Gaelic Games Milestones

🗓️ 1884
○ GAA was founded in the Hayes Hotel in Thurles on 1st November 1884.

🗓️ 1888
○ First Longford club formed under GAA rules in September 1888 (Granard Healys).
★ This marks the origin year for official GAA activity in County Longford.

🗓️ 1889
○ First game under GAA rules in Longford in Feb 1889 (Granard Healy’s vs Ballymahon O’Briens).
○ Longford County Board formed & meets for the first time on 13th October 1889.
○ Tom Belton is first Longford native to win All-Ireland SHC title (with Dublin).

🗓️ 1890
○ First Longford Senior Football Championship competition held from Mar-Jun 1890.
○ First Longford SFC final held at Abbeycarton Lane on 6th June 1890 (Colmcille vs Rathcline).

🗓️ 1895
○ Longford wins Silver Cup Tournament vs Westmeath in Feb 1895 (1st inter-county activity).

🗓️ 1897
○ Longford’s 1st inter-county Gaelic Football competition game (vs Louth in Croke Cup).

🗓️ 1900
○ Leinster Council was formed on 13th October 1900 (James Nolan elected Chairman).

🗓️ 1902
○ Longford Park is leased from Lord Longford – Used by Longford GAA until May 1933.
○ First Longford Hurling club formed under GAA rules in October 1902 (Longford Leo Caseys).
○ First inter-county Hurling game (friendly) vs Roscommon Gaels in December 1902.

🗓️ 1903
○ Longford formally affiliates with the Leinster Council – the last county to do so.
○ First competitive inter-county Hurling game vs Meath in Leinster Cup on 19th July.
○ Longford plays in Leinster SFC for the first time in November (vs Wexford).

🗓️ 1904
○ Longford plays in Leinster SHC for the first time in July (vs Westmeath).
○ First Longford Club Senior Hurling Championship organised (completes in 1905).
○ Revived Longford Club Senior Football Championship organised (completes in 1905).

🗓️ 1906
○ Longford plays in Leinster JFC for the first time (vs Westmeath).

🗓️ 1913
○ GAA purchases Jones’ Road Sports Grounds for £3500 (later renamed Croke Park).

🗓️ 1918
○ Gaelic Sunday (4th August) sees matches take place in defiance at a ban by British authorities.

🗓️ 1920
○ Bloody Sunday attack by British authorities at Croke Park during Dublin-Tipperary game (14 deaths).

🗓️ 1924
○ Longford wins Leinster Junior Football title (awarded) – First silverware for Longford.
○ National ‘Tailteann Games‘ take place for the first time at Croke Park.

🗓️ 1925
○ Longford reaches an All-Ireland Football Final for the first time (1924 JFC final vs Kerry).
○ Longford competes in inaugural National Football League from October 1925.

🗓️ 1926
○ Longford suspended by Leinster Council. Not re-instated until March 1927.

🗓️ 1927
○ First Club Junior Football Championship (knockout) competition takes place.

🗓️ 1928
○ St. Mels wins Leinster Colleges SFC (Brother Bosco Mulhare Cup) for 1st time.

🗓️ 1929
○ Longford becomes the first winner of the Leinster Minor Football Championship.
○ Longford competes in inaugural All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final.

🗓️ 1930
○ County Board purchases a site at Kelleher Barracks to develop a County Grounds.

🗓️ 1931
○ County Board leadership title changes from ‘President’ to ‘Chairman’.
○ First Club Intermediate Football Championship competition is held.
○ First three-in-row of Senior Football Championships (St. Marys Granard).

🗓️ 1932
○ Schools Board formed on 24th January 1932 & Schools competition begins.

🗓️ 1933
○ Last final held at Longford Park in May 1933 (JFL Final – Killoe v Mullinalaghta).
○ Last game held at Longford Park on 28th May 1933 (SFC R1 – Granard v Drumlish).
○ First club game played at Longford’s new Gaelic Grounds on 4th June 1933.
○ First inter-county game at Longford’s Gaelic Grounds vs Roscommon in Nov 1933.
○ J.V. Kelly becomes first Longford man to referee a Leinster SFC final.

🗓️ 1934
○ First three-in-row of Senior Hurling Championships (Granard H.C.).
○ J.V. Kelly becomes first Longford man to referee National League final.

🗓️ 1936
○ First Club ‘Leader Cup’ competition takes place, but stalls until 1937.
○ First Club Minor Football Championship (knockout) final takes place.

🗓️ 1937
○ Pearse Park officially opens on April 25th (previously Longford Gaelic Grounds).
○ Longford wins Leinster Junior Football Championship for second time.
○ Longford wins All-Ireland JFC title (vs London in Catford).
○ Longford wins 1936-37 NFL Division 2 title.

🗓️ 1938
○ Con McGovern is first Longford player to win Sigerson Cup medal.
○ Longford wins Leinster Minor Football Championship for second time.
○ GAA removes President Douglas Hyde as Patron due to attending a soccer game.

🗓️ 1939
○ P.J. Sheehy (Ballymahon) becomes first Longford man to referee the Connacht SFC final.

🗓️ 1940
○ Pearse Park host All-Ireland JFC final. Referee was P. McKenna originally from Ballinamuck.

🗓️ 1941
○ Patrick McKenna (Ballinamuck native) is appointed referee for the All-Ireland SFC final.

🗓️ 1942
○ Tommy Banks is first Longford native to win All-Ireland SFC title (with Dublin).

🗓️ 1943
○ Patrick McKenna (Ballinamuck native) is appointed referee for the All-Ireland SFC final.

🗓️ 1945
○ Jim Hannify is first Longford player to win a Railway Cup medal.

🗓️ 1948
○ St. Mels College wins the All-Ireland Colleges title first time.

🗓️ 1953
○ Longford wins Leinster Junior Football Championship for third time.

🗓️ 1954
○ First Longford Club Juvenile (Under 16) competitions are held.

🗓️ 1959
○ First Longford club to win Leinster Junior Club Camogie title (St. Brigids Ardagh).

🗓️ 1960
○ First presentation of the Seán Connolly Cup to SFC winner.

🗓️ 1962
○ Seán Murray is first Longford player to captain winning Sigerson Cup team.

🗓️ 1963
○ First Longford Club U-21 Football Championship competition.

🗓️ 1964
○ Fintan Tierney (Granard native) appointed referee for All-Ireland JFC (Home) Final.

🗓️ 1965
○ Seán Murray wins Cú Chulainn Award (forerunner to All-Stars).
○ First Longford Club U-14 competitions take place.
○ Longford wins O’Byrne Cup for the first time (vs Kildare).
○ Longford County Board launches U-16 Fr. Manning Cup.
○ First four-in-row of Longford Senior Football Championships (Clonguish).

🗓️ 1966
○ Longford wins the National Football League title for first time.
○ Longford wins National Football League Division 2 title.
○ Brendan Barden wins Cú Chulainn Award (forerunner to All-Stars).

🗓️ 1968
○ Longford wins Leinster Senior Football Championship for first time.

🗓️ 1969
○ First Longford Club U-14 & U-16 Hurling Championships are held.
○ Fintan Tierney (Granard native) appointed referee for All-Ireland JFC Final.

🗓️ 1970
○ First Longford club participation in Leinster Club SFC competition.

🗓️ 1971
○ First Longford hurling representation at U-14 National Féile na nGael.
○ GAA rescinds Rule 27 – GAA members can play/attend previously banned games.

🗓️ 1972
○ Longford footballers win NFL Division 2 and gain promotion.
○ Fintan Tierney (Granard native) appointed referee for the All-Ireland SFC final.
○ Fintan Tierney (Granard native) appointed referee for National Football League Final.
○ Fintan Tierney (Granard native) appointed referee for Ulster & Connacht Football Finals.

🗓️ 1973
○ Longford hosts Leinster GAA Convention for the first time (02-Mar).

🗓️ 1979
○ Longford native Liam Mulvihill (Kenagh) is elected Ard Stiúrthóir of GAA.
○ Liam holds the position of GAA Secretary until retiring at the end of 2007.

🗓️ 1980
○ First All County Football League (ACFL) club competition takes place.
○ First Longford Club Minor & U-12 Hurling Championships take place.

🗓️ 1982
○ Longford Club Senior Hurling Championship is revived.
○ Longford competes in National Hurling League for first time.
○ Longford wins All-Ireland hurling title for first time (All-Ireland Juvenile C title).
○ Longford wins Leinster Special Minor D Hurling League.

🗓️ 1983
○ Longford retains Leinster Special Minor D Hurling League.

🗓️ 1984
○ Longford footballers win NFL Division 4 and gain promotion.
○ Longford hurlers win NHL Division 4 (Longford’s first adult hurling title).
○ Longford wins All-Ireland Juvenile C Hurling title.
○ Longford wins 3-in-row Leinster Special Minor D Hurling Leagues.

🗓️ 1985
○ Longford County Board launches U-21 Hastings Cup competition.
○ Longford wins All-Ireland Juvenile C Hurling title.

🗓️ 1986
○ First Longford U-21 Hurling Championship & Senior Hurling League held.
○ Longford wins All-Ireland Juvenile C Hurling title.

🗓️ 1987
○ First Longford All-Ireland Special Minor Hurling title.

🗓️ 1988
○ Longford footballers top NFL Division 3S and gain promotion.
○ Longford hurlers win NHL Division 4 and gain promotion.

🗓️ 1990
○ Longford footballers top NFL Division 3N and gain promotion.

🗓️ 1991
○ Jersey sponsorship introduced into the GAA for the first time.

🗓️ 1993
○ Albert Fallon (Ballymahon) is elected Leinster Council Chairman.

🗓️ 1995
○ Longford Arms Hotel becomes main sponsor of Longford GAA.

🗓️ 1996
○ First five-in-row of Longford Senior Hurling Championships (Wolfe Tones).

🗓️ 1997
○ Longford wins All-Ireland Minor C Hurling Championship title.

🗓️ 1998
○ First inter-county game under floodlights (Longford v Monaghan in All-Ireland ‘B’).
○ John Bannon (Legan) is appointed referee for the All-Ireland SFC final.

🗓️ 2000
○ Longford wins O’Byrne Cup for the second time (vs Westmeath).
○ Longford wins All-Ireland Minor C Hurling Championship title.
○ Longford wins Connacht Minor C Hurling Championship title.
○ Longford wins Connacht Juvenile C Hurling Championship title.

🗓️ 2001
○ Peter McKenna (Cashel) is elected GAA Stadium Director.

🗓️ 2002
○ Longford wins NHL Division 3 title for the first time.
○ Longford wins Leinster Minor Football Championship for third time.
○ John Bannon (Legan) is appointed referee for the All-Ireland SFC final.

🗓️ 2003
○ First inter-county provincial game played under floodlights (Longford v Meath).
○ Inaugural ‘Longford GAA Race Day‘ fundraiser held at Punchestown.

🗓️ 2004
○ New Longford GAA crest appears on county jersey for the first time.
○ New main stand is opened as part of the re-development of Pearse Park.

🗓️ 2005
○ Longford wins NHL Division 3 Shield title.
○ Longford wins Leinster Junior Hurling Shield title.
○ New all-weather pitch installed and officially opened at Pearse Park.
○ First Longford club to reach Leinster Club IFC final (Rathcline).
○ GAA abolishes Rule 42, enabling other sports to be played at Croke Park

🗓️ 2006
○ Inaugural Longford GAA annual awards ceremony takes place.
○ Record crowd of 15,213 attend Longford v Dublin at Pearse Park.
○ Longford retains the Leinster Junior Hurling Shield title.

🗓️ 2007
○ Eugene McGee inducted into the Leinster GAA Hall of Fame.
○ First rugby game takes place at Croke Park (Ireland v France).
○ First soccer game takes place at Croke Park (ROI v Wales).

🗓️ 2010
○ Longford wins Leinster Minor Football Championship for fourth time.
○ Longford hurlers win Lory Meagher Cup for first time.
○ Longford Minor Footballers win Leinster League title.

🗓️ 2011
○ Martin Skelly (Cashel) is elected Leinster Council Chairman.
○ Longford footballers win NFL Division 4 and gain promotion.
○ Glennon Brothers replace Longford Arms Hotel as main sponsor.
○ Pearse Park is renamed Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in December.

🗓️ 2012
○ Longford footballers win NFL Division 3 and gain promotion.

🗓️ 2013
○ First use of Hawkeye in hurling (Longford v Warwickshire in Lory Meagher final).
○ Longford wins NHL Division 3B title and gains promotion.
○ Longford wins National Hurling Academy Blitz U-16 C Title.

🗓️ 2014
○ Longford hurlers win Lory Meagher Cup for second time.
○ Longford Minor Footballers win Leinster League title.

🗓️ 2015
○ Dessie Barry inducted into the Leinster GAA Hall of Fame.
○ First Longford club to reach Leinster Club JFC final (St. Brigids Killashee).
○ Longford wins National Hurling Academy Blitz U-16 C Title.

🗓️ 2017
○ Longford wins NHL Division 3B title and gains promotion.

🗓️ 2018
○ Longford v Meath in O’Byrne Cup is 1st game ever decided by free kicks.
○ Longford hurlers win Kehoe Cup for the first time.
○ First Longford club to reach & win Leinster Club SFC final (Mullinalaghta).
○ First six-in-row of Longford Senior Hurling Championships (Wolfe Tones).

🗓️ 2019
○ Longford wins NHL Division 3B title and gains promotion.
○ Longford wins Hibernia Cup U-15 ‘C’ Hurling title.

🗓️ 2020
○ Longford wins O’Byrne Cup for third time (vs Offaly).
○ Longford native John Devaney is elected Chairman of Down County Board.

🗓️ 2021
○ Brian Molloy (Lanesboro) is elected Connacht Camogie Chairperson.

🗓️ 2023
○ Longford wins O’Byrne Cup for fourth time (vs Louth).
○ Brian Molloy (Lanesboro) is elected Camogie Association President.
○ Longford County Board purchase 32-acre site for new Centre of Excellence.
○ Longford GAA/LGFA clubs receive €1,000,000 donation from J.P. McManus.

🗓️ 2024
○ Longford wins O’Byrne Cup for the fifth time (vs Dublin).
○ Longford wins Leinster Minor Football Championship for fifth time.
○ John Bannon (Legan) inducted into the GAA Referees Hall of Fame.

🗓️ 2025
○ Longford’s 250th fixture in National Hurling League (vs Monaghan).
○ 100 years since first participation in National Football League.
○ 100th season participating in Senior Football Championship.
○ Longford wins the All-Ireland MFC ‘C’ Championship title.
○ Longford wins Celtic Challenge (Minor Tier 5) Hurling title.
○ Longford wins Hibernia Cup U-15 ‘C’ Hurling title.

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