In 1913 the GAA purchased Croke Park and Jones Road has been the headquarters for the last 100 years. The Grounds had been purchased by Frank Dineen a former president of the GAA and he rented the grounds up on till 1913. It was the Croke Memorial Tournament that helped the GAA pay for Croke Park. The final of that tournament was played between Kerry and Louth and proceeds exceeded the GAAs expectations and allowed them to purchase the land.
This a map referring to the lease of the land.
Photograph courtesy of crokepark.ie
The next several years would see lots of political upheaval all over the country and the GAA was at the centre of this upheaval. It would play a part in one of the most tragic segments of the GAA history.
Members of Sinn Feín enjoy the 1919 All-Ireland Hurling Final
Left to Right: Griffith, De Valera, Laurence O Toole, Micheal Collins and Harry Boland.
Photograph courtesy of ucd.ie.
This event that was to be so contentious for most of the last century, during a football match between Dublin and Tipperary. The date was November 21st 1920, the previous day over a dozen British soldiers and agents had been killed by the IRA under orders from Michael Collins. The proceeds from this match where being donated to the IRA prisoners fund. British troops entered the ground that day firing on players and fans resulting in the deaths of 14 people, one of which was Michael Hogan a Tipperary footballer.
A ticket from the match.
Courtsey of TipperaryBrigade.com
In 1924 the new Hogan Stand was built. In 1938 the Cusack Stand was completed over the next number of years various other stands and terraces where completed and redeveloped by 1959 the old Hogan Stand was replaced.
Old Canal end being built.
courtesy of collen.com
Also between 1924 and 1932 the GAA had organised the Tailteann Games a festival of Irish games and culture. Some of the sports involved where athletics, swimming,Gaelic Football and hurling and many more. These games first took place two years after the Irish Civil War.
Picture from Tailteann Games.
Photograph courtsey of gallery-access.com
In 1938 the All Ireland Final was broadcast in 1938 with a name that would be linked with Croke Park and Gaelic Games, that person was Michael O' Hehir. He would go to commentate on 99 All Ireland Finals, illness would prevent him from completing his 100th. His most famous commentary happen outside of Croke Park. This was the 1947 final played in the Polo Grounds, New York between Kerry and Cavan.
Michael O' Hehir the voice of GAA.
Photograph courtsey of blogspot.com
The 1940s saw the dominance of Hurling by one of the greatest teams and players that has ever played the game of hurling that was, Cork and Christy Ring. They wold win four All Ireland,s in row and contest six of the ten All Ireland's in that decade. Jack Lynch was also part of that team and also won a football final as well. He would also become leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach of Ireland later in his life. This domination continued into the 50s but Ring would be denied his ninth medal by Wexford. Wexford had the famous Rackard brothers on the team, after they won they carried ring of the pitch on there shoulders, this would be Rings last final.
Christy Ring challenges for the ball.
Photograph of corkhtai.ie.
The 1960s saw the first team from the six counties to win the All Ireland, that was the county Down. In 1961 the biggest crowd ever attended the All Ireland Final against Offaly. Down won there second All Ireland that year and would win another by the end of this decade.
Down Captain collects the Sam.
Photograph courtsey of Belfast Telegraph.co.uk
In the 1970s one of the biggest sports superstars ever in the world came to Croke Park. that was Muhammad Ali he fought Al blue Lewis in 1972. Ali won the fight in 11 rounds. The 1970s would also bring one of sports enduring rivalries and that was Dublin and Kerry.
Ali lands another blow on Lewis.
Photograph courtsey jrnl.ie
This era of Gaelic Games changed Gaelic football forever. With two iconic managers two great teams and some great battles on the field these teams brought the masses back to watch the games. These rivalries still survives today.
Dublin's Brian Mullins get ready to challenge for the ball Paudie O Shea to the right.
Photograph courtsey of staticflicker.com
In the 1980s many different events where starting to take place in Croke Park from concerts like Neil Diamond, Simple Minds, U2 and many more, also Notre Dame played the Navy, this was the first American Football match to be played here since the 1960s. The stadium was in need of renovation and this began in the late 1980's.
Redevelopment starts.
Photograph courtsey of hegartydemolition.ie
The redevelopment of Croke Park finished in 2005 with completion of the Nally Stand and the stadium is now one of the newest and modern in the world. One of the biggest events held not just in Croke Park but in the country was the Special Olympics which had the opening and closing ceremonies in this stadium, this was in 2003.
Opening ceremony Special Olympics.
Photograph Courtsey of dailymail.co.uk
In 2007 one of the most historical moments in Irish history took place after the GAA amended rule 42 which prevented foreign games being played in Croke Park. this was as result of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. The first game played there was France versus Ireland in a rugby international. Two weeks later Ireland played England and God Save the Queen was played for the first time.
Queen Elizabeth II visits Croke Park.
Photograph courtesy of bbcimg.co.uk
Also during this period the development of one of the finest teams in any sport has taken place and that team is the Kilkenny Hurling. They have been near invincible and the main foundation of this success has been the greatest hurler of all time Henry Shefflin.
Henry wins his ninth All Ireland 2012.
Photograph courtsey of jrnl.ie
So in 2013 the GAA celebrates 100 years of ownership of this great and famous field with good and sad memories can go on for another 100.
This is from the 125th year anniversary.
Photograph courtdey of gaa.ie.
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