The First Team

The first Gaelic team was formed around 1914 when soccer was very strong in Kilkeel, and the new GAA team was called Ballyardle Swifts. Their first game was against Burren and they were beaten 0.33 to 0.3. Dick McVeigh (Great Grandfather of Christopher O'Hare), Albert Mulholland (Dympna Mulholland (Brigfni)) Father Francis Greenan (One of the best players of his age. Also played soccer with Liverpool. Renowned for speed), Dick Higgins (uncle of An Riocht Chairman 1999/2000, Houston McVeigh and Great Grandfather of Ryan McComb), James McLoughlin (Uncle of Patsy Conkey), Barney Hughes, Barney McManus and member McVeigh (Uncle of McVeighs Dunavil, Joe Doran took his name from him. Original member a youth idol.

Kilkeel was represented at the Down Convention in Castlewellan in 1915. Reverend Father McKee of Kilkeel is listed as a club officer in County Board papers in 1917.

The next reference to Gaelic games in the Kilkeel area appears to be about August of 1920 when the Fronier Sentinel's correspondent, A Gael, appeals to Irishmen in the Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and Kilkeel areas to field teams. Over the years, the name of the club has changed quite a few times, Young ire- lands, Young Emeralds, St. Malachy's, St. Colmans. However, the main catchment area has remained the same: Kilkeel, Dunnavan, Ballyardle, Ballymaderphy and Lisnacree. Also Attical and Greencastle before teams were formed in these areas.

1920

At the invitation of a committee formed to run the Warrenpoint and Mourne District League, a team was formed and entered in this competition. The competition was called Shanaghan Cup and Kilkeel Young Irelands first game, playing in black and white stripes, away to Clonduff on Sunday 5th December and ended in a draw. The next game on Sunday 19th December away to Warrenpoint where the home team were victorious with 19 points to 6 points. Friendlies followed versus established teams like Clonduff, Kilcoo, Mayobridge and Sheepstown (now Glenn).

On Christmas Day, the Young defeated Thomas Ashe GFC at Kilkeel. The mainspring of the Kilkeel Club at this time was Rev. John McKee who was curate in Upper Mourne until 1925. He represented his native county (Antrim) at both hurling and football. He was a very impressive figure on the field at over six feet in height, and he always played in a white jersey and led by example. He represented the club in many committees and was a Vice President of the League Committee and was soon selected for the Down Team

Teams were thirteen-a-side with two full forwards playing on the edge of the box. They were known locally as "poochers". Dick McVeigh was the best poocher in Mourne during his playing days. Others mentioned during the formation were Willie Morgan (Liam's uncle Also a taximan), Jack Fearon, Johnny Conkey (Patsy's father), Gerry Cunningham, Nicholas Doran (Nick's father. Later kept football going), Jim Morgan (PJ's father), Harry Doran (Joe Donnan's uncle), Thomas McKnight, Dannie McConville (Butchers, Noted Step Dancer), Mick Donnan (Newry Street. His house was used for changing in), James and Thomas Cunningham, Tom O'Neill, Francie Greenan, John 'Backhill Cunningham (Ballyardle), Harry Bradley (Grandfather of McCrinks), Willie Burns and Johnny Trainor (Great uncle of Michael Trainor - U 1 6 Footballer 1999).

The pitch at that time, was at Maghereagh and later at Jimmie Donnan's field apposite Dunnavan School. On several occasions the Tans surrounded the field and searched everyone. Reports of games during this period were very sketchy, however the final of the league was played on the 5th February 1921 between Rostrevor and Ballyardle resulting in a win for Rostrevor 2-1 to 1-2. The mentors of the Ballyardle team were Barney Hughes (Sean Hughes Father - Ballymagart), and Barney McManus (Patsy McManus father) and the team that represented them in the final was: Tom and Jas Cunningham, Dick and Eddie McVeigh, Dick and James Higgins, Tom O'Neill, P. Ryan (Paddy Ryan, a Tipperary man - a barman), James McLoughlin, Johnny Trainor, Johnny Conkey, Alphonsus McCartan (Alfie's father) and J. Small. In an effort to get hurling started in the area, Rev. McKee arranged a challenge match between Newry and Kilclief on Sunday 19th September 1920. However, it was some years before a team was formed in the Kilkeel area.

1923 - 1925

The 1923-1924 period appears to have been a little better, particularly in the Mourne area. The main difficulties being transport and shortage of players which appears to be due mainly to emigration and the ultimate consequences of being associated with a GAA Club, quite a few of the players being interned.

October 1924 saw the re-forming of the Warrenpoint and Mourne League. Kilkeel representatives on this committee were Thomas McKnight and Nicky Doran. Rev. McKee was elected Vice-President.

The first games were scheduled for 16 November but did not take place until:
14th December Kilkeel 2-2 Burren 0-1
28 December Kilkeel 0-28 Cabra 0-1

Clubs involved in the league appear to be Kilkeel, Warrenpoint, Burren, Sheepstown (Glenn), Hilltown, Rathfriland, Cabra and Rostrevor.

It appears from the panel of players this period that there was only one team in the Mourne Area and those who represented Kilkeel were as follows: Dick Higgins, Dick McVeigh, Johnny Conkey, Francie McKnight, Joe Doran, Harry Bradley, Alphonsus McCartan, Rev. McKee, Mick Donnan, Francie Greenan, Nicky Doran, Willie Campbell, J. (Kielty) Small, Jim Annett, Pat Bums, M. Ryan, Dannie Small, Albert Mulholland, Hugh T. Flaherty, Thomas McKnight, and Tom O'Neill.

Dick Higgins, Johnny Conkey and Francie McKnight were selected for County Trials, Warrenpoint and Mourne District League versus North Down. Higgins and McKnight were selected versus Antrim in the first round of the Senior Championship. McKnight, "the fastest wingman in the County plus a splendid goal getter". Dick Higgins, a fullback, went to represent Down for a number of years until he emigrated. Higgins was described as a "resourceful and speedy back".

The League (Shanaghan Cup) that commenced on the 14th December 1924 was completed on 19th July 1925. Kilkeel defeated Sheepstown 3-6 to 1-2 in the final. The Cup and medals were presented to Nicholas Doran by Fr. Mooney at a function in the Hall, Kilkeel. The presentation was a major parochial event. Committee members at this time were:
Thomas Cunningham, Joe Curran, Willie Morgan, James O'Hare, Harry Doran and Jack Fearon. The latter was to represent the Club as one of the leading referees in the County.

Hurling during this period were friendlies, the coaching being undertaken by Paddy Ryan, a native of Tipperary who was a barman in Bradys (The Royal Hotel).

Rathfriland defeated Kilkeel in the first round of the Senior Championships 3-3 to 2-2. Players of this period were: James McLoughlin, Jim Higgins, Dick MeVeigh, Gerry Cunningham, Fr. Sean O'Neill, Alfie Cartan, Johnny Conkey, Albert Mulholland, Jim Annett, Willie Campbell. Fr. Sean O'Neill captained St. Malachy's College in 1923. As well as the Moor Field (Maghereagh) and Donnans on the Newry Road, the team also played further out the Newry Road on the land of Patrick Quinn (behind Murneys) and on one big occasion defeated the famous Cooley Kickhams there.

1926
On the 27th January a meeting was held in Killowen with the idea of forming a Junior League. From this meeting the following teams: Killowen, Ballyardle, Greencastle, Warrenpoint, Glenloughan, and Rostrevor formed a Junior League. Kilkeel continued in the Senior Competition. The committee elected to run the Junior League were:

Chairman: J Murney
Vice Chairman: M.Nolan
Secretary: Patrick Sands
Committee: H Morgan, J.Colgan, B. McManus, A. Houston

The trophy for the competition Slieveban Cup was presented by Mr. Albert Houston and was known locally as the Houston Cup. First fixtures were plaed on 1st February. Kilkeel played thirteen, won eight, lost four and drew once.

Glenloughan appears to be the Junior team of Kilkeel as players from the town played with them. Kilkeel were represented on the Warrenpoint and Mourne League Committee by Fr. McGuckiam, Nicky Doran and Willie Morgan with Vice President Fr. McKee.

The following teams represented the Club versus Newry on 14th March: Pat Campbell, Dick Higgens, Willie Campbell, Pat Burns, Jay Small, Alf McCartan, Nicky Doran, Johnny Conkey, Johnny Annett, Jim Annett, Dick McVeigh, M. Ryan, Nick Small, and Sean O;Neill, of Bleak House, later to be ordained a priest.

Kilkeel reached the semi-final of the Senior Championship were Kilcoo defeated them 0 - 10 to 0 - 02. The team comprised of: Willie Owens, Dick Higgins, Willie Campbell, Jim Higgens, Alf McCartan, Jay Small, Nick Doran, Johnny Conkey, Jim Annett, M.Ryan, Albert Mulholland, M.McDonald and Dick McVeigh.

At Hilltown on 16th May 1926, Monaghan 0 - 04 Down 0 - 01 with Dick Higgins, Jay Small and Jim Annett lining out for Down. On 29th October the Sliveban Cup was presented to Thomas Sands the Captain of the victorious Killowen team.

During this period Fr. McGuckiam made efforts to start Camogie and a team named Maids of Mourne were formed. Friendly games were played against Omeath, Home and Away with Kilkeel winning both. They also played Camlough and Forkhill, no results available. It appears that Maids of Mourne kept going for some time as there is a report on 4th September 1927, of them defeating Keady 5-9 to 3-9 at a Monster Sports day in Mayobridge. Some names of the Maids include: Annie Mary Doran (McVeigh), Winnie Farrell, Roseleen Annett, Kathleen McConville and Miss Maguire - a teacher in the Parish.

Hurling friendlies were played against Newry Fag-a-Bealach and Kilclief.

1927

South Down Divisional Committee of 16th February, Kilkeel was represented by Willie Morgan and Willie McKnight. Dick Higgins, Harry O'Neill and Jim Annett were on the Down team. In N.F.L. versus Tyrone, Annett got the decisive goal in a 1-4 to 1-3 win. This team was the first to wear the Red and Black Jerseys.

There were further games, on 13 March versus Armagh and on the 24th April versus Cavan.

The Cavan game was played at Rathfriland and before the game Kilkeel and Rathfriland schoolboys gave an exhibition of fast and clever football. There are reports of a schoolboys team in Kilkeel in 1927 but efforts to form a league appear to have come to nothing. The Kilkeel team were: Dannie McConville, John Pat Hanna (Great uncle Colm Cunningham & Redmond Cunningham), Jackson Donnelly (lived on Newry Road), James Sloan, Hugh Sloan (Owned Liverpool Hotel, Warrenpoint), Pat Cole, Jim Cole (Kyran/Myles father - 'The Crow'), Nicky McConville (Photographer), Charlie McConville, Willie Rogers, Thomas Campbell, Jim (Did) Cousins (Orangeman from Harbour Road), Thomas Higgins (John's Father).

Many of the aforementioned men went on to become household names in the Mourne area and as County players, notably Dannie and Charlie McConville and Jackson Donnelly.

In the Ulster Junior Championship versus Armagh, Alphonsus McCartan, Jay Small (Daniel's Uncle, Ballymagart), and Albert Mulholland were on the Down Team. Armagh won 2-7 to 2-3.

The Shanaghan Cup fixtures were not completed. The committee declared Kilcoo the winner.

1928
G.A.A. in the Mourne area having difficulties. Killowen and District League fialed to function. Kilkeel Young Irelands ceased to exist according to a report from South Down and Mourne League meeting on 27th January, due to a dispute with the League Committee, the team was withdrawn,

Dick Higgins still continued with the County

1929
South Down and Moume Divisional committee met on January 6th. James O'Hare elected Vice President. About this time a very popular young player, the goalkeeper Thomas Rushe was killed in a fatal accident. Deep regret was expressed throughout the community.

In the first game of the season Kilkeel were defeated by Newry 2-1 to 1-2. The team was as follows: Alfie McCartan, Dick Higgins, Willie Campbell, Pat Fitzpatrick, J. Bums, Jack Hanna, Dick McVeigh, Willie Higgins, Jim Higgins, J. Small, Francie McKnight, Nicky Doran and Johnny Conkey. It appears that at this period Ballymartin were out of football and that Paddy Fitzpatrick was playing for Kilkeel.

Jack Hanna was a Warrenpoint man and later Rostrevor. The team used to strip in Mick Donnans and met after the home games for a cup of tea in Ellen Morgans (now Hardy's TV shop) in Newry Street. They played in black and white stripes and were known as the "magpies". The pitch was Jimmie Donnan's field across from, Dunnaman School.

Reports of the year 1929 are sketchy but it appears as though the team did not complete the League. An advert in the Frontier Sentinal states that a Ceilidh Mor was held in St. Colmans Hall on 8th December. Dancers Belfast and Dundalk were present. Supper was served and Ceilidh commenced at 8.30pm.

1930
No reports available and this appears to have been a blank year in the Mourne area.