Abbeylara Gaelic Football Club is a Gaelic football club based in Abbeylara, County Longford, Ireland.[1][2]

Abbeylara
Mainistir Leathrátha
Founded:1889
County:Longford
Colours:White and Red
Grounds:Oliver Lynch Park, Ballyboy, Abbeylara
Coordinates:53°45′23″N 7°27′28″W / 53.756492°N 7.457706°W / 53.756492; -7.457706
Playing kits
Standard colours
Senior Club Championships
All Ireland Leinster
champions
Longford
champions
Football: - - 3

History

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The Abbeylara club can trace its origins back to the Ballywillan Michael Davitts club (founded in 1889 and named after Michael Davitt) who competed in the first Longford Senior Football Championship in 1890 (also referred to as Abbeylara Davitts). During the 1891 Senior Football Championship, Ballywillan Michael Davitts changed its name to Ballywillan Faugh a'Ballaghs. The club went into decline thereafter as all GAA competition ceased in Longford (and across much of the country) due to the Parnell saga.

The modern day Abbeylara club was first affiliated in 1928. [3][4]

A 'United Gaels' amalgamation representing Granard and Abbeylara reached the final of the Longford Senior Football Championship in 1947. [5]

The club crest depicts the ruins of the nearby Abbey of Lerha.

Abbeylara reached their first county final in 1998.

Abbeylara have won the Longford Senior Football Championship three times, in 2000, 2006,[6] and 2024.[7] They have been defeated in the Longford final in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.


References

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  1. ^ "Abbeylara GAA Club". m.facebook.com.
  2. ^ "Abbeylara GAA Club (@AbbeyGAA) - Twitter". twitter.com.
  3. ^ "GAA History". Longford Gaelic Stats.
  4. ^ "Club Names History". Longford Gaelic Stats.
  5. ^ "Club SFC". Longford Gaelic Stats.
  6. ^ McMahon, James (3 October 2017). "Friendly neighbours face off again in Longford decider".
  7. ^ "Robbie Smyth shines as Abbeylara end 18-year wait in Longford". RTE. 26 October 2024.