It has been in existence for less than four decades, but already the Garrycastle GAA Club has left an indelible mark on Westmeath GAA, producing some very talented footballers and enjoying much success in the process.
The Athlone-based club has won eight senior football titles since its formation in 1981, while the major highlight will surely be the Leinster Club title which was annexed in 2011. They stand alone as the only Westmeath club to have reached the Holy Grail.
Later that season, on St Patrick’s Day, 2012, Garrycastle appeared in the All-Ireland Club Football final at Croke Park where they pushed the mighty Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh all the way but had to settle for a draw. The replay went Crossmaglen’s way, but it was some journey by the Garrycastle men.
Garrycastle are the reigning Westmeath champions having defied the odds to beat St Loman’s Mullingar in last year’s final, 2-13 to 3-6, following a most dramatic encounter. Garrycastle trailed by eight points at the break, but showing the kind of indomitable sprit that has stood the test of time, they bounced back to outscore their opponents 2-8 to 0-2 in the second half. In doing so they denied the same team that had easily beaten them in the group stages, 5-14 to 2-12.
The club, which has brought so much joy to the community it serves, was founded in 1981. A group of GAA enthusiasts in the area saw the need for a second club in the town of Athlone in order to cater for the growing young population on the eastern side of the town. The founders, men like Dan Hogan, Seamus Nugent, Jack Veale, Felim Finnegan and Eddie Martin, had a vision and they convened a series of meetings in 1980.
When the Westmeath County Board accepted its affiliation in January 1981, the Garrycastle GAA Club came into being but little did anyone realise what would follow.
The club enjoyed early success when the Junior Footballers won the championship in 1982, but some key players were then coming to the end of their careers and the team gradually went into decline. Having struggled for a few years at Intermediate level the team was eventually relegated to Junior in 1988.
But it was only the beginning of the Garrycastle story. They committed themselves to player development and put a major emphasis on underage coaching with their motto, mól an óige agus tiocfaidh siad, bearing fruit. An Intermediate Football title was secured in 1997 and four years later, in 2001, they took the county by storm to bring the Flanagan Cup back to Athlone as they saw off Tyrrellspass, 1-9 to 0-11.
They became a dominant force in Westmeath football, contesting finals in ’02, ’04, ’05, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11 and ’12. Of those eight finals, Garrycastle were victorious on five occasions, including their famous three-in-a-row success of ’09, ’10 and ’11.
Their duel with Mullingar Shamrocks was remarkable during that era as the clubs contested three senior finals and two replays. Of those five finals, Garrycastle won three further, while they were back in the final again in 2014, winning it for a seventh time.
Last year’s victory was one of their finest ever achievements against a team appearing in their fifth successive final and it demonstrates the character and resolve of the Garrycastle club over the years.
League and Feis Cup titles also arrived on a regular basis over the years as Garrycastle consolidated their position at the top echelons of Westmeath football.
THE DOLAN
CONNECTION
In terms of a family making a big impression on a club, there’s little doubt that the Dolans have been to the fore in Garrycastle. Dessie Dolan is the club’s best known and most highly regarded footballer and last year won his eighth Westmeath Senior Football medal, a feat that puts him top of the pile in the county.
During a glittering career he represented club, county and country, winning an All-Star in 2004, the same year in which he won a Leinster Senior Football title with the Lake County. Prior to that he was a key part of the Westmeath side that won the All-Ireland U21 title in 1999 and captained the Lake County to victory over Meath in the Leinster U21 final a year later.
Gary Dolan, Dessie’s brother was a key member of the Garrycastle team during the noughties and he managed them to a senior title last year. Dessie Dolan senior was widely recognised as a great coach and manager and he guided Garrycastle to a famous victory in 2014.
The Dolan connection is truly remarkable and they have been instrumental in the success story that is Garrycastle GAA Club.
The years 1982, ’93 and ’97 are all significant when one reflects on the glory years: the club won its first Junior title in ’82 and followed that by capturing their second title at this level in 1993. Eventually, in 1997 all the hard work paid off as Garrycastle took the Intermediate title to reach the premier grade in Westmeath for the very first time and there they have remained, constantly evolving to ensure they met the demands of senior football.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
Over the years, Garrycastle’s policy of working hard on underage development and focusing on youth coaching has been one of the secrets of its success. Close attention was given to underage coaching from the outset, and when the under 12s won the championship in 1985, it signalled the start of an amazing run of success.
The club contested 25 underage premier championship finals between 1985 and 1997, winning no fewer than 14 titles. They also enjoyed numerous underage league successes at all underage grades during this period.
Westmeath County Board selected Garrycastle to represent the county in the inaugural Féile na nÓg tournament hosted by Cavan GAA in 1982. Subsequently, a special qualifying competition was introduced in the county, and Garrycastle won the Westmeath Féile title on six occasions between 1986 and 1995. The crowning glory came in Mayo in 1995 when Garrycastle defeated Cullyhanna of Armagh in the Division 2 All-Ireland Féile final. It represents one of the finest achievements in the history of the Garrycastle club
CLUB GROUNDS
When one reflects on the history of this special club, it must be appreciated that one of the biggest challenges they faced starting out on their journey in 1981 was the acquisition of their own grounds. Early on Garrycastle rented a local field owned by Westmeath County Council, but the construction of the Athlone by-pass took away a major part of this ground in 1984.
After a lengthy search for a permanent home, the club eventually purchased nine acres of land from the County Council in 1988 and had to knuckle down to developing this. Following extensive fundraising, a major development programme culminated in the opening of a new playing pitch in 1992.
Further development saw the erection of an impressive clubhouse and dressing rooms, which were completed in 1996. A spectator stand and scoreboard was added in 2003, and a top of the range floodlighting system was installed in 2004.
THE FUTURE
Garrycastle will look to the future with the same kind of determination that has brought them this far and they seem set to be an integral part of the GAA in Westmeath for many years to come.
