Silverbridge Harps GAC

Silverbridge Teams had to play in various fields over the years, Creegans Fields Legmoyland, Lynches Field Ballsmill, Hanrattys Meadow Umericam, Caseys Field Carnally, and then into the present Field for a period during the late thirties and early forties. The next shift was to Kernans Field behind Ned Donnellys Forge in 1943.

1945 saw the move to Johnstones Ballsmill and then to Lennons Meadow in '46. '47 over to Coulters Meadow. We moved to oar present field for '48, '49 and '50 and then back to Kernans in '51.

1953 was a move to Murphys Field Legmoyland in which we stayed til '61, '62 it was then back to Carnally to our present Field, at that time owned by Larry McGeough. We then moved back to Legmoyland to Gerry Hughes Field in 1963 and remained there for 10 years. So in 1973 we moved into our present headquarters, which at last was a permanent home. However, sincere thanks is due to different owners, who obliged us with the use of their fields over the years.

The decision to purchase the present playing pitch was taken at the 1966 AGM. The club had some money on hand so it was decided to get better organised and raise enough money to purchase, and later on develop the field. 

The purchase was carried out by the Chairman James Reel, the owner was Larry McGeough. Fund Raising schemes were then started. The first venture was the Car Club with 240 members which b rough in £500 this was launched in March 1967 and completed in July. The Dinner Dance in Ballymascanlon came into being in April '68, various approaches were made to the Ministry of Education for Grant Aid, but apart from a lot of drawing, and paper work, the then Stormont Administration, could not get it on to their Capital Scheme. So it was decided to go ahead on our own, in March 1969 Tony Kierns and Peter Keeley met John Rooney of Messrs Rooney and McParland and Tom Lynch of Carrickcruppen with the view to levelling and development of the field, a survey was carried out, Joe French did the estimate of cost and a £2,000 Contract for removing top soil excavating the under surface, and replacing top soil 8000 sq. yards at 5/- per yard. Rock being extra £1.00 per Cubic yd. Unfortunately a lot of rock showed up putting another £1400 to the bill, a lot of other items kept creeping in adding to the cost quite substantially.

The Field was harrowed and disced early in August 1970, a lot of small stones came to the surface, so it was decided to remove same on Wednesday 12th August, a start was made with John Smith and Barney Murphy Sen., with tractors in attendance, and about 12 voluntary workers each evening, this work was slow and difficult and was eventually finished on August 21st.

The heavy rain on August 15th caused flooding which meant a decision on Drainage must be made. Voluntary workers concentrated on digging drains from 23rd August digging a main drain across the upper end of the field and sloping it from the top left hand corner towards the mid-field on the other side. Using a 6 inch pipe in the main drain and 4 inch pipes in the herring bone drains which were run at various angles into the main drain, the pipes were covered with layers of stones and covered over. This work was completed on Saturday September 4th, with the field being tilled the same day, it was hoped to reseed fertilise on Sunday 5th September but rain in the morning upset plans. Rain continued up to September 20th, and almost ended hopes of sowing seeds, but an improvement over a couple of days ended in quick decision to sow on September 24th, Peter Keeley and Brendan Conlon did the sowing with a fiddle, Jemmie Reel and John Murphy helping, and Barney Murphy harrowing it in with Pat O'Callaghan's horses it was too wet for a tractor. Condition of field not very satisfactory but with sowing season more or less over there was little choice. Some parts were wet and soft others firm and dry, a single stroke of harrow each way left the field in fair condition. Jemmie Reel sowed the last 1/2 cwt. of seed on the following Saturday, decided not be Harrow or Roll anymore for present weather continued bad up until October 4th.

On Saturday April 17th 1971 work resumed on the field, stones gathered and field rolled. It was quite firm now following a dry spell. Clay was drawn from Jim Callaghan to fill up hollows, which developed during the wet spell. John Rooney returned with a J.C.B. to remove further filling at top right hand corner on Friday 15th May, it was discovered that the Field was short on one side. Foundation for the wall round the playing field was dug out during the week 9th to 15th May. Ready mix arrived on Saturday May 16th, 16 cubic years being spread in foundation, and work the wall began, volunteers who did a lot of work on the wall and field were Jem Murphy, Kieran Murphy, E. Murphy, M. & P. Mallie, M. Toal, S. Hearty, J. Reel, Seamus Murphy, B. Murphy and tractor, Jim Callaghan and tractor. John Smith with tractor and trailer, Peter and Vincy Reel with tractor, Owen Keenan with mole drainer, Peter Grant, Kevin Hearty, Owen Reel, John Reel, Gerry Hughes, Tom Gartlan, M. Mallie Sen., Anthony Mallie, Peter and Seamus Murphy, Oiney Murphy, James Daly and Eddie, Pat Finnegan, Pat and Mickey Traynor, P. Keeley, Eamon Murphy, Pat Byrne, Brendan Conlon, Bernard, Pat Kevin and John Murphy, Owen Byrne. Clay to level off sides was procured from Sam Derby, further excavation of top end by M. G. Donnelly Machinery. Block for wall supplied by Tinnelly, Rostrevor @ £6 per 100. The wall was eventually finished in August 1971 by Pat Murphy, John and Kieran. Kelly Brothers excavated behind the top goals and levelled the terraces on either side of field.

The first event was the Sports in 1971 featuring a Ladies Football between St. Pats and Silverbridge. The top end was cleared up and reseeded in 1972, the goal post were erected in April 1973, Silverbridge and Culloville Minors were first to play in it. St. Pat's and Silverbridge was the first league game on the 18th May 1973. St. Pat's won, Oliver Carty scoring the first point.

The building of the Clubhouse was decided at a Meeting in Glassdrummond Hall when on an open vote it was decided to build rather than Drain the Field, this was 1975. With £3,000 available the work started in Jam 1976, voluntary work was used to put in the foundations and up to the sub floors. The walls were let on contract to B. Murphy and Tommy Traynor, the plastering to Murphy Bros., plumbing to Martin Campbell, lighting to Gabriel Campbell.

The roofing, and trimming up painting doors, etc. was done voluntary. The building was completed in Sept. 1976. The licence was obtained for bar in Jan 77. The store was built during '78 and roofed in '79.

The immediate requirements are to straighten out the terraces, shift a considerable amount of clay from the top of the field, plaster the wall, fence off playing field build new dressing rooms, and showers. Tarmac in front of dressing room, build wall at entrance.