Club History - 1990 to 2002
Nineties
The U-12 hurlers lifted the "Nipper Quinn" shield
in '91 for the first time in the club's history, defeating
Rossa in the final, 6-4 to 2-3. The Association also permitted
sponsors names to appear on jerseys for the first time in
'91. With the experience of the ever present O'Neill's, the
footballers won the All County Division 2 league that same
year. The Beringer Cup also made a welcome return. After victory
over neighbours and holders, McDermotts in the semi, St. Enda's
were defeated by four points at Corrigan Park .
In '92, further efforts were placed on coaching the juveniles
with the formation of a subcommittee that would help to bring
future success. The hurling team captured the Carmichael Cup
in '94 and in '95 the footballers went undefeated in the All
County Division 1B league, losing only one match that year
and it came in the Senior Championship at the hands of holders
St. Paul 's, after a replay.
The 150th anniversary of our patron's birth was celebrated
in 1996. The senior teams travelled to Swatragh to play challenge
games against our Derry namesakes. A group of members made
the journey to Davitt's grave in Straide and an U-10 and U-12
blitz competition was organised at Casement Park . Silverware
captured that year included the All County Division 3 League
title.
The Hurlers repeated their Carmichael Cup success against
O'Neill Crowley 's at Hightown in '98 while the U-14's hurlers
won Division 2 of the league in '99. The Senior Footballers
took All County Division 2 honours and the South Antrim team
secured the Martin Cup. In the handball court, Kev Mc Parland
and Christy Brady won the Antrim and Ulster Novice Doubles
title. The first seeds were laid on the new Twinbrook pitch
which would come to fruition in 2002.
2000’s
The new century saw the U-12 footballers winning the 2000
Football Championship, deserving their victory over St.
Galls. Another football title came with the Minor team lifting
the Division 2 League. The handballers won the Millennium
games team event and the Division 3 league title while Kev
McParland captured the County Junior singles title. At the
General Meeting, the membership adopted a "code of
conduct", setting out expected standards in terms of
disciple within the club and on the field of play.
The U-10 footballers were successful in a South Antrim organised
tournament in June 2001, while the U-15's won the Ulster
Sevens Shield. The U-16 football team captured Division
1 league honours as the Senior footballers finished joint
top with Portglenone in Division 2 of the All County league,
losing out in the play-off. In January 2002, in handball,
the Junior Novices took the County Doubles while Sean Mor
Prenter won the Antrim Masters.
On St. Patrick's day, a Davitt select team played the County
Football team to officially re-open the Twinbrook pitch
with club president Seamus Hurley starting the game. The
club are currently negotiating with the County Board and
Belfast City Council to secure a second pitch at Boucher
Road . The Minor footballers won the South Antrim League
and Inaugural All County League titles. The club are the
first ever winners of the All County competition and this
commemorative trophy honours the memory of a fondly remembered
Davitt stalwart, Joe Henry.
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| 2002 All-Ireland
Junior Club Champions |
Another handball title came on Saturday 23rd November -
the All-Ireland Junior Club Title. The team; Kev McParland,
Anthony McGrattan, Stephen and Chris Brady and Sean Og Prenter
won the Ulster title and beat Leinster Champions, Davittshill
to reach the final where they were victorious with a game
to spare against Williamstown ( Galway ). The South Antrim
team brought success, winning the McDermott Cup and Tom
Williams Cup. The juvenile mentors participated and obtained
certificates in Foundation Coaching and Child Protection
Awareness courses and the U-16 footballers have just been
confirmed Division 1 league champions. Under the banner
of Michael Davitt GAC, the club proudly continues to promote
the aims of the Association and with the continuous coaching
and development of our juvenile teams, we look forward to
the future. To be continued...
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Jim McAuley and Minor captain, Colm
O’Riordan
with All County and South Antrim league trophies |
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