Croagh Kilfinny’s remarkable draughts success story reached new heights on Saturday, 4th July, as both their U10 and U12 teams were crowned All-Ireland Community Games Champions at the Watershed in Kilkenny.
An early morning start saw players, coaches and families gather in Croagh before travelling in convoy to Kilkenny, where the country’s finest young draughts players assembled for the national finals.
Both Croagh Kilfinny teams faced Monaghan in their opening matches. After two hard-fought contests, the U10 and U12 sides emerged victorious to book their places in the championship finals.
Awaiting them in the finals were the Sligo teams, long regarded as Croagh Kilfinny’s toughest rivals over the years. In what proved to be a memorable day for the club, both teams rose to the occasion with superb performances, overcoming their Sligo opponents to claim the All-Ireland titles and bring two national trophies back to Croagh.
The victories sparked jubilant celebrations among players, families and coaches, with a tremendous sense of pride and relief after years of dedication and hard work. On their return home, the champions received a warm homecoming in Croagh, where families, friends and neighbours gathered to welcome them back and celebrate their incredible achievement.
The success is all the more remarkable considering that Croagh Kilfinny only began competing in Community Games draughts in 2023. In their debut season, the club entered just one U10 team, which went on to win All-Ireland gold. In 2024, the U10 side claimed silver, while 2025 saw the club qualify three teams, U10, U12 and U14, all of whom earned bronze medals at the national finals. This year, with two teams competing, Croagh Kilfinny achieved their greatest success yet by winning gold in both age categories.
Congratulations to the outstanding players who represented the parish with such distinction.
The victorious U10 team comprised Daniel Frawley, Oisín O’Malley, Billy Foley, James Mullane, Fionn O’Malley, Eilis Hannon and Jason Liston.
The All-Ireland winning U12 team consisted of Jack Mullane, James Hough, Aoife Hannon, Kate Frawley, Colm O’Riordan, Ellie Foley and Anna Hickey.
Special congratulations also go to their dedicated coaches, Phil Foley, Mary Frawley, Martina Mullane and Catherine O’Malley, whose commitment, encouragement and countless hours of preparation have helped build this successful draughts club.
Winning two All-Ireland titles is a truly historic achievement for Croagh Kilfinny and one that will be remembered with great pride throughout the parish for many years to come.