History
Wilton United was founded in 1968 by Pat Bowdren, Jim Hennessy, and a group of friends from Wilton Gardens and Magazine Road in Wilton, Cork. The team played their early matches in the AUL pitches in Church Road, Blackrock.
In their first season the team was managed by Seán O’Flynn, a butcher from Cork’s Famous English Market. The team initially played in red and white, the spare kit from the English Market butcher’s team. Soon after, Wilton switched to the current blue jersey and black shorts.
Pat Bowdren was appointed the club’s first secretary, Jim Hennessy was the club’s treasurer and Sean O’Flynn, the first chairman.
Committee meetings took place in the Rendezvous Bar and training sessions took place on the old Commercial Pitch, both on the Model Farm Road. At other times, the Wilton lads trained in the “Priests Field” owned by the Capuchin order on Farranlea Road. During their second season (1969-70), Farranlea Road became the club’s new home and that’s how it remained for decades to come.
As the Bishopstown and Wilton Areas expanded, so did the numbers at Wilton United and by the mid-1970s, the club catered for 21 teams. In the 70s, Wilton had many talented players including the GAA great, Jimmy Barry Murphy who became the first Wilton United player to play in the League of Ireland. Jimmy played six times for Cork Celtic.
Wilton United had become a schoolboy force to be reckoned with and in 1974, the Under 14s won the Cork Premier League. In the 80’s the club’s schoolboy teams continued to be successful, regularly winning the premier league and cups.
In the 1990s, the Wilton United Ladies took over the honors, winning the premier league and Steve Quinn Cup on numerous occasions. The schoolgirls excelled even further, securing the WFAI National Cup at U16 and U18.
Into the 21st Century, Wilton continued to go from strength to strength with players representing Ireland at youth and University level. Wilton also had the great honour of having four former players playing for the Irish ladies, including current international Denise O’Sullivan.
Wilton United was born out of friendship and friendship continues to be at the heart of everything that is great about this club.