In 1948, a trio of men with vision, foresight and dedication came together and formed a football team that would go on to become on of the most famous names in Donegal soccer – Bobby Toland, Paddy McFadden and Paddy McDaid are credited as the men who formed Kildrum Tigers Football Club in 1948.
Over the last sixty years, the Tigers became synonymous with the famous summer cups before going on to become founder members of both the Inishowen and the Donegal Leagues when organised football was played in the county.

In the early years, before organised soccer was played in Donegal, Kildrum played their initial games in The White Horse League – played in a corner of a hay field that was loaned by a local farmer. The League winners at the time were awarded a prize of a carton of White Horse cigarettes with the runners-up receiving half a carton.
Seeking a new challenge, the Tigers joined the Derry and District League in 1952 and here they enjoyed great success. Around this time, Kildrum Tigers was a household name and were considered kings around the summer cup circuits of the time – they won all the summer cups, with the exception of the Buncrana Cup that eluded them through the years

During the 1950s and 1960s, the club could boats the services of some overseas stars with many famous men donning the red and black. The most prized of these was Paddy Crerand, a man with strong ties to west Donegal, who went on to win a European Cup with Manchester United and also played for Glasgow Celtic.
John McCole (Leeds United), Denis Hatsell (Preston North End), Alex Greaves (Bolton), Bobby Browne (Motherwell), Bobby Forker (Ayr United), Hugh Higgins (Hibernian) and John Ferry (Kilmarnock) were other to appear in the Kildrum colours during those years.

ollowing their entry into the Donegal League following its inception in 1972, Kildrum suffered a decline of sorts and this, unfortunately, carried on into the early 1980s, before a renaissance under the guidance of James Grant and Hugh McNulty. The membership increased, talent improved and the sleeping giant of local soccer took its first steps in being awoken. Players like Kenny Harkin, Maurice Toland, Johnny Tinney and a little genius by the name of Patsy O’Donnell began to come to the fore.
In the 1985/86 season, Kildrum dropped only three points on their way to winning Division Two of the Hospitals’ League, but in this term it was the run of the club’s Under 18 side to the National Cup semi finals that captured the imaginations.

Under manager James Grant and his assistant Teddy Tinney (RIP), the team reached the semi finals thanks to a 3-1 win over St Catherines (goals from Packie Coll, Martin Bradley and John Shields); a 1-0 replay win over Westport Celtic (Martin Morrisson with the goal in Westport after the sides drew 0-0 in St Johnston following the abandonment of the first game due to the state of the pitch); and a 1-0 quarter final replay win over Mervue United in Lifford (Morrisson again the scorer following a 0-0 draw in the first game).
The semi final took them to Dundalk’s Oriel Park and a goal by Johnny Tinney earned them a replay at Finn Park the following week. In the second game, a goal by a certain Steve Staunton – scored seven minutes into extra time – saw Dundalk progress to the final despite a gallant effort from Kildrum. The team for the replay was: Paddy Kelly, Maurice Toland, Pat Coll, John Shields, Dom Harkin, Keith Lynch, Johnny Tinney, Martin Morrisson, Martin Bradley, Mickey Pyne, Packie Coll. Subs: Hugh Dillon, Damien McGee and Gerard McNulty.
The following Tuesday night, the memories of the defeat were somewhat wiped away when goals from Jim Boyle (penalty) and Packie Coll secured the second division championship with a 2-1 play-off win over Whitestrand in Bonagee.

The next season, a back-to-back was being toasted as goals from Maurice Toland and Hugh Doherty handed the Tigers another Division Two title – the Donegal League was restructured somewhat to allow for the formation of the Ulster Senior League – and promotion once again to the top flight of Donegal football.

In the years that followed the club slid back down the Divisions again, but in 1990 a new committee was put in place and they began a revival once more. In charge were Packie Coll and Johnny Tinney. Promotion was just missed out on the first time as they finished third from top. In 1991/92 James Coll – at the tender age of 21 – took charge and his appointment turned out to be an inspired one. In 1993, promotion was clinched and in the 1993/94 season the Division One title was winging its way back to St Johnston while they were beaten in the final of the Ulster Junior Cup and in the same year a fabulous haul of honours was completed with a Zone Shield and Willie Duffy Championship in the Saturday League.

One of the greatest Kildrum hours came in May 1998 when they faced the undoubted kingpins of Donegal soccer, Fanad United, in the final of the Knockalla Caravans Cup. A Donegal League team had never won the competition before and Kildrum entered as the clear underdogs as Fanad hadn’t been beaten the whole season.

But, at the end of one of the classic games in living memory, Kildrum clinched the silverware after a dramatic penalty shoot-out. The game itself ended in a 4-4 draw with Kildrum twice coming back from two goals down. Glen Bovaird and Packie Coll (2) had the game at 4-3 entering its final second before Gareth Peoples unleashed a stunning strike from all of 30 yards to take the game to extra time with one of the best goals ever seen at The Diamond Park.

The penalties were as enthralling as the game. The Bovaird brothers, Glen and Darren, scored, but Michael Duffy and Ned Boyle were off target while goalkeeper John Paul Clarke kept Fanad at bay with saves from Damien Bradley, Kenny Harkin and Paddy McDaid. Packie Coll had the initial chance to win it, but was denied by a save. After George Grier’s attempt was saved by Clarke, up stepped Stephen Montgomery to slot home and secure what is still one of the most famous victories in the club’s history.
After James Coll stepped down, former player Maurice Toland took over and the success continued to flow. The Ulster Junior Cup and Brian McCormick Sports Cups were won in 2000 and a year later a treble was on its way to the Station Road with a historic first-ever Donegal League title being added to the Paddy McFadden and Brian McCormick Sports Cups.
With the treble in the bag and a major development taking place at Station Road Park, Kildrum took the big decision to step into the ranks of Intermediate football with the switch to the Ulster Senior League.
It proved to be a telling transition. A new manager came in the form of Raymond McDaid and, after an initial period of finding the going tough, the club won its first ever Ulster Senior League title in 2004. Gareth Peoples and Brendan Devenney scored the goals to defeat Quigley’s Point Swifts before a huge home crowd – the title being celebrated long into the small hours at The Fisherman’s Inn.

For the following three seasons, Kildrum watched on as league glory made its way to Letterkenny and to Fanad twice. In 2006, in front of a crowd of over 1,000 at Ballyare, Fanad United stole the USL from under their noses with a brace of goals from Marty McAteer, ironically now donning the red and black of Kildrum, giving Fanad the title.

While Fanad again won the League in 2006/07, the term was still one of the most successful for Kildrum. The Knockalla Cup and League Cup were won while a memorable Intermediate Cup run was only ended by Cork side Avondale United at the semi final stage.

With the USL moving to summer football, there was a shortened season in 2007 and with just two points dropped over the entire campaign the prized League trophy again rests in The Fisherman’s Inn. The League was won thanks to a 3-1 win over Fanad where Ronan Coyle, Shaun Ferguson and a Shane Sweeney og were on the scoresheet.

Twelve months later, the title was retained as Kildrum pipped Letterkenny Rovers to claim the honours in another closely-contested title race. In 2009, Kildrum finished as runners-up to Letterkenny Rovers, while Cockhill Celtic claimed the prize in 2010. In somewhat controversial circumstances, Kildrum were awarded the Knockalla Caravans Cup in 2010, as Derry City were thrown out of the competition by the Ulster FA.

At underage level, the club continues to blossom. In the 2009-10 season, the U16 team recorded a clean sweep of domestic honours, winning the East Donegal League and Cup double, before going onto win the Donegal Schoolboys Under 16 Champions League. In late 2010, the club put 15 members through a level 1 FAI Coaching course as plans to get a new Youth Academy off the ground continues to gather steam.

Written by Chris McNulty