 The prime mover behind forming the club was John Lumsden, then serving as a medical officer at St James's Gate Brewery.The club first gained national recognition in 1909–10 when they won both the Leinster Senior League title and the Irish Intermediate Cup.In 1919–20, with a team that included Charlie Dowdall, Paddy Duncan and Ernie MacKay, Gate won four trophies – the Leinster Senior League title, the Irish Intermediate Cup, the Leinster Senior Cup and the LFA Metropolitan Cup.