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| Ballyshannon |
| 1940-50 page 3 |
| Growing up in Ballyshannon |
| by Paddy Donagher |
| page 3 |
| page 3 of 3 |
| page 3 Gaelic Games in Ballyshannon from the 1920�s to 1998 The GAA has always been a deep rooted sport in Ballyshannon, the passion and love for which every man and woman, boy and girl has for their football teams past and present has always been the envy of most other towns in the county. The following are our winning teams from the 20�s up until 1998; many of you, have Grandparents, Fathers, Uncles, Brothers and family friends who were part of these teams over the years, I hope the following information will enlighten some and re-new old memories for others. The Ballyshannon Panel of players who won the 1929 County final, and the first team to bring the Dr. Maguire Cup to Ballyshannon: J.Mc Ginley, John Mc Dermott, Black Tom Gallagher, Frank Little, John Cleary, M. Walkins, Dick Burke, Bobby Lawn, J. Rogan, Terry Mc Dermott, Paddy Rooney, Aiden Sweeney, Jim Roddy, I. O�Gorman, D. Higgins, and Dan Kane Cashelard had a very good team during the 1920�s and 1930�s and played all their home games in Annie O� Donnells field in Behy, a County Divisional trial game was played here on 23rd March 1947 Ballyshannon, Corlea and Cashelard players who participated in the trials were Seamus Cleary, J. Cassidy, Mick Melly, Sean Slevin, Jack Gallagher, Mick Slevin, S. Sweeney, E. Leahy, Dan Doherty, Bob Gallagher (All Ballyshannon), Willie Mc Gee (Corlea) Patsy Rooney (Corlea) P. Gallagher (Cashelard), Michael Morrow (Corlea), John Mc Cool (Cashelard), Vincent Mc Cauley (Corlea), Yankee Tom Gallagher (Corlea), Jimmy Mulrone (Corlea), Yankee Jimmy Gallagher (Corlea), Eddie John Gonigle (Corlea), F. Magee (Corlea), Kevin Mc Cann (Corlea), While Cashelard never reached a County Final they were beaten by Dungloe in a disputed County Semi-Final Cashelard beat Ballyshannon in the 1931 Divisional Final, their team was: Willie Gavigan, Joe Torrens, Willie Gallinagh, Dan Mc Cartney, Mick Mc Cartney, Paddy Mc Gurran, Bobby Lawn, Hugh Mc Gurran, Eddie Mc Garrigle, P.J. Campbell, Charlie Boyle, Paddy Rooney, Pat Mc Cauley, B. Flanagan, Joe Maguire, P. Mc Cormick, J. Laughlin The end of an era came about 1952, when the Cashelard team played their last game against the Abbey Shamrocks in Bannigans field in the Legaltion; Immigration was at its peak and took its toll on the team. The Ballyshannon Panel of Players who beat Cashelard in the 1932 Divisional Final and Dungloe in the County Final: Paddy Rooney, John Mc Dermott, Frank Little, John Cleary, Mick Walkin, Black Tom Gallagher, Dan Kane, Terry Mc Dermott, Aiden Sweeney, Johnnie Gallinagh, Packie Mc Gonigle, Alo O�Gorman, Dick Delaney, Gerry Campbell, Gerry Leydon, Arthur Mc Shea, John Sweeney The 1937 County Final was a historic event in that Ballyshannon and Gweedore met for the first time in a final and it was recorded as one of the best County Finals in many years, the winning Ballyshannon panel of players was: John Mc Garrigle, Jimmy Grimes, Mick Melly, Seamus Slevin, Danny Grimes, John Mc Gahern, P.J. Goan, Seamus Kane, Alo O�Gorman, John Mc Dermott, Johnnie Gallinagh, B. Mc Closkey, Terry Mc Dermott, John Crawford, Jack Gallagher, Mick Slevin, Gerry Campbell, The Ballyshannon Panel of players who won the 1939 Final: Hughie Mc Guinness, Johnnie Gallinagh, John Mc Garrigle, Mick Melly, Seamus Kane, Seamus Slevin, Alo O�Gorman, John Mc Dermott, Mick Slevin, Jimmy Daly, Sean Slevin, PJ Goan, Liam Slevin, Bob Gallagher, Red Jack Gallagher, John Mc Guinness, Dan Doherty The 1940�s Ballyshannon Senior football team played and won Seven Divisional Finals, which included a re-play with Donegal Town in 1947, which was the first game held in the new Stonewold Park, Ballyshannon and also played in four County Championship Finals, winning two of them 1942-43. The panel of players were, Hughie Mc Guinness, Seamus Cleary, John Mc Dermott, Mick Melly, Liam Slevin, John Mc Garrigle, Dan Doherty, Seamus Slevin, Johnnie Gallinagh, Liam Mc Gettigan, Bob Gallagher, Mick Slevin, P.J. Goan, Jack Gallagher, Sean Slevin, Seamus Kane, John Mc Dermott, Paddy O� Neill, James Daly, Patrick Stephens, Jim Flynn, Bobby Lawn, Terry Mc Dermott, Tom Gallagher, Paddy Mc Intyre, Brian Mc Shane, Jack Cassidy, P. Mitchell, Alo O� Gorman, Jim Gallagher, Sean Mc Gettigan, Jimmy Mulrone, K. Kelly, Owen Carney, Pat Mc Hugh, John Mc Guinness The Winning Ballyshannon Football team cycled to Glenties for the Semi Final and then to Ballybofey for the 1942 Final against St Eunans. The Inclusion of the Corlea �Eire Og� Team in the Donegal League in 1939 allowed Belleek players to participate with Corlea and Donegal, in particular Patsy Rooney and Jimmy Mulrone of Belleek who went on to play with Donegal and many of the Corlea team also played with Ballyshannon, Yankee Tommy Gallagher on his return to New York played for many years with Cavan and Donegal in New York and was a regular on the New York team who played on a few occasions in Croke Park in the National Football League. A 1944 Corlea Team and their mentors: Daniel Dolan, Vincent Mc Cauley, Patsy Rooney, Yankee Jimmy Gallagher, Mick Morrow, Packie Daly, William Mc Gee, Eddie John Mc Gonigle, Packie Mc Cauley, Patsy Mc Gonigle, Michael Mc Gee, Mickey Ward, Neil Doherty, Yankee Tommy Gallagher, Willie Mc Loughlin, Jimmy Mulrone and Barry Monaghan and Jimmy O�Rourke, Tommy Greenan and Hugh Daly. Corlea played in the 1942-1945-1946 and 1947 County Junior Finals The Corlea Team and Subs who won the 1947 Junior Championship: John Boyle, Michael Morrow, Yankee Tommy Gallagher, Mick Sheerin, Vincent Mc Cauley, Patsy Rooney, Sean Flynn, Yankee Jimmy Gallagher, Jimmy Mulrone, Patsy Gonigle, Eddie John Gonigle, Niall Doherty, Patsy Doogan, T. Bradley, D.Mc Gloin A 1950 Corlea Team Selection: Patsy Rooney, M. Rooney, Sean Flynn, John Boyle, Ernie Mc Garrigle, Patsy Gonigle, Jimmy Mulrone Philip Dolan, Michael Morrow, Yankee Tommy Gallagher, Mick Sheerin, Yankee Jimmy Gallagher, Paddy Mc Carville, Leo Dolan, Billy Donagher, Johnny Mc Cauley, John Doogan, J.P.Mc Cann, Eddie Mc Cafferty, Sean Mc Cafferty, Joe Tunney and Frankie Gonigle After many years participation in Donegal football a decision was made by the Ulster Council in 1948 that Corlea had to play in the Fermanagh League Due to heavy Immigration from the Corlea area and also a number of players decided to play with Belleek, the Corlea team was disbanded during 1952/53. Ballyshannon played in Erne Park up until 1946 when the pitch was taken over by the ESB as part of the Power Station site they were without an official Football Pitch but played their home games in the Brother�s field, Munday�s Field and in Bundoran, then in 1954 the Father Tierney Park was officially opened. The 1950�s Ballyshannon team played in 3 Championship finals winning one; the panel of players during the 50�s was: Seamus Cleary, Sean Mc Hugh, Pauric O�Connell, Bob Gallagher, Sean Slevin, Gerry Lapin, Jim Gallagher, Tom Martin, Eamonn O� Connell, Jackie Mc Dermott, Mick Slevin, Dermott Moriarty, Jack Gallagher, Tom Gallagher, Eddie John Gonigle, Kieran Mc Cready, Sean Kane, Danny Bannigan, John Murphy, Dermott Sweeney, Jackie Mc Dermott, Tommy Casey, Matt Regan, Sean Mc Cormick, B. Boylan, Jim Gallagher, E. Quirk, Michael Cooney, Owen Roe O� Neill, O. Daly, T. Loughlin, Paddy Mc Cready, Mick Regan, B. Stephens, J. Reilly, Paddy Parks, F. Mc Keon, Sean Mc Dermott The Father Tierney Park was officially opened on Sunday 9th May 1954, Donegal played Armagh. The Park was named after Father Cornelius Tierney who was a Curate here from 1911 until 1918, after which he went to China to serve in the Missions, he was captured by Chinese Communists during 1930 and kept as a hostage for some time, he died from Malaria on 28th February 1931. A dedication in the Football Programme of that day 9th May 1954 in Honour of Father Tierney read, �Today we honour the memory of a great priest, whose burning devotion to the ideal of an Ireland Gaelic and Free, marked him as a man among leaders of the National resurgence movement. As President of the local Craobh of the Gaelic League, during the years when hundreds of Irishmen made the supreme sacrifice, he inspired the youth of the town to be loyal to the language, games and traditions of Roisin Dubh� The Abbey Shamrocks were going strong at this time, they played their football in Bannigan�s field in the Legaltion, some of the players who were playing with the Shamrocks then were: Hughie Mc Cafferty, P.J. Gillespie, Pat Geraghty, Thomas Ward, Eunan Mc Cafferty, Danny Mc Cartney, Dessie Drummond, Danny Bannigan, Paddy Parkes, Barney Mangan, Daniel Mc Groary, Paddy Drummond, Benny Mc Gloin, Bill Mc Gonigle, Pat Ward, Frank mc Gloin, Eddie Mc Gonigle, Pat Mc Cartney, P.J. Fox, Frank Fox, Owen Bannigan, Dinny Ward, Liam Mc Groarty, Seamie Mangan, Bobby Hoey, Tom Mc Ginty, Hugh John Mc Gonigle, John �Mag� Patton, Owenie Mc Cartney, Dan Mc Cormick, and Jack Moloney, Manager. |
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| From 1957 when Ballyshannon lost to Dungloe in the County Final there was a lull in County Finals for Ballyshannon, in 1963 the amalgamation of Ballyshannon and Bundoran took place to form St. Joseph�s, this team went on to win eight County Championships between 1963 and 1976, and the first unofficial All-Ireland Club Final, the end of the amalgamation came in 1978. Ballyshannon were back as they should be, winning the County Title in 1986, the team and subs were: Sean Slevin, John Forkin, Val Murray, Pauric Daly, Alan Murray, Eunan Gallagher, Brian Murray, Gary Walsh, Conor Boyle, Paschal Mc Tiernan, Dermot Slevin, Brian Tuohy, Sylvester Maguire, Thomas Gallagher, Joe Curran, Eunan Walsh, Tommy Mc Dermott, Sean Boyle, Gerry Curran, Colm Herron, Padraig Mc Loone, Seamus Gallagher, Diarmaid Keon and Brendan Martin It was like the old days again when Ballyshannon repeated the victory in 1987, the team and subs were: Gary Walsh, Joe Curran, Tommy Mc Dermott, Pauric Daly, Diarmuid Keon, Ciaran Tinney, Conor Carney, Sylvester Maguire, Brian Tuohy, Gerry Curran, Brian Murray, Eunan Doyle, Brendan Martin, Joe Doherty, Sean Boyle, Seamus Flynn and Eunan Walsh The 1990�s were a great time for Ballyshannon Football as they were involved in four county finals, winning three of them The 1994 winning team and subs: Paul Kane, Donagh Keon, Eamonn O�Donnell, Ciaran Keon, Martin Mc Glynn, Gavin Bourke, Diarmuid Keon, Sylvester Maguire, Charlie O� Donnell, Brian Roper, Damien Conlon, Malachy Cullen, John Duffy, Donal Buggy, Val Murray, Barry Ward, Shane Mc Gee, Paul O�Loughlin The 1997 winning team and subs: Paul Kane, Donagh Keon, Paul O�Loughlin. Donal Buggy, Martin Mc Glynn, Ciaran Keon, Gavin Burke, Charlie O�Donnell, Barry Ward, Anthony Mc Grath, John Duffy, Damien Conlon, Val Murray, Sylvester Maguire, Brian Roper, Diarmuid Keon, Stephen Ward, Eunan Doyle The 1998 winning team and subs: Gary Walsh, Anthony Mc Grath, Eamonn O�Donnell, Brendan Boyle, Martin Mc Glynn, Patrick Mc Grath, Gavin Burke, Barry Ward, Stephen Ward, John Duffy, Niall Mc Cready, Brian Roper, Michael ward, Damien Conlon, Val Murray, Charley O�Donnell, Sylvester Maguire and Donal Buggy Ballyshannon Minor Team�s who won Four- in- a �Row 1979 to 1982 The 1979 winning panel of players: Pauric Gallagher, Sylvester Maguire, Brian Tuohy, Thomas Mc Mahon, Paschal Mc Tiernan, Thomas Cleary, John Lee, Conor Mc Mahon, Matt Gallagher, Martin Willamson, Eunan Gallagher, Brian Murray, Conor Boyle, P.J. Ward, Paul Tuohy, Tommy Mc Dermott, Eamonn Maguire, Dara Daly, Gerry Curran, Thomas Gallagher, Pauric Mc Loone, Eunan Doyle, Pauric Bromley. The 1980 winning panel of players: Brian Murray, Paul Tuohy, Sylvester Maguire, Tomas Cleary, Eunan Gallagher, Conor Boyle, Martin Willamson, Brian Tuohy, Pauric Bromley, Eamonn Maguire, P.J. Ward, Tommy Mc Dermott, Matt Gallagher, Thomas Gallagher, Pauric Mc Loone. The 1981 winning panel of players: Seamus Gallagher, Declan Gallagher, Declan Walsh, Conor Boyle, Brian Murray, Seamus Gallagher, Gary Walsh, Sylvester Maguire, Dermott Slevin, Paul Tuohy, Michael Daly, Frankie Gallagher, Joe Curran, P.J. Ward, Eunan Gallagher, Pauric Mc Loone, Ciaran Tinney, Eunan Doyle, Terry Mc Shea, Alan Murray. The 1982 winning panel of players: Patrick Daly, David Meade, Gary Walsh, Alan Murray, Seamus Mc Gonigle, Liam Mc Gill, Martin Lee, Declan Walsh, Paul Gallagher, Conor Boyle, Gavan Murphy, Seamus Gallagher, Patrick Mc Govern, Brendan Drummond, Joe Curran, Brian Murray, Frankie Gallagher, John Drummond, Mark Cleary, Terry Mc Shea, Declan Gallagher. Ballyshannon Under 13�s Football Team who won the All-Ireland Community Games Football Title in 1990 at Mosney Co. Meath John Maguire, Anthony Sheerin, Kevin Rose, Kenneth Mc Gurrin, David Greene, James Shannon, Stephen Ward, Sean Perry, Brendan Boyle, David Hoey, Barry Travers, Michael Ward, Christy Coughlin, Gavin Rogers, Dermott Fox, Manager Jim Kane. To win this title was a remarkable achievement in itself, as Ballyshannon travelled with the bare fifteen players, no subs, and beat the might of Ireland in their particular age group. We must not forget to mention the Men and Women of this great club, from the President to the Groundskeepers to all the Committee Members and to the people who have dedicated their time to the training of our teams down through the years, regardless of the weather conditions, these people have always been to the front in looking after our Footballer�s, Hurlers and Camogie Players and especially our Under-Age players, it would be impossible to mention all the names who have been involved with the club down through the years in this capacity, but as we all know, a club is only as good as those who are actively involved in the running of it, and thankfully we have always had those kind of people in Ballyshannon. A Reflection: I was born before Contac Lenses, Frozen Food, Computers, and the Pill, There were no Credit Cards, Laser Beams, Electric Blankets, Pantyhose or Dishwashers and man hadn�t walked on the moon. We had respect for our elders and it was as natural as eating breakfast to say �Hello�, We enjoyed the Big Band scene, The Royal, the Clipper Carlton and The mighty Avon�s, there was no �Head Banging� going on while listening to Big Tom, we enjoyed our Rock N� Roll music and the old Jive. We were before Computer-Dating, Gay-rights, Day-Care Centres, and Group-Therapy, Good manners, the difference between right and wrong and taking responsibility for our actions were a way of life. We never heard of FM Radios, Tape Decks, CD�s or fellows wearing earrings, The term �Making Out� referred to how you did on your school exam. We thought, �Having a Meaningful Relationship,� meant getting along with our cousins. We also thought that �Fast Food� was what people ate during Lent. Pizza was unheard off and Mac Donald�s was a Scotch family visiting Ballyshannon during the summer, Closets were for clothes, not for �Coming Out Of�, �Getting High�, was going up Breesy Mountain for a climb. To �Chill Out� a swim at Creevy on a hot summers day would have been the answer, Sundays were always a special day for Prayer and visiting Grandparents, family and friends In those days �Grass� was mowed, �Coke� was a drink; �Pot� was something your Mother cooked the dinner in, and an �E tab� could have been something out of a Morse Code Manual. |
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| Donegal County Champions 1932 Back Row: Willie Kerriagn, Jim McFadden, Br. Lucien, Willian Norton Middle Row: John Cleary, Johnny Gallinagh, John McDermott, Fr. Frank, Little, Mick Walkins, 'Black' Tom Gallagher, Dan Kane Front Row: Gerry leyden, Alo O'Gorman, Arthur McShea, Terry McDermott (Capt), John Sweeney, Aiden Sweeney, Paddy Rooney |
| Below picture of Ballyshannon All Ireland U13 Gaelic Football Champions 1990 |
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