Our Club was affiliated to a Fermanagh County Board for the first time on 25th July 1926, despite being founded in 1917.

The first ever official game, under the authority of a Fermanagh County Board, was an away fixture against Derrygonnelly on 29th August 1926 with Fr Toal as referee.

The player’s, with no supporters, travelled on three side cars ( horse & trap, basically).

The team was picked from Patrick McDaid, Laurence Devanney, William McGee, Charles McGee, Thomas Feely, Jas Kennedy, John Duffy, Michael Duffy, Bernard Malone, Patrick Neilan, Fras (Francis) O’Flanagan, Edward O’Flanagan (Fr), Eugene O’Flanagan, Joe Carty, Benny Flanagan, Mick Flanagan and Paddy McGee.

The match report stated that the game, as expected, was fast and exciting. The visitors felt confident that they would have little trouble in gaining their first points of the league, but the Harps were determined to retain their laurels.

Derrygonnelly won on a scoreline of 2.1 to 3 points.

The return fixture was scheduled for the following Sunday in Garrison, 5th September, with Fr Toal as referee.

A game was scheduled away to Derrylin on 12th September with Owen McBarron as referee.

All matches to be played at 4.00pm; ‘a team taking to the field late were to forfeit the points even though they might have been the winners on the score’.

The Fermanagh Herald of 25th September 1926 listed additional fixtures arising from a County Junior Board meeting held on the 19th September.

26th September: Belcoo v Garrison at Garrison. October 3rd: Garrison v Ashwoods. October 10th: Garrison v Belcoo at Belcoo (Thos Drumm). October 17th: Ashwoods v Garrison at Garrison (O. McGrisken).

In the Fermanagh Herald of 2nd October 1926 under a GAA Notes headline the paper reported ‘ an interesting football tournament has been arranged for Arney on Sunday next when Melvin Swifts, Garrison will meet Maguire’s Ashwoods and Belcoo will meet Derrygonnelly Harps’.

A re-enactment of this first ever team travelling by side cars to the first official game against Derrygonnelly on Sunday 29th August 1926 was a central feature of the Centenary Parade held on Sunday 23rd July 2017. The parade commenced at Saint Mary’s Hall, travelled through the village and completed its journey at Saint Mary’s Park.

Sean Treacy, August 2026


Pictures from the centenary celebrations.