John Mitchells may not have garnered any silverware to mark 2007 but they still struck gold during the course of the year thanks to some memorable 50th anniversary celebrations. The Ballybailie club has come a long way since its genesis in 1957, which was a special year for Wee County GAA in more ways than one. It was always going to be a landmark year for John Mitchells GFC. Against all odds, the mid-Louth club has reached its 50th anniversary and the golden jubilee celebrations that took place during the course of 2007 were a joy to behold. The club set up a golden jubilee committee and this was instrumental in organising a series of events, including the publication of a commemorative calendar, a juvenile blitz, a golf classic and a spectacular Golden Jubilee Ball in Darver Castle on Friday October 26. The jubilee committee comprised Ray Sweeney, Des Halpenny, James Halpenny, Paul Curtis and Barry Reilly, who in turn were afforded endless support from the club's executive committee and other club members throughout the year. The efforts of everybody, working together as a team, a concept that's at the very heart of the GAA, ensured that the Mitchells celebrated their 50th anniversary with a bang. The 2007 John Mitchells GFC calendar acknowledges and celebrates many of the landmarks and achievements of the club over the past 50 years and serves as a suitable historical record as well as a worthwhile souvenir. The golf classic was held on Friday May 18 in Ardee. The event was played in difficult conditions and the Mid Louth Garage team came out on top with 86 points. AIB Ardee finished runners-up, edging out Toyota Drogheda. Brendan Healy delivered the longest drive, while David Murphy was recorded as 'Closest To Pin'. A presentation was made in the golf club on Friday evening by club chairman James Sweeney, who extended his gratitude to all those who contributed and helped organise the event, especially the golf classic committee and sponsors. Mulreid Construction was the main sponsor, with associate sponsors including Midland Waste Recycling, EBS Building Society, Acorn Financial Services and Robert Durnin Engineering. The golf classic committee comprised Derek Breagy, Paul Breagy, Gerry Griffin, Gerry Matthews, Rory Durnin, Robert Durnin, James Halpenny, Adrian Landy and Paul Curtis. The next aspect of the anniversary celebrations was a juvenile blitz and barbeque, held at the club's resplendent field on August Bank Holiday Monday. The rain that put quite a dampener on the summer of '07 stayed away for the games and all matches were played in the right spirit with superb coaching and advice administered to the enthusiastic youngsters by a committed team of mentors. After medals were presented, parents and kids were treated to some tasty grub. Hard to believe 50 years have passed since the club was formed in 1957 by Christy Byrne and the late Eugene Reilly and Paddy Halpenny, three men who had a vision and saw the need for GAA in the area. The first AGM was called in November '57 and the club fielded in County Board competitions for the first time the following year. John Mitchells contested their first championship final in 1964, but lost an exciting Second Division decider to Annaghminnon Rovers by 1-9 to 2-5 at Knockbridge. Three years later, they made amends when beating Stabannon Parnells by 5-5 to 1-2 in the Second Division decider at Ardee. In '69, a MacArdle Cup final was contested by Glyde Rangers prevailed by 0-11 to 2-3 in Knockbridge. In 1987, the club purchased its new home at Ballybailie and went about building for the future. In 1988 club football in Louth was restructured and the club found themselves in intermediate ranks for the first time. They held their own and reached the final of the DMP Shield, coming out second best to Mattock Rangers: 2-6 to 1-7 in Ardee. However, apart from a first-ever MacArdle Cup triumph in 1981, success was to prove elusive in both the 'seventies and 'eighties. In 1990, back junior, the club collected the Macardle Cup. Two years later, they won the JFC for the first time with a 1-4 to 0-6 defeat of Glyde at Haggardstown. Amazingly, in 1994, they went all the way to the IFC final but lost to Lannleire at Ardee. In 1998, the club had its most successful year ever when stringing together an awesome 29-game unbeaten run to win the junior league (MacArdle Cup) and championship double, missing out narrowly on an amazing treble when losing the Avonmore Shield final to O'Raghallaighs by a solitary point, 2-4 to 0-9. While success in the current millennium has been restricted thus far to a Kevin Mullen Shield in 2002, the club has carried out a major redevelopment in its award-winning facilities at Ballybailie. A juvenile committee was established in 2006 to nurture young talent in the area and safeguard the club's future, while John Mitchells became the first GAA club in Louth to purchase a defibrillator in 2007. Ideally, the Mitchells would love to have marked their golden jubilee celebrations with some on-the-field success. Unfortunately, this did not materialise. The main competition was the JFC and they were pitted in Group B, finishing second from bottom, but just one win away from a quarter-final place. After losing their two opening games to Stabannon (4-9 to 0-14) and Westerns (4-8 to 1-8) over the last two weekends of April, the Mitchells bounced back with wins over St Fechins (0-11 to 0-8 at Stabannon on May 25) and Annaghminnon (1-13 to 1-4 at Louth village on August 10). However, they bowed out of contention when losing a thrilling final group match to Lannleire at Ardee on Wednesday August 22. Barry Reilly, whose father Eugene was one of the club's three founders, served on the golden jubilee committee in 2007 and also lined out at right half back (alongside brothers Brendan and Shane). "At the AGM last November, we decided to set the committee up because we wanted to do something different to mark our 50th anniversary," he notes. "Fifty years is a big thing and it was important that we planned some events to make the year one to remember. "When the committee got together, we decided that we would have a dinner dance first and foremost, as well as the quiz night, blitz, calendar and golf classic. We got a lot of help along the way and the club was very well supported because of the year that was in it." Did the team's performances take away from the mood of celebration? "We'd like to have won something big time. We had 35 lads out training in January/February but were then crucified with injuries and a loss of interest. It's a pity because we could have done something. We only lost the decisive championship match to Lannleire by two points and we had about ten lads looking on who could have made a big difference to the team if they were available." Gerry Matthews, Declan Bingham and Tony McGuinness took charge of the team at the start of the season, with Damien Reid coming in to replace the latter as coach towards the back end of the year. Barry is convinced that the club is in good hands and that, with the right attitude, they can get back to trophy-winning ways soon: "The club is in a strong position. Our treasurer James Halpenny looks after the pitch and it's one of the best in the county. We have a new stand, a wall around the field and we got a few championship games for the first time ever this year, so we're hoping to get a few more. "If we had our full panel together and they all gave it a good lash, we have every chance next year. If everybody sticks together, we could go far because we're not too far away as it is. I feel we would have won the junior championship last year with our full complement. We were seven points up against Stabannon at half time and they were there for the taking only for a couple of lucky goals." Sounds like John Mitchells' 51st year could be even more memorable than their 50th! Our club The club had a very busy 2007 particularly with its 50th anniversary to be celebrated. The current phase in the clubs development is nearing its conclusion. The stand, banks, ball stop nets, dugouts and scoreboard have all been completed over the year. The club opened its facilities to the county board for Championship matches and were delighted to host the final of the Sheelan Cup back in June. The club were honoured in October when achieving first place in the 2007 Louth County Council "Best Presented Football Pitch Competition". This is a fitting reward for all the hard work being done to the grounds and well done to all those who gave of their free time during the long summer evenings to help out especially James Halpenny, Joe Melia and Patrick Kane. The club hopes to officially open the grounds in the next year. The club also purchased a defibrillator in May and were the first club in the county to do so. On the field the club had better fortunes from the previous season. The Junior 1 side under the guidance of Gerry Matthews, Declan Bingham, Anthony McGuinness and later Damien Reid and Colm Carey had mixed success on the field. In the Division 3 League the team competed admirably against all their opponents. The Kevin Mullen Shield went well with three victories from five and one more win would have taken them to the final. The Championship started disastrously with two defeats to Stabannon and the Westerns. However the squad regrouped and to their credit achieved two victories in the next two games to leave them in a position to qualify for the quarter finals. A narrow defeat to Lannleire ended the campaign. The Division 4C team under selectors Colm Carey, Alan Mackin, Adrian Black, Paul Curtis and Anthony Coyle also put in a good effort and were in the hunt for a top 4 finish with only a couple of games to go. However narrow defeats in the first two games came back to haunt them. The squad also fielded in the Junior 2B Championship for the first time in a number of years. The Juveniles took part in the new OgSport Lú programme which is due to be reviewed at the end of the year. Teams competed at Under 9, 11 and 13 level. They also had an U12 team in the Cumann Lu Lar Theas and Summer Leagues. In addition to this they competed at Under 7 and 8 levels in various competitions. The club hopes to be able to field on their own at Under 13 level in County Board Competitions next year. GOLDEN JUBILEE A number of events were organised by the various committees to celebrate our Golden Jubilee. The year began with the Jubilee Calendar, Golf Classic, Juvenile Blitz and culminating in a great night at the Jubilee Ball in Darver Castle. JOHN MITCHELS GFC GOLDEN JUBILEE BALL The club enjoyed a great night of celebrations on Friday 26th October when they celebrated their Golden Jubilee in style in Darver Castle. A large attendance was present to honour the 50th anniversary of the clubs foundation. Guests were greeted on arrival with a champagne reception and were guided through the impressive surroundings of the castle by the very helpful hosts. Those in attendance included Chairman of the Louth County Board Paddy Oliver and his wife Greta, Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan and his wife Marian, Fianna Fail TD Seamus Kirk and his wife Mary, Canon James Clyne and the clubs main sponsors Adrian Landy and his wife Adeline of Landys Irish Harp. Apologies were forwarded from Minister Dermot Ahern, Fine Gael TD Fergus O Dowd and Canon Jim Carroll. As the meal progressed, the guests were treated to a powerpoint presentation capturing many moments in the clubs history. Chairman James Sweeney was the MC on the night and as the various speakers took to the floor, the common theme running throughout was the importance of the GAA and in particular the club unit and the role of volunteers in the organisation. In his address to the floor, James Sweeney acknowledged the many individuals who had worked and contributed to the club over the years and a particular mention was given to the deceased members. James also outlined the clubs plans for the future and encouraged all members to participate and contribute in whatever way they could to assist the club and build for the next 50 years. James concluded with a presentation to the founding members-Christy Byrne, Kathleen Reilly wife of Eugene and Patsy Halpenny son of Paddy. The night continued with music from Harvest Gold. The club would like to thank the Jubilee Committee for their organisation of the event and the proprietors and staff of Darver Castle for their warm hospitality. Tweet

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