John and Marie Gough launch 90 year history of Naomh Eoin

“Come and See the Johnnies Play,” outlines the historical journey of St. John’s GAC, Corrigan Park, Belfast. It is a journey which begins with the formation of the club in 1929 and brings the reader through nine decades of playing our Gaelic games, culminating in 2019 when the club celebrated 90 years in existence.

St. John’s clubman, John Gough took over 10 years researching the history of the club, which was no easy task.  Following a fire in the clubrooms in the early 70s, important documentation was lost, which included minute books and photographs. Replacing such authentic material was impossible, so John took his research to the Irish News offices where he was able to trace back minutes of meetings and match reports to those early years. The Lawell family were custodians of excellent material too with John Lawell handing on his prize processions to son Hugh who knew the value of keeping such information safe.

The book is unique in that it celebrates the club’s achievements on the field of play in chronological order, helping the players relive their matches which may or may not have culminated in an All-County championship win.

The glory days of the sixties are relived through match reports with an unbelievable 7-in-a-row senior football championships won from 1959 to 1965. The five Gallagher brothers were heroes in this era and stories of their exploits on the pitch bring plenty of humour too. Doing the double in Gaelic games meant winning both senior football and hurling championships in the same year and St. John’s did just that in 1951, 1961, 1962 and 1969. The players of this era are still our heroes today for such heights have never been reached again in our club history. They are remembered through their exploits on the pitch and through many of their personal stories. 

The famous Top 4 Tournaments are to the fore in the history of the club as they were the foundations for what became the Ulster and All Ireland Club Championships which we enjoy today and that journey and the men responsible are celebrated through the timeline.

The 1970s are referred to as the ‘Magnificent Seventies’ as once again from 1969 to 1981 the All-County Senior Football Championship was won on no less than eight occasions with four of these back to back wins, 1975 though to 1978. 1978 was another historic year when the team won the Ulster Club Football Championship and went on to compete in the All Ireland Club final. Unfortunately it was a David v Goliath encounter, a wrong which was never put right by the GAA and outlined in the journey from Corrigan Park to Croke Park for this magnificent team.

The revival of camogie and the introduction of ladies football over the years has made St. John’s a ‘four code one club,’ to be proud of today. Each have their own place in the history of the club with their successes celebrated through the pages of this book.

The younger generation of players have their place in our history as whilst the 90s and noughties were lean years in terms of winning senior championships, young Naomh Eoin teams were excelling at all under age levels. Provincial and All-Ireland titles were also won with All-Ireland Féile hurling champions Commedagh lifting the title in 1971 and 1974 with its plethora of what became Johnnies players.

The added extras which make the club that little bit extraordinary include the story of the Development of a Gaelic Culture, The Golden Eagles, The African Connection and Strictly Naomh Eoin, to name only a few.

Scattered throughout the exploits on the field are the stories of many volunteers who did remarkable things to make St. John’s the great club it is today. People like Andy McCallin (Sen), Tommy Best, Patsy Donnelly, Patsy Crawford, Tommy Hall and Jim Gough are highlighted for their dedication to their club while our club referees through the years show the importance of this role in ensuring our right to play our games safely.

“Come and see the Johnnies Play,” written and presented for publication by Maria Gough was launched in Naomh Eoin CLG, Corrigan Park, Belfast on Thursday 24^th March 2022. John Gough, Henry and Micky Gallagher entertained the large gathering with tales from the past on the field of play while a historical journey through photographs of life in the club over 90 years rolled on in the background. It was a night to savour and enjoy and relive the glory days of the past many of which are captured through the pages of the history of Naomh Eoin. Copies of the book are available at £25 from The Chatterbox Coffee Shop, Corrigan Park on Saturday mornings 10am – 1pm.

North Antrim GAA have lined up a star-studded team for next weekend’s ‘Let’s Talk’ night in Dunloy Parish Centre. Jimmy Gaston and his team have assmbled three of GAA’s biggest stars with Tyrone football legend Peter Canavan, Rossa and Antrim Camogie legend Jane Adams joined by former Tipperary All Star goalkeeper and current Antrim manager Darren Gleeson.

Coming at the start of the county championships in all three codes, and at the end of the National Leagues there will be lots questions to ask the three guests, and with Shane Elliott on the mic the craic should be good. Things get underway at 8pm