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History Of The Club
1936 to 1986
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The summer of 1936 saw the birth of an idea, the formation
of Fountainstown Sports Club. Our
Founders met with the objective of “developing Fountainstown and to give
sporting facilities to the younger people”. Initially known as “Fountainstown
Improvements”, it was eventually incorporated into Fountainstown Developments
Limited in September 1936.
From 1936 until 1952, “The Club” continued to provided a wide range of sporting, recreational and social activities with the enthusiasm of its founders evident in its daily operation. In 1937, additional land was acquired from Mathew O'Regan and William Power, allowing the club to add extra tennis courts and develop the first "Pith and Putt Golf" course in Ireland. Click here to read an article about Fountainstowns involvement in the development of Pitch and Putt in Ireland.
From 1936 until 1952, “The Club” continued to provided a wide range of sporting, recreational and social activities with the enthusiasm of its founders evident in its daily operation. In 1937, additional land was acquired from Mathew O'Regan and William Power, allowing the club to add extra tennis courts and develop the first "Pith and Putt Golf" course in Ireland. Click here to read an article about Fountainstowns involvement in the development of Pitch and Putt in Ireland.
Fountainstown Sports Club Founders.
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The Club faced a crisis in the early fifties and on 31st
May 1956, a decision “to sell as a going concern” the Club House and leasehold
interests of Fountainstown Developments Limited was taken. The property was advertised
by a Cork
auctioneer but, in the absence of a purchaser, it was run by a voluntary committee
consisting of the McMullens, Mrs Foreman, Mr Sisk and Niall O’Leary. By this
voluntary effort, wages were decreased and socials reactivated, resulting in
the most successful season for years. A tribute was paid to D. D. McMullen and Niall O’Leary at the AGM to
highlight their efforts.
1956 saw the resignation of two forceful directors, Dr Fielding and Toey Hunt and in June 1957, it was noted that an offer of £500 was made for the Club House and grounds. By a majority of just one vote, it was decided not to accept this offer and to carry on with The Club. Immediately after this decision was made, a plan was put in place to refurbish the Club House, resurface the upper courts and to complete a general clean up of the grounds. The 1957 to 1965 era saw the arrival of new directors, Neilius Jennings, Jack McCarthy, Prof. Boyle, J J McCarthy, Tom Lordan and Gus Aherne. |
The 1966 to 1973 period saw a drastic decline in interest in
The Club. Decay set in and it was eventually closed despite all of the efforts
made by the too few who really cared. In 1973, concerned members of Fountainstown
Community Association, under the chairmanship of Andrew O’Reilly, met with the
board of Fountainstown Developments Limited, to discuss the future of The Club.
It was agreed that, for the future of the younger people, it should carry on at
all costs. The Community Association agreed to act under a caretaker agreement
for a twelve month period in the operation of the club. After the first year,
it was apparent that all were interested in operating from September to May but
not during the summer months when most of the permanent Fountainstown residents
would be away on vacation.
In May 1974, the Board Representative of Fountainstown Developments Limited, in answer to a question asked at an open meeting of Fountainstown Community Association, chaired by its chairman, Frank Drennan, stated that “Yes, the club would be available to any outside party approved by the board”. Panic set in. After a lively discussion, the meeting was adjourned for a week on the proposal of Conor Crowley, to give those present an opportunity of getting persons interested in Fountainstown and its Club to a meeting, where the immediate question of opening or closing the Club for the 1974 season could be resolved.
The adjourned meeting was held, with Conor Crowley as Temporary Chairman of Fountainstown Community Association, in the absence of Frank Drennan, who had resigned due to ill health. The Community Association agreed, at one of the largest meetings held in Fountainstown for years, to run the Club for the 1974 season, while ways and means were being investigated for its long term survival. The interim committee consisted of the Kerrs, Crowleys, Phelans, Morrisseys, Cantys, Gearys, Henrys, Paula O’Neil and Pat O’Neil.
On Thursday August 1st 1974, Tom Lordon, Chairman of Fountainstown Developments Limited, called a meeting of all shareholders interested in the survival of The Club. Sixteen concerned residents in the area had obtained proxies from the representatives of original shareholders and the meeting unanimously adopted the following proposition to be put to the Fountainstown Developments Limited A.G.M in September “To increase the share capital from 100 £10 shares to 1000 £10 shares” on the understanding that these shares would be available to persons with Fountainstown connections and that no permanent resident of Fountainstown would ever be refused a share, that no shareholder would ever be refused membership of the club as long as he/she abided by the rules/regulations as periodically set down. The A.G.M. of Fountainstown Developments Limited ratified this proposition and the revival of Fountainstown Club commenced.
A new board consisting of Tom Lordon, Gus Aherne, Norman Henry, Des Morrissey and Phyllis Hodder were elected at the A.G.M. and the following week, as per a resolution “that the Fountainstown Community Association nominate five directors”, Conor Crowley (Fountainstown Community Association Chairman), Paula O’Neil (Fountainstown Community Association, Chairperson of the Ladies Committee), John Phelan, Gilbert Kerr and Michael Geary were ratified as unanimous representatives on the board representing Fountainstown Community Association, heralding the beginning of a new era.
To say that Fountainstown benefited is an understatement, things went from strength to strength, with family involvement the corner stone of the success. Grandparents could now enjoy the challenges of their grandchildren on both the greens and courts.
In May 1974, the Board Representative of Fountainstown Developments Limited, in answer to a question asked at an open meeting of Fountainstown Community Association, chaired by its chairman, Frank Drennan, stated that “Yes, the club would be available to any outside party approved by the board”. Panic set in. After a lively discussion, the meeting was adjourned for a week on the proposal of Conor Crowley, to give those present an opportunity of getting persons interested in Fountainstown and its Club to a meeting, where the immediate question of opening or closing the Club for the 1974 season could be resolved.
The adjourned meeting was held, with Conor Crowley as Temporary Chairman of Fountainstown Community Association, in the absence of Frank Drennan, who had resigned due to ill health. The Community Association agreed, at one of the largest meetings held in Fountainstown for years, to run the Club for the 1974 season, while ways and means were being investigated for its long term survival. The interim committee consisted of the Kerrs, Crowleys, Phelans, Morrisseys, Cantys, Gearys, Henrys, Paula O’Neil and Pat O’Neil.
On Thursday August 1st 1974, Tom Lordon, Chairman of Fountainstown Developments Limited, called a meeting of all shareholders interested in the survival of The Club. Sixteen concerned residents in the area had obtained proxies from the representatives of original shareholders and the meeting unanimously adopted the following proposition to be put to the Fountainstown Developments Limited A.G.M in September “To increase the share capital from 100 £10 shares to 1000 £10 shares” on the understanding that these shares would be available to persons with Fountainstown connections and that no permanent resident of Fountainstown would ever be refused a share, that no shareholder would ever be refused membership of the club as long as he/she abided by the rules/regulations as periodically set down. The A.G.M. of Fountainstown Developments Limited ratified this proposition and the revival of Fountainstown Club commenced.
A new board consisting of Tom Lordon, Gus Aherne, Norman Henry, Des Morrissey and Phyllis Hodder were elected at the A.G.M. and the following week, as per a resolution “that the Fountainstown Community Association nominate five directors”, Conor Crowley (Fountainstown Community Association Chairman), Paula O’Neil (Fountainstown Community Association, Chairperson of the Ladies Committee), John Phelan, Gilbert Kerr and Michael Geary were ratified as unanimous representatives on the board representing Fountainstown Community Association, heralding the beginning of a new era.
To say that Fountainstown benefited is an understatement, things went from strength to strength, with family involvement the corner stone of the success. Grandparents could now enjoy the challenges of their grandchildren on both the greens and courts.
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During the summer months, Tennis courts needed to be booked in advance and the pitch and putt course was always busy. Weekly tournaments were held for both children and adults and annual club championship matches were eagerly fought out. Trophies like the O'Connell and Quinn Cup, Mac's Meat Trophy, The Pine Lodge Plate and Moore Park Cup were some of the trophies played for each year. The Club House was also a very busy venue. Between Movie nights and discos, table tennis tournaments and club meeting, the club house was always in demand. With all the sporting and social activities completed during the week, every Saturday evening, the club house was converted into 'a church' for a Sunday service.
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The Club Board 1986
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Referred to as "Fountainstown Cathedral" by Father Ormonde, the club house, along with the outside passage and court no. 1 was always full every Sunday morning for mass, a mass which regularly ended with the song "He's got the whole world in his hands".
In 1986 the club celebrated its golden jubilee (50th anniversary) with many special events organised. A special committee was set up to overlook the events that were organised for the anniversary celebrations. An exhibition tennis match was held between Sean Sorenson and Matt Doyle and a big party held in Court No. 1.
In 1986 the club celebrated its golden jubilee (50th anniversary) with many special events organised. A special committee was set up to overlook the events that were organised for the anniversary celebrations. An exhibition tennis match was held between Sean Sorenson and Matt Doyle and a big party held in Court No. 1.
