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History of Downpatrick

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From an historical perspective, the present club can trace its origin back to 1896, when the fist club was founded in Downpatrick. The club, known as Clan Na Gael at the time, was primarily a hurling club and it formation was documented in Shan Van Vocht Vol.2 on 7th February 1896. Hurling was the predominant game on those early years, and remained so up to 1916 when football started to gain in popularity.

Lecale Hurling Team 1905

A temporary cessation of Gaelic games followed between 1918 and 1922, when the games were outlawed. This set back curtailed development, but in 1924 resurgence took place, the games now attracted greater support and a second team was formed.

A Downpatrick Team in the 1920's

Back Row: J. Breen, W. Fitzsimmons, W. Byrne, H. Smyth, P. McCarthy, T. Gracey, P. Perry, J. McCarthy, J. Wallace, W. Quinn, E. Fitzsimmons.
Front Row: T. Cunningham, P. McKeating, Brother Brendan, J.McKeating, J. Quinn, B. Fitzsimmons.

In 1926 the first officially affiliated club was formed. The founders of the new club, St. Patrick, were Willie Byrne from Downpatrick, Willie King from Gloucester England and a Glasweigan Alex McDowell

           

Football continued to flourish and in the 1930-31 season, Brother Brendan from the De La Salle community, actively promoted schoolboy’s football. His influence was immense, and his John’s Street Elementary schools team was undefeated that season. Their reward was a trip to the 1932 All Ireland final between Mayo and Kerry.

Many of Brother Brendan’s proteges won the East Down Minor League in 1932 and ’33, and went on to represent the club at senior level. Brother Brendan’s promotion of schoolboy football in the 1930/31 season earmarked the beginning of a long association between club and the community.

Schoolboy Team 1932

Back Row: Jim Doyle, Joe McGrady, Tom Bohill, Malachy Moore, Paud Starkey, Paddy Fitzsimmons, Bob Bradly. Middle Row: Mel McGrady, Tom Connolly, Paddy Bohill, Bro. Brendan, Willie Kelly, Johnny Mahon, John Cusack.
Front: D. Bradley, D. McGrad

The period between 1931-36 was one of the most successful in the clubs illustrations past. St. Patrick’s dominated club football in Down, winning both the East Down league and the All-County Senior Football Championship in 1935. This was Downpatrick's first championship title, and in the final they defeated Kilcoo by 3.1 to 0.8. On their way to the final they defeated Annaclone, Newry and Ballymartin.

Outstanding for Downpatrick in the final were George Milligan, the Oakes brothers Alf and Bill, Brendan King, Hugh Kelly and Pat Fennon who scored the winning goal five minutes from time. Many of the 35 team were selected to play for both East Down and the county team.

R.G.U Senior Football Championship winning side 1935

Back Row: Willie King, John Collins, Pat Lennon, Joey Tumelty, Tom Bohill, Bill Oakes, George Johnston, Alf Oakes, Bro. Patrick, Willie Fitzsimmons.
Front Row: Paddy Smith, hugh Kelly, John Mckeating, Brendan King, Paddy Crangle, Paddy Mckeating, Desmond Bradley, Willie Byrne. Seated Centre front: Willie Ross

Brother Justinian Downey’s arrival in 1937 helped maintain the momentum of his predecessors. On September 3rd 1938 Brother Justinian was succeeded by Brother Olteran Power, and in the same year Brother Edmund Murphy became principal of St. Patrick’s High School. Both men were intensely interested in all things Gaelic, and their combined efforts helped to keep both hurling and football alive during the dark war years.

St. Patrick’s continued to flourish and in the 1938-39 season, two significant events occurred. Firstly the club moved from their base at the back of the Downshire Hospital to Leatham’s field at Ballymote, a venue which remained their home until the Dunleath playing fields at Ballyduggan road were opened in the late 60s. Secondly the club was renamed ‘The Thomas Russell Club’ in memory of the great patriot who was executed at Downpatrick jail on October 21st 1903. Ten years later it adopted its present name ‘The Russell Gaelic Union’.

The 1940s were relatively inactive apart from two major initiatives, which occurred at that time. These were the advent of the street or parish leagues and the Aeridheachts.

The street leagues became very popular and the aeridheachts quickly developed into a great annual festival of Irish sport, music, dancing and oratory.

The promotion of Gaelic games was greatly boosted by the return of Brother Augustine Lynch from Strawberry Hill, London in 1943.

Brother Augustine, who had previously taught religious knowledge in the High school during the thirties, was a great motivator and had succeeded in developing a greater interest in Gaelic games in his pupils. Brother Olteran together with Brother John revived hurling in the early 40s, and Downpatrick won the County Junior Hurling Championship in 1945.

The appealing power of the aeridheachts continued into the fifties, ad the club staged very successful aeridheachts in 1951, 52 and 53.

Off the field of play the clubs first newspaper 'Imeasc na n Gaedheal’ was published in February 1950. The price of the newspaper was 3d., and all of the one hundred copies of the first issue were sold. Publication continued at regular intervals through 1950-51 and the Gaels of East Down were kept abreast of what was happening in Gaelic circles at the time.

Sean McBride, Minister of External Affairs Irish Republic,
Bernard Deeny and Malachy McGrady at the 1950 Aeridheacht

The aeridheacht held on Sunday 16th July 1950 was possibly the most successful in the series. On that particular day Mr. Sean McBride, then minister for external affairs of the Irish Republic gave the oration. Mr. McBride, son of the illustrious Maud Gonne, was a leading Irish and world statesman and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with Amnesty International.

Wolfe Tones team which played in the 1951 street league.

Back Row: Joe Keating, Tommy Lundy, Danny Rea, Willie Price, John Magorrian.
Middle: Leonard McLoughlin and Hughie Smith.
Front Row: Billy Fitzsimmons, Pat Kelly and Malachy Wallace

 

 

 

The successes of the 60's and 70's can be attributed to the sterling efforts of Brother Anthony in Juvenile football in the 1950's and the phenomenal success of Juvenile hurling in the 1960's and 70's can be accredited to the outstanding work of Brother Charles.

Russell Union has actively contributed to Irish culture and the series of Aeridheachts held in the Fifties. one of which was addressed by Mr. Scan MeBride, built a sound foundation for the club's present involvement with Scor.

In 1980-81 under the inspired leadership of Denis Magee the R.G.U. bought and developed their clubroorns in Scotch Street and later on obtained their own playing pitch.