The tight-knit community of Clanabogan, just outside Omagh, was celebrating last weekend as local GAA club Drumragh Sarsfields marked its 50th anniversary.
The local GAA club in Co Tyrone first formed at the height of the Troubles in 1972, and has been a hub for the local community ever since.
The young and old of the club came together for a gala ball at the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown on Saturday past, with prizes and personalities recognised for their contribution to the club over the last five decades.
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Member of the organising committee Rory Cox says the Sarsfields are proud to be a hub for the community 50 years later.
“When the club started in 1972 the first meeting took place in Clanabogan Hall, just up the road from where we are now.
“The club moved into Omagh for a few years until we were able to develop Clanabogan Park.
“Being a hub for the community was one of the key things when we set up our own facilities here.
“We wanted to be that place where people could meet, a place for local groups to come together.
“It’s a real hub for people to come to, whether that be for matches or other events and one of the main things we get back from the Clanabogan community is how important that is for young people to get involved in games, and for our older members it’s something for them to be a part of as well.”
The rural club unveiled their new facilities at Clanabogan Park last year after a significant development plan, and Rory added that the club has further plans to develop the area for the benefit of the local community.
“We have plans in place now to continue the development at Clanabogan.
“It takes a lot to make sure that our teams can continue to develop and make sure our facilities are always at that high level.
“A lot of work has gone into it and a lot of people have been involved, and it doesn’t stop now. There’s plenty done and plenty more to come, hopefully.”
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