The Early Days
Gaelic football has been played in the parish of Magheradroll from as far back as 1889 when a club was in existence in Glassdrummond on the Belfast side of Ballynahinch. It is not know how long the club lasted.
A club was formed in Ballynahinch in 1935 and continued until it transferred to Drumaness in 1955 where it has remained. Drumaness GAC came into existence in 1955.
During a conversation in the home of Seamus Murdock (Jimmy) on the Crabtree Road at a place known as Brandy Brae. He and three football friends Johnny Smyth, Paddy Toner and James ‘Jay’ McMullan were discussing football and at the time were playing for Ballynahinch. They felt that as the majority of the players came from Drumaness and the playing field ‘Paradise Park’ rented from the late Paddy Rogan (Orange Grove) was in Drumaness then the club should be based in Drumaness. To this end a meeting was arranged in the Old School Drumaness, and was well attended. The First Committee was formed.
The First Committee
Johnny Smyth as chairman, Jay McMullan as secretary and Joe McDermott as Treasurer. Committee members were Paddy Toner, Jimmy McGivern, Seamus Murdock, John McAlea, John Kinney, Owen O’ Hare, John Magorrian, Harry McEvoy and Gerard McDermott.
The club then entered the East Down Junior League and later won it it 1957.
Players of that team included:
The club then took part in the East Down Intermediate League. Over the years the club has played at various locations from Murray’s Meadow to Paradise Park and now have one of the finest facilities at Pairc Naomh Cholmain in Drumaness.
