Founded in 1884, it didn’t take long for the Gaelic Athletic Association to put down roots in Killavullen with a club being formed there in 1888.

125 years on Killavullen GAA continues to play a critical sporting, social and cultural role in the community. Having reached such a significant milestone, officers and members of Killavullen GAA are marking the occasion with a variety of events this weekend – the highpoint being a formal visit by the association’s president, Mr. Liam O’Neill.

In addition to welcoming such a distinguished visitor, the local club is also hosting the prestigious Fermoy Credit Union sponsored North Cork junior A football championship final between Mitchelstown and Buttevant on Sunday next, 25th August.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME KICKS-OFF FRIDAY, 23rd AUGUST

6 talented teams drawn from a variety of locations in Killavullen will compete in a round robin tournament this weekend. The first of these games take place in the GAA field this Friday evening at 6.30pm. The following teams are taking part (managers’ names in brackets) – Rahan Tigers (Ian O’Driscoll), The Highlanders (David Brosnan), Railway Rovers (Redmond Lane), Carrig Rockies (Joe Howard), The Village People (John Beechinor) and The Wallstown Pipers (Bernard Cotter).

Other activities in the field on Friday evening include: bouncy castle, pony rides, face painting, welly throwing, sheaf tossing, golf putting, horse shoe lobbing and donkey derby with celebrity jockeys. There will also be a facility to bet on the donkeys.

SATURDAY, 24th AUGUST

There’s also a full programme of event lined up for Saturday – starting with a juvenile blitz that remembers the late Gerard Owens and Eugene Whelan, this gets underway in the GAA field at 10am and should finish around 1.30pm. From 1.30pm until 3pm the newly formed Killavullen Ladies Football Club will showcase their skills. At 3pm a historical tour of the village takes place (meeting outside the community centre at 2.45pm – refreshments later in The Haven Bar).

Later that evening a fancy dress parade takes place through the village (meeting outside the community centre at 6.45pm) – parade to be led by a lone piper along with some vintage vehicles. Parishioners should note that Saturday evening Mass will take place at 6pm. Cuisle Avondhu musicians will be in concert from 7.30pm and at 8pm, president of Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Liam O’Neill, will unveil a commemorative plaque marking the 125th anniversary of the Killavullen GAA.

Following formalities, patrons will retire to the local community centre for the launch of the ‘Killavullen GAA 1888 2013’ DVD. Presentations will be made to family representatives of the 1888 founding committee, as well as to members of the Killavullen novice football team who won the North Cork championship in 1963. Killavullen native and staunch supporter of Killavullen GAA, Edmond O’Gorman, aka ‘Pacific Blue’, will provide the music for the rest of the night (admission to the dance is €10 – full bar available in the hall).

SUNDAY, 25th AUGUST

Mass for deceased members at 11.30am. This is followed by a ladies football exhibition game at 1.30pm and an afternoon kiddies’ disco in the hall (2.45 to 4.45pm). €2 per child, €5 per family – children need to be supervised. The semi-finals and final of the parish leagues take place from 5pm onward.

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS

Anyone seeking clarification about any aspect of this programme is welcome to contact either: John O’Donovan (086) 3934232, Tim O’Neill on (086) 3920733 or John O’Riordan (087) 2189783.