History
History
Records show that by 1896 Gaelic football and the Gaelic League were organised in Ballinderry.
In 1915 Ballinderry competed in what was generally known as the Killybearn League. Other teams competing were Moneymore, Mullinahoe (part of Ardboe), Drumaney (part of Ardboe), Drummullen, Killybearn and Stewartstown. Up to 1919 Bellagherty (Irish: Baile Uí Facharthaigh), a townland of Ballinderry had their own team. There was a keen rivalry between the two sides.
1924 saw a revival of Gaelic football in South Derry through the efforts of Father Downey C.C. (from Magherafelt). He was assisted by Master Wallace (Ballinderry); Master O’Brien (Magherafelt); Hugh A. Mullan and J.J. McNally. Other teams in South Derry at the time included Lissan, Magherafelt, Newbridge, Gulladuff and Glenullin (now a North Derry club).
By 1926 Ballinderry officially formed as one team representing all the townlands of Ballinderry. The club was named Ballinderry Shamrocks GAC (Irish: Baile an Doire na Seamróga CLG). A year later the side claimed their first Derry Championship, after a final victory over Magherafelt.
In the late 1920s and early 1930s Ballinderry competed in the Tyrone Championship and league. Gaelic football was once again revived in South Derry in 1933 and Ballinderry returned to compete in Derry competitions.
From 1933-1936 Ballylifford (Irish: Baile Leithearr), another townland of Ballinderry competed as a separate team. When Ballylifford and Ballinderry met this meant brother against brother in some cases. In 1938 a parish league was formed (between five Ballinderry teams): Bellagherty, St. John’s, Ballinderry, Derrychrin and Mullan Fianna. Mullan were the eventual winners, the prize being a trip to the All-Ireland Final. Mullan Fianna competed as Ballinderry’s sole team for a few years, but the Ballinderry Shamrocks side soon restarted in the early 1940s.
The club moved to thier current ground in 1971. It was officially opened in 1979 with an Ulster U-21 Football Championship semi-final between Derry and Down. After a gap of 47 years, 1974 saw Ballinderry win their second Dery Senior Championship, defeating Banagher in the final. The early 1980s were a glory period for the club and became only the second side after Bellaghy to win the Derry Championship three years in a row (1980, 1981 and 1982). The club beat Burren of Down to claim the 1981 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship.
Another county championship was added in 1995. Ballinderry were beaten by Bellaghy in the Derry final in both 1999 and 2000. The two clubs clashed again in 2001’s final. This time Ballinderry were victorious. They went on to vicory over Mayobridge in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship decider. A few months later Ballinderry were crowned champions of Ireland when they won the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship, defeating Nemo Rangers of Cork in the final by a scoreline of 2-10 (16 points) to 0-09 (9 points).
Further Derry Championships were added in 2002 and 2006. The club were awarded Derry Club of the Year in 2001 under the AIB GAA Club of the Year Awards scheme. Club Chairman Michael Donnelly was presented the award by GAA President Seán McCague. Ballinderry also won Club of the Year at the 2002 Ulster GAA Writer’s Association Awards