Club Committee
Chairperson: Renae Downes
Secretary: Delia O’Connell
Treasurer: Marie Cullen
Child Officer: Niamh O’Grady
Registrar: Martina O’Gorman
Designated Liaison Person: Renae Downes
Download Child Safeguarding PDF
To join our Club, please click on the membership link (https://membership.athleticsireland.ie )
To view our 2022 Annual Club Newsletter click here
Founded 1942
Kilmihil Athletic Club was founded on January 6th 1942 by Fr. Pat O’Connor who had recently arrived as the new parish curate. Prior to this athletes from the parish competed with Kilrush A. C. When Kilrush disbanded in 1941 there was then no Club in West Clare.
The club is the oldest and longest surviving club in County Clare. In the early days the club promoted athletics for young men from the parish and the surrounding areas. This has continued successfully to the present day. In the 60’s juvenile boys were catered for and in the 70’s girls competitions were added. At the moment, we cater for boys and girls from under 8 to veteran category. Almost all of our athletes now come from the parish and from the neighbouring parish of Cooraclare.
In 1967 a major divide occurred in athletics and in Clare, Kilmihil AC decided to remain NACAI. The 70’s and early 80’s were relatively quiet for the club but at the end of the latter decade St. Michael’s Vocational school built an athletics track which has been available to the club and which provides an excellent safe training ground for athletes. Throughout the 90’s the club became one of the strongest clubs in the county. The O’Gorman/ McNamara trophy which is presented to the best club in the county track championships was won in four consecutive years.
During the millennium the club became part of the newly formed Athletic Association of Ireland and the dedication and hard work from Club members, John Devine and Michael Lillis saw the club grow from strength to strength. John was elected chairman of the Munster Juvenile Board and Michael Lillis became the first chairman of the new Clare board.
At the beginning of 2020, Kilmihil Athletics Club elected a new committee board and have currently registered 50 juvenile/ senior club members to date.
Training is on Thursday evenings 6-7pm at the West Clare Sports and Fitness Track in Clonreddan, Cooraclare, V15 EY43 and there is a fee of €1 per athlete per night for Track Hire. All new members are welcome to join.
Kilmihil Community 