Dundalk Gaels GFC

Louth-based Gaelic games club

Dundalk Gaels GFC is a GAA club from Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland which fields Gaelic football teams in competitions organized by Louth GAA.

Catchment area

The club recruits members from such neighbourhoods as the Carrick Road, Avenue Road, Hill Street, Dublin Road and the Friary school area. Many past and present players of the Gaels were educated at Friary National school.

Current status

Managed by Cathal O'Hanlon, Gaels are currently the only Dundalk town club competing at senior championship level in Louth football. Their Division 1 League status was lost however after a relegation play-off defeat to Dreadnots in October of 2022.^[1]

Rivalries

The club's principal rivals are cross-town neighbours Clan Na Gael, to whom they lost in the 1992 Louth SFC final replay. Additionally, matches against Seán O'Mahony's and Dundalk Young Irelands are always keenly contested.

Notable Players

• Benny McArdle - centre back on county side that reached semi-final of the All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship in 1978, losing narrowly to Kerry. Also won Dublin Senior Football Championship medal with Erin's Hope in same year.

• Sean Mc Cann - Midfielder on team bet in 2017 SFC final, winner of IFC in 2007 at 18 in midfield. Played for Louth and was a selector with Louth minor team in 2023.

• Davy McDonnell - Captain of Intermediate championship winners in 1987. Regular in Louth's midfield from mid-1980's to 1995.

• Derek Crilly - Forward, Played for Louth between 2008 and 2017.

• Jack Regan - captained Louth in semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in both 1943 and 1953. Won three SFC titles with the Gaels in 1942, 1945 and 1952. Selected at midfield on Louth Millennium team.

• Jim McArdle - Scored two of Louth's goals against Kerry in 1936 All-Ireland minor final victory. Played for Dundalk F.C. in 1942 FAI Cup Final victory over Cork United.

• Joe Carroll - columnist with Dundalk Democrat newspaper. Goalkeeper in 1973 on last Louth team to beat Dublin in the Leinster Senior Football Championship.

• Packie O'Connor - Winner of Junior and Intermediate championship medals with the club. Played midfield for Louth 1984-87. Also played with Dundalk F.C. first team.

• Paul Kenny - Former county defender who managed Louth to two Leinster semi-finals in 1996 and 1997 during his three years in charge.

• Peter McGinnity - Winner of Minor and two Intermediate Championships. 2003 team captain when Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship was won. Louth captain in 2007.

• Ray Rooney - defender, Louth panellist from late 1990s to early 2000s.

Honours

• Louth Senior Football Championship (3): 1942,^[2] 1945,^[3] 1952^[4]
• Senior Football League Champions (3): 1942, 1943, 1944
• Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship (1): 2003^[5]
• Louth Intermediate Football Championship (4): 1987, 1991, 2003,^[6] 2007^[7]
• Louth Junior Football Championship (2): 1933, 1986
• Louth Under-21 Football Championship (2): 1991, 1992
• Louth Minor Football Championship (6): 1933, 1934, 1962, 1974, 1989, 1997
• Louth Minor 'B' Football Championship (2): 2008, 2021^[8]
• Louth Under-16 Football Championship (1): 2002^[9]
• Louth Under-14 Football Championship (2): 1987, 1990
• Old Gaels/ACC Cup (2): 1952, 1994
• Louth Intermediate Football League (5): 2003,^[10] 2006,^[11] 2007, 2012, 2016
• Louth Junior A Football League (2): 1983, 1985
• Dealgan Milk Products Shield/Grogan Cup (2): 1991, 2006^[11]
• Kevin Mullen Shield (3): 1983, 1984, 1985
• Louth Junior 2A Football Championship (1): 2011^[12]
• Louth Junior 2B Football Championship (1): 2006^[11]
• Louth Junior 2A Football League (3): 1986, 1995, 2017^[13]
• Junior 2 Football League (Division 4B) (1): 2003^[14]

References

1. "Dreadnots earn safety in Division 1 following low quality win over Dundalk Gaels". Dundalk Democrat. 13 October 2022.
2. "Vincie McArdle won SFC medals with two clubs". The Argus. 4 February 2009.
3. "Final chance to select your Louth Legends". Drogheda Independent. 6 December 2002.
4. "Gaels clinch the Senior championship". The Argus. 26 November 2012.
5. "Form points to a triumph for seasiders". Drogheda Independent. Independent News & Media. 9 October 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
6. "Good start was half the battle for Gaels". Argus. Independent News & Media. 10 October 2003. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
7. "Senior dreams shattered by forceful Gaels". Drogheda Independent. Independent News & Media. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
8. "LMFM U17 B Championship Final". LMFM. 25 October 2021.
9. "Young talent brings". The Argus. 4 October 2002.
10. "Dundalk Gaels". The Argus. 31 October 2003.
11. "Juniors claim third trophy for Gaels club". The Argus. 15 November 2006.
12. "Gaels cling on to deny Cooley". Drogheda Independent. 2 November 2011.
13. "Gaels claim Division 4 league title". Dundalk Democrat. 8 September 2017.
14. "Dundalk Gaels celebrate five silver star year". The Argus. 19 March 2004.

External sources

• Official website