CBL Second Division Shandon Cup – A Brief History!

The Shandon Cup was first conceived during the 1987/88 season and was contested by teams in the then Third Division (equivalent to the Second Division today), writes Finbarr Buckley

The following teams participated in the first competition, Cara Partners, Concurrent Computers, Government Services, WF Rational, Ridge Tools, Hickeys, Garda United, Dosco, CIE United, Youghal Yarns’ B’ and Ferrero. The first two fixtures were played on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 20^th and 21^st of April 1988 and resulted in wins for Ridge Tool v WF Rational (1-0) and Government Services v Concurrent Computers (2-1). Cara Partners were the first winners, defeating Ferrero 2-0 at the ESB Grounds on Sunday, May 29^th.

Ferrero became the first team to contest two consecutive finals in 1988/89 but on this occasion Naval Services needed a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win to lift the trophy for the first time after a scoreless 110 minutes at the ESB Grounds on Saturday, May 20^th .Current panel referee Stephen Madine and goalkeeper Dave Mulhall were outstanding at the back for the Navy with Mick Connolly, Donie Harris and Terry Corcoran prominent for Ferrero. Ridge Tools came out on top in the 1989/90 decider against the Navy winning two-one on Wednesday, May 16^th. In a fine attacking encounter, Mickey Walsh opened the scoring for the Navy in the 15^th minute before John Creedon capitalized on a defensive mix-up to equalize four minutes later. Pat Walsh’s 75^th minute penalty put Ridge in front for the first time. It took a brilliant save from Charlie Kidney from Kevin Mullen’s full blooded twelve yard volley to see Ridge over the line. The unique pairing Cork’s innovative computer companies Apple and Concurrent met in the 1991 decider on Saturday, May 11^th again at the popular ESB Grounds. Mick Slocum’s 27^th minute penalty opened the scoring for favourites Concurrent but Apple responded with late goals from Kieran Moore and Kevin Smith to seal a memorable win in which the outstanding Tony O’Dell was awarded the man-of-the-match.

After two seasons of sponsorship from Lennox, Smurfit Corrugated Packaging came on board in 1991/92 and once again Ferrero made it thought to the final only to lose for a third time,2-1, to Postal United on Friday, May 7^th. Harry Harte (pen.) and an own goal gave Ferrero a mountain to climb but to their credit they reduced the deficit through Peter Lynch in the 85^th minute despite having a player dismissed. However, the Airport Road company didn’t finish the season empty-hand, going on to finish the season as league champions ahead of Concurrent.

Current team Co. Council contested the 1993 showdown with Apple, only to lose on penalties after a goalless draw with Gaelio coming out on top against Craig Gardner the following year. EMC won consecutive finals in 1995 and 1996, McDonalds and Cara Partners the beaten finals. Gaelio returned to triumph over Heitons in 1997 before McSweeneys Bacon, who would later enjoy huge success as Marlboro Trust, made their mark on the competition with memorable wins over Heitons and ODCM in 1998 and 1999. The three-nil triumph over Heitons on Saturday, May 23^rd1998 was the first time the final was played at Turner’s Cross and marked the departure of much loved McSweeney’s’ central defender, the late, Bernard ‘Bones’ O’Sullivan who famously announced his retirement by throwing his boots into the jubilant winner’s supporters. In the 20^th minute Fergal Kelleher rose to head in Rory O’Sullivan’s right wing corner before Niall Graham slotted home from twenty yards in the 65^th minute. The insurance goal was scored by Paul Draper ten minutes later.

MCM, under the astute management of Ken O’Callaghan, marked their arrival with a first trophy success over Centra in 2000 in the highest scoring final to date, 3-2, after being three up at Pfizer Park on Wednesday, May 17^th. The new decade heralded wins for Collins Barracks, Pfizer United, Bar Rumba, Motorola Celtic, Rochestown Park Hotel and Silversprings Hotel in the competition first five seasons on the new millennium.

For the next five seasons there was no competition due to a reduction in teams until it was revived in 2011/12 with Fox & Hounds defeating Cooper’s Bar and O’Neill Electrical triumphing over Co. Council the following season. An increase in membership revived the competition last season with Swyft Energy enjoying a sparkling   five-nil win over EVcore at St. Colman’s Park on Sunday, June 9^th. A four-goal salvo by man-of-the-match Adam Paul Murphy inside sixteen minutes followed Ian Kent’s 10^th minute penalty lead for Rob Twomey’s exciting charges. A miraculous treble save by Swyft keeper William Murphy from Wayne Buckley at one-nil was one of the stand out moments in the match.

Fox & Hounds celebrate winning the 2011/12 Second Division Cup following their 5-2 win over Cooper’s Bar on Friday 27th April 2012 at Turner’s Cross. Scorers Foxes: Bernard Power (2), Wayne Rogers, Eoin Quirke and Stevie Hoare. Coopers : Glen O’Donovan, Paul Scannell.

O’Neill Electrical celebrate to winning the 2012/13 Second Division Cup following their 5-2 win over Co. Council on Tuesday, May 28th 2013 at Turner’s Cross. Scorers : ONE : James Moloney (2), Ciaran Speight, Brian Twomey snd Stephen O’Donovan. Co. Council : Fergal O’Connor, Tom Pittam.