Kildavin
/ Clonegal GAA Club
Gaelic
football was played in the parish before the turn on the 20th Century.
A team was formed in Clonegal in 1888 and some of the Kildavin men joined
this club. The first Kildavin team on record was a team of 21 players
which represented Kildavin in 1894. In 1912 a game was arranged between
Kildavin and Clonegal which Clonegal won by a single point. After this
game the enthusiasm led to a meeting in Maria Doyle’s (Kinsella’s
shop) in Kildavin. Further meetings were held in April 1914 and on 26th
May 1914 the Junior Football Club was formed. Down the line they were
offered a field by Michael Kavanagh of Ballyshancarragh. For a short
period in 1918 Kildavin and Clonegal were united on the field but Kildavin
decided to go it alone for 1919. In December 1919 Kildavin won their
first championship. This was the first time a team from the east of the
county had won it.
There were many ups and downs through the years with 1970 being a particularly
memorable year. In this year they won the Senior Football Championship
and the League while the Junior Hurlers also did the honours. This year
also saw the opening of Spellman Park, Kildavin. The under 21’s
lost the final this year.
So many stories could be told and names that bring a sense of pride
and admiration to the area are inscribed in the memory of Gaelic sports
in Kildavin and Clonegal. Football and hurling, junior and senior, camogie
and scor all hold their place of honour in Kildavin Clonegal Gaelic Athletic
Association and Spellman Park, Kildavin.
For a truly remarkable detailed story of the GAA in the Kildavin Clonegal
area you should read “Footprints to the Future” by Willie
D. White
2009 saw the opening of the new Spellman Park Complex with facilities
that any club in Ireland would be proud of. It is our fervent wish that
these facilities and the memories of the past will inspire our teams
to even greater achievements.
The Committee:
Chairperson:
P. J. Conway
Vice Chairperson: Dick Gibson
Secretary: Carmel Gibson
Vice Sec: Raymond Treacy
Treasurer: Brian Murphy
Contact:
P. J. Conway – 087 2594199
Carmel Gibson – 087 790 5344
Website: www.kildavinclonegalgaa.ie
Email: secretary@kildavinclonegalgaa.ie