Dominican Church altar boys began the story of St Dom’s GAA club
TWENTY- ONE years ago a small band of Gaelic football enthusiasts met in a small garage at Wellington Quay, Drogheda, with the idea of forming a football team to cater for the boys who served Mass in Dominick Street, the home of the Dominican Community here in Drogheda.
This was certainly a humble beginning, with no illusions, and in fact no ambitions. Their only concern, in fact, was to teach the boys the rudiments and fundamentals of Gaelic games and fit them out for the arduous task that lay ahead for every boy in a world that could be cruel, vicious, but at times kind and considerate.
The first chairman of the club was Mr. Paddy White, a native of Collon, and still hale and hearty, while Jim and George Hoey, F. Conlon, J. Carr, Joe Hoey and Jim Kierans (Secretary) formed the Committee. The club concentrated on juvenile football in the early stages and very soon made its mark in local competitions.
Their first outing was to Dunleer, where they engaged the locals, and it may be of interest to readers to know the line-out on that occasion was: E. Bird, J. Hoey, G. Carroll, M. Corr,, P. Tiernan, A. Byrne, W. Carroll, J. Reilly, J. Lynch, T. Holden, J. Doherty, G. Morgan, P. Lennon, G. Bateson, M. Durnin and P. Lennon.
George Carroll, incidentally went on to capture a Leinster Minor Championship with Louth in 1951, and figured later on the county junior and senior sides.
Although still in under-age football, the name St. Doms was frequently in the news and, they captured honours in ‘48, ‘49 and ‘50, but it was in 1949 that the club made an impact in the county sphere, when they reached the semi-final of the minor championship.
Their team on that occasion was: E. Bird, G. Carroll, J. Hoey (captain), J. Doherty, B. Murphy, J. Reilly, M. Carr, G. Morgan, P. Lennon, P. Tiernan, A. Byrne, G. Bateson, N. Leonard, P. Lennon, T. Kerr and T. Holden.
Rev. Bro. A. Ryan who, for many years was a member of the Dominican Community in St. Magdalen’s was made President, with J. Carr, N. Callan, F. Conlon. P. White, J. Hoey, G. Hoey J. Kierans and .E. McEvoy forming the Committee. St. Doms by now were among the best in minor ranks and they gave Ardee a great run before going under in the minor championship semi-final at Castlebellingham. The following year saw the same two sides contest the county final, but again St. Doms failed to lay the bogey, the team on that occasion being J. Cullen, F. Duggan, J. Monaghan, G. Carroll, S. Loughran, P. Mc-Donnell, P. McQuillan, A. Mc- Quillan, E. King, V. Lynch, N. Lynch, S. Finglas, L. O’Shea, R. Hanratty, J. Cahill and G. McAvinue.
In 1952 most of the Owen Roes had retired from the playing field, and the Committee decided to join forces with St. Dominics.
Minor, junior and Div 2 teams were put on the field, and the Lily Whites were on the march. Again the Drogheda Minor League title came their way. ‘ The Div 2 squad accounted for Darver in the first round, but a sturdy St. Columcilles fifteen busted them in the next round.
The minors, however, covered themselves with glory by putting up a tremendous performance before going under to Clan-na- Gaels in the minor championship final at Dundalk, the team on that occasion being: F. Duggan (capt.), J. Cullen, P. Stewart, S. Finglas. G. Leech, R.. Moore, J. McGinn, O. Doherty, P. Hallinan, E. King, P. Kane, S. Donnellan, P. Walsh, N. Loughran, A. Kieran and P. Kerr.
The year, 1953; the date, the last Sunday in November, was to bo the climax to many valiant but unavailing efforts to lift the Father Murray Cup, and on this occasion at the Gaelic Grounds, Dundalk, St. Dominics gave a sparkling display to oust a hotly fancied Clan-na- Gaels’ side by 1-8 to 1-6 after trailing 1-1 to 1-6 at half-time. So after seven years St. Doms had achieved their ambition.
The team was: St. Dominics—R. Bennett, R. Moore, P. McEntee, G. Leech, V. Loughran, P. Stewart, E. McHugh, H. Lally, P. Hailinan (captain), F. Donnelly, A. Kieran, J. Donnellan, M. McCormack, M. Kavanagh, L. McEntee and J. Comyn.
Success eluded St. Doms on the playing fields in subsequent years and even the introduction of Mayo’s Dan O’Neill failed to bring about the desired effects, but. the club was beginning to show the results which Rev. Bro; Andrew, O.P., had visualised years before. In a nine years period, 1950 - ‘59, twelve members of the club had left the town to study for the Priesthood.
St. Dominics were indeed a privileged club, and boys who wore the white jersey were now studying in places like Kimmage, Cork, Cootehill, Wales, Rome and even New York. The roll of honour include —Rev. P. McDonnell, C.C., Portadown; Rev. S. Loughran, O.S.A.; Rev. L. O’Shea; Fr. Fabian Donnelly is at present in California; Fr. Vincent Loughran is in Rome; Fr. Martin Browne is at present studying in Tallaght before leaving for the West Indies. Another former St. Doms’ player, Rev. Tom Cooney, was ordained this year, while Fr. Gerry Leech is ministering in Africa. Yet another St. Doms’ boy to bring honour to the club is Fr. . Nick Smith, who is at present in Providence, Rhode Island, while George Lally, now at All Hallows, will be ordained next year. The Monaghan-born Rev. Hugh Feeley, who studied, in Cootehill, has also now joined his colleagues.
This year, like last year, and the year before, no honours have come the way of this unique club, but they are not disheartened. They are at the moment preparing for their coming of age celebrations which will be held in the White Horse Hotel on Sunday 29th October. Messrs. Jim Hoey. Nicky Callan, John McGinn, Hughie Holt, Mark Varley and Tony Smith, are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that this will be a memorable occasion, and it is hoped to stage a match between past players and the present team. Former players like Dan O’Neill. Andy Kieran, Georgle Carroll and many more have promised to turn out.
As stated earlier, St. Doms’ successes on the field have been few, but perhaps the success they have achieved in other fields are more rewarding.