Lifford Celtic Managers and successful years to remember

Danny"Busby"Mc Laughlin 

In the summer 0f '78 Lifford Celtic/Young Colts proved almost unstopable in Donegal soccer, the team under the management of Danny Busby McLaughlin won an amazing nine Cup Competitions, with a strike force of George Gethins, Hughie White and Brian Ward goals were by no means scarce while in defence Paddy Colhoun, Gerry Crossan and Ed O'Kane took no prisoners. football was almost a full time job for the local lads that summer and one can only imagine the work and committment it took to make the year a success. In the Ulster Cup Final Playing under the name of "Young Colts" they defeated Quigley's Point 5-3, Lifford's best players on the day were Brain Ward who bagged a hat-trick, George Gethins and Big Gerry Crossan.  Lifford also won the Donegal League Cup, Strabane Cup, Drumoghill Cup, Curragh Cup in which the final went to a replay after a 1-1 draw, Ballycolman 7's Cup, Lifford Military Cup, McDaid & Kelly Cup and the Manorcunningham Cup. What a Team what a year, This was Busby's most successful year as Manager since Lifford Celtic beat Bohemians (Derry) 3-2 in the final of the Carndonagh Cup on Sunday 20th August 1967.

Robbie White 

1992 What a year not only for Lifford but for Donegal football with Lifford Celtic getting to the Semi Final of the FAI junior Cup, Under the management of Robbie White, the team made it to the last four out of over nine hundred teams.  Lifford first of all had to get through the Donegal section to progress outside of the county and with wins over Letterbarrow 2-0, Aranmore 7-3, Deele Harps 8-0, Bonagee 6-1, Castlefin 2-1 and Drumoghill 3-1 the stage was truly set. The 8th round of the cup saw Lifford play Ballytre United (Carlow) in front of a very large vocal lifford crowd at The Greenbrae with the home side winning 7-0.  Celtic weren't so lucky in the Q-Final draw when they were drawn away to Bagenalstown FC, But with the loyal Lifford support Celtic tore apart the Co Carlow outfit 3-0 to progress to the Semi Final were they were drawn against previous winners Neilstown Rangers(Dublin). So the stage was set for a great showdown, Celtic V  Rangers in Oriel park, Dundalk. The Team picked on the day by a very proud Manager Robbie White was, Shay Given, Hugh White, Robert Campbell, Seamus kipper Lynch, Michael French, Daniel McGavigan, Richard White, Tom Devenney, Liam Doherty, Hugh Doherty,and Georgie Gethins, with Subs Paul Melaugh, Ronnie Brennan, Martin Gallen, Dessie McGlynn and Thomas Hegerty, But a goal by Paul Stokes near half time was enough to shatter Lifford Celtic's hopes of reaching the Final in Dalymount park,  But what a year it was for Donegal football and for Lifford Celtic. All credit goes to team and manager. Robbie also give Lifford a night to remember during his reign when he brought the Buncrana Cup back to the border town.

Eammon Mc Laughlin and Hughie White (Joint Managers)

March 1996 saw Lifford Celtic Under the co-management of Eamonn McLaughlin and Hughie White lift their first ever USL silverware for the club.  In a game played in poor conditions in Drumkeen Lifford came out worthy winners in the end with goals coming from Garvan White(2), Fearghal McLaughlin and Damien Patton, Surely Joint Manager Hughie White was a proud man to have three sons playing in the final and who gave 100% throughout. St Patrick eve celebrations were extented in the town of Lifford as team and management got a hearty welcome home and a party that lasted into the wee hours. Lifford also earned runners up spot in the USL reserve the same year.

Lifford Celtic's Players who went on.

SHAY GIVENS :   CROSS CHANNEL / REP OF IRELAND

CONNER GETHINS:  CROSS CHANNEL / LEAGUE OF IRELAND

DECLAN MC COLGAN :  IRISH LEAGUE

DAMIEN PATTON :  CROSS CHANNEL / REP OF IRELAND SCHOOL BOYS

BARRY PATTON :  IRISH LEAGUE / REP OF IRELAND SCHOOL BOYS

GREGORY KEARNEY RIP : LEAGUE OF IRELAND / IRISH LEAGUE 

JOHNNY SPEAKE : IRISH LEAGUE / LEAUGE OF IRELAND

COOKIE DUNNE : IRISH LEAGUE 

WINSTON DONALDSON: IRISH LEAGUE / LEAGUE OF IRELAND

DANNY BOMBER ROUSE : IRISH LEAUGE

DANNY GALLAGHER : IRISH LEAGUE

PAT DONAGHEY : IRISH LEAGUE

KEVIN BOYLE : IRISH LEAGUE

MARTIN GORMELY : CROSS CHANNEL

BRIAN WARD : IRISH LEAGUE

JAMES NICHOLL : LEAGUE OF IRELAND

PHOTOS TO BE ADDED.

PLEASE PASS ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION TO liffordceltic_history@hotmail.com or fearghal32@hotmail.com

SHAY GIVEN. Lifford Celtic's No 1.

Born in Lifford, Co. Donegal in 1976, Shay Given's footballing career began at local side Lifford Celtic having played his first game for the club on September 1st 1991, He began to attract attention when he played in Lifford Celtic's run in the FAI Junior Cup which saw them reach the semi-final in Dundalk.

At the age of 15, Given's performances for the club brought scouts from Scottish side Celtic, the club he supports, and he was invited to train with their youth side during a pre-season tour of Ireland in 1991. Given signed for the club a year later, which was at the time managed by fellow Irishman Liam Brady. He spent two years at Celtic in the Scottish League, and despite being named to the substitutes bench for the Old Firm derby against Rangers on 1 January 1994, Given never made a first-team appearance.

His performances for the youth team did, however, bring him to the attention of Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish, and he signed for the English side on a free transfer in the summer of 1994.

Given's performances while on loan at Swindon and Sunderland led to him being called up to the Republic of Ireland squad in 1996. Shay went on to play for Newcastle and now is minding the goals for premiership giants Manchester City. 

Shay made his debut for the national team on 27 March 1996, in a game against Russia, and although Ireland failed to qualify for the 1998 World Cup or Euro 2000, Given had established himself as first-choice goalkeeper by 2002, and played in all of his nation's games at the 2002 World Cup.  Shay Given was part of the team for most of the World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign, however a draw with Switzerland meant Ireland failed to qualify for the finals of the competition in Germany. He equalled Packie Bonner's record of 80 caps on 28 March 2007, and is currently Ireland's second highest capped player and most capped goalkeeper, having played in 102  games to date for his country. Given obtained his 102th cap against France in Paris, on 18 November 2009 in a 2010 World Cup qualifying Play-off game, which they drew 1-1 on the night but 2-1 to France on Agg' a game that will go down in the history books of football!!  Maith Thú a Shéamus.

As of 20 November 2009.

Committee and committee members over the years. 

A Club can't survive without the support of the people doing the hard work on the ground, i.e fundraising, lining the pitch, cutting grass, making tea/soup, washing kit, and lots lots more, over the years many people have dedicated a good part of their lives working all hours for Lifford.  People like Robbie White, Hughie White, Sean White, Danny Mc Laughlin, Hugo McDermott, Hugo Stewart, John Lee, Dennis Porter, Seamus Murray, Pat McColgan, Gearld Campbell, Billy Heart, Scooby Heart, Martin Flannigan, Annie May Heart, Cathline Colhoun Sheila McLaughlin and lots more.  I know I didn't mention all the people I would have liked to, but with your help, You could send on names and photos of people who deserve a mention on this page.

Send all to liffordceltic_history@hotmail.com or fearghal32@hotmail.com

Ladies Committee workers 1978.

Standing from left : Cathline Colhoun, Dotsy Murray, Ethal White, Anne May Heart, Sheila McLaughlin, Rosemary Reilly, Ann Maire White, Phillis White and sitting Tini McBrearty and Bernie Brown.

Lifford Celtic Ladies 2010.

Mens Committee workers 1978.

Standing back row from left : Patsy Maxwell, John McBrearty, John friel, Pat McColgan, Seamus Murray.  Middle row : Dennis Brown, John Crawford, Robbie White, Patsy Toland, James Reilly, and sitting Busby McLaughlin and Billy Heart.

Lifford Celtic Presentation Night 1982

Back row from left: Martin Flannigan, John Crawford, Paddy Colhun, Drew Gallagher, Terry Steward, Tom Devenney and Sean White. Front row: Patsy Toland, Marty Houston, Sheila McLaughlin, Fearghal McLaughlin, Annie May Heart, Cathline Colhoun and Busby McLaughlin.

Donal (Yorkie) Connolly 

Donal Connolly will go down in the history of Lifford Celtic as a dedicated and enthusiastic worker and supporter who worked hours on end over the years, Clubs can not survive without people like Donal.

Sean White

A dedicated worker and suppoter over the years.  The sideline at Greenbrae Park wouldn't be the same without Sean shouting for the Bhoys.

John Lee

Former Manager and dedicated committee worker.

Hugo Stewart

Hugo Stewart could be discribed as an unsung hero for Lifford Celtic, having spent countless hours working for the club over the years one can only guess where he found time for other activitys. Hugo is also a staunch supporter.

Gerald Campbell

A dedicated worker and supporter of Lifford Celtic, Gearld Campbell is a person who has giving his all as a committee member and worker over the decades.

Sent all to liffordceltic_history@hotmail.com or fearghal32@hotmail.com

Miscellaneous

 Memory Lane

James Nicholl, Sheila McLaughlin, Darkie White and Wally Ferry with the Carndonagh Cup Aug 1967.

Lifford Celtic (Possibly 1981) Back Row. Kevin Lynch, Paddy Colhoun, Danny Burns, Tommy Patton, Ed O'Kane, Patsy O'Donnell, Georgie Gethins, Seamus Kipper Lynch, Micky Roulston.  Front Row. Tom Devenney, Hughie White, Hughie Gilespie, Hughie Doherty, Charlie Kelly and Dessie McGlynn. Two young Boys Barry Patton? and Danny Boy McLaughlin.

Pictured with the Drumoghill Cup 1978, Danny McLaughlin Ed O'Kane and in background Brendan Maxwell and Danny McBrearty

Lifford Celtic 1985. Back Row. Ray White, Ronnie Brennan, Paul White, Hughie White, John McBrearty, Robert McClay, Danny Burns, Paddy Colhoun and Tommy Patton. Front Row. Hughie Doherty, Danny McLaughlin, Martin White, Johnny Crossan, Stephen McBrearty and Diver McGavigan.

Billy Heart on behalf of Hearts Bar presents Lifford Celtic manager Danny McLaughlin with a new home strip at a function in the Inter County Hotel 1978.

1978 Lifford Celtic members take part in a fundraising beauty contest in the Inter County Hotel. From Left  Liam Daly, UnKnown, Odie McGettigan, Tony McGettigan, Robert McClay, Georgie Gethins, Busby McLaughlin, Daniel McDaid, Darkie White and Joe Cannon. 

And the Lucky Winner on the night is Miss Coneyburrow George Gethins.

Lifford Celtic winners of the Carndonagh Cup August 1967.

Back Row. Danny Busby McLaughlin, Ed O'Kane, Micky Roulston, Liam Roulston, Martin White, Danny Burns and George Gethins. Front Row Row, Eammon McLaughlin, Hughie Doherty, Hughie White, Danny Boy McLaughlin, Don Quinn, Gery Crossan, Paddy Colhoun and Alan Poter. 

1978

Lifford Celtic 1996. Runners up to the Grayhound Bar Strabane in the lifford summer cup final. Back Row. Kipper Lynch, Michael French, Rory White, Gearld Boyle, Barry Patton, Stephen Donaghey and Mark Nesson.  Front Row, Fearghal McLaughlin, Marty Houston, Ronnie Brennan, Robert Campbell, Daniel McGavigan and Willie Curran. Joint Managers not in the Photo, Paddy Colhoun and George Gethins.

Lifford Celtic 1982. Back row. Danny McLaughlin with son Ruairi (Archie) McLaughlin, Ed O'Kane, Danny Burns, Senann Groarty, Hugh Doherty, Don Quinn, Declan McColgan, And Jimmy Heart.  Front row. Pearse McLaughlin, Danny Boy McLaughlin, Sean(Kidney)McGrath, Johnny Kelly, Micky O'Neill, Marty Houston, Tom Devenney and Micky McGurn.  

Lifford win Division 3 Cup 1978

 Copies of some Lifford Celtic Registration forms 1979

Martin Griffin, Austin Daly, Tony Slack Devine RIP,  Robert McClay RIP,

Lifford Cup Final in August 1952

Compliments of Billy Heart. This photo was taking in Lifford Before the Lifford Cup final in August 1952, The Team is a Donegal U18 select made up of a good few Lifford players and a Tyrone U18 select, The Donegal Select are the lads with the shamrock on thier chests.  The Tyrone lads are dressed in a white jersey.  Here are some familiar faces. Back row from left.  Paddy Heart, Billy Heart, nk, nk, nk, nk, Sonny Magee, Kevin McIntyre, nk, nk, Boy standing is Don Heart, Paddy Donaghue, George Gallen, nk.  Middle row, nk, nk, nk, nk,nk,nk, Paddy McLaughlin, nk, Aiden Brennan, nk,nk. Front row Brian Heart, Blondie Fields, Charlie Gillespie, nk. 

Past and present Lifford Celtic players celebrating the wedding of former Lifford player Mark Nesson. 2011.