Football

Clann Eireann manager remembers Peadar Fagan as Lurgan club end 58-year wait for Armagh Championship title

Clann Eireann manager Tommy Coleman. Pic Philip Walsh
Clann Eireann manager Tommy Coleman. Pic Philip Walsh Clann Eireann manager Tommy Coleman. Pic Philip Walsh

WAS a famous win for Clann Eireann win written in the stars? Crossmaglen looked beatable at times yesterday but they still take a lot of beating and it seemed that the composure and big-game experience to do that was lacking in the Clann Eireann ranks.

And then, with a minute remaining, substitute Jack Conlan launched hopeful long ball toward the Cross posts. The crowd gasped when it bounced in the square and zipped off the turf and into the net without a finger being laid on it.

Clann Eireann, who had trailed by six points midway through the second half, went on to win by two and claim their first Armagh title since 1963.

“We never panicked,” said manager Tommy Coleman.

“I told the boys that if we were still in the game with 10 minutes to go we would win it because we had it in the legs. We went man-to-man, threw caution to the wind and got a wee bit of luck which you need to win any championship.”

Forty years ago this week, 20-year-old Peadar Fagan was murdered in an indiscriminate sectarian gun attack in Lurgan. Peadar was a member of the Clann Eireann club and son of former captain and Armagh county secretary Gerry Fagan.

Last night the Fagan household was Clann Eireann’s first stop on their way home from their dramatic victory.

“This was meant to be, there’s no doubt about it,” added club stalwart Coleman.

“There are a whole lot of things that were lined up over the last while. Peadar’s anniversary is coming up and this will mean so much to the Fagan family. Our first stop on our way home will be their house because that’s what we are all about - it’s our community.”

He added: “What this means to the club is immense and it will lift the profile of Gaelic Football even higher.

“Every club in the town will be able to feed off this. It all augurs well for the whole area and the growth of Gaelic football. For years Lurgan was recognised as a soccer town – it’s not a soccer town anymore!”

Barry McCambridge added: “We’re best mates, we’d do anything for each other and it’s brilliant to get over the line.

“It’s amazing. We know how much it meant to the 1963 team, they came and talked to us. It means everything to us and the club and the town in general, it’ll give the whole place a lift.”