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 GAA club from Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland which fields Gaelic football teams in competitions organized by Louth GAA.

Catchment area

The club recruits members from such neighbourhoods as the Carrick Road, Avenue Road, Hill Street, Dublin Road and the Friary school area. Many past and present players of the Gaels were educated at Friary National school.

Current status

Managed by Kevin McKernan, Gaels are currently the only Dundalk town club competing at senior championship level in Louth football. Their Division 1 League status was lost however after a relegation play-off defeat to Dreadnots in October 2022. ^[1]

Rivalries

The club's principal rivals are cross-town neighbours Clan na Gael, to whom they lost in the 1992 Louth SFC final replay. 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. ^[2]
• Derek Crilly - Forward Played for Louth between 2008 and 2017.
• 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. ^{[3] [4]}
• Paul Kenny - Former county defender who managed Louth to two Leinster semi-finals in 1996 and 1997 during his three years in charge.
• Willie Lawless - won Railway Cup medal at right-half forward for Leinster in 1928. ^[5] Member of 1933 Gaels side that won Junior Championship honours. County team selector in 1950 when Louth reached the All-Ireland final. ^[6]
• Benny McArdle - centre back on county side that reached semi-final of the All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship in 1978, losing narrowly to Kerry. Also won Dublin Senior Football Championship medal with Erin's Hope in same year.
• Jim McArdle - Scored two of Louth's goals against Kerry in 1936 All-Ireland minor final victory. Played for Dundalk F.C. in 1942 FAI Cup Final victory over Cork United.
• Seán Mc Cann - Midfielder on 2017 team that lost the SFC final. Winner of IFC medal in 2007 at age eighteen. Played for Louth and was a selector with county minor team in 2023.
• Davy McDonnell - Captain of Intermediate championship winners in 1987. Regular in Louth's midfield from mid-1980's to 1995.
• Peter McGinnity - Winner of Minor and two Intermediate Championships. 2003 team captain when Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship was won. Louth captain in 2007.
• Packie O'Connor - Winner of Junior and Intermediate championship medals with the club. Played midfield for Louth 1984–87. Also played with Dundalk F.C. first team.
• Jack Regan - captained Louth in semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in both 1943 and 1953. Won three SFC titles with the Gaels in 1942, 1945 and 1952. Selected at midfield on Louth Millennium team.
• Ray Rooney - defender, Louth panelist from late 1990s to early 2000s.

Honours

• Louth Senior Football Championship (3): 1942, ^[7] 1945, ^[8] 1952 ^[9]
• Senior Football League Champions (3): 1942, 1943, 1944
• Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship (1): 2003 ^[10]
• Louth Intermediate Football Championship (5): 1987, 1991, 2003, ^[11] 2007, ^[12] 2024 ^[13]
• 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 ^[14]
• Louth Under-16 Football Championship (1): 2002 ^[15]
• Louth Under-14 Football Championship (2): 1987, 1990
• Old Gaels/ACC Cup (2): 1952, 1994
• Louth Intermediate Football League (5): 2003, ^[16] 2006, ^[17] 2007, 2012, 2016
• Louth Junior A Football League (2): 1983, 1985
• Dealgan Milk Products Shield/Grogan Cup (2): 1991, 2006 ^[17]
• Kevin Mullen Shield (3): 1983, 1984, 1985
• Louth Junior 2A Football Championship (1): 2011 ^[18]
• Louth Junior 2B Football Championship (1): 2006 ^[17]
• Louth Junior 2A Football League (3): 1986, 1995, 2017 ^[19]
• Louth Junior 2 Football League Division 4B (1): 2003 ^[20]

References

1. "Dreadnots earn safety in Division 1 following low quality win over Dundalk Gaels". Dundalk Democrat . 13 October 2022.
2. "Paddy Cheshire played his part in Louth's '57 All Ireland campaign". Dundalk Democrat . 4 July 2018.
3. "Hero of '52 backs Gaels to break their final duck this weekend". Dundalk Democrat . 12 October 2017.
4. "1957 - Memories of a wonderful year". Hogan Stand . 30 November 2007.
5. "Lawless' celebrates 100 years of it's [sic] own history". Dundalk Democrat . 10 February 2016.
6. "Louth Legends pre-1950". Drogheda Independent . 6 December 2002.
7. "Vincie McArdle won SFC medals with two clubs". The Argus . 4 February 2009.
8. "Final chance to select your Louth Legends". Drogheda Independent . 6 December 2002.
9. "Gaels clinch the Senior championship". The Argus . 26 November 2012.
10. "Form points to a triumph for seasiders". Drogheda Independent . 9 October 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
11. "Good start was half the battle for Gaels". The Argus . 10 October 2003. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
12. "Senior dreams shattered by forceful Gaels". Drogheda Independent . 15 October 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
13. "Dundalk Gaels win record fifth Louth Intermediate Football Championship". Dundalk Democrat . 20 October 2024.
14. "LMFM U17 B Championship Final". LMFM . 25 October 2021.
15. "Young talent brings". The Argus . 4 October 2002.
16. "Dundalk Gaels". The Argus . 31 October 2003.
17. "Juniors claim third trophy for Gaels club". The Argus . 15 November 2006.
18. "Gaels cling on to deny Cooley". Drogheda Independent . 2 November 2011.
19. "Gaels claim Division 4 league title". Dundalk Democrat . 8 September 2017.
20. "Dundalk Gaels celebrate five silver star year". The Argus . 19 March 2004.

External sources

• Official website