Over the history of the G.A.A. many clubs have come and gone, some have long histories and others far shorter periods. Each in their own way contributing to their area, neighbourhood, village or town. One such club was Castle Emmetts, a Dundalk based club, situated around Seatown, in the shadow of one of the town's outstanding historical sites in the 13th century Seatown Castle. The Emmetts first competed in Louth County competition in 1917 in the newly formed Second Division championship without success, however 1918 brought first honours to the club when they won the Second Division title beating Clan na Gael in the North section (the second division being divided into north and south), the Emmetts became champions with victory over Drogheda's Boyne Rangers at Dundalk on 23rd February 1919. Team on the day, Willie Dunne (goal) Frank (Terry) Warnock; Packy McEvoy; Sil Durnin; Paddy McEneaney; Joe McArdle; Michael Quigley; Peter (Dooley) Trainor; Jack Clifford; Mick Boyd; Joe Warnock;; George Mandeville; Pat McArdle; George Murphy; Pat McEneaney. With this success behind them they competed in the 1919 junior championship without progress and in 1920 they did not compete in any grade. However 1921 saw them return to action in the Second Division which by now was all county instead of north and south. In 1922 they played in the junior championship and the Second Division where they contested the semi-final against Stabannon Independents without success. 1923 saw action in the Second Division and in 1924 the club would once again compete in two championships, the junior with no progress and Second Division where they would again make their mark by taking the title at the expense of Unknowns in the final played at Dundalk on 8th March 1925 by 2-3 to 1-0. the latter's score coming late in the game. Winning team; Owen Duffy (goal) Richard Mackin(Castletown) Malachy Mallon; Pat Murphy; Willie Dunne; Francis White; Tom Brennan; Ownie Lambe; Edward Lawless; Pat Travers; Tom McComish; Tom Trainor; Owen McShane; James McKenna; Richard Macken (Blackrock) In 1925 the club reached the semi-final of the junior championship, getting a bye in the semi-final they lost to Sean O'Mahoneys 2-2 to 2-1 in the final at Dundalk on 22nd November in a game played with great spirit. O'Mahoneys won with a late goal from Pat Mulligan. In the Second Division they reached the semi-final where they lost to Unknowns. There was no team available for either match. Louth won the All Ireland Junior title this year and Emmett's Tom McComish received a medal as he was in the subs. The club also provided an officer at County Board level as Packie Roddy was elected Asst Secretary, a post he held for three years. In 1926 the team played Second Division and junior, and again in 1927 they participated in both competitions, reaching the semi-final of the junior championship only to lose out to Unknowns. In 1928 the club competed in the junior championship without progress and in 1929 they did not compete in either grade but returning in 1930 where they beat the mighty Newtown Blues in the semi-final of the junior grade to gain a place in the final against Clan na Gael. In what is described as an untidy and unspectacular game the Emmetts lost out to a Clans side that led throughout and managed to hold out against a late challenge on a score of 2-5 to 2-4 in Dundalk on 21st September 1930. In 1931 and 1932 they played in the junior championship and also in the Second Division, they reached the semi-final of the junior in 1932 where they lost to Owen Roes (Drogheda), this would seem to be the club's last outing and no further record is chronicled beyond the 1932 season. The prompting of this little tale came about when a former Clan na Gael colleague of mine, Paddy Lennon (a member of Clans 1959 Senior championship winning team) asked for my help in finding out a little about his uncle's participation in gaelic games. Paddy in his youth had heard great stories of the Castle Emmetts and their deeds, and so delving into Fr. John Mulligan's book, "Louth - A Historical Record" I was able to verify some of the tales that had been handed down. Paddy's relations on the Emmetts team were Murphys of whom George was a member of the 1918 wining combination. Twenty five years of participation with successes and near misses will hopefully bring back memories to families who may have loved ones who contributed to a quarter century of Seatown history in Castle Emmetts Tweet

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