Dundalk Gaels GFC

Dundalk Gaels

Na Gaeil, Dún Dealgan
Founded:	1928
County:	Louth
Colours:	Blue and White
Grounds:	Páirc Na nGael, the Ramparts, Dundalk
Coordinates:	53°59′54″N6°24′07″W / 53.99832°N 6.40186°W / 53.99832; -6.40186
Playing kits
Standard colours

Dundalk Gaels GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club based in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland which fields Gaelic football teams in competitions organised by Louth GAA. Managed by Kevin McKernan, ^[1] Dundalk Gaels was, as of 2025, the only Dundalk town club competing at senior championship and senior league level in Louth football.^{[ citation needed ]}

Catchment area

The club recruits members from such neighbourhoods as the Carrick Road, Avenue Road, Hill Street, Dublin Road and the Friary school area. A number of players with the club were educated at Friary National School.^{[ citation needed ]}

Rivalries

The club's main rivals are cross-town neighbours Clan na Gael, to whom they lost in the 1992 Louth SFC final replay. ^[2] Additionally, matches against Seán O'Mahony's and Dundalk Young Irelands are always keenly contested.

Notable players

• Joe Carroll - columnist with Dundalk Democrat newspaper. Goalkeeper in 1973 on last Louth team to beat Dublin in the Leinster Senior Football Championship.
• Paddy Cheshire - Appeared as a Louth substitute against Carlow in opening round of 1957 Leinster Championship. ^[3]
• Derek Crilly - Forward who played for Louth between 2008 and 2017.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Dylan Mckeown - Captain of Dundalk Gaels. Lifted the Seamus Flood cup in 2024 and the division 2 league trophy in 2025. Part of the Louth squad from 2023 onwards.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Bertie Dullaghan - Forward. Played against Carlow in opening round of Louth's successful 1957 Leinster Senior Football Championship campaign. Won Louth SFC medal in 1952. ^{[4] [5]}
• Paul Kenny - Former county defender who managed Louth to two Leinster semi-finals in 1996 and 1997 during his three years in charge.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Willie Lawless - won Railway Cup medal at right-half forward for Leinster in 1928. ^[6] Member of 1933 Gaels side that won Junior Championship honours. County team selector in 1950 when Louth reached the All-Ireland final. ^[7]

Honours

• Louth Senior Football Championship (3): 1942, ^[8] 1945, ^[9] 1952 ^[10]
• Senior Football League Champions (3): 1942, 1943, 1944
• Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship (1): 2003 ^[11]
• Louth Intermediate Football Championship (5): 1987, 1991, 2003, ^[12] 2007, ^[13] 2024 ^[14]
• Louth Junior Football Championship (2): 1933, 1986
• Louth Under-21 Football Championship (2): 1991, 1992
• Louth Minor Football Championship (6): 1933, 1934, 1962, 1974, 1989, 1997
• Louth Minor B Football Championship (2): 2008, 2021 ^[15]
• Louth Under-16 Football Championship (1): 2002 ^[16]
• Old Gaels/ACC Cup (2): 1952, 1994
• Louth Intermediate Football League (6): 2003, ^[17] 2006, ^[18] 2007, 2012, 2016, 2025 ^[19]
• Louth Junior A Football League (2): 1983, 1985
• Dealgan Milk Products Shield/Grogan Cup (2): 1991, 2006 ^[18]
• Louth Junior 2A Football Championship (1): 2011 ^[20]
• Louth Junior 2B Football Championship (1): 2006 ^[18]
• Louth Junior 2A Football League (3): 1986, 1995, 2017 ^[21]
• Louth Junior 2 Football League Division 4B (1): 2003 ^[22]

References

1. "Dundalk Gaels "not going to take anything lightly" says McKeown". Dundalk Democrat . 24 October 2024.
2. "Yesteryear". Irish Independent . 27 September 2002.
3. "Paddy Cheshire played his part in Louth's '57 All Ireland campaign". Dundalk Democrat . 4 July 2018.
4. "Hero of '52 backs Gaels to break their final duck this weekend". Dundalk Democrat . 12 October 2017.
5. "1957 - Memories of a wonderful year". Hogan Stand . 30 November 2007.
6. "Lawless' celebrates 100 years of it's [sic] own history". Dundalk Democrat . 10 February 2016.
7. "Louth Legends pre-1950". Drogheda Independent . 6 December 2002.
8. "Vincie McArdle won SFC medals with two clubs". The Argus . 4 February 2009.
9. "Final chance to select your Louth Legends". Drogheda Independent . 6 December 2002.
10. "Gaels clinch the Senior championship". The Argus . 26 November 2012.
11. "Form points to a triumph for seasiders". Drogheda Independent . 9 October 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
12. "Good start was half the battle for Gaels". The Argus . 10 October 2003. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
13. "Senior dreams shattered by forceful Gaels". Drogheda Independent . 15 October 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
14. "Dundalk Gaels win record fifth Louth Intermediate Football Championship". Dundalk Democrat . 20 October 2024.
15. "LMFM U17 B Championship Final". LMFM . 25 October 2021.
16. "Young talent brings". The Argus . 4 October 2002.
17. "Dundalk Gaels". The Argus . 31 October 2003.
18. "Juniors claim third trophy for Gaels club". The Argus . 15 November 2006.
19. "Dundalk Gaels are 2025 Division 2 League Champions". Louth GAA . 24 July 2025.
20. "Gaels cling on to deny Cooley". Drogheda Independent . 2 November 2011.
21. "Gaels claim Division 4 league title". Dundalk Democrat . 8 September 2017.
22. "Dundalk Gaels celebrate five silver star year". The Argus . 19 March 2004.

External sources

• Official website