St.Marks Club History

In the Beginning

Since 1975 St.Marks has established itself as one of the most respected GAA clubs in Dublin. There have been a number of high and low occasions over the years, the most notable high being in 1991 when our clubhouse was completed. The club continues to grow and is achieving higher standards. Past sucesses would not be possible but for the hard work and dedication from all our members past and present.

Hurling History

In 1976 Joe Costigan was club chairman. A native of Ballacolla Co. Laois with a strong Hurling background, Joe proposed that a hurling team be formed. A search went out for hurlers in the area and Larry Murphy a man with a passion for hurling answered the call. This led to the forming of the first hurling team for St. Marks. The team played Ballyboden St. Endas in their first match of the 1977 season in the B league. This team continued to make progress and in 1981 the awaited breakthrough came when they won the A league. In 1983 we won the Corn Fogarty. In those years we had to depend on our country cousins. We lost a lot of players after that season, some through retirement and some through emigration.

It took until the 1987/88 season before another piece of silverware came our way. We won the C league that season which marked the start of a remarkable run from C league to Senior. In 1989 we won the B championship, the league and the miller shield without losing a single match. in 1990 we won the Corn Fogarty for the 2nd time. In 1991 we won the Intermediate league and gained senior status. In 1992 we lost the intermediate championship final to Craobh Chiaran but made amends the following season when we won the final after a replay to Round Towers. Again the team was to suffer the loss of key players through retirement or injury, players like Jack Stewart, Liam Kavanagh, Purdy McMahon, Phil Cullen, Larry Murphy, Michael Jordan, Tom Kennedy, Mick Hutchinson, Brian Aherne, Owen Lawlor, Liam Blood, Benny Carroll, Pat & Jim Brennan, Patsy McCann, Peter Storey, Andrew McMahon, Hugh O'Neil, Paddy Dempsey and Tom Fahey.

It again took time to rebuild and in 1997 we won the Top four of the A league and in 1998 the Top four again and the Corn Fag A Bealag. This new team contained players brought up through the Juvenile ranks players like, Fran McCann, Mick O'Callaghan, Colm Waters, Clinton Murphy, David Donovan, Declan Kelly, Ger Byrne, Marc Duggan and Noel Fahy. Owen Lawlor had also returned adding further strength and experience. In 1999 the young classy players known as Joe Costigan's Dream Team, players like David O'Callaghan, Sean McCann, the Rabitte brothers, John Kelly, Colm O'Donoghue, Richie Neville, James McNeil, David Flaherty, Andrew Cranley and Barry Kenneddy joined up with the above panel as the team moved to Intermediate Division 2. In 2001 we won the Intermediate league Div 2 and the Doyle cup. In 2002 the Intermediate league div 1 was won and Senior Status was again achieved. In 2003 the team finished up 3rd in the league under the management of Conor McCann, Larry Murphy and Owen Lawlor.

In 1999 with so many players coming from the Juvenile ranks a junior team was again reformed. This team won the Junior D Championship and league in 2001. With the "old heads" of Ronnie Kavanagh, James Brereton and Clinton Murphy and a lot of young players this team has continued to do well and in 2003 with Eamonn Kelly and Mick O'Brien in charge they reached the finals of the Championship, league and cup but unfortunately lost all three. Lets hope for better luck in 2004 with Patsy McCann taking over from the helm from Eamonn who has decided to step down with Mick O'Brien staying on as well.

The Following Players have represented Dublin from the club.

Senior :-    Conor McCann
                   Owen Lawlor

Junior :-    Jack Stewart, Mick Fletcher, Liam Blood, Larry Murphy, Purdy Mc Mahon, Darren                    Fennelly, Fran McCann, Mick Jordan and David Donovan.

Minor :-     Sean McCann, David O'Callaghan and Barry Kennedy

In 1993 Dublin won the All Ireland Masters title with Mick Jordan, Brian Aherne, Phil Cullen and Larry Murphy on the Dublin team.

Much credit must go to Joe Costigan and Larry Murphy who have done trojan work for Hurling in St Mark's over the years. We were noted as one of the best Junior hurling teams in the late 80's early 90's. Hurling will always find it difficult in Dublin in the shadow of football but with such juvenile talent around St Mark's and Michael Duggan a native of Tipperary being Chairman for the past 4 years things look good.

Sincere thanks to all the players and mentors who give us so much pleasure year after year. Gabhaim ab-bhuiochas do gach einne a chabraigh linn i rith na blianna.

 

Camogie History

The Camogie Section of St. Mark¹s was formed in 1983. An U/13 Team was entered in competition under the guidance of Celine Mc Cann, Pat Nelson and Anne O Reilly. In 1984 we had three teams playing U/12, Under 13 and Junior C. The First Committee was formed in 1984 and they were Chairperson: Lily Mc Kane, Asst Chairperson: Celine Mc Cann, Secretary: Anne O Reilly, Asst Secretary: Noranne O Shea, Treasurer: Bernie Carley and Asst Treasurer: Mary Fay.

The Junior C Team quickly established themselves and won the league and championship double in 1985. This team made progress over the years and in 1990 under the guidance of Eamon Kelly and Willie O Reilly they won the Intermediate A League and Championship double and thus ensured Senior Status, they were the first team in the Club to do so. Martina Kenny was the first club member to win a Leinster Camogie Medal in 1991 when she was a member of the Dublin U/ 14 Team. Many other players have also represented the Club at Inter County Level. At U/14 Level they were Linda Daly, Patricia O Callaghan, Sinead Spellman, Lisa O Callaghan, Aisling Mc Cormack and Helena Martin, at Minor Level they were Carol Nelson, Liz Pender, Janice Coughlan, Nicola Stokes, Maria Hughes, Martina Kenny, Linda Daly and Sharon Emmet. The Juniors were Noeleen Nelson, Helen Byrne, Audrey Maguire, Nicola Mc Tiernan, Amanda Donohuie, Sharon Russell. At Juvenile Level the first breakthrough was made in 1992 when the U/16 Team under the guidance of Gerry Stokes and Pat Nelson won the League and Championship. In the same year the Junior B Team under the guidance of Carmel Jameson and the late Bridie Kelly also won the League and Championship. In 1993 the Junior B Team again under the guidance of Gerry Stokes and Pat Nelson also won the League and Championship double. In 1993 the Senior B Team also won the League under the guidance of Eamon Kelly.

At U/16 Level we have won the Division 2 League in 1995, 1996, and 1998. Our Feile Team in 1999 took the first Division 3 Title and were runners up in 2000 and 2003

In 1995 the death occurred of Bridie Kelly who had played and been a mentor down through the years, she was a much respected member of our Section and The Ceile Section of our Club. Her family presented a trophy to the County Board in her memory. The Club undertook in 1998 to run this competition each year for U/11¹s, it has proved to be a very successful competition with the standard improving each year. The County Board now run this competition each year with the Final being played in St. Mark¹s each year.

In 2000 the Club went down from Senior to Junior A status having lost a lot of our senior players through retirement. This team was an amalgamation of the Senior Team and Junior B Team. The year did not start very well for us but the Team improved considerably during the year. The biggest day of the year for us was Sunday 15th October we played the Final of The Junior A Championship in O¹ Toole Park against N. Mearnog. We beat them 3.04 to 1.05. in a great game. It was a tribute to the great dedication of all the players in the past year. The Presentation night took place on Friday 26th January. We were honoured to have Uachtarán Cumann Camógaoíchta na nGael Patricia Rafferty to present the medals and The Chairman of the Dublin County Camogie Board also attended. The Panel was of players was

Denise Brady, Nicky Brett, Gillian Byrne, Helen Connick, Louise Curry, Fleur Dillon, Janet Fennell, Suzanne Ford(C), Jenny Fortune, Hazel Gartland, Erika Hoare, Maria Hughes, Martina Kenny, Helena Martin, Aisling Mc Cormack, Tara McCarthy, Ellen Minihan, Ciara Moran, Deirdre Murphy, Patricia O' Callaghan, Barbara Quinn, Maria Quinn, Niamh Rabbitte, Sharon Russell, Fiona Somers, Jennifer Tynan, Elaine Walsh, Amanda Donohue Waters.

The Mentors were Pat Murphy, Liz Kavanagh, Mary O Callaghan, Maura Quinn and Breda Mullen, well done to all and good luck for next year.

Having won the Junior A Championship we were promoted to Intermediate Status and held our own in our first year at intermediate. A number of players returned to play for the Club the following year who had taken a few years of and we reached the Final of the Intermediate Championship in 2002 against Round Towers. The match was played in O Toole in very inclement conditions and had to be abandoned at half time due to the condition of the pitch. The match was refixed for the following Sunday in St. Anne¹s and the conditions again were very bad however the match was played and we were beaten by a very strong Round Towers side. In 2003 we again reached the final of the Championship against Lucan Sarsfield and were beaten by a point having lead all the way. They also reached the League Final this year and again were beaten by Lucan Sarsfield. On Sunday 15th November in Phoenix Park they played N. Fionnbarra in the Cup Final and beat them in style 5.07 to 2.04. Well done girls.

The Panel of players at the moment is; Ellen Minihan, Maria Quinn, Suzanne Ford, Helena Martin, Nicola Mc Tiernan, Noeleen Nelson, Denise Brady, Martina Kenny, Sharon Russell, Paula Martin, Bernie Mc Cann Long, Gillian Byrne, Erica Hoare, Patricia O Callaghan, Janet Fennell, Lisa O Callaghan, Amy Murphy, Amanda Donohue Waters, Niamh Rabbitte, Jennifer Tynan, Siobhan O Shea, Ciara Moran, Jenny Fortune, Hazel Gartland, Deirdre Murphy and Helen Connick.

Our trip to Scotland 6th to 9th October 2000

On 6th October a party of 31 travelled to Dunoon in Scotland for the Linn go Linn (Century to Century) festival organised by the Camanachd Association. We travelled to Glasgow Airport and were accompanied on the flight by our President Pat Raffety, we were met by Allan Mc Millan from Sports Scotland, we travelled by Coach and Ferry to The Arglyll Hotel, in Dunoon. A team from Clonduff, Co. Down were also staying in our Hotel. On Saturday morning at 10.00 a.m. all participating teams taking part in the competition met at The Queen¹s Hall to parade through the town to The Stadium at the other end of the town, it was a great occasion. There were 3 Sections in the competition, a mens competition, a women¹s competition and a Juvenile Competition. The rain started early on in the day, and we got just two matches played before proceedings were stopped for the day. We drew one and won one.

The Competition recommenced at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday morning and the format had to be changed to a knock out competition. We beat Oban Lorne in the First round and played and beat Glengarry in the Semi Final. We met Clonduff from Co Down in the Final and were beaten by two points. It was a great weekend and many thanks to the organisers especially Gary Reid who looked after us so well. We would also like to thank all the Club Members and Friends who supported our Fund raising for the trip, A special thank you to Michael Smith and Brendan Lynch from Super Value, Fortunestown who sponsored our tracksuits.