Prior to the first Feis in 1904, there were two hurling teams in the glen, the old Osheens and the Michael Dwyers. Without recognising rules and official referees it is not difficult to speculate how some of these matches ended. However, with the introduction and acceptance of G.A.A rules, Oisin became the recognised team to represent Glenariffe. This was in 1904, a year of great endeavour to preserve Irish culture and pastimes. F.J Biggar presented Oisin woith their first rigout compirising of gold jerseys, green linen shorts and green, white and orange socks. Johnny Black, Calisnagh, made the first set of hurls and replaced without charge, any which were broken, provided that Glenariffe won the match.
The first recognised home pitch for Oisin was “Neill John’s Field” – that field between the Milltown and Lurig View houses. It belonged to Neill John Black, the Bay lodge, and was given free. After about three years the venue moved to Alex Mc Mullan’s farm near Waterfoot, in the field on which the present primary school is built. Alex was an enthusiastic supporter of all Gaelic activaties. His field was also the venue for the Feiseanna and oher sports from 1929.
While he was curate at The Bay, Fr Hugh O’Neill took an active interest in the hurling club and steered the committee, in 1947, to acquire a permanent hurling pitch.
With Financial help from the Feis committee and the GAA, two fields were purchased and the first appointed trustees were Joe Mc Mullan (Foriffe), Dan Mc Killop (Foriffe), Willie Graham (Druimnacur) and John Murray (Tamlaght). It was decided to name the new GAA centre after the two men who were shot on Tamlaght Bray by Crowned forces 24th May 1922. These were Charlie Mc Allister from Waterfoot and Pat Mc Veigh from Tamlaght.
Althought the golden era for Oisin was from 1930 until the mid 1940’s, when they won every trophy in Antrim and the county Championships, there are recordings of outstanding matches and excellent players from the Glen in earlier years. The most notable of these were Jamey Delargy, Ned O’ Kane and Arthur Harvey, all of whom played in the North Antrim team in the 1906 Feis in Cushendall. Arthur Harvey captained Antrim, who were beaten finalists in the Donegal v Antrim Ulster Championship in the same year.
The earlist Glenariffe team recorded in the County competitions was in 1906.
It was not until 1935 the Glenariffe first won the County Championship, and indeed every competition that year.
They Narrowly missed the supreme trophy the following year but were champions for the second time in 1937. These and many other Oisin players were selected to play for Antrim.
Success then evaded the club until Oisin became Intermediate Champions in 1988 and Intermediate finalists in 1992. They regained the Intermediate title in 2000 and went on to become the County senior and Ulster B Champions of 2001. Oisin returned to top flight senior division 1 hurling 2002 for the first time in over 20 years.
Work is still ongoing in the club with the addition of a new floodlit training pitch, magnificent new gates and stiles. A great effort is also being made to ensure that the facilities at The Mc Allister and Mc Veigh Memorial Park will rank among the best in Antrim.
External links:
http://www.slideshare.net/martinmccarry/the-gaa-in-the-glens-of-antrim
Below is a list of photos spanning the years since the club was founded:
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