St Patrick’s was formed in October
of 1971 the primary aim of its founders was to give all age groups of boys and young men from Donagh and the surrounding areas
the opportunity to play GAA games at the highest level and in the best facilities available and hopefully win as many major
honours as possible especially the Fermanagh senior championship. We all are in some ways carrying on the dreams
and aspirations of such great men as the late Paddy Foster who was our first
chairman, and the late Arthur Melarkey our first secretary. Other founder members who formed the first committee included,
Michael Mc Manus, Brian O Hanlon, Frank Mc Elroy, John Cadden. The Rev PJ Duffy and Rev L Lynch were the first presidents.
In the early years Paddy Foster
was the driving force and inspiration in the club, he hoped that one day St Pats would have a senior team capable of beating
the best not only in Fermanagh but Ulster and indeed All Ireland. He, who expressed an opinion
that we should build our own Croke Park
in Donagh. This providing our players with playing facilities equal to anywhere in Ireland.
The current committee is working hard to bring the club to the stages in its
development by building a stand on the pitch and providing new changing rooms for visiting clubs.
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| First Chairman Paddy Foster |
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| First Secretary Arthur Melarkey |
"St Pats are the Champions"
St Patricks make history as they clinched their first ever Senior Championship on Sunday 5th
October at Brewster Park against a strong Derrygonnelly side.
| 2008 Fermanagh Senior Championship Winners |
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Match Report
St. Patrick’s, Donagh captured an inaugural Fermanagh SFC success, following a slender one-point victory over Derrygonnelly
by 0-11 to 0-10 in a keenly contested final at Brewster Park in Enniskillen.
Despite a first-half penalty miss by Pat
Cadden, St. Patrick’s led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval with Gary Maguire kicking three first half points.
Although
the eventual winners opened up a six-point lead on the restart, Derrygonnelly staged a strong second half display with Kevin
Cassidy on target with four points, as the gap was reduced to the minimum.
Paul McCaffrey propelled St. Patrick’s
into a two-point led late on and although a second point from substitute Paul Ward cut the gap to the minimum - a Michael
McGrade point ensured Patrick’s restored their two-point cushion.
But Derrygonnelly pushed St. Patrick’s
all the way and although Ryan Jones cut the gap to the minimum, and Derrygonnelly had a number of late missed chances, St.
Patrick’s stood firm to take their first success.
St Patrick’s - P Quaile; M Collins, R McCaffery, B O’Reilly;
P Grue, J McGovern, C O’Reilly; S McDermott, P Cosgrove 0-1; P Cadden 0-3, E McDermott, G Maguire 0-2; J Cadden 0-1,
E Maguire 0-2, F O’Reilly. Subs - P McCaffery 0-1 for Cosgrove, M McGrade 0-1 for J Cadden, R Daly for O’Reilly.
Derrygonnelly - D Feely; D Carroll, M Jones, E McHugh; A Gallagher, S Burns, N Gallagher; M Green, R Jones 0-2; D
Ward, F McKenna, D Cassidy; K McGrath, K Cassidy 0-6, J McGurn. Subs - P Ward 0-2 for A Gallagher, P Greene for N Gallagher.
Ref
- M Higgins
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