CLUB OF THE WEEK ST. MARYS ASDEE Sean O hAonghusa

 Asdee is a small Village in the parish of Ballylongford with our players drawn from a radius of 3 miles approximately. The origins of Gaelic Football in Asdee goes back to the beginning of the century with the first local team known as Craughdarrig Emmets.  
However 35 years ago a new era in Asdee football was unfolded in 1986 which was to transform the game in the area. Side by side with our great rivals and fellow parishioners Ballylongford for several  years it was again decided to go it alone in all competitions. A number of well attended meetings were held to discuss the clubs future and after lengthy discussions it met with approval and so heralded the foundation of St. Marys Asdee G A A Club.  The Club who fielded teams at  Senior, Junior and Under age level at both North Kerry; County along with involvement with Shannon Rangers and not forgetting the Ladies Football Team; all enjoyed many successful victories. Cumann Na bBun Scoil was also very much part of the Clubs history winning at North Kerry and County level. Scor was first introduced in Asdee G A A in 1992 with John Paul Galvin at the helm and this has played a huge part in the clubs history winning at North Kerry and County level at Scor Sinsear Scor Na nOg and Scor Na bPaisti; reaching 5 Munster Finals at Scor Sinsear. (2 Novelty, 2 Recitation and 1 Ballad group)  Add this to An All Ireland appearance in the Novelty Act category back in the 70s; a great achievement. However there has been many occasions to celebrate memorable moments winning competitions at both North Kerry and County; but the five we must recall and that comes readily to mind are; Sunday June 8th 1997 saw the biggest event in the history of Asdee G A A with the blessing and official opening of our new grounds and facilities with a senior football challenge between Kerry and Clare. A plaque was unveiled by G A A  P R O at the time, Danny Lynch and local curate Fr. James Kissane blessed the grounds which was named after the late great Jack Walsh of Craughdarrig winner of 6 All Ireland Senior Football Medals with Kerry. The further Development of Jack Walsh Park which was completed in September 2019 with a new top class playing surface. Moving on and on March 18, 2014 (2013 competition) Novice Munster Junior “B” Championship Asdee 0-9   Charleville 1-5.    This is a win that will never be forgotten and well done to each member of the panel of 24 players and the Management team of John Kennedy, Dan Dalton and Sean Doran. It would be unfair to single out any player other than Noel Long who was named Man of the Match; it was a team performance and when the final whistle went it was a sea of black and amber that greeted team captain Eoin O Carroll who accepted the Munster Junior “B” Cup from the Chairman of the Knockaderry club Tom Sheehy. Team and scorers were; Asdee; Connor Coughlan, Eoin O Carroll, capt, Martin Collins, Sean Keane, Kieran Kelly, Noel Long, Con Carmody, Padraig Ruddle, John Doran, 1pt, Charles Dalton, Darren Russell, Mike Breen, 2pts, Eoin Tydings, 1pt, Eoin Kennedy, 3pts, (2f), Micheal Tydings.   Subs, Tom Mulvihill for Con Carmody, Michael Walsh for Micheal Tydings, Darragh Keane, (2pts) for Padraig Ruddle, Paul O Carroll for Charles Dalton, Padraig Ruddle for Kieran Kelly. Referee, Martin Doherty, Limerick.  . In 1934 a great team Craughdarrig was put together that brought the first North Kerry title to the area, but unfortunately shorty after this match the North Kerry Board was disbanded due to political differences. The 1934 panel was: Jack Boyle, Ger Kennedy, Jack Walsh, Con Carmody, Johnny O’Hanion, Bill Finucane, Mick Lynch, Bill Moran, Eddie Walsh, Tom Healy, Jack Boyle (Clounamon), Vinnie Deenihan, Mick Gorman, Bill Boyle, Jack Moriarty, Eddie O’Connor and Jim O’Carroll. Last but certainly not least; on Saturday 27th February 2021 a great honour was bestowed on the O Carroll Family Kilcolman, Asdee and his club and especially to John Joe on his wonderful achievement on being elected as Trustee of the GAA at the Annual Congress of the GAA  for a three year term. John Joe served as Treasurer of Kerry GAA from 2003 - 2013 and recently retired as Kerry’s Central Council delegate following a five year term. He showed his popularity in the GAA scene throughout Ireland and overseas as evidenced by the massive support he received.

The first Officers of the Club in 1986 were;

Chairman; Michael Mulvihill, Secretary, J P McElligott, Treasurer Eddie Anthony Walsh, P R O Mike Rice.                                              

BORD NA NOG.

This was set up in 1987 with the first Officers elected; Chairman, Donie O Keeffe, Secretary, John Paul Galvin, Treasurer, John Scully.

Medal Winners representing Kerry at various levels;

Jack Walsh 6 Senior All Ireland Medals, 2 Railway Cups, 4 National Leagues

Jack Moriarty 1 Croke Memorial, 1 Munster Championship

John Kennedy, 3 All Ireland Senior Medals, I All Ireland Junior, 2 All Ireland Inter-firm

Paud O Donoghue, 2 All Ireland Senior Medals, 1 All Ireland U21, 1 All Ireland Minor, 5 National League, 3 All Ireland 7-a-side, County Championship Medals

Eamon O Donoghue, 2 All Ireland Senior Medals, 5 National league, 1 Railway Cup. 3 All Ireland 7-a-side, County Championship Medals.

Mike Walsh, 1 All Ireland Junior Medal, County Championship Medal.

Liam Horgan, 1 All Ireland Club Championship Medal with Baltinglass, Wicklow

Dan Kissane, 1 All Ireland Colleges Medal with St. Brendans, Killarney,  All Ireland 7-aside. County Championship Medal.

John Joe O Carroll, 1 All Ireland Inter-Firm.

Eimear McElligott, 2 All Ireland Ladies

Marian Dillane, Dan Kissane, Donie O Keeffe, Liam Doyle, (Hurling), Dick Walsh all represented their County

OTHER MEDAL HOLDERS (MUNSTER)

Eoin Kennedy, Denis O Connor, Denis Walsh, Dick Walsh, Jack Hennessy, Tom Fitzgerald, Tim O Connor, Mike Doyle, Tom O Sullivan, John Ryan,

Each of the above medal holders are within the catchment area of Asdee

LINKS COUNTY BOARD

Trustee of the GAA  John Joe O Carroll

Trainer/Coach Kerry  Minor and Under 21 teams,John Kennedy,

Coiste Scor Ciarrai P R O, Public Relations & Marketing Committee member. Sean O hAonghusa

NORTH KERRY BOARD
Officers of North Kerry Board past and present; Jack Walsh, Tom O Sullivan, Tommy O Connor, Jack Hennessy, Denis O Connor, Eddie Anthony Walsh, Padraig and Kevin Vallelly.

REFEREES Eddie Anthony Walsh, Gerdie O Carroll, Patsy Coughlan, Tom Gorman, John Pius Walsh, Jack Scanlon

SPONSORS
Local sponsors are; Brandon Products, Kilcolman, Black Rose Building Services, (England and Kikconly, Beale), Paddy and Eileen Horgan, Amber Filling Station, Tarbert Road Listowel, Scor Na nOg, Tom O Sullivan of O Sullivans, Agri Services, Kilcolman, Scor Sinsear.

FOR A SMALL COMMUNITY ASDEE HAS GIVEN TO THE GAA PLAYERS, REFEREES AND OFFICIALS OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE NAMES THAT WILL ENDURE FOREVER IN THE ANNUALS OF FOOTBALL FORE