The first recorded evidence of an official GAA Club in Aghaderg was in
1889 when Ballyvarley Shamrocks were one of nine new clubs formed in Down
The earliest recorded Gaelic games played in the parish of Aghaderg dates back to
1903 when a Ballyvarley Hurling team (composing mostly of players from Banbridge) took on a team from Newry. During the next 40 years a series of Gaelic teams came into being and then later disappeared. Despite the lack of continuous Gaelic games the spirit of Cumann Luthchleas Gael was kept alive and well within the parish thanks to the efforts of the people behind these teams in difficult times.
Finally in
1943 Aghaderg GFC was founded and has been in continuous existence ever since. Interestingly in
1946 Ballyvarley HC was formed and hence was born the only club in Down to have a double-barrelled name that reflects the parish name (Aghaderg) and a townland name (Ballyvarley) wherein the hurling tradition was strong.
Now with over 60 continuous years of Gaelic games within the parish of Aghaderg it is hearting to note that despite the lack of honours or silverware the club extends to all the members of its community, young and old, boys and girls, the talented and not so talented, the opportunity to partake within the community and to feel appreciated for the efforts they make. Today the young people of the community have opportunities to partake in football, hurling, camogie, Irish dancing, athletics and scor whilst the older generation take advantages of club facilities to partake in bowls or whist.
The club despite the problems of the present looks forward to the next sixty years with confidence. Plans to improve the training, playing and changing facilities of the club are being actively pursued whilst at the same time the club is embracing the technologies of the 21st century. Consequently all members of the club and community will have access to accurate and up-to-date information regarding all club activities. It is a good time to be part of the GAA and the clubs commitment to this web site is a sign of its faith in the future.
KEY EVENTS IN 100 YEARS OF AGHADERG GAA HISTORY 1889- Formation of Ballyvarley Shamrocks. Played in Shamrock Park.
1903
- Aug - 1st recorded GAA game in Aghaderg Parish: Clann Na Banna hurling team v. Fag An Bealac(Newry) in McConville’s Hurley Field at the Blue Road, Ballyvarley
1904/05- Clann Na Banna are Down Senior Football Champions
1909- Ballyvarley Shamrocks are Down SFC Finalists v. Newry Faughs in Ballyvarley
1910- Ballyvarley Shamrocks are Down SHC Winners. Beat Newry Faughs.
- Ballyvarley Shamrocks are Down SFC Finalists v. Newry Clan Uladh 1-1 to 2-1
1913- Erection of AOH Nationalist Hall at Blue Road, Ballyvarley
1916- Ballyvarley Shamrocks are Down SHC Finalists. Drew 6-1 to 6-1 with Kilclief. Game not replayed.
1917- Shamrocks move back to McConville’s Hurley Field at Blue Road
1921- AOH Hall at Blue Road burned to the ground. Subsequently rebuilt.
- Eire Og, Loughbrickland formed
1921-24- Leagues suspended due to “Troubles”
1926- Pat McCann, Frank McGrath, Fr Mick McCartan and a.n.other McCann played for Down Senior Hurlers
- Club colours are black and amber stripes
1930- Formation of Loughbrickland Camogie Team
1932- Loughbrickland are Down Camogie League Champions
- Ballyvarley enter Rathfriland and District Hurling League
- Ballyvarley enter South Down and Mourne Junior Football League
1933- Loughbrickland are Down Camogie League Runners-up.
1934- Ballyvarley win Rathfriland and District Hurling League
- Loughbrickland are Down Camogie League Runners-up
- Formation of St Colmans Football team, Loughbrickland
- Transfer of Fr Mick McCartan signals demise of GAA teams
1940-41- Aghaderg GFC(Loughbrickland) become first team to bear the Parish name
1943- Aug 29th – Formation of Aghaderg GFC
- Play at Pearse Park(the Cottage Field), behind Bertie Leckey’s
- Club colours are red and white
- Oct 17th – 1st league game v. Rostrevor (away). Won 2-4 to 0-6
- Runners-up in Frontier Junior League
1944- Two grounds used – Pearse Park and Greenan Hill
- May 21st – First appearance in Feis Sevens competition, in Hilltown
- July – First championship game in JFC v. Drumgath(away). Lost 0-4 to 1-4
1946- March 29th – Formation of Ballyvarley Hurling Club
- August 29th – At AGM club assumes title of “Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley HC”
- September 8th – 1st hurling game was JHC in Banbridge v. Ballela Seconds (lost)
- December- Club moves to Shamrock Park (home of Ballyvarley Shamrocks). 1st dressing rooms erected (a nissan hut)
1947- Combined Aghaderg, Tullylish and Banbridge team win Down MFC
1948- Runners-up in Frontier Junior League. Promoted to Intermediate League
- Bertie Leckey is Down Hurling Secretary for 48-49
1949- Jackie Warnock wins McCrory Cup medal and plays for Down MF
- Harry McCann, John Henry O’Neill and Bertie Leckey on Down SH panel
- Gerard McGrath is goalkeeper for Down MH.
- Bertie Leckey is Asst Secretary South Down and Mourne League 1949-1964
1951- Banbridge, with seven Aghaderg players, win Down Minor FC
- Club changes it’s colours to black and amber hoops.
- Bertie Leckey is Down County Board Member 1952-70
1953- Aghaderg qualify for Feis Sevens football finals in Newcastle
- Joe Lennon plays for Down JF
- John Lennon and Hugh Ross play for Down MF
- Joe Lennon beats his brother Eddie to win the Down Handball Title
1954- Club move to Brennan’s Field at the Blue Road
- Aghaderg win Winter League and promoted to All County SFL
- Hugh Ross plays for Down MF in Ulster MFC Final
1955- Aghaderg play in the All County SFL “B”
- Joe and Eddie Lennon on Down Senior football team
- Joe, Eddie and John Lennon play for Down Juniors in Ulster Final v. Derry
- Ballyvarley play in Down JHC Final in Newcastle. Lose to Leitrim
1956- Aghaderg are runners-up in SFL “B” and win promotion to SFL “A”
- 1st Senior football championship game v. Clonduff (home). Lost 0-8 to 2-10.
- Eddie Lennon plays for Down JF
1957- Gerard McGrath and Hugh Ross play for Down SF
- Eddie Lennon, Gerard McGrath and Hugh Ross play for Down JF
- Suez Crisis – All County Leagues abandoned for regional leagues
- Dan Lennon wins Irish Marathon Championship
1958- Aghaderg win S.D. Intermediate FL by beating Longstone 3-3 to 1-4 in the Final
- Aghaderg qualify for the 2nd time for the Feis Sevens football finals in Newcastle
- Ballyvarley are Down JHC Finalists. Lost to Leitrim in Ballela
- Dan Lennon wins 2nd Irish Marathon Championship
1959- Aghaderg play in SFL “A” for the first time. Relegated at the end of the season
- Aghaderg’s 1st SFC victory. Beat Dromara in Annaclone by 2-5 to 0-3
- Joe Lennon on 1st Down team to win the Ulster SFC. Plays for Ulster in Railway Cup.
1960- Aghaderg qualify for 3rd time for Feis Sevens football finals in Newcastle
- Frank Lennon wins Ulster MFC Medal
- Joe Lennon stars on Down team that captures their first All-Ireland Senior Football Title. Wins a Railway Cup Medal with Ulster.
1961- Aghaderg’s last season in the All County SFL. Relegated to Intermediate League
- Joe Lennon wins his 2nd All-Ireland SFC Medal and his 3rd Ulster SFC medal
1962- John Lennon plays for Down SF. Plays in Ulster JF Final, losing 0-8 to 0-7 to Cavan
1963- Ballyvarley win 1st senior title by winning the South Down HL
- Ballyvarley Hurlers qualify for the Feis Sevens Finals in Newcastle for first time
- Ballyvarley enter first juvenile team in competition (minors in MHC)
1964- Aghaderg’s first Youth Club Committee is formed in November
- Bertie Leckey is South Down Board Secretary 1964-65
1965- Ballyvarley win their 1st juvenile competition, the South Down and Mourne U-15 HL.
- Bertie Leckey is All County League Secretary 1965-70
1966- Club move to Jimmy Lennon’s field in Lisnagade
- Land is purchased from Gerry Taylor for a new playing field on the Scarva Road. Planning permission for a new field is granted in June.
1967- Field Committee set up to plan for the “New Field”
1968- Joe Lennon captains Down to their third All-Ireland Senior Football
1969- Martin Byrne and Dessie Macken play for Down U-16 H
- Bertie Leckey resigns from Down Co Board ending an association lasting 20 years
- The first of two seasons of Winter Quiz and Talent Competitions are organised in the Hall
1970- Eugene Fullerton plays for Down MH
- Gabriel Barry plays for Down U-16 H
1971- First Scor Seachto Competitions begin in January
- Quiz team of Seamus McGrath, Gerry Davis and Augustine Lennon (snr) win the South Down Title
- Ballyvarley play U-16 HC game v. Ballela on New Field
- Ballyvarley win South Down U-16 HC
- Martin Byrnes plays for Down MH
- Sean O’Neill, Gabriel Barry, Brian Sands, Raphael Cribbin and Brendan Maguire play for Down U-16 H
1972- Sun March 19th – 1st official competitive game in “New Field”. South Down IFL game v. Ballymartin. Score: 0-3 to 3-8
- Ballyvarley in Down MHC Final v. Portaferry in Leitrim
- Martin Byrne, Gabriel Barry and Sean O’Neill play in Ulster MHC(Sp) Final in Ballyvarley v. Armagh
- Martin Byrne and Gabriel Barry win All Ireland MHC(Sp) Medals
- Down JHC Final is played in Ballyvarley. Ballela beat Leitrim
- New Youth Committee is formed in March
- Patsy McKernan in Down Final of Scor’s Instrumental Music
- The 1st Junior Scor Seachto competitions are held in Ballyvarley Hall on Fri 25th Feb
1973- Mon 29th Jan – Club’s Pavilion is destroyed by fire
- Mary O’Neill (solo-singing) and the Quiz team (Brendan Lennon, Liam Ross and Seamus McAreavey) are South Down Scor na Nog Champions
- Aghaderg are South Down U-16 Football League and Championship Finalists and South Down 7-a-side Champions
- Ballyvarley win South Down U-16 HC
- Seamus McGrath, Martin Byrne, Joe McGrath, Cairbre McGovern play for Down JH
- Gabriel Barry and Sean O’Neill play for Down MH
- Raphael Cribbin, Brendan Lennon and Liam Ross play for Down U-16 H
- Billy Clarke and Raphael Cribbin win All-Ireland(minor counties) U-15 Voc Schools Hurling Medals
- Ballad Group (Seamus Kelly, Chris McParland, Louise Byrne and Patsy McKernan) and the Quiz team (Seamus McGrath, Gerard Davis and Gerard O’Neill) are County Scor Champions
1974- Ballyvarley win Down JHL, beating Kilkeel by 4-4 to 4-3 in play-off in Ballykinlar
- Ballyvarley win Ulster Community Games U-14 H Title
- Mary O’Neill (solo-singing) wins South Down Scor na NOg Title
- Quiz team (Brendan Lennon, Liam Ross and Kieran McGovern) win County Title in Scor na NOg and reach the Ulster Final
- Chris McParland (solo-singing) wins County Scor Title
- Raphael Cribbin plays for Down MF
- Raphael Cribbin, Liam Ross, Michael Higgins and Brendan Lennon play for Down MH
- Dermot Maguire, Michael Farrissey and Seamus McAreavey play for Down U-16 H
- Sean O’Neill, Joe McGrath, Francis McGrath, Gerard O’Neill, Brendan Lennon, Liam Ross, Martin Byrne, Gabriel Cribbin, Raphael Cribbin and Joe Cribbin play for Down JH
- Raphael Cribbin, Dermot Maguire, Billy Clarke, Michael Farrissey and Charlie Grimes on Down Voc Schools Hurling team
- A Hall Committee is formed to plan for the building of a new hall
- Gerard McGrath is on the South Down Board
1975- Mary O’Neill (solo-singing) wins 3rd South Down Scor Na Nog Title
- Ballyvarley win Down JHC, beating Leitrim by 3-6 to 3-2 in the final at Holy Cross Park in Attical
- Ballyvarley qualify for Feis Sevens Finals
- Michael Sands, Raphael Cribbin and Seamus Rooney play for Down MF
- Liam Ross, Raphael Cribbin, Brendan Lennon, Michael Higgins play for Down MH
- Gerard O’Neill, Sean O’Neill, Francis McGrath, Martin Byrne, Joe McGrath and Liam Ross play for Down JH
- Sean O’Neill and Liam Ross win Ulster U-21 HC Medals
- Bill Geoghegan, Dermot Maguire, Michael Farrissey and John McClorey win All-Ireland Voc Schools (minor Counties) Hurling Medals
- Liam Ross and Michael Sands win Hogan Cup Medals with St Colmans College
- Patsy McKernan (Instrumental Music) wins South Down Scor title
- Quiz team of Seamus McGrath, Brendan Lennon, Liam Ross and Jimmy Stewart are County Scor Champions
- Gerard O’Neill on Down Youth Board and is South Down Juv H League Secretary
1976- Ballyvarley qualify for Feis Sevens Hurling Finals
- Ballyvarley win South Down U-16 H Lg and C’ship
- Ballyvarley U-14 Hurlers win South Down U-14 H Lg and C’ship and 7-a-side title
- Michael Sands plays for Down MF
- Gerard O’Neill, Sean O’Neill, Martin Byrne and Brendan Lennon on Down JH team
- Sean O’Neill plays for Down U-21 H
- Michael Farrissey plays for Down MH
- Kevin O’Neill, Brendan Malone, Michael McKiverigan, John Lennon and Aidan McGrath on Down U-16 H team that reach All-Ireland Final
- Gerard O’Neill on Down Youth Board and is South Down Juv H League Secretary
- Novelty Act, “The Irish Politician” (Michael McKiverigan and Seamus McEvoy) are Down and South Down Champions in Scor Na NOg
- Bertie Leckey is member of Commission 1976-78
1977- Ballyvarley win South Down U-16 HL
- Michael Sands at Centre Half Back on Down’s All-Ireland MFC Winning team
- Raphael Cribbin, Liam Ross and Brendan Lennon win Ulster U-21 HC Medals
- Brendan Malone and Kevin O’Neill play for Down MH
- Gerard O’Neill is Asst Secretary on Down Hurling Board and is
- Secretary of Down Hurling Referees Board
1978· Ballyvarley win Down Junior Hurling Feis Sevens
· Ballyvarley Minor Hurlers win South Down MHL and are
All Co C’ship Finalists
· Ballyvarley win South Down U-16 HL and C’ship
· Ballyvarley win South Down U-12 HL
· Michael Sands wins Ulster SFC Medal and Ulster U-21 FC Medal
· Gerard O’Neill played for Down SH
· Raphael Cribbin and Liam Ross play for Down U-21 H
· John Lennon, Michael McKiverigan, Kevin O’Neill and
Brendan Malone win All-Ireland MHC(Sp) medals beating
Kerry in a replay at Croke Park by 2-9 to 2-6. Gerard O'Neill
was manager
· Colm Broderick and Terence Wilson win All-Ireland U-16HC
(Sp) Medals
· Gerard O’Neill is Asst Secretary of Down Hurling Board and
Secretary of the Down Hurling Development Committee
1979- Aghaderg are relegated to SFL Div 5
- Ballyvarley are Down IHC Finalists in Kilclief. Lose 0-3 to 2-10 to Ballygalget
- Ballyvarley Minor Hurlers win South Down Hurling League
- Michael Sands plays for Down SF and wins an All-Ireland U-21 FC Medal
- Kevin O’Neill plays in All-Ireland Minor HC(Sp) Final
- Gerard O’Neill on Down Hurling Development Committee
- John Joe Sands is selector for the Down team that wins the Ulster MFC
1980- Quiz team of Agustin Lennon(Jnr), Eugene Stewart and Andrew McMahon are Down Scor Na NOg Champions
- Michael Sands plays for Down SF
- Kevin O’Neill plays for Down U-21H
- Kevin O’Neill is midfield on only Down team to reach the All-Ireland U-19 Voc Schools(Senior) Final in Pairc Ui Caoimh, Cork. Galway win by 2-7 to 3-8
- Jimmy Stewart is Vice-Chairman of the Down Hurling Board
1981· Ballyvarley win U-14 South Down HC
· Ballyvarley U-14 Hurlers visit Blackrock Club in Cork
· Ballyvarley win South Down U-12 HL
· Michael Sands plays for Down SF
· Kevin O’Neill plays for Down SH
· Tom Sands plays for Down MF
· Damien Lennon and Gary McQuaid play for Down U-15H
· Jimmy Stewart is Vice-Chairman of the Down Hurling Board
and Chairman of the Down Juvenile Hurling Committee
· Gerard O’Neill is Secretary of the Down Juvenile Hurling
Committee and is on Down Youth Board
· Gerard McGrath is on Down Hurling Referees Board
· Terry Grant wins South Down Recitation Title in Scor
· October – Work begins on the New Hall
1982- Ballyvarley lose Down JH Feis Sevens Final to Leitrim
- Ballyvarley win treble of Div 2 of the Feile and the U-14 HL and C’ship
- Kevin and Sean O’Neill play for Down SH
- Damien Lennon wins an All-Ireland U-16 HC(Sp) Medal v. Kerry at Croke Park
- Gerard Lennon, Aidan McAvoy, Eugene Stewart and Damien Lennon play for Down MH
- Bertie Leckey is on the Down History Committee 1982-84
1983- Ballyvarley are Down IHC Finalists. Lose to Ballygalget in Loughinisland by 0-3 to 7-7
- Ballyvarley win Down JH Feis Sevens by beating Leitrim 4-5 to 2-2
- Ballyvarley Reserve win Division 4HL(South)
- Kevin and Sean O’Neill play for Down SH. Kevin plays in Croke Park in All-Ireland “B” HC Final. Down lost by 2-13 to 3-16 to Kerry
- Brendan Donald and Finbar Lennon win All-Ireland U-16 HC(Sp) medals beating Carlow in Croke Park
- Damien Lennon is on the Down MH
- Jimmy Stewart, Gerard O’Neill and Brendan Lennon are on the Down Hurling Board. Jimmy is also Chairman of the Down Hurling Development Committee. Gerard is Chairman of the Down Juvenile Hurling Committee responsible for fixtures
- The Club’s third Youth Committee was formed in January
- April 29th – The Official Opening of the New Hall
- The club wins the South Down Club Of The Year Award
1984- June 10th - Official Opening of Club Grounds by GAA President Paddy Buggy
- Launch of official club history “The Aghaderg Story”
- Tullylish win South Down U-16 FC with 5 Aghaderg players. Lose County Final to Drumaness by 1-6 to 2-7
- The club are suspended, along with Glasdrumman, following incidents during a league game, in Ballyvarley
- Jimmy Stewart on Down Hurling Board and Chairman of the Down Hurling Development Committee
- Gerard O’Neill appointed as Down’s first Director of Coaching for Hurling. Organises first Down Coaching Seminar
- Quiz team of Aidan Lennon, Sean McMahon and Dermot Stewart win the South Down Scor Na NOg title
- Bertie Leckey on the County History Committee
- Kevin O’Neill playing for Down SH
- Damien Lennon and Brendan Donald win Ulster MHC Medal
- Damien Lennon plays for Down MF
- Damien Lennon wins Ulster U-21 HC Medal
1985- Gerard O’Neill is Down Director of Coaching for Hurling
- Sean O’Neill, Brendan Donald and Anthony McGrath play for Down JH
- Brendan Donald wins 2nd Ulster MHC Medal
- Martin Burns wins Hogan Cup Medal with St Colman’s College
1986- Quiz team of Aidan Lennon, Sean McMahon and Dermot Stewart are Ulster, Down and South Down Scor Na NOg Champions
- July - Jimmy Stewart is All-Ireland and Ulster Clubman Of The Year
1987- Quiz team(Aidan Lennon, Sean McMahon and Dermot Stewart) retain Ulster and Down Scor Na NOg titles
- Ballyvarley beat Ben Dearg by 2-7 to 1-1 to win 3rd Down JH Feis Sevens Title
- Finbar Lennon wins an Ulster U-21 HC Medal and plays for Down SH
- Aghaderg Camogie team are Down Novice Championship Finalists v. Ballyholland
- Ballyvarley are Down IHC Finalists, losing to Ballycran by 1-5 to 1-7 in Newcastle
1988- Aghaderg win the Down Novice Camogie Championship Final, beating Annaclone by 3-1 to 2-2 in Ballela
- Katrina McGrath, Shauna McGovern, Nuala Warnock and Delia McCartan play for Down Minors
1989- Aghaderg win Down Junior Camogie League Final by beating Drumaness 5-4 to 3-2 in Annsboro
- Aghaderg win Down Junior Camogie Championship Final, beating Mayobridge by 2-2 to 1-1 at St Mark’s, Warrenpoint
- U-14 Footballers win their section of the South Down League
- Katrina McGrath and Delia McCartan on Down Minor(U-16) Camogie team
- Sinead and Claire McGovern on Down U-14 Camogie team
- Quiz team of Aidan Lennon, Sean McMahon and Donal Doyle are County Scor Na NOg Champions
1990- Aghaderg win Jean McGrath Memorial Trophy for the first time
- Aghaderg win South Down U-14 Camogie 7-a-side title
- Jacqueline McNally and Shauna McGovern play for Down Junior Camogie team
- Sinead McGovern, Claire McGovern, Caroline Fegan, Nuala Warnock and Ciara Fitzpatrick play for Down Minor(U-16) Camogie team
- Ciara McGovern and Claire McGrath play for Down U-14 Camogie team
1991- Kieran Lennon and Gerard Lennon on Down JH team
- Sinead McGovern is Down Minor(U-16) Camogie Player Of The Year
1992- Anthony McGrath, Sean O’Neill, Aidan McAvoy and Kevin O’Neill win Ulster JHC Medals
1993- Claire McGrath and Ciara McGovern win Ulster Minor Camogie Lg and C’ship medals. Francis McGrath was manager
- Sinead McGovern wins Maguire Cup medal with Down Seniors
- Ballyvarley win treble of Div 2 Feile, Lg and C’ship
- Aghaderg win the Intermediate Camogie League and promotion to the Senior League
- Anthony McGrath wins All-Ireland JHC Medal v. London at Ruislip
- Christopher McGovern plays for Down U-14 H who win the Tony
Forrestal Cup in Waterford
- Katrina McGrath, Sinead and Claire McGovern play on Down Junior and Senior Camogie teams
- Aghaderg Club receive the Camogie Club Of The Year Award
- Sinead McGovern is the County U-18 Player Of The Year
- Bertie Leckey is the secretary of the Down Referees Committee
1994- Aghadeg Camogie team in Senior League and Championship
- Ballyvarley lose Feis Sevens JH Final to Darragh Cross
- Ballyvarley U-14H lose the Div 2 Feile final to Kilclief
- Ballyvarley win U-14 HL and lose the C’ship Final to Downpatrick
- Ballyvarley lose Betsy Gray Cup Final, in Hilltown, to Newry Shamrocks by 4-1 to 2-8
- Christopher McGovern, Gerard Fullerton, Christopher Sands, Neil Blevins and Niall Sands play for Down U-16 H
- Colm O’Neill plays for Down U-14 H
- Paul McGivern and Philip McGovern play for South Down U-12 F
- Sinead and Claire McGovern play on Down Senior Camogie team
- Ciara McGovern and Clare McGrath play on Down U-18 Camogie team
- Clare McGrath plays on Down Minor Camogie team
- Gerard O’Neill on Down Hurling Board and Down Communication Committee
- Francis McGrath manager of the Down Minor and U-18 Camogie teams
- Aghaderg introduce the Club Membership Scheme
1995- Aghaderg Senior Footballers win the South Down Winter League
- Aghaderg Senior Footballers lose out in Promotion Play-offs
- Ballyvarley lose U-14 HC Final to Downpatrick
- Ballyvarley win U-16 HL and Cship. Beat Downpatrick in an “infamous” Hurling Championship Final in Leitrim by 2-11 to 0-1
- Clare McGrath plays for Down Minor Camogie team
- Gerard Fullerton, Neil Blevins, Niall Sands and David McGovern play for Down MH B Team
- Gerard Fullerton, Darren Macken and David McGovern play for Down U-16 H B Team
- Christopher McGovern and Christopher Sands play for Down U-16 and Minor Hurling A Teams
- Paul Stevenson plays for Down U-14 H
- Rory Simpson and Colm Farrell played for South Down U-12 F
- Sinead, Claire and Ciara McGovern play for the Down Camogie Senior and Junior Teams, winning Ulster Senior C’ship and losing All-Ireland Junior Final
- Clare McGrath and Ciara McGovern win U-18 Ulster C’ship
- Gerard O’Neill on Down Hurling Board and Down Communication Committee
- Bertie Leckey on Down County Referees Committee
- Francis McGrath is manager of the Down Senior Camogie Team
- Deirdre and Claire McGovern were managers of the Down U-14 Camogie Team
1996- Ballyvarley win Div 2 Feile and U-14 HL. Lose C’ship Final
- Aghaderg win the South Down Division 2 U-14 FL, beating Drumgath by 5-9 to 3-13
- Ballyvarley win the U-16 HC, beating Kilclief, at St John’s by 1-6 to 1-4
- Bertie Leckey is the 1st winner of the South Down Hall Of Fame Award
- Sinead, Claire and Ciara McGovern and Clare McGrath win Ulster Senior Championship and the Maguire Cup
- Dessie Winters referees County Minor Final and Ciaran McNally referees the U-16 County Final
1997- Ballyvarley U-14H win Banbridge Council’s Youth Team Of The Year Award
- Bertie Leckey wins Banbridge Council’s Service To Sport Award
- Ballyvarley lose U-16 HC final replay to Leitrim by 2-7 to 3-8 in Ballela.
- James McGrath and Michael Cairns play for Down U-14 H
- Martin and Cathal O’Neill play for Down U-16 H “B” Team
1998- Ballyvarley win the Betsy Gray Shield, beating Newry Shamrocks by 5-10 to 0-2 in the Final in Ballykinlar
- Ballyvarley win the U-16 HL but lose C’ship Final to Kilclief
1999- Aghaderg win promotion to SFL Div 3
- Ballyvarley win 4th Down JH Feis Title, beating Castlewellan by 4-4 to 1-2
- Ballyvarley win 1st MHC, beating Castlewellan by 2-7 to 1-5 in Ballykinlar
- Aghaderg are runners-up in the South Down MFL
- Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley HC received the Chairman’s Award for Achievement at the South Down Awards Night, for the success of the football and hurling teams this year
- Martin O’Neill plays for Down MH
- Rory Simpson is on Ulster U-17 Compromise Rules Team
2000- Ballyvarley lose Betsy Gray Shield Final, in St Johns, to Darragh Cross by 1-6 to 3-6
- Ballyvarley lose MHC Final, in Annsboro, to Kilclief
- A combined Aghaderg/Annaclone Minor team win the South Down League
- Aghaderg/Annaclone U-21 Team beat Rostrevor, after a replay, to win the South Down final. Lose to Kilcoo in County Final.
- Jimmy Stewart wins Banbridge Council’s Service To Sport Award
- John McAreavey captains Down U-16 Footballers
- Colm O’Neill plays for Down JH
- Martin O’Neill, James McGrath, David Lavery and Eunan McConville play for Down MH
- Martin O’Neill and David McGovern played for Down U-21 H
- Rory Simpson and John McAreavey play for Down MF
- Kevin Maguire and Martin Farrell play for South Down U-14 F and Martin wins Bord NaNOg Skills Competition
2001- Aghaderg reach 1st Junior Football Championship Final. Lose to Newry Mitchels by 0-9 to 2-9
- A combined Aghaderg/Annaclone team win the South Down MFL, beating Newry Bosco by 0-17 to 1-10 in final
- Rory Simpson and Colm Farrell play for Down MF
- Colm O’Neill plays for Down JH
- Aghaderg/Annaclone U-21 Team are South Down finalist’s v An Riocht.
- James McGrath and Michael Cairns play for Down MH
2002- Ballyvarley lose Betsy Gray Shield Final to combined Clonduff/Rostrevor team in Newry
- Ballyvarley lose ACHL Div 2 play-off to Clonduff/Rostrevor by 1-6 to 2-10
- John McAreavey plays for Down MF
- Colm O’Neill and David McGovern play for Down JH
- James McGrath plays for Down U-21 H
- Aoibhne O’Neill plays for Down U-14 Camogie team.
2003 - Martin O’Neill and David McGovern play for Down JH
- Aghaderg relegated to SFL Div 4
- Club celebrate Diamond Jubilee and a Centenary of GAA Activity in the Parish
2006
- Junior Hurling Championship
2009
- Divsion II Hurling League Title
MAIN OFFICE BEARERS
Chairman (16)
Rev John J Pettit(6) 1943-1949
Frank McGrath (14) 1949-1963
Jimmy Stewart (13) 1964, 1971-1975, 1979-1981, 1992, 1997-1999
Bertie Leckey (1) 1965
Gerard McGrath (5) 1966-1969, 1976
Francis Burns (2) 1970, 1978
T B Lennon (1) 1977
Brendan Lennon (2) 1982-1983
Seamus McGrath (1) 1984,
Brendan Warnock (3) 1985-1987
John P Lennon (1) 1988
Seamus Byrne (1) 1989
Gerard O’Neill (3) 1990-1991, 1996
Adrian Lennon (3) 1993-1995
Martin Malone (1) 2000
Aidan Lavery (3) 2001-2003
Secretary (17)
Bertie Leckey (18) 1943- 1961
Jimmy Stewart (2) 1962, 1985
William O’Keefe (1) 1963
Michael Anderson (4) 1963-1966
Agustin Lennon Snr (3) 1967-1969
Jim Morgan (3) 1970-1972
Margaret Lennon (1) 1973
Liam Ross (4) 1974, 1977-1979
Francis McGrath (2) 1975-1976
Gerard O’Neill (7) 1980-84, 1986-87
Gregory McGrath (1) 1982
Gus Lennon Jnr (5) 1988-1992
Ciaran McNally (3) 1993-1995
Seamus McGrath (3) 1996-97, 2003
Liam McDermott (1) 1998
Donal Moran (3) 1999-2001
Mark McGrath (1) 2002
Treasurer (14)
Rev Fr Pat Gavin (3) 1943-1945
William McDermott (15) 1945-1959
Jimmy Stewart (2) 1960-1961
Celestine McGrath (1) 1962
T B Lennon (13) 1963-1975
John Simpson (2) 1976-1977
Jeannette Sands (1) 1978
Francis McGrath (6) 1979-1984
Brendan Lennon (1) 1985
Felicity Stewart (5) 1986-1990
John P Lennon (1) 1991
Sean Warnock (2) 1992-1993
Bertie Leckey (8) 1994-2001
Pat Lennon (2) 2002-2003
AGHADERG GFC AND BALLYVARLEY HC CLUB AWARDS
CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR
For the first nine years of the club awards, 1966-1974, there was only one club award and this was called the Clubman Of The Year Award. This award was competed for by both players and officials and the winner was selected by the main club committee. Players dominated this award in the early years. The trophy presented in the first two decades of the award was the “Aghaderg Cup”.
Joe McGrath 1966
Francis Burns 1967
Charlie Simpson 1968
Peter Morgan 1969
Gerard McGrath 1970
Raphael Cribbin 1971
Brendan Lennon 1972
Seamus McGrath 1973
Gerard O’Neill 1974
Jimmy Stewart 1975
Seamus McGrath 1976
Gerard McGrath 1977
Francis Burns 1978
Jimmy Stewart 1979
Gerard McGrath 1980
Gerard O'Neill 1981
John Higgins 1982
Gerard O'Neill 1983
Helen Stewart 1984
Jimmy Stewart 1985
Gerard O’Neill 1986
Brendan Warnock 1987
Deirdre McGrath 1988
Felicity Stewart 1989
Gus Lennon 1990
Bertie Leckey 1991
Gus Lennon 1992
Bertie Leckey 1993
Adrian Lennon 1994
Adrian Lennon 1995
Francis McGrath 1996
Seamus McGrath 1997
Donal Moran 1998
Seamus McGrath 1999
Damien Simpson 2000
Donal Moran 2001
Mark McGrath 2002
YOUTH AWARD
Andrew McMahon 1984
Felicity Stewart 1985
Brenda McAvoy 1986
Bernice McGrath 1987
Bronagh Lennon 1988
Aidan Lennon 1989
Sean Warnock 1990
Sean Warnock 1991
Kieran Lennon 1992
Kieran Lennon 1993
Ciara Fitzpatrick 1994
Damien Simpson 1995
Cathy McGrath 1996
Damien Simpson 1997
Cathy McGrath 1998
Colm O’Neill 1999
Paul McGivern 2000
Colm O’Neill 2001
Conor Lavery 2002
SENIOR FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Michael Higgins 1975
Joe McGrath 1976
Gregory McGrath 1977
Michael Sands 1978
Michael Higgins 1979
Sean O’Neill 1980
Kevin O’Neill 1981
Anthony McGrath 1982
Gusty Lennon 1983
Tom Sands 1984
Kevin O’Neill 1985
Cairbre McGovern 1986
Martin Malone 1987
Martin Burns 1988
No Award 1989
Brendan Malone 1990
Brendan Malone 1991
Sean McAvoy 1992
Martin Burns 1993
Martin Fitzpatrick 1994
Jonathan McGovern 1995
Kevin Burns 1996
Martin Fitzpatrick 1997
Mervyn Colgan 1998
Mark Rice 1999
Jonathan McGovern 2000
Cathal McGrath 2001
Rory Simpson 2002
SENIOR HURLER OF THE YEAR
Sean O’Neill 1975
Martin Byrnes 1976
Gerard O’Neill 1977
Sean O’Neill 1978
Kevin O’Neill 1979
Kevin O’Neill 1980
Sean O’Neill 1981
Kevin O’Neill 1982
Gerard Lennon 1983
Michael Higgins 1984
Brendan Donald 1985
Seamus Lennon 1986
Seamus Lennon 1987
Kevin O’Neill 1988
Sean O’Neill 1989
Kevin O’Neill 1990
Sean O’Neill 1991
Sean O’Neill 1992
Anthony McGrath 1993
Sean O’Neill 1994
Seamus Lennon 1995
Gerard Lennon 1996
Eugene Stewart 1997
Colm O’Neill 1998
Martin O’Neill 1999
James McGrath 2000
Gerard Lennon 2001
Martin O’Neill 2002
SENIOR CAMOGIE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dolores Lennon 1987
Katrina McGrath 1988
Jacqueline McNally 1989
Shauna McGovern 1990
Nuala Warnock 1991
Catherine McDermott 1992
Sinead McGovern 1993
Clare McGovern 1994
Clare McGrath 1995
RESERVE FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Martin Cunningham 2001
MINOR HURLER OF THE YEAR
Colm O’Neill 1998
David Lavery 1999
Martin O’Neill 2000
Michael Cairns 2001
MINOR FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
William Fitzpatrick 1992
Dan Strain 1993
Graeme Donaghy 1998
Kevin Falloon 1999
Cathal McGrath 2000
James McGrath 2001
U-16 HURLER OF THE YEAR
Kevin O’Neill 1974
Aidan McGrath 1975
Michael McKiverigan 1976
Kevin O’Neill 1977
Colm Broderick 1978
Terence Lennon 1979
Damien Lennon 1980
(Loughbrickland)
Brendan Donald 1981
Sean Warnock 1982
Damien Lennon 1983
(Banbridge)
Peter Murray 1984
Kieran Lennon 1985
Anthony Blackburn 1987
Conor Grew 1988
Gerard Fullerton 1994
Chris McGovern 1995
Martin O’Neill 1996
Cathal O’Neill 1997
Paul McGivern 1998
U-16 FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Danny Smith 1974
Kevin O’Neill 1975
Patrick Higgins 1976
John Lennon 1977
Damien Lennon 1978
Brendan Donald 1979
Martin Burns 1980
Sean McAvoy 1981
Martin Burns 1982
Kevin Burns 1983
Martin Burns 1984
Sean McAvoy 1985
Jonathan McGovern 1987
Dan Strain 1990
Liam Burns 1991
Michael Cribbin 1994
Chris McGovern 1995
Colm O’Neill 1996
Paul McGivern 1997
U-14 HURLER OF THE YEAR
Andrew McGrath 1988
Chris McGovern 1992
Chris McGovern 1993
Paul Stevenson 1994
Paul Stevenson 1995
Paul McGivern 1996
U-14 FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McGovern 1990
Chris McGovern 1992
Gerard Fullerton 1993
Colin O’Malley 1994
Paul McGivern 1995
Kevin Falloon 1996
U-12 HURLER OF THE YEAR
David McGovern 1991
U-12 FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McGovern 1988
Chris McGovern 1991
Philip McGovern 1992
Paul McGivern 1994
Martin Farrell 1995
John McAreavey 1996