History – Senior Club
1900-1919
In 1903 we see the revival of the GAA in Killoe parish for the first time since the mid 1890's as a club emerges bearing the name Killoe Young Emmets. The club name is likely linked to the 100th anniversary of the death of Robert Emmet which was officially commemorated across Ireland in September and October 1903, just prior to the first published reference to the club name in December 1903. Killoe Young Emmets are recorded in exhibition games of hurling and football against Longford Leo Caseys in December 1903, and later in the revived Longford Senior Championship in 1904 when GAA competition restarts formally in Longford for the first time since 1891.
Another short-lived team called Soran O’Connell’s Sons existed in the area at the same time as the Young Emmets but did not compete in official competition (unclear whether it was on the Killoe or Clonbroney side of the townland of Soran). A local team called Rhyne Hardy Rovers announced their intention to play challenge games in 1905 but there is no evidence of any games played. There was also a short lived local team in 1905 called Killoe Young Erins Pride, recorded as playing Soran O’Connells Sons in a friendly, and appears to have been a local Junior (underage) team picked from a few townlands, mostly from Dernacross, Drumnacooha and Cornafunshion. Of all the clubs and teams that came and went in the parish from 1888 to 1905, only those bearing the names Killoe Erins Pride and Killoe McMahons and Killoe Young Emmets competed in official competition.
Killoe Young Emmets enjoyed an abundance of success in the 1900's and 1910's. In 1904 Killoe Young Emmets competed in the Senior Football Championship when competition was revived in Longford for the first time since the unfinished 1891 Championship. Killoe made it to the final and were beaten by Longford Leo Caseys in the delayed decider which was played in 1905. Longford Leo Caseys also overcame the Killoe Young Emmets in the final of the inaugural Senior Hurling Championship of 1904 which was also played (and replayed) in 1905.
In November 1905 Killoe Young Emmets beat Dromard in a tournament in Drumlish. In September 1906 the Killoe team selection is noted as: JJ Heslin, J Breslin, J Heslin, M Loughrey, J Prunty, F Duffy, M Murtagh, J Morgan, B Cosgrave, P Hagan, H Doris, H Quinn, J Casey, J Casey, T O'Hara, J Tynan, H Collum, J Armstrong, M Quinn, J Lennon.
In 1907 Killoe Young Emmets capture the clubs first Senior Football Championship and Senior Hurling Championship titles. Killoe won the Football final beating a combination of Drumlish and Ballinamuck 98's by 1-8 to 0-1 in a replay on 14th July 1907 at Newtownforbes. Winning captain was JJ Heslin. Teams were 17-a-side at the time and scoring included additional posts to the left and right of the main goals. The Killoe hurlers beat Longford Leo Caseys in the Hurling final by 3-3 to 0-0 on 23rd June 1907 at Newtownforbes, to achieve a Football and Hurling Championship double. Killoe then held onto the Senior Football Championship title for nine years between 1907 and 1915, however some of these championships were not finished or played at all. Paddy Hagan from the townland of Rhyne served as County Board Chairman from 1908 to 1912.
There was no official competition in Longford from 1908 to 1910, though Killoe Young Emmets are recorded in challenge games including a tournament in Longford in on 25th August 1907 involving Killoe, Ballymahon, Longford Leo Caseys and Ardagh St. Patricks, after which Killoe were presented with their winning 1907 Senior Championship medals. Another tournament game was played against Bornacoola Hugh O'Neills on 12th April 1908 in Longford Park.
Senior Football Championship activity resumed in 1911 and while prior records had long credited Killoe Young Emmets with 1911 and 1912 Senior Football Championship titles, closer analysis of the records for both years carried out by the Longford Gaelic Stats research team suggests that all were from the same 1911 Championship which dragged into 1912. The records indicate that the previously assumed County Final of 1911 was more likely the delayed 1911 semi-final, with Killoe Young Emmets eventually overcoming Edgeworthstown Volunteers by 0-1 to 0-0 on 3rd March 1912 at Longford Park to win that delayed 1911 title. Games were still 17-a-side at the time, but the side posts had been removed in 1910.
In the 1913 Senior Football Championship, Killoe defeated Longford Commercials by 0-2 to 0-1 in a replayed final played at Longford Park on 5th April 1914 (replayed following an objection). Due to the 1913 competition spilling into 1914, there was no championship for 1914. Granard Shamrocks beat Killoe Young Emmets in the 1914 League-Championship final (aka League) which was played in September 1915.
1913 Champions
In the 1915 Senior Football Championship, Killoe beat Clonguish Gallowglasses in the final by 3-0 to 0-3 on 9th July 1916 at Longford Park. This is likely the first 15-a-side final following the change from 17 to 15 players after 1913. Due to the 1915 competition spilling into 1916 and the onset of rebellion and other factors, there was no championship for 1916.
1915 Champions: M Murtagh, T Kenny, J Hagan, M Clarke, J Kane, P Clarke, J Morgan, J Clarke, P Heslin, P Clarke, Tom Heslin, Paddy Prunty, Pat Kane, J Duffy, Billy McCormack, J Breslin, John Clarke. (J Igoe, Berney Duffy missing from photo)
With no championship held for the seasons 1916, 1917 or 1918 due to a mixture of civil unrest, rebellion and Spanish flu, it would be 1919 before Senior Championship resumed in Longford and Killoe were once again back in the final, this time against near neighbours Clonbroney (later renamed Seán Connollys). Clonbroney beat Killoe Young Emmets in a replay by 1-3 to 0-3 on 3rd August 1919 at Longford Park. This was incorrectly cited as the 1917 title for many years, but it was in fact the 1919 Championship. Thus ended the most successful period for any club in County Longford in those early years of the GAA.
The legendary James ‘Rabbit’ Morgan emerged one of the great Killoe and Longford players of this era. He featured on various Longford county teams between 1904 and 1907 (Senior in 1904 and Junior thereafter) and scored seven points as Longford beat Westmeath 1-12 to 1-11 in 1907 Junior Championship (a result that seemed to be Longford's first ever inter-county football win but was later reversed following an objection by Westmeath).
Other Killoe footballers to feature prominently on Longford teams in Leinster Championship in this era including Pat Kane (Keane), the Duffy brothers and Jim Igoe. Other notable Killoe players included 'Stouty' Breslin, 'Hanlon' Heslin, Bill Igoe, Tom Heslin, the Clarke brothers, Paddy Prunty, 'Cadam' Hagan, Billy McCormack, John Clarke and McCusker.
1950-1969
In 1951 Killoe won the Junior Championship title (with no objections this time) beating Clonguish in the final by 0-5 to 1-0 on 8th December 1951 and were promoted to senior grade from 1952, but would later return to junior from 1954 to 1957.
1951 JFC Team: Tom McGoldrick, Eugene Caherly, Seamus McGuire, S Doddy, Dan Igoe, T Duignan, T Doherty, M Lynch, Davy Sheeran, B Doherty, Billy Morgan, B Glancy, P McGlynn, Paddy Hagan, Joe Quinn. Sub Used: M Reynolds. Note: Usual regulars J Conroy (goals), Joe Bratten & Tommy Morgan were all unavailable on the day. Man of the match was Davy Sheeran.
In 1955 & 1956 the club was amalgamated with Whiterock Slashers in Junior grade under the name 'Killoe Slashers', and the combination won the 1956 Junior League title. A meeting of the Killoe members in Esker Hall resolved to secede and return to the field as the Killoe Young Emmets club in 1957. Killoe went on to win the 1957 Junior Football Championship with victory over Clonguish in a replay. Killoe therefore gained promotion back to Senior grade from 1958.
1957 JFC Team: John Bracken, Jack Toher, Sean McGoey, Tom Brady, Joe Quinn, Billy Morgan (Captain), Mickey Bracken, Vincent Duignan, Seamus Igoe, Davy Sheeran, Tom McGoldrick, Seamus McGoldrick, Vincent Igoe, Joe Bratten and Seamus McGuire. Note: Jack Collum, J Hagan and S Ruske were unable to play on the day.
Killoe’s return to Senior grade in 1958 precipitated a period of prominence that would yield two Leader Cup titles and a Senior Championship title. Killoe lost the Leader Cup final to Longford Slashers in 1958, but exacted revenge the following year by winning the Leader Cup (SFL) title for the very first time in 1959.
1959 Leader Cup Winners
1959 Leader Cup Team: Tommy Morgan, Jack Toher, Sean McGoey, Tom Brady, Seamus Igoe, John Hagan, John Bracken, Billy Morgan, Vincent Duignan, James McGoldrick, Tom McGoldrick, Mickey Bracken, Davy Sheeran, Seamus McGuire, Joe Quinn. Other Panellists: Mickey Begley, Jack Columb, George Doherty, Brian O'Hara, Johnny O'Hara, J Kiernan, Johnny Clarke, Liam Quinn.
The rivalry with Longford Slashers was a particular feature of those years and the town side overcame Killoe in the championship final replay of 1959. When the same sides met again the Senior Championship final in 1960, Killoe Young Emmets reversed the result and claimed the clubs first senior championship title in 45 years with 2-10 to 1-6 win over Longford Slashers. The occasion and achievement is now an important part of local folklore as the men of 1960 earned an iconic standing in the parish. Billy Morgan captained the side (and was the first captain to lift the new Seán Connolly Cup) while Mickey Bracken was declared as Man of the Match, described in the Longford Leader as “the 25 year old Rock of Gibraltar, the small human dynamo who roved all over his half of the pitch eliminating any promising Slashers movement, as well as prompting his forwards with slick passes”. 1960 Winning SFC Team:
1960 SFC Team: George Doherty, Jack Toher, Sean McGoey, Liam Quinn, John Hagan, John Bracken, Mickey Bracken, Billy Morgan (Captain), Vincent Duignan, Seamus Igoe, Tom McGoldrick, James McGoldrick, Seamus McGuire, Davy Sheeran, Joe Quinn. Other Panellists: Mickey Hehir, Brian O'Hara, Jimmy O'Hara, John Michael Mahon, Tom O'Leary, Johnny Clarke, Eamon Quinn, Tom Brady, Tony Bracken.
Back (L-R): D Sheeran, J McGoldrick, V Duignan, S McGoey, J Hagan, J Bracken, T McGoldrick, M Bracken. Front (L-R): J Toher, S Igoe, J Quinn, B Morgan (Captain), S McGuire, L Quinn, G Doherty. Mascot is Tom McGuire.
Another Leader Cup title followed in 1961 (beating Longford Slashers) with some of the younger players like John Kiernan, Hughie Clarke, Pat Devaney, Tommy Browne and Brendan Igoe among the medalists. Killoe and Slashers clashed again in the Leader Cup final of 1962 and Killoe could well have defended their league crown, but amid controversy and confusion over the scoreline in the final, the result went the way of Longford Slashers.
From around 1958 we find various clubs starting to use the Irish form of the club names in club notes published in local newspapers, and this continues for fixtures and reports into the 1960's when we start to see Killoe Young Emmets referenced as Emmet Óg (Cill Eo) for the first time. The somewhat confusing use of 'Emmet Óg' interchangeably with the official club name of Killoe Young Emmets continues to this day.
After a successful start of the 1960's, Killoe’s fortunes declined with retirements and mass emigration hitting the club hard, leading to an eventual surrender of senior status in 1965, with the club regraded to the revived Intermediate grade from 1966. Killoe reached the Intermediate League Final in 1968 but narrowly lost out to Ardagh St. Patricks. While Longford’s fortunes were on the rise with a National League title in 1966 and a Leinster Championship in 1968, the Killoe club struggled in those years and it took the dedication of a few to keep the club afloat in those lean years of the late 1960's.
Billy Morgan was the outstanding Killoe footballer of this era. Son of the legendary Joe ‘Rabbit’ Morgan, he captained Killoe to the 1960 Senior Championship success, won a Leinster Junior Football Championship with Longford in 1953 and was a member of the Féis Cup winning Longford team in 1965. He also served as a selector for Mick Higgins in 1966-1967 when Longford won the National Football League and won a Monaghan Senior Championship with Ballybay in 1952. In 2000 he was named on the Longford 'Team of the Millennium'.
1970-1979
The seventies marked the foundation of the Killoe Minor Club in 1975, and led to a return to senior football by the end of the decade. A growing young population gave rise to the prospect that Killoe’s fortunes would be on the rise and a number of key individuals played major roles in ensuring that the club was on the ascent.
For much of the early 1970’s Killoe Young Emmets played at Intermediate grade, and combined with Sean Connolly’s as ‘Killoe Connollys’ (1972-1974 & 1976-1977) and with Abbeylara as ‘Killoe/Abbeylara’ (1975) to compete in a new qualifier series for the Senior Championship which existed in those years (Intermediate clubs could combine to compete against the Senior club teams in the Senior Championship from 1972 to 1979).
Killoe reached the Intermediate League Final in 1972, but lost out to Legan Sarsfields. In 1975 Killoe Young Emmets reached the Intermediate Championship final only to suffer a defeat at the hands of a more experienced Fr. Manning Gaels side. Despite this defeat it was becoming clear that an intermediate title was very much on the horizon, and in 1976 the club reached the Intermediate Championship final again only to lose out to Abbeylara this time. This second Intermediate final defeat in a row was a particularly disappointing result for players and supporters alike. However all was not lost in 1976 with Killoe winning the Intermediate League title with victory over Carrickedmond in the final by 4-8 to 0-2 at Pearse Park in December 1976. Mick McKeon lifted the Patsy Reilly Cup which was the first silverware won by the club since the Leader Cup in 1961.
1976 IFL Team: Mick McKeon (Captain), Patsy Fox, Mickey Connell, Frank Toher, Brendan Bracken, John Doherty, Kevin Lennon, Frank Kiernan, Vincent Lennon, Billy Bratten (0-1), Kieran Woods, Oliver Keegan (0-2), Seamus Nolan (2-0), Colm O'Donnell (0-5), Eugene Murphy (2-0).
1975 Intermediate Finalists
1977 proved a breakthrough year. Killoe won the Special Intermediate League, and finally after defeats in the finals of 1975 & 1976 Killoe went on to win the Intermediate Championship in 1977, defeating Dromard in the final and making a return to senior grade for the first time since 1965. The final featured 17 frees for Killoe and 7 wides, with 14 frees for Dromard and 16 wides. The winning team was trained by PJ Quinn, coached by Davy Sheeran and backroom team included Tom Brady, Seamus Igoe and Packie Joe Lynch.
1977 IFC Team: Mick McKeon, Frank Kennedy, Mickey Connell, Frank Toher, Brendan Bracken, John Doherty, Kevin Lennon (Captain), Vincent Lennon, Frank Kiernan, Billy Bratten, Kieran Woods, Brian Nerney, Seamus Nolan, Colm O’Donnell, Eugene Murphy. Sub Used: Jack Fenelon. Other Subs: PJ Bennett, PJ Quinn (Trainer), Brian Murphy, Ollie Keegan, Patsy Fox, Gerry Farrell, Pat Cunningham, John Reilly, John McCormack, Frank Rowley, Sean McKeon.
Two weeks after the 1977 Intermediate final, the same two sides met in Kilticon in the first round of the Senior League and Killoe won their first game back at Senior grade for the first time in 13 years, with John ‘Speedy’ McCormack making his debut at senior level. This young player was to be instrumental in the success ahead.
The seventies also brought underage success which signalled better days to come culminating in winning the Minor Championship in 1978 and leading to a breakthrough U-21 Championship title win in 1979.
1979 U-21 Team: Gerry O’Donnell, Hugh Flynn, John Toher, Mark Mimnagh, Frank Rowley, Eugene Murphy (Captain), Eugene McNerney, Frank Kennedy, Brendan Lennon, Matt Duggan, John McCormack, Michael Caherly, Declan Rowley, James McGoldrick, Gerry Rowley, Damien Bennett. Sub Used: Barney Mahon.
There was a poignant feature however to the last few years of the decade as the club lost Frankie Farrelly following his untimely and tragic passing in 1978.
1980-1989
Their return to senior status didn’t bring immediate success, but the emergence of a thriving Minor club would eventually pay dividends. In 1983 Killoe finally reached the Senior Championship final, only to be beaten by Cashel by the narrowest of margins. Despite this defeat, Killoe had signalled its definitive return to the top level. The 1983 SFC team was: Michael McKeon, Eugene Bratten, John Toher, Brendan Bracken, Frank Kennedy, Eugene Murphy (captain), Gerry O’Donnell, Frank Kiernan, Matt Duggan, Brendan Lennon, John McCormack, Declan Rowley, Seamus Nolan, Mark Mimnagh & Damien Bennett. It is worth noting that Rowley, Duggan and Bennett had featured for St. Mel’s College in their Leinster Championship winning side of 1982.
Emigration however began to rob the parish of some talented players by the middle of the decade, though one of the stars was making a name for himself on the provincial and national scene. John ‘Speedy’ McCormack was by now an established intercounty player of note and topped the scoring charts in the GAA’s centenary year. He won a Railway Cup with Leinster in 1988 and was rewarded with three successive Allstar nominations.
In 1983/84 season, John McCormack scored 8-116 for Longford and ended the season as national top scorer, pipping Matt Connor (Offaly) to the honour by 2 points. John 'Speedy' would go on to be top scorer in the 1988 Leinster SFC and one of Longford's best ever footballers.
In 1985 Killoe captured the Leader Cup for the first time in 24 years under John McCormack’s captaincy, defeating old foes Longford Slashers by 1-5 to 0-5 in the final and keeping hopes of a Senior Championship title very much alive. In 1987 Killoe reached the Senior Championship final again, this time against Ardagh St. Patricks, only to be beaten by a late Paul Victory goal on a scoreline of 2-6 to 1-8. Brendan Lennon captained the team and was honoured with the Man of the Match award (the first player from a losing side to win the Fr McGee trophy). The 1987 SFC team was: Kevin Bracken, Brendan Bracken, John Toher, Mickey Bracken, Frank Kennedy, Paul Rowley, Brendan Lennon (captain), Matt Duggan, Mickey Joe Keogh, Jimmy O’Neill, John McCormack, Declan Rowley, Mark Mimnagh, John Hughes and Eugene Murphy. Subs used were Howard Carrigy, Frank Kiernan and Billy Brattan. Defeat was a particularly difficult pill to swallow as it was another one-point loss and still the Connolly Cup evaded the club’s grasp. The Killoe jersey also saw a change in appearance in 1987 with the revival of a green hoop which had been a feature of the Killoe jersey back in the successful 1910's. The hoop would remain on the jersey design for the next 21 years until it was removed from 2009.
1988 marked the arrival of the McCormack brothers from Clonguish and a new trainer in Dessie Dolan from Westmeath. Success finally came in dramatic circumstances and Killoe would create history by becoming the first club to win both the Senior Championship and Junior Championship in the same year. Having overcome Cashel and Slashers (both by a point) to reach another SFC decider, they entered the Senior final as underdogs to Mostrim. The day itself was characterised by some noteworthy features and events – The late arrival on the pitch by the Killoe team; a first point that landed while the Artane Band were still on the field; and a trio of second half goals from the McCormack brothers, two of which came while Mostrim suffered a calamity of errors in their defence. Declan Rowley captained the team that prevailed by 3-7 to 1-7 and Frank Kennedy was Man of the Match. The cavalcade left the town that evening en-route to the chapel in Ennybegs and a parish parade as Killoe celebrated an end to a 28 year wait. The team was managed by Dessie Dolan with John Reilly, Colm O'Donnell and Tom Brady as selectors.
1988 SFC Team: Seamus Finnan, Eugene Murphy, John Toher, Billy Bratten, Jimmy O'Neill, Frank Kennedy (MOTM), Michael Bracken, Terry McCormack, Declan Rowley (Captain), Kevin Dooner, Mickey Joe Keogh, John McCormack, Jimmy McCormack, John Hughes, Mark Mimnagh. Subs Used: Declan Bracken & Brendan Bracken. Other Panellists: Kevin Bracken, Andy Hughes, Frank Kiernan, Tommy McCormack, James Gilna, Brian Donohoe, Micheál Kiernan, Sean Maguire, John Bracken, Gerry Morgan, Gerry Hagan.
1988 Senior Championship winners
In the 1988 Junior Championship final, Killoe Young Emmets beat St. Brigids Killashee by 3-2 to 0-9 on 25th September 1988 to claim a unique Senior-Junior Championship double and a first JFC title win since 1957.
1988 JFC Team: Paul Kilmurray, John Doherty, Mickey Connell (Captain), Patrick Tully, Gerard Gilna, John Bracken, James Gilna, Gerry Morgan, Brian Donohoe, Micheál Kiernan, Vincent Lennon, Sean Maguire, Frank Toher, Tommy McCormack, Andy Hughes. Other Panellists: Gerry Hagan, Patsy Fox, Michael Lennon, Paul Bracken, Eamonn Reynolds, Sean Clarke, Seamus Maguire, Dermot Rowley, Robert Browne, Donal McGuire.
1988 Junior Championship winners
1990-1999
While they struggled to add immediately to the success of 1988, the senior team remained among the top sides in the county alongside Slashers, Mostrim, Ardagh and Colmcille. The Minors, in combination with Clonbroney, won the Minor Championship in 1990 and the blend of youth and experience at senior level would eventually pay dividends. The junior team would provide an important conveyor belt to the next level and Killoe won the Junior B Championship (aka Special Junior Championship) in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 – an amazing five-in-a-row; winning it again in 1997 and 1999 ensured that they were indeed kings of the junior grade. Along with this, came success in the Junior League in 1993& 1994 and the Intermediate (1A) League in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 & 1997.
1993 brought renewed interest in the club and it's fortunes with the opening of the fantastic new grounds at Emmet Park in Clonee and the appointment of Tommy McCormack as senior manager. The new development was opened by Peter Quinn in June 2003 as Killoe defeated Fr Manning Gaels while Roscommon under Dermot Earley overcame Offaly in the intercounty challenge. Suddenly the time was right for another tilt at the title, though it would come against expectation. Longford Slashers were favourites to regain their crown in 1993 and were drawn against the Killoe men in round one. The two great rivals would meet for three years running in the opening round of the Senior Championship – all three encounters went to a replay. Killoe overcame the town side in 1993 and qualified for the County Final after victories over Rathcline and Mostrim (by a point). In the County final, Killoe defeated a St. Marys Granard side making their first appearance in the county decider since 1982, and the legendary John McCormack was honoured as Man of the Match as well as winning captain. A lacklustre final is best remembered for a brace of goals scored by Micheál Kiernan, which were all ruled out by the referee. As in 1988, Killoe did not progress past the first round of the Leinster Club Championship, losing out in Carlow to the title holders Eire Óg by 2-12 to 2-5. A potential League-Championship double was denied with defeat to Ardagh in the Leader Cup final
1993 SFC Team: Pat Masterson, John Bracken, John Toher, Mark Mimnagh, Michael Fitzpatrick, Gerry Delaney, Brendan Lennon, Declan Rowley, Denis O'Boyle, Kevin Dooner, Matt Duggan, John McCormack (Captain), Micheál Kiernan, John Fitzpatrick, John Coyle. Subs Used: John Hughes, Jimmy McCormack (MOTM). Other Panellists: Sean Maguire, Jimmy Halpin, Andy Hughes, Ciaran Keogh, Aidan Keogh, Paul Gilna, Sean Clarke, Mickey Joe Keogh.
1993 Senior Championship winners
In 1995 the Young Emmets showed fine spirit in capturing the Senior Championship crown for the eight time – after a gruelling championship campaign, they overcame Ardagh St. Patricks in the final by 0-11 to 1-5. The 1995 championship will be remembered for the titanic struggles and replays with Longford Slashers and Colmcille on the way to the final – the second game with Slashers regarded as one of the finest club games of the era in Longford. In the final, Killoe fell behind and trailed by four points at the break but recovered to win the day. Mark Mimnagh doubled as captain and club chairman, while John Toher was Man of the Match. Team trainer was Tommy McCormack, while selectors were Terry McCormack and Mick McKeon.
1995 SFC Team: Sean Clarke, John Bracken, John Toher (MOTM), Mark Mimnagh (Captain), Michael Fitzpatrick, Mickey Joe Keogh, Ciaran Keogh, Matt Duggan, Brendan Lennon, Michael Bracken, Declan Rowley, John McCormack, Kevin Dooner, Micheál Kiernan, John Coyle. Other Panellists: Pat Masterson, Denis O'Boyle, Jimmy McCormack, Sean Maguire, John Hughes, Thomas Donohoe, Jimmy Halpin, Val Delaney, William Duggan, Andy Hughes, John Fitzpatrick.
1995 Senior Championship winners
A week after the 1995 County Final, Killoe won their sole Dublin Sevens title in Islandbridge before finishing the year with a visit to New York. St Marys Ardee ended any Leinster Club ambitions after yet another replay in Leinster, while Mostrim put paid to a possible League-Championship double by winning an ill-tempered Leader Cup final. The Juniors completed a unique 5-in-a-row of Junior B Championship titles in 1995 with 3-7 to 0-6 victory over St. Marys Granard in the final, with Darrell Fitzpatrick scoring a hattrick to seal the victory. In 1997 & 1999 Killoe regained the Junior B Championship title.
A number of tragic episodes hit the locality in 1995-96 and the untimely loss of star player Micheál Kiernan brought a wave of grief to the club and community.
The golden era of the 1980’s and 1990’s eventually came to an end as the established players succumbed to retirement and left the stage. They had given their parish the best of times, with three county titles and a host of memorable days. As the century came to a close it was Fr. Manning Gaels, Dromard and Abbeylara who emerged as the new forces in Longford club football.
2010-2019
In 2010 former Leitrim All-Star Seamus Quinn took over as Killoe senior team manager and guided the team to the ACFL Division 1 title, pipping county champions Longford Slashers in the dying moments of the final day after a gruelling campaign involving 15 teams. The two sides then met in the Leader Cup final that year in what was a very tense and tight match that went down to the wire with Thomas Nolan outstanding at midfield and Joe McCormack landing the winning point deep into stoppage time amidst very heavy fog. Final score Killoe 0-9 Longford Slashers 0-8. This success was the springboard the club needed and the following year the U-21 team bridged a 32-year gap in defeating Fr. Manning Gaels 2-9 to 0-8 to win the U-21 Championship. At county level, Killoe players were making a big impression with Sean McCormack, Padraig McCormack and Michael Quinn (recently returned from AFL in Australia) playing significant roles in the National League successes of 2011 and 2012.
2012 would prove to be the pivotal year for the club with victories in almost all grades from underage to ladies to senior, and after an epic County Final replay – including an unprecedented run of nine Senior Championship games – Killoe Young Emmets made their return to the top of Longford Gaelic Football with victory over Longford Slashers to claim a 9th Senior Football Championship. The final was a tough physical encounter dominated by both defences with a late free earning Killoe a draw. The replay turned out to be an absorbing contest with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions culminating in Daniel Mimnagh’s superbly taken point in the dying moments to bring the game into extra-time. Killoe scored five unanswered points to emerge victorious by 0-15 to 0-12. Captain Joe McCormack and his cousin Sean McCormack held the Sean Connolly Cup aloft while Sean was awarded the Man of the Match.
2012 SFC Team: Cillian Burns, Daniel Keogh, Padraig McCormack, Darragh Bennett, Shane Dowd, Joe McCormack (Captain), Michael Quinn, Paddy Thompson, Simon Kiernan, Denis McGoldrick, Eugene Clarke, Ronan McGoldrick, Daniel Mimnagh, Mark Hughes, Sean McCormack (MOTM). Subs Used: Ronan Keogh, Paddy Hughes & Paddy Kiernan (both games) and John Kiernan (first game). Other Panellists: Stephen Coy, Mark Quinn, Padraig O'Reilly, Aidan Brady, Thomas Reilly, Matt Clarke, Cian Farrelly, Emmet Toher, Seamus McCormack, Andrew Thompson, Davy Kiernan.
2012 Senior Championship winners
The expressions of pride, joy and relief across the parish was followed quickly by historic first win in the Leinster Club Championship with victory over St. Annes Wexford by 2-7 to 2-4 which was followed by victory over Navan O’Mahony’s on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-8, before bowing out to Portlaoise in the semi-finals after a tight encounter (1-11 to 2-5). The success continued with the Senior team completing the League-Championship double for the first time in the clubs history, beating Longford Slashers 3-11 to 1-7 in the Leader Cup final, while the U-21 team successfully defending their championship title against neighbours Fr. Manning Gaels by 4-16 to 0-7. This brought to a close the most successful year in the club’s history and by virtue of the Senior Championship, Leader Cup, U21 and Minor titles, ensured Killoe’s place in history as the first Longford club to complete this ‘quadruple’ of Championship titles. 2012 also saw the club adopt new branding with the introduction of a new Killoe GAA crest. The Killoe GAA website was also launched in 2012 and was awarded the GAA's prestigious 'MacNamee Award' for Best Website for 2012 in an awards ceremony at Croke Park in 2013.
Sean McCormack made his mark on the National Football League in 2013, ending the campaign as joint top scorer and earning a national reputation as a noted marksman. The Killoe GAA website captured the last title of the year by receiving the Leinster GAA ‘Website of the Year’ award for 2013. Senior Championship success would come quickly again in 2014, with Killoe beating Mullinalaghta St. Columbas in the County Final to capture our 10th Senior Championship title, which was quickly followed by the Leader Cup title and the U21 Championship title in a year when Killoe teams won 15 different county titles.
2014 SFC Team: Stephen Coy, Cian Farrelly, Darragh Bennett, Daniel Keogh, Shane Dowd, Joe McCormack (Captain), Michael Quinn, Paddy Thompson, Simon Kiernan, Denis McGoldrick, Ronan McGoldrick, Eugene Clarke, Daniel Mimnagh (MOTM), Sean McCormack, Mark Hughes. Subs Used: Ronan Keogh, Larry Moran, Paddy Kiernan, Liam Hughes. Other Panellists: Cillian Burns, Shane Clarke, Damien Bratten, Terry McCormack, John Lynch, Emmet Toher, Paddy Hughes, Shane Fitzpatrick, Thomas Reilly, Ciaran Donohoe.
2014 Senior Championship winners
As the club celebrated 125 Years of GAA in Killoe in 2014, there was much to be proud of across a century of immense political and cultural change. Killoe retained the Senior Championship title for the first time in the clubs history in 2015 with victory over Abbeylara in the county final and progressed to the semi-final of the Leinster Club Championship. The club ended 2015 by winning the Leader Cup to achieve the first ever back-to-back League & Championship titles in the history of Longford GAA.
2015 SFC Team: Cillian Burns, Liam Hughes, Padraig McCormack, Daniel Keogh, Shane Dowd, Michael Quinn (Captain), Cian Farrelly, Paddy Thompson, Simon Kiernan, Denis McGoldrick, Daniel Mimnagh, Ronan McGoldrick, Larry Moran, Sean McCormack, Mark Hughes. Subs Used: Joe McCormack, Eugene Clarke. Other Panellists: Shane Fitzpatrick, Paddy Kiernan, Shane Clarke, Ronan Keogh, Paul O'Hara, Terry McCormack, Ciaran Donohoe, Thomas Reilly, Emmet Toher, Jamie King, Gary Connell, John Lynch, Aidan Brady, Matt Clarke, Fergal O'Donnell.
2015 Senior Championship winners
2016 saw Killoe regain the ACFL Division 1 title and 2018 saw Killoe win the Junior Championship for the first time since 1988 with victory over Clonguish by 1-8 to 0-7 on 23rd September 2018.
2018 JFC Team: Brian Carr, Tommy Reilly, Emmet Toher (Captain), Andrew Gilna, Shane McManus, Gary Connell, Conor Gilna (MOTM), Philip Kiernan, David Kiernan, Andrew Thompson, Shane Thompson, Niall Finneran, Ger Carberry, Eugene Clarke and David McCarth. Subs used: Paul O’Hara, Darren Kelly, Evan Farrelly, Joe Maloney. Other Panellists: Aidan Brady, Aron Fitzpatrick, Brian Harte, Ciaran Brady, Emmett Igoe, Enda Bracken, James Bracken, James Kennedy, Justin Quinn, Padraig Walsh, Ronan Hughes, Seamus Lynch, Fergal O'Donnell.
The U20 team (previously U21) won the U20 'A' Championship title in 2018, while Killoe seniors reached the 2018 Leader Cup final, but the game was never played due to clashes in fixtures as Mullinalaghta St. Columbas progressed through their successful Leinster Club Championship campaign.
As the decade drew to a close in 2019 the Seán Connolly cup would return to Killoe for the 12th time with a 2019 County Final win over Longford Slashers in a hard fought and close contest.
2019 SFC Team: Shane Fitzpatrick, Liam Hughes, Padraig McCormack, Gavin Hughes, Niall Farrelly, Michael Quinn, Ryan Moffett, Ronan McGoldrick, Simon Kiernan, Denis McGoldrick, Sean McCormack, Daniel Mimnagh (Captain & MOTM), Mark Hughes, Eamon Keogh, Cian Farrelly. Subs Used: Eugene Clarke, Paddy Thompson, Cian Dooner, Jake Donnelly. Other Panellists: Micheál Hughes, Ronan Keogh, Daniel Keogh, James Moran, Shane McManus, Euan Finneran, Evan Farrelly, Philip Kiernan, Emmet Toher, Terry McCormack, Larry Moran, Brian Carr, Niall Finneran, Shane Clarke.
2019 Senior Championship winners
2020-2025
The 2020's began with Killoe successfully defending their SFC title when the 2020 County Final was finally played in August 2021 (delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic), with victory over Longford Slashers by 0-13 to 1-8 to retain the Connolly Cup.
2020 SFC Team: Shane Fitzpatrick, Darren Moffett, Liam Hughes, Evan Farrelly, James Moran, Michael Quinn (MOTM), Niall Farrelly, Ryan Moffett, Ronan Keogh, Euan Finneran, Daniel Mimnagh (Captain), Eamon Keogh, Ronan McGoldrick, Mark Hughes, Larry Moran. Subs Used: Denis McGoldrick, Ciaran Donohoe, Gavin Hughes. Other Panellists: Micheál Hughes, Jake Donnelly, Cian Dooner, Jonathan Borland, Shane McManus, Enda Bracken, David McCarthy, Brian Carr, Cian Farrelly.
2020 Senior Championship winners
In 2023 Killoe reached the final of both Leader Cup and ACFL Division 1 against Mullinalaghta and both were played as one final with Mullinalaghta winning after a penalty shoot-out. Killoe were back in the SFC final later that same year, this time against neighbours Clonguish - the first meeting of the sides in SFC final since 1911 - with Killoe emerging victorious by the narrowest of margins to win a 14th Longford SFC title.
2023 SFC Team: Micheál Hughes, Liam Hughes, Niall Farrelly, Evan Farrelly, Ryan Moffett, Darren Moffett, Paddy Moran, Paddy Kiernan, Ronan Keogh, Denis McGoldrick, Gavin Farrelly, Cian Farrelly (Captain), Daniel Mimnagh (MOTM), Mark Hughes, Michael Quinn. Subs Used: Shane Clarke, Ronan McGoldrick, Colm Coyle. Other Panellists: Shane Fitzpatrick, Eamon Keogh, Cian Dooner, Ciaran Donohoe, Seamus McCormack, Gavin Hughes, Simon Kiernan, Larry Moran, Eugene Clarke, Shane McManus, Mark Rowley, Adam Donnelly, Oisin McManus, Brian Carr, James Moran, Enda Bracken, Jake Donnelly
2023 Senior Championship winners
2025 saw Killoe reach the Senior, Junior 'A' and Junior 'C' Championship finals, all played on the same weekend in mid October 2025. In the Junior 'C' Championship final Killoe defeated Ardagh Moydow to win the title for the first time, while in the Junior 'A' Championship final Killoe defeated Clonguish in a close game to win the club's 6th JFC 'A' title. Former Killoe and Longford footballer Aidan Keogh had the distinction of training both Junior teams, with selectors Kevin Dooner & Thomas Reilly.
In the SFC final on 12th October 2025, Killoe faced Colmcille in the decider for the first time, and faced a Colmcille team managed by Killoe footballer Gerry Carberry who was a member of the Killoe panel in the JFC 'C' final the day before the Senior final. Killoe won the club's 15th title in a closely fought contest by 2-9 to 1-11. Killoe team manager was Cavan native Jimmy Higgins with selectors Donal Ledwith and Robbie Browne. A unique couple of days for the club in winning SFC, JFC A and JFC C titles in the same weekend, and becoming the first club to win SFC and JFC titles on the same day!
2025 SFC Team: Micheál Hughes, Liam Hughes, Darren Moffett, Evan Farrelly, James Moran, Niall Farrelly, Ryan Moffett, Mickey Quinn, Ronan Keogh (Captain), Eamon Keogh, Cian Farrelly, Daniel Mimnagh (MOTM), Gavin Farrelly, Paddy Moran, Mark Hughes. Subs Used: Paddy Kiernan, Ronan McGoldrick, Shane Donohoe, Gavin Hughes, Ryan Keogh. Other Panellists: Shane Fitzpatrick, Larry Moran, Conor Mulligan, Cian Dooner, Ciaran Donohoe, Shane McManus, Paul Eivers, Niall Finneran, Mark Rowley, Jake Donnelly.
2025 Senior Championship Winners
2025 JFC 'A' Team: Oisin McManus, Niall Macken, Gary Connell, Shane Clarke, Paul Eivers, Killian Feeney, David Moorehead, Mark Rowley, Paddy Thompson, Niall Finneran, Gerard Keogh, Jack Fitzpatrick (MOTM), Cormac Harte, Eugene Clarke (Captain), Shane Dooner. Subs Used: Conor Doherty, Enda Quinn, Francis Rowley, David Mimnagh. Other Panellists: James Dooner, Darragh Maguire, Daniel Lee, Shane Thompson, Shane Clarke, Adam McCarthy, Terry Reynolds, Tommy Tully, Joe Rowley, Aaron Hopkins, Emmet Toher, Justin Quinn, Joe Maloney, Adam Donnelly, Cian Gilna, Eoghan Smith, Enda Bracken, Paul Brady, Shane Igoe.
2025 Junior 'A' Championship Winners
2025 JFC 'C' Team: Stephen Coy, Conor Gilna, Tommy Tully, Darragh Gilna, Paddy Trapp, Terry Reynolds, Joe Rowley, Philip Kiernan, David Kiernan (Captain), Darren Lennon, Shane Thompson, Paul Brady, Eoghan Smith, Justin Quinn, Seamus Lynch. Other Panellists: James Dooner, Ciaran Brady, Adam McCarthy, Cian Gilna, Emmet Toher, Aron Fitzpatrick, Aaron Hopkins, Seamus McKeon, Ger Carberry, Conor Doherty, Kevin Mollaghan, Noel Prunty, Joe Maloney, Ogie Campbell, Joe Rowley, Adam Doherty, Jack Finneran, Enda Bracken.
2025 Junior 'C' Championship Winners