A proud Strand Road tradition stretching back almost a century will be renewed on Thursday evening when our U11 footballers take to the field for the 2026 Houlihan Cup Finals., in what promises to be a special night of football at the club.

Four teams will take part, with a parade, Shield Final and Houlihan Cup Final followed by the presentation of the Cup and medals in the clubhouse. 

The evening gets underway at 5:30pm, with the players assembling in the main dressing room before the parade and introduction of the teams at 5:45pm.

The Shield Final throws in at 6pm, when Team Danno Keeffe take on Team Seán Walsh, before Team David Moran face Team John Dowling in the Houlihan Cup Final at 6:40pm.

This year's competition has been generously sponsored by Richie Houlihan and Houlihan's Bar. The Houlihan family have been staunch supporters of Kerins O’Rahillys for generations, and we are delighted to have their support as the competition which bears the family name is revived for a new generation of Strand Road youngsters.

While Thursday night is all about our current U11 players, they will be taking part in a competition with a remarkable history at Strand Road.

The Houlihan Cup was first played in 1928, when three teams representing Strand Street, Caherina and Spa Road competed for the trophy. Spa Road became the first winners, with the games played in Hanorah O'Donnell's field – the ground known today as Cahill's Park.

The finals became great community occasions on the Road. Club records recall the area being decorated with buntings, walls being whitewashed and celebrations afterwards in "Tip Toes" – today's Betty's Bar.

The Cup was named in memory of Frank "Franken" Houlihan, a lifelong member of the GAA and a proud Strand Road man. Following his death in 1952, the club committee unanimously agreed that the trophy should bear his name.

The competition later waned before being revived for juvenile footballers in the 1970s. Six teams representing different localities took part, with Castlecountess becoming the first winners of the juvenile competition in 1973.

Now, more than half a century after that juvenile revival and 98 years after the first Houlihan Cup was played, another generation of young Kerins O’Rahillys footballers will become part of that history on Thursday evening.

5:30pm – Teams assemble in the main dressing room

5:45pm – Parade and introduction of teams

Team Danno Keeffe v Team Seán Walsh

Team David Moran v Team John Dowling

Afterwards – Presentation of the Houlihan Cup and medals to all participants in the clubhouse
 

We would love to see as many parents, families, former players, club members and supporters as possible at Strand Road for the occasion.

There will be covered seating available in the stand, and everyone is invited to join us afterwards in the newly refurbished club bar for the presentations.

Come along and support our U11s as they write the latest chapter in one of Strand Road's great football traditions.

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