‘You’ve not marched behind the Artane Band, or worn the victor’s palm; and you haven’t left your fingerprints on ‘Liam’ or Sam….. all your days you’ve been a clubman helping out the local team…….’’

 

The Clubman….. so begins a poem penned by Joe Cassidy paying tribute to those unsung heroes at all clubs.  In 2001 Coalisland Fianna contributed seven footballers to Tyrone Minors, Seniors and under 21’s.  While congratulating those Fianna players who won Ulster and All-Ireland medals, Oliver O’Neill, in his annual report, paid tribute to the club members from the Under-8 managers right through to the tea maker at committee meetings.  These are the grassroots of the GAA without whom there would be no fourth Sunday in September, multi-million pound stadia or corporate boxes in the Cusack stand.  Coalisland Fianna members and supporters have been eagerly awaiting the resumption of rivalry in April against old adversaries including Brackaville, the O’Rahilly’s and Dungannon Clarkes. Hopes are high and dare it be said, many would be as happy to see the O’Neill Cup return to the ‘island as Sam Maguire make his first visit to Tyrone.

 

History

The founding of Coalisland Fianna can be traced back to  a meeting in St. Patrick’s hall in 1903.  Early records list players such as O’Neill, Corr, Hughes and Toner; names which have appeared on team sheets up to this day.  Until the 1920’s a number of teams played out of the Coalisland area including ‘The Mitchells’, ‘The Emmet Tones’, ‘Owen Roes’ and ‘The Fianna’.  From 1923 the Fianna played in various fields in Annagher until finally settling at their present location.  On 19^th June 1949, MacRory Park was officially opened in a day of celebration described in ‘Na Fianna’- A history of Coalislad Fianna’ (published in 1984) as when, ‘the eyes of Tyrone were on Coalisland as bunting fluttered above the street and seven bands led seven thousand well-wishers to the field.’

                             In 1988 MacCrory Park was rededicated Father Peter Campbell Park.  It now has four splendid dressing rooms, shower rooms and a referees room as well as a vibrant social club.

Honours

Although Coalisland Fianna provides Gaelic games and cultural activities for youth and adults alike, ultimate success is judged by performance on the playing field.  Coalisland Fianna was the first winners of the Senior County Championship in 1904 while Coalisland Owen Roes won the first Junior Championship in the same year.  They have been county champions eight times, the last victories coming back to back in 1989 and 1990.  They are third overall in the number of championship wins behind Carrickmore (13) and Dungannon (10).  Coalisland have been defeated in a further five O’Neill Cup deciders and were also runners-up to Scotstown in the 1989 Ulster Club Final.

At reserve and underage level the club has also been to the fore, bagging many titles, including an unequalled five in a row Under-21 County Championships from 1984 to 1988

County, Provincial and International Recognition

A look though Tyrone lineouts over the last hundred years reveals a litany of Fianna players who have worn the Red Hand.  In the first half of the century, Fianna men who played for Tyrone and Ulster included Patrick Gerard Corry, Peter Mulgrew, John Devlin and Peter Campbell.  When Tyrone did eventually lift the Ulster Championship in 1956 they were led by nineteen year old Jody O’Neill with Jim Devlin at full back. Jim Devlin’s brother Eddie joined the team which again captured the Anglo-Celt Cup in 1957.  When Tyrone next won Ulster in 1973 Coalisland’s Aidan McMahon was in the middle of the park with John Early also in the squad while Jody O’Neill was now the manager.

                                 In 1986 Tyrone reached their first All-Ireland Senior final with Damien O’Hagan at full forward.  Damien won three Ulster senior medals, an All-Star award and was selected on the first International Compromise Rules team to play in Australia . 1995 saw Fianna man Ciaran Corr captain Tyrone to the All-Ireland Final.  Indeed, up until 1995 Coalisland was the only club to have a player in each of Tyrone’s seven Ulster title winning teams.

                                          John Early who went on to excel for the senior team also picked up an All-Ireland Junior medal in 1968.

                                        

Underage representation has been no less impressive.  Peter Donnelly’s exploits last year have been well documented.  He also received an International call up for the Under-17’s two years ago.  Peter was not the first Coalisland player to captain Tyrone to the Thomas Markham Cup.  Eddie Devlin also did so in 1947 and 1948.

                                         Other All-Ireland minors medal holders from Coalisland include Liam Campbell, Tom Sullivan, Barry Corr, Paddy Scullion, Steven McNiece, Malachy Nixon and Gerard Toner. Added to this, Patrick O’Farrell and Richard Thornton are proud holders of All-Ireland Under 21 medals.

                                          At College level Coalisland Fianna players and coaches have also achieved All-Ireland success. Brothers Jim and Eddie Devlin were on the 1946 St. Patrick’s Armagh team which won the Hogan Cup in a famous victory over St. Jarlath’s of Tuam. Current senior players Richard Thornton, Brendan Early, Willy Lyons and Paul McCann joined this elite group of Hogan Cup winners when the Academy won the title in 1997.

These are players who were privileged to be on All-Ireland and Ulster Winning teams.  It tells only part of the tale of the dozens of ‘island men who did the club proud at county and inter-provinicial level.

                                          As a team manager the late Martin O’Farrell also had a distinguished career at club and college level.  His finest hour came in 1997 when Martin and fellow Fianna man Peter Herron guided St. Patrick’s Academy. Dungannon to Hogan Cup victory on Croke Park….. The first and as yet only Tyrone team to win the competition.

2001

Last year the Fianna youth again gave an excellent account of themselves.  The under-10’s won the Armagh Pearse Ogs tournament, the Under-12s won every game they played while the Under-14’s lifted the Molly O’Neill Cup.  The minors and Under-21’s met with disappointing exits from their championships as did the Under-16s, though many of that team is again underage for this season’s campaign.

                The new league set up and a demanding season for players with dual commitments to club and county made for a difficult year but the Fianna remain in the senior ranks for 2002.  They exited the championship to a very well oiled Killyclogher team who went on to win the league title.  There is no doubting St. Mary’s pedigree though Coalisland weren’t helped by injuries to key players.

                            So to 2002 and last years manager Tony Hughes sees great potential with ‘a mixture of youth and experience that could be ready to produce the goods.’’  Damien O’Hagan is now at the helm assisted by Peter Herron.  There is a belief that the present squad is capable of stepping out of the shadow of the two in a row team of 1989/90.  Coalisland Fianna is also looking forward to its historical 100 year milestone in 2003.  It is exciting times for the East Tyrone Club and a tribute to all club members since that meeting in St. Patrick’s hall all those years ago.