Irish Australians GFC: Whats The Story ?

The Club was actually founded in October 1991 by a group of "Aussie Rules Footballers" from the "Pennant Hills AFL Club" in Sydneys Northern Suburbs.Instrumental in the clubs early formation were Darryl Gibb and Tasmanian Chris Greenway With the guidance of Clareman Sean Fitzgibbon the now newly formed Young Australians GFC as they were then known, were officially affiliated to the NSW GAA in January 1992. Since its fragile start the club has seen many changes and although has had a difficult time on the football field in competitive terms it continues to grow and prosper. The whole idea from the start was to involve local Australians to the great game of Gaelic Football in Sydney where there was a notable absence on all the other teams and in this regard the club has indeed been very successful. To the present day the locals are still welcome into the club and always will be as this is club policy. Initial sponsorship for the mens SF team came from 'The Gaelic Club' in 1992 and 1993 and then from Guinness Australia in 1994, 1995 and 1996. For the 1997 & 1998 season a new Sponsorship deal was made with 'The Pine Inn, Concord' who now take care of all the club teams which was a welcome move indeed. This is our present Sponsorship deal in 2000. Another great Sydney Gael who has always been a friend of our club is former Team Coach and Donegalman Danny Boyle whose early involvement was crucial in the clubs development. Present day Team Coach is Clareman Brian King who led the lads through a tough 1999 season has worked hard with Sean at building a stronger team for Season 2000 . The SF Team has also been inspired by many others over the many seasons by players such as Brendan Donohoe, Mohammed Maksoud, Killian Brennan, Kevin Hughes,Tony Iannitti, Joe Murphy, The Legend Glenn McCorquodale, Pete Sutton, Sean O Hara, The Great Frank Beirne, Tony Ademovic, Collie O Connor, Bernard Fortune, Cyril Walsh, Robbie Sheahan,Gerard Hehir, Eamon Gogarty, Tony McGreene, Paul O Brien, The Inspiring Odran O Dwyer, Tom Quinn and Earl Gormley to name but a few in a long list of loyal footballers ... We amalgamated with Adelaide in 1999 setting off a new chapter in our history.	' Sydney City as seen from a high rise apartment in the suburb of Burwood ' This whole area is the home of our club in NSW. A popular area with Irish migrants to Sydney. just 10 minutes from Olympic Park.
Say G`Day To The Blues !! All The Blues Goss Here !!	A IA Minor Gaelic Football team also started in 1995 in a 3 team comp & led by Padraic Gogarty and the team won back to back Titles in 1995-1996. The NSW Minor Competition however finished up due to lack of interest by the other clubs in Sydney. .
Nowadays The Irish Australians GFC are located in Two Australian Cities being the Only True Sister Club set up in Australia and in which we work closely together and share each others successes on and off the field. In Sydney we are based in the Inner Western Suburbs.. Taking in the Suburbs of Burwood, Croydon, Ashfield, Strathfield, Enfield, Five Dock and Concord. About 15 minutes by Train & Car to Sydney City Centre. Despite this Club members come from all over the City. We train at " Henley Park " (Off Anne Street) Enfield during the NSW.GAA Season which is held between March and September each year.. In Adelaide we are based around the Coastline Western Suburbia of Glenelg, Brighton, Marion and as far as Hallett Cove however our Players come from all over the Adelaide City Region. In Adelaide we train at North Adelaide at the Aquatic Centre Grounds.

In 1995 adding to the idea of local involvement in Gaelic Football in Sydney the club committee put a Ladies Team into the NSW GAA competition led by an enthusiastic Coach and Ex-Aussie rules player Andy Korff from Adelaide City. (Glenelg Tigers AFC) The Ladies Team Manager was the always hard working Michele Gibb the sister of Darryl a founding father of the club, It was no easy task and Andy and Michele formed the girls into a very credible unit before Andys forced resignation at the end of the 1997 season and after only his second year in the job. The Ladies teams first sponsorship deal was from the Pine Inn in 1995 which has continued since. Other instrumental people involved with the Ladies Gaelic Football team were former Socceroo John Doyle,Bernadette Berry, Mags Boyle, Sarah Chawke, Anastasia Gong, Sharon Settecase, Silvia Mazur,Mary Codd, Breda Stafford, Amanda Murphy, Bianca Power, Mags Boyle, and South Australian Samantha Korff. In 1999 Celtic Mna LGFC in Adelaide Joined Forces with us as Alma Jane O Donnell and Maelene Nichol came on board. The present day Sydney IA Ladies Team is led by Australians Melinda Bright, Mandy Six, Meredith Allen, Lisa Naughton, Loretta Dorman, Rebecca Ronai as well as many other talented ladies gaelic footy players.

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