Newtownbutler First Fermanaghs celebrate 125 years in existence this year, the oldest club in Fermanagh! On 13th November 1887 Philip O Reilly (Hotelier), Jack Maguire (School Master) and James B. McManus (Hotel Employee) had a meeting in Reilly’s Hotel, Newtownbutler at which our club was formed!

In this 125 year history there have been various name changes which have included Brehons, St. Aidans, Geraldines, St. Comgalls and First Fermanaghs. Club colours have also changed down through the years, starting out with green and white, later blue and yellow and since 1940 have been red jerseys with white bands and white shorts. The club have also played at some different locations in the last 125 years; these include Crom Road, Flemings Field and the current home on the Lisnaskea Road where they have been since 1986.

There has also been a lot of success on the pitch, the clubs first Senior football Championship title was claimed 93 years ago in 1919, this was added to again in 1920 with a further 9 leading up to the last one in 2007. Over the years there has been lots of success at underage level through the various age groups. There has also been very successful Hurling and Camogie teams in the club. Newtownbutler Geraldines claimed the Fermanagh Senior Hurling Championship final in 1937 while the Camogie team was also very successful when formed in later years. Today there is also the very successful Ladies football club in existence.

This year as we celebrate 125 years in existence there has been a committee set up with the sole brief of marking the anniversary. They have already had lots of ideas; one of the first working ideas is a Jersey design competition in the primary school. Each pupil will have a chance to design a jersey with a winner being picked from each class and the best 7 parts from each winner used to design a new jersey to be worn by the club during the upcoming landmark season.

This will be updated with any other plans for throughout the year to mark our special anniversary!

Feb 2012 – Jersey Competition - The new jersey, with designs incorporated from the competition in the Primary school, will be unveiled soon!

March 2012 – St. Patricks Day Float – The 125 committee organised an excellent float for St. Patricks day displaying how club members travelled to games  by water years ago in ‘Cots’. There were also members of all ages walking with the float for the Parade.