*Photograph: Joe Buckley
KEVIN GREENE’s lifetime contribution to ladies football was honoured at a special event in O’Neill’s Bar in Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Past Newmarket-on-Fergus and Clare ladies footballers gathered to reminisce and to commend their former manager who has given over forty years service to the sport at club and inter-county level resulting in county, provincial and All-Ireland success.
Speaking on behalf of the many former players, Joanne Cleary-Holdforth described it as “an auspicious occasion” and paid tribute to Kay Varden and Hilary O’Neill for their work in making the event a reality.
She said, “I’m gone from Newmarket-on-Fergus many years now, but those of us who grew up there in the 80’s were very fortunate because there was so much available to us at that time, between the youth club, basketball, and, of course, football, which was set up in 1981. Kevin Greene was responsible for establishing the women’s football club in Newmarket and he was ably supported by a few loyal and dedicated volunteers such as Kathleen McMahon and my own father, John Cleary.
“Kevin, I’m not sure that you ever got the credit you genuinely deserved or that the magnitude of what you and those who supported you, did was ever really recognised. I hope tonight goes some way towards rectifying that. It’s a true honour to be here this evening to celebrate you, Kevin. Your dedication, vision, and heart helped shape not just a team, indeed, several teams, but was also a significant part of a much bigger movement,” she said.
According to Joanne, their former coach always had the belief in them. “Long before women’s football had the spotlight it deserves, you saw the potential, the talent, and the passion in a group of girls who simply wanted to play football. You gave us not only the skills to win, but the belief that we belonged on the pitch—just as much as anyone. Indeed within a few short years, six of the Newmarket girls were picked to play for Clare and by 1986 we had brought All Ireland medals back to Clare and to Newmarket. Despite such challenges, year after year, you gave your time, your energy, and your unwavering support. Your teams achieved great success, as was always captured and documented by Kevin Arthur, our resident photographer. However, the trophies and titles only tell part of the story. What truly stands out is the impact you had on every player who passed through your squad. You were a mentor, a motivator, and sometimes a much-needed shoulder to lean on.
“You and your team instilled values in us, such as commitment, teamwork, and resilience, that echo far beyond football. The confidence you helped build in your players has undoubtedly rippled through our lives, both on and off the pitch. So tonight, we say thank you. Thank you for paving the way for us. Thank you for believing in women’s football when few others did. Most of all, thank you for leaving behind not just a legacy of wins, but a legacy of strong, inspired women who are all the better for having been coached by you”.
Kevin’s first ladies football coaching involvement was with the Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Games in 1981 and they won three-in-a-row county titles before forming a ladies football club in 1984 alongside John Cleary and Kathleen McMahon, they won the U14 final and contested the U16 decider that year.
U16 titles were secured in 1985 and 1986 while the club also reached the minor final.
His ability garnered the attention of the Clare LGFA who approached him to take charge of the Clare U16s and U18s in 1987 which he did while also guiding Newmarket to win U12 and U14 championships. Geraldine O’Grady captained the Clare U16s who won Munster and All-Ireland titles that year.
Further progress continued in 1988 with Cumann na mBunscoil success, the Junior championship and once again competing in the U16 and U18 finals.
He recalled the 1989 success of winning an U16 and U18 All-Ireland double as “unreal”, the minors were captained by Moira McMahon. The club won the intermediate, senior b, minor and U14 honours that season.
Newmarket-on-Fergus contested its first senior championship ladies football final in 1990, won a second senior b and another U16 crowd as the county retained its All-Ireland minor title with another Blues captain, this time in the guise of Claire Walsh.
Senior championship glory awaited in 1991 when they stopped Fergus Rovers from winning a six in a row and the club also won its second minor title.
After this, Kevin stepped back while the club enjoyed further success at underage, junior and intermediate.
He is proud of the success and memories achieved by his former players, three of which Sinead Cullinan, Moira McMahon and Claire Walsh won All Stars.
All photographs by Joe Buckley
