Our club was founded in 1928.

Article by Michael Wall

The original club was formed in Carrowgarrif in 1928. The founder members included Paddy McGrath, the principal organiser, Deuge McGrath, Jackie McGrath, Tommy Mulcahy, the Kielys of Glendog and Eddie Power. The training sessions were held in Jimmy Cliffe's field. The club then went out of existence but was reformed again in 1945 and included players such as Jack, Bill and Paddy Flynn, Johnny Wall, Paddy Walsh, Johnny Hickey, Sonny Cliffe, Jack, Gabe and Patsy Foley, Peter Moloney and Michael Mulcahy to name but a few. Training took place during the late 40's in Brett's field at Crough. The club activities carried on into the 1950's with Jack Dunford as the principal officer ably assisted by Robbie and Andy Dunford, Michael and Peter Moloney, Ned Quinlan, Fr. Morrissey, who was a guiding light in the club during these years. Unfortunately photographs of that era are unavailable.

The hurlers succeeded in reaching a Western Final against Lismore in 1956 and a County Final in 1958. Success eventually arrived with the winning of the Junior Hurling Championship in 1960 and the Junior Football Championship in 1961.

The 1960' and 1970' provided no success on the playing fields. Some outstanding players kept the "Black and Amber" colours flying. Players that readily come to mind include Jim and Fr. Pierce Ahearn, James Hickey, Paddy Walsh (Knockboy) Seán Hennebry, Shamie Kirwan, Jim Brett, Monnie Hallahan, Donal Connolly, Theo Parker, Tony Nagle, Tony, Tom and Ben Whelan, Maxie McGrath, Dick Lenihan, Tommy Keating and Michael Wall. The club again began to enjoy success in the mid 1970's to the mid 1980's by appearing in the Eastern Junior Hurling Final in 1976 and in 1979 and winning the Western Football and Hurling Double in 1982. Unfortunately defeat was out lot by Tramore in both County Finals. However, in the 1984 Centenary County Junior Hurling Final we recorded a comprehensive victory over Fenor. Success continued in 1985 when we overcame Passage in Walsh Park in the County Intermediate Hurling Final.

Unfortunately, just one week later Newtown were victorious by a narrow margin in the County Junior Football Final. Again in 1992 we succeeded in winning the County Intermediate Championship over Clonea. This was a very successful era in the clubs history.

As in the case in most organisations a lean period followed. Despite trojan efforts by players and officials alike the next highly successful year was another milestone - The Millennium - 2000 with the addition of a number of young players and a supreme training effort from February to County Final date on 23rd December under the guidance of Trainer Finbarr Kelly Coach Anne Dunford, the County Junior Football Championship was won in Walsh Park. Further football success followed with the winning of the Junior Football League. It has been a successful club since its foundation.