Wolfe Tones GFC Drogheda

Wolfe Tones GFC is a Gaelic Football club from Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland. It serves the residents of St Mary's Parish in south Drogheda and fields Gaelic football teams in competitions organised by Louth GAA. One of the oldest GAA clubs in Louth, Wolfe Tones play gaelic football at all age levels from nursery to adult.

Wolfe Tones GFC
Bhulf Tón GFC
Founded:1922
County:Louth
Nickname:The Tones
Colours:Royal blue and yellow
Grounds:Platin Road, Drogheda
Coordinates:53.7037°N 6.3591°W / 53.7037; -6.3591
Playing kits
Standard colours
Senior Club Championships
All Ireland Leinster
champions		 Louth
champions
Football: - - 6

The Tones' home ground is situated on Platin Road, beside the Boyne Valley Foods factory. The club's colours are royal blue and yellow.

History

The club was founded in 1922 by former members of the Owen Roes, a club formed in 1895 who played their football originally in the Meath Championship due to the lack of football in Louth. Although a portion of Drogheda has always been in Meath, the only ceding of GAA county boundaries was signed off by Louth GAA in a 1979 agreement sanctioned in 1986 by Leinster GAA. No reasons have been publicly disclosed as to why the smallest GAA county in Ireland would give away any territory.

The newly formed Wolfe Tones waited two years until they got their first competitive match in 1924, against fellow Drogheda side Boyne Rangers. This was also their first competitive win, outscoring the Rangers by 1–07 to 1–03. Before the rapid expansion of Drogheda in the 20th century, the club had the whole southern side of Drogheda within its catchment area. By 1940 they had won the Louth Senior Championship six times.

By 1980, a further four Gaelic football clubs had been formed in Drogheda - Oliver Plunketts, Naomh Mhuire (now defunct), O'Raghallaighs and St Nicholas. This dilution of the GAA member base in Drogheda was a factor in the decline of the club's fortunes.[1] Consequently, The Tones have competed in the Louth Junior Football Championship since the 1970s.[2]

The club won the Louth Division 3B League title in 2021.[3] Their progress continued in 2022, qualifying for the semi-final stage of the Junior Championship for the first time since 1993,[4] coinciding with centenary celebrations.[5]

In recent years, the club has also entered Ladies' teams in Louth LGFA competitions.[6]

Inter-County level

Wolfe Tones players have contributed to several Louth successes in All-Ireland championships.

Michael McKeown, Frank Pentony and John Murray won All-Ireland Junior Football Championship medals as part of the county's first title-winning team at the grade in 1925.

Michael McKeown won a Railway Cup medal with Leinster in 1928. His brothers Nicky, Paddy and Tom all played for Louth.[7]

Frank Byrne made 25 Championship appearances for Louth and captained Wolfe Tones to the League and Championship double in 1927.[7]

Vincent Kerr was right half-back on the Louth side that won the All-Ireland Junior Championship in 1932. Two years later, he won a second All-Ireland medal at the grade and was joined on the 1934 team by fellow Tones' man Joe Collins.[8]

Michael Cunningham and James Reilly were members of the minor team that won Louth's first All-Ireland Minor Football Championship title in 1936.

Oliver Coombes was right corner-back and Michael Kelly centre half-back on the Louth team that won the 1961 All-Ireland Junior Football Championship.

Martin Cassidy won an All-Ireland 'B' Championship medal with Louth in 1997.[9][10]

Honours

References
  1. "What the GAA is all about". Hogan Stand. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  2. "Wolfe Tones opt out of Division 3". Drogheda Independent. 5 November 2004.
  3. "Wolfe Tones Claim Division 3B Title for 2021". Louth GAA. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  4. "Ruthless Wolfe Tones defeat Westerns to qualify for first Louth JFC semi-final since 1993". Drogheda Independent. 19 September 2022.
  5. "Louth GAA club, who were formed in an internment camp, set to celebrate their centenary". Drogheda Independent. 11 November 2022.
  6. "Two new girls teams for Wolfe Tones". Drogheda Independent. 17 February 2018.
  7. "Final chance to select your Louth Legends". Drogheda Independent. 6 December 2002.
  8. "Double joy for talented local duo". Drogheda Independent. 14 March 2012.
  9. "Duleek Gate had lots of great greyhound men". Drogheda Independent. 21 October 2005.
  10. "Name the Louth teams that won 'B All-Ireland' medals in 1997 and 2006". Dundalk Democrat. 6 November 2019.
  11. "Duleek Gate had lots of great greyhound men". Drogheda Independent. 21 October 2005.
  12. "Wolfe Tones show industry". Drogheda Independent. 26 September 2008.
  13. "WOLFE TONES CLAIM DIVISION 3B TITLE FOR 2021". Louth GAA. 11 October 2021.
  14. "Wolfe Tones Captain Niall Smith receives the Division 3 Shield from County Board Chairperson Des Halpenny this morning in Páirc Seán Mistéal". Louth GAA. 8 September 2019.
  15. "A few good men". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2003. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
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