The first indication of GAA related activities in the Castlederg area is contained in a hand written list of “Handball Men C’Derg” supplied by the family of the late John McHugh (the bicycleman), a man whose name and wider family circle are indelibly linked to the growth and development of the GAA in the parish. The list is reproduced below. A point to note is the cross community nature of these early handball men.

1920’s – Barney Gallagher, Johnny Kane, Eddie McSorley, Eddie McGlinchey, Billy Matthews, Willie Coyle and Willie Carlin.

There is a reference at this point to the Old Cow Market, which would indicate the place where the handball took place.

1930’s – Bertie Scott, Cecil Scott, Johnny Scott, Patsy McHugh, John McHugh, Jim McHugh, Gerry Craig, Micky Craig, Seamus Craig, Patsy Craig, Jack Mitchell, Robert Mitchell, Joe Mitchell, Jim McAleer, Frank McAleer, PAddy McAller, Andy Henderson, John Henderson, Paddy Donnelly, Berty Lyons, Paddy Masterson, Freddy Knox, Roy Thompson and John Maxwell

The initial stirrings of interest in Gaelic Football in the general Castlederg area can be traced back to the winter of 1932. In early December of that year the Ulster Herald printed a report of a game between Castlederg and Sion Mills. As a historical momento, it is worth reading…

Castlederg travelled to meet Sion Mills on Sunday in the North Tyrone Cup. St Patrick’s Fife and Drum Band, Sion Mills, accompanied by a large crowd, paraded to and from the field at Glebe. There was a large and enthusiastic attendance at the match, which was held in bitterly cold but dry weather. All through it was evident that Sion Mills was the superior team and Castlederg for the most part were on the defensive.

This was the first match in the district following the revival of the game in North Tyrone and is the outcome of the great meeting in St. Ignatius’ Hall, Sion Mills the previous Thursday night.

Some of the old exponents of the game in North Tyrone gave a good account of themselves at Sunday’s match. Mr Francis Canning, Clady, acted as referee and gave entire satisfaction to both parties. A short time after the opening Sion Mills netted, and in the first half added two more points to their score.

In the second half Castlederg opened briskly and there were a few exciting tussles at the Sion Mills goalposts, but the alertness of the home players saved the situation for Sion Mills. After twenty minutes play in this half Sion Mills were again successful in adding another goal to the delight of their supporters on the field. When the final whistle blew, Sion Mills had to their credit two goals, two points, while Castlederg was nil.

Castlederg team: Messrs. John McPhilomey (goalkeeper), Wm. Coyle, John Fox, P McCreadie, Michael McSorley, John Doherty, John McBride, Francis McPhilomey, Leonard Dillon, Jas. Lafferty, John Masterson, Thomas Keenan and Thomas Murray.

The initial enthusiasm of late 1932 was not transferred to 1933 and the headline in the Herald “Organisation in Castlederg” in the Spring of that year led to the following statement from Mr. Joseph Higgins of the West Tyrone Board –

“Some time ago Fr. McGlinchey had met some of the members of committee in Castlederg with the object of propagating the Gaelic movement in that town. As a result of that meeting Father McGlinchey had made herculean efforts to start a Gaelic football team, but without success. The surrounding districts of Clady, Melmount and Sion Mills had rallied to the cause, and as a league consisting of these clubs had been formed, Castlederg might be persuaded to enter a team. The matter was left to the committee of five.”

Fr. McGlinchey’s exhortations did not totally fall on deaf ears, but it did take until September of 1934 for Gaelic activity to be revived. The Herald of that month contains a report of a “Friendly Match in Castlederg”, referring to a game between Dregish and the home team.