Kilshannig GAA

Kilshannig
Cill Seannaigh
Founded: 1884
County: Cork
Club colours: Blue and Yellow
Grounds: Glantane
Coordinates: 52°06′16.02″N 8°44′54.90″W / 52.1044500°N 8.7485833°WCoordinates: 52°06′16.02″N 8°44′54.90″W / 52.1044500°N 8.7485833°W
Playing kits

Standard colours

Kilshannig is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the parish of Glantane in County Cork, Ireland. The parish in North Cork is split into three villages, Glantane, Dromahane and Bweeng. The club was founded in the same year as GAA's founding, in 1884. Cill Seannaigh comes from St. Senach, who founded a church near the present site of the Church of Ireland at Newberry. The club fields Gaelic football and hurling teams in competitions organized by Cork county board, and by the Avondhu division.

History

Early years

The club goes as far back as 1921, when it played in the Duhallow division. The team in the parish was known as the Lombardstown team. They reached the county final that year, when they were beaten by Redmonds. In 1921, two men were chosen to play for the Cork Juniors against Kerry. They were Sonny Breen and William C. O'Connell. Hurling was very popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The team was known as "Brittas Rovers". In 1933, Brittas Rovers were beaten by Marshalstown in the North Cork Junior Hurling final.

1940s and 1950s

In 1945, a meeting was held to form one team in the parish called Kilshannig United. In 1950, it was decided to drop "United" from the name. Things began to look up for the club in 1952, when the novice football team won their first trophies in the Castlemagner Club tournament. In 1953, the club won its first novice championship title, beating Functeon Vale in the final. In the same year, Pat O'Sullivan played with the Cork minor football team. In 1955, Kilshannig reached their first Junior Football Championship final. They were beaten by Mitchelstown. The minor footballers also reached their first North Cork final in the same year.

In 1959, Kilshannig won its first North Cork final, beating Castletownroche by two points. The team were beaten by Dromtariffe in the second round of the county. In the same year, Pat O'Sullivan played for the Cork Junior Footballers and the Cork Senior Hurlers.

1960s

In 1960, the Junior 'B' hurlers defeated Kilworth in the Championship final. In 1962, Kilshannig won their first ever minor football Championship by defeating Glanworth in the final. Johnny O'Flynn captained the Cork Senior Football team to the Munster Senior Football Championship final against Kerry. Tim Breen and Dan O'Sullivan were also on that team. In 1964, Kilshannig won their first ever Under 21 Football Championship defeating Glanworth. In 1965, Kilshannig won their second North Cork Junior Football Championship, defeating Grange in a thrilling final. Kilshannig were defeated by Dohenys after a replay. In 1967, Kilshannig once again won the North Cork Junior Football Championship by upsetting all the odds, when they beat Glanworth in the final by eight points. That year, Jerry Horgan won an All-Ireland Minor Football Championship medal with Cork. They defeated by Midleton in the County first round. In 1968, Kilshannig repeated the success of the previous year and beat Glanworth again in the final. Unfortunately, Kilshannig were once again knocked out of the first round of the Cork Junior Football Championship, this time by Adrigole.

1970s

In 1972, the Kilshannig Minor footballers kept the flag flying by winning the North Cork Championship. However, they were beaten by Macroom in the first round of the county.

1980s

In 1985, Kilshannig were victorious in the North Cork Junior Football Championship. Their county championship campaign led to a nail-biting conclusion when they overcame Valley Rovers in the Cork Junior Football Championship final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh following a replay. Their success continued the following year under coach John O'Mahony. Their inaugural campaign in the Intermediate grade was a bittersweet one. A local derby versus near neighbours Mallow drew an enormous crowd to Buttevant. Kilshannig's resounding victory was not on the cards as Mallow had been much more impressive in the previous round, easily defeating Nemo Rangers. The county final was played in Macroom versus Castletownbere. While Kilshannig led for the majority of the game, a late goal snatched victory for the Beara men. After this painful defeat, 1987 proved to be a year for renewal and recharging and a first-round exit to Fermoy resulted. The following year, 1988 brought Kilshannig back to the Cork Intermediate Football Championship final versus Ballincollig on September 11. Following a thrilling game, a late goal sealed the County Championship for Kilshannig. William O'Riordan received the cup on the steps of Páirc Uí Chaoimh. After a victory in the North Cork Junior B Hurling Championship, the county campaign went well. Ultimately, Kilshannig completed a Cork Intermediate Football Championship and Cork Junior B Hurling Championship double with victory over Whitechurch in Grenagh. Pat Murphy captained the side. 1989 saw the club competing in the Senior grade of football.

1990s

Following some near misses in the senior championship, it was decided that the club would re-grade to intermediate and then junior level, in the early years of the 1990s. In 1996, Cork Junior Football Championship honours were secured with a final victory over Youghal. The club continued at an intermediate grade of football for the remainder of the decade.

2000-present

KIlshannig currently operate at Junior level in Avondhu, where they contested the Junior A football final in 2006 and 2010 against Glanwoth and Michelstown respectively, losing on both occasions. In 2014 Kilshannig have again reached the North Cork final. Kilshannig also won the 2012 North Cork Junior A hurling championship, beating Ballyhea in the final and now operate at junior premier level. This victory was the result of much success at underage level, notably a minor county victory against Nemo Rangers in 2009

Honours

References

    External links