the gaa in the glens of antrim

The History of Gaelic Games in the

Glens of Antrim

Origins of Hurling

•5th century B.C. – representation of a “stick and ball” game Athens •Trinity College Library, Dublin – manuscript describes a contest in Cong, Mayo in 1272 B.C. between The Firbolgs and Tuatha de Danann

•Brehon Laws (B.C.) – catered for those injured in hurling matches

•Cuchullain – folklore story with a hurl of bronze and a ball of silver

•1366 – Statutes of Kilkenny banned the wearing of Irish Dress and the use of the Brehon Laws

•1527 -,Galway Statutes banned the “horling of the litill ball with hockie sticks or staves

•Wild Geese – post siege of Limerick, demonstrated hurling in the continent as it was played in Erin go Bragh

Earliest Representation of a Stick & Ball GameAthens Archaeological Museum

Found Athens 1922, dates from 5th Century B.C

Stick & Ball GameMedieval Denmark 1333

15th Century Grave SlabClonca Church Ruin, Malin Head

inscription reads – made by Fearghas MacAllainTo the memory of Manas MacMhoireasdain of Iona

Shinney (Camanachd)

•Also referred to as Shinty, Shinny and hurling

•Mull of Kintyre & Antrim Coast use the term Shinney

•Scots believe it was brought from N.E Ireland 1500 years ago

•Winter game especially at Christmas and the New Year

•Aird a Chumhaing – refers to hurling / camanachd as a Winter Christmas recreation

Local References

•Shaw Mason Parochial Survey 1817 – “ a great concourse of people assemble on the strand at Whitepark to play cammon or shinney

•Ordnance Survey Memoirs 1830 – record caman being played at Ballymoney, Carrickfergus and Loughgiel.

•Lord Cushendun’s memoirs (unpublished) writes that his grandfather Edmund Alexander McNeill (1785-1879) was best boxer and hurler in the Glens

•1882 Government Official investigating the “Distress in Co. Antrim” reported that in Ballyeamon he found that shinney was still being played where the reputation of the whole parish was at stake

The GAA Nationally

•Founded 01.11.1884 in Miss Hayes Commercial Hotel, Thurles

•Michael Cusack, Maurice Davin, John McKay, John Wyse Power, John K. Bracken, P.J. O’Ryan, Thomas St George McCarthy

•Previous Attempts (8) all failed to produce a National Athletics Organisation

•Included organisations like Dublin Amateur Athletics Club 1867, A.A.A. of Ireland 1881 – Cusack involved in 6 of these

•1881 Cusack actually advocated cricket as Ireland's national sport

•Patrons secured – Archbishop Thomas W. Croke, Charles Stewart Parnell and Michael Davitt

•2nd Meeting in Victoria Hotel Cork, January 1885 effectively taken over by the Irish Parliamentary Party

•3rd Meeting before the GAA marked it’s cards with the I.P.P. And I.R.B.

Miss Hayes Commercial Hotel, Thurles 1884Maurice Davin and Michael Cusack

Market Day, Thurles 1894

GAA in the Glens of Antrim

•Glenarm Shauns was first team to be formed in 1903

•1904 first Feis na Gleann

•Cushendun defeated Glenarm in the semi-final

• Carey defeated Glenariffe in the other semi-final

•Some reports that Glenarm played Carey in final have since been corrected

•Irish Weekly August 1904 reported that “...Cushendun lost in the final of the Shield of Heroes

•Corroborated by Dan McCarry in interview for The Emmet Review

•Feis provided the impetus for the whole Gaelic Movement

Francis Joseph Biggar 1863 -1926Founder of Feis na Gleann

7th son of a 71th son, b. Mallusk Co Antrim, educated R.BA.I., Solicitor, Freemason, Gael

Miss Ada McNeill 1860 - 1959Secretary to the first Feis Committee 1904

b. England, 1st cousin Lord Cushendun, member of Gaelic League and enthusiastic revivalist

Feis na nGleann

•Founded by Francis Joseph Biggar a Protestant gentleman from Belfast 1904

•Committee : President Miss Barbara McDonnell, Cushendall

Secretary Miss Ada McNeill, CushendunTreasurer Joseph Duffy, CushendallCommittee Representatives from each of the

GlensDenis Black, GlendunWilliam McLaughlin, Glendun

•1905 – committee elected under presidency of Fr Magill Culfeightrin

•Tournament organised in Glenarm

•Participants Glenariffe Oisins, Feystown Eoin Roe’sMullaghsandal Shamrocks, Glenarm Shane O’Neill’s

Glenarm were winners of the Athy Cup

Roger Casement 1864 - 1916Umpire at Feis na nGleann 1904 (referee was Dan Dempsey)

Roger Casement’s Boat, Fainne Gael an LaeFeis na nGleann 1904 – Casement led a party of Irish Speakers from Rathlin

Preparing for the first Feis 1904Includes: Roger Casement, Margaret Dobbs, Ada Mcneill, Annie McGavock, Rose Young, John

(Benmore) ClarkeFrancis J. Biggar, Padraic McCormaic, Harry Scally, Andy Dooey, Joseph Duffy, Denis Maginnis,

Stephen ClarkeRev, Tom Toal, Rev McGrattan

Feis na Gleann Parade, Red Bay, Glenariffe

Main Street, Waterfoot

Feis na Gleann 1904Holden’s Hall, Glenariffe

Cassie McNeill, Glenarm Feis na nGleann 1904

Boy Dancer Feis na nGleann

Practising in Neil John O’Boyle’s FieldEarly 20th Century

Preparing for Match, Glenariffe 1904

Tussle at Feis, Glenariffe 1904

Parading Through Red Arch, Feis na nGleann

Beginning of Hurling Match Neil John O’Boyle’s Field, Glenariffe 1906

Prior to Parade Outside Legge House,Cushendall 1906

Outside former Coast Guard Station, Cushendun – Currently Maud Cottages 1906Preparing for Parade to Cushendall Feis

Inscription read Gan Teagan,Gan Tir – Without A Language, Without A Country

Match Parade at Feis, Cushendall 1906

Feis na nGleann, Cushendall 1906Senior Hurling Match (now 4th Fairway of Golf Course)

Feis na Gleann, 1906, CushendallNote temporary bridge to what is now the 4th fairway on Golf Course

Feis na Gleann 1906Shore Street, Cushendall

Feis na nGleann Cushendall, 1906Minor Hurling Match

O’Neill War Pipers, ArmaghFeis na nGleann

Feis na nGleann – Pipes and Drums

Feis na Gleann Committee 1932Altmore street Glenarm

L-R: Johnny (Benmore) Clarke, Rev, L. Kirkwood, Miss Madge Logue, Rev. Diamond, Hugh Flatley, Annie McAllister (Waterfoot)Rev. Clenaghan, Maggie O’Boyle (Glenarm), Archie McKinley (Carnlough)

Formation of North Antrim GAA Divisional Board

•Antrim County Convention 1906 resolution passed to form N. A. Committee

•Inaugural Meeting Cushendall 01.04.1906

•In attendance Mr George Martin, Ulster Council secretaryMr B. O’Brien, Antrim County Board secretaryMr George Martin, Belfast and Presiding officer

•Committee Elected President Fr Patrick Magill, PP Culfeightrin

Chairman Mr Patrick Moore, CareySecretary Mr J.J. Dodd, GlenarmTreasurer Mr Dominic Quinn, CushendunCommittee Mr Moore

Mr QuinnMr MagillMr McAllisterMr McAleese

Irish News Thursday April 5th 1905 – “Organising North Antrim”

North Antrim 1906

•Inaugural Meeting Cushendall School Sunday 15th April 1906

•Affiliated Teams Carey (Fag a’Ballach)Mullaghsandal (Shamrocks)Cushendun (Brian Boru)Glenarm (Shane O’Neill)Loughgiel (Tir na nOg)Feystown (Eoin Roe O’Neill’s)Carnagear (Sarsfield’s)

•Meeting 2 Cushendall 2nd June 1906

•Additional Teams Glenariffe (Oisins)Cushendall (Ruairi Og)

•North Antrim Championship Final 1906Carey 5-7 Mullaghsandal 1-2

•Feis Cushendall 27th June 1906North Antrim 7 South Antrim (Tir na

nOg) 24

North Antrim Team 1906Arthur Harvey, Jimmy (Barney) McAuley, John McDade, James B. Delargy (Glenariffe)Tom Hernon, Archie McKay, A. McNeill (Cushendun)

J. McKeegan, A. McAlister (Cushendall)H. McCollam, H. McKay, J.McAleese, H. McKee (Loughgiel)

H. McAllister, J Magill, D. McAllister, (Mullaghsandal)A. Robinson, J O’Hara (Glenarm

C. Magill, W. Bell (Feystown) also Mulvenna and J.McAllister - subs

North Antrim Hurling Select 1906

North Antrim 1907

•McQuillan's , Ballycastle entered into competitions

•N. A. Final Cushendun 3.07 Carey 2.06 (Cushendall)

•County Final Crowley’s 32 Cushendun 9 (Belfast)

North Antrim 1908

•N.A. Final Cushendun defeated Glenarm by a point (Cushendall)

•County Final Seaghan an Diomais 2.11 Cushendun 1.01(Glenarm)

•Cushendall won Coulter Cup presented to Captain later Fr George McKillop

•North Antrim 1909

•Cushendun withdrew some players going to Ballycastle.

•Loughgiel Dalriadians joined League competition

•

North Antrim 1909

•Cushendun withdrew with some players going to Ballycastle.

•Loughgiel Dalriadians joined League competition for trophy presented by Fr Eardley P.P. Culfeightrin

•N.A Final Carey defeated Loughgiel Tir na nOg, lost County Final to Brian Og of Belfast 3-08 to 1-09

North Antrim 1910

•N.A. Final Ballycastle 7.05 Glenarm 2.04 (Loughgiel)

•County Final Seaghans 6.02 Ballycastle 2.06 (Glenarm)

•Goals reverted to current Format – Points post abolished

North Antrim 1911

•Dunloy Cuchullain's join competition and win N.A. Title but defeated in County Final by Mitchel’s

North Antrim 1912

•Economic Strife and widespread emigration

•Participating teams: Ballycastle McQuillan’s, Carey, Loughgiel Shamrocks, Rasharkin St Olcan’s , Armoy Lamh Dhearg, Ballycastle Og

•Cushendun and Cushendall were gone and Loughgiel Shamrocks were also gone before the end of the year but returned in 1916

•Ballycastle won N.A. Championship after Carey failed to field

•Mitchel’s retained County title

North Antrim 1913 – 15•Teams reduced from 17–a-side to 15-a-side ( prior to 1892 it was 21-a-side)

•Ballycastle win N.A and County title beating Seaghan’s by a point and retained the title in 1914

•Ballycastle N.A. Champions but lost to Seaghan’s

News paper Cutting19 July 1912

North Antrim 1916 - 17

•Carey, Cushendun, Loughgiel, Glenariffe re-entered

•N.A. Final Carey beat Loughgiel 2.00 to 1.01 and go on to win 2nd County title

•Carey lose County final to Stephen’s 4.02 to 4.01

North Antrim1918 - 1925

•Little Activity for next 8 years including Feis

•1922 just 4 N.A teams registered – Loughgiel, Ballycastle, Glenarm, Dunloy

•Loughgiel win County Championships in 1920, 1924 and 1925

•Mullaghsandal win N.A title in 1921 after Loughgiel failed to field

•Torr Emmet’s appear briefly in early 20s

•1924 N.A. Championship not played until 1925

North Antrim 1926

•Committee reconstituted

•League reorganised with Ballycastle A and B, Carey, Cushendun, Loughgiel, Glenariffe, Dunloy, Glenarm and Glenann

•Glenann organised by Dan McAllister and Hugh McSparran but disputes with other clubs caused divided loyalties and the team only lasted a year.

In Glenann, Ballyeamon and round about,A team of hurlers was rigged out,

It caused a boom in the hurling trade,A whole new set of sticks was made.

There was Paddy Randy and Dan’s Dan,Hughie Billy from sweet Glenann,

John Lynn from Tromra Brae,And Charlie Tin Boots, from far away.

•Loughgiel win N.A. Final after Ballycastle failed to field over dispute about venue. They go on to defeat Randalstown in the final but objection lodged by Randalstown over illegal (Carey) players precipitates replay. Loughgiel failed to field for replay.

Hugh McSparran, Lubane, Glenann (butcher, miller)Organiser of Glenann Hurling Team circa 1926

North Antrim 1927

•Cushendun “Gaels” get services of 5 Loughgiel players after internal dispute

Gerard, Jim and Frank Connolly and J.P. McAllister and J. McAleese

•Cushendall re-enter led by Alex (Waxy) Butler from Ballycastle

•Loughgiel defeat Carey in N.A. Final but lose to O’Connell’s in County Final

North Antrim 1928

•Feis na nGleann revived and held in Cushendall

•Traditional North Antrim v South Antrim abandoned as ball was lost but South awarded Sean an Diomais Cup as they were leading 9-5

•N.A Championship (played on a league basis), Glenarm winning but lose County final to O’Connell’s at Corrigan Park 5.06 to 3.03

•Football league played during the Winter in North Antrim for first time

North Antrim 1929

•Loughgiel win N.A, and defeat O’Connell’s in County final

•7-a-side Competitions played in Ballycastle and Cushendall

•Cushendun participate as the Emmet’s and win N.A. League

•First Minor championship won by Roddy McCorley’s, Ballycastle

North Antrim 1930

•Dunloy defeat Loughgiel in N.A final but lose to O’Connell’s in County Final

•Dunloy make it a double by winning N.A. League final defeating Cushendun

North Antrim - Teams No Longer In Existence

Carnagear Sarsfields ( circa 1903)•Always struggled to keep a team together. Initially they had no home pitch

•Players included John, Charlie, Sammy, Frank and Alex McAllister, Bob, Pat and John Scullion, John Semple, Pat and Dan O’Boyle (Slemish)

•Dissipated after 2 season due to emigration

Braid Celtic - Ballyfore (circa 1907)•Joined North Antrim League 1907

•Players included Paddy Gribben, John, James and Charlie Rowan, Hughie, James, John and Barney Dobbin

There was a very gallant team,Their names I’ll tell to you

There was Big Johnny, James and CharliePatrick, George and Hugh

Paddy Gribben, Barney McKeownAnd the man who made the ball

And the place they went to practise first,Was in the McKeownstown Fall

North Antrim - Teams No Longer in Existence

Mullaghsandal Shamrocks (circa 1904)•Formed and captained by ‘the fleet-footed Jimmy Magill’

•Lost North Antrim League Final to Carey in 1906

•Played in 2 different fields at Pat McAllister’s farm Loughdoo and Billy McAllister’s at Ligg

Feystown Owen Roes (circa 1905)•Players included Mulvenna brothers from Claudy, Feeney brothers from Aughboy and Bell brothers from Cairncastle

•Wore green jerseys with a harp on front and known as Feystown harps

McCracken’s Glenbush (1944) – won N.A Junior Championship Glenshesk (1943)Cloughmills (1944)Ballintoy(1944)

The GAA in Carnlough

Carnlough Harps•Formed 1906-07 – had 2 players in N.A. Team 1907 (Gibbons & McMullan)•1922 William Martin presented ‘Martin Cup’ to N.A. Committee•J. Martin elected secretary North Antrim Board 1924

1932 - Michael Collins Carnlough (formed by Rev J. Clenaghan, Archie McKinley, Carey)•Played football from 1935 – mid ‘40s; no record of hurling in the ‘40s or thereafter•Sports Park secured at Stoneyhill•Antrim County Convention held in Carnlough 1934•Archie McKinley elected North Antrim Chairman 1943•1948 – Jackie Darragh, P. O’Kane and Liam Forde played for N.A. Against S.W. Antrim•1950 – Austin McKinley (son of Archie) played with Antrim footballers 1950s•From mid 50s to mid 60s no mention of Carnlough in leagues

1966 – Carnlough GAC •rejoined leagues withdrawing in 1974 (lost Junior Football final)•c1967 - Defeated Dunloy by a point in Championship •Players included – Tony Hoey, Frank Ward, Sean O’Neill, Ritchie Hamill, Willie Cassidy•Club built in late Sixties on Ballymena line but bombed c1972

North Antrim – Teams No Longer in Existence

St Ciaran’s Ballyeamon (1944)•Players came from Ballyeamon apart from 4 Kinney brothers from Layde•Lasted not much more than a year•Involved in a famous fracas involving Patsy Kinney and Gus McKay (C’Dun)

The Ballyeamon Jersey ‘Myth’

•Ballyeamon did wear jerseys with green and black hoops•Cushendall’s colours were described in a referee’s report as “motley”•Cushendun wore red jerseys with a green hoop originally

•Cushendun acquired jerseys from an Armoy team and Mrs A. McSparran dyed them green and black

•Gradually though, some of the Ballyeamon jerseys were “acquired” after they went out of existence.

•Some jerseys bought by Fr John McSparran at Athletic Stores in Belfast who stocked a North Down rugby team’s jerseys.

•No jerseys stolen and the “stealing” of the colours was done by Ballyeamon

Back Row L-R: Charlie Delargy (Altmore), Jamie O’Rawe (Tully House), Pat McNaughton (Cairns), Danny McKillop (Glenburn), Arthur Delargy (Altmore)

Front Row L-R: Hal Harvey Glenariffe, John McKeegan (Tully), David McIlwaine (Tully), Hugh McKeegan (Tully)Richard McCurry (Tavnagharry), Kevin McCollam (Glenariffe)

Seated L-R: Charlie Hamill (Cushendall), Henry O’Rawe (Tully House)

St Ciaran’s Ballyeamon

Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm

Founded - 1903

Founders – John ‘Benmore’ Clarke, Francis Joseph Biggar, James McRann

Ground – Feystown

1928 - North Antrim Senior Championship

1933 – North Antrim Senior Championship

1945 – County Minor Hurling Championship

1957 – County Junior Championship

1975 – North Antrim Junior Football Championship

1976 – Intermediate Hurling Championship


John ‘Benmore’ Clarke 1868 -1934

Founding father of Shane O’Neill’s

Carey Faugh’s

Founded - 1903

Founders - Denis Maguire, Patrick Moore assisted by Fr Eardly

Ground - St Patrick’s Park, Ballyvoy

1904 - Winners of “Shield of the Heroes” at Feis na nGleann

1906 – first North Antrim team to win the County championship defeating Crowley's

1916 – 2nd County Championship defeating Belfast Harps in the final

1923 – 3rd and last County Championship defeating O’Connell’s in the final

1954 – Senior Feis Cup


Shield of the Heroes - 1904

Carey Faughs 1906

Carey Faugh’s 1906Back Row L-R: Alex McBride, John McBride, Alex McKinley, Dan McCarry, John McDonnell, Dan Lamont, John Lynn

Middle Row L-R: James McAllister, Hugh McCormick, paddy Butler, James McCarry, Paddy Lynn, Dan Gillan, Neil McNaughtonFront Row L-R: Pat McCarry, Frank Black, Pat Moore

Antrim Senior Hurling Champions 1924, Carey Faughs

Senior Feis Cup Winners 1954, Carey Faughs

Robert Emmet’s, Cushendun

Founded – 1904 also known as Brian Boru’s, Gaels

Founders – Dominic Quinn, Denis Black, Willie McLaughlin

Ground – Lig an Airgid

1907/08 – North Antrim Championship

1931 – Antrim Senior Championship

1963 - North Antrim Junior Championship

1973 – Antrim Intermediate Championship

1989 – Antrim Minor Championship (St Pat’s)



Cushendun Hurlers circa 1904

Training at McBride’s Field Cushendun 1904

Cushendun Emmet’s circa 1928 – after trainingYard at The Strand House, Cushendun

Back L-R: Dan McAfee, Jimmy (Scotland) McMullan, unknown..Middle L-R: Archie McSparran, Charlie Leavey, unknown, Hugh McGavock

Front L-R: Harry Scally, Jim McKendry, Dan McCormick, Jim (Bach) McMullan, Alex McKay

Cushendun Emmet’s 1928Back L-R: Jim McKendry, Harry Scally, John (Packer) McLaughlin, Johnny

McKiernan, Archie McSparran, Denis McKeegan, Hugh McGavock Front L-R:Alex Delargy, Dan McCormick, Archie (The Guy) McNaughton, Denis Black (mentor) Alex McKay, Pat McLarnon, Alex O’Hara, Neil Delargy

Cushendun Emmet’s c1929

Back L-R:Hugh McGavock, Alex McKay, Denis McKeegan, Neil Delargy Johnny (Baker) McNeill, Archie McNaughton, Dan McCormick, Stephen

Cochrane, John (Packer) McLaughlinFront L-R:Johnny McKiernan, Alex Delargy, Jim McKendry, Pat McLarnon,

Archie McSparran

Cushendun Emmet’s 1930

Sports Day Cushendun c1945Lawn at Glenmona House

“The Rigs”, Cushendun Hurling Field c1931Note – the field runs parallel with the beach

Official Opening New Pavilion Cushendun 1994L-R: Rev P. Delargy, Rev B. Mooney, Rev J. McGurnaghan, Oliver Kelly, Malachy McSparran

Michael Brogan, Anne Marie McKendry, Jack Boothman, Ian McQuiston, Brigid McSparran, Nuala BoothmanSeamus Graham, Tom McLean

Oisins, Glenariffe

Founded – 1904 preceded by Michael Dwyer's and the Auld Oisins

Founders – Master Dan Delargy, John McKillen

Ground – McAllister and McVeigh Memorial Park

1935 – County Senior Hurling Championship

1937 – County Senior Hurling Championship

1955 – County junior Championship


1975 - Senior Feis Cup


Antrim Senior Hurling Champions 1937, Oisins Glenariffe Back L-R: Alex McMullan, Charlie McDonnell, Dan McAlister, Willie Graham, pat McAlister,

Robert McMullan, Charlie Black, Mick McKillop, Bob Graham, Fr MaguinessFront L-R: Alex McDonnell, Mick Graham, Aneas Black, Jim McMullan, Archie Darragh,

Charlie McAlister, Dan McKillop, George Harvey

County Junior Hurling Champions 1959 Oisins Glenariffe

Ruairi Og, Cushendall

Founded – 1906

Founders – Fr George McKillop

Ground – Pairc Naomh Mhuire

1946 – Countess of Antrim Cup

1948 – North Antrim Senior Football Championship



1981 – Antrim Senior Hurling Championship

1991/93 – 3 consecutive Antrim Senior Hurling Championships

Minor Team, Ruairi Og Cushendall circa 1935Back L-R: Neilly Mullan, Chris Mullan, Benny O’Loan, John McNaughton, Willie McKillop,

Paddy McCollam, Dan McNaughton, Dan McAlister, Pat McNaughtonFront L-R: Tommy Scollay, Mick McKillop, Mannix McAlister,

Denis Gore, Harry Blaney, Danny Anderson

Ruairi Og Cushendall 1940

”Magnificent Seven” 1947 Ruairi Og Cushendall

Ruairi Og Cushendall 1960

Senior Feis Cup Winners 1970, Ruairi Og Cushendall

1963 County Minor Hurling Champions, Ruairi Og, Cushendall

Ruairi Og Cushendall 1975Back L-R: Brendan McAuley, Sean McNaughton, Archie McNaughton, Kieran Kearney, Paddy McAteer,

Kieran Dempsey, Jamie Quinn, Brendan McGaughey, Archie McKeeganFront L-R: Malachy Delargy, Cathal McNaughton, John Delargy, Danny McNaughton, Kevin McNaughton

Donal McNaughton, Jock McKay

McQuillan’s, Ballycastle

Founded – 1907

Founders – Eddie Donnelly, William Scally, John Jennings, Pat Duffin

Ground – Pairc MacUilin

1909 - North Antrim Hurling Championship

1913 – County Senior Hurling Championship, retained 1914

1934 – County Junior Football Championship

1952 -1954 – 3 consecutive County Senior Hurling Championships

1986 – last Senior Hurling Championship

Sinn Fein Sports, BallycastleTug – o – warSept 6th, 1924

Ballycastle McQuillan’s Minor Team 1940Back L-R:Seamus Clarke, Kevin O’Connor, Brendan Donnelly, Frankie Fleming, Dessie Donnelly, John Kearns

Middle L-R: Jimmy Kelly, Sean Barton, P. McFaul, Frank Butler, Phelim McAuleyFront L-R: Brian Kearns, Liam McCormick, Mickey Butler, Paddy Jennings

Ballycastle McQuillan’s Antrim Senior Hurling Champions 1964Back Row L-R: Jimmy Harkin, Eddie Donnelly, Paddy McShane, Jim McToal, Kevin Donnelly, Sean McShane, Brendan DonnellyFront Row L-R: James Brown, Dessie Elliott, Colm Lynn, Robbie Elliott, Rab Coyles, Seamus McShane, John Harkin, Brendan Elliott

Ballycastle McQuillan’s – Antrim Senior Hurling Champions 1964L-R Jim Toal, Fr Charlie Denver, Brian McShane, Robbie Elliot, Seamus Clarke, Eddie Donnell, Club Sponsor

Dunloy Cuchullain's

Founded – 1908

Founders – Andy Dooey, Paddy McCamphill, Bob Black, Dan Boyle

Ground – Pearse Park

1911 – North Antrim Championship Hurling title

1923 – All County junior Football Championship

1924 – All County Senior Football Championship

1925 – retained All County Senior Football Championship

1936 – last All County Senior Football Championship

1990 – first All County Senior Hurling Championship

2009 – Senior Hurling champions

Cuchullain's Dunloy – Football 1922-1927

Cuchullain's Dunloy – Football 1935

Cuchullain's Dunloy – Late 40s

Shamrocks Loughgiel

Founded – 1915 preceded by Tir na nOg and Dalriada (1907)

Founders – Eddie Connolly, Harry Connolly, John Campbell

Ground – Fr Healy & Fr Barrett Parks

1919 - North Antrim League

1920 – Antrim Senior Hurling Championship

1924/25 – Antrim Senior Hurling Championship


1966-68 – 3 consecutive County Senior Championships

1983 – All Ireland Club Championship

1989 – Last Antrim Senior Hurling Championship

Shamrocks Loughgiel 1924/1925

Shamrocks Loughgiel 1960

Shamrocks LoughgielAll Ireland Club Champions 1983

Con Magee’s, Glenravel

Founded – 1916/17

Founders – Rev T. Toal, Danny Fyfe, Charles O’Loan, J. HigginsGround – Fr Maginn Park

1920 - A.O.H. Tournament Winners (Loughgiel)

1937 – County Junior Football Championship

1942,42,44,46 – North Antrim League

1956 – County Intermediate League

1957 – All County Division 1 League

1964 – County Minor and Under 21 Football Championship

1966 – County Senior Football Championship

1976 – Antrim Junior Hurling Championship

Con MagAoidh Glenravel – early 20th Century

Con Magee’s , Glenravel 1933

Antrim Senior League Champions 1958, Con MagAoidh Glenravel

Antrim Minor Football Champions 1964, Con MagAoidh Glenravel

St Mary’s GAC, Rasharkin

Founded – 1943 preceded by Rasharkin St Olcan’s 1909

Founders - John Dougan, Terry Mc Shane Tony Mc Lernon, Stephen Mc Auley and Fr. Agnew.

Grounds – Jamsie McLernon Memorial Park 2000

1958 Antrim Junior Football Championship

1963 Lost in final of Antrim Senior Football Championship to St John’s

1978 – Antrim Intermediate Football Championship

1991 – Junior Hurling Championship also 2009

1997 – Reserve Football Championship

2003 – Junior football Championship

1993- 2003 – 1 U21, 2 Minor and 2 Under 16 Football Championships

Rasharkin Senior Team 1963

Glen Rovers, Armoy

Founded-1956 preceded by Armoy Lamh Dhearg (1912 -22), Armoy GAC (‘40-’42), Glenshesk GAC (‘43-’44), St Olcan’s GAC (‘45-’52),

Founders – Charles Molloy (Lamh Dhearg) Grounds – Pairc an Cromach

1956 – County Junior Championship

1971 – County Intermediate Championship

1974 - Senior Feis Cup

1976 – County Minor Championship

1984 – Intermediate Championship also 1986, last win 1994

2007 – County & Ulster Junior Championship

Glen Rovers, Armoy 1959Back L-R: Paddy McAuley (Manager) Frank McCaughan, Robbie Traynor, Seamus Donnelly, William Devlin, Jim McToal,

Joe Reilly, Hector Cassley, Paddy McToal, Jim Devlin, and John McCaughan (Assistant Manager)Front L-R: Barney Laverty, Olcan Loughridge, Arthur Devlin, Robert Dallas, Joe Smith, Pat Doherty.

1986 Antrim Intermediate Hurling Champions, Glen Rovers, ArmoyBack L-R: Gerry Burns, Hugh Connolly, Joe Mc Fetridge, Hugh Mc Donnell, Mickey Mc Clafferty, Sean Mc Bride, Paddy Strickland, Raymond Mc Fetridge, John Mc Arthur, Seamus Kane, Paul Mc Clafferty, Paddy Stewart, Nealis McAuley, Paddy Watson, George Mc Bride, Hector DevlinFront L-R: . Paul Mc Bride (standing), Sean Close, Colm Mc Bride, James Mc Donnell, Paul Stewart, Gerard Mc Clafferty, Colm Mc Erlain, Seamus Mc Erlain, Tommy McCormick, Eugene Laverty, Olcan Mc Fetridge, Vincent Mc Erlain, Edgar Dornan, Mervyn Forsythe.

Armoy Glen Rovers 1992

Latharna Og, Larne

Founded 1965 – preceded by St Mary’s (1922)

Founders Rev John Moley, James McCaughan, Alex McGarry, Denis McKillopJim McKermitt, Dominic Magill, John Brown

Ground - Brustin Brae

1974 – Minor Camogie Championship 1979 - North Antrim Junior Hurling championship

1981 - North Antrim Junior Hurling Championship

1988 – Junior Feis Cup

1989 – Junior Feis Cup retained

2008 – McCaughan Cup Winners, New training Complex opened

St Mary’s GAC, Larne – 1922 Antrim Junior Football Champions

Note a ‘Robert Fulton’ 3rd from left, front row – better known as Bertie Fulton

All Saint’s , Ballymena

Founded – 1975 preceded by McCracken’s 1920s, St Patrick’s 1959, All Saints 1965-68

Founders – Fr Fergus Jordan, Seamus MacCrory, Anthony Mulvenna

Ground – Slemish Park

1977 – South West under 16 League

1978 – All Ireland Scor Ballad Winners

1978 – Grounds Purchased that would become Slemish Park

1979 – Antrim Club of the Year

1987 – Official Opening of Slemish Park

1997 – Official Opening of Pavilion by GAA President Jack Boothman

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North Antrim Football Select 1923-24Players from McCracken's Ballymena

Back row - 4th - 6th from left, Jack Miles, Barney McNally and Alex Mc Manus Middle Row 3rd - 5th from left, Danny McQuillan, Charles and Dr Wm. Ludlow

Front Row - Barney McCambridge, Unknown?

St Patrick’s, Ballymena 1959 Back row - D O’Connell, F McAuley, T Quinn, S Davis, H MacRory,

J McGuckian, C Mc Manus, H Crawfoot, J Duffy, Fr Scullion Front Row - C Kelly, M McReynolds, J O’Loughlin, S McKervey,

J Agnew, A O’Hara, B Mc Cambridge, B Goldring, B Agnew.

St Brigid’s, Cloughmills

Founded – 1991 preceded by Patrick Og’s 1940

Founders – Davy Martin, Michael McCann

Ground - Fr Leonard Park

1997 – Antrim Junior Hurling Championship

1997 – Junior Feis

1999 – Grounds Purchased

2005 – Pitch Completed

St Brigid’s CloughmillsAntrim Junior Hurling Champions 1997

St Brigid’s Cloughmills 1997

Antrim All Ireland Hurling Final 1943

Antrim Ulster Senior Hurling Champions 1938Back L-R:Tom Best (trainer, O’Connell’s), John McAlister (Glenariffe), Tom Walsh (O’Connell’s), Sean McKeown (Gael Uladh), Gene

Thornbury (Gael Uladh), Dan Gibson (Glenariffe)Paddy Byrne (Rossa), Jimmy Walsh (O’Connell’s), Tom Rice (Eire Og), Bob Foley (Manager)

Front L-R: Tom McAlister (St John’s), John Clarke (Sarsfield’s), Willie Graham(Glenariffe), Malachy McDonnell (Rossa), John McNally (Tir Na nOg),

Jack Donnelly (O’Donnell’s), Harry Devlin (Eire Og), Dan McAllister (Glenariffe),

Ulster Railway Cup 1940’s

Antrim Parade 1959 Final Casement Park

Antrim (All Ireland ‘Home’ Junior Champions - 1959

Antrim All Ireland Hurling Finalists 1989Grand Hotel Malahide

All Ireland Hurling Final 1989 - Antrim (v Tipperary)

Back L-R: Paul McKillen, Brian Donnelly, Des Donnelly, Niall Patterson, Terence Donnelly, Dominic McKinley, Dominic McMullan

Front L-R:Terence McNaughton, Olcan McFetridge, Donal Armstrong, Ciaran Barr, James McNaughton, Gary O’Kane, Leonard McKeegan, Aidan McCarry

Ulster Football Final 2009 Antrim v Tyrone

Antrim Camogie (founded 2004)

1932 – First All Ireland played for the O’Duffy Cup

Players wore gym frocks below-knee, black stockings, black boots, white blouses and belts

1972 – Camogie Congress permitted more modern uniforms

1944-1947 Antrim win 3 camogie titles in a row

Two players of 1947 team went on to referee All Ireland finals – Nancy Murray and Lily Spence who went on to hold the office of President of the Camogie Association

Antrim won further titles in 1956, 1967, 1979

2004 Mairead McAtamney named in Team of the Century

1956 – Six Dunloy players in the Antrim team incl. Kearns sisters, Madge Rainey Eithne Duggan

1979 Birthday girl Carol Blaney playing in goals in the final named as player-of-the-match

1946 Antrim Retain O’Duffy Cup

1947Antrim Make It 3-in-a-Row

The Changing Shape of the Caman

The Gaelic Athletic Association

“When one sits down and really looks at the hard work that has gone into this project, it really brings home the true meaning of club loyalty .... it should serve as an example to all those various organisations .... who are prepared to tolerate poor facilities, instead of knuckling down and having a go at bringing standards up to scratch”

“In this aspect a progressive GAA club .... scores time and time again over rugby and soccer outfits. Family involvement is extremely important and bonds formed often in childhood, are carried over and developed on the playing field. In other team games, the majority of players only see each other at training sessions and on match days and consequently it is that bit harder to create lasting club loyalty.”

Willie John McBride – former Ireland and British & Irish Lions Rugby Captain at the opening of the New Complex at Con Magee’s, Glenravel

the gaa in the glens of antrim

Sports

litill ball

ball of silver

origins of hurling

hurling matches

brehon laws

ball game athens

statutes of kilkenny

galway statutes