Portlaoise was founded in the very early years of the Gaelic Athletic Association, and its members have had a huge influence on the progress of GAA in the county from its beginning.[original research?]
The inaugural meeting of Portlaoise GAA club took place in Portlaoise's town hall on Monday 28 November 1887. It was a public meeting called by placard and there was a big attendance. Amongst those present were Dr. Higgins, coroner for the Queen's County (Laois), who presided, N. Walsh, C.T.C., P.A. Meehan, T.C., C. McDermott, T.C., P. Kelly, T.C., T. Lawlor T.C., C.E. Corcoran, solicitor, Mark Walsh, J. Moore, P.J. Hegarty, R.P. Fennell, P. Fitzpatrick, M. Brophy and J.T. Delaney.[1]
Dr Higgins said that the object was to form a branch of the GAA in the town of Maryboro (Portlaoise), an object worthy of the town's entire support. "It is a very desirable movement", he added. "Nearly every town in Ireland of the size and importance of Maryborough had formed a branch of the Association and it was certainly time for Maryborough to follow suit. They had quite as many athletes in their district as any other town in Ireland and I am sure that when they are afforded an opportunity of displaying their ability they would do so in a manner worthy of the Queen's County."[1]
Mr Meehan proposed the first resolution "that a branch of the Gaelic Athletic Association be hereby established in the town and that it be called the William O'Brien Branch". Mr Kelly seconded the motion. Dr Higgins was proposed as president and Mr Corcoran as vice-president. Mr Corcoran said that "they all knew that Mr O'Brien was a friend of the oppressed tenantry in Ireland and had, or ought to have the sympathy of every Irishman." (William O'Brien was incarcerated in Tullamore Jail at the time).[1] Mr Kelly proposed that R.P. Fennell be secretary and that J. Moore be treasurer and Mr J. Higgins, clothier, seconded.[1]
After being thanked from the floor for presiding at the meeting, Dr Higgins replied that it was his wish to forward the interests of the National cause in the district of Maryborough. Dr Higgins' words were received with enthusiastic applause.[1]
Clerical influence
Early Portlaoise GAA history is dominated by two clerics. In the early decades of the 20th century, the local curate, Fr J. J. Kearney popularised hurling and football amongst the town youth and acquired a field for the club as early as 1907.[citation needed] Fr Kearney went on to become county chairman and oversaw the purchase of a ground for the county in 1919. This field, later named O'Moore Park, was developed into a major provincial stadium in the decades that followed. On the playing fields, Fr Kearney was behind the county's historic and only All-Ireland senior hurling success in 1915.[citation needed]
In the 1920s, a young hurler called Matt Walsh helped the club win its first senior hurling title in 1928. He became Fr Matt Walsh and retained a love for the games and the club and county even though he spent most of his life on the mission fields of Nigeria. On a trip home in 1960, he trained the senior hurling team that was pipped by a point by Borris-in-Ossory in the county final. Fr Matt remained as president of the club until his death in the 1990s.[1]
On 13 October 1889, Maryborough had the distinction of winning the Leinster semi-final and final on the same day. This happened in Inchicore when the Laois representatives defeated Bray Emmetts and then accounted for Louth champions, Newtown Blues in the final.[1]
The county champions in those days picked the county team. Maryborough had beaten Wolfhill in the county final and had co-opted a number of players from Wolfhill and some other clubs for their same day double-header in Inchicore. They proved to be a formidable outfit. But the All-Ireland final was fixed for the following Sunday and the Laois and Leinster champions were unable to muster the same formidable line out because of the restricted travel services of the period. Unsurprisingly they were defeated by the Tipperary champions, Bohercrowe, before a big attendance. The Maryborough team on final day was: J Delaney (goalie and captain), J Whelan, T Cushen, P Cushen, T Cushen, M Cushen, M Colleston, T McDonnell, T Conroy, J Connor, J Dunne, J Fleming, J Walsh, J Teehan, D Teehan, J Murphy, N Maher, P Brady, T Troy, M Drennan.[1]
Modern era success
The next time Portlaoise won a Leinster title was in the 1971/72 season. The club championship had only got under way the previous year and so, once again the county town club was soon to leave its mark on the championship. In the Leinster final against Athlone, Portlaoise found themselves eleven points adrift with only twenty minutes remaining. But, in an amazing turn around the Laois champions blitzed their opponents to capture the coveted title. Two late points saw them beaten by Derry GAA champions, Bellaghy, by a single point in the All-Ireland semi-final on a 1–11 to 1-10 scoreline. Bellaghy went on to win the title.[1]
All-Ireland success
Portlaoise's greatest hour eventually arrived in 1983 when as county champions of 1982, they won out in Leinster, defeated St Finbarr's of Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final and won the All-Ireland final by 0–12 to 2–0 against Clann na nGael (Roscommon).[1]
Leinster Club of the Year awards
For its achievements on the field of play and for its effective management structures the county town club was selected as Leinster Club of the Year on different occasions in the 1980s.[1]
Men's Senior Football success
In football, Portlaoise, by winning its 35th title in 2019, are top of the honours list in Laois and with seven provincial crowns are also on top of Leinster. The club have been runners up on 10 occasions (twice as Mayborough)[1]
There was a 57-year gap between titles four and five, the former was won in 1907 and the latter in 1964. From 1964 on the club has won the senior football title almost every second year since then.[1]
Senior hurling success
The senior hurlers racked up nine titles in the quarter of a century from 1981 to add to the two earlier ones won in 1928 and 1943.[citation needed]
The record of the hurlers is headlined by two appearances in Leinster club finals in the 1980s and 1990s and a four-in-a-row of county title wins from 1981 to 1984. John Joe Ging captained all four-in-a-row wins and all finals were won at different venues. [citation needed]
Ladies' football
The ladies' club was originally formed in 1985 after a meeting and approximately 50 members joined in the first year. Two teams were entered into the championship. Tom Daly R.I.P was one of the founding members.
October 1987 saw the ladies' junior footballers win their first title against Mountrath under the guidance of Kevin Farrell. They became the first ladies team to win any title representing Portlaoise GAA Club.[citation needed]
In 1989, having won the title once again, beating rivals Ballypickas in the final, the ladies were promoted to senior ranks but failed to make the final stages of the championship.[citation needed]
The following year, having gone back to junior ranks the ladies were beaten in the semi-final of the championship but in 1991 the club won its third title defeating Crettyard 2–5 to 1–5.[citation needed]
The ladies' club then disbanded for a couple of years and in 1992 Frank Keenan senior club secretary approached Brendan Fitzpatrick with the view of setting the club up again.[citation needed]
The club again disbanded and re-emerged in 2000 as a juvenile club. The club started out at U-14 level and were entered into the U-14 Championship.
In 2002, the club entered three teams at u-12 u-14 and at u-16 level.
In 2007, Portlaoise ladies played at senior level for the first time since reforming.[citation needed]
They competed in their first Laois Ladies' Senior Football Club Championship final in 2016 before being beaten by Sarsfields. It was the same result when they again played Sarsfields in the 2017 and 2018 final. Portlaoise were to win their first Laois Ladies' Senior Football Club Championship title in 2020 when they defeated reigning champions Sarsfields who were going for nine-in-a-row on a scoreline of 1–12 to 0–12.
Camogie
Portlaoise began running the camogie wing of the club in 2007 and in 2019 the club competed at the adult level for the first time when they played in the Junior ranks of the Laois Camogie Championship. They made it to the final that year where they came against Camross and lost out on a scoreline of 5–2 to 3–5.[2] Portlaoise won their first adult level trophy defeating O'Moore's on a scoreline of 3–12 to 1–04 to win the 2020 Laois Junior Camogie Championship. This game was the delayed replay of the 2020 final played on 19 September 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Portlaoise backed this win up with their successful defence of the trophy in 2021 defeating Camross Camogie 1–15 to 2–05 in O'Moore Park on 20 November 2021.[3]
Youth revival
The success at senior level has its roots in a strong[original research?] youth set-up which has been in the club since it was reformed in 1949.[citation needed] A few years later that very successful town club, The Rovers, as well as another club, Kilminchy, joined forces with the Portlaoise club to forge a very formidable unit, from which the current Portlaoise club grew.[tone]
There has always been an emphasis on fitness and skill instilled into the younger players and sportsmanship figures highly in the club ethos.[tone] The club has won several county titles and wins have also been registered in many national competitions including the Feile na nGael.[1]
Chairmen
Among the long-serving chairmen since the 1950s were Joe Bracken sr., and Peadar Molloy, long serving secretaries included, Jim Loughlin, Jimmy Cotter and Bill Phelan while Dick Sides was treasurer for nearly thirty years.[1]
The current[when?] chairman is long serving club member Eamonn "Teddy" Fennelly.[citation needed] Teddy's father (also Teddy) was also club chairman, in 1964, 1971–76 and 1977–81.[citation needed]
Laois Team of the Millennium
Four Portlaoise footballers were selected on the Laois Footballers of the Millennium team for the year 2000. Paddy Bracken was in goal, Colm Browne at right half back, Eamon "Atch" Whelan, at full-forward and Tom Prendergast at left full-forward. The team was: Paddy Bracken (Portlaoise), Dan Walsh (Army), Dick Miller (Annanough), John Conway (Arles), Colm Browne (Portlaoise), Paddy Dunne (Park), Mick Haughney (Graiguecullen), Tommy Murphy (Graiguecullen), Bill Delaney (Stradbally), Jack Kenna (O’Dempseys), Jack Delaney (Stradbally), Fintan Walsh (Ballylinan), Danny Douglas (Army), Eamon Whelan (Portlaoise), Tom Prendergast (Portlaoise).
Two Portlaoise players were honoured on the Millennium Hurling team, John Taylor at left half back, and Pat Critchley at midfield. Portlaoise Rovers player, Tom Byrne, was at centre half back.
The team was: Timmy Fitzpatrick (Kilcotton), Tom Finlay (Ballygeehan), Jackie Bergin (Abbeyleix), Mick Mahon (Rathdowney), Ollie Fennell (Clonad), Tom Byrne (Rovers and Clonad), John Taylor (Portlaoise), Pat Critchley (Portlaoise), Billy Bohane (Clonad), Michael Walsh (Ballinakill), Harry Gray (Rathdowney), Christy O’Brien (Borris-in-Ossory), Frank Keenan (Camross), P.J. Cuddy (Camross), Paddy Lalor (Abbeyleix).
County team involvement
The constant supply of talented players to the county side helped the great Laois hurling resurgence in the 1980s,[original research?] the National Football League triumph of 1986, the All-Ireland successes of the county minors in the 1990s and early 2000s and the Leinster senior football championship win by the Laois team in 2003.[citation needed] All these teams were supported by players from Portlaoise.[1]
GAA Oral History Project
On Friday September[when?] Portlaoise club members Teddy Fennelly and Brian Delaney took part in the GAA Oral History project discussed their involvement with Portlaoise GAA Club, both as players and administrators.[4] They outlined the evolution of the club, its successes and failures, and the impact of the economic downturn on plans for new facilities. They reflected on various members of the club who played key roles in the development of the club. They also described the involvement of their respective parents and children in Gaelic Games in Portlaoise.
Club grounds
Páirc Uí Fhaoláin
It was not until the late 1970s that Portlaoise again had its own playing fields, on land adjacent to O'Moore Park on Father Brown Avenue, purchased from Laois County Board which helped fund a major development at the county grounds in the 1980s.
The club centre was named after one of the club's most inspirational players, Paschal Delaney, while the grounds were named after one of the club's most loyal and loved officials, Bill Phelan, who was club secretary for many years and also county chairman. The committee room was named after another long serving secretary, Jimmy Cotter.[1]
Rathleague
With the growth of the number of teams and training demands for girls as well as boys, the grounds next to O'Moore Park, with only two full-size pitches, was proving too cramped for a growing urban club with over twenty teams including adult, juvenile and ladies football. At a special AGM it was decided to relocate to a 38-acre site at Rathleague and this is where the club now calls home.[5]
The club began development of Rathleague in 2009 which was completed in 2011. The pitch in Rathleague, near Bloomfield Cross, contains many pitches, juvenile and senior, including an all-weather senior pitch.
Note: The 1889, 1897, 1906 and 1907 titles were won under the name Maryborough. In October 1920, the Town Commission passed a resolution that Maryborough be renamed Portlaoise.[16]
Critchley's selection on the 1985 All-Star hurling team made him the first from the county to achieve that honour. The Portlaoise clubman was selected at midfield alongside such hurlers as John Fenton, Nicky English and Joe Cooney. He remains the sole Laois recipient of a hurling award.[citation needed] In the summer of 1985, Critchley hurled one of his best ever games against Wexford in the Leinster championship and Laois reached the provincial final for the first time in 36 years.[citation needed] A native of St Brigid's Place in Portlaoise, Critchley played at National League level in hurling, football and basketball. With Portlaoise GAA club, he won 14 Laois senior county championships - seven each in hurling and football. He also went on to win three Leinster Club Football Championships and one All-Ireland Club Football Championship with Portlaoise. Critchley also won one Limerick senior county football championship with Thomond College.[citation needed]
Templemore-based Garda Siochána Colm Browne was born in London. Playing at wing back, he made the breakthrough (alongside his brother Gerry) on to a Portlaoise club team in the mid 1970s.[citation needed] He was captain in Laois's National Football League victory in 1986 and was rewarded with an All-Star award later the same year alongside Ballyroan man Liam Irwin.
Three years earlier he had been player-manager when Portlaoise won the All-Ireland Club Football Championship title. He subsequently took over the reins from Richie Connor as Laois manager in 1994, spending three years in charge. He then spent a number of years in charge of Tipperary footballers. In 2001, after Tom Cribbin had vacated the Laois position, Browne returned to manage his native county, spending a two-year term in the role, leading Laois into Division One in 2002 but quitting after the county suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Meath.[citation needed]
Juvenile teams
Portlaoise has won the Féile na nGael (hurling) and Féile Péil na nÓg (football) competitions several times, recording wins in Féile na nGael in 1980, 1981, 1993, and 2009, and wins in Féile na nÓg in 1983, 1992, and 2009.[citation needed] In 2009, Portlaoise recorded a rare double, winning the Féile Péil na nÓg in Kildare, Division 3, and the Féile na nGael at home in Laois/Offaly, Division 2.[citation needed]
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