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How to find us at Dunbeggan Park (Stonepark)
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A rich history
Henry Grattan
When Henry Grattan came into the Irish Parliament to contribute to the debate on “The Act of the Union” he urged all those with a vote not to vote themselves out of existence. He failed to convince his colleagues, and the Irish Parliament ceased to exist and the decline of Dublin and Ireland followed. Henry Grattan’s message did not die with him. His philosophy was that irrespective of how small your country, your organisation or your club that you can succeed without joining your bigger neighbour. When you join your bigger neighbour you won’t gain. The bigger neighbour gains in strength and status and the smaller loses its identity and its will to succeed.
Little did Henry Grattan think that his name would live on in County Longford 200 years later. With most of our Gaelic clubs named after national heroes such as Pearse, Connolly, Emmet and Tone, Henry Grattan a Protestant landlord is certainly in the minority if not on his own. The Grattan Óg football club, whose grounds are at Dunbeggan in Stonepark have taken Henry Grattan’s philosophy to heart. We have refused to die over the last 25 years.
By E. Brennan
When Henry Grattan came into the Irish Parliament to contribute to the debate on “The Act of the Union” he urged all those with a vote not to vote themselves out of existence. He failed to convince his colleagues, and the Irish Parliament ceased to exist and the decline of Dublin and Ireland followed. Henry Grattan’s message did not die with him. His philosophy was that irrespective of how small your country, your organisation or your club that you can succeed without joining your bigger neighbour. When you join your bigger neighbour you won’t gain. The bigger neighbour gains in strength and status and the smaller loses its identity and its will to succeed.
Little did Henry Grattan think that his name would live on in County Longford 200 years later. With most of our Gaelic clubs named after national heroes such as Pearse, Connolly, Emmet and Tone, Henry Grattan a Protestant landlord is certainly in the minority if not on his own. The Grattan Óg football club, whose grounds are at Dunbeggan in Stonepark have taken Henry Grattan’s philosophy to heart. We have refused to die over the last 25 years.
By E. Brennan
The regeneration of the Club
News clippings from 1998
1988 - First Underage Title for Club - Match Report
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1988 - First Underage Title for Club - Team Photo
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Grattan Gaels - History
Grattan Gaels Minor Club
Mick Hand –Chairman
Grattan Gaels was initially formed in 1980. While the first few years of any new club can be tough, the hard work and dedication of a small number of people soon started to transpire. In 1988 and 1989 Grattan Gaels won the U16 juvenile league managed by Kieran Woods and Brendan Lennon. The next success came in 1992 when they won the U14 League, again managed by Brendan Lennon. A Parish League was then established, where the catchment area was divided into 4 areas; Caramanagh, Clonterm, Curry and Lisduff. This league ran for approximately four years, with the help of Bob Connaughton, Charlie Twaddle, Tom Cox and Kevin Victory.
It was in 1996 when progress for the minor club excelled and this coincided with the club workingcollectively with Stonepark School. Thankful recognition must go to Master Casey and Master Brennan for to allow the pupils to train during school hours and aspecial word of thanks must also go to Kevin Victory, Alec Feeney, Tom Mimnagh and John Kirwan for their hard work and commitment.
Success was still hard to come by with a small number of players to pick from, however by the early 2000’s the minor club began to winvarious leagues and championships. The club were very proud of their players who succeeded playing inter county at juvenile and minor levels. We also enjoyed success at U21 level - winning the club championship as part of a Kenagh/Shroid/Grattans amalgamation.
Following on from the great success at underage levels (as detailed below) in the earlier years, it was decided in a bid to promote the underage structure within the club, that a separate minor committee be set up and Grattan Gaels MFC was formed on the 3/2/2010. Targeted with the aim of enhancing the underage system within the Club the committee assumed the responsibility for providing a structured outlet for its underage players! All underage groups are catered for from our U’6 nursery group to the U18 Minor team.
The Inaugural Grattan Gaels Committee was constituted as follows:
Chairperson – Mr. James Gorham Asst. Chairperson – Mr. PJ Farrell
Secretary – Mr. Derek Nolan Asst. Secretary – Ms. Shauna Nolan
Treasurer - Ms.Una McManus Asst. Treasurer – Ms. Sharon Donnelly
P.R.O - Mr. Pat Clark ASAP Officer – Ms. Siobhan Flanagan
The trainers and managers work in conjunction with the County Board’s programmes and take part in all Blitzes for our U8’s, U10’s and U12’s and league and cup competitions for our U14’s, Juvenile (U16) and Minor (U18) Teams. Their continued success can be attributed to active recruitment and provision of assistance to players in order to develop their skills at all levels through a range of training techniques catering for children of all abilities.
Since 2011 our club have been amalgamated with Shannon Gaels (Rathcline GFC) to form Western Gaels for our older underage players. This amicable amalgamation is relatively new and started at U14 level but has been progressed to include Juvenile and Minor Teams for 2013. This amalgamation facilitates greater opportunity to our players to compete at varying levels of county competitions. In 2012 the newly formed Juvenile team reached both League and Championship Finals in their respective divisions and were unfortunate to end the season without any silverware but provide a platform to build on for future years!
The minor club have enjoyed some levels of success since their inception and the following details their honours for the preceding decade:
Mick Hand –Chairman
Grattan Gaels was initially formed in 1980. While the first few years of any new club can be tough, the hard work and dedication of a small number of people soon started to transpire. In 1988 and 1989 Grattan Gaels won the U16 juvenile league managed by Kieran Woods and Brendan Lennon. The next success came in 1992 when they won the U14 League, again managed by Brendan Lennon. A Parish League was then established, where the catchment area was divided into 4 areas; Caramanagh, Clonterm, Curry and Lisduff. This league ran for approximately four years, with the help of Bob Connaughton, Charlie Twaddle, Tom Cox and Kevin Victory.
It was in 1996 when progress for the minor club excelled and this coincided with the club workingcollectively with Stonepark School. Thankful recognition must go to Master Casey and Master Brennan for to allow the pupils to train during school hours and aspecial word of thanks must also go to Kevin Victory, Alec Feeney, Tom Mimnagh and John Kirwan for their hard work and commitment.
Success was still hard to come by with a small number of players to pick from, however by the early 2000’s the minor club began to winvarious leagues and championships. The club were very proud of their players who succeeded playing inter county at juvenile and minor levels. We also enjoyed success at U21 level - winning the club championship as part of a Kenagh/Shroid/Grattans amalgamation.
Following on from the great success at underage levels (as detailed below) in the earlier years, it was decided in a bid to promote the underage structure within the club, that a separate minor committee be set up and Grattan Gaels MFC was formed on the 3/2/2010. Targeted with the aim of enhancing the underage system within the Club the committee assumed the responsibility for providing a structured outlet for its underage players! All underage groups are catered for from our U’6 nursery group to the U18 Minor team.
The Inaugural Grattan Gaels Committee was constituted as follows:
Chairperson – Mr. James Gorham Asst. Chairperson – Mr. PJ Farrell
Secretary – Mr. Derek Nolan Asst. Secretary – Ms. Shauna Nolan
Treasurer - Ms.Una McManus Asst. Treasurer – Ms. Sharon Donnelly
P.R.O - Mr. Pat Clark ASAP Officer – Ms. Siobhan Flanagan
The trainers and managers work in conjunction with the County Board’s programmes and take part in all Blitzes for our U8’s, U10’s and U12’s and league and cup competitions for our U14’s, Juvenile (U16) and Minor (U18) Teams. Their continued success can be attributed to active recruitment and provision of assistance to players in order to develop their skills at all levels through a range of training techniques catering for children of all abilities.
Since 2011 our club have been amalgamated with Shannon Gaels (Rathcline GFC) to form Western Gaels for our older underage players. This amicable amalgamation is relatively new and started at U14 level but has been progressed to include Juvenile and Minor Teams for 2013. This amalgamation facilitates greater opportunity to our players to compete at varying levels of county competitions. In 2012 the newly formed Juvenile team reached both League and Championship Finals in their respective divisions and were unfortunate to end the season without any silverware but provide a platform to build on for future years!
The minor club have enjoyed some levels of success since their inception and the following details their honours for the preceding decade:
Longford GAA