WHAT a soccer stronghold were Damolly village and its adjoining spinning mill, whose teams dominated the Newry and district leagues, during the 50�s and 60�s.

In fact, if you were a good footballer, and in search of a steady job, the red carpet would be rolled out. The craic on the shop-floor and in the canteen would all about �the beautiful game,� the personalities and fortunes of the factory team.

Most successful of those Damolly sides was that, captained by Gerry McGuigan, which won the Newry and district Works League and Cup in the 50�s. The squad also included Eddie Campbell, manager; Frank O�Neill, David Duffy, Michael (Snowtop) Campbell, Jimmy McKeown, Patsy Taylor, Pat and Jim O�Hare, John Campbell, Barney McEnteggart and Jimmy Magee.

Recollections of that golden era, together with a history of the factory and unique village, with its heroes and characters, will be chronicled in a journal, being compiled by the Damolly Community Association, chaired by Mary McArdle.

Also planned is a special week-end of events, such as a Family Day, a Barbecue, - when local resident, Mickey Doran of the Hilton Showband could play the guitar with his teeth. Also a Sports Day would include a soccer competition for the Norman Brown Perpetual Cup, in memory of a celebrated but ill-fated motorcyclist.

Another local hero who died young was Charlie O�Neill, who was drowned in the Albert Basin, during a gallant and desperate effort to rescue a lorry-driver, whose vehicle had toppled into the water in 1937. It is planned to erect a commemorative plaque at the site, as part of a major new development at the Basin.

A hoot from the factory horn at Damolly, just like at Drumalane, roused the townsfolk from their slumbers. Having started operating in 1936 as a linen weaving mill, it was taken over in the 50�s by a Manchester company, producing wool spun yarn for carpet manufacture on a three-shift basis. Following an extension, and the installation of modern machinery, the factory became the largest such industry in these islands.

Wool was imported from India, New Zealand, North Africa and Syria, as well as England and Scotland; The plant produced over 200,000 pounds of yarn each month. Later, synthetic fibres were also utilised.

The company, whose managing-director was W.E. Belgrave and chief executive Andrew Storrie, with works manger Owen O�Neill, issued a glowing report: �With its very efficient staff of officials and workers, the plant is deserving of the highest commendation on its progressiveness, as well as its sizeable contribution to the alleviation of unemployment in the Newry area.�

Of course, there had been casualties at the plant, such as Tommy O�Gorman, who was killed at his work; Michael Colgan from Mary Street, who lost an arm; while David Duffy from Chapel Street and Jim O�Hare of Courtney Hill, both suffered hand injuries.

In the early days, the football field below the `wee shop,� owned by Willie McGuigan, a brother of team-captain Gerry McGuigan, would be the scene of many trojan battles. On the way to the matches, youthful spectators would purchase `penny lollies� in the shop, leaping over the wire and going down the bank to the pitch.

The Clanrye River used to flow past the field. Often footballs would land in the water, and be carried away on the tide. But, sometimes a daring youth would display his swimming prowess by leaping in and retrieving the ball. Later, a boom was placed across the river, in order to prevent the balls from being borne towards the town.

During the early 60�s, the factory produced another squad, which was described as �unbeatable.� It consisted of Patsy Hughes, John Johnston, Mickey Boyle, Frank McCabe, Artie Green, Joe Connor, Ignatius Hughes, Joe Smyth, Tom McCabe, Bill Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Magowan and Bill Fitzpatrick Later, a side known as Dam-Tex, an amalgam of Damolly and Ulster Textiles, competed with success in the Carnbane League.

Some prominent players emerged from Damolly teams, such as Eddie Campbell, who went on to play for Irish League and League of Ireland sides, and was manager of the Newry United team, including Pat Jennings and John Rooney, which won the Irish Junior Cup. `Bud` Hamilton played for Glasgow Rangers and Northern Ireland, while David Kirk and Sammy Hilton turned out for Newry Town.

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