Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock
Na Piarsaigh na gCreagacha Dubha
Founded:1982
County:Louth
Nickname:Naps
Colours:Black and Amber
Grounds:Páirc An tAthair Uí Dhubhthaigh
(Fr. Duffy Park)
Coordinates:53°59′13″N 6°22′18″W / 53.98694°N 6.37166°W / 53.98694; -6.37166
Playing kits
Standard colours

Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock CLG is a GAA club from Dundalk, County Louth, which fields Gaelic football, Hurling and Camogie teams in competitions organised by Louth GAA. Until the establishment of Omeath's Cúchulainn Gaels in 2005, Na Piarsaigh was the youngest Gaelic football club in Louth.[1]

History

The club was founded in 1982 by residents of the Holy Family parish in Dundalk to provide a sporting outlet for an area of the town experiencing significant population growth.[2] The 1993 Louth Junior Football Championship was the club's first significant success. The Christy Bellew Cup was won by virtue of a 2–6 to 0–10 defeat of Glyde Rangers at Haggardstown.[3]

1997 saw Na Piarsaigh clinch the MacArdle Cup as winners of the Division 3 League.[4] The club was also performing strongly at juvenile level, with the Under-14s winning two Championship finals in 1996 and 1998.[5] Coinciding with 20th anniversary celebrations in 2002, they won a second Junior Championship and reached the County minor final for the first time, losing narrowly to Valley Rangers (led by future Louth captain Paddy Keenan) by 0–08 to 0–07.[6] Victory in the Junior final came at the expense of Dowdallshill, who were on the wrong end of a two-point defeat at Clan Na Gael Park.[7]

As junior champions, Na Piarsaigh were promoted to the Intermediate grade of Louth football. The club's under-21s claimed the 2003 Louth Under-21 Football Championship by beating combination side Mattock Rangers/Hunterstown Rovers/Glen Emmets 3–10 to 1–08 in the final at Dromiskin's Cluskey Park.[8] Their second team were victorious in consecutive Junior 2B Championship finals in 2004 and 2005, beating Dreadnots and Dundalk Gaels respectively. The minor team qualified for another Championship final in 2005 but suffered defeat again, this time to Cooley Kickhams at Drogheda's Gaelic Grounds on a scoreline of 2–07 to 1–07.[9]

In 2008, Na Piarsaigh qualified for their first Intermediate Championship final where they met south Louth opponents Dreadnots at Páirc Mhuire, Ardee. A close contest ended in a 2–10 to 1–12 defeat for the Dundalk men.[10]

The team bounced back the following year and returned to the Intermediate final, facing Naomh Malachi at Dromiskin. Two points behind in injury time, a penalty was awarded giving Na Piarsaigh a chance of qualifying for the Senior grade of Louth football for the first time ever. The ball was kicked high over the bar however, allowing Naomh Malachi to claim victory by a single point, 1–12 to 1–11.[11]

The club remained at Intermediate level for many more years but a further appearance in the County final would elude them. In 2018, Na Piarsaigh were relegated back to junior football.[12] Since then, the side has won two Kevin Mullen Shield trophies as subsidiary league winners.[13]

In 2022, the club celebrated 40 years in existence.[14] As of 2023, Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock currently competes in the Louth Junior Football championship and the third Division of the county's football leagues. Former player Paul Sharkey will manage the footballers in 2023.[15]

Recent developments

Known simply as Na Piarsaigh since their formation, the club rebranded as Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock in 2022, after merging with Blackrock Hurling & Camogie club.[16]

Catchment area

Footballers are drawn from the large housing estates of Bay Estate and Muirhevnamór in the Holy Family parish.[17] Members of the hurling and camogie sections of the club will be recruited from the Blackrock area.

Rivalries

The club's matches against fellow Dundalk sides Dundalk Gaels and Clan Na Gael are always keenly contested. However, it is felt that Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock's main rival is Seán O'Mahony's due to local geography.[18]

Inter-county players

Former players who have represented Louth at senior inter-county level, include:

Achievements

References

  1. ↑ "New kids on the block". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  2. ↑ "Na Piarsaigh to mark 40th Anniversary of club's formation". Dundalk Democrat. 15 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Stronger than ever". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Committed to the cause". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "History points to a minor thriller". Drogheda Independent. 13 September 2002.
  6. ↑ "Valley Rangers edge". The Argus. 20 September 2002.
  7. ↑ "Joy for Rock Road outfit". The Argus. 11 October 2002.
  8. ↑ "Na Piarsaigh joy as clinch the U-21 title". The Argus. 30 January 2004.
  9. ↑ "Plenty of kick here". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2005. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  10. ↑ "Third light". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "The narrowest of margins". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "IFC relegation play-off: Emmets snatch dramatic victory over Na Piarsaigh". Hogan Stand. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "Shield success for impressive Na Piarsaigh". The Argus. 6 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "Na Piarsaigh to mark 40th Anniversary of club's formation". Dundalk Democrat. 15 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "Louth GAA club management teams begin to take shape with several recent appointments". The Argus. 15 February 2023.
  16. ↑ "Heated debate as 'disgusted' Gers oppose Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock at Louth GAA meeting". The Argus. 8 February 2022.
  17. ↑ "Na Piarsaigh's joy at €120k windfall". The Argus. 9 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "GAELS TALES Gerry McGee selects his Na Piarsaigh and Louth all-time XVs". Dundalk Democrat. 27 May 2020.
  19. ↑ "Eamonn's incredible debut season". Hogan Stand. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  20. ↑ "Dreadnots lose out in 2B final". Drogheda Independent. 12 November 2004.
  21. ↑ "Kelly keeps his cool to slot over winner". The Argus. 2 December 2005.
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