End of an era as Seamus retires from Drumquin club duties

Seamus McGale is well known for devoting more than half a century of loyal service to the development of gaelic games in Drumquin.

However, there is much more to Seamus’s story than his long commitment to the Wolfe Tones GAA Club… which he is now bringing to an end following a decision to retire.

The 80-year-old may be closely associated with the village where he has has lived for 55 years, but Seamus spent his formative years a few miles to the north in the shadow of Pigeon Top. The McGale family owned the land on which the Mass Rock at Corridina was situated and his father subsequently donated the site of the Mass Rock to Drumragh Parish.

As a boy, Seamus helped out on the farm run by his parents, Harry and Annie.

“Life was good growing up,” he said. “We had a small farm with mostly cattle and a few cows. The milk was sent to Nestles and we always left the creamery can at the Brae Road before going to school at Tattysallagh.

“Our teachers were Mrs McFarland and then Master Ward, who was from Derry. School was probably something that I endured rather than enjoyed. Master Ward was very sharp, but then again he was teaching class three to class seven in the one room.”

After leaving school, Seamus began working as a joiner with the contracting firm of Corey and McGinn.

As someone with a keen interest in gaelic football, he enjoyed working with the joint boss – Paddy Corey – a man famous for playing on the Tyrone team which won the Ulster title for the first time in 1956.

“We used to play football at dinner time and Paddy taught me a lot about the game.

“Then, after a few years, I decided to go out and work on my own. I worked as a roofer before sub-contracting myself.”

Family life is very important to Seamus. He met his wife, Kathleen, at Crawford and Wilson’s in Omagh, the couple marriying in 1965. Over the years they raised 12 children –- nine girls and three boys – and enjoyed the arrival 31 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren on the scene!

But there has been heartbreak, too.

The tragic death of Seamus’s daughter, Anne, in 2018 was a massive blow for the whole family. But he says the support they received helped get them through “a very tough time.”

“We have the grandchildren and great grandchildren to keep us right now,” Seamus added. “They’ve been a source of great joy over the years.”

Another source of great joy has been Seamus’s passion for GAA. Upon moving to Drumquin, he couldn’t understand why the village didn’t have its own football team… and set about helping to establish a new club 1968.

From humble beginnings, the GAA in Drumquin has long been an integral part of the local community, thanks in no small measure the efforts of local people like Seamus.

He said, “Back in ‘68, when we were trying to get things going, we were told to ‘forget about it’ because previous efforts to establish a club in Drumquin had never lasted.

“But we were very committed: Pat Fahy became secretary of the first committee and Peter McNulty was chairman. Things got started and the club grew steadily over the years.”

Seamus McGale’s talents weren’t just confined to the GAA in Drumquin. He became secretary of the Tyrone Hurling Board in the 1980s, and was also a prominent referee. One of his most noteworthy appointments came in the early 1970s when he took charge of a St Enda’s Cup final between Augher and Trillick. Seamus was also a member of the Tyrone Competitions Control committee as a Drumquin delegate, and became a respected figure in GAA circles throughout the county.

“The only reason I became involved in hurling was because there was always a bit of a problem between the main clubs, and I was neutral. I got the fixtures organised and took no nonsense,” he added.

“But Drumquin was always my main priority. I take so much pride when I reflect on how the club has grown, and the new pitch and facilities we have now are second-to-none.”

One aspect of GAA life that satisfies Seamus the most is the development of young footballers.

“Looking back now, the biggest thing for me was that we gave the young people growing up in the Drumquin area an important outlet.

“To see people like Sean McLaughlin and Noel Donnelly playing for Tyrone is also a source of great pride.

“The club has been going for now for over 50 years and is a credit to everyone who has been involved over that period. We’ve reached the county senior final and won an Intermediate championship, so there’s been many happy memories.”

Seamus may be retiring but the GAA is in his blood and he’ll still be keeping a close eye on his beloved Wolfe Tones

“I’m glad to be getting a break after so long!” he smiled.

“But it’s about the young people coming through now and carrying things on. Still, I’ll be keeping a very active interest in the fortunes of the club.”