Clann Eireann mark 50th anniversary

Formed late in 1960, it was for some years the only cycling club in the area, and enjoyed successful years during the 1960s with members winning Ulster Championships and the birth of the Tour of Armagh in 1961.

The 50th edition of the Tour of Armagh took place just two months ago, and if there is any disappointment amongst the older members of the club, it is that in all those years, the race, recognised as one of the real classic road races in the country, has never been won by a rider from the promoting club.

Fortunately the current club riders have had good successes elsewhere, particularly this year.

John Heverin finished off his 2010 season with three straight wins in open time trials, including the Ulster ten and 25 miles championships. He also scored top ten finishes in many of the hardest and most important road events in the province.

Young Declan Mulholland took both gold and silver medals at Irish Youth Championships, while his sister Ciara won open senior ladies road events despite her tender years.

The local interclub league, run over 20 separate events, and involving four clubs, gave the Clannsmen an almost clean sweep of the prizes, the first time in several years that they achieved that level of success.