The co board recently held an online poll to see who would be the best 15 Cork Senior footballers never to win a Senior All-Ireland. these are the results!
Best Cork 15 never to win an All-Ireland
1. Kevin O’Dwyer (O’Donovan Rossa, 58% of votes)
2. Kevin Kehilly (Newcestown, 55%)
3. Mark O’Connor (Bantry Blues, 49%)
4. John Evans (O’Donovan Rossa, 31%)
5. Ciarán O’Sullivan (Urhan, 78%)
6. Owen Sexton (Kilbrittain, 48%)
7. Brian Corcoran (Erin’s Own, 41%)
8. Fachtna Collins (Ilen Rovers, 41%)
9. Bernie O’Neill (Adrigole, 29%)
10. Joe Kavanagh (Nemo Rangers, 70%)
11. Don Davis (O’Donovan Rossa, 53%)
12. Brendan Jer O’Sullivan (Adrigole, 37%)
13. Colin Corkery (Nemo Rangers, 89%)
14. James Masters (Nemo Rangers, 62%)
15. Philip Clifford (Bantry Blues, 42%)
By virtue of the percentage of supporters who voted in their favour, Colin Corkery, Ciarán O’Sullivan and Joe Kavanagh are – in that order – the three best Cork footballers never to get Celtic Crosses.
Even if they didn’t get senior All-Ireland medals, some of these footballers did get individual recognition in the All-Stars. Kevin Kehilly was picked at number three in 1980 and four in 1982. John Evans was left corner-back in ’83.
In 1993 Kavanagh, centre-forward, and Corkery, number 13, were rewarded. Kevin O’Dwyer was the keeper in ’99, with Ciarán O’Sullivan at five, and Philip Clifford left corner-forward.
Just missing out on the Cork County Board team were Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Ronan McCarthy in the full-back line, Martin Cronin and the late Tom Creedon in the half-backs, Con ‘Paddy’ O’Sullivan and Haulie O’Sullivan in midfield, and Podsie O’Mahony in attack.