Colmcille’s call to find masters class

Whitehall set to celebrate four super seasons

THE new Whitehall Colmcille facility is coming on splendidly. It is going to be a treasure of a home.

Whitehall had a notable Dublin Senior Football Championship victory over Erin's Isle this season.

Paddy Canning master-minded the success. Alongside him was the Whitehall Brave-heart, Anto Holly.

As a player, Anto gave it everything. And so did one of the club's most famous sons, Paul Clarke.

Was there a fitter footballer in Ireland? Did anybody work harder on his game?

Paul (pictured below) played for Dublin (minor and senior) for a remarkable 14 years. He won Sam. He became an All-Star.

He was part of Pillar Caffrey's Dublin management crew that was a big stepping stone to the All-Ireland success of Pat Gilroy and Jim Gavin.

He was the captain when Dublin won the All-Ireland Minor Championship title in 1984, beating Tipperary. Both the Dublin and Tipp teams will be marking the 30th anniversary of that final on October 3rd at the Castleknock Golf Club. "I feel very fortunate to have played for Dublin for all of those years, but without my club, I might never have got the chance to captain my county," reflects Paul.

"At the time back in the 80's, I was lucky enough to be part of a fabulous Whitehall football team that enjoyed wonderful success at minor and U21 level.

"We had an incredible run, and we went unbeaten for years. They were a special group of players.

"I remember in '84 we won the Dublin Minor A Championship and League and we then went to Salthill to win the GAA Centenary All-Ireland.

"And in the following three years, that team went on to win the Dublin U21 A Championship and league double. It was a fabulous run.

"We all have so many happy memories of those times. And now we'd like to acknowledge the contribution of everybody that was involved in those four campaigns by holding a special reunion in Whitehall.

"It's not going to be easy contacting everybody, with people moving away, etc, so I'm asking anybody who was involved on those squads to contact myself (086-8149666) or Ben O'Sullivan on brendanosullivan21@gmail.com or leave your contact details in the clubhouse for our attention."