Charlie presents his Leinster Football League cup to Firhouse Carmel captain Dylan Kavanagh
FIRHOUSE CARMEL……..2
RATHCOOLE FC……………1
THE star of the show was undoubtedly Charlie O’Leary, but there was also the matter of deciding the destination of the trophy named after the national treasure that is the fabled man himself.
Firhouse Carmel celebrate their Charlie O’Leary Cup success at Rutland Avenue on Saturday
O’Leary has given a lifetime of service to the game and while many will remember him as the Republic of Ireland kitman and friend of the late Pope John Paul II, the East Wall born O’Leary - now in his one hundred year has been a brilliant advocate and legislator of the grassroots game for more years than he cares to remember.
By EAMON SCOTT
Little Sport as he was affectionately known as has the rare distinction of refereeing every FAI Cup final - a near unique badge of honour with FAI Minor, FAI Youths, FAI Junior, FAI Intermediate and FAI Senior Cup on his refereeing CV, but more than that, the legendary Charlie continues to make a valuable contribution in his capacity as Honorary Vice President of the now thriving Leinster Football League.
Charlie, after his playing days, officiated in the League of Ireland for more than 20 years and he oversaw the 1972 FAI Cup Final between Cork Hibernians and Waterford in front of a 25,000 attendance.
Most people of course would recognise him as the kitman for Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy and was a vital cog in some of the Republic of Ireland’s Golden Age of European Championship and World Cup participations.
Charlie along side his friend, the late Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome.
Current President Tony O’Dowd along with Honorary Secretary Paul Henderson run a very efficient league these days but the wisdom and guidance of O’Leary is an invaluable gold nugget to have in your corner should any footballing conundrum present itself.
Last Saturday at the Transport Club on Rutland Avenue, Charlie, lucid, ageless and delighted to be in attendance was on hand to present the Charlie O’Leary Cup to Firhouse Carmel captain Dylan Kavanagh after his side’s 2-1 victory over Rathcoole FC in a pulsating decider.
Man of the Match Barry Gillespie receives his award from Danielle O’Leary
Jack Warren and Kevin Horgan were the heroes for Firhouse Carmel with both finding the net while Ollie Kendrick netted for the runners-up. Kendrick also has the misfortune to miss a spot kick with the game still scoreless.
Barry Gillespie picked up and Man of the Match award and was presented with his award by Charlie’s grandaughter Danielle
The game was excellently refereeeed by Dave Kelly and his match officials and while competitive from start to finish, the match was played in a very sporting manner.
It was a great advertisement for the Leinster Football League with more major finals still in the pipeline including the William Sheeran Cup final in Whitehall on Sunday week.
Next year, God willing Charlie will be on hand as a one hundred year old to present his trophy once again - and that’s something everyone in Irish football will love nothing better than to see that happen!
Referee Dave Kelly and his officiating team after Saturday’s final in the Transport Club
