User:Markhallen

Oisin GAA club Manchester play gaelic football at senior, junior and underage. Oisin is a member club of the Lancashire GAA County Board, the British GAA Provincial Council and the Gaelic Athletic Association as a whole.

They play in the Lancahsire Senior and Junior Championships, Lancashire Senior League, Peninne League, Wolfe Tone League and when qualifying the All Britian Intermediate and All Ireland Junior Championships.

History
The club was formed in 1904 from the Craobh Oisin Gaelic League Club which was at that time based in Gaythorn Manchester. The gaelic league club was involved in promoting music, song, and dance at that time. The formation of a gaelic football club was an extention to the promotion of all Irish cultural activities in the city.

The club had its home at No 7 Cheapside Manchester up until 1953/1954,at this point the Gaelic League club ceased to exist and the Oisin GAA club had no official headquarters, this situation was addressed in 1992 when they joined forces with Old Bedians Rugby and Soccer clubs,where a modern up-to-date clubhouse and playing facilities were built.

Over the years the Oisin GAA club has been know as a friendly, sporting and caring family club, providing for people of all ages to foster and promote all our great Irish customs and culture.

The club has promoted our native game at all levels from under 10 years to adult, enjoying many successes down through the years.

In 2004 the club celebrated its Centenary Year and published a Book on its history, entitled "An Sceal" Oisin GAA Club. A copy of the book is on display in the GAA Museum in Croke Park.

The club is grateful to the many great people who have been part of the club down through the years and wish the new generation of people every success in their continued promotion of our game and all our great Irish culture.

Facilities
Forward thinking

Whilst Croke Park has only recently opened its doors to soccer and rugby, it could be said Oisin have been working in harmony with their sporting counterparts for well over a decade.

It began back in 1921 when the Old Bedian Society was established. It consisted of "Old Boys" from St Bedes College, Whalley Range who provided teams in both rugby and soccer.

In 1965 Old Bedians purchased the land and clubhouse in Millgate Lane from Granada TV. From the ashes

In April 1991 the clubhouse was destroyed when a stolen car was abandoned and set alight next to it. Several months of dispute with insurers over valuation finally ended in success and the Committee set about rebuilding the clubhouse.

A decision was made to take on board another sport and Oisin GAA accepted the offer. Development moved quickly and land which had previously been unused and other land which was purchased was assigned to Oisin to develop into two playing fields. The envy of our peers

The final development now boasts facilities which are the envy of clubs both in England and Ireland. A modern clubhouse with changing rooms for eight teams, shower and referee facilities, a function room for up to 120 people and a small members bar.

We have facilities that have seen Old Bedians host key All-Britain games.

It is a shining example of how co-operation amongst varying sports can be mutually beneficial.

Former Players
Famous Names

Oisin have had many talented individuals who have passed through the club over the years. Eddie Hogan won a Leinster Senior medal with Kildare in 1956 and Padraig Johnson won a Leinster minor medal with Offaly in 1962. As well as representing Offaly at minor level Padraig was also President of the GAA in Britain between 1994 and 1996, the only Oisin member to hold that position.

Peter Quinn of Fermanagh returned to Ireland and later became President of the GAA in 1991, whilst Cannon Moss O'Connell went on to the pinnacle of the sport with Senior All-Ireland success with his native Kerry.

Other regular intercounty players of the past include Fr Emmett Fullen RIP (Derry), Eamon Boland (Roscommon), Bob Harrison (Kildare), Kevin McNamee (Meath) and P.J.McGowan (Donegal). Definately Maybe

The Gallagher family were involved with Oisin as players and two famous brothers who reached a different pinnacle also played underage football with the club. Liam and Noel Gallagher for all accounts were two talented players but sadly for Oisin they chose to pursue their love of music over Gaelic football. Oisin's loss was music's gain as the brothers went on to form Oasis. The rest, as they say, is history!

Roll of Honour
Not surprisingly for a club over one hundred years old, a precise list of the club`s major successes is not available. It is fair to say that the task of keeping the club going was in itself a major achievement. The first major recorded success was in 1949 when the Senior team won the League. All Britian Championship

1994 All Britain Canon Stritch Cup

2001 Lancashire Senior Championship

1951, 1953, 1957, 1959, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1994, 2002, 2006 Lancashire Senior League

1949, 1951, 1969, 1986, 1994, 1995, 2001 Lancashire Junior Championship

1990, 1991, 1994, 2003 Lancashire Junior League

1982, 1987, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2003 Wolfe Tone League

1982, 1987, 1993, 2001, 2004

The Development Of Gaelic Football
As Ireland develops and the Celtic Tiger continues to roar young Irish people are staying at home to make there living, rather than try their luck over here. We need to continue to promote Gaelic Football to children in our schools or try to find any other outlets where we think we can link the game. We need to produce our own home grown talent if the game is to survive and prosper in Lancashire.

In 1994 Oisin GAA was a major force in British Gaelic football. The senior team won the All Britain Championship for the club. A large proportion of that team were home grown players. Last year our senior team did very well in reaching the final of the same competition. Unfortunately they didn't manage to win it. I looked at the team that played in the final and noticed not one player was a home grown player. I think if we can nurture our kids and progress them into the senior squad we can go on and win many All Britain's. We need to support our already excellent senior squad and take it back to being the best in the country.

Coaches, Pat Scally, Steve Neary, and Kevin McCormack have worked very hard during the year, they require more help as the club grows. Anyone interested in coaching our new up and coming stars please contact the club. We have also approached a number of schools and managed to promote Gaelic Football and in some cases incorporate training sessions. We hope to develop in this field further next season.

Oisin GAA underage is now growing into 1 of the best clubs in the County. It prides it self on having the best facilities around and making sure the kids have a great time playing Gaelic Football, one of Ireland's finest jewels.

Interested in joining Oisin Cumann Luthchleas Gael?
Oisin CLG, formed in 1904, is one of the oldest GAA clubs in the world. We are always keen for new members to carry on the long and successful tradition of promoting Irish culture in Manchester. Oisin have senior and Junior teams competing in Lancashire and across the Pennines, as well as a growing underage structure.

In 2006 our senior team won the Pennine league and Lancashire Senior championship, as well as reaching the All Britain Final. The Junior team are always competive and this year we are keen to regain our Championship crown, last won in 2004.

Oisin re- established their underage teams in 2006 and now compete at under 10 under 12 and under 14 levels. This May the under 10s and under 12s made a very successful trip to Ireland, competing against teams from Offaly and Westmeath. A reverse trip is planned for 2008.

So what ever your ability or age. Whether you want to play, support, lend a helping hand or get involved in the running of a successful club there is plenty of room at Oisin CLG. Why not be part of a winning Future.