Gabriel Rangers GAA celebrate their 50th birthday in style 

The lateness of the year didn’t deter hundreds of people turning out to celebrate a very special day in the life of Schull/Ballydehob based Gabriel Rangers GAA club recently. 

The official opening of the club’s new clubhouse in Ballydehob by former Cork footballer Noel O'Leary and the launch of ‘In the Shadow of Mount Gabriel’, a 396-page history of the 50-year-old club by retired secondary school teacher, Eugene McSweeney, were the centerpieces of the occasion. The presentation of medals to the Under 6, 8 and 10 boys and girls teams by club captain, Seán Kelleher, were treated with equal importance.

Prior to the cutting of the tape at the clubhouse entrance, club chairman, Mark Cronin, and youth officer, Gary O’Callaghan, outlined their all-embracing vision for the club for the years ahead. Noel O'Leary in his address stressed the vital and unifying role sport clubs plays in small rural communities such as his own club Cill na Martra and Gabriel Rangers on the Mizen Peninsula. Those sentiments were further acknowledged by guests, Cork County Board representative and vice-chairman, Noel O’Callaghan and West Cork Board member Pat Connolly.

The book launch took the packed crowd down memory lane with contributions from many people on the proud history of Gabriel Rangers GAA club. A number of people spoke including the MC for the afternoon, retired player and Deputy Principal of Presentation College, Cork, Enda O’Regan and former club chairman, Finbarr O’Brien, on whose watch the new clubhouse and gym were built.

Noel Coakley, who was present at the founding general meeting of the club in the spring of 1974, kept the crowd on the edge of their seats while Anna Ward, represented the Gabriel Rangers Ladies’ club and she also had a few words to say to the audience. Eugene McSweeney was the person who bravely and successfully accepted the challenge of chronicling the story of the GAA on this famed peninsula from the early years of the association in the 19th century to present times.

Blessed with excellent weather for December, the celebrations concluded with a fun football game between the stars of yesteryear and the Gabriel Rangers team of 2024.

‘In the Shadow of Mount Gabriel’ is available from the author, club officers and local bookstores, priced at €30. An enchanting read which would make an ideal Christmas present.

Gabriel Rangers currently play in the fourth grade of Cork football, the Intermediate A football championship. They reached the semi-finals this year, beaten by eventual winners Glanmire by a single point.