History

Folklore records that in 1882 two brothers, John O’Kelly of Moorefield Road and James O’Kelly of Ballymany were instrumental in forming the first football team in Newbridge. Calling themselves the JJ O’Kellys they played matches against Mountrice, Eyrefield, Monasterevin, Kildare town and Milltown. When the GAA was formed the club changed its name from JJ O’Kelly’s to Moorefield, the name of the local townland. RIC records from 1890 show that Moorefield JJ O’Kelly’s had 100 members with officers listed as James Callaghan, John Langton, Thomas Lannery and John Dixon. John Murphy attended the 1889 convention. Moorefield were involved in the revival attempts of 1896 and 1901, and the Moorefield tournament was a highlight of the calendar in the early years of the century, forming an unofficial trial for the team that played in the 1903 All Ireland final.