Fifty years on the road

CLANN Éireann Cycling Club (CECC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The club began in 1960 after the Cherrymount and Mid-Ulster cycling clubs merged when Clann ireann man Ambrose Lavery invited the them to make use of the football club’s facilities.

The first Tour of Armagh was in 1961 and since then, the club has been going from strength to strength.

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Continually active over all those years, the club has produced some great cyclists.

This year alone has seen considerable success brought to the club.

Last month club member John Heverin won the Ulster ten mile and the Ulster 25 mile time trial titles.

Along with a long string of successful athletes, such as the late Jim McConville, who was the Irish Road Racing Champion in the mid-70s, the club boasts some younger stars including Michael Murray Jr (former Irish Road Racing Junior Champion) and Declan Mulholland (Irish Under-14 Time Trial Champion).

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As well as cycling, the club has also undertaken some valuable charity work.

The Clann Eireann cyclists were recently involved in a charity cycle in aid of PIPS, the Suicide awareness group.

Around 150 cyclists took part in what turned out to be an enjoyable trip around Aghagallon, Aghalee, Gawley’s Gate and Bartins Bay.

A celebration night is planned for Friday, October 15 in Clann ireann social club.

Most of the available places have already been booked.

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Maurice Bann-Lavery, PRO for CECC pointed out that the function is for “anyone who has ever watched, washed or worn a Clann Eireann jersey”.

Mr Lavery is confident that CECC will last another 50 years.

He said: “We want to carry on with what we are doing, except in a bigger and better way. We will continue to promote the sport in Lurgan as well as across the country.”