Also in that side against Kilwarlin were John McGivern, Sean Gorman, Eddie Burns, Tom Gorman, Bill O�Hagan, Anthony McKay, Pat McGuigan, Donal Quinn, Terry and Donal Conlon, Ian Walsh, Paul Jellett, Tim McCoy, Tom McKay and T.P. Murphy. Captaining the Kilwarlin side was George Lavery, later to be a full-back on the Mourne squad for the 1960 All-Ireland Final victory.

Newry Mitchels captured the Senior Championship title for the first time in that historic year. And there was a unique derby final the following year, as fellow townsmen clashed, However, because of the Mournemen�s All-Ireland success against Offaly, the county championship decider was not played until after Easter, 1962.

Indeed, it has been a lean period for the two Newry sides for, in contrast to the glory of the early 60�s, neither club was represented on the panel, chosen by present Down manager, Paddy O�Rourke. Both clubs had provided star players, - Shamrocks in the person of Tony Hadden, along with Pat McAlinden and Eddie Burns. And in 1968, John Murphy scored the decisive goal in the triumph over Kerry. Meanwhile, D.J. Kane led the Mournemen to Sam Maguire Cup victory in 1991.

Tony Hadden, born in the soccer stronghold of Linenhall Square, got involved in Gaelic games while employed at Quinn�s the Milestone, (now Dunnes Stores on Hill Street). They had a team in the Newry G.A.A, Works League. Managed by Tommy McKay, the squad included Kevin O�Neill. A fitness fanatic, Tony was also a member of the Newry Shamrocks Athletic Club.

So started a career, which would lead to fame and glory, as well as enhanced prospects in the business field. The young sportsman was later appointed Regional Sales Manager for Bass Charrington. As he admitted: �Being involved with that Down squad was of tremendous benefit, especially when I was based down South. It was amazing how many supporters we had outside the county.�

Having joined the Shamrocks club, Tony was in the squad, which won the Down Minor Championship in 1953. The others were Donal Quinn, Seamus Sands, Brendan McSherry, Pat O�Hagan, Kevin Hollywood, Pat McAteer, Gerry Boyd, Mickey Brady, Eddie Golding, Tom and Anthony McKay, Malachy McKeown and Raymond Hollywood. His first appearance for the county was in 1954, when they were beaten by Armagh in the Ulster Minor Final. He was selected for the senior squad the same year.

Triumph and tragedy marked the 1956 season for, while Tony led Shamrocks to victory in the County Senior Championship, he was suspended along with `Pa` Hollywood, after being ordered off in a league game against Newry Mitchels. As a result, he turned to soccer and played for Crusaders managed by Joe Campbell, scoring a hat-trick in his first game. But he only turned out a few times, as his heart and all his chums were in the Gaelic code.

By coincidence, two other future Down stars had been suspended for playing soccer, - Paddy Doherty and James McCartan, and so all three were eligible for the Down side, which won the Ulster Junior Championship, and seemed certain to gain the All-Ireland title. However, the senior management took seven of the best players, to strengthen the bid for the Ulster senior crown. Though unsuccessful, there was the basis for an All-Ireland winning side.

Indeed, 1960 was a hectic year for the crew-cut lad from the �Barracks�, for not only was there intensive training with the county squad, but he was also playing league and championship football, as well as tournament matches, with his club.

Tony recalled: �In one period of 15 days, I played no less than 11 games. During one match, I came off at half-time, sat down and couldn�t get up. My limbs were locked from fatigue. One girl even made me choose between her and football. I decided to play on!�

Describing the 1960 All-Ireland Final of 1960, he said: �We felt an exciting kind of nervous tension, were all keyed up, and couldn�t wait to get started. I avoided trying to spot faces in the stands.� The versatile Newry player went into the record-books as gaining the first score in that historic encounter. Tony had wandered away from �Tiger� Lynn, the ball broke through, and he let fly over the bar.

During the victory celebrations, it was a special pride for young Hadden, when the Sam Maguire Cup rested one night in the Hadden household at Linenhall Square, being hailed with pride by a community, where soccer had always been the predominant sport.

Tony�s county career ended in 1964/65, when his superiors asked him to choose between the G.A.A and his job. This time his career came first. Later, he was a selector with the county minor side, which won the All-Ireland title in 1977, and then assisted Joe Lennon with the senior squad. On retirement as Sales Director for Tennents, he became manager of the Shamrocks side.

Certainly, Newry Shamrocks G.F.C. can look back over 60 years of mixed fortunes. But they can take pride in a massive contribution to the G.A.A. in Down, both with Sam Maguire Cup triumphs, as well as that magnificent stadium, which hosts inter-county games. And personalities like T.P. Murphy, Tony Hadden, John Murphy and D.J. Kane should serve as an inspiration to stars of the future.

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