Clann Éireann celebrates it's 50th Anniversary this year.   Below are some recollections and images from the past fifty years.

Today’s club is very advanced from the first days of Clann-Eireann C.C. but I, like a few others am very proud to have been there. I can remember one of the very first meetings of Cherrymount C.C. was in Hayden Mulholland’s car at the entrance gates of St Teresa’s School (Tarry Lane) where I was elected to be Treasure and membership then was one shilling per week. In 1960 the late Ambrose Lavery, through Hayden, invited us to join Clann-Eireann which we did without a moment of thought, then came the Tour Of Armagh and hear we are after 50 years.

I was not a cyclist, in fact I never owned a bike till the early 70’s but I was always around the start and finish line with a sheet of paper and sometimes a watch. When we went to races it was always in Hayden’s car and as I never drank a beer I was always the driver especially homeward bound. I was honoured to be the First Co Armagh Team Manager in An Ras. when Hayden finished 3^rd in the longest stage, I think it was into Wexford but they placed him 5^th and I could do nothing only voice my objections then and at the next mornings meeting. That team was made up of Sean O’Hare, Billy Campbell and the late Micky Mooney. Over the years I enjoyed witnessing some great Clann wins including Hayden's on the Dundrod circut, but none more enjoyable than when the late Jim McConville won the All Ireland Senior in Westport, with just him and me there from the club and his younge son Gary, sometime I think my throat is still sore from that win.

I have some great memories from over the years and hold dearly some of the friendships made and I was privileged to be at the 40^th but alas won’t be able to make the 50^th celebrations. I congratulate Maurice Bann Lavery and the organizing committee on keeping the club still active and all past and present members especially those of you who have experienced a win, but remember everyone can’t win and its all in having fun that matters. Please continue to keep me informed as once a Clann man always a Clann man. Keep safe and God Bless you all.

Des Kennedy Niagara Canada.