Club History
"Our hearts so stout have brought us fame,
For soon 'tis known from whence we came.
Where e'er we go they dread the name,
Of Garryowen in Glory"
Garryowen were the first club to win the All Ireland League twice, and throughout our 119-year history we have won the Munster Senior Cup thirty six times, making us by far the most successful club in what is one of Ireland's toughest and most prestigious competitions.
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Garryowen players have represented Ireland throughout our history, with eight
of these performing with distinction on various Lions and in many cases Barbarians
sides. One of our most famous players is one of our favourite - 2002 World
Rugby Player of the Year, Keith Wood. With David Wallace, he brought huge
pride to all in the club following his performances in Australia for the Lions,
in 2001, and of course on his first Lions tour to South Africa 1997. The club
coach is John Warr, formerly coach to the Australian Schools and u21 sides.
Every position on the Irish team has been filled at some stage by a Garryowen
player, underlining our commitment to a balance of tough forward play with
a very open running style. This site will give you an opportunity to find
out about current players, our ground breaking Academy - the only one of its
kind in Ireland, keep in touch with what's happening in the club, view fixtures
and results, read match reports and to stay in contact with the club, whether
you are in Limerick, or are one of our many members around the world.
Garryowen Football Club was founded in Limerick in 1884, and takes its name from the Garryowen area of Limerick. The word Garryowen - the gardens of John - relates to the association in the 12th century between St. John's Church and the Knights Templar whose house in Limerick was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
The idea for the founding of Garryowen originated outside Trehy's house (facing Carey's Road) when a small group including amongst others Alderman Mike Joyce MP, Alderman Tom Prendergast, William Prendergast (his brother), felt that Limerick should have a first class senior rugby club. After a number of meetings held in the Catholic Institute, the club was formally constituted at a meeting held on 19th September 1884, in the Athenaeum (later the Royal Cinema), in Upper Cecil St., and from those humble beginnings, one of rugby football's greatest institutions began.
The
name Garryowen came to symbolise Limerick and Ireland for our exiles all over
the world. The marching song of the US 7th Cavalry is Hurrah for Garryowen
and in the First World War, the Munster Fusiliers dribbled a ball shouting
Up Garryowen as their war cry, as they went over the front into battle. The
white five-pointed star on the left breast of the Garryowen jersey represents
the then five mediaeval parishes of Limerick - St. Mary's, St. Munchin's,
St. Michael's, St. Patrick's and St. John's.
The reputation that Garryowen Football Club has achieved wherever the game
is played has been earned as a result of the consistent success of Garryowen
teams spanning 119 years, right throughout the ranks from under age to senior
levels.
Many
famous individuals and families have represented the club, their province,
country or hemisphere with distinction. Ordinary names that summon memories
of extraordinary men: the O'Connors, O'Sullivans, Quilligans, Reids, Woods,
Wallaces; Jack MacAulay, Jack O'Sullivan (each of whom was capped by Ireland,
and went on to become President of the IRFU), Paddy Reid, Dave O'Loughlin,
Sean MacNamara, Brendan Morgan and Gordon Wood, Pat Whelan, Eddie Molloy,
Billy Cronin, Tony Ward, Willie Sexton, Keith Wood (who followed his father
Gordon's footsteps into Garryowen, Munster, Ireland and Lions front rows)
Richard Wallace and his brother David, Paul Hogan. Men that have taken up
their inheritance and the long tradition of fierce passion and tenacity mixed
with a flair for the running game.
Throughout the club's long history, whether playing in the Market's Field, or Dooradoyle since 1958, Garryowen Football Club has always had - and always will have - success in competitive football as our raison d'être. Our achievements section will give you details of those successes. Every player who pulls on a light blue jersey with a white star on it, whether for the first or last time, has become part of a journey that has seen consistent success, whatever the competition. Today, our eyes are firmly fixed on the future, but our hearts and minds are set very much in our inheritance - our very proud tradition.
"Our hearts so stout have brought us fame,
For soon 'tis known from whence we came.
Where e'er we go they dread the name,
Of Garryowen in Glory"