There’s no-one to stop the Gunners. No, not them

There are two main contenders for the title of The Club Team From Beyond Louth That Has Had Most Mentions In Inside Track.

One is Crossmaglen Rangers. The several times All-Ireland champions filled a fair few column inches when they were reigning supreme.

Away from football, but only slightly, it was also said that Rangers colours were chosen – at the time the club came into existence – as a nod to Louth club, Dundalk Rangers, who had worn the black-and-amber to success in two Louth senior finals in the early part of the last century.

Then there was goalkeeper in the great years, Paul Hearty.

A question was posed, asking who had the most, Hearty (Armagh senior championship medals) or Tony McCoy (British champion jockey titles).

I can’t be sure, but I think the Cross man may have won by a short-head.

But no matter how many times the club from just down the road from Naomh Macachi’s had its name up in lights, it wouldn’t be more than Ballygunner’s.

This is a Waterford hurling club whose seniors have got to the stage that when they are planning for the year ahead, it’s not only the county title they have an eye on, but also the Munster and All-Ireland.

This is because there’s been no team to touch them for a decade when it comes to the local championship.

On Sunday last they won the county title for the tenth time on-the-trot – not only winning, but beating their opponents by eleven points, scoring 2-23.

And reports say they weren’t at their very best.

Ballygunner
It was another Inside Track record-holder who first alerted us to the multiple Déise champions – none other than chief letter-writer, Jim McCourt.

If there’s a team beyond Dundalk FC and the Republic of Ireland showing up in Jim’s radar, it’s Ballygunner.

He calls them the Gunners, but always likes to add that they’re not to be confused with London soccer team who carry a similar nickname.

How could they be? Ballygunner are winning title after title, while the Emirates trophy cabinet has lots of room in it.

This year? Maybe, but it should be noted, Arteta’s team are carrying top weight.

It has tipped them to finish in front of Manchester City, and if that happens they win the league.

McCourt has good reason to follow Ballygunner. As said here before, it was his uncle, James McGinn, who founded the club.

McGinn, a teacher, was born in Dundalk, and on taking up an appointment just outside Waterford City set about providing sports activity for his young charges.

Like his nephews, Jim and his brothers, Nicky and retired Christian Brother, John, soccer was his game.

However, he soon established that hurling was much preferred locally.

So he got a hurling club going, which grew and grew until it was able to enter a senior side.

Years on, Ballygunner’s flag-bearers are now one of the country’s best.

They won the All-Ireland in 2021, and last year were beaten in the semi-final.

If they succeed in this year’s Munster it will be a record, because no club has ever done the three-in-a-row.

No celebration goes on in the club without mention of its late founder, who was responsible for choosing the club colours.

In doing so James followed the on from the Dundalk-born salesman in Crossmaglen over a century ago, by giving recognition to his native heath.

The red of Louth and the black of Dundalk FC sit cosily beside each other.