Kilkenny United W.F.C.

Kilkenny United Women's Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Cill Chainnigh Aontaithe na mBan) is an Irish women's football team, based in Kilkenny. In July 2015 the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced the formation of the club as an expansion team for the upcoming 2015–16 Women's National League season.[1] Kilkenny United WFC played in the Women's National League until 2019, but won only one match in five seasons.

Full nameKilkenny United Women's Football Club
Founded2015
GroundThe Watershed, Kilkenny,
County Kilkenny
ChairmanShane Murray
20198th, Women's National League
WebsiteClub website

History

2015–16

In July 2015 the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced the formation of the club as an expansion team for the upcoming 2015–16 Women's National League season.[1] The club played its first match on 19 July 2015, hosting Celtic at Buckley Park.[2] Ahead of the first WNL season experienced campaigner Sylvia Gee was signed, to add experience to a youthful squad.[3] In game week 8 of the 2015-16 season Kilkenny United recorded their first ever draw and put their first ever point on the table.[4] They drew 1–1 with Cork City W.F.C.. There was a few close games for Kilkenny in their first ever season in the league but they ended the campaign with a solitary point on the board.[5]

2016

Kilkenny recorded their first win in the 2016 season when they were drawn against Lakewood in the quarter finals of the FAI Women's Senior Cup. Kilkenny came out 3–1 winners with goals from Jenny O'Keeffe, Niamh Kelly and Hannah Scott.[6] Kilkenny United commenced to the semi finals of the cup but lost out to a strong Wexford Youths W.F.C. in the semi finals. The 2016 League campaign didn't go as planned for Kilkenny with the club failing to pick up any points throughout the season. Although the club didn't manage to get any points on the board it was a great learning experience for a young Kilkenny squad.[7]

2017

The 2017 season didn't start as planned as Kilkenny went through numerous managers before finally getting the right man for the job on 20 June 2017. Kilkenny United appointed Casey McQuillan[8] who had much experience in the league from previously managing Shelbourne L.F.C. and Raheny United FC. On 9 July 2017, history was made for Kilkenny in Thomastown when Kilkenny won their first and only game in the Women's National League. They beat Galway W.F.C 1–0 which was a very historic day for the club.[9][10] The Kilkenny goal came from Leanne Tumelty. Kilkenny United ended the season with the single 3 points and single win on the board. It was a very progressive season for the club on and off the field.[11] Kilkenny also recorded a win in the quarter finals of the FAI Women's Senior Cup when they beat TEK United 3–1. Kilkenny's goals were scored by Jennifer Chambers (2) and Sylvia Gee.[12] Kilkenny were drawn against UCD Waves in the semi finals of the cup but slipped at the last hurdle and lost out on a trip to the Aviva Stadium.

2018

At the start of the 2018 season Casey McQuillan stepped down as manager of the club. Kilkenny signed many new experienced players including Carla McMannus who is an ex-Ireland women's under 17s player. Kilkenny also kept players with great experience at the club including Nicole Plunkett, Niamh Kelly and Bronagh Kane to name a few. Kilkenny started off the 2018 season at debutantes Limerick WFC and were beaten 4–0.[13]

The club introduced an Under 16 squad which was entered into the Kilkenny & District League. On 12 July 2018 Kilkenny United announced a link up with Real Football academy Swans. They announced their intention to set up a pathway to the Women's National League for the Real FA Swans players.[14][15]

2019

In 2019 an inexperienced Kilkenny United team endured another torrid season, garnering only two points and sustaining a series of hurtful drubbings. The club's off-field operation also began to unravel. Matches were hosted on a public park, while the club lacked its own youth system.[16]

Dismissal from the Women's National League

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) unexpectedly threw Kilkenny United out of the Women's National League ahead of the 2020 season.[17] The reasons given included the club's failure to bond with their local women's leagues, changing their home ground, not training in Kilkenny, having an unqualified coach, failing to fulfil a fixture and having consistently poor results and feeble performances. The club disagreed with the FAI's decision and after a failed appeal, released a lengthy statement in January 2020.[18] The club decided to continue playing at Wexford League level and re-emerged in August 2020.[19]

References
  1. "Kilkenny United FC to join Women's National League". Sports Women.ie. 3 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  2. "United we stand - Kilkenny join women's league". Kilkenny People. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  3. Clarke, Aaron (10 October 2015). "WNL Season Preview: Kilkenny United". extratime.ie. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  4. "WNL Report: Cork City WFC 1 - 1 Kilkenny United WFC - ExtraTime.ie". ExtraTime.ie. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  5. "2015 / 2016". wnl.fai.ie. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  6. "Kilkenny United WFC". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  7. "2016 Season". wnl.fai.ie. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  8. "Kilkenny United WFC appoint Casey McQuillan as new manager". KCLR Fanzone. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  9. "History made as Kilkenny United win first-ever league match - ExtraTime.ie". ExtraTime.ie. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  10. Kelly, Daniel. "Great Scenes As Kilkenny United WFC End Long Streak Without A Win". Balls.ie. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  11. "2017 Season". wnl.fai.ie. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  12. "WFAI Cup Report: TEK United 1-3 Kilkenny United". Aaron Clarke Sports Journalism. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  13. "REPORT: Limerick WFC 4-0 Kilkenny United - Continental Tyres Womens National League". wnl.fai.ie. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  14. "Kilkenny United WFC". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  15. "Real Football Academy". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  16. McDonnell, Daniel (28 October 2019). "'Inside our bubble, we're all very happy. There's no negativity' - Kilkenny's United front in face of adversity". Irish Independent. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  17. Donnelly, Dave (19 December 2019). "Kilkenny United 'devastated' following FAI decision to axe them from 2020 Women's National League". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  18. Dempsey, Andrew (10 January 2020). "Kilkenny United release lengthy statement following Women's National League departure". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  19. @KilkennyWFC (29 August 2020). "8 months ago everybody thought that Kilkenny United would be no more. Everybody presumed that we would roll over. The committee and volunteers have been working very hard over the last 8 months and are delighted that we are back. Kilkenny United senior women returned to the pitch" (Tweet) – via Twitter. |date= mismatches calculated date from |number= by two or more days (help)
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