The "Red Hands"
Around Christmas 1901, a band of Gaelic enthusiasts in the
Kilclief, Strangford and Cargagh areas of East Down, came
together to form a GAA club - the 'Red Hands'. Hurling had
been played in the Kilclief locality as far back as the 1880s
but the first reported match played by the new 'Hands' team
was in 1902 against neighbours Dunsford, at Seahornan near
Ardglass.
The "Hearts of Down"
The enthusiasm in the area soon led to the formation
of a second team in the Parish - the 'Hearts of Down'
- who played their first match on 12 April 1903 on
the Banks of Killard against a visiting Brian Ogs team
from Belfast. That Easter event was also significant
as after the game, the first Down County Board was
set up with Ballynarry's James Denvir of the Red Hands
as its first Chairman/President.
Formation of Kilclief Ben Dearg
The rivalry between the Hearts and Hands became intense
and discord reigned for some years. It was only through
the efforts of Fr. O Kane P.P. that the teams were
brought together under a new name - Kilclief
Ben Dearg.
Another priest, Fr. John McKee of Loughguile took
Ben Dearg to a new level upon his arrival as curate
in 1912. From 1912 -1920, Kilclief achieved a record
9-in-a-row Down SHC victories. Fr. Mc Kee also helped
introduce football to the club in 1914 and was later
appointed Vice President of Comhairle Uladh. Around
this same period, another Kilclief Gael, Charlie Kerr,
completed a three-year stint as County Cathaoirleach.
In 1917, Kilclief's Thomas Sharvin hurled with
Dublin Collegians who became All Ireland champions,
the only Ulster man involved in an All Ireland SHC
victory to date.
Hurling
From those early beginnings, Ben Dearg went from strength
to strength and became renowned in hurling circles
throughout Ulster. From 1912 to 1956, the club dominated
Down hurling annexing 24 SHC titles, a record to this
day. The 1940s also saw success in the South Antrim
leagues and 1944 saw the opening of the clubs permanent
home at St. Malachy's Park, with a win over Antrim
champions Loughgiel Shamrocks, to mark the occasion.
Hurling success has not been as forthcoming since the
1960s although JHC victories have been achieved in
1962, '69, '73 and '84 with IHC titles
in 1975 and 2000.
Football
A County JFC had been won in 1942 but football really
came to the fore in the 1960s and 70s, culminating
with Senior League title wins in 1970 and 1972.
In more recent times, the 1996 JFC title came Kilclief's
way and the footballers currently wear the Green and
Red in Down Division Two.
Camogie
Ben Dearg has also played camogie since the 1930s
winning SCC titles in successive years from 1945 -
1954. More recently the cailini were league champions
in 1969, Junior Champs in 1982 and Intermediate winners
in 1988. Ladies football was also played in the late
1990s while Scor/CCD has also been
an important part of club activities. The first Down
Scor in 1969 saw two titles coming to Kilclief but
pride of place goes to All Ireland CCD winning Ben
Dearg teams in 1982, 84, 89, 90 and 96.
Kilclief and Down
Throughout Kilclief's history, major contributions
have been made to Down successes. In football, clubmen,
Maurice Hayes and Brian Denvir were instrumental in
the backroom, bringing Sam Maguire to Down. Kieran
Denvir, Pat Fitzsimons and Ray Mc Conville all played
their part on the field in those 60s victories. Ned
King later captained Down U-21s to All Ireland glory
in 1979 while Rory Sharvin contributed to the 1994
Sam Maguire win. In camogie, Carmel Hanvey played on
the 1968 Down All Ireland junior winning team, coached
by Peig Denvir while the 1998 victorious All Ireland
Intermediate team included Ben Dearg representatives
in captain Colleen Hynds, Teresa Magowan, Maeve Mc
Neill, Valerie Hynds, Nicola Magee and Claire Mc Grath.
Numerous Kilclief hurlers have represented Down while
Ulster hurling honours came to Pat O Brien, Tommy Swail,
Richard Mullan, Brian Denvir, Paddy Frazer, John Swail,
Willie Kerr, Rob Polly and Frank Breen.
The Club Today
The club celebrated its Centenary in 2001 with the
opening of new club facilities and continues to take
pride in providing football, hurling, camogie and Gaelic
culture for young and old alike.
|
|
