Frank Donnelly Perpetual Cup

Since the death of Frank Donelly the Donnelly family have been keen to mark his legendary contribution to the club in some way.

A name which is synonymous with Carrickmore football needs little introduction to those of us who remember him but for the younger members amongst us, here is a snapshot of his achievements.

At the tender age of 16 Frank played in Carrickmores 3rd Championship win in 1949. He would go on to win 3 more – ’61, 66 and ’69 and to manage the breakthrough team of 1977 which paved the way for the historic 3-in-a-row. In a world were the word legend is now used at a whim, Frank was one case were the title was truly justified.

As a scoring forward he was prolific from play and from the dead ball. Representing his club, county and province he was revered throughout the country.

He still holds the all time scoring record for one game whilst lining out for Tyrone. One story tells how the tally could have been increased had he been allowed to take a penalty awarded late in the game.

Franks playing career spanned 4 decades, during which he picked up almost every individual and team award the game had to offer at that time. In short Frank Donnelly was and is an icon of our club.
Working closely with the club Franks family decided that a Frank Donnelly Cup should be commissioned and presented to the president of our club each year.

It is perhaps fitting that the first recipient of that cup should be Packie McPhilips – a man who played with Frank in the glorious era of the 60’s were both men were part of an exceptional group of players who won 3 championships.

In our minds eye we see Packie, a colossus at Midfield, rising for the ball, fielding high, collecting and feeding the ever available Donnelly who would dispatch to the net or over the bar with consummate ease. 

The Frank Donnelly Cup was presented to the new Club President by Franks wife Rose.