Hibernian A.F.C. was established in 1966 but organised soccer in the Lower Harbour area dates back at least to 1953 with Shanbally United. The sport in the area faded out in 1964 but after what was somewhat of a joint effort with some workers in Carrigaline Pottery - then a major employer in the area - Hibs Celtic - was established in 1966.

Players and organisers who come to mind included Sean O'Leary, John Good, Nelius Hemlock, Willie Brady, Micheal O'Sullivan, John Crowley, Paddy O'Mahony, the Jordan brothers, John Fitzgearld, Dave O'Herlihy, Mick Murphy and Former League of Ireland players Gordon Forstyh and Sean Cogan.The club entered the Cork A.U.L. third division and like its predecessor also had its base, coutresy of Horsfords, on land near the cemetry.

Club's First Name
The background to the clubs firstname was of course, the then League of Ireland clubs, Cork Hibernians and Cork Celtic. Shortly after its founding however, a vote was taken and the name changed to Hibernian A.F.C. In its early years, the club was in the running for a number of cup, shield and league competitions, losing in the final of the County Cup (1974) to Clonakility along the way but had little silverware. Outstanding players from the era, included Liam O'Sullivan, Blondie McGovern, Jimmy Coughlan and the Jordan brothers. It was not until 1978-79 season that the club won its first trophy, the Mall Tavern Cup.

The club hit difficuly times in the mid 'eighties when it had to vacate its pitch to make way for development of the major I.D.A. industrial park view article and for two two seasons the team played its home games at FarmersCross and at St. Mary's School Rochestown. One home game was as far away as Glanworth!

Club Facilities
Eventually however, land at which the present pitches are located on a bye-road near Shanbally Grotto, was put up for sale by the I.D.A. and the club purchased four and a half acres. Much of the land was a wilderness of blackthorn bushes and overgrowth but with the help of a JCB and disect labour by club members, the area was levelled, seeded and a pitch provided. The clubs under-11 schoolboys hold the distinction of playing the first game on it in 1987.

In 1989, a second pitch was provided and the entire grounds wired off under a FAS Employment Scheme view picture. The pitches were blessed by a visiting priest from the parish, Fr. Aidan Dunne. In May 1994, work commenced on the building of the clubhouse. The clubhouse has four changing rooms, a referee's room, a committee room and a kitchenette. The £ 35,000 development has been made possible by the united support of players and members in fund raising.

Club Success The biggest acheivement of the club to-date was reaching the last eight out of hundred of clubs in Ireland which played in the F.A.I. Junior Cup in 1992. In subsequent years the team managed by Dan Cullinane won the AUL First Division in 1993 and the St. Micheals Cup in 1994. The club also went onto win the Cork Area FAI Cup in 1996. (For more information see the section on the clubs honours) .

Ian Casey