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Having narrowly missed out on promotion in 2016, the clear aim for 2017 was to get promotion to Div 1C. It was always going to be a challenge given any number of issues that can come to light in a six month campaign. There wasn’t much time to ease our way into the campaign, when faced with a home fixture against promotion contenders Killala. In an evenly matched contest the lads from Kilmeena ran out winners and we were up and running. Then it was off to Tourmakeady a week later and in a tough uncompromising encounter, we salvaged a draw. Two games in and a steady start against tough opponents. Garrymore conceded the points in our next fixture, and then a visit to Ballintubber resulted in a comprehensive victory leaving us top of the table after the first set of league fixtures. Championship then started at the end of May and first up was Crossmolina. In the recent past, having suffered to these opponents, nothing was left to chance and a 9 point victory was a good return for a very focussed performance. Ballina was up next in the Championship campaign and they met the same fate in the face of an excellent Kilmeena performance. Back to the bread and butter of the League, we hosted Ballycastle in a game we knew was going to be critical to our promotion hopes. We struggled for long periods, but we managed to ease out the visitors, and after we followed up with a big win in Kilfian, promotion was on the horizon at the halfway point of the campaign. Next in line was Charlestown in the Championship, and again a good solid victory was registered and top of the championship group was secured. A few weeks later we hosted Crossmolina this time in the league, and in a stunning performance the boys in black and white ran out easy winners. This was followed up with a tough bruising encounter at Davitts, and after an excellent victory, we were on the cusp of promotion. Going into September, and we were all set for a Championship quarter final against Ballycastle. The scene was set in Ballina and on a stormy day in a low scoring encounter we managed to rescue a draw at the death. The replay two weeks later was to prove to be the most frustrating day of the year. We were well beaten on a day when we Senior Review 2017 League Division 1D/Junior Championship (By John Doherty) seriously under performed. However, there was no time to wallow in self pity. Knockmore were coming to town in a huge promotion clash a week later, and in a sense we held our breath to see how this young team would respond. In the end there should have been no need to worry. This squad did what they always do in adversity – the response was as incisive as a surgeon’s knife, and Knockmore were put to the sword in a display full of vigour and sheer bloody mindedness. The points were secured and we stood on the brink of promotion. A week later we were off to Ballina in our season defining game and the home lot were in no mood to facilitate our path to glory. In a game which swung back and forth, again perseverance won through and an outstanding year was capped with promotion. Now the focus was on becoming league champions and one victory in the last two games would secure the league. Kilcommin came to Kilmeena, but were no answer to the firepower of the Kilmeena men as we ran out comprehensive winners, and the league was secured. In the final game we travelled to play Charlestown, who in a senior studded lineout really gave us a game of it, which we edged through by the minimum margin. This was a serious achievement for this committed squad of players. The Championship ended in a very disappointing manner especially when the run was looking promising. However, the league campaign was exceptional in how we maintained our consistency We went through unbeaten and in the end were four league points ahead of our nearest opponents. Moving to a higher level and engaging with tougher opponents will not be beyond this squad and will be a challenge that this team will relish and enjoy in 2018. Junior League Champions Back Row L-R: Mickey Feeney, Jason Barry, Joey Smyth, Ross Mullin, Niall Feehan, Sean Ryder, Andrew Grealis, Stephen Staunton, Alan Ryan, Niall Ryan, Neil Duffy, John Reilly, Sean Barrett, Ronan Keane, Kevin Ryder, Patrick Golden, John Doherty and John McGlynn. Front Row L-R: Paul Groden, Declan Ryan, John Ryan, Darragh Keaveney, David Stenson, Liam Heanue, Chris Heanue, Kieran Hastings, James Keane, Jack Staunton, Pat Mulchrone, Paul Moran, Joe Ryan and Keith Joyce.

Kilmeena Minor campaign started well with an unbeaten run in division 2B. We played open and expansive football and thrilled the crowds that came out to support us. Th e teams that we played in our group were Ballintubber, Hollymount/Carramore, Ballaghaderreen, Ballinrobe and Carras. We topped the group and set up a date with our nearest rivals Burrishoole. We lost this game and were disappointed as we played very well but lost by a point in a thriller to a well drilled Burrishoole team. This set us up for another date with Burrishoole in the West Mayo Championship. Again we went down with an under strength side. We knew that if we could defeat Ballintubber in the West semi-fi nal we would again meet Burrishoole in the fi nal. We just about managed to get over Ballintubber in a tight encounter in Clogher. At this stage we were very eager not to come out the wrong end of the result against our neighbour and we turned the tide in the West final. I have to say we enjoyed this performance as everyone played so well. As it happened this was the end of our year. The Minor Championship came at a time when our under 16’s were playing Championship and our Junior team was preparing for Junior Quarter-fi nal and trying to win their league. Injury was also a problem and all this meant we had to concede our games. Th is is one of the problems of having success at every level and having quite a bit of cross-over in age groups. All in all we had a successful year and we eventually defeated the one team that was able to beat us during the season in the most important game for us this year. I would like to thank all the players that gave everything and were a pleasure to manage. I also had the pleasure of working with John Reilly and Brian Lennon. I would like to thank them for all their efforts. West Mayo Minor Champions Back row L-R: Brian Lennon, Kevin Ryder, Jack Staunton, Ryan McGonagle, Alex O’Riain, Bailey Nevin, Ciaran Costello, Jack Carney, Sean McGreal, Sean Moore, Emmet Aylward, Josh Mulchrone, Darren Madden, Manager; Billy McGonagle. Front row L-R: John Reilly, John McGlynn, Kian Moore, Ronan O’Donnell, Keith Joyce, John Ryan, Robbie Harper, John Keane, Simon Duffy, Jason McGlynn

Kilmeena U16 Boys commenced training on the last day of February to set out their stall for the 2017 season. We were pitched in Division 3 of the league (a 9 team group), Aughamore, Hollymount/ Carramore, Swinford, Ardnaree, Burrishoole, Naomh Padraig, Parke and Balla. With the age profile of our squad and the calibre of teams in the group a top four (semi final) spot looked beyond us on paper. However, a convincing home round 1 win against Hollymount/Carramore followed by away wins over Burrishoole and Parke meant the season was off to a great start. Now a top four finish was a realist target, the team improved with each game and carried on the great form to finish the group in top spot and secure a home semi final. Round 9 a home game against Ardnaree (a top of the table clash) was the stand out game of the group which was won by 3 - 12 to 3 - 08. Hollymount/Carramore were defeated in a home semi final to set up a much anticipated final against Ardnaree who had disposed of Naomh Padraig in the other semi. On a sunny evening at the end of May Kilmeena took to the field in Parke for the final but it was all a bit of an anti-climax when Ardnaree failed to show up. We were presented with the cup but as we had finished top of the table we felt it was well justified. As a result of winning the league we were drawn in the B section of the Summer Championship against Ballina, Ballaghaderreen and Ballintubber. We were well beaten away to Ballaghaderreen, a home win against Ballintubber, an away defeat to Ballina but an impressive performance. Aside from the away defeat to Ballaghaderreen we competed very well at this level and were generally happy with where we were at. The West Mayo B Championship was the final competition for this group. Our first game was a home semi-final against Breaffy who had operated above us in the league. We knew it would take a massive performance to win this one and a hugely impressive display was delivered to secure a final position by the minimum of margins. Ballintubber were our opposition in the final and on a fine August evening in Islandeady probably our most impressive display of the season was delivered to secure the West crown on a score line of 3 -11 to 1-06. The league and championship double was won and great credit must go to this talented group of young men, who were captained by the excellent Jack Carney (who also represented Mayo at U16 level this year.) U15 Boys We were drawn in division 2 of the under 15 league, 5 straight wins over Crossmolina, Ardnaree, Burrishoole, Achill and Naomh Padraig secured a home semi final against a well drilled physical Ballinrobe side. The “cliché” the game of two halves was very apt for this one as we were 15 points down at half time but went on to win the game by a point with one of the great come backs. We faced a highly fancied Mayo Gaels side in the final and came up short losing 5 - 12 to 3 - 10 in the end. A great year all round for the U15 and U16 lads. Panel: Cathal Cawley, Brian Mortimer, Chris McGlynn, Tom Smyth, Simon Duffy, Jack Carney, Niall Mullin, Ronan O’Donnell (Fahy), Mikey Hastings, Iain Murphy, Jason McGlynn, Mark Hastings, Chris McNally, Kian Moore, Ronan O’Donnell (Kilmeena), Robbie Staunton, Sean Costello, Adam Sheridan, Conor Kerins, Nathan Heanue, Luke Garavan, Gerard Gibbons, Cillian O’Grady, Sean Prenty, Oisìn Grimley, Ben Lennon, Daniel O’Malley, Jamie Staunton, Rory Nolan, Jack Walsh, Tighe Costello. Management: Padraic Moore, Neil O’Donnell and Declan Ryan. Back row L-R: Padraic Moore (Manager), Conor Kerins, Iain Murphy, Niall Mullin, Simon Duffy, Brian Mortimer, Ronan O’Donnell (Fahy), Chris McGlynn, Adam Sheridan, Kian Moore, Robbie Staunton, Luke Garavan, Ronan O’Donnell (Kilmeena), Nathan Heanue, Neil O’Donnell (Manager). Front Row L-R: Declan Ryan (Manager), Sean Prenty, Ben Lennon, Cillian O’Grady, Cathal Cawley, Chris McNally, Jason McGlynn, Jack Carney (capt), Sean Costello, Mikey Hastings, Tom Smythe, Oisin Grimley, Mark Hastings.

We were drawn in division 2 of the under 15 league, 5 straight wins over Crossmolina, Ardnaree, Burrishoole, Achill and Naomh Padraig secured a home semi final against a well drilled physical Ballinrobe side. The “cliché” the game of two halves was very apt for this one as we were 15 points down at half time but went on to win the game by a point with one of the great come backs. We faced a highly fancied Mayo Gaels side in the final and came up short losing 5 - 12 to 3 - 10 in the end. A great year all round for the U15 and U16 lads. Panel: Cathal Cawley, Brian Mortimer, Chris McGlynn, Tom Smyth, Simon Duffy, Jack Carney, Niall Mullin, Ronan O’Donnell (Fahy), Mikey Hastings, Iain Murphy, Jason McGlynn, Mark Hastings, Chris McNally, Kian Moore, Ronan O’Donnell (Kilmeena), Robbie Staunton, Sean Costello, Adam Sheridan, Conor Kerins, Nathan Heanue, Luke Garavan, Gerard Gibbons, Cillian O’Grady, Sean Prenty, Oisìn Grimley, Ben Lennon, Daniel O’Malley, Jamie Staunton, Rory Nolan, Jack Walsh, Tighe Costello. Management: Padraic Moore, Neil O’Donnell and Declan Ryan. Back row L-R: Padraic Moore (Manager), Conor Kerins, Iain Murphy, Niall Mullin, Simon Duffy, Brian Mortimer, Ronan O’Donnell (Fahy), Chris McGlynn, Adam Sheridan, Kian Moore, Robbie Staunton, Luke Garavan, Ronan O’Donnell (Kilmeena), Nathan Heanue, Neil O’Donnell (Manager). Front Row L-R: Declan Ryan (Manager), Sean Prenty, Ben Lennon, Cillian O’Grady, Cathal Cawley, Chris McNally, Jason McGlynn, Jack Carney (capt), Sean Costello, Mikey Hastings, Tom Smythe, Oisin Grimley, Mark Hastings.

Supported by a large number of U16 players, the minor panel competed well in all their matches against strong opposition, best shown in their 2-5 score against a very experienced and organised Breaffy team in the league. The championship saw the team facing a strong St. Brigid’s team away who were deserved winners on the day. Strong second half displays in many matches shows the spirit in the team for which they deserve great credit. With numbers growing and many of the panel still eligible next year, the minor team will hopefully go from strength to strength in 2018.

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The U16 girls competed very well and represented the Club with pride during 2017. A total of 24 ladies played at U16 level throughout the year. Training commenced on the 24th Feb with over 40 outings in total for the group. The U16, minors and Juniors trained together which made training more enjoyable for all. Th e team competed well in the league with notable performances against The Neale and Westport. The Championship ended with defeat to St Bridget’s in a tight game. A number of the ladies were invited into the Mayo development squad which is important for the development of players in the Club. The future is bright for this group as they develop their skills and enjoy the social side of ladies football. Thanks to Colm Barrett and Trish Hogan for their help with training and match preparations during the year. Thanks to Pakie Keane and Pat Mulchrone who did several strength and conditioning sessions early in the season. Thanks to all parents for their assistance during the year. 2017 panel: Susannah Horgan, Nina Mathestein, Dearbhla Grealis, Laura Moore, Holly Barrett, Ava Ryder, Chloe McGing, Molly Moore, Katie Hogan, Lisa Rose, Jamie Geraghty, Ciara Joyce, Laura Kelly, Dearbhla Feehan, Shannon Burke, Sarah McDonald, Abby McGreal, Áine Regan, Tina Browne, Aoife Gibbons, Rachel Gibbons, Kelly Murray and Cliodhna O Connell and Megan O’Malley. Kilmeena L.G.F.A. continues to grow. The improved facilities made a big diff erence with the kicking wall, indoor room and sanded areas being very useful when the pitch was not available. The opening of the additional playing pitch in 2018 will facilitate even more football for the ladies of the parish. Thanks to everyone for an enjoyable year.

The U-8 girls group started training in April and continued to the end of September. Th ere were 16 girls registered in this group. Th is year the focus was on fun, fi tness and skills development. All players received their own football from the club and it was decided to use the L.G.F.A. Football Skills Programme for 8 weeks. Th is involved daily practice of a set of skills and the girls worked hard. Th e improvement in their skills was obvious, especially kicking points with both feet at such a young age. We travelled to Westport for an end of year game, splitting into U-6 and U-8 teams. Th e girls were proud to wear the Kilmeena jersey and played their best. We fi nished the year with a session in the clubhouse. We played some indoor games and had a small presentation for completing the skills programme. Míle buíochás to the coaches; Sandra McDonald, Nicola McIntyre, Maura Hastings and also, to the parents who helped during the season. We look forward to returning next season and wish those moving on to U-10’s all the best.

The U8’s concluded a very successful season with a training session on the last Thursday of September. Despite the inclement weather for the last six weeks of training, a full turnout of all 17 players was typical from this great bunch of lads. There were matches galore this year starting with a visit from Tourmakeady, and following blitzes in Islandeady and Achill, and numerous matches against Louisburgh, Islandeady, Achill and others. Our boys emerged unbeaten for the entire season - testament to all their hard work at training. The coaches - Mairead Durkan, Barry Murphy, Ollie Collins and Eamonn Daly - would like to extend their sincere thanks to all the boys’ parents for their efforts in getting the boys to all of the training sessions and matches. Here’s to another successful season in 2018!

Kilmeena under 12 girls had a very good year in 2017. All the girls showed great commitment to the training during the year and always gave their very best in all the competitive games they played. The girls travelled great distances to play their games and we were delighted that so many parents assisted in the car pooling to the various venues. Kilmeena recorded great victories over Louisburgh, Davitts, Castlebar 2, and Islandeady, We were delighted to see more players join the squad this year and we hope to continue to add to the panel over the next year. We always try to ensure that all girls get competitive action on a weekly basis. The management team would like to thank the club for all the support and assistance throughout the year. We would also like to thank the parents for their help and support throughout the entire year. In particular we thank the girls themselves for their loyalty and hard work. They have simply been a pleasure to work with and we look forward to another exciting year ahead. Well done girls!

Under 10 girls represented their club magnificently this year. We kicked off the season in February with a panel of 22 girls. They worked on their skills indoors in Fahy Community Centre, which certainly helped them when they moved out to the pitch in April. During the season they played brilliantly with 3 matches against Islandeady, 2 matches against Louisburgh, 1 against Westport and 2 matches against Achill, in all kinds of weather! Thank you to Fahy Community Centre for the use of the hall. Thank you also to the hard working Managers and Coaches; John Moore, Pete Lane, John Gallagher, Shona Hughes, Luanne O’Donnell and Cathy Burrows. We would like to pay particular thanks to all the parents for their support throughout the season. They braved some very wet evenings to cheer on the girls. Finally we would like to thank these 22 wonderful girls who will be the future stars of Kilmeena Ladies Gaa. Every one of them put their heart and soul into training and matches this year and we see a huge improvement in all of them. We look forward to the 2018 season and wish the girls moving up to under 12’s all the very best.

Kilmeena U-6 boys are our future stars. There were 17 enthusiastic boys in this group who trained from April to the end of September. The Club presented each boy with his own football and this was greatly appreciated by the parents and coaches. The emphasis was on fun with a discreet mixture of fitness and skills development carried out during the year. Thanks to all the parents for encouraging your son to play gaelic football. Thank you to coaches : Mel King, Brian Mc Manamon and Maura Hastings. Good Luck to the boys that are moving on to U-8 and we look forward to playing more football in 2018. The U6 Boys with the footballs presented by Kilmeena and Mayo Minor footballer, Keith Joyce on behalf of the Club. Back L-R: Mairead Durkan, Paul Ryan, Willie Keaveney, John McDonald, Padraic Moore, Keith Joyce, Brian McManamon, Barry Murphy and Maura Hastings.

Kilmeena U10 boys started training on the 6th April 2017, with a registered panel of 24 players. The go games group consisted of Islandeady, Tourmakeady, Kilmeena, Achill, Louisbourgh and Burrishoole with whom we competed very well with in all games. We took part in a number of Blitzes and were successful in Achill and Balla. We would like to thank Hugh Golden of Logden Homes for the sponsorship of the new set of jerseys. The U10’s completed 4 skill tests throughout the year. Three during the year and the last one took place on the day of the home league final. A marked improvement was noted from test 1 to test 4. We would like to thank the parents/guardians for bringing the lads to training and matches. We also thank the trainers: Pat Mulchrone, John O’Grady, Kieran Hastings, Mickey Murray, Carmel Kilcoyne and Sean Kenning. 2017 Panel: Louis Corcoran, Alex Coyne, Patrick Feehan, Rory Kilcoyne, Oran Grimley, Luke Hackett, Alex Kenning, Aaron Murray, Darragh O’Grady, Cormac O’Malley, John Paul Ryan, Patrick Sammon, Dean Staunton, Tiernan Aherne, Darren Daly, Shane Durkan, Alan Gannon, Sean Keane, Sean Kilcoyne-Mullarkey, Adam Moran, Alan Mortimer, Kyle Mulchone, Tadhg O’Driscoll, Cormac Slattery. Three U-8 boys also played with us in the Paddy Golden Blitz 2017. (Jamie Durcan, Felix Zeray and Robbie Murphy). Picture below shows all that played in the Paddy Golden Blitz 2017.

Training commenced on the 2nd March in the new gym with 18 U14 girls in attendance. Pat Mulchrone kindly attended and completed some strength and conditioning exercises with the group. A number of the older under 12 girls also joined the panel for competitive games throughout the year. We played 7 league matches between the 27th March and the 14th June. We started off with a fabulous win against Carnacon, unfortunately that was the end of the wins in a very difficult league campaign. On the 17th July we played at home to CL Gaels in the championship. It was a very close 1st half with CL Gaels ahead by 1 point at half time, the second half was also very competitive but CL Gaels hung on for a 2 point win. We finished up the year on 02nd August with an entertaining round of foot golf in Aughagower followed by some refreshments and prizes in the Country Lodge. The list of our 2017 U-14 registered players were; Sarah Gillespie, Emma Murray, Rachel Gibbons, Aoife Gibbons, Megan O’Malley, Àine Regan, Megan Mulchrone, Jessica O’ Donnell, Holly Barrett, Abby McGreal, Laura Kelly, Aibhlin O’ Flynn, Evie O’ Flynn, Anna Moran, Ciara Joyce, Mollie Keane, Sinead Mulchrone, Aisling Hoban, Keeley Hastings, Grace McNally. Thanks to all the girls for their effort and commitment during the year. Thanks also to the parents for their support and help throughout the year. Thanks also to the management team of Ann Marie Crean, Geraldine Gibbons, Ollie Mulchrone, Pete Mortimer and Michael Regan.

The U-12 boys started training on 20th March. Th roughout the season we had a panel of 30 players and training was well attended. We played fi ve games in the Spring League Division C. We won four and gained promotion. Th e standard in the Summer League Division B was much higher but we won two of our fi ve matches. Due to very inclement weather we had to play for three consecutive weeks in torrential downpours! We also played four challenge games against Burrishoole and Westport. Th roughout the season, we saw a good improvement in skill and fi tness levels and look forward to this group staying together to build on the success already achieved. Panel: Conor Feehan, Conal Gill, Dylan Staunton, D.J. Keane, Lucas Kennedy, Aaron Burke, Joseph O’Malley, Conor Kelly, Stephen O’Grady, Keelan Corcoran, Oran Tiernan, Mark Nolan, Patrick McGlynn, Michael Moran, Sean Moran, Evan O’Grady, Ivan Walshe, Zac Zeray, Fionn O’Driscoll, Rory Lyons, Aodhan Feehan, Donal Hastings, Daniel Kelly, Rian Kilcoyne, Jack O’Grady, Darragh Slattery, Luke Durcan, Declan Moore, Michael Regan, John Murphy. Coaches: David O’Grady, Mike Slattery, Joe Lyons, Michael Regan, Dermot Tiernan, James Walsh.