Email: chairperson.coolerastrandhill.sligo@gaa.ie
Pillar: Community
Address: Cartronabree Knocknahur, Co Sligo F91 K2E6
Coolera/Strandhill celebrated its 125th birthday in 2011, having been founded in 1886. Initially, it went under the name of Knocknarea and as such took part in the first county championship in 1888. Three years later the club was registered as Strandhill Young Irelanders and reached the county final only to lose narrowly to Bunninadden. In 1905 the club was re-organised and the name changed to Coolera and three years later won a unique double, the senior and minor championship, followed in 1915 with the junior title. In the 1930’s there was further success in the minor grade and this laid the foundations for the winning of four senior league titles between 1939 and 1946. The 1960s heralded the dawn of a very successful era in under-age competitions winning titles in all grades from U/12 to U/21 crowned by an All Ireland title in the 1990 Féile Peil na nÓg. Meanwhile the club was to the forefront in the Scór competitions winning a number of county and provincial titles at senior and junior levels culminating in two All Ireland successes in 1977. We also had an All Ireland Scór na nÓg success in 1981. The club’s centenary in 1986 was marked by a number of events both on and off the field notably the publication of our club history which for many evoked fond memories of bygone days. With the dawn of the new millennium the bitter disappointments and near misses of the past were quickly forgotten in 2005 with the winning of the senior football championship after a lapse of almost a century. The 1980’s marked the introduction of hurling to the club which over the past quarter of a century has blossomed beyond expectations winning numerous titles in all underage grades and recently competing successfully at adult level. In 2002 the club lifted the title at Féile na nÓg. This success along with the earlier success of the footballers in 1990 gives the club an unique position of being successful in both codes at a national level. Coolera/Strandhill are to the forefront of the revival of this ancient game within the county.