Game of the Week Preview: Martin Harvey Solicitors v DHF Grangevale

This week’s live Game of the Week features the novel pairing of established campaigners Martin Harvey Solicitors against debutants Dennehy’s Health & Fitness Grangevale in a first ever CBL First Division fixture at Ringmahon next Sunday afternoon, kick-off 2:30pm, writes Finbarr Buckley.

YouTube link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4AtoDFSLG8

But for the dominance of Doolan’s Cow, MHS would have picked up plenty of silverware in recent years. The Mahon based club were runners-up no fewer than six times, twice in the Premier Division, twice in the Shield and twice in the Jackie O’Driscoll Premier Division Cup competition. Their fall from grace last season which resulted in an unexpected first relegation was largely due to a run of poor form which could not be arrested in time.

Their present squad contains plenty of experience which could be the launch pad for a quick return to the top flight. Goalkeeper Sean Cunningham set up one of the goals in last weekend’s first league win over Suro Cars. Kenneth St Leger, John Paul Morrissey, James Corcoran, Ross Malone and Jason O’Driscoll have been with the club for a number of years and have been among the goals over the years. Indeed, Morrissey had been top scorer last season. One of last week’s substitute Ciaran Taylor had been a former league, shield and divisional cup winner and golden boot winner in the past with Lakelands Celtic and has been on the books of some of Ringmahon Rangers’ trophy winners of the past. Christopher O’Sullivan is captain and plays at full-back while Kelvin Forde looked sharp last weekend in scoring twice in his side’s 3-2 win. Current CBL Oscar Traynor Trophy squad assistant manager Ross O’Sullivan is Head Coach and remains one of the club’s stalwarts since joining the league in 2018.

Dennehy’s Health & Fitness Grangevale joined the CBL this season after an incredible 59 year tenure in the Cork AUL where in recent season they lifted the City Challenge and Corinthians Cup in 2021/22, the Premier A crown in 2022/23 and finished a credible fourth in the Premier Division last season. The successes were masterminded by Head Coach Diarmuid O’Neill and assistant John O’Connell who remain in situe this season along with former captain Alan Buckley and striker Timmy Hayes among the current management team. The duo undertook a busy pre- season schedule of training and friendlies in order to build the squad following a number of departures during the summer. The club can still call upon the dependable centre back partnership of Ben Jenkins and Brian Murphy , the versatile Jacob Moleli, the two Kellehers, James and Daniel, new captain Dave Barrett and Dan Harvey in the centre of the park and regular scorer Corey Harris. The evergreen Colin McKeown and Eric Compagno have  given huge service over the years while the introduction of the youthful Daniel Hurley ,  the energetic Luke Dennehy and former Satellite Taxis star Ollie O’Sullivan  has given the team a new dimension. The signing of former Helio Inter Cork goalkeeper Jamie O’Sullivan has proved the equal of former custodian Ryan Kennedy. The club have been in football as long as the CBL, stretching back to 1952/53, and what an achievement it would be for both to celebrate their 75th birthdays together.