St. Colmcille's (Balheary)

St. Colmcilles
Founded: 1935
County: Dublin
Nickname: Cilles
Colours: Blue and Amber
Grounds: Balheary, Swords

St. Colmcilles (Irish: 'Naomh Colmcille') are one of three GAA clubs in Swords. The other two are St. Finians and Fingallians. The club was founded in 1935.

They currently field a single Junior Football team in Division 9 of the Dublin AFL. The clubs grounds are located at Hollybanks, Glen Ellen Road, Swords.

History

The club was founded by Jerry Daly, John The Brown Dardis from Rathingle, and Mr. Thomas and Mr. Lowdnes from the Forrest Road. The club shared football pitches with other clubs in the area. The club has always been associated with the 'Top Of The Town' from Kettles Lane to Mountgorry to Balheary as the club founders are from that part of the town.[1]

In 2003 the club began construction of a state-of-the-art clubhouse costing 1.7 million euro. The project was funded through a 300,000 euro grant from the Sports Capital Programme and 75,000euro from Fingal County Council with the club raising the rest of the required funds through club finance and a long-term loan The development was overseen by then club chairman PJ Thomas and president Mick Joyce. The new clubhouse development was built on a one-acre site adjacent to the clubs pitch. The new two-storey building has Two dressing rooms, a referee's room, sports hall, office, gym, meeting room and a bar/lounge as well as car parking facilities.[2]

A new extension has since been added which incorporates additional Meeting rooms & a Balcony area from which matches can be viewed.

Football

The club reached a Dublin junior football championship final in 1968. Around the same time the club had several representatives on the Dublin junior, under 21 and minor football panels.

In 2006 the club had two football teams in Division 8 and 11 North.

In 2011 the club fielded a single team.

In 2012 there were rumours at the start of the season that the club would not be fielding any Junior football team however this turned out not to be the case.

2013 was the best season the club has had since 1968 with the Junior team getting to the Championship Final Dublin Junior Football Championship#Junior Football E & also coming runners up in the League and Duffy Cup.

For 2014 the Junior Team will have the same Management Team - Mick Ryan & Willie Daly as 2013, however there is a new team of trainers – Jonny Cooper Jonny Cooper(All-Ireland Winner in 2013 with Dublin) has been recruited for Strength and Conditioning training with David Weldon & Patsy O'Neill looking after the Football side of training.

2014 proved to be the best in the History of the Club going one step better than 1968 & 2013 by finally bringing a Dublin Football Championship to the Club.

The 2014 Junior E Final took place on September the 20th between St.Kevin Killians and St.Colmcilles in O'Toole Park, in a hard fought close game St.Colmcilles came out on top.

Honours


Dublin Inter County Players

Juvenile Section

There is currently no Juvenile section and there are no plans in place to set one up.

Many people over the years have tried to run the Juvenile section including in more recently times 'Tucker' Foran, 'Barney' Cantwell, 'Dano' Reilly, Adam Tomas & Mark & Lorraine O'Connell.

The last time a team was fielded was fielded at Juvenile level was 2010 and they Played at Under 14.

Club administration

References

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