Meath will take on Down in an exhibition match at Kilmainham GFC football pitch on April 30th, in a momentous occasion that will celebrate 50 years of Kilmainham football and the official opening of the club grounds.

Renowned as a close-knit community, Kilmainham is often lauded as the smallest club in the county. Part of the Kells parish, the townland is a two-mile stretch on the N3 from the southern  boundary of Headfort Golf Club to just short of Bloomsbury Cross. There is no village in Kilmainham, no crossroads, no church, no school and no public house. There is no establishment or institution to define its identity. There are no side roads and no housing estates but the community and its identity is most clearly marked by the existence of Kilmainham GFC.

The hard working commitee: Back Row (L-R) Tom Monaghan, Stephen Woods, Ornaith O' Halloran, Eimear Clarke, June Madden, Maggie Morgan, Declan Black, Louise Farrelly, Patricia Clarke, Ger Morgan, Shane Morgan, Fergal Black. Front Row (L-R) Pat Nelis, Harry Newman, Sean Newman, Paddy O Rourke, Kathleen Newman, Thomasena Black, Sam Black.

The club's colourful history began at the locally-famous Steps of Kilmainham (now sited as the 5th tee in the old Headfort Golf Course). In late 1967 it was decided that Kilmainham would forsake the Gaeil Colmcille amalgamation with Kells and Drumbaragh, and form the club as it stands today. On that day, forever defined on the players' crests, the first moves were made to establish a local team.

Despite its humble stature in comparison to larger town and rural clubs, Kilmainham GFC has achieved great success over the years. Having not only produced a number of county players, the club has collected numerous titles including the Tailteann Cup and U21A Football Championship in 2011. However, one of the most notable achievements has been the development of a home pitch and facilities for the whole community and future generations to enjoy.

For the first 34 years of the club's existence, they had nowhere to call home. Training facilities were limited to local farmers' fields with a single floodlight, a derelict house warmed by a fire and later a shipping container outfitted with two benches and primitive tea-making facilities. However this all changed in 2001 with the purchase of a piece of land in the heart of the small community.

The clubhouse

Over €600,000 has been invested in the home grounds during the last 16 years, which includes the pitch, an impressive club house, walking track, access road, ample car park and entrance gates. None of which would have been possible without the dedication of the community and support from the people of Kells and County Meath.

To celebrate their 50th anniversary and the official opening of the Kilmainham GFC football grounds, local player Mickey Newman welcomes his county teammates to the club for the exhibition match against Down at 6pm on April 30th. The under-8 and under-10 Round Towers will play at half-time.

The late Tommy Morgan (RIP) and Peter Curran pictured on "The Steps" of Kilmainham where on an Autumn Evening in 1967 they decided to reform Kilmainham Football Club

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