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Tramore Athletic FC who recently celebrated its sixtieth anniversary, one of the top amateur clubs in the country, owe their very existence to a string of controversial circumstances in 1947. Evergreen FAI Junior Cup winners in 1936 who after graduating to Munster Senior Football won the League in ’37 folded through lack of numbers, like many other clubs, following the outbreak of WW2. Evergreen reformed in 1946 when they entered minor and junior teams and had a runaway success in the Minor Shield. Then came a split which rocked the club to its foundations resulting in the majority of the underage players leaving. Evergreen were given three weeks to register new players so that they could continue their revival while the breakaway group, including players from Turner’s Cross, Douglas and Blackrock, decided to form a new team.
As the Tramore River was a common link with those three localities Tramore Athletic was the name chosen by the founders. They were formed at a gathering in the doorway of O’Connell’s Corner House Pub (Turner’s Cross Tavern) by John O’Sullivan, Mossie Cronin, Des Doherty, Leonard Gould and Michael Dwyer. They were too late to affiliate for the 1947-48 season which had already commenced. But, fortuitously, in October 1947 they were thrown a life-line when Munster Minor Cup holders Rock Rangers surprisingly withdrew from the league and Tramore were accepted to fill the vacancy. At the end of their debut seaon Tramore suffered a huge setback as most of those still eligible for youth football, including Patons Keating (later Sheff Utd) and Bunny Horgan, returned to Evergreen and helped them win the FAI Minor Cup. When they resumed for the 1948-49 campaign Jerry O’Brien was Tramore’s only survivor from the inaugural season.
c. For four years they offered gallant resistance to teams like Glasheen, Tower Rovers, Collins’ and Crofton before eventually, amidst joyous scenes, claiming their first ever trophy the 1954 U14 League. Frankie McCarthy, one of Tramore’s and the Schoolboys’ Leagues greatest products, was a member of that victorious team. Tony Murphy (later Chairman of the MSL) and Micky Sheehan, both life time members of the club, also won medals that year. Tramore quickly made up lost ground and by the time the CSL celebrated its 21st birthday they overtook Glasheen and Tower to top the all-time honours list. Frankie McCarthy, capped against Wales in 1955, became the clubs first international in any grade and in the following years dozens of Tramore lads joined that illustrious list.
Tramore gained national prominence in 1958 when they recorded an unexpected win over Johnville (Dublin) at Turner’s Cross. The final was brought forward to 12. 0 clock to avoid a clash with a Crazy Ball game at the Mardyke. A crowd of over 1,000 paid 2 shillings or sixpence if you claimed to be under 18. The roar which greeted Connie Moloney’s first minute goal for Tramore drowned out the toll of the Angelus bell and could have been heard by the majority of parishioners who were attending last mass at a thronged Christ The King Church. There was no loitering after Mass that Sunday as the men folk hurried the 100 yards up Curragh Road to the pitch where officials who expected late arrivals charged half- price (one shilling) to watch the second half. Tramore now had a few hundred extra voices roaring encouragement and they responded in great style by outplaying the neat Dubs. Tony Wilson’s cracker in the 60th minute put the seal on a famous victory after which Tramore, with Noel O’Mahony dominant, easily contained Johnville’s best efforts.
Encouraged by the national success Tramore kept a junior team in the AUL but wisely afforded the graduating youths the opportunity of playing at a higher grade by joining the Munster Senior League in 1959. At that level they progressed to become one of the most successful clubs in the country contesting seven FAI Intermediate Cup finals with outright victories recorded in 1979, 1981 and 1986. That was a golden decade for the Turner’s Cross lads as they also won the FAI Youths Cup in 1980 and ’82. Dave Barry starred on the side which beat Home Farm in 1980 while Kieran O’Regan played in both finals and scored in the 3-0 victory over Athlone. Kieran went on to become the first former Tramore player to gain full international honours when capped against Malta in 1984 and subsequently was honoured on three further occasions.
Tramore Athletic, founded in 1947, has always been recognised as one of Cork’s most productive soccer nurseries and, apart from Frankie McCarthy, Noel O’Mahony, Dave Barry and Kieran O’Regan, others to blossom included Pat O’Mahony, Brian McSweeney, Denis Galvin, Ricky Galvin, Billy Treacy, Barry O’Brien, the Neiland brothers, Gerry McCarthy, Mick Mackey, Carl Humphreys, Liam Roynane, Mick Tobin, Charlie McCarthy, Redmond Lane, Dave Waters, Pat Kirby, Dave O’Connor and Fergus O’Donoghue. Two members of the FAI Youth Cup winning team in 1958, Denis Galvin, John Walsh and Philly Burke, were credited with the restructuring of outdated coaching methods and Tramore benefited greatly from their endeavours.
It wasn’t just quality players that Tramore produced. Two founder members John O’Sullivan and Leonard Gould went on to become prominent football legislators. John was a long serving member of the FAI Senior Council who contributed greatly during the Jack Charlton years while Leonard, one of a founders of the Cork Schoolboys’ League, went on to serve as President of the national organisation.
In terms of overall trophy successes Tramore are the most decorated in Cork soccer history, accumulating over 150 outright victories since their inception. Apart from their five national successes they have won 23 senior trophies including four Championships; the AOH Cup is just one of their 30 in the AUL roll of honour; in schoolboy football they are well ahead of the pack and are likely, in the near future, to achieve a ton in that grade.
Old-timers will recall their exploits in Church Road, Western Park, Douglas, Flower Lodge, Turner’s Cross, Cork Showgrounds and Carrigaline. They are at home now, being proud owners of a nice complex appropriately nestling in the Tramore Valley on the South Douglas Road. New members are always welcome and they cater from seven year olds right up to adult senior grades.
Tramore Athletic past and present at the launching of their 60th Anniversary celebrations at the City Hall earlier this year. Front Row: Jerry O’Brien, Billy O’Sullivan, Billy Noonan, Cllr Terry Shannon Dep Lord Mayor, Derry O’Callaghan, Leonard Gould and Sean O’Sullivan. Also included Denis O’Driscoll, Frank Mullin, John Neff, Dan O’Neill, Tony Murphy, Harry Jones, Jim Cogan, Eddie Connolly, Barry Gould, Pat Lyons, Mattie Brett, Mick Sheehan, Phil Burke, Eddie Mullins, Pat McCarthy, Joe O’Connell, John Kidd, Joe Murphy, Aidan Scully, Pat Burke, Ricky Galvin, Ken Maye, Frank Murphy, Con Jones, Jimmy Kelly, Colm Sheehan, Sean Martin, Barry Gould jnr, Kieran McCarthy, Aidan Fitton, John Swaine, Robert O’Connell and Dave O’Connor.
Tramore Athletic panel which won the FAI Minor Cup in 1958. Back: Dick Buckley, Harry Jones, Denis Galvin, Ted McGarry, Noel Mahony, Tony Murphy. Front: Philly Burke, Mick Sheehan, John Manley, Tony Wilson, Pat O’Mahony. Insets: Frank McCarthy, Len Gould (Comm), Con Moloney and Frank Hodnett. Missing from photo Charlie Neff.
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Members of Tramore team which won the FAI Minor Cup in 1958 pictured at a reunion at the Kiln. Left to right: Con Moloney, Leonard Gould, Frank Hodnett, Fr John Manley, Pat O’Mahony, Frankie McCarthy, Harry Jones, Mick Sheehan, Phil Burke, Noel O’Mahony, Mrs Denis Galvin, Mrs Dick Buckley, Mrs E McGarry
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Fr John Manley captain of the Tramore team which defeated Johnville in 1958 looking at a photo of the winning team.
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Tramore Athletic team defeated 2-1 by Bolton Ath (Dublin) in a thrilling Evans National Cup final at Togher in 1960. Tramore’s goal was scored by Jerry Murphy. Back: Teddy O’Mahony, Barry Long, Ken Galvin, Victor Bennett, Jerry Murphy, Dan O’Neill. Front: Fred McCarthy, Patsy Foley, Billy Treacy, Ricky Galvin and Jimmy Murphy.
Tramore Youths 1959. Back: Charlie Neff, A NOther, Ted McGarry, Pat McNally, Sean Twomey, Jack O’Riordan. Front: Tom McCarthy, Con Jones, Dick Buckley, Jack O’Mahony, Derry Murphy.
Tramore Ath MSL 1964. Back: Des Doherty, Tony Murphy, Tom McCarthy, Patsy Jefferies, Pat McNally, Pat O’Connor, Willie O’Sullivan. Front: John Neff, Colm Turnbull (Colm Turner BBC), Mick Sheehan, Jimmy Cotter, Christy O’Shea.
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Tramore Ath seniors 1969. Back: Pat Goggin, Teddy O’Mahony, Roy Bishop, Billy Noonan, Barry Davidson, Frank Murphy. Front: Mattie Brett, Bobby Stanton, Eddie Fitzgerald, Tony Mullaly, Paul “Ebenezer” Murray, Rickie Galvin.
Tramre Athletic MSL squad 1979 winners of FAI Intermediate Cup. Back: Jerry Twomey, Tom Walsh, Dave Mahon, John Swaine, Derry McCarthy, Fred McCarthy, Bryan McSweeney, Dave Keating, Denis Galvin, Mossie Cronin. Front: John Lane, Pat McCarthy, Billy Noonan, Sean Donovan, Frank Drummond, Mick Bruton, Neily O’Keeffe, Mick Dwyer.
Tramore Athletic squad winners of FAI Youths Cup, Munster Cup, AUL League & League Cup in 1980. Back: Vincie White, Dave Barry, Ger Cunningham, Eddie Hennebry, Keith Anthony, Mark Smith. Middle: John Walsh, Kieran Murphy, Sean Madden, Tony Mullins, Mattie Murphy, Donal O’Callaghan, Pat Lane. Front: Tony Leahy, Brian Fleming, Paul Waters, Terry O’Donovan, Kieran O’Regan, Neil Dineen, Michael O’Rourke.
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Tramore Athletic team which defeated Athlone 3-0 in the FAI Youth Cup final in 1982. Back: Ger Bickerstaffe, Alan Murphy, Pat Jackson, Eddie Hennebry, Dave O’Connor, Lawrence Neville, Mick O’Sullivan and Denis Galvin. Front: Aidan Hartnett, Kieran Murphy, Kieran O’Regan, Tony Neiland, Greg Cleary, Kieran McCarthy.
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Tramore Athletic AOH Cup winners 1982. Back: Robert Stephens, Finbarr O’Callaghan, Paddy Kirby, George Jackson, John Kirby, Dave Keating, Kevin Coveney, Paul Cooney, Jim Cahill. Front: Dave Mahon, Tony Drummond, Mick O’Rourke, Bertie Foley, Ger Keane, Dave Coveney, Pat Mahon. Photo Billy Lyons
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Tramore Athletic winners of Pop Keller 1978 Back: John Walsh, Jim Kerrigan, John Lane, Richard Moloney, Kieran Buckley, Tommy Walsh, Liam Hedderman. Front: Peter Quigley, Sean Hurley, Barry Twomey, Robert Cuthbert, Joe O’Connell, Barry Walsh, Frank Drummond.
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Tramore Athletic MSL team 1986. Back: John Swaine, George Jackson, Noel Hartigan, Dave McCarthy, Jim Leahy, Brian McSweeney, Barry Sheehan, Frank Murphy. Front: Michael O’Sullivan, Pat Griffen, Joe O’Connell, Charlie McCarthy, Eddie Henebry, Aidan Hartnett and Mattie Murphy.
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Tramore Athletic U14 Cup winners 1998. Back: Darren Swaine, Shane O’Callaghan, Michael Dorgan, Maurice O’Connor, Eric Ryan, Shawn Lawson, Stephen Dorney, Shane Duncan. Front: Kyle Smith, Graham McCarthy, Robert O’Sullivan, Ken Murphy, Shane O’Connor, Adrian Stanton, Stephen Barry.
Tramore Ath U15 schoolboys 1997 Back: Ken Maye, Donal Cronin, Sean Prendergast, Alan Hogan, Stephen Heaphy, Ray Hickey, Dave Madden, Alan Dorney, Ronan Forde, Shane Hegarty, Derry O’Callaghan. Front: Brian O’Regan, Darren Hayes, Graham O’Donovan, Donal O’Halloran, Billy McCarthy, Gearoid O’Leary.
David Madden (Tramore), David Warren (Mayfield) and Liam Miller (Ballincollig) members of the Irish U16 European Championship winning team, accompanied by John O’Mahony CSL (with Euro Trophy) on a visit to Lord Mayor Dave McCarthy who made a presentation to the three boys.
Minister for Education Micheál Martin accompanied by Frank Mullen and Billy Noonan performing the official opening of Tramore Athletics new grounds on the South Douglas Road in February 2,000.
Tramore players celebrating after their 2004 victory in the National U14 Cup quarter-final victory in Dundalk. Back: Glen Walsh, Declan Daly, Emmet O’Callaghan, Greg Browne, Adrian Daly, Chris Fahey. Middle: Stephen Leonard, Jason Conroy, Stephen Walsh, Darren Farry, Michael Deasy, Emmet McAuliffe, Troy O’Mahony. Front: Pádraig Murphy, Dave Collins.
John O’Sllivan and Denis Galvin making presentations to Irish U15 Internationals Sean Madden and Brian Fleming in 1978. Also in picture Neily O’Keeffe and Billy Noonan.
Tramore Ath Donie Forde Cup winners 2006. Back: Darren Swaine, Shane O’Callaghan, Michael Dorgan, Maurice O’Connell, Eric Ryan, Shaun Lawson, Stephen Dorney, Shane Duncan, Pádraig Horgan. Front: Kyle Smith, Graham McCarthy, Robert O’Sullivan, Ken Murphy, Shane O’Connor, Adrian Stanton, Stephen Barry.
Tramore Athletic U15 2008
Tramore Ath U16 2008.
Harry Jones, Barry Gould, Mick Sheehan, Phil Burke, Pat Lyons and Pat Burke enjoying Tramore Athletic’s 60th Anniversary celebration at the Lord Mayors Chambers.
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Ken Maye, Pat McCarthy, Sean Martin and Tom Mackey enjoying Tramore Athletic’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations
Tramore Ath Southside League U9 winners 1995
Leonard Gould
"The success of the Cork Schoolboy's League is not attributed to any one particular individual, but to the Committees that run the league." So said Leonard Gould in a newspaper interview back in 1980 after having retired from the administrative side of the game ending 32 consecutive years on its management committee. Of course the statement was typical of the modest, unassuming silversmith who had donated almost a lifetime to soccer.
Leonard was a founder member of the committee which also included Con Elliot, Jack Cooke, Kevin Dillon, Albert Conboye and Neil Welsh. I am singing Leonards song when stating that the late Jack Cooke was the greatest administrator in the history of Cork Schoolboy Soccer but Leonard himself was acknowledged as being the jewel in the crown. In his younger days he played soccer with Greenmount Rangers and Tramore Athletic at junior level but it was on the administrative side of the game that he made his niche. He was the first secretary of Tramore and held the position of chairman of the Cork Schoolboys League on six occasions becoming the first person to hold the post for three consecutive years. Leonard was first elected chairman in 1972 and was re-elected in 76-77 and 78. During those years he was also a member of the International Schoolboys Selection Committee.
It was during his Chairmanship that Ireland first travelled to compete in Europe and youngsters journeyed to France, Germany and Holland to represent their country. Cork's representation on Irish teams improved during Leonard's reign but he was at pains to pointing out that "the function of a selector is to pick the best eleven regardless of the locality a boy comes from", which is the way it should always be.
In his retirement Leonard is still a regular supporter of all Tramore teams and rarely misses a Cork City tie at Turner's Cross. (Article courtesy of Plunkett Carter)