Memorial Cups
SKOB play for a number of cups struck in memory of former VAFA players that have been closely connected with the Club and have been taken from us early in life
The Justin "JOC" O'Connor Cup
St Kevins vs St Bernards - first played for in 1998
A tribute to a loved former teammate at both St Bernard's and St Kevin's Football Clubs
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This trophy honours the memory of Justin ‘JOC’ O’Connor, who died tragically at just 28yrs of age on 17 May, 1997.
‘Joc’ grew up in Essendon but attended St Kevin’s with mates John Dynan and Bede Noonan. After finishing school, ‘JOC’ and Bede joined the St Bernard’s Under 19s.
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They turned up to St Bernard's in their St.Kevin's school footy jumpers for the first practice match. When questioned by the St Bernard's boys who weren't familiar with the jumper , ‘JOC’ said it was the Australian Schoolboys representative jumper. The rumour quickly spread and the two were placed as on ballers starting in the centre.
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JOC's larrikin flair on the field was matched by his generosity off it. He was a regular senior player from 1989 to 1991 at St.Bernard's and his bent for flashy play was borne from a pure love of the game and whilst this often kept his team mates on edge, he more than made up for it with an infectious laugh and a dedication to the team and Club success.
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After having to give up Senior footy due to work commitments, JOC played a year in the Club XVIII with St.Bernard's and won a flag in 1991. He then returned to St.Kevin's to join his old school mates and played 48 games for SKOB between 92-95. In 1996 he took on the Assistant Coaching role to Owen Hourigan with the Under 19s. That side boasted a number of players that would be integral to SKOB's rise up to A Grade and maintain them as a major force in their first stint at the top level. Many of that team are still involved at SKOB.
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The 1996 under 19 team won the flag that year. When JOC was awarded a Premiership medal as Assistant Coach he gave it immediately to a player who had just missed out on selection in the side, such was his selfless nature. He was hugely popular with this group and his untimely death the following year was felt throughout the two Clubs he'd played with and with the Glen Iris Juniors that he had also been coaching for a number of years.
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In 1998 when SKOB made it to A Grade the trophy was commissioned and the two Clubs have played for it whenever they have shared playing in the same Division. It has changed hands many times over the years and was last played for in 2022. St. Kevin's are the current holders.
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This year the Cup will again be on the line and players and supporters from both teams will get another opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of JOC and to play in the spirit that he would be proud of. *
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* With thanks to St.Bernard's FC who provided some of this text
The Anthony "DOC" Molan Cup
St Kevins vs De La Salle - first played for in 2004
Anthony Molan, who played for De La Salle Old Collegians collapsed on the ground after a pack dispersed during a Club XVIII game against St Kevin's on May 17, 2003.
He never regained consciousness and died two weeks later. Anthony played for the Warriors (3rds) at De La, and was a tremendously popular clubman. He was also well known amongst St. Kevin's players - his father Chris was a champion SKOB player and his uncle Maurie was a fine SKOB player and committeeman
Anthony was a fifth-year medical student at Monash University, who completed a placement at Monash Medical Centre just days before he collapsed. He was affectionately known by his teammates as "Doc".
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In 2003, the St.Kevin's and De La teams paid tribute to Anthony in an emotional return match at Righetti that season, and the following year played for the Anthony Molan Cup in the first game ever played under lights at Elsternwick Park.
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Having played for the trophy at Club XVIII for many years (with De La winning almost every time), the two clubs agreed to compete for it at the Senior level early in the 2010's and it's now a major fixture on their respective calendar. De La won back the trophy in 2019 and are the current holders.
McHarg-McKaige Trophy
St Kevins vs Old Carey - first played for in 2014
This trophy honours the memory of Andrew McHarg (Old Carey) and Mark "Cougar" McKaige (SKOBFC) who were gifted, well-respected players for their respective Clubs.
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Mark played 283 games for SKOB between 1978 and 1995. He was Captain in 1981 and went on to represent Victoria that year being the first SKOB player to achieve this honour. He was also named at Fullback in the SKOB Team of the Decade - 1980s.Cougar was a much loved figure at SKOB - often known as "Chadonnay" given his penchant for drinking the grape rather than beer (as 99% of his teammates did). Cougar was a great off field contributor as well as an on field star for SKOB and he was awarded Best Clubman in 1992 for his outstanding contribution over many years.
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Following his retirement, he was often spotted at SKOB games and his sudden passing at 47 after a short illness was felt by all within the SKOB community.
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Andrew McHarg was Club Captain of Old Carey between 1983-84 and won the Club's B&F in 84. He went on to become a Life Member of Old Carey and was a great contributor to the Club.
Both men were contemporaries on and off the field, and the trophy is named in their honour.
It was last played for in 2019 and St.Kevin's are the current holders..
