Portlaoise GAA
Encyclopedia
% !!!5 TIMES COUNTY CHAMPIONS!!!Portlaoise GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association
hurling
and gaelic football
club in Portlaoise, County Laois
, Ireland
.
The club grounds off the Abbeyleix
road in the town of Portlaoise are called Pairc Ui Fhaolain, after a former stalwart Bill Phelan. The club colours are white with a green hoop.
Portlaoise GAA club is Laois's biggest and the most successful club since the inception of the Gaelic Athletic Association
in Laois. It is also the most successful club in Leinster. They have won 11 Laois Senior Hurling Championship titles and a record 28 Laois Senior Football Championship titles. they are also the most successful club football team in leinster having won the title on seven occasions.
In 1983, Portlaoise recorded a memorable win in the final of the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
and in 2005 they again reached the final where they were narrowly defeated by Ballina Stephenites.
Numerous famous players have played for them with Mick Nolan
, Conor Boyle and Craig Rogers
among the current county stars.
Past players of note include Tom Prendergast
, Mark Kavanagh, Ian Fitzgerald
, Colm Parkinson
, Colm Browne
, Karl Lenihan
, Niall Rigney, John Taylor
, Pat Critchley
, Peter McNulty and Sean Delaney
.
(Hurling) and Feile Peil na nOg (football) recording wins in Feile na nGael
in 1980, 1981, 1993, and 2009, and wins in Feile na nOg in 1983, 1992, and 2009. In 2009 Portlaoise recorded a rear double, winning the Feile Peil na nOg in Derry
, Division 3, and the Feile na nGael
at home in Laois/Offaly, Division 2.
In the Feile Peil na nOg 2011, the boys were successful in their group, recording wins over Bishopstown GAA
, St. Nicholas' GAA
, and a very hard game against Newry Shamrocks. But the boys were unfortunate to have 3 games on the second day, and after two fantastic first performances, the boys were very tired as they came up against Glanmire GFC
, who won the game, sending Newry Shamrocks through to the semi finals on score difference.
In the Feile na nGael
2011, the boys were highly successful, winning every game in their group against hosts Liam Mellows GAA
, Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA (both of Galway
, and Ballygalget GAA
of Down
, topping their group. In the quarter finals they beat Carnew Emmets of Wicklow
in a very close game in Athenry
, and then went on to beat McQuilans Ballycastle of Antrim
in Craughwell
, and went on to lose in the final by a very strong Raharney GAA
team at Pearse Stadium
in Galway City.
In 2010, the u-12 players won both the hurling and football league and championship, after a highly successful year.
In 2009, the u-12a footballers won the football Championship, while the u-12a hurlers won the league.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
club in Portlaoise, County Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
The club grounds off the Abbeyleix
Abbeyleix
Abbeyleix is a town in County Laois, Ireland about from Portlaoise and located on the N77 national secondary route. Formerly the N8 National Primary Route ran through the centre of the town, making Abbeyleix an infamous bottleneck on the Dublin-Cork corridor with up to 15,000 vehicles passing...
road in the town of Portlaoise are called Pairc Ui Fhaolain, after a former stalwart Bill Phelan. The club colours are white with a green hoop.
Portlaoise GAA club is Laois's biggest and the most successful club since the inception of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
in Laois. It is also the most successful club in Leinster. They have won 11 Laois Senior Hurling Championship titles and a record 28 Laois Senior Football Championship titles. they are also the most successful club football team in leinster having won the title on seven occasions.
In 1983, Portlaoise recorded a memorable win in the final of the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament run since 1971, played between the thousands of senior football clubs in Ireland. The current champions are Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh, who defeated St. Brigid's of Roscommon on March 17, 2011 to win their...
and in 2005 they again reached the final where they were narrowly defeated by Ballina Stephenites.
Numerous famous players have played for them with Mick Nolan
Mick Nolan
Michael "Mick" Nolan is a Gaelic football player from Laois in Ireland.He plays for the Portlaoise club. He plays as a goalkeeper for Laois and in 2003 was part of the Laois squad that won the Leinster Senior Football Championship title for the first time since 1946.Mick emerged on to the scene in...
, Conor Boyle and Craig Rogers
Craig Rogers
Craig Rogers is a Gaelic football player from Laois in Ireland.He plays in attack and in 2003 was captain of the Laois team that won the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship title for the first time since 1997....
among the current county stars.
Past players of note include Tom Prendergast
Tom Prendergast
Tom "Curley" Prendergast is a former gaelic football player with Laois in Ireland.His inter county career spanned 11 years , although he missed out in 1985 when he signed off the panel. In 1986 Prendergast was a member of the National Football League title winning squad...
, Mark Kavanagh, Ian Fitzgerald
Ian Fitzgerald
Ian Fitzgerald is a former gaelic football player from County Laois in Ireland.He played his club football for Portlaoise and was also a member of the Laois senior team....
, Colm Parkinson
Colm Parkinson
Colm Parkinson is an Irish footballer.-Career:Parkinson played minor football for Laois in 1995 and 1996.He returned to the Laois setup for the 2011....
, Colm Browne
Colm Browne
Colm Browne was a Gaelic football player and manager with Laois. He also managed the Tipperary football team.Colm won numerous honours in the game including an All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship with his club Portlaoise in 1983, a National Football League title with Laois in 1986 and an...
, Karl Lenihan
Karl Lenihan
-Playing career:He played on the Laois senior football during the 1970s and 1980s, primarily in midfield. During that period he was widely regarded as one of the top players in the county in his position....
, Niall Rigney, John Taylor
John Taylor (hurler)
John Taylor is a retired hurling and gaelic football player from County Laois, in Ireland.John normally played at left half back in his preferred game hurling and won 8 Laois Senior Hurling Championship medals with his club, Portlaoise....
, Pat Critchley
Pat Critchley
Pat Critchley is a well known sportsman from County Laois, Ireland. He has played at National League level in hurling, football and basketball. He is a member of Portlaoise GAA club, with whom he won 14 Laois senior county championships - seven each in hurling and football. He went on to win three...
, Peter McNulty and Sean Delaney
Sean Delaney
Sean "Rab" Delaney was a famous sportsman from County Laois, Ireland.Aged 55, Sean died suddenly in 2004 and the news stunned the county....
.
Juvenile Teams
Portlaoise has an excellent record at Feile na nGaelFéile na nGael
Féile na nGael , Irish for "Festival of the Gaels") is an annual tournament comprising the sports of hurling, camogie and handball organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
(Hurling) and Feile Peil na nOg (football) recording wins in Feile na nGael
Féile na nGael
Féile na nGael , Irish for "Festival of the Gaels") is an annual tournament comprising the sports of hurling, camogie and handball organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
in 1980, 1981, 1993, and 2009, and wins in Feile na nOg in 1983, 1992, and 2009. In 2009 Portlaoise recorded a rear double, winning the Feile Peil na nOg in Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Division 3, and the Feile na nGael
Féile na nGael
Féile na nGael , Irish for "Festival of the Gaels") is an annual tournament comprising the sports of hurling, camogie and handball organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
at home in Laois/Offaly, Division 2.
In the Feile Peil na nOg 2011, the boys were successful in their group, recording wins over Bishopstown GAA
Bishopstown GAA
Bishopstown Hurling and Football Club is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Bishopstown area of Cork city, Republic of Ireland...
, St. Nicholas' GAA
St. Nicholas' GAA
St. Nicholas’ Gaelic Football Club is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1901 and is solely concerned with the game of Gaelic football. St...
, and a very hard game against Newry Shamrocks. But the boys were unfortunate to have 3 games on the second day, and after two fantastic first performances, the boys were very tired as they came up against Glanmire GFC
Glanmire GFC
Glanmire GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Glanmire in Cork, Ireland. Its Gaelic Football team participates in competitions organized by Cork GAA, and is a member of Imokilly division...
, who won the game, sending Newry Shamrocks through to the semi finals on score difference.
In the Feile na nGael
Féile na nGael
Féile na nGael , Irish for "Festival of the Gaels") is an annual tournament comprising the sports of hurling, camogie and handball organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
2011, the boys were highly successful, winning every game in their group against hosts Liam Mellows GAA
Liam Mellows GAA
LIam Mellows GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Galway in Ireland. The club is primarlily concerned with the game of hurling.-Hurling:*Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championships:** 1970*Galway Senior Hurling Championships:...
, Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA (both of Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, and Ballygalget GAA
Ballygalget GAA
Ballygalget GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Castlewellan in County Down, Northern Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.-Honours:*Down Senior Hurling Championships:...
of Down
Down
Down may refer to:* Relative direction, where down is the direction towards the centre of gravity of a celestial object.* Railroad directions, where down and up have locally significant meanings...
, topping their group. In the quarter finals they beat Carnew Emmets of Wicklow
Wicklow
Wicklow) is the county town of County Wicklow in Ireland. Located south of Dublin on the east coast of the island, it has a population of 10,070 according to the 2006 census. The town is situated to the east of the N11 route between Dublin and Wexford. Wicklow is also connected to the rail...
in a very close game in Athenry
Athenry
Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
, and then went on to beat McQuilans Ballycastle of Antrim
Antrim
- Northern Ireland :* County Antrim, one of the counties of Northern Ireland* Antrim, County Antrim, the town* Antrim railway station, serving the town of Antrim* Antrim , an administrative division...
in Craughwell
Craughwell
Craughwell is a village and townland in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. The name is also used as a surname, properly Ó Creachmhaoil, though often anglicised as Craughwell and Crockwell...
, and went on to lose in the final by a very strong Raharney GAA
Raharney GAA
Raharney GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the village of Raharney in County Westmeath, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.-Hurling:*Westmeath Senior Hurling Championships:...
team at Pearse Stadium
Pearse Stadium
Pearse Stadium is the principal Gaelic Athletic Association stadium, in County Galway, Ireland. The stadium opened on June 16, 1957, as 16,000 people came to watch Galway beat Tipperary in hurling, and Kerry in football, and to watch Bishop Michael Browne bless the facility.The stadium was opened...
in Galway City.
In 2010, the u-12 players won both the hurling and football league and championship, after a highly successful year.
In 2009, the u-12a footballers won the football Championship, while the u-12a hurlers won the league.
Rathleague Pitch
The club began development in 2009 for a new GAA center, which was completed in 2011. The pitch in Rathleague, on the Stradbally road, contains many pitches, juvenile and senior, including an all-weather senior pitch.2011 Senior Hurling League
- Team---------------------------- Points
- Borris in Ossory/Kilcotton------ 16
- Portlaoise --------------------- 14
- The Harps----------------------- 14
- Camross------------------------- 13
- Rathdowney/Errill--------------- 11
- Castletown/Slieve Bloom--------- 10
- Clough/Ballacolla--------------- 6
- Ballinakill--------------------- 4
- St Lazerians Abbeyleix---------- 2
- Colt---------------------------- 0
2011 Senior Football League
- Team________________Points
- Portlaoise----------16
- Graiguecullen-------14
- Arles Killeen-------12
- St Josephs----------11
- Arles Kilcruise-----10
- O Dempseys----------10
- Crettyard-----------9
- Ballylinan----------9
- Stradbally----------7
- Emo-----------------7
- The Heath-----------6
- Portarlington-------5