History

Naomh Gall History. 1910-2005

How It All Started..

Somewhere around the month of March 1910, Chris Pendleton, Pat Fanning, Dan Duffin, Pat McDonnell and Felix Sheehan dreamed of forming a Gaelic Athletic Club. These young men, from the Clonard area of the Falls Road asked Br. Laurence of St. Gall's School for advice on how to make the dream a reality. This was, after all, an era of very high unemployment; - there was very little money to be had. Whoever was to lead these young men would have to be a man of exceptional talent - one capable, not only of directing strategy on the field but also of finding funds for the fledgling club Laurence recommended Brother Albeus Ryan.

Br. Albeus became the first President and Chairman of St. Galls G.A.C, positions he held for seventeen years until transferred to Ballaghdareen, Co. Roscommon, in 1917. He returned to Belfast as Guest of Honour at an emotional Annual Reunion in 1944. Br. Albeus' contribution to the development of Gaelic games in Belfast must never be underestimated. He guided St. Galls through one of the most traumatic periods in its history, a period of unparalleled social deprivation and political unrest. Br. Albeus was succeeded as club president by the only layman ever to be accorded this honour, F.J. McCarragher, President for the year 1917-18.

"F.J" was an exceptional Gael who, besides playing for Gall's and Antrim, also acted as Gaelic sports writer for the Irish News. "F.J." regularly cycled to Dublin and back to report on games of national interest. This remarkable feat can only be fully appreciated when one remembers the dubious quality of his machine, the prevailing road conditions and the political unrest of the age.

Other presidents of the club were:
Brother Lewis 1918-1920
Brother Ailbe 1925-1937
Brother Dominic 1937-1944
Brother Gerard 1944-1947
Brother Austin 1947-1972
Brother Leopold 1972-1980
Brother Dominic 1980-1987
Brother Leopold 1987-

St. Galls G.A.C, although enjoying the patronage of the De La Salle Order, was never isolated form the wider community of the Falls Road. If the Road thrived, St. Galls thrived; when the Road Suffered, St. Galls suffered.

The pogroms of the twenties cost St. Galls dearly. Dan Duffin, a founder member, was murder in his home in Clonard Gardens sin 1921. Other members had to emigrate because of their involvement in the defence of their areas. Others emigrated to escape the yoke of religious discrimination and unemployment. It is sad to relate that our club in the eighties has seen history repeat itself.