PROC Cork Match Celeb News

26th Aug 2009

Cork Match Celeb Watch

Keefa is mobbed by Cork beours outside Gills on North Circular Road while John 3:7 gets the attention of all the boys.

Johnny O'Keeffe was one of the many mega-celebrities that turned up to Croker last Sunday to see Cork trounce Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final. The North Mon actor turned up with a pure Glanmire head on him, an old feen in a leather jacket and a fancy lookin' old doll to boot.

After the match the Hollywood star, also known outside Cork as Jonathan Rhys Meyers was in flying form as he left the Hogan Stand, posing for pictures with old dolls outside Gills Corner House where the Rebel Army, and some bewildered looking Tyrone supporters were taking liquid and pondering the game.

Not one to skirt on too quickly, the War of the Buttons star stalled on to let most old dolls with camera phones take a shot of him - the excitement of Keefa's extending lips and serious face pose for the photos sent several young females into hysterics causing them to spill their pints and wee uncontrollably on the spot.

Meanwhile, having smashed the Irish 100m hurdle record last week Derval O'Rourke led the Munster team to victory in the half time athletics contest in Croke Park. This was proceeded by another Cork victory: 20K walker Olive Loughnane who won silver at the World Championship was given a huge reception by Cork fans as she led the provinces on to the turf.

The sprint event was held as part of the 125th anniversary of the GAA - half time athletics were part and parcel of match days in days gone by.

Although she didn't bag a medal at the world championships Derval did smash the Irish record (created by the Cork woman herself) of 12.72 seconds. She was joined by another Cork super-woman and ladies footballer Angela Walsh (as well as a few other nobodies from other counties) and succeeded in fending off the challenge from Ulster.

O'Rourke with Cork crowd roaring her on to inevitable victory

Much like the men's football, Leinster and Conaught put in pitiful performances. Angela and her team continue their quest to become the first team ever to do a five-in-a-row in the TG4 Ladies All-Ireland football championship.

Singer Bob Marley also turned up on Hill 16 for the big game action wearing his usual low-key disguise known to many Corkonians. The former reggae star and recluse now lives in The Glen in Cork but made the journey to Croker on Sunday with a few friends to show his solidarity with the boys.

The smell of freedom across the Hill at full time was a sure sign that the Kingston King enjoyed the scintillating performance of Graham Canty's men. Despite requests from fans that he join them for a few pints and songs at The Big Tree, Marley made a beeline for the Rebel County directly after the game - it has been reported that Marley suffers from nausia if he's away from The Glen too long.