Ballyconnell First Ulster’s G.A.A. Club
As the name implies, Ballyconnell was the first club in Ulster to be affiliated to the Gaelic Athletic Association which had been established on November 1 1884 in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Originally called the Joe Biggar’s club in honour of a man who was an elected member of Parliament for West Cavan in 1885 the name was changed to First Ulster’s when it was established that it was the first club to be affiliated in the Province.
The founders of the club were Thomas O’Reilly and John Alex Clancy. Thomas was the first chairman of the club and was also the team captain. He lived most of his life in Ballyconnell although he was born a few miles from the town in the parish of Drumlane. He lived in Church Street and later moved to Main Street. Very active in the political life of the area, he was a member of Bawnboy District Council and was Chairman of Cavan County Council and the Board of Guardians of Bawnboy Workhouse. Much less is known of the club’s first secretary, John A. Clancy, due to his death in 1890 at the age of twenty-nine.
In 1983, Ballyconnell celebrated the opening of the new First Ulster’s G.A.A. Park. The official opening was performed by the Chairman of Cavan Co. Board
Phil Brady- who congratulated the club on their achievement and stated that
the new football venue was a fitting monument to the men who helped to
found the club in 1885. Football declined in the county towards the end of the 19″ century but came into prominence again a short time later and this year (2009) the G.A.A. is celebrating the 125″ Anniversary of its foundation all over Ireland.
