NONAGENARIAN, PRESIDENT JERH. COVENEY, AN ICONIC FIGURE IN THE ANNALS OF SHAMROCKS GAA

By John Twomey

There are birthdays every day but when one hits the clock at 90, there is a different ring to the bell and this is the case for the esteemed President of The Shamrock Hurling & Football Club, Jerh. Coveney from Loughbeg. February 20th is the magic day and let the 91st year roll on. Hearty and warm congratulations to a genial and benevolent Christian Gentleman.

HIS OWN PLACE

A true son of his own place skirting the Lee and Lower Harbour, School Road, The Tower, The Marsh, Tober Elli, Fila Crow, Luc, Post office Lane, Priest’s Avenue, The Village and onwards past the Rock and onto Gobby and our beautiful Harbour, Loughbeg and Lough Mor too. The old Ringaskiddy NS 1898 and his beloved little Oratory 1923 with its Celtic Bell all made up his unique and special world. His own place has given him longevity and a life with richness that money could not buy. The seasons, the land, the garden and vegetable crops, the fruits of the sea, the shrimps, Mackrell, periwinkles and rich seaweed to nurture the soil.

JERH. COVENEY

PRESIDENT FOR LIFE

At the Annual general Meeting of the Shamrock Club held in 2022, Jerh. was elected President for life, an honour reserved for very special people who had rendered remarkable and unmatched services to the Club. He was proposed by Pat O’Neill and seconded by Lorcan Aherne, two great admirers of this great man. Jerh. wore the green jersey for the very first time in 1949 when he was part of the Shamrock Under 16 Hurling team taking part in the very first South-East Cork Championship. The final between Shamrocks and St. Patricks of Upton took place in Ballygarvan. Shamrocks took the honours and a splendid new silver cup donated by Rev. Fr. P. O’Farrell C.C. Carrigaline and presented by Maurice O’Donoghue Chairman of the South-East Board. Jerh is the only survivor of that winning team today. He went on to play with the Junior team and after many disappointments loosing finals in the 1950’s he was a proud member of the ’59 team that won South-East honours defeating arch rivals Ballinhassig after a replay in Carrigaline. He would collect a second medal in 1963 and on his day he was ranked among the best goal scoring forwards in the Junior game.

UNDERAGE REVOLUTION

In 1959 The Shamrock Club were making serious efforts at under age level but the appointment of someone to further this idea and ambition totally depended on finding the right person to lead the implement the plan. Jerh. Coveney was coaxed and cajoled and little did the Club know that a golden era was being hatched. In 1960 Jerh. had his team in fine shape and after defeating Passage and Carrigaline in two tough encounters his side would contest a final for the very first time. St. Patricks of Upton were the opponents and after two games they took the spoils. Despite disappointment Jerh. pushed on and had great faith on the youngsters coming up. With patience and perseverance he made history in 1962 winning the very first South-East title. He would go on and win five in a row. In 1963 he brough a first County to Shamrocks and South East Cork defeating Bandon at Upton. He repeated the feat in 1964 defeating St. Patricks of Dillon’s Cross. He stayed with the players right through the upper under age ranks where they won Under 16 and Minor

finals in both codes and contested a County Minor Hurling Final against Midleton. He was rewarded and honoured later when some of his proteges won All Ireland Hurling and Football Medals with North Mon, Criost Ri and Cork Minors. The man from Loughbeg had sewed a seed that fermented locally. Countywide and Nationally, from humble beginnings to the steps of the Hogan Stand.

THANKS JERH

Go raibh maith agat Jerh and thanks for your unselfish and special contribution to your own Club and own place. Jerh. Coveney has over a lifetime won and commanded deep respect from followers of Gaelic Games far and wide. His unique and natural skills enabled him to build a real trusting relationship with his charges and mentors. A trusted and caring Coach he generated the very best out of his faithful and devoted players who showed great pride in the green jersey as he taught them to. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT JERH.