Kilmaine

Infobox Irish Place
name = Kilmaine
gaeilge = Cill Mheáin
crest

motto =
map

pin coords = left: 92px; top: 102px
north coord = 53.5833 | west coord = 9.1167 | irish grid = M260598
area = | elevation = 59 m
province = Connacht
county = County Mayo
population = | town pop = 184 | rural pop = 943
census yr = 2002
web =

Kilmaine (in Irish, "Cill Mheáin") is a village in County Mayo, Ireland located on the N84 road between Shrule and Ballinrobe.The hinterland is entirely rural, made up of farms and scattered houses. The nearest town is Ballinrobe, and the closest city is Galway, less than twenty kilometers away.

"Kilmaine", derived from the Irish language 'Cill Mheán', means The Middle Church – 'Cill' is the word used in the Irish language for a church, and 'meán' is the Irish word for middle.

Kilmaine Today

The village of Kilmaine has a population of less than two hundred, while the rural population around Kilmaine is nearly 1000. Kilmaine has only recently began to see a boost in the building of houses and the development of property in the village. Over the past few years Kilmaine has not received as many immigrants from the new EU member states as other towns and villages in Mayo has and this is the main reason the population of the village hasn't grown at the rate they have.The village of Kilmaine has a post office,a petrol station(Burkes), two shops(Walsh's and Flanagan's) four pubs (Walsh's,Jack Muphey's,Mupheys and Maloney's), a Church, School, a Garda(police) station, a Gaelic Athletic Association pitch and a community centre. It's also the home of Mchales Farm Machiery ltd. which manufacture agricultural machinery.

Transport

Kilmaine lies on the N84 road that links Galway to Caslebar.A bus service that runs four days a week between Galway and Ballina passes through Kilmaine and also travels through Caslebar.

Kilmaine GAA Club

History

Kilmaine GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) Club was founded on the 9th of March, 1937.

The first meeting of Kilmaine GAA club was held in Durcan's carthouse on 9th of March 1937, in candle-light. In attendance were: Padraic Hyland, Sonny Burke, Jim Durcan, Tom Durcan, Mick Kelly, Jim Henneghan, Paddy McDonnell, Peter McHale, Johnny Molloy, Mick McHale, Paddy Curran, Charlie Cunnane, Jim Kelly and Christy Durcan.

The following officers were elected; Chairman: Padraic Hyland, Secretary; Christy Durcan, Treasurer: Mick Kelly, Delegates to The South Mayo Board: Paddy Curran & Charlie Cunnane. At the first meeting it was decided to register the club with the County board. The registration fee was 12/6. In order to raise the registration fee funds, it was agreed to hold a raffle. First prize was £1 10s. Second prize £1.00 Also 10/- to deller of winning ticket. Ticket price was 6d. EACH. Paddy Curran & Charlie Cunnane attended the next meeting of the South Mayo Board, cycling to Clairemorris at which the club was registered.

The first competitive game ever played by a Kilmaine team was against Castlegar (Claremorris), in Curran's field. One of the biggest crowds ever to attend a sporting event in the parish, watched the game. After a thrilling encounter Kilmaine was defeated by a single point.

Kilmaine GAA 2008

Kilmaine's 2008 campaign got started with the appointment of ex-players, Norman O'Brien and David Loughlin as manager and trainer respectively. Also appointed were Sean Walsh and Declan Murphy to the backroom team. It has been reported that the four were offered lucrative offers from other clubs. It is believed that these offers included Tesco vouchers, free Tupperware, and half-price lawnmowers. However they all agreed to overtake their hometown club. Conor Maloney was given the honour of captaining Kilmaine for the year while Francis Burke was made his right hand man in being made Vice Captain.

Kilmaine's league campaign this year is best described as indifferent. Although two early wins in the Intermediate league over Killala and then Mayo Gaels set the platform, injuries to key players and absenteeism hampered the remainder of their league campaign. They finished third from bottom, with the final game against Kilcomman 'doubled' up with the championship match against the Erris men, which Kilmaine won.

Their Intermediate Championship campaign has been all the more positive though. Three wins and one draw from four group games saw Kilmaine finish second in a very difficult group which also featured Hollymount, Kiltimagh, Davitts and Tuar Mac Eadaigh. These games were then followed by a bruising, tight quarter final encounter in Foxford, where they defeated North Mayo club Kilcomman 3-5 to 0-8. They won their semi-final encounter against West Mayo side Westport 1-10 to 0-9 in a rain soaked Mchale Park, Castlebar on 5th October 2008. After a tentative start Kilmaine increased their intensity in the second half and Westport had no answer.

They are now in training in anticipation of their final clash with Aughamore, who comfortably defeated Belmullet. The game will have some added bite, as Kilmaine Centre Half Forward Vincent McGrath and the Aughamore management clashed in their league encounter in April. Also the Aughamore manager Mick Hunt suggested that teams try harder against Aughamore than Kilmaine. McGrath had this to say before Aughamores semi-final: "When you do that with footballers like he said about Westport...and when you do things like that about a man like James Gill. I've kept really quiet, but I'll tell you something: he went down in my estimation when he said that - we have not resorted to that. But I'll tell ya - you can tell him now if you're watching it - we're still fighting for this title, and he's got to play Belmullet and get something, and... and I tell you honestly, I will love it if we beat them - LOVE IT!'

Reports around the South Mayo area have indicated that there have been a number of high intensity, hard hitting training sessions, played behind closed doors, with a number of altercations occurring. They have also played a number of challenges where the whole squad have been impressive, with the exception of Barry Murphy. This match is due to be played on Sunday, the 12th October 2008, 3.00pm at Mchale Park, Castlebar. A crowd of up to 7,000 is expected to attend.

If the club were to win the Intermediate Championship for the first time in 23 years, Chairman Kevin McDonald has promised the management team the keys to the village. Patsy Shaughnessy has both of them, and has promised he will get four sets cut free of charge.

The minor and U-21 teams have both already landed the club two county titles in 2008. The Minors defeated Laherdane in the "C" Championship in Kiltimagh, whilst on the 20th September 2008 the U-21 team, captained by Paul Higgins, defeated Balla 1-8 to 1-6 in a tight game in Hollymount, also in the "C" Championship. Padraig O Dea got Kilmaine's all important goal. Unfortunately the goal is shrouded in controversy as O Dea ran to the Balla supporters with a hand cupped to his ear, followed by a V-sign, which outraged the Balla faithful.

Kilmaine GAA News 2008

In April 2008 Kilmaine were boosted by the return of utility player Declan Coyne to the set-up in time for the start of Kilmaine's intermediate championship campaign.

In July 2008 Kilmaine were dealt a blow when fringe player Barry Murphy was ruled out of action for a substantial period of time with a groin injury. He is expected back in time for the Mayo Intermediate County Final.

Kilmaine are currently without the services of Mid-fielder/Forward Kevin McGrath who is out for an indefinite period of time due to a long-term and ongoing injury to his shoulder. Kevin is son of Joe McGrath, former Mayo All-Star.

In August 2008 Kilmaine again suffered a major blow when star forward Adrian Coyne announced his retirement from the club at the age of 24. Adrian has however left the door open to an inter-county call-up. Adrian has a county U21 'A' medal from his time playing with a Limerick city club.

In July/August 2008, Cathal Murphy was called up to the Mayo Minor Panel.

In Mid August 2008 Paul Doherty purchased a new pair of Adidas predator boots online. Vivian Browne helped in the acquisition of the boots.

Tomas Burke returned to the Kilmaine intermediate football panel in late September ahead of the semi-final against Westport. The 23 year old quit the club scene in May after two frustrating seasons of injuries, amid speculation of a blazing row with managment team member Declan "Spuddy" Murphy. Kilmaine players held a meeting before his return and voted to accept Burke back into the green and red squad. The forward returned to training overweight and lacking fitness after a summer of debauchery in California. However he has shown good form since his return to training with rumours of him training in a boxing gym in Santa Monica to try to stay in shape. "Round is a shape" he reportedly told anyone who would listen upon his homecoming. The impressive displays of the Kilmaine forwards in the group stages and against Kilcomman meant that Burke failed to win a starting role against Westport. However he will strengthen the bench for the final and represents a great impact substitution option for Norman O Brien. O Brien told local reporters that the squad had unanimously backed Burkes return. "Obviously, it's a sensitive time to be making his reappearance but the players said that the quality of the man meant that there was no doubt that he should be back. Tomas Burke will challenge for a place like everyone else. We'll see where his levels of fitness are at and how ready he is for this standard of football. If that shows up well, then he's in with a fighting chance like everyone else". David Loughlin added that Burkes comeback will extend beyond the county decider. "In the years to come, we're going to see Tomas Burke in action and that's wonderful for Kilmaine football."

Tragedy struck the squad recently as the teams mascot, "Elvis", Vivian Browne's dog, was seriously injured in his vain attempt to fly solo. Browne broke the news to the players the night before the Kilcomman game, and it was agreed to have a minute's silence for their canine friend, who was at that stage in Intensive care in the Galway clinic. Star goalkeeper Enda Loughlin said "We were all shook by the news, so we dedicated the game to Elvis. I think he was there helping us, our sixteenth player. It sounds strange I know, but I think Elvis was playing his part somewhere between the sticks," he suggests. "I think there was two of us between the posts and we managed to keep Kilcommon at bay. I certainly don't think I made those saves on my own. I think Elvis might have stretched out a paw for the last one as well. In my mind, there was two of us in goals and we managed okay." Elvis has since made a full recovery from his horrific injuries, although Vivian still suffers emotional scars. He has broken down in tears a number of times at training, claiming his shoulder was "at" him, however an insider told us that it's due to flashbacks of when his best buddy tried to take off into the wild blue yonder. The club are paying for his psychiatrist sessions with local shop owner Malachy Flanagan.

In late August 2008 Irish AFL (Australian Football League) scout, Ricky Nixon, was spotted in the sleepy village of Kilmaine enjoying a pint in Maloneys Bar. It was hoped he was here to scout one or two stars of the current Kilmaine Crop but alas it wasn't to be. It had been widely rumoured that John 'Mig' McDonagh and Kieran Coyne were to be these 'stars'. John is currently going through a bitter and complicated divorce and has two children from his failed marriage, Robert - 3 and Hayley - 1.

Kilmaine U-21 ace Gerard Doherty,younger brother of centre-back David, will travel to Edinburgh after the county final, where he will begin an SPL career with one of the city's top teams Hibernian. The youngster, who was advised earlier this week by one of the elder team members, Derek O' Dea, to think long and hard before committing to moving abroad, signed a two-year deal in July and is determined to give the chance a go. "There are no major second thoughts, ” Doherty, 21, told The Western People. "That was just me and him [O' Dea] talking" he added amid suggestions that his decision to discuss the move over with the likely Intermediate full-back of the year meant he was wavering over whether or not to go. Doherty is also set to consult local pair Stephen Gibbons and John Murphy, who were recruited by SPL clubs, before packing his bags after the game. His departure is a blow to Green and Red fans who had hoped that he might become a regular in the first team over the next couple of years.

Barry Cull has been barred from one of South Mayo's leading night-spots after David Loughlin’s warning to his forward to avoid the perils of fame. After the U-21 star player scored his first goal of 2008 in the Junior B outing, against local rivals Garrymore and putting in a man of the match performance, the joint manager described 'The Valk' nightclub as an “obvious pitfall”. This is a message that the establishment in question has taken to heart. Since nearly missing the team bus for a match away to Killala at the start of the season, the forward has had to deal with the perception that he is a 'Spice-Boy'. When interviewed on Mid-West Radio's Paul Claffey Show, Cull stated that as the No.1 fan of 'Caher Sound', he spends many late nights catching their shows around the county, with the most recent trip to Aughagower. He has however promised that his wild ceile dancing nights are from now on purely off-season.

In International News former Kilmaine hero David ‘Shirley’ Sheridan is currently involved in controversy in the US, with his Chicago Club, Mcbrides. Sheridan left the squad recently during a week long training camp in Heuston, Texas, where he had a row with the manager Chad Martinez. They were there in preparation for the North American finals. Among Sheridans issues with management were the conditions of the training field, travel arrangements, strategy, expectations, diet and Favre's competence. For example, in his autobiography, ‘Simply Shirley’, Sheridan said that before a game the players were eating marshmallows and onions because pasta, the proper diet before games, was not available. Sheridan was interviewed by the ‘Chicago Times’ where he described the problems in the camp. In a team meeting later that day Martinez held up a copy of the article and asked ‘What's this all about?’, the row ensued and Sheridan subsequently left the squad.

His decision has split his neighbours, family and friends back home. In an emotional interview with RTE reporter Tommy Gorman, Sheridan said he will never play for the team again. The following is an extract from the interview.

TG: Talk to me David about the facilities:

DS: They were a disgrace, the pitch was like a car park, there were no balls, the lads had a laugh at it, so did I, but deep down I thought this is not right, I was fuming to be honest.

TG: Why don’t you bury the hatchet with your manager and return to the squad?

DS: You don’t realise, people weren’t in that room that night, I’m standing firm in what I believe in, I try to live my life as honest as I can. What happened to me in the last week I wouldn't wish on anybody. I felt I deserved better. Of course I lost my temper but people make me out to be a monster, and a loner, that's nonsense, absolute nonsense.

TG: What about the children back home who wear your jersey and aspire to be like you, they are haunted by what has happened.

DS: I know, but you don’t realise, if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

T.G: This is hurting you isn’t it?

DS: Of course its hurting me, dead right it is, no one wants to play for Mcbrides more than me, but the ball is not in my court.

McBrides lost the quarter final of the North America championship to a San Francisco club who had amongst their ranks a life long friend of Sheridan’s, Donnacha ‘Brad’ Mcdonagh.

Kilmaine GAA Squad 2008

Absent from the Kilmaine Squad this year:Pat Kelly, Alan Burke, Joseph Maloney, Andrew Casey, Brian Maloney, John Donnellan, Frankie Quinn, David McHale, Sean Wall, and Johnny Connors.

Kilmaine Team Trivia

Highly rated wing back Joseph O'Brien is a younger brother of manager Norman O'Brien. Joseph's playing style has often being compared to that of Kerry Inter-County star Tomas O Se.

John, Jarlath, Tomas and Padriac McDonagh are all brothers. Tomas and Padraic are twins. The McDonagh brothers are one of six sets of brothers in the Kilmaine squad - the others being Brian and Ronan Shaughnessy, Kieran and Declan Coyne, David and Gerard Doherty, Lorcan and Vivian Browne and Padriac and Gearoid O Dea.

Brian Shaughnessy is currently the oldest member of the Kilmaine Panel. At 38, Brian played in the ever to be remembered great team of the late eighties, early nineties which included Kilmaine greats like Pat Flannery, Micky Murphy and Alan O'Dea to name but a few. Billy Gibbons currently holds the record for the oldest man to play a game for Kilmaine in the post war era. Billy played an O'Mara cup game at the tender age of 51.

Player Profiles

Name: Declan Thomas Coyne
DOB: 24th April 1984
Position: Half Back / Midfield
Favourite GAA Player: Pat Holmes
Favourite Actor: Anthony Edwards (Goose from Top Gun & Dr Greene in ER)
Favourite Food: Beans
Occupation: Currently unemployed seeking employment
Favourite Sports Personalities: Michelle Smith, Andrew Flintoff, Eric Bristow (Darts)
Favourite Holiday Destination: Isle of Wight, Kinnegad
Favourite TV Show: Jamie Oliver cooking programmes, The OC, Pimp My Ride

Name: David Doherty
DOB: 4th April 1984
Position: Centre Back
Favourite GAA Player: Dermot Flanagan
Favourite Actor: Michael Winslow
Favourite Food: Scotch Broth
Occupation: Engineer
Favourite Sports Personalities: Yossi Benayoun, Aramis Ramirez, Bobby Charlton
Favourite Holiday Destination: Newry, Londonderry, Belfast
Favourite TV Show: How To Look Good Naked, Strictly Come Dancing, The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Name: Damien Mike Burke
DOB: 11th March 1984
Position: Midfielder
Nickname: Kelly (after a local character)
Favourite GAA Player: Eugene Rooney
Favourite Actor: John Lithgow
Occupation: Currently employed by/eating icecream for Henhouse Construction Ltd.
Favourite Sports Personalities: Eric "the Eel" Moussambani, Joe Namath, O.J. Simpson
Favourite Holiday Destination: Copenhagen,Stockholm, Gweedore.
Favourite T.V. Programmes: Americas Next Top Model, Greys Anatomy, Britians Hardest Pubs.
Trivia: Damien was once asked by an ex, (she was referring to their relationship at the time) "Damien, where are we going?" His response...."Dunno, to the chipper I suppose"

Name: Padraig Varley
DOB: October 1987
Position: Midfield / Forward
Favourite GAA Player: Deirdre O Reilly (Cork ladies footballer)
Favourite Actor: Dan Ackroyd, Shaun Williamson, 'Jimmy' from Fair City
Favourite Food: Chomp and Avicados
Occupation: Tallest student in GMIT
Favourite Sports Personalities: Eddie Irvine, Freddie Adu, Agustin Pichot
Favourite Holiday Destination: Doncaster, Cross, Auschwitz
Favourite TV Show: Reeling In The Years, Bracken, Know Your Sport
Funny Fact: Varley has been attending the same sex addiction rehab clinic as Hollywood star David Duchovny

Name: Ronan Joseph ShaughnessyDOB: September 28th, 1983 in Castlebar
He is an Irish Gaelic Footballer who plays for Mayo club, Kilmaine. This season he has been successfully converted to a defender, having spent most of his career as a forward.
Club Career:
Shaughnessy started playing football for his beloved Kilmaine at the age of eight, under the guidance of his father and mentor, Patsy Shaughnesy. He had much success in his early years, including reaching a Connacht U-10 final where they were unluckily defeated. He also had some notable success with his school, Cloghans Hill NS, where he first formed a partnership would would prove vital in his career with his life long friends, Adrian and Declan Coyne.
Throughout his teenage years he had reasonable success, despite claims that he would be banned from playing GAA. This occurred after it was discovered he was involved in the infamous world of underground football in Carrick-on-Shannon, which came to fame after the death of Offaly youth P.J Mulligan, when he was sat on by five opponents, which was controversially allowed in rules of this game at the time.

In 2001 he was elected captain of the clubs Minor team, where they had a successful campaign under his stewardship, reaching the Minor A County Final, where they were well beaten by Ballina Stephanites, but gained many admirers. It was rumoured that then Mayo Minor manager John P. Kean had viewed Shaughnessy, but considered the charismatic forward as not having the required upper body strength to play at inter-county level. ["It's Claimed Kean Slams Shocos Skininess", "Western People", July 2001.]

Shaughnessy has been playing adult football for his club since 2001, having mixed success, often been used in a rotation role for a number of managers including Joe McGrath, Gary Burke, Billy Fitzpatrick, John Hughes and last season P.J Hughes. In fact Shaughnessy and Hughes didn't see eye-to-eye, with a number of physical altercations occurring, once at the Christening of Hughes dog "Haile Gabriel Selassie". Shaughnessy, however, is philosophical about these incidents, claiming "These things happen, he was a great manager and a great man, we just disagreed on certain tactical issues, and we decided to sort it out the only way men like us could: bare knuckle boxing".

This season has revitalised Shaughnessy's career. Norman O Brian and David "Loggo" O Loughlin have turned Shaughnessy into one of the finest half-backs in the game. Some media reporters have compared him to Kilmaine legend Noel Mangan, or to former Wicklow player Sean Murphy. Murphy once played an O’Byrne Cup game for Wicklow in 2003, but was never recalled.

He has struggled with injuries this season, including a broken finger, and sebsequent weight gain. However it appears this has not hindered his progress in his re-birth in defence.

School Career:
Shaughnessy attended the famous Schools football dynasty that is St Jarlaths, Tuam. He attended there from 1996-2001. It was here that Shaughnessy's penchant for Richard Gere began. He worked part-time as a taster for "All-Bran Ireland" to save enough money so he coud visit Gere on-set of the movie "Unfaithful" in 2000. Unfortunately Gere refused to meet Shaughnessy, claiming that Shaughnessy was "The ugliest girl I've ever seen". St Jarlaths reached the Hogan Cup final in 2001, where Shaughnessy was sub. It is claimed that Shaughnessy was dropped from the starting team after he told current Galway star Micheal Meehan to “Lace my boots or else f**k off back to Caltra” before a training session.

Trivia:
Shaughnessy was once knocked out whilst playing for his National School Cloghans Hill NS. After scoring a close range free he turned round to wave to his mother, but the opposing goalkeeper took a quick kick out and struck him on the back of the head.

During his rows with PJ Hughes, Shaughnessy proposed that to prove his strength he would bench press himself. Hughes, ever the wily fox, agreed, and Shaughnessy was left red-faced as he was not able to carry out his promise.

Shaughnessy is known for his volunteer and charity work, including his charity "Ah give us a few quid would ya?", where he donates all funds to women who have lost the use of their scapulas.

Shaughnessy has been a life-long fan of Manchester United since 21st May 2008.

Personal Life:
Shaughnessy is currently seeing popular French-Canadian recluse and student Margo Legault. Legault moved to Ireland a number of years ago, and she has been quoted as saying she saw Shaughnessy as a "big, walking ticket to Irish Citizenship".

References:
[1] Its Claimed Kean Slams Shocos Skininess

ee also

*List of towns in the Republic of Ireland