A brief history of Greencastle GAA
1969
At the Annual General Meeting of Mountfield GFC in Cashel school a motion proposed and seconded by Sean Clarke and Francis Ward was passed to reform to Greencastle St Patrick’s from that point forward.
By the early 1960s the school population was rising again. By the middle of the 1960s a team in Mountfield competed in West Tyrone Juvenile and Minor competitions. Many of the players who played were from Greencastle. At the same time a couple of Greencastle men were part of a successful Gortin team. The large number of Greencastle men led to the motion to reform Greencastle in 1969.
The new club had its first league match against Clogher on Sunday 2nd March 1969.
A highlight was a draw in the Minor championship against a star studded Omagh side with a number of County Minor players.
1970
Junior League: Played in the junior league. Began well with only one early season defeat at the hands of Dregish. Dregish went on to win the league and put Greencastle out of the West Tyrone Championship in Dunmoyle on 9th August by just one goal in a game that could of went either way.
Minor Champions: The minor team were successful in the Championship defeating Stewartstown by 3 points. Prominent players were Bernard Keenan, Seamus McDermott, Francis Keenan, Michael Hollywood, Mickey Fox, Des Tracey and Peter McDermott.
August 197- the Junior team took part in a Killyclogher tournament with 3 senior teams, 2 intermediate teams and two junior teams involved. Greencastle beat Tattyreagh in the semi-final and progressed to meet Urney in the final. Two strong senior clubs. After a thrilling game Urney came out on top by one point.
1971
Regular Fundraisers: Regular fundraisers were held at this time in the form of dances and concerts in the hall. Recollections are of good crowds supporting these functions.
League: In the league the team were starting to run up very big scores, defeating Owen Rose B by 5 goals and 16 pts to 2:04 and Killyclogher by 5:09 to 6points.
Kildress Tournament: Greencastle won the Kildress tournament on 13th June after beating Kileeshil in the final by 2:09 to 1:01.
West Tyrone Junior Championship Final Winners: The junior Championship began with a first round game against Trillick B at Dunmoyle GC – 5:17 Trillick 5points. Then they beat Owen Rose in the second round of the championship in Newtonstewart. Dunmoyle was the setting for the West Tyrone Championship semi-final against Eskra. Victory secured. 2-03 to 1-04. The final was against Carrickmore B in Dunmoyle.
Carrickmore got off to a good start leading by 3 points after 10minutes. A point from Jim McCrory and a great goal from Mickey Haughey put Greencastle into the lead, a lead they never lost. Further points from Colum Devlin, Peter Tracey and Peter McDermott. A turning point of the game was when a great run by Mickey Haughey whose parting hot was punched to the net by Jim McCrory. Further points from Mickey Haughey, Peter Tracey and Colum Devlin.
County Final Runners-Up: Greencastle had reached the county final with extreme excitement in the lead up. The whole parish took an interest. P.J. McCullagh a star of the 1930s and 1940s came to the field to give the players a pep talk in their training before the final.
The final was in Coalisland. Half time score Greencastle 0-02 Ardboe 1-1. Points from Colm Devlin and Peter Tracey. After the break Paddy McKenna took a pass from Peter Tracey and ran through the Ardboe defence to crash home a great goal. Ardboe then scored 4 points before a second goal came through from Bernard Keenan. Final Score Ardboe 1-06 GC 2-2.
Significant year for Peter McDermott who won an Ulster minor championship with Tyrone at right corner forward. Also played in the All-Ireland final with the Vocational schools in 1970 and brought the first all-Ireland medal to the parish. Also a member of Tyrone U21 panel which won Ulster championship in 1973 and in 1983 was a member of the panel which won the Ulster Junior Championship.
Dinner Dance: First club dinner dance in Royal Arms Hotel Omagh. Upwards on 300 people attending.
1972
League Final Winners (Gained Intermediate status): Emigration tore the heart out of a team losing players like Francis Ward, Seamus Leddy, Peter Tracey and Paddy McKenna. However, the team took each game as it came and eventually came out on top of their section in the league. In the final Greencastle beat Omagh 1-8 to 0-3. M. Haughey opened the score at 18minutes with a point. Further points by P McCrory and Peter McDermott (2) left the score at half time 4 points to nil. In the second half points by Peter McDermott and P McCrory left GC leading by six entering the final quarter. Omagh found scores hard to come by due to the defensive team of Sean Clarke, Peter Teague, Gerry McCullagh and Brendan Morris. Further points from Peter McDermott and Anthony Keenan and a fine goal by Peter McDermott finished the game. Gerry McCullagh ably assisted by Sean Clarke, Colm Devlin, Peter McDermott, McCrory brothers and M. Heagney were mentioned.
Championship: Defeated by Clogher after a reply. Total of 18 wides by GC recorded in the game.
1973
Intermediate League but also entered a second team into Junior league.
League Runners Up: Finished second in the league only to Urney.Intermediate Championship Semi-finalists: Urney in Newtonstewart. Tough encounter. GC led all through the game with the score at GC 2-08 to Urney 6 pts with 6 minutes to go. In six minutes Urney scored 3 goals and converted a 50. In the reply GC made no mistake and won. Beat Eskra in the second round. Defeated by Killyman in the semi-final 2-07 to 0-06.
1974
AGM: First time the purchase and development of ground was adopted as a club priority.
League: Got off to a good start winning three of the first four games. But a slump midseason seen the club drop 4th from the bottom and unfortunately dour teams were being relegated to junior football this year. As the league changed to all county the drop was to division 5.
1975
League began well with two victories. The third game was a draw with undefeated Cookstown were there was a famous mistake regarding the score. Everyone knew the score to be 7pts a piece but the referee marked a GC point as Cookstown. This knocked the heart out of the team and they finished well down the table and knocked out of the Championship by Dregish in the first round.
1976
League: Year began slow with two defeats in the first two games and the first victory was against Galbally. Finished – played 12, won 7, lost 5, 14 points.
Championship: First round victory over Castlederg 1-9 to 108. Quarter final against neighbours Gortin who won by a point.
Junior League Cup: Greencastle progressed to the final at the beginning of 1977 after an unbeaten run.
1977
League and Championship Runners up
Beat Tattyreagh and Castlederg in first and second round of championship. Semi-final was a clash against Dregish in Carrickmore. Victory 1-12 to 2-4. Met Killyclogher in Championship Final. But lost out 14pts to 3pts.
1978
League and Championship Runners Up
First round saw victory over Castlederg 10pts to 7pts; Second round v Mountjoy – win 1-06 to 0-06. Derrytresk were the opponents in the semi-final and again Greencastle claimed a place in the County Final against Cookstown. Cookstown won by a point but an irregularity in the game resulted in a reply. Cookstown won the reply comfortably by 14pts to 1pt.
1979
First year converted into 3 divisions in All County League so GC moved from division 5 to 3.
Eight successive victories in the league and a first round championship win over Drumquinn. However, June was a catastrophic month and ended with a heavy defeat against Brackaville in the league and defeat by the Moy in the Championship quarter final 1-10 to 1-06.
Greencastle finished 4th place in the league with 24pts from 16 games and only 4 defeats from those 16 games.
1980
Commenced with the usual good start in the league with 3 wins and the first defeat suffered at the hands of Kileeshil. Out of a 15-match program Greencastle lost just 3 games but it wasn’t enough to gain promotion
The championship came to an abrupt end with a defeat by Urney in the preliminary round.
Other:
Our Lady of Lourdes PS opened in September 1980 with Crock, Cashel & Broughderg closing
Greencastle hosted the first Super carnival in aid of the Parochial building fund
1981
Started the league against newcomers Glenelly in Glenelly. Included in the Glenelly ranks was Mickey Sheerin who had for a number of years played for Greencastle. However, the experienced Greencastle team overcame Glenelly 2-7 to 6pts. The Championship was a clash of the league leaders in 26th April. Beragh with 10 pts from 5 games and Greencastle on 7pts from 5 games. However, Beragh overcame Greencastle by one point on a score of 2-4 to 1-6. The league positions at the end of the season show losing 4 matches and drawing 3 out of 13 games. Three of these defeats were by 1pt margin as was the Championship which gives an indication of the competitive nature of division 3 football.
1982
AGM: Officers elected included: Chairman Francis Bradley, Vice Peter Tracey, Secretary P Joe McDermott, Assistant Secretary Colum Devlin, Treasurer Sean Meenan, Assistant Treasurer Eamon Potter Committee Gerald Coyle, Francis Ward, Peter McDermott, Gerald Kirk and Eugene McKenna.
Team Captain and trainer – Laurence McBride. Vice captain – Michael McDermott
Manager – John Brennan
Reserve Managers – Eugene McKenna and Francis Bradley
League commenced with 8 good wins in a room. The first defeat was against the Rock who went on to win the Junior Championship. The Championship came to an abrupt end when Drumquinn surprisingly defeated Greencastle on a scoreline of 4-5 to 1-8. The league continued but they finished one point behind Drumquin and Dregish having lost just two matches (Drumquinn and Rock) and drawn one (Dregish).
1983
AGM: held on 19th December 1982 in the hall. Committee: President Rev Fr Seamus Shields PP, Chairman Francis Bradley, Vice-chair Peter Tracey, Secretary Sean Clarke, Assistant secretary Colm Devlin, Treasurer Frank Ward, Assistant Treasurer Eugene McKenna and Committee: Peter McDermott, Gerald Coyle, Eamon Potter, Peter Teague and Laurence McBride
Trainer: Laurence McBride and Jim McCrory Reserve Francis Bradley and Eugene McKenna
The Jim Devlin cup was played on a league basis at the time and in 1983 it involved 7 games at the beginning of the year. Greencastle finished up second place with Glenelly, losing just one game and drawing one. This forcing a play off to decide the runner up position. The lead up to that play off resembled a County final and a huge crowd assembled in Carrickmore on 4th December. However, on this occasion Glenelly triumphed on a score of 2-3 to 3pts.
1983 brought the prospect of promotion with the club finishing joint second with Glenelly in the league and going into a playoff. Unfortunately, victory went to Glenelly.
The Championship saw the meeting of close rivals and neighbours Glenelly and Greencastle in Beragh. Victory went to Glenelly after a very close hard-fought game of 1-8 to 1-6.
Youth: In that year, Pat Clarke captained Owenkillew to a D1 minor league title.
Owenkillew minor team win Tyrone Minor League. Greencastle players included Pat Clarke, Adan Daly and Stephen Fox (defenders); Martin Fox at mid-field and forwards Vincent Hollywood, Benedict Slane and Michael Hollywood. Subs included Paul McLaughlin, Michael Clarke, Seamus McGarvey and Francis Conway.
1984
AGM: Held at the hall on 18th December. Committee: President Rev Fr Seamus Shields PP, Chairman Francis Bradley Vice-chair Francis Ward, Sec Sean Clarke Assistant sec colm Devlin Treasurer Eugene McKenna Assistant treasurer John Conway Committee: Peter Tracey, Eugene McKenna, M Heagney, Gerard Coyle and Jim Kirk
Managers: Peter Tracey, Sean Clarke and Frank Ward
Captain: Johnny Glass
Fields: Appeared Parochial Ground could be purchased, and it was agreed that a big push was to be made to raise the funds as soon as the Big Parish Draw finished.
A lot of the experienced players retired and young players from the successful Owenkillew minor team were drafted in. The going was tough for the young team and half was through the league the team saw themselves fifth from the bottom – 4 games won, 3 drawn and 10 defeats. The Championship was short lived with defeat being the result in the preliminary round match against Donemana 9pts to 6pts.
1985
AGM: In the Parochial Hall on the 9th December 1984. Committee: President Rev Fr Seamus Shields PP, Chairman Francis Bradley Vice-chair Peter Tracey, Sec Sean Clarke Assistant sec Colm Devlin Treasurer Eugene McKenna Assistant treasurer Frankie Clarke Committee: MJ McDermott, Frank Ward, Gerard Coyle, John Conway, Peter McDermott, Brian Hollywood and Johnny Glass
Manager: Benny Haughey from Carrickmore
Football: Season began with some great displays in the Jim Devlin cup and Frank O’Neill Cup with clear cut victories over senior sides Dungannon and Dregish being the highlights. Disaster struck in the league with a heavy defeat against Drumquinn. By the end of the season Greencastle were mid-table with 8 wins, 2 draws and 7 lost. The championship also had a short life. Defeat against Donemana in the first round 3-4 to 1-7. Donemana went on to win the County title.
Field Development: The huge development of the playing field got underway and a great effort was put in to organising a six month draw yielded a profit of £35,000.
Other
Broughderg Chapel: Opening of Broughderg Chapel
First Annual Greencastle 5 Mile Road Race – Oliver McCullagh
1986
AGM: Held in Creggan Community centre on 17th November 1985. Committee: President Rev Fr Seamus Shields PP, Chairman Francis Bradley Vice-chair Peter Tracey, Sec Sean Clarke Assistant sec Colm Devlin Treasurer Eugene McKenna Assistant treasurer Frankie Clarke Committee: MJ McDermott, Frank Ward, Gerard Coyle, Peter McDermott and Johnny Glass
Trainer: Ed Fox from Creggan as he had taken over when Benny Haughey went to USA in 1985
Selectors: Peter Tracey and Sean Clarke if required
Development: Much discussion now centred on club development. Plans proceeded to build dressing rooms and fence the new field
The 1986 championship saw Greencastle get past the first round for the first time since 1979, however they lost to Galbally in round two. Similar to previous year – 9 wins, 1 draw and 7 lost. However, progress was made in the Championship. The first-round hurdle was crossed for the first time since 1979 when Castlederg were defeated 0-7 to 1-3. In the second round Galbally were the opposition after a five week wait due to Tyrone’s appearance in the All-Ireland Final. The game was played following the senior final in Pomeroy. An under-strength Greencastle team led until the last kick of the game when Galbally equalisied with a free – 5pts each. The replay a week later resulted in a victory for Galbally by 1-13 to 2-4.
1987
AGM: Held in Creggan Community Centre on 23rd November 1986. Committee: President Rev Fr Seamus Shields PP, Chairman Francis Bradley Vice-chair Peter Tracey, Sec Sean Clarke Assitant sec Colm Devlin Treasurer Eugene McKenna Assistant treasurer Frankie Clarke Committee: MJ McDermott, Frank Ward, Gerard Coyle, Peter McDermott and Johnny Glass
Similar to previous year. Occupied mid table position with a record of won 7, draw 3 lost 7. In the Frank O’Neill cup the usual good showing was put up in the first round in McLaughlin’s home and another senior team Omagh put paid to the Greencastle with a narrow victory. The first round of the Championship Greencastle triumphed Derrytresk at Cookstown – 2-9 to 2-6. The second clash was against favourites Beragh in Omagh. Once again Greencastle won 1-7 to 1-5. For the first time in a few years they reached the Championship semi-final against Drumragh in Omagh. GC were favourites but a below the bar performance resulted in a one point defeat – 8pts to 1-4. Drumragh went on to win the final easily.
New football pitch was nearing completion in nearing completion
Michael Clarke was part of the Tyrone minor panel
Owenkillew (Gortin & Greencastle) had an U12 team
1988
AGM was held for the third time in Creggan community centre on Sunday 24 January 1988. This was a significant date in that this would be the last AGM outside our own premises. Committee: President Rev Fr Seamus Shields PP, Chairman Francis Bradley Vice-chair Peter Tracey, Sec Sean Clarke Assistant sec Colm Devlin Treasurer Eugene McKenna Assistant treasurer Frankie Clarke Committee: Gerard Coyle, Gerard Kirk, Eugene McCullagh, Frank Ward and Pat Clarke
Field Opening: Official opening 24th July 1988
Finally, on the 10th of April 1988 the club played its first game on the new pitch – A league game against neighbours Kildress. Were Eugene McCullagh scored the first point. The official opening of the pitch and clubrooms took place on July 24th 1988. The opening was performed by Peter Quinn who was Ulster president at the time. The blessing of the pitch was carried out by Father O Hagan. This was followed by a challenge match between a Derry and Tyrone selection. The occasion was special indeed emotional for so many associated with Greencastle St Patricks.
Sean Clarke collected the Club of the Year award for Greencastle
Greencastle officially formed underage teams from U12 to minor level as well as a senior and reserve team
Youth: Club decided to U12, U14 and U16 teams. To date U14s were runner up in their section and was awaiting the play offs.
1990
Colm Devlin & Peter Tracey Tyrone Masters
Camogie Fr Shields Tyrone representative at Ulster Community Games reaching the Ulster Final
1991
Sean Teague captained Tyrone Minors to Ulster Final
Minor League and Championship winners 1991 beating Aghaloo in both finals
Sperrin Og formed December 1991
1992
Sean Teague won an Ulster and All Ireland U21 medal
Colm Devlin & Peter Tracey Tyrone Masters All Ireland Finalists
Junior County Champions 1992 beating Kildress 1-07 to 0-08
Minor League winners and Championship runners-up (lost to Moy) 1992
1993
Seniors maintained their intermediate status
Sean Teague Tyrone Senior Debut v Armagh
1994
Senior team intermediate status secured early in the season
Sean Teague and BT Tyrone U21 team
Minor Championship winners 1994
U14 League winners 1994
1995
Poor season for the seniors ultimately leading to relegation to Junior football
1996
Senior team remained in Junior football
1997
Seniors managed to reach a League Play-off missing out narrowly to kildress
Other
Eddie’s Crossroad, won UK Community Pub of the Year award in 1997. Richard Thorp, Alan Turner from ITV’s Emmerdale Farm, came to the pub to award them the prize.
1998
Terry McDermott Tyrone Minor All Ireland Title
Junior Championship winners 1998 beating the Rock 0-9 to 2-02
1999
Senior Ulster Title at Ballykinler Junior 7’s Competition 1999
Senior men started the league poorly but with the guidance of Frank Ward as manager preserved intermediate status
Minor Championship winners 1999
2000
Seniors maintained their intermediate status
Sean Teague captained Tyrone seniors
2001
Greencastle seniors maintained intermediate status
Sean Teague captained Tyrone seniors to Ulster Title
Martin Conway Ulster Colleges All-Star (Omagh CBS – Joint MacCrory Cup Winners)
Greencastle U12 team won all the league matches in their section and won the Harte-Mullan Memorial Trophy
2002
Greencastle seniors maintained intermediate status and won the Frank O’Neill Cup beating Derrylaughlin in the final
Vocational Schools Ulster U14 Champions (Kevin Ferrity and Damien O’Hagan)
2003
Greencastle seniors maintained intermediate status finishing 2nd in the league
New playing field constructed
2004
Greencastle defeated Tattyreagh in the last game of the year to maintain intermediate status
Greencastle Reserves Intermediate League and Championship winners
Greencastle minor team D3 Championship runners-up (Derrytresk)
2005
Greencastle seniors relegated to Junior football after losing a play-off to Urney
Greencastle Reserve Intermediate League winners and Championship runners-up
Greencastle U14 Intermediate League and Championship winners
Shane Coyle MacCrory Cup Winner 2005 (OMAGH CBS)
Greencastle Minor Junior Championship Runners-up
2006
Greencastle Seniors Junior League and Championship winner
Greencastle Reserve Junior League Winners
Greencastle Ulster Junior Championship winners defeating Naoimhe Mhuire from Donegal in the final at Casement Park
2007
All Ireland Junior Championship winners (defeating Killala from Mayo in the semi-final and Duagh from Kerry in the final)
Successfully intermediate campaign securing intermediate football
Barry McGarvey, Barry McNulty and Conor Carson Tyrone Vocational Schools All Ireland winners
Edan Clarke Hogan Cup winner with Omagh CBS McCrory Cup Team
2008
Greencastle seniors retained Intermediate status
Greencastle Intermediate U21 Championship winners (Defeating Moortown in the final)
Greencastle U16 Junior Championship winners
Sean Warnock & John McCullagh Tyrone Minor All Ireland Champions
Other
Olivia McCullagh International Cross-Country Champion
2009
Greencastle Intermediate U21 Championship winners (Defeating Gortin in the final)
Greencastle Seniors Intermediate League Cup Winners
2010
Greencastle Seniors promoted to Senior Football for the first time ever
Greencastle U14 Intermediate Championship winners
2011
Greencastle seniors maintain senior football status
2012
Greencastle seniors maintain senior football status
2013
Greencastle Seniors relegated to Intermediate football
Greencastle U21 Intermediate Championship Finalists
2014
Greencastle Seniors Intermediate League Winners
Opening of the New 3G facility by Michelle O’Neill
2015
Greencastle seniors maintain senior football status
2016
Greencastle seniors maintain senior football status
Greencastle Minor Junior League and Championship winners
2017
Greencastle Seniors relegated to Intermediate football
Greencastle U15 Intermediate Óg Sport Winners
Cahir McCullagh Tyrone Senior Ulster Championship winner
Dermott Devlin wins the Scoreboard Competition for Greencastle GAA
Greencastle receive Healthy Club Recognition by the GAA
Ronan Hollywood & Ryan Gumley Tyrone U17 All Ireland Championship winners
2018
Greencastle seniors maintain intermediate football status
Greencastle Reserve Intermediate League and Championship winners (Undefeated)
Greencastle Minor Junior League Finalists
Greencastle GAC achieves Gold Club Maith Recognition
Sean Connelly, Oisin Coyle, Micheal McCann, Daniel McCrory, David Morris, Kieran Mulholland, Tiernan Teague and Joe Warnock – Ulster Rafferty Cup Champions with Dean Maguire College
Ronan Hollywood – Omagh CBS MacCormack Cup Winners
Christopher Gillen, John McCullagh and Sean Warnock Championship Winners Australasian GFHA Games (New South Wales)
2019
Greencastle seniors maintain intermediate football status
