On the 20th January 2005 the newest GAA club in the world was established in Sydney, Australia. Cormac McAnallen's GFC formed in the memory of the late Tyrone County Captain. Like most GAA set up's this too was a humble beginning. After a few phone calls three men met to decide on how best to form the Club. Tommy Joe Johnston, originally of Toomebridge who attended Cormac's requiem mass held in Bondi in March 2004 felt the Sydney GAA community could do something more to honour this great Gael. The other two men, Eamon Eastwood and Colm McKenna, both of Cookstown and founding members of The Sydney Tyrone Association fully supported these sentiments. Prior to anything happening the McAnallen family had to be approached to request the use of their son's name. This request was granted and the Club was born. A seven strong committee was formed with the task of attracting quality players, gathering sponsorship and organising training equipment and facilities within a 6-week deadline. The deadline was for the NSW GAA pre-season tournament held on Sunday 20th March 2005. The Club's aim was to use this tournament to pre-launch the club and help promote itself throughout 2005 for the start of the 2006 season. After only 3 weeks the Club's awareness had snowballed, with over 40 lads from all over Ireland turning out for training sessions. Two weeks before the tournament this group had to be cut to a panel of 25 players. It was fitting that on Cormac's year anniversary the Club had shown great resource by gathering sufficient funds, attracting and training a strong squad, including Tyrone county stars Brian McGuigan and Kevin Hughes (currently on working holidays in Australia). The squad largely comprising of Tyrone Gaels were determine and motivated to mark the anniversary and the clubs birth with a victory. Club Treasurer and vice captain Eamon Eastwood of Cookstown Fr.Rocks stated "We weren't interested in gathering up a make shift team and competing in a pre-season tournament - we wanted to create a Club that was fitting to call itself Cormac McAnallen's GFC - and with our enthusiastic committee, dedicated squad of players and generous financial backers we believe we have formed a solid foundation for future years." The well-established pre-season one-day tournament held in San Remo, 2hrs north of Sydney is a yearly event. With only 15-minutes a half and 15 a-side the tournament had a reputation for fast and hard football. With 6 senior men's football teams, divided into 2 groups the task was clear, win the two qualifiers and you make the final. However the other more established clubs were certainly not going to make it easy for the new boys. Momentum had grown fast since January 2005 especially in Sydney's Eastern suburbs. A supporters club was formed and traveled with the team on the day. On Sunday 20th March 2005 a 60-seater bus left Bondi at 6.30am to mark the historic occasion. Everyone was in club colours and the mood was very relaxed and upbeat. The first game was scheduled for 10.10am. Club PRO Martin Ozzie McIvor of the Ballinderry Shamrocks stated, "the committee have put in a lot work to make this happen, its very pleasing to see such a large, colourful and enthusiastic support - long may it continue." Having never played before the team took a while to settle during its first game. However by the second outing the movement and opportunities created were too plentiful for the opposition to handle and Cormac McAnallen's GFC had made it through to its first final. Cormac McAnallen's stamped their authority early during the final notching up a comfortable 10 point lead by half time. The second half was pretty much the same except for a gallant first ten minutes by Young Ireland's GFC the opposition. In the last quarter the McAnallen's stepped it up a gear and won its first trophy well in control. Club Manager Tommy Joe Johnston, who hails from Toomebridge, Co. Antrim commented "having managed teams here for over 10years, its so pleasing to work with such dedicated, genuine talent, it was never going to be easy for us but as time went on the lads found their rhythm and at times were unstoppable - I hope to work with most of them and similar talent in 2006" Due to the short notice of the Clubs formation, the need for funds and the knock on effect it would have on established teams in the area - the committee made a decision to use 2005 to promote the Club in Australia and Ireland in the hope of attracting top talent for the 2006 season. Club President Liam O'Hara from Moortown Malcahy's commented on the work done and future plans "As Club president I'm delighted to be part of something positive and enjoyable. The Club is only a few months old and already we have a fan base, incredible. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the generous sponsors: Magners Ireland, Rocktown Pty Ltd, www.tasteireland.com.au, East Sydney Carpentry and PJ O'Brien's. We hope to attract more sponsorship for the start of the 2006 season - to cover team kits, sports field hire, insurance, training equipment, registration and associated costs. We plan to launch a ladies Gaelic football team next year and work is already in progress for a Club website." All those interested in playing or being part of the Club for the 2006 season and beyond please email: [email protected] Tweet

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