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KILLARNEY ATHLETIC FC is to pull out all the stops tomorrow evening as it honours Don (Donal) Harrington with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque acknowledging him as the founder of the club in 1965.

As a 19-year-old, Don joined the Killarney Garda Division in 1965 and this proved to be the milestone for the foundation of the first organised and affiliated soccer club in town.

“Don’s posting to Killarney was never intended to be for the promotion of soccer in the area at a time when the ‘infamous ban’ existed on those who played and promoted the ‘playing of foreign games’, but his enthusiasm for the game linked to his dedication to community service brought him in contact with the youth in Killarney,” said club spokesman Mike O’Sullivan.

“And the rest, as they say, is now documented history on the foundation of the club from such small and humble beginnings.”

Don later worked with the West Yorkshire Police force where he served for 35 years, reaching the rank of superintendent.

Don will be attending the event in the club’s Woodlawn ground tomorrow where he will also present the Monica Harrington Memorial Cup in memory of his late wife on this the first anniversary of her death. “The memorial cup will be presented to the lady chosen for her outstanding commitment to the club,” said Don.

This is the second year of the presentation, with Mary McCarrick being the first recipient of the award in 2015.

The unveiling of the plaque and presentation of the award will take place in the Killarney Athletic Club grounds in Woodlawn tomorrow, Thursday, August 11, at 7.30pm and all are welcome to attend.
 

 
Above: Pictured with Don Harrington are friends and teammates from 1965, Pat Doody, Sean O'Donoghue, Joe Grant and Donagh Gleeson. Donagh was one of the group playing street soccer in the High Street car park in 1965 that Don approached while on Garda duty and hence the first seeds of Killarney Athletic were sown.