A dramatic moment had come at the end of the 1960 All-Ireland Final when Sean O�Neill, who had the ball at the final whistle, and knew he would be swamped by fans, tossed it to his Mitchel club-mate Pat McElroy, one of the first on to the field.

Pat stuck `the leather` up his jersey, and eventually returned it to the All-Star. That historic ball is now in the GAA Museum at Croke Park.

So pathetic were the team�s performances, that Pat named them St Jude�s, Patron Saint of Lost Causes. He had more success with the Bosco team in the Carnbane League, with players such as Sean Hollywood, Mickey Keenan and Jim Carroll, as well as the Ulster Farmers squad, which included Tommy McCabe, Brian Keenan, Larry Boyle and Pat Quinn.

Cllr McElroy�s main achievements were proposing an Economic Development Committee, with local leaders of business and industry coming on board, leading to the setting-up of Enterprise Newry and the Newry-Pittsburgh Partnership. Also the ban on public drinking, which was adopted by other councils.

Meanwhile, few public representatives have a building in their city centre named in their honour; and the McGrath Centre at Margaret Square is a memorial to late Cllr Tommy McGrath, dedicated socialist and trade union leader, who strongly supported the Whitegates project. A native of Clanrye Avenue, Tommy moved to Orior Road at the Meadow estate after marriage to Camlough-born camogie star, Bridie O'Hagan, who played for Carrickcruppen and Armagh.

�The trade union movement could have played a more positive role in preventing the paramilitary organisations gaining so much control over the past 35 years�, Tommy stated. �But the leadership was too keen to remain close the establishment, and did not want to become involved.� A member of CURE, Citizens United for Reconciliation and Equality, he felt it �could have played a crucial role in the community, but the British Army refused to grant it any credentials.�

Champion of the under-privileged, Tommy McGrath was involved in a wide range of voluntary groups, as well as the drive to seek employment for this work-starved region. Son of a Communist, who had engaged in battles with Canon Burke in the local Press, Tommy eventually joined the Holy Name Sodality, taking up the collection at St Catherine�s Dominican Church.

A monumental sculptor, who executed memorials to Official and Provisional IRA volunteers, he helped to re-form the Newry and district Trades Union Council in 1951, being elected chairman, with Paddy Golding as secretary. To coincide with Coronation Year, they organised a major demonstration through the streets of the frontier town, led by local bands. This was the first time that nationalist bands had paraded through the Unionist sector.

Tommy was instrumental in the formation of the Newry Industrial Development Committee, which played host to future British Prime Minister, Jim Callaghan, who was briefed about the chronic unemployment situation in the region.

And he launched a campaign to make local granite more popular, stressing how rich the Mournes, Newry and Camlough areas were in this material. It was stressed that Newry Cathedral, Narrow-Water Castle, the Head Post Office; local banks, Bessbrook Mill, the Craigmore Viaduct, as well as the Egyptian Arch, were all notable examples of its excellence.

Young McGrath�s political baptism came when he joined the Irish Labour Party, of which he was secretary when it seized control of Newry Urban Council in 1958. Though party chairman Tom Kelly backed his nomination as a candidate, this was over-ruled by Tommy Markey, who controlled the party machine.

When ex-serviceman Mr Markey, as chairman of the council, took the salute of the Irish Guards, was expelled from the ILP, and formed his own Newry Labour Party, Tommy McGrath was elected at the next elections. Many were the battles between the two Tommies. On one occasion, Markey told McGrath to �sit down, little man.� And another time he declared: �You may believe that your ancestors climbed down from the trees, but mine certainly did not.�

A serious dispute arose over ownership of the Labour Club, now Kehoe�s Car-showrooms in Patrick Street, which was vested in the Irish Labour Party. The Party chairman, James Tully, decided not to take legal action, since it would �bring the Party into disrepute in a squabble over a pub.�

Even though Irish Labour won six seats to three for Markey�s party, he was returned to office with Unionist support, defeating Cllr McGrath in the draw from a hat. A split then developed in the ILP, and Pat McMahon was elected chairman. But, following the fatal shooting of two young men in Derry, all non-unionist councillors in the North decide to opt out of the system. Meanwhile, the Meadow resident had been chairman of the Newry Council�s Gas Committee, during the crucial period leading to the closure of the Kilmorey Street Gas-works.

Launching himself into the civil disobedience campaign, Tommy McGrath helped to organise the rent and rates strike, collected money for dependants of internees, - who included his future council colleague, Pat McElroy, - joined in organising vigilantes against loyalist attack on local estates, and made representations about British Army and RUC harassment.

When elections were held to the newly-established Newry and Mourne district council, Tommy was elected, - a dedicated public representative, who never lost his seat. Playing a positive and constructive role, he was involved in much charity work, especially with regard to the elderly and handicapped.

�The Meadow has a great atmosphere. And there is a marvellous spirit at Orior Road, where people go out of their way to help others,� he once told me. �People in the estate had the ability to keep clear of political violence, during the 70�s and 80�s. They supported the anti-internment campaign, but did not get involved in the rioting. There are more mature people living here!�

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