Continuity levels crucial

During Liverpool’s glory days of the 1970s and 80s, much was made of the boot room culture, successive managers immersed in the culture of the club.

Similarly, a direct line can be plotted from UCC’s Fitzgibbon Cup triumphs of the ’80s to the present day. Back then, Canon (now Archdeacon) Michael O’Brien led the college to eight-in-a-row with the late Paul O’Connor playing a starring role.

O’Connor went on to mastermind three consecutive wins from 1996-98 before returning for further titles in 2009 and ’12. After his untimely death, Eddie Enright, part of the mid-90s team, took charge and secured last year’s title.