Castle Villa recall 25 years in existence

Moynalty-based Castle Villa FC celebrated 25 years in existence recently and that significant milestone was marked when founder members convened in the local hall to reminisce about times past. Meath & District League secretary Gerry Gorman was the guest of honour for the night and the history of the club was the main topic of discussion. From modest beginnings Castle Villa developed into a major force in the local game working their way to the higher levels before slipping back down the ranks again. It has has been an intriguing journey for the club. The origins of the Castle Villa can be traced back to 1985 when a group of soccer-mad young men around the Moynalty area got together with a view towards forming a club. Among the earliest pioneers were Gerry Sheridan (Maio), Sean McAleer (Mullagh), and Eddie McCormack from the village of Moynalty. Others joined the ranks and they fielded a team under the name of Castle Villa AFC. The name was an abbreviation of Newcastle in Moynalty and Villa which was a shortened version of 'word' village. Their first game was against neighbours C & M Utd from Mullagh in Cavan who were already well established. Castle Villa players were togged out in a multi-coloured team strip with jerseys borrowed from various soccer and GAA clubs. More importantly there was a big interest shown in getting a team underway and the decision was taken to push on with the new project. An application was made to the Meath & District League and Castle Villa started out in Div 4B. Their choice of colours was blue and white. A field belonging to the late Michael Reilly, from Reillystown, Moynalty, was secured as the new club's home pitch and Pat Kean was persuaded to take over as the team manager. They started out on their maiden voyage in the 1985/'86 season and gradually improved in technique and application. The backbone of the team for the following decade also emerged and included Dermot Sheridan who is still the club's secretary, Joe Sheridan, Joey Curley, Cyril Sheridan, John McKenna, David Murtagh, Gay Murtagh, Michael Martin, Brendan O'Connor, Sean Daly, Brendan Daly, T P Connor, Junior Daly, Jimmy Clarke, Michael Casey and Charlie Reilly. Over the next few years the Villa experienced contrasting fortunes. They were promoted to Div 4A and finished fourth at the end of their first campaign. At the end of the 1987/'88 season they were crowned champions after a consistent run of results under manager Kean. Not only that Joey Curley, the current GAA referee, was named the Div 4A player-of-year. They moved up in the world gradually progressing through the divisions. They found themselves in Div 2 at the start of the 1992/'93 campaign when they formed a second team before eventually moving up to Div 1A. The 1994/'95 campaign was something of a fairytale for the club. Not only did they secure the Div 1A title, after a play-off against the powerful Clonee Utd side, but Ray Cunningham was named MDL 'Player-of-the-Year.' It could hardly get much better for the Villa who had come a long way since they were formed in less than promising circumstances. Off the field another significant move was made when a mixture of vision and hard work ended with the club buying a piece of land at Curraghtown, just outside Moynalty Gerry Mulligan, Dermot Sheridan and Kevin Carolan were among the main movers in securing the land. The club have continued to develop that ground since. New dressing rooms were built and floodlights installed making it one of the most attractive grounds in the MDL. Castle Villa played in the Premier Division of the Meath & District League and finished fifth in the first season at that level (1995/'96). They also reached the semi-final of the MDL Challenge Cup where they lost to Kentstown on penalties. They were heady heights and the pinnacle of the club's achievements. Over the past 15 years Castle Villa have encountered their share of difficulties. They may have slipped down the league yet they provide excellent facilities to their members. They have also sought to provide for the future by setting up an excellent under-age structure. There was an amalgamation with C & M Utd but the slide continued in the new millennium as the first team slipped down the divisions. Under manager Paddy Carolan the current Castle Villa side are seeking to move away from the lower regions of Div 3B and with better fortune they should to do just that. With hope in their hearts they march on. The first 25 years brought plenty of adventure for Castle Villa FC. What will the next quarter-of a century bring?