1991 James Maginn
James Maginn a local businessman was originally from Ballymartin where he wore the 'Lily White' jersey with distinction. James moved to live in Castlewellan in the late twenties after he acquired the now well-known Maginn’s Bars in the town’s Main Street. Over the years James and his family built up a very successful Pub and wholesale business in the town (Maginn’s Bars in Castlewellan is today run by James’s son Brendan).
Soon after his arrival in Castlewellan James joined the new St. Malachy’s team and proved to be a great asset to the fledging town team. The new parish team was formed in 1932 by Father McAlea as the earlier town team had folded a few years previously. Within a few years the team became a force to be reckoned with and went on to win two SFC titles in 1934 and again in 1936. The team panel in 1934/36 contained other great Gaelic footballers, many becoming loyal servants to the club down through the following 50 years. -Click here- for team photo.
The 1934/36 panel was Hugh Kelly – Hugh McNabb (Capt) – Seamus Leneghan – John King – Paddy Steele (Hall of Fame) – Hugh McLean – Hugh McMullan – John O’Hare (Hall of Fame) – Tommy Hannity – Mick Lamb – Pat O’Boyle – Mousey Hanna – Tommy Steele (Hall of Fame) – Frank Lennon (Hall of Fame) – Peter Hawkins – Mick McDonald – James Maginn (Hall of Fame) – Fr. P. J. O’Hare – Liam Ferguson – Tom McCann (Hall of Fame).
Just as the new Club was getting established not only winning SFCs but Feis Sevens as well; a disagreement in 1937 saw the Club fold. Many of the town players then joined neighbouring club Bryansford and helped them win 4 S.F.C. titles in a row 1939 – 42. James however returned to his native Ballymartin and helped them to further success, winning a third SFC medal with the ‘Lily Whites’ when they won the Senior County Championship in 1938. He was always referred to by his peers as a strong, skilful attacking half-back who never asked anyone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. A few years later when the town club reformed and the town players drifted back to the club, James remained with the Ballymartin team until his playing days had ended.
But James fondness for the town club was ever evident, and he always looked back with great pride on the two SFC medals he won with the famous 1934/36-town team. His loyalty and generosity to the town club over the next fifty years helped the club through many a difficult spell. Former employees of James Maginn have always testified to his good nature and generosity and if time-off was requested to play Gaelic football it was always willingly granted. Perhaps no one knows this more than Frankie Rooney proprietor of the ‘Fountain Bar’ in Castlewellan. Frankie played senior football for the town from the late 50’s to early 70’s as well as being Club treasure from 1967 to 1981. During this time Frankie was barman in Maginn’s and James would always ensure that Frankie had the necessary time off to carry out the many club duties he needed to attend to, or if he had a match to play.
James was also very obliging down through the years in assisting the Club in other ways too. If transport or equipment was required for a club sports day or fund-raising event it went without question that a Maginn’s lorry or van would be commandeered by Frankie or some other committee man for club requirements – always free of charge of course. When the Club opened a social club and bar in 1976, a frosting of relationships as a result of unwanted competition might have been expected but with James Maginn the opposite was the case. James stepped up his assistance and allowed the club unlimited credit free facilities for bar stock for more than ten years until the club was safely out of debt. Sponsorship by Maginn Bros. of all Club events down through the years was taken very much for granted by successive club committees.
When the Club embarked upon major out-door music festivals in the mid-eighties Maginn Bros. were again to the fore in providing major sponsorship, advice and equipment. Although retired by this time and in failing health James ensured that the tradition he had started fifty years previously was continued on by his family who were now running the business. This was willingly given by Maginn Bros. and by this stage James’s sons Gerard, Patrick and Brendan were very much part of the Castlewellan Club having all donned the green jersey for the town during the 1970’s and 1980’s.
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