The Dowling Cup

Winning Captains

This year marks the 54th anniversary of the first presentation of The Dowling Cup which presented to the Offaly County Board, by the brothers, Mick, Chris and Joe Dowling, formerly of Tullamore, in 1954 for the Offaly Senior Football Championship. Tullamore were the first winners and Noel McGee its first recipient. Since then 47 men have received the trophy with Ferbane winning it on 10 occasions, one ahead of Rhode. The late Mick Casey of Rhode was the first man to take possession of the trophy twice (1955 and '58) while other "dual" holders were Paddy McCormack Rhode (1966 & '67), Eamonn Mulhall Walsh Island (1978 & 80) and Richie Connor Walsh Island (1981 & '83). But Alan McNamee Captain of Rhode set a new record by becoming the first player to be presented with Offaly’s premier football trophy three years in succession 2004 to 2006.