In the first episode of the Fingal Ravens Podcast, recorded as part of the club’s centenary celebrations, hosts Ian Donnelly & Declan Hannigan are joined by special guests Karl O'Flaherty, Carmel O’Brien and Peter (Desy) Kettle to explore the remarkable story of Fingal Ravens GAA Club.
The conversation traces the club’s origins back to 1926, when a group of local young men came together to establish a football club in Rolestown. Carmel shares fascinating insights from her acclaimed Golden Jubilee history book, recounting the club’s founding members, the adoption of the famous black-and-white colours, and the creation of the Fingal Ravens crest.
Listeners will hear stories of the club’s early years, the challenges of finding pitches, travelling to matches, and the dedicated volunteers who kept the club alive. The episode also revisits landmark moments in Ravens history, including the famous 1969 Junior Championship victory, the unforgettable 1999 championship success, and the rise of the club through the 2000s.
Along the way, the guests share personal memories, humorous anecdotes, and reflections on how Fingal Ravens has grown from a small rural club into a thriving community organisation with teams at every age group. Above all, the episode celebrates the people, families and volunteers whose commitment over the past century has shaped the club’s identity and ensured its continued success.
A nostalgic and inspiring look back at 100 years of Fingal Ravens, this episode is the perfect starting point for the club’s centenary podcast series.
Theme tune, "The Morning Thrush" performed by Clódagh Nic Eoin.
59 mins