history

The club was founded in 1968 by the late great Charlie Beirne, from Fenagh Co Leitrim (may he rest in peace). He gave a lifetime of service to Young Irelands and Yorkshire GAA, and he was Life President of the Provincial Council of Great Britain.

Young Irelands were blessed in the beginning by having Tony Kenny (Roscommon County player) who at the time was doing a three year course at Leeds University. Father Sean Durkin (Co Sligo player) and Joe Doyle (Donegal and Ulster star). Other players came from St Peters Middlesborough as they had gone out of existance. Young men who had been playing Gaelic football in Hyde Park Leeds also joined the club.

In 1973 the Club was honoured to have P J Reilly (Mayo) represent Yorkshire in the All Britain team at Wembley and in 1977 he was selected the Gaeilic footballer of the year in Britain.

In 1974 Young Irelands were chosen as Club of the year, this was the first time the award went to Yorkshire GAA.

In 1975 Young Ireland's became the first team from the North of England to play in Gaelic Park (New York). They beat Leitrim by seven points in the Vincent Dolan Tournament, a visiting CO Cavern selection by six points before loosing to The New York selection by three points.

They returned to New York in 1990 and took part in the St Patrick's Day Parade before playing Leitrim in Gaelic park.

The 90's saw Young Ireland's win three junior championships and two junior league titles. The U/21's winners of the Provincial Championship of Great Britain in 1998 and finalist's in 1990 belong to our club.

The Club has won no less than ten Senior championships, five Senior League titles, and three Pennine League titles in a row.

In the Clubs glorious and colourfull history they have been honoured to have such grand players as Paddy McMahon (Tyrone County), Sandy Harpur (RIP, Donegal County) and men who were the back bone in Leeds.

Michael McDonagh (Galway), Peter Burns (Cavan), Harry Scullion (Derry), Brendan Grogan (Mayo), Mick Taggert (Antrim), John Cominskey (Roscommon) to name but a few. Also, Meath's All Ireland Captain Gerry McEntee and former great Willie Joe Padden.

Now, with the end of our current History and wating on the verge of a new centuary and writing a new chaptor of history for the Young Irelands GFC. We stop for a moment to remember all the different club members over the years. Those who are still with us and indeed those who have departed this mortal world - you will forever live in our hearts and memories, God Bless You All.



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