Page 5 - COBH WANDERERS V SLIGO ROVERS FAI CUP 3RD ROUND 2015

COVE WANDERERS 1925

The original Cove Wanderers (founded 1925) were to
leave their mark at local and national level although they
had a relatively brief existence.

There was a very popular district league in Cove in the
1920’s with such teams as Red Rovers, Blue Rovers, Sunny
Havanas, Pride of the East and Springfield taking part.
Jack Hurley was very much involved with the running
of the league. Jack and his brother Pakie Hurley, both
ex-service P.E. Instructors, brought together some of the
better players to form a new club, Cove Wanderers. There
were many tough encounters between the young Wander-
ers and teams made up of many servicemen living locally
at the time.

These games taught them at an early age how to take care of themselves as they were play-
ing against physically stronger men. Pakie Hurley’s influence and experience were very im-
portant to this young side. There were some well known names in that Wanderers side such
as Henry Ward, Mick Doherty and Tom Burke, who went on to gain international honours. The
team started at minor level and had an impressive win in the final of the Cork Minor Cup in
1925/1926 beating Sutton 7-0 at Victoria Cross, Cork. A Junior side was started and the club
even played Senior for a couple of seasons before it’s final demise.
In their brief history Wanderers played on various pitches. The main one was Villa Park
(where Moore’s Place is now). They also played in Carrignafoy and Ticknock (adjacent to
where the slaughterhouses were located). They had no clubhouse as such until eventually
they were allowed to use McGowan’s shed, which was behind where the Spar shop is today.
The shed was used for meetings and dances (or ‘Hops” as they were known) were also held
there.

In the late 20’s players of the quality of Mossy Cummins, Jim Agger, John ‘Speed’ Hen-
nessy, Joe O’Driscoll and Jackie O’Reilly were regular Wanderers players. The club was soon
to embark on its most successful spell. They were runner-up in both the Minor League and
Cup in 1930/1931. The following season they bettered this by winning the League and Cup,
remaining unbeaten in both competitions. Among the stars of that 1930/1931 side were Dick
O’Keeffe, Dick Barry, Jim Cotter, Joe Murphy and John Hennessy.
The team late moved up to Junior level and 1933/1934 had the distinction of reaching the
final of the “Free State” Junior Cup. They lost 2-1 to B & I in Dalymount Park despite a great
goal from Jerry Walker and outstanding displays from Jim Cotter, Joe Murphy and John Hen-
nessy.
The Wanderers were runner-up in the Junior 2nd Division League in 1934/1935. Further suc-
cess was achieved in 1935/1936 when they beat North End 2-1 in the Cork Area Final of the
Munster Junior Cup in Villa Park.
Some names to note from the 1930’s teams were the famous ‘Pop’ Keller, Paddy O’Neill,
Paddy O’Rourke, Dave Stack and Ted ‘Tildy’ Lawton. There are some interesting connections
between players of that era and the more recent Wanderers teams. Paddy O’Neill was Paul
O’Neill’s father, Jim ‘Tubby’ Cotter was grand-uncle of Eoin O’Sullivan (both of them earning
International caps). Paddy O’Rourke was also a dedicated Wanderer. Dave Stack, ex Cobh
Ramblers President, played Minor, Junior and Senior for the Club and the uncle of Joe and Tim
Stack. Timmy Burns (snr) was also involved with the Club and his grandson Ger and Timmy
also played for the current club.

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