Kilminchy Merge with Portlaoise
Originally published: C’mon The Town Portlaoise G.A.A. 1887-2016 by Teddy Fennelly and Brian Delaney
The number of clubs all scrambling among the same pool of players was a big topic of discussion by GAA interests in the town early in the year. Kilminchy had a very disappointing year in 1952 with little interest shown by players or officials and there was a number among their ranks who wished to see their club and Portlaoise united.
Fr. O’Donnell, who was chairman of Kilminchy in 1952, attended a special meeting to discuss the matter. He urged Kilminchy to join with Portlaoise to make a strong club. The Hon-President of Portlaoise, Fr. Matt Walsh, who was home from the African Missions at the time, also made a passionate appeal for the clubs to unite and then they would be able to compete for senior honours.
There were some Kilminchy members who were reluctant to allow their club to go out of existence. But the unity lobby prevailed and it resulted in a successful amalgamation under the Portlaoise banner.
Transfers Approved
The Football Board allowed the following transfers from Kilminchy to Portlaoise:
- S. Keenan
- M. Rigney
- R. O’Donoghue
- D. Cooke
- D. Leahy
- P. Critchley
- T. McVeigh
- M. Larkin
- A. Lewis
Annual General Meeting
The AGM was held on Sunday, 18 January 1953.
Outgoing chairman Al Delaney warmly welcomed the Kilminchy members into the Portlaoise Club. Treasurer Jimmy Conroy said that they would soon have a strong senior club.
Club Officers for 1953
- Honorary President: Fr. Matt Walsh
- Vice-Presidents: Fr. T. Donohoe, Ned Tobin, Bill Campion, Paddy Campion
- Chairman: Fr. T. O’Donnell
- Vice-Chairman: Al Delaney
- Treasurer: James Conroy
- Secretary: Eugene Conroy
Ned Harkin served as Secretary and it was decided to limit committee membership to twelve members, six from Portlaoise and six from Kilminchy.
Committee Members
The Portlaoise members were selected by vote:
- Jim Sexton (42 votes)
- Joe Bracken (39 votes)
- Paddy Scully (36 votes)
- Martin Ludden (36 votes)
- Jim Loughlin (27 votes)
- M. Larkin (27 votes)
The Kilminchy members were added at a later stage.
Delegates and Team Captains
- Delegates: Eugene Conroy, Ned Campion
- Hurling Delegate: Jim Loughlin
- Football Delegates: Al Delaney, Ned Harkin, Lar Dunne
- Intermediate Football Captain: Paddy Critchley
- Junior Football Captain: Ted Fitzpatrick
- Minor Football Captain: Richard Brown
- Junior Hurling Captain: Ned Campion
- Minor Hurling Captain: Roc Scully
A New Beginning
The merger between Portlaoise and Kilminchy marked a significant moment in the club's history. While there was understandable reluctance from some Kilminchy members to see their club cease to exist, the amalgamation created a stronger and more unified organisation capable of competing for honours at a higher level.
The successful integration of players, officials and supporters under the Portlaoise banner laid important foundations for the future growth and success of the club in the decades that followed.
Kilminchy Vote To Join Forces With Portlaoise
Portlaoise will be a tough team to beat next year. On Monday, Kilminchy decided to unite forces with Portlaoise G.F.C., the idea being to form a really strong town club.
Rev. T. O'Donnell, C.C., who presided, said no town like Portlaoise could hope to keep four clubs going. He supported the amalgamation move.
It was a case, he said, of too many cooks spoiling the broth. It was up to them to decide whether it was better to have two weak clubs or one good one.
Winning honours occasionally did count for something. Players getting nowhere year after year were sure to lose heart.
With more members and more players, however, they could enter teams in all grades, and a man would have to be worthy of his place on a team.
"Go over to Portlaoise in a body and don't be wandering off to other clubs," Fr. O'Donnell advised the assembly. "If you go elsewhere you are only helping to defeat the motive of to-night's suggestion."
Behind The Scenes
Mr. C. Harkin explained the behind-the-scenes moves. He received a letter from the Portlaoise Club asking that Kilminchy consider the question of amalgamation, and the officers of both clubs met and decided to leave the decision to the general body of members.
He introduced Rev. M. Walsh, S.A.M., who had, by invitation, attended to meet the members.
Fr. Walsh, an old Portlaoise player and President of the club, said he wanted to see the clubs joined.
Twenty years ago Portlaoise had one of the best clubs in the county, but to-day the town won honours in minor grade only. Even in far-away Africa he had followed, in the Press, the gradual decline from former strength.
It should be the aim of every man in the town to see that Portlaoise had a really strong club.
Both Portlaoise and Kilminchy needed help at present and for the good of the game and of the town the best solution was that they should join forces.
"This," he emphasised, "is not an attempt to split up your club but to create one good club in the capital town."
Must Join Forces
Mr. T. Critchley, Snr., supported the unity suggestion. To win any honours they would have to join.
Once, he said, it was hoped that Rovers and Kilminchy would join, but that move failed because too many players wandered to other clubs.
Mr. J. O'Reilly said one good club should be founded. He recalled that once they lost five members to a neighbouring club.
"There was no room in the town for four teams," said Mr. J. Byrne. "Not one of the four clubs could hope to win a championship on its own."
Mr. A. Whelan said the club should be formed in Kilminchy. A few years ago when things were not too well in Portlaoise, Kilminchy stepped in and catered for the players.
Mr. T. Fitzpatrick opposed amalgamation. Each club should stand on its own feet.
Mr. P. Dunne said Kilminchy would be a really top-class club if it was under proper management.
Mr. T. Critchley warned that if the club was disbanded players would go to any club they liked.
On a vote it was decided to amalgamate.