Next Saturday marks a huge landmark for one of Donegal’s most successful GAA outfits.
Kilcar will celebrate the 100th anniversary of their first ever official match on the 9th of November.
A century ago, they played Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon on that date in the South-West League, with the Ballyshannon side running out winners by a point; on a less-than-scintillating 1-3 to 1-2 scoreline.
The Kilcar team of 1925.
Next Saturday there will be a rematch of that very first Kilcar fixture, with Kilcar and Aodh Ruadh’s U16 sides taking part in a special friendly challenge match at Towney, with throw-in at 3pm.
That game is just the beginning of the day’s activities however, as club members will also remember all of those that have been lost over the last century with a special remembrance mass.
At 6pm that mass will be held at St Cartha’s Church in memory of all deceased members of the club.
Then at 7pm, the day’s events will conclude in John Joe’s, with some music on hand afterwards from The Flashbacks also.
The club has also shared a clipping from a local newspaper dating back to 1924, giving a full match report about Kilcar’s first official game.
G.A.A. – South Western League
BALLYSHANNON DEFEAT KILCAR IN THE FIRST ROUND
“A crowd of moderate proportions saw Ballyshannon take the two points from Kilar in convincing style on Sunday last. The game was interesting from start to finish, and, occasionally, play reached a very high standard. The weather was fine and the pitch in good order, but the fact that Towney Bay comes close up to the touchline was a serious handicap. On two occasions there were delays whilst the ball was being retrieved from an ongoing tide.”
“Ballyshannon’s victory was mainly due to a strong defence. The forwards lacked their usual cohesion, but this was due to want of practice. Kilcar has a nicely-balanced team, but here, too, the weakness lies in the forward line.”
“Kilcar started by bringing the game into Ballyshannon territory, and Whelan was early called upon to relieve the pressure. Shortly afterwards this player almost scored from a long high shot. On the kick-out John Rooney got possession and opened the score with a point. Warnock was tackled from behind when in possession, and, from the resulting free, Paddy Rooney just shot wide. A brisk bout of play by the Kilcar backs ended in McGinley equalising from a good distance out. In the melee dangerously near the visitors goal, Warnock was injured and, from the hop, Whelan cleared in good style. A neat movement by the Ballyshannon forwards was frustrated by McGinley kicking into the water. Sheeran promptly recovered the ball after an exhibition of the “trudgeon stroke”. Soon Dr. Carr capped a fine run by putting the home side a point ahead. The equaliser came from Warnock, who was not slow in timing a well-judged pass by Paddy Rooney. John Rooney added another point. Here a fine chance of putting the visitors further in the lead went abegging. Jimmy Rooney, from a vigorous dash along the wing, dropped the leather with characteristic precision in the vicinity of the parallelogram, but his colleagues at midfield were well behind. Dr. Carr set the home forwards going, and Willie Gallagher was called upon to save a strong grounder from Bryan Byrne. A “50” taken by Whelan was saved in the goalmouth, and the half-time whistle found Ballyshannon pressing.”
Half-time score: Ballyshannon 0-3, Kilcar 0-2.
“On the resumption Kilcar made plucky efforts to level matters up, and, on a couple of occasions, Brown was called upon to clear. This reliable back made no mistake either time. A Kilcar invasion brought a point from James Byrne. Ballyshannon again took up the running and the home defence was severely tested until Bryan Byrne cleared well into midfield. Then the play was fairly evenly divided, and great efforts by the home forwards, of whom the most conspicious were Dr. Carr and H. O’Gara, were all the time held by a strong Ballyshannon defence. Watkins, who had come on in Sheerin’s place shortly after the interval, considerably strengthened the left wing. A free taken by Whelan was intercepted by John Rooney who, from fifteen yards out, shot into goal, Cunningham having no chance from a powerful low drive. From the kick-out Kilcar tried hard to reduce arrears, and Dr. Carr went well into the visitors defence before the leather was sent wide. Again Kilcar were attacking and Dan Byrne tested Willie Gallagher with a stiff shot from ten yards out. The custodian picked up on the line, and cleared amidst great excitement. The concluding passages were slightly in favour of Ballyshannon, and just before the whistle Gillespie was forced to clear from outside the home goal.”
