White’s Cross GAA is deeply saddened at the passing of our former player Liam Bowen recently. Though it is a long time since he was involved, Liam played a prominent part within the club for many years during the 1970s and 1980s. From Coole East and growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, a fledgling White’s Cross GAA were not able to offer underage hurling and football to the youth of the area. Hence a lot of lads in the locality headed to Glanmire to play in the School Shield’s competition in the lower parish. Liam was a prominent player with these teams and as a 14 year old, played in the East Cork football school shields team of 1966. Reaching the final that year and playing alongside the likes of Andrew Hickey, they surprisingly went under in what was then considered a massive shock to an unfancied Carraig Na Bhfear side that included current White’s Cross GAA president John Drummy.
This set back did not stop young Liam and he went onto play underage in Glanmire quite a few years. Though a year overage for the all conquering school shield sides of 1967/1968 (captained by his brother Eamon), Liam would go onto have success with Glanmire/Sars. This culminated when the won the 1971 East Cork Under 21 A hurling championship. The final was played in January 1972 when Liam, at full-forward, helped himself to 1-01 as Sars fairly demolished Carrigtwohill on a 5-11 to 0-03 scoreline. Liam would have played on the senior hurling team with Sars on many the occasion throughout these times. However, though not clear how, he gave this up to join White’s Cross. We were very much a Junior B team at the time. From 1974 onwards, Liam became one of the stars of our team. He was very much to the fore as a forward when we reached the final of the East Cork junior B hurling championship in 1978. He scored in the semi-final victory over St Itas and again when we lost to Russell Rovers in the final.
By time his finest hour arrived in the green and white of White’s Cross, he had transitioned into goal. After many near defeats, White’s Cross went on to defeat Cobh in the final of the East Cork Junior B hurling championship in 1982. Liam kept clean sheet that day as we beat Cobh by 6 points. Liam had also been on the committee for the club for quite a few years during the late 1970s as the club sought to purchase a home; a feat that they achieved as the current grounds were purchased.
Liam, as with many of the Bowen family and indeed many in our locality, was also a prominent bowler and this became his main sporting interest. Nonetheless, it is fitting that we remember an outstanding hurler and clubman for his contribution to our club and we acknowledge his efforts both on and off the field. Ar dheis Dhe go raibh a anam uasal.