FREEMOUNT GAA CLUB
CNOC AN TEAMPAILL Cumann Luithcleas Gael
The Place and the People.
About 1,200 years ago St. Cronan built a little chapel near the river which is now called the Allow - subsequently the area was called Cillin Chronain. Almost 1,000 years later after the Penal Laws were abolished the official Catholic Church erected a larger church on a hillside overlooking the river. The place was then known as Cnoc an Teampaill.
The landlord who owned the area in the 2nd half of 19th century was named Freeman-Jackson. He resided near the town of Mallow. He decided to re-name the place after himself - hence the name Freemount. The name of a number of places in the locality are relicts of our colonial past ie. Charleville, Newmarket, Rowels, Prohurst, Castleharrison etc. The river Allow (Ealla = swan) which flows through the parish gives its name to places such as Maigh Ealla(Mallow) - plain of the swans, Duthaig Ealla (Duhallow) - countryside of the swans. However, the origin of the name Ealla is a little more complicated which we won't go into here. (Ref Spencer _Cromwellian - Kilcoleman Castle)
During the 20th century the people of Freemount have proved themselves to be an industrious lot. For many years Freemount Dairy Society was the main industry and employer in the parish. Amalgamation under Golden Vale took place in the 1970's. Subsequent changes in the dairying industry led to the inevitable closure. However, it is a great credit to the loyalty and resourcefulness of the farming community that a thriving store with a range of farming & hardware goods has been maintained. The GV operation has recently been taken over by the Kerry Group. Despite the great success this business is to the present day the future commitment of the new umbrella co is uncertain.
CREAMERY SONG- see P2 Photo G
The area consists of the village and 15 townlands. The population at the last census was 541. This a great drop since pre famine fig. of 5,000. Freemount is one-third part of a parish consisting of Milford and Tullylease.
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HISTORY
Ar dhroim an domhain nil radharc nios aille,
Na triocha fear ag bualadh baire,
Ar phairc mhor glas faoi thaitneamn greine,
Is na gartha molta ag dul chun speire.
Gaelic Games have been played on an organised basis in Freemount as far back as 1890's.
The first notable success was the winning of their own tournament in 1897 when they beat Buttevant, Dromina and Charleville in the final.
(to be completed - large body of work needed to do justice to the subject.)
The youth of to-day continue the tradition and wear the club maroon colours with great pride.
Despite having the 2nd smallest population of 10 clubs F have been Duhallow Champions for 4 of the last 5 years.
CLUB OFFICERS 2003.
Life President - Luke Morton
President - Sean Fitzpatrick
Chairman - Eamon Morton
Runai - Adrian O Sullivan
Jt Treasurer's DD Nagle and Paddy Collins
PRO Catherine Withers
JUVENILE CLUB 2003
Chairman - Denis Carroll
Runai - Michael John O'Regan
Treasurer - Pat O'Mullane
Mol an oige anus tiocfaidh si. The seanfhocal is as true to-day as it ever was. However the importance of the countless hours of hard work in the training and organising teams and matches by the small dedicated band who look after the youth cannot be emphasised enough. No doubt the winning of 4 Duhallow championships in 5 years sprung from dedication to coaching young players.
ROLL OF HONOUR
Hurling
Duhallow Junior Hurling Champions 5
1988, 1997,1998,2000,2001
Duhallow Junior Hurling League 4
1993,1997,1998,1999
u21 H Champions 4
1983,1994,1997,2000
Singleton Cup Jnr - 2
1985,1995
North Cork(Avondhu) Novice - 2
1953,1964
J.H. Finalist - 1956,1960,1967.
County Junior Hurling Final 1998.
FOOTBALL
The Freemount area is traditionally a hurling stronghold football teams have been fielded with great success since 1981.
Junior B Championships - 5
Junior B League - 5.
County Jnr B Finalist - 2
1992,1998.
SCOR
All-Ireland winners Instrumental Music (Grupa Cheoil) -- 2.
1998,2000.
PHOTO GALLERY
MATCH REPORTS
DEVELOPMENT
NEWSLETTER
WEEKLY LOTTO
HALL OF FAME
FUTURE
The major concern for the future is the falling population of young people. There are about 60 pupils in the local school - average 3 boys in every year.
Freemount GAA players, mentors and supporters have proved to be a very resilient group despite many lean years and great dissapointments.
Ni neart go chur le cheile.
The youth of to-day continue the tradition and wear the club maroon colours with great pride and determination. Long may it continue.
Bail o dhia ar an obair.