Memories of historic final rekindled at Owen Roes

OWEN Roe O'Neill's GAC, Leckpatrick, hosted a 50th anniversary reunion on Saturday night to recall the only time in the club's history that the senior team reached the Tyrone Senior County Football Final.

The club reached the final after defeating the mighty Ardboe in the semi-final but unfortunately the north Tyrone side was beaten by the reigning champions Trillick in the final.

What made it such a significant occasion is that this, so far, has been the club's only appearance at the highest level in club football in Tyrone.

The 1975 team were guests of honour at the the celebration event which took place in the clubrooms in Glenmornan.

As well as the special guests from the 1975 team, club founding members Johnny Dooher, Hughie Kelly, Sean Kelly and Tony Kelly, were also present on the night.

MC for the night was journalist, Alan Rogers, and he gave a background to the club's formation and recap of the events leading up the final followed by a presentation of a specially commissioned plaque by Paul McGonigle of PMG Woodturning & CNC Carving to the special guests.

Alan then hosted a question and answer session with some of those players as well as Hughie Kelly who was the then team manager and Tony Kelly who was chairperson in 1975.

A club spokesperson said: "We send our thanks to all those players who were able to attend, to Pat McNulty and her helpers for organising the event and to Alan Rogers for acting as MC."