A brief history of our club through the years.
In 1888 Ballinakill won the first senior football championship in Laois. Even though football was the first title won by the club hurling has become the dominant game in the village. Much of the development of our club can associated with P.J Campion who came to live in Ballinakill in 1933 and was Vice Chairman of the Laois County Board. Through the years Ballinakill has had numerous training grounds – Anderson’s lane, Moate road, parish field beside the national school and finally our current home in Drimaterill.
The following is a list of significant moments in our clubs history:
1888: Ballinakill wins first ever Laois senior football title.
1934: Ballinakill entered the Laois junior hurling championship.
1936: Captain of the 1888 football team Barney Fox dies.
1939: Ballinakill lost 4-2 to 1-3 to Mountmellick in the Junior hurling final.
1956: Ballinakill GAA club re-organised.
1966: Ballinakill lose to St Conleths in the Junior hurling final. Ballinakill 1-2 St.Conleths 2-7
1968: Ballinakill U14 Hurlers win the Sean Nos cup – the first hurling trophy to arrive in the village.
1969: Ballinakill defeated Kyle 2-7 to 1-5 in the Junior hurling final. Very historic day for the club, as it was the first adult hurling trophy to be won.
1970: Ballinakill lost the Intermediate final to Ballyfin by 1 point. Ballinakill 2-4 Ballyfin 1-8
1970: In November Ballinakill drew the Minor hurling final against the Slieve Bloom on a scoreline of 2-6 to 3-3
1971: The replay of the Minor final was not held on till April, Ballinakill were victorious, winning 3-7 to 3-3.
1973: Cullohill defeated Ballinakill 3-8 to 1-5 in the Intermediate hurling final.
1974: Ballinakill U21 hurlers win their first of 3 in a row. In August of the same year Ballinakill won the Intermediate final, defeating Durrow 2-15 to 3-10.
1975: Ballinakill defeated Abbeyleix 3-9 to 1-0 in the U21 hurling final.
1976: Ballinakill defeated Durrow 1-9 to 2-5 in the U21 hurling final.
1977: Michael “Maggie” Walsh was honoured as Laois Hurler of the Year.
1979: Ballinakill Junior footballers were defeated by The Rock 1-11 to 3-1. In October of that year Camross also defeated the senior hurlers 3-9 to 1-7 in the county final.
1986: Ballinakill won the A.C.F.L division 4 final. They defeated Abbeyleix on a scoreline 2-4 to 1-5. Ballinakill were captained by J.P. O Mara.
1989: Ballinakill won the Minor B hurling final defeating Clough – Ballacolla 2-12 to 1-3.
1991: Ballinakill defeated Portlaoise 1-9 to 2-2 in the Minor A county final.
1991: U16 Hurling B Champions defeating Mountrath in the co final.
1994: Ballinakill win their first ever U12 B final against Portarlington 2-5 to 0-4. The same team also won the U12 B hurling final defeating Ballyfin.
1995: Ballinakill defeated Clonaslee 4-12 to 2-8 in the Intermediate hurling final.
1995: U21 B hurling champions defeating Clough Ballacolla.
1998: Minor B hurling champions defeating Ballyfin.
2001: Ballinakill U21 B hurling champions defeating Clonad in the final.
2002: U21 A hurling champions defeating Rathdowney.
2003: Ballinakill team completed 2 in a row defeating Rathdowney in the U21 A Hurling Final.
2009: Junior C hurling champions defeating Rathdowney 2:6 to 10 points.
2014: Ballinakill Senior B Champions defeating Mountrath in the co final.
2017: Ballinakill/Park Ratheniska Gaels defeated Clough-Ballacolla 3-13 to 0-13 in the Minor hurling league final.
2018: U13 League division 2 champions defeating Portarlington 4:3 to 1:7.
