Corrib Rangers needed points so Jimmy Jennings simply answered the call. A couple of games remained in the Western Hygiene Supplies premier division with Jennings contributing two critical goals when Rangers defeated Galway Hibernians at Bohermore on July 18.
“Alan Cubbard has been on to me for a long, long time about getting back playing,” Jennings says.
“With the coaching underage I couldn't afford to go back training and stuff, I had to choose one, especially with family life too.
“So Dave Daly gave me a call and I got back for the last two games. It ended in a great day up at Hibs, I scored two goals, it was awful hot that day, I think I nearly collapsed about six times on the pitch.
“People thought I was cheating, but I actually wasn't, the heat had me killed, I was dizzy. It was a great day at the end for the club, one I really enjoyed.”
The well regarded Dave Daly has stepped down as manager with Jennings now taking charge of the Westside based outfit for the upcoming campaign. “It is a huge honour for me, I started as a seven year old in Corrib Rangers,” Jennings, who also featured for OLBC and West United, recalls.
“I went through all of the underage myself. Unfortunately things didn't happen as I got to junior myself, I left for Boys Club. I had a great time with Boys Club, I played with a lot of good lads there. I went to West after that, I had a good career with West for four years, we got to a Connacht Cup final.
“Unfortunately we lost, we won a First Division. I just thought my time was up then, but I came back to Rangers. They were in the first division, Olly [Rafferty]was the man that asked me to come back, to help out at the time. We were low for numbers, we really hadn't a great team that time, we stayed in the first division and the next season everything came together.
“We got a good team together, we won the league and ended up winning the Connacht Cup. It was a huge day for me, I never thought I'd get to a Connacht Cup final again after that one with West, it was just huge to get over the line. I will never forget that day.”
Olly Rafferty, a distinguished figure in the junior game for decades, now is the Rangers’ chairman among many other on and off field duties. That afternoon in May 2019 remains the most cherished few hours in Rangers history.
“Without doubt,” Rafferty responds. “In my opinion, and I might be a bit biased, but it was probably one of the best amateur sports stories ever in Galway. That is my own opinion, Rangers over the years, we definitely had great players, still great players were there, but they would probably have argued that they were past their peak at the time.
“We always seemed to be the bridesmaids on the day. For some reason it all clicked. I think the lads were just a bit older, a lot more experienced, a lot of players were probably hot headed in their day, that year it all aligned.
“It will never be forgotten by myself and all of the lads that were part of it. The majority of the players had played with each other for years. It was a brilliant day for everybody, even the community it was very good. Everybody was behind us. It was brilliant.”
Long before success was attained football people had kept the club alive. “Over the years you had great work done by Pat Manogue, Dixer Devlin, Gerry Stiffe, three legends when it comes to the stuff they have done behind the scenes for Corrib Rangers,” Rafferty adds.
“Lately you have Alan Cubbard, who has been brilliant with the fundraising, Alan Ward has been like a right hand for me, he has been absolutely superb helping out. He has done very good work with the Academy, Trevor Sherry did great work while he was there, loads of other guys.”
Developing the underage and juvenile section matters deeply to those involved with Rangers. “In the last year or two we really have pushed the underage set-up,” Rafferty says.
“Our idea of the underage set-up, and what I would be saying would basically to give the young lads around the area a platform for football, keep them off the streets, not to fall into any of the pitfalls you could have in the teenage years.
“There isn't much around the place if you take St Michael's out of it. We used to have the Galway Kickboxing Club which used to be run by Dennis Brosnan, who sadly passed away.
“Dennis was an unbelievable guy, a shining light in the area. We still have the boxing clubs, but bar that stuff there isn't much for the kids to be doing.”
Rangers relevance around Corrib Park and the Westside should never be underestimated. Triumphing in the Connacht Cup in May, 2019 illustrated what could be achieved and a rewarding journey continues.
**Listen to the full interview with Corrib Rangers' Olly Rafferty and Jimmy Jennings on the 'Cian on Sport' podcast which is available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple podcasts.
