Ireland's Oldest Club...

[holidaysong]

On Cliftonvillefc.net it says they are "Ireland's Oldest Club" (Founded 1879). I was just wondering does anyone know what is the oldest club in the 26 counties? Or what southern clubs were in the first Irish League?

[strangeirish]

I think Athlone, founded in 1887. They still have the same players!!!

Just kidding about the players.

[Sheridan]

A taxi driver once tried to persuade me that Liffey Wanderers was the oldest extant club in the Republic (founded 1885), but as far as I'm aware, Athlone Town were founded in 1884, and are certainly the oldest league club in this jurisdiction.

I don't believe any Southern clubs were present in the Irish League's inaugural season, but Bohemians won promotion within a couple of years of its inception.

[dancinpants]

strangeirish is right, then its Bohs I think 1890.

I think Bohs and Shels played in the first Irish league.

[holidaysong]

I am surprised it is Athlone. I would have assumed it was a Dublin club and most likely Bohemians - due to their history.. :p :D

[Poor Student]

There first Irish League season was 1890/91. The 8 participants were in order of 1st to last, champions Linfield, Ulster, Distillery, Cliftonville, Glentoran, Oldpark, Clarence, Milford. Bohs joined in the 1902/03 season and finished regularly near the foot of the table. Shels joined in 1904/05. Again mainly finished near the bottom. Shelbourne won the Irish Cup in 1905/06, 1910/11 and 1919/20. Bohs won the Irish Cup in 1907/08.

[dancinpants]

There first Irish League season was 1890/91. The 8 participants were in order of 1st to last, champions Linfield, Ulster, Distillery, Cliftonville, Glentoran, Oldpark, Clarence, Milford. Bohs joined in the 1902/03 season and finished regularly near the foot of the table. Shels joined in 1904/05. Again mainly finished near the bottom. Shelbourne won the Irish Cup in 1905/06, 1910/11 and 1919/20. Bohs won the Irish Cup in 1907/08.

Don't forget Tritonville in 1912/13 :eek:

[Poor Student]

Don't forget Tritonville in 1912/13 :eek:

Who are they? :confused:

[hamish]

Yep - definitely Athlone Town.

[dcfcsteve]

strangeirish is right, then its Bohs I think 1890.

I think Bohs and Shels played in the first Irish league.

Yeah - Bohs and Shels played in the Irish league pre-Independence for the 26 counties. I think there may have been one or two other Dub teams as well - I'll have to check.

They then broke away from the north to create a separate league in the south after partition (otherwise, we might still be playing an all-island league...!).

[Battery Rover]

We were founded in 1887 Irelands oldest club.

We first entered League of Ireland football in 1922-23 which I believe was the second season of its existence.

We were the first league member from outside Dublin.

We were the first Club to win the FAI Cup without conceading a goal in the competition.


Teams involved 1922/23 were St. James' Gate, Bohemians, Shelbourne United, Rathmines, Olympia and of course Athlone. A couple of others dropped out as well before the start.

[dancinpants]

Who are they? :confused:

http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nilhist.html
Scroll down to the 1912/13 season.

[holidaysong]

4. Distillery Belfast

I assume that is Lisburn Distillery and the Belfast bit is just a wee bit off?

[Anto McC]

A taxi driver once tried to persuade me that Liffey Wanderers was the oldest extant club in the Republic (founded 1885)

He was right,They are from Pearse St and are my local Club and have offically got the right to call themselves Ireland Oldest club
See here (http://www.lsl.ie/clubs.php?id=419)

[Slash/ED]

He was right,They are from Pearse St and are my local Club and have offically got the right to call themselves Ireland Oldest club
See here (http://www.lsl.ie/clubs.php?id=419)

You should be supporting them then, feckin glory hunter :rolleyes:

[Anto McC]

You should be supporting them then, feckin glory hunter :rolleyes:

I do,i go to all thier games too and my brother plays for them

[Battery Rover]

On Cliftonvillefc.net it says they are "Ireland's Oldest Club" (Founded 1879).

Know its off topic but Distillery were founded in 1880 see here (http://blue.srv2.com/~lisburn/)

[Dr.Nightdub]

I assume that is Lisburn Distillery and the Belfast bit is just a wee bit off?

I think they used to play off the Grosvenor Road in Belfast (their original home) but moved to Lisburn a few years back.

[dcfcsteve]

I assume that is Lisburn Distillery and the Belfast bit is just a wee bit off?

They've only had the 'Lisburn' part of their name for the last couple of years.

The club was Belfast-based for the overwhelming majority of its existence.

[superfrank]

We were 1942 and are the only Wicklow team ever in the League of Ireland/eircom League.

Just to let yez know....

I think Athlone was 1887.

[sligoman]

Just kidding about the players.Well DDDUUUHHHH! :rolleyes: :p :D

[gspain]

Limavady also claim to be the oldest club on the island being founded in 1875.

I assume Tritonville were based in Tritonville Road/Sandymount area but was never able to find out any info. Anybody else know?

Dublin University aka Trinity also played in the Irish Cup as did a few other southern teams including the Black Watch from Limerick who lost the 1892 Final to Linfield 7-0. They were a British Army Regiment based in Limerick at the time.

Moyola Park.in Castledawson Co Derry claim to have the oldest senior football pitch on the island which has been in use since the 1870s I believe. Apparently it is still little more than a field I do hope to get up to see a game there soon although it's a bit of a hike from Dublin.

[carrickharp]

Derry Celtic Londonderry :eek:

[1 9 2 8]

A guy I know from Castlerea in Roscommon told me before that Castlerea Celtic were formed back in the 18something not sure of the year. I can't find any information about them on the internet

[Feech]

A consistant club then throughout their history. Re-elected more times than FDR.

Nice ground though, something you as tenants should know!

;)

[Partizan]

Any Athlone fans enlighten me here on this one:

What was Athlone doing from 1887 to 1922? What league were you playing in?

I could have sworn you played in the Irish League pre 1922, if not I have lost €20.