History
of Glasdrumman
The history of Glassdrumman club
is made up of three periods. The first goes back to
1934 when Fr. Madden came to the parish. With the
assistance of Mr. Scamus (Ducky) Mallon, Irish language
classes, ceilidhe dancing and a football team was
organised. The meeting was held in the A.0.H. hall
Glassdrumman. The team was called "Fag a Balagh".
The first league match was played in John Pat Greer's
field. the Moor Kilkeel with Johnny Fearon as referee.
This club faded away after Fr. Madden was transferred
to Co. Antrim.
Arthur Doran was principal of the
primary school and he along with a few local men registered
a gaelic football team on 26th February. 1952. A ceilidhe
mor was held to inaugerate the team, Fr. Pettit, C.C.,
Saval who was Chairman of the South Down Board welcomed
the new team. In 1954 James MeSparron local M. P.
presented the MeSparron Cup to the club and many historic
tournaments involving senior clubs were played for
the cup. This club collapsed because the two fields
they used, Killens and Higgins at Springwell became
unavailable.
On Sunday. Septernber 7th, 1969 the
present club was formed. The tearn was accepted into
the South Down Junior League on 15th January, 1970.
A lot of work went into the team and the first official
competition they won was the Feis Junior Sevens in
Centenary Year. The club has a successful cultural
side with an Irish language class affiliated to Combaltas
Ulaidh, Irish dancing classes and tin whistle classes.
The club erected clubrooms which
were opened in April 1982. The first bus was bought
in May 1984. The greatest achievement of the club
during all the years was made in November 1981 when
they bought 71/2 acres of grounds on Quarter Road
Mullaclown which was to be developed into a football
field and dressing room facilities.
2002 saw the club being promoted
to Division 2 for the first time in its history.
