History
Part 1 - More to follow
CLUB HISTORY 1940s & 1950s
The idea of forming a Gaelic football club in Swatragh came from John McCormack in 1946. Other founder members included Patsy Collins, Jim McMullan, John Eddie Friel and James McGurk. As 1946 was the centenary of Michael Davitt and it had been recorded that he spent a few days in Swatragh while addressing meetings of the Land League, the new club decided to carry his name.
The team that lined out for Michael Davitt Swatragh’s first home match against Ballinascreen was as follows; John O Kane, James McShane, Danny O Hagan, John McKendry, Frank Mallon, Mickey Moran, Louis McKenna, Frank McWilliams, John McCormack (capt), John Rafferty, Malachy O Brien, Tommy O Kane and Jim McGurk. Other players involved included George McCloskey, Paddy McPeake, Dan Rafferty, Barney O Kane, Philip Mooney, Paddy Kelly, Hugh McGurk, Frank O Kane, Gerard McKenna, Eddie McKenna and Paddy Kearney.
In the early days the club had very little success and they also availed of reinforcements from neighbours Kilrea and Glenullin when these clubs were not in a position to field teams of their own. Kilrea men involved included John McKendry, Mickey Moran, Jamie McShane, Sean McCotter and Jim Mooney.The Glenullin men were Tommy Mullan, Tommy McCloskey, James and Paddy Rafferty. From 1946 to 1950 the team was captained in turn by John McCormack, Frank Mallon, Louis McKenna and ‘Big’ Paddy O Kane.
The following officers served the club in the 1940s
Year Chairman Secretary Treasurer
1946 John Eddie Friel John McCormack Jim Mc Mullan
1947 James McGurk John McCormack Jim Mc Mullan
1948 Frank Mallon John McCormack Jim Mc Mullan
1949 Frank Mallon John McCormack Jim Lagan
In 1949 the club changed their colours from red and white to green and white and they also moved from the rock field to the field behind the market house.
In 1950 the club fielded their first minor team and almost immediately fortunes improved. Strengthened by young blood the first trophies were won in 1952 when Swatragh beat Loup in the South Derry Junior Championship final and they also won the South Derry Junior league. Players who represented the club at this time included John Rafferty, Louis McKenna, John Mellon, Mick Mellon, Hugh Tohill, Tony Tohill, Patsy McGuckin, John Mulholland, Tony Mulholland, Dermot Harkin, Brendan Harkin, Jimmy Mullan, Jack McGrath, Brendan Rafferty, Colm O Brien, Colm McCusker, Barney Cassidy, Dan Bradley, Patsy Diamond and Mickey Diamond.
In 1953 Swatragh played in the Senior Championship but were not up to the standard and with Slaughtneil forming a club in that year 1954 was a struggle both on and off the field. However 1955 saw Swatragh reclaim the South Derry and All County Junior Championship titles with the following team; Jamie O Kane, Hugh Tohill, John McCormack(Kilrea), Patsy McGuckin(capt.), Tony Mulholland, Dermot Harkin, Colm McCusker, John Mulholland, Brendan Harkin, James McShane, Johnny Quinn, John Mellon, Tommy Donaghy, John Rafferty and Tommy Gunning.
In 1956 Swatragh and Kilrea joined forces in minor ranks and won the South Derry Championship. The panel included Barney and Harry Tohill, Barney Diamond, Alex McShane, Pat O Kane, Leo O Neill, James Kearney, John Joe Quinn, Tommy Donaghy, Liam McEldowney, Liam Madden, Denis McGuckin, Colm McEldowney, Joe Mellon, Frank Mc Kendry, Eddie Mulholland, Peter Friel and Barney McAlary.
The first schoolboy team was also organised with John McCormack in charge and the following players represented the club; Jim O Kane, Con McKenna, Colm Mellon, Tommy O Kane, Sean O Kane, Willie Quinn, Tommy McGuckin(capt.), Danny Quinn, Colm Stewart, Arthur McGurk and Willie McAtamney. New recruits the following year included Brian Rafferty, James O Kane(cottage), Charlie McWilliams, John Gunning, Charlie Quigg, James Quinn, Paddy Collins and Raymond McNamee.
In 1957 Swatragh lost the South Derry Junior Championship final to Kilrea and they lost the final the following year to Castledawson. The normal lineout during these years was, Frank McKendry, Hugh Tohill, Barney Tohill, Barney Diamond, Pat O Kane, Eddie Mulholland, James Kearney, Tommy Gunning, John Quinn, John Joe Quinn,(capt.), Brian Rafferty, Brendan Harkin and Harry Tohill.
The following Officers served the club in the 1950s.
Year Chairman Secretary Treasurer
1950 Philip Mooney Malachy O Brien Jim Lagan
1951 Philip Mooney Tony Mulholland Jim Lagan
1952 Tommy McGuigan Tony Mulholland Jim Lagan
1953 Tommy McGuigan Tony Mulholland Patsy McGuckin
1954 Tommy McGuigan Tony Mulholland Patsy McGuckin
1955 Tommy McGuigan PJ McKeefry PJ McKeefry
1956 Donald Bradley Ken Vallely Jim Lagan
1957 Mickey Diamond John McCormack PJ McKeefry
1958 Mickey Diamond John McCormack PJ McKeefry
1959 Willie O Kane Ken Vallely James Trainor