Ballymacnab is a town land at the centre of a small
rural community in the middle of Co. Armagh. Its name in Irish "Baile Mhic
an Aba," (the town or town land of the son of the abbot) suggests an early
monastic association, probably with the abbey in Armagh about four miles away.
There had from the beginning of the 20th century and
probably before that a form of football played in the area. This was a rough
and tumble affair with little or no rules and no organised competitions.
Because it was at the centre of a community and with increasing number of clubs
being affiliated into the GAA it was only natural that soon or later a team
would be affiliated from Ballymacnab. In 1925 a team was affiliated to the Armagh Junior League.
This team were known as "Brian Ogs," but had little success and was
disbanded after a couple of years. Those involved in this venture were, John
O’Hare, Pat Clarke and Peter Devlin.
In the early 1930’s the local schoolmaster at Foley
School Mr. Edward Halpin together with Fr. Edward O’Connor were instrumental in
forming a parish league. Out of this league came eventually at different times
over the next thirty years the three teams, which now represent the parish,
Ballymacnab, Granemore and Clady.
In the 1940’s a new team from Ballymacnab "Shamrocks"
(later to become "Round Towers") was formed. This team continued to
participate in the Mid Armagh Junior League and Championships until 1959. They
contested some championship and league finals but their only success was the
Mid Armagh Divisional Championship in 1946.
One of the stars of this generation was Joe O'Hare who played on the Armagh
team who reached the All-Ireland Final in 1953. In 1960 Ballymacnab
had difficulty in fielding a team and they joined with Granemore to field a
team known as Kilcluney. This team folded in a couple of years.
There was no football in Ballymacnab from 1962 until 1967 when
"Round Towers" was reformed and competed in Division IV of the Armagh
League. Galway were the All Ireland Champions at this time having just won
three titles in a row. Ballymacnab took their colours and still wear the maroon
today. Thomas O’Hare (nephew of John) and Joe Halpin (son of Edward) were the
largely responsible for this revival. In these early years teams have relative
success gaining promotion to Division II by 1969 but this was meet with defeats
in the Final of the Junior Championship in 1969,1971 & 1972.
In the succeeding years Ballymacnab moved at various
times between Division II and Division IV, winning Division IV in 1980 and Division III two years
later. Disappointments were meet in form of defeats in the Junior Finals of
1984, 1993 and 1994 until The Junior Championship was finally won in 1999, the first by
the club. Gary Donnelly had then honour of captaining that team. As a
consequence of this win they were invited to play in the All Ireland seven a
side competition for Junior clubs held on the eve of the 2000 All Ireland
Football Final. They won the shield at this event. 2005 was another
mile stone along the Ballymacnab way with Senior winning the Mid Armagh Shield
and League Division III.
In 2006 Ballymacnab
stepped up to the mark once again when they won the Intermediate Championship
(Captained by Paudi Beagan) for the first time when they defeated Madden
0-11 to 0-07 and reached the Ulster Intermediate Final only to be defeated by
Coleraine Eoghan Roe's after a replay. In 2009, Rory Grugan
& Gavin McParland played on the successful Armagh minor team that won the
All-Ireland.
2010 the seniors won the ACL Division II and were promoted to Division I for the first
time in the clubs history and also recorded their first victory in the Senior
Championship with a win over Killeavy.
2011 Ballymacnab maintained their Division I status in
their maiden year and reached their first County Senior Final by defeating Clan
na Gael and Granemore enroute, only to be defeated by Crossmaglen. Under the
stewardship of former player John Kelly the Minors captured the first All
County Underage Championship winning the Division II title.
2012 the Seniors maintained their Senior status while
the Under 14s collected the Division III Championship.
2013 the Seniors once again maintained their Senior League status and reached the Semi-Final of the Championship losing by a point to St.Patrick's after defeating Culloville and Granemore in the previous rounds.
2014 Reserves, Captained by Richard Gribben, win the Championship for the first time with victory over Sarsfields.
2015 Seniors finish in their highest position in the top flight (joint 5th) and reach the Semi-Final of the Championship, losing 2-16 to 2-10, to Harps. They defeated Dromintee in Round 1, lost to Annaghmore before defeating Sarsfields and Annaghmore in the Qualifiers. The Reserves recorded 'Back2Back' Championship titles with a victory over Harps in the Final. Team Captained by Chris Kennedy. The also did the double by claiming the ACL League title. Under 14s along with St.Michael's Newtownhamilton (Brian Borus) won the Division II League.
2016 Seniors lose to Clann Eireann in the Quarter Finals of the Championship
2017 Seniors lose to Harps in the Semi Finals of the Championship
2018 Seniors win the ACL Senior 1A title for the first time, Captained by Michael Beagan. They also reached the SFC Final losing to Crossmaglen 1-15 to 0-24. Jack Grugan scoring the first half goal.
2019 Seniors reach a consecutive SFC Final but lose to Crossmaglen 2-09 to 2-18. Gavin McParland and Jack Grugan getting the goals in either halves. Under 16.5s win the Division III Shield.
Ballymacnab are also proud of our representation of
players on the county at various levels. Those who have dawned the Armagh
jersey include: Minor – Frank McCone (RIP), Peter Cosgrove (RIP), Joe
O’Hare, Mickey O’Hare (RIP), Packie Nugent, Brendan McKee, Jimmy Murphy, Ciaran
Toner, Paddy McGeown, Gary Donnelly, James Gray, Damian McGeown, Rory Grugan,
Gavin McParland, Dominic McParland, Jack Grugan. Under
21/20 – Mickey O’Hare (RIP), Seamus Hughes, John Kelly,
Gerard McClelland, Ciaran Toner, Philip McCone, Rory Grugan, Gavin McParland,
Ryan Kennedy, Padraig Crilly, Jack Grugan, Niall McKee. Senior and Junior – Mickey
McCone (RIP), Patrick Toner (RIP), Joe O’Hare, Mickey O’Hare (RIP), Ciaran
Toner, Brian McCone, Rory Grugan, Gavin McParland, Pauric Gribben, Sean Hughes, Ryan Kennedy, Jack Grugan.
Ballymacnab have from their formation played in the
field behind the chapel. In 1975 they purchased the field and began an
ambitious development programme. The field was officially opened in 1981 and
named "Pairc na nGael". This development has continued more or less
since. We now have two floodlit pitches and modern changing facilities. In 2006
the construction of a stand commenced.
Ballymacnab are also proud to have tried to nature all
the ideas of the Association and promote our culture through Irish language
classes and participating in Scor Sinsear and Scor na nOg where the highlight
was back to back All – Ireland wins in 1996 and 1997.
As with all organisations, we have been faced with
many difficult times both on and off the field throughout our history and we
think of our past players and supporters who are no longer with us. It is clear
that the torch ignited by such men as John O’Hare, Pat Clarke and Edward Halpin
and continued by others like Joe Halpin, Joe Harvey, Tommy O’Hare and Joe
Fullen and passed on to the present day, the torch is very much burning and the
ethics of our Association will burn for along time around Ballymacnab
(Original written by Tommy McGeown & updated by
Nelius Boyle)