The Founding of Cork County Board
On 19 December 1886, a meeting of delegates representing GAA-affiliated clubs throughout Cork city and county was held at Alderman Horgan’s premises on Maylor Street, Cork. The meeting marked a significant step in the organisation of Gaelic games in the county, with the election of the first Cork County Committee.
The purpose of the meeting was to elect a committee consisting of a chairman, an honorary secretary and five other members, in accordance with a resolution passed at the recent GAA Convention in Thurles. The committee was empowered to decide questions of club affiliation arising within the county and to arrange preliminary ties in the hurling, football, handball and athletics championships.
The attendance was large and representative, and the proceedings were reported to have been conducted in a harmonious manner.
Delegates in Attendance
The following delegates represented their respective clubs and organisations:
- Carrignavar AC: W. Sheehan
- Riverstown AC: D. Walsh
- St. Finbarr’s NHC: E. Callanan
- Ryecourt AC: M. J. Keane
- Dunmanway GAA: J. O’Donovan
- Cork Gymnasium Club: M. Deering
- Little Island AC: P. Scott
- Blackpool NHC: J. Cory
- Cork ACC: Alderman D. Horgan
- Lee AC & Football Club: M. Daly
- Wolfe Tone H&F Club: J. B. Higgins
- Ballygarvan NHC: J. Coleman
- Quarry Road NHC: C. J. Riordan
- Evergreen NHC: J. Murphy
- St. Mary’s HC: J. Sheehan
- Cork Nationals H&F Club: T. Leahy
- Ballinhassig HC: D. Duggan
- Aghada NHC: D. O’Connell
- Inniscarra NHC: J. J. O’Mahony
- Aghabullogue H&F Club: T. F. Twomey
- Blarney H&F Club: E. Cotter
Also in attendance were Mr. J. E. Kennedy, Vice-President of the GAA, and Mr. T. O’Riordan, Honorary Secretary of the Association.
The Election of Officers
On the motion of Mr. Keating, seconded by Mr. Daly, Mr. Kennedy was invited to take the chair.
Mr. Higgins then proposed Alderman Horgan as chairman of the County Committee, with Mr. D. Walsh seconding the nomination. Mr. E. Fitzgerald was proposed by Mr. Leahy and seconded by Mr. Callanan. Following a vote, Alderman Horgan was declared elected amid applause.
The election of honorary secretary followed. Mr. Scott proposed Mr. D. M. Lane, Honorary Secretary of Cork Nationals, for the position. Alderman Horgan proposed Mr. Robert Walsh, with Mr. Deering seconding the nomination. However, as both candidates belonged to the same club, Mr. Walsh withdrew and Mr. Lane was elected.
The County Committee
Before the remaining committee members were elected, it was agreed that no club could have more than one representative on the committee.
Eleven candidates were nominated, and following a poll, the following five members were elected:
- P. Scott – Little Island
- D. O’Mahony – Aghabullogue
- T. O’Sullivan – Inniscarra
- W. Sheehan – Carrignavar
- E. Cotter – Blarney
The unsuccessful candidates were J. B. Higgins (Mogeely), C. McDonnell (Aghada), E. Callanan (St. Finbarr’s), J. Riordan (Quarry Road), D. McGrath (Douglas) and J. Murphy (Evergreen).
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Kennedy for presiding over the meeting, bringing the proceedings to a close.
The First Cork County Championships
Following the establishment of the County Committee, the first county championship draws were made on 30 January 1887. The football draw was as follows:
Football
| First Team |
Second Team |
| Emmets |
Lees |
| Lisgoold |
Midleton |
| Carrignavar |
Glanmire |
| Blarney |
Bye |
The formation of the Cork County Committee in December 1886 established an organised administrative structure for Gaelic games across the county. Its work in overseeing affiliations and arranging championship fixtures laid an important foundation for the subsequent development of Cork GAA.
History – Founding of County Board
The Founding of Cork County Board
On 19 December 1886, a meeting of delegates representing GAA-affiliated clubs throughout Cork city and county was held at Alderman Horgan’s premises on Maylor Street, Cork. The meeting marked a significant step in the organisation of Gaelic games in the county, with the election of the first Cork County Committee.
The purpose of the meeting was to elect a committee consisting of a chairman, an honorary secretary and five other members, in accordance with a resolution passed at the recent GAA Convention in Thurles. The committee was empowered to decide questions of club affiliation arising within the county and to arrange preliminary ties in the hurling, football, handball and athletics championships.
The attendance was large and representative, and the proceedings were reported to have been conducted in a harmonious manner.
Delegates in Attendance
The following delegates represented their respective clubs and organisations:
Also in attendance were Mr. J. E. Kennedy, Vice-President of the GAA, and Mr. T. O’Riordan, Honorary Secretary of the Association.
The Election of Officers
On the motion of Mr. Keating, seconded by Mr. Daly, Mr. Kennedy was invited to take the chair.
Mr. Higgins then proposed Alderman Horgan as chairman of the County Committee, with Mr. D. Walsh seconding the nomination. Mr. E. Fitzgerald was proposed by Mr. Leahy and seconded by Mr. Callanan. Following a vote, Alderman Horgan was declared elected amid applause.
The election of honorary secretary followed. Mr. Scott proposed Mr. D. M. Lane, Honorary Secretary of Cork Nationals, for the position. Alderman Horgan proposed Mr. Robert Walsh, with Mr. Deering seconding the nomination. However, as both candidates belonged to the same club, Mr. Walsh withdrew and Mr. Lane was elected.
The County Committee
Before the remaining committee members were elected, it was agreed that no club could have more than one representative on the committee.
Eleven candidates were nominated, and following a poll, the following five members were elected:
The unsuccessful candidates were J. B. Higgins (Mogeely), C. McDonnell (Aghada), E. Callanan (St. Finbarr’s), J. Riordan (Quarry Road), D. McGrath (Douglas) and J. Murphy (Evergreen).
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Kennedy for presiding over the meeting, bringing the proceedings to a close.
The First Cork County Championships
Following the establishment of the County Committee, the first county championship draws were made on 30 January 1887. The football draw was as follows:
Football
The formation of the Cork County Committee in December 1886 established an organised administrative structure for Gaelic games across the county. Its work in overseeing affiliations and arranging championship fixtures laid an important foundation for the subsequent development of Cork GAA.