Liatroim Fontenoys GAC
Encyclopedia
Liatroim Fontenoys GAC, Liatroim is a Gaelic Athletic Association
Club in County Down
, Northern Ireland
. The club promotes the Gaelic Games of Hurling, Football, Camogie and other cultural and social pursuits.
Liatroim Fontenoys, a small rural club in the centre of County Down, was founded in 1888 and believed to be the first established club in the county.
The McAleenan brothers from nearby Ballymaginathy were builders working in Dublin during 1887 and while there met with Maurice Davin and Michael Cusack, who a few years previous had helped to found the G.AA. The brothers learned the skills of Gaelic football and hurling, which they took back to Liatroim. Around this time J.L Savage, a native of Backaderry close to Liatroim, was a student at St Colman’s College in Newry and through his teachers there learned about Gaelic games. And so, early in 1888, J.L Savage and the McAleenan brothers founded our club.
At a concert around that time Joseph McAleenan recited a poem named the Battle of Fontenoy, which told of the Irish Brigade helping the French to defeat the British at a battle in Belgium in 1745. Someone suggested adding Fontenoy to the name of the newly formed club. This was agreed and to this day our club is known as Liatroim Fontenoys.
Following the clubs foundation a number of challenge games were arranged. The most memorable would seem to have been one against St. Catherine’s of Dublin, played in Clonturk in July 1892, when Liatroim captained by Barney Owens defeated the home team in football. Being the first club in the area, they attracted players from surrounding parishes who were keen to learn the skills of hurling and football.
The Parnell Split, which developed in the 1890’s, resulted in a rapid decline in Gaelic games with club members torn between their allegiance to the Church and the G.A.A. This continued until 1902 when John Henry King of Newcastle revived the G.A.A again and the Liatroim Fontenoys began to function once more. By 1905 they were firmly re-established when a new generation of footballers won their first County Championship and were undefeated in the league – their captain was Mick Keown.
In 1921 Liatroim Fontenoys became the only Down club to win Senior County Championships in both hurling and football – a feat which has never been equalled.
During the years that followed the club competed in both codes without any major success. Many players gave fine performances for the county and province. In 1947, P.F McCartan was selected as Ulster Hurling Goal-keeper, while in football P.J McElroy was selected as full back for Ulster in 1955, and in 1968 Colm McAlarney became the first Railway Coup medallist when Ulster defeated Leinster on St.Patrick’s Day. Later that year on the 22nd September, Colm McAlarney starred at mid-field and Willie Doyle at centre halfback for Down who defeated Kerry in Croke Park. In September 1999, Willie Doyle’s son Liam led Down Minors to victory in the All Ireland Football Championship and at present Liam is performing well in Down’s senior team along with club mate Aidan O’Prey.
In hurling our club contributed many players to the County in the early years, with many of them since gone to their reward. However a very talented hurler is still with us and attends games regularly. Our club honoured him a few years ago by selecting him as Hall of Fame award winner. I refer to Gerry McAlarney whose career was cut short by injury. In recent years we have had several players selected for Down Junior hurling team and in 1993 they won the All-Ireland title with top class performances from seven Fontenoys players.
During the fifties a camogie team was established by the then Parish Priest Father Mick McCartan, however in a few years time numbers had fallen and so the game was phased out. By 1972 interest in camogie was revived and training sessions arranged. Within two years, two players - Sheila McCartan and Bernie Malone- had collected All-Ireland Minor Championships medals with Down, and in 1976 Bernie Brown starred for Down to collect a Junior Championship All-Ireland medal. Within five years from its formation the Fontenoy camogs had advanced to senior status and in 1977 collected the County League and Championship double. In 1984 Liatroim's under 14 camogs won the Division 3 title Feile nGael All-Ireland in Wexford captained by Monica McCartan. Later that year in September, Liatroim senior camogie team won their first Ulster Club Championship title captained by Nuala McCartan.
In 1991 Down won the All-Ireland Junior Championship in camogie with nine Liatroim players on the panel. In 1995 the senior camogie team collected their second Ulster Championship title when they outplayed Lavey. Their captain was Bernie Kelly, and the following year they retained that title by defeating Dunloy. On this occasion their captain was Maureen O’Higgins. Later that year Mairin McAleenan became the first Down camogie player to be honoured by the Ulster Writers who selected her Player of the Year. The following year, a camogie sevens team won the All-Ireland junior title on 6th September in Kilmacud. Their captain was Mairin McAleenan who was selected ‘Player of the Tournament.’
In 1998 the senior team regained the Ulster Club Championship by defeating Dunloy. Majella Murray was the captain. Mairin McAleenan scored an amazing three goals, 11 points and in November was selected by the Ulster Writers as Player of the year for the second time. Down won the All-Ireland league title in May of 1998 and added the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Title in September. Liatroim’s representatives being Donna Greeran, Nuala Magee, Majella Murray and Mairin McAleenan, while Anne Morgan and Teresa Burns were on the substitutes.
The senior camogie team retained their Ulster Club Championship Title in 1999, captained by Nuala Magee they defeated Crosserlough, and later that year Liatriom were honoured to have two players Nuala Magee and Mairin McAleenan selected for Rest of Ireland team, who defeated All-Ireland Senior Champions Tipperary on 14 November in Croke Park.
In 2001 the senior camogie team collected their twelfth successive Championship and twentieth successive Senior League title, something that is unlikely ever to be equalled. In 2002 they lost to Rossa in the Ulster semi-final but hopes are high that with new talent emerging the Ulster title can be regained within a few years.
No doubt young Grainne O’Higgins will be part of any future success in the years ahead. On the 21st June this year Grainne won the All-Ireland Feile Skills Competition in Belfast – the first Down Competition to achieve this award.
In 1983 in Colaiste Mhuire, Dublin, Liatroim represented by Rosaleen McCarton, Teresa O’Hare and P.F McCarton collected the All-Ireland C.C.D quiz title and repeated the honour again on 6th March 1988. The club celebrated our Centenary in 1988 and to mark the occasion a history of the club was compiled and launched at a celebration dinner in the Abbey Lodge Hotel, Downpatrick on the 21st November 1988. Extending to almost 600 pages the history committee excelled in this fine production. They were honoured to be presented with the McParnee Award in Croke Park a few months later. One member of the Committee had previously received a McParnee Award a few years earlier for a Down Year Book production. That person was P.J McGee.
From the clubs foundation, neighbouring farmers always made a field available to the club, but there was always hope that at some stage, land may become available. This happened during the 1960’s, when a field very convenient to the village of Leitrim was offered for sale and bought, development commenced and on the 14th September 1969 Fontenoy Park was officially opened by the Ulster president and blessed by Father Mooney, P.P and Father Petit of Gargory.
Over the years, much emphasis was placed on juveniles coaching and training to prepare them for the replacements on senior teams. With eighteen teams of three different codes the demand on the pitch was hectic and the committee proposed the possibility of securing a second pitch. Funds would not reach just this target as the demands of running a club were mounting each year.
Frank Morgan was elected Chairman in 1992 and he put forward a proposal of applying to the Foundation Of Sports and Arts in Liverpool for a grant to update changing room facilities and towards renting a field nearby. It took over two years for our application to be considered and we were notified before Christmas 1995 of a grant of £33,000 being made to us. While we rejoiced in the prospect of the grant, we knew it would not come near our expectations.
We had received mail advising and inviting voluntary clubs to apply for lottery grants, and it was decided to make application. Tony Clarke and Brian Owens were allotted this job and with the knowledge that our previous grant would act as security, prospects became somewhat brighter.
A field adjacent to Fontenoy Park would be considered ideal as a training pitch, so a meeting was arranged with the owner who quoted a figure of £24,000. This was a considerable amount of money, knowing that a lot needed to be spent on it. However, an agreement was made in the hope that the Lottery application would be successful, which in time proved to be correct as we received a grant of £86,000.
In November 1997, Tony Clarke was elected Chairman and he lost no time in putting the plans ahead to members by calling a meeting detailing what was proposed. Development of the training pitch was priority, and when rock breaking and levelling was completed, it began to take shape.
By August demolition of the old kitchen and changing rooms took place and within weeks the new complex building commenced. This consisted of a spacious foyer, four changing rooms, first aid room, referee’s room and a kitchen all on the ground floor, while upstairs a committee room took shape. As our grant did not cover an entertainment hall, the area above the changing rooms etc was planned to be completed with toilets, bar and store at a later date through fund-raising within the club. It was agreed that the official opening would not take place until completion was reached.
On the 1st September 2000, the training pitch, function room and complex were declared opened by G.A.A President Sean McCague. A special mass celebrated by Father R. Murray, parish priest, preceded the blessing of the new facilities. A night of ‘home grown’ entertainment followed and for the committee and members it was a very special occasion.
Stone that had to be excavated from the making of the training pitch was put to good use with the building of walls at the entrance to the complex from the roadway. More recently, stop nets have been placed on both pitches, the car park area has been added while inside a great effort was made earlier this year to equip the fitness suite.
Fund-raising ventures have been most successful. Our annual festival each August since 1995 is established as the event of the year, and attended from all over the county and beyond. The weekly lotto introduced by Tony Clarke in May 1997 has had a great impact. This is due to the sellers who carry out this task weekly and also to the sorters, the premises where the draws are made and to the buyers.
1998 has been the clubs’ most successful year. Brenda Gallagher won the All –Ireland title in Instrumental Music in C.C.D. The senior camogie team regained the Ulster Club Championship and Mairin McAleenan was selected Player of the Year by the Ulster Writers for a second time. Liam Doyle collected a Hogan Cup medal with St. Colman’s, Newry. The Senior hurlers won the County Intermediate Championship and the reserve championship. The award for the Best Kept Ground went to Liatroim and our club was the unanimous choice for Club of the Year. The senior football team won the Division 2 League title plus the intermediate Championship and for the first time in 20 years advance to Division 1 football, and on Easter Monday 1999 they won the Ulster Club Intermediate Championship in Clontiberet captained by Eamon Middleton.
Since then the senior football team have maintained their position in the top flight and have avoided the dreaded relegated zone. As a result of intense training for football, hurling has not been as prominent as before, although we still compete at senior level. It is worthy of note that Liatroim is the only club in Down competing at senior level in all three codes.
In administration many club members have done us proud. In the early years Joe McSherry (a nephew of the McAleenan brothers who founded the club) held the position of secretary for close on thirty years and was also county secretary for part of that period. Patrick Bannon held the position of secretary for the most of two decades.
Dean Petit was a very influential figure, being a former County Chairman and also President of Ulster Council, he has done much to promote our games. He became parish priest of Gargory in 1965 and was involved in the purchase of Fontenoy Park. Charlie Keown was elected Chairman of the County Board in 1980 and Chairman of the County Board in 1984. Joe McCrickard, a gifted dual player, also served as Chairman of the Hurling Board from 1986 to 1990.
George McKeown contributed a lot to club progress and his son Brendan presently holds a position on the County Hurling Board. A native of the area, Dan McCartan always maintained close associations with our club. Holder of an important position in Croke Park administration, Dan never forgot his roots.
Father A. Davis, now Canon and parish priest of Clonduff, did great work while a curate in Gargory and was Chairman of the club in 1959 and 1960. A great family record has been set up by the Morgan family. All three have been Chairmen of Liatroim; Jim (1962), Joe (1969) and Frank (1992).
Another interesting figure who worked tirelessly was Jackie Mooney, who served as Chairman (1966-67), Secretary (1959-60) and in 1982 was elected Treasurer – a post he held until retirement in 1993. Jackie was a worthy recipient of The Hall Of Fame Award.
When the camogie section of the club was revived in 1972, Rosaleen McCartan was one of the founders. She also served in County Administration, being elected Vice-Chairperson and later Chairperson. She was the driving force behind camogie in Liatroim, and believed in everyone being given a chance to learn the skills of the game from a tender age. Many of the stars of today have Rosaleen to thank for what she has done in our club towards promoting camogie. The above mentioned are really only a few of the many hard working members within the club.
At the A.G.M of November 2000, another ‘first’ was recorded when Maureen O’Higgins was elected Chairperson – the first lady to hold this office. In her acceptance speech, Maureen outlined her long association with the club, firstly as a player, then coach and manager and also in administration. Her hopes would be that the progress made in recent years would continue, with the new facilities of great benefit to all. We were proud to have a person of her calibre to lead our historic club in 2001. She was re-elected for 5 years and has proved to be a leader with many qualities. The Fontenoy Club has greatly benefited by choosing Maureen O’Higgins as First Lady.
Since Millennium Year, Liatroim Fontenoys Senior Football team have held their position in the top flight of Down’s League, finishing in the top four in three subsequent years, ’03, ’04, ’05. However in ’06 all the stops had to be pulled out in a play-off against Annaclone.
A new manager, Johnny Mc Comiskey was appointed for the ’07 season.
Liatroim man Liam Doyle captained a Down Senior Football team who failed to do themselves justice in both League and Championship. New management was also appointed for the County Senior team with their remit being to build a Down team which will once again challenge for National honours in the next few years.
Liam Doyle was the last Liatroim player to win an All-Ireland medal when he captained Down Minor Footballers to victory over Mayo in 1999.
There have been mixed fortunes at Club level for the Fontenoy Hurlers, winning the down Intermediate championship in 1998, and again in 2001, captained on both occasions by John Brown, and in October 2006 Declan Burns lead The Fontenoys to another Intermediate title at the expense of Ballycran IIs.
Liatroim Fontenoys enjoyed their best day on the Hurling front for some years when, on 23rd October, they defeated a fancied Middleton side from Armagh in the Ulster Intermediate Club hurling Semi-final in Casement Park. Their opponents in the Ulster final on 5th November in St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones were Antrim’s representatives, Gort na Móna.
A Liatroim team, depleted by injuries, fielded seven Minors, who gave of their best and showed skill and determination beyond their years. In spite of this mammoth effort, The Fontenoys went down by 5 points at the final whistle.
A number of Fontenoys have represented Down Junior Hurlers over the years, winning the All-Ireland Junior Hurling title in 1993 with six Liatroim men on the team. In 2004, Down were back in the All-Ireland, this time with four Liatroim players, including Captain Brian Mc Aleenan, in the squad. However Meath proved too strong for the Mourne Men on that day in Clones.
A number of Liatroim Minors have worn the Red and Black of Down, and in 2006 Liam Morgan, Daniel Mc Cann, Mícheál Mc Cartan and Paul Mc Aleenan picked up Ulster Minor B Hurling medals.
Paul mc Aleenan was Liatroim’s sole representative on the Down Minor Hurling team in 2007.
The Liatroim Camógs have continued to go from strength to strength since the start of the Millennium. Liatroim Fontenoys have been represented on Down teams at all levels over many years.
In 2004 Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael celebrated it’s Centenary, and Liatroim Fontenoys player was subsequently selected as Centenary Ambassador for Down and Ulster. Later that same year, down reached the All-Ireland Junior championship final with five Fontenoys on the panel. However Cork proved too strong on that occasion, and Down were defeated by a five point margin.
However Liatroim were aiming for Club success, and when they defeated Kilnamona of Clare in the All-Ireland Junior Club semi-final in October ’04, the scene was set for a bid for national honours in Parnell Park on 7th November, with Four Roads of Roscommon the opposition. The Fontenoys ran out comfortable winners, and Captain Anne Morgan lifted the Phil Mc Bride Cup.
The inaugural Camogie All-Stars were initiated to mark the Centenary celebrations, and on 4th December ’04, Máirín Mc Aleena was selected at centre-half-forward on that first Camogie All-star team.
In 2005 the Senior Camogie girls reached a second All-Ireland Junior Club final, this time Newmarket-on-fergus providing the opposition. The first half was keenly contested, but Máirín Mc Aleenan showed just why she holds an All-Star, when she took control of the game in the second half, scoring 3 goals and 2 points, to help Liatroim retain the title. Lisa Mc Crickard proudly raised the Cup aloft , while Máirín was selected Player of the Match on that day in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary.
Three other Fontenoys were busy picking up individual awards of their own when Gráinne O Higgins, an All-Ireland Féile na nGael Skills Winner in 2002, Karen Mc Mullan and Kelly O Higgins were selected on the Ulster Colleges All-Star team in 2005, with Kelly being recognised for the second time, having received an award in 2004.
In September 2006 Liatroim player Corinna Cunningham captained Down Minor camogie Team to a first All-Ireland Minor B title after a thrilling game against Antrim in Casement Park. Gráinne O Higgins and Claire Malone were the other two Fontenoys to contribute to the victory.
Iar-Chathaoirleach Fhontanóigheannai Liatroma ó 2001 - 2005, Maureen O'Higgins, was appointed Chairperson of Down Camogie Board in December 2006.
In March 2006 a Walking Club ‘The ‘Latroim Ramblers’, was established as part of Liatroim Fontenoys C.L.G, and has proven to be a most popular addition to the many activities which the Club provides.
Another very successful activity which was initiated in October 2006, and which is particularly popular among the very young members, with as many as 70 young boys and girls attending weekly lessons, is a Ju-Jitsu Club.
In February 2007 the club’s Sports Development Committee launched a Five Year Sports Development Plan, a comprehensive document which presents clearly defined targets in five key areas of the club development spanning from 2006 - 2010.
The five key areas earmarked for development are: Facilities, Administration, Games Development, Community Focus and Finance.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
Club in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The club promotes the Gaelic Games of Hurling, Football, Camogie and other cultural and social pursuits.
Liatroim Fontenoys, a small rural club in the centre of County Down, was founded in 1888 and believed to be the first established club in the county.
The McAleenan brothers from nearby Ballymaginathy were builders working in Dublin during 1887 and while there met with Maurice Davin and Michael Cusack, who a few years previous had helped to found the G.AA. The brothers learned the skills of Gaelic football and hurling, which they took back to Liatroim. Around this time J.L Savage, a native of Backaderry close to Liatroim, was a student at St Colman’s College in Newry and through his teachers there learned about Gaelic games. And so, early in 1888, J.L Savage and the McAleenan brothers founded our club.
At a concert around that time Joseph McAleenan recited a poem named the Battle of Fontenoy, which told of the Irish Brigade helping the French to defeat the British at a battle in Belgium in 1745. Someone suggested adding Fontenoy to the name of the newly formed club. This was agreed and to this day our club is known as Liatroim Fontenoys.
Following the clubs foundation a number of challenge games were arranged. The most memorable would seem to have been one against St. Catherine’s of Dublin, played in Clonturk in July 1892, when Liatroim captained by Barney Owens defeated the home team in football. Being the first club in the area, they attracted players from surrounding parishes who were keen to learn the skills of hurling and football.
The Parnell Split, which developed in the 1890’s, resulted in a rapid decline in Gaelic games with club members torn between their allegiance to the Church and the G.A.A. This continued until 1902 when John Henry King of Newcastle revived the G.A.A again and the Liatroim Fontenoys began to function once more. By 1905 they were firmly re-established when a new generation of footballers won their first County Championship and were undefeated in the league – their captain was Mick Keown.
In 1921 Liatroim Fontenoys became the only Down club to win Senior County Championships in both hurling and football – a feat which has never been equalled.
During the years that followed the club competed in both codes without any major success. Many players gave fine performances for the county and province. In 1947, P.F McCartan was selected as Ulster Hurling Goal-keeper, while in football P.J McElroy was selected as full back for Ulster in 1955, and in 1968 Colm McAlarney became the first Railway Coup medallist when Ulster defeated Leinster on St.Patrick’s Day. Later that year on the 22nd September, Colm McAlarney starred at mid-field and Willie Doyle at centre halfback for Down who defeated Kerry in Croke Park. In September 1999, Willie Doyle’s son Liam led Down Minors to victory in the All Ireland Football Championship and at present Liam is performing well in Down’s senior team along with club mate Aidan O’Prey.
In hurling our club contributed many players to the County in the early years, with many of them since gone to their reward. However a very talented hurler is still with us and attends games regularly. Our club honoured him a few years ago by selecting him as Hall of Fame award winner. I refer to Gerry McAlarney whose career was cut short by injury. In recent years we have had several players selected for Down Junior hurling team and in 1993 they won the All-Ireland title with top class performances from seven Fontenoys players.
During the fifties a camogie team was established by the then Parish Priest Father Mick McCartan, however in a few years time numbers had fallen and so the game was phased out. By 1972 interest in camogie was revived and training sessions arranged. Within two years, two players - Sheila McCartan and Bernie Malone- had collected All-Ireland Minor Championships medals with Down, and in 1976 Bernie Brown starred for Down to collect a Junior Championship All-Ireland medal. Within five years from its formation the Fontenoy camogs had advanced to senior status and in 1977 collected the County League and Championship double. In 1984 Liatroim's under 14 camogs won the Division 3 title Feile nGael All-Ireland in Wexford captained by Monica McCartan. Later that year in September, Liatroim senior camogie team won their first Ulster Club Championship title captained by Nuala McCartan.
In 1991 Down won the All-Ireland Junior Championship in camogie with nine Liatroim players on the panel. In 1995 the senior camogie team collected their second Ulster Championship title when they outplayed Lavey. Their captain was Bernie Kelly, and the following year they retained that title by defeating Dunloy. On this occasion their captain was Maureen O’Higgins. Later that year Mairin McAleenan became the first Down camogie player to be honoured by the Ulster Writers who selected her Player of the Year. The following year, a camogie sevens team won the All-Ireland junior title on 6th September in Kilmacud. Their captain was Mairin McAleenan who was selected ‘Player of the Tournament.’
In 1998 the senior team regained the Ulster Club Championship by defeating Dunloy. Majella Murray was the captain. Mairin McAleenan scored an amazing three goals, 11 points and in November was selected by the Ulster Writers as Player of the year for the second time. Down won the All-Ireland league title in May of 1998 and added the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Title in September. Liatroim’s representatives being Donna Greeran, Nuala Magee, Majella Murray and Mairin McAleenan, while Anne Morgan and Teresa Burns were on the substitutes.
The senior camogie team retained their Ulster Club Championship Title in 1999, captained by Nuala Magee they defeated Crosserlough, and later that year Liatriom were honoured to have two players Nuala Magee and Mairin McAleenan selected for Rest of Ireland team, who defeated All-Ireland Senior Champions Tipperary on 14 November in Croke Park.
In 2001 the senior camogie team collected their twelfth successive Championship and twentieth successive Senior League title, something that is unlikely ever to be equalled. In 2002 they lost to Rossa in the Ulster semi-final but hopes are high that with new talent emerging the Ulster title can be regained within a few years.
No doubt young Grainne O’Higgins will be part of any future success in the years ahead. On the 21st June this year Grainne won the All-Ireland Feile Skills Competition in Belfast – the first Down Competition to achieve this award.
In 1983 in Colaiste Mhuire, Dublin, Liatroim represented by Rosaleen McCarton, Teresa O’Hare and P.F McCarton collected the All-Ireland C.C.D quiz title and repeated the honour again on 6th March 1988. The club celebrated our Centenary in 1988 and to mark the occasion a history of the club was compiled and launched at a celebration dinner in the Abbey Lodge Hotel, Downpatrick on the 21st November 1988. Extending to almost 600 pages the history committee excelled in this fine production. They were honoured to be presented with the McParnee Award in Croke Park a few months later. One member of the Committee had previously received a McParnee Award a few years earlier for a Down Year Book production. That person was P.J McGee.
From the clubs foundation, neighbouring farmers always made a field available to the club, but there was always hope that at some stage, land may become available. This happened during the 1960’s, when a field very convenient to the village of Leitrim was offered for sale and bought, development commenced and on the 14th September 1969 Fontenoy Park was officially opened by the Ulster president and blessed by Father Mooney, P.P and Father Petit of Gargory.
Over the years, much emphasis was placed on juveniles coaching and training to prepare them for the replacements on senior teams. With eighteen teams of three different codes the demand on the pitch was hectic and the committee proposed the possibility of securing a second pitch. Funds would not reach just this target as the demands of running a club were mounting each year.
Frank Morgan was elected Chairman in 1992 and he put forward a proposal of applying to the Foundation Of Sports and Arts in Liverpool for a grant to update changing room facilities and towards renting a field nearby. It took over two years for our application to be considered and we were notified before Christmas 1995 of a grant of £33,000 being made to us. While we rejoiced in the prospect of the grant, we knew it would not come near our expectations.
We had received mail advising and inviting voluntary clubs to apply for lottery grants, and it was decided to make application. Tony Clarke and Brian Owens were allotted this job and with the knowledge that our previous grant would act as security, prospects became somewhat brighter.
A field adjacent to Fontenoy Park would be considered ideal as a training pitch, so a meeting was arranged with the owner who quoted a figure of £24,000. This was a considerable amount of money, knowing that a lot needed to be spent on it. However, an agreement was made in the hope that the Lottery application would be successful, which in time proved to be correct as we received a grant of £86,000.
In November 1997, Tony Clarke was elected Chairman and he lost no time in putting the plans ahead to members by calling a meeting detailing what was proposed. Development of the training pitch was priority, and when rock breaking and levelling was completed, it began to take shape.
By August demolition of the old kitchen and changing rooms took place and within weeks the new complex building commenced. This consisted of a spacious foyer, four changing rooms, first aid room, referee’s room and a kitchen all on the ground floor, while upstairs a committee room took shape. As our grant did not cover an entertainment hall, the area above the changing rooms etc was planned to be completed with toilets, bar and store at a later date through fund-raising within the club. It was agreed that the official opening would not take place until completion was reached.
On the 1st September 2000, the training pitch, function room and complex were declared opened by G.A.A President Sean McCague. A special mass celebrated by Father R. Murray, parish priest, preceded the blessing of the new facilities. A night of ‘home grown’ entertainment followed and for the committee and members it was a very special occasion.
Stone that had to be excavated from the making of the training pitch was put to good use with the building of walls at the entrance to the complex from the roadway. More recently, stop nets have been placed on both pitches, the car park area has been added while inside a great effort was made earlier this year to equip the fitness suite.
Fund-raising ventures have been most successful. Our annual festival each August since 1995 is established as the event of the year, and attended from all over the county and beyond. The weekly lotto introduced by Tony Clarke in May 1997 has had a great impact. This is due to the sellers who carry out this task weekly and also to the sorters, the premises where the draws are made and to the buyers.
1998 has been the clubs’ most successful year. Brenda Gallagher won the All –Ireland title in Instrumental Music in C.C.D. The senior camogie team regained the Ulster Club Championship and Mairin McAleenan was selected Player of the Year by the Ulster Writers for a second time. Liam Doyle collected a Hogan Cup medal with St. Colman’s, Newry. The Senior hurlers won the County Intermediate Championship and the reserve championship. The award for the Best Kept Ground went to Liatroim and our club was the unanimous choice for Club of the Year. The senior football team won the Division 2 League title plus the intermediate Championship and for the first time in 20 years advance to Division 1 football, and on Easter Monday 1999 they won the Ulster Club Intermediate Championship in Clontiberet captained by Eamon Middleton.
Since then the senior football team have maintained their position in the top flight and have avoided the dreaded relegated zone. As a result of intense training for football, hurling has not been as prominent as before, although we still compete at senior level. It is worthy of note that Liatroim is the only club in Down competing at senior level in all three codes.
In administration many club members have done us proud. In the early years Joe McSherry (a nephew of the McAleenan brothers who founded the club) held the position of secretary for close on thirty years and was also county secretary for part of that period. Patrick Bannon held the position of secretary for the most of two decades.
Dean Petit was a very influential figure, being a former County Chairman and also President of Ulster Council, he has done much to promote our games. He became parish priest of Gargory in 1965 and was involved in the purchase of Fontenoy Park. Charlie Keown was elected Chairman of the County Board in 1980 and Chairman of the County Board in 1984. Joe McCrickard, a gifted dual player, also served as Chairman of the Hurling Board from 1986 to 1990.
George McKeown contributed a lot to club progress and his son Brendan presently holds a position on the County Hurling Board. A native of the area, Dan McCartan always maintained close associations with our club. Holder of an important position in Croke Park administration, Dan never forgot his roots.
Father A. Davis, now Canon and parish priest of Clonduff, did great work while a curate in Gargory and was Chairman of the club in 1959 and 1960. A great family record has been set up by the Morgan family. All three have been Chairmen of Liatroim; Jim (1962), Joe (1969) and Frank (1992).
Another interesting figure who worked tirelessly was Jackie Mooney, who served as Chairman (1966-67), Secretary (1959-60) and in 1982 was elected Treasurer – a post he held until retirement in 1993. Jackie was a worthy recipient of The Hall Of Fame Award.
When the camogie section of the club was revived in 1972, Rosaleen McCartan was one of the founders. She also served in County Administration, being elected Vice-Chairperson and later Chairperson. She was the driving force behind camogie in Liatroim, and believed in everyone being given a chance to learn the skills of the game from a tender age. Many of the stars of today have Rosaleen to thank for what she has done in our club towards promoting camogie. The above mentioned are really only a few of the many hard working members within the club.
At the A.G.M of November 2000, another ‘first’ was recorded when Maureen O’Higgins was elected Chairperson – the first lady to hold this office. In her acceptance speech, Maureen outlined her long association with the club, firstly as a player, then coach and manager and also in administration. Her hopes would be that the progress made in recent years would continue, with the new facilities of great benefit to all. We were proud to have a person of her calibre to lead our historic club in 2001. She was re-elected for 5 years and has proved to be a leader with many qualities. The Fontenoy Club has greatly benefited by choosing Maureen O’Higgins as First Lady.
Since Millennium Year, Liatroim Fontenoys Senior Football team have held their position in the top flight of Down’s League, finishing in the top four in three subsequent years, ’03, ’04, ’05. However in ’06 all the stops had to be pulled out in a play-off against Annaclone.
A new manager, Johnny Mc Comiskey was appointed for the ’07 season.
Liatroim man Liam Doyle captained a Down Senior Football team who failed to do themselves justice in both League and Championship. New management was also appointed for the County Senior team with their remit being to build a Down team which will once again challenge for National honours in the next few years.
Liam Doyle was the last Liatroim player to win an All-Ireland medal when he captained Down Minor Footballers to victory over Mayo in 1999.
There have been mixed fortunes at Club level for the Fontenoy Hurlers, winning the down Intermediate championship in 1998, and again in 2001, captained on both occasions by John Brown, and in October 2006 Declan Burns lead The Fontenoys to another Intermediate title at the expense of Ballycran IIs.
Liatroim Fontenoys enjoyed their best day on the Hurling front for some years when, on 23rd October, they defeated a fancied Middleton side from Armagh in the Ulster Intermediate Club hurling Semi-final in Casement Park. Their opponents in the Ulster final on 5th November in St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones were Antrim’s representatives, Gort na Móna.
A Liatroim team, depleted by injuries, fielded seven Minors, who gave of their best and showed skill and determination beyond their years. In spite of this mammoth effort, The Fontenoys went down by 5 points at the final whistle.
A number of Fontenoys have represented Down Junior Hurlers over the years, winning the All-Ireland Junior Hurling title in 1993 with six Liatroim men on the team. In 2004, Down were back in the All-Ireland, this time with four Liatroim players, including Captain Brian Mc Aleenan, in the squad. However Meath proved too strong for the Mourne Men on that day in Clones.
A number of Liatroim Minors have worn the Red and Black of Down, and in 2006 Liam Morgan, Daniel Mc Cann, Mícheál Mc Cartan and Paul Mc Aleenan picked up Ulster Minor B Hurling medals.
Paul mc Aleenan was Liatroim’s sole representative on the Down Minor Hurling team in 2007.
The Liatroim Camógs have continued to go from strength to strength since the start of the Millennium. Liatroim Fontenoys have been represented on Down teams at all levels over many years.
In 2004 Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael celebrated it’s Centenary, and Liatroim Fontenoys player was subsequently selected as Centenary Ambassador for Down and Ulster. Later that same year, down reached the All-Ireland Junior championship final with five Fontenoys on the panel. However Cork proved too strong on that occasion, and Down were defeated by a five point margin.
However Liatroim were aiming for Club success, and when they defeated Kilnamona of Clare in the All-Ireland Junior Club semi-final in October ’04, the scene was set for a bid for national honours in Parnell Park on 7th November, with Four Roads of Roscommon the opposition. The Fontenoys ran out comfortable winners, and Captain Anne Morgan lifted the Phil Mc Bride Cup.
The inaugural Camogie All-Stars were initiated to mark the Centenary celebrations, and on 4th December ’04, Máirín Mc Aleena was selected at centre-half-forward on that first Camogie All-star team.
In 2005 the Senior Camogie girls reached a second All-Ireland Junior Club final, this time Newmarket-on-fergus providing the opposition. The first half was keenly contested, but Máirín Mc Aleenan showed just why she holds an All-Star, when she took control of the game in the second half, scoring 3 goals and 2 points, to help Liatroim retain the title. Lisa Mc Crickard proudly raised the Cup aloft , while Máirín was selected Player of the Match on that day in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary.
Three other Fontenoys were busy picking up individual awards of their own when Gráinne O Higgins, an All-Ireland Féile na nGael Skills Winner in 2002, Karen Mc Mullan and Kelly O Higgins were selected on the Ulster Colleges All-Star team in 2005, with Kelly being recognised for the second time, having received an award in 2004.
In September 2006 Liatroim player Corinna Cunningham captained Down Minor camogie Team to a first All-Ireland Minor B title after a thrilling game against Antrim in Casement Park. Gráinne O Higgins and Claire Malone were the other two Fontenoys to contribute to the victory.
Iar-Chathaoirleach Fhontanóigheannai Liatroma ó 2001 - 2005, Maureen O'Higgins, was appointed Chairperson of Down Camogie Board in December 2006.
In March 2006 a Walking Club ‘The ‘Latroim Ramblers’, was established as part of Liatroim Fontenoys C.L.G, and has proven to be a most popular addition to the many activities which the Club provides.
Another very successful activity which was initiated in October 2006, and which is particularly popular among the very young members, with as many as 70 young boys and girls attending weekly lessons, is a Ju-Jitsu Club.
In February 2007 the club’s Sports Development Committee launched a Five Year Sports Development Plan, a comprehensive document which presents clearly defined targets in five key areas of the club development spanning from 2006 - 2010.
The five key areas earmarked for development are: Facilities, Administration, Games Development, Community Focus and Finance.
See also
- Down Senior Club Football ChampionshipDown Senior Club Football ChampionshipThe Down Senior Football Club Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top Down Clubs. The winners of the Down Championship qualify to represent their county in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club...
- List of Gaelic Athletic Association clubs