Co. Longford AIB Club of the Year Award winners 2001, 2003, 2004 CLUB FACILITIES: From its foundation in 1889, Clonguish GAA Club were fortunate to have the use of playing fields on the Castleforbes Estate free of charge for almost 100 years. The road to the present facilities was long, hard, and often arduous. Fundraising to make the dream possible commenced with the Dancing Festivals in Jim McGarry's field back in 1969 and it took all of 10 years from this time to finally take possession of the 12 acres of land on which the original Centenary Park - now Bertie Allen Park -and dressing-rooms were constructed. Much of the work on the pitch and dressing-rooms was carried out by direct labour culminating with the official opening in June 1984 by the then Uactaran of Cumann Luthleas Gael, Mr Paddy Buggy. This provided the Club not alone with it's very own playing pitch but also with changing rooms and showers for the very first time. Following the official opening in 1984 work immediately commenced on the construction of the Gymnasium, Sports Hall and viewing facilities together with the necessary fundraising and the ongoing tapping of any unsuspecting politician who might be able to influence funding by way grant from the National "Coffers". Work on this part of the facilities was completed and open for use in 1987. Much maintenance and improvement works were carried out on the existing facilities until it was possible to acquire additional land in the year 2002 from the Department of Lands. This acquisition which brought the landholding to 26 acres, enabled the Club to consider the provision of additional playing pitches to cater for the ever increasing demand from a rapidly growing community. Work on a second all weather pitch was completed in the 2006. In keeping with the demand led trend for floodlit games and training facilities , the Club installed state of the art Floodlighting on the main pitch in 2005 which is capable of facilitating the hosting of all types of games and also capable of being upgraded to TV standard if and when the need arises at a very small extra cost. Plans are well advanced for the provision of a third playing pitch to cater specifically for under age grades and to upgrade the car parking facilities. Senior Hurling: In 1998 Clonguish Gaels was founded, born out of the tremendous success of the minor club. The officers and mentors were Noel Daly, Gerry Minnock, Anne Marie McKeon, Margaret Corcoran, Eanna Daly, Brendan Burke and John Finucane. The club enjoyed immediate success winning the under 21 title and went on to win three in a row 1998,1999, 2000 and added a fourth title in 2003. In September 2003 a piece of Longford GAA history was made at Pearse Park when a large attendance watched Clonguish overcome county champions Wolfe Tones to win their first ever senior hurling title. The breakthrough at senior level was just reward for all the hard work of previous years for the small but enthuaistic group who have promoted hurling in Clonguish over the last number of years. A further piece of GAA history was made when the club went on to represent Longford in the Leinster club championship with a home game against the Kildare champions, Coill Dubh,. While the game did not go our way it was a great experience for the players and mentors to play at this level. In 2004 we lost our title to Wolfe Tones in a very one sided encounter. However, while we lost it, it opened the door for our participation in the Leinster Junior championship. This proved to be a very enjoyable competition and though we did not win our games we confirmed our belief that out hurlers given the right coaching and support can compete with clubs in Leinster at this level. In 2005 we regained the senior title with a 3 goals and 11 points to 3 goals and 5 point victory over Wolfe Tones in the newly revamped Pearse Park. Joe O'Brien gave a real man of the match performance on that day scoring a very impressive total of 1 goal and 11 points. The team on the day was as follows Eanna Daly, Brian Mahon, Fergal Daly, Stephen Connolly, Damien Corcoran, John O'Brien, Aidan Brady, Enda Corcoran, Brendan Burke, Anthony Corcoran, John Dowd, Ciaran Finucane, Joe O'Brien (1 -11,10f), Neil Casey (2-0), John Minnock. Subs used: Declan McVeigh for Stephen Connolly, Thomas Prunty for John Dowd, Damien Brady for Declan McVeigh. From 2000 we competed in the Westmeath league and cup competitions. This has added to out activities but unfortunately we have not been able to avail of the development opportunity because of clashes with local fixtures. Competing in the annual Kilmacud Crokes 7 a side competition has also helped the club provide hurling for the players and in 2007 the club had a huge success when they won the title which was indeed a significant milestone in the history of Longford hurling. On the county scene we have supplied players, mentors and officials to all levels from under 14 to senior. Our current treasurer Gerry Minnock is also County Hurling Board chairman and Margaret Corcoran is assistant county secretary. In all for a small club Clonguish play a major role in Longford hurling. Minor club: A strong and vibrant minor section is an essential part of any successful club and Clonguish Og, formerly Lough Forbes Gales, has grown in strength over the past number of years. Titles have been won at all age levels in both hurling and football and reflects the tremendous work that is being done with all the under age players. Title won since 1980: Hurling; Minor championship - 1996, 1997 Under 16 championship - 1984, 1993, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2003,2007 Under 14 championship - 1982, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997,1999, 2006, 2008 Under 14 Feile - 1993, 1994, 1999, 2007,2008 All Ireland u-14 Feile Title - 1999 Under 12 championship - 1981, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997 Under 11 championship - 1987, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1997 Under 16 league - 2001 Under 14 league - 2001 As the above roll of honour indicates there have been some truly memorable moments over the past number of years none more so than when the under 14 hurlers became the first and to date the only County Longford team to win an All-Ireland Feile hurling title in Wexford in 1999. The panel that year was, Conor Quinn, Sean Macken, Daniel O'Brien, Paddy Dowd, David Hannify, Thomas Prunty, Brian MacGabhann, Laura Callinan, John O'Brien, Enda Williams, Joe O'Brien, Orla Daly, Neil Casey, Anthony Corcoran, Steohen Brennan, Brian Brady, Ciaran Williams, Brian Mahon, Neil Reilly, Shane Quinn, Damien Corcoran, Colin Reynolds. Tweet

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