Soccer

Clonmel Town FC

Soccer has been a major sport in Clonmel since the turn of the last Century with various clubs representing Clonmel down through the years. The idea of forming the present club was discussed in Fenn Cummin's house. Following that meeting the club was formed on April 23rd 1963, with 'Bohemians Clonmel' being adopted as the name of the club.

In their first season Bohs won the Tipperary league.From 1966 onwards the club competed in the Waterford league and in 1968 won the Munster Junior up. 1973 saw the club take the giant step into Senior Football. In 1976 the club decided to change their name to Clonmel Town F.C in order to promote an affinity to the Town.

During the 1981/82 season Clonmel Town were runners up to Cobh Ramblers in the Munster Senior League and also lost out to Ramblers in the final of the Munster Senior Cup. In 1986 the club won the Munster Junior Cup for the second time, when they defeated Ballincollig 1-0 in the final. 1994 was the proudest year in the clubs History. The greatest prize in junior football the FAI Junior cup, was won when they defeated New Ross 5-1 in the final.

Captain that day was Cyril Conran, who also had the distinction of being the FAI Junior player of the year. Indeed many people would argue that this side was the finest football team ever to come out of Clonmel. In that season the team lost only one game out of a total of 53 matches. The club has since been semi-finalist twice in the competition and became one of the first four junior clubs to compete in the FAI Senior cup, in the season 99-2000.

Many Town players have gone on to apply their trade in the League of Ireland. Sean Kiely not only played for Waterford in the League but also in 1980 played in the European Cup Winners Cup. Their are currently five ex-Town players playing in the National League. Ollie Cahill and Stephen Napier(Cork City), Aaron Moroney, Paul Scully and Kevin Waters (Waterford Utd).

During the heady days, the club was managed in turn by Peter Bryan(former Oxford Utd, Waterord and Inter League player.) Shay Brennan (Man.Utd and Irish International R.I.P) Al Casey (RIP) (Waterford) Dave Kirby(Waterford).In addition , Clonmel Locals Buddy Anderson Danny Gibbons, Richie Blanche ,Sean Kiely, Martin Quinlivan and Billy Byrne.

Since the clubs return to Junior Football in 1983 the honours list is impressive in the TSDL Premier Division and cup Competitions.

FAI Junior cup Winners 1994

Semi Finalists 1972,97,99

Munster junior Cup Winners 1968,86

Runners Up 1994,97

Premier League Champions 1984,85,86,90,92,94,98.

Tipperary Cup Winners 1984,85,88,91,94,97,99,2000

Clonmel Bohs team that won the Munster Junior Cup in 1968. 1993 was a major milestone in the Clubs History with acguisition from Clonmel Corporation of the Dr Pat O'Callaghan Sports Complex. The club is currently embarking upon a major fund raising campaign to develop the Sports Complex as a premier sporting facility in Clonmel.This development programme will involve the installation of an all weather playing surface, heating system for the main hall and improvements to the showers and dressing rooms.

The projects success will uphold and cherish the memory of Dr Pat O'Callaghan and in addition will give pride to all sportsmen past and present.

Hon Chairman: Richard Blanche

Hon Secetary: John Kane

Treasurer: Brian O;Donnell

Assistant Treasurer: Sheamus Murray

PRO: Muiris Walsh

Committee: Paddy Turner, Paddy Brennan, Kevin Butler, Gerry Pinkart, Sean Ryan, Jack Acheson, Paddy Ryan, PJ O'Reilly, Cyril Flaherty, Tony Scully, Eldon Ryan.

© 2004 Sport in Clonmel.