The first Ballymena GAA club, McCracken's (named after the United Irishmen leader Henry Joy McCracken), was formed in 1922 but went out of existence in 1925. It was reformed in 1945, one of the prime movers being Jack O'Doherty, a native of County Armagh who had played football for Antrim, Armagh and Derry. McCracken's finally went out of existence in 1950. Another club, St Patrick's GAC, was founded in 1959, but lasted only until 1963. In 1965, All Saints GAC made its first appearance. With the onset of The Troubles, this club was wound up at the end of the decade.