In 1884 Michael Cussack established the Gaelic Athletic Association in a local hotel and quickly clubs joined, so by 1887 the game was "codified".
By the 1890s Kilmurry was playing matches against local militia and villages and was beginning to to be a force in the association. All this of course was Gaelic Football, played by their local rules and something that has been spread around the world; as seen closely in Aussie Rules and not so obviously these days in rugby (or of course soccer).
In 1994 at what is now the Pairc Naomh Mhuire (no translations allowed), an 11 acre site, in Kilrush Road, Quilty, was purchased and became the home of the Kilmurry Ibrickane GAA. Since then it has been one of the top Gaelic Football Clubs in County Clare and occasionally beyond. The club has been Munster Champions twice in their history and Western County Clare champions also. Local lad, Marty Morrissey would probably not mean much to you, but he is the John Motson of Gaelic Football, an ex player, coach and commentator on behalf of RTE, the Eire TV station.
He was named "County Clare" person of the year in 2014 and is well known for some amusing asides in his delivery-one in 2012 at the Olympics Ladies beach volleyball, which might not be repeated here, but did bring much mirth!
I deliver this blog on behalf of the Kilmurry folk, whom I met at their ground this morning as I was on my way to the Cliffs of Moher, a World wide known coastal attraction. If you haven't been, put it on your bucket list. Like the cliffs, the Footy club is well established and attracts all ages. Like my local soccer club at Hepworth, the Kilmurry club serves the community and runs with a small band of volunteers. Long may is reign.
If you don't know much about Gaelic Football have a look at this link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_football
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