Meelin GAA

Meelin GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Meelin, Cork, Ireland which forms part of the parish of Rockchapel and Meelin. The club is affiliated to the Duhallow division of Cork GAA. The club has both a hurling and a Gaelic football teams. Up to recently the club did not have any Gaelic football team with the area represented in football by Knockscovane GAA Club ^[1] which took part in Duhallow division football competitions until its amalgamation with Meelin GAA club. Meelin juvenile footballers play with St. Peter's which is an amalgamation of Meelin, Freemount and Rockchapel clubs at juvenile level. Meelin won the 2009 Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship ^[2] after a barren spell of 13 years, they followed this up with back to back titles in 2010, defeating Kilbrin. This was the start of the clubs incredible journey that took them to the All-Ireland Junior Final in Croke Park. Meelin won the final on a scorline of 0-12 to 1-5 over John Locke's of Kilkenny.

History

Meelin GAA Club was founded in 1928 and for a number of years played competitive hurling in the North Cork (Avondhu) Division. When Duhallow division was established in the 1930s Meelin then took part in their competitions. Meelin won its first Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship in 1939, and followed on with three more victories in 1940, 1941 and 1943. However, after the 1943 victory, Meelin had to wait 27 years for its next Duhallow Championship which was won in 1970. This was the beginning of a new era for the club and since then Meelin have won the Duhallow title on 15 occasions. Meelin contested the final of the Cork Junior Hurling Championship in 1973 and 1986 but were defeated by Ballinhassig and Ballymartle. Meelin have won the Duhallow Junior Hurling League on 11 occasions - 1970, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2008, 2010. Due to a big decrease in the local population, the club merged with Freemount for juvenile hurling purposes. The amalgamated club is called St. Mark's.

County Finals

Meelin reached their first ever county junior hurling championship final in 1973. The opposition that day was Ballinhassig from the Carrigdhoun division. Meelin were defeated on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-5 at Coachford. Cork goalkeeper at the time Martin Coleman played in goal for Ballinhassig. In 1986 Meelin returned to the county final, however the club suffered a similar fate, losing to Ballymartle, on a scoreline of 3-8 to 2-4 also played at Coachford. 2010 proved to be a year to remember forever in the history of Meelin GAA Club, as they won the County Junior A Championship. Meelin defeated Cloughduv 1-19 to 2-9 in the County Final at Pairc Ui Rinn in front of almost 4,000 people.

Munster Championship

By virtue of winning the County in Cork, Meelin represented Cork in the Munster Junior Hurling Championship. In the Semi Final Meelin beat Effin of Limerick, at an eagerly contested and well attended game in Kilmallock. St Patricks of Tipperary provided the opposition for the Final in Mallow. Meelin were by far the better side, triumphant on a scoreline of 5-18 to 0-9, and Meelin were crowned Munster Champions.

All-Ireland Journey

The first step on the All-Ireland campaign was at Pairc na hEireann, Birmingham. Meelin's opposition for the All-Ireland quarter final were the Fullen Gaels club from Manchester. The supporters travelled from far and wide to see 'the Mighty Meelin' play a championship game overseas. Meelin won the game 2-15 to 0-8, to set up an All-Ireland semi final with Bearna/Na Forbacha of Galway. The All-Ireland Semi Final was played at Eire og, Ennis and Meelin prevailed on a scoreline of 0-16 to 1-4, after a poor performance. This set up a date with Kilkenny club John Lockes on the 13th Feb at Croke Park. Meelin won on a scoreline of 0-12 to 1-5.^[3]

All-Ireland Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Intermediate

Meelin's first championship encounter at Intermediate level was against Fr. O'Neills. Meelin lost this pulsating game after extra time on a scoreline of 4-16 to 2-20.

Honours

• All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship Winners 2011^[4]
• Munster Junior Club Hurling Championship Winners 2010
• Cork Junior Hurling Championship Winners 2010^[5]
• Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship Winners 1939, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2009,^[6] 2010^[7]
• Cork Minor B Hurling Championship Winners 1993
• Cork Junior Football Championship 1918 - Youghal and Meelin qualified for final which was not played
• Duhallow Junior A Hurling League Winners 1970, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2008, 2010
• Duhallow Under-21 Hurling Championship Winners 1972, 1973, 2004, 2006
• Duhallow Junior B Hurling Championship Winners 2007, 2008

Notable players

• Bernie O'Connor
• Ned Brosnan

References