01/11/2026
Now that the dust has settled, what a fantastic night was had by all at our social at the Park Hotel, last Friday night.
It was great to catch up with old friends and teammates as we celebrated the 40th anniversary of our County Junior Hurling Championship win.
As people entered the Comeragh Suite, photo collages and press reports from our championship year of 1986 were displayed. Photos of the Western and County Cups visiting Coolnasmear school were among the most popular, people trying to identify themselves or a schoolmate, or trying identify Mam or Dad or Aunt or Uncle as school kids!
Thanks to Mary Fahey for gathering the photos together and researching the newspaper reports.
As usual, Pierce and his staff looked after us all with their usual professionalism, the service and the beautiful three course meal was top class. Fr. Michael Collender O.S.A. said the grace before meals.
After we had all eaten, Chairman Paul Byrne, welcoming everyone introduced David Kiely, he took to the stage to take us all through Kilgobinet’s campaign of 1986. Reading from the newspaper reports he took us through the championship game by game, player by player. The room echoed to the roars and cheers as David named off the various scorers and the players that made the best contributions in each match.
When David took us through the highlights from the Western final and then the County final, the clapping and cheering was as loud as the celebrations at Cappoquin and Fraher Field back in October 1986!
Special mention was made of the contribution of the legendary, late, great Peter Power, Kilgobinet’s trainer in 1986.
David invited the winning captain, Dermot Fitzgerald, to the stage to say a few words. Dermot told of how proud he was, and that it was a privilege to captain that Kilgobinet team.
Then, one by one, each player was invited to the stage, and Dermot presented each one with a commemorative scroll. Helen Walsh and Bríd Curran accepted the scrolls on behalf of their respective husbands, the late Jim Walsh and Martin Curran.
Selector on the 1986 team, Michael Ryan was also presented with his scroll and made a special presentation to the captain, Dermot Fitzgerald on behalf of the team.
The winning Kilgobinet panel of 1986, were photographed in front of the stage, 40 years on from the great success.
Their exploits will surely inspire the current and future generations of Kilgobinet hurlers.
Then it was time for the music, the band, Deuces Wild were brilliant, they really kept everyone out on the dance floor!
After the band had finished their set, it was time for the DJ to keep the music pumping into the early hours!
Thanks to everyone for making the night such a great success, huge thanks to those who organised the event, and the Park Hotel for their hospitality.
Here’s hoping the club will be having another County Championship winning social in the not too distant future.
