History of the Club
Augher St Macartan's was founded in 1957, however as history would show the foundations were set half a decade beforehand. The roots of the present club go far back to the early 1900's. Indeed, the present club owes a large debt of gratitude to the foresight and perseverance of those men of long ago. In the early 1900's like many other northern areas there was a complete absence of organised Gaelic games. Gradually, Gaelic games began to take root and they became more acceptable. A branch of the Gaelic League, centred in the area stated to organise sporting
Meeting call Aeirdheachts.
In the years that followed attempts at forming a club came to fruition and Augher Young Irelanders were formed. However there were a scarcity of games and G.A.A activity in Tyrone practically stopped due to the turbulent political times. Permits for games had to be got from the R.I.C. Later there was prohibition of the use of motor cars to games and the withdrawal of special trains and special weekend tickets.
There was general unrest due to the threat of conscription and indeed many players and officials of the game throughout the north were imprisoned on absurd charges. Clubs throughout the county split and went out of existence. It wasn't until 1931 that Young Ielanders re-entered the club scene. Again Clubs in the north struggled to maintain a structured system, by the end of 1936 it became clear that the competitions would not be completed. Many clubs had not completed their fixtures and the League was practically abandoned. Augher had withdrawn completely.
Other pressures like the financial strain of trying keep a football going had Augher at a low ebb, a tough decision had to made and so on the 7th February 1938, those who had played for Augher Young Irelanders joined their neighbouring club Clogher Eire Ogs.
It isn't until 1957 that Augher was again to be one club and that is when Augher St Macartans was formed.
THE BIRTH OF AUGHER ST MACARTANS
The main co-founders of the present club were, Johnny McElroy, Pat Daly, Jim Trainer, Mark McElroy, pat Montague, Barney McKenna Jimmy Rice, John Wilkinson, Brian Robinson, jimmy McKenna, paddy Donnelly, john McKernan, Willie McElroy, Pat McGee, Packie McMeel, Francis Gartlan, John Rice (snr), Phil Daly, Vincent Trainor, frank McCann and Eamon Monaghan, amongst others.
The new club in the parish decided to take the name of St Macartan after the patron saint of the parish and the diocese.
The affiliation of the new Augher St Marcartans took place on the 3rd March in 1958.
The first years were a struggle for the new Club and it was due to the determination of both officials and players that the club survived.
Where to play was a big problem, but thanks to Ned McGee, Barney McKenna and Mick Rice's fields were available to the club.
The biggest requirement of the club, of course, was the acquisition of proper playing pitch. Frank McGee, Frank Gartlan, Mick Rice, Johnny McElroy, Jimmy Donnelly and Mick Campbell held turbary rights on bog land out the Ballygawley Rd and they relinquished their rights to the club as a goodwill gesture. The Club then had the deeds of ownership drawn up and began to pay rates on the ground. The club moved in and preparations were made for the construction of a pitch. All work was done on a voluntary basis.
Augher St Macartan's was founded in 1957, however as history would show the foundations were set half a decade beforehand. The roots of the present club go far back to the early 1900's. Indeed, the present club owes a large debt of gratitude to the foresight and perseverance of those men of long ago. In the early 1900's like many other northern areas there was a complete absence of organised Gaelic games. Gradually, Gaelic games began to take root and they became more acceptable. A branch of the Gaelic League, centred in the area stated to organise sporting
Meeting call Aeirdheachts.
In the years that followed attempts at forming a club came to fruition and Augher Young Irelanders were formed. However there were a scarcity of games and G.A.A activity in Tyrone practically stopped due to the turbulent political times. Permits for games had to be got from the R.I.C. Later there was prohibition of the use of motor cars to games and the withdrawal of special trains and special weekend tickets.
There was general unrest due to the threat of conscription and indeed many players and officials of the game throughout the north were imprisoned on absurd charges. Clubs throughout the county split and went out of existence. It wasn't until 1931 that Young Ielanders re-entered the club scene. Again Clubs in the north struggled to maintain a structured system, by the end of 1936 it became clear that the competitions would not be completed. Many clubs had not completed their fixtures and the League was practically abandoned. Augher had withdrawn completely.
Other pressures like the financial strain of trying keep a football going had Augher at a low ebb, a tough decision had to made and so on the 7th February 1938, those who had played for Augher Young Irelanders joined their neighbouring club Clogher Eire Ogs.
It isn't until 1957 that Augher was again to be one club and that is when Augher St Macartans was formed.
THE BIRTH OF AUGHER ST MACARTANS
The main co-founders of the present club were, Johnny McElroy, Pat Daly, Jim Trainer, Mark McElroy, pat Montague, Barney McKenna Jimmy Rice, John Wilkinson, Brian Robinson, jimmy McKenna, paddy Donnelly, john McKernan, Willie McElroy, Pat McGee, Packie McMeel, Francis Gartlan, John Rice (snr), Phil Daly, Vincent Trainor, frank McCann and Eamon Monaghan, amongst others.
The new club in the parish decided to take the name of St Macartan after the patron saint of the parish and the diocese.
The affiliation of the new Augher St Marcartans took place on the 3rd March in 1958.
The first years were a struggle for the new Club and it was due to the determination of both officials and players that the club survived.
Where to play was a big problem, but thanks to Ned McGee, Barney McKenna and Mick Rice's fields were available to the club.
The biggest requirement of the club, of course, was the acquisition of proper playing pitch. Frank McGee, Frank Gartlan, Mick Rice, Johnny McElroy, Jimmy Donnelly and Mick Campbell held turbary rights on bog land out the Ballygawley Rd and they relinquished their rights to the club as a goodwill gesture. The Club then had the deeds of ownership drawn up and began to pay rates on the ground. The club moved in and preparations were made for the construction of a pitch. All work was done on a voluntary basis.
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Founder Members
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Opening of the Pitch
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