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Veterans Challenge Cup
The Returned
&
Services League through the Keilor East Branch struck a special
perpetual trophy in 2003, the Veterans Challenge Cup in honour of those
who have served the nation' and joined with St Bernards OCFC in
celebrating Anzac Day through a special ‘challenge match.'
The
match is played on a St Bernards home game closest to Anzac Day. The
‘best player' is awarded the H & C Lambert Medal and receives a
replica cup to recognise his performance
Both Harold and Chris Lambert played with Essendon. Chris missed plenty
of football
due
to War Service, but earned state selection in the Victorian ‘B' team.
Harold Lambert played 98 games (1940 51) including the 1946, 49 and 50
Premiership sides. Chris Lambert played 139 games (1939 – 51) including
the 1946, 50 Premiership sides.
The
inaugural ‘challenge' occurred on Saturday, 26th April, 2003 with St
Bernards OCFC defeating Marcellin OCFC. Ben Jordan was named the H
& C Lambert medallist.
Season 2008 saw St bernards
once again retain the
trophy with a strong win over Marcellin. Danny Roach was named the H
& C Lambert medallist.
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The Anzac Challenge Cup
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Justin 'JOC'
O'Connor Perpetual Trophy ... history by John Raffle
The
trophy is presented to the captain of the winning team of matches
played between St Kevins Old Boys Football Club and St Bernards Old
Collegians Football Club
The
‘Joc’ represents a strong but fair contest between two teams which
possess a strong desire to win, but also a strong sense of the really
important values of life: respect, friendship, helping
others, having
fun.
The trophy honours the memory of former player Justin O’Connor who held
a close affiliation and had developed many friendships with
members of
both clubs through his schooling days and football playing days. Justin
died tragically on Saturday, 17th May, 1997.
Family, friends, workmates and former team mates have regularly
attended these very competitive matches where the trophy is the reward
for the winners on the day. The day is also a chance to reflect on a
mate lost so early and the fun and special moments many shared with
Justin.
Justin, along with many students from Essendon, travelled each day
across town to attend St Kevins College for their secondary education.
In 1987, after completing Year 12, Justin joined fellow St Kevins
ex-students at St Bernards Under 19s for their football.
Justin’s friendly personality and his football skills were well
received at the ‘Snakepit’ and with his easy manner he became a well
regarded member of the club. Justin went on to play 1st XVIII football
in both A Section & B Section.
During this period St Kevin’s were languishing in Section D. and
with
a concerted recruiting effort to get St Kevins Old Boys back to the
club, Justin headed back to join his old school mates at St Kevins. Of
course Justin was already well known at St Kevins and his on field
presence had an immediate impact. As a highly regarded club member of
St Kevins Justin, was able to leave a wonderful legacy for the players
he had nutured and those who followed.
As a mark of respect for all Justin had achieved and his outstanding
contribution to the St Kevin’s Old Boys Football Club his jumper number
49 was retired in season 1997.Season 2007 marked the 10th
year since
the tragic loss of Jason. The anniversary was marked by a special
reunion and gathering of family, friends and mates. Moments of sadness
were again experienced, many stories were told, great memories relived
but most important ‘they all remembered a great son, brother and mate!
The challenge for the JOC Trophy will remain in good hands.
Justin
O’Connor Football History
1987 : Under – 19s
1989 : 1st XVIII – Section : B played mainly as a winger
1991 : Club 18 due to study & work commitments
1993 : 1st XVIII – Section : D Justin established himself as a central
part of the senior team
1996 : Assistant Coach Under – 19s “Joc’s significant contribution to
this playing group was not only the premiership it achieved but ensured
the development of this group of players who were to take St Kevin’s
back into Section : A in 1998” … Coach : Owen Hourigan.
1997 : Reserves – Section : B Joc returned to the senior squad for this
season where he played under coach Owen Hourigan. Playing alongside
those he had nurtured, Joc was still a standout in this group … sadly
his season was cut short by his tragic accident on 17th May.
From the
Amateur Footballer : May, 27th 1997
VALE JUSTIN
JOC’ O’CONNOR
Great clubman Justin ‘Joc’ O’Connor sadly left us last Saturday, 17th
May, 1997. Whilst Joc is now resting in peace his spirit is as strong
and prevalent as ever, a spirit which has contributed in so many ways
to preserving the richness of our game, particularly at grass roots
level. Apart from his marvellous contributions as a player, leaderand
clubman, Joc was above all else a great mate. His passion for the game
stirred the emotions of his clubmates, particularly the young blokes
and ensured that one could always leave Righetti with a smile, urgently
anticipating the next week. In 1996 Joc played a huge role in steering
the Under 19s to a premiership which, without Joc’s selfless
contribution, could not have been won.
Whilst we will deeply miss you Joc, your spirit will live on at
Righetti where your contributions were simply ‘sensational.’
The St Kevins Old Boys Football Club with the St Bernards Old
Collegians Football Club wish to thank the O’Connor Family – David
& Evangeline, Michelle, Francesca and Christian for their support
& generosity in allowing the development & presentation of the
‘JOC Trophy’ it has since become an important part of each club’s
playing history and ongoing friendships.
Thanks to ‘Joc’s’ friends & mates for their contributions – Andre
Noonan, Bede Noonan, Cate Noonan & John Dynan
John Raffle
May, 2007
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The 'JOC'
Past Winners:
1998
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St
Bern
St Kevs
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1999
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St
Kevs
St Bern
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2000
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St
Kevs
St Bern |
2001
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St
Kevs
St Kevs |
2002
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St
Bern
St Bern
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2003
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St
Bern
St Bern |
2004
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St
Bern
St Bern |
2005
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St
Bern
St Bern |
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