1988 Cyril Wells
Another Castlewellan man who devoted so much of his time and energy to help fashion the development of the town club in the 50’s and 60’s. Cyril Wells, born and raised in the Lower Square Castlewellan (where Paddy King’s shoe shop is today) has been described by Dan Rooney his team colleague as a very fast skilful, and whole-hearted player. Cyril learned his football skills along with Dan at the red high in Downpatrick where he starred in the few competitive games they were allowed to compete in. Apparently the Head Brother at the time did not permit the school team to enter any of the major competition such as the McCrory Cup as it might interfere with his students studies. Maybe he was right as both Dan and Cyril went on to become qualified teachers at a time when education was not as easy got as it is today.
Cyril started his playing career with the town in the barren forties (the only decade the club didn’t win a SFC) shortly after the club re-formed. It wasn’t long until Cyril’s skills earned him a place on the senior team and by 1950 the town were once again a force to be reckoned with. In that year the famous 1950 team won for the town a 4th championship title beating Warrenpoint by one point in a nail biting final. The final scores in that game was Castlewellan 2.5, Warrenpoint 2.4. The following year 1951 the same town team were back in the final again, this time to Clonduff, but were beaten by one goal with the final score Clonduff 2.9, C’wellan 1.9. Cyril featured in both teams at left half forward or left corner forward (see photo in history section – major club successes)
S.F.C. (1950): C. Wells, J. Guinness, P. McAleenan, J. &Hare (Capt.), Rev. A. Darraggh, J. Burns, P. Ferguson, P. Jennings, J. O’Neill, P. Rooney. D. McKibben, R, Crozier, J. Rodgers, D, Rooney, P. Burns, J. Jennings, F. McAlinden, B. Corrigan.
In the same year that the team won the Championship, Cyril was also a member of the town sevens team that won the Feis 7’s. The team was: -
Feis Sevens 1950: J. Jennings, J. O'Hare, C. Wells, J. Guinness, P. Rodgers, R, Crozier, P. Rooney.
Cyril continued to play for the town until the mid fifties winning a number of other trophies at local sevens competitions which were very popular at the time. When his playing days came to an end he joined the committee were he was a tireless worker and fundraiser always striving to improve the position of the club. In 1966 he was elected club chairman. However Cyril will best be remembered after his playing career for his major contribution to the development of underage football not only within the club but also East Down. In 1953 the first under-16 championship was established and Castlewellan, organised by Cyril Wells, Jimmy MeEvoy (Hall of Fame), Paddy O’Donoghue (Hall of Fame), and Dan Rooney (Hall of Fame) reached the final against Downpatrick. The first two matches were drawn and Castlewellan emerged victorious in the third game. Out of that young team emerged some of the finest and most dedicated players ever to wear the green jersey for the town such as Pat Rice, Johnny and Frankie Rooney, Dermot (Chum) McCabe, Eamon. Magorrian, 0liver Brannigan, Mickey Doran, Jim. Rice, Eamon (Squeak) Toner, Brian Magorrian, and Tom McGrady.
Some of the same players went on to win SFC medals in 1958 including Chum McCabe, the Magorrian Bros., Oliver Brannigan, and Jim Rice, and in 1965, Tom McGrady, Oliver Brannigan, Chum McCabe, Jim Rice, Eamon Magorrian and Frankie Rooney. In fact the underage football policy developed and nurtured during the 50’s and early 60’s by the Cyril, and his colleagues was responsible for the development of many of the town’s most memorable players, non more so than Pat Rice, the first Club man to win a senior All-Ireland medal. There were others too who game through the fifties and sixties stable, Eugene McGreevy, Dennis Kearney, Hugh McAllister, James McKenny, Colum McGreevy, Mickey Magorrian, Dermot Jennings, Pat Small, to name but a few. During this period Cyril’s work and organising ability with the minor teams brought him to the attention of the East Down Board and during this period he was elected to the position of Secretary to the East Down Minor Board.
Although born and raised in Castlewellan with his younger brother Conrad (who also played football for the town) Cyril resided for most of his married life in Newcastle where he is now retired. He was a member of the teaching staff of St. Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan for most of his teaching career, having joined the staff when the new School opened in 1959 until his retirement in the mid eighties. In latter years when he progressed to striking the small white ball at his leisure he always retained his fond and keen interest of Castlewellan G.A.C.
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