Focus on Killavullen GAA Club: The Corkman’sDiarmuid Sheehan profiles 129 years of tradition
Diarmuid Sheehan reports on how Killvullen GAA club has gone from strength to strength in its 129 years in existence
Persistence paid off in many cases for the lads and in 1961 the club contested the final of the Avondhu Novice
129 years and counting, that’s how long Killavullen GAA Club has managed to stay relevant in the village of Killavullen and in the greater north Cork area.
Founded on the 15th of February 1888 in the parish under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Killavullen GAA Club continues to be one of the linchpins that keeps the north Cork village and its people strong.
In the early days, Killavullen GAA Cub relied on neighbouring clubs like Shanballymore for invites to participate in hurling tournaments which often sometimes brought success, but more importantly provided competitive games in preparation for championship fixtures.
The prize for winning such tournaments was often “the cut of a suit, or gold watches, which in poorer times, were great incentives to do well,” Rory Lankford, present club chairman said.
“Persistence paid off in many cases for the lads and in 1962 the club contested the final of the Avondhu Novice hurling Championship. Six years later the club managed to take this first major title.”
Around this time Killavullen also managed to taste their first major footballing success claiming their first championship in 1963, thanks in large part to the dedication of Johnny Beechinor, a native of Newmarket, who had come to settle in the parish.
Another gap before the club tasted more hurling glory when in 1979 they were crowned North Cork Junior (B) Hurling League champions.
Since the revival of the juvenile club in 1978, success has flowed more in football than n hurling. All the Trojan work done within the juvenile club is the basis for all the modern day success as titles have flowed in over the last three decades
The club won North Cork Under 12 championships in 1980 and 1981 and won Avondhu championships at all age levels, including minor titles in 1986 and 1992. Indeed in 1992, Killavullen were North Cork Championships in Under 14 B hurling and minor football while also claiming league titles in minor hurling and junior football. This was a year that all at the club are extremely and understandably still proud of today.
More success followed the next year as the club claimed the North Cork Junior (B) Football Championship and the divisional league title as well as making it all the way to the County Junior B Football final – a game they would ultimately lose.
This success at the time was deservedly attributed to the work of Beechinor, Owen O’Neill, George Lane, Mattie Dorgan, Joe Taylor, Tim Nagle and other club members over the preceding 16 years or so.
It was no surprise in North Cork when all the hard work with the younger players came to fruition in adult competition in the mid to late 90s as the club won the North Cork Junior Football Championship in 1998 after winning the league the previous year.
That same year, Killavullen were defeated in the county final by Newmarket.
Far from being put off by the experience the team rallied again, making it back to back North Cork junior Football Championship in 1999 – before retaining that same title again in the year 2000 – this time reaching the Holy Grail by landing the county title, defeating Kiskeam in the final. This success saw the club promoted to the intermediate grade.
Success started to flow at intermediate as Killavullen’s golden generation claimed the The Tadgh Crowley Cup in 2002 – only their second year at the intermediate grade. Killavullen added the Tom Creedon the following year, claiming that prestigious award again in 2005 - and if that wasn’t enough, Killavullen stormed to the Munster Intermediate Football League title in 2004.
2007 was another great year for all at Killavullen GAA as the club came within a whisker of winning the Premier Intermediate Football title, however, they came up just short to neighbours Mallow in a very closely fought final.
That great year was a turning point for the club’s fortunes as that great team started to retire from competitive action. Since then the club has been rebuilding from the bottom with a new team being steadily built to once again challenge the big Avondhu sides around them.
The club currently is competing competitively in junior football again and is likely to soon challenge for major honours.
Hurling has again come to the fore in recent years as Killavullen, compete at Junior B level. The progress has been really interesting to watch and in 2016 the team went all the way to the County Junior B Hurling Final – losing out in a replay to a Whitechurch side that are currently the All-Ireland champions at that grade.
The success of Whitechurch at national level is a sign of just what level Killavullen are at right now and may also be a serious indication of where things may lead in the not so distant future.
Killavullen is a rural club and is very proud of its connections with the local farming community.
The club members are very grateful to the farmers who gave their fields down through the years, particularly the Lucey family, Ballymacmoy who provided the club with a playing pitch for over 30 years.
Prior to that venue, games were played in the Inch Field of the property that is now part of the Nano Nagle Centre in Ballygriffin. Generosity like this is not only part and parcel of village life in Ireland but it also reflects just how strong of a force the GAA is in many parts of Cork.
Killavullen GAA club is buzzing with young life these as kids from all around flock to the wonderful facilities.
The club welcomes all youngsters from the parish to its doors as it looks to create another dynasty.