All in all, it was a disappointing year for Clan na Gael, as Peter Brannigan reflects. Clans' defeat at Stabannon to the local Parnells by 1-11 to 1-4 in the Malone Insurances Division One senior football league on Sunday October 21st condemned the club to a place in division two for the 2002 season. Holders of the Cardinal O'Donnell Cup at the outset of the competition, Clans made no impact on this year's league and despite winning their opening game they subsequently struggled throughout the remainder of the first half, only coming to grips with their plight with a couple of useful wins in the latter part of the season. Their late spurt proved too little too late, their final tally of ten points from 14 games placing them at the bottom of the table, a mere two points away from survival. It has been said many times before that a good start is half the battle, for Clans this campaign began with one of the worst starts for many seasons. One win after four games had them already at the bottom of the table and try as hard as they could, in the second half of the league they still could not create that extra couple of points that would have made all the difference. As stated earlier, they gained two hard-earned points from their first outing against Cooley Kickhams at Clan na Gael Park by 2-8 to 1-9 but thereafter they failed to get another win from the opening half of the league, their best effort being to collect a point from their encounter with Stabannon Parnells when the sides finished level on 1-11 each. Defeats were suffered against Ardee St Mary's, St Patricks, Roche Emmets, Newtown Blues and St Josephs. The second half of the league saw a huge improvement as victory was earned against Ardee St Mary's by 0-17 to 1-7 and wins over St Josephs and Newtown Blues together with a draw away to Cooley Kickhams gave hope that the final showdown against Stabannon might provide the win that could maintain their place in division one. Such were the permutations going into this final round that any two from four - Newtown Blues, Cooley Kickhams, St Josephs and Clans - could be relegated. Cooley gained a play-off by virtue of success over Newtown Blues and St Josephs were forced into that play-off against Cooley, as they lost to Roche Emmetts. Clans, however, needed victory to leapfrog Cooley and St Josephs. In the event the loss to Stabannon sent the club to division two, St Josephs joined them a week later when they lost to Cooley. Prior to the commencement of the championship Clans were among the favourites to capture the title, made second favourites to the holders Newtown Blues. The new format introduced for the earlier stages of the championship came into operation and Clans were drawn in Group C alongside St Patricks, Mattock Rangers and Ardee St Marys. Clans finished joint top on four points with a narrow victory over Mattock Rangers and success against St Marys in a very exciting encounter. The Ardee side finishing the odd team out in this section by failing to win any of their games, leaving the other three tied at the top. Play-offs were needed to decide the two to go through to the quarter-finals at which juncture the competition returned to the knock-out system. Mattock were drawn to play St Patricks with the winners going through, Clans receiving the bye in which case they would meet the losers of the other tie for the second spot in the last eight. Mattock lost to St Patricks putting the Lordship men through. Once again poor form dogged the Castletown side and in a well contested game the Collon men booked their place in the knock-out stages with a merited win. There are many reasons for Clans' poor form, not least injuries to key players almost throughout the entire season. Also many of the players have been playing at the top for club and county for a long number of years. However, on the plus side of things a fine crop of young players are coming through and the experience gained this season as a number of them step up from minor to senior ranks will hopefully be of benefit in the year 2002. Many of these young players have been members of the minor championship winning sides of 1999 and 2000 and indeed in this season it was again the minor side that went nearest to championship success, bowing out at the semi-final stage to a tremendous last ten minute surge by Sean Treacys which just denied Clans their fourth minor final in a row. As the season comes to its closing stages Clans still have a glimmer of hope of gaining some success at adult level as their two junior sides have reached the semi finals of their respective leagues. The upcoming winter period will see the club take stock and determine its approach the 2002 season. Clans Development by Peter Brannigan Clans, who have always been among the most progressive clubs in the county, further added to their fine facilities in the year just passing. They've moved with the times from the beginning in 1916 and the use of a house on Castletown Road, Townparks, to a move to a premises on Bridge Street for another short period, before moving to a more permanent home in Laurence's Lane in the early 1920s. The place in Laurence's Lane was affectionately known as the "little hut above the cobbled lane." These premises were to be home to the club for over thirty years until a site purchased on Castletown Road was developed into what was described at the time of its official opening in 1956, as palatial. In 1966, the club acquired land in Cox's Demesne, in an area known locally as the 'brickfields'. Dressing rooms were quickly erected and the pitch developed but the need was also felt to have all the club's facilities in the one area, and so the premises on Castletown Road were sold to the Catholic Boy Scouts, who are still the occupants. Clans then proceeded to build new clubrooms on the Ard Easmuinn Road site. A single storey structure, with bar and a large hall were erected, all completed in 1970. The clubrooms were further developed with the addition of a second storey which has meeting rooms, and a snooker room, plus toilet facilities in 1974. The playing surface has always been the subject of updating on a regular basis, and this year is no exception, when more work took place in order to maintains its good quality. The main features of the club's continued development over the past two years, have been the erection of a stand, which is nearing completion and the erection of lighting which will allow evening matches to take place, and also assist greatly on training nights. The club has also undertaken a complete overhaul of the bar and hall areas, with a view to hosting more functions in the years to come. No doubt when the current projects are complete, the club will look at future developments as it strives to provide the best possible facilities for all its members, young and old. Clans honour five members At their annual presentation function in March at the Fairways Hotel, Clan na Gael honoured five men with scrolls for years of sterling service to the club. Each man was created as honourary president at the club's annual general meeting' and to mark this honour Clans chairman Aidan Kirk presented them with their awards. Miceal Hughes He was a very active member in the late 1940s and early '50s Before he emigrated to the USA he assisted at the building of the club premises on Castletown Road. He retained his interest in the club and on his return he once again gave great assistance, being a member of the management committee for a number of years. Jimmy Clifford Another outstanding servant, specially during the '40s and '50s when he was involved in fundraising ventures such as carnivals, and dances to assist in the building of the clubrooms on Castletown Road in 1956. Jim Coburn Holder of a junior championship medal, won in 1954, he also gained Macardle Cup medals in 1947, 1953 as captain, and in 1954. A prominent member of the Louth junior team during his playing days, he was a prolific marksman. A selector of the successful Clans 1959 senior championship winning side, Jim also worked on the club's building projects of the 1950s. Jimmy Coogan A native of Donaghmoyne, Co Monaghan, Jimmy played senior and junior football with Clans in the mid 1950s and into the '60s. On his retirement he became a very active member of the club's management committee. Con O'Neill An active committee member and player in the 1940s, Con won a Macardle Cup medal in 1947. He also has the distinction of being the club's leading athlete, winning the Louth junior cross-country title in 1949. He was a member of Louth's Leinster junior cross-country team. He emigrated to Australia in the early 1950s and on his return in the '70s once again became active at committee level. Tweet

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