Moneymore Gaels Respond on their Memories
Declan Mc Donald
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? For me it was Patsy Breen teaching us how to block a ball at primary school.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field? Winning the Derry Intermediate Football Championship (didn't play but what a moment )
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Playing a match one day, in which unusually for us we where not getting to many of the decisions ,Oliver Mc Kee ( a very quiet and unassuming guy ) was being booked for something which only the ref knew and asked Oliver his name perhaps three times each time Oliver was about to walk away had to turn around and repeat his name, about to walk away for the forth time the ref called him back and said something to which was one to many for Oliver he began (totally out of character) angrily and at the top of his voice began to spell his name, O L I V E R M C K E E everyone in fits laughing
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Not having seen all the players play I would have to pick from someone I played with,I will pick Paul Young. Looking back for me it wasn't easy playing backs, playing for Moneymore wasn't easy because I wanted to do so well for the club and the team I perhaps put more pressure on myself instead of enjoying it more.
Playing in the backs was pressure because if your man scored there was no way really to cancel that score, where as a forward would get the ball and just try again and again and if he scored two and missed four the four do not register on the scoreboard but a backs miss it does.
For me playing with Paul was less nervy he was always calm and assured never panicked and always seemed to have time to find space and pic out a man for a pass and was always available to support the man with the ball and he could catch well to, so for this reason I pick Paul Young.
Ryan Barker
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Primary school blitz’s in Maghera and Brockagh. Also playing up at the hill, not being able to see from one side of the field to the other when you were smaller because of the slope on the pitch (I use the word pitch loosely).
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field? Winning the senior league titles in the early 2000’s, cant mind which years or which divisions, but they were enjoyable.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Don’t remember much about the underage matches but I always remember going to them. The entire team packed into 2 or 3 “puddle jumpers” - usually piloted by Malachy Scullion, Hugh McCloy or Gerry Donnelly. You would arrive at the game with the imprint of a stil saw or spirit level on your leg!!…. good times
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Watching wee Francis O’Neill playing always stands out, always a buzz around the field when he got the ball, so fast and skill-full. More recently Paudie rarely fails to deliver the goods.
Brendan O Neill
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? I was a player in the Moneymore team in 1956. I was a goal-keeper
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? I was a manager of the Graham Cup winning team in '78 I was the manager of the Intermediate winning team in '84 My proudest moment was being Chairman of the Club when we opened our new pitch.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? As a player I remember playing Kilrea and Paddy O'Neill got injured, and when this happened he said, “ Aww lads, let me die in Kilrea”.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? I had a lot of great players when I was manager of Moneymore and its very hard to single one out, but I would have to say my favourite player was Oliver McKee. In my opinion he was the best Centre Half Back in Derry and was never recognised by the county management, even though he was a very talented individual.
But the most special thing, me and my family will cherish, was the lovely gesture shown by the club on the day of my son's funeral. That was something we will never forget.
Carla O'Neill
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? I think the earliest memory must have been up at the old pitch were the term “field” really was the case because it was exactly that, an old field with a set of goal posts stuck at either end. And what I remember most was Brian Mc Gilligan swallowing his tongue (a strange first memory, which I hope is the case and not a made up story of mine. I should really have asked father dearest if this actually did happen but I’m almost certain it did.)
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? I am gonna say when Moneymore won the league quite a few years back, I think they may have beaten Banager to win the title but once again my memory may serve me wrong. I just remember going into a “smoke filled” kitchen after the win and the celebrations were immense. The cup was filled to the brim, everyone was singing and roaring, even Paudie managed to take a sip from the cup (UTTER SHOCK for it wasn’t diluted orange in that cup that’s for sure). I have always wanted Moneymore to win a title again for that simple reason, because I knew they would appreciate it and celebrate in style as it doesn’t happen too often. Fingers crossed it will happen in the next few years! I have faith!
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? I don’t remember “the Bri” aka daddy playing football as I was the last “baby” in the house, which is maybe a good thing for I see what the O’Neill’s are like off the pitch so it had to be suicide material on it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to see Bosco play either but the stories I’ve heard say enough and the pictures make it all very real. As for Paudie, I
am probably his toughest critic but that’s only because I know his potential and the effort that he puts in. And ofcourse I would hate to be seen as being biased. But I can safely say he is one of my biggest inspirations both on and off the field.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Ok now I am gonna be biased and say Paudie... haha how contradictory?! I just feel he’s an all round player, a natural leader although not the most vocal of people but he never gives up and would do anything for that Henry Joys jersey! He’s a very unselfish player and knows how to a read a game (or atleast I think so). I’m not old enough to remember the greats playing, aka Eugene Young or Uncle Kevin or indeed the fierce Peter but I am sure they have to be up there with the best. God I am really going all out for the family here aren’t I? I hear Maurice Mc Ivor was a quare footballer in his time too, I can imagine he would just have been like a wee whippet. Some greats over the years, some club!!!
Ciaran Brown
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? It was going over the glenshane on all those dodgy mini-buses on a sunday evening not knowing if you were going to get home, the amount of times we broke down at the top of the mountain, not getting home till the wee small hours, that would have been the early 80s or late 70s
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? Without doubt it would have been when big Kevin O'Neill fisted the ball to the back of the net in a very wet and wild day in Slaughtneilto win the intermediate championshipagainst Drum our finest ever day, the big man was on fire that day.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? I can remember going to school around the reformation of the club and the then secretary Patrick O Brien calling me into the staffroom, I thought I had done something wrong but it was just to give me a note to give to me Da to tell him there was a meeting at Patricks house, also the post mortems at out house on a sunday night with big Brendan O Neill and Francie Ward and Frank O Connor, the craic was mighty, great memories.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? It has to be big (Ogie) Eugene Young as he represented our club with great pride at both county and provisional level and he was always a player I looked up as a youngster, he was a player I always pretended to be when I was playing in the back yard, great to see the big man involved with the team again.
Frank Collins
Sandie Marshall & Stephen Barker, I acknowledge very much for inviting me to such a great occasion but I will not be able to attend, off to New Zewland on the 4 th Nov to the 28 th . Next I would be called a blow in to Moneymore, little or no knowledge of football in Moneymore, lived in London all my life just came here to Mountview Close 5 ½ years ago, but I would go to a lot of Moneymore matches. Also there are none of my family here either, they all live in London bar my eldest Girl who lives in Perth Australia. I do hope the centenary night goes well for you. There is no doubt that had I been here I would have attended.
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Yes, well favourite time was last July when the under 14s went so well in the tournament, I went to every game they played (or almost) because the Dulwich Harps were the next parish in London to where I lived all those years. I went back to a function in the
Catholic Club Hall a couple of weeks after that tournament, the hall overlooks the football pitch. I also had the pleasure of giving two fellows accommodation during the time of the football festival.
Gerard Diamond
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? My earliest memory is the day the senior team won the ‘84’ championship. I remember hearing horns blowing, I ran outside and saw Eugene Young going into my neighbours house Harry Conway {Sean’s father} with the cup. The people outside were really celebrating. The photo that was taking that day is hanging on the wall in the club committee room.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? Playing our first game on our new field was a great moment as the club had worked very hard to make this happen. Another great moment on our new field was watching Niall O’Neill lifting the Div 1B 2001 league cup.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? I remember my first ever senior game. It was against Magherafelt seniors in a cup game on a Wednesday night up at the Hill. I recall Brendan coming to me and whispering into my ear “our John will run you down to get your gear we have only 14 men”. As I returned to the field and was joining the rest of the team I heard Big Brendan calling out my name in corner forward. Peter O’Neill was standing with a cigarette in his mouth and near chocked when he heard my name. I played that night against a very strong Magherafelt team and scored 5 points. Peter Young took a quick free at almost full time, and scored a goal from it and we won the game by 2 points.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? As I have played senior football for so long, I’ve been very fortunate to have played with some of the best and most talented players from Moneymore. Back in my teens I played with families such as the Hasson Brothers, the Young brothers, all the O’Neill’s and my cousin Oliver. In later years all my team mates have worked hard and been proud to wear their black and amber colours. But most of all I feel really proud to run out alongside Mark and Paudie as they not only represent our club, but in the past have represented our county with pride.
Gary McNicholl
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Earliest memory is the old hill, cars stuck in the mud, inability to see the opposition keeper.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? Fondest memory on the pitch was John O'Brien hitting the net from a 45 to win the league.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field ? The ould boy telling us to stay beside our men even if they went for a piss (we were 9 at the time).
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Favourite player Francis O'Neill pure genius on the ball, always able to find a yard beat a man and score. Think he won a national league with Derry??
Stephen Barker
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? My earliest memory is winning the Maghera blitz with the primary school. I remember coming back through the town with everyone hanging out of the cars doing laps of the town. I’ll always remember Patsy Breen teaching us how to catch the ball with the ‘W’ as you touch your two thumbs together (though all these years later and I still can’t catch it!!!)
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field?
My favourite moment on the field was winning the playoff against Ballymaguigan at Lavey to gain promotion. It was great to see such a hard years work payoff for all of the boys. We partied well that night (just a pity there aren’t many memories like that)
One of my greatest memories on the field is in a home game against Kilrea we were a couple of points up going into injury time and they pumped a big ball into the box, the great Niall O’Neill rose for the ball and he must have been 15 foot in the air when he plucked it out of the clouds – best catch I have ever seen. The final whistle went and we won the game. I also remember Niall scoring an o.g. past me but maybe I shouldn’t mention that.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? I just love continually playing with all my friends over year after year. It’s nice to start welcoming new players into our panel after many years of the same faces – long may this continue as we bring through players from underage.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? I have really enjoyed all the players in the full back lines since I started playing for the seniors. In my first season the full back line was Ryan, Niall O’Neill and Gavin O’Neill – I don’t think I touched the ball that season at all. In more recent seasons it’s been great to watch valdo and babes raid forward from corner back kicking points for fun (with me yelling at them to get back reminding them they are defenders first)
I couldn’t talk about great players without mentioning Mark and Paudie O’Neill. It is a pleasure to be on the same training field as these boys let alone playing with them. If I only had a fraction of these boys ability I wouldn’t be stuck in nets
Johnny Taylor
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Me getting a transfer at under 14 level and still not getting to play because transfer wasn’t through. The next yr I was playing mid field along with either paul o neill or peter boyle. Some brute me in midfield
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? Us winning div 3, 2 and 1b, 3 yrs on the trot and continually pushing to be a top 8 team in derry with the small numbers we had. Also playing in the senior championship against players like rory boylan and the Bradley bros. off the field has to be the opening of the new field, also a great time for our club. Also paul scullions speech in the kitchen after we won the 1b league, behind every great man there s a great woman.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? The field fight at glenulin, banty wuz a legend, roddy mc ivor for his innovative use of the wing mirror.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Mark oneill, what a man, out catch the biggest and best of them, run all day and night, kick points from anywhere with either foot and show u a dummy, and give u the checky laugh as he leaves u for dead, strong as a horse also.
Liam McElhone
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? My first training session with u16’s after I transferred to the club. Brian O Neill was the manager and we were training up at old pitch. We got to the u16 south derry final that year and a lot of the boys who played in that team are still playing with the club.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? The final whistle at the end of the reserve championship semi final in 2000 against newbridge in the loup, when we had beaten them by a point to reach final. It was a hard hitting, hard fought win in bad conditions on a bog of a pitch, but was a real team performance and result was made all the better as I was team captain that year.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? On a team night a few years back to the dogs in Lifford we decided to stop in Omagh on way home and go to Sallys. It was Christy Youngs first year with the senior team and he had went to the night out wearing trainers, when he tried to get into sallys the bouncers would not let him in with the trainers. So in a flash of brilliance he went out took off his shoes and socks then put the shoes back on then pulled the socks over them. The bouncers were laughing that much that they had to let him in for the effort.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Paudie O Neill: Honest player who even though is probably one of the most gifted players to pull on the moneymore shirt works harder than any other player at both training and in matches, but is always modest about himself and what he does for the team and the club.
Michael Moran
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Using the old barn to the side of Devlins house as the ‘changing rooms’
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? On the field: Winning the Graham Cup Off the field: Patrick O’Brien arriving to a committee meeting to inform us he had secured a grant of £47,000 towards building the new changing rooms.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Patrick O’Brien – True Gael
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Mark O’Neill (Bias or what?!!!)
Niall Hegarty
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore?
Heading to Slaughtneil for my first U-12 match, on the bus heading past where the Jungle is now and Spud throwing out the new jerseys, with shorts and socks. The jersey where just plain yellow, with black wrists and collars and a black number on the back. Remember thinking they where class.
Think I was about 8 at the time. Also the ’88 trip to Listowel, remember it being great craic only time I got to play on same Moneymore team as our Ciaran and Declan and Johnny McBride
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field? On the field the league promotion/relegation play-off against Ballymaguigan in Lavey. Brilliant sunny day, as underdogs, remember Marty Conway charging up the field to win a penalty in Injury time, and being a couple of point up, we could afford Gerry to miss the penalty, as soon as keeper saved it final whistle was blown, never celebrated a missed Moneymore penalty like it. Also the run to the Intermediate Championship in 2001, the win against Foreglen with the late goal in Ballerin. Then the great defensive effort against the favourites Greenlough in the semi up in Ballerin again, with the wind and the rain pissing down we won 0-7 to 0-3 I think, playing against the wind and up the hill in the second half.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Remember playing a reserve championship in Slaughtneil as a 17 year old, doing mid-field with club hero Eugene Young (one of only two men along with Peter O’Neill to be involved in both the 84 intermediate and 95 Junior championship winning teams). Eugene getting sent off by the ref for 2 yellows for verbal and having to play mid midfield on my own for the rest of the game. Can’t even remember the result, just the expression on off disbelief on Eugene’s face at the 2 yellows, there were a joke.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? It has to be either Mark O’Neill or Paudie. In Mark I’ve never seen a more natural gifted footballer, the guy just glides up and down the pitch and make things look so effortless, and the way he uses his body to nudge opponents to gain an advance when jumping to catch a ball is entertaining and effective. Paudie for sheer determination and accuracy, he is a class act up front, and his work rate and team ethic for somebody with so much skill and talent has to be admired. Never lets the side down, and always showing for the ball wanting to be involved.
Niall O'Neill
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Making my debut against the Loup and scoring 1-1 and coming on for Banty who was injured.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? Being made Captain of the Seniors and winning Division 1B league in 2001 and being Player of the Year in 1999
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Brendan O'Neill because he brought me to the club and being a big Tyrone man being welcomed into the club from day one.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Toss up between Mark O'Neill for just all round ability and skill or Kevin Vallelly because he was hit so many times and still went on.
Paudie O'Neill
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? I can just remember going up to the Hill and watching Daddy play with the seniors. I can’t remember too much about the games as we didn’t concentrate on them for that long, usually playing our own games behind the goals. But there always seemed to plenty of controversy in those games and the odd disagreement!!!
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? Probably winning the junior Championship at Glenullin. I can remember the build up round the town, the flags etc and then winning it and the touring round Moneymore with the trophy. I obviously wasn’t playing but can remember the build up and the celebrations and thought it was unreal at the time. Also playing in the team that won consecutive promotions. That was a very young team and played some great football and only for the County Board changing the leagues mid season to protect the big guns in Derry football, we should have got our chance to play senior football. Toicfaidh ar la.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Obviously I’d say Bosco. Even as a boy I can remember him telling me that your Club always comes first. I can’t remember too much about him playing but I remember once at an under 12 game V Slaughtneil I think (at the Hill) when he went to take a forty five off the ground. He was trying to steal a yard and the referee made him move the ball the short distance back to the line. I can remember Daddy not being too well pleased about the ref making an under 12 move the bal l back. Bosco casually lifted the ball back, put it on the line, chipped a short kick to one of his team mates, took the return and from what seemed to be an almighty distance for an U- 12, he kicked the ball over the bar.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Mark O’Neill is the best player I have played with at any level. His modesty and quiet demeanor probably deprived him of playing more for Derry than he should have but the talent he has is unreal, pure genius. He has every attribute you could ever want as a gaelic footballer, skill, vision, two great feet, strong and has a great engine. I also used to love watching wee Franky O’Neill play. I could never understand how he could play midfield when he was so small but yet he could out-field most players he came up against. He also had a great side step.
Roddy McIvor
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Has to be at the Hill and playing about as a cub behind the goals at the road end. Uncle Louis would of being umpire around that time and if he wasn't chasing us off the pitch he was starting rows with the opposition and giving the odd dodgy score. A Legend!! The smell of cow clap also remains etched in the brain forever.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? Anytime I got a game was a favourite moment and that was rare, I remember Adrian Marshall and myself scoring 3-5 between us on a Wednesday night League game in Drum alongside Kevin O'Neill and us getting dropped on the Sunday when the University boys were back.
Off the field, the night in 1993 that Derry brought the Sam Maguire through Moneymore was unbelievable, some buzz about the town that night and some crowd. Conrad Ward and myself were trying to get on the open-top bus but Jim McGuigan and Benny Vincent wouldn't let us on. Little did Benny know!!
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? I can remember Brian O'Neill decking a Swatragh corner-back for giving me a hard time. He told me and Chalker to switch corners and on the way past he took the top row outta the lad. Cheers Brian!! It was the only thing Spud ever got on target. Patrick O'Brien taught me at Primary 5/6 and little did I know the the sheer administrative talent of the man behind the desk. His foresight, hard work and attention to detail had a large say on the great grounds we have at our disposal today. I also thought when I grew up in Northland that Brendan O Neill owned the club such was his commitment towards the Henry Joys. He used to turn up at training in a suit and start doing exercises on the grass for the warm up's. We used to ask Ita for a size 5 to play on the green or in Mulhollands garden. It was like Croke Park to us!!
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Big Eugene Young and Kevin O'Neill were fabulous players when I was watching games at a young age. Mickey McGurk was good aswell but he was hard to listen too at times. Still you cant argue with a man with a MacRory Cup medal. Played and watched Francis O'Neill was a joy as he was lethal. He could play anywhere. Sean Conway has been telling Barker and myself that much about the Junior Final in 1963 and how well he played he is starting to sound like that McGurk lad.
But Paudie gets my Vote as my favourite player. Imagine trying to mark him. I do umpire a lot and you get a good view of the man's brillance.
Shelia Brown
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? I did'nt live in Moneymore. I was a Drumullan girl but we always went to Sports Day in Moneymore and there was always a match on. (That's not today or yesterday)
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? My favourite moment was the day the team won the Intermediate Championship. It was pouring rain but nobody minded getting soaked.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? On the day the Club won the Graham Cup, Ita O'Neill and I were a bundle of nerves. We could'nt bear to watch, it was so tense we went over the road and stood behind a Headtone at Milltown Cemetery.
Eugene Young
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? My earliest memory is playing at Primary School under the guidance of Patsy Breen. We didn’t realize what a star man he was with derry team. This is where it all started for many of us. Other memories is of Hugh Corey (The Loup) giving us the opportunity to play with the Loup when the club wasn’t functioning. As a cub I went to the pitch with the late Frankie O’Loane to help him with his free kicks. He lined them up along the 14 and 21 yard lines and stroked them over with his sweet left foot. I retrieved the balls (ball boy yep). Frankie paid me back in later years when he picked me for the county Minors at 16 and the Under 21s at 17 and carted me about the country for games. He was a star for Bellaghy and Derry and it was a pity he didn’t get to play for Moneymore when we got going again he’d have been a great asset.
The early committee had many women on it who provided much support and help with fundraising. The sports days, the carnivals and events were excellent. The “blueberry Sunday” event up on the face of the mountain was another great day in our club. We had clay pigeon shooting side by side as we played our north Derry visitors on a rickety old pitch that had been set up. What a day – they put in a complaint about the noise and looked for replay.
The visit of Uachtaran Christy Cooney last year during Feile to McCraken Park.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? My favourite moment on the field was lifting the Intermediate Cup in Slaughtneil v Drum. What a day to win something with the club and reward all our loyal supporters who had followed us through think and thin all over Derry. Taking the trophy out to Sean’s father Harry Conway as the oldest member in the clb at that time was also a special thing.
There were many hard battles on the pitch v the Loop, Ballmaguigan and the boys from North Derry, Drum, Slaughmanus and Foreglen. All have a story but the game v Ballymaguigan at the hill where a row broke out and it was all hell let loose for 10 minutes is fondly remembered. John Diamond was the referee and when there was a lull in proceedings, we looked around to see John sitting on the ball on the hill in the middle of the pitch. He said boys we can play on and get the game finished or I can go home and bale the hay. His humour and approach was excellent along with his relationship and approach to the players the game was played and finished and later that evening we played again at Moneyglass carnival and not a word was spoken. Later on that evening when going to a dance in Caludy a car from the ‘quiugan was stopped. Behind it was a Moneymore car and when things got tetchy in front the Moneymore boys got out to give the ‘quigan lads some support.... so the story goes
The 1994 (I think my memory is going) Junior Final in Glenullin was a played under lights and I was on my sick bed. I wasn’t going to let that deter me playing – so I beat the tablets into me a survived fifteen minutes in the middle before being shifted to Full forward. Playing with drugs in you is not recommended. We beat Doire Colm Cille and were delighted to lift a trophy.
The final v Drumullan in the Graham Cup was another episode that sticks out. It was a great derby and was littered with penalties. I think I took three on one of the games and was challenged as to which side the next one would go to each time.
Moneymore V Drum – another north Derry fighting match. Every weekend a row. I was at full forward and when wee Dickie started another row at corner back I didn’t bother going down to the ruckus.... it was a quiet house for a couple of days after the game to Paddy informed me not to let it happen again – when the row was up get in.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Brendan O’Neill (Uncle Brendan) is a ledged for the McCracken Club. Chairman, Manager, Grounds man he has done it all. My earliest memories as a 15 year old was going with Brendan on a Sunday morning to lift the cow clap off the pitch. He had a long tail shovel and I had a wheel barrow and after removing most of the ‘clap’ he’d put the nets up and if required run some lime along the lines on the pitch.
He also transported us around the county for minor trails and county minor league games and was always up for a run to Croke Park for the big games. One such game Derry were beaten in the semi final and we had a flask of tea with us. We remonstrated at the referee and ten minutes later we saw our flask on the pitch. No Brendan didn’t loft it at the referee but someone did, we got no tea and the flask didn’t come back to Derry.
Paddy Young was a man who seldom went to a County match but never missed a Moneymore match. A rough day in Craigbane resulted in me getting a crack in the back of the head (nowhere near the ball). As I lay stretchered I saw a vision of Paddy coming on with the flag pole marking the 21 yard line to give the offending player a bit of what he deserved... and he was such a placid man.
Paddy Mallon God Rest him was another protector – back to the famous ‘quigan match when things were hot and heavy and I was standing back to back with Brian (O’Neill). We were ably supported by Paddy Mallon who entered from the sideline and lifted boys back with one arm and set them to the side. His days as a bouncer came into good use when we were in a tight corner.
Insulting someone on the Moneymore team was a recipe for disaster. There were too many O’Neills, McGurks, McKees and when you insulted one you insulted the whole team. In Ballerin one night the spectators got in on the act and wee Dickie (Young) playing a right half back went clean over the fence and into the crowd to sort some boy out who had insulted (within his ear shot) his big brother. What a ledged....what a head case... he’s luck he came back alive.
Jim Brown God Rest him was another great man for Moneymore. A committee man and a referee for the club. At one game when the referee failed to turn up we tossed to see who would referee the game. Moneymore won and Jim agreed to do the game. It was hot and heavy and end to end stuff and Jim was under pressure and even the Moneymore boys were questioning his decisions. But after catching a ball I turned to let it loose into the full forward line (to the man that had the strongest back of all time – as he carried us all (so he’ll tell you)) of Kevin O’Neill. Unfortunately Jim got in the road and I blasted the ball right into his backside. It was a cold day and the impact must have stung like hell. He blew the whistle and came across and got the book out. I pleaded it was a mistake but he was having none of it. He was asked where he was from but it was to no avail. Yellow card. What a servant of the club, refereeing when no one else wanted to.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? The club has had many great players. In my memory Kevin O’Neill was a great target man who played for the club even when his knees were gone - but still turned in great performances. We can learn from him – keep playing for as long as you can for nothing beats playing. A privilege to have played with him.
Kevin O'Neill
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Coming to Moneymore Carnival when I still lived in the Loup side of the Parish. They had Prima Donna's then too.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field ? Off the field had to be the crack on John O Neil's minibus taking the team to matches in North Derry. On the field has too many great moments and a great bunch of lads to enjoy them with.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Stephen McNaney hitting Towser in a reserve match and blaming an opposing player. Off the field, in my era no-one could ever forget Patrick O'Brien
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Favourite Player – Eugene Young Peter O'Neill – The best Goalkeeper never to Play for the County.
No-one knows how hard it is to miss the Centenary Dinner.
Patsy Breen
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Winning an Ulster Club 7-a-side Tournament playing for Desertmartin at The Hill in Moneymore.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field? -16 Schoolboys team winning the Derry Championship in 1963 at Celtic Park, Derry. This was the year I first went to Moneymore as a teacher. Billy Loane had a tremendous influence on everybody at the time.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Willie Magee and Brendan O'Neill immediately come to mind. But of course there was in particular Paddy O'Brien, who passed away too quickly to us all. The pupils and parents of St Patrick's P.S. Moneymore will always be remembered for being influential to the team and the parish.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Eugene Young stands out as being the best in a long line of great Moneymore players. I say this because I had him at school and at a very early age he showed himself to be outstandingboth academically and athletically. His influence on pupils and people is mighty.
Conrad Ward
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Going to watch the Henry Joys in the Graham cup final against the local rivals Ogra. With the family loyalties split with my father being an Ogra man, making it all the more interesting in the Ward household. After a two game saga the Henry Joys came out on top, much to my delight. This lead to my father jumping ship and becoming a loyal and avid Henry Joy supporter.
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field? One of my favourite moments was making my debut in the senior championship victory over our more illustrious neighbours Magherafelt. A memorable achievement with the club only being reformed ten years previously, climbing from junior to a maiden victory at the top table of Derry football was a great achievement.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? Easter 1981 Kerry came on tour to Tyrone and I was lucky enough to be picked to go to a coaching session, taken by some of their players in Cookstown. The next day John O’Neill packed all the youth of the club into his bus/ambulance, to take us to watch the kingdom play our neighbours in Carrickmore. Pure gold.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Having played with so many great players in the black and amber. My favourite player to have played with would be Eugene Young, Simply because when Eugene played everyone else raised their game.
Gerry McNaney
What is your earliest memory of Gaelic football in Moneymore? Playing in goals for the senior team at 14, in the same team as John Joe and Eddie
What is the favourite moment you can recall either on or off the field? Beating the Loup, it was always a great moment. I remember playing in goals with wee thin posts like bamboo canes and a rope for a crossbar, every time the other team took a shot i would pull the rope, the posts would close in and the ball would go wide. There was some uproar.
I’ll always remember the great sports days in Moneymore, it’s a pity they don’t happen anymore.
Do you have any special stories or people to remember both on or off the playing field? I’ll always remember when the facilities at the hill were ungraded – they let us change in the barn rather than behind the hedge!!!
Roddy McQuillan was a good footballer but he used to always wear his trousers and pull his togs on over them as he didn’t want anyone to see his wee bandy legs.
Who would be your favourite player to ever play for the club and why? Best player I ever seen was John Carolaon, he could kick the ball from one box to the other