Supporters establish ‘Club Kildare’

A plucky band of Lilywhites supporters, under the guidance of chairman Pat Mangan, have set up ‘Club Kildare’ in a bid to help rekindle the glory days of Kildare GAA.

The initiative, which is expected to be along the lines of successful supporter-based groups in Tyrone and Armagh, will try to raise support levels and money for the county teams in Kildare.

The Kildare Supporters Club was founded in 1990 by the late Michael Osborne. Under Michael’s guidance, the club developed into the most successful supporters club in the country, providing invaluable financial support for teams and for the development of gaelic games in the county.

With “Club Kildare” continuing to create a sense of affiliation among Kildare supporters, fans can now avail of some attractive membership benefits.

For an individual annual subscription of €300, members will receive an exclusive “Club Kildare” jacket - with the option to purchase a second jacket for €80. They will also receive a personalised pass for all Kildare inter-county matches played in the county, a membership certificate and two car stickers.

Club Kildare members will also have the option to buy two tickets for all Kildare games in Croke Park up to the All-Ireland SFC semi-final, and can attend one of the senior football team’s training sessions at a specially-arranged family night. Corporate packages are also available.

Mangan and some of his committee members recently travelled north to examine the “Club Tyrone” model, which has played its part in the Red Hands' on-the-field success. The 500 members of Club Tyrone contribute an annual figure in the region of £250,000 sterling to support gaelic games within the county.