AIG GAA give us a detailed look at Naomh Olaf GAA in this episode of the Dub Club Chronicles
From Kilmacud Crokes, attention is turned to Naomh Olaf, a club only founded in 1981, for episode 15 of the popular Dub Club Chronicles series.
Situated under the gaze of Three Rock Mountain and serving an area stretching from Churchtown to Stepaside, Naomh Olaf GAA Club is located in the Sandyford Business District. It draws its membership from the mature residential districts of Churchtown, Dundrum, Balally and Sandyford, Leopardstown, Ballyogan and Stepaside.
Its main playing pitches are on lands whose use is permitted by St. Benildus College and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council with whom the club enjoys a healthy working relationship. A vibrant and welcoming club, which respects diversity and welcomes membership from boys and girls, men and women of all abilities and backgrounds, it fields a massive number of teams in various competitions in Football, Ladies Football, Hurling and Camogie.
As club founder Mick Brown explains the area had pretty much everything in it’s catchment, except Gaelic Games. And while still actively involved in Northside Club Naomh Fionnbarra, Mick decided this special area in Dublin needed GAA facilities for the younger generation to get a feel for the spirit of the games, and the rest is history.
What’s In A Name?
Baile Mhic Amhlaoibh (‘’Olafs Town’’) was the Irish name given to the local area now known as Balally. The Olaf in question is Sigtrygg ‘’ Silkbeard’’ Olafsson who was a Hiberno-Norse King, one of the first Viking Kings of Dublin.
The clubs main playing area, Pairc ui Bhriain, was so named after former club member and player Barry O’Brien, who was born the year the club was founded, but died tragically in 2002 in an accident off Achill Island in 2002. Barry was a vibrant part of the local community as well as an important member of the club.
Minor Hurler and Footballer Eoin Donnelly gives us an insight into how much the young adults of the club are tightly involved thanks to the Mol an Óige, a committee of members who actively get involved in Fund Raising, pitch upkeep and mini game camps.
Cesia Deasy tells us how bringing her daughter along to the club has made her a part of Naomh Olaf’s “Gaelic For Mothers” team which she absolutely loves now. And Local school principal Gerry Murphy believes that out of over 500 pupils, there’s not one who doesn’t have a Naomh Olaf piece of kit.
We also hear from More members and players like Camogie and Footballer Julie Grimes, and Pat Kavanagh and co founder Bill O’Brien who help with the upkeep of the club’s tractor.
With over 2,000 member and 1,200 playing members, Naomh Olaf are a thriving young club in an ever growing part of South Dublin.
(video credit: AIG GAA via YouTube)
