Naomh Barróg GAA Club is celebrating 40 great years

NAOMH Barróg GAA Club marked the occasion of its foundation in Scoil Eoin on November 20.

It was a very special day in the history of the Kilbarrack club as members, friends, teachers and people from the community gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary.
Naomh Barróg was founded in Scoil Lorcáin (now Scoil Eoin) when teachers and parents met in the school to form the new club.

It was a time when hundreds of new families with young children and teenagers were arriving from different parts of the city, with many returning immigrants wishing to live and settle down in Kilbarrack-Foxfield.

The new club gave the young people the opportunity to participate in sport, especially Gaelic games.

The club adopted the green and red colours of Scoil Lorcáin in memory of the first principal of the school, a Mayo man, Mr Liam Joyce.

The community gathered at Scoil Eoin to acknowledge the unique bond and relationship that existed between school and club. They honoured the occasion by planting a mountain ash tree in the grounds and unveiled a plaque in the school.

Beside the plaque, a framed photograph of the first school team that won Corn na Laoch in a Cumann na mBunscol final in Croke Park in 1973 was also unveiled.
This school team became the inspiration for the foundation of Naomh Barróg in September 1974.

Past pupils John Flynn, Lar McCarthy, Ronnie Ryan and Seán Farrell, who played on that team, along with Tony Canning, Paul Carroll and Ciarán Kenny and Liam Byrne, the present chairman, sat among the present day pupils of Scoil Eoin.

Former principals Dermot Toomey, Liam Lally and former teachers Willie Sansome, Gretta Sutton, Mary Gurrin, Pat O’Donovan and Dick Fields sat with present day teachers led by their principal, Cathy Burke.

Many past members and residents whose children were involved with the club in the early years mingled with parents of current players.

All gathered to honour the Naomh Barróg story over the past 40 years.
Former TD and minister, Michael Woods, who was very involved with the club at the beginning and played a major role in the club acquiring the former prison site on Kilbarrack Road in 1982, said a few words at the ceremony.

Dr Woods acknowledged the part the club has played in Kilbarrack-Foxfield and surrounding communities.

Terence Flanagan TD, Fr Cathal Price and newly arrived curate to the Kilbarrack-Foxfield Parish, Fr Finbarr Neylon, were also welcomed, while former chairman of Naomh Barróg, Joe Potter, was in attendance.

Dick Fields told those present that in 1974 a small seed had been sown and after 40 years it had grown into a great and strong club.

To symbolise that growth, the first chairman of Naomh Barróg, Seán Canning, planted a mountain ash in the school grounds.

He was assisted by a past pupil of the time and current Naomh Barróg member, Tony Canning. and by two current pupils and Naomh Barróg players, Kyle Kenny and Darragh O’Brien.

In the school hall the celebrations proceeded with the principal welcoming all present, congratulating the club for its achievements and offering to maintain the unique friendship that exists between school and club.

Former principal Dermot Toomey shared his memories while a past pupil, John Flynn, told the young people present what his school days in Scoil Lorcáin, being a member of the first team and playing for Naomh Barróg, meant to him – and the part these positive experiences have played in his life since then.

To connect the past with the future, current pupils Seán Byrne, Jamie Kavanagh and Jordan Dennis told the people present what playing for Naomh Barróg means to them and how they love the club.

The school choir, conducted by Marianne Reynolds, sang for the guests.
Everyone was invited for some refreshments served by the Parents’ Association and the cutting of the beautiful anniversary cake.

It was a day of symbolism, remembrance, gratitude and celebration.