Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA

History

Located in the town of Newmarket-on-Fergus, about 13km south of Ennis, Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA Club was founded in 1885. Early successes were in Gaelic football, with the club winning the inaugural Clare SFC in 1887, before retaining the title the following year. Since then, Newmarket-on-Fergus has been dominated by hurling, with the club winning their first Clare SHC title in 1912.

Since that initial success, the club has had several periods of championship dominance. Six Clare SHC titles were won between 1925 and 1936. A sharp decline followed, with the club's 1955 championship win being the only title success in a 25-year period.

Between 1963 and 1981, Newmarket-on-Fergus had their greatest era of success. 13 Clare SHC titles were won during that period, including a record four successive titles between 1971 and 1974. Newmarket-on-Fergus also became the first Clare club to win the Munster Club SHC title, when they claimed consecutive titles in 1967 and 1968.

The club faced a period of decline once again following this hugely successful era. The new century saw Newmarket-on-Fergus win a number of Clare MAHC and U21HC titles, while the club's second team won the Munster Club JHC title in 2003. After a lapse of 31 years, Newmarket-on-Fergus won their 23rd Clare SHC title after a 3–10 to 0–09 win over Cusheen in the 2012 final.

Major Honours

Gaelic Football

• Clare Senior Football Championship (2): 1887, 1888

Hurling

• Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship (2): 1967, 1968
• Clare Senior Hurling Championship (23): 1912, 1916, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1955, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1981, 2012
• Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship (1): 1967
• Munster Junior Club Hurling Championship (1): 2003
• Clare Junior A Hurling Championship (5): 1926, 1972, 1998, 2003, 2011
• Clare Under-21 A Hurling Championship (7): 1967, 1968, 1970, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006
• Clare Minor A Hurling Championship (6): 1961, 1968, 1998, 2002, 2007, 2010

Ladies Football

• Munster Senior Club Ladies Football Championship Runners-Up: 1991
• Clare Senior Ladies Football Championship (1): 1991
• Clare Intermediate Ladies Football Championship (3): 1997, 2001, 2010

Notable players

• Jim Clancy: All-Ireland SHC–winner (1914)
• Jim Cullinan: National Hurling League–winner (1976–77)
• Bob Doherty: All-Ireland SHC–winner (1914, 1920, 1924)
• John Fox: All-Ireland SHC–winner (1914)
• Jim Guerin: All-Ireland SHC–winner (1914)
• Colin Ryan: All-Ireland SHC–winner (2013)

References

References

1. (17 October 2025). "Ballyea to have their say in Banner’s destiny at Junior A". The Clare Champion.
2. "Club history". Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA website.
3. "Club Titles - Clare". Hogan Stand.
4. "Newmarket on Fergus HC". Club Info.
5. (3 June 2022). "PM O'Sullivan: Jackie Greene remembers '55, when Clare walked into a Limerick ambush". Irish Examiner.
6. (27 October 2012). "Paddy seeks return to glory days for Newmarket". Irish Examiner.
7. (10 May 2018). "Recalling a golden era for Newmarket GAA". The Clare Champion.
8. (29 October 2012). "Ryan leads from front to restore Blues' old order". Irish Independent.
9. "Clare (Quin) 1914 Hurling All-Ireland Champions". GAA website.
10. McMahon, Pádraic. (13 February 2020). "'Clare's greatest hurler' Puddin Cullinan to be laid to rest". The Clare Echo.
11. "Bob Doherty". Finbarr J. Connolly website.
12. (1 November 2014). "From Jones' Road to the Somme". The Clare Champion.
13. "Jim Guerin". Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA website.
14. (6 October 2017). "Colin Ryan becomes second Clare 2013 All Ireland winner to retire this week". Irish Independent.