Kilmore Rec. F.C.

Infobox Football club
clubname = Kilmore Rec


fullname = Kilmore Rec Football Club
nickname = "The Rec"
founded = 1967 as "Kilmore United"
ground = Robert Adams Park, Crossgar
capacity = Unknown
chairman = flagicon|Northern Ireland Norman Taylor (Chief Executive)
manager = flagicon|Northern Ireland Gary Kennedy & Paul "Big Skip" Mullan
captain = Paul McCargo] league = NAFL Premier Division
season = 2005-06| position = NI Amateur League, Premier, 11th
pattern_la1=_blueshoulders|pattern_b1=_blueshoulders|pattern_ra1=_blueshoulders
leftarm1=0000FF|body1=0000FF|rightarm1=0000FF|shorts1=0000FF|socks1=0000FF
pattern_la2=_redshoulders|pattern_b2=_redshoulders|pattern_ra1=_redshoulders
leftarm2=DD0000|body2=DD0000|rightarm2=DD0000|shorts2=DD0000|socks2=DD0000

Kilmore Rec. F.C. is a Northern Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the Northern Amateur Football League.

After the 2007 departure of Paul Moore as manager, Paul Mullan and former Cliftonville striker Gary Kennedy have took over the managerial roles. [ [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/local/article2922014.ece "Belfast Telegraph"] ] In a recent interview Mullan stressed his desire to bring the club forward and challenge for the NI Amateur League title again. He also mentioned that he believed Ian Smyth would be a key player in the future success of the club and that his experience will be greatly needed in bringing the club forward.

Situated behind the square in the County Down village of Crossgar in a wooded setting is Robert Adams Park, home of Kilmore Rec F.C.

History

Early Years (1967-1972)

It was following the 1966 World Cup in England, that two young local men, Bobby McClure and Dennis Lennon, decided to start a football team. After a few friendly games they called a meeting in April 1967 to form a club and as the majority of the players came from the village of Kilmore the name Kilmore United was chosen.

The first competitive games were in the Killyleagh summer league before entering the Newcastle & District League in 1968-69, playing at Hamiltons Field which was situated half way between the villages of Kilmore and Annacloy.

During the first four years spent in the Newcastle & District League the club made it to the Harry Clarke Cup Final, losing to Annalong Rangers after a replay. It was at this time that Robert Adams, affectionately known as "Mr Kilmore", and his good friend Davy Harper became involved at the club.

Kilmore Rec (1972-1990)

A name change to Kilmore Recreation and a change of ground to the monastery ground in Crossgar, where they still play today, preceded an application to join the Northern Ireland Amateur League in 1972. The first game in the Amateur League was at home to Carreras in Division 2B.

Two years later came promotion to Division 2A and the beginning of a successful six year spell which would see Intermediate status achieved. Three successive Cochrane Corry Final appearances from season 1977-78 to season 1979-80 saw the trophy sit in the Kilmore clubrooms on two occasions. The middle year they lost 3-2 to Annalong Swifts but went on to defeat 40th Old Boys 2-1 in the Co. Antrim F.A. Junior Shield Final that was played at Castlereagh Park, Newtownards.

The momentum was kept going and in the season 1980-81 the Division 2A Championship was won and promotion to the First Division was confirmed. The club won the Division 1B Championship at the first attempt.

Status in the top Division, 1A, was maintained throughout the 1980s before suffering relegation in the season 1989-90. They bounced back the following year winning the Division 1B championship.

Kilmore Rec (1990- Present)

In 1991-92 the League created a Premier section and set a new level of ground criteria for clubs desiring to be part of it. Kilmore met all the requirements and became founder members.

The upgrade of the facilities enabled the club to host a senior Irish League club in round 5 of the Irish Challenge Cup for the first time. Cliftonville were the visitors and they defeated Kilmore 1-0 on 18 January 1992.

1994-95 saw a Kilmore Rec Under-18 team enter the Northern Ireland Youth Cup under the guidance of Billy Sloan. The team became one of few, and the last to date, Amateur league team to win the Cup. They defeated Portadown Boys 2-0 at Dixon Park, Ballyclare on 22 April 1996. The team defeated Irish League teams on route to winning the cup and players who competed in this team are now plying their trade in the Irish league and in the Amateur League.

The late nineties brought another relegation (1996-97) and a promotion (1998-99). They are currently in the Premier Section. In 2001-02 the club were disqualified from the Border Regiment Cup after winning the semi-final tie against Dromara Village. However, the following season they made it back to the Border Cup Final, their first Intermediate status final. On this occasion Kilmore where defeated 2-0 by their local rivals, Killyleagh YC.

In 2003-04, following a disastrous start to the season with less than 10 points in the league at Christmas, the first team went on a winning spree after Christmas, winning all of their games and collecting the Clarence Cup on route with the highlight being the defeat of local rivals Downpatrick F.C. in the Clarence Cup Final, 5-1 after extra time, in a dramatic match at Dromara F.C. on 20 May 2004.

Off the field there have been significant changes, with a new perimeter wall, gates and a small grandstand all completed in the year 2000. New changing facilities were used on the 28 September 2002 when Holywood F.C. visited in the 3rd round of the Border Regiment Cup and where officially opened before a friendly match against Glentoran on the 09 July 2003. The long-term plan is to provide a training pitch, car parking and floodlighting at Robert Adams Park.

The ground improvement plans were initiated in honour of Robert Adams, who died in May 1998 at the age of 47. For his work and dedication to the club the ground was renamed Robert Adams Park.

2004-05 saw Kilmore Rec first squad reach the semi-final of the County Antrim Shield under the management of Donal Bell. Kilmore saw off Irish Premier League opposition Ballymena United in the first round with a 1-0 win. Kilmore proceeded to the quarter-finals drawn against another Irish Premier League team, Lisburn Distillery. Kilmore beat the Irish League team 3-2 on penalties after a score of 1-1 after extra time. Kilmore were then drawn against yet another Irish League opponent, Linfield. Kilmore were beaten 2-0 ending their County Antrim Shield run.

Kilmore Rec were relegated from The Premier Division in May 2008 having only gained 26 points from 26 games. They were level on points with Nortel at the end of the season, Nortel however had a greater goal difference.

Current Management

Kilmore Rec first squad are currently under the managerial skills of child-hood fans and former player and captain Paul Mullan and current player manager and Cliftonville player Gary Kennedy. The first squad are also coached by David Gordon of Drumaness.The very young second squad, respectively first in Division 2B are currently unde the management of Michael McGarrity of Downpatrick.

Honours

Junior honours

*County Antrim Junior Shield: 1
**1978/79

References

External links

* [http://www.nifootball.co.uk/ nifootball.co.uk (fixtures, results and tables of all leagues)]
* [http://www.kilmorerecfc.com Kilmore Rec Official Website]