CUMANN LUTHCHLEAS GAEL

Coiste Bhaile Ui gCearnaigh

Newtown G.A.A Club was founded in 1887. For a time in these early years they were linked with Rathnew and Ashford, but by in large they were on their own. Kiltimon, very close to Newtown, was also very active in the early days, and will be noted in the list of clubs for 1886. The first mention of Newtown was found on the February 13th 1887 when they played Wicklow in Newtown. Newtown was beaten by Ashford 0-5 to 0-1 on the 8 of May 1887. At this point they were known as O'Connell's. In 1888 they beat Roundwood in a Championship game.

With the Parnell split, Newtown, like many other clubs, disappeared for a time but were back in 1896. On the 11th April 1896 they played Kilmacanogue at Drummin with a Mr O'Rourke of pretty Bush as a referee. They played in a Dun Laoghaire tournament in December 1895. Jack Gorman was captain and the team included Redmond, Sutton, Synnott, Byrne, Duffy, Loughlin, Flanagan, Weldon, Nicholl, Cullen (2), Carty, McDonnell and Kenna.

In 1913 Newtown played in Condellstown in the Newtown area. That same year, some Newtown players played with Newcastle against Baltinglass in the 1912 Junior final in Croke Park. Newtown had a team in the 20's under the leadership of "Kit" Carroll, Moneycarroll. Players included Jim, Brian and George Synnott, Joe and Jim Doyle, Paddy Burke, Paddy Byrne, Mick Duffy, George Pegman, Ned Tyndall, Jim Byrne, Paddy Power, Billy Odlum, Joe Byrne, Tommy "Tuck" Ellis, Richard Farrell and Mick Byrne. Newtown were beaten in the 1933 Junior football semi final by Donard but two years later moved up to senior grade and reached the semi final where they were beaten by Ballymanus 3-3 to 3-1.

The team was: Pat Burke, Pay Myler, Paddy Farrell, Paddy Carthy, John Kelly, Ed Power, Tom Ellis, Jim Synnott, Wm. O'Brien, John Farrell, John Deignan, Matt Kelly, Jack O'Brien, Michael Kelly, and Wm. Odlum.

They were back in Junior in 1939. The first championship came to Newtown in unusual circumstances. They were beaten by Donard in the final. However Donard had been awarded a walkover against Carnew. Carnew won an appeal to Leinster council and then, after some time, were fixed to play Donard. Both teams appeared to have withdrawn from the competition and Newtown were declared winners and played Intermediate the following year.

Playing that year were: Paddy Farrell, John Short, Tom Short, Brendan Dunne, W. Odlum, Bill Murphy, W. Hawkins, M. Kelly (2), J. Synnott, G. Short, M. Hufges, J. Kelly, R. Greene, J.Carthy, E. Short, J. Gregory, K. Dunne, J. Brady, M. O'Shea, M. Healy, M. Davies and S. Vines.