The
original Cobh 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 Pak 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 Wanderers
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 playing against physically stronger
men. Pak Hurley's influence and experience
were very important 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 1925/1026 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 Wanders 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 located). They had no
clubhouse as such until eventually they were
allowed to use McGowan's shed, which was behind
where the Villa Stores 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 calibre of Mossy
Cummins, Jim Agger, John 'Speed' Hennessy,
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 Hennessy.
The Wanderers
were runner-up in the Junior 2nd Division
League in 1934/1935. Further success 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 present day. 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 and today he
was the hard-working groundsman on the V.E.C.
pitch. 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.
In the 1930's
the Wanderers had the honour of having two
of their players capped for their country.
Dick Barry was capped at Junior level versus
Scotland in 1933/1934 and later won a second
cap versus England in Dublin. He went on to
play for Ramblers in the Intermediate Cup
Finals of 1939/1940 and 1941/1942. Jim 'Tubby'
Cotter who was a stylish full back, was capped
in 1934/1935 also at Junior level versus Scotland.
He joined League of Ireland side Limerick
in 1937 and played for Cork F.C. and also
Ramblers in a along and distinguished career.
Sadly
the Wanderers did not survive beyond the 1940's.
This was a time of high level unemployment
and when work became available in London there
was a big exodus from Cove which including
most of the players. As well as this more
members joined the services during the war
and eventually the club folded. Cove Wanderers
may not have existed for very long but they
had the success in their era, and they are
well remembered. It is only fitting that the
present day club should take its name from
such a famous predecessor.
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