In pictures: Bonagee United celebrate golden jubilee in style

Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Joe Boland (North West Newspix)

Bonagee United FC celebrated the club’s Golden Jubilee on Saturday night at the Clanree Hotel.

A large crowd packed into the Shellbridge Suite as the club marked a significant milestone.

Club members past and present were joined by the new Minister of State for Sport, Charlie McConalogue TD.

An audio message was played from Brian Drein, the first Bonagee United Chairman who outlined the early years in Patton’s Field and how a conversation with Paddy McFadden (whose widow, Katie McFadden, and family members were in attendance) one night in Eddie’s Arcade ultimately led to the formation of Arcade Athletic. 

Soon, a deal was done for the purchase of the parcel of land now known as Dry Arch Park - and the rest is history!

A night of nostalgia and celebration that included contributions remotely by Brian Drein, Sean Davis and Barney O’Donnell.

The function was MC’d by Chris McNulty and featured interviews with Larry Maguire - who was among those at the club’s first meeting - Joe Logan, Natalie McFadden, Gerard McGuinness, Jamie Lynagh, Jason Gibson and Michael Funston. 

“What began with simple pitches, hand-me-down kits and a handful of determined players has grown into something much, much bigger,” Bonagee United Chairman Niall Callaghan said. 

“We currently have a committee of 20 people, 48 coaches and 420 registered players between the ages of 5 and 38. 

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“This club has grown at an extreme rate and is now one of the largest in the county. We hope that that five-year-old will be here to celebrate our centenary in 50 years time.”

The function came just a few hours after the Downtown Cup-winning Bonagee United squad of 1995 took on a Rest of the World select in a challenge match to mark the 30th anniversary of that landmark win. 

Presentations were made to Marion Funston, Barbara Hunter and Philomena Gildea - the wives of Eric Funston, Derek Hunter and Laurence Gildea who have amassed around 140 years’ service between them to Bonagee United.