On Sunday last, the greatest chapter was written in the history of Kilmeena GAA Club when the All Ireland Junior Football Championship was won in dramatic fashion. Since winning the Mayo Junior Championship back in November, this team had vanquished all before them, but on the green swards of Croke Park, a dramatic epic was about to enfold against the Kerry champions, Gneeveguilla, who themselves had blazed a trail through Kerry, Munster and then putting the Ulster champions to the sword. As the wind careered in from Dublin Bay and swirled around the towering stands of this most famous of stadiums, the ball was in and the game was on. Both sides went at each other with a pace that bordered on the frantic. The first ten minutes were a whirlwind. A fine Darragh Keaveney point was cancelled out by a score at the other end. Jack Carney was beginning to assert himself at midfield, And the wizard Joyce was disrupting the Kerry men’s attempts to build attacks on their right flank. At this stage the Kilmeena men had already spooked the Gneeveguilla kick outs, and were putting them under immense pressure. The mid sector of the half belonged completely to the Kilmeena men, yet by the 20th minute they found themselves a point down. Johnny Mcglynn tapped over a fine score after a driving run from Niall Feehan but our opponents levelled and then went in front. The Kilmeena defence were defending stoutly. Neillie Duffy was winning ball in the midfield, and Conor Madden was beginning to play like the midfield general that he is. Carney was now causing the Gneeveguilla defence serious problems and two driving runs from Jack yielded a point from a free and a narrowly missed goal opportunity. The half ended with the Kerry men nicking a point in injury time. The start of the second half saw Kilmeena take the game by the scruff of the neck. They were dominating possession, and the Kerry men were truly hanging on. First Darragh Keaveney slalomed through the opposition defence only to be hauled down 20 metres out. He duly converted the free. Then Seanie Ryder ghosted behind the Gneeveguilla cover to fist over a fine point. The Kerry men countered with a point from a free. The early period of the half again should have yielded more Kilmeena scores but the game at 5-5 was all to play for. The final quarter saw Kilmeena really kick for home. First a Keaveney free after Carney was yet again brought down in full flight. Joey Smyth then slotted over a lovely score after great build up play, and then with 4 minutes of normal time remaining, the black and white bedecked supporters were in raptures after Neillie Duffy slotted over a fine score after good work from John Ryan and Johnny McGlynn And then the drama really began. Desperately seeking a goal, The Gneeveguilla forwards suddenly clicked and with them bearing down on goal Paul Groden pulled off a stupendous double save. And then the unthinkable happened. Deep into injury time and only 40 seconds left on the clock, the Kilmeena defence coughed up possession and the men from Kerry rattled the ball to the neck. It was the proverbial dagger to the heart, and the supporters in the stands wondered if yet another Mayo team was once again about to experience yet another valiant defeat. But this group of players are made of strong stuff, and the first period of extra time will long be remembered as one of sheer grit and determination from these brave men. They re grouped and after Gneeveguilla knocked over an early score, they just got tore into their opponents. Straight from the throw in they forced a turnover in the tackle, and incredibly they went on to force six turnovers in the tackle in a period which ended level with Keavo equalising from a free. Into the final period of extra time and this time there was to be no stopping the men from Clew Bay. Paddy Keane and John Ryan were shoring things up at the back, and as the Kerry men relented under wave after wave of Kilmeena attacks, first Joey Smyth swivelled and spun and stroked the ball over the bar, and then with just over 2 mins left Seanie Ryder won a ball inside and fed it to Darragh Keaveney coming in off the wing to kick a point that would grace any all Ireland final. The noise rolling down from the Hogan stand to greet the score could be heard back in Myna. In the final moments there was to be no repeat of normal time and it was fitting that MOTM Carney again made a vital interception seconds before the final whistle which signalled scenes of wild jubilation. Every single player played his part in a phenomenal performance, which ultimately graced this citadel of Gaelic Games, and will forever be etched long in the memory of all who were there to witness this greatest of all victories. Match report by John Doherty and photos by Ollie Mulchrone Click on the following links to access photo albums from this historic day https://photos.app.goo.gl/RwNYRnfERAxDqZLYA https://photos.app.goo.gl/VPMM1tTigZ87qGds7 https://photos.app.goo.gl/2F3e88En3q99HDsWA https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qci2dhq7DEJQRNat8 https://photos.app.goo.gl/p9NV7e9WTkLmTa138 https://photos.app.goo.gl/nM5AwyPytxWAqWRG8

Sunday 6th February 2022 will go down in Kilmeena GAA history, not just for our victorious Senior team in the All-Ireland Junior Club Final but also for our U12s who had the honour of representing their club in the “Give Respect, Get Respect” mini-game at half time against Gneeveguilla of Kerry. Before the game, the boys lined up in their jerseys outside the main entrance of the stadium for a photo. Thankfully, every one of our lads got a chance to play on the hallowed turf of Croke Park. This event could not have happened without the behind-the-scenes efforts of Liam McDonnell, to whom we are eternally grateful. Thanks also to the Croke Park officials who supplied refreshments and match programmes. After the mini-game, we could all relax (if that’s the word!) and enjoy the rest of the main event. Following the Seniors’ triumph, we all returned to St. Brendan’s Park in Kilmeena to welcome home our All-Ireland champions. A perfect end to a perfect day. Míle buíochas - arís - do Ollie Mulchrone as na grianghraif iontacha. You can see more of Ollie's photos here.

Tickets now on sale for Sunday using the below link: Adults €20 U16s €5 Wheelchair Accessible €10 https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/junintfootball22

Congratulations and well done to our players and management on reaching the All-Ireland final of the AIB GAA Football Junior Club Championship to be played in Croke Park next Sunday, January 6th at 1:30pm where they will meet Gneeveguilla, the Kerry and Munster champions. Please get behind the team and support the club by clicking the idonate link below and making a donation. https://t.co/H1iHeMyIZG All donations are greatly appreciated and thank you to all who have donated so far. Cill Mhíodhna Abú!

Kilmeena make history by booking a place in the All-Ireland club Junior football championship final after a comfortable 1-18 to 0-6 victory over Offaly and Leinster champions Clonbullogue in Pearse Park, Longford. Playing with wind advantage kilmeena started the game with intent where Darragh Keavney, Sean Ryder and Jack Carney raised the white flag in quick succession in the first few minutes of the game. Clonbullogue then registered their first point. From this point on Kilmeena took complete control adding 1-07 without response from the Offaly men. The lively Johnny McGlynn got Kilmeena's fourth point. A determined Kilmeena turned over possession and with a series of fluid passes in attack placed the sharp shooting Darragh Keaveney in on goal where he made no mistake despite the best efforts of Cian Corcoran in the Clonbullouge goal. In truth, this was the score that killed the game as a contest. Further scores from Darragh Keaveney (3), Keith Joyce, Johnny McGlynn (2) and Niall Feehan (2) left the halftime score reading 1-12 to 0-02. Playing with wind advantage in the second half, Clonbullogue found it difficult to penetrate the solid Kilmeena defence. Howeve, they did manage to register four points. Sean Ryder, Keith Joyce, Jack Carney (2) Johnny McGlynn and Niall Ryan scored points again in the second half to leave the final score line reading 1-18 t 0-06. Kilmeena GAA club can now look forward to next Sunday when we play the Kerry and Munster champions Gneeveguilla in Croke Park at 1:30pm Thanks to large crowd of loyal supporters that travelled to Longford yesterday. It was great to see so many young and old faces in the crowd cheering on our team. Also, a big thank you to our neighbouring and fellow County and provincial clubs for their brilliant support. 💪💪🏁🏁 Click here for many more images https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wud9GREFZKc7Aj2W8

Sunday, 16th January, saw the launch of this year's Operation Transformation walks. Thank you to all who turned out to participate in the Kilmeena GAA Healthy Club walk. Walks will continue every Wednesday evening at 7 pm and Sunday morning at 10 am. As we started our walk, our Club Chairman led us in a minute silence in memory of Ashling Murphy, whose life was taken from her so suddenly. RIP. Noreen Johnson:

Kilmeena saunter into the All-Ireland Junior Semi-Final following a runaway win over Sligo Champions, St. Patricks in Markievicz Park, Sligo today. Kilmeena 1 - 18 0 - 5 St. Patrick's more... celebration photos... and more again… https://photos.app.goo.gl/phoavsKXWkzYgDQe7

Tickets for the Connacht Junior Football Club Championship Final v St Patrick's, Sligo can be purchased from the link below. Time: 1.30pm Date: Saturday 8th January Venue: Markievicz Park, Sligo https://www.universe.com/events/connacht-gaa-club-junior-football-championship-final-tickets-C9TXN2 Tickets are priced at €15 each. U16s are free. There are no concessions for students or OAPS and tickets will not be sold at the ground.

It was with great sadness that Kilmeena GAA and the community learned of the passing of one our club's great stalwarts and a former club chairman, Vincent Reilly. Vincent was a true gentleman, a wonderful footballer, a Gael and was always a great supporter of Kilmeena GAA Club. He enjoyed nothing better than going to the matches and meeting with people and having the craic and banter. Vincent played football with Westport during the period 1959-1963 as the club in Kilmeena had become defunct. In 1961 he played for the county minors. During a period in the 60's while working in Dublin, he played with St. Vincent's club. On his return Vincent represented the Kilmeena Club as a player where he had few peers, finishing his playing career in 1972/'73. During the 1970s Vincent was active in club administration serving as Club Chairman during the years 1970 and 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1978. He served as Vice-Chairman in 1979. He also held the position of Vice President in 1981. Vincent was part of the organising committee when the Kilmeena team famously toured the United States and Canada in 1970 playing games in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland and Toronto. In 2001 and 2002 Vincent, along with Phelim McManamon, Michael Moore and Ollie Mulchrone took over the management of the men's junior team and was very proud when his son John took over the management of the present Kilmeena junior team. Vincent will be greatly missed around our club and community. All at Kilmeena GAA club would like to extend their deepest sympathies to Vincent's wife, Irene, son John and daughter Susan and to all his family, friends and neighbours. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

In light of the recent HSE guidance and increasing Covid-19 numbers, the St. Stephens day Splash has been postponed. Please keep safe and have a lovely Christmas.

The Ball on the Wall initiative is ongoing and is a critical fundraising drive for supporting the development of club facilities . We have recently installed another three Plaques with an additional three Plaques being sent for engraving. If you'd like to get your name, a relative or your family name on the wall please check out the previous posting for details of how to take part and show your support. !https://www.kilmeenagaaclub.ie/post/major-pitch-development-fundraiser

Kilmeena LGFA closed their season for the second year in succession with their well attended annual "Jingle Run" last evening starting from St Brendan's N.S. Having completed the 5K circuit of the parish, they were treated to a party of "goodies and music" on their return to the ambient surroundings of the General Purpose room in St. Brendan's. Many thanks to Mickey Carney, Principal, for making the school facilities available to the ladies. Ready for the OFF... and we're back! more...

The Kilmeena GAA Club Annual Newsletter has just been published. Download your copy from the link below. The Newsletter Committee would like to apologise for the omission of a photo of the Boys U9 team, pictured below. Back row, left to right: Bobby Lane, Finn Sheridan, Joe Durkan, Zander Gibbons, Oisin Martin, James Heanue. Front row, left to right: Jay Joyce, Max Keane, Cody Coughlan, Ruairí Ryan, Charlie Walsh, Cillian Gilger. Absent from picture Evan Ryder, Jamie Cawley.

What a fantastic evening! We had a leisurely run from the greenway to our pitch in Santa hats - and a rendition of Jingle Bells - from the greenway to our pitch. Waiting for us was Finola Feehan who greeted us with the most amazing collection of her homemade buns, sweets and hot chocolate to reward the lads after seven week’s training, usually in cold and wet conditions. After a quick pit-stop, the boys went on to the pitch for a bit of craic by head torch - a grand end to a grand evening. Thank you Finola for making it a memorable evening. Well done to all the lads who deserve a well-earned break. And thanks also to the parents who turn up every week to help out. Happy Christmas!

The Kilmeena Senior Men’s and Ladies’ football teams would love all club members, children, friends, visitors home for Christmas, aunties, uncles, grannies, grandads, neighbours and dogs to join them for our first ever St. Stephens Day Splash. All donations go to Mayo Roscommon Hospice and Kilmeena GAA Club. Mulled wine/hot Ribena and minced pies will be served on the pier after the big splash! Help the hospice and help our club. Come on - feel the fear and do it anyway! Donate: tinyurl.com/kilmeenagaa BUCKET COLLECTION ON THE DAY.