Back Row L to R-Har Fingleton, Paddy Morrin, Joe Fingleton, Seamie Shortt, Paddy Reddy, Jack Larkin, Ned Bergin, Jackie Kelly. Middle Row-Billy Bunyan, Paddy Rankins, Dick Mansworth, Paddy Dunne (C), Billy Bergin, Tom Maher. Front Row-Mick Bowe, Neddy Mansworth, Gar Kelly.  

In 1933 the Park GAA Club set off on a journey that even the most optimistic of it founders could scarcely believe was possible. Starting off from its humble origins with a junior team and a poor excuse for a football, the goal for the Club was forever to be onwards and upwards, but just how far they could hope to stretch was for another day. In 1952 that day was to shine brightly for the Club.

Previous years had shown the potential that was there in this group of men. Lead from the front by Paddy Dunne whose prowess had been acknowledged by the Laois football management in 1949 with his selection on the senior team, they had a team of accomplished footballers, of no mean ability. With men of the calibre and ability of Gar Kelly, the Mansworth brothers, the Bergin's, Tom Cushen, and many more, this was to prove a team to be reckoned with.

Following promotion from Intermediate ranks in 1947 they had run the four-in-a-row Senior Champions of the previous year, Graiguecullen close in their first round game, with the Champions only squeezing through in the end on a last minute goal. This was to give the Park men great hope for the coming campaigns.

The following year, the Park men’s reputation was to grow even further. Growing in confidence and ability, they began a run that took them all the way to a County semi-final, where they suffered a heart-breaking defeat to near neighbours Stradbally.

However this defeat only spurred them on further come 1952. Under the stewardship of renowned athlete and talented masseuse Will McEvoy, who made sure that each of his players were brought to the brink of their physical peaks.

That year nothing was to stand in the way of the Park men, teams such as Wolfhill fell by the wayside, until the final came into view and only Ballyroan stood in their way. Played on a balmy day in Portlaoise, the game was since described by local scribes as "one of the finest finals seen for a long number of years as both sides featured a grand open style of football, with little room for frills". Long kicking and high fielding were the main features of the contest, which was commenced also for the fine spirit in which it was played. A record crowd was in attendance, and gate receipts on the day were a whopping £160.

The Park team emerged victorious in the end in a rip-roaring contest, with the final score-line of 0-5 to 0-3 scarcely doing justice to the game itself. The team that took to the field on that historic day were: Eddie Mansworth, Lar Cushen, Ned Bergin, Seamus Shortt, Paddy Rankin, Paddy Dunne (Capt), Jim Kelly, Gar Kelly, Mick Bowe, Billy Bunyan, Willy Bergin, Tom Maher, Paddy Morrin, Jack Larkin, Ollie Delaney, Dick Mansworth, Jack Kelly.

It was always said, and still is that, to be a great team, one title is not enough, that the great teams go back for more, to prove that it was not a mere once off. This Park team believed that also, and seeing their chance to make a spot of history went for it all out. Will McEvoy incorporated a plan to keep the players ticking over during the close season, and one that would allow them to peak again, at just the right time.

The team rose to each new challenge as it arrived, brushing aside the not too inconsequential challenges of sides such as Wolfhill and Annanough on their way to final showdown with Portarlington. The Park men came good again in the final, this time defeating the men from the town on a score-line of 0-6 to 0-5. The team had been along the same lines as previous year, only be bolstered by the addition of such men as Paddy Reddy, Joe Fingleton, and Har Fingleton adding to the existing hunger.

The celebrations in the area went on long into the night as the small Club with its humble origins stormed the peaks of Laois GAA.

​