# Na Piarsaigh GAA

Na Piarsaigh are a hurling and Gaelic football club based in the north side of Cork City, Ireland.

## History
### Formation

In 1943, a group of young men, drawn mostly from the North Monastery, laid the foundations of Cumann Iomana & Peile Na Piarsaigh. The group had its first formal meeting in the presbytery of the North Cathedral and called upon one of their teachers, Donnacha Ó Murchú, for guidance and assistance. This led to him becoming the first Uachtarán (president) of the club, with Derry Terry serving as Runaí (secretary) and Paddy Sutton as Cisteoir (treasurer).
In choosing a name for the club, the members sought one which would reflect their aims and ideals. Padraig Pearse, they felt, reflected those ideals and the name "Na Piarsaigh" ("The Pearses") was adopted.
A set of playing-gear colours (black and amber) was acquired. Later in 1951, the symbolic red hand of Ulster with severed thumb was selected as the club crest. (The red hand represents the island that is Ireland, with the severed thumb representing the six north-eastern counties separated as Northern Ireland).
The newly formed club decided to conduct its affairs as much as possible through the medium of Irish. This policy extended to the field of play where the players addressed one another in Irish. So novel was this approach to GAA affairs that it led to some resentment amongst other clubs.
By 1946, the membership had grown from thirty to seventy, but as yet the club had failed to win a title in either hurling or football. However, in the same year the City Division Junior Hurling Championship was won. During this period also, minor teams were fielded but without much success. Training for matches was a problem without a club ground. Training took place in several locations including the Lee Fields, Rivers Town, the Fair Field, and Brown's Field in Gurranabraher.

### Acquisition of club grounds

As the club grew and expanded in the late 1940s, a dedicated playing field was needed and the annual report of 1951 noted that: "The lack of a playing field of our own is greatly impeding the advancement of our teams. As members are unable to get sufficient training for matches, they ultimately wander to other codes". After several years of fund-raising, the club purchased a field at The Commons, Fair Hill.

### Mid- to late-20th century

In 1946, the club won its first title at Junior level, winning the City title. In the following decade, in 1953, the club won its first County Junior Hurling title.
Three Minor Hurling County titles were added in 1961, 1962 and 1963, in what should have laid the foundations for success at Senior level. However, the club suffered several defeats in the senior grade in the mid-1960s.
In football, success in the Cork Junior Football Championship came with victory in the county final in 1964. This was followed by success in the Cork Intermediate Football Championship the following year. Thus the club had gone from Junior level to Senior in the shortest possible period.

## Notable players

* Daire Connery
* Mick Ellard
* John Gardiner
* Christopher Joyce
* Rónán McGregor
* Mark Mullins
* Aisake Ó hAilpín
* Seán Óg Ó hAilpín
* Setanta Ó hAilpín
* Teu Ó hAilpín
* Tony O'Sullivan
* Roger Tuohy

## Honours

* Cork Senior Hurling Championships: 3 (1990, 1995, 2004)
* Cork Senior Hurling Leagues: 5 (1978, 1988, 1992, 1997, 2013)
* Cork Senior Football League (Kellher Shield) (2): (1967,2003)
* Cork Intermediate Football Championship: 1 (1966) Runners-up 2014
* Cork Junior Hurling Championship: 1 (1953)
* Cork City Junior Hurling Championship 6 (1946, 1953, 1979, 1989, 1995, 1997)
* Cork City Junior Football Championship 4 (1964, 1965, 1974, 2005)
* Cork Junior Football Championship: 1 (1965)
* Cork Under-21 Hurling Championships: 3 (1980, 1981, 1987)
* Cork Minor Hurling Championships: 11 (1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1995, 1996, 2016)
* Cork Minor Football Championships 3 (1981, 1994, 1995)
* Féile na nGael 7 (1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1991, 2006, 2017)

## Individual players honours

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Winners:
* Donal 'Fox' Sheehan: 1 (1966)
* Tony O'Sullivan: 3 (1984, 1986, 1990)
* Seán Óg Ó hAilpín: 3 (1999, 2004, 2005)
* John Gardiner: 2 (2004, 2005)
GAA All Stars Awards winners (hurling):
* Tony O'Sullivan: 5 (1982, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992) (O'Sullivan is in a small group of Cork players who hold five All Star Awards; Together with his former Cork team mates John Fenton and Jimmy Barry-Murphy, O'Sullivan holds the distinction of heading the roll of honour as the most decorated Cork All Stars.)
* Seán Óg Ó hAilpín: 3 (2003, 2004, 2005)
* Setanta Ó hAilpín: 1 (2003)
* John Gardiner: 1 (2005)
All Stars Hurler of the Year:
* Seán Óg Ó hAilpín: 1 (2004)
GPA Hurler of the Year:
* John Gardiner: 1 (2005)
All Stars Young Hurler of the Year:
* Setanta Ó hAilpín: 1 (2003)