By 1931 Loughinisland, now known as ‘The Shamrocks’, were playing in O’Toole’s field and playing well and after five games were top of the league. Unfortunately, due to fielding illegal players they were suspended from playing the rest of the campaign.
Local derbies were prevalent with Magheralone also in action. Relationships between the two clubs was very cordial with reports of players playing for both teams at the time in the Castlewellan and Downpatrick District Football League. Success on the field was still limited and off the field work was scarce with many men having to either emigrate to live away from home and stay in “digs” during the week and only visit home on the odd weekend. The outbreak of WW2 in 1939 did not help and over the next few years the spirit, strength and resourcefulness of the GAA was greatly challenged.
