1951

Glenn and Kilkeel promoted to Senior League. On 11th February in the first Senior League game, Kilkeel defeated the previous year's Down Champions, Castlewellan 1-7 to 1-5. Ballymartin had reformed and Kilkeel lost seven or eight players from their previous year's panel. Players of the caliber of Thomas Green, Brian Byrne, Mick Byrne, John O'Hare, Willie Phillips, John Doyle, Dennis Dooley: Players who were to become the back bone of Ballymartin teams for quite a number of years.

At the general meeting of Kilkeel club some doubt was expressed on weather or not, due to loss of the above players, the club should accept promotion to the Senior League. However, after a lot of discussion, promotion was accepted and the Club went on to finish third in their League and were beaten finalists in the Senior Championship.

Senior Championship 22nd July - 2nd Round at Hilltown - defeated Clonduff. 26th August - Semi Finals at Newcastle - Kilcoo 0-6, Kilkeel 2-2; Newry 2-9, Downpatrick 2-7; Final Newry 3-2, Kilkeel 1-6.

Minors beat Saval in the South Down Minor League at Warrenpoint - Kilkeel 2-6 Saval 0-1. Paddy Donnan and Johnny Bashford on Down Panel. Kilkeel panel included - Brendan Cunninghan, Tommy McAlinden, Sean Hughes, Patsy Bartley, Eddie Colgan, paddy Donnan, Kieran McErlane, Fergus Nicholson, Tommy Donnan, Jim Magee, Pete Donnan, Jim Ross, Hughie McAlinden, JP Fearon, Danny and Coleman Fearon, Johnny Bashford, Pat Durkin and Patsy Conkey. In the Semi Final of SFC Pete Donnan scored the winning goal as Kilkeel beat Kilcoo 2-2 to 0-6. A poor first half in the final had Kilkeel trailing 3-1 to 1-3, and though they restricted Newry to 0-1 in the 2nd half they lost 3-2 to 1-6.

1952

A Down Regional League was formed to help the County to see the quaity of players in games above Club level. The first game Mid-Down v Mourne was played at Ballymartin and the Mourne team was: Joe Haughian, Hughie Carr, Patsy Bartley, Pat Durkin, Paddy Donnan, Brian Burns, John O'Hare, Liam Bradley, Danny Cole, Johnny Bashford, Patsy Conkey, Johnny Doran, Barney Carr, Brian Grant, Thomas Green. On Sunday 26th January the County Convention was held in St. Colmans Hall, Kilkeel. The weather was so bad, snow and frost, that postponement was in the balance until Sunday morning. In the address, George Tinnelly, County Chairmon, congratulated the club on being a stronghold of the GAA and added that it was gratifying to see that a club catered for all grades of football. An indifferent year in the All County League Football, finishing mid table and knocked out of the Championship in the 2nd Round. Paddy Donnan and Johnny Bashford on Down Senior Panel. Pat Durkin captained Down Minors, Frank McKnight and John Fearon also on panel.

1953

At the annual general meeting held in Lisnacree Hall a lengthy discussion took place on whether or not the name of the club should be changed to St Malachy's, Lisnacree, the catchment area of the club to stay the same. On the proposal of Joe Donnan, seconded by Patsy Bartley, it was decided the change should take place.

The following committee was elected: Johnny McAlinden, Paddy Sloan, Nicky Doran, Jim Colgan, JH Cunningham, WJ Sloan, Brinie McAleenan, Brendan Cunningham, Joe Donnan. Team Manager - Joe Donnan.

In their first game on 22 February St Malachy's defeated Clonduff the 1952 champions. There were eleven teams in the league and after five games they were joint leaders with eight points. However, the early good fortune did not last and they eventually finished fifth in the League.

The loss during the season of players of the calibre of Tommy McAlinden, Hughie McAlinden, Joe White, Pete Donan, who went to work outside the area and Pat Durkin being unavailable had a very unsettling effect on the team. Players of this period: Brendan Cunningham, Cyril McKnight, Alfie McCartan, Francy McKnight, Patsy and Paul Bartley, John Fearon, Donard McConville, Kieran McErlane, Eddie Colgan, Paddy Donnan, Jim O'Rourke, Johnny Bashford, Jim Magee, JP, Danny, and Colman Fearon.

Camogie
St Louis Convent defeated St Mary's T.C. 7-0 to 5-0.

1954

Kilkeel won the U-16 football competition at Newry Christian Bros defeating Warrenpoint in final 3-4 to 4-0. League form throughout the year was very erratic and after defeating Maghera in the 1st round of the Senior Championship, everything was concentrated on a good championship run. In the semi-final on the 14th August against the League leaders Mayobridge, at the end of the hour the sides were level. The replay was on 28th August and as anticipated the game was very keenly contested. Half time 0-3 to 0-3. Full time 0-5 to 0-5. After extra time St Malachy's 0-7 Mayobridge 0-6. Some of the Mayobridge stars of that time were Gerry and Pearse Butterfield, Gribben, Mick and Pat Joe Magee and Fr Arthur Bradley. In the Final they met Annaclone (trained by Dan Morgan). The 'Clone were well known as a team that played the typical Gaelic Football, catch and kick and hard in the tackle.

The field at that time was Jim Colgans and the players, dedicated throughout the Championship run, continued to cycle out twice a week for training under Joe Donnan. The backbone of the Annaclone team were the Morgans, Quinns and McCoiverns and pre final talk suggested that Annaclone would be too strong for St Malachy's.

The long whistle at the end of an hour's hard football showed the result St Malachy's 2-4, Annaclone 0-4. Described in the Frontier Sentinal as a hard rather than a great game the turning point came when Paddy Donnan came to mid-field and took command, others to shine were O'Rourke and McErlane in defence. Bashford and Hennitty in attack. Championship panel: Pat Durkin, Jim O'Rourke, Tommy McAlinden Sean Hughes, Kieran McErlane, Paddy Donnan, Peter Hennitty, Hugh Barney O'Neill, John Fearon, Jim Magee and Colman Fearon, John Sloan, Colm Murnion, Johnny Bashford, Alfie McCartan and Francie McKnight.

1955

Paddy Donnan was on Down Senior Team. Club competing in all County League A. Defeated by Glenn in 1st round of Senior Championship

League Table 19th November

Terry O'Rourke and Brian Byrne made Down Junior Team. Mionrs compete as Upper Mourne won section of league. Peter Hennitty had a trail for Down Minors

1956

Still in all County League A
Castlewellan, Glenn, Annaclone, Clonduff, Downpatrcik, Ballymartin, Lisnacree and Ballykinlar.
Won 1st two matches
Qualified for Semi finals of Feis 7's

1957

League formed in geographical areas. Section 4 - Longstone, Lisnacree, Ballymartin, Greencastle and Rostrevor.

Section 4,5 and 6 under South Down Board. 13 players a side.

Report of 13th July states that it is hard to field a team; doing poorly in the League and relegated to Junior Championship. In the Cassidy Cup, Kilkeel defeated Ballymartin in the Semi final and lost to Kilcoo in the Final. Defeated Dromara in Junior Championship 3-5 to 2-7. Lost to Maghera 0-5 to 0-3 in the semi final. Team included Colm Murnion (teacher), Eamon McCrink, Leo Murphy (went on to play with Down), Paddy Donnan (Veteran stage), Hugh Barney O'Neill, Francie McKnight, Kieran McErlane, Eddie Colgan, Jim Magee, Seamus Hissins and Fergus Nicholson (Gerry Brown's brother in law).

Won South Down Minor Championship. Team included Leo Murphy, Sean McVeigh, Pat Small (emerging), Charlie Gaffney (Greencastle), Malachy Shields (Newry Rd), Kevin Cunningham (Dunard), Nick Doran (Funeral Director), Jim Cahalane (Knockchree Ave), Brian McAnulty (Teacher, Killoween) and Congol Blair (Kittys Rd, Sons played for Longstone). Leo Murphy on Down Minor Team and Lagan Cup Team.

1958

January 5th Minors beat Ballyholland 0-4 to 0-3. January 19th Convention in Kilkeel. Very bad weather with heavy frost and snow almost led to postponement. 20 clubs out of 57 were represented. Delegates were welcomed by Canon Cahill. All County League Teams chosen by County Board. Clubs competing in South Down intermediate. League Section II - Glassdrumman, Mayobridge, Greencastle, Rostrevor II, Lisnacree, Ballyholland, Longstone, and Burren.

llth April, Kilkeel defeated Greencastle 3-5 to 2-6 at Intermediate Level. The team included Hugh Barney O'Neill, Liam Morgan, John Sloan, Tommy McAlinden, Gerry Code, Seamus O'Hagan, Pat Small, Patsy Conkey, Brian Higgins, Sean McVeigh, Peter Hennitty and Seamus Higgins. Sean McVeigh and Nick Doran were selected for Minor trials. Minors defeated Lower Mourne 2-6 to 0-2. Panel - Sean McVeigh, Sean Higgins, Patsy Bartley, Jim Cahalane, Jim Shields, Leo Murphy on Down Team.

Lost to Kilclief in 1st round of Junior Championship. Included in the team were the Murphy Brothers Leo, Willie and Maurice. The Club lost a very valuable and respected life long member and supporter with the sudden death of Nick (the coon) Doran of Newry Street. Nicky had been one of the founder members of the GAA in the area and had given, in many ways, his unselfish support for over 15 years.

Longstone won Cassidy Cup. Paddy Donnan refereed Junior Final - Loughinisland v Dromara. 22nd December South Down Convention. Joe Donnan elected delegate to County Board. Minors beaten in South Down Final by Burren who went on to win the County Championship.

1959

Season opens on 22nd February. St Columban's won first intermediate Schools title. Mal Shields on Down Minor Team. Competed in South Down interim League. Glenn and Clonduff disqualified from league after incident during match at Hilltown - refereed by Paddy Donnan. League declared void as no other team could reach either Club's points total. Finished in top half of league. Minors beaten by Burren in League Final.

1960

Club competing in South Down and Mourne Intermediate League. 3rd January Carnival Ceile sponsored by the club in St Colmans Hall - music by Dundrum Ceile Band.

Malachy Shields on team that is the first ever Down Minor Football team to play in an All Ireland semi-final in Croke Park.

4th March Red Michael Byme, former player emigrates to New York to join brother Brian. 17th April Kilkeel 5-4, Newry Shamrocks 2-8. Scorers: Francy McKnight, John Fearon, Pat Small, Sean Kearney, Gerald Cole.
9th May defeated Longstone 3-3 to 0-4. Glassdrumman Tournament. Final - Minors defeated Lower Mourne 0-10 to 0-1, and in the Senior Final Rostrevor 1-4, Kilkeel 1-3. Scorers: Pat Small, Sean Kearney, Francy McKnight.
16th May defeated Rostrevor 6-7 to 1-2. 23rd May Clonduff 2-4, Kilkeel 1-1.
Junior Championship draw. Drumnaquoile v Kilkeel.

Feis Sevens 1st round. After extra time Ballymartin 2-0 Kilkeet 1-0. South Down and Mourne League. 30th June Glassdrumman 2-8 Kilkeel 3-4. Junior Championship Drumnaquoile 1-8 Kilkeel 1-9. Scorers: Jim Cahalane 1-2, Gerry Cole 0-2, Colm Murnion, Brian Higgins, Kieran McErlane, Sean Kearney, Sean McVeigh 0-1 each.

Won McCall Cup, the Longstone Tournament. Presentation Ceile in St Colman's Hall. Junior Championship Quarter Final at Longstone. Kilkeel 2-7, Scallockstown 2-7. Replay 23rd October before the Senior game Newry Mitchelis v Ballykinlar. Defeated Scallockstown. Team: Sean Higgins, Alfie McCartan, Pat Small. Nick Doran, Mat Shields, Eamon McCrink, Kieran McErlane, Paddy Donnan, Hugh Barney O'Neill, Sean Kearney, Colm Murnion, John Fearon, Jay Donnan, Patsy Conkey, Liam Morgan, Subs: Gerry Cole, Gerry McCrink.

Paddy Donnan came out of retirement for the Junior Championship. Indoor training started in preparation for the Semi Final.