Drung GFC honour past and present

Little in the hills of Bunnoe, with the rural tranquillity of the Mill Meadow on an ordinary weekday, would suggest to the passer-by the stirring history it secretes or of the special place it has occupied in the hearts of generations of members and players of the much loved Drung Dalcassians. It is often used, and correctly so, in the statement that the 'rural club is the heartland of the GAA', when we reflect as a club on the commitment, loyalty and will to survive. In bygone days difficulties and problems created by political splits, wars, hunger, lack of money and emigration, must often have brought club meetings close to despair and Drung were no exception, celebrating our centenary in 1988, yet the adherence to confidence in their native place and a love of Gaelic games and their cultural ethos with their occasional celebration or club success kept them motivated. As members often respond with quotes like 'the wheel is doing a full circle', but after experiencing a decade of relatively prosperous times, (no doubt facilities and structures of clubs have improved), a different set of problems is confronting clubs. They will have the encouragement of knowing that their antecedent overcame difficulties and will be spurred on by the will not to fail where others with fewer resources have succeeded. The Drung club was founded in 1888 by John Reilly Edragole and titles to date are: Junior Championship 1947; League title 1958; Junior Championship title 1980; Division 2 league title 1997; Junior Championship title 2008 and a number of underage titles as Drung and as an amalgamation with Kill as St. Finbarr's. The club is proud of many individuals who wore the county jersey with pride. Those who coached, trained and selected teams over the years; officers of Drung, committee members, sub-committees, development teams, club members and loyal supporters. The club is also indebted to the many sponsors over their history. This Saturday night, August 29, the club celebrate two great winning teams in Bunnoe Community Centre, commencing with Mass in Drung Church at 8.30, followed by presentations at 9.30pm. The teams secured the club's first league title in 1958 and our third junior championship title in 2008. The league title of 1958 was captured after a barren spell of 11 years. During that year in the league campaign Drung were a model of consistency with fine victories over many established teams such as Laragh, Drumgoon, Kill and Cross. In the final against a fancied Ballinagh, fitness and a confident approach to the game were the key to Drung's victory. The final score was Drung 3-6, Ballinagh 1-7 and as the report then recorded 'Early Drung goals give them the cup'. Drung 1958 team: Mick Fitzpatrick, Pottle West; Paddy Brady, Lislin; Packie Foy, Drung, RIP; Philip Fitzpatrick, Bunnoe; Petie O'Reilly, Bunnoe, RIP; Mick Brady, Dungannon; Brendan Brick NT, Lisboduff; Jim McDonnell, Lisboduff; James Donohoe, Doocarrick, RIP; Joe McCann, Cornakill; Connie Keohane NT, Maghera; Seamus Fitzpatrick, Edragole; Hughie Foy, Drung, RIP; Larry O'Reilly, Scee, RIP; Hughie Fay, Lisarney, RIP; Peter Reilly, Scee; Sonny Gaffney, Drung; John McSherry, Bunnoe, RIP; Jim Lee, Edragole, RIP; Bennie Reilly, Bunnoe; John Fitzpatrick, Bunnoe; Eddie Kiely, Coppenagh; Liam McDonnell, Lisboduff, RIP; Jimmy O'Reilly, Bunnoe and Gerry Slowey, Enangh, RIP. The referee was John Sheridan, Killinkere. Trainer was Fr. Morris CC Bunnoe. In the junior championship final of 2008, Drung had been relegated from the intermediate grade the previous year, and that was the driving force to return to this rank where all their neighbouring clubs were. This team had a nice blend of youth and experience, coupled with a dedication, commitment and a great work ethic under the watchful eye of Crossmaglen native Joe Fitzpatrick. Victories over Butlersbridge, Munterconnaught and Shercock pegged against Mountnugent in the final. After 60 minutes under the watchful eye of referee Packie Smith, Killygarry, they secured their first championship silverware in 28 years. Drung 2008 team: James Reilly, Karl O'Rourke, Finbar O'Reilly, Brendan Brady, Ronan Crowe, Alan Curran, Sean Fay, Aidan McCaul, ciaran Galligan, Philip Monahan, Barry Watters, Noel Hueston, Michael McEntee, Shane O'Rourke, Martin O'Reilly, Conor O'Reilly, Christopher Moore, Killian Monahan, Fergal Hueston, Paul Slowey, Ray Fay, Sean Johnston, Ronan Slowey, Gerry Fay, Steven Fay, Garry O'Reilly, Tom Vesey, Daniel Fay, Paul Hueston, Niall Cassidy, Michael Hall, Christopher O'Reilly, Pauric Cusack, Keith Cribbins and Niall O'Rourke. These two great teams who hailed from two different eras in our history had one common goal and that was to keep the red and white of Drung Dalcassians to the forefront in winning cups.