Brian Hoare N.T of Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon a teacher in Allenview National School organised the first Drumkeerin Gaelic football team in the modern era.
He was a powerfully built man, over six feet with a great delivery of a ball from the midfield position where he usually played.
Before coming to Drumkeerin he played club football in Dublin and he also wore the Roscommon Senior jersey on a number of occasions.
In 1932, he cycled to inform the members of the North Leitrim Board in Manorhamilton that Drumkeerin would be unable to field a team that year.
However this was rectified the following year when Drumkeerin took part in the North Leitrim League when teams played for the “Lundon Cup”.
The clubs first game played against near neighbours Ballinaglera on Sunday 2nd April 1933, was played in Buchannan’s Field which lies between the Dowra road and the Old road.
A strong wind blew throughout the game. Drumkeerin who won the toss and played with the wind, led at half-time by the two goals to nil.
The first goal was scored by Brian Hoare and the second by Henry McDonagh, after taking a pass from Barney Owens.
Ballinaglera however stepped up the peace in the second half and ran out comfortable winners in the end, on the score: 4-2 to 2-1.
Best for Ballinaglera were Paddy Wynne, Creamer and Flynn.
The Club flourished throughout the thirties. In 1936 Drumkeerin beat Ballinaglera in the North Leitrim Championship semi-final but went down to Glenfarne by 2-04 to 2-01 in the final.
In 1939 the Junior's won the North Leitrim Championship, and qualified for the Leitrim Junior Championship Final.
Four game's were required in the Final before Ballinamore were victorious (in Drumkeerin) on a scoreline of 1-06 to 1-03. It was stated in reference to the final that "old men, young girls and schoolboys came by every mode of conveyance." to the match.
A goal for Drumkeerin in the final encounter was not acknowledged by the umpire and this proved the turning point of the game. Hundreds of local supporters were bitterly disappointed.
A member of the victorious Ballinamore team Felix McGoldrick speaking years later said “the matches I remember most are the four games against Drumkeerin for the 1939 Junior Championship. They were four fierce games. We beat them eventually”.
Among the Drumkeein men who played throughout those years were John Clinton at full back, John McKenna, Centre-half back; Vincent O’Donnell, midfield; Frank Mc Grail, centre-half forward; Jack Walsh in goal; Hubie McParland left half back; Felix McParland, right half forward; Charlie Higgins, right full back;
Tom McPartlan, left full-back; Tom Christy, right corner forward.
Among the players who played football before the club was formally set up were Michael Blest, Barney Owens, Chappie O’Donnell; Johnny O’Neill, Godfrey O’Donnell, Miley Gilroy, Hughie Kelleher, Pat Bell McGowan, John Francis Gallagher, Johnnie Rourke, Michael William Higgins.
Sometimes men from other areas found their way onto Drumkeerin teams. Players in this category included Corney McGreevy, John Dolan, J. Mc Kiernan, Bud McMorrow. This good will was reciprocated on a number of occasions by native Drumkeerin men. Notable games in Cavan and Sligo and perhaps as far away as Cork featured Drumkeerin stars in the 30s and 40s!
Pat Christy, Larry Christy, Myles Christy, Petie Gilroy, Shane Corristine, Johnny Mc Loughlin, Hughie Mc Morrow, Tommy Gilhooley; Eddie McPartland, Tommy Guihan, Mike Higgins continued the tradition initiated by Brian Hoare in 1933.
A striking feature of the teams during these years was the number of the McPartlans who played for the club. These were drawn from different families. Four McPartlan brothers donned the jersey during the first two decades – Hubie, Felix, John and Pat. It’s interesting to note that the Mc Partlan name is still very much part of Drumkeerin teams.
Many of the 30’s men were forced to line out without proper football boots. Gradually as funds were collected, the club was able to acquire boots. Incidentally dances and suppers were the principal means of raising money.
The dance was held on the old Barrack loft, in Crown’s hall or in Kelly’s Hall. Food for the suppers which took place during the dance was provided usually by the mothers of the players.
Many of these women apparently favoured raisin cakes and the sons had the responsibility of bringing them into the supper-room which they did after carefully checking that there wasn’t anyone watching them! Each player usually brought a can of fresh milk as well.
Dance and supper combined cost 1s – 3p. Funds were also raised by organising a sports day, which could yield up to £20. A match was usually played in conjunction with the sports and a dance finished off the days activities. Incidentally the first jersey worn by the 30’s players were blue and yellow.
After the building of the Alley in Drumkeerin in 1929, Handball flourished in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s when it lapsed for a time to be revived again in the late 60’s.
The thirties produced fine players like John Paddy Beirne, John Clinton, John James Mc Padden, Gerry McPadden, Tom Christy and the gifted Arthur Gorman.
Several marvellous tournaments were held throughout then years. Later Drumkeerin produced several fine handballers including Tommy Cassidy, Anthony O’Rourke, Sean Duignan, Gerard Devitt (R.I.P) and Tom Fallon.
Throughout the thirties dedicated officials ensured the smooth running of games and fund-raising activities. Patrick Forde, Jack Walsh, Seamus Duignan, Tom Beirne, Paddy Kelly, Sonny Crown and Jim Gallagher by their own “behind – the- scene” organisation facilitated the transition of Drumkeerin football from the early years into the fifties and sixties.
Thomas Beirne N.T. who was heavily involved in the club and at one stage Chairman of the North Leitrim Board unfortunately departed for Co.Meath.
At the 1941 County Convention there were appeals for more co-operation between North and South Leitrim for G.A.A. affairs with suggestions that North Leitrim should affiliate to the parent body - the Co.Board.
Mr. Beirne, at the convention was of the opinion that smaller entities were more suitable as less travelling was involved, Though he did remark that Drumkeerin had set an example to all by declaring their willingness to cycle to their games, irrespective of the venue. Rather than depressing and dispiriting the people the war seemed to have the opposite effect!
In the 1940's Corkman Jack Walsh NT was very much involved with the club.
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