Courtwood
Encyclopedia
Courtwood GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association
gaelic football
and hurling
club, located in the north east corner of County Laois
in Ireland
. The club is located in the eastern half of Emo
parish with a small catchment area around the village of Ballybrittas
and the local school Rath NS.
The locality is bordered on one side by County Kildare
and by neighbouring clubs in Laois, Annanough, O'Dempseys
and Emo
.
The club is almost completely a football club, although recent years have seen Courtwood dabble in the small ball game. Courtwood field football teams at intermediate and junior B but in 2008 opted out of hurling competition.
Juvenile football and hurling affairs are catered for by St Pauls Juvenile GAA club, an amalgamation with fellow parishioners, Emo
. Courtwood also amalgamate with Emo
at minor and Under 21 level.
club.
Courtwood has won the Laois Junior Football Championship twice (1970 and 1986) and the Laois Intermediate Football Championship
twice (1971 and 1987).
In 2006, Courtwood won the Laois Junior "C" Football Championship. The previous year Courtwood reached the Laois Intermediate Football Championship
final where they were narrowly beaten by Crettyard. 2007 saw Courtwood again reach the Laois Intermediate Football Championship
final but Graiguecullen were to deny them once again.
At underage level, Courtwood have successfully combined with Emo on a number of occasions to win county titles. Emo won the Laois Minor Football Championship
in 1964 and 1965 and the Laois Under 21 Football Championship
in 1966 and 1967, with players from Courtwood playing on the winning teams.
The two clubs also combined to win the Under 21 title again in 1989 and 1990 as Courtwood/Emo.
Courtwood as a separate entity won the 2003 Laois Minor "B" Football Championship
and Emo/Courtwood returned to the county roll of honour in 2008 winning the Laois Minor "B" Football Championship
, having lost out in the 2007 final of the same competition.
, the 2003 All-Star goalkeeper who was also instrumental in Laois's 2003 Leinster SFC
triumph. He was joined in 2007 on the Laois senior panel by Niall Donoher
, a minor and under 21 star with Laois.
George Doyle
and John O'Connell both played senior football with Laois in the 1990s while Danny Luttrell and Tommy Dunne were on the Laois team beaten in the Leinster SFC
final in 1968.
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...
gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
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...
club, located in the north east corner of 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...
in 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 is located in the eastern half of Emo
Emo, County Laois
Emo is a village in County Laois, Ireland. It is located near Portlaoise on the R422 regional road just off the M7 Dublin–Limerick motorway.The late 18th century village of Emo originally sprang up around the gates of Emo Court...
parish with a small catchment area around the village of Ballybrittas
Ballybrittas
Ballybrittas is a small village in the northeast of County Laois, Ireland situated on the R445 about 5 km SE of Monasterevin, County Kildare. Formerly on the N7 Dublin - Limerick road, the village is now bypassed by the M7 motorway. Ballybrittas is the current County Laois East Division Tidy...
and the local school Rath NS.
The locality is bordered on one side by 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...
and by neighbouring clubs in Laois, Annanough, O'Dempseys
O'Dempseys
O'Dempseys Gaelic Athletic Association club is a gaelic football club in Killenard, County Laois, Ireland.The club was founded in 1951, won the Laois Junior Football Championship title in that same year and followed up by winning the Laois Intermediate Football Championship title the following...
and Emo
Emo GAA
Emo GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football club in Emo, County Laois, Ireland.The club was founded in the 1950s and club colours are white with a red hoop.Famous players past and present include Gabriel Lawlor, Mick Lawlor and Billy Sheehan....
.
The club is almost completely a football club, although recent years have seen Courtwood dabble in the small ball game. Courtwood field football teams at intermediate and junior B but in 2008 opted out of hurling competition.
Juvenile football and hurling affairs are catered for by St Pauls Juvenile GAA club, an amalgamation with fellow parishioners, Emo
Emo GAA
Emo GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football club in Emo, County Laois, Ireland.The club was founded in the 1950s and club colours are white with a red hoop.Famous players past and present include Gabriel Lawlor, Mick Lawlor and Billy Sheehan....
. Courtwood also amalgamate with Emo
Emo GAA
Emo GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football club in Emo, County Laois, Ireland.The club was founded in the 1950s and club colours are white with a red hoop.Famous players past and present include Gabriel Lawlor, Mick Lawlor and Billy Sheehan....
at minor and Under 21 level.
History
The club was founded in 1962. Previous to this, players from the locality played with the JamestownJamestown GAA
Jamestown GAA was a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football club in Jamestown, County Laois, Republic of Ireland. The area now forms part of the catchment area of Courtwood GAA Club....
club.
Courtwood has won the Laois Junior Football Championship twice (1970 and 1986) and the Laois Intermediate Football Championship
Laois Intermediate Football Championship
The Laois Intermediate Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the second grade Laois Clubs. The winners of the Laois Championship winners qualify to represent their county in the Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship and in turn, go on to...
twice (1971 and 1987).
In 2006, Courtwood won the Laois Junior "C" Football Championship. The previous year Courtwood reached the Laois Intermediate Football Championship
Laois Intermediate Football Championship
The Laois Intermediate Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the second grade Laois Clubs. The winners of the Laois Championship winners qualify to represent their county in the Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship and in turn, go on to...
final where they were narrowly beaten by Crettyard. 2007 saw Courtwood again reach the Laois Intermediate Football Championship
Laois Intermediate Football Championship
The Laois Intermediate Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the second grade Laois Clubs. The winners of the Laois Championship winners qualify to represent their county in the Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship and in turn, go on to...
final but Graiguecullen were to deny them once again.
At underage level, Courtwood have successfully combined with Emo on a number of occasions to win county titles. Emo won the Laois Minor Football Championship
Laois Minor Football Championship
The Laois Minor Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the under 18 players of Laois clubs. The 2011 minor football champions are Portlaoise who defeated St Josephs/Barrowhouse in the final by a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-6.A subsidiary competition the...
in 1964 and 1965 and the Laois Under 21 Football Championship
Laois Under 21 Football Championship
The Laois Under 21 Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the under 21 players of Laois Clubs. The 2011 Under 21 football champions are St Josephs/Barrowhouse who defeated Mountmellick/Ballyfin in the final to secure their second title in the grade.A...
in 1966 and 1967, with players from Courtwood playing on the winning teams.
The two clubs also combined to win the Under 21 title again in 1989 and 1990 as Courtwood/Emo.
Courtwood as a separate entity won the 2003 Laois Minor "B" Football Championship
Laois Minor Football Championship
The Laois Minor Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the under 18 players of Laois clubs. The 2011 minor football champions are Portlaoise who defeated St Josephs/Barrowhouse in the final by a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-6.A subsidiary competition the...
and Emo/Courtwood returned to the county roll of honour in 2008 winning the Laois Minor "B" Football Championship
Laois Minor Football Championship
The Laois Minor Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the under 18 players of Laois clubs. The 2011 minor football champions are Portlaoise who defeated St Josephs/Barrowhouse in the final by a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-6.A subsidiary competition the...
, having lost out in the 2007 final of the same competition.
Famous players
Courtwood is the home club of Fergal ByronFergal Byron
Fergal Byron is a former Gaelic football player for Laois.A goalkeeper, he won a Leinster Senior Football Championship medal with Laois in 2003 and picked up an All-Star award in the same year...
, the 2003 All-Star goalkeeper who was also instrumental in Laois's 2003 Leinster SFC
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
triumph. He was joined in 2007 on the Laois senior panel by Niall Donoher
Niall Donoher
Niall Donoher is a Gaelic football player from Laois in Ireland.He usually plays in defence for Laois and in 2003 was part of the Laois team that won the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship title for the first time since 1997....
, a minor and under 21 star with Laois.
George Doyle
George Doyle
George Doyle is a gaelic football player from County Laois in Ireland.He played on the Laois senior football team throughout the 1990s, primarily as a defender but also in midfield...
and John O'Connell both played senior football with Laois in the 1990s while Danny Luttrell and Tommy Dunne were on the Laois team beaten in the Leinster SFC
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
final in 1968.
Managers
| Years | Name |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Mick Behan |
| 2010 | Richie Connor Richie Connor Richie Connor is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Walsh Island and was a member of the Offaly senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1989... |
| 2009 | George Doyle George Doyle George Doyle is a gaelic football player from County Laois in Ireland.He played on the Laois senior football team throughout the 1990s, primarily as a defender but also in midfield... and Mick Behan (joint) |
| 2008 | George Doyle George Doyle George Doyle is a gaelic football player from County Laois in Ireland.He played on the Laois senior football team throughout the 1990s, primarily as a defender but also in midfield... |
| 2007 | John Strong |
| 2004–2006 | Mick Behan |
| 2003 | 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.... |
| 2001–2002 | George Doyle George Doyle George Doyle is a gaelic football player from County Laois in Ireland.He played on the Laois senior football team throughout the 1990s, primarily as a defender but also in midfield... |
| 2000 | Tom Kinsella |
| 1998–1999 | Tommy Dunne |
| 1997 | Larry Swayne |
| 1996 | Martin Dunne |
| 1995 | Danny Luttrell |
| 1993–1994 | 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.... |
| 1992 | Brian Lawlor |
| 1990–1991 | Martin Dunne |
| 1989 | Seamus Lawlor |
| 1988 | Tom Kinsella |
| 1986–1987 | Brian Lawlor |
| 1984–1985 | Mick Behan (Carlow) |