Finally, after almost two years of research, interviews, compiling and editing Kilcummin GAA Club is ready to launch its much awaited publication documenting the first one hundred years of its proud history.
The Alluring Call of the Leather Ball will be launched by Micheál O’Muircheartaigh on what will be a unique night at the Club on Friday March 18th.
The first ten chapters trace the growth of Kilcummin GAA Club decade by decade from the early 1900s right up to the present day. Highlights include reaching three senior County Finals, East Kerry Championship victories and Junior and Intermediate titles. At minor grade the book is right up to date including the clean sweep in 2010 and in particular Kilcummin capturing the Kerry County Championship in the Centenary Year. The book documents the many successes at juvenile level over the past quarter of a century and also included are controversies with neighbours Legion in the 1930s, Dr. Crokes in the 1950s and Spa in the 1970s! Indeed, our rivals throughout East Kerry and beyond will enjoy reading about their many great battles with Kilcummin over the years.
There is an in-depth look at the intercounty careers of the Club’s four Celtic Cross winners – Eugene Moriarty, Dee O’Connor, Sean Kelly and Mike McCarthy with a combined total of ten All Ireland medals between them. There is also a profile of all Kilcummin players to don the Green and Gold of Kerry at various grades down through the years. Other chapters document Kilcummin’s contribution to football in St. Brendan’s College and the VEC as well as the importance of the primary schools in shaping the future development of our youth. Kilcummin’s proud record in Scór is also recorded with other articles on the juvenile club, hurling, ladies football, Kerry’s first GAA President and the social.
One of the main highlights is the recording for posterity the memories of all ten Club Vice Presidents and some members of the wider Kilcummin diaspora.
With a foreword by Sean Kelly contributors include Seamus Moynihan, John Kelly, Eamonn Fitzgerald and Fr. Tom Looney.
Priced at 30 euros this is a full colour 424 page book with over 200 photographs and will be a keepsake for all those who have had an involvement with the Club over the past century, many of whom now reside outside the parish of Kilcummin. Indeed, in many ways it is as much a social history as a GAA history and this once off publication will appeal to all Kilcummin natives both at home and abroad.
The Alluring Call of the Leather Ball can be pre-ordered by emailing secretary.kilcummin.kerry@gaa.ie.
Friday March 18th promises to be a great night in Kilcummin and Micheál O’Muircheartaigh’s arrival to unveil the book is eagerly anticipated by all. Everyone is welcome to attend on a night not to be missed. The celebrations begin at 8pm.
