KILLOWEN A.F.C.

Club History:

Killowen is a small townland located approximately two kilometres north of Blarney Village. It was in this picturesque part of Cork that Killowen A.F.C. was founded back in 1977. The founding members were, Denis and Kieran Mullins, the Dilworth trio of Michael, Teddy and Sean, Tim and Paddy Doyle, Michael O Sullivan, Ger Healy, Pat Lyons and Finbarr Carlile. Players from the local area made up the first Killowen team, but over the years the club has attracted players from Blarney, Inniscarra, Cork City and even further afield. However Killowen residents have always remained at the nucleus of the club.

The club has enjoyed plenty success during it’s tenure in the A.U.L. The league 2A league title was secured in 90/91 followed by the league 1A title in 91/92 leading to a season in the Premier League in 92/93. The club endured a lean spell at the start of the millennium lasting until the 2006-07 season when the club captured the A.U.L. 3A title. The club made two trips to Turners Cross in the mid eighties, the 1986 County Cup final pitted Killowen against local rivals Waterloo and it was the men from Waterloo who emerged victorious. However Killowen retuned to the same venue a year later and captured the Presidents Cup as goals from Teddy and Michael Dilworth ensured a 2-1 victory over Wilton Ath. Closer to home, Killowen were victorious in the Blarney 7 a side tournament on two occasions, 1980 and 1997. In 1993/94 the club formed a second team, Killowen Celtic, which unfortunately survived for only one season in the A.U.L. Killowen also fielded a team, Killowen Celts, in the Cork Niteowls League for a number of seasons. Killowen are based at their present location on the outskirts of Blarney village since 1990. The club is grateful to the Coakley family for the use of the pitch which is one of the best in the league

In April of 2002, the club celebrated 25 years in existence. This is a huge milestone for a relatively small club with limited resources, but the occasion was marked in great style with a Dinner Dance at the Blarney Park Hotel. The night was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. An extensive exhibition showing the history of the club was displayed on the night, charting the clubs’ 25 years in Cork football. The exhibition through up some interesting facts!

Killowen AFC’s first ever goal was scored by Paddy Doyle against Castletownkennigh in 1977.

Killowen Celts first ever goal was scored by Mark O’Shea against Southern Starlets in 2001.

Sean Dilworth is the club’s all time record goal scorer with over 500 goals in all competitions.

Over 180 players have represented the three Killowen teams.

Michael O’Sullivan was the youngest player to lineout for Killowen. The oldest?…Denis Mullins.

Club Highlights:

1977 - Killowen AFC founded.

1977 - Runners-up: Blarney 7-Aside

1980 - Winners: Blarney 7-Aside

1980/81 - Runners-up: 3rd Division League Cup

1982/83 - Runners-up: 2nd Division League Cup

1985/86 - Runners-up: County Cup

1986/87 - Winners: President’s Cup

1990/91 - Winners: Division 2A

1991/92 - Winners: Division 1A

1993/94 - Killowen Celtic 2nd Team founded.

1994/95 - Runners-up: Division 1A

1997 - Winners: Blarney 7-Aside

2001 - Killowen Celts Nightowls team founded.

2001/02 - Runners-up:  Cork Niteowls League- Challenge Cup – Killowen Celts

2006/07 - Winners: Division 3A

Cup winning teams:

Presidents Cup 1987

Final: Killowen A.F.C. V Wilton Ath.

Score: 2 - 1

Team: Paddy Doyle, Ger Healy, Michael Dilworth (1), Richard Walsh, Dan Forrest, Maurice Walsh, Dave Constant, Christy Horgan, Declan Cassidy, Sean Dilworth, Teddy Dilworth (1).

Subs: Denis Mullins, Brendan O’Donoghue.

Blarney 7-Aside Competition 1997

Final: Killowen V Brannigans

Score: 4 - 4 (Killowen win after penalties)

Panel; Noel Cantwell, Michael  Mullins, Noel Healy, Dave Aherne, Keith Dalton, Owen Braun, Declan Cassidy, Karl Murphy, Niall O’Riordan and Conor O’Leary.

The Sean Ring Tournament:

In memory of fellow player and friend Sean Ring who died tragically in 1989. This tournament was established and the Ring Family kindly donated a trophy. At one stage the tournament involved 16 teams which represented one of the biggest 11-aside pre-season tournaments in Cork. Killowen had the honour of winning the first tournament 2 - 1 against local rivals Blarney Utd. Owen Braun and Barry O’Brien scored the winning goals. Other teams to win the tournament include Mallow Celtic, St. Mary’s (twice), Waterloo and Everton.

During the 2002- 2003 season both Killowen teams, Killowen A.F.C. and Killowen Celts contested the cup over two legs, with the first leg on astro-turf. The final score over the two legs was 7 - 6 in favour of Killowen Celts.