Who are the most successful club team ever?

[gallsman]

Are the current Cross team (1997-present) the most successful club team ever? I know Nemo had a period of dominance, but I dont know for how long. Can someone answer this for me please?

Cross. undoubtedly.

Yes, Nemo may have seven All-Irelands, but they're spread out over three decades. Once Bellew is fit, Cross will be playing with five of the team that started out in the Armagh championship in 1996- Hearty, Bellew, the McEntees and McConville. Five players, one third of a team still fit and playing. 12 Armagh, 6 Ulsters, 4 All-Irelands and the chance of a fifth to come? Best. Club. TEAM. Ever.

[The Hill is Blue]

The all-time great club team has to be St. Vincents of Dublin from the late 1940s to the early 1960s.

Between 1949 and 1962 St. Vincents lost only one Dublin championship game (in 1956)

St. Vincents provided fourteen of the Dublin team that brought the National League title to Dublin in 1953, defeating Cavan in the final.

What a record.



http://www.stvincentsgaa.ie/AboutUs.aspx?m=h

[Louth Exile]

The all-time great club team has to be St. Vincents of Dublin from the late 1940s to the early 1960s.

Between 1949 and 1962 St. Vincents lost only one Dublin championship game (in 1956)

St. Vincents provided fourteen of the Dublin team that brought the National League title to Dublin in 1953, defeating Cavan in the final.

What a record.



http://www.stvincentsgaa.ie/AboutUs.aspx?m=h

There is no doubt that is a wonderfull achievement by vincents, but it should be put in context of the strength of dublin club and county during that period. Sure Louth were a force in Leinster during that period!! Thats how long ago it is.

While Vincents are the aristocracy of Dublin football, until this years success, how long was the wait? A great club, but not in the same league as Cross

[Onlooker]

Louth Exile, Dublin were very strong at both county and club level in that period of dominance by St. Vincent's, winning the All Ireland in 1958, Leinster titles in 1955, 1958 and 1959 and National League titles in 1953, 1955 and 1958.  As stated by "The Hill is Blue", there were 14 St. Vincent's players (the full team except for the goalkeeper) on the Dublin team, when they beat the All Ireland Champions, Cavan in the 1953 NFL Final.  10 Vincent's players won All Ireland medals in 1958, including some of Dublin's greatest ever players - Lar Foley, Jim Crowley, Ollie Freaney, Des Ferguson, Johnny Joyce and, of course, Kevin Heffernan.  They were unquestionably a truly great club side well fit to be compared with Nemo Rangers and Crossmaglen.

[stephenite]

Is the record for most consecutive county senior championship not now held jointly by Cross and Castleblayney Faughs?? I sure one of our Cross or Blayney contributors could answer?

No - this record is 13 in a row as far as I'm aware and is held by the Ballina Stephenites.

[zoyler]

Vincents were a great team back n the 50s but old time Armagh Harps fans will tell you that they made damned sure not to meet the Harps team of the time who were outstanding,  Apparently there used be big  time Gold Watch Tournaments but Vincents would only enter after they knew the Harps wern't in them

[crossfire]

Castleblayney hav won 37 senior championships, Cross have 36.

Ballina have 13 in a row ( 1904 to 1916 ), Cross have 12 and hoping to pass Ballina

[neilthemac]

they were basically two clubs combined until they split into Ballyhaunis and Tooreen

still, some achievement. never got near to a Connacht title though

[Guillem2]

A lad from South Armagh once told me that Crossmaglen Rangers were an amalgamation of a couple of clubs. Is that right?

[Over the Bar]

Ballina have 13 in a row ( 1904 to 1916 ), Cross have 12 and hoping to pass Ballina

There's no doubt they will surpass this given the lack of real challenge in Armagh at present. Cross should move to Tyrone for some real competition

[Bacon]

Burren were a great team in the 1980s early 1990s. 2 All Irelands and 10 Down SFCs in 16 years - including 6 in a row.

The Down championship was far more completive in those days than the one horse race they run in Armagh now adays.

[stephenite]

Castleblayney hav won 37 senior championships, Cross have 36.

Ballina have 13 in a row ( 1904 to 1916 ), Cross have 12 and hoping to pass Ballina

Ballina also have 36 and will be hoping to go one ahead of Cross, and hold onto thier own record

[saffron sam2]

The all-time great club team has to be St. Vincents of Dublin from the late 1940s to the early 1960s.

Between 1949 and 1962 St. Vincents lost only one Dublin championship game (in 1956)

St. Vincents provided fourteen of the Dublin team that brought the National League title to Dublin in 1953, defeating Cavan in the final.

What a record.



http://www.stvincentsgaa.ie/AboutUs.aspx?m=h

Is it also true that Vincent's long eschewed the transfer market?  I think I remember something about this when Ciaran Barr was trying to join.  Is my memory playing tricks with me?

If this was indeed a club policy, then their achievements would be all the more laudable.

[Rufus T Firefly]

Vincents were a great team back n the 50s but old time Armagh Harps fans will tell you that they made damned sure not to meet the Harps team of the time who were outstanding,  Apparently there used be big  time Gold Watch Tournaments but Vincents would only enter after they knew the Harps wern't in them

100% correct zoyler. There were three teams listed as being the best in the country at that time. St Vincents, Tuam Stars and Armagh Harps. Tuam and the Harps I believe met on at least one occasion, with Na Clairsigh coming out on top. Repeated attempts to arrange a match with St Vincents proved fruitless. That Harps team won four Senior Titles in the 1950s, whilst Keady, who were also considered a great team in their own right, won two. The Harps v Dwyers games of that period are still legendary. Harps won the tournament to mark the opening of Casement Park back then, a tournament that was open to each County Champion from around Ulster, and was in effect an Ulster Club Competition.

I would have to say that it is always a matter of personal regret that our greatest teams pre date the modern era of All Stars, Ulster Clubs and All Ireland Clubs.