1971

The year 1971 began with high expectations following the good league run in 1970. The season began with a challenge game on 31st January against Newtownstewart, which resulted in defeat. The panel of player from which the team was selected at that time was generally: Paddy McDermott, Seamus Leddy, Francis Keenan, Frank Ward, Paddy McKenna, Jim McCrory, Dominic McCullagh, Peter McDermott, Seamus McDermott, Colum Devlin, Peter Teague, Sean Teague, Anthony Keenan, Barney Glass, Mickey Haughey, P.J. McDermott, Brendan Morris, Peter Bradley, Peter Tracey, John Tracey, Mick Hollywood and Brendan Keenan.

Dreglish and Drumquin joined forces in Immediate football was Wolfe Tones. On the 7th February, Greencastle went to Dreglish and defeated the Wolfe Tones in a challenge game, giving an indication of the growing strength of the team.

Regular fund-raising venues were held at this time, taking the form of Dances and Concerts in the Hall. Recollections are of very good crowds supporting these functions. The Committee was also meeting regularly and in general there was a very active club in operation. A 20-week draw was organised and began on 11th April. This proved to be a successful venture and was continued for many years. The funds generated from these draws were very carefully handled and from that time until the present club remained in a healthy position.

In the league, the team were beginning to run very big scores. On the 8th May, Owen Roes B were defeated by 5-16 to 2-04 and Killyclogher by 5-09 to 0-06. Kildress tournament was won on 13th June when Greencastle defeated Killeeshil by 2-09 to 1-01 in the final.

The Junior Championship began with a first round game against Trillick B at Dunmoyle on the 20th June. The final score in that game was Greencastle 5-17 Trillick B 0-05. Scorers were Peter Tracey 1-06, Perry McCrory and Peter McDermott 1-01 each, Colum Devlin 4 pts, Frank Tracey 1 goal, Bernard Keenan, Paddy McKenna and Frank Ward 1 pt each. A great score by any standards. Against Dromore in the league 4 goals 10 pts were scored so the forwards were really putting their chances away.

The 1st August saw Greencastle defeat Owen Roes in the second round of the Championship at Newtownstewart. The score was 2-07 to 0-06. The 22nd August at Dunmoyle was the sitting for the West Tyrone Championship semi-final with Eskra the opposition. Victory was secured once more on a score of 2-03 to 1-04s. Thus the stage was set for the West Tyrone final with Carrickmore B, the opposition.

WEST TYRONE FINAL

This match was played at Dunmoyle in fine conditions on the 12th September. The standard of football was far above Junior. Carrickmore got off to a great start leading by 3 pts after 10 minutes. A point from Jim McCrory and a great goal by Mickey Haughey put Greencastle into the lead, a lead they never lost. Further points from Colum Devlin, Peter Tracey and Peter McDermott against a point by Packie McPhillips left the half score Greencastle 1-04 Carrickmore 0-04. At the start of the second half, Carrickmore scored 3 pts through Anthony Ward, Paddy Grugan and Packie McPhillips with a point in reply from Mickey Haughey. The came the turning point in the game, when after a great run by Mickey Haughey, whose parting shot was punched to the net by Jim McCrory. Further points from Mickey Heagney, Peter Tracey and a great point from Colum Devlin after he beat 3 defenders, left Greencastle leading by 2-08 to 0-07 with 10 minutes left. Following end to end play, Carrickmore scored 2 pts and then after Greencastle's goalkeeper Sean Clarke was injured, Carrickmore got a goal. However, Greencastle held on to win and progressed to meet Ardboe B in the County Final.

COUNTY FINAL

Once again, after a few short years in existence, Greencastle had reached a County Junior Final. The excitement leading up to the final was tremendous. The whole Parish took an interest in proceedings and a lasting memory is P.J. McCullagh a start of the 1930's and 1940's and a household name in the district and further afield, coming to training before the final to give the players a pep talk.

At that time, the club enjoyed very large attendance at matches and by the time County Final Day arrived, virtually every man, woman and child in the Parish was preparing to go to Coalisland. Literally hundreds of people crammed into Coalisland on the 10th of October with all descriptions of flags etc.

The game itself was spoilt by a strong cross-field wind. After 10 minutes, the sides were level from a Colum Devlin point and a L. Forbes point for Ardboe. A point from a free by Peter Tracey and a goal for Ardboe left the half-time score Ardboe 1-01 Greencastle 0-02. On the resumption, Paddy McKenna took a pass from Peter Tracey and ran through the Ardboe defence to crash home a great goal. Ardboe then scored 4 pts before Greencstle scored a second goal through Bernard Keenan having the final score Ardboe 1-06 Greencastle 2-02. A case of so near, yet so far once again. This was Ardboe's second Championship victory in 1971 as they had also won the Senior Championship. The scores didn't come as freely as earlier in the year or indeed in the following Sunday when 5 goals 7 pts was recorded against Carrickmore in the McElduff Cup match. Greencastle panel for County Final: Sean Clarke, Francis Keenan, Seamus Leddy, Sean Teague, Brendan Morris, Dominic McCullagh (Capt.), Francis Ward, Paddy McKenna, Peter Tracey, Mickey Heagney, Colum Devlin, Peter McDermott, Mickey Haughey, Perry McCrory, Jim McCrory, Bernard Keenan, Frank Tracey, Seamus McDermott, Mickey Fox, Anthony Keenan, Peter Teague, Paddy McDermott.

1971 was also a significant year for Peter McDermott in that he also won an Ulster Minor Championship with Tyrone, playing at right corner forward. Previous to this, Peter had distinction of being the first player from the club to play in an All-Ireland Final when he played in the Vocational Schools final in 1970 and brought the first All-Ireland medal to the Parish, when Tyrone won that final. Indeed Peter was also a member of Tyrone U21 panel, which won the Ulster Championship in 1973 and in 1983 he was a member of the panel, which won the Ulster Junior Championship playing in nearly all those matches.

DINNER DANCE

On Sunday 12th December, the club held their first Dinner Dance in the Royal Arms Hotel, Omagh. As for all other club functions, there was a tremendous turnout for the occasion with upwards on 300 people attending. Indeed in 1972, there was an attendance of 325, which was a huge crowd for a club with a small population, which our district has.