Erins Own GAA

History of the club

Erins Own G.A.A Club was founded in 1963 with the amalgamation of the two parish clubs, Knockraha and Little Island. The decision to form the new club was based on a desire to strengthen gaelic games in the parish of Glounthaune by forming one strong unit where two weaker ones previously existed. The game had been played in the Parish for well over a hundred years.

Teams were affiliated in Junior A, Junior B and Minor grades in hurling and football in the early years. A juvenile section was also formed and teams were fielded in Under 14 and 16 hurling and football.

The early years at adult level were most difficult and unrewarding. It was in fact an achievement to fulfil our fixtures. The club enjoyed success firstly at Under 14 hurling and later at Under 16 hurling, where three divisional titles were won consecutively.

A major breakthrough was achieved in 1967 with the winning of the East Cork Minor hurling title. This was followed in 1970 by an under 21 hurling title. In 1973, we achieved a major ambition by winning the East Cork A grade Hurling Championship for the first time. This success transformed the attitude and commitment to Gaelic Games in the parish of Glounthaune. Youngsters from all age groups became involved in playing the games, whilst more adults came forward to assist at administrative level in the club. Additional juvenile teams were affiliated which in time resulted in more adults playing our games. The club mushroomed from a small unit of the association catering for 6 teams in 1963 to one catering for twenty two teams by 1975. This extra activity brought more success both at adult and juvenile level. Further divisional titles in junior hurling were added in 1975, 1977 and 1979. In 1980, the club entered the intermediate hurling grade.

The club grounds in Caherlag were purchased in 1978 and after much hard work and fundraising, the official opening took place on the 2nd of May, 1982.

On the playing fields, the club reached the County Intermediate Hurling final but unfortunately lost to an impressive Milford side. However our time was to come and we captured the Intermediate title in the year of our associations centenary, 1984. This success was repeated in 1987 following which we graduated to the senior hurling grade.

In July 1991, the new club meeting room was officially opened by Christy Twohig.

In 1992, the club realised its greatest ambition on the playing fields by winning the County Senior Hurling Championship for the very first time. This historic achievement was acclaimed throughout the county and indeed beyond. This victory generated considerable new interest in our club and gaelic games in the parish, which resulted in a huge influx of both adult and more importantly, juvenile members. Our Senior hurlers won the Cork Senior Hurling League in 1996, and also the Liam Breannach Cup.

On the 8th of June 1996, our new complex was officially opened by Jack Boothman, President of the GAA.

Football success was also attained at minor and Under 21 level during this period and in 1994, the club won the County Junior Football Championship for the first time. Unbelievable scenes of joy and celebration unfolded throughout the parish for the second time in two years. All divisionall juvenile titles open to the club in Hurling and Football were also won in this period together with a number of County Championships.

The success of the senior club rubbed off on the juvenile club which started to enjoy some unbelievable success, culminating in a historic 3-in-a-row of Premier Minor Hurling titles.

Our club is now a strong, vibrant unit which caters for players in the four corners of the parish, i.e. Glounthaune, Brooklodge, Little Island and Knockraha.

A camogie club, which was re-formed in 1994 is proving to be of great interest to the ladies of the parish. They hopefully will emulate the successes of the main club over the coming years. Teams have been entered in bith league and championship at Junior 'B' adult level and in juvenile level at Under 12, 14 and 16. Approximately 90 girls are involved from all over the parish.

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