Liatroim Fontenoys Gac

Liatroim Fontenoys is a Gaelic Athletic Association Club in County Down, Northern Ireland. The club promotes hurling, Irish football and camogie. HistoryLiatroim Fontenoys, a small rural club in County Down, was founded in February 1888 and is the first GAA club established in that county. The McAleenan brothers from nearby Ballymaginaghy were working in Dublin during 1887. While there, they met Maurice Davin and Michael Cusack, early pioneers of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Around this time J. L. Savage, a native of nearby Backaderry, learned about Gaelic games. In 1888, Savage and the McAleenans founded Liatroim Fontenoys GAC. In 1902, John Henry King of Newcastle helped revive the GAA after a period of decline. By 1905 they were firmly re-established when a new generation of footballers won their first County Championship and were undefeated in the league under captain Mick Keown. In 1921, the Fontenoys became the only Down club to win Senior County Championships in both hurling and football; a feat still unmatched. During the years that followed the club competed in both codes without any major success. In 1947, P. F. McCartan was selected as Ulster Hurling Goal-keeper, while in football, P. J McElroy was selected as full back for Ulster in 1955. In 1968 Colm McAlarney became the first Railway Cup medallist when Ulster defeated Leinster on St. Patrick's Day. Later that year, on 22 September, Colm McAlarney starred at mid-field and Willie Doyle at centre halfback for Down who defeated Kerry in Croke Park. In September 1999, Doyle's son, Liam, led the Down Minors to victory in the All Ireland Football Championship. During the 1950s a camogie team was established by the parish priest, Father McCartan, but within a few years time numbers had fallen and so the game was phased out. By 1972 interest in camogie was revived and training sessions arranged. Within two years, two players - Sheila McCartan and Bernie Malone - had collected All-Ireland Minor Championships medals with Down, and in 1976 Bernie Brown starred for Down to collect a Junior Championship All-Ireland medal. Within five years from its formation the Fontenoy camogs had advanced to senior status and in 1977 collected the County League and Championship double. In 1984 Liatroim's under 14 camogs won the Division 3 title Feile nGael All-Ireland in Wexford captained by Monica McCartan. Later that year in September, Liatroim senior camogie team won their first Ulster Club Championship title captained by Nuala McCartan.

Liatroim Fontenoys is a Gaelic Athletic Association Club in County Down, Northern Ireland. The club promotes hurling, Irish football and camogie. HistoryLiatroim Fontenoys, a small rural club in County Down, was founded in February 1888 and is the first GAA club established in that county. The McAleenan brothers from nearby Ballymaginaghy were working in Dublin during 1887. While there, they met Maurice Davin and Michael Cusack, early pioneers of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Around this time J. L. Savage, a native of nearby Backaderry, learned about Gaelic games. In 1888, Savage and the McAleenans founded Liatroim Fontenoys GAC. In 1902, John Henry King of Newcastle helped revive the GAA after a period of decline. By 1905 they were firmly re-established when a new generation of footballers won their first County Championship and were undefeated in the league under captain Mick Keown. In 1921, the Fontenoys became the only Down club to win Senior County Championships in both hurling and football; a feat still unmatched. During the years that followed the club competed in both codes without any major success. In 1947, P. F. McCartan was selected as Ulster Hurling Goal-keeper, while in football, P. J McElroy was selected as full back for Ulster in 1955. In 1968 Colm McAlarney became the first Railway Cup medallist when Ulster defeated Leinster on St. Patrick's Day. Later that year, on 22 September, Colm McAlarney starred at mid-field and Willie Doyle at centre halfback for Down who defeated Kerry in Croke Park. In September 1999, Doyle's son, Liam, led the Down Minors to victory in the All Ireland Football Championship. During the 1950s a camogie team was established by the parish priest, Father McCartan, but within a few years time numbers had fallen and so the game was phased out. By 1972 interest in camogie was revived and training sessions arranged. Within two years, two players - Sheila McCartan and Bernie Malone - had collected All-Ireland Minor Championships medals with Down, and in 1976 Bernie Brown starred for Down to collect a Junior Championship All-Ireland medal. Within five years from its formation the Fontenoy camogs had advanced to senior status and in 1977 collected the County League and Championship double. In 1984 Liatroim's under 14 camogs won the Division 3 title Feile nGael All-Ireland in Wexford captained by Monica McCartan. Later that year in September, Liatroim senior camogie team won their first Ulster Club Championship title captained by Nuala McCartan.