Clontarf F.C.

Having played firstly in a field at the bottom of Vernon Avenue, then on a site currently used by Dublin Bus as a depot, the club moved to Castle Avenue in 1896. The "bull" emblem used in the logo is that of the district — Cluain Tarbh, which translates as "the meadow of the bull". The red and blue colors are used by most sporting clubs in the area. The official club title is Clontarf Football Club rather than Clontarf Rugby Football Club. The explanation for this gives an insight into the history of the club — the club was formed before the establishment of the Irish Rugby Union.

The minutes of early club meetings show that the members used the boat club premises as changing rooms, and that goal posts were erected each Saturday morning and taken down after the match. The club was also approached by a local group who wished to play Gaelic football on Sundays, and it was agreed to make the pitch available provided the footballers dismantled the goalposts after their matches.

In 1902, Clontarf was admitted to Senior Ranks — Leinster League — and in the following year reached the final of the Leinster Club Senior Cup, but they were beaten by Landsdowne one goal (5 points) to one try (3 points).

Since 1896, the grounds at Castle Avenue have been jointly occupied by Clontarf Cricket Club and the rugby club. Until 1947, both games were played on the same ground, and the wicket was fenced off in the winter. In 1982, following a fire which destroyed the bar and lounge, an agreement was reached between both clubs to go their separate ways. Subsequently, each club was provided with separate premises and the use of a common main bar and hall for each club's season.

One of the club's notable moments was the defeat of the Athletic Rugby Football Club from New Zealand in 1966. It was the only defeat during their world tour. Among the teams played were Blackheath from England, and Cardiff of Wales. Athletic was captained by I.N. McEwan.

Other highlights of the club's history include the winning of the Leinster Club Senior Cup in 1936, a feat which was to elude Clontarf teams for another 63 years until the much so sought after cup was returned to Castle Avenue in April 1999. However, the intervening years were not without success as various teams representing the club won leagues and cups in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Clontarf won the Leinster Floodlight Competition in 1989, 1990,1997 and 1998, the All Ireland Floodlight Competition in 1990, and the All Ireland League Division II in 1996/97. Since attaining Division 1 status in 1997, Clontarf has maintained its position as one of the top twelve clubs in Ireland. It has reached three All Ireland League division one finals, two of them to record winners Shannon. The club has produced a number of professional rugby players such as Cian Healy, Emile Prior and Brian O'Driscoll, Tadgh Furlong, Matt D'Arcy, Michael Noone and Joey Carbery.

In 2014, Clontarf won the All-Ireland League for the first time in the club's history, topping the table by a point, after a finish which saw Clontarf beat Ballynahinch at Castle Avenue while Old Belvedere lost to Garryowen, giving Clontarf the title. Four days after this victory, the same Clontarf side faced Barbarians F.C. to mark the 1000 year anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf. Clontarf were winners on the day, running out 43–42.[2]