Ballykelly GAA

Infobox GAA club
club gaa = Ballykelly
crest =
irish = Bealach Eile
county = Kildare
nickname = |The Barrowsiders colours = Maroon and white
grounds = Highbridge
founded = 1953
honours = Intermediate 1955, 1960, 1975 Junior A 1974, 2007 Junior B 1953, 2000 Ladies junior 2005 Jack Higgins Cup 2007 Minor B 2007 (St Evins Gaels) U 16 1989 U 16 Ladies 2005 U 15 Ladies 2007

pattern_la= |pattern_b= |pattern_ra=
leftarm=80000 |body=80000|rightarm=80000 |shorts=FFFFFF |socks=80000
|Ballykelly Gaelic Football Club is a Monasterevin based Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club in County Kildare, Republic of Ireland. They field teams from U6 to senior in both ladies and men's football.

Directions to current pitch:Entering Monasterevin on the old N7 you turn at the Nags Head Pub and travel straight down to the canal passing St Peter and Paul's church. You then take a right and follow the canal, approx 500m towards the high bridge and the pitch is located on the right hand side just before the bridge.

History

Football Club

The club was founded in 1953 when a number of players broke away from the Monasterevin club. This is how the story goes, but it is not strictly true because there was a Ballykelly club in existence in the mid thirties and was actually affiliated to it in 1936. This club had the use of George Byrne's field on the Rathangan Road for matches and had clubrooms in what later became Mick Foster's house in Old Grange. The club affiliated for one year - 1936 - but continued on for some years aafterwards. The clubrooms were used for meetings and for playing cards. The club was formed because some players felt that they were being unjustly dropped from the Monasterevin team of the time. The jerseys were bought in Dublin when George Byrne went to Clery's on a motor bike to get them. They were the same colours as those worn today - maroon and white.

Their enthusiasm for the game was not matched by any degree of success on the playing field. The only championship outing was in Suncroft where they were comprehensively beaten by [Two Mile House] . The club remained in existence for a number of years afterwards but did not affiliate. The men who played on that team were as follows: Tom Conroy, Paddy Holligan, Patrick (Park) Dempsey, Chris Dempsey, Michael Byrne, Lar Byrne, Pat Malone, Tom Brereton, Patrick Kelly, Charlie Lovely, Joe Lawlor, George Byrne, Michael Leigh, Billy Leigh, Joe Martin, the Murphy brothers, Quinsboro, and the McDermott brothers, Ballykelly. There is an old saying that "History repeats itself" and it is certainly true in Ballykelly's case.

In 1952 again a number of players felt they had been unjustly dropped in favour of other players who had not been training or playing in previous games. They looked for permission from Kildare County Board to reform the Ballykelly club for the 1953 season. Ballykelly club was now very much back in business. At their inaugural meeting, the Hall was packed to capacity such was the interest aroused in the new club. They immediately began fundraising and a new ball was purchased in lsaac J Willoughbys on the repayment of one shilling per week. They started to train in An Cullen's field in Borraderra and so intense was their interest in the game (unlike the players of today) they even trained on Christmas Day. The players of that era "were not hampered, by the injuries that beset the modern Gaelic football players". The "hamstring" was something that tied up the joint of ham for Sunday, lunch and a "calf strain" was something that happened to the bovine of the species during a difficult calving.

With the dedication to duty it was not surprising that the fledgling club made an enormous impact and in the first year 1953 won the junior "B" Championship. They went on to win the Intermediate Championship in 1955 and again in 1960 - two major trophies in the space of five years - a feat many clubs have not achieved in their entire history. As you will see from our history we have gone on to win the junior "A" Championship in 1974, Intermediate in 1975 and U.16 Championship in 1989. We also won the junior league Div. 2 in 1972, the Senior League Div. 2 in 1974 and in 1978 and the U.16 League in 1988, an impressive honours list by any standard. In the "Golden Era" of both clubs - that is during the 1970s - almost every major honour came to the town of Monasterevin. The list is indeed impressive. Monasterevin won the Senior Football Championship and the Leader Cup. Ballykelly won the junior "A" Championship and Intermediate Championship, the Senior League Div. 2 and the Junior League Div. 2. Numerous local tournaments were won by both clubs during the period.

Ladies Football

It was in the spring of 1994, twenty years after the first All Ireland ladies football final was played, that Ballykelly girls under 14 football team was registered. The squad consisted of 21 players in an age group from 10 to 14. These players were Niamh Binions, Coroline Colmey, Lisa Clifford, Jane Fitzgerald, Laura Flaherty, Pamela Brennan, Maire Dowling, Sasha Howard, Lorna Behan, Martina Foster, Geraldine McCormack, Deiredre Delaney, Laura Dowling, Lisa Maher, Margeret McCormack, Audrey Maher, Brenda Brereton, Crystal Mooney, Lynn Dowling, Louise Vaughan, Claire Fitzgerald and Gillian Whyte. Under the close supervision of Mentors Paddy Brereton and Pat Hickey this young and experienced squad soon blossomed into a team respectful of their mentors and proud of their club. This was unique as the players came from families who supported all three clubs in the parish.

The teams prospered in their first year in the competition and didn't go unnoticed by the county officials. The following season, to the delight of the club, six of the club players were called up for county teams. These players were U14 Margeret McCormack, Brenda Brereton, Martina Foster, Maire Dowling and U16 Deirdre Delaney, Geraldine McCormack. A great achievement for a very young team. The teams success continued for a further year drawing fresh players from all over the parish. In 1996 the teams successful run came to an end. Several factors contributed to the demise including the dispersal of the players to different second level colleges. Several of the girls were approached by the coaches of the underage boy's team, mainly the U14 team, where they continued to play.

In 1997 an amalgamation between Ballykelly and Athgarvan was arranged. Some of the players were therefore now representing Ballykelly on the boys panel and Athgarvan with the ladies team. During this season two of our players Maire Dowling at centre half forward and Margeret McCormack in goal contributed to to the capture of the county shield with the under 14 boys team. Meanwhile the club was being represented at intercounty level by several of the girls. In 1999 under the stewardship of Corrine and Cathy Cullen U12 and 14 teams were started and it was evident by the level of interest that ladies football was here to stay.

Now in 2001, Ballykelly ladies under the management John Lawler, Geraldine McCormack and Mags McCormack came together and formed the Senior Ladies team, continuing the tradition of ladies in Ballykelly. Many of the same family names from down the years can be found among the panel. The ladies were once again ready to make their mark in the history books of Ballykelly.

Since the formation of our own under age teams we have had great success at this level. We have won U. 1 0, U.12, U.14 leagues. At U.16 level we have been moderately successful as we have been at minor level. For a small club we have a good panel of youth coming forward to again bring success to our club.

Famous Players

Over the years we have had a good number of clubmen and women who wore the county jersey with pride. The most famous of these was Seamie Harrison. He scored 7 points in the 1956 Leinster Final. In 1957 Kildare were beaten by the eventual All-Ireland winners Louth in the Leinster Championship. The score was 5-8 to 1-9. Seamie scored 1-7 of this total. He was a member of a famous footballing family. His brothers John and Pat (Buddy) played senior football for Kildare. Joe their youngest brother (though he never played for Kildare) won four Junior All-Ireland medals with London the most famous was in 1970 beating Kildare containing another Ballykelly man Paddy Brereton. Tom Fitzgerald played Minor, Senior winning an O'Byrne Cup medal and a Division 2 League title in 1974. Paddy Brereton played Junior and Senior, he won a Leinster medals at Junior in 1967 and a home All-Ireland medal in the latter year. Eddie O' Rourke captained Kildare in 1956 to a Leinster Junior final. Joe Holligan won a Leinster Junior medal in 1987. Mick Moody won an Under 21 medal Leinster medal in 1972. Pat Carr won a Leinster Minor medal 1973 and an Under 21 medal in 1975. Martin Carroll played Minor, Junior and Senior. Kevin and Jimmy Martin, Joe Moran and Bobby Dwyer played Senior football for Kildare. Tommy Donoher played Senior and Junior. Mick Byrne, Noel Hyland Joe Holligan , John Heavey and Alan Hickey played Junior football for Kildare. Richie Holligan, Trevor Holligan, Eamonn Cullen, all played minor and Derek McCormack age of 16 was brought on to the Minor. Joe Walsh, Keith White, Brendan Heavey, Paul Pender, Derek McCormack, Colin McCabe, Andy Kelly, Dyrall Cullen and Johnboy Lawler played U16 football.

In Ladies football the McCormack sisters Ger and Mags have Leinster junior medals. Kildare's first year at senior level had Gemma Bannon, Amy Lawler, Sharon Melia and Caoimhe Harrison involved. At minor level Ann Marie Fitzgerald, Sandra Fitzgerald and Sinead Melia played.

A very impressive array talent for a small club.

Current Pitch

The club purchased its current pitch in 1982 next to the Highbridge. We began developing it on a part time basis as money became available. The pitch and club rooms were opened on 16th of October 1983 by Hugh Campion, former Chairman of Kildare Co. Board . The facilities have been updated since the with the addition of new dressing rooms and showers. At the turn of the last century the field of which the pitch is only a portion was know as Cassidy's sports field. Eoghan Corry's history of the G.A.A. refers to Gaelic games being played in the field near the railway in 1885 when the G.A.A. was in its infancy. In 2005 the club embarked on another major development plan to keep up with the growth in the local population and purchased 17 acres in the townland of Ballykelly. This new development when finished will consist of 2 adult size floodlit pitches, 1 juvenile pitch, 1 astro surfaced training pitch, sports hall, gym, ladies and gents dressing rooms, meeting rooms and car parking for 150 cars. It is also hoped to encircle the whole development with a secure walking track for anyone who want to avail of it. The time line for the completion of this project is spring 2010

Recent History

2000 Junior B Champions

In 2000 the junior B title was won after a 25 year gap to the clubs last championship win when Straffan was defeated in the final played in Allenwood.

The team was; John Forde, Fergus Heavey, Colm 'Murdoch' McHale, Barry Kaye, Brian 'Na' Fennell, David Fitzgerald, Greg O'Rourke, John Fitzgerald (cpt}, Derek McCormack, Paul Murray, Adrian 'Mossy' Dowling, Joey Behan, Paul Pender, Trevor 'Bosh' Holligan and David Coady. Other members of the panel were John Mahon, Shaggy Byrne, Paul Duffy, John Heavey, Noel Heavey, Bobby Harrison, Pat Whyte, Colm Fitzgerald and Ronan Stafford. The team management was, Justin McCormack, Shamie Whyte, John Lawler, John Behan, and Sean Knight.

2005 Ladies Junior Champions

In 2005 history was made when the ladies team won the clubs first adult ladies championship beating Na Fianna in the final, the history makers were:Mags McCormack (Cpt), Gemma Hurley, Geraldine (McCormack) Stafford, Evelyn (Moore) Conlon, Karen Conway, Sharon Melia, Amy Burtenshaw, Gemma Bannon, Ann Marie Fitzgerald, Rosin O Connell, Amy Lawler, Martina Foster, Denise Callanan, Mags McGillacuddy, Sinead Melia, Sandra Prendergast, Caoimhe Harrison, Orla (Dunne) Martin, Mary Wade, Fiona Mahon, Jenny Forde, Ashling Forde, Mary Kate Callanan . Team management was John Lawler, James Martin, Geraldine McCormack and Mags McCormack.

2007 Junior A and Jack Higgins Cup

In 2007 another bit of club history was made when after winning the junior A title the Jack Higgins was won for the first time, the members of that panel were:Kevin Walsh, Barry Kaye, David Fitzgerald, Chris Merlihan, Ger Byrne, Paul Muldowney (Cpt), Andrew Buckley, John Fitzgerald, Alan Hickey, Dean Dempsey, Derek McCormack, Daryll Cullen, Andrew Kelly, Paul Prender, Adrian Dowling, Michael Behan, John Forde, Colm McHale, Liam Behan, Trevor Holligan, Brian Fennell, John Mahon, Liam Binnions, Pat Forde, Willie Nicholls, Brian Lynch, Colm Fitzgerald, Kevin Lovern, Joe Behan, Darren Forgerty, Damon Howard, Johnboy Lawler, and Sean McCormackTeam management was Ned Kelly, Pat Hickey, Tom Fitzgerald and John Behan.

Gaelic Football

Monasterevin beat Ballykelly in a legendary Junior A final in 1954 for which a special train was run to Newbridge. The prolific scoring of Seamie Harrison, who scored seven points for Kildare in the 1956 Leinster Senior Football Championship final, helped the club win Intermediate titles in 1955 and 1960. Tom Fitzgerald spear-headed the club’s resurgence in the 1970s, beating Johnstownbridge 1-9 to 1-7 to win the 1974 junior final and, beating Rathangan by 3-6 to 2-8 in a replayed final to become intermediate champions a year later in 1975. The club endured something of a lean spell up until 2000 when they annexed the Junior B title, their first championship in 25 years. The emergence of Derek McCormack onto the county scene has also proven a great boost for the club and area. In ladies football the McCormack sisters Ger and Mags were very much to the fore in establishing the club at county level. A glance through the clubs underage ranks will indicate the work that has been put into our young players, boys and girls, in the last number of years and we have no doubt that the future of the club is well secured.

Honours

* Intermediate champions 1955, 1960, 1975
* Junior A champions 1974. 2007
* Jack Higgins Cup 2007
* Junior B champions 1953. 2000
* Senior League Div 2 1974, 1978.
* Junior League Div 2 1974.
* Minor B champions 2007 (St Evins Gaels)
* U16 Champions 1989
* U 16 A Shield 2007 (St Evins Gaels)
* U14 Board na Og Shield 1997
* Ladies Junior champions 2005
* Ladies Senior League Div 2 2004
* Ladies U 16 champions 2005
* Ladies u 15 champions 2007

Bibliography

* Kildare GAA: A Centenary History, by Eoghan Corry, CLG Chill Dara, 1984, ISBN 0-9509370-0-2 hb ISBN 0-9509370-1-0 pb
* Kildare GAA yearbook, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 2000- in sequence especially the Millennium yearbook of 2000
* Soaring Sliothars: Centenary of Kildare Camogie 1904-2004 by Joan O'Flynn Kildare County Camogie Board.

External links

* [http://kildare.gaa.ie/ Kildare GAA site]
* [http://www.clubgaa.ie/kildare/ Kildare GAA club sites]
* [http://www.hoganstand.com/Kildare/ Kildare on Hoganstand.com]