| Naomh Cillian, Crois Bán | |||||||||
| Founded: | 1904 | ||||||||
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| County: | Armagh | ||||||||
| Club colours: | Green and White | ||||||||
| Grounds: | Páirc Naomh Cillian | ||||||||
| Playing kits | |||||||||
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| Senior Club Championships | |||||||||
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St. Killian's GAC, Whitecross is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Armagh, Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1904 when local parish rivals, Ballymoyer Emmetts and Tullywinney Sarsfields came together to form a team at Whitecross which is the centre of the parish of Loughgilly. They had not long to wait for their first success on the field when in January, 1906 they travelled to Abbey Park, Armagh, to take on the local Armagh Young Irelands now known as Armagh Harps - in the final of the county football championship Final and after an exciting hours football the newly formed St. Killian's emerged victorious by a goal on a scoreline of 2-4 to 1-4. This was to be their only success in the senior championship.
They had to wait until 1935 for their next championship success when they annexed the Junior title by defeating near neighbours, Clady, in the final. Six years later in 1941 they defeated the famed Clan na Gael from Lurgan to win the Junior title for a second time this victory was most satisfying when one considers that their opponents included within their ranks two Ulster and county stars and the late Eddie McLoughlin and former President of the Association, AIf Murray.
Whitecross had to wait until 1969 for their next victory in the Junior Championship when they defeated Ballymacnab by two points 0-4 to 0-2 in the final at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh. Nine years later they won the Intermediate Championship defeating Culloville after a replay which took place at Carrickcruppin.
Another highlight of 1978 and indeed in the history of the club was the official opening of St Killians very own football pitch - Pairc Naomh Cillian - which was opened by the late Con Short the then President of the Ulster Council of the GAA. Armagh played Down in the opening match and afterwards both teams, guests and friends were entertained in the Ardmore Hotel, Newry.
During 1996 the Club had their new hall and changing room complex opened by the President of the Association, Mr. Jack Boothman, on Saturday 4 November 1995 and their Club history was launched at their Annual Dinner in their new premises during the month of February.
Whitecross were beaten in the 1995 Junior Football Championship Final by Ballyhegan in what has become known as one of the best finals at any grade in Armagh football over the last forty years. They returned for the final in 1996.
St Killians success in recent years has been very impressive with the Senior team winning promotion from the 2nd Division in 2005 and successfully fought off relegation in 2006. However in 2007 the Senior team were relegated back to Division 2 after a relegation battle with Cullaville. However in 2007 the Senior team won the Intermediate Championship finally bringing home the Atty Hearty cup they defeated Cullaville and many of the players on the Whitecross senior team are considered legends in Whitecross.
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In recent years St Killians have fielded successful underage teams from U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and Minor level. In recent years the U16 and Minor teams have been amalgamated with St Josephs (Lissummon/O'Hanlons) however as of 2008 St Killians successfully fielded their first ever U16 team which was important to the senior members of the club, the U16s reached the Division 3 final but were gallantly defeated by Cullaville Blues however the U16 team had to play the majority of the game with a man down.
The St Brigids minor team have been successful in recent years with winning their respective leagues in 2006 and 2007. The present minor team are in the Division 2 league final against Dromintee and beat the infamous Clan Na Gael in the first round of the championship which can be heralded an honour for these Footballers.
In recent years St Killian's have fielded ladies teams from Under 14 to Minors; the golden day of their history so far would have been being successful in the first round of the championship. As of 2008 St Killian's have set up a Senior Ladies team which will be playing in the Armagh Leagues in 2009.
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