Cabra and Sport - 1930s to 2020s

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Continuous
fundraising

Fantastic and first time book of Cabra’s unique sporting achievements of community contribution and sustainability

€11,652 Raised of €11,179

50 Backers

104%

Back this project

This project has reached its fundraising target. It has also activated Continuous Fundraising, which means you can still donate and support the project.

Our Delivery Report

Funded on 20 June 2025 | Delivered on 14 August 2025

€11,652

RAISED

50

BACKERS

70

DAYS TO FUND

BIGGEST PLEDGE

€5,000

From Dublin City Council

€100

MOST POPULAR PLEDGE AMOUNT

30 November 2025

Book review in national daily newspaper

Daily Mail

Kelly's in-depth research is a fine tribute to the talent and skill produced by a small but ambitious area

donated €55

donated €977

Project Image

donated €30

donated €50

02 September 2025

Launch of Cabra and Sport

Northside People

donated €100

More about our impact

The environment

Sport promotes public health and use of recreational facilities including parks and green open space.

The local economy

Book for sale in two Cabra shops.

Volunteering, jobs & education

Book recognizes the positive contribution of voluntary role in sport.

Arts, culture & heritage

Like Art and Culture Sport entertains and inspires people. There is a view that sports skills can be artistic for example a diving header to score a goal, a high catch of a ball in midfield, or a surge of acceleration to win a race. Such can be awesome like a great piece of music or visual art. On a pragmatic point, sports success and participation can motivate people to pursue their artistic ambitions. In general terms arts and sports require ambition, determination, persistence and a work ethic. So a similar pathway is clear to those seeking artistic and cultural objectives.

Activity, health and leisure

The book promotes sports as a life-long activity with public health benefits. There is information on clubs and support in abundance and local amenities. The sports heroes can inspire young and old people to start and maintain healthy physical activity.

After much research I am at final draft of “Cabra and Sport 1930s to 2020s”. I am a Cabra man though in voluntary exile in Raheny. I am the author of two sports history books and had articles published in magazines.

From my childhood, Cabra was and still is a brilliant place of sports participation and enjoyment. Among many other fine qualities, it is a suburb of high sporting standards and community involvement. Cabra is characterised by sport appreciation, passion, and support.

There have been five Cabra Olympians – one a double Olympian and bronze medallist, a World champion boxer, men and women soccer internationals, over 60 League of Ireland soccer players, two All –Ireland football winners, Dublin players, numerous national boxing champions, basketball internationals, judo champion, a cycling champion, and an FAI CEO; plus many clubs with achievements and their many members across various sports.

I had a modest and enjoyable sports career and still involved. As a boy I played Gaelic football and hurling for Christ the King BNS and St Declans’ CBS and Colmcille CLG . I also competed at sprinting, middle distance and cross country races for my schools. As a teenager and young man I played soccer for Cabra clubs, Young Elms, Breffni Rovers and Liam Whelan FC. I was an FAI referee in the Leinster Junior and AUL Leagues and kept fit by running in cross-country and road races.

A retired person now, I am active in Dublin Business Houses Athletics Association and have experience in race promotion. I am a member of Bohemian FC and Raheny Shamrock AC and a GAA social club member and regular in Croker and "sometimes at away games down the country " for the Dubs footballers. My book research renewed old and made me new Cabra sports friends.

My corporate and sports experience skills include media liaison, communications/publicity and presentations. So taking all into account I believe that I have some suitable experience and skills for a publication about Cabra and Sport covering Athletics Basketball Boxing Cycling Gaelic Games, Judo Power weightlifting, Rowing and Soccer and the people and the legends.

Publications

Articles and book reviews for “To Account” CIPFA e-zine and “Irish Runner”.
Two biographies for “A Golden Era – Profiles of Master Athletes.
“The History of Kilbarrack United “and “The History of Dublin Corporation/City Council Runners 1979/2019”.

Project Owner: Jim Kelly The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.