17/02/2026
Summary of Fethard Killusty Area involvement in Community Games.
County Tipperary first became involved in Community Games in 1969 following a meeting with Mrs Breeda Christie, current president of Co Tipperary Community Games, Bro Joyce, & the late Joe Connolly, Dublin founder of Community Games.
The first National Finals took place in Santry Stadium Dublin in 1970 where competitors from Fethard Killusty Area competed thanks to the late Tom Butler, Coolanure who played such a huge part in the organisation. Competitors from Fethard among the medal winners were: Gold Richard Fallon in U12 boys relay team Silver Conor Lonergan U14 Long Jump Pierce Dillon competed in U10 Athletics.
1972 Competitors included Pat Fallon U16 100m & Mick Walsh U12 Long Jump
1974 Reception in Town Hall for girls Volleyball team that won Gold at National Finals:- Ann O’Riordan (Walsh) Susanna Maher (Manton) Phyllis Sheehan, Mary Morrissey, Anne Hayes< Catherine Newport (Kearney), Jacinta O’Connell, Anna Costigan, Louise Holohan, Patti Harrison, Mary Ahearne, Paula Pollard.
Fast forward to 1985 when despite the area having various success the committee felt it was time for an overhaul following a huge attendance in the Nissan Hut Jerry Lyons Co Sec., & Maureen Guiry, Peppardstown Co PRO both deceased addressed the meeting which resulted in a new committee being elected which included Chairman Bro Raymond, Sec. Peggy Colville, Treasurer Concepta Hurley, Liam Cloonan, Tom Marshall, Stephen & Micheal McCormack, Eamon O’Dwyer, Fintan Rice. The late Pat Ryan, Joe and the late Anne Keane. The area went from strength to strength. New Officers Micheal & Siobhan Maher, Noreen Sheehy, Polly Murphy, Bernard Feery, all did trojan work. Managers:- Micheal Spillane, Micheal O’Mahony, Denis Burke, Jimmy Smith, Johnny & Micheal Sheehan, Noel Heffernan, Anne Walsh, Jennifer Keane, Stephen & Kenneth O’Donnell, Brian Egan , Richard Thompson, Fintan, Louis Rice, John Hurley & members of Fethard AC all made a huge contribution to the games. Valerie Colville won Tipperary’s first ever Gold medal in Judo at National Finals in 1985 followed by further success over the years which also involved the O’Donnell brothers, Stephen, Eric, Kenneth & Kevin, the Gorey Boys, Roy, Tony, Richard & Cathal, Kenneth Sheehan, Alan Roche, Michael Costello, P.J. & Avril Colville P.J. Tobin & the late Tony Tobin thanks to amazing coaching skills of Johnny Sheehan, Noel Heffernan & Michael Sheehan. Cathal Maher & Matthew Burke represented the County at National Finals in Art as did Jake Feery in Cycling.
In recent years with Micheal Maher steering the ship assisted by Noreen Sheehy competitors from Fethard Killusty enjoyed huge success in several events. Aobh O’Shea, Kieran Hayes, The Maher sisters, Abigeal & Isobel, Zoe Stokes, Lily Murphy, Yenna & Toby Hayes, Caoimhe Nevin all won medals in swimming. Girls Rugby teams under management of Polly Murphy won medals at 2024 & 2025 National Finals. Micheal Spillane successfully managed Girls u14 Football teams to victory at County, Munster & National level. Jimmy Smith managed boys soccer team as seen at top of this page.
All this typed from memory – loads more if properly checked up. Probably forgot someone. It is just a reminder of the opportunity afforded to young people from u8 to u16 in a wide variety of events.
If parents would like their child to be involved in the games & to ensure that the area will not lapse again check out all the current events & age groups on Cairn community games page. It is vital to PLEASE ATTEND the 2026 AGM which will take place in the Tirry Community Centre on next Wednesday night, February 25th at 7.30pm Time has come for a revamp. It is up to parents to volunteer and keep Fethard Killusty affiliated.
