In case it was lost in the celebrations, we are going to put together a more comprehensive dvd of the club’s history from 1965 to today in time for Christmas. This will involve interviews with members past and present so you will get the chance to contribute your bit that way (times and dates to follow in due course).

Equally, the weekly articles in Killarney Advertiser, Killarney Outlook and KillarneyToday.com have now reached the end of the ’80s or so. We will obviously be continuing these (with their permission) and then publishing them in full on the club website.

The ’90s, followed by the 2000s (including Diarmuid, Brendan, Mike Smiler and Ronan) are next.

These eras mark an explosion in club activity and success from underage to senior so if you have something to contribute on these get in touch by email or phone:

50years@killarneyathletic.com or 0876447603 (Toirdealbhach) or 0872727173 (Mikey).

We look forward to marking the rest of our history between now and then so please have your say and help us to remember it all!

50th Celebrations
A very special and unique night was had by all at the 50^th meal and celebration. With guests from near and as far away as Switzerland, all things good about the club were celebrated in style. The good vibe raced all the way to the early hours and memories will be cherished for many years to come. A huge thank you is due to Bernadette Randles and the Dromhall Hotel for catering to our needs all through the night. We had a splendid meal and evening in a room decorated to the nth degree in the blue and white. To all who contributed to the night in any way thank you – you know who you are!

With vice-chairman Joe Daly on capable M.C. duty, we heard congratulatory and celebratory speeches on behalf of the league bodies from our own Gerardine Nagle and also Sean O’ Keefe. Chairman Michael O’ Shea set out the club’s mission for the future and founder Don Harrington reiterated the original vision he had all the way back in 1965 when he spotted a bunch of likely youths playing ball in the Sandpit car park. The scope of the club’s achievement in enabling participation in soccer from the youngest of age groups all the way to the professional ranks was given due recognition. It was also noted that the spirit of encouragement and participation was abundant right across the club’s ranks.

On a more formal note, Mary McCarrick received the inaugural Lady of the Year Award which was presented by Dan Harrington, the founder of Killarney Athletic, in memory of his late wife Monica who was the club’s first female member. We were delighted to have Dan over with us from England and an added bonus was the presence of some of Monica’s nieces, Áine, Maura, Trisha and Máiréad and her husband, Michael. The Donal Brosnan Memorial Trophy for club person of the year was presented by Gina, Donal’s wife and jointly shared by the long-serving Donie Murphy and newly-wed Damien McCormick.   Player of the Year, Shane Doolan received the Seán O’ Connor and Martin Beckett Memorial Trophy from Sean’s brother and former senior player Paudie and Martin’s sisters Kerrie and Mags. Many of our deceased members were proudly represented last night by family members and we remembered them with a story and a smile. (If we mistakenly omitted anyone from the programme on the night please let us know and we will amend it on the finished version on the club website.)

Volunteerism is the lifeblood of all clubs and we were privileged to share in an occasion which marked fifty years of service to sport in Killarney. Well done everyone on a great achievement and we look forward to the next half century in anticipation of much more success and friendship!

Tickets on sale now. To purchase please contact Michael O’Shea on 087 222 6185 or Don O’ Donoghue on 086 123 4610.

Preview of “The Harrington Era 1965-1969”, a personal account of the foundation of the club by Dan Harrington.

As a lead-in to our first article (next week) that recalls the foundation of Killarney Athletic Soccer Club 50 years ago this year, let’s have a brief look at Dan Harrington the man who founded and formed the Club in the ‘Harrington Era’ 1965 to 1969.

Preview of The Harrington Era

To mark 50 years of Killarney Athletic, we will be releasing a series of articles setting out the club’s development since its foundation by Dan Harrington in 1965 to the present day.

The first article will be “The Harrington Era 1965-1969”, a personal account of the foundation of the club by Dan Harrington.

Anyone who wishes to contribute, particularly former officers or managers, can email 50years@killarneyathletic.com or contact Toirdealbhach (087) 6447603 or Mike (087) 2727173 for more details.

The club is also planning a slideshow or exhibition of photographs on the night of the celebratory dinner (5th September). If you have a photo which you would like to contribute, please pass it on to Don O’Donoghue (086) 1234610, Mary McCarrick (087)7750773, Mike O’Shea (087) 2226185, Toirdealbhach (087) 6447603, or indeed email it (or a link to it) to 50years@killarneyathletic.com. It will be scanned and returned to you with minimum delay.

This is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the club’s proud and varied history in Killarney so please get involved with your contribution.