Brothers at arms: How brothers Hugh and Gerry Donnelly ended up marking each other

Hugh and Gerry Donnelly were footballers in their youth. They were part of the school's first Ulster Schools' Cup winning team of 1967. Hugh's earliest memory is coming on as a sub at Magherafelt. Gerry's was playing against Loup at the age of 16. They used to play Gaelic football together. After the passing of Hugh’s wife Margaret, they would meet with younger brother Vincent to shoot the breeze over a cuppa. The pictures are on Facebook before you return from a game. Lenny Kelly and Benny Kelly were the stars of Bellaghy and Magerafel.

Gerry and Hugh reminisce about their footballing careers. Gerry played for Derry minors in 1964 and 1966. Hugh played in the u-21 team that won the All-Ireland in 1965. He was a Dery Grammar Schools’ triple and long jump champion. In 1970, Gerry was picked for the Newbridge team. He looked like a footballer. Harry Gribbin was the manager. The bus was heading to the County Grounds in Magherafelt. They were going to play in a football final. It was in this manner that Gerry got picked.

Gerry was a sub for Newbridge in the Ulster final. He joined Hugh in championship winners' club. They lost to Down kingpins Bryansford. Gerry and the bus driver were the only people Harry didn't mention.

Hugh Donnelly moved to Bellaghy to play football. He was training as a Bellaghy player in 1971. Hugh and Gerry played against each other in the semi-final of the Sunday Life. Gerry was marking Hugh. Gerry and Hugh played together in a football match. They both played at corner-back. The game was played in Ballinascreen. It was a family affair. In the end, Gerry won the game. His brother Hugh was playing for Newbridge. Their team played Moortown at Toome Carnival. After the match, Hugh came off the pitch and was asked by two mentors from Newbridges who he was.

Hugh and Gerry Donnelly are brothers. They are playing in the Ulster Championship. Hugh won the game against Ardboe. Gerry won against Portlaoise. Bellaghy beat UCC in a replay. East Kerry didn't send the trophy to Croke Park for the final. There were many fans from Bellaghy. The last play of the match, Gerry was clattered by a Ucc goalkeeper. He heard the end of it from where he was. It was decided by Brendan Cassidy's winning point. For more information, visit the website of Bellagshy here. for more details on the team. and for their history, see the article.