FOUNDERS & EARLY GROWTH:

On Tuesday, November 2^nd, 1886, nineteen local men gathered in candlelight secrecy to found the Killarney Gaelic Athletic Association.  The first gathering in Mahony’s Public House ( later Squire Cronin’s ) in historic College Street, mooted the idea.  

The late Maurice Francis O’Leary takes up the story of their rendezvous in a dimly lit gas-house in his “Echoes from East Kerry” in the Kerryman of 1944.  The said gas-house, which was the property of the railway company was situated beside what all Killarney people know as the Iron Bridge, just at the end of the Fairhill Cottages.  It was through the good offices of Andy Mulcahy – a sterling Gael from Kilkenny, who was a charge-hand at the gas-works, that the secret meeting place was provided.  The rulers of the Country and their agents, viewed with suspicion all gatherings, no matter how small, of Irish men and had a distinct dislike for the National Games movement.  From the recess of his memory, Con Guerin of Mangerton View, was able to name for him, those who sat around the lighted candle on that historic November night.

The first Chairman was Con Courtney, a merchant who was accompanied by his College Street neighbours – Jim O’Leary, Denny Courtney and french polishers, Martin & Jack Kissane.   They elected Dan Guerin as Vice-Chairman, whose brother Con of Mangerton View was also present.  High Street was represented by Michael Moriarty, a draper who was elected secretary and Mike Looney, a railway man, like Paddy & Jack Crowe.  Maurice Moynihan and Bob Roberts of Pound Row, were present, also Mick Gleeson, a boatman,  Jim Gallagher who worked in Bowman’s Hardware shop.  Jim Gallivan, a clerk, Michael O’Sullivan, brother of Bishop O’Sullivan, Jim McGuinness, a carpenter from Henn Street (now Plunkett Street), and John Langford who managed O’Sullivan’s farm at Killeen, and who was to contribute much to the development of the G.A.A in Kerry.

Fr. Tom Looney, author of the early years of the Club in the Dr. Crokes Gaelic Century, met with Martin Kissane, the last surviving member, following the Club’s 70^th anniversary celebrations in 1956.  Martin recalled that within six years of the founding, three Dr. Crokes players  would help Laune Rangers when they represented Kerry in the All-Ireland Final, and eleven years later, seven Dr. Crokes players would help the Kingdom win the first of their many All-Irelands.

The 1887 General Meeting of the Killarney Football & Athletic Club, presided over by Mr C.A. Courtney, listened as Mr Jim O’Leary, secretary informed them, “that their members had considerably increased and that their financial position was in flourishing condition.”  The secretary was directed to communicate with Mr. O’Riordan, Cork, and to forward the names of the Committee together with the usual fee of ten shillings in order that the Branch would be joined to the other branches, and be united with them under the general rules of the Gaelic Association with as little delay as possible. The providing of a suitable room, in which to transact the business of the Club was also considered, and it was decided that a deputation be appointed to wait on Mr. Sheehan M.P., the Chairman of the town Commissioners, to obtain the use of the town hall for the purpose. 

It comes as no surprise three weeks later, when three uninvited members of the R.I.C attended the Club Meeting.  Mr. John Corcoran asked the police to retire, that they were transacting some business in connection with the G.A.A.  Acting Sergeant Murphy said he would leave when he liked.  He came there to do his duty, and would inform the members that they were acting illegally if they were holding a meeting of the National League.   Mr J. O’Leary, secretary, said he was aware that a meeting of the National League would be illegal in the eyes of the authorities, but the majority of people did not consider it so (applause).  They were there holding a Committee meeting of the G.A.A., and they did not hear that that Association was declared illegal by the government yet, and it would be time enough to caution them when it would.  At this stage, a re-enforcement of police led by Head-Constable Roland, and Sergeant Horan, came on the scene.  When the object of the meeting was explained to the Head-Constable, he ordered the police to leave, which they did, and on their departure, there were cheers raised in the room for William O’Brien and other political prisoners. 

On the motion of Mr. John Corcoran, seconded by Mr. James O’Leary, it was agreed that the name of the Club was to be the Doctor Croke Branch of the Gaelic Athletic Association and the secretary was directed to inform Mr O’Riordan, Cork of the facts.