Mastergeeha FC still making great strides
MASTERGEEHA FC is a small rural club whose based in the Kilcummin area just a few miles from Killarney and they have made great strides over the last couple of decades and now have facilities that are the envy of many big clubs in the county.
None of this could been achieved without a huge effort being put in by all involved as well as getting great support from the local community.
They have been fostering the game in the area at both senior and underage level and have attained a fair degree of success also with a healthy souvenir cabinet decorated with some cherished pieces of silverware.
This year Mastergeeha FC celebrates its 40th Anniversary with the club formed in1979.
According to club secretary Tadhg Brosnan the club came to fruition due to a number of sets of brothers from the townland of Mastergeeha and the surrounding area.
It all started when a group of young lads came together in Devane’s Field in Mastergeeha for a kick around.
Early training sessions were held in the school field in Anabla with the first competitive games played in the 7-a-side in the Friary Field near the Aras Padraig.
They began by taking part in some cup competitions in the Kerry District League, and then for the 1980/81 season Masteregeeha entered the league with the first game away to Cullen, which ended on a 2-2 draw.
On this away trip the team was managed by Donie O’Connor and John Kerins, and supported by long serving treasurer Joe Doyle (RIP).
The highlight for this season was the two draws against local rivals Anabla.
The panel of players for the first season was Pats and John O’Leary, Joe O’Leary, Robert and John Kerins, Eoin Murphy, Pat and Denis McSweeney, Billy and Michael O’Neill, Jimmy and Mike Devane.
In the first two seasons the club played all games away from home until they secured a pitch in Pat O’Connor.s field in Mileen.
During this time training was still based in McSweeneys field and they were accommodated by Johnny O’Leary who supplied a base for meeting and togging out.
In 1982 the club purchased their first set of jerseys in the colours red, white and black, which remain the club colours to the present day.
In 1983 they moved not too far away to playing and training at Dermot Brosnan’s field with Jerry O’Leary (RIP) supplying the power for lights and his garage to tog out for games.
After that the club played and trained in Mrs Fleming’s field beside Ryan’s Hotel for a number of years and then to Jimmy O’Callaghan’s fields on the Tralee Road.
In 1997 the club took the brave step of purchasing land at Kilbrean, which is now their permanent home base. In the current season the club has an Under-17, Under-18 and senior side competing in the Kerry District League.
CLUB OFFICIALS
Chairman: Alan Moynihan; Secretary: Tadhg Brosnan; Treasurers: Ken Bruton and
Joanne Looney; PRO: Brendan Buckley; Facilities Manager: Dave O’Leary; Committee: Donal Hannigan, John Kennedy, Mike O’Connor, Noreen Nagle, Paul Lenihan and Sean Hughes.