Valentia Young Islanders GAA
Encyclopedia
Valentia Young Islanders are a Gaelic Athletic Association
club from Valentia Island
, South County Kerry
, Ireland
. They play in Division 5 of the county league and in the Kerry Junior Football Championship
.
in 1939 beating Cahirciveen by 2-8 to 1-2 in the final. They added a second in 1945. A third Championship came in 1950 but that was about all the success there was in the 1950s. For seven years they fought without success to regain the South Kerry Championship
title. In 1957 the Young Islanders broke a seven year deadlock and took the South Kerry title overcoming a much fancied Renard side. Centre-field for Valentia on that day was Mick O'Connell, a man who was destined to annex every honour the game has to offer. Between 1957 and 1964 Valentia won seven South Kerry Senior Championship
titles and were South Kerry
minor and senior champions in 1958 and 1961. Valentia were the first club to win the Kerry club championship in 1964, with victory over Ballymacelligott
in the final. In 1959 the All Ireland and Munster Senior Championship Cups (Mick O'Connell being senior captain), the Munster Junior Championship Cup (John 'Dasher' Connor capt.) and the South Kerry Senior Championship
Cup all came to the island
.
After a long time without success Valentia won the Novice Football Championship Final in 1975 defeating Scartagin by 1-10 to 2-4 in Killarney. From 1979 to 1993 can certainly be considered as the golden era of Valentia football. After losing five consecutive South Kerry Senior Football Championship
Finals from 1973 to 1977 the tide turned in 1979. Mick O'Connell made a comeback in 1979 and helped Valentia bridge a 15 year gap as Valentia won their first South Kerry Championship since 1964. Between 1979 and 1993, Valentia won nine South Kerry Championship titles, seven South Kerry League titles, the County Junior
and Intermediate Championships
and the County Club Championship. Valentia were strongly represented in the South Kerry County Championship winning teams of 1981 and 1982. Ger Lynch won three All-Ireland medals and an All-Star award with Kerry
. Ger O'Driscoll won senior (two), Under 21 and Junior All-Ireland medals with kerry and Michael Anthony O'Connell also winning an All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
medal.
In 1995 Valentia won their second County Intermediate Championship defeating Spa
in a replay. In 2000 Valentia win the South Kerry Championship
defeating favorites Sneem in the final. 2005 saw Valentia senior team win their 20th South Kerry Championship
by defeating title holders Dromid Pearses in the final. In 2006 Paul O'Connor Captained South Kerry
to Victory in the County Championship final win over Dr Crokes
1939, 1945, 1950, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 2000, 2005
1958, 1961, 1972
1986, 1995
1964,1986
1981
1975
1984
once
2 times
2 times
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 from Valentia Island
Valentia Island
Valentia Island is one of Ireland's westernmost points, lying off the Iveragh Peninsula in the southwest of County Kerry, Ireland. It is linked to the mainland by the Maurice O'Neill Memorial bridge at Portmagee, as well as by a ferry which sails from Reenard Point to Knightstown, the island's...
, South 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,...
. They play in Division 5 of the county league and in the Kerry Junior Football Championship
Kerry Junior Football Championship
The Kerry junior championship is an annual Gaelic football competition played in County Kerry, Ireland by Gaelic Athletic Association clubs affiliated to Kerry GAA. It is a grade below Kerry Intermediate Football Championship and the winners move up to that grade the year after winning it...
.
History
The 'Young Islanders' club was founded in 1905, though football was being played in Valentia in the 1800s. The 'Young Islanders' reached the County Championship semi-final in 1907 being beaten by Dingle and by Tralee Mitchel's in the final of 1908. The club won its first South Kerry ChampionshipSouth Kerry Senior Football Championship
The South Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition between clubs affiliated to the South Kerry division. When a Divisional team like South Kerry win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, the winners of the Divisional championship chose the Kerry Senior Football team...
in 1939 beating Cahirciveen by 2-8 to 1-2 in the final. They added a second in 1945. A third Championship came in 1950 but that was about all the success there was in the 1950s. For seven years they fought without success to regain the South Kerry Championship
South Kerry Senior Football Championship
The South Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition between clubs affiliated to the South Kerry division. When a Divisional team like South Kerry win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, the winners of the Divisional championship chose the Kerry Senior Football team...
title. In 1957 the Young Islanders broke a seven year deadlock and took the South Kerry title overcoming a much fancied Renard side. Centre-field for Valentia on that day was Mick O'Connell, a man who was destined to annex every honour the game has to offer. Between 1957 and 1964 Valentia won seven South Kerry Senior Championship
South Kerry Senior Football Championship
The South Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition between clubs affiliated to the South Kerry division. When a Divisional team like South Kerry win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, the winners of the Divisional championship chose the Kerry Senior Football team...
titles and were South Kerry
South Kerry
South Kerry or Kerry South may refer to:* The southern part of County Kerry, in Ireland* South Kerry GAA, a Gaelic football Divisional Team in County Kerry* South Kerry , former UK Parliament constituency...
minor and senior champions in 1958 and 1961. Valentia were the first club to win the Kerry club championship in 1964, with victory over Ballymacelligott
Ballymacelligott
Ballymacelligott is a parish in the north of County Kerry in Ireland. It is situated east of Tralee.-History:A quarry was first built in Ballymacelligott in 1811 as a source for building materials for construction of a barracks in Tralee. The present day Ballymacelligott Church was built in 1824...
in the final. In 1959 the All Ireland and Munster Senior Championship Cups (Mick O'Connell being senior captain), the Munster Junior Championship Cup (John 'Dasher' Connor capt.) and the South Kerry Senior Championship
South Kerry Senior Football Championship
The South Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition between clubs affiliated to the South Kerry division. When a Divisional team like South Kerry win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, the winners of the Divisional championship chose the Kerry Senior Football team...
Cup all came to the island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
.
After a long time without success Valentia won the Novice Football Championship Final in 1975 defeating Scartagin by 1-10 to 2-4 in Killarney. From 1979 to 1993 can certainly be considered as the golden era of Valentia football. After losing five consecutive South Kerry Senior Football Championship
South Kerry Senior Football Championship
The South Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition between clubs affiliated to the South Kerry division. When a Divisional team like South Kerry win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, the winners of the Divisional championship chose the Kerry Senior Football team...
Finals from 1973 to 1977 the tide turned in 1979. Mick O'Connell made a comeback in 1979 and helped Valentia bridge a 15 year gap as Valentia won their first South Kerry Championship since 1964. Between 1979 and 1993, Valentia won nine South Kerry Championship titles, seven South Kerry League titles, the County Junior
Kerry Junior Football Championship
The Kerry junior championship is an annual Gaelic football competition played in County Kerry, Ireland by Gaelic Athletic Association clubs affiliated to Kerry GAA. It is a grade below Kerry Intermediate Football Championship and the winners move up to that grade the year after winning it...
and Intermediate Championships
Kerry Intermediate Football Championship
This 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....
and the County Club Championship. Valentia were strongly represented in the South Kerry County Championship winning teams of 1981 and 1982. Ger Lynch won three All-Ireland medals and an All-Star award with Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
. Ger O'Driscoll won senior (two), Under 21 and Junior All-Ireland medals with kerry and Michael Anthony O'Connell also winning an All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Junior Football Championship is a Gaelic Athletic Association competition for junior gaelic football inter-county teams in Ireland. The definition of what constitutes a junior player differs from county to county. In some, the junior team is the second team after the senior team...
medal.
In 1995 Valentia won their second County Intermediate Championship defeating Spa
Spa GAA
Spa GAA is a Gaelic football club based in Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.The club gets its name from the Spa Well, a source of water with health giving properties, which is situated on the road side in the town land of Tullig, approximately three miles from Killarney town centre...
in a replay. In 2000 Valentia win the South Kerry Championship
South Kerry Senior Football Championship
The South Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition between clubs affiliated to the South Kerry division. When a Divisional team like South Kerry win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, the winners of the Divisional championship chose the Kerry Senior Football team...
defeating favorites Sneem in the final. 2005 saw Valentia senior team win their 20th South Kerry Championship
South Kerry Senior Football Championship
The South Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition between clubs affiliated to the South Kerry division. When a Divisional team like South Kerry win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, the winners of the Divisional championship chose the Kerry Senior Football team...
by defeating title holders Dromid Pearses in the final. In 2006 Paul O'Connor Captained South Kerry
South Kerry
South Kerry or Kerry South may refer to:* The southern part of County Kerry, in Ireland* South Kerry GAA, a Gaelic football Divisional Team in County Kerry* South Kerry , former UK Parliament constituency...
to Victory in the County Championship final win over Dr Crokes
Dr. Crokes
Dr Crokes is a Gaelic football club based in Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. Famous current players include Colm "Gooch" Cooper and Eoin Brosnan....
Roll of honour
- South Kerry Senior ChampionshipsSouth Kerry Senior Football ChampionshipThe South Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition between clubs affiliated to the South Kerry division. When a Divisional team like South Kerry win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, the winners of the Divisional championship chose the Kerry Senior Football team...
20
1939, 1945, 1950, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 2000, 2005
- South Kerry Minor Championships
1958, 1961, 1972
- County Intermediate ChampionsKerry 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....
1986, 1995
- County Club Champions
1964,1986
- County Junior ChampionsKerry Junior Football ChampionshipThe Kerry junior championship is an annual Gaelic football competition played in County Kerry, Ireland by Gaelic Athletic Association clubs affiliated to Kerry GAA. It is a grade below Kerry Intermediate Football Championship and the winners move up to that grade the year after winning it...
1981
- County Novice Champions
1975
- County League Division 1Kerry County Football League - Division 1The Kerry County Football League is a Gaelic football competition between all of the club teams in Kerry. The competition is divided into five divisions. All of the teams in each division play against each other once. At the end of the competition the top 2 and bottom 2 teams get promoted and...
1984
Kerry Junior Football Championship
Valentia have won the Kerry Junior Football ChampionshipKerry Junior Football Championship
The Kerry junior championship is an annual Gaelic football competition played in County Kerry, Ireland by Gaelic Athletic Association clubs affiliated to Kerry GAA. It is a grade below Kerry Intermediate Football Championship and the winners move up to that grade the year after winning it...
once
| Year | Winner | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Valentia Valentia Young Islanders GAA Valentia Young Islanders are a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Valentia Island, South County Kerry, Ireland. They play in Division 5 of the county league and in the Kerry Junior Football Championship.-History:... |
|
Kerry Intermediate Football Championship
Valentia have won the County Intermediate ChampionsKerry Intermediate Football Championship
This 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....
2 times
| Year | Winner | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Valentia Valentia Young Islanders GAA Valentia Young Islanders are a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Valentia Island, South County Kerry, Ireland. They play in Division 5 of the county league and in the Kerry Junior Football Championship.-History:... |
Spa Spa GAA Spa GAA is a Gaelic football club based in Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.The club gets its name from the Spa Well, a source of water with health giving properties, which is situated on the road side in the town land of Tullig, approximately three miles from Killarney town centre... |
| 1986 | Valentia Valentia Young Islanders GAA Valentia Young Islanders are a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Valentia Island, South County Kerry, Ireland. They play in Division 5 of the county league and in the Kerry Junior Football Championship.-History:... |
Annascal Annascaul GAA Annascaul GAA Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that plays Gaelic football and is based in Annascaul, County Kerry, Ireland. They play in Division 1 of the Senior Football League and in the County Intermediate Football Championship. Annascaul is formed by three communities- Annascaul, Inch... |
Kerry Novice Football Championship
Valentia have won the Kerry Novice Football Championship once| Year | Winner | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Valentia Valentia Young Islanders GAA Valentia Young Islanders are a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Valentia Island, South County Kerry, Ireland. They play in Division 5 of the county league and in the Kerry Junior Football Championship.-History:... |
Scartaglin Scartaglin GAA Scartaglin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Scartaglen, County Kerry, Ireland. Together with 12 other football clubs they form the East Kerry Division of the GAA county of Kerry.The East Kerry board runs its own competitions for clubs within the division... |
Kerry Club Football Championship
Valentia have won the County Club ChampionsKerry County Club Championship
The 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:...
2 times
| Year | Winner | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Valentia Valentia Young Islanders GAA Valentia Young Islanders are a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Valentia Island, South County Kerry, Ireland. They play in Division 5 of the county league and in the Kerry Junior Football Championship.-History:... |
|
| 1964 | Valentia Valentia Young Islanders GAA Valentia Young Islanders are a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Valentia Island, South County Kerry, Ireland. They play in Division 5 of the county league and in the Kerry Junior Football Championship.-History:... |
|