Founded in 1885 Parteen St. Nicholas has had an interesting history. Our local historian Donal O'Riain has written extensively on the parish for many years publishing books recording the events of the club and parish. Donal has a new book out shortly detailing Parteen in the modern era.
Our Club is located in East Clare on the banks of the Shannon and we play in under the Clare County Board. Our main ground is locates in the Westbury housing Estate. This is a new estate that has grown up around the club over the years. In 2005 we made the break through to the intermediate level after a long long time. 2006 saw us defend this status and this I am sure the players and members will do there utmost to make the final push to Senior. As a club it is our aim and not because its the right focus for any club, no because we have the players, mentors and members cabable of achieving this status. So 2007 is another exciting year for our club.
PJ O'Doherty is chairman of our club. A Tipperary man by birth PJ has lived and been part of the Parish for many years and has dedicated a lot of time and effort into keeping the club afloat. Speaking of afloat Joe O'Connell is club treasurer and manages the clubs accounts in a very professional manner. Joe is the only Clareman at the top table. I say Clare man because our secretary is Sadie Quinn a Clare lady from Ogenalloe Co. Clare. This is Sadie's first year as secretary of Parteen. Last year saw the club embark on a fund raising mission with Gaelic Telecom as another fund raising venture and I wish I was in a position to say we earned much needed funds from this venture but alas no things could have been better. There are more plans afoot to finance the club in 2007 but we can always do with the help of our fellow parishioner. We are very lucky to have some hard working committee members who take various tasks upon themselves thus relieving some of the pressures when managing a club.
We cater for both adult and underage teams both football and hurling at various stages and also camogie under 12's. We have invested the possibility of providing Ladies football to the many ladies of the parish and this year we are going to achieve this. We plan to get each interested lady to bring one of her friends to the first session and have some fun. After all it should be a fun way of keep fit. As you can imagion the guys are all mad to be part of the training/backroom team. Parteen St. Nicholas would like to invite anyone who might be interested in helping the club. May be you could become involved in the field committee or the finance committee or training or indeed many of the other activities that a club needs in todays world. Please note that we have a Child Protection Policy in place and if you wish to get involved in the underage structure we will require references and we will follow these up.
2007 is an exciting year for the club both on and off the field of play as we plan to develop our grounds in Westbury or indeed look to the future and a new set up closer to the parish. Time and support will tell and direct the future of the club. 2007 will also see the launch of our Ladies football. Check our web site for further details.
The founding of the G.A.A on the 1st November, 1884 was the catalyst for the formation of many clubs in the subsequent years. Parteen’s participation in the revival was first documented by The Munster News and the Limerick & Clare Advocate of Wednesday, 26th August, 1885.
In the beginning, Parteen Gaelic Athletic sport catered for many codes including hurling, football, running events and various strength endurances. Names such as E. O’Grady, J.J. Manning, H. O’Dea, R. Frost were some of the first parish winners at the time.
The Clare Examiner of the 9th February, 1887, reported on the first county convention of the G.A.A. Parteen delegates are not listed, but there was a general problem at the time with club affiliation. In November 1888 Parteen became affiliated to the board and was represented at the convention by W. Browne and W. O’Dea. The main axis of power for hurling seemed to move about the parish, for example, towards the close of the century shortly after the Parnellite debacle, Shanakyle formed a team, the backbone of which were Simon Pierce, the Meehan brothers, Mick, Denny and Paddy, John Garvey, Mike McMahon and Pat ‘Marshall’ McMahon. Patsy Kelly and Jim Sullivan were the stars of this team and both won the long-puck competition in neighbouring Limerick.
Matches were played in Clune’s field the prize a half barrel of porter that would arrive by donkey. In 1902, Blackwater subsequently took up the banner, with the assistance of players from Meelick and Coonagh, Blackwater reached the Clare football championship semi-final against Newmarket-on-Fergus. A draw was a result of the semi-final and the team met again on August 31. On that occasion Newmarket-on-Fergus won. One month later the Limerick Leader reported on a match between Ennis Dalcassians and Blackwater. Reports claimed the match ‘was the most interesting football contest played in Clare that season. Players such as M. Madden, James O’Sullivan and E. O’Dwyer represented Shanakyle, with Martin O’Grady and William Kennedy representing Blackwater. Michael O’Neill was selected for the county football team that year. In 1904 Shanakyle came back into their own playing Mainister, Co. Limerick. The match was played at the Market’s Field in Limerick (now the cities dog racing track) there is no result of the match. The next record of a Shanakle team is May 1909. A match that took place between Shanakle and Kilmurry, with two minutes to go and two points up Shanakle walked of the pitch for some unexplained reason, the referee on the day James Fitzgerald had no option but to award the game to Kilmurry.
The power station was one of the catalysts that helped form the club. Thousands of workers assisted in the building of the Ardnacrusha power station. Calling themselves the “Shannon Schemers” they played and trained in the field at the back of the present post-office. With the club registered, the club fielded two teams and many joined in the games even the German contractors. In one such match the referee John Walsh from Cratloe reported to the county board that four languages were used. English, Irish, German and bad language. At that time Charley Downey was Chairman, Jimmy Ryan was Secretary and the money man (treasurer) was Christy Prenderville. With the completion of the station the Schemers team disbanded and the games in the parish returned to normal.
After defeats in the thirties, many of the older players called it a day and more emigrated. Many new names emerged, the Smalls, the Maddens, the Buckleys, the O’Briens, the Fahys, the Rosmadda O’Gradys and the O’Hallorans. Father Joseph Shinnors came to Parteen and was the first priest to play an active role in promoting hurling among the youth. Over the following years a nucleus of players began to emerge and they won their first title under the Ardnacrusha name in 1945. This team is still regarded by those who remember them as some of the best players to represent Parteen. With Tommy Small as captain Ardnacrusha began their crusade with a win over Sixmilebridge, then came Broadford and then Tulla. These wins earned the team a place in the Junior A hurling championship where they met Tubber. After an epic battle Ardnacrusha beat Tubber on a score line of 6-2 to 3-6. There is a further twist to this tail and it can be found in a book called “Páirtin 1885-1985”.
It was a cool beginning for the Junior B players as the 1949 championship was postponed until Easter Sunday 1950. The game will be remembered as it was played in a snowstorm. Like most historical events the history of Parteen/Ardnacrusha is peppered with saga’s, the road to the Ardnacrusha v Caherann (in the Clooney parish) was full of drama. Ardnacrusha played and beat O’Gonnelloe, only to find out that the referee had reported that Ardnacrusha had arrived late and so ordered that the match be replayed. In the replay it was O’Gonnelloe who were late and even though O’Gonnelloe won on the day, the match official ordered a further replay. Not having to be asked a third time Ardnacrusha emerged the winners.
Then came the long wait. Read further reports in “Páirtin 1885-1985”. Ardnacrusha contested their last Juvenile final under that name in 1951 in a game against Bodyke. In the early fifties, a group of hurlers from the Shanakyle area set about forming their own team. In the early years the games were held after mass in the field behind Gus O’Driscoll’s bar in Corbally and indeed featured the said Mayor of Limerick on occasions. Shanakyle players came from its own townland and the adjoining areas of Athlunkard, Clonoughter, Clonchree and Gilogue. The Whistle Whippers were at home with the boggy conditions behind O’Driscolls.
Enter the “Yank” Mike Woods. Mike Woods was originally from Feakle but had emigrated to America. On his return he won £50,000 in the Irish Sweepsstake. This was fortunate for Parteen, as Mike decided to settle in the parish. Mike was elected as Chairman in 1954 and with his leadership and financial good fortunes began the rebuild of the club. This was the year that the name Parteen GAA became official. In 1955 the club was promoted to the senior rank but this was short lived. One of the stories of the AGM of 1956 was the belated presentation of medals to the juveniles of 1951 and the juniors of 1954. The story goes that the medals for the successful juveniles were lost and a new set had to be acquired.
The early sixties saw a revival in the parish with the return of many players that had transferred to other clubs. Emigration had slowed and there was a positive economic outlook. One of the driving forces of Parteen/Meelick was none other than Mattie Larkin. Others in the area responsible for driving the club forward were Robin O’Connell, Billy Gavin and Seamus McMahon. A club is only as strong as its members and over the coming years Parteen were lucky to have had some of the best. Between 1970 and 1978 Parteen opted to play Junior A hurling, Junior football, one juvenile team and the newly inaugurated East Clare League. Parteen defeated Clonlara(a neighbouring parish) in the final in Tulla. True to say that HILL 16 in Tulla saw some celebrations that day in June. Outstanding performances by McMahon, Larkin, Flynn, Spring, Mackey, Corkery, Malone and Hally helped Parteen to victory. Scores by Brendan Ryan 0-7, Billy Ryan 1-3 and C. Prenderville1-0 making the score Parteen 2-10 to Clonlara 0-5. The win was also recorded by Donal Ryan in verse and is just one of the interesting tales in the book “Páirtin 1885-1985”.
Another great victory around then was when Parteen beat St. Patrick’s in the junior hurling final at Blackwater. Inter-county player Noel Bridgeman set the game in motion. Team list was P. Corkery, S.McMahon, J. Wall, W. Sherlock, M. Flynn, K. Dalton, M. Larkin, J. Hickey, M. O’Connor, A. Sheehan, B. Ryan (capt), J. Pierce, K. Spring, C. Prenderville G. Mackey. Final score Parteen 4-10 to St. Patrick’s 3-3. In 1972 it was decided that the club would initiate a recruitment drive and membership numbers reached the 169 mark the highest at the time. However there was trouble on the horizon. Late that year something happened to split the club, it concerned a decision made on 18th September to sub-let the pitch in Blackwater to Bohemians Rugby Football Club for winter games. Despite the £30 rent, at a time when Parteen needed finance, any inclination to sub-let was temporarily resisted. All was amicable, until a rugby fixture was printed in the Limerick Weekly Echo and the venue was Blackwater. Not only were some players unhappy the club received a stern letter from the Munster Council. Further detail can be read in the book “Pártin 1885-1985”. Donal O’Riain the club secretary had his hands full trying to manage the situation.
On a happier note, in 1978 two hundred guests attended the awarding of medals to the under 12 team who had recently beaten Ahane in a juvenile final Roll on the eighties, Sunday September 1981 was a proud day for the club. It was the day we opened the gates to our new and present home at Lanahrone, following a blessing by Fr. Griffin P.P. There was a full range of activities to mark the day and was the building block to where we are today.
So far we have made no mention of camogie. Despite the best efforts, camogie never really flourished, that was until 1968 stars such as Mary O’Shea, Kathleen White, Mary Nix, Veronica Haskett, Geraldine McCarthy, Maureen O’Connor, Netta Lyons, Lillian Prenderville, Joan Spring, Marian Spring, Cora Griffin, Irene Keogh, Eileen O’Connell, and Helen Cherry. Then there was a break and in 1973 a revival occurred. However it was not until 1981 that the game took off again here is just a few of the 1985 team, Catriona Burns, Christina McLoughlin, Mary Lonergan, Jenifer Martin (capt), Simmone Devitt, Kay Collins, Fiona Kinsilla, Mary Martin, Angela Nash, Jacqueline Gorey, Ann Marie Ryan, Sebina Sheehan, Rita Buckley and Caroline Kinsilla.
1984 was the centenary of the GAA and also marked the official opening of the Lanahrone pitch. Lanahrone hosted the first ever inter-county game in the South-East Clare region. Clare and Limerick competed for the Mackey Perpetual Trophy. The Chairman at this historic time was Pat O’Loughlan a long standing member of the club. Pat welcomed both GAA officials and the general public and Pauline Martyn cut the tape concluding the official opening. The club would like to thank all who had a part in the works at Lanahrone and even to this day we continue to develop the field and follow their dream.
Much of the following is written as a diary rather that a history but will in time still give a history on our club
Since 1984 Parteen St. Nicholas GAA club has seen many changes, the development of the Westbury housing scheme, the success of rugby in the Limerick and the Munster area and the growth of the many soccer clubs in the area. Where as all this is good news for the many adults and children in the area it has had some affect on the club. Concentrating on the positive's, the club has had successes both on and off the field. We have won many competitions at different ages down through the years and provided the new area of Lanahrone, Westbury with a community based GAA club, we have been blessed with some skilled players who have succeeded in playing for Clare. The Club caters for many teams adult, under 21's, minor, under 16's, under 15's, under 14's, under 12's, under 10's, under 8's and under 6's. We are lucky to have people who give of their free time to nurture our national games and who provide a healthy, active and social outlet for all. Form the chairman to the valued member, each giving of their talents to make the club what it is today. The club is financed by our weekly lotto and all monies raised are invested back into the club. Over the last few years we have drained the main pitch at a considerable cost and fenced all of the grounds this to discourage anti social behaviour. The action of fencing our grounds was not to exclude the local children but to protect it from vandalism, something that is raring its ugly head more and more across our country. Our aim would be to provide a professional and self financing venue where the community at large can enjoy the clubs facilities and where the club can become a more integrated member of the community.
2006 sees the welcomed return of Camogie to the parish and hopefully this will be the beginning of a ladies section in the club which has been sadly lacking. Parteen retained their Intermediate status this year they defeated Sixmilebridge in the final encounter to qualify for this competition in 2007. Our Minors were defeated at the semi final stage of the minor championship. Our under age structure continues to improve but like all clubs we need support. 2006 saw the launch of the clubs plan. The plan is a challenging plan and one we felt was long over due. In 2007 we hope to complete phase 1 of the plan. Phase 1 will see the development of an all weather pitch and ball court. All these plans are dependant on planning and lotto funding.
2007 saw the launch of ladies football. One of the fasted growing sports in the country ladies football is proving to be a winner and it is also a great social outlet for the ladies in the parish. As stated in November of 2006 we applied for planning permission and this was granted , however the objectors have now appealed this decision to a higher level (as is their right) and we await the final result. We have a few issues still left to overcome but it is our hope that work will commence on the all weather pitch shortly.
On the 8th of July 2007 a bit of history was made in Lanahrone. We hosted the Ladies All Ireland semi final between Cork and Galway and we were very proud to get the opportunity to host the event. The competition was a Minor football semi final. and Cork won on a day that even the cats and dogs avoided. It started to rain heavily at 5pm (30 minutes before the game) and did not stop until almost 8pm. It was a great team building exercise for all involved and a testimony to the projects we can complete when minds are focused. "Nothing focuses the mind like the task on hand"
Football is thriving in East Clare and following the Junior B win in 2006 our footballers endeavoured to go one better in 2007
2007 Saw the Junior B Footballers win the League again but at a higher grade. Our opponents were our friends from the west Moy. Yes it was a carbon copy of the 2006 final but Parteen again prevailed. Our 16's hurlers teamed up with Meelick and won the 16's Championship Div. B. Our Intermediate team maintained their Intermediate status and our underage received a huge boost in numbers following Limerick's All Ireland Final appearance. Our under 16's contested the final only to be beaten by near neighbours Clonlara. Parteen.
Since my last up date of 2007 many changes have occured both on and off the field. The Country economic downturn has affected many clubs including our oun with few opportunities for work many players moved abroad. We won the U 21's C div. in 2011 and this group of players were the first Parteen players to lift this title. We did manage to progress and our Intermediates qualified to play in the Senior league (The Clare Cup). This was a great achievement for the team and it also showed the team the difference between Senior and Intermediate, it also gave us the opportunities to test ourselves against the bigger clubs and we feel that we are going in the right direction. Off the field the club completed Phase 1 of the development plan in 2010 and over €600,000 was spent on the grounds. Works that included draining the field, the building of our astro turf and the upgrading and tarmac of the car park to name a few. Phase 2 is now in the planning with and extention to the club house planned. This extention will house and indoor training area and gym for our members and we see it as a crucial development of the players and the club. Like many clubs finance is the driving factor and we are no different so we depend on the National Lottery Grants and our own weekly lotto. As of the 1st August 2012 our Jackpot is at €20,000 and each week we expect to give it to some lucky punter. Ladies football is a new sport in the club and the ladies are certainly getting behind this. Our camogie team is going from strength to strength and our juvenile club continues to grow. So the future looks strong for the years ahead but of course we can't rest on our laurals and we continue to drive forward and we thank the active members in the club for all their efforts. I our club we believe that everyone has something to offer and this includes the many parents, there are many role in the GAA that do not require GAA experience and these role include, Finance, IT, Injury Officer, ASAP Officer, First Aid to name a few so if you are reading this why not ask yourself "what skills can I offer my club". I bet you could name more than one.
