Edenderry GAA Club
Edenderry GAA - A History
There is evidence that forms of both hurling and football were played in the Edenderry area before the birth of the GAA in 1884. In 1981 a Hurley was unearthed in a local bog and is believed to be over two hundred years old. Evidence also exists, through the writings of a traveller named “Jonathan Binns” of football being played as far back as 1836.
As the GAA spread like ‘wildfire’ across the country, teams were formed in Edenderry. A football team named John Boyle O’Reilly's after the Irish patriot and a hurling team named ‘The Old Reds’ were played games in Edenderry in the early 1890’s. Initially it was the football team that flourished and their dominance in the town lasted till the turn of the century and then hurling succeeded in attracting the young males of the parish in the early part of the 20th century culminating in their first county hurling final in 1911.
A great era for Gaelic games then ensued and cemented the existence of the GAA in the Town with the arrival of Fr. Paul Murphy and his plans to build the parish church in Edenderry. During this period many Hurling and football tournaments were held in order to raise money for the new church. Teams came from all over Leinster to take part in the popular gold medal tournament games.
Success at County level was slow at first however a first title was won in 1925 when the footballers won the junior championship followed by a minor hurling in 1928 and a junior hurling in 1929. Up to that point the club had no permanent grounds with matches being played in various local fields most notably Clogan's field and Barnes field. The death of Fr. Murphy in ’33 brought a new priest to the town, Fr. Kearney and he was to leave his mark when he purchased Barnes field the present site of the club for the GAA in 1933.
Success off the field was soon followed by success on the playing fields of Offaly; the 30’s saw an Intermediate hurling title and another junior football title followed by our first senior and minor football titles in 1936 and 1938 respectively.
The 50’s saw the Reds reach their greatest heights up to that point. With the exception of ’56 they reached the semi-final stage throughout the decade, reaching four finals and winning three 1951, 1953, 1957.
The 60’s saw Edenderry men star with the county, as Tommy Cullen, Mick Brady and Sean Foran helped Offaly to their first Leinster title in 1960. The 60’s also saw a revival in Hurling, with a Junior and intermediate titles in 62’ and 63’ respectively saw the Reds regain senior status. The Hurlers remained in the top grade until 1968 and amazingly it was the last time Edenderry had senior hurling status.
The 19th Nov. 1972 marked an important date in the development of the club when the Community Centre was officially opened, Edenderry were the first club in Leinster with such a facility. It was a fitting development as Offaly had used the grounds to train for the All-Ireland titles of 71 and 72. Another All Ireland followed in 1982 with Edenderry man Gerry Carroll starring in that famous win.
Back on the club scene the Reds collected their 5th senior football title in 1985 having been beaten in the previous years final. What was to follow toward the end of the 80’s and into the 90’s on the underage front fuelled the amazing successes of the 90’s and into the new century.
•Senior:95,97,99,01
•Under21:-95,97,98
• Minor and junior: - 97
The success peaked in ’97 as can be seen above Edenderry won Senior, Junior, Minor and U-21 which culminated in Edenderry wining Offaly club of the year 1997.
The Hurling was not forgotten either as the Junior hurlers collected the Junior championship in 1998 and two Edenderry men played their parts in Offaly’s Hurling All Ireland wins of the 90’s. Sean Óg Farrell and Cillian Farrell picking up winners medals in 1994 and 1998 respectively.
On the county scene Finbarr Cullen, Peter Brady and Kevin Guing helped Offaly to their first Leinster in 15 Years when they overcame Meath in 1997. All three continued their success when they captured Offaly’s first Nation League Title in 1998. Finbarr the captain went on to further glory when he represented his proud club and county with Ireland vs. Australia in many international tests.
The early part of the new century have not yet produced the success of the late nineties however and U-16 title in 2005 may be the start of brighter things.
