Located in the parish ofBallymacoda andLadysbridge ineast Cork, Fr O'Neill's GAA Club was founded in 1959.[1] The club is named in honour ofPeter O'Neill Crowley who died in theFenian Rising in 1867 and is buried in Ballymacoda.[2] The club has spent the majority of its existence operating in the junior grade, and won several East Cork JBHC and JBFC titles between 1972 and 1992.[3]
Fr O'Neill's made their big breakthrough when, in 1996, they won theEast Cork JAHC.[4] It was the first of five such titles in a 10-year period. The fifth and final divisional title in 2005 was subsequently converted into aCork JAHC title, following a 0-15 to 1-09 defeat ofKilworth in the final.[5] After adding theMunster Club JHC title to their collection, Fr O'Neill's later beatErin's Own by 2-16 to 2-10 in the2006 All-Ireland Club JHC final.[6]
The club continued to secure further promotions after claimingCork IHC titles in 2007 and 2016. Fr O'Neill's secured senior status for the first time in their history when, in 2019, the club beat old rivals Kilworth to secure theCork PIHC title.[7] TheMunster Club IHC title was also claimed, however, Fr O'Neill's were later beaten byTullaroan in the2020 All-Ireland Club IHC final.[8][9] After losing the two previous finals, Fr O'Neill's won theCork SAHC title in 2022, after beatingCourcey Rovers by 0–20 to 2–12 in the final.[10]
