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Hk United was founded in July 1997, when present team manager, David Kelly, and present team members, Ray Fitzpatrick & Martin Butler, came together in the Staff Hall of Hotel Kilkenny to
arrange a five a sise game of soccer between the Restaurant and the Kitchen. This was the beginning of regular five a side games at Kilkenny's all weather facility, Scanlon Park, for staff members of Hotel
kilkenny. This continued until the 20th of September 1997, when kelly and Fitzpatrick returned to further their education in their chosen careers. Fate would have it and in June 1998, the pair returned to
take up full time positions at Hotel Kilkenny and hence the football was resurrected Messrs. Butler and Fitzpatrick joined a local night owls side, Homestead Utd, shortly after. This was followed by the arrival
of Kelly and present chairman, Damien Keane to the same team. This was the foundation for the imminent conception of HK Utd. A season was spent at Homestead, where the involved gained vital experience
innthe running of a local Nightowls side which was to prove extremely beneficial in times to come. In the close season, the four friends got together and decided to enter their own team in the following
season. Damien Keane was announced chairman and with a four man committee comprised of Kelly, Fitzpatrick, Butler and former sous chef, Dermot Moloney brought in, Hotel Kilkenny F.C. was born. Sponsorship
was sough and received and with colours of all white with a red and black trim and with main shirt sponsors, Guinness, the team was entered for the first time in the Nightowls League. This season a learning curve for
the new team, giving time to settle as a unit and try different line outs and tactics. Mike Beynon, the first manager, was responsible in seeing the team make the cup semi final in their first season, a memorable
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