1990

Beaten by Enniskillen Gaels in the Championship final is all I really want to write about 1990. However there was quite a bit of hurling played and we retained the Jimmy McPhillips cup as Division One winner also the Gerry Hannigan cup.

1990 saw Patsy Dolan taking over as Chairman, Kevin Corrigan retained as Secretary and Pat Magee still as Treasurer. Donal McShea was Captain. The draw and replay in the Championship final as well as the fact that Enniskillen, for the first time since the Ollie O’Donnell led team of 1979, were the new County Champions created a tremendous interest in the press. There were 23 players in our team photograph for the final.

1991

Spurred on by the defeat in the championship final the previous year, 1991 brought an enthusiasm and spirit into a team which has not been defeated since in the Championship and to date has 14 in a row Championship titles.

The main officers in 1991 were Donal McShea, Chairman, Patsy Dolan back as Secretary and Pat Magee continuing as Treasurer. Ollie McShea was the new Captain and he took physical training during the year to a new level. In their headline after the match the Herald wrote: “Two fit teams served up a most enjoyable Fermanagh Senior Hurling Championship final at an immaculate Emmett Park, Lisnaskea on Sunday, with Lisbellaw exacting revenge for last year’s shock defeat”. At the presentation the Captain said of the Team: “They really did put in a great effort and there was no way they were going to be beaten – as you can see (holding up the Cup) there is the reward here today”.

With 24 in the team photograph the Herald listed the team as: “Seamus McCusker, Michael McTeague, Donal McShea, Stephen Hanna, Benny Smith, John McCusker, Brian Johnston, Sean Duffy, Rory O’Donnell, Ollie McShea, Adrian McPhillips, Seamus Carron, Kevin Corrigan, Shane O’Donnell, Kevin McKeogh, Phil Rice, Brian Gallagher”. The score was Lisbellaw 1-16, Enniskillen 0-10. The team was well beaten in the Ulster Club by Mullahoran 0-9 to 4-9.

In 1991 we also won the Jimmy McPhillips Cup in the Division 1 League and the U16 Championship.

Camogie

St Matthews Camogie Club was formed at their 1st AGM in Cavanacarragh Hall on 6 January 1980, with Chairman Tom McCarney/Vice Chairperson Eileen Naan, Secretary and trainer Veronica Bogue, Assistant Secretary Rosaleen Martin, Treasurer Eddie McCaffrey, Assistant Treasurer Seamus Martin, with Committee members: Fergus Cleary, Pat Cox, Bernie Slevin, Martina Cleary, Vera Bogue and Anna Greene. The Club used the pitch at Mullanaskea as their base and won the Junior League and Championship in their first year. They also organised very successful 7-a-side competitions at Mullanaskea. The Club was formed after the Enniskillen Club was dissolved and in the latter years depended increasingly on Tempo players. The Club won the Fermanagh Senior Camogie Championship in 1985 beating Maguiresbridge 0-6 to 1-2. The teams, according to the Herald were: “St Matthew’s – Kitty Teague, Patricia Breen, Pauline Colton, Eileen Naan, Angela Teague, Sharon Moran, Ann Teague, Teresa McKeogh, Bernie Bogue, Siobhan McKeogh, Veronica Bogue, Breege Breen, Alice Teague, Shiela McCusker, Ethna Doherty, Sinead Marti. - Maguiresbridge:- Geraldine Mulligan, Jacinta Carey, Josephine Crudden, Jane Carey, Mary Foley, Marie McGrory, Pamela McManus, Patrica Carey, Claire McNulty, Finola Carey, Susan Carey, Caroline McCahery, Agnes Carey.

The Club was well served at County level by Bernie Bogue as County Secretary, Veronica Bogue was County Camogie coach, Kitty Teague as County Secretary and Fr Tom Marron as County Chairman. Pat Cox served as Ulster Council Treasurer – 1988-1998. The Club ceased in the early ‘90’s at a time when Camogie was in decline. However a new initiative could see camogie starting again but a lot depends on female mentors in the area.

1992

This year saw a new Chairman and Treasurer with Patsy Dolan retained as Secretary, Kevin Corrigan took over as Treasurer and Benny McManus as Chairman. 1992 saw Mrs Kathleen Smith being honoured with the position of President of our Club. We made a clean sweep of all adult competitions. The Senior Championship, Senior leagues one and two and the Gerry Hannigan cups were all being cared for by Sean Duffy who was 1992 Captain – (his second year as Captain). We won the Senior Championship in an “Epic Battle” with Donagh on a score line of 3-8 to 1-8. In Ulster Club we initially drew, then beat Mullahoran. At this stage I cannot find a report on the next round.

The Championship winning team according to the Herald was: “Seamus McCusker, Damien McCahery, Donal McShea, Stephen Hanna, Benny Smith, John McCusker, Sean Murphy, Rory O’Donnell, Sean Duffy, Ollie McShea, Anthony Watters, Rodney Timoney, Adrian McPhillips, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin McGarry, Damien McPhillips, Tony Reihill. Lisbellaw took part in Killamacud sevens. 1992 bazaar was to be the last – lack of support from club members given as the reason. We went to Tempo for very successful disco’s to raise club funds.

1993

In 1993 Seamus McCusker took over as Secretary, Kevin Corrigan was Treasurer and Benny McManus Chairman, Sean Duffy was elected Assistant Team Manager to Kevin Corrigan. Tom Reihill transferred back from Lisnaskea and from exile. Aidran McPilllips was appointed Captain. We lifted the treble: the McKeown Cup, McPhillips Cup and the Gerry Hannigan Cup. From Secretary Seamus McCusker’s report: “But the most significant factor, I personally think, was joining the Armagh League where I am sure the Club has gained greatly in experience on and off the field. Indeed all players and officials were pleased beyond everyone’s expectations reached the semi-final stages”. We had to travel to all games in our first year to test our commitment. Our minors won the championship – managed by Gerry Smith. The ‘B’ Team played well with Rodney Timoney Captain and Gerry Smith as Manager.

Lisbellaw Senior ‘A’ team were unbeaten in the County all year and captained by Adrian McPhillips who was proud to lift his Grandfather’s cup on winning the Division 1 league.

In the Championship we beat Donagh well with a score of 6-13 to 1-3 under the Herald headline:- “three in a row – Lisbellaw Fermanagh Kingpins. The team were: Stephen Hanna, Benny Smith, Donal McShea, Tom Reihill, Sean Murphy, Rory O’Donnell, Brian Johnston, Sean Duffy, John McCusker, Gerry Murphy, Adrian McPhillips, Rodney Timoney, Shane O’Donnell, Ollie McShea, Derrick Johnston, Seamus McCusker, Anthony Watters, Damien McPhillips”. Final was played in Teemore – beaten by Middleton 3-8 to 1-9 in the Armagh league semi-final.

Ollie McShea was scoring well during the season. The Fermanagh dual star amassed the remarkable combined haul of 195 points. 5-25 for the County and 18-101 for the Club. His highest match score was a staggering 6-14. Mullanaskea won the primary school hurling competition and in the subsequent Ulster trials Dermot Curran was picked to play in Croke Park at the game between Antrim and Kilkenny – half-time mini-sevens.

1994

Although this is specifically a Club history 1994 was overshadowed by the success of the county team. I quote from secretary Seamus McCusker’s report -“This has undoubtedly been the most successful year for many of the Lisbellaw hurlers. With 12 of its team been involved with the county team which brought silverware and credit to the county in winning and making history. Firstly by lifting the Ulster Junior Championship in Armagh against Cavan, and then travelling to London to win the All-Ireland Junior Hurling title in Ruislip. As a Club we have to be proud of Ollie McShea and Sean Duffy who both lifted the cups as Captains on respective occasions and also to all our Club players who represented the county throughout the year. We gave credit to Seamie Donegan, Fabian Burns, Michael McGurn and Gerry Smith who guided the team to its success.

Seamus’s brother John was one of the hurlers who played for Fermanagh and after the match he was quoted saying “I will always cherish these memories and never tire of reliving them in my mind”. Along with John and Seamus McCusker the rest of the Lisbellaw players who represented Fermanagh were –“Shane O’Donnell, Rory O’Donnell, Donal McShea, Ollie McShea, Sean Duffy, Stephen Hanna, Brian Johnston, Adrian McPhillips, Benny Smith, Paul Cogan. Meanwhile in the Club the committee remained the same but Ollie McShea was appointed captain for his second term. Kevin Corrigan was still manager this time assisted by Tom Reihill. We won the league and championship. In the championship final at Brewster Park we defeated Enniskillen by 1-15 to 2-2. The team according to the Herald report were: “Stephen Hanna, Seamus McCusker, Brian Johnston, Niall Murphy, Sean Murphy, Paul Colgan, Benny Smith, Sean Duffy, John McCusker, Ollie McShea, Rodney Timoney, Gerry Murphy, Shane O’Donnell, Donal McShea, Derek Johnston, Tom Reihill, Anthony Waters, Sean Cox”. In the Ulster club Killyclogher beat us 1-9 to 0-8 at Brewster Park.

At our dinner dance in February 1995 our guests were Mrs Kathleen Smith, Seamus and Finnuala Donegan and Joe and Marie Dooley. Gerry Smith’s suggestion that we should look for our own field seemed to galvanise us into action and searching which would soon obtain results – in his words “why don’t you buy your own - field”.

1995

No change on the Committee in 1995. Seamus McCusker was the new captain for the season. This year saw the introduction of sponsorship on kits and we were proud to wear “Eugene’s” jerseys courtesy of Declan and Bernie Smith. No word of a league of any account. Underage training started at Mullanaskea Primary School. U14’s beaten in Feile by a strong Enniskillen team trained by Seamus Carron. In the championship at Brewster Park under the herald headline of “Champs have it easy against Enniskillen” and with a score of 4-14 to 0-5 it must have been. The team listed in the paper were: Stephen Hanna, Tom Reihill, Seamus McCusker, Benny Smith, Anthony Watters, Rory O’Donnell, Niall Murphy, Sean Duffy, Ollie McShea, Donal McShea, Rodney Timoney, Adrian McPhillips, Shane O’Donnell, John McCusker, Gary Winterson, Paul Colgan, Sean Murphy, Mark McGinley, Martin McCann, John Paul Breslin, Vincent Breen, Sean Trainer, Shane McGolderick, Sean Cox, Brian Johnston, Gerry Murphy. Kevin Corrigan and Ollie McShea managed the team.

In the Ulster club campaign we beat Killyclogher, at 2nd attempt after a thrilling draw in Enniskillen. In the final against Middletown in Dungannon we were beaten by a single point. Stephen Hanna won the Ulster Puc Fada and was just short in the all-Ireland on the Cooley Mountains. Took part in U12 for the first time – won by Derrylin.

Noel Duffy passed away in October 1995. He was an outstanding centre half back noted for his high fielding and fitness level. He was described as being “as hard as nails”. In one particular match against Donegal he plucked the ball off an opposing players hurl with his hand, as he tried to solo past Noel. Noel then struck the ball himself and scored a goal for Fermanagh.

Four of the county side followed in the footsteps of Benny Corrigan to get called up for the Ulster panel in 1995: Kevin McKeogh, Sean Duffy, Donal and Ollie McShea with Ollie making the Ulster team in 1996 at corner forward.

1996

‘The Brigadier’ – from Seamus McCusker’s report: “As we look back on the past year, all our senior and underage success seems to be overshadowed by the sudden death of Gerry Smith known as ‘The Brig’. The Brig stood out within the club and indeed within the county as an individual with great character and love for hurling and his club – Lisbellaw. Brig picked many a winning team for Lisbellaw from underage to senior level. His attitude and personality will be missed”.

No change in the main officers. Ollie McShea was Captain for the 3rd time. Our U14’s, under Seamus McCusker won Feile na nGael and travelled to Knockanore Shamrocks in Co Waterford to represent their club and county. Bernie McGarry designed and made the banner for the main parade through Waterford city. Beaten by Belleek in Under 12 final.

Our Feile trip took us to Knockanore Shamrocks in the south-west of Waterford near the Cork border. The hospitality of Feile has to be experienced to be understood – it is remarkable. Our team was very strong that year. We played our hosts, Clashmore and Carrick-on-Shannon and won 2 out of 3 games. The mentors who travelled with the team were Seamus McCusker, Kevin McGarry (Sen) and Benny McManus. The one thing that I remember most about the trip was the pride that the Shamrock Club had in their new pitch and it inspired me with more determination that Lisbellaw should, some day, have their own field. .

Manager Ollie McShea and Tom Reihill and later Kevin Corrigan were appointed. Phil Rice began as PRO. Stephen Hanna won a senior ‘B’ championship with county footballers and Ulster Puc Fada medal. Ollie McShea made the Ulster hurling team at corner forward. We won the league and the championship for 6th in a row only to lose out to Dungannon in the Ulster Club. The team for the championship was listed in the Herald as Stephen Hanna, Donal McShea, Brian Johnston, Rory O’Donnell, John McCusker, Benny Smith, Shane McGolderick, Sean Duffy, Gerry Murphy, Adrian McPhillips, Gary Winterson, Rodney Timoney, Ollie McShea, John Paul Breslin, Shane O’Donnell, Martin McCann, Vincent Breen. The score was 5-13 to 1-2. In a preview of the match the Herald went: “Whenever the history of hurling in Fermanagh is written then the powerful chunky figure of Sean Duffy will have an honoured place. The soft spoken Duffy is probably the most natural native born hurler the Erne County has produced and is a potent combination of grit and grace. Duffy first played for Fermanagh senior hurlers in 1982 and has remained a fixture ever since. Never a prolific scorer, but has an uncanny ability to get the important scores and his fielding and wristy striking are a treat to watch. But it’s probably Duffy’s distribution that is his greatest contribution to Lisbellaw. Those pinpoint passes after a neat sidestep and his low centre of gravity makes him the ideal build for the powerful figure he has become. Sean Duffy has won 12 Fermanagh senior hurling championships and the way he is playing, a few more could be in the offing”. Would you believe another 8 for a total of 20 senior championship medals.

The Crest

Our members in early 1996 were becoming more aware of club identity and decided to have a sweatshirt with a club crest on it. Ollie McShea combined with Niall Dooris and Ann Fursden of ‘Inkspot’ and formulated a crest which incorporated the McPhillips crest after our founder Jimmy, the hurling sign, A Fermanagh ‘castle’ and something from St Patrick. We now print it on all jerseys, tracksuits etc. Recently Declan McGarry wrote a history of the crest and the symbols in it. It is hoped to bind it and display it in the dressing rooms.

1997

No change in the Committee. Sean Duffy took over for his 3rd year as Captain. 1997 was different though for in the words of Phil Rice “1997 was a historic year for Lisbellaw Hurling Club. Finally after years of talk the Club purchased a field” Our good friend the late Colum Maguire sold us a field behind Cavanacarragh Community Centre. It was supplemented by an adjoining field from James McShea. It was to start 8 years unprecedented fundraising for a small club culminating in our proposed official opening on 29 May 2005. For detail see separate section on field development.

The first of our underage presentation nights took place in Cavanacarragh hall with our own “Ulster Star” Ollie McShea presenting the 1996 Feile winners with their medals. In 1997 our U16’s won the championship and minors won the league, under John McCusker and Adrian McPhillips. Our seniors won the Jimmy McPhillips cup for the Fermanagh league and got to the semi-final of the Armagh league. In the championship under the Herald headline of: “Champions cruise to facile victory for seven in a row. Ollie McShea runs riot to score a personal tally of 2-13. However the final score of 3-21 to 0-7 did not do justice to a promising Lisnaskea side.” The Herald listed the team as Seamus McCusker, John McCusker, Brian Johnston, Benny Smith, Sean Murphy, Adrian McPhillips, Gary Winterson, Sean Duffy, Niall Murphy, Gerry Murphy, Ollie McShea, Shane O’Donnell, Anthony Watters, Derek Johnston, Donal McShea, Rodney Timoney, Bernard Flanagan, Pearse O’Donnell. In the Ulster Club we beat Dungannon in Brewster Park by 2-10 to 0-11 but were defeated by Keady in the Shield final at Clones by 0-13 to 1-6. Club Trustees were appointed - Benny McManus, Kevin Corrigan, Seamus McCusker, supplemented by Joe McGurn of the County Committee and John Vesey of Ulster Council.

1998

Benny McManus Chairman, Kevin Corrigan Treasurer, but Seamus McCusker stepped down after six years as Secretary to be replaced by Phil Rice who also did PRO. Kevin Corrigan was manager assisted by Shane McGolderick as trainer. In 1998 we had a major draw which allowed us to complete the purchase of the field. Indoor hurling started in Cavanacarragh Hall. In 1998 we won the U12 league for the first time under manager Kevin McGarry. We won the U16 double with manager Adrian McPhillips. Kevin Og McGarry came 3rd in the national Feile na nGael in Wexford just 1 point behind 2nd place. Mullanaskea won the primary school hurling and James Cox represented Fermanagh at the INTO mini sevens at Coke Park. Dermot Curran represented Ulster in the U16 compromise rules series. Started playing underage matches at Coa O’Dwyers pitch. Trophy presented to the club by the late Gerry Smith’s family, which is now fittingly presented to U12 player of the year.

Our seniors won the Jimmy McPhillips cup for the Fermanagh league. In the championship Niall Murphy, Captain collected the Keown cup after a close fought game against an improving Lisnaskea side. The Herald headline said it all “Lisbellaw made to fight every inch of the way”. The score at Brewster Park was 2-12 to 3-7. The team listed were:- Paul McCarney, John McCusker, Seamus McCusker, Benny Smith, Mark Breen, Adrian McPhillips, Gary Winterson, Sean Duffy, Niall Murphy, Gerry Murphy, Rodney Timoney, Brian Johnston, Dermot Curran, Bernard Flanagan, Anthony Watters, Derek Johnston. We beat Monaghan Harps well in the Ulster Shield at Brewster Park 4-23 to 1-5 only to be well defeated by Keady in the semi-final, again at Brewster Park with a score of 3-13 to 1-10.

1999

A sad note at the beginning of the year when our highly esteemed President Mrs Kathleen Smith passed away on Christmas Eve 1998.

There was no change in the Committee with Benny McManus Chairman, Phil Rice Secretary, and PRO, Kevin Corrigan as Treasurer. Kevin Corrigan continued as manager with Shane McGolderick as trainer. Gary Winterson was Captain for the year. At underage we reached four county finals but did not win any of them. Dermot Curran’s hurling skills were recognised when he was selected as an Ulster College All Star – a first for Fermanagh. We won the first indoor hurling blitz at the Lakeland Forum. The Fermanagh Hurling League final was not played. We played in Division 2 in the Armagh League after being relegated in 1998.

In the championship I quote our secretary Phil Rice’s notes: “We again won the senior hurling championship for a record 9 in a row in the final against Lisnaskea. We put on one of our best displays of the year to cast aside any thoughts that Lisbellaw were a club in decline”. The Herald headline said it all! “Stylish Lisbellaw take ninth title in a row”. The score was 4-14 to 2-5 at Brewster Park. The team listed were:- Seamus McCusker, John McCusker, Brian Johnston, Benny Smith, Rory O’Donnell, Niall Murphy, Gary Winterson, Adrian McPhillips, Gerry Murphy, Mark McGinley, Sean Duffy, Paul Cogan, Anthony Watters, Shane O’Donnell, Dermot Curran, Paul McCarney, Mark Breen, Andrew Breslin. We were beaten in the Ulster club semi-final by Castleblaney 2-10 to 2-8. We gained promotion back up to Division 1 in the Armagh league.

For the record the 1998 AGM on 9 January 2000, was held in Cavanacarragh Hall and was very well attended. With organisation of a draw in 2000 our main point with Prunty Contracts expected in the field in late spring – Kevin Corrigan appealed for more help with fundraising.

In a special ceremony late in the year “The Smith Family Trophy” was presented to the Club in memory of our late President Mrs Kathleen Smith and our ‘Brigadier’ Gerry Smith. This trophy is awarded annually for “Club Person of the Year”.