The Fifties

The 1950's in North Leitrim seen clubs affiliated at various stages from such other areas as Kiltyclogher, Creevelea, and Dowra. The following photo show's the Creevelea team of 56/57.

The development of football in Drumkeerin in the fifties was heavily influenced by Fr. Seamus Duffy a native of Kilmainham Wood, Co. Meath, who was appointed curate in Inishmagrath in 1953.

His time in Drumkeerin was marked by three notable events: the organisation of underage competitions; the organisation of a new playing field and the streamlining of the organisation of games through the North Leitrim G.A.A. Board.

Fr Duffy was an extremely capable referee who didn’t tolerate dirty play. On one occasion when refereeing a match between his own team and Dromahair, he had the audacity to give the first free to Dromahair whereupon a committed Drumkeerin supporter, who had been imbibing all morning, staggered on to the pitch to register his protest, Luckily the referee had a neat sidestep which saved the situation!

Fr. Duffy was instrumental in acquiring a field about a quarter of a mile from the village on the Manorhamilton side, where all games, up to the purchase of the present pitch, were played. Players and supporters spent several evenings draining the field which was prone to flooding.

It was here that senior players like the O’Connor brothers from the Black Road, Michael, Eddie and Andy showed their skill. Perhaps the most outstanding player of the fifties was Seamus Fallon who played on the Leitrim team, defeated by Dublin in the 1956 All-Ireland Minor final.

Another great player was Joe Leyden who went on to star on the Leitrim County Senior team and for Connacht Railway Cup teams.

Others who kept the flag flying were Tommy Gilhooley, Paddy Forde, Anthony O’Rourke, Jack McGee, James Doherty, Liam Bouchier, Paddy Joe McGovern, Tom Fallon, John James Fallon, John McLoughlin, Michael McHugh, Jim Hazlette, Gerry Rourke, Michael McNulty and Paddy McGowan.

Two North Leitrim Championships were won by Under 14 teams under the leadership of Fr Duffy. Many of these players went on to win County League and Championship finals in the sixties. One very talented player, Mickey Davitt, afterwards played centre-half forward for the Cavan Minors.

Others who achieved great success later were the above mentioned Joe Leyden, and also Charlie Flynn, Gerry Rynn, Martin Devitt and Joe Davitt.

Recalling his time in Drumkeerin, Fr Duffy spoke of the stimulating meetings of the North Leitrim Board held in John ‘The Yank’ McGourty’s house in Manorhamilton.

On one occasion the lack of a pitch in Killargue was discussed. John McGourty said that he would provide a field on the opposite side to Killargue Church on the Manorhamilton side. Members of the North Leitrim Board dubbed it the ‘McGourty Stadium’. Under-age players thought it was like playing up a mountain!

The father Duffy era was marked by a significant advance in Drumkeerin’s football fortunes but on the other hand it was a time of appalling emigration when whole families sold out and left the country. The clear-out undoubtedly included some of the most promising players in the area.

Before Fr. Duffy left in 1961, efforts were made to hold the club together and this found expression in the formation of a minor team. Anthony O’Rourke was selfless in his promotion of this particular team.

Anthony, together with Tony Forde strove to keep together the juveniles of the previous decade though they were badly hampered by the unavailability on occasions of players in College. Amalgamating with Drumshanbo and with the assistance of Ned McGowan they achieved a number of successes including one notable victory over Dromahair led by Pat Mullen, and the McMahons.

This minor team bridged the gap between the fifties and the O’Grady era of the early sixties.