History
of Dromara
Originally the Gaelic Athletic Association
catered for athletics as well as for football and
hurling. In 1922 the athletics interest was handed
over to the newly formed N. A. C. A. 1.
Drornara began as an athletics club
under the auspices of the G.A.A. in the year 1918.
An official printed programme for sports run by the
Dromara Club in that year is in the possession of
the MeEvoy family, Ardtana. Dromara.
Dromara football club was first formed
in 1940 when a number of young men from the South
of Ireland joined the workforce in Droriiara Flax
Mill, bringing with them their enthusiasm for, and
skill in, our national games. Memories ot the good
old days sport were stirred and the Dree (Dromara)
Soccer team were easily persuaded to form a Gaelic
Football team.
An important milestone ws the winning
of the Junior Championship in 1951 and other Trophies
were coming their way. In 1960 and 1961 the spotlight
was on Eamon Luindy who was a member of Down's victorious
All-Ireland panels. as well as being the holder of
a very impressive collection of other medals. Spirits
were lifted by the winning of the East Down League
in 1964 and County "B" League in 1965. Drornara were
joint leaders in the All-County "A' in 1966 when the
County Committee decided to scrap the competition
for that year.
A lean period followed when the Club
lost a number of Senior players. Active interest was
now directed towards the promotion of the games among
the youth, with great pride being taken in the achievements
of Finnis (Dromara) Primary School who were Down County
Champions at nine-a-side three times and at seven-a-side
in the Eighties. These successes began to pay off
and with, a new crop players coming into the Senior
team, hopes are high that Dromara will soon mark again
as a football force.
