the beginnings 1891
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Every story has its origin and so has Cumann Luthcleas Gael Eochaill (Youghal GAA). It started on a February evening in the year 1891, when a group of men, Spearheaded by W.J. Broderick, William Farrell, John Collins, john Walsh and Michael Browne held a meeting in Youghal imperial hotel situated at 27 north main street. At that meeting, Blackwater Rangers Football Club, Youghal was founded. In attendance was Dave Tracey, John Connolly, John Carrol, John Coyne and Bill Farrell who was elected chairman & Michael Browne who was elected Secretary, no Treasurer was elected , for in the words of James Power " money in those days was scare ans it went out as fast as it came in"
grounds
The foundation was laid, Blackwater Rangers Club played their first competitive Gaelic Football match against Clashmore/ Piltown/ Kinsalebeg at Bill Farrell's Field at Frogmore . In 1894 The club then transferred to Jimmy Lynch's field up towards the Asylum Cross in 1984. After much Discussion its was decided to become affiliated with the GAA. and that they call themselves Youghal Gaelic athletic cycling Association.
In 1899, the once famous Youghal cricket club became defunct. Seeing the potential of this field, club officials opened negotiations with the cricket club for the use of there grounds at Copperally.
In 1899, the once famous Youghal cricket club became defunct. Seeing the potential of this field, club officials opened negotiations with the cricket club for the use of there grounds at Copperally.
jerseys
The first jerseys worn by the football team consisted of a maroon jumper, knitted with a yellow stripe. The club could not afford jerseys in those early days and very often they where knitted by the mothers, wives and girlfriends of the players, eventually the club did get its own set of jerseys and the colors green and gold where chosed because they where national colours and where not worn by any other football club in east cork, with one exception the famous Dungourney hurling team.
Hurling began its growth in Youghal in the 1940's.
The grounds at Copperalley were owned by a Miss Avis Hilda Bennett, and it was'nt until 1934 that the club was accepted as legal tenants in their own right. The rent was the exorbitant fee of 20 pounds per annum and many members were unhappy with this. Negotiations began in 1966 for the outright purchase of the property and negotiations were finally completed in the early '70's and the club carried out substantial work and officially re-opened the field on 16th June 1974. The opening ceremony was performed by the then President of Ireland, Erskine Childers. The next development milestone in the club was on 11th December 1985, when the contract was signed for the purchase of ground, from the Southern Health Board, at Magniers Hill, adjacent to St. Raphaels Hospital. This land was bought for 75,000 pounds collected inside three years. This ground is used daily by our schools and under-age players.
Does The Get Rich Quick Policy Pay?
The Year was 1904. The Youghal Club was operating from within the League of the Cross Hall. An exhibition game was organised, between Dungourney and Blackrock. Household names, like Jamesey Kelleher, Tom Mahoney Martin Collins and Will Hennessy of Dungourney, as well as the Coughlans, Fitzgeralds and Kidneys from Blackrock would draw the crowds. The match was arranged for Copperalley on a scorching July Sunday. Admission was 4d. Followers began to arrive early, and it soon became evident that the game would be a sell-out. An astute committee member had a hurried discussion with some fellow committee members, which resulted in the admission charged being increased to 6d. There was strong objection to the newly increased fee, but without success. Now close to starting time a final appeal was made, to no avail. A roar from the crowd brought a march on the gates. 1,500 people removed all opposition including the gates. Tuppence Wise and Pounds Foolish!
no money
There was no club treasurer elected on the founding committee, because in the words of James Power of Ballymacask, ''Money in those days was scarce and it went out as fast as it came in''.
Club coloursThe original club jerseys were a maroon jumper, knitted, with a yellow stripe. The club could not afford to purchase the jerseys and they were knitted by mothers, wives and girlfriends. In an effort to raise funds to purchase a set, Terrier Coursing was held in Copperalley in 1924. From one of these meetings, a sum of 15 pounds was the day's takings. This money enabled the club to purchase the first set of jerseys, which were Green & Gold, they being our national colours and only worn by one other club (Dungourney), in the East Cork Division at the time. They remained the club colours until the 1960s, when the club reverted to the Maroon and Gold.
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