Meelin GAA Club was founded in 1928 and in their early years played competitive hurling in the North Cork (Avondhu) division. In the 1930s, Meelin began competing in the recently established Duhallow division. In 1939 Meelin won its first Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship and followed on with three additional victories in 1940, 1941 and 1943. Following the 1943 victory, Meelin waited 27 years to secure their next Duhallow Championship in 1970. This victory, was the first in a new era for the club, subsequently winning a further 15 Duhallow titles. Meelin contested the final of the Cork Junior Hurling Championship in 1973 and 1986 but were defeated by Ballinhassig and Ballymartle. Meelin have won the Duhallow Junior Hurling League on 11 occasions – 1970, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2008 and 2010. Following a significant decline in the local population, the club merged with Freemount for juvenile hurling competitions. The merged club is known as St. Mark's.
County finals
Meelin reached their first ever county junior hurling championship final in 1973 and played against Ballinhassig from the Carrigdhoun division. Meelin was defeated with a score of 1–6 to 0–5 at Coachford. Cork goalkeeper at the time Martin Coleman played in goal for Ballinhassig. In 1986 Meelin returned to the county final, however the club suffered a defeat, losing to Ballymartle, with a score of 3–8 to 2–4, with the game also played at Coachford. The 2010 competition would forever be remembered in the history of Meelin GAA Club, winning the County Junior A Championship. Meelin defeated Cloughduv 1–19 to 2–9 in the County Final at Páirc Uí Rinn, in front of almost 4,000 spectators.
Munster Championship
By virtue of winning the County in Cork, Meelin represented Cork in the Munster Junior Hurling Championship. In the semi-final Meelin beat Effin of Limerick, at an eagerly contested and well attended game in Kilmallock. St Patricks of Tipperary provided the opposition for the Final in Mallow. A dominant Meelin was triumphant with a score of 5–18 to 0–9, and Meelin were crowned Munster Champions.
All-Ireland journey
The first step on the All-Ireland campaign was at Páirc na hÉireann, Birmingham. Meelin's opposition in the All-Ireland quarter final was the Fullen Gaels club from Manchester. The supporters traveled from far and wide to see 'the Mighty Meelin' play a championship game overseas. Meelin won the game with a score of 2–15 to 0–8, to set up an All-Ireland semi-final against Bearna/Na Forbacha of Galway. The All-Ireland Semi-final was played at Éire Óg, Ennis and Meelin prevailed with a score of 0–16 to 1–4, following a poor performance. This set up a set up a subsequent contest with the Kilkenny club John Lockes on 13 February at Croke Park. Meelin won with a score of 0–12 to 1–5.[4]
All-Ireland Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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