Castleisland Desmonds
Encyclopedia
Castleisland Desmonds are a Gaelic Athletic Association
club in Castleisland
, County Kerry
, Ireland
. The club won its first County Championship in 1950. They won others in 1981 , 1982 and 1984. They won the Munster Club Championship
and All-Ireland Club Championship
in 1985.
, Daniel Nelligan
Full-Back Line: Niall Mitchell, Maurice Lynch, Derry Prendiville, Michael Brosnan,
Half-Back Line: Mossie Lyons
, Maurice Hickey, Mike Walsh, Neilus Lyons, John "Mangles" McGaley, Denis O'Connor, Daniel Walsh, Sean Lynch, Robert Shanahan, Tadgh O' Connell, Pa White(very versatile)
Midfield: Maurice O'Connell, Pat Fitzgerald, Ciaran O'Callaghan
Half-Forward Line: Donagh O'Connell, Eric Nelligan, Barry O'Neill, Pa "juicy" Hickey
Full-Forward Line: Neil O'Sullivan, Steven Bartlett, Thomas Hickey, Kieran Brennan, Jamie McCarthy, Eoin Murphy
Coaching Staff: *Dave Geaney
Martin Horgan Jerry Firebug
's Celebrity Bainisteoir
TV show. Their Celebrity Bainisteoir was Derek Burke from Crystal Swing
.
In the quarter finals Castleisland
played against Nuala Carey's Shannonbridge
side from County Offaly
. In the 2010 season of Celebrity Bainisteoir, home advantage for each game bar the final was determined by an assault course
challenge, which took place at the Irish Army's training camp
in The Curragh, County Kildare
. Having lost the home venue decider in the Curragh, Desmonds travelled to Shannonbridge. In a closely fought encounter Castleisland were victorious, with a 2-10 to 2-06 scoreline. This match took place on August 28, 2010 and was featured in the episode of Celebrity Bainisteoir which aired on October 10, 2010.
In the semi-finals, having won the home venue decider in the Curragh, Desmonds hosted Breffny Morgan's Galway
team, Kilconly
. The home side started well, and at half time led the visitors by 1-5 to 0-4. The second half saw Desmonds consolidate their lead, and with ten minutes to go they led Kilconly 2-10 to 0-6. From there to the final whistle Kilconly battled back strongly and had reduced the deficit to just 2 points with two minutes to go. Desmonds replied with a last minute point to win the match by 3 points (1 goal), with a 2-11 to 1-11 scoreline, thereby securing a place in the final. This match took place on September 25, 2010 and was featured in the episode of Celebrity Bainisteoir which aired on October 17, 2010.
In the final of Celebrity Bainisteoir, Desmonds faced Mairéad Farrell
's Ballymun Kickhams
from Dublin
. The match took place at Parnell Park
, Dublin on October 29, 2010. Early in the game the Desmonds scored the first point, and added 3 more without reply, but by half time Kickhams had fought back to lead Desmonds by 1 point at 1-3 to 0-5. In the second half Ballymun
continued strong, scoring a further 2 points, but now it was Castleisland's turn to recover, and with ten minutes remaining both sides were level. Kickhams scored another point, to which Desmonds responded with a goal and began to look more dominant. Now under pressure, Kickhams missed one point-scoring opportunity, but succeeded with another to narrow the gap to a single point. As the game intensified, an incident occurred which resulted in a Desmond's player receiving a second yellow card, and being sent off with four minutes remaining. Despite this setback to the Castleisland side, Ballymun failed to capitalise, missing their best chance at scoring the vital point in injury time. Desmonds held their lead, to win the game by a single point with a final scoreline of 1-08 to 1-07. The match was featured in the episode of Celebrity Bainisteoir which aired on October 31, 2010.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club in Castleisland
Castleisland
Castleisland is a town and commercial centre in County Kerry in south west Ireland. The town is renowned for the width of its main street. Castleisland has a population of 2,170....
, County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The club won its first County Championship in 1950. They won others in 1981 , 1982 and 1984. They won the Munster Club Championship
Munster Senior Club Football Championship
The Munster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Munster. The winners will represent Munster in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. East Kerry were the first winners of the Munster senior...
and All-Ireland Club Championship
All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament run since 1971, played between the thousands of senior football clubs in Ireland. The current champions are Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh, who defeated St. Brigid's of Roscommon on March 17, 2011 to win their...
in 1985.
Current squad
Goalkeepers: Ger ReidyGer Reidy
Ger Reidy, is a GAA Goalkeeper currently playing for Castleisland Desmonds and Kerry. He made his intercounty debut in the National League fixture vs. Donegal in Austin Stack Park, Tralee...
, Daniel Nelligan
Full-Back Line: Niall Mitchell, Maurice Lynch, Derry Prendiville, Michael Brosnan,
Half-Back Line: Mossie Lyons
Mossie Lyons
Mossie Lyons is an Irish Gaelic football half-back who plays with the Castleisland Desmonds club side, and formerly with the Kerry county team.- Playing career :...
, Maurice Hickey, Mike Walsh, Neilus Lyons, John "Mangles" McGaley, Denis O'Connor, Daniel Walsh, Sean Lynch, Robert Shanahan, Tadgh O' Connell, Pa White(very versatile)
Midfield: Maurice O'Connell, Pat Fitzgerald, Ciaran O'Callaghan
Half-Forward Line: Donagh O'Connell, Eric Nelligan, Barry O'Neill, Pa "juicy" Hickey
Full-Forward Line: Neil O'Sullivan, Steven Bartlett, Thomas Hickey, Kieran Brennan, Jamie McCarthy, Eoin Murphy
Coaching Staff: *Dave Geaney
Dave Geaney
Dr Dave Geaney is an All-Ireland medal holder and has been trainer of the Castleisland Desmonds Senior team for a good number of years and was trainer when they won the All-Ireland Club title in 1985 when they defeated St. Vincent's in the final on St. Patrick's Day. Geaney was a Kerry GAA...
Martin Horgan Jerry Firebug
Celebrity Bainisteoir
In 2010 the club was selected to enter RTERaidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
's Celebrity Bainisteoir
Celebrity Bainisteoir
Celebrity Bainisteoir is a prime-time reality programme produced for Radio Telefís Éireann, which was produced by Animo Television/Kite Entertainment...
TV show. Their Celebrity Bainisteoir was Derek Burke from Crystal Swing
Crystal Swing
Crystal Swing is a new wave Country and Western and Country and Irish musical group, from Lisgoold, Cork, Ireland. The family group is made up of mother Mary Murray-Burke and her teenage children Dervla and Derek Burke....
.
In the quarter finals Castleisland
Castleisland
Castleisland is a town and commercial centre in County Kerry in south west Ireland. The town is renowned for the width of its main street. Castleisland has a population of 2,170....
played against Nuala Carey's Shannonbridge
Shannonbridge
Shannonbridge is a village located on the River Shannon, at the junction of the R444 and R357 regional roads in County Offaly, Ireland. It lies within the townland of Raghra , at the borders of counties Offaly, Galway and Roscommon, with the majority of the population living east of the bridge in...
side from County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
. In the 2010 season of Celebrity Bainisteoir, home advantage for each game bar the final was determined by an assault course
Assault course
An assault course is a special sort of trail that combines running and exercising. It was more popular in the 1970s than it is now. It is heavily used in military training...
challenge, which took place at the Irish Army's training camp
Curragh Camp
The Curragh Camp is an army base and military college located in The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland. It is the main training centre for the Irish Army.- Brief history of the Curragh's military heritage :...
in The Curragh, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Having lost the home venue decider in the Curragh, Desmonds travelled to Shannonbridge. In a closely fought encounter Castleisland were victorious, with a 2-10 to 2-06 scoreline. This match took place on August 28, 2010 and was featured in the episode of Celebrity Bainisteoir which aired on October 10, 2010.
In the semi-finals, having won the home venue decider in the Curragh, Desmonds hosted Breffny Morgan's Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
team, Kilconly
Kilconly
Kilconly is a small rural village near Tuam which is north of Galway City in County Galway, Ireland. It is situated about seven miles north west of Tuam town on the Ballinrobe road ....
. The home side started well, and at half time led the visitors by 1-5 to 0-4. The second half saw Desmonds consolidate their lead, and with ten minutes to go they led Kilconly 2-10 to 0-6. From there to the final whistle Kilconly battled back strongly and had reduced the deficit to just 2 points with two minutes to go. Desmonds replied with a last minute point to win the match by 3 points (1 goal), with a 2-11 to 1-11 scoreline, thereby securing a place in the final. This match took place on September 25, 2010 and was featured in the episode of Celebrity Bainisteoir which aired on October 17, 2010.
In the final of Celebrity Bainisteoir, Desmonds faced Mairéad Farrell
Mairead Farrell (Irish radio presenter)
Mairéad Farrell is an Irish radio presenter. She is a long-standing member of Ray D'Arcy's team on Today FM. She has vowed to never leave D'Arcy, who she has described as being "like my mammy".-Early life:...
's Ballymun Kickhams
Ballymun Kickhams
Ballymun Kickhams is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Ballymun, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The club has a clubhouse and its home pitch, Arás Proinsias Mác Gafraidh, just off the Ballymun exit of the M50. Ballymun also has a full size astroturf pitch...
from Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
. The match took place at Parnell Park
Parnell Park
Parnell Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Donnycarney, Dublin, Ireland with a capacity of about 11,500. It is the home of the Dublin GAA hurling, football, camogie and ladies' football teams at all levels of competition...
, Dublin on October 29, 2010. Early in the game the Desmonds scored the first point, and added 3 more without reply, but by half time Kickhams had fought back to lead Desmonds by 1 point at 1-3 to 0-5. In the second half Ballymun
Ballymun
Ballymun is an area on Dublin's Northside close to Dublin Airport, Ireland. It is infamous for the Ballymun flats, which became a symbol of poverty, drugs, alienation from the state and social problems in Ireland from the 1970s...
continued strong, scoring a further 2 points, but now it was Castleisland's turn to recover, and with ten minutes remaining both sides were level. Kickhams scored another point, to which Desmonds responded with a goal and began to look more dominant. Now under pressure, Kickhams missed one point-scoring opportunity, but succeeded with another to narrow the gap to a single point. As the game intensified, an incident occurred which resulted in a Desmond's player receiving a second yellow card, and being sent off with four minutes remaining. Despite this setback to the Castleisland side, Ballymun failed to capitalise, missing their best chance at scoring the vital point in injury time. Desmonds held their lead, to win the game by a single point with a final scoreline of 1-08 to 1-07. The match was featured in the episode of Celebrity Bainisteoir which aired on October 31, 2010.
Famous players
- Charlie NelliganCharlie NelliganCharlie Nelligan is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Castleisland Desmonds and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1991.-Club:...
- Mossie LyonsMossie LyonsMossie Lyons is an Irish Gaelic football half-back who plays with the Castleisland Desmonds club side, and formerly with the Kerry county team.- Playing career :...
- Ger ReidyGer ReidyGer Reidy, is a GAA Goalkeeper currently playing for Castleisland Desmonds and Kerry. He made his intercounty debut in the National League fixture vs. Donegal in Austin Stack Park, Tralee...
- Thomas Hickey
- Dermot HannafinDermot HannafinDermot Hannafin is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Castleisland Desmonds and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1985 until 1993...
- Mikey O'Connor
- Kenneth Dillon
- Pa White(very versatile, flexible, ask the u14 girls)
Roll Of Honour
- Club ChampionshipKerry County Club ChampionshipThe kerry club championship was a football championship played between senior clubs in kerry. The last final was played in 2005 were An Ghaeltachtbeat Kerins O'Rahilly's. The competition was restarted in 2009.-2009 Championship:-Roll of honour:...
: 1981,1982,1984,1985,1986,1987,1993,1995
- Intermediate Club ChampionshipKerry Intermediate Football ChampionshipThis is a competition organized by Kerry GAA for clubs that are not good enough to play in the Kerry Senior Football Championship. The winners usually play Senior in the years after they win this competition. The winners also represent Kerry in the Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship....
1976,1979,1981
- County League Championship, Division 1 1981
- County League Championship, Division 4 1975,1979
- North Kerry Senior Football ChampionshipNorth Kerry Senior Football ChampionshipThe North Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition for GAA clubs affiliated to the North Kerry Division of Kerry. The official name of the competition is The Bernard O'Callaghan Memorial North Kerry Senior Football Championship, in honour of the late Bernie O'Callaghan ...
1980,1988,2002,2007
- North Kerry Senior League Championship 1971,1975,1979,1981
- A.I.B Club of the Year 1981,1982,1983
- Munster Senior Club Football ChampionshipMunster Senior Club Football ChampionshipThe Munster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Munster. The winners will represent Munster in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. East Kerry were the first winners of the Munster senior...
Winners 1984, 1985
- All Ireland Club ChampionsAll-Ireland Senior Club Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament run since 1971, played between the thousands of senior football clubs in Ireland. The current champions are Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh, who defeated St. Brigid's of Roscommon on March 17, 2011 to win their...
1985
- Celebrity Banisteoir 2010
- All Ireland Ladies Club ChampionshipDolores Tyrrell Memorial CupThe Dolores Tyrrell Memorial Cup is the ladies equivalent to the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship.-Roll of honour:-By county:L, M, U, C refer to Leinster/Munster/Ulster/Connacht championships won by teams from the county.-By province:...
1980, 1983