A Brief History

Information is very sketchy at the time of going to press but the first recorded match involving a Castlewellan Star team was a league match against neighbours Annsborough in October 1900. Matches in those days were played in front of crowds 5 to 6 deep and were one of the main sources of entertainment. The war years were lean times but the Castlewellan Team remained strong; the team was looked after around this time by Barney Tumelty who had been the assistant manager of Portadown.

It is with regret that I have to report that due to registration irregularities the Castlewellan Star team folded but such was the spirit that the team reformed the very next under the name of Castlewellan Stars. The club secretary at the time never held a post again for Castlewellan.

Possibly Castlewellans greatest ever player Joseph Toner was plying his trade for the Stars. Along with McCrackern Bros (Linfield) Barney, Hugh and Dan Jennings (Amateur International) their formed a formidable backbone to a team which began to dominate the local scene. Joseph who had already lifted a Junior Sheild with Annsborough in 1913 was a footballer who was destined for the big stage. The stars team who brought joy to many were also responsible in raising funds for both St Paul sans St Malachys. They played Linfield and Belfast Celtic on separate occasions in front of a packed meadow. Defeated Linfield and lost to Belfast Celtic. After the Celtic game Joe was signed by M Hamill to play for Belfast Utd. In 1919 Joe was transferred from United to Arsenal. He went on to make 100 appearances for Arsenal and gained eight 8 international caps for his country. He later transferred to St Johnstone before injury made him return home where it all began.

On his return he found that Castlewellan were being looked after by John Maginn and were playing fixtures in the meadow. Two local men who were responsible for this were Jim Toner & Andrew Beggs. The meadow was open to all sports including cricket which all locals took part in. Many a great night/day was had by the community in the meadow.

Local soccer was played in Summer Leagues now as the Winter League folded because of the travelling involved and the early evenings. Some great exchanges took place against local teams like Warrenpoint, Ballygowan, Newry, Annalong and the Army. The Army often had some professional footballers in their ranks and one such player was a centre forward by the name of  Norman Deeley who went on to score two goals in the 1960 FA Cup Final for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Blackburn Rovers. He arrived with the Army Team one night expecting to score a bag full but left the Meadow scoreless after being marked out of the game by Tibbey Toner. Other players of note included Blow McEvoy (Glasgow Celtic), Ted Hinton (irish International, Billy Teggart (Belfast Celtic), to name but a few that played against the stars.

The town started the 70s with a flourish by annexing the Cosmopolitan Cup during the Mourne and District Summer League of 1970, an 8-2 victory over a star studded Ballyvea side. On that town team was a young Terry Cochrane who was to gain several international caps for Northern Ireland and make a living as a professional footballer with Burnley, Middlesboro and Gillingham, but is best remembered for scoring against England at Wembley in a 1-1 draw.

This should have been the springboard to greater things, but the club for numerous reasons folded and took a time out.

The club reformed in1972 and rejoined the Newcastle League in September of that year. Jimmy Kelly and Paddy Corrigan were instrumental in keeping the club a float during this period and eventually as membership and interest grew they saw their efforts rewarded when an unexpected run in the 1977 Bobby Dalzell cup saw them reach the final. However the town seemed to falter at the final hurdle, a weakness that was to hunt them for several years. They suffered defeat in the 77,79,80,81,and 87 finals before eventually winning the trophy in 1988 much to the relief and joy of all involved

Success in the Harry Clarke Cup the other major cup competition was much more elusive and their only appearance in the final was in 1979. Fortunately it was a winning one with an epic 3-2 victory over Downshire, sparking never to be forgotten celebrations lasting for some days (I think), and to cap it all the team also won the league that year needing just a point from their final game away to portaferry they duly obliged with a tense 2-2 draw.

During this period the town were indebted to several managers namely Jimmy Kelly, Paddy Corrigan, Noel ‘Darkie’ Burns and Danny Keown setting up unprecedented success in the 90s.

Before the onset of the 1990s the town had only 3 Newcastle League honours to their name. One each of the Bobby Dalzell, Harry Clarke and league Championship. By the end of last season (2004-05) they had secured another 3 leagues (93,98.2003), 2 Bobby Dalzells(2003, 2004) and 4 Harry Clarkes (93,97,2003,2004).

They secured their second double in 1993, but in the season 2002-03 went one step further and became the first team in the Newcastle League to complete the treble. They went undefeated throughout the league and thus never lost a game domestically all year They also reached the semi-final of the Junior Shield, the furthest any castlewellan team had ever got. Last season they reached the Harry Clarke Cup final and were aiming to be only the second team to win the cup 3 years in a row, but unfortunately lost to a last minute goal in a 1-2 defeat. It is no coincidence that this period is the most successful ever in the clubs history. In the late 1980’s youth football in Castlewellan was re-introduced and this conveyor belt of soccer talent keeps churning out the future stars of Castlewellan F.C.

Throughout the years Castlewellan won many Leagues and Cups. Many a Castlewellan man was involved with other local teams that were successful. You can take the man out of Castlewellan but you cant take Castlewellan out of the man.