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In 1889
there were three clubs in the parish, Arva Davitts, Killeshandra
National Leaguers and Cornafean Tom Moronies.
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By the
1890's the G.A.A. had more or less died out in the area. However, by
1900 it began to re-emerge.
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In 1901
there were two teams in the parish, Drumanery Emmets and Killeshandra De
Wits. Throughout the next few years various teams in the parish would
come and go.
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During the
1910's and 1920's the Leaguers had great difficulty in surviving as a
club.
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Cornafean,
founded in 1908, would quickly establish itself as one of the leading
clubs in the county competing at Senior Level Football. The glamour of
playing senior football with this great club attracted many of the best
players in the surrounding areas of Killeshandra, Arva, Kilmore, Gowna
and Lacken
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The 1930's
was to mark the beginning of a great era for Cavan football. The parish
of Killeshandra could boast of some of the best of the Cavan team;
players like Packie Devlin, Packie Phair, Mick Dinneny, Willie Young,
Big Tom O'Reilly. It didn't matter whether they played for Cornafean or
for the Leaguers, they were all sons of the parish and they brought a
sense of pride to the people of the parish.
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At an A.G.M
held in the Market House in 1932 the Leaguers we re-formed and a new
committee was elected. Packie Devlin was chosen as captain. Devlin also
trained the team.
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Success
happened when in 1935 they reached their first junior championship
final. In the final they played Crubany and won easily by 11 points to
1.
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The team was
also known as Croghan during that period.
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In 1939 they
reached their second Junior Final against Crubany.Croghan went on to
win.
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As a result
of this victory Killeshandra went Senior, but this lasted for one year
only. This would be the last major championship win for 31 years.
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During the
1940's many good and loyal players served the club and from these Des
Benson who won an All-Ireland with Cavan in 1948 playing in goals.
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By the late
fifties the club had lapsed but it was revived again at an A.G.M in
1960.
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By 1970 the
team was back in winning form. After a gap of 31 years they again won
the Junior Championship beating Butlersbridge in the final.
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In 1971 the
Leaguers were defeated in the Intermediate final by Redhills
1981 The Leaguers were promoted to Division 2 and also
they won the Division 5 League title defeating Knockbride .
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1982 Again
the Club won the Division 5 League Title.
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In 1982 also
the "Inspiration of the Club" - Sergeant Peter Maguire died in Breffni
Park while the Club were playing Killygarry in that year's championship.
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In 1982 -
The Killeshandra Leaguers Pitch - "Parc Phadraig Ui Dhoibhlinn" was
officially opened in this year also.
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1983 saw The
Leaguers winning the Junior Championship by defeating Kill in the final
In 1984 the Club gained promotion to Division 1 and also defeated
Drung in the Division 2 League Final.
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1986 saw
the Club defeat Cuchullans in the Intermediate Championship Final
This was a "Golden Period" for the club and in 1987 they finished 4th in
Division 1 League Table.
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The Leaguers
defeated their near neighbours Cornafean in the 1990 Junior C Fnal in
Arva.
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By
1991 they were again on their winning ways by defeating
Munterconnaught in the Intermediate Championship Final.
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In 1992 they were beaten by a Ramor United side (who went on to win
the Senior Championship) in the Quarterfinal of that year's
competition.
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By 1993 some
of this set of players had began to retire and due to these losses the
Club were relegated to Division 2 that year.
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The decline
continued and the Club were relegated to Division 3 in 1996.
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In
1997 somewhat of a revival of fortunes began with the Club winning the
Division 3 League Title and also by gaining promotion to Division
2 that year also.
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The Club
remained in Division 2 for years but were then relegated to Division 3
where we they remained until a youthful new team emerged from what was a
"promising young underage team" to win the Junior Championship and
League in 2007.
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This
brilliant young team went on to be the first Cavan junior Team to
represent the County in an Official GAA Ulster Council Championship
Quartetr Final - where they comprehensively defeated the Antrim
Champions Aughohill in fine free flowing style in Breffni Park, Cavan.
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Inexperience
proved the undoing of the side when after a disappointing
first half performance against "The Rock" from Tyrone this young side
were
narrowly defeated.
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