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British Army
In the early part of the century the British army had a number of courts in the area. These would have been grass courts laid on a cinders base. In 1922 the British departed and the land was transferred to the Office of Public Works. Three of these courts, adjacent to the village, were given over to the Kilworth Tennis Club.
After 1922
Kilworth had a very active club with over 60 members. Much of the competition was of an inter club nature with matches against Tallow, Lismore, Lombardstown, Fermoy etc. Local travel was mostly by bicycle and many cycled out from Fermoy to play.
The courts, being grass were subject to the vagaries of weather and maintenance
was very labour intensive. In the early days a groundsman was employed but later
the work was done voluntarily. The grass was cut using a push cylindrical mower,
the courts had then to be rolled and lined.
In 1959 the Land Commission took over the estate which was to be divided up. This meant that the club would no longer have access to where the courts were although they would have had a claim to the plot. The OPW transferred the property to the Land Commission who in turn offered the club the current site at the rate of £45 an acre. When the courts were being transferred Tom Cotter, the then Chairman, took a fist of grass and symbolically handed the courts back to the OPW. It was decided that grass was no longer a practical option and in 1962 two tarmac courts were laid down. The Club prospered for a while but in the late 70s went through a lean period.
In the early 80s the Community Council and GAA came together to build the a Sports Complex. The Tennis Club agreed to provide the land for the building on the understanding that new courts would be laid down. In 1984/85 two new tarmac courts were installed. Kilworth tennis is now stronger and more active than it ever has been. The floodlights which were installed in 1995 gave it a major boost and the new courts which were put down in 1997 ensure that the sport is well set for its second century.
Pictured in the 1930s are back row Thomas Ryan, Peggy Bowdern & Jack Doran. Front row Maureen Walshe, Bob Magnier, Paddy Ryan (later Fr. Paddy Ryan), John Fenton (later Fr. John Fenton) & Sean Magnier (Later Fr. Sean Magnier CSsR).