Blast from the Past. Cork Soccer Honours 2006. Miah awarded with Cork Soccer Legend title

Blast from the Past

Cork Soccer Honours 2006

Miah awarded with Cork Soccer Legend title

Photos taken: 09.11.2006

Miah awarded with the Cork Soccer Legend title

Miah: I outfoxed Brian Clough

Sooner rather than later Miah Dennehy was going to be inducted as a Cork Soccer Legend. His turn came at the 13^th annual presentation of the Murphy’s Stout sponsored awards in the Kiln and Miah’s name was added to the illustrious list, which includes Charlie Hurley, Frank O’Farrell, Noel Cantwell, Don Donovan, Frankie McCarthy and other household names.

Miah, a late developer in soccer and unknown during his schoolboy days, made his debut with Cork Hibs in 1968 after earlier playing junior soccer with Wolf Tones and North Villa. He was immortalized in Cork after his record breaking FAI Cup final hat trick in 1972. 

His excellent performances with Hibs were recognized by the International selectors and Miah made the panel, which traveled to South America for the Brazilian Independence Cup Tournament in June 1972. Miah came off the bench to make his debut in the 3-2 victory over Ecuador and was on from the start in the following match, which Ireland lost 2-1 to Chile. 

Dave McKay paid £20,000 to bring him to Notts Forest in 1973 and he added his third cap when coming on as a sub on the team beaten 1-0 in the World Cup by Russia in Moscow. Further honours were added against France, Norway and Poland with the latter two providing Miah with his first international goals. 

Things went very well for him at the City Ground until Brian Clough’s arrival. Cloughie sold him to Walsall and during happier times at Fellows Park the Irish selectors did not forget him and added two further caps to his collection, the last coming as a substitute for Mark Lawrenson against Poland in 1977. 

Enjoying the crack. Billy George, MC for the evening in the Kiln.

He made 128 appearances and scored 22 goals for Walsall. In 1978 he transferred to Bristol Rovers scoring six goals from 52 Second Division appearances. He moved to Cardiff City on a free transfer but things didn’t work out there and, after a spell in non-league football with Trowbridge Town, he returned to the League of Ireland in 1981 to captain Cork Utd.

Miah was a bit of a rogue and, rather than forego the honour of lining out on the All Ireland X1 which played Brazil in 1973, he concealed the fact that he had a broken toe and came off the bench with a spring in his step to defy the pain barrier. 

The FAI Golden Jubilee Year (1972) also saw him receiving the honour of playing against Moscow Torpedo and Man Utd, both as a substitute. Miah also gained Amateur and U23 International caps while playing with Cork Hibs. 

Hall of Fame for Jimmy Murphy

HALL OF FAME

In 1956 Jimmy Murphy scored an exquisite brace of goals for Cork Athletic in the stunning 5-1 victory FAI Cup semi-final replay win over Waterford. He headed 

another beauty in the final but Shamrock Rovers were not to be denied and fought to win 3-2. 

Jimmy his career with North End minors before moving across the river in 1949 to inspire St Finbarr's Celtic to an AUL Cup and League double. Cork Athletic came scouting and he signed for them in 1954. 

Jimmy emigrated in 1957 and helped to re-establish a team of exiles appropriately named St Finbarr's Celtic in the London League. 

Back in Ireland, he assisted AOH in the MSL and was enjoying his football with the Hall when he transferred to Limerick. Along with Donie Wallace and Jerry O'Brien, he helped them to a first ever League Championship success in 1960.

After his retirement he maintained his association with the beautiful game by joining the Cork Ex Professional Footballers Association with which charitable body he continues to serve. 

 

Noel Mullins, Lakewood Athletic

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD WINNERS

In 2003, Noel Mullins led Lakewood Athletic to national success in the U14 Goodson Cup. 

He has done much more for the club he helped found 25 years ago. He cut the grass, lined the pitch, put the nets up, played with the juniors, and managed the juniors, often with success. 

Referee Eddie Mullins

On a recent Sunday morning at Leemount, a young man from Kanturk met referee Eddie Mullins for the first time and saw yellow. That young player didn’t know that Eddie has run the line at EUFA Cup games in Bratislava and Iceland and at two FAI cup finals in an incredible 45 years on the whistle. 

Distinguished Service Award for Grattan's Joe Lynch

For over 30 years, as player and administrator (20 years as secretary), Joe Lynch has helped his beloved Grattan Utd. Grattan now have their own base at O’Neill Park and are top of the Premier League and much of the credit goes to Joe and his dedicated committee. 

Mr Football Tony Hennessey, centre,
with his Distinguished Service Award 

Mr Football, Tony Hennessy, can include most of the local clubs on his CV but, rather uniquely, he can also include Arsenal. He was one of the most popular guys ever to play and referee junior soccer. 

As a referee, Tony was a huge help. He loved to run alongside the player with the ball, telling him when to hold, when to play it, a coach at your elbow.