Club History 2
THE REBIRTH OF THE GAA
From 1936 to 1944 one can only assume that soccer took over again. There is no known reason why it took so long to be reformed. At this time there was opposition to setting up of a Gaelic team in Clady and after much argument, debate and physical disputes finally all things came to a head. A meeting was held in Billy Mc Gees house but the decision could not be resolved so a secret ballot took place to see whether it be Gaelic or soccer football. So on Good Friday night the votes were cast and counted by Eddie Lafferty (a family name that with others has been an ever present). This is where it becomes clouded, both sides believed they had won before the vote was announced, majority of one for Gaelic football.
As they prepared for a return to Gaelic football there were three football teams operating in the area. St Bridget’s which consisted of mainly young players, Oliver Plunketts where made up of the older generation and a third team organised by Dr Hagan. A match was arranged to see who was the better side St Bridget’s or St Plunketts. St Bridget’s were to the fore when the ball was mysterious punctured so the problem was not resolved. Towards the end of 1944 the Finn Valley league was resurrected.
The St Bridget’s represented the village in 1945 but lost to Gortin after a replay thus ending St Bridget’s journey in Tyrone. However at the 1946 Tyrone convention St Bridget’s and the Plunketts were represented by three delegates each. However the chairman Fr Kirk advised that both sets of delegates should return home and resolve the problem among themselves. Fr Mc Hugh the Parish Priest summoned representatives of both Clubs to meet with him. He advised if they remain divided then they were going nowhere. He amalgamated the three teams and called the new team Urney St Columba’s. It took some time before the Bridget’s and Plunketts accepted his decision.
URNEY ST COLUMBAS took the pitch in 1946 and have remained in existence henceforth. There are many stories told and it is difficult to decide what is factual and what is fiction. Sometime later it was rumoured that Fr Mc Hugh put a curse on the teams present at the meeting that neither would ever win a championship. This hung over the club for years resulting in teams believing they couldn’t win a championship at adult level. It took the team of 1990 to break the “curse” by winning the Junior Championship at the third attempt. They lost to Pomeroy in1984 (Centenary Year) and to Drumquin in 1987.
There is limited evidence of how Urney performed in the years 1945-46 but at county level Urney made an impact with Billy Melly and Robert Mc Nulty becoming part of the Tyrone minor panel Robert played right through to the defeat by Dublin in the All Ireland semi final. Robert played at corner back and Billy played against Antrim but was dropped for the semi final against Derry. Robert played in the 1947 Minor team at full back and went on to claim Ulster and All Ireland minor medals.
Urney had played in the Junior League but come 1947, the County Board promoted them to the senior ranks where they played in the West Tyrone League against Gortin, Dromore, Newtonstewart, Strabane and Omagh. Urney were paired against Strabane in the senior football Championships, Strabane had won the 1945 senior title where four Urney men had starred –Hughie Kelly, Francie Houston, Jimmy Hamilton and Josel Mc Nulty.
Urney lost their first senior game to Gortin 0 - 09 to 0 - 05 in treacherous conditions. It was at this time that Urney sought permission for the Fr Bradley Cup to be played in Donegal!!! Reports indicate Urney beat Strabane 0 - 14 to 0 – 08 in what was described as a surprise and well merited win. Controversy raised its head again about an over age player in the minor football championship v Ballygawley when Ballygawley raised questions regarding one of the Urney players, his autograph was sought but he refused. Ballygawley protested but lost because they sought his autograph after the game.
In a report of the 1948 Annual General Meeting The Ulster Herald congratulated the newly elected committee for appealing to the club to promote hurling. Urney were the only club to mention hurling at that time
In March of 1949 the” Local Derby” between Strabane and Urney was played, again before a large crowd. Urney were worthy winners of an exciting game on the score of 3 – 02 to 0 – 04. The second leg took place a week later with Urney drawing away in the second half on a score of 1 – 10 to 0 – 02. By mid season Urney were unbeaten when they met Gortin who had won the league the season before. This was a titanic struggle played at a fast pace and providing a clean game with Gortin winning on a score of 1 – 06 to 1 – 03. Gortin refused to travel for the second game but following a board meeting agreed to do so. Following a sharp game with some spectator input Urney ran out winners on a score of 2 – 06 to 0 – 05.
