A Belfast football club celebrated its 80th anniversary by charting its incredible journey through the decades. Immaculata FA recently held a special event at City Hall to mark its history, success and "most importantly" the people that made it all possible.

Popular figures including Coly O Riordan, Kevin Lawlor. Jim McKee and the Black family all received awards for their dedicated service. The night also celebrated the Divis club's recent successes as current Intermediate Cup and Amateur League Division 3A champions.

Club treasurer Paul Dynes took a step back in time during the dinner to reflect on the journey Immaculata has been on over the 80 years.

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He said on the night: "The club was founded in 1944 by the Legion of Mary as a youth club in Corn Market, with the football teams first competing in 1945, after the legion moved to Devonshire Street. The club’s name was named after Our Lady Mary, which is why the colour of Sky Blue is still used to this day as our colours. A colour strongly associated with Our Lady.

"Kathleen Gaffney was one of the original founders of the Immaculata, being an integral part of the running of the club until 1971. The Legion of Mary ran the club until 1970, when they closed. The football side of things continued to operate with a small committee in place, still competing in the various age groups, before a new committee was put in place, which has continued to this day with various members throughout the years.

"Various people played an integral part of the club during this early period, such as Gerry O’Hare, John McKenna, The Murphy sisters, Gerry Early, Gerry Loughran, Joe Lavery and Larry Shields Snr. The Junior teams competed in the Down & Connor League, with the senior teams playing in the Minor League and the Willowfield League, before moving to the Lisburn League. The club winning various league titles and cups in those leagues."

With the club on the rise, Immaculata then moved to the old Dunmurry League, now the Belfast & District League. And the success kept on rolling.

Dynes added: "The club won the main cup in the very first season, being the only club to do so in its debut season, under manager Davy Kavanagh. Davy joined the club in the early 50s and managed the club up until 1977, when he sadly passed away.

"Davy was helped by his nephew Jim McKee throughout the years, with Jim taking over as manager after Davy’s passing. The club then went on to win leagues and cup titles over the years, which included the McCarter Cup, Mulholland Cup, Sloan Cup, Francis Cup and Nelson Cup, whilst also reaching the semis of the Junior Cup on numerous occasions. The club did, however, win the Junior Shield, which was won in 1995.

"During those years the club had been managed by various managers, including those already mentioned in Davy Kavanagh and Jim McKee. With others being Eamon Hughes, Sean Lee Clarke, Gerry Brammeld, Willy Gargin, Gerard O’Hanlon, Arter Rooney, David McMahon and Kevin Lawlor.

"In the club’s final season in the BDFL system, the club won the Junior Cup for the first time in our history under Kevin Lawlor. The next season we moved to the Northern Amateur Football League, where the club went on to win two further Junior Cups, making it three in a row.

"The club then moved into the Intermediate leagues, winning further league titles and promotions until we reached the Premier Division. A division we went on to win in 2016. Other major titles were added during Kevin Lawlor’s time, with the Clarence Cup being won on five occasions. The club also reached the Steel & Sons Cup Final during this period, finishing as Runners-Up.

"The club also made it to the 5th round of the Irish Cup on a few occasions, with the most notable match coming at Solitude, playing Irish Premier Division club Cliftonville."

Immaculata's success stretches beyond the club's first-team, with their Seconds having also won numerous league and cup titles, with the club winning the Division 3A title for the first time in 2024.

That was also the year they lifted the biggest trophy in the club's history.

"The club has won many titles and cups, but in 2024, the club won the biggest title in the club’s history, The Intermediate Cup, under the now player manager, Bru McCaul. This cup being won at Windsor Park," Dynes added.

"The club has had a wide range of youth coaches throughout the years, with many having also played for the club. One of the most notable being Martin Voyle. A man who has given decades to the club with his hard work.

"There have been many others that have made massive contributions to the club over the years, both at junior and senior level, such as Father Alec Darragh, Jim Fitzpatrick, Danny Power, Gerry Ward, Paddy Cairey, Seany McAllister, Tony McNulty, Tommy Heaney, Tony Curley and right up until today, with the likes of Danny McGonigle, Patrick Maguire, Paul Dynes and Ryan Rooney.

"Our youth and senior teams continue to play to this day, with kids from the ages of five and up participating in all age groups across many different leagues and organisations. The senior teams continue to play in the Northern Amateur Football League, with our home games being played at the Grosvenor, also nicknamed the Cage.

So many more will add their names to those listed above, with so many making their mark at all levels of the club now and for many years to come.

"Finally, thanks our sponsors who are Maggies Lounge , The Mortgage Shop, Fitzys Fulla Crepe, Sean Graham and Loaf Catering."

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