CLG Ard an Rátha
| Ardara GAA | |||||||||
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| Founded: | 1921 | ||||||||
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| County: | Donegal | ||||||||
| Colours: | Green and yellow | ||||||||
| Grounds: | Pearse Memorial Park[1] | ||||||||
| Playing kits | |||||||||
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| Senior Club Championships | |||||||||
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CLG Ard an Rátha[2][3] is a GAA club based in Ardara in County Donegal. The Ard an Rátha in the club's title is the place name in Irish, while CLG refers to "GAA". They are one of the strongholds of Gaelic football in Donegal.[4]
History
[edit]The club was founded on 21 October 1921.[5]
One of their county's more successful teams, they have won the Donegal Senior Football Championship on 6 occasions. Their most recent success was in 2004.[6]
The team is perhaps most famous at national level for being the home club of Anthony Molloy, the first Donegal senior captain to lift the Sam Maguire Cup.[7]
Paddy McGrath, a member of the 2012 All-Ireland SFC winning county team, currently plays for them.[8] McGrath, along with Ardara teammates Conor Classon and Peter McNelis,[9] was part of the Donegal under-21 squad which qualified for the 2010 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship final.
In May 2013, the men's team were forbidden from entering the All-Ireland Gaeltacht.[10]
As of 2020, the manager was Damian Devaney.[11]
Notable players
[edit]- Gareth Concarr[12]
- Damian Diver — played in four Ulster Senior Football Championship finals and an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final, losing them all
- Martin Gavigan — 1992 All-Ireland winner[13]
- Paddy McGrath — the club's record holder of county accolades, including All-Ireland Senior Football, All-Ireland Under-21 Football runner-up and Ulster Senior Football Championships (these last X 5).
- Anthony Molloy — All-Ireland winning captain[7]
- C. J. Molloy — American nephew of Anthony, played for New York in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship before transferring to the club[14][15]
Honours
[edit]- Donegal Senior Football Championship: 1923, 1926, 1928, 1981, 2000, 2004
- Runner-up: 1936, 1938, 1980, 1983, 1984
- Donegal Junior Football Championship: 1967, 1970
References
[edit]- ^ "Molloy hopes Ardara can win relegation four-pointer". Donegal News. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
The Pearse Memorial Park outfit were a kick of the ball away from making it through to the quarter-finals, but Tomas Boyle's late penalty was saved…
- ^ Craig, Frank (24 January 2019). "McGrath closing in on 100th appearance". Donegal News. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
- ^ Ferry, Ryan (5 May 2022). "Naomh Conaill land senior title". Donegal News. p. 62.
Naomh Conaill claimed the bragging rights over their neighbours Ard an Rátha when they won the Donegal Senior Gaeltacht title in Portsalon on Monday… Ard an Rátha — who got the better of Gaoth Dobhair in their semi-final — were slow to find their feet… Sean Ó Máille responded with a good score but Ard an Rátha did build up some momentum late in the half and Tomas Ó Baoill registered two frees… Ó Baoill replied with a free for Ard an Rátha and they then had a goal chance but CJ Ó Maolmhuaidh was denied by a brilliant block from Jason Mac Cathmaoil. Ó Baioll did add another free to Ard an Rátha's tally…
- ^ Cullen, Damian (20 September 2012). "Final countdown". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
The strongholds of Gaelic football in the county — particularly since the turn of this century — such as Gweedores Gaoth Dobhair, Letterkennys St Eunans, Ardara, Four Masters from Donegal Town and Naomh Conaill from Glenties have all been well represented on the pitch this summer.
- ^ "Club History »". Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
- ^ "DONEGAL SFC : Brilliant Boyle is Ardara ace". Irish Independent. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 4 October 2004.
- ^ a b "The heroes of '92 — Where are they now?". Donegal Democrat. 8 January 2009. Archived from the original on 18 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
- ^ "Will McGuinness be good for Donegal?". BBC Sport. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
- ^ Craig, Frank. "Cadbury's Ulster Under-21 Football final". Ardara.ie. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013.
Ardara trio Conor Classon, Paddy McGrath and Peter McNelis all played their part in helping Jim McGuinness' men secure a famous win over the Breffni blues. Both Classon and McGrath were again two of the side's most influential operators – with McNelis entering the fray late in the second half.
- ^ "Ardara refused permission to go to All-Ireland Gaeltacht". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ "Ardara turn to Damian Devaney for 2021". 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
Although installed before Christnas, Devaney was officially confirmed at the club's AGM, which was held remotely yesterday evening. Devaney takes over from Adrian Brennan…
- ^ "The Best XV I have Played Against: Gareth Concarr". Donegal News. 28 March 2021.
He's also represented his county at all grades including senior.
- ^ "Ardara's Martin Gavigan: The man the Donegal fans call 'Rambo'". Hogan Stand. 30 April 1993.
- ^ Bonner, Declan (23 August 2019). "No Bones About It". Donegal News.
- ^ McMahon, James (3 May 2013). "Leitrim poised for winning start Stateside". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.