| Portarlington GAA club is one of the oldest
clubs in County Laois. It is believed that the club was affiliated
around 1888/9 to the GAA but the club was probably created around the time the GAA foundation was formed in 1884. Portarlington was the only
team in the parish at that time and it was some years later that
O'Dempseys GAA Club was formed. Since then both clubs always show great
rivalry towards each other when ever they meet. Gracefield, the Offaly
side of the Portarlington, formed in the late 1920's.
The original jerseys of the club were borrowed from the
'Hibernian Knights' club of Dublin with which Portarlington club had
connections though Pat Finlay.
Since their formation many changes have taken place to the clubs and
their surroundings. But it has been the past thirty years of so that has
seen the dramatic physical changes to these clubs and their grounds.
Portarlington now boasts one of the finest football grounds in Laois: its
large hall and changing rooms, built in the 70's, along with the
newly constructed 1000 seat stand protrude how strong football actually is
in the town.
Portarlington has enjoyed county success at all level form underage to
senior, most recently winning the Senior championship and Junior League
titles in 2001. Past senior titles attained by the club were 1995, 1988
and then a gap of some 29 years to 1959. Port also won some titles
early in its history. One of the most successful years for bringing home
the 'Silver' was 1983 when Port won the under 12;14;15;16;17; Minor and
Junior titles.
For further history on Portarlington GAA club or indeed any sport in
Portarlington Parish there is a new book published aptly named Sport in
Port 1900-2000 written by a former chairman of the Port GAA club, Joe O'Dwyer.
This book is readily available in local shops costing around 30 Euros. If you are interested in purchasing this book contact us by email.
|
