A book chronicling the history of soccer in the Kilmacrennan area over the last century will be launched on Friday next, August 31st, in the Anglers Haven at 8pm.
‘Kilmacrennan FC – an illustrated history’ is a 344 page hard-back publication that has been compiled by Kilmacrennan Celtic FC’s Trevor Gorman and is the culmination of 18 months of research.
Speaking about the book – it’s in full colour and contains 556 photos – Trevor explained that the club received 75 per cent funding from the Donegal Local Development Company for the project.
“I got a great deal of help from a number of people – Tony Gorman, Hugo McDaid, Paddy McMenamin, James Doherty, Mairead Shields, Oran Doherty and Gavin Gorman all made vital contributions. 500 books have been printed and at this stage we are all looking forward to the launch,” Trevor commented.
“The stories told in the book by the people of Kilmacrennan help recreate the special moments of a club which has some of the most devoted and proud people in football. Each section reflects the triumphs and disasters in the long history of football in our village. Some recall thumping victories, where individual players rose gloriously to the occasion and others remind us of the brittle fragility of junior football. Matches are memorable for goals, major incident, end to end free flowing football, or sometimes simply a special occasion like the 1953 youth cup final in Swilly Park,” he added.
Describing the book a unique collection of memorable and evocative photographs, Trevor said its primary aim is to bring to life the memories of the history of one of Donegal’s most cherished football clubs.
“Much has happened in the last century – too much to record fully in the book. To give our story meaning we must seek out land marks, find moments to explain much in a short space of time. Players such as Murray, Strain, Burke and Grant, the famous 1996 Downtown cup final, the pursuit of our first Donegal Premier League title and the white hot excitement as the women toured the country in search of national cup silverware are all treasured memories of the ‘Kilmac’ faithful. ”
Trevor continued: “The stories surrounding these games have been compiled through research from old newspapers, from talking to older supporters and former players and delving into the few other books written about the club and its history. It has been a privilege to bring together the special memories of a football club so rich in tradition.
“In recent years I have my own recollections as a coach, a player and a supporter which go back to the early 90’s. However, organised football in Kilmacrennan dates back to 1922 when Johnnie Gorman, the great grandfather of the club we know today, and his original pioneers , organised a ‘footballers ball’ to fund the running of a cup competition in Kilmacrennan and also to enter a team to compete in other local summer cups at a time when there was no league football and cup was king.”
He added: “I hope all Kilmac fans and football lovers in general will enjoy reading of the elation, despair, celebration and heartbreak in the fortunes of all our teams over the years, have a greater understanding of the history of this great club, and what makes it tick.”
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