Portlaoise People
Formed in 1887 Portlaoise GAA Club has a long, rich and varied history. Many great people have been woven into this history and below are some of their stories.
Sources for these stories come from club members past and present as well as from the invaluable books about the club including Peter O’Neill’s book Portlaoise G.A.A. ‘One moment in time’ – A Pictorial Collection of “The Town” 1887 – 2013,Teddy Fennelly and Brian Delaney’s Portlaoise G.A.A. 1887-2016 C’Mon The Town, and Pat Critchley’s 2008 book “Hungry Hill” and our own monthly newsletter “Town Tattler“
Over time the club will be adding more of these important historical items to the site.
Profile: Jimmy Harding
Jimmy Harding was one of the clubs leading dual players.
He won football championships in 1976, 79, 81 and 82
Profile: Jimmy Bergin
Jimmy Bergin was a star of the 1970s and ‘80s and won numerous senior football titles with the “Town”.
Profile: Paudge Dowling
Paudge Dowling made a unique contribution to the club during his long tenure in the 1970s and ‘80s as chairman
Profile: Fr Matt Walsh
Portlaoise GAA is fortunate to have in its ranks many inspirational figures over its long history. None more so that
Profile: Mathew Keegan
Mathew came through the ranks as a duel player winning underage football and hurling titles for the “Town”.
Profile: Pascal Delaney
If there was any one player who symbolised the never-say-die spirit that inspired Portlaoise to become one of the country’s
Profile: Roc Scully
Rocky Scully was a prominent player and official over the years.
He was a fine hurler who won underage county
Profile: Joe Phelan
Joe Phelan was one of the finest hurling players of his generation. He was a fine dual player for the
Profile: John Taylor
By common consent John Taylor was one of the finest hurlers in the history of Portlaoise or Laois GAA. No
Profile: Niall Rigney
Hailing from an immensely talented sporting family Niall has represented Ireland, Leinster, Laois and Portlaoise.
Profile: Aisling Saunders
Aisling Saunders has come up through the underage ranks of Portlaoise Ladies Gaelic Football to become the co captain of
Profile: Alfie Lewis
Alfie Lewis was a larger than life figure within Portlaoise GAA. He came to prominence as a minor of exceptional
Profile: James (Jas.) O’Reilly
Jas is one of the most colourful characters in the club having a very distinguished career as a player, official
Profile: Mick Mulhall
Mick Mulhall was one of the greatest goalkeepers ever produced by Laois, with whom he played for over a decade.
Profile: Brian Stack
Brian Stack was an active member and great supporter of Portlaoise GAA club all his life. He played football and
Profile: Tommy Conroy
Tommy Conroy has been a stalwart of Portlaoise GAA throughout his life. He played senior football for the town for
Profile: Cyril Duggan
Cyril Duggan is without doubt one of the finest dual players the club has ever produced. Speak to anyone who
Profile: Walsh Brothers of Borris Road
Har Walsh and his brother Tom both won under age titles in hurling and football with the town.
Profile: Jimmy Doyle
Jimmy Doyle was one of the giants of hurling. Born and reared within the shadow of hurling’s great amphitheatre, Semple
Profile: Eamonn ‘Atch’ Whelan
Eamon ‘Atch’ Whelan was one of the greatest footballers who ever lined out for the club. He came on the
Profile: Jim Gaynor
Jim Gaynor has been a great worker for the club over many years. He was a mentor with numerous successful
Profile: Paddy Bracken
Paddy Bracken was one of those Portlaoise footballers who
blazed the trail for the club in the 1950s when
Profile: Paddy ‘Boughlone Hare’ Brennan
Paddy Brennan is a legendary figure in the Portlaoise club.
He won minor hurling championships with the Rovers Club<br
Profile: Peter Fennell
I feel lucky to have witnessed “The Town” during the ‘60s, reborn in the ‘70s, through to an All-Ireland club
Profile: Ciamh Dollard
Laois and Portlaoise star Ciamh Dollard describes her supporting and playing memories with Portlaoise.
Profile: Tom Prendergast
Tom Prendergast was inducted into the Laois GAA Hall of Fame for 2021. Tom – affectionately known to us all
Profile: Cahir Healy
Cahir Healy is one of the finest dual players the club and county has ever produced. Known for his skill,
Profile: Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett
Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett needs no introduction to Gaels in Portlaoise, Laois and throughout the hurling world. He was a tough,
Profile: Paddy Hasper Farrell
Paddy was a member of the Laois minor hurling team of 1934 that won Leinster honours and was pipped by
Profile: Paddy Critchley
Paddy Critchley figured on Irish Worsted Mills teams and won championship
medals with Kilminchy at minor level in the
Profile: Billy Bohane Snr
Billy Bohane was one of the greatest hurlers ever produced by Laois and was midfield on the Laois Millennium team.
Profile: Pat Critchley
Pat or Zoom as he is affectionately known is an icon in Portlaoise and Laois Hurling. He holds 14 Senior
Profile: Colm Browne
Colm Browne has achieved almost everything a Gaelic player could wish for. At Club level Colm has won ten Laois
Profile: Tom Bergin
On the 13th August 1999 the club lost another valued member with the death of Tom Bergin.
Tom who
Profile: Paddy Campion
Paddy Campion became the club’s first Honorary President in 1943, the year Portlaoise won its second senior hurling title.
Profile: Johnny Lynch
Johnny Lynch, of O’Moore Place, who rode to Mountmellick on a donkey to follow the Portlaoise hurlers in an epic
Profile: Dr. Thomas F. O’Higgins
Dr. Thomas F. O’Higgins, who chaired the first meeting of Portlaoise GAA, in 1887. He was a popular G.P. in
Profile: R.P. Fennell
Portlaoise has been blessed with having some really good administrators over the years.
In the early years there was