Macroom in the mood to a taste of Munster glory

COLMAN CORRIGAN’S football career took many twists and turns, but he has fond memories of his days as a student at DLS Macroom.

Macroom is a town steeped in football tradition and gave Cork some great players like Mick Gould, Dan Murray, Timmy O’Callaghan, JJ Henchion, Tim ‘Gunner’ O’Leary and Corrigan himself, all of whom wore the county jersey with distinction.

Third in line in the roll of honour with 10 county senior titles, Macroom fell on lean times for over 30 years, but there are signs of revival as the club won the county U16 title two years ago, a minor title last year and are one of the fancied teams for this year’s premier grade.

With the bulk of the club’s minor team involved, it’s no coincidence that DLS Macroom have made it to this year’s Corn Uí Mhuirí final. It’s been 26 years since they last reached the decider and Corrigan, as a 15-year-old, played at corner-forward on the team which lost to Coláiste Chríost Rí.

“Brother Jerome was the principal in the school that year. He was a native of Valentia Island and a neighbour of Mick O’Connell, and along with Noel Dunne, the current principal, decided to have a go at the higher grade of colleges football.

“We had a very good team but it was a huge step up for us and it was more in hope than confidence that we faced up to Coláiste Iosagáin in the first round. They were a boarding school back then and had a far bigger pick than we had. They also had Pat Spillane in charge as Micky Ned O’Sullivan was indisposed, but we played well on the day and won by a couple of points.

“St Flannan’s provided the opposition in the semi-final. Again we were facing another boarding school and weren’t given much of a chance, but after drawing with them in Kilmallock we won the replay handy in Fermoy, and it was onto the final against one of the traditionalists, Coláiste Chríost Rí.

“They were absolutely laden with stars and included Sean Hayes, Ephie Fitzgerald, Liam Murphy, Brian Lotty and Tony Leahy. We hadn’t a bad team ourselves, and included Thady Delaney, John O’Mahony, Paddy Murphy, Eamon Gould and Dan McSweeney but we were complete underdogs going into that final.

“The game was played in Ballinhassig on a very wet day and we had a huge Muskerry following, but on the day Críost Rí outplayed us. It was a great experience for me personally and certainly stood me in good stead for the years later.

“I firmly believe I would not have been able to compete at inter-county minor level if it weren’t for playing colleges football. The friendships you make at school stay without all your life and just three years ago, that 1978 team had a reunion and every player turned up. Your school days creates a bond between players that cannot be broken.

“For the semi-finals of this year’s Corn Uí Mhuirí against St Fachtna’s, most of the lads turned up and we had a great day and I’ve no doubt they’ll be out in force again for tomorrow’s final.

Looking at the 1978 team and the present side, I would have to admit the team of today is far more skilful. They are a big physical side who can play football and DLS Macroom won’t ever get a better chance to win the Corn Uí Mhuirí for what would be the first time.

“Should they manage to pull off the win, it would be massive both for the school and the clubs of the area. This will be the closest the majority of the players will get to playing top class under age football, and I’m expecting them to win it.”

Just seven days ago, Flannan’s were in line for the double, and there were shades of 1993 about it. That year, they were expected to win the hurling only to fail to Limerick CBS, but they caused an upset by winning the football title.

Could history repeat itself? Certainly any team that beats two of the traditional football schools, St Brendan’s and Tralee CBS, has to be respected, and the hurt at losing last Sunday will be a huge motivating factor for those half a dozen players involved again.

DLS Macroom have excellent credentials also. They have reached the final scoring excellent wins over St Fachtnas (twice), Coláiste na Sceilge and Dingle CBS, but they must guard against a backlash from Flannan’s. There is nothing so dangerous as a wounded lion, as Tralee CBS found out to their cost 13 years ago.