One of the biggest and most successful clubs in one of the most Irish cities in the world.
As one of the most popular destinations for Irish emigrants over the years, Boston has one of the strongest GAA communities of any place in the world outside of Ireland.
Established in 1961, Connemara Gaels is one of Boston’s oldest and most successful clubs and has provided a home from home for countless emigrants for over 50 years.
Multiple winners of the Boston Senior Football Championship and North American Senior Football Champions in 1973, they have been represented by plenty of well-known faces in their history, including two Galway legends who went on to win an All-Ireland a year after togging out for the Gaels.
Just this year, Connemara Gaels have added a third team to their ranks to cater for the growing number of players within the club and they’ll be angling for their sixth Boston Championship again this season.
We caught up with club member Chris Lafferty for a look at life behind the scenes and the lowdown on the ever-expanding list of characters in the dressing room.
Focus on Connemara Gaels GFC
Club: Connemara Gaels GFC, Boston
Year established: The club was set up in 1961. The first meeting was held in Doggin’s Pub on Columbia Road in South Boston.
The elected chairman was Collie Conneelly from Carraroe in Galway. Pat Lydon from Carna in Galway was the team’s first manager and Collie Folan, from Carraroe in Meath, was the captain.
Number of members: 93… and growing
Biggest rivals: Aidan McAnespie’s! We have met in five Boston Senior Championship finals since 1997, most recently in 2013. We are up 3-2 at the moment so it’s a rivalry that is sure to continue.
Biggest representation from a club/county in Ireland: As the club has grown, we have gained members from all over Ireland, including members from within the United States.
The backbone of members come from Galway and, of course, Connemara (or as they like to call it over here… County Connemara).
Most famous ever member: (One can’t go without the other for this one) Sean Óg De Paor and Declan Meehan both won a Boston Senior Championship with us in 1997 and impressively went on to win the All-Ireland with Galway in 1998.
I’m sure a few lads, not mentioning any names, think they should be put into this category.
Most memorable moment in the club’s history: 1973, when we won both the Boston and North American Senior Championships. Most recently, winning the Boston Senior Championship in 2013.
Most eye-catching scoreline in the club’s history: It would have to be a game from our 2013 Championship-winning year. There were some great performances that year but the one that stands out has to be our win over Galway Boston GFC.
The final score was Connemara Gaels 7-11, Galway Boston 1-08.
Cathal Mulryan scored this cracker during that game.
Player who makes the longest commute to training: That would be Noel Andrew Graham from Cappincur in Offaly. When he shows up, he has a 45-minute drive (that’s with no traffic), as he recently got married and moved into the suburbs.
A flat tyre and a broken down train are some of the excuses for a non-appearance during pre-season training, but our favourite is Noel’s most recent one… ”I couldn’t be arsed, lads”.
Noel still produces the goods come matchday and is an important player for us, so he gets the benefit of the doubt!
Most dedicated club person: That has to be Stephen King from Roundstone in Galway; he has been a member since 1987 and was Chairman of the club on several occasions for a total of 17 years.
Player who could have made it big if love/career/drink didn’t get in the way: Tommy Walsh from Renvyle in Galway. He won an All-Ireland Minor Championship with Galway in 2007 and came to play with the Gaels in 2011. He wasn’t the fittest lad (sorry, Tommy), but by God has he got the footballing brain.
He played a major part for us in winning the semi-final that year. We unfortunately lost the final and it was very disappointing as it was the club’s 50th anniversary and we’re not saying it was because Tommy was out on the beer the night before. Only joking, Tommy.
Biggest character: That would be Peter Lee from Clifden in Galway. If you have been to JJ’s Irish Bar on a Sunday after a game you will know why!
Loudest in the dressing room: That would have to be Damien Doolan from Kilcummin in Kerry.
He always has a story to tell and he assures us that they are all true. He’s usually found using quotes from the great Paidí O’Sé’s speeches in the dressing room before a game.
Number of romances that started in the GAA club (feel free to name names): Not as many as have started on Tinder! Too many names to list!
Duck to water award – Best new player who had never played GAA before: That would have to be Boston local, Johnny Putman. He joined the club in 2010 having never played before. He was in his early 30s but that didn’t stop him and he was totally committed. Our junior team won the Junior B Championship that year and Johnny retired on a high.
Most annoying person in the club WhatsApp group: That has to be Kieran Cox from Beragh in Tyrone. He just wants to start a slagging whenever there is a topic to be discussed.
Kieran wouldn’t be the biggest of men so he has to do all his damage from behind his smartphone.
Best story involving a club member that’s fit for print: There are plenty of stories but these two top the lot.
Story number one
Gordon Kelly, from Miltown Malbay in Clare, came out to the Gaels in 2011 and was an outstanding player. One day, Gordon went to the local supermarket and bought a lobster.
He then got a piece of string and put it around the lobster and walked it into JJ’s Irish Bar like it was his pet dog.
He tied it to his stool, told it to sit and ordered a drink like nothing was out of the ordinary, while the rest of the bar erupted into laughter.
Story number two
The day after we won the Senior Championship in 2013, Kevin “Hopper” Mcgrath (Laois) took/borrowed a zebra statue from a nearby garden on the way to JJ’s.
After celebrating with the cup and the zebra all morning, “Hopper” took the zebra outside and put it in the middle of the street, stopping all the traffic and telling all the drivers it was a zebra crossing.
Comical to say the least!
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