Tullylease GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the village of Tullylease in the north-west of County Cork, Ireland which forms part of the parish of Milford, Freemount and Tullylease. The club plays in the Duhallow division and competes in both Hurling and Gaelic Football competitions. The clubs football team currently compete in the Duhallow Junior C Football Championship. Tullylease has not fielded a hurling team since 2017.

Tullylease won the Duhallow Junior A Hurling League in 2009  and the Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship in 2008 ending a baron run of 47 years in which Tullylease had been runners-up ten times. Tullylease lost to Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's in the 2008 semifinal of the Cork Junior Hurling Championship.
In 2010, the club hosted the final of the Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship for the first time.

In 2016, due to lack of numbers for multiple reasons, Tullylease joined with Lismire GAA. The club plays under Lismire’s name in football and Tullylease’s name in hurling. In 2016 they won the Duhallow Junior B Football Championship defeating Glenlara in the final.

History

Beginnings 
Gaelic games have been played in Tullylease since the early 1900s, the area better known as a gaelic football stronghold. St Bericheart's became the name of the football club and competed in the Cork County Championship.

Hurling enthusiasts played with fellow parishioners Milford up to the late 1930s, this amalgamation enjoyed success, winning three North Cork titles in 1933, 1935 and 1936. With the set-up of the Duhallow division,Tullylease club came into existence, though falling numbers and rural decline saw the club disband and players transfer to Milford, Meelin or clubs outside the county at different levels.

1940s 
Tullylease qualified to their first Duhallow final and are credited with their first Duhallow JHC title from 1945 without pucking a ball in the divisional final. Not too much is spoken of the same circumstances for Tullylease were awarded the championship title after opponents Newmarket turned up late, reportedly waiting for a lorry driver before setting off on their journey.

1950-57 
In 1952, a Tullylease and Freemount combination led to the formation of Allow Rovers. Competing in the Avondhu division, Rovers won the 1953 North Cork JBHC against Doneraile. However, former club Chairman and Secretary Markie Stokes spoke of growing numbers and interest in the reformation of the Tullylease club.

"I remember the club made up of just four families and 50 children from just a district in Milford Parish that paraded GAA clubs under Milford, Freemount and Tullylease. But coming from a rich gaelic games tradition along the Limerick border, we were keen to get up and running once again," said Markie.

"On the 22nd of January in 1955, those interested met at the home of Thomas "The Staff" Roche to restart the club. His house was always open and the Staff's welcome an example of Tullylease people holding a sense of pride in their own place, those present at the meeting contributed to paying to affiliate the club," he said.

Indeed, Tullylease GAA became the beating heart of the local community, the passing years have not diminished the roles played by "The Staff" and the Stokes families in club affairs yet Markie pays tribute to the Cronin brothers whose commitment was never less than one hundred percent.

"It can safely be said that the five brothers had few, if any, equals in terms of a long and distinguished service to the club on and off the field. Tom gave generously of his time to club administration, for 21 years, he served as Club Secretary, attended Board meetings to become the greatest of Tullylease club men," said Markie.

1950–58 
During the 1950s, the Rural Electrification Scheme transformed the country, the perfect backdrop for the reforming of Tullylease GAA club that proceeded to create an impression in Duhallow hurling to land three divisional titles from 1958-61. This would be the golden era for hurling in the village.

The golden era started with a return to the duhallow final in 1957 after a 12 year absence. Tullylease were outsiders, facing three-in-a-row seeking Banteer. A late goal for Banteer to salvaged a replay. Banteer made no mistake second time around, scoring six goals in the opening half to secure a 9-7 to 2-2 victory.

Tullylease strengthened their team with recruitments for the 1958 championship but a huge challenge faced them in the form of divisional champions Banteer again, this time in the semi-final.

Tullylease won the semi-final to set up a tie with Kanturk in the decider for what was to become the commencement of a great rivalry. At the time, towns such as Kanturk, Newmarket and Millstreet held an advantage in terms of playing numbers, boosted by the involvement of outside players, many of whom were working in the towns as a Garda, bank official, teacher or a trade.

Support for the Tullylease team was growing, many relied on horse and trap for local travel and the club laid on two buses to bring fans to Banteer for the Duhallow Final. Club veteran Mick Browne captained the side from full forward, part of a big strong physical inside presence. Tullylease entered the divisional final as favourites and lived up to their rating to record a 4-4 to 0-3 victory, the goals netted by Simon Stokes, Scully, Browne and John Linehan.

Tullylease pulled off a surprise but fully deserved single point victory over Ballyhea but faltered during the latter stages against Grenagh in a semi final, having led by five points with 12 minutes remaining.

Still Tullylease played in minor tournaments organised in Dromcollogher, Freemount, Tournafulla, Killeady and other venues Gaining experience from these tournaments, they played Bruree in one final.

1959 
From 1959, Tullylease saw off Castlemagner and Newmarket in their side of the draw. On the opposite side, Banteer had bettered Kilbrin only to be thwarted by a late Kanturk scoring blitz in a semi.

That resulted in a repeat of the previous season's pairing in the final where Tullylease hung on precariously to record a 2-5 to 2-3 victory. All four goals surfaced during the early stages, Tullylease laying down a marker, good work from team captain Jer Scully allowed John Linehan finish to the net as did Simon Stokes.

However, Kanturk were up for the challenge, the ploy of moving normal full back Dave Hickey to wing forward proved rewarding on Hickey firing home a brace of goals. Though the scoring dried up considerably, a competitive and exciting contest remained, Tullylease owed much to the efforts of 'keeper Mick Egan fronted by the solid contributions of Dan Cronin, Jim O'Sullivan, Mick Collins and Markie Noonan.

1960s 
Task completed only to be defeated by a strong Cloughdubh in the county, hopes of a three in a row within Duhallow were knocked on its head in 1960, Tullylease second best to Millstreet in a semi final only for the latter to incur a defeat to new champions Castlemagner. However the Tullylease and Kanturk rivalry returned, the 1961 campaign ended in controversy yet Tullylease emerged the rightful winners.

"We had lost a few players the previous year but a number returned in 1961 including Paul Daly, back from Switzerland, a skillful player, he led by example to captain the side," said Markie.

It was evident that the hunger required was back in Tullylease, their experience carried too much firepower to overcome Banteer and holders Castlemagner to reach their fourth decider in five years. On the opposite side, old foes Kanturk performed the business by clearing the obstacles provided by both Newmarket and Kilbrin. Duhallow clubs pull plug on Cúl Camps

A familiar pairing in the decider and a pulsating encounter for a huge attendance to savour. Tight and tense, the lead swapped hand before Tullylease took the verdict.

At times, Tullylease played hurling right out of the top drawer with Pat Noonan, Micheál Cronin and team captain Daly netting goals. Kanturk's resolve faced a massive challenge and in fairness, their response was most impressive, Denny Kenneally and Donal Finn claimed goals in quick succession.

From the absorbing fare, Kanturk nudged ahead courtesy of a Paddy Smith point only for Tullylease to regain the initiative, Tim Burke pointed and a second Noonan goal boosted their cause. It made for a gripping finish, so much so, that at the full time whistle, confusion reigned when match referee Dick Harnedy indicated Kanturk had won.

"There was no scoreboard in that era yet everybody felt Tullylease had edged the game 4-6 to 4-5. However, the referee thought otherwise but on a quick recap with divisional board Secretary John Joe Brosnan, he had totted up incorrectly and addressed the matter to confirm a relieved Tullylease were champions," said Markie.

At times in their history, Tullylease has struggled owing to rural decline but the unfailing commitment of a triumphant squad confirmed the true measure of the men who wore the red and white jersey.

Many great players contributed richly to the progress of Tullylease hurling during its golden era.

Likewise Kanturk provided stern opposition in each of the three finals from 1958-61. The team panel of players of both sides were

TULLYLEASE: Moses Roche, Denny O'Sullivan, Jer Scully, Paddy Duggan, Jeremiah Cronin, Mick Roche, Mick Collins, Tom Cronin, Dan Buckley, Jim Buckley, Dan Cronin, Michael Cronin, Markie Noonan, Dan Hannigan, Simon Stokes, John Linehan, Paul Daly, Mick Browne, Dave Hannigan, Pat Noonan, Joe Daly, Mick Egan, Tim Burke, Jim O'Sullivan, Ben Cronin, Sonny Roche, Denis Noonan, Mike Cremin.

KANTURK: Denny Singleton, Don Fitzgerald, Mick Lofts, Jim Barry, William O'Brien, Paddy Twohig, Derry O'Connell, Denny Murphy, Liam O'Dea, Jim Mullane, Denis Curtis, Jerry Mullane, Denny Kenneally, John O'Mahony, Billy Boy Cashin, Dave Hickey, Jerry Lawlor, Seán O'Shea, Dan O'Brien, Paddy Smith, Ed Looney, William O'Sullivan, William Gardiner, Connie Vaughan, Noel O'Brien, Donal Finn, Jim O'Sullivan.

1990s 
Tullylease continued to field hurling teams in junior b competitions. They won the 1990 and 1993 Duhallow Junior B Hurling Championship. 1990 marked the clubs first hurling championship in several years and done so by defeating Kilbrin 4-16 to 1-07. This success at divisional level helped Tullylease reach three county finals, unfortunately losing all three Cork Junior B Hurling Championship finals. These loses came in 1992, 1995, 1998.

2000s 
After success in Duhallow JBHC and respectable runs in the Cork JBHC, Tullylease regraded to Junior A. Despite being competitive, they went trophyless for several years in this grade.

2008–2013 
Despite the decline in population in the area, the Tullylease hurling team enjoyed another successful spell in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Reaching three Duhallow finals in seven years, Tullylease won their most recent championship in 2008. They went on to defeat neighbours Charleville in the county championship.

The Tullylease team that faced Kilbrin in the 2013 Duhallow final was:

M O'Connor; A O'Gorman, J Sheehy, E Hannigan; P Sheehy, A Sheehy 0-2, B Sheehy; S Hehir 0-1, L O'Connor 1-7(1-6f); F Stokes, S Stokes, D Stokes 0-1; S O'Leary 0-2, M Stokes 0-1, P Cronin Subs: J Sheehan for Cronin (49), M Moloney for F Stokes (55)

2013–2020 
After the 2013 final, Tullyleases impact in terms of competing for the title lessened. In 2016, Lismire agreed to transfer their hurlers to Tullylease in the hope of a more competitive amalgamated team in the championship.

In 2017 they won a couple of preliminary rounds reached the Duhallow semi-finals only to get hammered 5-30 to 1-10 by Kilbrin. This would be the last hurling match the club played to date. The footballers, however, continued to compete at junior b level.

2020s 
Despite their population challenges, Tullylease have still competed in divisional football competitions. In 2022, they were knocked out of the Duhallow Junior B Football Championship by St John’s, before dropping down into the C championship, defeating Freemount in the final. This would be the last title the club has won to date.

In 2023, GAA President Larry McCarthy traced his ancestral roots to Tullylease on a visit to the area. Family ties linked in Tullylease saw his great grandfather William Lenihan born during the height of the famine in 1847 in the townland of Ballinaguilla. Tullylease took the opportunity to honour one of its most loyal servants, John McMahon presented with a Lifetime Achievement on serving as Club Chairman for close on 20 years and Club delegate to the Duhallow Board for thirty years. The formalities were completed with the unveiling of a plaque to acknowledge the visit of Larry McCarthy to his ancestral roots.

Honours
Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship
  Winners (5): 1945, 1958, 1959, 1961, 2008
  Runners-Up (12): 1957, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 2007, 2013
Duhallow Junior A Hurling League
  Winners (1): 2009
 Cork Junior B Hurling Championship
  Runners-Up (3): 1992, 1995, 1998
Duhallow Junior B Hurling Championship
  Winners (2): 1990, 1993
Duhallow Junior B Football Championship
  Winners (1): 2003
Duhallow Junior C Football Championship
  Winners (1): 2022

See also
 Duhallow GAA

References

Gaelic games clubs in County Cork
Gaelic football clubs in County Cork