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Downpatrick Football Club has come a long way from its foundation more than 50 years ago to provide a recreational outlet for patients and staff at Downshire Hospital . The hospital, the biggest employer in the Cathedral town at that time, provided an excellent playing surface and covered accommodation for the large crowds attending the many friendly fixtures arranged, some of which were against senior opposition. When the club decided to play competitively they joined the Church Alliance League shortly after the second World War. When the Alliance League ceased Downshire joined the Northern Amateur Football League in 1951, although their stay was brief, leaving in 1953. During the next 20 years Downshire returned to playing friendies against opposition such as Distillery and Cliftonville from the senior ranks and a host of Amateur League Clubs who enjoyed the Downpatrick hospitality, for which the club was noted. Throughout this period the team was backboned by Brain McConvey, Noel Galloway, Noel McKermitt, Michael Bohill, Brian Cheetham, the Healy brothers Pat and Brian and goalkeeper Harry McCurry (father of Ciaran) who went on to gain full Amateur International Honours.
In the early 1970s the Hospital required the playing area and Grandstand to build an extension, relocating the footballers to their current site within the Hospital complex. Downshire joined the Newcastle and District League in 1975 and by season 1979/80 they were winners of the 1st Division Championship and Harry Clarke Cup double. The Harry Clarke cup was retained in 1980/81 and to complete a very successful three year period the 1st Division Championship was secured in 1981/82.
Another 1st Division Championship was won in 1989/90 before re-joining the Amateur League in 1991-92. They won Division 2C at the first attempt and the following year won Division 2B. Winning Division 2A was to prove too difficult for the next eight years despite the dedicated effort of managers such as Brain Cheetham, Ciaran McCurry and 'Skipper' McMullan. The appointment of John McCarthy and his assistant Sean bell gave the club a fresh impetuous and the 2A Championship was won in season 2001/02. They also contested the Co. Antrim F.A. Junior Shield final that season, losing 2-0 to Raceview Rangers. By this time there had been changes within the hospital body, the Amateur League giving special dispensation for a change of name in 1999, to Downpatricks Hospitals F.C.
In Christmas 2003 Downpatricks Hospitals took part in the Border Cup final and were playing against their rivals Killyleagh, unfortunately they lost 2-1. However winning the championship in Division 1A brought a happy ending to the season and Premier League football back to Downpatrick for the first time in twenty years.
Many will testify to the great pleasure derived by those involved throughout the club's history, whether as a spectator or in a playing capacity and the current committee intend to continue building on the foundation laid all those years ago. |
