To get club up and running in Asdee

The field was drained and free draining sand was implanted into the surface. A new clubhouse was to follow and after that a second pitch was developed. In more recent years the club drained and sanded a training pitch and this is now fully operational and followed this up with the construction of dugouts and a spectator stand.

Jack Hennessy and Mike Doyle were the unsung heroes of the club for many years and they were at the pitch early for home games and they would line the pitch and put the corner flags in place. John Paul Galvin also made a huge contribution to the club in their early years.

The club got their first taste of success in 1978 when they won the Reserve Cup defeating Spa

Road in the final. The winning goal was scored by Ned O’Connor.

The Asdee line out that day was Jim Aherne, John Mc Carthy, Paddy Dee, Liam Horgan, Ned O’Connor, Jack Hennessy, Mike Doyle, Martin Sugrue, TJ McCarron, Rick Harty (RIP), Eddie Kearney. Subs: John Paul Galvin, David O’Connor, John Joe Healy, Mike Rice.

In 1992 they gained notoriety when the Kerry area final of the Munster Junior Cup was played at their Ballynoneen pitch and they defeated Tralee United 3-2 to claim a major trophy. The line out that day was Ned Moloney, Eric O’Neill, Tom O’Sullivan, Mike O’Connor, Sean O’Keeffe, Donie O’Keeffe, Barry Healy, Kevin Boyle, Billy O’Connor, Mike Purtill,

The following year they reached the regional final of the FAI Junior Cup but were defeated by Shannon side Newtown.

In the years that followed they were promoted several times and went all the way up to the top flight of Kerry soccer. After a lean streak silverware arrived again in 2008 when under manager John Gorman they were crowned Celsius Cup Champions defeating Ballybunion Celtic 3-1 in the final.

The squad for the final were Patrick O’Brien, Mike Long, John Long, Cillian Beasley, John Martin Horgan, Paul O’Carroll , Kieran Kennelly, Charlie Dalton, Noel Long, Liam McElligott, Eoin Kennedy. Subs: Liam Galvin, Maurice O’Halloran, Chris O’Sullivan, Brian Halon. John Divine, Jeremiah Tydings, Darren Russell, Padraig

Ruddle.

They reached the final again the following year, but lost to Classic FC in a replay after the first game ended scoreless. They did get into three league finals in recent years, but lost to Fenit Samphires, Killorglin and Listowel Celtic.

The club were greatly honoured when Seán O’Keeffe was elected the chairman of the KDL in 2005. The club have been well represented in the KDL as Mike Creed and Mike Rice were members of the Management Committee for a number of years.

Three years ago Seán O’Keeffe and Mike Rice were the joint recipients of the John Sherlock Services to Football Award and it was presented to both at a FAI ceremony held in Kilkenny.