Cootehill Celtic - Intermediate League and Championship Winners 1971

Roll the clock back almost 40 years ago to 1971 and Cootehill Celtic GAA were celebrating a famous Intermediate League and Championship double. The club were in the middle of a very successful period of their history having captured a Junior League and Championship in'69, an Intermediate League in 1970 and when they returned to Senior Ranks, they won two Senior League Titles in '72 and '73. Also in 1973, they were the team to finally beat the famous Crosserlough side who had won 7 Senior Championships in a row - ending their unbeaten run which stretched back to 1965.

Arguably though their finest year was 1971 when the club's first (and only) Intermediate Championship was captured alongside the League crown. The Celts came into the Intermediate ranks after winning the Junior Championship in '69 and almost made the jump to Senior football straight away but were beaten in the Intermediate Championship final by Killygarry 2-5 to2-3 in November of 1970.

However the Hoops received a major jump-start to the following year when in April '71 they defeated Templeport, 1-6 to 0-7, in the delayed 1970 Intermediate League Final. Obviously that win and trophy gave great confidence to the side as did a victory over Cavan Gaels in the final of the Mighty Avons sponsored Ballyhaise Tournament on a 3-13 to 2-10 score line in early August.

Later that month, Cootehill earned their passage to the Intermediate Championship final with a 1-10 to 2-4 semi-final win over Redhills. That victory, with The Anglo Celt describing Cootehill as "undoubtedly the more polished side", set up a meeting with Virginia Blues on 18th September 1971 in Breffni Park.

Virginia set the pace early on in the final and went into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead by the 13th minute of the game. But Cootehill struck back with a great goal by Jim Bradley and two points from the illustrious Charlie Gallagher - one from 55 yards out - and one from Eamon McCabe meant the Hoops were one point in front at the break. A Kevin Argue goal set up by a centre from Eamon McCabe and further scores from the ever-dependable boot of Gallagher saw the Celts take the Intermediate Championship home on a 2-8 to 1-3 score.

It was obviously a great team performance recovering from an early deficit and The Anglo Celt praised many in the winners' line-up and said that the team would "be a great asset to the senior grade with their highly enjoyable brand of open football". The fitness of the winning side was also noted which "was due in no small measure to the great work of their trainer, Seán Foy".

With the Championship safely secured, Cootehill then set their sights on another League title to complete a famous 'double'. A 2-6 to 1-6 semi-final win over Ballymachugh in November put the Town team through to the League Decider on 18th December - the Sunday before Christmas - 1971 where Killeshandra would provide the opposition.

The team's good form deserted them somewhat in the opening half of that game and were 1-3 to 0-1 behind at the half time interval. It was the introduction of Charlie Gallagher at the break which helped to turn the tide and swing momentum back in favour of the Green and Whites. His five point second half haul helped Cootehill salvage a draw, 0-7 to 1-4 and gave them another chance in the replay.

The Celts made no mistake in that replay (played on 20th February 1972) as they completed the Intermediate Double with a five point 1-11 to 0-9 victory. Cootehill had many fine performers in all areas of the field with the defence and mid-field rock-solid providing the forwards with the supply of ball to sink the Killeshandra challenge. Chief among the scorers was Jim Bradley with an impressive tally of 1-5 ably assisted by Brian Sherlock and Brendan McCabe 0-2 each while Jim Cosgrove and Charlie Gallagher kicked a point apiece.

That victory closed the books on a magnificent 1971 for Cootehill Celtic GAA - the club had also retained their Under 14 Roinn A Cup - and provided the Celts with sufficient momentum to be a serious force in the Senior Ranks in the following years. And while Senior Championship success eluded them, winning two Senior League titles was no small achievement and capped a glorious few years for the Celts.

The 1971 Intermediate League and Championship winning side will be honoured at the Cootehill Celtic GAA Dinner Dance this Friday 2nd December starting at 8.30pm in the Errigal Country House Hotel. This will be preceded by a Mass for Deceased Members which will be held in St. Michael's Church, Cootehill at 7.30pm. Tickets for the four course meal are priced at €25 and are available from committee members. More information including match reports and photos form these famous victories can be found on the club's website www.CootehillCeltic.com Tweet

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