A weekly insight into the GAA in Inishowen, our peninsula's beating heart.
The quack is ninety at CLG Iorras!
By Gaelscéalaí Inis Eoghain
The ducks will be quacking and the eggs will soon be cracking, bringing a smile to the face of CLG Iorras treasurer, John Friel.
"The world-famous Clonmany Festival wouldn't be complete without a Big Breakfast hosted by CLG Iorras," said the club referee persuasively. "This year it is taking place on Saturday, August 8, from 8.30am until 1.00pm, in St Mary's Parish Hall, right in the centre of the village. We have the frying pans at the ready!
"I don't think we'll be needing the duffel coats on Big Breakfast morning but they might come in handy at the River Binnion on St Stephen's Day, when CLG Iorras will be holding its sixth annual Duck Race, in aid of club funds. This is a great event for getting people out into the fresh air over the Festive season. It's more Christmas quackers than Christmas crackers!
"Traditionally the ducks, which are of the rubber variety, are launched from Binnion Bridge and bob downriver, cheered on by the scores of enthusiastic children and adults watching from the river bank. It is a colourful and fun family event, in which everyone is very welcome to take part," said John.
CLG Iorras has been based in Crampsie Park in Straid since 1979, proudly sporting the red and black.
John recalled: "Before that CLG Iorras had been playing at a field out in Leenan. Our new Park took its name from Charlie Crampsie, the man who sold us the land. One of the highlights of the last 36 years has undoubtedly been the opening of our clubhouse in 2014. It contains four dressing rooms, bathrooms, a first aid room and a kitchen and is a great addition to our pitch.
"However, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael has a fascinating, much longer and thankfully well documented history in Urris. Its origins can be traced back to the stationing of the Irish Army and its renowned junior team, Dun Lionain, at Leenan. This was in addition to the arrival in Clonmany National School of a young teacher by the name of Dennis Callaghan in the 1930's. Originally from Killybegs, Dennis represented Donegal at junior and senior levels while playing for Clonmany, who subsequently lifted the Inish Eoghain Championship in the 1940's," added John.
According to John, Dennis Callaghan coached quite a few good minor teams and heavily promoted Gaelic football at schools level.
He continued: "CLG Iorras is also indebted to Dennis McElligot from County Kerry who taught at Carndonagh Vocational School. Coached by Dennis, Carndonagh won the County Vocational Championship for three consecutive years, a fantastic achievement in itself, however, 13 members of that team came from Urris and provided a solid foundation for CLG Iorras on which to build!
"And so it was that the club was officially was founded in Danny Friel's barn in September 1969, with Dennis Callaghan as its first president, and rightly so.
"46 years on, CLG Iorras caters for boys and girls from u-6 right up to senior level, were we field a men and ladies team. Last year, managed by Danny Kelly from Tullagh, our senior men reached the Ulster Junior Club final, which they lost unfortunately. Our senior ladies are doing very well this year and are still in the Championship," said John, acknowledging the respective sponsors, Centra Clonmany and Thomas Doherty.
Paying tribute to the volunteers who give up so much of their time for CLG Iorras, John said: "I can't thank our parents and coaches enough. It is great to see so many people consistently involved in the club.
"It is definitely a case of all hands on deck this week for our Cúl Camp, which has seen more than 100 youngsters in the Straid every day since Monday. I think the success of CLG Iorras in the recent Joe McGeady Memorial Cup might have something to do with the fantastic turn out! We are also looking forward to the final of the Downey / McLaughlin Cup against Muff on July 12."
A treasurer to his fingertips, John concluded: "Although CLG Iorras depends on its club lotto, weekly Thursday night bingo in the Parish Hall and annual October monster bingo in Clonmany Community Centre, we are also proud to fundraise for our local community. Over St Patrick's week our charity bingo raised 2,000 euro for the Clonmany Day Centre and High Support Unit. We are also looking forward to helping out with the stewarding at Clonmany Festival 2015. Roll on August!"
ENDS