St Colmcille's GAC, Grange ( ga, Naomh Colmcille CLG, An Ghráinseach) is a
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA; ga, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael ; CLG) is an Irish international amateur sports, amateur sporting and cultural organisation, focused primarily on promoting indigenous Gaelic games and pastimes, which include t ...
club near
Loughgall
Loughgall ( ; ) is a small village, townland (of 131 acres) and civil parish in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is in the historic baronies of Armagh and Oneilland West. It had a population of 282 people (116 households) in the 2011 Censu ...
, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is part of
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board ( ga, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Coiste Chontae Ard Mhacha) or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Ireland, and is responsible for the administration of Gaelic games in Coun ...
The club was formed at a meeting in 1943. It became inactive in the 1950s, but was revived in 1961 and reorganised in 1965.
The club purchased its present playing fields in 1979 and built a clubhouse, substantially extended in the late 1980s. A new floodlit training field was opened in 2011.
Gaelic football
Just after its formation in 1943 Grange joined the North Armagh League. The club won the league in 1947 and 1948, and were runners up in 1949. There was a close rivalry with the Madden club, and disorder during a match in 1947 led to both teams being briefly suspended.
In 1972, the Grange won the County Junior Championship and the 4th Division league title, later being named Armagh Club of the Year. In 1973, they gained promotion to the Intermediate championship and Division 3. The club slipped back but won the Junior Championship again in 1979, also claiming the Division 3 league title. The Grange rose to Division Two and featured in three 1980s Intermediate Championship finals, lifting the Atty Hearty Cup in 1987.
In 1988, the Grange had to amalgamate under-age teams initially with Collegeland and An Port Mór, and from 1989 with
Keady
Keady () is a village and civil parish in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is south of Armagh and near the border with the Republic of Ireland. It is situated mainly in the historic barony of Armagh with six townlands in the barony of Tirann ...
. In 1998 the Seniors again topped League Division 3.
Relegated to the 4th Division in 2004, the Grange returned to the Junior Championship, regaining 3rd Division status in 2007. In 2008 the Seniors reached the Junior Final but were relegated to the 4th Division.
In 2010, Grange won the JFC final and the Sean Quinn Cup, before winning promotion to the Intermediate. The Grange represented Armagh in the
Ulster Junior Club Football Championship
The Ulster Junior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of junior football clubs in Ulster. There are nine county championships between the nine counties of Ulster. The nine winners go on t ...
. The minor team reached the all county final in 2012 only to be defeated by a strong Killeavy team by four points. The men's senior team will compete in the Intermediate League and Championship in 2013. In 2014 the U18 boys amalgamated with both
Armagh Junior Football Championship
The Armagh Junior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition contested by lower-tier Armagh GAA clubs. The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association has organised it since 1925. The national media covers the co ...
(3)
**1972, 1979, 2010
*
Armagh Intermediate Football Championship
The Armagh Intermediate Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition contested by mid-tier Armagh GAA clubs.Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board ( ga, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Coiste Chontae Ard Mhacha) or Armagh GAA is one ...
(3)
**1987, 1993, 2019
Ladies' Gaelic football
Ladies' football has been played in the Grange since 1989. St Colmcille's Ladies GAC (colours: blue and white) joined the Armagh All County League in 1991 and in 1996 won Division 2, also reaching the Junior Championship Final, where they were defeated by Clann Éireann. The under-age teams then amalgamated with Tullysaran to form St Enda's, and reached several county finals.
In 2001, the Ladies won the County Junior Championship, defeating Ballyhegan and progressing to the Ulster Club championships. The club also won the 2001 Second Division title.Club website , "Ladies' History"
Notable players
* Paula Keegan, former Armagh player, County Board officer, Ulster Club Volunteer of the Year 2010
* Patricia McArdle, Former Armagh player
* Dervla Mallon, Former Armagh player and 2 time All Star nominee
* Siobhan Mackle, County Minor player, Ulster Schools All Star
BBC Sport
BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC, providing national sports coverage for BBC television, radio and online. The BBC holds the television and radio UK broadcasting rights to several sports, broadcasting the sport live or alongside flag ...