A NEW ERA
A new era in Asdee football was unfolded in 1986 which was to transform the game in the area. Side by side with our great rivals and fellow parishioners for a number of years it was again decided to go it alone in all competitions. A number of well attended meetings were held to discuss the cluws future and after lengthy discussions it met with approval and so heralded the foundation of St. Mary’s GAA club and so heralded the foundation of St. Mary’s GAA club and from the outset it had the appearance of a long lifeline about it The first competitive engagement was in division 2 of the North Kerry league against Ballyduff where no one knew the real worth of this team as a unit but by the time the final whistle sounded even in defeat, 1-5 to 0-5, the team showed lots of potential which augured well for the future of the club. The team on that occasion was: Eddie Joe Linnane, Mike O’Connor, Paddy Dee, Sean O’COnnOr, John Gorman, Paddy McElligott, J. P. McElligott, Gerdie O’Carroll, Sean Doran (capt.), Sean O’Keeffe, John Joe O’Carroll, Micheal O’Connor, Barry Healy, Dan Dalton, jimmy O,Carroll. Subs., Tom O’Donoghue, John Martin Collins, Mike Vallelly, Kevin Mulvihill, Joe Dee, Joe Edgeworth and Mike Breen. I suppose one has to mention the first local derby against Bally, the first of many which was to follow, which drew huge crowds to whatever venue it was played in. The blue and white took the honours in this ‘one. The club’s first win was in the county novice B competition against Causeway. tl llow”cr, F(ilmore ended our prospects of going further when they defeated us after a replay. lie club decided to enter a tearm in the North Kerry junior championship after faring quite well in the county league and North Kerry league.
The Murphy Cup was the Prize for the championship winners and at this early stage of our more or less introduction to charmpionship football, another corner of the parish, Lenamore, provided the Opposition in the Semi-final but the boys in black and amber were equal to the task and qualified for their first final. Gale Rangers, who had earlier won the North Kerry league, provided stiff opposition and were seasoned campaigners. Played at Moyvane, Asdee were lucky to get a second chance following the first encounter. but in the replay, with a few adjustments to the team, and a proud Tim O’Connor of Carrigane accepted the cup. we captured our first trophy. Tim who had previously played with the 1974 team – a 12 year span – was an inspirational captain at corner back. Another member of that side was John Joe O’Carroll who is still going strong- The historic replay team was Sean Whyte, Sean O’Connor, Tom O’Sullivan, Tim Connor (capt.), John Gorman, Paddy Dee, Mike Vallelly, J.P. MeElligott, Gerdie O’Carroll, Micheal O’Connor, John Joe O’Carroll, Paddy McElligott, Dan Sheehan, Scan Doran, Donie O’Keeffe. Subs., Mike Moloney, Eamon Collins, Tony McElligott, Leo O,Donoghue, Fergus O’Connor, Joe Dee, Kevin Mulvihill, Joe Edgeworth, Jim Edgeworth, Jimmy O’Carroll, Mike O’Connor, John Griffin, Sean O’Keeffe. The final score was Asdee 1-5, Gale Rangers 0-3. We enjoyed another outstanding year in 1987, winning the North Kerry League division 2 title, defeating our neighbours Bally B in Ballylongford on Saturday, October 1Oth, by a single point. This was not a game for the faint hearted as there was never more than a kick of the ball between the sides. As the game entered the final quarter, J.P. MeEllicOtt broke the deadlock when he pointed from 20 metres to put two points between the sides. Bally replied with a point but Asdee held out for a memorable win on the scoreline of Asdee 0-6, Bally B 0-5. The team was: Sean O’Keeffe, Tim O’Connor, Tom O’Sullivan, Tony McElligott, John Gorman, Paddy Dee (capt.), Mike Vallelly, Gerdie O’Carroll, Sean Doran, Micheal O’Connor, Mike O’Connor, Donie O’Keeffe, Dan Sheehan, J.P. MeElligott, John Joe O’Carroll. Subs., Jimmy O’Carroll, Paddy McElligott, Eddie Walsh, Patsy Sheehan, Patsy Coughlan, Luke McElligott, Joe Dee, Stephen McElligott, Eamon Collins, Sean Whyle, Kevin Mulvihill, Johnny O’Sullivan, Sean Deenihan and Mike Moloney.
The jack Walsh cup, which was donated by he Walsh family, was first played for this year also and Asdee defeated Lenamore in the final in Ballylongford. Asdee also had a great run in the intermediate championships defeating Moyvane in the final, but lost to Ballyduff in the final after a replay in a very exciting game. Success continued unfolding another chapter in the short history of this newly formed club. The past two years were times to remember and 1988 was not any different. their debut in Division 1 of the North Kerry League they performed quite admirably against the big guns and caused a few upsets during, the league. The club were invited into the Holly Cup, a senior tournament organised by the Tarbert club. Asdee defeated the hosts in the semi-final that will long be remembered, but surely the black and amber brigade came of age in the final against Moyvane played at Shannon Park, Tarbert, on August A 15th. Very much the underdogs, Asdee turned in a performance that will long live in the history of the clubs achievements. Everyone played their Part in this great triumph but a special mention for John Kennedy who scored no less than 12 Points to cap a scintillating overall display. The county Novice B championship was next on the fixture list. We defeated Clounmacon at Listowel in the opening round but Gale Rangers proved a tough nut to crack ill the semi-final at the same venue. However, the game was put out of Rangers reach in the final 10 minutes. In the final Ballyheigue proved to be worthy opponents and only for a mighty effort from each Asdee player the title could have gone to the seasiders but instead an inspired John Kennedy performance who scored eight points of the tally of 0-9 set Asdee on the road to victory. The village of Ballyduff was covered in black and amber flags as John Joe O’Carroll accepted his second cup to add to the club’s success to date. Asdee ended up in a promotion play-off in the county league with Kenmare but they were defeated on the day which was a source of disappointment in what otherwise had been a wonderful year for the club. The county novice team was Tom Gorman, Tom Kennedy, Tom O’Sullivan, Sean O,Keeffe, Gerdie O’Carroll, Mike O’Connor, Mike Vallelly, John Kennedy, Sean Doran, Micheal O’Connor, Paddy Dee, Donie O’Keeffe, Fergus O’Connor, J.P. MeElligott, John joe O’Carroll, (capt.). Subs., Tony McElligott, Eric O’Neill, Mike Moloney, Dan Sheehan, Tim O’Connor, Sean Whyte, Paudie Deenihan, Mike O’Donoghue, Paddy Mcelliott.