Issue 2
Naomh Barróg GAA Club History of the Club (1974-2014) Issue 2 6th February 2014
Introduction: The response to last weeks issue was amazing. People were delighted to read the articles and welcomed the opportunity to travel back to a time that they recall with much nostalgia. The memories awoke in them many fond remembrances of their childhood in Kilbarrack at that formative time for them and their families. The comments I received were ones of gratitude for the opportunity to read the Naomh Barróg Story and proud to be part of it. This story reawakened so many memories in their minds and in their hearts. They welcomed it and looked forward to the telling of the stories in the Issues to come. Issue 2 continues recounting the build up and the influences and reason why Naomh Barrog would eventually be founded. Scoil Lorcáin would play a huge part in
Special points of interest: Comic Strip drawn by John Brennan, former Art teacher in De la Salle for Evening Herald 1972. John lives in Greendale Ave.
John Anderson who played on the first school team and who was to win a Championship medal with Naomh Barróg in 1981. He had a very successful career as a Professional Footballer. Paul Brogan won a Leinster Medal with Dublin in 1983.
in the formation. From September 1971 the culture of Gaelic Games were being established and promoted. This was been done through the Boy’s School. The success the school teams experienced in such a short period of time, getting to five finals in Croke
Park in three years was influential in creating a love for Gaelic Games and creating a status for GAA within the parish. The boys involved on the teams were growing in confidence and belief in themselves and developing a respect for their school, parish and love for Gaelic. This is the preface of the story.
The first Gaelic Football Team September 1971 was a busy time in Scoil Lorcáin. Many families had just arrived or were still arriving. One important challenge for the teachers was to integrate the boys originally from the parish with boys moving in from inner city and boys with English accents having arrived
with their families from London, Liverpool and many other places. What better way to do this was to get the boys involved in sport. Dick Fields entered the boys in Cumann na mBunscoil and received the support of the Principal, Liam Joyce and all the
other teachers who were delighted that a school football team was being formed. The first team in 1971 had never played Gaelic football and knew very little about it. Yet they were willing to give it a try.
Padraig Heffernan, Lar Mc Carthy, Paul Croft and Cian Bennis played Senior Football for Dublin.
Inside this issue: Preparing the first Gaelic Football team September 1971
2
Evening Herald Headlines-!971
2
Mr Sansome arrives in Kilbarrack
2
Scoil Lorcáin winning Corn na Laoch 1972
3
Choosing the colours for the school jersey.
3
The team that influenced the future.
3
Profile: Denis Dunne
4
Naomh Barróg GAA Club
Page 2
Preparing the first Gaelic Football Team September 1971 This was an exciting adventure and challenge. The school succeeded in entering a team in Cumann na mBunscoil because the school was late applying for admission. The boys were so excited with the prospect of playing against other schools. There was not much time to coach the boys who never experienced Gaelic Football before. At this time building was still going on in Kilbarrack-Foxfield. In Scoil Íosagáin and Scoil Lorcáin phase two and three of the school plans were being completed. It was a vacant site where Greendale Community School was to be built, and was often used as a playground for many an adventurous lad. Across from Scoil Lorcáin
where the Shopping Centre is now, KIlbarrack United had their soccer pitch. There was also an excellent nine hole Pitch and Putt Club. All the coaching took place on the soccer pitch supported by Kilbarrack United. People wondered what were young fellows on a Soccer pitch doing picking up the football. That is how Gaelic football in September 1971 started with two footballs and borrowed jerseys The first match was played in Fairview Park after school when Mr Joyce, Mr Twomey and some of the teachers brought us in their cars to the game. The following short excerpt below, about the match was written in the Evening Herald in October 1971.
Evening Herald Headlines-1971 “Kilbarrack Surprise Newcomers” “First Round Games in Primary Schools football Cup competitions provided a few exciting contests last week, the feature being the victory of newcomers Kilbarrack in the Donohoe Cup. They had to battle hard against a gallant Rutlant St revival before emerging winners by 2 7 to 2 4, D Hutton, D Maguire (backs) M Cranley, R Mc Kenna, John Anderson and J Smith were prominent for the winners……..”. Also on that team were David Slater, Eamonn
& Mousey Farrell, Michael Byrne, Vincent Bradshaw, Bernard Purcell, Tonner Dennis, John Flynn, Lar Mc Carthy, Ronnie Ryan, Anto Stewart, Joe Mc Weeney, John Ansley, and some more I can’t think of. John Anderson was to pursue a career as a Professional Footballer. Unfortunately no photograph of that team was taken. We did not win many games in that League. Yet the foundations had been sown for many great victories that were to come.
If you have a memory about Naomh Barróg that you remember please share it with us. If you have a family member or friend who would like to receive our Newsletter please forward the information to me at [email protected]
Mr Sansome arrives in Kilbarrack Mr Willie Sansome arrived to teach in Kilbarrack in May 1972. He was recommended by his friend, Dick Fields which in those days was enough to get you a teaching job. If Dick Fields could get a teaching job in KIlbarrack-Foxfield for his performance as Santa at a Christmas Party then every thing was possible. Before he arrived in Kilbarrack he had taught in Scoil Chiarán, Donnycarney, Scoil Mhuire, Marino, St Vincent’s Glasnevin, St Kevin’s,Ballygall Rd, Roscommon CBS and in St Canice’s NCR. He
was originally from Belfast and had a great grá for Gaelic Games. In all the schools he taught in he trained school teams and experienced many successes. With his teaching experience and coaching qualifications he was an asset to a new school, helping to lay foundations for the education of many generations to come. His influence on his students was to be enormous. Himself and Dick Fields were to have a huge influence in developing Gaelic Games in Kilbarrack.
School Team in the Final at Croke Park with Mr. Sansome and Mr. Fields, 1990
Issue 2
Page 3
Scoil Lorcáin winning Corn na Laoch 1972 & the impact it had on the Parish. Winning Corn na Laoch in Croke Park was really the beginning of the Naomh Barróg Story. The forming of a club in Kilbarrack at this time was never spoken about or any suggestion that one would be formed was never mentioned. This idea to form a Club did not materialize until 1974 when other circumstances encouraged this to happen. As we tell the story of Naomh Barróg this will be discussed. At this period we were only interested in giving the young boys of Kilbarrack-Foxfield the opportunity to play sport and experience the excitement of playing Gaelic Games.
The aim was to get the boys involved and through sport to challenge them to grow with confidence, self esteem and with a pride in their parish of Kilbarrack-Foxfield. In September 1974 Dick Fields and Willie Sansome decided to prepare the school team to win their first competition. To get the boys to a high level of skills the training was intense and challenging which the boys responded to in a very positive way. Training took place nearly every day after school on the Kilbarrack United pitch across the road from the school. The panel grew to love the challenge and their skill levels went from strength to strength.
Choosing the colours for the school jersey In 1971 the team were thrown into the deep end without much preparation. According to legend we used a set of blue jerseys loaned by Kilbarrack United. Starting of in September 1972 everything was going to be right with footballs, flags, proper resources but especially a new set of jerseys. These jerseys would become our colours to identify us and give us a sense of pride in our school and in our parish. Choosing the colours was important and a decision was made.
Dick Fields and Willie Sansome decided that the colours of Scoil Lorcáin would be green and red because knowing that the Principal Liam Joyce was a Mayo man they wanted to get him on their side and have his support. Liam was delighted with the gesture and loved to see the boys being involved and occupied. He attended every game and was so proud when the school won their first final in Croke Park. in 1972.
The team that influenced what was to happen in the future The team started their campaign well prepared and full of confidence. Since the school opened, many talented and skilled and athletic boys joined the school. They took to Gaelic football like a fish to water and came to love the game. Many on that team are still involved in Naomh Barróg and have been involved developing our Club to the present day, This is an excerpt from the Evening Herald November 1972 written by a Reporter called C.P. He wrote, “St Laurence’s (Kilbarrack) are
newcomers to schools’ football. Nevertheless they have proven themselves worthy of a place in the final with sparkling wins over more experienced sides such as Howth, St Marnock’s, Saggart and Kinsealy, the 1968 champions. Their passage to the final was, if anything, a more difficult one than that of their opponents Scoil Colmcille and the Kilbarrack footballers are quietly confident of taking their first ever title”. In Issue 3 we will tell you about that historic final and replay and name the panel.
The Kilbarrack United pitch that the school trained on in the early years was bought by Gubays (Tesco) in 1981.
Issue 2
Page 4
Profile: Denis Dunne Denis was a Dublin man born in Ballybough in 1938. He attended O Connell’s Christian Brothers Secondary School and after completion of his Leaving Cert worked for CIE as an Advertising Consultant. He was a member of Civil Service Harriers AC. Denis was a man with a great sense of developing and creating Community and supporting everything associated with it. It was his belief and love for Gaelic Games and Dublin Football/Hurling that influenced him to attend the inaugural meeting that took place in Scoil Lorcáin, Kilbarrack-Foxfield September 1974. From that historic meeting Denis was committed and dedicated to the young people of the parish and influential in developing the ethos and work ethic that is Naomh Barróg to
this very day. Over the years Denis acted as Registrar and more importantly as Secretary for many years. His greatest achievement was when Secretary to play a huge part in the acquisition of our ground Páirc Bharróg, using his skills of intelligent negotiation and dialogue. He saw his dream fulfilled in 1982 when the lease was signed over to the Club by the OPW. Denis loved more than anything else to manage a team and this involvement earned him the respect and loyalty of the young players under his care. Denis died March 2010 and is fondly remembered in Naomh Barróg .
Comments and memories from some of our readers “That team picture brings back some memories. For winning that u10 final, Noel Lonergan and Paddy Rankin took the team to see Jaws in the cinema in Fairview which was some experience for them and us. Noel and Paddy took the teams to all the matches in their cars. Noel had I think a black Anglia which had a steel bar coming up through the back seat and if you were that unlucky person to get that position you walked funny for most of the first half. Paddy had a Fiat
128 which you could hear before you could see it”. (John Carty, originally from Briarfield Rd and now living in Carlow).
Excerpt from the Evening Herald –1989.
“Great start here. I enjoyed reading it from afar. I would love to share a story but I am still carrying the scar of you telling me I played GAA soccer style. Anyway I still maintain I had the best left foot in Kilbarrack”. (Martin Heffernan, originally from Kilbarrack Gdns, now living in Cheshire)
the game our level of development is
Conclusion The response to Issue 1 has been excellent. I received many interesting comments and encouragement for this project. The message is getting around about our e-Newsletter telling the Story of Naomh Barróg. People are really interested. I think it is good for people to know about our history that connects them to where we have come from, our ethos and what we want to achieve. It’s also important to share your memories with us. They don’t have to be long.
The ones above gives us a picture of childhood, what was experienced and how it has remained fresh in somebody’s mind and heart. One of the suggestions I received was to write a profile on a member who has given time and commitment to the Club. It was an honour to dedicate it to Denis Dunne a wonderful Naomh Barróg member. Every week we will add to the story. If you have email addresses of family members or friends, send them to [email protected] so he can forward by email or by post. Enjoy the memories
“It’s a great scoop for a young Club to have facilities like these. For our short time in something to be proud of.... We are a parish club and we are happy to be known as much”, said Denis Dunne
Introduction: The response to last weeks issue was amazing. People were delighted to read the articles and welcomed the opportunity to travel back to a time that they recall with much nostalgia. The memories awoke in them many fond remembrances of their childhood in Kilbarrack at that formative time for them and their families. The comments I received were ones of gratitude for the opportunity to read the Naomh Barróg Story and proud to be part of it. This story reawakened so many memories in their minds and in their hearts. They welcomed it and looked forward to the telling of the stories in the Issues to come. Issue 2 continues recounting the build up and the influences and reason why Naomh Barrog would eventually be founded. Scoil Lorcáin would play a huge part in
Special points of interest: Comic Strip drawn by John Brennan, former Art teacher in De la Salle for Evening Herald 1972. John lives in Greendale Ave.
John Anderson who played on the first school team and who was to win a Championship medal with Naomh Barróg in 1981. He had a very successful career as a Professional Footballer. Paul Brogan won a Leinster Medal with Dublin in 1983.
in the formation. From September 1971 the culture of Gaelic Games were being established and promoted. This was been done through the Boy’s School. The success the school teams experienced in such a short period of time, getting to five finals in Croke
Park in three years was influential in creating a love for Gaelic Games and creating a status for GAA within the parish. The boys involved on the teams were growing in confidence and belief in themselves and developing a respect for their school, parish and love for Gaelic. This is the preface of the story.
The first Gaelic Football Team September 1971 was a busy time in Scoil Lorcáin. Many families had just arrived or were still arriving. One important challenge for the teachers was to integrate the boys originally from the parish with boys moving in from inner city and boys with English accents having arrived
with their families from London, Liverpool and many other places. What better way to do this was to get the boys involved in sport. Dick Fields entered the boys in Cumann na mBunscoil and received the support of the Principal, Liam Joyce and all the
other teachers who were delighted that a school football team was being formed. The first team in 1971 had never played Gaelic football and knew very little about it. Yet they were willing to give it a try.
Padraig Heffernan, Lar Mc Carthy, Paul Croft and Cian Bennis played Senior Football for Dublin.
Inside this issue: Preparing the first Gaelic Football team September 1971
2
Evening Herald Headlines-!971
2
Mr Sansome arrives in Kilbarrack
2
Scoil Lorcáin winning Corn na Laoch 1972
3
Choosing the colours for the school jersey.
3
The team that influenced the future.
3
Profile: Denis Dunne
4
Naomh Barróg GAA Club
Page 2
Preparing the first Gaelic Football Team September 1971 This was an exciting adventure and challenge. The school succeeded in entering a team in Cumann na mBunscoil because the school was late applying for admission. The boys were so excited with the prospect of playing against other schools. There was not much time to coach the boys who never experienced Gaelic Football before. At this time building was still going on in Kilbarrack-Foxfield. In Scoil Íosagáin and Scoil Lorcáin phase two and three of the school plans were being completed. It was a vacant site where Greendale Community School was to be built, and was often used as a playground for many an adventurous lad. Across from Scoil Lorcáin
where the Shopping Centre is now, KIlbarrack United had their soccer pitch. There was also an excellent nine hole Pitch and Putt Club. All the coaching took place on the soccer pitch supported by Kilbarrack United. People wondered what were young fellows on a Soccer pitch doing picking up the football. That is how Gaelic football in September 1971 started with two footballs and borrowed jerseys The first match was played in Fairview Park after school when Mr Joyce, Mr Twomey and some of the teachers brought us in their cars to the game. The following short excerpt below, about the match was written in the Evening Herald in October 1971.
Evening Herald Headlines-1971 “Kilbarrack Surprise Newcomers” “First Round Games in Primary Schools football Cup competitions provided a few exciting contests last week, the feature being the victory of newcomers Kilbarrack in the Donohoe Cup. They had to battle hard against a gallant Rutlant St revival before emerging winners by 2 7 to 2 4, D Hutton, D Maguire (backs) M Cranley, R Mc Kenna, John Anderson and J Smith were prominent for the winners……..”. Also on that team were David Slater, Eamonn
& Mousey Farrell, Michael Byrne, Vincent Bradshaw, Bernard Purcell, Tonner Dennis, John Flynn, Lar Mc Carthy, Ronnie Ryan, Anto Stewart, Joe Mc Weeney, John Ansley, and some more I can’t think of. John Anderson was to pursue a career as a Professional Footballer. Unfortunately no photograph of that team was taken. We did not win many games in that League. Yet the foundations had been sown for many great victories that were to come.
If you have a memory about Naomh Barróg that you remember please share it with us. If you have a family member or friend who would like to receive our Newsletter please forward the information to me at [email protected]
Mr Sansome arrives in Kilbarrack Mr Willie Sansome arrived to teach in Kilbarrack in May 1972. He was recommended by his friend, Dick Fields which in those days was enough to get you a teaching job. If Dick Fields could get a teaching job in KIlbarrack-Foxfield for his performance as Santa at a Christmas Party then every thing was possible. Before he arrived in Kilbarrack he had taught in Scoil Chiarán, Donnycarney, Scoil Mhuire, Marino, St Vincent’s Glasnevin, St Kevin’s,Ballygall Rd, Roscommon CBS and in St Canice’s NCR. He
was originally from Belfast and had a great grá for Gaelic Games. In all the schools he taught in he trained school teams and experienced many successes. With his teaching experience and coaching qualifications he was an asset to a new school, helping to lay foundations for the education of many generations to come. His influence on his students was to be enormous. Himself and Dick Fields were to have a huge influence in developing Gaelic Games in Kilbarrack.
School Team in the Final at Croke Park with Mr. Sansome and Mr. Fields, 1990
Issue 2
Page 3
Scoil Lorcáin winning Corn na Laoch 1972 & the impact it had on the Parish. Winning Corn na Laoch in Croke Park was really the beginning of the Naomh Barróg Story. The forming of a club in Kilbarrack at this time was never spoken about or any suggestion that one would be formed was never mentioned. This idea to form a Club did not materialize until 1974 when other circumstances encouraged this to happen. As we tell the story of Naomh Barróg this will be discussed. At this period we were only interested in giving the young boys of Kilbarrack-Foxfield the opportunity to play sport and experience the excitement of playing Gaelic Games.
The aim was to get the boys involved and through sport to challenge them to grow with confidence, self esteem and with a pride in their parish of Kilbarrack-Foxfield. In September 1974 Dick Fields and Willie Sansome decided to prepare the school team to win their first competition. To get the boys to a high level of skills the training was intense and challenging which the boys responded to in a very positive way. Training took place nearly every day after school on the Kilbarrack United pitch across the road from the school. The panel grew to love the challenge and their skill levels went from strength to strength.
Choosing the colours for the school jersey In 1971 the team were thrown into the deep end without much preparation. According to legend we used a set of blue jerseys loaned by Kilbarrack United. Starting of in September 1972 everything was going to be right with footballs, flags, proper resources but especially a new set of jerseys. These jerseys would become our colours to identify us and give us a sense of pride in our school and in our parish. Choosing the colours was important and a decision was made.
Dick Fields and Willie Sansome decided that the colours of Scoil Lorcáin would be green and red because knowing that the Principal Liam Joyce was a Mayo man they wanted to get him on their side and have his support. Liam was delighted with the gesture and loved to see the boys being involved and occupied. He attended every game and was so proud when the school won their first final in Croke Park. in 1972.
The team that influenced what was to happen in the future The team started their campaign well prepared and full of confidence. Since the school opened, many talented and skilled and athletic boys joined the school. They took to Gaelic football like a fish to water and came to love the game. Many on that team are still involved in Naomh Barróg and have been involved developing our Club to the present day, This is an excerpt from the Evening Herald November 1972 written by a Reporter called C.P. He wrote, “St Laurence’s (Kilbarrack) are
newcomers to schools’ football. Nevertheless they have proven themselves worthy of a place in the final with sparkling wins over more experienced sides such as Howth, St Marnock’s, Saggart and Kinsealy, the 1968 champions. Their passage to the final was, if anything, a more difficult one than that of their opponents Scoil Colmcille and the Kilbarrack footballers are quietly confident of taking their first ever title”. In Issue 3 we will tell you about that historic final and replay and name the panel.
The Kilbarrack United pitch that the school trained on in the early years was bought by Gubays (Tesco) in 1981.
Issue 2
Page 4
Profile: Denis Dunne Denis was a Dublin man born in Ballybough in 1938. He attended O Connell’s Christian Brothers Secondary School and after completion of his Leaving Cert worked for CIE as an Advertising Consultant. He was a member of Civil Service Harriers AC. Denis was a man with a great sense of developing and creating Community and supporting everything associated with it. It was his belief and love for Gaelic Games and Dublin Football/Hurling that influenced him to attend the inaugural meeting that took place in Scoil Lorcáin, Kilbarrack-Foxfield September 1974. From that historic meeting Denis was committed and dedicated to the young people of the parish and influential in developing the ethos and work ethic that is Naomh Barróg to
this very day. Over the years Denis acted as Registrar and more importantly as Secretary for many years. His greatest achievement was when Secretary to play a huge part in the acquisition of our ground Páirc Bharróg, using his skills of intelligent negotiation and dialogue. He saw his dream fulfilled in 1982 when the lease was signed over to the Club by the OPW. Denis loved more than anything else to manage a team and this involvement earned him the respect and loyalty of the young players under his care. Denis died March 2010 and is fondly remembered in Naomh Barróg .
Comments and memories from some of our readers “That team picture brings back some memories. For winning that u10 final, Noel Lonergan and Paddy Rankin took the team to see Jaws in the cinema in Fairview which was some experience for them and us. Noel and Paddy took the teams to all the matches in their cars. Noel had I think a black Anglia which had a steel bar coming up through the back seat and if you were that unlucky person to get that position you walked funny for most of the first half. Paddy had a Fiat
128 which you could hear before you could see it”. (John Carty, originally from Briarfield Rd and now living in Carlow).
Excerpt from the Evening Herald –1989.
“Great start here. I enjoyed reading it from afar. I would love to share a story but I am still carrying the scar of you telling me I played GAA soccer style. Anyway I still maintain I had the best left foot in Kilbarrack”. (Martin Heffernan, originally from Kilbarrack Gdns, now living in Cheshire)
the game our level of development is
Conclusion The response to Issue 1 has been excellent. I received many interesting comments and encouragement for this project. The message is getting around about our e-Newsletter telling the Story of Naomh Barróg. People are really interested. I think it is good for people to know about our history that connects them to where we have come from, our ethos and what we want to achieve. It’s also important to share your memories with us. They don’t have to be long.
The ones above gives us a picture of childhood, what was experienced and how it has remained fresh in somebody’s mind and heart. One of the suggestions I received was to write a profile on a member who has given time and commitment to the Club. It was an honour to dedicate it to Denis Dunne a wonderful Naomh Barróg member. Every week we will add to the story. If you have email addresses of family members or friends, send them to [email protected] so he can forward by email or by post. Enjoy the memories
“It’s a great scoop for a young Club to have facilities like these. For our short time in something to be proud of.... We are a parish club and we are happy to be known as much”, said Denis Dunne
