“In 1979 Southdown Defenders (SDD) were formed by Sammy Taylor and the late Alan Warton. In the SDD there were a number of members who were from the near by town of Rathfriland. The SDD were well known as being one of the best Blood and Thunder bands at that time.

In 1982 a number of Rathfriland members decided that they wanted a band in their hometown, after being “questioned” about this by the founder members of the SDD most of the Rathfriland members left leaving SDD to rebuild. Most of the groundwork had already been done so fund raising was the next step to get the band off the ground.

Some events that took place to raise funds were the likes of air gun shoots, selling firewood door to door, raffles and collecting cards. A hall was given to the new band; “well” a derelict schoolhouse more like but the members got stuck in and got it fixed it up so that they would have a place to meet and practice week in week out.”


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