Caragh GAA
Encyclopedia
Caragh is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
club in Prosperous
, County Kildare
, Republic of Ireland
, winner of three county senior football championships and the only club to play in five successive county finals, club of the year 1978 and home club of Larry Stanley
, All Ireland medalist in 1919, Olympic athlete in 1924, first winner of the All-Time All-Star award for Gaelic Football and a member of the Kildare team of the millennium. Two of Kildare’s winning All Ireland captains came from the club, Larry Stanley and Mick Buckley. Mick’s grandson Niall played on the 1998 Kildare
All Ireland team. Another county senior football title was lost on objection over a player that was "on the run" during the Civil War. Caragh and Raheens share a parish and while the Raheens grounds are in Caragh village
, the Caragh grounds are in Prosperous.
Garagh GAA club is one of the county Kildare oldest GAA clubs. Gaelic football has been played in the area as far back as the 18th century with teams from Landenstown, Donore, Blackwood and the village of Prosperous. However many of these teams went out of existence in the 19th century and Caragh Gaelic Football Club was founded. The birth of the Gaelic Athletic Association
in 1884 and the introduction of County committees in 1886 reignited the games of Gaelic football and hurling. The inaugural meeting of Prosperous & Blackwood Sir T Esmondes attracted 140 members in February 1888 under the patronage of local parish priest Father Kinsella and a British army veteran, Captain Fitzpatrick. Their rivals, Tim Healys were set up at Digby Bridge who reached the Kildare senior football semi-final in 1890. Digby Bridge Tim Healys officers John Dunne and Thomas Malone were listed as attending the 1889 convention. RIC records from 1890 show that Clongorey Campaigners had 38 members with Dan Kelly, John Murphy, Pat Fullam and James Kelly listed as officers. Clongorey reached the Senior Hurling Championship final in 1891 and but were defeated by Maynooth. In 1897 there were three clubs from the Parish in the county championship - Caragh, Digby Bridge and Prosperous.
1900-1929
Dick Radley of Prosperous spearheaded the GAA revival in Kildare and Prosperous. Caragh contested the County Senior Championship in 1901 and 1903 losing on both occasions to Clane GAA
. Caragh did win the Junior Championship in 1907 defeating Athy GAA
. Blacktrench who were formed in 1915 won the junior championship of 1916 with Larry Stanley as a key member of the side. In 1917 Caragh won the Junior Championship after three matchs defeating Maddenstown 2-3 to 1-8. Caragh and Blacktrench amalgamated in 1918 and Raheens was also formed. 1918 was also the same year that Caragh won their first Senior championship captained by Larry Stanley who also lead Kildare to Leinster and All Ireland success. Caragh reached the Senior finals of 1919 defeating Kilcock GAA
2-4 to 2-1. They were defeated by Naas GAA
in 1920 1-6 to 0-8. In 1921 Caragh drew with St. Conleths 1-12 each. The match was played during Irish Civil War
and St. Conleth’s were awarded title on objection because one of the Caragh players called C. McCarthy gave a false name as he was 'on the run' from Free State troops at the time. They were defeated by Naas in the Senior Championship final of 1922. Caragh are the only club to have played in five successive county finals from 1918 to 1923, winning two of them losing a third on objection and a fourth to a Naas
goal scored before the backs had returned to their positions. Caragh qualified for the 1925 county final having lost two and drawn one of the three matches they played, losing a replay against Athy
by 2-3 to 1-3 and the semifinal against Roseberry by 12 points. They won both matches on objections and qualified. They won their third county title in 1926. Caragh were the first winners of the Leinster Leader cup when it was presented in 1920. Larry and Jim Stanley, Mick Buckley and Jack Dunne, a veteran of Kildare
’s 1903 All Ireland team, backboned the team.
1930-1959
It wasn't until 1931 that the club was to enjoy further success winning the Intermediate Championship defeating Athy in the final. A combined Raheens/Caragh selection, entered the 1932 championship as St. Peter's losing to Carbury GAA
. Their next success came in 1949 defeating Ballymore Eustace GAA
in the Junior Chanmpionship 4-9 to 2-7. The club opened their current home ground St. Farnans Park in 1951. An official opening ceremony was held and the grounds blessed by Father Mark Minma C.C.. Kildare GAA chairman Liam Geraghty and club Secretary Tim Clarke oversaw the event. Raheens and Caragh again agreed to amalgamate in 1953 under the name Young Emmets. In 1954 Young Emmets won the Intermediate Championship and were promoted to Senior status. However, the partnership only lasted two more years and in 1956 Caragh and Raheens became a separate entities again. Camogie was introduced in 1955. The team was registered in the colours grey and red. Caragh won the county championship in 1958 but were not able to field a team again until 1962
1960-1989
In 1962 the Camogie team was reorganised by Betty Garry. They won the senior league in 1964 and senior championship in 1965. They also won the Senior Camogie League in 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967. They were defeated in the 1967 camogie county championship by Geraldines
5-0 to 4-2. In the mid seventies the club commenced an underage policy and hurling
was also introduced at the club. The clubs next success was in 1978 and again at Junior level, winning the championship having been previously defeated in the Junior Championship finals of 1976 and 1977. 1978 was a particularly successful year at the club with a new playing pitch opened as well as the club winning Club of the Year and Richie Whelan winning Club Secretary of the Year. The Under 10 and Under 14 teams won their respective Championships however the clubs Senior football team were defeated in the Championship final. The hurling team won its first league title in 1983 and in 1984 won their first championship and were successful in retaining their league title. In 1989 the under-16 team both league and championship while the minor team made the championship final. A significant portion of the clubs players were members of Clane Community School’s All Ireland colleges victory team. A Ladies committee was formed in the early 80s and played a large part in fund rasing for the clubs Clubhouse which was opened in the mid 80s. The clubs centenary year was in 1988.
1990–Present Day
Caragh won the Junior Championship and the Jack Higgins Cup in 1993 and Intermediate Championship titles in 1995. Caragh and St. Kevins minor teams alamaganated for the 2000 season and won the Minor B league beating Balyna in the final. In 2005 Caragh won the Junior B Championship defeating Kildangan GAA
The club's minor team were defeated in extra time in the 2007 league final. The Minor team did win the Minor C Championship in 2008 defeating Suncroft
4-8 to 3-9. junior 2010 champions ye
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...
club in Prosperous
Prosperous, County Kildare
Prosperous is a village in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is within the townland of Curryhills, at the junction of the R403 and R408 regional roads, about from Dublin. Its population of 1,939 makes it the 14th largest town in County Kildare....
, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Republic of 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,...
, winner of three county senior football championships and the only club to play in five successive county finals, club of the year 1978 and home club of Larry Stanley
Larry Stanley
Larry Stanley was an Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Caragh and was a member of the Kildare senior inter-county team from 1916 until 1930. Stanley captained Kildare to the All-Ireland title in 1919. He is regarded as one of th greatest players of all-time...
, All Ireland medalist in 1919, Olympic athlete in 1924, first winner of the All-Time All-Star award for Gaelic Football and a member of the Kildare team of the millennium. Two of Kildare’s winning All Ireland captains came from the club, Larry Stanley and Mick Buckley. Mick’s grandson Niall played on the 1998 Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
All Ireland team. Another county senior football title was lost on objection over a player that was "on the run" during the Civil War. Caragh and Raheens share a parish and while the Raheens grounds are in Caragh village
Caragh
Caragh or Carragh is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is located on the R409 regional road between the River Liffey and the Grand Canal approximately 4 km north-west of Naas...
, the Caragh grounds are in Prosperous.
History
Early History 18th-19th centuriesGaragh GAA club is one of the county Kildare oldest GAA clubs. Gaelic football has been played in the area as far back as the 18th century with teams from Landenstown, Donore, Blackwood and the village of Prosperous. However many of these teams went out of existence in the 19th century and Caragh Gaelic Football Club was founded. The birth 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 1884 and the introduction of County committees in 1886 reignited the games of Gaelic football and hurling. The inaugural meeting of Prosperous & Blackwood Sir T Esmondes attracted 140 members in February 1888 under the patronage of local parish priest Father Kinsella and a British army veteran, Captain Fitzpatrick. Their rivals, Tim Healys were set up at Digby Bridge who reached the Kildare senior football semi-final in 1890. Digby Bridge Tim Healys officers John Dunne and Thomas Malone were listed as attending the 1889 convention. RIC records from 1890 show that Clongorey Campaigners had 38 members with Dan Kelly, John Murphy, Pat Fullam and James Kelly listed as officers. Clongorey reached the Senior Hurling Championship final in 1891 and but were defeated by Maynooth. In 1897 there were three clubs from the Parish in the county championship - Caragh, Digby Bridge and Prosperous.
1900-1929
Dick Radley of Prosperous spearheaded the GAA revival in Kildare and Prosperous. Caragh contested the County Senior Championship in 1901 and 1903 losing on both occasions to Clane GAA
Clane GAA
Clane GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Clane, County Kildare, Ireland, winner of 17 Kildare county senior football championships, 16 county senior hurling championships and Kildare club of the year in 1975. Clane players are credited with bringing the handpass into Gaelic football...
. Caragh did win the Junior Championship in 1907 defeating Athy GAA
Athy GAA
Athy GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Athy, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland, winner of six county senior football championships.-History:...
. Blacktrench who were formed in 1915 won the junior championship of 1916 with Larry Stanley as a key member of the side. In 1917 Caragh won the Junior Championship after three matchs defeating Maddenstown 2-3 to 1-8. Caragh and Blacktrench amalgamated in 1918 and Raheens was also formed. 1918 was also the same year that Caragh won their first Senior championship captained by Larry Stanley who also lead Kildare to Leinster and All Ireland success. Caragh reached the Senior finals of 1919 defeating Kilcock GAA
Kilcock GAA
Kilcock is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Kilcock, County Kildare, Ireland, winner of five county senior football championships and Kildare club of the year in 1983.-History:...
2-4 to 2-1. They were defeated by Naas GAA
Naas GAA
Naas is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland, winner of eight Kildare county senior football championships, six senior hurling championships, three senior camogie championships and Kildare club of the year in 1981....
in 1920 1-6 to 0-8. In 1921 Caragh drew with St. Conleths 1-12 each. The match was played during Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
and St. Conleth’s were awarded title on objection because one of the Caragh players called C. McCarthy gave a false name as he was 'on the run' from Free State troops at the time. They were defeated by Naas in the Senior Championship final of 1922. Caragh are the only club to have played in five successive county finals from 1918 to 1923, winning two of them losing a third on objection and a fourth to a Naas
Naas GAA
Naas is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland, winner of eight Kildare county senior football championships, six senior hurling championships, three senior camogie championships and Kildare club of the year in 1981....
goal scored before the backs had returned to their positions. Caragh qualified for the 1925 county final having lost two and drawn one of the three matches they played, losing a replay against Athy
Athy GAA
Athy GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Athy, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland, winner of six county senior football championships.-History:...
by 2-3 to 1-3 and the semifinal against Roseberry by 12 points. They won both matches on objections and qualified. They won their third county title in 1926. Caragh were the first winners of the Leinster Leader cup when it was presented in 1920. Larry and Jim Stanley, Mick Buckley and Jack Dunne, a veteran of Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
’s 1903 All Ireland team, backboned the team.
1930-1959
It wasn't until 1931 that the club was to enjoy further success winning the Intermediate Championship defeating Athy in the final. A combined Raheens/Caragh selection, entered the 1932 championship as St. Peter's losing to Carbury GAA
Carbury GAA
Carbury GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in County Kildare, Ireland, winner of 11 Kildare county senior football championships and participants in eight successive county finals between 1965 and 1972...
. Their next success came in 1949 defeating Ballymore Eustace GAA
Ballymore Eustace GAA
Ballymore Eustace GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland, winner of the county senior football championships in 1953, completing the remarkable achievement of winning junior, intermediate and senior titles in successive...
in the Junior Chanmpionship 4-9 to 2-7. The club opened their current home ground St. Farnans Park in 1951. An official opening ceremony was held and the grounds blessed by Father Mark Minma C.C.. Kildare GAA chairman Liam Geraghty and club Secretary Tim Clarke oversaw the event. Raheens and Caragh again agreed to amalgamate in 1953 under the name Young Emmets. In 1954 Young Emmets won the Intermediate Championship and were promoted to Senior status. However, the partnership only lasted two more years and in 1956 Caragh and Raheens became a separate entities again. Camogie was introduced in 1955. The team was registered in the colours grey and red. Caragh won the county championship in 1958 but were not able to field a team again until 1962
1960-1989
In 1962 the Camogie team was reorganised by Betty Garry. They won the senior league in 1964 and senior championship in 1965. They also won the Senior Camogie League in 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967. They were defeated in the 1967 camogie county championship by Geraldines
Two Mile House GAA
Two Mile House is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in County Kildare, Ireland.The club grounds are located on The Commons,just off the Dunlavin Road...
5-0 to 4-2. In the mid seventies the club commenced an underage policy and 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...
was also introduced at the club. The clubs next success was in 1978 and again at Junior level, winning the championship having been previously defeated in the Junior Championship finals of 1976 and 1977. 1978 was a particularly successful year at the club with a new playing pitch opened as well as the club winning Club of the Year and Richie Whelan winning Club Secretary of the Year. The Under 10 and Under 14 teams won their respective Championships however the clubs Senior football team were defeated in the Championship final. The hurling team won its first league title in 1983 and in 1984 won their first championship and were successful in retaining their league title. In 1989 the under-16 team both league and championship while the minor team made the championship final. A significant portion of the clubs players were members of Clane Community School’s All Ireland colleges victory team. A Ladies committee was formed in the early 80s and played a large part in fund rasing for the clubs Clubhouse which was opened in the mid 80s. The clubs centenary year was in 1988.
1990–Present Day
Caragh won the Junior Championship and the Jack Higgins Cup in 1993 and Intermediate Championship titles in 1995. Caragh and St. Kevins minor teams alamaganated for the 2000 season and won the Minor B league beating Balyna in the final. In 2005 Caragh won the Junior B Championship defeating Kildangan GAA
Kildangan GAA
Kildangan GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is based in the village of Puckane, but includes the areas of Ballycommon, Monsea and Dromineer five miles outside Nenagh in north County Tipperary, Ireland...
The club's minor team were defeated in extra time in the 2007 league final. The Minor team did win the Minor C Championship in 2008 defeating Suncroft
Suncroft
Suncroft is a village in County Kildare, Ireland, south of The Curragh and east of Kildare Town.It has a population of 607.-See also:*List of towns and villages in Ireland...
4-8 to 3-9. junior 2010 champions ye
Honours
- Kildare Senior Football Championship winners 1918, 1919, 1926
- Intermediate Football Championship 1931, 1995.
- Junior Football Championship 1917, 1949, 1993, 2010.
- Leinster Leader Cup 1920.
- Intermediate Football league 1942, 1944.
- Kildare Senior Camogie ChampionshipKildare Senior Camogie ChampionshipCamogie was played in Kildare shortly after the sport was first organized in 1904. However due to sparse records it is not certain when the first senior camogie championship was held.The earliest record of Camogie appears in an advertisement by Athy Ladies Hurling Club advertised a members reunion...
1958, 1965, 1966, - Senior Camogie League 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967.
- Jack Higgins Cup 1993.
- Club of the century award.