The formation of the Fr. Manning Gaels G.F.C In 1969 Drumlish/Ballinamuck reformed the ways of Gaelic football in the parish by coming together to form the Fr. Manning Gaels club. Previously known as Eire Og and Young Irelands the clubs committee now consisted of members from both villages, one of Fr. Manning's key aims for the club. The first committee was as follows: Fr. O'Flynn (R.I.P.), John Joe Brady (R.I.P.), Gerry Brady, Pat Flynn, Terry McKenna, Seamus Furey, Fr. Francis Gray, Pat Crowe, John Davis, Pat Joe Davis (R.I.P). The Club returned to the winning trail again within a few years, winning the Intermediate Championship in 1973 and again in 1974. Under-21 Championships were won in 1976, 1981 and 1983, showing that the club was still in a healthy state. This was proven further when the club received the coveted "Club of the Year" award from the County Board in 1985. The Glory Years In the early 1990's, the club failed to emerge as a dominant force in football within the county. However there was an Intermediate League win in 1990. In 1992 the Gaels won promotion to Division 1 by beating Mostrim on a score of 4-2 to 2-5. In 1993 the Gaels won the U21 championship in a very one sided game beating Longford Slashers on a score of 2-14 to 0-4. In 1995, things began to prosper as the Gaels took the Senior League after a long spell of defeats. In 1995 the U21’s won the championship again by beating Rathcline by 1-10 to 0-5. These triumphs triggered a new self confidence and hope with all members, and from then on the most prosperous era in the club's history took flight. This would mark the time when the Gaels returned once again to their former glory. It was the 8th of September 1996, a beautiful Sunday’s afternoon. A large contingent from all around the globe descended upon Pearse Park in Longford to see the men in maroon and gold capture their first Senior Championship since 1955 beating Ardagh St. Patrick's by a scoreline of: 0-15 to 0-8. Man of the match was awarded to Padraig Brady who truly deserved it. This victory was quickly followed by the retention of the Senior League and the Gaels were well on their way to establishing themselves once more as a force to be reckoned within county football. 1997 was again a successful year for the Gaels. On Sunday the 21st of September, the men from Drumlish/Ballinamuck were back in style in Pearse Park, this time the opposition was Longford Slashers and were swept aside on a scoreline of: 0-12 to 0-6 And yet again, this was followed with the Senior League for the third year running. This amazing run of victories was furthered with the addition of the Leader Cup when the Gaels defeated Abbeylara on a scoreline of 0-14 to 0-10. Longford footballing history was created by the club winning all 3 county titles in the one year; and the Gaels were the first club to do so - an excellent achievement indeed. There was just no stopping the Gaels!!! 1998 saw the Gaels in Pearse Park on county final day for the third year consecutively. They faced Abbeylara, and this proved to be the most enthralling and sweet of all their past victories. It was a very close encounter on the battle-field and this was evident from one glance at the final score on the scoreboard. The Gaels had retained the title by the minimum of margins on a scoreline of: 1-11 to 2-7. The Leinster club championship was all that remained in the way of the all-conquering Gaels' way. After victories over Clane (Co. Kildare) and Rhode (Co. Offaly), Eire Og of Carlow awaited the Gaels in the semi-finals. This proved to be an extremely controversial encounter. The final scoreline credited Eire Og with the victory by a solitary point; however, there was some commotion over a point "scored" by Padraic Davis. While the referee initially appeared to award the point, after consultation with the umpire, he decided to reverse his decision. This indecisiveness led the Gaels officials to contest this decision with the Leinster Council. However this process was to no avail. The Gaels won the league for the 4th year in a row when they recorded a win over Granard with a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-6. In 1999, came the shock of the year when the Gaels were defeated in their first outing in the Senior Championship by newcomers Dromard who eventually went on to take the County title. Not to be discouraged however, the Gaels went on to take both the Senior League (for a historic 5th time in a row), and the Leader Cup. Also the U21 team won the championship by defeating Granard for the first time since 1995. The 2000's In 2000 the Gaels again where in Pearse Park on County Final day; however they were the losing team on the day; with Abbeylara taking the Connelly Cup with a scoreline of 2-6 to 0-4. The Gaels were back in Pearse Park for the County final in 2001. In the final against Granard, the Gaels put aside the loss from the previous year to come out winners with a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-6. Man of the Match was Frank McNamee Jnr. Later on that year the Senior team won the Division One League by beating Dromard by 1-13 to 2-8. In 2002 the Senior team lost the Division 1 playoff to Ballymahon after extra time with a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-9. After a three year absent the Gaels were back in the Senior County Final in 2004. On the 3rd of October 2004, the Gaels went down to a very good Clonguish team by a scoreline of 1-15 to 0-5. In 2005 the Senior team was back at Pearse Park for the County Final against Dromard. However the Gaels were the losing side on the day when Dromard won with a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-12. The Seniors won the Bertie Allen Cup by beating Killoe by 2-10 to 1-9. Later on that year the Intermediate team won the Division 4 League by beating Granard by 3 points; 1-8 to 0-8. The Intermediate team went unbeaten throughout the whole season that year. The Junior team won the A Championship by beating Rathcline with a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-7. On the 14th of July 2006 the Intermediate team lost the league final to Colmcille on a scoreline of 0-9 to 0-6. However late on in the year; on the 22nd of October they made up for this defeat by winning the Intermediate B Championship by defeating Clonguish by 3 point; 1-9 to 0-9. In 2007 the Junior team won the B Championship on the 22nd of September by defeating Rathcline by 3 points; 0-11 to 0-8. In 2008 the Division 4 team won the League by defeating Abbeylara by 1 point with scoreline of 2-3 to 0-8. This was a great win for the team having been done by 6 points at halftime.