Can you guess what ‘Match of the Day’ and Lisnarick Football Club have in common? Well they are both celebrating their 50th birthday this year! Lisnarick Football Club first entered the Fermanagh & Western league in August 1964, and to celebrate this amazing milestone the club are currently organising a black-tie Gala Dinner to take place in the Manor House Country Hotel, Killadeas on Friday December 12 for all players and club supporters past and present. The recently appointed Lisnarick Football Club Chairman Neil Armstrong commented: “This promises to be a very special night in the history of our club with plenty of banter, friendships reunited and possibly even memories of matches relived. And I’m sure the memories will become much clearer as the night goes on!” The clubs first jerseys were blue and were bought by Brendan Keogh, one of the clubs co-founders, for just £5 at Smithfield Market in Belfast. “The most memorable thing I remember about our first season in the league was drawing with Enniskillen Rangers twice - they were the only points dropped by Rangers in the whole season,” said Brendan, in an interview in 1991.

In the early years the club’s best season in the league was 1966-67 when they finished runners-up to Omagh Celtic in Division One. However it was in the late 1970’s under the guidance of player-manager Pete Keogh, when the club probably had its best and most consistent team. In the 1975-76 season Lisnarick FC reached the quarter-finals of the Irish Junior Cup only to be knocked out by Tobermore United. The following year the club finished runners-up to Enniskillen Rangers in Division One and then in the 1977-78 season the club got to the final of the Mulhern Cup. This game was played in Lisnaskea on Friday May 19 1978 and unfortunately Lisnarick FC were beaten 3-2 by Enniskillen Rangers.

Regrettably Lisnarick Football Club folded in the early 1980’s because of a lack of players. However, in 1991 a series of summer friendlies were organised and it was soon realised there was potential for league football. In 1992 Robbie Johnston was persuaded to return to his local roots after ten years at Ballinamallard FC, and he was appointed player-manager with a mission to bring Lisnarick Football Club all the way back to Division One.

The club achieved promotion from Division Three that year and were back in the Division One of the Fermanagh and Western just two seasons later. To achieve top flight status in just three seasons is a great achievement for any club but Lisnarick FC had to go on an incredible 12-game run of 11 wins and one draw to pip Lisnaskea Rovers to promotion from Division Two in the 1994-95 season. In that season the club also reached the semi-final of the Mulhern Cup only to be beaten 2-0 by Enniskillen Rangers who went on to lift the trophy that year. The vision of reaching Division One had been realised for our wee village. Since then Lisnarick FC have been champions of Division Three in the 1999-00, 2002-03, 2006-07 and 2011-12 seasons and the Reserve Team were champions of Reserve Division Three in 2003-04 season.

And just last season the club made it all the way to the semi-final of the Irish Junior Cup.

Lisnarick FC always had a strong family influence with many brothers, cousins, fathers and sons all representing the club.

This tradition was epitomised on the 29th May 1999 when Lisnarick Football Club made history and very few people know why.

The Republic of Ireland hosted Northern Ireland as a charity fundraiser friendly for the victims of the Omagh bombing. Since the establishment of separate IFA and FAI teams, the two teams have faced each other on only nine occasions.

Where many of the previous matches had been anxious affairs, this game united both teams for one aim. Just over 12,000 fans turned out for the game which took place ahead of Euro 2000 qualifiers.

Both managers tried different approaches, leading to a disjointed game, with the only goal coming from Danny Griffin seven minutes from time to give Northern Ireland a 1-0 victory.

But that is not what makes the game significant in the history of Lisnarick Football Club. On 46 minutes Roy Carroll replaced Maik Taylor as goalkeeper and history was made because in the opposite goal was Shay Given and at that moment in time Lisnarick Football Club could claim that the fathers of both National team goalkeepers had previously played in goal for the village club.

Seamus Given from Lifford played for Lisnarick in the 1960’s and 70’s while Bob Carroll turned out for the village in the 1990’s. Surely no other amateur team in Ireland can have that illustrious claim-to-fame!

These memories and many other will be evoked at an exhibition planned for the 50th Anniversary celebration in December. Club stalwart Kyle Barkley, who is currently leading the planning for the Gala Dinner commented: “Our research through the newspaper archives is revealing some great match reports for our exhibition, and we encourage anyone with links to Lisnarick Football Club to join us that night.” For further information on Lisnarick Football Club’s 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner please email lfcgaladinner@outlook.com, find us on facebook or contact Pete Keogh - 028 68621478 / 07775700113 or Peter Gormley - 07840117847.

Alternatively tickets can be purchased directly from Molly’s Bar and Restaurant in Irvinestown or Tullana Restaurant in Lisnarick.