The JK Brackens GAA club was formed in 1992 following an amalgamation process between Templemore Eire Og, Clonmore and Killea. All three clubs voted in favour of the initial agreement, with an opt out clause after five years. In 1997 the Killea club triggered that clause with Eire Og and Clonmore voting to carry on.
The club was named after Joseph Kevin Bracken who was a local stonemason in Templemore in the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Bracken was a founder member of the GAA having been present at Hayes Hotel in November 1884. He was the first Chairman of Tipperary County Board and also served as Vice-President of the GAA. His son Brendan was a member of the British Parliament and served as Minister for Information under Winston Churchill from 1941-1945.
The club caters for juveniles beginning at U-5 level and field teams in both codes all the way through to adult level. The club would generally have around 500 members. JK Brackens also has a very active Scor community who showcase the many cultural aspects of the GAA.
The club has grounds in the Town Park in Templemore and at Graffin in Clonmore. Brackens began as an Intermediate club and by 1998 had progressed to Senior level in both codes. 2022 marks their 25th consecutive year as a dual Senior club.
The club have won many divisional and county titles since its inception culminating with their first Mid Tipperary Senior hurling title in 2022. Eamonn Corcoran, Kevin Mulryan, Sean Collum, David Bourke, Aidan Doyle, Ray Doyle, Shane Bourke, Colin O’Riordan, Alan O’Riordan, Fearghal McDonnell, Tom Murphy, Lyndon Fairbrother, Paddy Cadell, Andrew Ormond and Jamie Ormond have all achieved notable success with Tipperary while many others have worn the Blue and Gold with distinction.
John Costigan served as the clubs first Chairman before going on to serve as County Chairman from 2006-2008. JK Brackens won the Mid Tipperary Intermediate Club of the Year in 1992, 1993 and 1997 while they claimed the Senior award in 2017.
Exciting renovations and retrofitting took place at the JK Brackens Club House in February of 2020. Funded by the SEAI and project managed by Tippeary Energy Agency the roof was upgraded with an insulated trapezoidal roof, floor insulation, Heat recovery, Air conditioning (Heating & Cooling), Air to water Heat pump (hot water for showers) LED lighting, new windows and doors were all fitted by SOLA, Templemore’s own retrofitting company. The new measures resulted in savings of 7,295kWh per year or €495 per year. As a result of the upgrades, the club now have the luxury of a warm, bright, and comfortable clubhouse which they can use for various meetings and events going forward.
JK Brackens – moving with the times!
