Fr. Mac’s Contribution Remembered

Michael Hasson, Ulster GAA PRO arrived in Banagher this week to commemorate the contribution of a remarkable man to Gaelic games in Ulster, Rev. Fr. Patrick McNally.

The name of Fr. McNally is synonymous with Banagher.  He was a founder member when the club was formed as a parish amalgamation of St. Mary’s Park and St. Joseph’s Feeny.

The club became St. Mary’s Banagher, and the colours of maroon and white were chosen in recognition of the Galway team who were All Ireland champions that year.

Serving President of Ulster Council Fr. McNally’s sudden and untimely death at only 57 years old sent shockwaves through the county and entire province of Ulster.

He was managing an underage Banagher side that were playing neighbours Dungiven at home, and had just brought the team together for the half time talk.  He drew his players close and just began to speak when he fell to one knee.  Still conscious, his last words still resonate in the ears of the players that were there that night, “Get in hard, lads.”

He grabbed for Martin Murphy’s left shoulder and collapsed on the field.  Despite desperate attempts to resuscitate him he passed away before arrival at hospital.

The young Banagher and Dungiven players stood side by side in shock and grief at the scene, as the man who did so much for football in Derry and Ulster lay motionless before their eyes.  Local man Frank McHenry recalled appealing to the young men to say a prayer for the priest, and one by one they filed into St. Mary’s church to do so.

Born in Gortin, Co. Tyrone in 1910 he was one of two children and was fanatical about Gaelic games from an early age.  He was educated at St. Columb’s College Derry before attending St. Patrick’s College Maynooth.  Ordained a priest in 1935 he spent some time on missionary work before returning to his beloved Ireland.

He ministered in Claudy, Bellarena and Gortin before arriving in Ballinascreen in 1951.  He remained in the south Derry parish for 13 years before making the journey into north Derry in 1964 when he was appointed curate of Altinure.  In April 1967 he was promoted to PP of Banagher following the retirement of the then ailing Rev. E. McNamee.

While based in Ballinascreen he joined the local GAA club and was actively involved in the development of Dean McGlinchey Park.

It became the main ground in Derry for hosting inter-county matches and county finals for many years.  Such was the impact he had in Ballinsacreen the covered stand at Dean McGlinchey park was named after him.

An active promoter of our Irish games, language and song he was an enthusiastic Gael.  Football however was arguably his greatest love.

He served as a selector on the 1958 All Ireland side the first Derry senior team to reach an All Ireland final.  Roddy Gribben, who managed the All Ireland side, said, “I remember Fr. Mac as one of the more active members of the Derry board.  He was very easy got on with and a lovely man.” Roddy went on to recall, “We all attended his funeral in Banagher, his death was a big shock for the whole GAA community at the time.”

Fr. McNally served as a member of the Derry County board and also held the position of President of Ulster Council at the time of his death in 1967.

Speaking at the presentation of the plaque in Banagher this week Michael Hasson of Ulster Council said: “It’s an honour for the Ulster Council to commemorate this great man, a founder member of St. Mary’s and the most recent President of Ulster Council from Derry.  He held the post of Uachtaráin at the time of his death.”

Mr. Hasson went on to say, “It is also personally a pleasure for me to be able to make this presentation as I have relations in this area.”

Current chairman of St. Mary’s Pat Devine said, “We at St. Mary’s are delighted that Ulster Council have decided to make this presentation.”

Fr. McNally’s nephews Paddy and Sean Bradley were in Banagher for the occasion and Sean said, “I remember Fr. McNally being very proud of the young footballers of Banagher and we are delighted that Ulster Council are making this presentation for our uncle.”

The plaque will be mounted at Fr. McNally Park to serve as a reminder to all Gaels of the invaluable contribution Fr. McNally made not only to the community of Banagher, but to Derry and Ulster for many generations to come.

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Article by Mary K Burke
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