THE BREAKTHROUGH YEAR

THIRTY-FIVE years after the establishment of Derrygonnelly Harps GFC, the club won their first adult trophy in 1959.

The 1959 season, which was the breakthrough year for the club, culminated in a Senior Football League Division One success which was played in September 1960.

Due to the success of the Fermanagh inter-county team, club activity ceased, with action suspended until 1960.

After a strong season, Derrygonnelly qualified for the Senior Football League Division One Final, where they were pitted against Aghadrumsee in the decider.

Although it wasn't a vintage performance by any means, Derrygonnelly won the title 2-04 to 0-03. The Fermanagh Herald reported from the game in Tempo.

"For three quarters of a dour hour it appeared that Derrygonnelly were once again to fall back while poised on the brink of victory," said the report. 

"In the last quarter they awakened and registered their first success in senior circles when they wrestled the 1959 league cup from an aggressive Aghadrumsee."

The breakthrough success didn't come until 1959, but Derrygonnelly had been competing at a very high level in the previous years.

"Throughout the fifties, Derrygonnelly have probably been the most consistent team in the county having never been out of the top three or four," said the Herald.

"Its main strength lies up the middle from Hugh Flanagan at full back and through Ray Dundas, Fonsie Maguire, Louis McGullion and up to Tommy Flanagan.

"There is no worry about the line of defence either, where Tony Elliott is reckoned to be Fermanagh's most brilliant goalkeeper."