2002

Kilmihil’s first outing in the Senior Championship was against Liscannor at Miltown Malbay and both sides were guilty of poor play. The teams were level at half time at four points apiece and were level again at full time with seven points each. Paul Reidy was in top form scoring five points and Sean O’Neill accounted for the other two.

In defence Brendan & Kieran Browne kept the Liscannor forwards in check and Mark O’Connell impressed at mid-field.

On 13th July 2002 Kilmihil met Eire Og at Miltown Malbay in the second round of the Senior Championship and were well beaten. Eire Og were on top throughout and they led at half time 1-3 to 0-2. Paul Reidy scored both points from frees. There was no improvement from Kilmihil in the second half, Paul Reidy kicked two more points from frees as Kilmihil failed to score from play.

Final score: Eire Og 1-8 Kilmihil 0-4   

The third round was against Kilkee at Labasheeda and both sides need a win to stay in the Championship. Kilmihil got off to a good start with points from Paul Reidy (free) and Eamonn Downes. Kilkee’s opening score was a goal from Michael O’Shea after 16 minutes. Paul Reidy equalised with a point from a free and Eamonn Downes put Kilmihil back in the lead. The sides were level at half time 0-4 to 1-1 and shortly after the resumption Paul Reidy was on target with another free. However Kilkee gradually got on top and although Kilmihil kept trying they were fighting a loosing battle and were beaten 1-9 to 0-6 in the end.

This loss meant that Kilmihil had failed to qualify for the play off stage of the Championship and worse still it meant they had to fight a relegation battle to remain at Senior level, a battle they were destined to loose. Kilmihil became a Senior team in 1945 and reached their first County Final in 1958. From 1968 to 1990 they were one of the top senior football teams in Clare. However from 1990 to 2000 inclusive they failed to get past the first round of the Championship except on two occasions, 1992 and 1998 when they reached the semi-final. The level of commitment throughout the 1990’s was o have arrived at this position was no surprise as apart from reaching the semi-final in 1998 Kilmihil were not the force they once were. Time was when teams feared Kilmihil but in recent years it was seen as an easy draw.

At underage level Kilmihil won the U14 Division 2 Championship and were runners up in the U12 West Clare Championship.

In Hurling Kilmihil reached the final of the U16D Championship but were beaten by Bodyke 3-7 to 3-5.