here - BallinteerStJohns

Message from an Taoiseach,
Bertie Ahern, T.D.
on the occasion of the official opening of the Ballinteer,
St Johns GAA Club new Clubhouse,
May 2005
The official opening of Ballinteer St Johns new Clubhouse at Grange Road on Sunday, 8
May 2005 represents a hugely significant milestone in the ongoing development of this
club.
Since the club's establishment in 1982 you have gone from strength to strength. Today,
over 40 teams across all of the codes have the honour of lining out for Ballinteer St
Johns. You have long sought to introduce both young and old to the sportsmanship,
camaraderie, and sheer exhilaration associated with Gaelic games. The dedication and
skill of your many members has ensured much success for the club over the years, with
Ballinteer St Johns being represented on Dublin teams at all levels and a cachet of
trophies and medals being secured on behalf of the club.
Not only is Ballinteer St Johns a great sporting asset it is also a hugely significant
community asset. Over the years, countless volunteers - players, parents, coaches and
the wider local community - have pulled together to secure the ongoing development of
the club. In this way, you have ensured the growth of a strong and vibrant community
spirit in the area with people working in partnership across the generations to provide a
valuable sporting and recreational facility in Ballinteer.
Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis na daoine aonair agus leis na gasraí a d'oibrigh go dian
dícheallach chun an clubtheach nua seo a chur i gcríoch. Is dá bharr bhur bhfuinnimh
agus sár-oibre gur chuireadh áis den chéad scoth mar seo ar fáil ar mhaithe le baill an
chluib agus ár gcluichí náisiúnta anois agus sa todhchaí.
Beir Bua agus beannacht.
Bertie Ahern T.D.
Taoiseach
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Fáilte ón gCathaoirleach
Tá an-áthas orm fáilte a chur roimh gach éinne atá anseo chun an
ocáid speisialta seo a cheiliuradh linn.
On behalf of Ballinteer St Johns GAA Club I would like to welcome
everyone to the official opening of our new clubhouse, Áras Naomh
Eoin. I would like to extend a special welcome to all the teams who
are playing here this weekend, to all our guests - especially An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern
TD. I want to thank him for honouring us with his attendance and performing the official
opening.
Ballinteer St Johns GAA Club was founded in 1982 and from its very modest beginnings
it has grown rapidly and today, 23 years on, boasts membership in excess of 1,200. We
field more than 40 teams offering Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and ladies football in
additional to social and cultural activities. The primary aim of our club is to promote
Gaelic Games and the commitment and sacrifices of managers, mentors, coaches and
all others involved with teams has ensured that our most precious resource, the players,
are in good hands and can look forward to many more years of enjoyment and success
on the pitch. The club is always keen to improve and expand the facilities available to its
members and players and has done this over the years by securing additional pitches,
by building changing rooms at Broadford Park and by developing an all-weather, floodlit
training pitch in conjunction with Ballinteer Community School.
Today, however, we are here to celebrate the crowning glory in the club's ambitious
development plans over the last number of years, the official opening of Áras Naomh
Eoin. This wonderful facility is the culmination of the huge commitment, dedication and
foresight, not to mention blood, sweat and tears, of some truly magnificient club people
who, with the support, both financial and moral, of a large number of members and
supporters, had the courage and conviction to embark on the road that has led us here
today. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each and everyone
associated with this project, and all our other projects, either in a professional capacity or
more importantly, in the true GAA ethos, in a voluntary capacity. The time and effort these
people devote to their club often goes unnoticed but I am sure occasions like this are a
fitting reward for all their efforts. I would also like to thank The Department of Arts, Sport,
& Tourism, Leinster Council, Dublin County Board, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County
Council and our local elected representatives. Their support, both financial and otherwise
is greatly appreciated.
In conclusion, I hope that everybody enjoys the weekend festivities. I hope that in years
to come you will continue to both enjoy the facilities here and support Ballinteer St Johns
in their efforts, both on and off the field, to provide top class facilities for the young, and
not so young, of the area.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir agus ar aghaidh linn le chéile.
Gerard O'Donnell
Cathaoirleach Cumann Naomh Eoin.
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Friday May 6th
19:30
Annual Club Mass in St Johns the Evangelist Parish Church Ballinteer
22:00
Friday Gig with "Cans In The Living Room"
Saturday May 7th
10:00
Aeraíocht for Juvenile Players Marlay Park
Marlay Park
14:30
Camogie Senior: Dublin v Tipperary
Referee: Damien Noble
16:00
Ladies Football Senior: Dublin v Waterford
Referee: Tony Clarke
21:00
Supper Dance
Music By Seán Boland Band
Sunday May 8th
12:30
Ecumenical Blessing of Clubhouse,
Very Rev John P Battelle PP, Canon Horace McKinley,
Rev Alan Wardlow, Rev Bernard Thorne OSM
12:40
Address by an Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD
Official opening and unveiling of commemorative plaque
13:00
Official Reception: Clubhouse
Marlay Park
14:30
Under 21 Hurling: Dublin v Limerick
Referee: Aodan Mac Suibhne
16:00
Senior Football: Laois v Roscommon
Referee: Shane Farrell
21:00
Gala Opening Night Dance
Music by The Druids
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Réamhra ón gCathaoirleach
Is mór an onóir dom an réamhra so a scríobh ar son Coiste Áth Cliath. Inniu tá
clubtheach a oscailt go hoifigiúil. Comhghairdeachas ó chroí le gach ball den chlub
Naomh Eoin Baile an tSaoir. Tá éacht déanta agaibh.
On behalf of Dublin County Board, I wish to congratulate the Ballinteer St Johns Club on
the official opening of their clubhouse. Today’s official opening of their facilities is the
reward for all the years of hard work and dedication by the many people totally committed
to the ideals of the GAA. Whether as club or county officers, members of committees,
mentors, players, coaches or in whatever role, you are playing an important role in the
development of gaelic games and in shaping your youth and community for the years
ahead.
Since 1982 you have achieved what many clubs can only dream of, over 40 teams
fielding in all GAA codes, Senior Football and Hurling, Camogie and Ladies Football,
representation on county teams at all levels and a magnificent clubhouse in the shadows
of the beautiful Marlay Park.
Congratulations to all concerned
John Bailey
Chairman, Dublin County Board
Babes in the Woods from 1982
The 1982 Squad Back Row: Eoin Richardson, Brian Lee, Dermot Kelly, Eddie Byrne, Colm
Smith, Ronan McGabhann, Maurice McCarthy, Timmy Kelly, Noel O Mahony, Declan Chatten,
Stephen O Rourke. Middle Row: Mark McEvoy, Alan Fagan, Graham Murtagh, George Walker,
Michael Cosgrave, Anthony Quinn (RIP), Geoffrey Davy, Art O Leary, Declan McCarthy, Enda
McGrath. Front Row: Patrick O Driscoll, Emmett Kirwan, Eamonn Wren, Paul Lynch, Ken O
Toole, Garry Duff,
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Ballinteer Gaels GAA Club 7 May 1982
"A group of adults in the Ballinteer area propose
to establish the above club.
Initially the club will enter boys football teams
under 10, 11 and 12 in the South Dublin Leagues.
The club will enter hurling teams also if enough
players and adults make themselves available.
For the present we are holding practise matches
every Saturday morning in Marlay Park. (Fields
opposite Pine Valley Estate). At 12:15 pm. All
interested players are invited to attend. Adult
assistance will also be most welcome.
Donal Hickey , the Dublin County Development
Officer hopes to visit the local schools along with
club officials in the coming week. The club is
applying to the Co Council for use of the above
pitches for the 1982/3 season."
Founding Fathers of Ballinteer St
Johns: Tom Cosgrave, Mick Wren and
Maurice O Connell.
Gach eolas o Michael Wren Runai 988067, Maurice O Connell Cathaoirleach, Tom
Cosgrave Cuntasoir "
The above notice was read from the altar in local churches and placed on local shop
doors. Meetings were held with Donal Hickey in the old county board offices in Abbey
Street. We also met Denis O Neill (Clann Colaiste Mhuire) and Davy Griffin (Thos Davis)
who were very helpful with advice and support. A friendly match was arranged in Marlay
Park on 10 July against Thomas Davis who had to supply both sets of jerseys. Ballinteer
won the match by 5-2 to 4-1. The team was awarded the team of the week prize in the
Evening Herald.
Club Name
The name of the club was changed before registration from Ballinteer Gaels to St Johns
Ballinteer and later to Ballinteer St Johns to facilitate a 1st place (alphabetical) listing in
the Club Notes in the Evening Herald and Evening Press.
Crest
The club crest was designed by the secretary Mick Wren. It depicts a combination of the
Three Castles (Dublin Crest), The Eagle (Emblem of St John the Evangelist) and the
Celtic Cross (GAA Emblem).
Club Colours
The club colours first registered were the saffron and white of Antrim. When the first order
of jerseys was made, there was a three months waiting period with O Neill’s. The sports
shop had a spare set in tangerine and black at a bargain price. As the kitty was very low
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at the time, the treasurer Tom Cosgrave settled on the bargain. Needless to say he got
a frosty reception from the Fior Gael on arrival in the 'Teer. Time is a great healer and the
tangerine and black was soon accepted by all.
Home Pitches
Marlay Park was the venue for the home pitches. Dublin Co Council made pitches in
Broadford Park available in 1983. We also had the use of a private pitch from 1984 in
Woodpark, called Pairc O Loinsigh after the late Barney Lynch. It was called "Iodine
Park" - we're not sure if this related to the incidence of injuries or the deposits from the
grazing cattle that had just vacated the pitch. It cost £30 to have the grass cut. Our Junior
team was very hip at the time with a weekly collection for money for "grass".
Pairc O Loinsigh was lost to housing development (Kingston) and we went back to
Marlay with our premier team. We later moved to Loreto Park, which has been very good
to us and has seen us win many cups and leagues and promotion to senior ranks in
hurling and football in recent years.
In 2005 we moved to our new senior pitch in Marlay to complement our clubhouse.
Dressing Rooms
The dressing rooms in Broadford Park always had a secret desire for mobility. During a
winter storm in 1985 they decided to up and cross the road over to the BCS grounds near
Scoil Naithi. The various bits and pieces were gathered together and stored by club
officials. Eventually the council agreed to arrange for their re-assembly. We added
concrete corners for stability. In March 1993 another storm had the dressing rooms on
the move again, crossing the road and landing up on the trees opposite. Enough was
enough. We pursued the council for permission to build our own dressing & meeting
rooms.
In November 1994 Gerry Murphy announced to a delighted executive, who met in
Ballinteer Community School (BCS), that he had secured permission from Dublin Co
Council to erect what is now known as Áras na nÓg.
Club Meetings
For the first couple of years the meetings
were held in the Beavers pub. We then
moved to the back lounge of the Coach
House. AGM's were held in the conference
room of St Johns Parish Church. Following
renovations in the Coach House, meetings
were held in "Phils-Loft". Then we moved
to BCS for a while and later to our own
Áras na nÓg in 1996. The 21st AGM was
held in our new Áras Naomh Eoin on
Grange Road on 3 December 2003. Since
then all meetings are held in the
clubhouse.
Opening of all weather pitch 1999:
Dr. Austen Corcoran Principal Ballinteer
Community school, Seosamh Mac
Donnchadha with Club Chairman J.J. Duffy,
with Frank Sullivan and Gerard O Donnell
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Under 16 Football 2004: Team with Mentors, Turlough Maher and Liam Kennedy
Monday night at the clubhouse, Bridge is the norm.
That's just the calm before the big storm.
Salsa on Tuesday, on Wednesday sean-nos.
The dancing scare ever comes to a close.
Line dancing on Thursday, you're nearly fit now.
The merry weekend parties are lively and how!
Supporting the club teams on Sunday's a must.
In the mud of the winter or in the Summer dust.
For an active club member takes pride in the name.
It's not done for glory, its not done for fame.
Cathal O'Reilly,
Club Bard
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Paddy McGrath - An Appreciation
1945 - 2004
Paddy McGrath grew up near the
picturesque west Tipperary village
of Dundrum and it was there
during the 1950s and 1960s that
Paddy acquired his great love of
Gaelic games. This idyllic rural
setting moulded the core values of
family, faith and community spirit
which Paddy brought with him to
his new home in Woodpark,
Ballinteer. He and his beloved wife The late Paddy and Rosaleen McGrath
Rosaleen were not content to melt
into the urban sprawl emerging in Ballinteer at that time. They both immersed
themselves in making a full contribution to the local community through their active
involvement in the country's strongest community based organisation which is the GAA.
The St Johns club was established in the parish in 1982 and Paddy was involved almost
from the start. Over the years he participated in almost every aspect of club activities as
he managed and coached juvenile teams, was vice chairman and treasurer for a period.
Paddy was also the club's delegate and treasurer of the South East Board.
More recently Paddy was an active member of the social committee and was involved
in organising a number of very enjoyable social occasions. Paddy never missed a club
social event and was never happier than enjoying the craic and happy to see everyone
enjoying themselves too.
Paddy also made his contribution to the building of the clubhouse and he was so proud
of it’s completion. What a great pity he did not live to enjoy it a little longer.
Paddy's wife Rosaleen died 10 years previously and she was also a huge loss to the
club as she had made a major contribution to club activities.
Paddy's children have all made their contribution to the club on the playing fields and
they will carry his legacy with dignity and pride in the years ahead.
It is still hard to believe that Paddy has gone to his eternal reward. He is surely cheering
for his two great sporting passions of this earth, Tipperary and Ballinteer St Johns, from
the great sporting fields of heaven.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-ainm
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Camogie - From Tots to Trophies
Tom Hayes
They were Betty McCarthys tots of the 1990's who participated every Saturday morning
in the camogie nursery at Broadford. Betty asked Tom Hayes to take over the U11 team
in 1997 which then graduated into one of the club's most successful teams winning 14
trophies up to 2004. For the first time ever, the club fields a Senior camogie team in the
2005 season following a clean sweep of the Intermediate competitions last year. The
majority of the players who will play Senior featured on the 1997 U11 team. For the
record, below is the roll of honour since 1997:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
U11 Div 1 League 1997
U12 Division 1 League 1988
U13 Championship 1999
Runner-up Div I Féile 2000 & 2001
Féile Division II winners 2002
U15 Division I League 2002
U16 Division I League 2003
U18 Centenary Cup 2004
Junior B Championship & League Cup 2002
Junior A Championship & League Cup 2003
Intermediate Championship, League & League Cup 2004
They also finished runners-up on a number of occasions at Juvenile level in leagues and
championships, and were unfortunate not to win a couple of other competitions.
A number of other notable achievements by members of this team include:
• Áine Goggins - Dublin Junior B Player of the Year in 2002
• Fiona Hayes - Dublin Intermediate Player of the Year in 2004
The following players represented Dublin at Championship level at U14, U16, U18 and
Junior.
•
•
•
•
Tara Whelan
Áine Goggins
Fiona Hayes
Olive Sorohan
• Deirdre O'Neill
• Niamh McKennedy
• Roisin Chambers
No one team makes a club and we are now in the fortunate position to be able to field a
second adult team in the Junior competition this year. Fielding two adult teams within
three years is a fantastic achievement and bodes well for the future of the game in the
club. The club now has a number of very committed juvenile mentors fielding teams at
various age groups which will feed into the adult teams in the years ahead.
The nursery is hugely important and every Saturday morning the stars of the future are
put through their paces in Broadford by a very dedicated team of new mentors.
The schools in the area have also played their part and over the past few years with Our
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Lady's Ballinteer, Divine Word Marley and Scoil Naithi all participating in Croke Park at
the Cumann na mBunscoil finals.
There is no doubt that camogie has achieved parity of esteem in the club and in return it
has made a massive contribution to the club both on and off the field over the past few
years.
Intermediate Camogie Final 2004
The championship final day on 4 September saw five adult finals played in O' Toole Park.
In the Intermediate final Ballinteer St Johns played St Marks, who we had earlier defeated
in both the League and the League Cup finals by narrow margins.
On the day the team was magnificent with the defence well marshalled by Olive Sorohan,
both Siobhan McIntyre and Deirdre Ni Flionn on top at mid-field while the forwards ran
riot in the second half.
There were noteworthy performances by the two youngest players on the team, Niamh
McKennedy and Brenda Sorohan. Team captain Orla Kavanagh proudly received the
Championship trophy from Camogie Board Chairperson Marie O'Brien.
The next step is Senior Camogie honours. Well done to all the girls who have now won
seven major adult trophies over the last three years
Intermediate Camopgie Champions 2004: Back Row: Ciara Mulligan, Louise Hayes, Eilish
McCarthy, Brona Fagan, Siobhan Mc Intyre, Deirdre Ni Floinn, Marie O'Connor, Niamh Kiernan,
Gillian Pounch, Fiona Hayes, Tara Whelan, Orla Kavanagh, Grace Coughlan.
Front Row: Tom Hayes (Manager), Cait Murphy, Aoife Kiernan, Nora Tully, Niamh Mc Kennedy,
Olive Sorohan, Deirdre Kelleher, Brenda Sorohan, Roisin Chambers, Áine Goggins.
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The Road to Senior Hurling
Eamon Lawlor
This is the stuff of dreams. To all those who have worked so hard over the past 23 years
to develop hurling in St Johns, stand up and take a bow. Hurling is building on your
success at all levels and is a central and vibrant part of our club. But it wasn't always this
way at the top. Until 1996, hurling in St Johns had been nurtured at juvenile level but
there was no adult team for these players to graduate to. More often than not these
players were lost to our neighbouring clubs or even worse lost to the game altogether.
In the autumn of 1996, between six and 12 players trained consistently in Loreto Park
and a team was entered in the league for the spring of 1997. The management team of
Eamon Lawlor Snr and Seán Lane took the lead and both have been ever present and
central to all of our success over the years. The inaugural match took place in March
1997, a league game in Junior 3 played against Kilmacud Crokes. Despite losing our
opener it was very evident that there was huge appetite for hurling in Ballinteer.
By the end of July 1997 we had reached the Junior D championship final (beating St
Sylvester's, Clontarf and St Patrick's, Palmerstown along the way). In the final, the team
won convincingly against Round Towers, Clondalkin with a scoreline of 4-8 to 1-4. It was
a milestone - the first adult championship to come back to Ballinteer.
Ballinteer St Johns has never looked back since and a glimpse at the roll of honour gives
an indication of the speed of the success which we have enjoyed.
1997 Junior D Champions: Back Row: Eamon Lawlor Snr. Manager, Thomas Ward, Ian Fortune,
Pat Purcell, Tom Hayes Snr, Lorcan Brennan, P.J. Dolan, Andy Williams, Ger Shannon, Thomas
Hayes, Tommy Looney, John Donoghue, Seán Lane (Coach).
Front Row: Kevin Sheehan, Darren Dixon, Cyril O Connor, Eamonn Lawlor Jnr. (Capt), Vinny
Codd, Jimmy Glendon, Mark Hayes, John Murphy, Barry Keenan, Kieran O Fearaill.
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1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Junior D Championship winners
Promoted to Junior A league
Promotion to Intermediate 2 league
Junior C league & Cup (B team!)
Junior A Championship runners up
Promotion to Intermediate 1 League and Under 21 B Championship winners
Junior A Championship winners Intermediate 1 League champions
Promotion to Senior Hurling
Of all the victories over the years, two games in particular stand out. The first is the Junior
A league play-off victory in August 1999 against St Vincent's in O'Toole Park to gain
promotion to Intermediate. We had a mixture of youth and experience as the team was
undergoing a transition with the progression of the first crop of minors onto the senior
side. We were the clear underdogs against a powerhouse of Dublin GAA. But Ballinteer
ran out 1-13 to 2-4 victors with impressive displays that day from Cyril O Connor, John
Gavigan, Mark Hayes and David Tiernan.
Dublin Hurling
Representatives
2004: Rory
Donnelly, Denis
Flanagan, Fergal
Chambers
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The second memorable occasion was the Intermediate League Final against Faughs in
O'Toole Park in October 2003. Following a draw, the replay was eagerly anticipated and
again the newspapers had us as slight underdogs against a tough Faughs side who
literally had the pick "of the country" against our "local" lads.
In the replay, a storming first 15 minutes saw Ballinteer meet them blow for blow on the
field. Stunned, they then had no reply when our lads opened their wrists and began to
play. The game was over shortly after half time and we had achieved a comfortable
victory and more importantly, Senior Status.
In tandem with the success of the senior side on the field, there have been many other
landmarks achieved over the last number of years. The Under 21s, looked after so well
through the years by our previous chairman Laurence Giles, won the B championship
after beating a much vaunted St Marks team in the final. A second Junior team was
started in 1999/2000 by Laurence and supported by the current junior management team
of Tony Redmond, Jimmy O Neill and Jim Maher.
To date, we have had four players represent Dublin at Senior level: Cormac O'Brien,
Fergal Chambers, Denis Flanagan and Ruairi Donnelly. The next crop is on the way with
Keith Nolan and Ciaran Lane who played for Dublin against Kilkenny in the Leinster
minor final in 2003 and were managed by our very own Seán Lane.
The current manager PJ Dolan has also been ever present in the success, first as a
player, and then as manager of the Junior team in 2000. PJ was also manager of the first
team from 2002/3 along with Kevin Donnelly, who revolutionised training.
Apart from the success on the field, the over-riding memory is one of the craic we have
all had since the journey started. We have made many friends during this time, and we
also remember our friends and colleagues who have sadly left us but are still with us in
spirit.
We thank all who have helped build the dream including past players, supporters,
sponsors, wives, girlfriends and the first-aiders who saved many a lad's good looks.
And finally to the future - the current crop of players in the club have a very bright future
with many of the current squad being still eligible to play minor and under 21. With the
talent we have and with youth on their side, I have no doubt that a serious challenge on
the Dublin scene can be mounted over the coming years. The ambition this year is to add
the Intermediate championship to the two Junior championships won to date. In the
medium term, the ambition is to win a senior county title and we rely on all of your
continued support to ensure that this dream IS realised!
www.ballinteerstjohns.com
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Nurseries
Kieran Duffy
Our nurseries in all
codes
provide
an
opportunity for boys and
girls from age six to nine
to be coached in the
basic skills of gaelic
games. The nurseries
are run on a voluntary
basis in adherence with
the clubs code of
conduct
and
the
coaching routines have
been
developed
in
consultation with our
club coach. Details of our
nurseries are as follows:
Team Leaders: Kieran and Shane Duffy in Football Nursery
COORDINATORS
Football
Broadford, Saturdays
10.00 to 11.00
Kieran Duffy 4931788
Hurling
Broadford, Saturdays
1.00 to 2.00
PJ Dolan 4935759
Girls Football
St Attractas,
Saturdays
10.00 to 11.00
Dermot Mc Mahon
4945490
Girls Football Nursery: Team leader Angie McNally with some of
the girlsl
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Camogie
Broadford, Saturdays
11.00 to 12.00
Philip Browne
4953765
Camogie: Betty McCarthy and Martin Tully with a group from the camogie nursery
Football: Leaders and coaches with the football nursery
19
Congratulations
to Ballinteer St. Johns GAA Club
on the opening of the new Clubhouse
from Brian Croke
and all in DHKN Mortgages Ltd
and associated companies:
DHKN Financial Services Ltd
DHKN Properties Ltd
DHKN Chartered Accountants
& Taxation Advisers
Wishing Ballinteer St. Johns
continued success in the future
From Junior 5 to Senior Football
Eamonn Coleman
My involvement with adult
football began in 1989 along
with Edan Cosgrave. The
junior team was for the first
time made up of players who
had come through the
underage structures of the
club. Junior Football teams up
until then in St Johns were a
medley of parents of juvenile
players, players from the west
of Ireland and Dundrum
Garda station. The majority of
young players came from a O’Broin Cup Winners 1991: Back Row: Peter McDonald,
Eoin O'Flaherty, Eddie Byrne, Billy Boland, Marty Donoghue,
team managed by myself, Kieran Brennan, Eddie Grealish, Pat Coleman, Eoin Twomey,
Edan and Tom Cosgrave had Padraig Farrell, Kevin McNally. Front Row: Pat O'Brien,
managed from Under-11. Keith Shanagher, Mark Donoghue, Gerry McGough, Terry
The following year another Madden, Eamon Lawlor, Turlough Maher (Captain), Noel
successful young team, McVeigh, Brendan Nangle.
managed by Mick Wren and
Gerry Murphy from under-10, provided the balance of players to the new junior team.
Peter Byrne assisted with the training. John Weir joined the management team and his
expertise and drive brought us success in the O'Broin Cup on 23 December, 1991. The
following year the Dublin county board restructured the Dublin Junior Football leagues
and we were playing in Junior Division 5. By 1993 John Weir and Edan Cosgrave had
left the management side but were always available to help out and for this I thank them.
The big break for the team coincided with the arrival of Matt Gannon as trainer and the
mercurial Kieran Brennan as manager in 1993. The team was young and with Matt's
strict fitness regime and Kieran's enthusiasm and experience it was inevitable that
success would soon follow. The hard nights training in spartan conditions in Broadford
and Nutgrove soon paid off. In 1994 we won promotion to Division 2 Junior. The following
year we were beaten by St Vincents in the Junior Championship final and we won
promotion to Division 1 Junior league. In 1996 the team made a big breakthrough by
winning the Junior 1 league and gaining promotion to Intermediate football in the year
that Pat Smith came onboard.
The team had an immediate impact on Dublin Intermediate football reaching a
championship semi-final in our first year at that grade. In 1998 we had our most
successful year. The year before Manchester United claimed their historic treble,
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Ballinteer
St
Johns
achieved their own hattrick,
winning
the
I n t e r m e d i a t e
Championship, the Loving
Cup and an Intermediate
Division 2 title. The team
now came of age and we
were playing with the big
boys at Senior level.
Senior Management; Eamonn
Diarmuid Desmond and Coleman, Kieran Brennan and
Ron Tulie took charge of Pat Smith.
training when we lost the
services of Matt Gannon.
Both Ron and Diarmuid always insisted on a high level of
commitment from the players. Ron is also excellent at man
management and really brought out the best in all the
players. At this time Brian Goggins and John Kelly were
Richie in full flight. Eoin
both working hard with the junior team. A strong junior team
Richardson makes a diving
was essential for the continued success of the senior team
block in the Inter Final.
as it was used as a conduit for the development of younger
players. They never once complained when we called on their best players to play for the
senior team.
Playing Senior football brought out the best in our players and St Johns soon made a big
impact on Dublin football. Coman Goggins was called up to the Dublin Senior football
panel in 2000. He won an All-Star in 2001, toured Australia with the Irish team and
captained Dublin in 2002. Johnny 'the Magpie' McNally joined the Dublin squad in the
spring of 2002 and both Johnny and Coman won Leinster Championship medals with the
Dubs in the same year.
Tom Mulligan joined the
club in 2003 and also had
a successful stint with the
Dublin Senior team that
year. Gerry Quirke played
in the O'Byrne cup with
Dublin in 2004.
Junior League Div 1 Champions 1996 Front Row: Ron Tulie,
Shane Oliver, Kevin McNally, Eamonn Lawlor, Ken O'Toole, John
Gillick, John Boland, Barry O'Neill, Noel Corcoran, Seán
Corcoran (Mascot), Eddie Coleman (Capt).
Back Row: Turlough Maher, Adrian Gallagher, Cian O'Connor,
James Oliver, Ronan Cosgrove, Fiachra O'Connor, Eoin Twomey,
Pat Coleman, Eoin Richardson, Coman Goggins, Neil McGrath,
John McNally, Diarmuid Desmond.
On a cold day in O'Toole
Park in December 2002
we reached the pinnacle of
Gaelic football in Dublin.
By beating Round Towers
in the Division 2 play-off we
won promotion to Senior 1
23
football, 20 years
after
the
establishment of the
club. The following
week we beat St
Olafs in an 'old firm'
encounter to win the
Senior 2 league.
One of the young
stars that day was
David Gillick who
recently won the
European
indoor
400
meters
Penalty Kick: Johnny McNally lines up to strike
championship. This
was a great success for the Gillick family and
for Ballinteer St Johns. David has attributed
his success in the rough and tumble of that
race to his playing career with St Johns. We
wish him all the best in the future and when
he has his Olympic gold we might consider
having him back playing Gaelic football
again.
Loyal Supporters: Eddie Byrne, John
Weir and Turlough Maher smile as
Johnny buries the penalty
Loving Cup Presentation: Philip
Brady, Dublin County Board presents
captain, James Oliver with the Cup.
Brian Goggins came on board in 2001 with
Seán Lane for one year in 2002. Denis Ward
and the Junior A's were winning Stacey Cups
and promotion in 2003 and 2004 but always
obliged when the Seniors were short. I would
like to thank all the mentors who supported
me through my tenure and also the club
executive.
The
club now reaps
the rewards of the
great work that
they have done
with
the
successful teams
from Senior down
to under age. A lot
done more to do.
Next step, the
Dublin
Senior My Ball: Tom Mulligan in
championship.
action with the Dubs.
25
Best Wishes
to
Ballinteer St Johns
Comhghairdeachas
Ó Ghlór na nGael, Ceantar Naithí
Is ocáid an-mhór í oscailt an chlubtheach álainn agaibhse agus guímid gach rath agus
beannacht ar na himeachtaí a eagrófar ann agus ar bhur saothar sa todhchaí ar son ár
gcultúir dúchais. Is club óg sibh ach fós tá clú agus cáil bainte amach agaibh i gcúrsaí
spóirt. Bhí bród orainn go léir toisc beirt ón gclub a bheith ar fhoireann sinsearach peile
Bhaile Átha Cliath agus go háirithe as Coman Goggins bheith mar chaptaen ar an
bhfoireann.
Tá aitheantas bainte amach ag an gceantar seo as an tsuim a léirítear agus a ghrá don
Ghaeilge. Gar don gclubtheach tá Gaelscoil Naithí agus Naíonra Naithí agus tá craobh
láidir de Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann sa cheantar freisin. Tá Cumann Naomh Eoin ag
tacú go láidir leis na hiarrachtaí ar son na teanga. Nuair a bhuaigh Ceantar Naithí
príomhdhuais i gcomórtas náisiúnta Ghlór na nGael i 1994, bhí Cumann Naomh Eoin
lárnach sa cheiliúradh le sraith cluichí do dhaoine óga agus béim ar an nGaeilge. Nuair
a osclaíodh na seomraí gléasta, ba ainm ghaelach, Áras na n-Óg, a tugadh orthu. Bhí
áthas ar Ghlór na nGael geansaithe a bhronnadh ar an fhoireann sóisearach leis an
mana 'Glór Naithí' orthu.
Tá Gaeilge ar a dtoil ag roinnt mhaith ball den chlub agus ní leasc leo í a úsáid. Bíonn
Gaeilge scríofa ar na málaí feistis agus úsáidtear Gaeilge i bhfoirmeacha agus i bhfógraí
an chlub. Glacann an club páirt i Scór agus eagraíonn an t-oifigeach cultúrtha ocáidí
gaelacha mar chéilithe ó am go chéile. Bionn seisiún ceoil gaelaigh ag Craobh Naithí de
C.C.E. gach oíche Domhnaigh sa chlubtheach agus eagraítear ranganna rince ar an
sean nós ag an gcraobh ann gach seachtain.
Tá bród orainn i nGlór na nGael bheith páirteach le Cumann Naomh Eoin de CLG i gcur
chun cinn ár gcultúir ghaelaigh. Tá áthas faoi leith orainn na fógraí Ghaeilge a fheiscint
taobh istigh agus taobh amuigh den chlubtheach nua álainn.
Go maire sibh an céad!.
Seán Mac Giolla Fhearga
Cathaoirleach Ghlór na nGael, Ceantar Naithí
www.ballinteerstjohns.com
27
Scór
Tom Chambers
Scór was founded in 1969 by Derry Gowan of Fermoy, County Cork. It is a winter social
activity organised by the GAA and run under its general rules.
There are eight competitions:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
rince foirne/céilí or figure dancing
amhránaíocht aonair/solo singing
ceol úirlise/instrumental group
aithriseoireacht nó scéalaíocht/recitation or storytelling
ballad group/bailéad ghrúpa
tráth na gceist/question time
nuachleas/novelty act
rince seit/set dancing
There are also two competitions (1) Scór na nÓg for competitors under 17 years and (2)
Scór sinsear for competitors over seventeen years.
In 1984, club secretary Mick Wren organised a mini Scór na nÓg among the four local
national schools in Ballinteer -- Our Ladys Boys and Girls school, St Attracta's and Scoil
Naithi as part of the club's celebration program for the GAA centenary. The rules were
relaxed to suit primary school participants. The finals were held in the school hall in
Ballinteer. Lucan Sarsfields GAA club provided a team of adjudicators. The event was a
huge success with the hall packed to the rafters with parents, teachers and supporters
from the four schools. The event ran for a further three years.
In 1995 I was asked to organise the entries for Scór. If there are no internal club
competitions a club can nominate entries in all the categories. Go gineareálta ní bhíonn
comórtaisí inmheánacha ag clubanna i mBaile Átha Cliath. Chuir muid isteach ar trí
chomórtas, siad sin, amhránaíocht aonair, ceol úirlise agus tráth na gceist. That first year
we did very well, reaching the provincial final which was held in the Gaiety theatre in
Dublin. We were represented by Íde Nic Mhathúna who came second.
The following year we won the solo singing in both Scór sinsear with Seosamh Mac
Donnacha and Scór na nóg again with Íde Nic Mhathúna and also question time in Scór
na n-óg. Sna blianta a lean chuir an club isteach ar raon níos leithine comórtaisí. I measc
na gcomórtaisí seo bhí scéalaíocht sinsear, bailéad ghrúpa agus rince seit a stiútaíodh
go stuama ag Connie Ryan (nach maireann) a bhí mar cheanródaí ar athfhás an damhsa
sna h-80dí agus sna 90dí. Our most successful competitors over the years were Íde Nic
Mhathúna and Róisín Chambers who won many Dublin titles in both solo singing and
instrumental music. Our most successful question time team members were Colm Ó
Riain, Colm Ó Muirgheasa and Oisín Chambers who were runners up in Leinster in 2000.
28
I would like to say that it has been
a privilege for me to have been
involved in the Scór competitions
down through the years. With the
opening of the new clubhouse I
would hope that we might be able
to have some internal club
competitions in the various
categories. Cé go bhfuil pléisiúr
agus sástacht faighte agam as atá
bainte amach acu siúd uilig a
ghlac páirt sna comórtaisí leis na
blianta beaga anuas, chuirfeadh
sé gliondar ar mo chroí foireann
ón club a fheiceail ag baint an
chéad dúis i gcraobh Scór na
hÉireann. Níl dabht ar bith agam
ach go bhfeicfidh mé an lá seo.
The Sunday Session in the Clubhouse in full swing
29
Fundraising
Mairtín Ó Murchadha
"Where did they get the money?" In the early 1990s Ballinteer St
Johns, a small junior club in south Dublin, had dreams of matching all
its illustrious neighbours in terms of facilities and on-field activities.
The club had limited financial resources and was looked upon as the poor relation within
Dublin GAA.
The only facilities were county council pitches rented at Marlay Park, Broadford and
Loretto Park. Changing facilities were non-existent. In 1994, the club spent about
£28,000 in the construction of Áras na nOg in Broadford Park. While we observed other
clubs spending huge amounts on much bigger projects, our first venture was completed
successfully. There was hope for the future.
Following on the success of the members' draw a Club Lotto was set up in the early
1990's. Over the years the Lotto, held every Thursday night, has raised significant sums
of money and has been instrumental in the club's development. During the early part of
the 1990's, a small committee met at intervals, with the future development of a club
house as the sole agenda. A site on the Grange Road, which could become available,
was identified.
In 1997, following his election as club chairman, JJ Duffy called and asked me to chair
the Fund Raising Committee. When asked what the money was for he replied that he
intended building a club house on the Grange Road during his term of office. We had no
planning permission, no money and traffic was flowing on the site in question.
A meeting was held at Scoil Naithi and we got our first contribution of £1,000 from a wellknown team mentor. Happy days,
somebody believed! Through a
friend, we learned that the new
pavilion recently constructed at
Leopardstown
racecourse
was
available for functions. The pavilion
could seat 1,500 people and
Ballinteer St. Johns could make
£75,000 if we filled the venue during
a major festival meeting.
As it so happened he had a date
available for 29 December, 1999 to
coincide with Christmas racing
festival. But with queues forming
outside the pavilion at Leopardstown
Coach House Team: Phil Monaghan and The
Coach House Table at our race day
30
from early morning on December 29, it was obvious that we had oversold by at least
50%. Mayhem ensued and irate customers and club members had to be restrained.
However, Fitzers' rose to the occasion and a superb meal was served to all even though
seating was tight. We also delivered the budget!
During 2000 we decided to go again to Leopardstown and it was agreed that ticket sales
would be limited to 1,000. The 2000 event was sold out comfortably. However, on the
morning of 28 December south Dublin was under six inches of snow. Races at
Leopardstown were off that day and the following day was cancelled for good measure.
Panic - what were we to do? Leopardstown would let us in and Fitzers' could feed us.
Would anyone turn up? Leopardstown Racecourse dug out old racing tapes, raffle tickets
were put in the drum and we waited. Nine hundred people turned up. The racecourse
never looked better covered in frozen snow. After lunch we tuned into the old videos.
Seán Lane and Diarmuid Desmond organised the bookmaking and away we went. Who
said you can't go to the races without horses?
Meanwhile, back on Grange Road planning permission was secured. The club executive
met the finance committee and a master plan was prepared to secure funding for a
project conservatively estimated to cost £1.9 million. A four-strand approach was adopted
to generate the required finance. It was decided that an equal breakdown of sources was
required: Club Fundraising : €500,000 Bank Borrowings : €500,000 Grants : €500,000
Members' Funds : €500,000
There was plenty of precedent of GAA clubs borrowing 25% of total project costs over a
15-year period. All we needed was a bank manager to support us. Over to you Michael
Hand, you know a few bankers. Cue Noel McCole, head of corporate banking at National
Irish Bank. From the mid 1980's, the national Lottery had funded all kinds of sporting
activity in Ireland and we were prepared to take our chance that we would get our rightful
allocation. We had the project and, if needed, the political connections. The real test was
yet to come. Could we convince our own members?
Again we looked for the use of Scoil Naithi. Our good friends Treasa Ui Dhubhlainn and
the late Nollaig Ó’Meachair kindly gave us the amharchlann. One hundred and eighty
people showed up for the first meeting. The meeting went well and all credit to the
support from some key mentors strategically placed in the audience who came to the
rescue on more than one occasion, including the late Paddy McGrath. Over the following
weeks and months the money started to flow in. However, the project was delayed due
to the need to move communications cables and by year end there was more than
£250,000 in our newly opened account in BOI Dundrum.
Another day out at Leopardstown was planned, this time for the Pierse Hurdle on 11
January, 2003. Masterchef provided the catering and everyone agreed that this was the
best yet. This time we beat the budget!
In the winter of 2002, the construction of the basement section of the new clubhouse was
completed by Hegarty Domolitions Ltd. In March 2003, McCabe Construction moved on
site. We were soon back again in Scoil Naithi. Overall costs now looked to be heading
31
for €2.2million and doubts were expressed when it was announced that McCabe
Construction would be finished by Christmas 2003. Oh ye of little faith! The membership
of the club responded. Cash, cheques, bank drafts and standing orders flowed in.
It was time to approach the Department of Sport about securing National Lottery funding.
Michael Hand, Tom Hayes, Gerry Caulfield and JJ Duffy spent many hours preparing the
document that was to be presented with our case. It was a tome worthy of the
development. I had the pleasure of delivering it to the Department in Kildare Street. Long
serving, hard nosed officials stood in awe at the quality of the application. Strand four of
our funding was now in place. The budget was coming together. We needed a few bob
to complete the project.
Raceday 4 was planned for 10 January, 2004. In the meantime Denis Ward and Seán
Lane went to the courts and procured our licence to sell intoxicating liquor. The
clubhouse opened as promised before Christmas 2003. A new chairman, Gerry
O'Donnell, was elected at the first AGM held in the clubhouse. By opening date, the Club
Membership Scheme had raised €600,000 from 285 families. The fourth race day was a
huge success followed by a highly profitable night in the clubhouse. Popular demand
forced us back to Leopardstown on 9 January, 2005.
We are now ahead of budget! Now the accountants tell me that we have spent over
€2.4million. We have raised the following: Racedays at Leopardstown: €400,000, Club
Lotto: €200,000, Membership Scheme: €600,000, Grants: €600,000, Bank Borrowings:
€600,000. The plan has been delivered. The key to the total funding of the project was
the first day at Leopardstown when we stepped into the unknown and learned how to do
it. Without the money from such fund-raising activities we could not have leveraged the
grants or the bank borrowings or
gone to the general membership
for their hard earned money.
Along the way we learned a lot and
even had a bit of crack and backed
a few winners. Ballinteer St Johns
GAA Club is one of the most
vibrant organisations in Ireland. We
give excellent value for money. The
club needs the support of its
members in future development
work. The club has now put in
place a five-year development
plan. It needs fresh funding to
implement the plan. The 6th Annual
Raceday is to take place in
Leopardstown on 8 January, 2006.
See you there.
Champions All: Istabraq does it for BSJ at the race day
32
Our thanks to the participants in the members scheme who
contributed €600,000, which was essential in funding the project. Míle
Buíochas.
Aherne, Ken
Baker, Stephen
Banville, Stephen
Baxter, Leo
Boland, John
Bolger, Paul & Caroline
Bracken, Brian & Mary
Brady, Noel & Mary
Brennan, Vincent & Irene
Brennan, Kieran
Brennan, Pascal
Broderick, John
Burke, Alan
Butler, David & Angela
Byrne, Liam & Beatrice
Byrne, Brian
Byrne, Peter & Ethel
Byrne, Eddie
Cahalane, Pat & Anne
Carmody, Tom
Casserly, Shane
Caulfield, Gerry
Chambers, Tom
Clabby, Frank & Colette
Clarke, Terry
Clarke, Niall
Cleary, Michael J
Cleary, Martin
Clune, Bernie
Coffey, Angela & Dennis
Cogavin, Anne
Coleman, David
Coleman, Eamonn
Coleman, Brendan
Collins, Donal & Irene
Condron, Paul
Connolly, Seamus
Corcoran, Noel
Corcoran, Gabriel
Corcoran, Austen & Angela
Cosgrave, Tom
Cosgrove, Edan
Coughlan, Brendan &
Geraldine
Cranwell, Jimmy & Kay
Croke, Brian
Cronin, Michael
Crowley, Marie & Terry
Cullen, Bryan
Cullen, Patrick
Cusack, Terry
Daly, Liam
Davitt, Joe
Dee, Gerald
Desmond, Diarmuid
Devereux, Jim
Dolan, Conor
Dolan, Eamon & Marian
Dolan, PJ and Yvonne
Donnellan, Joe
Donnelly, Kevin
Donohue, Tom
Dowling-Maher, Mary
Duffy, Kieran
Duffy, JJ
Dunn, Nigel & Mary
Dunne, Anna
Dunne, Maurice
Dunphy, John & Soibhán
Dutty, Christopher
Egan, Bernard
Ellis, Robert
Fagan, James & Fidelma
Fanning, Joe
Farrell, Mel & Margaret
Farrelly, Seán
Fenton, Pat
Field, Mary-Lou
Field, Billy
Finnegan, Gary & Eileen
Fitzgerald, Patrick
Fitzpatrick, Brian
Flanagan, Margaret
Fleming, Ian
Fletcher, Seán
Flynn, Brian & Maureen
Foody, Jim
Forbes, Paul
Garvey, Ronan
Gaynor, Seán A & Maura
Gentleman, David
Gibbons, Thomas
Gildea, David & Helen
Gillick, Jim
34
Gilligan, Donal
Gilligan, Padraic & Rita
Given, Seamus
Goggins, Brian
Gondry, Nuala
Gormley, Áine & Niall
Gunnigan, Louis & Áine
Hand, Michael
Hanley, Seán T
Harkin, John
Harnett, John
Hartnett, Michael & Kay
Hartnett, Ken & Sally
Hayes, Tom
Hayes, Eamonn
Hession, Eamonn
Hogan, Michael & Marie
Holland, Bobby
Holohan, James
Hopkins, Seán & Anne
Hunt, David
Irwin, Jack
Jennings, Mary
Jones, Martin
Judge, John
Kavanagh, Paul
Kavanagh, Alan & Lorraine,
Kavanagh, William
Kelly, John
Kelly, Paul
Kelly, Breda
Kelly, David & Catherine
Kenny, Phil & Mary
Kilkenny, Kevin
Kilroe, Marty
Kinch-Bannon, Elizabeth &
Anthony
Kirrane, Thomas
Kissane, Áine
Kitt, Tom
Lane, Seán & Carol
Larkin, Aidan
Lavelle, Michael & Mary
Lawlor, Eamonn
Lee, Ian
Lee, Jackie
Lindsay, Ian & Mary
Lynch, Paul & Fiona
Mac Gabhann, Ultan
Madden, Terry
Maguire, Caroline
Maguire, Frank
Maher, Jim
Maher, Michael
Mannion, Seamus
McCann, B
Mc Cann, Peter
Mc Carthy, John & Betty
Mc Carthy, Conor
Mc Cullagh, Derek
Mc Donnell, Peter
Mc Geary, George & Patricia
Mc Glade, Seán & Eilis
Mc Grath, Enda
Mc Grath, Niall
Mc Guinness, Jim
Mc Mahon, Dermot
Mc Nally, Paddy
Mc Namara, Stephen
Mc Nulty, Paul
Mc Nulty, Paul & Freya
McCabe, Tom
McCann, Brian
McDonald, Michael & Mary
McDonnell, John & Sandra
McGreevy, Peter & Olive,
McKennedy, John & Louise
McKeon, Oliver
Meagher, Joseph
Melly, John
Mills, Tom & Bernie
Minogue, Ronan
Monahan, John
Moran, Anne
Moran, Paul & Gráinne,
Morohan, Gearóid
Morrissy, Maura
Mulder, Pieter
Mulligan, Des & Gráinne
Mulligan, Phil
Mulligan, Agnes
Murphy, Martin & Mary
Murphy, Denis
Murphy, Ray & Bernie
Murphy, John
Murphy, Tom & Maria
Murphy, Gerry
Murray, Brian
Nangle, Brendan
Nangle, Ciarán
Naughton, Mary
Naughton, Eamonn
Nolan, Kieron & Colombe,
Nolan, Paul
Nolan, Pa
O Broin, Ray & Cherrie
O Broin, Seán
Ó Ceannabháin, Peadar
Ó Fathaigh, Liam
O Malley, Keith
Ó Riain, Colm
O'Boyle, Peter
O'Brien, Conor
O'Brien, Dominic
O'Brien, Kieran
O'Brien, Emer
O'Brien, Bernie
O'Callaghan, Gearóid
O'Connell, Maurice
O'Connor, Bill
O'Connor, Nicholas & Dolores
O'Connor, Jim
O'Connor, Robert
O'Curry, Fintan
O'Dea, Jimmy
O'Donnell, Gerard
O'Donnell, Paul
O'Faherty, Paul & Antoinette
O'Halloran, June
O'Halloran, Pat & Joan,
O'Hanlon, Michael
O'Leary, Dan
Oliver, James
O'Mahony, Michael & Marie
O'Neill, Jimmy
O'Neill, Sarah
O'Reilly, Cathal
O'Shea, Peter & Carmel
O'Sullivan, Diarmuid
Phelan, John
Phelan, John
Pigott, Tom
Pounch, Michael
Power, Fergus
Power, Alan
35
Power, Brian
Quinn, Brendan
Quinn, Gerard & Anne
Quinn, Dermot & Fiona
Redmond, Alfred
Redmond, Catherine &
Cormac
Reeves, John
Reilly, Breda
Reynolds, Norman
Richardson, Vincent
Rogers, Paul
Ronayne, Eoin & Marguerite
Ruane, Henry
Rutherford, Noel
Ryan, Tom
Scollan, Andrew
Shanagher, Aiden & Patricia
Shanahan, Paddy
Sharkey, Herbert
Smith, Pat
Smith, Seán & Elizabeth
Sorohan, Brendan
Staunton, Pádraig
Stewart, Ian
Sullivan, Frank & Deirdre
Sullivan, Pat
Sutton, Brian
Sweeney, Aedeen
Tahaney, Aiden & Marie
Toomey, Tom & Noreen
Towell, Edward
Tulie, Ron
Tully, Paul
Tully, Martin & Áine
Tuomey, Niall
Walker, George
Wall, Fergus
Walsh, Christy
Walsh, Dermot
Walsh, Vincent
Ward, Denis
Waters, David
Weir, John
Whelan, Patricia & Chris
White, Tom & Claire
Woulfe, Michael
Wren, Michael & Mary
Young, Noel
Ladies Football
Mary Kenny
About 10 years ago the executive asked Phil Kenny to set up a Ladies football team. It
was with much trepidation and curiosity that the training sessions were started on
Sunday afternoons in Broadford. Some had to learn the basics of catching and kicking
the ball. Others had already played football.
The first match arrived and the team togged out and presented themselves on a very
slippery slope on the side of the mountain to play Stars of Erin. The new kit sponsored
by the Coach House looked well at the beginning of the match but had a greenish tinge
and a smell of sheep at the end. This didn't bother the girls too much as they had won
their first match and were elated. We finished fourth in the league in our debut season.
A few new players joined for the second season. With Ron Tulie helping out with fitness
training, we won some and lost some and eventually ended up third in the league.
The following season saw training starting earlier as the all-weather pitch was now
available. By now, there was a panel of 25 girls and the big panel helped the team reach
the quarter final of the championship. The league was up for grabs and with grit and
determination they went for it. After suffering a first defeat of the season, there was a
chance to undo the damage with a return match the following week in Loreto. They did.
On the night of the final match of the season, they were presented with the Senior
Division 3 League Cup and so the celebrations started.
The first season in the second division was tough and we did well to survive. Over the
next few seasons the team played well together and reached the final of the
championship. However, they were beaten by a point on a cold, wet miserable day in
Parnell Park.
Not having a juvenile structure in the club was a big draw back and so it was decided that
Julie Kenny would start with a team of young girls. They played steadily in the first season
and won their championship final. Improving in leaps and bounds, some of the team have
played on the Senior team. They
reached the final of the shield three
years ago and the semi-final of the
championship two years ago. They also
won Division 2 and got promoted to
Division 1.
League Winners: Girls Under 14 team 2004 with
League Cup
The interest in ladies and girls football
has made it the fastest growing sport in
Dublin. We now have five juvenile
teams from under 10 to under 16. A
nursery for 6-8 year olds is held every
Saturday in St Attracta's school
grounds.
38
Although having only two
teams in the club for a few
years, we have had great
representation on Dublin
county teams. Angie McNally
captained the county team
and was awarded an All Star
in 2003. She has played in
the last two All Ireland Finals.
Ladies Football Intermediate Finalists 2001: Back Row:
Paddy McNally (Manager), Angie McNally, Elaine Duffy, Anita
White, Grainne Richardson, Eilis McCarthy, Emma Giles,
Sarah McCormack, Audrey Kearon, Carmel Ni Mhordha,
Suzanne McKenna, David Brunton. Front Row: Susie
Bradshaw, Patricia McNally, Janet Lawlor, Mary Gannon, Sue
McDonagh, Carol Agar (Capt.), Trish Long, Eileen McNally.
Eileen and Trish McNally
played for the junior county
team. Audrey Kearon played
with us for a few years. She
studied and worked in
England
where
she
transferred to London and
last year was awarded an AllStar in London.
Our juvenile section has
been well represented on county teams as well. Kate Hogan represented the club for the
last two years on the under 16 panel. Julie-Anne Forbes played with the under 14 team
last year. This team reached and won the All Ireland final - the first All Ireland medal for
the club. Emma Irwin and Laura Funge were on the under 12 Dublin panel last year.
Phil and Mary Kenny managed the senior team for the first few years. Kenny O'Toole took
over for the next year. Eddie Byrne and Paddy McNally took it on for the next year. Eddie
Byrne continued on with coaching help from Ron Tulie and Angie McNally. Last year
Fintan O'Curry and Mary Kenny managed the team. Eoin Richardson and David Butler
are the present management team and we wish them well for the coming season.
Julie Kenny having started the juvenile team then handed management over to Mary
Kenny who ran it with coaching help from Audrey Kearon and Ron Tulie. Fintan O'Curry
took on the coaching role full time two years ago. This year Fintan O'Curry and Eddie
Byrne are running the team.
Eileen Mc Nally started with an under 10 team. The team is now playing under 14 and
Eileen is still at the helm. Dermot McMahon ran the under 11 team and helped Eileen
McNally with the under 12 team last year.
Frank Sullivan, Sue McDonagh and Fintan O'Curry managed the under 10 team last year
and they won the shield final. This was a great achievement as some of these girls are
still playing under 10 football this year. The under 10 team is now being managed by Sue
McDonagh and Julie Kenny.
Anyone interested in joining any of the above teams please contact Frank Sullivan Club
Secretary @ 01-4945351.
39
1982 First Club Executive: Tom Cosgrave, Mick Wren, the late Ollie Quinlan, Maurice O Connell
(Chairman) and Gerry McEvoy
1986 Executive: Brian Goggins (Chairman), Mick Wren, Gerry Murphy, Mick Delaney, Michael
Cleary, Gerry McGough and Edan Cosgrove
42
1992 Executive: Back Row: Seán McGlade, Betty McCarthy, Derek Oman, Laurence Giles
(Chairman), J J Duffy, Maura Brophy and the late Paddy McGrath. Seated: John Weir
2005 Executive: Back Row: Tom Ryan, Tom Hayes, Tom Chambers, Michael Hand.
Front Row: Gerry Caulfield, Gerard O’Donnell (Chairman), Annette O’Connor, Frank Sullivan
(Absent: Dermot McMahon)
43
Coman Goggins
Kevin Nolan (Irish Independent)
The stunning success of David Gillick in winning the European 400 metres indoor
championships catapulted Ballinteer into the news and sports pages - he was the
'Ballinteer Bullet' according to the headline writers.
However, David should really have been christened the 'Ballinteer Bullet Mark 2' - Coman
Goggins the original flying machine from Ballinteer had put the southside village on the
map over the previous four years.
The rise of the St Johns club and the ascent of Coman are inextricably linked. Like many
other talented footballers throughout the land playing with 'less fashionable' clubs
Coman's credentials as a potential intercounty footballer were ignored at underage level.
However, when you marry talent with dedication and self-belief you create a potent mix
and Coman's calling eventually came. Ballinteer's under-21 football league Division 2
success in 1997 was the first of a series of small battles which were won on the way to
winning the war.
Playing at midfield
against
Kilmore,
Coman dictated the
game and afterwards
was invited by the
Dublin
under-21
management to tog out
for trials. There was
one slight problem - he
was overage for that
year's Dubs team.
However, his name
was now in circulation
among the 'chattering
classes' of Dublin
football and maybe
opportunity
would
come knocking on his
door after all.
BSJ Mentors: Coman’s dad, Brian the new Ballinteer Senior Football
Manager, with John Kelly.
44
Ballinteer's heroics in
the 1998 season, when
the
Intermediates
achieved their own
Grand Slam of Cup,
Simply the Best: Coman heads for the Hill with the Leinster Cup.
45
League and Championship, added fuel to Coman's cause as it did likewise for Johnny
McNally. A couple of five-star showings for the Dublin juniors in the same period pushed
him even closer to a Senior call up.
A stunning goal for the Dublin juniors against Wexford in the 1999 Leinster JFC added
another page to the scrapbook and not before long Tom Carr was thumbing through the
(01) phone directory looking for Goggins in Ballinteer.
2001 was a special year for Coman. Despite Dublin's loss to Meath in the Leinster
Championship he showed he had the temperament for the big Croke Park occasions
when he snuffed out the threat of the Royals' Ollie Murphy.
On the two unforgettable days in Thurles against Kerry, Coman embodied the spirit in the
Dublin team with a battling display as well as lifting the green and gold siege on several
occasions with trademark bursts from defence.
While the Dubs were denied, Coman had some consolation at the end of term when he
was rewarded with an All Star award at left corner-back. In doing so, he followed in the
footsteps of Robbie Kelleher (1974, '75, '77 and '78) and Mick Kennedy (1988) as the
only Dubs ever to be named at No 4 in the coveted selections.
The honours did not stop there in 2001 as Coman travelled to Australia as part of the Irish
International Rules panel making an appearance in the second test in Adelaide in
Ireland's 71 to 52 victory, that resulted in a two tests to nil overall success.
Coman has a list of first class honours to his name - first Ballinteer player to play
championship football for Dublin, first All Star, first to represent his country at International
Rules. In 2002 he added another honour when he captained Dublin to Leinster SFC
glory, Dublin's first success at the level since 1995.
Coman's performance against Donegal dangerman Adrian Sweeney in the All-Ireland
quarter-final replay was one of the great displays of that summer. Sweeney kicked five
points in the drawn match, had a jibe at the Dubs in his post-match comments but was
left speechless in the replayed encounter as Dublin triumphed 1-14 to 0-7.
An inspiration to anyone who has a dream, Coman Goggins is a player Dublin will look
to this year to carry the fight in Leinster and All-Ireland action.
www.ballinteerstjohns.com
46
Junior A Football Team - 2003 & 2004
Denis Ward and John Kelly
Operating in the shadow of the Seniors, St Johns second team was clearly the most
successful adult male football team in the club during the last two seasons, 2003 and
2004. The main achievements were:
•
•
•
•
Winners of the prestigious Stacey Cup in both 2003 and 2004
Runners-up Adult League Division 6 in 2003 and again in 2004
Promotion to Division 5 (the former Junior 1 division) in 2004
Quarter finals Junior 1 Championship in both 2003 and 2004
This team exhibited all of the qualities, which are prerequisites for success - spirit and
skill, cohesiveness and cooperation, discipline and determination. The players
themselves made the task of management simple. To a man they were and remain
gentlemen. Just imagine - no red card and very few yellows in almost 60 games. At the
same time this team was no pushover and even teams with serious reputations failed to
cow it. The team was a joy to watch, with a brand of football played that was
characterised by intelligence, pace and strength. It augurs well for the future of not just
of the team but also the club.
Stacey Cup Team 2003: Back Row: Seamus Connolly, Dennis Ward, Cormac O'Brien, Cian O'
Connor, Ronan Minogue, Michael Wren, John Byrne, Graham Smith, John Glendon, Brian
Gibbons, Aidan Kirrane, Kevin Kirrane, Conal Ellis, Aidan Murphy, Diarmuid Desmond.
Front Row: Denis Ward, Mark Kavanagh, Tommy Desmond, Seamus Farrelly, James Oliver,
George Walker, Aidan Taheny, Cian Duffy, Fergal Hand, Shane Oliver, John Kelly.
49
There were some difficult times during the two years. Players sitting exams, others
heading for places far afield, mainly Australia, niggling injuries and the like caused the
selectors some sleepless nights. Looking back it seems that many of the key matches,
play-offs and finals, were played in atrocious winter conditions that militated against the
team's style of play. However, the tremendous spirit of St Johns prevailed and the team
marched on to its various victories.
The players' prowess is not just confined to the pitch. Other emerging talents were
identified during the course of victory celebrations in the clubhouse. Singers,
soothsayers, some serious comedians and at least one alto were discovered.
The team captains, George Walker (2003) and Conal Ellis (2004), are commended for
their leadership and drive. The mentors, Seamus Connolly, John Kelly and Denis Ward,
provided the ballast to keep the team focused and on an even keel. Laura Connolly's
efforts in pitch preparation deserve special mention, as does the band of loyal
supporters. All are thanked for their respective contributions and may good health and
happiness be with them in the future.
The first team to play under floodlights: The Junior C team with manager Gerard O’Donnell at
the Iveagh Grounds, March 2005
www.ballinteerstjohns.com
50
Juvenile Hurling in BSJ
Tony Redmond
Hurling started in BSJ in September 1982 with U10 and U12 teams. There were quite a
few people involved initially including Chris Grace and the late Ollie Quinlan, who later
became chairman and vice chairman of the club, respectively. Prominent team mentors
in the early years were Tony Quinn, Tom O'Mahony, Paddy McGrath, Eamon Lawlor,
Eamonn Hayes, Paddy Lawlor, Tom Donoghue and Derek Oman.
Friends of the late Paddy Lawlor, who ran the supermarket and sub-Post Office on
Ballinteer Road, later presented a cup in his honour to the club. A Juvenile Hurling Blitz
was organised annually among local clubs - Dundrum Churchtown, St Olafs and
Kilmacud Crokes for the "Paddy Lawlor Cup".
In 1987 we won our first hurling title, beating Liffey Gaels in the under 13 Division 2
League final.
In 1989 a decision was made by Dublin County Board to change registration from
September to January. This had a disastrous impact on existing teams. As a
consequence, some teams were split in two and some went out of existence altogether.
Consequently some players, and indeed mentors, transferred to St Olafs, Kilmacud and
Ballyboden.
In the early 1990s, Seán McGlade set about reviving hurling in the club and was
successful in persuading Tony Redmond and Tadhg Donovan to start hurling training with
very early support from Kevin Donnelly. After a lot of hard work two teams at U10 and
U11 took part in their respective leagues. Niall Ó Muilleoir, Jimmy O'Neill and Tomás
First Hurling Cup: Under 13 Hurlers from 1987 with Mentors, Tom Donoghue and Tom Mahony and
helpers Derek McCullagh and Mick Wren. Note old Broadford dressing rooms in the background.
53
MacUileagóid soon joined the ranks of mentors as hurling began to grow once again
within the club. Over time these efforts led to some success in blitzes and tournaments
and eventually some good performances in the annual féiles. Quite a bit of support came
from Juvenile Board officers such as Eithne Morris (Commercials), Dermot Murray (Liffey
Gaels), Danny O'Connor (St Sylvesters) and Paddy McGrath within the club. Training
camps were introduced, initially at Easter and finally in the summer, which were very
productive and led to the current football and hurling summer camps.
Gerry Murphy and Liam Kennedy, with support from Oliver McKeon. arrived on the scene
early on to run the Hurling Nursery on Sunday mornings and to progress the teams
onwards to their leagues.
As chairman Lawrence Giles commenced a dynamic recruitment drive and pulled in a lot
of excellent people. Some of the hurling mentors that arrived subsequently were Tom
Hayes, Mattie Murphy and later Seán Lane and PJ Dolan. They have been joined in
recent years by many more including Norrie Reynolds, Frank Clabby and Dave
McCarthy.
The Paddy Lawlor annual blitz was revived with the focus changing from county Dublin
teams to five country teams being invited. Some of the participants included county
players such as Tony Og Regan and our own Fergal Chambers.
In an effort to raise the profile of hurling in the club Mattie Murphy, who was Rúnaí at the
time, organised a special coaching session in Marlay Park on the eve of the All-Ireland
finals in 1994 and 1995. These were conducted by such notable hurlers at the time as
DJ Carey (Killkenny), Joe Cooney (Galway), Conal Bonnar (Tipp), Joe Dooley (Offaly)
and Joey Morris (Dublin). Aodhán Mac Suibhne was also present to give a referee's
viewpoint to the players. The impact of these sessions was considerable.
The club enjoyed success four years running (1996 - 1999) at U15 division 3 level. Other
successes were achieved in the Camaint and the PJ Troy tournaments which placed an
emphasis on basic hurling skills at U11 an U13 levels.This eventually led in 1999 to our
first minor hurling team competing in the league and the championship. In the 2004
season the Minors under Seán Lane and Mattie Murphy, finished runners up in Division
I, just losing out in a play-off for the title to St Vincents. This commitment has been
reflected at county level with a number of players playing for Dublin at minor and under
21 level including Denis Flanagan, Fergal Chambers, Cormac O'Brien, Keith Nolan,
Seán and Ciarán Lane, Eamon McKeon, Joe Maher and Jack Gilligan. Denis was our
first county representative when he played U14 for Dublin in 1996.
The hurling nursery has been run more recently by PJ Dolan with help from some of our
adult players, such as Paul Kissane, Réamonn Mac Réamoinn and Peter Maher.
This short article is not intended to be a definitive account of juvenile hurling development
within the club and there are many, many people who have contributed significantly who
may have been inadvertently omitted.
54
Club Shop: Manager
Dolores Duffy with
satisfied customers
Aisling Browne and Rory
O Connor. Shop open
each Saturday Áras na
nOg 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Expect another branch in
Áras Naomh Eoin
(Clubhouse) soon
Representatives on the
Dublin Under 21 2005
squad: Cian Morrissey,
Keith Nolan, Seán Lane,
Cormac O Brien, Oisin
Chambers
Representatives on the
Dublin Minor Hurling
2004 squad: Eoin Murphy,
Ciaran Lane, Keith Nolan,
Colm Duffy, Kevin Davis
55
Dublin Senior Camogie Team
1
Eimear Butler
2
Sylvia Hanks
3
Anne McCloskey
4
Eve Talbot
5
Andrea Fitzpatrick
6
Sinead Cunnane
7
Caitriona Power
8
Louise O'Hara
9
Ciara Lucey
10
Eimear Brannigan
11
Gillian McCloskey
12
Ciara Durkan
13
Joyce Donnelly
14
Niamh Taylor
15
Áine Fanning
Substitutes : 16 Liz McGuinness, 17 Gemma Flynn, 18 Elaine Ryan, 19 Aoife Cullen,
20 Siobhan Curran, 21 Elaine O'Meara, 22 Emer Murphy, 23 Jean Murphy 24 Maria
O'Sullivan 25 Julie Draper 26 Sandra Martin 27 Olive Sorahan, 28 Deirdre O Neill
29 Fiona Hayes 30 Niamh McKennedy.
Tipperary Senior Camogie Team
1
Joanne Nolan
2
Maedbh Corcoran
3
Niamh Harkins
4
Trish O'Halloran
5
Sinead Nealon
6
Ciara Gaynor
7
Therese Brophy
8
Angie McDermott
9
Paula Bulfin
10
Joanne Ryan
11
Philly Fogarty
12
Claire Grogan
13
Emer McDonnell
14
Deirdre Hughes
15
Geraldine Kinane
Substitutes : 16 Jovita Delaney,17 Jill Horan 18 Noelle Kennedy 19 Emily Hayden 20
Lorraine Davis 21 Emer Ryan 22 Deirdre McDonnell 23 Louise Young 24 Mary Ryan
25 Julie Kirwan 26 Suzanne Kelly 27 Una O'Dwyer
58
Dublin Senior Ladies Football Team
1
Cliodhna O' Connor
2
Sorcha Farrelly
3
Louise Kidd
4
Louise Keegan
5
Niamh McEvoy
6
Joannne O' Sullivan
7
Maria Kavanagh
8
Bernie Finlay
9
Fiona Corcoran
10
Lynsey Davey
11
Angie McNally
12
Louise Kelly
13
Karen Hopkins
14
Catherine Roche
15
Sinead Aherne
Substitutes : Emma Redmond, Noelle Coymn, Avril Cluxton, Rachel Barrett, Niamh
Hurley, Denise Masterson, Mary Nevin, Amy McGuinness, Ashling McCormack, Gemma
Fay, Elaine Kelly, Martina Farrell.
Waterford Senior Ladies Football Team
1
Mary Hayes
2
Donna Frost
3
Charlotte Raher
4
Brigid Hannigan
5
Lorraine Whelan
6
Mary O' Donnell
7
Marion Troy
8
Fiona O' Reilly
9
Marian Ryann
10
Linda Wall
11
Michelle Ryan
12
Cliona O' Keeffe
13
Michelle McGrath
14
Aoife Murphy
15
Mary O' Rourke
Substitutes : Miriam Listen, Lisa McGrath, Niamh Briggs, Evelyn O' Brien, Mary Foley,
Louise Ryan, Lenny Kirwan, Kerry Dunphy, Grainne Enright.
59
Under 14 Camogie: Team Mentors Betty McCarthy and Nora Tully with the Under 14 Camogie
team.
Random Jottings
• Kieran Brennan played for Leinster in 2 Railway Cup finals only to lose in both. He
also played in two All Ireland Club finals and lost both. He fared much better in
management when he managed the Laois team to win the National League title in
1986. He was awarded the Scott medal for bravery in his duties with an Garda
Siochana. He then went on to lead BSJ to the promised land from Junior 3 to Senior
1.
• Noel Corcoran who was recruited by Kieran from Civil Service to join his Junior squad
in 1993 was about to hang up his boots. He went on to win an All Ireland Medal
(Masters) with his native Cavan in 1996 later won Cup and League honours with BSJ.
• Ron Tulie is also the proud holder of an All Ireland Masters Medal with the Dubs.
• Brian Goggins is the only one to have served as Chairman twice, Frank Sullivan ditto
as Secretary. Mick Wren PRO for 12 yrs, was elected Chairman in the only three-way
contest way back in 1990. Strange thing is Mick was working in Blantyre Malawi on
the night of the election.
60
Laois Senior Football Team
1
F Byron
2
P Begley
3
D Rooney
4
J Higgins
5
P Mc Donald
6
T Kelly
7
C Begley
8
P Clancy
9
N Garven
10
R Munnelly
11
C Conway
12
G Kavanagh
13
S Cooke
14
S Kelly
15
D Brennan
Substitutes : M Nolan, I Fitzgerald, C Kelly, D Miller, K Fitzpatrick, A Fennelly, P
McMahon, B Sheenan
Roscommon Senior Football Team
1
S Curran
2
M Ryan
3
B McNeela
4
J Rogers
5
D Donnelly
6
C Beirne
7
I Kilbridey
8
S O'Neill
9
M Finneran
10
G Cox
11
E Kenny
12
D Connellan
13
J Dunning
14
K Mannion
15
G Henehan
Substitutes : F Grehan, F Dolan, T Towey, N Dineen, S McDermott, P Noone, J Tiernan,
B Higgins
61
62
Back Row: John McNally, Eoin Richardson, Eddie Coleman, Lorcan Brennan, Kevin McNally,
James Oliver (Capt.), Gerry Quirke, Coman Goggins.
Front Row: John Gillick, John Boland, Ronan Garvey, Eamon Lawlor, Frank Ward, John
Corcoran, Paul McGrath
Intermediate Football Champions 1998
63
Back: Eamonn Lawlor, Paul Kissane, Cian O Muirgheasa,Thomas Hayes, Kevin Davis, Paddy
Desmond, Colm Duffy, Ruairí Donnelly, Brendan Muldowney, Keith Nolan, John Meagher, John Phelan,
Colm O Muirgheasa, Kevin Donnelly, Feargal Chambers, Denis Flanagan, Eamonn Mc Keon, PJ
Dolan, Seán Lane,
Front:: Antoin Redmond, Tom Delaney, Eoin O' Murchú, Reamon Redmond, Patrick Corcoran, Eamon
Lawlor Jr (Capt), Micheál O Meachair, Ciaran Lane, Seán Lane Jr, Peter Moran.
Junior A Hurling Champions 2003
Team Mentors 2005
Football
Nursery
Kieran Duffy
Conor O Reilly
Shane Duffy
Niall Joyce
Eoin Flaherty
Kieran Budds
Under 8 A/B
Ultan MacGabhann
Tom Piggot
Paul Nolan
Philip Fitzpatrick
Michael Wolfe
Eric O Connor
Under 10 A
Eamon Naughton
Mick Davis
Under 10 B
Niall Shanley
Stewart Tarleton
Under 12 B
Cormac Chambers
Seán McGlade
Fiachra McGlade
Under 13 A
Kieran Duffy
Fintan O Curry
John Dunphy
Under 13 B
Brendan Quinn
Garoid Morahan
Under 14
Brendan Nangle
Frank Ward
Darren Nangle
Ciaran McCabe
Under 15 A
Ciaran Nangle
Terry Clarke
Seán Hopkins
Under 11 A
Noel Corcoran
David Conway
Peter McDonald
Brian Colgan
Under 15 B
Tom Ryan
Dermot McMahon
Annette O Connor
Seán Smith
Eamon Naughton
Under 11 B
Liam Fahy
Paul Rodgers
Ken Ahern
Jim Fitzgerald
Eoin Ronayne
Under 16
Jim Devereux
Herbert Sharkey
Mick Davis
Under 11 C
Tom White
Des Smith
Under 12 A
Ultan MacGabhann
Frank Clabby
Brian McCann
Gerry Dee
Minor A
Eamonn Hession
Tom McCabe
Turlach Maher
Adult Team
Junior D
Michael Hand
Frank Sullivan
66
Junior C
Gerry O Donnell
Junior B
Diarmuid Desmond
Leo Baxter
JJ Duffy
Peter McDonald
Junior A
Pat Coleman
Noel Corcoran
Enda McGrath
Under 21
Seamus Lane
Brian Goggins
Senior
Brian Goggins
Pat Smith
Seamus Lane
Ron Tuile
Hurling
Nursery
P J Dolan
Peter Maher
Shane Casserly
Pat Meegan
Ultan MacGabhann
Paul Nolan
Under 9
Tom Piggott
Conor O Brien
Under 10
Pat Fenton
Peter Maher
Under 11
Liam Fahy
Tom White
Seán Fletcher
Jim Fitzgerald
Under 12
Frank Clabby
P J Dolan
Ultan MacGabhann
Peter Maher
Intermediate
P J Dolan
Seán Lane
Mairtin O Murchu
Under 13
Jim Devereux
Garoid Morahan
Camogie
Under 15
Frank Clabby
Dave McCarty
Under 16/ Minor
Norry Reynolds
Mairtin O Murchu
Under 21
P J Dolan
Seán Lane
Junior
Tony Redmond
Jimmy O Neill
Jim Maher
Nursery
Betty McCarthy
Martin Tully
Philip Browne
Rory O Connor
Ladies / Girls Football
Under 10
Sue McDonagh
Julie Kenny
Ciaran McMahon
Under 11
Frank Sullivan
Fintan O Curry
Siobhan Dunphy
Under 12
Siobhan Dunphy
Aedeen Sweeney
Under 12
Dermot McMahon
David Fitzsimons
Tom Sweeney
Aedeen Sweeney
Under 14
Ann Cogavin
Nora Smith
Under 14
Eileen McNally
Jack Irwin
Senior B
Tom Hayes
Brendan Sorahan
Under 16
Fintan O Curry
Eddie Byrne
Senior
Eoin Richardson
David Butler
Minor Footballers, 2004
67
New Clubhouse Development - A Diary
Michael Hand
In the beginning……
Back in 1995 BSJ was but a gangly adolescent - all the skills but only raw potential. The
then chairman, Laurence Giles, has dreams and plans. Phase 1 of changing rooms for
juveniles at Broadford Park is completed in 1997 as Áras na n-Óg. Phase two of winter
training facilities is completed two years later as the all-weather pitch in partnership with
Ballinteer Community School. The final piece of the development plan is our own
clubhouse, the ultimate dream. We have no site, no money, no wherewithal, but we
have a dream to be carried forward by future chairmen, Brian Goggins, JJ Duffy and
Tom Hayes.
Summer 2002
Fast forward seven years. The Green Route yields a sliver of land adjacent to Marlay
Park and the county council has been persuaded to donate it and to set back a 50
metres section of Marlay Park wall so that we can have a traffic light controlled access
at Stonemasons Way. Brian Mullins is
appointed as architect and an 11,000 square
foot clubhouse has been designed and
planning permission secured. Fundraising is
in full swing - two successful race days, two
successful lotto applications, bank loan
approval and a Membership Scheme going
well. Mattie Murphy has doubts; "Jaysus
lads, t'will never fit". Keep that money rolling
in Mattie and we'll make it fit.
JJ leads the way with services diversions by
direct labour. Gas is handy enough but
nobody told us that Eircom serves all of
Sandyford through the seven cables sitting
right under the clubhouse footprint. With
Tony O'Reilly buying the sleepy semi-state
every shilling counts and so they are looking
for mega money. Every influence is brought
to bear to little avail. We've got to pay.
Several months later the deed is done. The
site resembles a giant rabbit warren. Basra
comes to Ballinteer.
70
Sign for the new Clubhouse
Winter 2002
Hegarty Demolition is appointed to complete the basement and groundworks package.
Over 1,500 tonnes of material is dug out, a king post wall is required to keep Marlay Park
masonry wall from tumbling in, the rain is teeming down and the pumps run round the
clock. Inch perfect, she's sitting on the rock. Take a bow Gerry Murphy! Ministers
Brennan and Kitt perform the foundation laying ceremony. We're on our way in earnest.
Spring 2003
McCabe Construction wins the main building contract. Now's the time for the big push.
Kieran Brennan gives up the day job to become chief stroker and stoker. Every subbie in
the club is given a chance. Pat Corcoran is blocklaying, Brendan Nangle is plastering and
Brian Flynn will do the carpentry. Shanlieve is recruited for the stonework. Mary Kenny is
snapping away for the album. Six am starts are the order of the day. Inch by inch the
building rises majestically above the spoil heaps. Club members are excited and
approving.
Summer 2003
As the roof steelwork is craned on, thoughts turn to holidays in the sun. A relative calm
descends on the site. But not for long - Tom McCabe has left a list and Conor is in charge.
Stonework to be finished, slating to be done, start the first fix services and at least 50m
of the boundary wall. No bother to Conor - a chip off the old block - and a boy becomes
a man. The building is closed in as fascias, overhangs and gutters go on. The boundary
wall goes up and the site is cleared. The new access road is opened up to the traffic lights
at Glaxo.
Autumn 2003
Johnny Mac and the boys are flying in the championship with scalps like Judes, 'Boden
and Marks. Could we dream of beating Crokes and having the clubhouse open for the
county final? The hurlers are pulling in the silverware as are the 'Chicks with Sticks'. We'll
have to resize that trophy cabinet. Angie is the darling of the media as she delivers for
the Dubs. What a year!
Behind the scenes chairman Tom Hayes is glad of all the wrist action training. With
military precision Denis Ward is lining up legal documents for his signature - sporting
lease, deed of trust, bank mortgage, bank accounts, liquor licence application, etc.
Quantity surveyor Paddy O'Brien is under pressure - can we afford high-spec internal
finishes or are we stuck with Yellow Pack? Mattie confirms that the Membership Scheme
has exceeded half a million euro. Another €100,000 from the Lotto has been confirmed
and we'll give the Leopardstown race day another twist.
71
The most up-to-date building services systems are being installed in the clubhouse under
the watchful eye of Martin Jones. A fully co-ordinated interior design by Intec Design is
implemented. Best quality timbers are complemented by carefully selected tiling, carpets
and curtains. All colours are selected to a pattern so as to deliver the appropriate
atmosphere to every room. Safety and disabled access are key concerns. Nothing
forgotten….except the mats and dirty area floor covering. Up steps Andrew Scollan "leave it to me - same stuff as in Old Trafford". If it's good enough for Man U, it will
probably do us. And so we're as stylish as the Grange at half the price.
Spring 2005
And so the vision becomes reality. The little acorn grows into a mighty oak. The club has
grown up and can proudly take its place beside any other in the country. We now have
the platform to deliver at the highest level. The clubhouse brings a new responsibility and
new challenges. It is of immeasurable value to our club and our community. But for now
let's acknowledge and savour the team effort which delivered it.
Turning the sod October 2003: Brian Goggins, Michael Hand, Seamus Brennan TD, Minister for
Transport, JJ Duffy, Pat Smith, Donal Marren (Chairman Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown) John Bailey
(Chairman Dublin Co Board) Tom Kitt TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Laurence Giles
72
Design Team: Paddy O Brien, P.K. O Brien Assoc
Quantity Surveyors, Gerry Murphy, G.M. Murphy and
Assoc. Structural Engineers, Brian Mullins, Brian Mullins &
Assoc Architects, Martin Jones Services Engineer
Main Contractors: Tom and Patricia
McCabe of McCabe Construction Ltd
who are also staunch club
supporters
Club Development Committee: Seated from left Gerry Murphy, J J Duffy, Michael Hand, Martin
Jones. Standing Denis Ward, Brian Goggins, Pat Smith, (Absent: Laurence Giles, Michael
Holland and Tom Kitt),
73
The Road to the Áras beside the Park
JJ Duffy, Chairman - Development Committee
The road to the completion of Áras Naomh Eoin was a long and winding one fraught with
joy and disappointment over a 10 year period. The quest for a club base started in
earnest in 1992 when chairman Laurence Giles unfurled a plain white paper scroll which
outlined the projected development of the club. The final goal on that scroll was the
delivery of a suitable clubhouse for a rapidly developing and progressive club.
A development team chaired by myself was formed and included Michael Hand, Michael
Holland, Tom Kitt, Brian Goggins, Gerry Murphy, Laurence Giles. This team proved to be
fantastically focused and driven in the bid to procure a suitable site and to prepare and
develop plans and designs suitable for the club's requirement. As our efforts started to
show promise additional people with vital expertise were co-opted, including Pat Smith,
Martin Jones and Denis Ward.
After a couple of years Michael Holland was lost to the committee, moving out of Dublin
but not before he had developed detailed sketches of a clubhouse with plans, elevations
and overall perspective in watercolour. These plans really whetted the appetite despite
the fact that we still had not procured a site.
This 10-year crusade was invigorated at various high points on our journey such as:• The granting in principle of a site by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in June
1997.
• Meeting and briefing architechtural firms competing for the project and adjudicating on
their submissions.
• The granting of planning permission in June 2000.
• The erection of a major signboard on the site in June 2001 signalling our intent.
• The running of our first Race Day in December 1999 when 1,500 people attended a
fundraising banquet in Leopardstown race course which admirably demonstrated that
the entire club had their collective shoulders to the wheel.
• The construction of the basement as an enabling contract for the clubhouse proper.
This difficult contract was expertly carried out by Hegarty Demolition Limited.
• The opening of competitive tenders in Brian Mullins’ office at 6.30pm on the 16
December, 2002 and the realisation that the project was feasible.
• When Martin Jones volunteered his services to act as services engineer for the
project.
• The appointment of McCabe Construction to construct the building.
In developing the project the Development Committee was always mindful and
appreciative of the free rein and total support given by successive executives. We are
76
also mindful and grateful for the support of the many people and organisations who lent
support, including:
• Our various work colleagues in the construction and allied industries who gave freely
of their resources and expertise.
• Colleagues within our club who similarly used their good offices to promote the
project.
• Local politicians who all appreciated and supported our efforts.
• The performance and dedication of an excellent Project Team comprising:
-
Brian Mullins
Paddy O'Brien
Gerry Murphy
Martin Jones
Tom McCabe
Architect
Quantity Surveyor
Civil & Structural Engineer
Services Engineer
Main Contractor who embraced the project as a labour of love.
And in particular the staff, officials and management of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County
Council who assisted and facilitated us so generously.
In conclusion, I return to the members of the Development Committee and thank them
all for their friendship, their years of endeavour, and their boundless energy and skill.
Everybody made significant contributions but it would be remiss of one not to single out
Michael Hand for special mention. He is a colossus, a brilliant operator, mentally strong
and all contributed with a smile. The club owes him and all the individuals who served on
this committee a great debt of gratitude. It was a pleasure to serve with these friends.
Áras Naomh Eoin
77
The Sporting McNallys
Mattie Murphy
When Ballinteer St Johns GAA club won the Dublin Intermediate Football Championship
in 1998 it was decided to hold the victory dinner dance in The Downshire Arms Hotel in
Blessington, Co Wicklow. Little did we know about a previous Intermediate
Championship that was celebrated in the same hotel a generation before and the
implications it had for our club.
St Anne's of Bohernabreena won the Dublin Intermediate Football Championship in
1964. They too celebrated the famous victory in the Downshire Arms. All the players were
given two free tickets for the banquet and great efforts were made to find suitable escorts
for the night. The star full forward, Paddy McNally, phoned Maureen Coyne in the hope
she might like to go. Maureen agreed and accompanied the Bohernabreena star on the
night. A great night ensued and shortly afterwards Paddy proposed and the rest is history.
Paddy McNally started his football career with St Anne's in 1952. He played at various
levels until 1960 when he joined Seán McDermott's, who were based in Raheny. Seán
McDermott's were a leading senior club which had a good number of inter-county stars
of the day including John and Joe Timmons of Dublin, Noel Delaney of Laois, Cathal
Flynn and Packy McGarty of Leitrim, as well as Ronan Creavin of Roscommon.
Paddy mixed with the best and played for Seán McDermott's for two years winning Dublin
Senior League Division 1 and 2
titles. In 1962 they played the
great St Vincent's in Croke Park in
the semi-final of the Dublin Senior
Football Championship. Paddy
played at full forward against no
less a man than the legendary Lar
Foley. Seán McDermott's had
three players, including Paddy,
sent off. St Vincent's finished with
15 players and won handsomely.
Paddy returned to his native St
Anne's and won the Intermediate
Championship in 1964 and the
Division 2 Senior League in 1965.
Along the way he played for Dublin
in 1964 and was unlucky to miss
the trip to New York for the League
The Sporting McNallys: The McNally brothers and
Champions in 1964.
sisters with the latest haul of silverware
78
Marriage and new responsibilities beckoned and Paddy retired from football in 1967.
Paddy and Maureen settled in Ballinteer and had six children - Angie, Eileen, Kevin,
Tricia, Johnny and Deirdre. All six were fully active in a variety of sports growing up. The
girls played basketball for Meteors. Angie also played soccer for Rathfarnham and
represented Ireland at both basketball and soccer on numerous occasions. Kevin played
for Ballinteer St Johns since its foundation. He was on the club's first ever team together
with such stars as Ronan Cosgrove, Eamon Lawlor, Eddie Coleman and Turlough Maher.
Kevin starred outfield for many years but it was as a goalkeeper that he really made his
name being the man in the gap when BSJ won the Intermediate Championship in 1998.
He went on to play Senior 1 and 2 for a few years and may well turn out again for the
club.
Johnny McNally starred for both Leicester Celtic and Broadford Rovers in soccer before
committing full-time to Gaelic football in the early 1990's. Soccer's loss was Ballinteer St
Johns and Dublin's gain. Johnny starred for the club at Junior, Intermediate and Senior
levels before being called on to the Dublin squad. In 2002, he won a Leinster Senior
Football Championship medal when Coman Goggins captained Dublin to win the title for
the first time in seven years. It was a fantastic year for Dublin and no one celebrated
more than Paddy and Maureen. Incidently, Maureen's cousin Padraig Coyne had played
for Galway in the famous 1983 final when 12 Dubs beat 14 Tribesmen.
Over the Bar: Johnny about
to score another point
All Ireland Final 2003: Angie breaks clear of the Mayo defence
79
When Ladies Football started in Ballinteer St Johns, the McNally girls were first to answer
the call to join Phil Kenny's squad. Paddy later offered his services and together with
Eddie Byrne led the team to two county Intermediate Finals. While both ended in defeat
the seed was sown and today we have a thriving ladies football club. Tricia played for the
Dublin Juniors while Angie went on to play for Dublin Seniors and has played in two
Senior All-Ireland Finals. Unfortunately Dublin were defeated in successive years by
Mayo and Galway but Angie won a well deserved All Star award. The GAA connection
has spread to the next generation and grandchildren Jenny and Garry are playing with
the BSJ juveniles.
Having retired early from football, Paddy McNally got involved with Churchtown Gaels in
the 1980s. They prevailed upon him to take up refereeing and for 10 years Paddy
refereed for the Junior Board. Recalling the awful day in Croke Park in 1962, he resolved
never to send off any player unless absolutely necessary. He got through his refereeing
career without ever having to resolve to the ultimate sanction. There were no cards
except Christmas cards in them days!
TG4 All-Star Awards: Angie with Mum & Dad, Maureen and Paddy, and Seán Kelly President
GAA
81
"Hi, my name is Glenn Whelan. I live in Ballinteer South Dublin, I am 11 years of age I
play for Ballinteer St Johns GAA club. I started off with St Johns in there nursery when I
was 5 years old, I play midfield and sometimes half forward. I also play with my local
school our Ladys in the alianz-Cumann Na mBunscol competitions. When I am not
playing myself my dad takes me to see other St Johns teams play and also we follow the
dubs every where. My favourite players in St. Johns are Coman Goggins and Johnny
McNally who both play for the dubs as well, I would love to follow there example some
day and play in croke park and parnell park as well. I have played in croke park once with
my school I have also played in parnell park in club finals in both football and hurling. I
would like to play there again and to improve as a player that's why I want to TRAIN
WITH THE DUBS"
Thank you
Glenn Whelan, Age 11
Glenn was one of the winners in the Evening Herald 'Why I want to train with the Dubs’
competition.
83
Junior Football League Champions 1984
Extract from BSJ Newsheet for Annual Dinner Dance January 1985
Tonight we toast our own junior football team. The team started in September 1983 with
only a handful of players. Tom Donoghue was appointed board delegate, Barney Lynch
team manager and John Murphy team captain. Attics were searched for old boots, many
pounds were shed in training in Marlay and Broadford. By Christmas many clubs were
beginning to take notice. Who were these newcomers from Ballinteer? Teams we had yet
to play called us "Dads Army", those we had beaten called us the "Jack Russells". You
could tell from their ankles they had played against Ballinteer. By spring we had got a
new blend of youth in the team and young Pomphrett and Moody started to toss them
over the black spot.
A play off with St Judes on a wet May evening gave us the southside title. Things were
hotting up. Full attendance at training sessions. A new fever had hit Ballinteer, the smell
of silverware was in the air. On the field of play you could easily pick out the Dundrum
garda station lads, each had a decent haircut.
Into the semi-final with Naomh Fionnbarra. They say the northside teams are better. The
team sheet had better be in order with lots of seimhius and a decent splattering of fadas.
They'll never understand the Connaught Irish. They could not come to grips with the
Ballinteer football either and we were through to the final in Parnell Park against St
Monica's. The lads turned in a blinder. Cosgrove and McGough were electrifying. Tom
Donoghue and Terry Martin played blinders. Captain John Murphy sent Peter Ging on
many fine solo runs. The six forwards were on song scoring 16 points in all.
And so it came to pass that they brought the Corn George Plant cup to Ballinteer for the
first time in their first year in business. The craic was in the nineties in the Beavers that
night and many fresh pints were scored well into the wee hours. As Barney said "it's all
part of history now".
"So here's to the Jack Russells from Ballinteer,
Junior League Champions in Centenary Year"
Taobh líne
www.ballinteerstjohns.com
84
The Past and the Future
1984 Junior Division 4 Winners: Back Row: Pat Sullivan, Mick Mitchell (Assnt Manager), Tim
O'Connor, Edan Cosgrove, Frank Murphy, Terry Martin, Mick Moody, Denis Murphy, John
Gleeson, Marty Donoghue, Peter Ging, Barney Lynch (Manager). Front Row: Tom Donoghue,
Gerry Cawley, Gerry McGough, Liam Pomphrett, Aidan Lacey, John Murphy (Capt), Joe Conboy,
Tom Gleeson, Chris Connaughton.
2004 Girls U10 team: New Kids on the Block
85
Club Executive and Sub Committees
Coiste Naomh
Chairman
Secretary
Treasurers
Registrar
Vice Chair
A Sec
Eoin 2005
Gerard O Donnell
Frank Sullivan 4945351
Dermot McMahon
Gerry Caulfield
Tom Ryan
Michael Hand
Annette O Connor
Development
JJ Duffy (Chair)
Michael Hand
Gerry Murphy
Pat Smith
Brian Goggins
Martin Jones
Denis Ward
Martin Jones
PR/Marketing
Tom Hayes (Chair)
Frank Sullivan
Cian O’Connor
Mick Wren
Janet Lawler
Eilis McCarthy
Denis McCarthy
Joe Davitt
Ed Micheau
Clubhouse
Mattie Murphy (Chair)
Billy Field
Seán Lane Jnr
Gerard O’Donnell
Lotto
Gerard O’Donnell (Chair)
Mary Kenny
Noel Corcoran
Derek McCullagh
Ann Hopkins
Mary Naughton
Gearoid Morohan
Seán O Cinneide
Trustees
Kieran Brennan
J J Duffy
Denis Ward
Website
Eoin Wren
Fundraising
Mattie Murphy (Chair)
Kieran Brennan
Tom Hayes
Eamonn Lawler
Tom McCabe
Dermot McMahon
Social/Cultural
Tom Chambers (Chair)
Mick Wren
Jackie Lee
Betty McCarthy
Emer De Barra
Maura Duffy
Anne Goggins
Deirdre Pounch
88
Coaching
Philip Brown (Chair)
Kieran Duffy
PJ Dolan
Seán Lane
Angie McNally
Ron Tuile
Seán McGlade
Gerry O Donnell
Keith Martin
Club Treasurers: Gerry
Caulfield and Dermot McMahon
Club Trustees: Denis Ward, Kieran Brennan and
JJ Duffy
Social Committee: Back Row: Garoid O Morahan, Mick Wren, Jackie Lee, Tom Chambers
(Chairman). Front Row:: Betty McCarthy, Ann Goggins, Mary Naughton, Maura Duffy, Ann
Hopkins.
89
Some of the PR/Marketing Committee; Tom
Hayes (Chairman), Cian O Connor, Mick Wren,
Eilish McCarthy
Lotto Team: Derek McCullagh, Gerard
O’Donnell (Chairman), Noel Corcoran, Mary
Kenny
Club Contacts
Position
Contact
Phone
Chairman
Secretary
Juvenile Football
Adult Football
Adult Hurling
Juvenile Hurling
Camogie
Ladies Football
Clubhouse
Geard O'Donnell
Frank Sullivan
Kieran Duffy
J J Duffy
Seán Lane
P J Dolan
Tom Hayes
Dermot McMahon
Paul Reynolds
2989151
4945351
4931788
4947680
4933284
4935759
4945119
4945490
4061373
Club Webmaster since 1995: Eoin
Wren. BSJ was the first Dublin Junior
Club with a website.
www.ballinteerstjohns.com
90
Intermediate Championship Final 1998
Pat Smith
Sunday 21 February, 1999 the date of the Intermediate Championship Final will always
remain a red letter day for Ballinteer St. Johns. The day was very cold and blustery and
there were frequent downpours of sleet on our way to Parnell Park. We were aware that
despite deplorable weather conditions almost 800 unbelievably loyal supporters were
making their way from Ballinteer by specially organised buses. The week before the
game was incredible in the local area with the only topic of conversation being the fitness
of the players and the final shape of the team for the day. It has always been recognised
in football circles that the Dublin Intermediate Football Championship is one of the most
genuinely competitive local club competitions in the country. The pre-match tension and
speeches in the dressing-room before taking the field were incredible. Pre-match nerves
were definitely calmed by the huge wave of warm support which greeted the team onto
the pitch.
St Johns won the toss and maybe in hindsight this proved to be a very lucky omen.
Heroes emerged in every position on the park for St Johns and it would be very difficult
to match the display produced for the hour in terms of honesty,committment and raw
courage. At halftime the score read St Johns 2-5 to St Finbarrs 1-0, their goal coming
from a dubious penalty. Halftime in the dressing room was a time to draw breath from the
pulsating first half display. Tactical switches were made to cope with the inevitable
onslaught by Finbarrs in the second half who were now going to be aided by a gale force
wind which was getting stronger. Coming towards the end of the game Finbarrs threw
everything at St Johns who refused to buckle under intense pressure. Some fine late
points on the counter attack sealed the game for St Johns, whose fans at that stage had
gone totally wild.
When the final whistle came, with St Johns ahead, 2-9 to 1-7, it was joy unconfined for
the team on the field, substitutes, management/coaching team brilliantly led by Kieran
Brennan, club officials, those magnificent supporters present who braved the elements
and all those other diehard supporters both at home and abroad who were keeping in
constant contact by mobile phone.
When we look back now at the special video of the game with commentary by Mick Wren,
the joyful scenes at the presentation of the cup to captain James Oliver bring a warm
glow to the hearts of all those connected with the club. There is no doubt that the events
of that special afternoon in the history of the club gave impetus to the major Clubhouse
project. Remember the slogan:
Bígí Linn
All The Way With BSJ
91
Celebs in Balinteer
Hurling Stars: Conal Bonnar (Tipperary), and D J Carey (Kilkenny) with Gerry
and Mattie Murphy in Marlay Park
Kerry Great: Mickey
Sheehy presents a
medal to Ken O Toole
as John Melly Runai
looks on.
94
President Visits BCS: President Mary McAleese on
her recent visit to the Ballinteer Community School with
Austin Corcoran Principal BCS, Michael Hand Club
Vice Chairman, President MacEleese, Gerard
O'Donnell, Club Chairman, and Sean Lane, Runai
Special Olympic Champion: Cormac
Maguire Ballinteer winner of the Gold
medal in the Slalom at the 2005
Winter Special Olympics with Club
Chairman Gerard O Donnell at club
presentation
European 400 meters
Champion: David Gillick Gold
Medalist and former BSJ player,
pictured with Kieran Brennan.
Tyrone legend: Peter Canavan with Tom and Patricia
McCabe and Brendan Quinn
www.ballinteerstjohns.com
95
Juvenile Football
Kieran Duffy
My involvement in juvenile football in St Johns started 13 years ago. Prior to that my
strong GAA interests were with my home county Mayo and my club Ardnaree Sarsfields.
Despite being in the area for five years, the name Ballinteer St Johns was not known to
me. So when Tony Redmond called at the door promoting a cake sale for the club I got
a full briefing on its activities. In March of 1992 I ventured down to Broadford on a
Saturday morning with my son Colm where the co-ordinator was Seán McGlade. Never
did I think that 13 years on I would still be venturing down to the nursery for 40 weeks of
the year.
Our greatest success came in the early years when we won in 1989 and 1991 the
Corrigan Cup, a Division 1 U10 competition. It is of great credit to the players and
mentors of those teams that nearly all of the players went on to play adult football with
the club. The essence of a club's success is in the nurturing of home grown talent through
the juvenile ranks.
As always, success with juvenile teams evolves from the nursery. I believed when I joined
the club that the status of the club could be greatly enhanced by an efficiently run and
well organised nursery.
Caught between two clubs, Ballyboden St Endas and Kilmacud Crokes, it was essential
that we upped our profile to stop the drain of players from our area to other clubs. Pat
Champions: 1988/89 League and Cup Champions. Winners South East League and Corrigan
Cup, Unbeaten June 1988 to February 1990.
Back Row: Eamonn Tighe, David Jones, Conor Berrigan, Eoin Fox, Padraigh Donohue, Ciaran
Shanahan, Durnan O'Toole, Shane Duffy, John P. Gibbons, Kevin Ellis, Gerard Kirrane
Front Row: Colm O'Byrne, Eamonn Grant, Alan Skehill, Frank Ward, Eoin Judge, Michael Wren,
Aidan Power, Eoin O'Driscoll, Bryce Phelan.
98
Corrigan Cup Winners 1991: Managed by Maurice O’Connell and Jim Glendon
Tully and Seán McGlade linked up with the schools and set about this task. When Pat
left the club due to a job transfer I took over and continued with the policy of running the
nursery throughout the year, both indoor and outdoor.
This continuity is greatly appreciated by both the players and their parents. This could
only be achieved by the great support of the many parents who have got involved at
nursery level and have continued on with the teams through juvenile ranks.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many of our older juvenile and young
adult players who have given their time to help out on Saturday mornings. The number
involved is too great to mention but a special thanks goes to the longest serving of those
young adults, Shane Duffy (no relation). He started in the nursery five years ago and now
cycles from his apartment in town each Saturday morning. In 2002, the nursery swelled
to over 150 players after our own Coman Goggins, with a little help from Johnny Mac,
captained the Dubs to win the Lenister Championship.
Over the last five years the juvenile section U9 to U12 section have had unprecedented
success in south Dublin competitions. The year 2003 was the pinnacle of our juvenile
success over the period. We won the Corrigan Cup (the first time we retained the trophy),
the Hanrahan Cup at U11 and the U12 Shield.
In 2004, there was a history making three in a row (Corrigan, Hanrahan and Round
Towers Cups) by our current U13A team. The Corrigan Cup therefore holds many fond
memories for many of our players and mentors. It is my hope that the Dublin Juvenile
Board in its current deliberations on the games structures for juvenile teams retains this
wonderful competition. For the future my hopes are for a comprehensive coaching plan
involving mentors, players and our club coach which will improve the standards and
ensure a continued stream of players to our adult ranks.
Again, I thank all our mentors and especially our young adult mentors who have
dedicated their time to such a good cause.
99
Three in a Row Champions: Under 12 team, winners of the Corrigan Cup 2002, Hanrahan Cup
2003 and Round Tower Cup 2004. Managers: Kieran Duffy, Fintan O’Curry and John Dunphy
Corrigan Cup winners 2003: After match photocall in Parnell Park with Team Mentors Ultan
McGabhann, Frank Clabby, Brian McCann, Gerry Dee and Chris Whelan in Parnell Park.
100
Under 9
Footballs 2004:
Team Mentors
Tom Piggot, Niall
Shanley and
Stewart Tarleton
Under 15 Football team:
Team Mentors: Larry Kelly,
Terry Clarke and Ciaran
Nangle.
Under 15 Hurlers 2005: TeamMentors: Frank Clabby and Dave McCarthy.
101
Summer Camps
Kieran Duffy
The Summer Camps began in 1994, which were then under the control of the Dublin
County Board. In 1998 we became only the second club in Dublin to organise our own
camps with almost all the coaches from our club. The camps became a great
advertisement for the club and it also gave us a great opportunity to promote our own
club attire. The first year we gave the club jersey to all 270 participants. The average
attendance since then has been 220 in football and 120 in hurling/camogie. In 2002 the
camps got a major boast with sponsorship from the Dundrum Credit Union which has
continued every year since.
This has allowed us to maintain the price of the camps at a very affordable level. All
profits from the camps are ploughed back into the juvenile activities of the club such as
the employment of the club full-time coach. The dates for the 2005 camps are Football 8
- 12 August and Hurling/Camogie 15 - 19 August.
Words of wisdom: Ron Tulie directs the
Camp as Kieran Brennan and Pat Smith
listen attentively
Big Turnout: A section of the crowd at Camp
2004
www.ballinteerstjohns.com
104
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Marlay Park Our Spiritual Home
Michael Hand
Nothing compares to the beauty of Marlay Park early on a spring morning as the rays of
the rising sun pierce through the treetops and the birds and wild animals shake another
day to life. As chirpy park wardens open the gates and the occasional long-distance
runner or insomniac enter this haven, so too can be found the Ballinteer St Johns team
mentor.
As the pitch is lined, flags and nets put up, small groups of excited and chattering
youngsters congregate under the giant canopies of ageless trees. The relative calm of
nature's chorus is soon punctuated by the shrieks of joy from excited ball-chasing youths.
Anxious mentors bark out their instructions and bring order to the chaos. The ebb and
flow of noise is only punctuated by the shrill sound of the referee’s whistle. What a
change from yesteryears and the many uses of this famous park.
The history of Marlay Demesne can be traced back to the Anglo Norman conquest and
right through to Tudor Times when Henry VIII confiscated the lands when owned by St
Mary's Abbey, during the suppression of the monasteries. Towards the end of the 17th
century, the property was acquired by Thomas Taylor. He built a house on the estate
which was called "The Grange" and he began to farm the land.
In 1764, the estate was purchased by David La Touché of French Huguenot origin,
Member of Parliament and first Governor of the Bank of Ireland. He extended the original
house, and renamed it Marlay, having married Elizabeth Marlay, daughter of the Right
Rev George Marlay, Bishop of Dromore. The La Touché family fortunes declined in the
mid 19th century and they sold the property to Edwin Harvey Wadge in 1864. He in turn
went bankrupt and Marlay passed to the Fox brothers for a few years until it was sold in
1877 to Robert Tedcastle, the well-known Dublin coal merchant.
108
New pitch in Marlay Park: Hurling action versus St Olafs
The Tedcastle family lived at Marlay until 1925. During their ownership, a wedge of land
was sold upon which the neighbouring residence 'Marlay Grange' was built. This was
later to become the Grange Golf Club. Robert Ketton Love then acquired Marlay for the
sum of £8,325. It later passed to his son Philip Love who was a market gardener and who
at one time was the largest tomato producer in Ireland. He was also a successful
racehorse breeder. One of his horses, Larkspur, won the 1962 Epsom Derby. The Love
family retained the park-land landscape style as much as possible, thus little change
occurred to the layout of the demesne. The Grange Golf Club already established at
Marlay Grange, acquired a lease of further property from Marlay and established an 9hole golf course.
Philip Love was to be the last private owner of Marlay before it was acquired by the then
Dublin County Council in 1972 and developed as a regional park. It was officially opened
to the public in June 1975. Today it is managed by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County
Council and it is being progressively restored to its former glory. Ballinteer St Johns has
relied on the council since our foundation for pitches and currently has the use of four
pitches located towards the Ballinteer end of the park. We are grateful to the council and
its officials, particularly the staff at the park itself, for their courtesy and ready assistance
to the club at all times. We share the council's view that Marlay Park is a special place
sitting majestically at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. We are privileged to
experience its abundant amenities and introduce them to the generations that follow.
109
Local Schools
Seán McGlade
Important links have been established with all the local primary schools since the
foundation of the club. Each year we receive great support for the recruitment campaign
that we carry out in the Junior classes. As a result, thriving nurseries are in place for
hurling, football and camogie and, most recently, girls' football. The excellent work being
done in this area will provide the players of the future and ensure the continued success
of the club in the years ahead. We would like to thank all those teachers who have
encouraged and helped us over the years.
The club/school links were strengthened in 1993 with the inaugural inter-school football
blitz, which will again take place next month in Marlay Park. Four schools took part in the
blitz on that occasion and since then the numbers have doubled, with eight teams playing
in two separate divisions. As well as the local schools, the blitz has attracted schools from
outside the area, most notably the Muslim National School, which participated for several
years in the late 1990s. St Mary's (Rathfarnham), St Colmcilles (Firhouse) and Oatlands
(Mount Merrion) also take part.
Last year, two local schools came out on top with St Attracta's winning the Division 1 Final
and Divine Word taking the Division 2 trophy. The blitz has promoted gaelic games in the
Divine Word Marley Grange School: Winners of Corn Uí Mhaoláin 2003
112
Our Ladys Boys School: Corn Ui Mhaolain finalists 2004
schools, as a result of
which more local
teams have been
entered in Cumann na
m B u n s c o i l
competitions in recent
years
than
ever
before. During this
school year the Scoil
Naithi footballers were
successful in the Corn
na Laoch Final in
Croke Park, while on
the same day Our
Lady's Boys were
runners up in Corn Uí
Mhaoláin.
The expansion has led to the appointment of our new club coach, Keith Martin. Since his
arrival, Keith has been spending upwards of 20 hours per week in the schools imparting
football, hurling and camogie skills to the boys and girls. He has also helped in the
coaching of several school teams during the year. Since Easter, he has carried out a
major recruitment campaign which has helped swell the numbers in all the club nurseries.
He is doing a tremendous job and is very popular with the boys and girls. They certainly
look forward to his coaching sessions every week - as one young girl was heard to
comment recently, "camogie is much better than maths".
So I think we can all
look forward to a bright
future for Gaelic Games
in the Ballinteer area,
with more and more
youngsters taking part
in our national games
and we hope to
welcome many more
school teams to our
new
clubhouse
to
celebrate their victories
in Croke Park in the
coming years.
Scoil Naithi: Winners Corn na Laoch 2004
113
Snow White and the 7 Duds
Kathleen Desmond
On 18 December, 2004, Ballinteer St. Johns new clubhouse was the venue for the
staging of the club's own original pantomime, "Snow White and the 7 Duds".
This enterprise was the brainchild of Ann Goggins who along with being the instigator
proved to be the motivator, participator and an energising force of the event. Her
commitment, practical intervention and unique performance as the hot head Hatchet
proved that GAA is not all about male skill and talent.
Her initiative in bringing together the diverse talents of Kathleen Desmond and Diarmuid
Goggins proved to be a masterstroke: Kathleen with buckets of educational and
community theatre experience, but with a very reluctant knowledge of GAA affairs;
Diarmuid a rising talent with expertise and awards in multi-media production together
with a lifetime interest in GAA and especially in Ballinteer St Johns affairs.
Rehearsals took place at all hours - in the crèche, in the front foyer, and in the main
function room when we were lucky. All was going reasonably although sadly Betty was
forced to resign her part owing to a family bereavement. Ultimately however there were
three roles that stubbornly refused to be filled. The pressure was on but two naturals
walked in the door and Diarmuid Goggins agreed to play the third outstanding part
himself.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Carol Agar who turned in a superb, consistent
disciplined, performance. Like every true player, she took the part and ran with it. She
was out on her own as she aptly created the most cunning of all GAA villains with a
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dramatic skill that totally enlightened the somewhat contrived story line.
There was plenty in the show to attract the eyes of the observers of both sexes. Tara
Walshe was stunning in her denim cat suit, her flowing black locks and her wonder
woman moves as the journalist Ms Star. Louise Hayes admirably flaunted her wellsculpted and most attractive physique to the appreciation of all the audience.
A more handsome hero than Cormac Chambers would be difficult to envisage. One of
the night's highlights must have been when his manly chest was required to be exposed
by the obliging Ms Star.
James Oliver was equally appreciated as he sat throughout the proceedings proclaiming
the glories of playing GAA for Dublin. He was well suited to combating Eamon Lawlor's
cunning jibes and well placed snipes, the sort that can only come from a true culchie
confident of his own slick delivery. The tension was relieved in more ways than one by
Diarmuid Goggins always opportunely stepping in and controlling the pace, drama and
content of the scenes.
Tommy Desmond, Fiona Connolly and Janet Lawlor forwent their natural attractions to
portray highly effective and vital dramatic characterisation - Tommy as the GAA player
who longed to dance, Fiona as the player who found it difficult to leave the bar in the
clubhouse, and Janet being totally unrecognisable as the corrupt park attendant with a
specialism in designer underwear.
Fiona Hayes led the home team with her sincere, intense conviction and obvious sporting
prowess. Tara Whelan was sweet and loveable as the shyest of the players and literally
managed to bring the curtain down at the curtain call. And when Oisin Chambers spoke
we all strained to hear what he would say as he never delivered the same two lines in
rehearsal or performance - a true original.
All credit was due to the precision and performance talent of the Artane boy band - Paddy
Desmond. Without ever missing a cue he managed single-handedly and effectively to
manoeuvre three different instruments and a wide variety of musical links and association
that vitally held the show together.
A superb cameo performance was turned in by Gerry Kelleher as the storyteller/bar man,
who forwent his traditional club loyalties to make a memorable guest appearance for the
Ballinteer team. The climax of his performance was the agonising tension he created as
he listened to the match commentary from Enda McGrath, presently billing as the bootleg
Micheal O' Muircheartaigh on all important match commentaries.
Thanks for support is due to Brian Goggins, Diarmuid Desmond, Cian O'Connor, Padraig
O'Connor, Eoin Byrne and Tom Chambers for shedding vital light on the production.
Thanks for props goes to Fintan O'Curry and Michelle Goggins who produced an instant
forest. Thanks to the social committee for organising food, selling tickets and providing
the musical entertainment a la Gerard Kirrane.
And final thanks goes to the audience for going along with the idea and being so
supportive on the night. We know you enjoyed it and will agree that it was a unique event
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Chairman and Secretaries to Date
Cathaoirligh
Rúnaithe
1982-1983
Maurice O Connell
Kerry & Ballinteer Cres.
1982-1986
Michael Wren
Dublin & Broadford Close
1984-1985
Chris Grace
Kilkenny & Ballinteer Cres.
1987-1988
Michael Cleary
Clare & Pine Valley Ave.
1986-1988
Brian Goggins
Roscommon & Ballinteer Cres.
1989-1991
John Melly
Mayo & Pine Valley Park
1989-1991
Michael Wren
Dublin & Broadford Close
1992-1993
Derek Oman
Dublin & Broadford Drive
1992-1994
Laurence Giles
Antrim & Broadford Cres.
1994-1996
Maitin O Murchu
Galway & Pine Valley Grove
1995-1997
Brian Goggins
Roscommon & Ballinteer Cres.
1997-1999
Kieran Duffy
Mayo & Marlay Grange
1998-2000
J. J. Duffy
Leitrim & Pine Valley Pk.
1999-2002
Frank Sullivan
Dublin & Broadford Walk
2001-2003
Tom Hayes
Tipperary & Pine Valley Drive
2003-2004
Seán Lane
Dublin & Broadford Rise
2004 Gerard O Donnell
Limerick & Ballinteer Cres.
2005Frank Sullivan
Dublin & Broadford Walk
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Generation Game: Proud grandad John Lane, who hails from Galway, pictured with his son
Seán and grandsons Seán, left, and Ciaran, all of whom won Dublin Junior Hurling Championship
A medals.
Duffys Army: Meitheal ag obair at Áras na nOg 1995 Laurence Giles, Brian Goggins, Mick
Wren, J J Duffy, Gerard O Donnell, Derek Oman, Kieran Brennan, Peter Byrne and Denis Murphy
119
Meet the BSJ Complex Manager
JJ Duffy
Paul Reynolds was appointed manager of the bar and function room facility of the new
complex in February 2004 after an extensive interview procedure. Paul should be ideally
suited to this role. Born into the rural public house scene in Barnacoola, Co Leitrim Paul
started serving customers from a very young age. He also held a similar position to this
in a sports and leisure social club in Inchicore for some years.
Paul is part of a truly gaelic family, being immersed in gaelic games and traditional music
all his life. His oldest brother Tom won two All-Ireland medals in successive years with
the famed St Mels of Longford. His brother Charlie was an accomplished footballer as
were his cousins the Fallons of Rooskey - Ciaran and Seán played for Leitrim, and their
sister Maeve won an All Ireland Junior medal with Roscommon. Paul's daughter plays
Ladies football with their local club Round Towers Clondalkin.
Playing traditional music on the accordion, Paul's siblings have between them won over
a dozen All Ireland medals at juvenile level.
Paul has developed and grown into his new role over the past year and with the cooperation and support of all the club and our patrons, he will be a distinct asset to the
club.
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More Jottings
• Some of the most thankless jobs on the pitch are that of umpire and linesmen. BSJ
salutes Peter Byrne, John Weir, John McCarthy, Paddy McNally and more recently
Tom McCabe for their service as umpires. You don't have to hail from Leitrim to be a
good linesman but it's a help in Ballinteer. Frank Maguire made the job his own in the
1980s, to be followed by Johnny Monahan, and more recently by Brendan Nangle.
Neighbouring Longford stalwart Phil Kenny has also filled the role.
• Tom Hayes Snr and Thomas Hayes surely hold a unique record in BSJ in that they
both played on the Junior Hurling Championsip winning team of 1996. Diarmuid
Desmond, our long serving Football / Player/Manager/ Coach, added a Stacey Cup
medal to his collection last year. His son Tommy was also on the team.
• Betty McCarthy has been involved with Camogie since it began in BSJ in 1984. Mary
Kenny served as Registrar for over 10 years. She is also involved with Club Lotto and
Ladies football. Mary is best known on the sidelines at most BSJ games as medic,
physio, peacemaker, counsellor, scorekeeper, and timekeeper.
• Keith Nolan was called up to the Dublin Minor Hurling and Football squads last year,
to become the first BSJ county minor in both codes. Johnny Corcoran and Johnny
Glendon also featured as county minors. James Oliver, Gerry Quirke and Paul
McGrath have also been called up for county duty.
• Tony Redmond, our longest serving juvenile hurling coach, can take great pride in
watching his graduates win Junior Championship, and Intermediate Leagues as well
as donning the county jersey .
• Eamonn Hession was the first BSJ man to be elected as Chairman of a regional board
i.e South East Board. PJ Dolan manager of our Intermediate Hurling team is a
member of the Dublin County Board G.A.C. Tom Chambers Chairman of Social
Committee for over 10 years, has also been our ticketmaster for even longer.
• Seam Lane is the manager of the Dublin Under 21 Hurlers, Tom Hayes fills the same
role with Dubln in Senior Camogie B team.
• Billy Field, of our Clubhouse Committee won an Ireland Senior Football medal with
Cork in 1973.
• Padraig O Connor played on the “Underdogs” team, featured on TG4 last year.
• When Michael Hand was asked lately why all the fuss about the official opening, he
replied "Think of it like having the stations in the house - everything has to be right."
• Focal scoir - There is no truth in the rumour that the clubhouse may be renamed
Teach JJ. - wait for the extension!
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Áras Naomh Eoin Facilities
Ground Floor:
4 Dressing Room c/w showers
2 Committee Rooms
Youths Games Room
Referees Room
Toilets
Stores
First Floor:
Community/Functions Room (capacity 150)
Members Room/Bar with Balcony
Kitchen
Toilets
Stores
Basement:
Members Gymnasium
External:
65 Secure car park spaces
Traffic light access from Green Route
Many Thanks
We are very grateful to all who contributed articles and photos for this publication.
Apologies for any omissions or errors. We also thank those who helped in any way with
the planning and organisation of the events to celebrate the opening of the Clubhouse.
Booklet team
Ed Micheau (Editor), Joe Davitt, Cian O'Connor (Photos), Tom Hayes (Sales), Eilish
McCarthy (Admin), Denis McCarthy (Adverts Design), Maeve Kelly (Layout & Design,
)Diarmuid Desmond (Adverts), Tom Connolly (Photographer) and Mick Wren
(Coordinator). Thanks to Print Bureau, Ranelagh.
Clubhouse Opening Committee
J J Duffy, Michael Hand, Gerard O’Donnell, Kieran Brennan, Frank Sullivan, Tom
Chambers, Diarmuid Desmond and Michael Wren (Chairman).
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