County Carlow Football Club

 

 

Most people are surprised when they hear that County Carlow Football Club is in fact a rugby club and not a soccer or gaelic football team. This stems from the fact that the club was founded in 1873, eleven years before the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association and the development of soccer being initially confined to Ulster and then in the 1880s it was a Dublin based sport, so there being no competition so to speak, they were correctly called a football club and they still retain the name to this day. 

Oak Park, on the outskirts of Carlow Town has been the home of County Carlow Football Club since the mid 1960s.

In the early years Carlow was one of the few non Dublin based teams in the province of Leinster. Here is an account of a match between Carlow and Kingstown (Dun Laoighre, Dublin) on December 26th, St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) 1900 complete with a team photo, possibly one of their first club photos.

“On St Stephen’s Day the Kingstown Football Club paid their second annual visit to Carlow, and were more strongly represented than last year when Carlow ran out rather easy victors. The match took place at Granby Row before a very large crowd of spectators and in ideal football weather. It may be remembered that last year the gate money, amounting to over £6.00 was sent as a contribution from the Club to the Irish Regiments Soldiers Widows and Orphan Fund. Preparatory to the preliminaries the Carlow Team were photographed by Mr. Lloyd, Carlow.

Sepia as taken by Mr. Lloyd of the Carlow team that lined out against Kingstown Football Club in 1900. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 03-007.

Directly after Jameson started the game, by kicking off towards the rectory goal, the ball was returned to Rowan who found touch in the visitors twenty five. From the throw in Kingstown made a good combined rush to the home territory, the Carlow team, contrary to their general play so far this season seemed to lack the spirit at the commencement of the game as they played in very desultory fashion, the result being that the visitors had much the best of the opening play and scored a try far out. They had very hard lines in not securing the major point, the ball hitting the upright from a splendid shot at goal from a difficult angle. On resuming the home side evidently saw they had their work cut out, as they “bucked” up wonderfully and brought the ball to their opponents ground pinning them on their line for some time, several attempts to get over being nipped in the nick of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal post, Clubhouse and Dressing Rooms of County Carlow Football Club. Photo Carlow County Museum.

The home side made strenuous efforts to break through their opponents line and eventually succeeded, amidst much excitement, per Hearns who scored at the corner, the same player kicked a magnificent goal, thus putting his side leading by 2 points. Shortly after half time was called.

On restarting… for some time Kingstown held Carlow on their line and the play raged fast and furious, till Jameson made a good dribble to near half way, the advantage being further improved on by Rowan, who again was only brought down just outside the line, from the ensuing scrum, Langran obtaining possession, passed to Hearns who had very bad luck in being “nailed” on the line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Support the Black and Amber, the colours of County Carlow Football Club. Photo Carlow County Museum.

…. without further score, leaving Carlow winners of a pleasant and hard fought game by 1 goal (5 points) to 1 try (3 points).

Mr Davis, an ex-international player and a County Carlow man acted as referee.

Carlow Team:
Full Back:                     Palmer
Three Quarters:            Rowen, Doyle, Bourke, Hearns,
Halves:                         G Tynan, R Lanagran,
Forwards:                     Jameson, Brady, Orr, Bolger,
Belton, West Watson, E Boake & Kepple.

After the match the visitors were entertained at the inaugural annual dinner of the Carlow Football Club, which was held at the Royal Arms Hotel. In the absence of the president of the club (M. Governey Esq) and the captain (Rev. G Jameson), Mr CS Tynan, Vice Captain presided at the table at which forty four were seated.

The committee have every reason to congratulate themselves on the success of their first club dinner and “smoker” which followed. The excellent manner in which the dinner was served reflects much credit on the management of the Royal Arms Hotel.”

Reproduced from the Carlow Sentinel, 2nd January 1901.

County Carlow Football Club Stand. Photo Carlow County Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A photo of an early team from somewhere during the 1900 to 1925 period. Correct identification and names would be greatly appreciated. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 02-1000.