Suncroft back senior
April 17, 2008
Suncroft GAA club, based on the edge of the Curragh, has been in existence since 1889. The club has enjoyed varying degrees of success throughout the years, winning three minor championships in 1944, '48 and '49; four intermediates in 1944, '50, '89 and more recently 2007. A junior championship came in 1962 and 1977 and a Leader Cup in 1952.
Suncroft has produced numerous county players down the years the most famous been Paul Doyle, an army sergeant who won All-Ireland medals on three occasion - 1919, 1927 and 1928 - along with three Railway Cup medals for Leinster which gained him a place on the Kildare Team of the Centenary.
More recently, Anthony Rainbow, the winner of two Leinster medals in 1998 and 2000, and an All Star in 2000, is currently starting his eighteenth year at senior intercounty level. On two occasions Anthony has represented both club and county by being a member of the Irish International Rules Series team. The club has also being represented in International Rules at Under 19 level through John Brown. Currently there are four players on the county senior team - Anthony Rainbow, Killian Brennan, and newcomers Micky Harnett and John Brown, with John also being a current member of the county Under 21 team.
2007 proved the most successful season since 1989. The intermediate team, under the management of John Moore, Des Brannock and Mick Stynes, regained senior status. Suncroft came out on top of the group stages of the championship to set up a date with Castledermot. Suncroft progressed comprehensively to the final after a meeting against local rivals Monasterevin. This proved to be the gateway to a classic final against Ballymore. The team consisted of a 26-strong panel of which consisted three sets of brother - the Dillon's, the Sinnott's and the Harnett's - with Mick Harnett being team captain. A great game was put on show with Suncroft being victorious and returning to senior status.
The club win gave Suncroft their first venture in the Leinster Club championship which was ended with a semi-final defeat to eventual winners Fingal Ravens of Dublin. But who will ever forget the quarter-final against Ballinagore when a three-point deficit with two minutes left, was turned into a one-point victory.
Suncroft has enjoyed great success at underage level under the guidance of Underage Chairman Johnny Moore. 2007 saw the club win six underage titles and being honoured with South Board Club of the Year. The underage section was formed three years ago and with a 30-strong backup team and the great help of parents, it is guaranteed to go from strength to strength. The underage section caters for nine teams from Under 6 to Under 16.
The club, under the guidance of Chairman Ollie Brannock are planning for a successful 2008 and the addition of a new clubhouse is high on the priority list. With the backing of roughly 100 members this is a very achievable target. The club runs an annual golf classic and a weekly lotto and these are very important to its everyday running. The club acknowledges the sponsorship and support given to them over the years.
Most Read Stories