St Joseph's/OCB (Irish: Naomh Seosamh, BUC) are an amateur athletic club located in the North Inner city of Dublin, Ireland. They are the last remaining Gaelic Athletic Association club in the area.
The club is an amalgamation of two clubs: St Joseph's of East Wall and O’Connell Boys of North Wall. St Joseph's were founded in 1918 and rose to prominence, especially in the 1920s and 1930s, albeit with intermittent objections; St Joseph's also produced a continuing stream of inter-county players. O’Connell Boys were established in 1964, as a club for the former members of the O’Connell Boys Youth Club in Seville Place, Dublin. However, changes to the inner city in the latter half of the 20th century – population decline, unemployment, and school closings – caused a corresponding decline in membership for both clubs. At the end of 1989, the two clubs merged into St Joseph's/OCB and have played as such since the 1990 season.
The club currently field teams in Gaelic football and hurling. GAA competition includes Senior and Junior age groups.
The "Joeys" play in the colours of purple, maroon and gold.
St Joseph's (1918–1989)
St Joseph's were founded in 1918 in the inner city East Wall section of Dublin, Ireland. They joined a number of other existing Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs in the area, such as the Mandeville Volunteers and O’Tooles.
The club progressed quickly through the ranks. In 1922 they won a Junior League. Club finances rose with their team success: they received £13.7.2 in gate receipts from a game they played that season, and a replay against O’Tooles pulled in £351.17.4, a record gate at the time. In 1927 they won the Junior Football Championship and again in 1929. In 1928 they won the Dublin Intermediate Football Championship.
The 1930s started as another great decade for St Joseph's. The first game in the 1930 final drew a crowd of 7,000 and was described by a reporter as ‘the best football of the century.’ Over 12,000 attended the replay, which St Joseph's won 2–3 to 1–5; one St Joseph's player, Paddy Mulhall, scored 2–2. In 1930 the club won their only Senior Football championship to date after a replay, beating the (then) local rival team O’Tooles; in 1934, St Joseph's were runners up to Garda in the same competition. In 1932, St Joseph's reached the St. Vincent de Paul Cup final but lost to Geraldines; that same year they reached the Senior League final, only to lose to Garda.
However, the 30s also saw controversy and lost opportunity. A game against Laois had to be abandoned because of a fracas after two Dublin players were sent off. The club were suspended for 12 months, as it was held responsible by both the County Board and Central Council. The following year the club were again in front of the County Board, this time due to an objection by Parnells who alleged player fraud. In the allegation – and confirmed by three witnesses – James Kelly of St Joseph's had been a member of the St. Marys F.C. club but played without a transfer for Marino Gaels on 11 and 18 May 1930. The County Board upheld the objection and St Joseph's were struck out of the championship. After the club was reinstated in 1932, there was another fracas at the end of the Senior League final game. A St Joseph's player called C. Duffy went so far as to enter the Garda dressing room and was suspended for 4 weeks. The St Joseph's officers maintained that the players had thought their ball – a scarce commodity at the time – had been confiscated by their rivals. In 1936 the club was again at the end of an objection about player fraud, this time from O’Tooles, who alleged that two St Joseph's players on the Dublin Junior Championship team had also played soccer; at the time, this was in breach of the GAA's rule banning players from playing foreign games.
In 1951 they reached the Senior Football Championship semi-final, losing to St. Vincents. In 1952 it was St. Vincent again who ended their championship hopes, this time at the quarter-final stage. The game in 1952 was due to be refereed by Cavan GAA player Simon Deignam, but he failed to show. Sean O’Siochain offered to officiate but there was an objection from one of the teams. Finally, both sides agreed to John Joe Maher of the Civil Service club as the referee. The game itself was described by reporters as a ‘mixture of spasmodic football, frequent wrestling, occasional fisticuffs with many deliberate fouls and some interference from the sideline spectators.’ However, after the win by St. Vincents, both teams showed great spirit: shaking hands at the end and ‘departing the field shoulder to shoulder as if they had enjoyed the whole affair.’
The club produced many inter-county players for Dublin throughout the years, as listed below. As winners of the Dublin Championship in 1930 they had the selection of the county team. Paddy Mulhall was one of the standouts in the 1930s, described by Sean Synott of the rival O’Tooles club as a ‘great Footballer and even better soccer goalkeeper who was wanted but refused to join Glasgow Celtic. Paddy worked in the Glasgow boat section in Dublin Docks.’
St Joseph's success in the earlier years had reflected the Dublin population: most were employed in traditional industries and their associated downstream activities, which helped maintain the club. However, movement of the inner city population to the suburbs resulted in rising unemployment and increasing school closures, resulting in the club's decline as the years progressed.
1930 Senior Football Championship Team (won v. O'Tooles GAA) Playing: James Mulhall, C. Coughlane, J. Macken, V. Macken, John Mulhall, Mick Curley, Paddy Mulhall, Peter Moore, Mick Wellington, Tom Newman, J. Bryne, Chas Duffy, J McManus, J. Mohan, Charles Rochfort Subs: S. Moore
1930 Dublin St Joseph's Selection (defeated v. Kerry, 0–8 to 0–3, 8 December) Playing: Mulhall, Moore (capt), O’Shea, O’Dowd, Hickey, Mahon, Tyrell, Dowling, Duffy, Langton, Lowan, Brennan, Mulhall, Synott, McDonald
O’Connell Boys Club were established in 1964, in the North Wall area of Northside, Dublin, Ireland. It was set up to cater to former members of the O’Connell Boys Youth Club.
The club is probably best associated with inter-county player and Dublin All Star Paddy Cullen, who was described in the annual ‘Dublin 76’ as the backbone of the club. Former Dublin secretary Jim King was also from O’Connell Boys.
O’Connell Boys was listed as one of 15 clubs to have its own premises in 1975.
The club hosted the annual Inner City Tournament, which is still played annually. Clubs who take part are based close to or between the two canals that form the borders of Dublin City. O’Connell Boys won the Tournament in 1985, 1987, and 1989.
Like many inner city clubs, O’Connell Boys suffered from the movement of the city population to the suburbs. At a committee meeting in 1983, it was noted that 12 players had left the club, 11 of whom had departed because they no longer resided in the inner city. The club – which had fielded two teams throughout the years – was eventually reduced to fielding a single team. In 1989 it looked as though they faced extinction, with only 12 people attending the club's annual general meeting.
People of Note Jim King – County secretary 19 November – 10 June 1970, Honorary secretary 10 June 1970 – June 1995
Amalgamation (1989)
The Dublin Corporation, now the Dublin City Council, inspired movement of the inner city population to the suburbs. This resulted in a reduction in the number of inner city clubs as the years went by. Many clubs just simply ceased to exist. Others relocated; for example, local rivals O’Tooles moved out to Coolock and Scoil Ui Connaill moved to Clontarf. Some clubs amalgamated with others; for example, Eoghan Ruadh's merge with St. Oliver Plunketts produced St. Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh GAA.
St Joseph's and O’Connell Boys joined forces at the end of 1989 for the beginning of the 1990 season. By 2000, of the 31 clubs that had existed within the inner city of Dublin, only one would remain – St Joseph's/O’Connell Boys.
Recent history (1918–present)
St Joseph's/OCB plays in Fairview Park, Dublin. Team colours are purple, maroon and gold.
The club fields two football teams.
The Club won the Dublin Junior B Football Championship in 2004 beating St. Vincents in the final in Parnell Park. Managed by Damian Lynch and Patrick Foran; the panel were as follows: Alan McDermott, Vincent Doran, John Archbold, Charlie Malony, Gary Whelan, Maurice McDermott, Seamus Hallissey, Damian Hallissey, Stephen Foran, David Fitzsimons, Damian McClean, Darren O'Brien, Noel Murphy, Thomas Dolan, David Browne, Patrick McGuinness, Bernard Malony, Paul Dixon, John Carolan, Peter Lowry, Emmet McLaughlin, Troy Byrne, William Byrne, Richard Foran and Luke O'Brien.
The club has a single hurling team. They were runners up in the Dublin Junior E Hurling Championship in 2008. 3-in-a Row Hurling Championships: The St. Joseph's/O'Connell Boys hurlers won the 2016 Dublin Junior F Hurling Championship, beating Réalt Dearg by 6–12 to 3–14 at O'Toole Park. They won the 2017 Junior E Hurling Championship beating Na Gaeil Óga 1–11 to 0–10. They won the 2018 Junior D Hurling Championship again beating Na Gaeil Óga, this time on a scoreline 1–14 to 3–7.
St Joseph's/OCB also fields underage boys and girls teams. The club has fielded football teams at the Under 12-minor level, Under 12, and Under 14. Past hurling teams include Under 12 and Under 14 in 2008 and 2009. They also fielded teams at Under 12 and 13 girls football. In recent times, however, the underage section of the club is far smaller, with just a single Under 12 boys team in 2011; however, those Under 12 boys team were Division 2 runners up in the annual Ger Canavan Tournament in 2011.
The "Joeys" continue to host the annual Inner City Tournament for Gaelic Football. Clubs who take part are based close to or between the two canals that form the borders of Dublin City. The tournament was originally organised by O’Connell Boys and has been won by the club eight times.
The club currently has several members who are referees, officiating games throughout Dublin. In 2003, Barry Flynn was elected as County Board Minor fixtures secretary.
The club continues to draw support from the surrounding community. In 2009, the club received funding towards upgrading clubhouse facilities from the Croke Park community fund. in 2011, St Joseph's/OCB were awarded €5,000 from Ulster Bank GAA Force, an initiative to help local GAA clubs with their facilities;[1] the support package will be used in helping the club complete renovation of its clubhouse, a project that started in 2008 although financial constraints have impeded its completion.
Role of Honour
1991, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008 (2nd team) winners of the Inner City Tournament
The Gaelic Athletic Association in Dublin 1884–2000 (2005). Editor and compiler: William Nolan. Contributors: Jim Wren, Marcus de Búrca, David Gorry. ISBN0-906602-82-3.
Related Research Articles
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick. The county board is also responsible for the Limerick county teams.
Athy GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club in Athy, County Kildare, Ireland. The club has won seven county senior football championships.
O'Tooles GAC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ayrfield, Dublin, Ireland, formed in 1901.
Parnells GAA or Parnells Gaelic Athletic Association club Gaelic football club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Coolock, Dublin, Ireland. It was founded in 1893, named after the recently deceased Charles Stewart Parnell, and at that time was known as Parnell Volunteers. Parnells have won the Dublin senior football championship on six occasions, in 1913, 1916, 1939, 1945 and most recently in 1987, 1988.
Galtee Rovers GAA, also called Galtee Rovers—St. Pecaun's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the village of Bansha on the National Primary Route N24 in the shadow of the Galtee Mountains in west County Tipperary, Ireland. The club, founded in 1885, represents the parish of Bansha & Kilmoyler and enters gaelic football and hurling teams in the West Tipperary and Tipperary championships. The Club grounds - Canon Hayes Park - are named in honour of the founder of Muntir na Tíre, Very Rev. John Canon Hayes, Parish Priest of Bansha & Kilmoyler (1946–57), who was patron of the Club during his pastorship. The Club pavilion is named 'The McGrath Centre' in honour of two club members, the late John & Geraldine McGrath who died on New Year's Day, 1 January 2000. John Moloney, famous referee of six All-Ireland Senior Finals, was President of the Galtee Rovers Club at the time of his death on 6 October 2006. In addition to his lasting achievements at national level in the Gaelic Athletic Association, his greatest legacy at club level was his nurturing of the juvenile and under-age players whom he coached and organised for nearly 50 years.
Portlaoise GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) affiliated hurling, Gaelic football and camogie club based in Portlaoise, the county town of Laois in Ireland.
Lucan Sarsfields is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Lucan, Dublin, Ireland. It was founded in 1886, making it one of the oldest GAA clubs in Dublin. Sarsfields were one of 16 teams which contested the Dublin Senior Championship in 1887. They were also involved in the Senior Championship of 1892, and the club has fielded Gaelic football, hurling and camogie teams ever since.
Round Towers is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) associated with the Dublin County Board club based in Clondalkin, County Dublin. The club plays the Gaelic games of Gaelic football, hurling in both men's and women's codes.
St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh is a Gaelic Athletic Association club situated on the Navan Road on the northside of Dublin, Ireland. St Oliver Plunkett Eoghan Ruadh senior football team are sponsored by Dublin Bus. Plunketts won the 2006 Dublin AFL Division 2 title and won the 2007 Dublin AFL Division 1 title. Plunketts currently compete in the Dublin Senior Hurling League Division 2 and Dublin Senior B, Division 2 Camogie League.
Erin go Bragh GAA are a Dublin-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Clonee, Littlepace/Castaheaney/Ongar district in Dublin 15. The club currently fields one team in junior football, one junior hurling team and one camogie team. They also have a boys and girls juvenile section fielding from Under 8-minor in football, hurling and camogie. There is also a club of the same name based in Warwickshire, England.
Ballincollig GAA is a Gaelic football and hurling club based in the town of Ballincollig, County Cork, Ireland. The club is affiliated with the Cork GAA board and plays in the Muskerry divisional competitions. In 2009, the club will participate in the Cork Senior Football Championship and the Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Éire Óg is a Gaelic football and hurling club based in Ovens, County Cork, Ireland. The club is affiliated with Cork GAA county board and the Muskerry divisional board.
Macroom GAA is a Gaelic football and hurling club based in the town and surrounding parish of Macroom in Cork, Ireland. The club is affiliated with Cork GAA county board and the Muskerry GAA divisional board. The club has been one of the most successful Gaelic football clubs in Cork having won the Cork Senior Football Championship ten times and having contributed numerous players to Cork GAA football teams.
Kilbrittain GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the parish of Kilbrittain, County Cork, Ireland. The club fields teams in Gaelic football and Hurling, but is primarily known for hurling. The club participates in Cork GAA competitions. The club is a member of Carbery division of Cork GAA.
Wild Geese are a GAA club based in Oldtown, Fingal. They currently field a single junior football, two junior hurling and previously a ladies football team. At juvenile level they field at hurling only with teams at Under 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16. In Los Angeles there is a Gaelic football club who also go by the same name and at Lakenheath U.S. air force base there is a hurling club also called Wild Geese.
Na Gaeil Óga, CLG are a Dublin GAA, Irish-speaking Gaelic football, hurling and camogie club based in St. Catherines Park, Lucan and Phoenix Park, Co. Dublin founded in 2011. An underage structure was founded in 2014 catering for girls and boys in hurling, camogie and football.
Young Irelands GAA was a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Limerick, Ireland that field both underage and adult male sports teams. The primary club sport was hurling, but the teams also played football.
Clanna Gael Fontenoy is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based at Ringsend, Dublin, Ireland, serving Sandymount, Irishtown, Ringsend and its surrounding areas.
Shane Dalton is a member of St Vincents GAA Club in Marino Dublin. He originally started his playing career with St Monicas, Edenmore and joined St Vincents at the age of 16. He was a senior dual player for both his club St Vincents and his county Dublin. He played minor, Under 21 and senior in hurling and Gaelic football for Dublin. He was mainly a forward but has also played at midfield. He is one of the last club players in Dublin to achieve honours at championship level in both codes at Minor, Under 21 and Senior level. He is one of the few players that has won adult championships in four decades starting from the 80s, right through to 2010 winning a junior hurling championship. At Inter-County level he started his playing career in 1978 with Dublin Under 13 hurling team and finished playing with the Dublin Masters Gaelic Football team in 2009. In that game in 1978 in an Inter City Schools game when Dublin Under 13s played Cork at Croke Park there were some notable personalities who played on both teams that day. In the hurling game you had former soccer World Cup heroes in Niall Quinn at number 14 and Denis Irwin for Cork in at number 5. Jim Stynes the Australian Rules footballer and Brian Mooney professional footballer with Liverpool playing in the football decider. He played with the Dublin Senior hurlers making his debut against Tipperary in October 1983 with his last game against Westmeath in 1999, winning two Division 2 National League hurling medals in 1989 and 1997 and losing a Leinster final against Offaly in 1990. He played with the Dublin Senior footballers for two years being a sub against Meath in 1991 in one of the most iconic games ever in the GAA. It was the biggest attendance ever for a Championship game that took four games to decide who would advance to the next round in the Leinster Championship.
The Armagh county hurling team represents Armagh GAA, the county board of the Gaelic Athletic Association, in the Gaelic sport of hurling. The team competes in the Nicky Rackard Cup and the National Hurling League.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
