Ballybay Pearse Brothers GAA

The club was founded as Ballybay GFC in 1906.

The club is named after the brothers Patrick Pearse and Willie Pearse, executed after the 1916 Easter Rising.[3] Their grounds, Pearse Park, opened in April 1951, the 35th anniversary of the Rising, and were commonly used for inter-county fixtures.[4] Ballybay won their first senior trophy in 1952 by winning the league (Owen Ward Cup). In 1953 their first championship followed as the team captained by Paddy McKearney beat Donaghmoyne in the county final. A "golden age" followed, Ballybay winning six Monaghan Senior Football Championships in the years 1953-1969. In the fifties, together with neighbours and great rivals Clontibret, Ballybay were a dominant force in the hugely popular tournament football in Ulster and Leinster at the time. The top clubs of the era were invited into the tournaments but more often than not the Monaghan teams emerged victorious.

Ballybay have historically had strong defences but are committed to positive, attacking football and are renowned for high levels of sportsmanship and fair play.

Ballybay formerly had a hurling team, which won the Monaghan Senior Hurling Championship in 1976.[5]

Ballybay have only won two county titles in recent decades, in 1987 and 2012.

• Monaghan Senior Football Championships: (8)
  • 1953, 1954, 1957, 1959, 1962, 1969, 1987, 2012
• Monaghan Senior Hurling Championships: (1)
  • 1976

• Peter Duffy played for Monaghan in 1930 All Ireland final
• Tommy Bradley played for Monaghan in 1930 All Ireland final
• Charlie McCarthy played for Monaghan in 1930 All Ireland final
• PF (Rex) Keelaghan won Ulster SFC with Monaghan 1938
• Paddy McKearney, captained first Championship winning team in 1953. Again in 54, 57 & 59. County player for over 10 years
• Dessie Ward played on Monaghan team in 1956 that won the Junior All Ireland. 5 county SFCs.
• John Moen, stylish forward and place kicker from the 50's and 60's. 6 Senior Championship winners medals - a club record.
• Jim O‘Hanlon stylish and accomplished defender. Captained 1962 Championship winning team. County player. 3 Co. SFCs
• Sean McKearney captained 1969 Championship winning team. County player. 3 Co. SFCs.
• Paul McCarthy goalkeeper who played Railway Cup for Ulster. County player.
• Eamon McAleer teak tough defender made senior debut at just 15. 2 Monaghan SFCs, County player.
• Kevin Duffy Tough but very skillful full back. Absolute warrior. 1 Co. SFC. Big contribution as a manager after his playing days.
• Paddy Kerr Captained UCD to win All-Ireland Club Championship in 1974. Ulster SFC in 1979. 2 Co. SFC medals. Represented Ulster, Sigerson cup winner
• Paddy Linden 3 Ulster SFC. Allstar 1988. First Allstar Goalkeeper from Ulster. Won Save of the Year 1979. 1 Co. SFC.
• Kieran Finlay Freetaker supreme. Held scoring record of 1-9 from 1979 Ulster Final for many years. 1 Co. SFC
• PJ Finlay, Ulster SFC in '88 at midfield. Helped save county final in '87, Ballybay won the replay. Sigerson cup winner.
• Damien Mc Bride fearless warrior in 70s and 80s mainly in midfield. Arguably best player not to have won Co. SFC. Ulster SFC medal in 1979.
• JohnJoe McKearney superb centre-back and captain of 1987 Co. Championship winning team. County player. Sigerson cup winner.
• Paul Finlay One of the most stylish players of his era - Two Ulster SFC's with Monaghan, Ballybay captain 2012 - Kieran Finlay's son
• Gussie Kerley
• Drew Wylie All-star nominated full-back - two Ulster SFC's with Monaghan
• Ryan Wylie[6](brother of Drew, All-Star nominated corner back two Ulster SFC's with Monaghan - current Monaghan Senior captain)
• Conor (Weeno) Monaghan (Junior B All Star. Halftime show superstar)
• Chris McGuinness score getter - One Ulster SFC
• Dessie Ward Strong running half back and half forward on Monaghan Senior team from 2019