Hugh takes up President's role at St Enda's

ONE of Omagh St Enda's most decorated footballers has now become President of the Tyrone club.

Hugh Crawford who had a remarkable footballing career accepted the role on Friday night when he took over from another footballing legend at the club, Paddy McMahon.

It's apt that Hugh replaces Paddy as the duo enjoyed so much success on several Tyrone and club teams together including an Ulster U21 football title, a national league and Ulster senior title.

From the Crawford family of Gortmore Park Hugh started with the famous Park Leagues ran by St Enda's.

Having played his football at Omagh CBS Primary School Hugh went on to win club football and hurling county titles, the Herald Cup with Omagh CBS in 1970 with Eugene McMahon, Jimmy McDaid and Oliver O'Neill with Roddy Tierney the manager.

The same year he helped Omagh to the Tyrone Championship while still 17.

In 1971 Hugh lined out with the Tyrone Minors winning an Ulster League and Championship following that with the 1972 Tyrone Minor title again.

The same year Hugh won an Ulster U21 title with Paddy, scored the winning point in the National League Division Two final against Down with Paddy and Liam Turbett, while he was replaced in the Ulster senior final by Frank McGuigan who had earlier captained the Minors to the Ulster title, the seniors lost.

In 1973 Hugh and Oliver O'Neill won Ulster U20 title and Hugh was part of the senior squad that won the Ulster Senior Championship.

His county career petered out but at club level Hugh won a Tyrone Division Two title in 1973 an intermediate title in 1977, a Tyrone Division One title in 1980, the first of three Jim Devlin Cups while he missed out on a Tyrone senior title when Omagh lost their only game of 1980, the county final replay. Hugh was still with the St Enda's squad that lost the 1984 county final.

Hugh continued in sport and as a player/manager he made a great career in soccer with Omagh Town and Shelbourne where he continued to collect silverware.

Once a winner always a winner. Hugh enjoys golf these days while keeping a close eye on the fortunes of St Enda's.