About

"Sean Dolan's Gaelic Athletic Club" is one of the oldest and longest serving clubs within the City of Derry." We have a history that has seen us survive through some of the most turbulent times in the history of this island. Members have risked their lives in the pursuit of Gaelic games. We are proud of our past and are encouraged about the future with our ever increasing membership and the ability to field teams at all ages and abilities.

Sean Dolans GAC is a growing club, we are the first junior club to win the All-Ireland club of the year in 2000, and the county club of the year title in 2002, and still we have ambitious plans for the future. We have facilities to be proud of and a membership that welcomes everyone, no matter of creed or culture...

Sean Dolan "Even in the ordinary way of life he was outstanding in the ranks of men. He was a man of ideals and principles and he was prepared to suffer for those ideals he held in high honour. And in fact he did suffer and suffer dearly for the ideals of the national cause..."

This was how Fr. F O'Hagan C.C. spoke of Sean on the occasion of his death in St. Mary's Church Ardmore during the late autumn of 1941. Indeed Sean was outstanding in the ranks of men. His devotion to the Gaelic traditions and activities within the Republican movement earned him the respect of all who had the privilege to know him. His very name has become an inspiration to generations of Republicans who like Sean during his lifetime were and are striving to reaffirm the Irish Republic.

During the early part of 1940 Sean was one of a number of Derry men arrested under the infamous 'specials powers act' and interned aboard the prison ship 'Al Rowdah' where he remained until his removal to the now notorious Crumlin Road Jail. As a life long republican the life of a felon was nothing new to Sean. He had previously served a six-month sentence on a charge of illegal documents.

The degrading and humiliating treatment which he received at the hands of the British henchmen failed to break his spirit, just as it had failed to break that of Thomas J. Clarke and the many of the felons who had gone before him. Broken only in health he was unconditionally released fourteen months after his internment.

On release the condition of his health continued to deteriorate until a number of weeks later he was admitted to the Waterside Hospital where on the 28th October 1941 Sean sadly died at the young age of 28. The sorrow which greeted the news of his death was evident throughout the community but particularly among those whom he associated, prominent among them his activities within the Gaelic Athletic Association.

He strongly believed that the removal of British Troops was in itself not an end goal, he devoted himself to the "necessity for De-Anglicising Ireland" and the re-establishment of Ireland's national identity. As a fluent Gaelic speaker and keen Gaelic musician he became well known as a competitor in the Feis Doire Colmcille. While holding the position of secretary of the city G.A.A. board he was largely responsible for the establishment of the Patrick Pearse Gaelic Football Club Waterside, a club which he represented quite frequently on the playing field.

Committee

The success of the club has always meant that members are fully dedicated and committed. Culture plays a very important role and our club is a place for the entire community. Many members have often commented that they feel like part of a family belonging to Sean Dolan's.

The committee ensures that the operations of the club run efficiently and effectively. Our dedication and commitment will ensure we remain a very successful Gaelic Club. Our Club has approximately 400 members, which are made up from differing ages, gender, abilities and culture. We are proud to have members from all over the globe.

AIMS

The aim of the Club shall be to provide a programme of social, cultural, educational, recreational, health and youth activities in a common setting for young people. Members of the club together with coaches concerned and committed adults and parents from the local community shall be brought together by means of an advisory committee.

OBJECTIVES

  • The Club wants to promote a sense of social cohesion through discussion groups, group work, shared responsibility and accountability.
  • The Club will focus in on the culture of members and examine other cultures in a sympathetic nature to develop an appreciation and tolerance of all amongst members.
  • The Club will increase the educational opportunities open to members through the use of information evenings.
  • The Club will maximise the recreational opportunities open to members to provide the opportunity for members to develop new interests or sustain and enhance existing talents or likes.
  • The Club will promote the need for all members to have a sound understanding of the need to be aware of Health issues. Young adults have a wide variety of potential health problems, these needs to be kept to the forefront as they grow into adults.
  • Young members will play a full and active role in the Club; they will play a part in decision-making, programme content, trips and activities to ensure vitality exists within all programmes and freshness to all situations.