The highlight of 1978 was when Kilmihil captured the U16 Championship title when they defeated Kilrush on the score of 1-8 to 1-3.

“In one of the most exciting under-age games for quite some time, Kilmihil captured the U16 Title, with a good win over Kilrush, in good weather conditions, at Doonbeg on Sunday. There was quite a large attendance, to see this meeting of great rivals, Kilmihil and Kilrush, and the teams produced some fine football over the hour.”    

Playing with the breeze in the first half Kilmihil set the pace and led at half time on the score of 0-5 to 0-0. Two further points were added in the second half before Kilrush started their comeback, when they scored 1-3 without reply. In the closing minutes Kilrush threw everything they had at Kilmihil, in fact there were only two Kilmihil forwards and two Kilrush defenders in the Kilrush half of the field as they attacked relentlessly in an attempt to get on top. In the closing minutes of the game Fintan Cotter came to the rescue with a relieving clearance kicked in the direction of his brother Padraic. Padraic jumped up as if to catch the ball while the defender stood off but instead of catching the ball he flicked it over his head and before the defender realized what was happening Padraic had gone passed him, collected the ball and proceeded to solo in the direction of the Kilrush gaol with the corner-back in hot pursuit. Standing on the edge of the square was Kieran Normoyle closely watched by the full back.

Padraic passed the ball to Kieran and continued his run goalwards, reading the situation Kieran held the ball until Padraic came within scoring range before returning the pass and Padraic made no mistake in scoring a great goal. This broke the hearts of the Kilrush players and Michael Mc Namara adder a further point for Kilmihil.

Scorers: Padraic Cotter 1-2, Kieran Normoyle 0-2, John Collins, Michael Mc Namara, Pat Moran & Kevin Callinan 0-1 each.

Team: Pat Linen, F. O’Halloran, John Kelly, Pat O’Gorman, Fintan Cotter, John Collins, Pat Pender, Pat Moran, John Hayes, Padraic Cotter, Michael Mc Namara, Andrew Johnston, John Browne, Kieran Normoyle and Kevin Callinan.

U21

Kilmihil received a bye in the first round of the U21 Championship, they beat Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-11 to 0-2 and had one point to spare when they beat Kilrush in the Semi-Final on the score of 0-6 to 0-5.

They were beaten in the Final by a much stronger Miltown Malbay team on the score of 1-5 to 0-2.

“St. Joseph’s, Miltown Malbay, retained their Clare U21 Championship, when they scored a deserving victory over Kilmihil on Sunday. While the score-line would lead one to believe that the game was a little one-sided, it is fair to say that the teams were much more closely matched than this, and the very big attendance was treated to some very good football. Kilmihil, who included many of last year’s winning Minor squad, were dealt a severe blow after 10 minutes of the game, when they lost their centre-back and Captain, Michael Garvey, with a knee injury. They had their best players in Stan Lineen, John Callinan, Pat Garry, Michael Keating and John Moran.”

Team: Tom Hayes, Gerard Deloughery, Stan Lineen, John Callinan, Joe Keating, Michael Garvey (Capt.), Pat Garry, Noel Normoyle, Michael Keating, Michael Lineen, John Moran, Joe Daly, Bernie Normoyle, Michael Reidy and Gerard Johnston.

Subs. John Earls, Colm Collins & Kevin Crowley.

Clare Shield

Kilmihil beat Kilmurry Ibrickane in the first round of the Clare Shield at Miltown Malbay on the score of 2-6 to 0-2.

Scorers: Gerard Johnston 1-2, Michael Lineen 1-0, John Moran 0-2, Noel Normoyle and Michael Johnston 0-1 each.

In the second round played in Kilrush Kilmihil defeated Cooraclare 2-2 to 0-2.

Scorers: Pat Daly 2-0 & Michael Lineen 0-2 (1 free).

Aberdeen Arms

Kilmihil beat St. Michael’s Ennistymon at Lahinch in the first round of the Aberdeen Arms Cup by 2-13 to 1-6.

Scorers: Joe Mc Namara 2-3, Colm Collins and Michael Lineen 0-3 each, Batt Crowley 0-2, Pat Daly & Michael Johnston 0-1 each.

Kilmihil were beaten by Miltown Malbay in the second round, 2-6 to 1-7.

Scorers: Pat Daly 1-0, Michael Lineen 0-3 (frees), Colm Collins, Kevin O’Halloran, Joe Daly & Michael Keating 0-1 each.