An action packed year once again for the Cloghs! The season actually starts with the official business of an AGM in December 2023 to elect the 2024 committee. The Executive committee stayed the same with Seamus Galligan remaining as Chairperson, Will Coyne as Secretary, Anne Hill as Treasurer and Linda Nolan as Child Welfare Officer. The remaining officers elected can be viewed on our new website at www.clogherinkoe.kildare.gaa.ie , it also contains fixtures, lotto and recent news etc. The “Alan Fanning Cup” also took place in November 2023 and was, as always, a joy to host. Plans are afoot to organise the 2024 outing this coming November, thank you to Ann and Eddie Fanning for allowing us to host this event. The Club House also celebrated 20 years with a community night on December 8th, the facilities has grown exponentially over the past 20 years due to the support of the community, something we really appreciate. We also celebrated the retirement of Michelle McCabe as bar manager. The annual “Mick Tyrrell Table Quiz” was held in February, thank you to quizmaster Joe Phelan for keeping everyone on their toes and well done to eventual winners “The Tyrrells” . We look forward to expanding our facilities on receipt of a grant totalling €138,283 courtesy of the Community Sport Facilities Fund Allocation of 2024. There will be a fundraiser near Christmas in order to raise a further €25,000 to ensure we can carry out the works required on the pitches.
With the festivities out of the way, the team were back on the pitch and being put through their paces by manager Mark Murnaghan, S&C Pa Tierney and selectors Eoin Robinson, Pauric O’Toole and Dec O’Connor. We also had the added excitement of Killian Galligan representing the Cloghs on the Kildare Senior Team this year. The Cloghs first competitive outing was the Aldridge Cup with a cracking opening win away to Raheens. After the Aldridge Cup our attention turned to the league. The Cloghs finished 6th in the table with 5 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws. This leaves them competing in Division 2 for 2025. After the league we segued into the Intermediate Championship. The team were decked out in new training tops ahead of their preliminary round opener against St Laurences. The team recorded a 2.10-0.11 win over St Laurences which safeguarded their SFC status for 2025 and offered a great platform for the rest of the campaign. The Cloghs were drawn in Group B alongside Athy, Allenwood and Celbridge. At the time of writing, Celbridge are in the County Final against Naas. Athy brought Naas to extra time in their semi final so this just shows how high a level the Cloghs are competing at and flying the flag proudly. We had a great win over Allenwood on a scoreline of 4.14-1.09. This win was slightly tarnished as our Captain Mark Grehan sustained another knee injury requiring surgery. We wish himself and Jamie Boyle, who also suffered a similar injury during the year, all the best with their recovery. The Cloghs were narrowly beaten by Athy on a scoreline of 0.13-0.11 while Celbridge came out the stronger on a scoreline of 2.16-1.07. The way the competition was predetermined meant we were destined to play neighbours Johnstownbridge in the next round. The venue was Hawkfield and there was a bumper crowd in attendance. The game ebbed and flowed but unfortunately the full time whistle came too quick for the Cloghs as JTB ran out one point winners. We look forward to regrouping and giving the SFC another crack next year, hopefully with some past and new players making an impact alongside the current stalwarts’s. Congratulations must also be extended to the Seán Kenny, Andrew Hill, Jimmy Lynch and Joe McIllduff who made their SFC debuts for the club. We had Aedan Boyle, Gavin Scanlon and Cein McMonagle feature on some Kildare Championship team of the weeks. Cein was also sitting high in the overall scorers list on 2.21 (2.07 from play, Jimmy Lynch made the list with 1.14 and Aedan Boyle with a goal machine total of 3.03.
The Second team is every bit as important in our club as it allows everyone to get game time and make the step up when required. When you get the fixtures list and realise you have an 8pm throw in, away to Athy, of a Wednesday evening, players lost to the first team and a raft of injuries you really do require a management team that have the patience of Saints and motivational skills on par with Paul O’Connell. No better men than Seamus Galligan, Jim Kelly, David Reilly, Joe Phelan and Ger Nolan. The team finished sixth in the Division 3 League and did not advance in the Senior C Reserve Championship after being drawn in a group alongside eventual winners Moorefield, Athy and Confey. Thank you to those who umpired at all the games, stood at the gate to ensure the referee was paid and also those who controlled the scoreboard. We wish the upcoming minor team and management the best of luck in their county final and also the Balyna u23 who open their campaign shortly.
While the teams were battling on the pitch there was a lot of activity happening off it. The club was delighted to host a Cúl Camp and extend their appreciation to the club coordinators and also the coaches who helped out. Over 100 children attended and once again the Indoor Astro was a huge addition. The young people playing in the Parish are a product of the hard work done by Balyna Juvenile club. We thoroughly enjoyed celebrating their 50th birthday with them in September, thank you also to the Balyna magazine for all the articles which were great to look back on. The work put in at underage level is reaping benefits as numbers continue to grow. This undoubtedly boosts the Cumann na mBunscol competition, it is a joy to see the schools in the Parish competing at different levels. The Pat Farrell Tournament has also become a popular fixture in the clubs calendar, thank you to Clocha Rince NS and Broadford NS for facilitating the club and coaches and all the children for taking part. The day was a great success and we extend a huge thank you to the Farrell family for sponsoring the medals and allowing us to honour Pat Farrell’s contribution to our Parish.
At the end of the day, we strongly rely on the support of our community, fund-raising and sponsorship to keep the team in footballs, physio, food, gym equipment etc. Croí Laighean were generous in their community sponsorship, McKenna Haulage kindly provided sponsorship alongside the surprise bonus of the donation from JP McManus. Kildare County Council contributed through The Drehid Grant, we are also very thankful to our Intel employees for their Volunteer Matching Grant. The two biggest incomes for the club come via our Lotto and our Annual Golf Classic. Every Monday, technical difficulties pending, the lotto goes ahead. There isn’t a Lotto team more dedicated and we truly appreciate all the support from buyers and sellers, whether it is online or in person. Joe Phelan must also be commended on the Golf Classic he runs every year in Highfield Golf Course. Food is provided by Peter Delaney for the golfers and the sponsorship received and participation is always phenomenal. We extend our deepest sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones this year. We would like to wish all our players, committee members, members and supporters a Merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2025 back in the black and amber.
