The history of Garnish GAA is well documented by Joe P. Murphy in his book “Allihies Football – Facts and Folklore“. He recounts many a great tale from the Garnish teams of this era. Joe gave long service to Garnish and Béara in the 1940s, winning the Béara Championship with Garnish in 1940 and 1948 and a Crok Senior Championship with Béara in 1940. Thanks to his work, many of the stories of Garnish GAA from this period are captured.
Likewise, Declan O’Sullivan has captured a rich array of historical artefacts from the 1950’s on in his book “When is the Tide Turning? Garnish GAA 1950-2015”. Garnish meant everything to him and his four older brothers – Frank, John L, Cormac and Tadgh. Declan’s long journeys home from Dublin for matches has epitomised the dedication of many through the generations.
Garnish won the Béara championship in 1940, 1948, 1951, 1952 and 1953.
Garnish players who represented Cork during this period include:-
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- Dan JW O’Sullivan captained Cork in 1941
- Con B O’Sullivan played with Cork seniors in 1952
- Bernie O’Sullivan and Pete Murphy played with Cork minors in 1951
- Noel Kelly played Cork minors in 1952 and 1954
- Pete Murphy – got to All-Ireland final with Cork seniors in 1955.
- Bernie O’Sullivan – All-Irelands medals with Cork seniors in ’55 and 56′
- Joe Lowney – an All-Ireland with Cork juniors in 1955, Cork seniors 1956.
- Jon L O’Sullivan Cork minors 1957, Cork Juniors 1960, Cork Seniors 1962.
- Kevin Kelly played Cork minors in 1958.
- Tadgh O’Sullivan played Cork minors in 1958.
- Bernie O’Sullivan full-back for Cork in 1958 Munster Championship.
During wartime, transport for teams was very limited. The roads were rough. Horse and cart and bicycle were the common mode of transport.
