Chicago Wolfe Tones GFC

The Wolfe Tones Gaelic Football Club was founded in 1957 and first took the field in the summer of 1958.[1] While not the oldest Gaelic Football club in Chicago, the Wolfe Tones is one of the most successful clubs in North America with 22 senior Chicago titles and 13 North American Championships and competing in 17 NCAB finals.[2][3]

Chicago Wolfe Tones
Bhunf Tón
Founded1957
CountyNorth American
DivisionCentral Division Board
NicknameThe Tones, The Blue Machine
ColoursBlue & White
GroundsGaelic Park, Chicago
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Wolfe Tones History

The Tones won their first American League Title in 1978. Nicknamed "The Blue Machine," they drew players from all counties which was an advantage and in the seventies and eighties were mostly home-based with strong social ties because everyone worked and socialised together.

In the mid-1980s, the club added a Junior team, while the Juniors have not had the same level of success as the Senior team, it has still added to the level of support that the club enjoys and allows many younger Irish-Americans to participate in the rich culture of the GAA. In the late 1990s and early 2000s Mike Mulligan, then of the Chicago Sun Times, wrote that the Wolfe Tones were "a Chicago-based Gaelic football powerhouse."[4]

In past years, the Wolfe Tones main rivals have been the McBrides GFC and the St. Brendan's GFC[5][6][7] and, more recently, the Parnell's GFC.

Due to the economic downturn and changes in US Immigration law, GAA clubs in North America have come upon hard times. Despite this, the Wolfe Tones still have been able to field competitive teams.[8]

Wolfe Tones Players

The Wolfe Tones have always fielded competitive teams and have drawn from some of the most famous and skilled Gaelic Football players from nearly every county in Ireland, going so far as to play in the GAA Golf Tournament.[9][10] They have also played several challenge games in Ireland[11][12]

Here are just a few of the county players that have played for the Tones through the years;

County PlayersCountyProvince
Jack O'SheaKerryMunster
Val DalyGalwayConnacht
Graham GeraghtyMeathLeinster
Sean CavanaghTyroneUlster
Jonathan ClerkinLouthLeinster
John ConlonMonaghanUlster
Nigel DineenRoscommonConnacht
Karl EnnisKildareLeinster
Rory MoneMonaghanUlster
Conor MullaneLimerickMunster
Odhran O'DwyerClareMunster
Darren ClarkeLouthLeinster
Peter McGinnityLouthLeinster
JP RooneyLouthLeinster
James McCartanDownUlster
Brian BurnsDownUlster
Cathal MurrayDownUlster
Gary MasonDownUlster
Greg McCartanDownUlster
Paddy McKeeverArmaghUlster
Paul Brewster and Mark GallagherFermanaghUlster
Brian ConnorOffalyLeinster
Richie ConnorOffalyLeinster
Matt ConnorOffalyLeinster
Jonathan ConroyRoscommonConnacht
Colm CoyleMeathLeinster
David MitchellWestmeathLeinster
George HanniganTipperaryMunster
Paul DoyleCarlowLeinster
Willie BrennanLaoisLeinster
Kevin O'BrienWicklowLeinster
Paddy BradleyDerryUlster
Tommy RyanDonegalUlster
Shane DurkinSligoConnacht
Liam ReillyCavanUlster
Marty LynchKildareLeinster
Kevin ConcannonCorkMunster
Fergus DalyWicklowLeinster
Shane CullenWexfordLeinster
David BradyMayoConnacht
Liam BradyMayoConnacht
Jack SheedyDublinLeinster
Frankie GriffinClareMunster
David KeenanRoscommonLeinster
Dermot MaloneMonaghanUlster
John ConlinMonaghanUlster
Owen LennonMonaghanUlster

[13]

2012 Chicago Finals Champions

The 2012 Wolfe Tones won their divisional title in Chicago, but lost to the Ulster GFC of San Francisco in their Semi-Final Match at the NACB Finals in Philadelphia.

Senior Title Years

Through the years, the Wolfe Tones have enjoyed successes through the years in the North American County Board, having won titles for both their division and in the county.[14] Here is the list of the Senior Titles of the North American GAA the club has won through the years.[15]

Chicago FinalsNorth American Finals
1962--
1963--
1965--
1969--
19781978
1979--
19801980
19821982
1984--
19851985
19881988
19911991
1992--
1993--
19951995
19961996
19971997
19991999
20012001
20022002
2003--
20062006
2012--
2017--

[2][16][17][18]

References
  1. McInerny, Michelle. "Chicago Wolfe Tones". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  2. "North American GAA Senior Football Winners". eSports Manager. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  3. Dale, Steve (17 March 1989). "Let The Gaelic Games-and Fun-begin". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  4. Mulligan, Mike (September 6, 1999). "Oak Forest's Gaelic games a success". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  5. "Derry say no to change for Galway showdown". Irish Independent. August 24, 2001. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  6. Kelly, Eamon (2011-02-16). "NCAB Roundup: Wolfe Tones footballers overpower rival St. Brendan's". Irish Echo.
  7. "One for the Future". Lynn Group Media. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  8. "Chicago Gaelic News / Aug. 2008". Irish American News. August 2008. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  9. Challenge, FBD (August 20, 2008). "GAA golfers get a break". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  10. FBD, Challenge (September 3, 2008). "Wolfe Tones complete final line-up". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  11. "US invaders hope to fly flag Matchplay pairs set for deferred final". Irish Independent. September 9, 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  12. Kelly, Liam (September 16, 2008). "Dub All-Ireland joy for Cahill's St Brigid's". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  13. "Offaly midfielder Connor heads Stateside". Irish Examiner. April 27, 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  14. "Club Links". Lynn Group Media. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  15. "Chicago's Wolfe Mone". Lynn Group Media. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  16. Mulligan, Mike (September 3, 1999). "Gaelic test an Irish fest". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  17. "Authentic Irish". Chicago Sun Times. March 12, 2000. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  18. HORAN, Liam (July 22, 1999). "Cregan ready to stay on as Limerick leader". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
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