Tinryland GFC 3.67

5 star(s) from 4 votes
Rathcrogue, Tinryland
Carlow,
Ireland

About Tinryland GFC

Tinryland GFC Tinryland GFC is one of the popular place listed under Sports/recreation/activities in Carlow , Gym in Carlow ,

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Our club is almost as old as the GAA organisation itself. Formed in 1888, the club has a deep and proud tradition within the community and county. Since the club’s first recorded match against Leighlinbridge in early 1889 through to the present day, the club has evolved enormously, and today boasts enviable playing and clubhouse facilities at Rathcrogue, beside the new M9 motorway. However, during the early years it was very different from the modern set-up we sometimes take for granted. Indeed, it took the club 75 years to find the permanent home where it exists today. As was relatively common at the time, the club frequently moved from one ‘field’ to another during the early years. Between 1888 and 1958 the club was located in at least 10 different locations:

• 1888 Norton’s Field in Ballyloo
• 1908 Cross Roads Field at McArdle’s Cross
• 1927 Bell Field in Tinypark
• 1929 Quarry Field at Jordan’s Cross
• 1931 Showfield beside Darcy’s
• 1932 McMorrow’s field near Seery’s
• 1940s The Lawn Field in Tinypark
• 1954 Thompson’s Field at Kilmeaney
• 1955 McMorrow’s Field again
• 1958 Cross Roads Field again

Whilst the club had little success on the playing fields during its formative years, the arrival of Fr James Mahon to the parish in 1907 saw the start of a revival which culminated with the club unsuccessfully contesting its first county final in 1910. Unfortunately, it was to be another 23 years before the club finally tasted success by winning its first Junior championship in 1933. This win was the precursor to a glorious era in the clubs history which saw Tinryland rack up 10 Senior Championship titles by 1950.

The first Tinryland jerseys were white with a green sash. In 1930 the colours were changed to a blue and white hooped jersey and this format has continued to be the official colours up to present day. The change of colour was influenced by club player and official Fr Paddy Shine who taught in Knockbeg College during this time.

During this period Tinryland GFC produced a large number of exceptional footballers and club men including the above-mentioned Fr Paddy Shine, John Doyle, Paddy Sullivan, Peenie Whelan, Willie Hosey, Mickey Whelan and Andy Murphy. This era coincided with arguably the strongest period in the county’s playing history which included the famous Leinster title win of 1944.
That ’44 squad included six Tinryland clubmen, including John Doyle, Paddy Sullivan, Andy Murphy, Mick Hughes, Willie Hosey and Peenie Whelan (captain).

Following the club’s 10th championship win in 1950, few would have envisaged that further senior success would take another 21 years. The highlight of these lean years occurred off the pitch, with the purchase and development of the fields and clubhouse at Rathcrogue between 1964 and 1966.

Whilst the seniors won two league titles in 1961 and 1968, it was the club’s U21 titles in 1967 and in 1969 that provided the impetus and nucleus for the 3 senior championships
won in ’71, ’72 and ’75. With club stalwarts like David Power, Brendan Hayden, Joe Gorman, David Byrne, and Tommy O’Neill to the fore, a return of 3 championships in five years was just reward for a strong, direct and skilful team. Indeed, Hayden and Gorman were both part of the team that won the club’s second junior title in 1953 and both were still going strong at senior level 22 years later.

Juvenile football has always been a large part of the club scene in Tinryland GFC. An U14 title is recorded as far back as 1937 and many underage titles have been won since, particularly in more recent times. The club, however, has never won a minor title in its own right, but achieved this feat three times in ’75, ‘76 and ‘83 as part of an amalgamated team named Pal-St Josephs. The success of the ’75/’76 minor team provided the springboard for the great U21 three in a row of 1978,’79 and ’80.

The 14th and 15th senior titles in 1979 and 1981 greatly added to the clubs success during this period but regrettably it still waits to add to that tally. Another junior championship was added in ’82 to round off another great period in the club’s history. Throughout these years the club was fortunate to have another group of high calibre players including the Doyle brothers, Pat and John; Tom Darcy; Liam Foster; Joe Walshe; and Tommy Dwyer. Dwyer has gained representative honours for not alone club and county, but also province and country. Tommy played for Ireland in the 3 test series against the Aussie Rules team in the GAA’s Centenary year, 1984. The same year saw work completed on the new clubhouse which was officially opened on July 1st by GAA President, Dr Mick Loftus. The new clubhouse included facilities for handball, badminton and squash, together with new dressing room and shower facilities and a new Lounge Bar and Function Room.

Since the eighties Tinryland GFC has continued to evolve with the addition of a Ladies section and a burgeoning juvenile sector. The new pitch, that was developed in 2005 has seen the addition of state of the art floodlighting in 2006, and now offers a playing facility second to none. A weights room was added to the facility in 2008, and a 700m fully floodlit walking track opened in 2009. On the pitch, the seniors have been starved of success through the nineties and noughties but recent years have hinted at a revival after they reached the senior final in 2011. Unfortunately, they lost out by two points to current champions Old Leighlin.

Meanwhile the juvenile side of the club has enjoyed great success at all levels, including All
Ireland Féile success in 1999 and 2004. The minors have yet to gain that elusive first championship but have contested the final in seven of the last fourteen years. The club celebrated 125 years in existence in 2013 and on May 4th the GAA President, Liam O’Neill, officially opened the club’s floodlit pitch as part of the club’s celebrations.

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