Club of the week: Clan na Gael

Clan na Gael legend Diarmuid Marsden

IN Armagh, a giant is sleeping – and all associated with Clan na Gael are determined to awaken it from its slumber.

“Rebuilding,” that’s the message from club secretary Teddy Martin. And that is what is happening both on and off the field in the Orchard town.

While Crossmaglen are the undoubted masters of Armagh football, there is no denying that in the Clans they have a worthy rival. Fourteen county titles, three provincial crowns and an All-Ireland replay loss in 1974, the Lurgan outfit have tasted success many times over the years.

However, the trophy cabinet, at senior level anyway, has been pretty bare in recent times, the last county title coming in 1994 and the side battling to stay in the senior league this year.

Relegation would be particularly galling as it would mean that if they weren’t promoted next year, they would be playing in intermediate championship in 2014 due to the new league re-structuring within the county. A gloomy proposition for a club that’s only been relegated twice in its history.

But if anyone thinks the club is down to its dying embers, they are very much mistaken.
From volunteers to players to committee, the sacrifices are being made to bring the club back to its rightful place.

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday August 2. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here