Armagh County Board names main stands at Athletic Grounds after Alf Murray and Pappy Fearon

In this the centenary year of the Athletic Grounds, the Armagh County Board created and tasked a sub-committee to examine suitable options for the naming of each section of the venue which has now been completed.

The two main stands have been named in honour of legendary Gaels who have helped built Armagh GAA into the force it is today.

The main stand has been named after Alf Murray, a former GAA President.

As a highly skilful footballer, Alf represented the county for eleven campaigns between 1935-46 and was selected for Ulster on eight occasions including the first team from the province to win the Railway Cup in 1942 and 1943.

As a very able administrator, he acted as County Board Secretary on two occasions, from 1935-37 and 1942-44.

At provincial level, he was an Ulster Council delegate for 26 years , becoming Ulster GAA President in 1946-48 after being Vice -President between 1944-45.

Alf was central to the purchase of Davitt Park, Lurgan with the aim to provide the first permanent and suitable home for Gaelic games in North Armagh.

Marking his excellent leadership qualities, he became Armagh’s first ever GAA President between 1964-67.

As an avid proponent of all things Irish, he founded the local Conradh na Gaeilge in Lurgan and promoted its growth by sending children to the Gaeltacht for many years.

His worked as Clann Eireann Chairman is legendary, being central to the building of their Youth Club, demonstrating his instinct for innovation.

Directly across from the main stand is the terrace stand at the Drumarg side of the ground which will be named after Bessbrook Geraldine’s Pappy Fearon.

Known as Pappy, a derivation of Patrick, he played in the All-Ireland Junior Final of 1926, a team that brought a national title to Ulster for the very first time. He captained Armagh in the Ulster SFC Final of 1931, a decade when they were defeated in six provincial finals. He also played seven times for Ulster in the Railway Cup

At club level he won both Senior and Junior County Championship medals with Bessbrook Geraldine’s and also became a well known referee.

Pappy was County Secretary between 1925-29 and was heavily involved in the creation of Armagh’s iconic Orange jersey.

He served as County Chairman from 1935-36 and also 1955-61 and was the youngest ever Ulster Council President from 1932-35. In 1968 he was awarded the position of Honorary Armagh President

An Ulster Council Delegate for thirty years, Pappy was a fluent Irish Speaker and promoter of every facet of Gaelic Culture.

The remaining two sections of the ground have also been named. The section of the ground which once sited the former Pearse Og clubhouse and now houses the big screen has been named Cathedral View as there in the back ground is the towering St Patrick’s Cathedral which occupies the city skyline.

The section at the scoreboard end of the ground has been given the name of Friary Terrace. The ruins of the old Franciscan Friary is another piece of the fabric of the surrounds of the stadium, now one of the leading GAA grounds in Ireland.

The official unveiling of the new names will occur at a home National Football League in 2027.