Welcome to Dunedin Connollys Website.

Established in 1988 Dunedin Connollys is the only GAA Club located in Edinburgh and it has become a successful club in its 22 year history.

Dunedin Connollys are always on the lookout for new players and members both male and female so if you are interested in playing for Dunedin Connollys, please send us an email or get in touch with one of the available contacts.

CLUB ESTABLISHMENT

Dunedin Connolly's was founded by Tony Haughey in 1988 taking the name Dunedin, which is the Gaelic translation of Edinburgh and Connolly's, named after James Connolly, famous Irish politician and patriot who was born in Edinburgh.

Originally the club was formed in order to affiliate a team to the Scotland GAA County Board comprising of first and second generation local Irish immigrants from a working class background. The early teams trained at St. Attracta’s Primary school in Broomhouse on the outskirts of Edinburgh and were coached by Neil Doherty.

However, the emergence of the British University Championship over 15 years ago, which included a team from Heriot Watt University and lately Napier University & Edinburgh University, provided a very strong platform for the current team.

In 1993 Sean Gavaghan (Ex Chairman of Connollys) established the Heriot Watt University side, from which Dunedin Connollys were able to gain players and gradually improve on the playing field. In recent years Napier University and Edinburgh University formed teams and they have also helped the growth of Dunedin Connollys. Napier University formed in 2004 and have gone on to win 5 Scottish league titles & 5 Scottish Championships since they established. They have also acquitted themselves very well in the British Championships reaching 4 consecutive finals (2007-2010) finally winning the Championship in 2010. Edinburgh University also formed their own football team in 2005 and reached the final of the Scottish Championship in their first year eventually losing to a strong Napier side. in 2010 Edinburgh uni won Division 2 of the British Championships. Both University teams have become an important feeder unit for Dunedin Connolly's. Most of today’s team will have come through one of the 3 universities.

In 1998 a ladies team was formed by Peter Dillon (Club Chairman) and his wife Sue. In the early years they competed in the Ladies University Championship and managed to win it 3 years in a row. More recently the ladies team has won back to back ladies sevens in 2006 and 2007. Since 2009 the ladies team has competed in the Scottish Ladies uni league and Championship. The formation of a ladies team in Queen Margaret university in 2008 has helped boast ladies football in the city and has helped o boast numbers for Dunedin Connollys ladies Team.

CLUB BASE

Portobello Rugby Club became the Connolly's base in 1998 and the club now boasts panels of more than 30 players for both men’s and ladies teams. The address of the pitch is Portobello Rugby Club, Cavalry Park, Duddingston Road West, Edinburgh, EH15 3QE – Click here for a map.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Dunedin Connolly’s Men’s team have won 7 Scottish Championship Titles. The first of these came back in 1994 when they defeated Dundee Dhalrida in the Championship decider. We had to wait 9 years for the second. Dunedin Connollys have competed in 9 consecutive finals since 2001 winning in 2003,2004,2005,2007,2008 and 2009. The latest Championship Victory came in 2009 when we overcame Glasgow Gaels 2-16 to 2-08 to retain the Scottish Championship trophy for the third year in a row.

Dunedin Connolly’s have also reached 3 British Junior Club Championship Finals (2004 2005 & 2009). We were beaten by St Peters (Manchester) in 2004 and Harlsden Harps (London) in 2005 but in 2009 Dunedin Connollys became British Champions beating the reigning British Championships John Mitchells (Liverpool) 1-08 Vs 2-04.

Dunedin Connollys Ladies team established in 1998 won 3 Scottish University Championships and recently won Sevens titles in 2006 and 2007. They also competed in the Scottish Club Championship Final in 2006.

SCOTTISH GAA CALENDAR

Every Year Dunedin Connollys Men’s Team compete in 6 competitions here in Scotland. The Davitt Shield, The O’Fiach Cup, The Morcum Cup, The Sevens, The League and The Championship. We compete against 4 other teams in these competitions, Glaschu Gaels of Paisley in Glasgow, Tir Conaill Harps of Central Glasgow, Sands MacSwineys of Coatbridge and Dundee Dhalrida of Dundee.

The ladies also compete in 3 Competitions – The League, The Sevens and The Championship. They compete against 2 other ladies teams – Glasgow Gaels and Tir Conaill Harps.

Competitions usually start in March and finish with the Championship Finals at the end of September.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Dunedin Connollys now boast in the region of 70 Members, both Male & Female and the club is always welcoming new members, young and old, from any background.

Away from football Dunedin Connolly’s have a very healthy social club and if its just a bit of craic with a few Irish & Scottish Lads and Lasses you're looking for, then you can’t go to far wrong than become a member of this wonderful club in this great city.

In 2008 the club started with plans to set up a youth training programme to introduce Gaelic football to Children in Edinburgh. It is seen as an important factor to maintain our growth and secure our existence in the future.