RATHCOOLE ROVERS

Without doubt, this has been the most successful season ever for double winning Rathcoole Rovers. This memorable year they managed to do what they had been trying to do for the past 8 seasons and went and won 1A.

For Rathcoole home form was a major factor, along with a few wins on the road. Every member of the squad played his part but special mention though for top goalscorer Tadhg Browne, who in a fine season, bagged 33 goals in total, 23 of them in the league.

Captain for the year was Alan Guerin who had the pleasure of holding two trophies aloft as Rathcoole got to the final of the Corinthians Cup where they defeated Ballincollig 2-0 at The Cross and where top defender Tommy McAuliffe won the Man of the Match Award. Highlight here came from Adrian Nash who scored a spectacular goal on the night to clinch the victory.

In 1994, after playing in various guises in the West Cork and Kerry Leagues since 1979, Rathcoole came “home” and entered a team in Division 3 of the Cork AUL – Rathcoole Rovers.

Success came quickly, gaining promotion in their first season and narrowly losing the Division 3 title after a play off. However this joy was short lived as Rathcoole Rovers were relegated the year after. After a period of consolidation in Division 3 the title was finally won in 1999. More success was to follow in 2000 as promotion to Division 1 was achieved after again losing a play off for the Division 2 title.

1999 was a great year for Rathcoole as the U-17 team won the U-17 Cup Final, defeating a highly fancied Leeside team in the final played at Turners Cross. Current Panel members Gerald O’Connell, John A. Browne, Tadhg Browne and Tim Cleary were members of that victorious U-17 squad.

They set out last August with the goal of winning promotion to Premier A and pipped Glanworth with one game left to play. They remained unbeaten at home until they lost the final game 3-2 to Park Utd.

When one talks of Rathcoole Rovers one man springs to mind – the manager Alfie Cooney. Some players say he is a lunatic while others say he is a genius but all agree that without his drive, energy and dedication there would be no Rathcoole Rovers. Publicly the players say they have just word to say to Alfie Cooney and it is – thanks!

Club sponsors include Lucey Motors Sharpeville, Boherbue Co-Op/Super Valu Boherbue, McAuliffe Bros, Lyre and D’Outback Bar. Rathcoole spokesman and player Tim Cleary: “We thank you for your support and look forward to your continued support over the coming years. We would like to thank all our followers and friends for the loyal support over the years and we’re delighted to give you something to celebrate by bringing two cups to Rathcoole!”