About :: Eire Og GAA Club, Ennis, Co. Clare

ABOUT EIRE OG GAA CLUB

The club was formed at the end of February 1952. The historic first meeting took place in a house in Steele's Terrace, now occupied by Eire Og stalwart, Tony Roche. This club was to cater for junior hurlers in Ennis. The club's first colours were white with a green shamrock and these jerseys were bought by the residents of Steele's Terrace and the Boreen. The first Chairman elected was Simon O'Donnell, with Sean Guinnane as vice-chairman, Tony Hickey as treasurer, Hugh O'Donnell as secretary and committee members Paddy Duggan, D.Ensko, M.Halloran, T.Cusack, and J.Kelly. In 1954 the club colours were changed to red with white collar and cuffs. In 1953 the club decided to enter the senior ranks but was defeated by Clooney that year. In 1954 the club had its first senior victory when it beat Tulla in the semi-final of the Gaelic League tournament. In 1955, with victories over Ruan, Clarecastle, St. Joseph's and Tulla, Eire Og reached its first senior final but was beaten by Newmarket. The first trophy won was the Clare cup when Feakle were beaten in the final by nine points.

In 1956 Eire Og went one better by winning the Senior Hurling Championship, defeating Clarecastle in the final on a score of 4 05 to 2-08. In 1957 it won the Championship by defeating Whitegate in the final on a score of 5-09 to 2-03. The club reached the final in 1959 but was defeated by Ruan. Eire Og reached the final in 1965 only to be defeated this time by Newmarket. In 1966 the club defeated Whitegate in the final on a scoreline of 2-8 to 1-4. A number of the team had been successful with Ennis Rovers, which had won Minor titles in '61, '62, '63, '65 and '66 and at Under 21 level in '64, '65 and '66. The club qualified for the final in 1975 only to be defeated by the East Clare amalgamation Brian Boru's. The next success was to come in 1980 when the club was victorious over Newmarket. In 1982 Eire Og defeated Sixmilebridge in the final on a score of 3-08 to 2-09. The following year Sixmilebridge reversed the result after a replay. In 1985, having reached the final, Eire Og were defeated by Kilmaley. In 1990 Eire Og was victorious in the final, this time defeating O'Callaghan's Mills 1-05 to 1-03. The club reached the final again in 1992 only to go down to Sixmilebridge.

In 1971 Eire Og fielded its first football team and Junior championships were won in 1975 and '76. In 1986 the club reached the Senior football final for the first time but was beaten by Cooraclare. The Intermediate championship was won in 1995 and Eire Og returned to the senior ranks. In 2000 Eire Og football came of age when the club won the Senior championship for the first time. Eire Og took over the organisation of underage gaelic games in the town from St. John's and Ennis Rovers by forming a minor club in 1974. This club has been very successful, winning titles at every grade in hurling and football in its 26 years, the highlight being the All-Ireland Feile na nGael Division 1 Hurling title which was captured in 1999 in Wexford.

In 1975 land was purchased from St. Flannan's College at Clonroadmore, where the club is now based. Since then a lot of money and hard work has gone into pitch development, building the clubhouse and dressing rooms, and the recent addition of a floodlit all-weather pitch.

2000 was the first year that a club has qualified for both senior finals since Ennis Dals won the titles in 1929. The footballers beat Doonbeg while the senior hurling team lost out to Sixmilebridge. In 2001 roles were reversed as Doonbeg snatched the senior football title away from Eire Og.

Club Facilities