Club HistoryCClkjhggffgfghjhg

Castlebar Athletic Club was officially formed in 1974 although an old club did exist informally in the town prior to that. The club was formed following the success of some Castlebar athletes who represented Mayo at the National Community Games Athletic Finals in that year. This was Mayo's first time entering the games following a project initiated by the Chambers of Commerce within the county. Jimmy Kelly from Keelogues, Castlebar took a silver medal in the U-14 800m and his performance was the catalyst in the formation of Castlebar Athletic Club which was to attain major success in all competitions for the next 30 odd years.

The original committee was spearheaded by Vincent McDermott a bank official in the town at the time. A highly committed individual with enormous enthusiasm and energy, Vincent coached many young athletes to tremendous success over the years. He also amalgamated a group of dedicated committee members and parents who ensured continuity in the club when Vincent's employment saw him leave Castlebar in 1980 for Claremorris and eventually Tullamore, Co. Offaly where he currently resides.

In the formative years people like Donie Murphy, Benny and Marion Martin, Vincent and Annette Ward, Tom Tuohy, Maurice Dowling, Johanna Joyce, Seamus Marrinan, Fr. Des Fahey amongst many others, were the backbone of the club and dedicated hours and days of their time to the cause. Major success was inevitable and the Club Records are testiment to this.

Over the years the high profile of the club has been maintained by coaches such as Jim Conlon, Frank Shoevlin, Jarlath Campbell, Tom Cusack and up to the present day, Michael Brophy. The development of other sports in Castlebar in the early 1990's had a detrimental effect on the Athletic Club membership, which may explain the reduction in national honours achieved during those years. However the club is now very much out of the doldrums having had some of its best results ever in recent years. See Years 2001 and 2002.

The present Committee and membership would like to pay tribute to all those who gave their time voluntarily over the years to ensure the success of Castlebar Athletic Club. They would also like to acknowledge the honours, which have been achieved by the many fine athletes who have represented the club since it's inception. The Club Records detail those athletes who have obtained National Titles and have been compiled from information available from past members, officials and media reports. This list is far from exhaustive and any further information on All Ireland Gold medal performances would be very much welcome. You can E-mail any details to the current Club Secretary " gavinfamily@eircom.net"