# Meelin GAA

Meelin GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is based in Meelin, Cork, Ireland and is part of the Rockchapel and Meelin parish. The club is affiliated with the Duhallow division of Cork GAA and has both a hurling and a Gaelic football team. Until recently, the club did not have a Gaelic football team within the football area represented by Knockscovane GAA Club, which took part in Duhallow division until its amalgamation with Meelin GAA club. Meelin juvenile footballers play with St. Peter's which is an amalgamation of the Meelin, Freemount and Rockchapel clubs at juvenile level. In 2009 Meelin won the Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship for the first time in 13 years. In 2010, they followed this up with consecutive titles defeating Kilbrin in 2010. This was the start of the club's resurgence that led them to the All-Ireland Junior Final in Croke Park. Meelin won the final with a final score of 0–12 to 1–5 over John Locke's of Kilkenny.

## History

Meelin GAA Club was founded in 1928 and in their early years played competitive hurling in the North Cork (Avondhu) division. In the 1930s, Meelin began competing in the recently established Duhallow division. In 1939 Meelin won its first Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship and followed on with three additional victories in 1940, 1941 and 1943. Following the 1943 victory, Meelin waited 27 years to secure their next Duhallow Championship in 1970. This victory, was the first in a new era for the club, subsequently winning a further 15 Duhallow titles. 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 and 2010. Following a significant decline in the local population, the club merged with Freemount for juvenile hurling competitions. The merged club is known as St. Mark's.

### County finals

Meelin reached their first ever county junior hurling championship final in 1973 and played against Ballinhassig from the Carrigdhoun division. Meelin was defeated with a score 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 defeat, losing to Ballymartle, with a score of 3–8 to 2–4, with the game also played at Coachford. The 2010 competition would forever be remembered in the history of Meelin GAA Club, winning the County Junior A Championship. Meelin defeated Cloughduv 1–19 to 2–9 in the County Final at Páirc Uí Rinn, in front of almost 4,000 spectators.

### 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. A dominant Meelin was triumphant with a score 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 Páirc na hÉireann, Birmingham. Meelin's opposition in the All-Ireland quarter final was the Fullen Gaels club from Manchester. The supporters traveled from far and wide to see 'the Mighty Meelin' play a championship game overseas. Meelin won the game with a score of 2–15 to 0–8, to set up an All-Ireland semi-final against Bearna/Na Forbacha of Galway. The All-Ireland Semi-final was played at Éire Óg, Ennis and Meelin prevailed with a score of 0–16 to 1–4, following a poor performance. This set up a set up a subsequent contest with the Kilkenny club John Lockes on 13 February at Croke Park. Meelin won with a score of 0–12 to 1–5.

#### All-Ireland Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Player |
| 1 | GK | Stephen Martin O Sullivan |
| 2 | DF | Mike Forrest |
| 3 | DF | Denis O Riordan |
| 4 | DF | Diarmuid Linehan |
| 5 | DF | William Buckley |
| 6 | DF | Kevin Collins |
| 7 | DF | Jerry Forrest (Capt) |
| 8 | MF | Liam Collins |
| 9 | MF | William Murphy |
| 10 | FW | Brendan O Sullivan |
| 11 | FW | Shane O Riordan |
| 12 | FW | John Forrest |
| 13 | FW | Eamonn Brosnan |
| 14 | FW | Jeremy Curtin |
| 15 | FW | DJ O Sullivan |
| 16 | GK | Liam O Sullivan |
| 17 | MF | Ben Collins |
| 18 | FW | Conor Murphy |
| 19 | DF | TJ Brosnan |
| 20 | DF | Joseph O Doherty |
| 21 | FW | Thomas O Mahoney |
| 22 | FW | Pat O Connor |
| 23 | DF | Daniel Curtin |
| 24 | FW | Daniel O Callaghan |
| 25 | DF | Padraig O Sullivan |
| 26 | FW | Kevin Brosnan |

## Honours

* All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship (1): 2011
* Munster GAA Junior Club Hurling Championship (1): 2010
* Cork Junior Hurling Championship (1): 2010
* Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship (20): 1939, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2009, 2010
* Cork Minor B Hurling Championship (1): 1993
* Cork Junior Football Championship (0): While, Youghal and Meelin both qualified for the 1918 final, it was not played
* Duhallow Junior A Hurling League (11): 1970, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2008, 2010
* Duhallow Under-21 Hurling Championship (4): 1972, 1973, 2004, 2006
* Duhallow Junior B Hurling Championship (4): 2007, 2008, 2011, 2024

## Notable players

* Bernie O'Connor