Sands Mac Swineys A Brief History
Founded in 1986, Sands developed from the now defunct Pearse Harps in Glasgow. As the numbers of Coatbridge players began to increase with the Glasgow based club, some Coatsbridge members believed it would be more appropriate to give birth to a more local based team in an area previously renowned for its Gaelic sports activities.
Sands' first full season was marked by success in reaching the 1986 final of the Glasgow Championship only to lose to St Patrick's. By 1988 Sands won their first major trophy, winning the O'Fiach Cup beating Beltane Shamrocks in the final held at Pearse Park. The same cup was also won by Sands in 1996, beating St Patrick's in the final held at Dumbarton. The Coatbridge team won the Championship in 1990, 1991 and 1999, were runners up in 1986, 1989, 1996 and 2000, and have also won the Pearse Cup. Sands won the League two years in succession, 1998 and 1999. The club also accumulated the most points in 2000, but were not awarded the League. Sands have been regular contributors to the County team and initiated its own minor set up in the early 1990's. The club also initiated a successful local schools tournament during 1996/1997 which involved approximately 150 boys and girls from local primary schools. The club is currently re-invigorating its youth set up.
HONOURS
Championship 1990, 1991, 1996
League 1998, 1999
O'Fiach Cup 1988, 1996
Pearse Cup Once
