8. The Return of the Greats --- The Boys Were Back in Town A Most Memorable Night in Hotel Carlton Belleek: The boys were back in Belleek town last Friday 30 th September to celebrate the achievements of the Association at local level. Footballers, historians and raconteurs all assembled at the Hotel Carlton for a most enjoyable occasion. The purpose of the occasion was to mark the winning of the first trophy by the newly formed Erne Gaels on the 8 th September 1963 in Lisnaskea. Patsy and Patti Rooney Hotel (Carlton 300911) The occasion also celebrated the exploits of local Gaels from the Rose Isles, Mulleek, Corlea, Drumavanty to the all-conquering Young Emmetts of the late forties and fifties and the achievements of the Mulleek / Garrison combination Devenish of the early sixties. Earlier in the week I had visited Paddy Gormley again and I was greeted with both hospitality and clarity of recall as Mick Tunney and himself reviewed the great Mulleek tradition of the past. The special guests arrived early at the Hotel Carlton and indeed the night proved all too short for such a wonderful occasion. All of the guests recalled in light-hearted fashion the glory days of the past and also some hilarious moments in the local GAA history which had the assembled gathering in stitches. Sean O Connor captured this historic occasion on CD for the club and the contributions will be fondly remembered by all those who attended on the night. Willie Mc Loughlin & Gerry Mc Loughlin (HC300911) Joe O Loughlin recalled the great days of the fifties when the local GAA tradition went from strength to strength. Meetings were indeed help in the O Loughlin premises on Main Street and whenever two or more were gathered there the topic was either mechanical or sporting. Mick Tunney gave an insight into the happenings in 1949 and broadened the depth of knowledge available about that years historic Fermanagh Senior League and Championship victories under the
captaincy of Kevin Mc Cann. Lawrence Keenan took the house down with some graphic descriptions of events on and off the field during his playing days. Pat O Loughlin gave a detailed historical analysis of many of the events of his time and the individuals who influenced his footballing career both at club and with the great Fermanagh team of 1959. Pat attended despite his current gruelling schedule in preparation for another marathon run in which discipline he has raised many thousands of pounds for his designated charity. Jimmy Mulrone recalled a multi faceted career which was dictated by the happenings of his era and spanned Corlea, Ballyshannon, Donegal and Devenish. Jimmy contributed several times in the past to the local GAA happenings and has a broad and in-depth knowledge of the local scene. Willie Mc Loughlin, the great Corlea stalwart extended clear recall back to the thirties and expressed imagery as clearly as if the events had happened yesterday. Corlea Hall, Corlea Young Emmetts & Éire Óg together with the location of fields and trophies all yielded their secrets on the night together with poignant recall of the demise of Corlea as a footballing force. Lawrence Keenan, Pat O Loughlin and Jimmy Mulrone (HC300911) Patsy Rooney dual senior county player, winner with Corlea and Belleek Young Emmetts and well travelled ambassador for both Donegal and Fermanagh was enthralling. Patsy, truly one of the greats whose exploits on the field have been recalled to me from Roslea in Fermanagh to the Rosses in Donegal held the audience in rapture as he gave a jovial account of memorable moments during his illustrious career. Eugene O Shea gave details of his early playing days with Erne Gaels and the extent to which the club was vital to the community. Seán O Loughlin recalled his association with the local association and his fond memories of playing with the Pottery team. One story he told about a jibe aimed at himself during a game brought an uproarious response from the assembled. Joe O Loughlin & Mick Tunney (HC300911) Certainly one of the most enjoyable days or nights I have spent in the company outstanding characters. I felt this could have gone on until morning. Many thanks to all concerned. Willie John Duffy who played his early football with the young Emmetts club and ensured that space was always held for the Erne Gaels notes in The
Fermanagh News during his sojourn there then entertained the audience. Cathleen Duffy, Willie John Duffy & Tom Cullen (HC030911) Willie could only be described as semper et ubique fidelis to the local association and one who supported Erne Gaels even in the darkest days. The darkest hour was always before the Erne Gaels dawn. Willie John who attended with his wife Cathleen and daughter Ann Marie was presented with a leather bound copy of A Gaelic Graduation - The Fermanagh History - for his lifelong dedication. Mary Heron presents The Seamus Heron Memorial Trophy to Peter Mc Mahon. (HC300911) Another memorable event took place when Mary Heron wife of the late Seamus Heron (founder member of Erne Gaels, Longest serving official, dedicated promoter of the youth and cultural affairs in the club and lifetime selfless servant of the GAA) donated a trophy to the club to be presented annually to an individual or group of individuals for a researched talk or the production or some original historical or cultural material on the GAA at local level. This would include but would not be exclusive to achievement in the annual Scor competitions. The club management committee each year would decide on the recipient, inscribe the trophy and present a memento to the individual on the return of the trophy. This trophy was gladly and graciously accepted on behalf of the club by Peter Mc Mahon. Dónal Sweeney accepts the beautiful trophy on behalf of his father Danny from Peter Mc Mahon Chairman Erne Gaels (HC300911) Dónal Sweeney who travelled from Dublin for the occasion accepted a presentation on behalf of his father Danny Sweeney from Peter Mc Mahon Chairman Erne Gaels G.A.C. Dónal who played with Erne Gaels for a number of years in the sixties before the family departure for Dublin said his father would be delighted to receive the presentation and that Danny still spoke with a great fondness of the time spent living in Corry and his association with the club.
Erne Gaels won the Junior Football Championship on that date with Danny Sweeney as captain. This was a Fermanagh Junior Football Championship but for us it was our All- Ireland. I remember the scenes of unbridled joy in the dressing rooms after the game and the cup being hoisted on the veranda of Cleary s Hotel later in the day. Jim Flanagan s reminiscences of the day were published in The Erne Gaels history of 2001 and I include now some unpublished material from Willie John Duffy who was one of the most ardent of Erne Gaels supporters. Willie John went on to describe in his own inimitable style the journey across the bridge to the Border Inn and a night in the company of great Gaels many of whom have now passed to their eternal reward. Some of those who attended the memorable Erne Gaels celebration in Hotel Carlton Hotel Belleek on Friday 30th. September 2011 Willie john also paid tribute to Frank Mc Morrow who was never found wanting on an occasion of the advent of Erne Gaels silver ware to the town and was particularly mindful of the great senior football championship wins of 1979 and 1981. The celebrations continued on Saturday with The Martin O'Shea Memorial and The Colm O'Higgins Memorial Trophies being presented by Bernie O Shea and Colleen O Higgins. On Saturday night Dr. Tom Kiernan and Patsy Dolan gave an inspiring talk on health and Lifestyles for budding athletes and footballers. Míle buíochas do na daoine go léir a chabhraigh linn i rith na seachtaine.
Team Panel September 8 th 1963. Erne Gaels won The junior Football Championship in Lisnaskea.