County Minor Football Champs 2000
03 December, 2020
#onthisdate 20 years ago a delighted Barryroe take first county title in a rip-roaring replay. Sunday, December 3 2000, will go down as a red-letter day when the history of the Barryroe Club is written because, after many years of trying and a number of agonising defeats, the first county in hurling or football was brought to the club.
The camogie club has led the way for the parish with success from Junior B to Senior at county level, but the GAA club has had to endure a long journey - one that saw defeats in county finals at various levels in 1979, 1983, 1988, 1994, 1998 and 1999. The disappointment of those defeats was finally banished as the minor footballers swept to victory in an enthralling contest with Glanworth. This was a victory, sourced in courage, passion, commitment and no mean skill as both teams battled for supremacy in some of the most appalling weather conditions. After the drawn encounter, which saw Barryroe dominate from start to finish, only to see victory almost snatched from their grasp before a late point secured a more than deserved draw.
Two early points from Denis Harrington and Aidan O'Mahony had Barryroe in front, before Glanworth gave an indication that they too meant business as in a twinkle of an eye they claimed 1-01 to take the lead. Almost immediately, Barryroe struck back, when Eamonn McCarthy had the ball in the back of the net with a great shot, after a string of fine passes were put together. A further point from Michael O'Driscoll while under severe pressure stretched the lead to 1-04 to 1-01 and Barryroe seemed to be in control. After an off the ball incident, Barryroe were awarded a penalty, but Aidan O'Mahony's well struck shot was parried by the keeper. Then, in two sporadic attacks, Glanworth added a point and a goal to lead again. But the Barryroe lads proved their mettle and lifted the siege, they rallied with two Denis Harrington points to lead at the short whistle on a score of 1-06 to 2-02.
It was all to play for in the second half, but, with the elements marginally in favour of Glanworth, it would take a mighty effort. From the throw-in Barryroe camped in the Glanworth half. A point from Aidan O'Mahony and a cracking goal from the same player stretched the lead to five points. Barryroe kept pushing forward as the six backs performed heroics although in two isolated attacks Glanworth narrowed the gap with a goal and a point. Martin Finn was at his outstanding best to make a point blank save and two further points from Denis Harrington stretched the lead to three points with two minutes to go. Barryroe held firm those final minutes and the final shrill of the whistle released wild scenes of emotion.
The team on this historic occasion was: Martin Finn, Michael Whelton, Kieran Griffin, Richard Drake, Eoin McCarthy, Jason Fleming, Bernard O'Brien, Aidan O'Mahony, Kevin O'Donovan, Michael O'Donovan, Gearoid Whelton, Clive Cahalane, Michael O'Driscoll, Denis Harrington, Eamon McCarthy. Subs: Paul McCarthy, Gearoid O'Donovan, Donal Young, Sean Young, Patrick Fleming, Michael O'Regan, Ryan O'Leary and Mark O'Donovan. Manager: John Drake. Selectors: Dan O'Dwyer, Denis O'Regan, Liam Murphy and Gerry Finn.
For more club history check out roll-of-honour
