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The Gaels celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2007. The club arose from the ashes of the old Garryowen club in 1987, with men such as Billy Millar, Billy Gilroy & Joe Matthews to the forefront of the newly formed club. Other former Garryowen men such as the legendary and sorely missed Tommy White (RIP), and Paddy Callan have also featured very prominently in the Toronto Gaels' backroom over the years.
The club has enjoyed a successful first 20 years, having managed to field competitive teams from day one. Success came early for the club, winning a couple of Championships in the late 80's and early 90's.
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The club's last championship victory was in 1994, with Billy Millar's "no nonsense" approach to training and management ensuring a very fit and well prepared team.
This team captained by Mark O'Brien, and featuring club stalwarts such as Charlie Doorley, Gerry Caldwell, Decko Kiernan, Niall Cotter, Shane Carroll, Niall & Damien Donnelly and Roger McGovern to name but a few, completed the League & Championship double that year.
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Doorley was named the Toronto GAA's player of the year that season, a feat he repeated in 2002, becoming one of the few players to win the coveted award twice. Other Gaels to win this honor include Mark O'Brien and Frank Cosigani, widely regarded as the greatest ever Italian Gaelic footballer!
Although 1994 was the club's most recent Championship, we have come close on many occasions since, and were beaten finalists in both 2001 and 2002, to St Mikes and St. Vincents respectively.
The 2001 final was a real heartbreaker. Coached by Bernie Dullea, and lead on the field by Seán O'Connell - the Gaels lead by 3 points with 5 minutes to play but could not keep their old rivals at bay, and Mikes gradually clawed back to level, with Eanna O'Malley of St Mikes equalizing with the last kick of regular time. The scores ebbed and flowed in extra time, with a controversial decision as to whether or not a Gaels strike had crossed the Mikes goal line proving critical in the end.
Mikes were good value for their 2 point victory but the feeling in the Gael's camp was that we had let one get away. We licked our wounds over the winter, regrouped in the spring, and again reached the final in 2002. Level at half time, an inexplicable second half collapse by the Gaels saw us concede several goals, with St. Vincent's running out easy winners in the end.
While the club has yet to return to those "on field" heights in the years since 2002, we have continued to field solid teams and to produce several fine players. Club MVP for every year that he played with us (2001 - 2005), Ciaran Shannon (RIP) was arguably one the greatest players ever to grace the Toronto GAA and certainly one of the best to never win a Championship.
The club has always played an active part in the management of the Toronto GAA with members such as Billy Millar, Pat Donnelly, Cormac Monaghan and Sinead Canavan each serving as Toronto GAA President for at least one season. This tradition has been continued by current President, Mark O'Brien.
In 1997 the club celebrated its first 10 years with a 2 week tour to Ireland, playing games against St Johns (Belfast), Derrygonnelly Harps (Fermanagh), and Whitehall Colmcilles (Dublin), in recognition of the contribution of Belfast men such as Billy Millar and Pat Donnelly; Fermanagh folks such as Roger McGovern, Eamonn & Phyllis Gallagher and John "Compo" Wadsworth; and Dubs such as Brendan Rossitter, and Padraig & Jacinta Crogrove to the success of the club in its first decade.
There are many other individuals not mentioned above who have made huge contributions to the club over the years, notably former President Pat Murray and current President/Secretary Greg Callan, David & Stephen Millar, and Chris Gaffney. Relative new-comers such as Mike Donnelly, Anthony Maguire, Paul Deeney and Steve Owens are also playing a big role as the club moves into its 3rd decade.
The club has always been a very big part in the daily lives of its members, and with a bit of luck, will continue to do so. The club has always enjoyed strong support from its sponsors, - thankfully too many to name, but we give particular mention to Kemptville Travel, Ross-Clair Construction, the Tara Inn, The Frog and Firkin and Dunmurray Electric who have been long time supporters of ours.
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