CLG Chill Chartha Anniversary Day / Lá Cuimhneacháin
Ar an Domhnach 9 Samhain 1924 d’imir an club a chéad chluiche peile oifigiúil nuair a thug siad óstáil ar Aodh Ruadh i Sraith an Iardheiscirt.
On Sunday November 9th 1924 the club played its first official football match when they hosted Aodh Ruadh in the South Western League.
On Saturday 9th November 2024 we will celebrate this date as part of our centenary celebrations starting with an under 16s challenge match in Towney against Aodh Ruadh, at 6pm we will celebrate mass in St Cartha’s Church for deceased club members followed by refreshments and music in John Joe’s.
3pm Cill Chartha v Aodh Ruadh faoi 16s / Cill Chartha v Aodh Ruadh under 16s challenge match in Towney.
6pm Aifreann i séipéal Naomh Cartha do bhaill an chlub nach maireann / Mass in St Cartha’s church for deceased club members.
7pm Sólaistí i John Joes agus ceol ó The Flashbacks ina dhiaidh / Refreshments in John Joes followed by music by The Flashbacks.
Bígí Linn
From the 1984 Club Yearbook
Kilcar began to participate in county competitions in this year.
One of their first games was after the Killybegs regatta versus Killybegs on Friday, August 8th, 1924. Killybegs 3-0, Kilcar 1-1. This was probably the game that Mick Carr was referring to when he said: "The Kilcar team played at the sports in Killybegs, on the first Monday in August of '24 and '25. The games were played on a very bad field on the way to Loughead."
Most of the fixtures for that first year were played very late on to facilitate the winning of the harvest etc.
Nov. 9th, 1924 - Kilcar v. Ballyshannon
Nov. 21st Glenties v. Kilcar (in Glenties). Ref. Joe McDevitt.
December 21st - Kilcar v. Mountcharles.
December 28th - Kilcar v. Donegal.
January 1st, 1925 Ardara. Kilcar v. Ardara, in Ardara
"On Sunday November 9th, the South- West League began its activities when the first match of the draw was brought off between Ballyshannon and host side Kilcar. After a well contested match Ballyshannon emerged the victors by 1-3 to 1-2". The following is the clipping of the very first organised game.
G.A.A. - South Western League
BALLYSHANNON DEFEAT KILCAR IN THE FIRST ROUND
A crowd of moderate proportions saw Ballyshannon take the two points from Kilar in convincing style on Sunday last. The game was interesting from start to finish, and, occasionally, play reached a very high standard. The weather was fine and the pitch in good order, but the fact that Towney Bay comes close up to the touchline was a serious handicap. On two occasions there were delays whilst the ball was being retrieved from an ongoing tide.
Ballyshannon's victory was mainly due to a strong defence. The forwards lacked their usual cohesion, but this was due to want of practice. Kilcar has a nicely-balanced team, but here, too, the weakness lies in the forward line.
Kilcar started by bringing the game into Ballyshannon territory, and Whelan was early called upon to relieve the pressure. Shortly afterwards this player almost scored from a long high shot. On the kick-out John Rooney got possession and opened the score with a point. Warnock was tackled from behind when in possession, and, from the resulting free, Paddy Rooney just shot wide. A brisk bout of play by the Kilcar backs ended in McGinley equalising from a good distance out. In the melee dangerously near the visitors goal, Warnock was injured and, from the hop, Whelan cleared in good style. A neat movement by the Ballyshannon forwards was frustrated by McGinley kicking into the water. Sheeran promptly recovered the ball after an exhibition of the "trudgeon stroke". Soon Dr. Carr capped a fine run by putting the home side a point ahead.
The equaliser came from Warnock, who was not slow in timing a well-judged pass by Paddy Rooney. John Rooney added another point. Here a fine chance of putting the visitors further in the lead went abegging. Jimmy Rooney, from a vigorous dash along the wing, dropped the leather with characteristic precision in the vicinity of the parallelogram, but his colleagues at midfield were well behind. Dr. Carr set the home forwards going, and Willie Gallagher was called upon to save a strong grounder from Bryan Byrne. A "50" taken by Whelan was saved in the goalmouth, and the half-time whistle found Ballyshannon pressing.
Half-time score: Ballyshannon 0-3, Kilcar 0-2.
On the resumption Kilcar made plucky efforts to level matters up, and, on a couple of occasions, Brown was called upon to clear. This reliable back made no mistake either time. A Kilcar invasion brought a point from James Byrne. Ballyshannon again took up the running and the home defence was severely tested until Bryan Byrne cleared well into midfield.
Then the play was fairly evenly divided, and great efforts by the home forwards, of whom the most conspicious were Dr. Carr and H. O'Gara, were all the time held by a strong Ballyshannon defence. Watkins, who had come on in Sheerin's place shortly after the interval, considerably strengthened the left wing. A free taken by Whelan was intercepted by John Rooney who, from fifteen yards out, shot into goal, Cunningham having no chance from a powerful low drive. From the kick-out Kilcar tried hard to reduce arrears, and Dr. Carr went well into the visitors defence before the leather was sent wide.
Again Kilcar were attacking and Dan Byrne tested Willie Gallagher with a stiff shot from ten yards out. The custodian picked up on the line, and cleared amidst great excitement. The concluding passages were slightly in favour of Ballyshannon, and just before the whistle Gillespie was forced to clear from outside the home goal.
Result: Ballyshannon 1-3, Kilcar 0-2.
Teams:
Kilcar: F. Cunningham, Gillespie, B. Byrne, McGinley, Hugh Carr, Dan Byrne, P. McNelis, McGrory, Rafferty, James Byrne, O'Gara (captain), Dr Carr, M Cunningham.
Ballyshannon: Willie Gallagher, B. Whelan (captain), F. Brown, T. McMullan, Hugh Gallagher, J. Sheerin, David Higgins, F. Warnock, John Rooney, P. Rooney, Jimmy Rooney, Terry McDermott, Pat Cleary.
