1971
- Féile na nGael was the brainchild of former GAA President Séamus Ó Riain of Moneygall (of Barack Obama fame). Séamus’ son Philip is an active member of Ballyboden St Endas as indeed are all members of his family at one time or another.
1989
- In 1989, the Boden Camogie team became the first side to represent the club at the All-Ireland finals stage. Camross was the host club and the mentors were John Kirwan, Fiona Feeney, Eamonn O’Sullivan (RIP) and Kathleen O’Sullivan. Among the players involved were Irene Kirwan, Sarah Fingleton, Ciara Conway, Anne Martin, Grainne McGinley, Sinead McNeela, Fiona Hennessy, Terri-Ann Stynes, Edel Byrne, Deirdre Walsh, Lorna Whyte, Mary Fitzpatrick, Karina O’Neill and Audrey Metcalfe.
- Irene Kirwan remembers “We were beaten by Pearses of Galway in the semi-final. They were beaten by St. Lachtains (Freshford) Kilkenny in the final (who beat us in the group stages). We won the Dublin Féile final in the Phoenix Park, 1 goal to nothing against St. Monica’s who had beaten us the year previously in the u13 championship final. Anne Martin scored the goal. It was a massive victory for us. Eamonn O’Sullivan had been talking about Féile since I remember meeting him. Sharon Glynn was playing for Pearses. She went on to win a senior All-Ireland with Galway. She was amazing – took puck-outs, frees, sidelines etc. Freshford had many future All-Ireland winners too including Paula Dowling, Margaret Hickey, Sinead Costelloe and Imelda Kennedy. We came up against these again in 1999 when we got into the Leinster club championship for the first time. They beat us in Páirc Uí Mhurchú. I’m playing camogie out here in Brussels with Niamh Kennedy whose Dad, Ned managed St. Lachtains against us in 1989.”
1991
- The U14 hurling team became the first side to qualify for the All-Ireland hurling series. Managed by Gerry Maher and Mick Kennedy, the team was hosted by Ballingarry. The journey on the Friday did not suit a number of travellers and as a result the side was less than prepared for the opening game against the home side who snatched victory at the death. Among the squad were David Sweeney, Dermot Maguire, Mick Keville and Dermot Daly. Liam Cahill was the star Ballingarry player and he went on to shine for Tipperary seniors in later years.
1992
- This side became the first Dublin team to win the All-Ireland Div 1 Féile hurling title – team members included Emmet Carroll, Darragh Spain, Martin Kenny, Declan Maguire (RIP), David Buckeridge, Conor Davey, Derek Foley, Michael Phelan. The team was managed by John Kirwan with Tom Durkin and the late Daithí Scolard. Darragh Spain is featured in this year’s Féile Programme.
1999
- Ballyboden St Endas enjoyed a wonderful Wexford Féile winning the All-Ireland Division 2 camogie title. Among those on the squad who are currently playing were Ciara Lucey, Fiona Ní Shúilleabháin, Mary Hyland, Aoife Tobin and Aoife Scallan who plays her camogie in Waterford. The mentors were Jim Cremin, Mona O’Sullivan and Anne Scallan. In the 2012 Féile, Fiona will also officiate as referee as will her sister Róisín and father Gerry.
2002
- Féile was hosted in the North (Antrim and Derry). The team were the guests of Lavey GAA club in Derry. We were very well treated by our hosts. The team were beaten in the group stages by Castlegar from Galway. The weather was atrocious with some games being played in very difficult conditions. The march in Belfast was most memorable. Some will remember being delayed on the way to a game by an Orange Parade! Paul Ryan, Simon Lambert, Brendan Treacy, Peter Buckeridge, David O’ Connor, Alan Carter, the Cooney Triplets and Eoin Turner (RIP) were some of the squad members. Mentor on the Team was Eamonn Treacy who played in the first Féile for Cappawhite in 1971 – beaten in the Division 2 final…”by a team of 7 footers. I still have the marks on my back!! Some say I never recovered!!” says the Tipp man
2004
- Team managed by Francis Sharkey which included the likes of Niall McMorrow. Dean Curran, Stephen O’Connor and Mark Lambert lost to eventual Division 1 winners Ahane of Limerick in the group stages. Ahane was managed by former Ballyboden senior hurler Sean óg Herbert
2012
- The Lambert family has a long association with Féile and Sarah, daughter of Padraig and Imelda will be representing the club on this year’s camogie side. But how many girls coming from the rest of the country to the Capital can say they are being hosted on a Dublin Farm?