Initially, the Irish Deaf Sports Association tendered advice through John Carberry in order to establish a regional deaf sports council to deal with Ulster’s affairs.

Eventually, the project proceeded in October 1976, the steering committee of the Ulster Deaf Sports Council comprised Robert McCullough, John Carberry, Alfred Hagan, William Jackson, John O’Hara, James McKernan and John Derby.

One of the major events undertaken in 1977 was a Five-a-Side Soccer Tournament which attracted 150 competitors from all over Ireland. This competition was opened by the Lord Mayors of Belfast and Dublin.

Fundraising campaign to assist four Ulster players to represent Ireland in the World Games for the Deaf in Bucharest, Romania. It was also the first time for the Ireland Soccer team to qualify for the Finals by beating Holland and Great Britain.

At our first AGM. in 1977, we were given full support by Rev.George Grindle, Superintendent of Kinghan Mission, asked the deaf to support UDSC aims in improving the sport with the deaf.

John Carberry resigned as Secretary after 1978 AGM. and was replaced by James McKernan who carried on until 1981.

In 1979 we received an invitation to participate in the Glasgow Deaf A.F.C’s Ninetieth Anniversary celebrations. Birmingham and Bridgend were also invited. It was our first trip to the mainland and a new experience for our members. The Ulster Soccer Team came third in the competition which was dominated by Glasgow.

In 1981, our Chairman Alfred Hagan was recommended by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland for the Torch Award for his services for the deaf. The presentation was made by Princess Alexandra.

Osborne Ballantine of Omagh, was Ulster’s representative in the World Games for the Deaf in Cologne, Germany as an athlete.

In 1982, we introduced bowls primarily in a pairs competition which was a great success. The following year we developed the Singles and Fours Bowls Championships. The singles Championship Trophy was generously presented by the Board of Management of the Ulster Institute for the Deaf.

In August, we organised a football tournament to mark our Fifth Anniversary. The teams participating included Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow Deaf A.F.C but despite the absence of the latter due to unforeseen circumstances, the tournament was very successful.

Manchester D.F.C organised a match with the Belfast X1 in August 1983. Our party numbered 39 and the supporters cheered our 8-1 victory. The highly enjoyable weekend further strengthened our ties with our Manchester friends. In October, Jeffrey MaWhinney resigned as a secretary from 1981 and was succeeded by Martin O’Neill. The U.D.S.C acquired office space in the Ulster Institute for the Deaf due to the intervention of Rev.William Murphy, superintendent. This was a valuable asset as it provided storage facilities for U.D.S.C data and regular venue for committee meetings.

In February 1984, 8 members of the Belfast Deaf United F.C traveled to Recklinghausen, Germany to take part in the International Six-a-Side Soccer Tournament. They won the competition on their first trip aboard. That August, Graham Stanfield and Rita Clements led the Ireland men and ladies table-tennis teams to 3rd and 2nd places respectively in the International Table-tennis Tournament in Braunschweig, Germany. Competitors were drawn from 12 countries.

1985 was specially memorable year as six of our members were chosen to represent Ireland at the World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles. Fundraising achieved a total of £5,000 thanks to the magnificent effort of our members and supporters. The world famous goalkeeper Pat Jennings was a guest at the “Good Luck” Party for the departing team with Jackie Fullerton, UTV Sports Commentator.

May 1986 was a historic moment for the U.D.S.C because the IDSA decided to field the entire Ulster Team to represent Ireland in the Full-International friendly match with Switzerland in Zurich. The result of the match was 1-1.

We were delighted to participate that August in the South Wales Deaf Sports Council’s Fortieth Anniversary celebrations in Swansea. It was the first time Ulster was able to bring teams for five different sports – Soccer, Bowls, Badminton, Table-Tennis and Darts. The actual results were insignificant in comparison with the friendships forged among the teams invited to Swansea. Unfortunately the trip home was marred by the advent of Hurricane Charlie prolonging the ferry journey from three and a half to twenty four hours.

September 26th was red letter day for Alfred Hagan, our chairman. At a surprise dinner in his honour, he was applauded by nearly 60 guests and received an engraved Tyrone Crystal Bowl from Robert McCullough, his predecessor. Two weeks later he stepped down as Chairman and was succeeded by Noel Traynor, previously the Vice-Chairman.

1987 saw Badminton added to our list of Sports and the first ever Badminton Championship were held in Magherafelt in April. They were very successful and we look forward to many similar events in the future.

Let us look ahead to the future years when we shall be celebrating our 30th Anniversary in 2006 and hope that those who follow on in office will be able to contribute as much as our founders and their successors.