While my childhood memories of Saint Lappan's will always be dear to me, none
are presently more precious than those of the early sixties (1964-65) when on
the long summer evenings my friends and myself were considered too young to take
part in the game of ball, and so joined the parents who chatted at their gates,
while their sons battled it out on the green. Their love for the game was
obvious by their determination. Soccer was taken more seriously around the year
1967 when challenge games were played between St. Lappan's and Clash, St.
Lappan's and Glounthaune. Developing from these, a regular Sunday moming kick
around where John Byrne, Redmond Carroll, Jim Sullivan and one or two others
talked about entering a team in the Cork A.U.L This was indeed a brave venture
by a group of lads who would have been in their late teens, early twenties and
no experience of soccer at club level. It was decided to enter for the 1968-69
season and the following were chosen to run the club that was to be called
Little Island.
Chairman: Secretary: Committee Members:
Redmond Carroll, Vice Chairman: John Byrne
Jim Finn Treasurer: Pat Conway
John Murphy, Jim Sullivan (Courtstown)
Before the season started, two challenge games were arranged, the first by Pat
Conway in Whitegate against Corkbeg, the second by Jim Sullivan against Mayfield
at the Tank Field. The yellow jerseys worn for these games were bought by the
players themselves at a cost of six shillings each from Joe Delea (Supermarket)
and black nicks that cost 3 shillings.
When enough money was raised, Redmond Carroll bought a proper set of gear. Much
to the dissatisfaction of the players, Redmond purchased from Elverys, Patrick
Street, a green and white hoop strip.
The first game was played on Sunday Sth of September 1968 at Church Road against
Grangevale in the O'Keeffe cup which they lost 1-5, Pat Conway scored the goal.
The team was Anthony Gillis in goal,
Back four: Noel Kelleher, John Byrne, Redmond Carroll, John Daly
Mid-field: Pat Conway, Kevin Byrne, Frank Dunlea
Upfront: John Murphy, Scan Conway, Jim Sullivan
Sub: Jim Finn
The first league game was played the week after the O'Keeffe Cup against
Richmond UTD which they lost 1-2. Subsequent weeks saw them beaten by Clonakilty
and Enfield. The first point of the season was gained in a thrilling 3-3 draw
with Tower Rovers who the following week beat Little Island in the first round
of the Munster Junior Cup. The first win of the season came in the first round
of the AOH Cup with a 3-1 win against Lee Athletic. The following week they were
beaten in the second round by higher ranked Blackpool Celtic, after a great
performance. A Little Island defender put through his own net in the first half.
John Byrne equalised in the second half. Blackpool got the winner with ten
minutes remaining.
Man of the Match was keeper Jim. Finn for Little Island. In February of 1969 it
was decided to change the name, Jim Sullivans suggestion of Island Albion was
accepted but it had no change of luck. They lost the nexl games 3-2 to Temple,
4-1 to Mace and 8~0 to Mallow.
Final Tables
P
W
D
L
Pts
Tower
12
11
1
0
23
Botanic
12
9
3
0
21
Mallow
12
7
3
2
17
Clonakilty
12
8
0
4
16
Temple
12
6
4
2
16
Ballinlough
12
7
1
4
15
Enfield
12
4
2
6
10
Richmond
12
3
3
6
9
Western
12
2
3
7
7
Bishopstown
12
2
2
8
6
Mace
12
2
2
8
6
Lee ATH
12
1
4
7
6
Island Albion
12
2
1
9
5
The team was picked for the first season by John Byrne representing the Saint
Lappan's area. Redmond Carroll the Cross and Noel Kelleher the rest.
Mr. McCormick an army man who lived in number 12 St. Lappan's trained the lads
in the then beautifully wooded area of the Island House and at Martins cross of
which many a ghost story was told in those days. From that first team that
played on Sunday 8th of September John Byrne, Brother Kevin and John Daly were
to continue playing well in to the seventies. They along with a number of other
very dedicated people who would later join the Albion and form the backbone of
teams to come for many more years.
