Éire Óg celebrate history and victory
A GAA club recently held a commemorative event in honour of the club’s 136 year rich history.
Éire Óg, a GAA club located in the heart of the Ovens and Farran communities, recognised both Éire Óg’s storied history and the 40th anniversary of the club’s victory in the 1985 Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship.
The event included specially produced documentary-style videos featuring prominent club members both young and old, including Kevin Murray, Patrick O’Flynn, Denis Desmond, John O’Flynn, Dick Nagle, Mick Malone and Tom Brennan of Éire Óg’s 1985 Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship winning side who beat Blackrock by a single point.
Attendees at the event, which was organised by club members Michael Kelleher, Mick Malone, Michael O’Flynn and James O’Leary, were treated to performances from Eurovision winner Paul Harrington, The Three Tenors, and accordionist Liam O’Connor. It was hosted by RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey.
“In bringing our community together, this unique event celebrated the contributions of everyone who has been part of Éire Óg’s history through both good times and bad,” said Mick Malone of Éire Óg’s 1985 Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship winning side.
“From committee members and players to coaches and supporters, this event served as an expression of the club’s sincere gratitude to those who have played a part in making Éire Óg a club that is so close to our hearts,” said James O’Leary, who also donned Cork’s red jersey.
Éire Óg’s proud achievements include a blitz of four Cork Senior Camogie Championships in the space of eight years, a Cork Senior Hurling Championship, three Cork Intermediate Hurling Championships, and, most recently, a Cork Senior A Ladies Football Championship in 2025.
Éire Óg also has a stellar record of producing intercounty stars. These include the 1985 side’s Mick Malone who won two All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships for Cork in 1976 and 1977; Colm Sheehan, who scored two goals as Cork won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1966 against Kilkenny; and the pairing of Ciarán Sheehan and Daniel Goulding, who were instrumental in Cork’s most recent All-Ireland Senior Football Championship victory in 2010 against Down.