
The honour of being the team to knock Glen Rovers off their perch fell to Ballincollig. Jack Lynch was captain of the team again that year, however, the Glen were defeated in the county semi-final.
fell by 4-10 to 5-3 in what Christy Ring remembers as one of the best county finals ever played. The Glen’s hopes of making in three county championships in-a-row were thwarted in 1946 as ‘the Barr’s’ triumphed by just two points in that year’s county final.
In 1948 Glen Rovers contested the county decider once again in what was described as a game for the veterans. Jack Lynch returned to the side for that game after a prolonged absence and played a key role at midfield. The game was a tense affair as Christy Ring and a Blackrock player were both dismissed. In spite of losing one of their key forwards the Glen still triumphed by 5-7 to 3-2. This was the beginning of another great run of success for the club as they captured a second consecutive county title in 1949 with a thrilling 6-5 to 0-14 victory over divisional side Imokilly
. In 1950 only St. Finbarr’s stood in Glen Rovers way of capturing a third county championship in-a-row. At half-time the game still hung in the balance as the Barr’s led by a point. At full-time, however, the Glen had done enough to secure the victory with a 2-8 to 0-5 score line. This game was significant as it marked the end of Jack Lynch’s club hurling career. By the early 1950s it looked as if the Glen were going to dominate the county championship like they had done at the start of the 1940s. A fourth consecutive county final victory beckoned in 1951 as Sarsfields provided the opposition. While it looked as if the Glen’s march couldn’t be stopped that’s exactly what happened as the east Cork team won the day by 5-8 to 3-7.
Even though Jack Lynch had retired at the start of the decade the new star at the club, Christy Ring, was helping the Glen to more successes throughout the 1950s. After defeat in 1951 and a less than successful year in 1952 the Glen bounced back in 1953. That year the northsiders lined out in the county final with near rivals Sarsfield’s providing the opposition. Another goal-fest ensued as the Glen won by 8-4 to 4-3. The Glen remained at the top of the Cork hurling ladder in 1954 by reaching the county final again. Blackrock were the opponents on that occasion, however, they provided little opposition as the Glen had an easy 7-7 to 3-2 victory. It was their fifteenth county championship title. The dominance of Glen Rovers didn’t last long as they were beaten by St. Finbarr’s in a replay of the county final in 1955 before being beaten by Blackrock in 1956.
Two years later in 1958 the Glen were back in the county championship decider. Once again St. Finbarr’s provided the opposition; however, the Glen won the day by 4-6 to 3-5. This victory kick-started another short period of domination for the Blackpool club as they successfully defended their title in 1959 with a six-point win over Blackrock. Glen Rovers made it three in-a-row in 1960, however, not until after a stern test by UCC
in the final. A narrow 3-8 to 1-12 win allowed Glen Rovers to end the decade with a treble. Four titles in-a-row proved beyond the Glen in 1961, however, the northsiders were back in the county final again in 1962. Once again it was UCC who provided the opposition and, once again, the Glen found it difficult to defeat the collegians. After a tough sixty minutes of hurling both sides finished level. The replay was another close affair and at times it looked as if another draw was likely. The Glen, however, rallied and secured a 3-8 to 2-10 victory.
Glen Rovers found it difficult to retain the title in 1963 and exited the championship before the final; however, the team was back in 1964 with great rivals St. Finbarr’s providing the opposition. It was a significant occasion in the history of the Glen Rovers club and a game that thrilled the 24,000 spectators. Just before the interval the Barr’s were leading by 0-6 to 0-4. When it looked as if the southsiders would also dominate the second half Glen captain Christy Ring swerved onto a pass from Joe Salmon
and sent the sliothar into the net for a goal. At full-time the Glen had powered forward to win by 3-12 to 2-7. The game was significant as it was the Glen’s twentieth championship title in thirty years. Secondly, it also turned out to be Christy Ring’s last victory on the field of play in a county final. The game also marked the arrival on the scene of a new generation of Cork players, including Charlie McCarthy
and Gerald McCarthy who lined out for St. Finbarr’s. The game was also significant as it allowed the Glen to represent Cork in the newly established Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
. May people were skeptical of this competition, resulting in it being played over a long period of time. The Munster club final of 1964, which featured the Glen and Mount Sion of Waterford, wasn’t played until Easter Sunday 1966. It was a noteworthy week in Irish history and for Glen Rovers. Christy Ring’s side won the final by 3-7 to 1-17 and many reporters considered it fitting that Glen Rovers, a club founded shortly after the 1916 Easter Rising and whose green, black and gold colours commemorate the event, should triumph on the fiftieth anniversary of that historic occasion.
1967 was another noteworthy year in the annals of Glen Rovers. Following a county championship quarter-final against UCC the legendary Christy Ring decided to hang up his hurley. After a quarter of a century in the famous hooped jersey the Glen lined out in the county final without arguably the greatest player in the history of the game. St. Finbarr’s were the opponents on that occasion; however, Glen Rovers triumphed by 3-9 to 1-9. After a poor season in 1968 the Glen were back in the county championship decider. For the third time that decade UCC stood between Glen Rovers and the county title. In the end the men from Blackpool had an easy 4-16 to 1-13 victory over the collegians.
guide the club to their first county title of the decade with a 3-15 to 1-10 victory over east Cork side Youghal
. This victory allowed the club to represent Cork in the Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
. The Glen subsequently reached the provincial decider where Tipperary champions Roscrea
provided the opposition. An exciting game developed between these two sides, however, the Glen were the eventual victors. The two-point win gave the Glen a second Munster club title and the chance to represent the province in the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
series. A 6-9 to 1-7 defeat of Castlegar
allowed the Glen to advance to the All-Ireland final where St. Rynagh’s
provided the opposition. The final at Croke Park
was a tough affair, however, Tom Buckley and Red Crowley powered the Glen to a 2-18 to 2-8 victory. It was the Glen’s first All-Ireland
club title.
Glen Rovers lost their county, provincial and All-Ireland titles in 1974 before losing the 1975 county championship decider to Blackrock. The Glen bounced back in 1976 with Martin O'Doherty
leading the club to a 2-7 to 0-10 victory over ‘the Rockies.’ Once again this allowed the Glen to represent the county in the Munster club series. The final pitted the Cork champs against Limerick side South Liberties. After an entertaining hour of hurling the Glen emerged victorious by 2-8 to 2-4. It was the club’s third Munster title. Facile wins in the All-Ireland quarter and semi-finals resulted in the Glen taking on Camross in the All-Ireland decider. Nine survivors from the 1973 All-Ireland victory powered the Glen to a 2-12 to 0-8 win over the Laois champions who were inspired by the Cuddy family. It was their second All-Ireland club title.
Following such great success in the 1970s the Glen went into a remarkable decline. The club lost a remarkable four county finals in five years in 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1981. The Glen also contested the 1988 final which they also lost to ‘the Barr’s.’ Glen Rovers atoned for this defeat in 1989 when Sarsfields fell in the county final by 4-15 to 3-13. It was the Glen’s twenty-fifth county championship title and the last time that the club won the county title.
A nine-point defeat by Midleton in 1991 was the last time until 2010 that Glen Rovers contested a county championship decider.
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
-based Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool
Blackpool, Cork
Blackpool is a suburb of Cork city in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. It is situated in the north of the city, on the N20 road to Mallow.-Social History:...
areas of Cork city
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
.
Colours
In the early days of the club, its chosen colours were green, white and gold. The Easter RisingEaster Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
and the execution of the leaders took place in the same year that the Glen was founded. These events left such an impression on the minds of the Irish public that it was decided to add a black band to the jersey to honour the recently deceased patriots. This distinctive and unique hooped jersey has been used ever since.
The Glen Rovers crest is also unique, and features a modernized Celtic cross
Celtic cross
A Celtic cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. In the Celtic Christian world it was combined with the Christian cross and this design was often used for high crosses – a free-standing cross made of stone and often richly decorated...
with the image of the north side glen in the centre. The crest also features two crossed hurley
Hurley (stick)
A hurley is a wooden stick used to hit a sliotar in the Irish sport of hurling. It measures between 70 and 100 cm long with a flattened, curved end which provides the striking surface...
s.
Beginnings
Hurling had been played in the Blackpool area for some time before the Glen Rovers club was established. Areas like the Commons Road and Thomas Davis Street in particular had fielded teams from time to time. In 1910, however, a hurling club honouring the FenianFenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
leader Brian Dillon
Brian Dillon
Brian Dillon was an Irish Republican leader. He was born into a family of seven children. His birthplace was a small house on the Rathcooney Road, Cork...
was established at Dillon's Cross.
The new club - Brian Dillons GAA
Brian Dillons
Brian Dillons Hurling & Gaelic football Club is located at the Tank Field in Murmont in the north side of Cork City, Republic of Ireland. The clubhouse was originally located at "the Hole in the Wall" in Dillons Cross. It is one of the oldest GAA clubs in Cork city...
- won the county minor hurling championship
Cork Minor Hurling Championship
The Cork Minor Hurling Championship is a hurling competition for Gaelic Athletic Association players under the age of 18 in County Cork, Ireland. This competition is also known as the Cork Premier Minor Hurling Championship since 1992. It is played on a countywide basis. Prior to 1992, all teams...
in 1915; however, due to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the winners’ medals were not presented. In 1916 Brian Dillon's lost to Lisgoold in the county junior hurling championship
Cork Junior Hurling Championship
The Cork Junior Hurling Championship is the third tier championship for hurling clubs in Cork. The winners of this championship compete in the Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship in the following year. This championship is often considered the most difficult championship to win, since more teams...
, however, the medals from the previous year had still not been presented. Because of this a decision was taken to form a new club at the other side of "the Glen". The club, called Glen Rovers GAA, was established late in 1916 and affiliated the following year. The new club was closely linked with the local St. Nicholas' Gaelic Football Club
St. Nicholas' GAA
St. Nicholas’ Gaelic Football Club is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1901 and is solely concerned with the game of Gaelic football. St...
on the north side of Cork city. Both clubs are based in a working-class area of the city.
From its foundation the club competed at both minor and junior levels. Success came quickly to the club as county minor
Cork Minor Hurling Championship
The Cork Minor Hurling Championship is a hurling competition for Gaelic Athletic Association players under the age of 18 in County Cork, Ireland. This competition is also known as the Cork Premier Minor Hurling Championship since 1992. It is played on a countywide basis. Prior to 1992, all teams...
titles were won in 1922 and 1923, followed by a county junior
Cork Junior Hurling Championship
The Cork Junior Hurling Championship is the third tier championship for hurling clubs in Cork. The winners of this championship compete in the Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship in the following year. This championship is often considered the most difficult championship to win, since more teams...
title in 1924 and a county intermediate
Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship
Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship is the second-tier hurling competition organized by the Cork Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The winners usually will play in the senior grade the following year for the Cork Senior Hurling Championship. This championship has been played for since 1909...
title in 1925.
Eight in-a-row
Glen Rovers first joined the senior ranks of the Cork County ChampionshipCork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
in 1926. The club contested its first county final in 1930, however, the side lost out to a star-studded Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
team. 1934 saw the Glen line out in their second county final with their south side rivals St. Finbarr's
St. Finbarr's GAA
St. Finbarr's National Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Togher area of Cork city, County Cork, Ireland....
providing the opposition. On that occasion history was made as Glen Rovers captured the county title for the first time with a 3-2 to 0-6 victory over one of the stalwart teams of the county.
In 1935 Glen Rovers made it back-to-back championship titles with a second consecutive county final win, this time over Carrigtwohill
Carrigtwohill GAA
Carrigtwohill GAA is a Gaelic Football and hurling club based in the parish of Carrigtwohill in Cork, Ireland. The club participates in Cork GAA competitions and in Imokilly board competitions. In 2011 the Senior hurling team won a first county title in 93 years...
.
Title number three was gained at the expense of Sarsfields
Sarsfields GAA (Cork)
Sarsfields GAA is a hurling club is located in the areas of Riverstown and Glanmire in East Cork. They have won four County Championships, 1951, 1957 2008, and 2010.-County Champions:...
in 1936. "The Glen" reached the county final again in 1937, and they had a 3-5 to 1-0 victory over Carrigtwohill
Carrigtwohill GAA
Carrigtwohill GAA is a Gaelic Football and hurling club based in the parish of Carrigtwohill in Cork, Ireland. The club participates in Cork GAA competitions and in Imokilly board competitions. In 2011 the Senior hurling team won a first county title in 93 years...
for the second time in three years. 1938 saw Midleton
Midleton GAA
Midleton Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Midleton in County Cork, Ireland.-History:The concept of a Gaelic Athletic Association was first mooted in 1883 when a sub-committee of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed with the ideal of...
provide the opposition as Glen Rovers sought a record-breaking fifth county title in-a-row. Once again the north side men had too much and Joe Lee led Cork to a 5-6 to 1-3 victory and a fifth consecutive county title.
In 1939 Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
took over as captain of the team, and the Glen contested their sixth county final in-a-row. However, in taking on the famous Blackrock club, Glen Rovers were facing their sternest test. The final was a contest between the new and the old and was billed as "the game of the century". At half-time Blackrock led by a point, however, at the final whistle the Glen were the victors by 5-4 to 2-5.
1940 saw Jack Lynch lead out the Glen in the county final once again. Sarsfields provided the opposition on that occasion in a game remarkable for the scoring of 17 goals. Charlie Tobin
Charlie Tobin
Charlie Tobin was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of both the Cork and Dublin senior inter-county teams in the 1930s and 1940s....
captured six of those goals as the Glen won by 10-6 to 7-5. It was the club's seventh county victory in-a-row and provided a swansong for Paddy ‘Fox’ Collins
Paddy Collins
Paddy 'Fox' Collins was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1929 until 1938.-Club:...
, the first of the Glen "greats", who retired from hurling following the victory.
The 1941 championship marked the last of the eight successes, representing an accomplishment that has never been equalled since. The title was won with a 4-7 to 2-2 victory over Ballincollig
Ballincollig GAA
Ballincollig GAA is a Gaelic football and hurling club based in the town of Ballincollig, County Cork, Ireland. The club is affiliated with the Cork GAA board and plays in the Muskerry divisional competitions...
. This victory marked the retirement of many of the club stalwarts who had contributed so much to the record-breaking run. The occasion was also noteworthy as it marked the arrival of the legendary Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
as a new force with the Glen.
The honour of being the team to knock Glen Rovers off their perch fell to Ballincollig. Jack Lynch was captain of the team again that year, however, the Glen were defeated in the county semi-final.
1940s-1960s
After a two-year hiatus the Glen were back in the county final in 1944. Staunch south side rivals and reigning back-to-back champions St. Finbarr’s provided the opposition on that occasion, however, a score line of 5-7 to 3-3 gave Glen Rovers a ninth county title. In 1945 the Glen made it two in-a-row as divisional side CarrigdhounCarrigdhoun GAA
Carrigdhoun GAA is one of the eight baronies or Gaelic Athletic Association divisions that make up Cork. The division is made up of eleven Gaelic Athletic Association teams, making it one of the smaller divisions....
fell by 4-10 to 5-3 in what Christy Ring remembers as one of the best county finals ever played. The Glen’s hopes of making in three county championships in-a-row were thwarted in 1946 as ‘the Barr’s’ triumphed by just two points in that year’s county final.
In 1948 Glen Rovers contested the county decider once again in what was described as a game for the veterans. Jack Lynch returned to the side for that game after a prolonged absence and played a key role at midfield. The game was a tense affair as Christy Ring and a Blackrock player were both dismissed. In spite of losing one of their key forwards the Glen still triumphed by 5-7 to 3-2. This was the beginning of another great run of success for the club as they captured a second consecutive county title in 1949 with a thrilling 6-5 to 0-14 victory over divisional side Imokilly
Imokilly GAA
Imokilly GAA is a Gaelic football and Hurling division in the east of Cork, Ireland. The division includes towns such as Midleton, Cobh, and Youghal. It is one of eight divisions of Cork County Board. It organizes competitions for the clubs within the division, from Under 12 up to the adult level...
. In 1950 only St. Finbarr’s stood in Glen Rovers way of capturing a third county championship in-a-row. At half-time the game still hung in the balance as the Barr’s led by a point. At full-time, however, the Glen had done enough to secure the victory with a 2-8 to 0-5 score line. This game was significant as it marked the end of Jack Lynch’s club hurling career. By the early 1950s it looked as if the Glen were going to dominate the county championship like they had done at the start of the 1940s. A fourth consecutive county final victory beckoned in 1951 as Sarsfields provided the opposition. While it looked as if the Glen’s march couldn’t be stopped that’s exactly what happened as the east Cork team won the day by 5-8 to 3-7.
Even though Jack Lynch had retired at the start of the decade the new star at the club, Christy Ring, was helping the Glen to more successes throughout the 1950s. After defeat in 1951 and a less than successful year in 1952 the Glen bounced back in 1953. That year the northsiders lined out in the county final with near rivals Sarsfield’s providing the opposition. Another goal-fest ensued as the Glen won by 8-4 to 4-3. The Glen remained at the top of the Cork hurling ladder in 1954 by reaching the county final again. Blackrock were the opponents on that occasion, however, they provided little opposition as the Glen had an easy 7-7 to 3-2 victory. It was their fifteenth county championship title. The dominance of Glen Rovers didn’t last long as they were beaten by St. Finbarr’s in a replay of the county final in 1955 before being beaten by Blackrock in 1956.
Two years later in 1958 the Glen were back in the county championship decider. Once again St. Finbarr’s provided the opposition; however, the Glen won the day by 4-6 to 3-5. This victory kick-started another short period of domination for the Blackpool club as they successfully defended their title in 1959 with a six-point win over Blackrock. Glen Rovers made it three in-a-row in 1960, however, not until after a stern test by UCC
UCC GAA
UCC is a football and hurling club associated with University College Cork. UCC teams play in the Cork Senior Football Championship and Cork Senior Hurling Championship as well as the two main third-level competitions namely the Sigerson Cup in football and the Fitzgibbon Cup in hurling...
in the final. A narrow 3-8 to 1-12 win allowed Glen Rovers to end the decade with a treble. Four titles in-a-row proved beyond the Glen in 1961, however, the northsiders were back in the county final again in 1962. Once again it was UCC who provided the opposition and, once again, the Glen found it difficult to defeat the collegians. After a tough sixty minutes of hurling both sides finished level. The replay was another close affair and at times it looked as if another draw was likely. The Glen, however, rallied and secured a 3-8 to 2-10 victory.
Glen Rovers found it difficult to retain the title in 1963 and exited the championship before the final; however, the team was back in 1964 with great rivals St. Finbarr’s providing the opposition. It was a significant occasion in the history of the Glen Rovers club and a game that thrilled the 24,000 spectators. Just before the interval the Barr’s were leading by 0-6 to 0-4. When it looked as if the southsiders would also dominate the second half Glen captain Christy Ring swerved onto a pass from Joe Salmon
Joe Salmon
Joe Salmon is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Liam Mellows in Galway and Glen Rovers in Cork. Salmon also played with the Galway senior inter-county team from 1949 until 1964...
and sent the sliothar into the net for a goal. At full-time the Glen had powered forward to win by 3-12 to 2-7. The game was significant as it was the Glen’s twentieth championship title in thirty years. Secondly, it also turned out to be Christy Ring’s last victory on the field of play in a county final. The game also marked the arrival on the scene of a new generation of Cork players, including Charlie McCarthy
Charlie McCarthy (hurler)
Charlie McCarthy is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Finbarr's and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1965 until 1980. McCarthy captained Cork to a third consecutive All-Ireland title in 1978.-Biography:Charlie McCarthy was born in Cork in 1946...
and Gerald McCarthy who lined out for St. Finbarr’s. The game was also significant as it allowed the Glen to represent Cork in the newly established Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
. May people were skeptical of this competition, resulting in it being played over a long period of time. The Munster club final of 1964, which featured the Glen and Mount Sion of Waterford, wasn’t played until Easter Sunday 1966. It was a noteworthy week in Irish history and for Glen Rovers. Christy Ring’s side won the final by 3-7 to 1-17 and many reporters considered it fitting that Glen Rovers, a club founded shortly after the 1916 Easter Rising and whose green, black and gold colours commemorate the event, should triumph on the fiftieth anniversary of that historic occasion.
1967 was another noteworthy year in the annals of Glen Rovers. Following a county championship quarter-final against UCC the legendary Christy Ring decided to hang up his hurley. After a quarter of a century in the famous hooped jersey the Glen lined out in the county final without arguably the greatest player in the history of the game. St. Finbarr’s were the opponents on that occasion; however, Glen Rovers triumphed by 3-9 to 1-9. After a poor season in 1968 the Glen were back in the county championship decider. For the third time that decade UCC stood between Glen Rovers and the county title. In the end the men from Blackpool had an easy 4-16 to 1-13 victory over the collegians.
All-Ireland titles
The 1970s saw the arrival of Glen Rovers on the provincial and national stages. 1972 saw Denis CoughlanDenis Coughlan
Denis Coughlan is a notable Irish sportsperson. He played hurling and football with his local clubs Glen Rovers and St. Nicholas' respectively. Coughlan also played hurling and football with the Cork senior inter-county teams...
guide the club to their first county title of the decade with a 3-15 to 1-10 victory over east Cork side Youghal
Youghal GAA
Youghal GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Youghal, in County Cork, Ireland. The club fields both Hurling and Gaelic football teams. The club is a member of Cork GAA and Imokilly divisional board.-History:...
. This victory allowed the club to represent Cork in the Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
. The Glen subsequently reached the provincial decider where Tipperary champions Roscrea
Roscrea GAA
Roscrea GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is located in the town of Roscrea in North County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. The club's ground ground shares its name with St. Cronan's BNS in Bray, Co. Wicklow. The club's colours are red and white and they play at Páirc Naomh Cronáin Roscrea...
provided the opposition. An exciting game developed between these two sides, however, the Glen were the eventual victors. The two-point win gave the Glen a second Munster club title and the chance to represent the province in the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
series. A 6-9 to 1-7 defeat of Castlegar
Castlegar GAA
Castlegar GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Castlegar in County Galway, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.-Overview:...
allowed the Glen to advance to the All-Ireland final where St. Rynagh’s
St. Rynagh's GAA
St. Rynagh's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that encompasses the towns of Cloghan and Banagher in County Offaly, in Ireland. Formed in 1961, the club gained almost immediate success - winning the senior championship in 1965. St. Rynagh's went on to appear in three All-Ireland club finals...
provided the opposition. The final 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...
was a tough affair, however, Tom Buckley and Red Crowley powered the Glen to a 2-18 to 2-8 victory. It was the Glen’s first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
club title.
Glen Rovers lost their county, provincial and All-Ireland titles in 1974 before losing the 1975 county championship decider to Blackrock. The Glen bounced back in 1976 with Martin O'Doherty
Martin O'Doherty
Martin O'Doherty is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1971 until 1982...
leading the club to a 2-7 to 0-10 victory over ‘the Rockies.’ Once again this allowed the Glen to represent the county in the Munster club series. The final pitted the Cork champs against Limerick side South Liberties. After an entertaining hour of hurling the Glen emerged victorious by 2-8 to 2-4. It was the club’s third Munster title. Facile wins in the All-Ireland quarter and semi-finals resulted in the Glen taking on Camross in the All-Ireland decider. Nine survivors from the 1973 All-Ireland victory powered the Glen to a 2-12 to 0-8 win over the Laois champions who were inspired by the Cuddy family. It was their second All-Ireland club title.
Following such great success in the 1970s the Glen went into a remarkable decline. The club lost a remarkable four county finals in five years in 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1981. The Glen also contested the 1988 final which they also lost to ‘the Barr’s.’ Glen Rovers atoned for this defeat in 1989 when Sarsfields fell in the county final by 4-15 to 3-13. It was the Glen’s twenty-fifth county championship title and the last time that the club won the county title.
A nine-point defeat by Midleton in 1991 was the last time until 2010 that Glen Rovers contested a county championship decider.
Honours
- All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
s: 2- 1973, 1977
- Munster Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipMunster Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
s: 3- 1964, 1972, 1976
- Cork Senior Hurling ChampionshipCork Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
s: 25- 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1976, 1989
- Cork Intermediate Hurling ChampionshipCork Intermediate Hurling ChampionshipCork Intermediate Hurling Championship is the second-tier hurling competition organized by the Cork Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The winners usually will play in the senior grade the following year for the Cork Senior Hurling Championship. This championship has been played for since 1909...
s: 6- 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1965
- Cork Junior Hurling ChampionshipCork Junior Hurling ChampionshipThe Cork Junior Hurling Championship is the third tier championship for hurling clubs in Cork. The winners of this championship compete in the Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship in the following year. This championship is often considered the most difficult championship to win, since more teams...
s: 2- 1924, 1950
- Cork Under-21 Hurling ChampionshipCork Under-21 Hurling ChampionshipThe Cork Under-21 Hurling Championship is a hurling competition for players under the age of 21. Clubs affiliated to Cork board compete to win this championship. Seven of the divisions in Cork organize their own championship . The divisional winners compete against each other to decide the county...
s: 5- 1974, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2008
- Cork Minor Hurling ChampionshipCork Minor Hurling ChampionshipThe Cork Minor Hurling Championship is a hurling competition for Gaelic Athletic Association players under the age of 18 in County Cork, Ireland. This competition is also known as the Cork Premier Minor Hurling Championship since 1992. It is played on a countywide basis. Prior to 1992, all teams...
s: 25- 1922, 1923, 1926, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1945, 1946, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1964, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1979, 1985, 2002, 2005, 2006
Famous Hurlers
This is a list of notable hurlers who have played for Glen Rovers. Generally, this means players that have enjoyed much success with the club or have played for the Cork senior hurling team.| Player | Era | Club titles | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Ireland | Munster | County | ||
| Pat Barry Pat Barry Fr. Pat Barry is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling and Gaelic Football with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county hurling and football teams in the 1970s. Barry won both Munster and All-Ireland honours in 1976.-References:... |
1970s | 1973 | 1972 | 1972, 1976 |
| Connie Buckley Connie Buckley Connie 'Sonny' Buckley was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1936 until 1941. Buckley captained Cork to the All-Ireland title in 1941.-Biography:Connie ‘Sonny’ Buckley was born in Roman Street, Cork... |
1930s-1940s | 1941 | 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941 | |
| Din Joe Buckley Din Joe Buckley Din Joe Buckley was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1949. Buckley was the last surviving member of Cork's four-in-a-row team of the 1940s.-Early life:Din Joe Buckley was born in... |
1930s-1940s | 1941 1942 1943 1944 | 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1948, 1949 | |
| Johnny Clifford Johnny Clifford Johnny Clifford was an Irish hurling manager and player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1950s... |
1950s | 1953, 1954 | ||
| Paddy 'Fox' Collins | 1930s-1940s | 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940 | ||
| Denis Coughlan Denis Coughlan Denis Coughlan is a notable Irish sportsperson. He played hurling and football with his local clubs Glen Rovers and St. Nicholas' respectively. Coughlan also played hurling and football with the Cork senior inter-county teams... |
1960s-1970s | 1973, 1977 | 1964, 1972, 1976 | 1964, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1976 |
| Dave Creedon Dave Creedon Dave Creedon was an Irish sportsperson. A dual player at the highest levels, he played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from at various intervals from 1940 until 1955. Creedon also played Gaelic football with his local club St... |
1940s-1950s | 1940, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954 | ||
| John Lyons John Lyons (hurler) John Lyons was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the famous Glen Rovers club and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1960.-Club:... |
1940s-1950s | 1944, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1960 | ||
| Tomás Mulcahy Tomás Mulcahy Tomás Mulcahy is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1994. Mulcahy currently works as a pundit with The Sunday Game... |
1980s-1990s | 1989 | ||
| Martin O'Doherty Martin O'Doherty Martin O'Doherty is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1971 until 1982... |
1970s-1980s | 1973, 1977 | 1972, 1976 | 1972, 1976 |
| Christy Ring Christy Ring Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in... |
1940s-1960s | 1964 | 1941, 1944, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967 (sub) | |
| Jim Young Jim Young (hurler) Dr. Jim Young was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1938 until 1949.-Biography:... |
1930s-1960s | 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1948, 1949 | ||
Famous Teams
| Year | Competition | Team A | Score | Team B | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge... |
Glen Rovers | 2-18 | St. Rynagh's | 2-8 | Finbarr O’Neill; Denis O’Riordan, Martin O’Doherty, Pat Barry; Jerry O’Sullivan, Denis Coughlan (Capt.), Mick O’Halloran; J.J. O’Neill, Paddy O’Doherty; Patsy Harte, Red Crowley, Tom Buckley; Mick Ryan, Tom Collins, John Young. Sub: M. Corbett. |
| 1977 | All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge... |
Glen Rovers | 2-12 | Camross | 0-8 | Finbarr O’Neill (Capt.); Jerry O’Sullivan, Martin O’Doherty, Teddy O’Brien; F O’Sullivan, Donal Clifford, Denis Coughlan; Red Crowley, J.J. O’Neill; Patsy Harte, Pat Horgan, Paddy O’Doherty; Mick Ryan, Tom Collins, Vincent Marshell. Subs: Tom O’Neill, F. Cunningham. |