Lann Léire CPG is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club that fields gaelic football teams in competitions organised by Louth GAA. It is based in the County Louth town of Dunleer. The club plays home matches at Páirc Uí Mhuirí, named after Larry Murray, the Louth priest who made a significant contribution to GAA affairs in the county and elsewhere.[1][2]

Lann Léire
 
Founded:1952
County:Louth
Colours:White and Blue
Grounds:Páirc Uí Mhuirí, Shamrock Hill, Dunleer
Coordinates: 53°49′52″N 6°24′17″W / 53.83121°N 6.40484°W / 53.83121; -6.40484
Playing kits
Standard colours

As of 2023, the club competes in the Louth Junior Championship and Division 2 of the county football Leagues. Former Louth captain Nicky Malone is the senior team manager.[3]

History

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A club called Thomas Davis existed in Dunleer in the 1940s.[4] Louth GAA records show that they won the Second Division Championship in 1946.[5] An earlier version of the Lann Léire club had reached the finals of the Second Division Championship and the Ranafast Cup in 1942, losing both to Kilkerley Emmets.[6] There were no active GAA clubs in the area by the early 1950s however. Hence a decision was made to re-establish Lann Léire in 1952 to serve the local community.[7]

The 1990s saw the club play in the Louth Senior Football Championship for the first time, by virtue of their victory over John Mitchels in the final of the 1994 Intermediate Championship.[8] They also won the Old Gaels Cup - the Intermediate Football League - for a third consecutive year in 1994.[9]

In 1998 the team reached the Louth Senior Football Championship Final for the first time in the club's history. There was much excitement in the town as the team prepared to face Dundalk side Clan na Gael in the decider. The match would end in defeat for Lann Léire however, by 0–08 to 0–04.[10] The club's fortunes declined in the 2000s as they were first relegated back down to the Intermediate grade and then Junior football at the end of 2006.[11]

Since then the club has reached three Louth Junior Championship Finals - in 2008,[12] 2012[13] and 2020[14] - losing all three.

Honours

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Shared with Naomh Fionnbarra

Inter-county players

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Lann Léire players who have represented Louth at senior inter-county level include:

  • Bartle Faulkner[26]
  • Aidan King
  • Martin Farrelly[27]
  • Nicky Malone[28]
  • John McGrane[29]
  • Carlos Lambe

References

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  1. ^ "Dunleer talk on the life and times of Fr Larry Murray". Drogheda Independent. 8 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Cups of Cheer". Hogan Stand. 20 November 2002.
  3. ^ "Louth GAA club management teams begin to take shape with several recent appointments". The Argus. 6 December 2022.
  4. ^ "'Tremendous jubilation' over Dreadnots' victory in Dunleer". Drogheda Independent. 26 October 2011.
  5. ^ "The GAA in Louth - An Historical Record". Fr.John Mulligan (1984).
  6. ^ "Kilkerley parish district history". Willie Quigley. 2021.
  7. ^ "Town and Village - Dunleer Gaelic Team". The Argus. 19 January 1952.
  8. ^ "Lannleire prepare for ultimate test". Drogheda Independent. 27 January 1995.
  9. ^ "Dunleer at Boylan point!". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2003.
  10. ^ "Martin is no doubting Thomas". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2002.
  11. ^ "All go in Lannleire". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2007.
  12. ^ "Beaten Lannleire generous in defeat". Drogheda Independent. 15 October 2008.
  13. ^ "Mullen spot on as gritty Glens bask in JFC glory". Drogheda Independent. 23 September 2012.
  14. ^ "'Barrs bounce back". The Argus. 3 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Dunleer and Tullyallen prepare for Sunday's Junior Final clash". Dundalk Democrat. 10 September 2012.
  16. ^ "Clubcall". The Argus. 14 March 2012.
  17. ^ "Sean was a treasure to our club". Drogheda Independent. 13 May 2009.
  18. ^ "Clogherhead". Drogheda Independent. 14 March 2012.
  19. ^ "Lannleire's good early season form pays off". Drogheda Independent. 3 June 2009.
  20. ^ "Mullen Shield silver lining for Lannleire". The Argus. 24 October 2012.
  21. ^ "Lannleire make home comforts count". The Argus. 16 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Christy Bellew shaping up to to[sic] be a classic battle". Dundalk Democrat. 10 July 2014.
  23. ^ "Lannleire - all the news". The Argus. 17 October 2012.
  24. ^ "Lannleire make home comforts count". The Argus. 16 May 2015.
  25. ^ "Comprehensive win for Naomh Fionnbarra/Lannleire". Hogan Stand. 5 October 2015.
  26. ^ "Who remembers the day Louth last defeated Dublin in the Leinster Championship?". Dundalk Democrat. 24 May 2019.
  27. ^ "Louth skipper back to boost Lannleire". Drogheda Independent. 27 September 2002.
  28. ^ "Captain Nicky is out for Kerry". The Argus. 20 October 2000.
  29. ^ "they deserve a medal and they each got one". Drogheda Independent. 2 February 2001.