Newtownbutler First Fermanagh’s GFC

In 1887 the first Gaelic football club to be formed in Fermanagh was in Newtownbutler.

Philip O`Reilly, a member of the O`Reilly family of Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan inherited his uncle`s hotel and business in Newtownbutler in January 1887.

O`Reilly attended St. Coleman`s College Newry where he was a student of Michael Cusack’s. A few months later during the summer of 1887 another Ballyconnell man and footballer, Jack Maguire came to Newtownbutler to take up a teaching post at Derryginnidy School. Both these men along with local man James B. McManus decided to start a football team.