Willie Cassidy

Willie Cassidy got involved in the GAA from an early age. He remembers the setting up of his local club, Bellaghy and watching their first match. Willie was playing for the Derry county team in league competitions from the age of fifteen. He was a member of the 1958 team that made it to the All-Ireland where they were beaten by Dublin. He was one of the few people at that stage who was flown home from England where he was studying for matches. Willie played football in three English counties and when he returned home as a local teacher he took over the management of the local underage teams. He also managed the Bellaghy senior team. From the late 1970s and early 80s Willie grew more involved in the local golf club and in providing entertainment locally.