club's viability, especially once they stepped up to Senior grade in 1960 and 1961: "Coolderry had a few newcomers but Seir Kieran were less lucky. Limited to the smallest parish in Ireland, they had to rely on several veterans who still keep the colours flying, and here lay their weakness – the lack of vigorous youth. That they still maintain a Senior team is a tribute to the players and club officials; that they take to the field year after year with high hopes is a tribute to all concerned." Another morale boost came in October 1961, with the acquisition of six statute acres adjacent to Clareen crossroads, as a permanent home for the club. This purchase was signed off on by four trustees: John Coughlan and Seamus Mulrooney, on behalf of Seir Kieran; and Rody O'Brien and John Dowling, on behalf of the Offaly County Board. Development of these facilities was coupled with more organized training of the talented younger players who began to emerge. Seir Kieran had an inspirational one-point win over the new St. Rynagh's GAA Club (Banagher and Cloghan combined) in the Junior Hurling Semi-final of 1962, but in the Final on 21 October they slumped to a big defeat (3-10 to 1-1) against Edenderry in Tullamore. It was much the same story in St Brendan's Park on 7 April 1968, when Killeigh beat Seir Kieran by 5-5 to 0-7 in the delayed 1967 Junior Hurling decider. Notwithstanding such bitter disappointments, the Clareen side were consistently featuring in top-notch, close, exciting Junior matches. In the 1965 Offaly JHC, Kinnitty needed three attempts before edging out Seir Kieran by 2-10 to 3-6. In 1968, a last-minute Joe McKenna goal separated Shinrone and Seir Kieran after a thrilling replay. Success finally crowned these endeavours in 1969, when Seir Kieran became Offaly Junior Hurling champions for a fifth time. Once again, the Junior Final was deferred until the following Spring. On 26 April 1970, the team traveled to Tullamore and defeated Clara by the minimum (3-2 to 1-7). Tim Mulrooney the captain lifted the James Clarke Cup. Seir Kieran have fielded a Senior team in each subsequent year. At senior grade 1970 to 1979 Return to the top flight, 1970 to 1974 On 7 June 1970 (in their first Senior hurling game since July 1961), the Clareen team very nearly toppled reigning champions St Rynagh's. Damien Martin's goalkeeping enabled