The GAA is a community based volunteer organisation promoting Gaelic games, culture and lifelong participation. We are dedicated to ensuring that our family of games, and the values we live, enrich the lives of our members, families and the communities we serve. We reach out to and include all members of our society. We promote individual development and well-being and strive to enable all our members achieve their full potential in their chosen roles.
The assembly at the Naomh Eoin Dinner Dance of 1974 heard the local priest make a passionate plea for help with juveniles in the area. The response to this plea saw the beginning of Míseal Juvenile Club as we know it today. While our juveniles participated in competitions from as far back as October 1934, and in1969 Myshall reached but lost the U-16 final, it wasn’t until the year of 1974 that spawned a new era for the Miseal Juvenile Club.
The disappointments of the past were forgotten in 1974 when the fledgling club won their first title U-14 Hurling v Bagenalstown. As Co. Carlow Champions they had the honour of representing the parish and the County in the Féile na nGael championship held that year in Limerick. The black and amber brigade (the original colours were green and gold) was on its way and wearing their new jerseys for the first time took part in the Féile na nGael parade through Limerick city. The boys were excellently behaved and a credit to their club and county.
Since then Miseal were involved in Feile na nGael on 10 occasions. It was 1981 before the U-14 title was won again and this time the club travelled to Féile in Tynagh in Co. Galway After 1981 Miseal were hosted by the following clubs: 1983 Fingallians Swords, Dublin; 1984 Our Lady’s Island Wexford; 1985 St. Enda’a Gorey; 1988 Seir Kierans Offaly; 1990 Portroe, Tipperary; 1991 Lorra, Tipperary; 1993 Kilkinerin, Galway; 1994 Limerick and 1996 Passage East Waterford. This last occasion was the most successful where competition was concerned as the team were runners up in the All-Ireland Division 3 Final when they were unable to combat a team from Derry.
The Club also took part in Feile Peil in Tipperary in 2001 and also 2002, when Carlow were hosts. In 2007 Miseal were hosts to Castletowngeoghan, who went on to win Division 2 of the Feile na nGael competition. Many of these talented players from Westmeath have gone on to play for their county.
‘Splendid Myshall Victory’, ‘Magnificent Miseal’, ‘Another Myshall Double’, was some of the headlines in the late 80s and early 90s, completely reversing the headlines from 20 years before.
Over many years, individuals have sparkled, teams have triumphed and teams have lost but some things have really dominated- sportsmanship, hard work, perseverance and commitment. Dedication from club mentors and officials has been tremendous. In Míseal’s Infancy the priests and primary school teachers have been hugely influential but it’s the senior club has always been supportive with the skill and experience of players past and present, adding a huge dimension to the club. Also the support of the parents and the wider community has been fantastic.
Our club, born in 1974, now boasts over 100 boys from U-6 to U-16. We are proud to have maintained interest in our traditional games, and proud that we are providing opportunities to our young people, in an era of anti social behaviour and peer pressure. We greatly look forward to hosting Feile Peil 2015 and will extend a warm and hearty welcome to our visitors. We look forward to sharing with them the thrill of the 2015 Feile Peil games that will be hosted here in Myshall, Co. Carlow.
Myshall is home to Naomh Eoin GAA Club. Since its formation the club has won more county senior hurling championships than any other club, with 18 Titles. Up to 1968, there were separate teams, Myshall and Drumphea being the main two. In 1968, all teams in the parish came together under the umbrella of Naomh Eoin. Shortly after the Juvenile club was setup, catering for Football and Hurling from U6 to U16. The Juvenile club is very active and inclusive, and we compete in a number of competitions within the county and outside the county. We welcome new members, as new kids and parents help keep the club alive, competitive and focused on our core values.