Con Roche
Encyclopedia
Con Roche is an Irish
retired hurling
manager
and player. He played hurling with his local club St. Finbarr’s
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1966 until 1975. Roche later served as manager of the Cork and Kerry
senior inter-county teams.
club on the south side of Cork city, a club where he enjoyed much success during a career which spanned two decades. He won his first county senior championship
winners' medal in 1965 following 'the Barr's' 6-8 to 2-5 defeat of UCC
. The club later represented Cork in the provincial club series and even reached the final. A 3-12 to 2-3 defeat of Waterford's Mount Sion gave Roche a coveted Munster
club winners' medal.
After St. Finbarr's lost the 1967 county final to Glen Rovers
, the club bounced back to reach the championship decider again the following year. A remarkable 5-9 to 1-19 defeat of divisional side Imokilly
gave Roche a second county championship title.
After an absence of six years St. Finbarr’s were back at the top of the local hurling world again in 1974 following a defeat of Blackrock
. It was Roche's third county championship title. Once again the 'Barr’s' were the Cork representatives in the provincial club championship and reached the final. Newmarket-on-Fergus were the opponents on that occasion; however, the game was a poor one. A 0-7 to 0-3 victory gave Roche his second Munster club title. The subsequent All-Ireland club final on St. Patrick’s weekend saw St. Finbarr’s take on the Fenians of Kilkenny. St. Finbarr’s ability to get goals at crucial times proved to be the difference in the 3-8 to 1-6 victory. It was Roche's sole All-Ireland
club title.
title following a 2-14 to 2-9 defeat of Tipperary
. Cork later faced Laois
in the All-Ireland final and an absolute rout took place. A 10-7 to 1-4 victory gave Roche a coveted All-Ireland
minor winners' medal.
Two years later in 1966 Roche had become a key member of the Cork under-21 team. He secured a Munster
title in that grade following a 5-12 to 2-6 drubbing of Limrerick
. An All-Ireland final appearance soon followed with Wexford
providing the opposition. A three-game saga followed which eventually saw Cork triumph by 9-9 to 5-9. It was a coveted All-Ireland
under-21 title for Roche.
in 1966. He also played in the semi-final defeat of Limerick, however, he was later dropped from the panel for Cork's subsequent Munster
and All-Ireland
victories.
Roche was back on the team for the next few seasons, however, Cork enjoyed little success. In 1969 he enjoyed his first major success with the senior team when Cork defeated Wexford by 3-12 to 1-14 to take the National Hurling League
title. Roche later lined out with Cork in the championship, however, he was dropped once again for Cork's Munster victory and All-Ireland final defeat.
In 1970 Cork were still regarded as one of the best teams in the country and expectations were high. At the start of the year Cork defeated New York
with an aggregate score of 5-21 to 6-16 to take the National League title for a second consecutive year. Once again Cork qualified for the Munster final where Tipperary provided the opposition. It was the first eighty minute final in the history of the provincial championship and a close affair developed. At the final whistle Cork were the victors by 3-10 to 3-8 and Roche captured his first Munster winners' medal. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Wexford were the opponents. That game broke all records with a huge 64-point score line. Cork's Eddie O'Brien
scored a hat-trick of goals to help his team to a huge 6-21 to 5-10 victory. It was Roche's first All-Ireland winners' medal.
Defeat was Cork’s lot in 1971, however, the team bounced back in 1972. After securing a third National League title in four years, Roche later lined out in a second Munster final. Clare
were the opponents and an absolute rout took place as Cork recorded a huge 6-18 to 2-8 victory over the ‘banner’ men. It was Roche's second Munster winners’ medal. Another comprehensive victory over London
in the All-Ireland semi-final allowed Cork to advance to the championship decider where, once again, Kilkenny provided the opposition. The game itself is regarded as one of the classic games of the modern era. With time running out Cork were cruising to victory and led ‘the Cats’ by eight points. A Kilkenny fight-back, however, saw the team draw level with Cork and score a further seven points without reply to capture a 3-24 to 5-11 victory. It was a huge blow to a Cork team that seemed destined for victory. In spite of this defeat Roche was later presented with a coveted All-Star
award.
After another disappointing season in 1973, Cork bounced back in 1974 with Roche adding a fourth National League medal to his collection. The team's championship campaign ultimately ended in defeat, however, Roche picked up a second All-Star award. It was 1975, however, before Cork contested their next provincial decider, the first one to last for seventy minutes. A 3-14 to 0-12 victory over Limerick
gave Roche a fourth Munster title. Cork looked set for another All-Ireland appearance; however, Galway
had other ideas in the semi-final. A 4-15 to 2-19 score line gave Galway their first-ever championship win over Cork. This was Roche's last appearance with Cork.
in the inter-provincial series of games. He lined out with his province between 1971 and 1974, however, after defeat in the semi-final the first year, Roche's side went on to lose three Railway Cup finals in-a-row to Leinster
.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
retired hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
and player. He played hurling with his local club St. Finbarr’s
St. Finbarr's GAA
St. Finbarr's National Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Togher area of Cork city, County Cork, Ireland....
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1966 until 1975. Roche later served as manager of the Cork and Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
senior inter-county teams.
Club
Roche played his club hurling with the famous St. Finbarr'sSt. Finbarr's GAA
St. Finbarr's National Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Togher area of Cork city, County Cork, Ireland....
club on the south side of Cork city, a club where he enjoyed much success during a career which spanned two decades. He won his first county senior championship
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
winners' medal in 1965 following 'the Barr's' 6-8 to 2-5 defeat of UCC
UCC GAA
UCC is a football and hurling club associated with University College Cork. UCC teams play in the Cork Senior Football Championship and Cork Senior Hurling Championship as well as the two main third-level competitions namely the Sigerson Cup in football and the Fitzgibbon Cup in hurling...
. The club later represented Cork in the provincial club series and even reached the final. A 3-12 to 2-3 defeat of Waterford's Mount Sion gave Roche a coveted Munster
Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
club winners' medal.
After St. Finbarr's lost the 1967 county final to Glen Rovers
Glen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
, the club bounced back to reach the championship decider again the following year. A remarkable 5-9 to 1-19 defeat of divisional side Imokilly
Imokilly GAA
Imokilly GAA is a Gaelic football and Hurling division in the east of Cork, Ireland. The division includes towns such as Midleton, Cobh, and Youghal. It is one of eight divisions of Cork County Board. It organizes competitions for the clubs within the division, from Under 12 up to the adult level...
gave Roche a second county championship title.
After an absence of six years St. Finbarr’s were back at the top of the local hurling world again in 1974 following a defeat of Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
. It was Roche's third county championship title. Once again the 'Barr’s' were the Cork representatives in the provincial club championship and reached the final. Newmarket-on-Fergus were the opponents on that occasion; however, the game was a poor one. A 0-7 to 0-3 victory gave Roche his second Munster club title. The subsequent All-Ireland club final on St. Patrick’s weekend saw St. Finbarr’s take on the Fenians of Kilkenny. St. Finbarr’s ability to get goals at crucial times proved to be the difference in the 3-8 to 1-6 victory. It was Roche's sole All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
club title.
Minor & under-21
Roche first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor team in 1964. That year he enjoyed his first success when he secured a MunsterMunster Minor Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for the youngest competitors in the province of Munster in Ireland...
title following a 2-14 to 2-9 defeat of Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
. Cork later faced Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in the All-Ireland final and an absolute rout took place. A 10-7 to 1-4 victory gave Roche a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
minor winners' medal.
Two years later in 1966 Roche had become a key member of the Cork under-21 team. He secured a Munster
Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Under-21 Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for players aged between 18 and 21 in the province of Munster in Ireland...
title in that grade following a 5-12 to 2-6 drubbing of Limrerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
. An All-Ireland final appearance soon followed with Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
providing the opposition. A three-game saga followed which eventually saw Cork triumph by 9-9 to 5-9. It was a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
under-21 title for Roche.
Senior
Roche made his senior championship debut in a Munster quarter-final clash with WaterfordWaterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
in 1966. He also played in the semi-final defeat of Limerick, however, he was later dropped from the panel for Cork's subsequent Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
and All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
victories.
Roche was back on the team for the next few seasons, however, Cork enjoyed little success. In 1969 he enjoyed his first major success with the senior team when Cork defeated Wexford by 3-12 to 1-14 to take the National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
title. Roche later lined out with Cork in the championship, however, he was dropped once again for Cork's Munster victory and All-Ireland final defeat.
In 1970 Cork were still regarded as one of the best teams in the country and expectations were high. At the start of the year Cork defeated New York
New York GAA
The New York County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or New York GAA, is one of the county boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the New York metropolitan area...
with an aggregate score of 5-21 to 6-16 to take the National League title for a second consecutive year. Once again Cork qualified for the Munster final where Tipperary provided the opposition. It was the first eighty minute final in the history of the provincial championship and a close affair developed. At the final whistle Cork were the victors by 3-10 to 3-8 and Roche captured his first Munster winners' medal. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Wexford were the opponents. That game broke all records with a huge 64-point score line. Cork's Eddie O'Brien
Eddie O'Brien (hurler)
Eddie O'Brien is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Passage and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
scored a hat-trick of goals to help his team to a huge 6-21 to 5-10 victory. It was Roche's first All-Ireland winners' medal.
Defeat was Cork’s lot in 1971, however, the team bounced back in 1972. After securing a third National League title in four years, Roche later lined out in a second Munster final. Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
were the opponents and an absolute rout took place as Cork recorded a huge 6-18 to 2-8 victory over the ‘banner’ men. It was Roche's second Munster winners’ medal. Another comprehensive victory over London
London GAA
The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or London GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in London...
in the All-Ireland semi-final allowed Cork to advance to the championship decider where, once again, Kilkenny provided the opposition. The game itself is regarded as one of the classic games of the modern era. With time running out Cork were cruising to victory and led ‘the Cats’ by eight points. A Kilkenny fight-back, however, saw the team draw level with Cork and score a further seven points without reply to capture a 3-24 to 5-11 victory. It was a huge blow to a Cork team that seemed destined for victory. In spite of this defeat Roche was later presented with a coveted All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
award.
After another disappointing season in 1973, Cork bounced back in 1974 with Roche adding a fourth National League medal to his collection. The team's championship campaign ultimately ended in defeat, however, Roche picked up a second All-Star award. It was 1975, however, before Cork contested their next provincial decider, the first one to last for seventy minutes. A 3-14 to 0-12 victory over Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
gave Roche a fourth Munster title. Cork looked set for another All-Ireland appearance; however, Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
had other ideas in the semi-final. A 4-15 to 2-19 score line gave Galway their first-ever championship win over Cork. This was Roche's last appearance with Cork.
Inter-provincial
Roche also had the honour of being selected for duty with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial series of games. He lined out with his province between 1971 and 1974, however, after defeat in the semi-final the first year, Roche's side went on to lose three Railway Cup finals in-a-row to Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
.