Killavullen has a rich history of success to draw upon
LIKE all the other GAA clubs in Cork history at a club like Killavullen has a huge part to play – and top of that list is the history made by some of its members. For a small village club, Killavullen is very proud of all the exploits of its members however the achievements of some stand tall in the locality.
Brian O’Driscoll won All- Ireland under 21 and Intermediate hurling medals in 1997 with Cork while James O’Mahony and Michael Whelan won Junior All Ireland Inter firm medals with Mica- Micanite from Mallow in the same year. The latter pair were an integral part of the successful junior football team of 2000.
Another local legend is Billy Griffin, who resided in the parish and won an All-Ireland Senior Hurling medal with Cork in 1952 playing at left half forward. Billy played his club hurling with Shanballymore at that time but his exploits are fondly remembered by all at the Killavullen GAA Club. The team that Griffin played in was captained by Paddy Barry from Sarsfield’s and also contained the great Christy Ring in its starting 15.
Catherine Coakley, Patrica Murphy and Jenny Luddy all claimed All Ireland medals winning the Cork minor ladies football team in 2007. All three girls played under age football with Killavullen.
All three played with the Juvenile Club to Under-16.
Caleb Crone is another name synonymous with Killavullen GAA Club – despite playing for the St Mary’s club in Dublin winning an All-Ireland medal with Dublin in 1941 before winning another with Cork in 1945. Caleb grew up in Killavullen, where his father was Station Master for a while.
Marie Barrett, who played under age football with Killavullen, and subsequently with all conquering Clyda Rovers Ladies teams managed to win caps in a different field, that of the Ireland Ladies rugby squad. Another achievement that all at Killavullen GAA are very proud of.
Alan O’Driscoll and Gene Kelleher from the club won All Ireland medals with the Cork Junior Team in 2001, both of them contributing a point in the dying moments, from where Cork won by two points, when Michael Linehan was a selector.
In fact Linehan was a selector on the Cork Under-21 team for a large number of years, and assisted with Cork winning the All-Ireland in this grade in 2007. Colm O’Connell, current Killavullen Player has also represented Cork in this grade in 2006.
When Avondhu last won the Cork County Senior hurling Final in 1996, two Killavullen players received county medals, namely Brian O’Driscoll and Pat O’Donovan. Avondhu also won the title in 1966 and 1952.
Killavullen are in rare company as one of only a few teams that managed to win three in a row North Cork Junior Football titles since the competition was formally organised in 1926, the others being Mitchelstown and Clyda Rovers.
Over the years, Killavullen GAA Club has seen many changes to the infrastructure on site with most of the physical advancements down to the hard work of all those involved at the club.
At the time of the club’s century year, 1984, the club purchased land from the local Browne Family and since then have developed the location into a magnificent playing field. Not content with just a quality pitch, a state of the art dressing rooms were added with a second playing pitch – rented from the Linehan family.
In an attempt to get all members up to the fitness levels required gym facilities have been added to the clubs portfolio. Located on the banks of the Blackwater River the main playing pitch must surely be one of the most picturesque in all of Cork.
The pitch may be susceptible to flooding on occasion however careful sitting of the dressing rooms means that these are not affected by flood waters.
Killavullen GAA Club has also engaged in major works in recent years in the area of accessibility for disabled people with major infrastructural works undertaken to ensure that the Astro Turf area and the second playing field are now completely wheelchair accessible – something that the club is very proud of.
While all these works came at a large financial cost the club members were determined to make the club as wheelchair friendly.
All at Killavullen GAA Club are understandably proud of what has been achieved at the north Cork club with the history of the club something that has been celebrated many times over the years.
Right now Killavullen GAA Club is at the top of its game both on and off the field and while 2017 will again be a challenging year for the north Cork club it is unlikely to be a challenge they can’t rise to.